Word Stress
Stress patterns show you which parts of a word you should emphasize when you say the word. We show stress marks in
front of the part of the word that should be emphasized.
/’ / (the primary stress symbol) This symbol shows you the part of a word that you should emphasize most. For example, in the word picture /’pɪk.tʃer/ you should emphasize the first part and in the word deny /dɪ’naɪ/ you should emphasize the second part
/,/ (the secondary stress symbol) This symbol shows you the part of the word that has the second most important emphasis. This is important if you are pronouncing a long word with three or more syllables. For example, in the word submarine
/,s ʌb.mər’i:n/ the main emphasis is on the last part of the word but you should also put slight emphasis on the first part of the word as well.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Sentence Stress
Sentence Stress in English
Two types of words in most sentences.
1.Content words - These are the key words of a sentence. They are the important words that carry the meaning or sense.
2.Structure words – These are not very important words.They are small,simple words that make the sentence correct grammatically.
(1) Will you SELL me CAR because I’m GONE to FRANCE.
This sentence is not complete. It’s not grammatically correct. But you probably understand it. These 4 words communicate very well. Somebody wants you to sell their car for them because they have gone to France.
Will you SELL my CAR because I’ve GONE to FRANCE.
The new words do not really add any more information . But they make the message more correct grammatically.
Why we discuss it? Why is this important for pronunciation? It is important because it adds ‘music’ to the language. It is the rhythm of the English language. It changes the speed at which we speak (and listen to) the language. The time between each stressed word is the same.
In the example sentence, there is 1 syllable between SELL and CAR and 3 syllables between CAR and GONE. But the time(t) between SELL and CAR and between CAR and GONE is the same. A constant beat on the stressed words is maintained.To do this, we say ‘my’ more slowly , and ‘because I’ve ‘ more quickly. The speed of the small structure words is changed so that the rhythm of the key content words stays the same.
Syllable
2 1 3 4
Will you SELL my CAR because I’ve GONE to FRANCE
Rules for sentence stress
1.Content words are stressed.
2.Structure words are unstressed.
3.The time between stressed words is always the same.
Examples of Content words - stressed
Main verbs - Sell, give, employ
Nouns -Car ,Music,Mary
Adjectives -Red,Big,Interesting
Adverbs -Quickly,Loudly,Never
Negative Auxilliaries -Don’t,Aren’t,Can’t
Structure words - unstressed
Pronouns - he,we,they
Preposition -on ,at ,into
Articles -a ,an, the
Conjunctions -and,but,because
Auxiliary verbs -do,be,have,can,must
Two types of words in most sentences.
1.Content words - These are the key words of a sentence. They are the important words that carry the meaning or sense.
2.Structure words – These are not very important words.They are small,simple words that make the sentence correct grammatically.
(1) Will you SELL me CAR because I’m GONE to FRANCE.
This sentence is not complete. It’s not grammatically correct. But you probably understand it. These 4 words communicate very well. Somebody wants you to sell their car for them because they have gone to France.
Will you SELL my CAR because I’ve GONE to FRANCE.
The new words do not really add any more information . But they make the message more correct grammatically.
Why we discuss it? Why is this important for pronunciation? It is important because it adds ‘music’ to the language. It is the rhythm of the English language. It changes the speed at which we speak (and listen to) the language. The time between each stressed word is the same.
In the example sentence, there is 1 syllable between SELL and CAR and 3 syllables between CAR and GONE. But the time(t) between SELL and CAR and between CAR and GONE is the same. A constant beat on the stressed words is maintained.To do this, we say ‘my’ more slowly , and ‘because I’ve ‘ more quickly. The speed of the small structure words is changed so that the rhythm of the key content words stays the same.
Syllable
2 1 3 4
Will you SELL my CAR because I’ve GONE to FRANCE
Rules for sentence stress
1.Content words are stressed.
2.Structure words are unstressed.
3.The time between stressed words is always the same.
Examples of Content words - stressed
Main verbs - Sell, give, employ
Nouns -Car ,Music,Mary
Adjectives -Red,Big,Interesting
Adverbs -Quickly,Loudly,Never
Negative Auxilliaries -Don’t,Aren’t,Can’t
Structure words - unstressed
Pronouns - he,we,they
Preposition -on ,at ,into
Articles -a ,an, the
Conjunctions -and,but,because
Auxiliary verbs -do,be,have,can,must
Special Vocabulary
SPECIAL VOCABULARY
(1) whacko (also wacko) - crazy
(2) chum - a friend
eg : an old school chum.
(3) nuts - crazy
eg : My friends think I’m nuts for saying yes.
(ii) You must be nuts to go climbing mountains in winter.
(4) pal -a friend
eg : We’ve been pals for years.
(5) pet - a person who is given special attention by sb, especially in a way that seems unfair to other people.
SYN : favourite
eg : She’s the teacher’s pet.
(6) poppycock - nonsense
eg : He dismissed the allegations as poppycock.
(7)cockamamie - silly; not to be believed.
eg: He had some cockamamie idea about turning waste paper into animal food.
(8)bugbear - a thing that annoys people and that they worry about.
eg : Inflation is the government’s main bugbear.
(9) flimflam – nonsense
(10) pick-and-mix
- used to describe a way of putting sth together by choosing things from among a large variety of different items.
eg : a pick-and-mix programme of study.
(11)piecemeal -done or happening gradually at different times and often in different ways, rather than carefully planned at the beginning.
eg : a piecemeal approach to dealing with the problem.
(12) slapdash - done, or doing sth, too quickly and carelessly.
eg : a slapdash piece of writing.
(13)mountebank - a person who tries to trick people, especially in order to get their money.
(14) greenhorn - a person who has little experience and can be easily tricked.
SYN : tenderfoot
(15) jerk - a stupid person who often says or does the wrong thing
(16) fad - something that people are interested in for only a short period of time
SYN : craze
eg : the latest / current fad.
(17)wreck – A person who is physically or mentally broken down or worn out.
eg : I was a total wreck that day.
(18) rotten – very bad
eg : She’s a rotten singer.
(19)flaky –slightly unstable and unreliable.
eg : “She’s a little flaky at times,but otherwise she’s a good worker.”
(20)scruff - a dirty or untidy person.
(21)picky – only liking certain things or people.
eg : “She’s picky about her friends.”
(22)slapdash – doing your work quickly and carelessly.
eg : “He’s got a very slapdash attitude – I doubt he’ll ever become a lawyer.”
(23)slimy – trying to get what you want by being over-friendly.
eg : “That man is so slimy- he makes me feel sick!”
(24) god – gosh
no - nope
yes - yeah
(1) gotcha - said to mean 'I have got you' in order to surprise or frighten someone you have caught, or to show that you have an advantage over them.
(2) gotta - 'have got to' or 'have got a'
eg: I gotta go now.
He's gotta be kidding.
Gotta (= Have you got a) cigarette?
(3) kinda - used in writing to represent an informal way of saying "kind of"
eg: I was kinda sorry to see him go.
(4) wanna - 'want to' or 'want a'
eg: D'you wanna go now?
I wanna hamburger, Mom.
(5) gonna - going to
eg: What are you gonna do?
(25) dickhead - a very rude way of referring to sb, especially a man, that you think is stupid .
