Fixing a device B1
When your phone or laptop stops behaving and you need to sort it out.
Describing what's wrong
mobile phone — cell phoneA: Can I borrow your mobile phone for a second?
B: Sure, here you go.
act up — not work properlyA: Why are you limping?
B: My knee's acting up again. I think I need to rest it.
break down — stop workingA: Why are you late?
B: Sorry, the bus broke down and I had to walk.
technical problem — problem with technologyA: Why did your call drop?
B: Sorry, there was a technical problem with my internet connection.
Sorting it out
back up — make a copyA: I lost all my photos!
B: Did you back them up anywhere? A: No, I forgot.
cut off — disconnect (phone, electricity, etc.)A: Hello? Are you still there?
B: Sorry, I got cut off. The signal dropped.
restart it — turn it off and onCould you try restarting it first? (polite)
Just restart it, that'll fix it. (casual)
My phone's playing up
Sam: My mobile phone's been acting up all morning — apps keep freezing.
Jo: That's annoying. Have you tried turning it off and on again?
Sam: Twice. I'm worried it might break down completely.
Jo: Make sure you back up your photos before it gets any worse.
Sorting out the connection
Sam: The wifi keeps cutting out every few minutes.
Jo: Mine too. The router barely picks up a signal in this room.
Sam: It says there's a technical problem on the provider's end.
Jo: Ah, so it's not us — nothing we can do but wait, then.
Turning it off and on
Sam: My laptop's frozen again — the screen just won't respond.
Jo: Honestly, nine times out of ten you just need to restart it.
Sam: Really? That feels too simple to actually work.
Jo: Trust me — give it a minute to shut down, and it usually clears the glitch.