A. Home styles

A squat /skwɒt/ is an empty building where people start living without the owner’s permission.
A hovel /ˈhɒvəl/ is a very small, dirty house or flat in a bad (or run down) condition.
Rented accommodation can be either furnished or unfurnished. [with or without furniture]
A penthouse is a luxury flat at the top of a building.
Council or social housing is rented accommodation provided by the state for people who have low incomes.
A council estate is a large group of such housing.
High-rise (flats) or tower blocks are flats in a tall, modern building with a lot of floors.
A granny flat is a set of rooms for an elderly person, connected to a relative’s house.

B. Idioms and expressions relating to house and home

Expression	Meaning	Example
get on like a house on fire	get on very well with someone	Happily, my mother-in-law and I have always got on like a house on fire.
a household word/name	something/someone everyone knows	Nike has become a household name.
on the house	free of charge	The restaurant owner offered us coffees on the house.
home truths	information that is true but not pleasant or welcome	It’s time he was told some home truths about the way he’s been behaving!
nothing to write home about	nothing special	The town is OK but nothing to write home about.
hit home	become fully understood or fully felt	The difficulty of managing without a regular salary is hitting home now.
make yourself at home	make yourself feel comfortable in someone else’s home	Please just make yourself at home while I get dinner ready.

Expression	Meaning	Example
life in the fast lane	a way of life that is full of activity and excitement	As a rock star, Joe lived life in the fast lane.
have the time of your life	have a wonderful time	Paula’s having the time of her life in Canada.
get a new lease of life	become more energetic and active than before	When Georgie moved jobs, she seemed to get a new lease of life.
a dog’s life	a very unhappy and difficult life	Ryan had a dog’s life in the army.
lead a sheltered life	have a life that is protected from unpleasantness	Kyoko has led a very sheltered life and may find it hard to adapt to the big city.
(not) be a matter of life and death	(not) be very serious	If we miss the last train, it’s not a matter of life and death.
take your life in your hands	do something very dangerous	You’re taking your life in your hands if you cross the road here – go to the zebra crossing!
breathe new life into	bring new ideas and energy to something	When Orla joined the staff, she breathed new life into the school.