SYN : idiot
eg: You dickhead - you've dented the back of my car!
(26)stalk - to walk in an angry or proud way.
eg : He stalked off without a word.
(27) opportune - (of a time) suitable for doing a particular thing, so that it is likely to be successful
SYN : favourable
eg : The offer could not have come at a more opportune moment.
(28) amigo – friend
(29)copycat - someone who lacks their own ideas and does or says exactly the same as someone else.
eg : You're just a copycat!
(ii) The little boy was accused of being a copycat by the other children.
(30) resilient - able to feel better quickly after sth unpleasant such as shock, injury, etc.
eg : He’ll get over it—young people are amazingly resilient.
(31) creep - an unpleasant person, especially a man.
eg : He was a real creep - he was always staring at me in the canteen.
(ii)Leave me alone, you creep!
(32)moron - an offensive way of referring to sb that you think is very stupid.
eg: You moron—now look what you’ve done!
(33) bosh - nonsense.
eg: Don't talk such bosh!
(34)slimy - If you describe a person or their manner as slimy, you mean that they appear to be friendly but in a way that you find unpleasant.
eg: He was the very worst sort of slimy salesman.
(35)chatterbox - a person, especially a child, who talks a lot.
eg: Your sister's a real chatterbox!
(36) gobsmacked - so shocked that you cannot speak.
eg: He was gobsmacked when he heard of the redundancies.
(1) whacko (also wacko) - crazy
(2) chum - a friend
eg : an old school chum.
(3) nuts - crazy
eg : My friends think I’m nuts for saying yes.
(ii) You must be nuts to go climbing mountains in winter.
(4) pal -a friend
eg : We’ve been pals for years.
(5) pet - a person who is given special attention by sb, especially in a way that seems unfair to other people.
SYN : favourite
eg : She’s the teacher’s pet.
(6) poppycock - nonsense
eg : He dismissed the allegations as poppycock.
(7)cockamamie - silly; not to be believed.
eg: He had some cockamamie idea about turning waste paper into animal food.
(8)bugbear - a thing that annoys people and that they worry about.
eg : Inflation is the government’s main bugbear.
(9) flimflam – nonsense
(10) pick-and-mix
- used to describe a way of putting sth together by choosing things from among a large variety of different items.
eg : a pick-and-mix programme of study.
(11)piecemeal -done or happening gradually at different times and often in different ways, rather than carefully planned at the beginning.
eg : a piecemeal approach to dealing with the problem.
(12) slapdash - done, or doing sth, too quickly and carelessly.
eg : a slapdash piece of writing.
(13)mountebank - a person who tries to trick people, especially in order to get their money.
(14) greenhorn - a person who has little experience and can be easily tricked.
SYN : tenderfoot
(15) jerk - a stupid person who often says or does the wrong thing
(16) fad - something that people are interested in for only a short period of time
SYN : craze
eg : the latest / current fad.
(17)wreck – A person who is physically or mentally broken down or worn out.
eg : I was a total wreck that day.
(18) rotten – very bad
eg : She’s a rotten singer.
(19)flaky –slightly unstable and unreliable.
eg : “She’s a little flaky at times,but otherwise she’s a good worker.”
(20)scruff - a dirty or untidy person.
(21)picky – only liking certain things or people.
eg : “She’s picky about her friends.”
(22)slapdash – doing your work quickly and carelessly.
eg : “He’s got a very slapdash attitude – I doubt he’ll ever become a lawyer.”
(23)slimy – trying to get what you want by being over-friendly.
eg : “That man is so slimy- he makes me feel sick!”
(24) god – gosh
no - nope
yes - yeah
(1) gotcha - said to mean 'I have got you' in order to surprise or frighten someone you have caught, or to show that you have an advantage over them.
(2) gotta - 'have got to' or 'have got a'
eg: I gotta go now.
He's gotta be kidding.
Gotta (= Have you got a) cigarette?
(3) kinda - used in writing to represent an informal way of saying "kind of"
eg: I was kinda sorry to see him go.
(4) wanna - 'want to' or 'want a'
eg: D'you wanna go now?
I wanna hamburger, Mom.
(5) gonna - going to
eg: What are you gonna do?
(25) dickhead - a very rude way of referring to sb, especially a man, that you think is stupid .
SYN : idiot
eg: You dickhead - you've dented the back of my car!
(26)stalk - to walk in an angry or proud way.
eg : He stalked off without a word.
(27) opportune - (of a time) suitable for doing a particular thing, so that it is likely to be successful
SYN : favourable
eg : The offer could not have come at a more opportune moment.
(28) amigo – friend
(29)copycat - someone who lacks their own ideas and does or says exactly the same as someone else.
eg : You're just a copycat!
(ii) The little boy was accused of being a copycat by the other children.
(30) resilient - able to feel better quickly after sth unpleasant such as shock, injury, etc.
eg : He’ll get over it—young people are amazingly resilient.
(31) creep - an unpleasant person, especially a man.
eg : He was a real creep - he was always staring at me in the canteen.
(ii)Leave me alone, you creep!
(32)moron - an offensive way of referring to sb that you think is very stupid.
eg: You moron—now look what you’ve done!
(33) bosh - nonsense.
eg: Don't talk such bosh!
(34)slimy - If you describe a person or their manner as slimy, you mean that they appear to be friendly but in a way that you find unpleasant.
eg: He was the very worst sort of slimy salesman.
(35)chatterbox - a person, especially a child, who talks a lot.
eg: Your sister's a real chatterbox!
(36) gobsmacked - so shocked that you cannot speak.
eg: He was gobsmacked when he heard of the redundancies.
Basic Usage
BASIC USAGE
(1) LET’S + V 1st F - used for making suggestions.
eg :-
(i) Let’s go.
(ii)Let’s make a move.
(iii)Let’s get out of here.
(iv)Let’s get down to business.
(2) LET’S HAVE + NOUN - used for making suggestions.
eg :-
(i)Let’s have a chat.
(ii)Let’s have a bath.
(iii)Let’s have our break fast.
(iv)Let’s have something.
(3) USED TO + V 1st F - used to say that sth happened continuously or frequently during a period in the past.
eg :-
(i)I used to smoke.
(ii)They used to come here.
(iii)I used to read a lot.
(iv)I used to write poems.
AM/IS/ARE + USED TO + V +ING/NOUN - to talk about something that you are familiar with so that it no longer seems new or strange to you.
eg :-
(i) I am used to working hard.
(ii)He is used to heavy duties.
(iii) Eventually you'll get/become used to the smells of the laboratory.
(iv) I’m not used to eating so much at lunchtime.
(4) NEEDN’T + V 1st F - used to state that sth is/was not necessary or that only very little is/was necessary; used to ask if sth is/was necessary.
eg :-
(i)You needn’t finish that work today.
(ii)We needn’t go there.
(iii)We needn’t invite everybody.
(iv) We needn’t afford his expense.
(5) HAD BETTER + V 1st F - used to tell sb what you think they should do.
eg :-
(i)We had better inform the chairman.
(ii)You had better resign.
(iii)We had better obey him.
(iv)She had better continue her studies.
