We've been cooped up in here for too long. Let's go
get some fresh air.
You and your husband have been
at home for a few days without leaving. You want to go out for a walk. You try
to tell him
why he should come with you.
We've been
cooped up in here for too long. Let's go get some fresh air.
“Fresh air” means the air
outside. The air inside of a building can become “stale” and unpleasant, so
it’s nice to go outside where the air is often cool and refreshing. You
probably wouldn’t use this expression if the outside climate is very hot and
humid, because that isn’t very refreshing.
We need some fresh air in here.
I think some fresh air will make me feel better.
To "get some fresh
air" means to open a window or go outside, so that you can breathe air
that comes from outdoors.
Turn off the computer, go outside, get some fresh air,
and relax.
The phrase "Let's
___" is well-known to English learners. However, learners often over-use
"Let's ___" and use it in situations where it isn't appropriate.
When can you say "Let's
___"? You usually use it when you're suggesting something that you're sure
the listener will accept. If you're meeting a friend for lunch, then you're
sure that they will agree to eat with you. So you can say:
In situations where you're not
sure how the listener will respond to your suggestion, you can use other
phrases like "Would you like to ___?", "Why don't we ___?"
or "We should ___":
Would you like to go out to dinner with me some time?
Why don't we meet at 7:30?
We should get together some time and have a drink.
You can add “in” before “here”
to emphasize that you are inside.
It’s hot in here!
“Cooped” means kept indoors,
often in a small space. (A “coop,” in fact, is where chickens are kept on a
farm.)
“Cooped up” is very similar,
and we use it to talk about people being inside too much, especially if they
are inside for a long time. Being “cooped up” is not a good thing; no one wants
to be stuck inside.
Winter is the worst because we have to stay cooped up
inside so much.
It’s not fair to keep him cooped up in my little
apartment all day.