What do you prefer: a meal cooked at home or a meal out at a restaurant?

A natural way to answer

Both have their good points. Eating out is great for a special occasion and you don't have to do the washing up. But cooking at home is cheaper and healthier, so for everyday meals I prefer to stay in and make something myself.

Key phrases to use

• add up — to gradually increase to a large total, especially cost“Little expenses really add up over a month.”
• wins hands down — is clearly and easily the best, with no real competition“For comfort food, soup wins hands down.”
• make a night of it — to turn an evening into a longer, more enjoyable occasion“Let's get dressed up and make a night of it.”