(6) FEEL + ADJ - to experience something physical or emotional.
eg :-
(i)I feel tired
(ii) I feel bored.
(iii)I feel sleepy.
(iv)We feel satisfied.
(7) FEEL LIKE + V+ ING - to have a desire for something, or to want to do something, at a particular moment.
eg :-
(i) I feel like dancing.
(ii) I feel like having a cold shower.
(iii)I feel like playing football.
(iv) I don’t feel like talking to her.
(v) I don’t feel like watching any movie.
(8) GOING TO + V 1st F - used to show what sb intends to do in the future.
eg :-
(i) I’m going to start a business.
(ii)He’s going to resign.
(iii) She is going to reveal the truth.
(9) THAT + ADJ - as much as suggested.
eg :-
(i)She’s that beautiful.
(ii)It’s that boring.
(iii)It’s not that expensive.
(iv) It wasn't (all) that (= very) good.
(10) REMEMBER +VERB+ING - to be able to bring back a piece of information into your mind, or to keep a piece of information in your memory.
eg :-
(i)I remember seeing you somewhere.
(ii)I remember hearing this song once.
(iii) I don’t remember insulting her in any way.
(iv)I remember giving them some books on English literature.
(v)I don’t remember borrowing even a single penny from you.
(11) IT’S TIME - a particular point of the day, week, month, year, etc. that is suitable for a particular activity, or at which something is expected to happen.
eg :-
(i)It’s time to wind up the function.
(ii)It’s time for me to revise the lessons.
(iii)It’s time to have our breakfast.
(iv)It’s time for him to get back home.
IT’S TIME (THAT) - used to say that you think sb should do sth soon.
eg :-
(i) It’s time you gave up smoking.
(ii)It’s time we started the function.
(iii)It’s time she came back.
(iv) It’s high time you stopped acting like a little child.
(12) SOUND - DEEP,GOOD,STRONG
eg :-
(i)Sound hope.
(ii)Sound mind.
(iii)Sound judgement.
(IT) SOUNDS (AS A RESPONSE) - to give a particular impression when heard or read about.
eg :-
(i) (It) sounds interesting.
(ii)Sounds boring.
(iii)Sounds incredible.
SOUND (AS A VERB) – to seem good/interesting/strange, etc. from what is said or written.
eg :-
(i)He sounds confident.
(ii)She sounds confused.
(iii) You sound nervous.
(iv) Your job sounds really interesting.
SOUND LIKE + NOUN - to seem like something, from what is said or written.
eg :-
(i)You sound like a fraud.
(ii) He sounds like a shrewd businessman.
(13) LOOK + ADJ - to seem; to appear .
eg :-
(i)You look tired.
(ii)You look better today.
(iii)She looks aged.
LOOK LIKE + NOUN - to appear or seem.
eg:-
(i) You look like a film star.
(ii)It looks like an old temple.
(ii) He looks like a priest.
(14) SEEM TO + V 1st F - to give the impression of being or doing sth.
SYN : appear
eg :-
(i)He seems to accept his proposal.
(ii)She seems to deny it.
(iii)They seem to give him one more chance.
SEEM + ADJ - to give the impression of being or doing sth
SYN : appear
eg:-
(i) They seem optimistic.
(ii)She seems well-bred.
(iii)He seems patient.
SEEMS TO BE + NOUN - to give the impression of being or doing sth.
SYN : appear
eg:-
(i)He seems to be an experienced teacher.
(ii)She seems to be an intelligent student.
(iii)It seems to be a religious precession.
SEEM TO HAVE + V3rd F - used to make what you say about your thoughts, feeling or actions less strong.
eg :-
(i)You seem to have lost your interest in studies.
(ii)She seems to have forgotten everything.
(iii)They seem to have seen us.
(15) BE SUPPOSED TO DO /BE SOMETHING - to be expected or required to do / be sth according to a rule, a custom, an arrangement, etc.
eg :-
(i) You were supposed to be here an hour ago!
(ii) The children are supposed to be at school by 8.45 a.m.
(iii) What are you doing out of bed - you're supposed to be asleep.
NOT BE SUPPOSED TO DO SOMETHING - to not be allowed to do sth.
eg :-
(i) You’re not supposed to walk on the grass.
(ii) You're not supposed (= allowed) to park here.
BE SUPPOSED TO - to be intended to.
eg :-
(i) These batteries are supposed to last for a year.
(ii) How am I supposed to (= How can I) find that much money by the end of the week?
(16) MAKE + OBJECT + V 1st F - to cause sb/sth to do sth.
eg :-
(i)I will make her understand.
(ii)He will make her agree.
(iii)Don’t make us wait for long time.
(17)GET + OBJECT + V 3rd - to cause sth to happen or be done.
eg :-
(i)I want to get my car repaired.
(ii)I would like to get it typed neatly.
(iii) My sister has to get her eyes tested.
(18) ABLE TO - to have the necessary physical strength, mental power, skill, time, money or opportunity to do something.
eg :-
(i)She is able to do it.
(ii) They are able to conduct it.
(iii)I am not able to study it at a single stretch.
CAPABLE OF STH/OF DOING STH - having the ability or qualities necessary for doing sth.
eg:-
(i) He’s quite capable of lying to get out of trouble.
(ii) I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself, thank you.
(iii) You are capable of better work than this.
(19) CAN’T HELP + V+ING - used to say that it is impossible to prevent or avoid sth.
eg :-
(i)I can’t help doing it.
(ii)I can’t help drinking.
(iii) I couldn’t help bursting into laughter when I heard it.
(iii)She couldn’t help accepting that proposal.
(20) EXPECT/WANT/NEED/LOVE + OBJECTIVE +TO - to have a desire or a wish for sth.
eg :-
(i) She likes me to be with her all evening.
(ii)I need you to assist me in my work.
(iii)Do you want me to help?
(iv) I don’t want you coming home so late.
(21) HAS/HAVE TO + V 1st F - to need to or be forced
eg :-
(i)She has to study a lot.
(ii)I have to think it over.
(iii)She doesn’t have to look after all these things.
(iv)You have to do it all by yourself.
(v)I have to go through a number of journals.
(vi) You don’t have to strain a lot.
HAD TO +V 1st F - past participle of have.
eg : -
(i)She had to appear for the final exam.
(ii)I had to finish everything before 8 o’clock.
(iii)She had to take an exam at Aleppey.
(22) HAS OR HAVE BEEN + NOUN ,ADJ OR PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE - from a time in the past until a later past time, or until now.
eg :-
(i)We have been close friends since our childhood.
(ii) He has been with us for a long period.
(iii)You have never been confident in your work.
(23) Should
(1) Should +have+V 3rd - used to say that sth was expected has not happened.
eg : The bus should have arrived ten minutes ago.
- used to talk about past events which did not happen or may not have happened.
eg : I should have finished this work by now.
(ii) I should have studied harder for my exams.
(iii) You should have gone there.
(iv)We should have done it.
(v) We should have asked his permission.
(vi)He should have invited her.
- expressing regret and/or criticism for not having done sth.
eg : He should have been more careful.
(i) ‘Martin was lying all the time.’ ‘I should have known.’
- used to tell sb that sth would amuse or surprise them if they saw or experienced it.
eg : You should have seen her face when she found out!
