[AEE] Do You Have FOMO? YOLO!

Refined daily expressions and idioms (with examples)

  1. get FOMO (all the time)
    Meaning: feel anxious or sad that you’re missing something fun, valuable, or meaningful.
  • “I’m staying in, but I’ve got major FOMO seeing everyone’s stories.”
  • “I didn’t apply for that program and now I’m getting FOMO.”
  1. miss out on (something)
    Meaning: lose the chance to experience something.
  • “I don’t want to miss out on the team dinner.”
  • “She missed out on a great networking opportunity.”
  1. (My/His/Her) FOMO kicked in
    Meaning: the feeling suddenly got strong and pushed you to act.
  • “My FOMO kicked in, so I bought the ticket last minute.”
  • “His FOMO kicked in when he saw everyone traveling.”
  1. I’d almost rather ___ than ___
    Meaning: a dramatic way to say you strongly prefer one option (often joking).
  • “I’d almost rather go late than miss the first 10 minutes.”
  • “I’d almost rather reschedule than rush through it.”
  1. That sounds so fun
    Meaning: friendly reaction that builds connection (even if you can’t join).
  • “That sounds so fun. I have FOMO already.”
  • “That sounds so fun. Send pics!”
  1. I’ll regret it if I don’t
    Meaning: you believe skipping will make you feel bad later.
  • “I’ll regret it if I don’t go celebrate with them.”
  • “I’ll regret it if I don’t at least try.”
  1. We could both use a break
    Meaning: a tactful, supportive way to suggest rest without sounding lazy.
  • “We could both use a break, even if it’s just 30 minutes.”
  • “You’ve been grinding. You could use a break.”
  1. YOLO (“you only live once”)
    Meaning: playful justification for taking a risk, being spontaneous, or indulging a bit.
  • “I’m ordering dessert. YOLO.”
  • “I’m taking the trip. YOLO.”
  1. because YOLO
    Meaning: a quick “reason” tag that makes it humorous and light.
  • “I signed up for salsa class because YOLO.”
  • “We stayed out late because YOLO.”
  1. It’s a way to build connection
    Meaning: meta-phrase for explaining why you say something polite, even if you can’t join.
  • “I say ‘I have FOMO’ as a way to build connection, not guilt.”

Role play script (from the conversation)

Aubrey: Are you coming to Jamie’s birthday this weekend?
Lindsay: I’m not sure. I have so much studying to catch up on.
Aubrey: Same, but everyone’s going.
Lindsay: Oh, now I’m getting FOMO. I know I’ll regret it if I don’t go.
Aubrey: Me too. I think I’m going to go, and you should, too. We could both use a break.
Lindsay: True. You know what? YOLO.
Aubrey: Nice.

One paragraph using all the expressions

Jamie’s birthday is this weekend, and even though I’m buried in work, I’m starting to get FOMO just thinking about it, because I really don’t want to miss out on the stories and inside jokes. When you said, “That sounds so fun,” my FOMO kicked in, and I caught myself thinking, “I’d almost rather show up tired than stay home and scroll through everyone’s photos.” Honestly, I’ll regret it if I don’t, and you’re right, we could both use a break anyway. So yes, I’m coming, and if anyone asks why I’m making time, my answer is simple: YOLO, and I’m going because YOLO, plus it’s a way to build connection instead of accidentally isolating myself.

Q1. Do I have to use “on” in “miss out on”? Can I drop it?
A. If you mention the thing you’re missing, “on” is basically required.

  • ✅ I don’t want to miss out on the fun.
  • ✅ She missed out on a great opportunity.
    You can drop it only when you don’t say what you’re missing.
  • ✅ I don’t want to miss out.
    But this is unnatural/incorrect:
  • ❌ I don’t want to miss out the fun.

Q2. In “I’d almost rather go late than miss the first 10 minutes,” doesn’t going late automatically mean missing the first 10 minutes?
A. Yes, that example is a bit overlapping and can feel confusing. A clearer “either A or B” comparison uses two different choices:

  • I’d almost rather go late than cancel.
  • I’d almost rather go late than leave early.
  • I’d almost rather miss the first 10 minutes than not go at all.
    Your idea works too if you want the options to feel more separate:
  • I’d almost rather go late than miss the last 10 minutes.
    That makes the contrast easier to feel.

Q3. What does “I’m buried in work” mean?
A. It means you have so much work that you feel overwhelmed.

  • I’m buried in work this week.
  • Sorry, I’ve been buried in work lately.
    Similar casual options: I’m slammed, I’m swamped, I’m tied up.

Leave a comment