(2) Should +be - used to say that sth that was expected has not happened.
eg : It should be snowing now, according to the weather forecast.
- used to show when something is likely or expected.
eg: "they should be finished by now"
(ii) My dry cleaning should be ready this afternoon.
(3) Should +have + Noun - used to say or ask what is the correct or best thing to do
eg :-
(i) You should have an aim.
(ii)We should have a good leader.
(iii)We should have a good library.
(24)Could
(1) Could +have - used to show that you are annoyed that sb did not do sth.
eg : They could have let me know they were going to be late!
Could +have +V 3rd - used to show that sth is or might be possible.
eg : Don’t worry – they could have just forgotten to call.
(ii)You couldn’t have left it on the bus, could you?
(2) Could +be - present possibility.
eg : I think you could be right you know.
(ii)This could be the answer to all our problems.
(25)May
(1)May + have +V 3rd - used to say that sth is possible.
eg : He may have (perhaps he has) missed the train.
(ii) I may have seen her.
(iii)He may have closed the shop.
(iv) She may have resigned.
(v) The explosion may have been caused by a faulty electrical connection.
(2)May +be - used to say that sth is possible.
eg :That may or may not be true.
- used when admitting that sth is true before introducing another point,argument, etc.
eg : He may be a good father but he’s a terrible husband.
- used when making a suggestion.
syn : perhaps
eg : May be you should tell her.
(26)Might
(1) Might + have + V 3rd - used to show that you are annoyed about sth that sb could do or could have done.
eg : Honestly, you might have told me!
- used when showing that sth is or was possible.
eg : The pills might have helped him, if only he’d taken them regulary.
- talking about the past with uncertainity.
eg : I’m surprised he failed. I suppose he might have been ill on the day of the exam.
(27)Will
(1) WILL (SHALL) HAVE TO + V 1st F - used to talk about what is going to happen in the future, especially things that you are certain about or things that are planned.
eg:-
(i)They will have to postpone the programme.
(ii)He will have to resign.
(iii) We won’t have to check everything.
(2) WILL HAVE + V3rd F - used to refer back to the past from a point in the future.
eg : By the time we get there, Jim will have left.
(ii) By next year all the money will have been spent.
(28)Would
(1) Would + have +V3rd - used for describing a possible action or event that did not in fact happen, because sth else did not happen first.
eg :If I had seen the advertisement in time I would have applied for the job.
(ii)They would never have met if she hadn’t gone to Emma’s party.
eg : None of this would have been possible without their help.
(29)Can
(1)Can +be - used to say what sb/sth is often like.
eg : He can be very tactless sometimes.
(ii)It can be quite cold here in winter.
(30)Must
(1)Must – saying you think sth is certain
eg : This must be the place- there’s a white car parked outside.
must - used to show that it is necessary or very important that something happens in the present or future.
eg : Meat must be cooked thoroughly.
(ii)I must get some sleep.
(iii)Luggage must not be left unattended (= it is against the rules).
(31)MANAGED TO + V 1st F -to succeed in doing sth, especially sth difficult.
eg :-
(i) How did you manage to persuade him?
(ii) I only just managed to finish on time.
(iii) A small dog had somehow managed to survive the fire.
(32) no matter who, what, where, etc. - used to say that sth is always true, whatever the situation is, or that sb should certainly do sth.
eg : They don’t last long no matter how careful you are.
(ii) Call me when you get there, no matter what the time is.
(33) as far as I know / as far as I can remember, see, tell, etc. - used to say that you think you know, remember, understand, etc. sth but you cannot be completely sure, especially because you do not know all the facts.
eg : As far as we knew, there was no cause for concern.
(ii) As far as I can see, you’ve done nothing wrong.
(iii) She lived in Chicago, as far as I can remember.
as / so far as I am concerned - used to give your personal opinion on sth.
eg : As far as I am concerned, you can do what you like.
(1) LET’S + V 1st F - used for making suggestions.
eg :-
(i) Let’s go.
(ii)Let’s make a move.
(iii)Let’s get out of here.
(iv)Let’s get down to business.
(2) LET’S HAVE + NOUN - used for making suggestions.
eg :-
(i)Let’s have a chat.
(ii)Let’s have a bath.
(iii)Let’s have our break fast.
(iv)Let’s have something.
(3) USED TO + V 1st F - used to say that sth happened continuously or frequently during a period in the past.
eg :-
(i)I used to smoke.
(ii)They used to come here.
(iii)I used to read a lot.
(iv)I used to write poems.
AM/IS/ARE + USED TO + V +ING/NOUN - to talk about something that you are familiar with so that it no longer seems new or strange to you.
eg :-
(i) I am used to working hard.
(ii)He is used to heavy duties.
(iii) Eventually you'll get/become used to the smells of the laboratory.
(iv) I’m not used to eating so much at lunchtime.
(4) NEEDN’T + V 1st F - used to state that sth is/was not necessary or that only very little is/was necessary; used to ask if sth is/was necessary.
eg :-
(i)You needn’t finish that work today.
(ii)We needn’t go there.
(iii)We needn’t invite everybody.
(iv) We needn’t afford his expense.
(5) HAD BETTER + V 1st F - used to tell sb what you think they should do.
eg :-
(i)We had better inform the chairman.
(ii)You had better resign.
(iii)We had better obey him.
(iv)She had better continue her studies.
(6) FEEL + ADJ - to experience something physical or emotional.
eg :-
(i)I feel tired
(ii) I feel bored.
(iii)I feel sleepy.
(iv)We feel satisfied.
(7) FEEL LIKE + V+ ING - to have a desire for something, or to want to do something, at a particular moment.
eg :-
(i) I feel like dancing.
(ii) I feel like having a cold shower.
(iii)I feel like playing football.
(iv) I don’t feel like talking to her.
(v) I don’t feel like watching any movie.
(8) GOING TO + V 1st F - used to show what sb intends to do in the future.
eg :-
(i) I’m going to start a business.
(ii)He’s going to resign.
(iii) She is going to reveal the truth.
(9) THAT + ADJ - as much as suggested.
eg :-
(i)She’s that beautiful.
(ii)It’s that boring.
(iii)It’s not that expensive.
(iv) It wasn't (all) that (= very) good.
(10) REMEMBER +VERB+ING - to be able to bring back a piece of information into your mind, or to keep a piece of information in your memory.
eg :-
(i)I remember seeing you somewhere.
(ii)I remember hearing this song once.
(iii) I don’t remember insulting her in any way.
(iv)I remember giving them some books on English literature.
(v)I don’t remember borrowing even a single penny from you.
(11) IT’S TIME - a particular point of the day, week, month, year, etc. that is suitable for a particular activity, or at which something is expected to happen.
eg :-
(i)It’s time to wind up the function.
(ii)It’s time for me to revise the lessons.
(iii)It’s time to have our breakfast.
(iv)It’s time for him to get back home.
IT’S TIME (THAT) - used to say that you think sb should do sth soon.
eg :-
(i) It’s time you gave up smoking.
(ii)It’s time we started the function.
(iii)It’s time she came back.
(iv) It’s high time you stopped acting like a little child.
(12) SOUND - DEEP,GOOD,STRONG
eg :-
(i)Sound hope.
(ii)Sound mind.
(iii)Sound judgement.
(IT) SOUNDS (AS A RESPONSE) - to give a particular impression when heard or read about.
eg :-
(i) (It) sounds interesting.
(ii)Sounds boring.
(iii)Sounds incredible.
SOUND (AS A VERB) – to seem good/interesting/strange, etc. from what is said or written.
eg :-
(i)He sounds confident.
(ii)She sounds confused.
(iii) You sound nervous.
(iv) Your job sounds really interesting.
SOUND LIKE + NOUN - to seem like something, from what is said or written.
eg :-
(i)You sound like a fraud.
(ii) He sounds like a shrewd businessman.
(13) LOOK + ADJ - to seem; to appear .
eg :-
(i)You look tired.
(ii)You look better today.
(iii)She looks aged.
LOOK LIKE + NOUN - to appear or seem.
eg:-
(i) You look like a film star.
(ii)It looks like an old temple.
(ii) He looks like a priest.
(14) SEEM TO + V 1st F - to give the impression of being or doing sth.
SYN : appear
eg :-
(i)He seems to accept his proposal.
(ii)She seems to deny it.
(iii)They seem to give him one more chance.
SEEM + ADJ - to give the impression of being or doing sth
SYN : appear
eg:-
(i) They seem optimistic.
(ii)She seems well-bred.
(iii)He seems patient.
SEEMS TO BE + NOUN - to give the impression of being or doing sth.
SYN : appear
eg:-
(i)He seems to be an experienced teacher.
(ii)She seems to be an intelligent student.
(iii)It seems to be a religious precession.
SEEM TO HAVE + V3rd F - used to make what you say about your thoughts, feeling or actions less strong.
eg :-
(i)You seem to have lost your interest in studies.
(ii)She seems to have forgotten everything.
(iii)They seem to have seen us.
(15) BE SUPPOSED TO DO /BE SOMETHING - to be expected or required to do / be sth according to a rule, a custom, an arrangement, etc.
eg :-
(i) You were supposed to be here an hour ago!
(ii) The children are supposed to be at school by 8.45 a.m.
(iii) What are you doing out of bed - you're supposed to be asleep.
NOT BE SUPPOSED TO DO SOMETHING - to not be allowed to do sth.
eg :-
(i) You’re not supposed to walk on the grass.
(ii) You're not supposed (= allowed) to park here.
BE SUPPOSED TO - to be intended to.
eg :-
(i) These batteries are supposed to last for a year.
(ii) How am I supposed to (= How can I) find that much money by the end of the week?
(16) MAKE + OBJECT + V 1st F - to cause sb/sth to do sth.
eg :-
(i)I will make her understand.
(ii)He will make her agree.
(iii)Don’t make us wait for long time.
(17)GET + OBJECT + V 3rd - to cause sth to happen or be done.
eg :-
(i)I want to get my car repaired.
(ii)I would like to get it typed neatly.
(iii) My sister has to get her eyes tested.
(18) ABLE TO - to have the necessary physical strength, mental power, skill, time, money or opportunity to do something.
eg :-
(i)She is able to do it.
(ii) They are able to conduct it.
(iii)I am not able to study it at a single stretch.
CAPABLE OF STH/OF DOING STH - having the ability or qualities necessary for doing sth.
eg:-
(i) He’s quite capable of lying to get out of trouble.
(ii) I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself, thank you.
(iii) You are capable of better work than this.
(19) CAN’T HELP + V+ING - used to say that it is impossible to prevent or avoid sth.
eg :-
(i)I can’t help doing it.
(ii)I can’t help drinking.
(iii) I couldn’t help bursting into laughter when I heard it.
(iii)She couldn’t help accepting that proposal.
(20) EXPECT/WANT/NEED/LOVE + OBJECTIVE +TO - to have a desire or a wish for sth.
eg :-
(i) She likes me to be with her all evening.
(ii)I need you to assist me in my work.
(iii)Do you want me to help?
(iv) I don’t want you coming home so late.
(21) HAS/HAVE TO + V 1st F - to need to or be forced
eg :-
(i)She has to study a lot.
(ii)I have to think it over.
(iii)She doesn’t have to look after all these things.
(iv)You have to do it all by yourself.
(v)I have to go through a number of journals.
(vi) You don’t have to strain a lot.
HAD TO +V 1st F - past participle of have.
eg : -
(i)She had to appear for the final exam.
(ii)I had to finish everything before 8 o’clock.
(iii)She had to take an exam at Aleppey.
(22) HAS OR HAVE BEEN + NOUN ,ADJ OR PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE - from a time in the past until a later past time, or until now.
eg :-
(i)We have been close friends since our childhood.
(ii) He has been with us for a long period.
(iii)You have never been confident in your work.
(23) Should
(1) Should +have+V 3rd - used to say that sth was expected has not happened.
eg : The bus should have arrived ten minutes ago.
- used to talk about past events which did not happen or may not have happened.
eg : I should have finished this work by now.
(ii) I should have studied harder for my exams.
(iii) You should have gone there.
(iv)We should have done it.
(v) We should have asked his permission.
(vi)He should have invited her.
- expressing regret and/or criticism for not having done sth.
eg : He should have been more careful.
(i) ‘Martin was lying all the time.’ ‘I should have known.’
- used to tell sb that sth would amuse or surprise them if they saw or experienced it.
eg : You should have seen her face when she found out!
(2) Should +be - used to say that sth that was expected has not happened.
eg : It should be snowing now, according to the weather forecast.
- used to show when something is likely or expected.
eg: "they should be finished by now"
(ii) My dry cleaning should be ready this afternoon.
(3) Should +have + Noun - used to say or ask what is the correct or best thing to do
eg :-
(i) You should have an aim.
(ii)We should have a good leader.
(iii)We should have a good library.
(24)Could
(1) Could +have - used to show that you are annoyed that sb did not do sth.
eg : They could have let me know they were going to be late!
Could +have +V 3rd - used to show that sth is or might be possible.
eg : Don’t worry – they could have just forgotten to call.
(ii)You couldn’t have left it on the bus, could you?
(2) Could +be - present possibility.
eg : I think you could be right you know.
(ii)This could be the answer to all our problems.
(25)May
(1)May + have +V 3rd - used to say that sth is possible.
eg : He may have (perhaps he has) missed the train.
(ii) I may have seen her.
(iii)He may have closed the shop.
(iv) She may have resigned.
(v) The explosion may have been caused by a faulty electrical connection.
(2)May +be - used to say that sth is possible.
eg :That may or may not be true.
- used when admitting that sth is true before introducing another point,argument, etc.
eg : He may be a good father but he’s a terrible husband.
- used when making a suggestion.
syn : perhaps
eg : May be you should tell her.
(26)Might
(1) Might + have + V 3rd - used to show that you are annoyed about sth that sb could do or could have done.
eg : Honestly, you might have told me!
- used when showing that sth is or was possible.
eg : The pills might have helped him, if only he’d taken them regulary.
- talking about the past with uncertainity.
eg : I’m surprised he failed. I suppose he might have been ill on the day of the exam.
(27)Will
(1) WILL (SHALL) HAVE TO + V 1st F - used to talk about what is going to happen in the future, especially things that you are certain about or things that are planned.
eg:-
(i)They will have to postpone the programme.
(ii)He will have to resign.
(iii) We won’t have to check everything.
(2) WILL HAVE + V3rd F - used to refer back to the past from a point in the future.
eg : By the time we get there, Jim will have left.
(ii) By next year all the money will have been spent.
(28)Would
(1) Would + have +V3rd - used for describing a possible action or event that did not in fact happen, because sth else did not happen first.
eg :If I had seen the advertisement in time I would have applied for the job.
(ii)They would never have met if she hadn’t gone to Emma’s party.
eg : None of this would have been possible without their help.
(29)Can
(1)Can +be - used to say what sb/sth is often like.
eg : He can be very tactless sometimes.
(ii)It can be quite cold here in winter.
(30)Must
(1)Must – saying you think sth is certain
eg : This must be the place- there’s a white car parked outside.
must - used to show that it is necessary or very important that something happens in the present or future.
eg : Meat must be cooked thoroughly.
(ii)I must get some sleep.
(iii)Luggage must not be left unattended (= it is against the rules).
(31)MANAGED TO + V 1st F -to succeed in doing sth, especially sth difficult.
eg :-
(i) How did you manage to persuade him?
(ii) I only just managed to finish on time.
(iii) A small dog had somehow managed to survive the fire.
(32) no matter who, what, where, etc. - used to say that sth is always true, whatever the situation is, or that sb should certainly do sth.
eg : They don’t last long no matter how careful you are.
(ii) Call me when you get there, no matter what the time is.
(33) as far as I know / as far as I can remember, see, tell, etc. - used to say that you think you know, remember, understand, etc. sth but you cannot be completely sure, especially because you do not know all the facts.
eg : As far as we knew, there was no cause for concern.
(ii) As far as I can see, you’ve done nothing wrong.
(iii) She lived in Chicago, as far as I can remember.
as / so far as I am concerned - used to give your personal opinion on sth.
eg : As far as I am concerned, you can do what you like.
Tense
TENSE
I . PRESENT TENSE
(1)Simple Present
S+ V 1st
Use
Permanent or long-lasting situations
Where do you work?
The store opens at 9 o'clock.
She lives in New York.
Regular habits and daily routines
I usually get up at 7 o'clock.
She doesn't often go to the cinema.
When do they usually have lunch?
Facts
The Earth revolves around the Sun.
What does 'strange' mean?
Water doesn't boil at 20 degrees.
Feelings
I love walking around late at night during the summer.
She hates flying!
What do you like?
I don't want to live in Texas.
Opinions and states of mind
He doesn't agree with you.
I think he is a wonderful student.
What do you consider your best accomplishment?
Timetables and schedules
The plane leaves at 4 p.m.
When do courses begin this semester?
The train doesn't arrive until 10.35.
Common present time expressions include:
usually, always, often, sometimes, on Saturdays, at weekends (on weekends US English), rarely, on occasion, never, seldom
(2) Present Continuous
S+ IS/AM/ARE + V +ING
Use
Things that are happening now, at the moment.
What are you doing?
She's reading in the garden.
They're not standing in the rain.
Actions happening in a period around the present moment in time.
I'm reading "The Surgeon's Mate" by Patrick O'Brian.
Whose account are you working on?
She's studying hard for her final exam.
Future plans and arrangements.
We're having leftovers this evening.
What are you doing tomorrow afternoon?
She isn't coming on Friday.
Common present continuous time expressions include:
at the moment, now, today, this week, this month, tomorrow, next week (for future arrangements ), currently
(3)Present Perfect
S+ HAS/HAVE+V 3rd
Use
Giving or asking for news or recent events.
Fred Meyers has had excellent profits this quarter.
The class's understanding has increased greatly this semester.
Have they finished the report yet?
Past actions with results in the present.
The study of irregular verbs has improved test scores.
They have bought a new car.
I've already eaten lunch.
Life experience
She's traveled in many parts of the world.
Have you ever been to France?
They've never seen a mountain.
Unfinished actions (action still in progress).
He's lived in San Francisco for 10 years.
How long have you worked for this company?
They've studied English for 3 years. I don't want to live in Texas.
Common present perfect time expressions include :
for (with a period of time), since (with an exact point in time), ever, never, yet, already, this week (month, year)
(4)Present Perfect Continuous
S+HAS/HAVE BEEN+ V+ING
Use
To express the duration of a continuous activity begun in the past and continuing into the present.
She's (has) been waiting for over three hours.
They haven't (have not) been studying for long.
How long have you been working on that problem?
II.PAST TENSE
(1)Simple Past
S+V 2nd
Use
Finished past actions, definite past
Where did you go yesterday?
The flight left at 8 o'clock.
They didn't come last night.
Common past time expressions include:
last (week, year, night), yesterday, ago, in 1987, when I was a child.
(2)Past Continuous
S+WAS/WERE+V+ING
Use
Interrupted past action, action happening at a specific moment in time in the past.
I was watching TV when you called.
He wasn't (was not) working when she arrived.
What were you doing when I called?
(3) Past Perfect
S+HAD+V 3rd
Use
To express an action that happens before another action in the past.
I'd (had) already eaten before they came.
She hadn't (had not) been to Rome before that trip.
Had you ever seen such a crazy lady before that?
We had prepared everything before the visitors arrived.
(4)Past Perfect Continuous
S+HAD BEEN +V+ING
Use
To express the duration of a continuous activity begun before another activity in the past.
She'd (had) been waiting for three hours when he finally arrived.
I hadn't (had not) been sleeping for long when I heard the doorbell ring.
When I joined here he had been teaching there for more than 10 years.
He told us that he had been working in a tile factory till the war was declared.
How long had you been playing tennis when she arrived?
III.FUTURE TENSE
(1)Simple Future
S+WILL/SHALL+V 1st
Use
Used for predictions
It will snow tomorrow.
She won't win the election.
Used for scheduled events
The concert will begin at 8 o'clock.
When will the train leave?
Used for promises
Will you marry me?
I'll help you with your homework after class.
Used for offers
I'll make you a sandwich.
They'll help you if you want.
Used in combination with time clauses (as soon as, when, before, after)
He will telephone as soon as he arrives.
Will you visit me when you come next week?
(2)Future Continuous
S+WILL/SHALL BE+V+ING
Use
Future action at a specific moment in the future.
I'll (will) be cooking dinner when you arrive.
They won't (will not) be living in Paris this time next year.
What will you be doing next week at this time?
(3) Future Perfect
S+WILL/SHALL HAVE+V 3rd
Use
To express what will have happened or how long something will have happened up to a certain point in the future.
We'll (will) have lived here for twenty years by 2005.
She won't (will not) have finished her homework by the time we arrive.
we shall have done it by Friday.
How long will you have lived in France by the end of next year?
(4)Future Perfect Continuous
S+WILL/SHALL HAVE BEEN +V+ING
Use
To express the duration of an activity up to a point of time in the future.
He'll (will) have been sleeping for a few hours by the time we arrive.
She won't (will not) have been working for long by 5 o'clock.
How long will you have been driving by 6 o'clock?
-------------------------------------***************--------------------------------------
I . PRESENT TENSE
(1)Simple Present
S+ V 1st
Use
Permanent or long-lasting situations
Where do you work?
The store opens at 9 o'clock.
She lives in New York.
Regular habits and daily routines
I usually get up at 7 o'clock.
She doesn't often go to the cinema.
When do they usually have lunch?
Facts
The Earth revolves around the Sun.
What does 'strange' mean?
Water doesn't boil at 20 degrees.
Feelings
I love walking around late at night during the summer.
She hates flying!
What do you like?
I don't want to live in Texas.
Opinions and states of mind
He doesn't agree with you.
I think he is a wonderful student.
What do you consider your best accomplishment?
Timetables and schedules
The plane leaves at 4 p.m.
When do courses begin this semester?
The train doesn't arrive until 10.35.
Common present time expressions include:
usually, always, often, sometimes, on Saturdays, at weekends (on weekends US English), rarely, on occasion, never, seldom
(2) Present Continuous
S+ IS/AM/ARE + V +ING
Use
Things that are happening now, at the moment.
What are you doing?
She's reading in the garden.
They're not standing in the rain.
Actions happening in a period around the present moment in time.
I'm reading "The Surgeon's Mate" by Patrick O'Brian.
Whose account are you working on?
She's studying hard for her final exam.
Future plans and arrangements.
We're having leftovers this evening.
What are you doing tomorrow afternoon?
She isn't coming on Friday.
Common present continuous time expressions include:
at the moment, now, today, this week, this month, tomorrow, next week (for future arrangements ), currently
(3)Present Perfect
S+ HAS/HAVE+V 3rd
Use
Giving or asking for news or recent events.
Fred Meyers has had excellent profits this quarter.
The class's understanding has increased greatly this semester.
Have they finished the report yet?
Past actions with results in the present.
The study of irregular verbs has improved test scores.
They have bought a new car.
I've already eaten lunch.
Life experience
She's traveled in many parts of the world.
Have you ever been to France?
They've never seen a mountain.
Unfinished actions (action still in progress).
He's lived in San Francisco for 10 years.
How long have you worked for this company?
They've studied English for 3 years. I don't want to live in Texas.
Common present perfect time expressions include :
for (with a period of time), since (with an exact point in time), ever, never, yet, already, this week (month, year)
(4)Present Perfect Continuous
S+HAS/HAVE BEEN+ V+ING
Use
To express the duration of a continuous activity begun in the past and continuing into the present.
She's (has) been waiting for over three hours.
They haven't (have not) been studying for long.
How long have you been working on that problem?
II.PAST TENSE
(1)Simple Past
S+V 2nd
Use
Finished past actions, definite past
Where did you go yesterday?
The flight left at 8 o'clock.
They didn't come last night.
Common past time expressions include:
last (week, year, night), yesterday, ago, in 1987, when I was a child.
(2)Past Continuous
S+WAS/WERE+V+ING
Use
Interrupted past action, action happening at a specific moment in time in the past.
I was watching TV when you called.
He wasn't (was not) working when she arrived.
What were you doing when I called?
(3) Past Perfect
S+HAD+V 3rd
Use
To express an action that happens before another action in the past.
I'd (had) already eaten before they came.
She hadn't (had not) been to Rome before that trip.
Had you ever seen such a crazy lady before that?
We had prepared everything before the visitors arrived.
(4)Past Perfect Continuous
S+HAD BEEN +V+ING
Use
To express the duration of a continuous activity begun before another activity in the past.
She'd (had) been waiting for three hours when he finally arrived.
I hadn't (had not) been sleeping for long when I heard the doorbell ring.
When I joined here he had been teaching there for more than 10 years.
He told us that he had been working in a tile factory till the war was declared.
How long had you been playing tennis when she arrived?
III.FUTURE TENSE
(1)Simple Future
S+WILL/SHALL+V 1st
Use
Used for predictions
It will snow tomorrow.
She won't win the election.
Used for scheduled events
The concert will begin at 8 o'clock.
When will the train leave?
Used for promises
Will you marry me?
I'll help you with your homework after class.
Used for offers
I'll make you a sandwich.
They'll help you if you want.
Used in combination with time clauses (as soon as, when, before, after)
He will telephone as soon as he arrives.
Will you visit me when you come next week?
(2)Future Continuous
S+WILL/SHALL BE+V+ING
Use
Future action at a specific moment in the future.
I'll (will) be cooking dinner when you arrive.
They won't (will not) be living in Paris this time next year.
What will you be doing next week at this time?
(3) Future Perfect
S+WILL/SHALL HAVE+V 3rd
Use
To express what will have happened or how long something will have happened up to a certain point in the future.
We'll (will) have lived here for twenty years by 2005.
She won't (will not) have finished her homework by the time we arrive.
we shall have done it by Friday.
How long will you have lived in France by the end of next year?
(4)Future Perfect Continuous
S+WILL/SHALL HAVE BEEN +V+ING
Use
To express the duration of an activity up to a point of time in the future.
He'll (will) have been sleeping for a few hours by the time we arrive.
She won't (will not) have been working for long by 5 o'clock.
How long will you have been driving by 6 o'clock?
-------------------------------------***************--------------------------------------
English Tongue 7
(1) look on the bright side - to find good things in a bad situation.
eg: Look on the bright side - no one was badly hurt.
(2) take the liberty of doing sth - to do something that will have an effect on someone else, without asking their permission.
eg: I took the liberty of booking theatre seats for us.
(3) be at liberty to do sth - to be allowed to do something.
eg: I'm not at liberty to reveal any names.
(4) become of sb/sth - If you ask what became of someone or something, you want to know where they are and what happened to them.
eg: Whatever became of that parcel you sent?
And Mickey Adams - I wonder what became of him.
(5) out of the blue - If something happens out of the blue, it is completely unexpected.
eg: One day, out of the blue, she announced that she was leaving.
a bolt from/out of the blue - something completely unexpected that surprises you very much.
eg: The news of his marriage was a bolt from the blue.
(6) pull (sb/sth) out - to stop being involved in an activity or agreement.
eg: He pulled out of the deal at the last moment.
They've pulled all their athletes out of the competition.
(7) decided - certain, obvious or easy to notice.
eg: She had a decided advantage over her opponent.
decidedly -
eg: He was decidedly (= very obviously) careful about what he told me.
An agreement is looking decidedly difficult according to the newspapers.
decidedly - in a way that shows that you are sure and determined about sth.
eg: ‘I won’t go,’ she said decidedly.
(8) put sb to shame - to make someone feel ashamed.
eg: It puts me to shame that I still haven't replied to David's letter.
put sb/sth to shame - to be much better than sb/sth.
eg: Their presentation put ours to shame.
(9) shame on you - used to tell someone that they should feel sorry for something they did.
eg: Shame on you for being so unkind.
humorous You mean you were in town and you didn't come and see us - shame on you!
(10) to my shame - I feel ashamed because.
eg: To my shame, I never wrote and thanked Mary for her present.
To my shame (= I feel shame that) I refused to listen to her side of the story.
(11) take (to) the floor - to stand and begin to dance.
eg: The Prince and Princess were the first to take the floor.
take the floor - start speaking.
(12) get a move on - to hurry.
eg: Come on, you two, get a move on!
We need to get a move on if we're going to catch that train.
(13) breathe/say a word - to tell other people about something.
eg: Don't say a word about the accident to my mother.
If you breathe a word of this to anyone, I'll be really upset.
(14) at/on the double - very quickly and without any delay.
(15) see to sth/sb - to deal with a person or task that needs to be dealt with or is waiting to be dealt with.
eg: "These letters need posting." "I'll see to them later."
Mrs Chapman asked for some help with the orders - could you see to it?
Please see to it that no-one comes in without identification.
(16) guest of honour - the most important person at a social occasion.
eg: The Prime Minister was guest of honour at the dinner.
(17) be quick/slow on the uptake - If someone is quick/slow on the uptake they understand things easily/with difficulty.
eg: He's a bit slow on the uptake, so you may have to repeat the instructions a few times.
(18) after you - used to politely say that someone can go in front of you or serve themselves with food before you.
eg: "Can I pour you some coffee?" "Oh no, after you."
(19) Spit it out! - used to tell someone to start speaking or to speak more quickly, when they are unwilling to speak or are speaking slowly.
eg: Come on, spit it out, who told you about this?
(20) for sure - certain or certainly.
eg: I know for sure that I won't be able to go to the party.
One thing's for sure - once the baby's born, your lives will never be the same again.
(21) every now and again/then - sometimes but not often.
eg : Every now and again/then they'll have a beer together.
every so often - sometimes but not often.
eg: Every so often I treat myself to a meal in an expensive restaurant.
(22) no less than - used to show your surprise at a large number.
eg: There were no less than a thousand people there buying tickets.
(23) throw sth away/out - to get rid of something that you do not want any more.
eg: So when are you going to throw away those old magazines?
(24) pronounce on/upon sth - to give a judgement or opinion about something.
eg: I'd rather not go pronouncing on a subject that I know so little about.
(25) align yourself with sb/sth - If you align yourself with an organization or person, you agree with and support their aims.
eg: The party is under pressure to align itself more closely with industry.
(26) glitzy - having a fashionable appearance intended to attract attention.
eg: He celebrated his birthday at a glitzy party in Beverly Hills.
glitz
The party's electoral message may be obscured by the glitz and glamour of its presentation.
the glitz and glamour of the music scene
(27) ties - the friendly feelings that people have for other people, or special connections with places.
eg: Family ties are weaker if you move a long way away.
I no longer feel any ties with my home town.
He urged governments worldwide to break diplomatic ties with the new regime.
(28) sinister - making you feel that something bad or evil might happen.
eg: The ruined house had a sinister appearance.
A sinister-looking man sat in the corner of the room.
(29) set/put the record straight - to write or say something in order to make the true facts known.
eg: She's decided to write her memoirs to set the record straight once and for all.
(30) premonition - a feeling that something, especially something unpleasant, is going to happen.
eg: He had a premonition that his plane would crash, so he took the train.
She had a sudden premonition of what the future might bring.
(31) hook (sb/sth) up to sth - to connect a machine to a power supply or to another machine, or to connect a person to a piece of medical equipment.
eg: Can we hook up to the electricity supply at the campsite?
Helen was unconscious and hooked up to a life support machine.
(32) win-win - describes a situation, plan, etc. in which you cannot lose, whatever choice of action you make, or in which all the groups involved will gain benefits.
eg: This is a win-win situation for her, because whoever wins this match, she's still going to be champion.
Promoting fairtrade is a win-win option, because everyone, both producers and consumers, benefits.
(33) cut through sth - If you cut through something difficult that usually causes problems, you quickly understand it or deal with it so that it does not cause problems for you.
eg: She always manages to cut through the complex theory and get at the facts.
(34) side with sb - to support one person or group in an argument.
eg: If ever there was any sort of argument, she'd always side with my father against me.
(35) take sb's side - to support someone in an argument.
eg: My mother always take my father's side when I argue with him.
(36) the right way round/up - in the correct position.
eg: The lid has to go on the right way round or it won't fit.
Keep the bottle the right way up.
(37) right away / off - immediately; without delay.
eg: I want it sent right away.
I told him right off what I thought of him.
(38) give sb their due - said when you are praising someone for something good they have done, although you dislike other things about them.
eg: He failed again, but to give him his due, he did try hard.
(39) have time to kill - to have nothing to do for a particular period.
eg: We've got some time to kill before our train arrives - shall we have a drink?
(40) by the look(s) of things (also by the look of it) - judging by the information we have now.
eg: By the look of things, we won't be able to take our holiday till the autumn.
(41) Look who's talking! (also You're a fine one to talk!, also You can/can't talk!, US also You should talk!)
- something you say when someone criticises you for something that they do themselves.
eg: I'm lazy? You're a fine one to talk!
(42) You've got nothing to lose. (also What have you got to lose?) - used to tell someone that they cannot cause any disadvantages for themselves by doing a particular thing.
eg: Why don't you take the job? You've got nothing to lose.
(43) call into question - to cause doubts about something.
eg: The fact that a party can be voted into power by a minority of the electorate calls into question the country's electoral system.
call sth into question - to doubt sth or make others doubt sth.
SYN : question
eg: His honesty has never been called into question.
(44) be out of the question (also be no question of (doing) sth) - to be an event which cannot possibly happen.
eg: A trip to New Zealand is out of the question this year.
There's no question of agreeing to the demands.
out of the question - impossible or not allowed and therefore not worth discussing.
eg: Another trip abroad this year is out of the question.
(45) a question mark over sth - an expression used when doubt exists about a particular thing.
eg: A question mark hangs over the future of the company.
a question mark over / against sth - used to say that sth is not certain.
eg:There’s still a big question mark hanging over his future with the team.
(46) (only) time will/can tell - used to say that the truth or a result will only be known in the future after events have happened.
eg: Only time will tell whether we made the right decision.
(47) smell a rat - to recognize that something is not as it appears to be or that something dishonest is happening.
eg: He's been working late with her every night this week - I smell a rat!
smell a rat - to suspect that sth is wrong about a situation.
(48) take the bull by the horns - to do something difficult in a brave and determined way.
eg: Why don't you take the bull by the horns and tell him to leave?
(49) (straight) from the horse's mouth - If you hear something (straight) from the horse's mouth, you hear it from the person who has direct personal knowledge of the matter.
(50) horse around/about - to behave in a silly and noisy way.
eg: He was horsing around in the kitchen and broke my favourite bowl.
(51) Has the cat got your tongue? - something you say to someone when you are annoyed because they will not speak.
eg: What's the matter? Has the cat got your tongue?
(has the) cat got your tongue? - said to sb, especially a child, who stays silent when expected to speak, for example after being asked a question.
(52) tongue in cheek (also with your tongue in your cheek) - If you say something tongue in cheek, you intend it to be understood as a joke, although you might appear to be serious.
eg: He said that he was America's greatest lover, although I suspect it was tongue in cheek.
with your tongue in your cheek | with tongue in cheek - if you say sth with your tongue in your cheek, you are not being serious and mean it as a joke.
(53) leave sb high and dry - to do something which is very inconvenient for someone and put them in a very difficult situation.
eg: They pulled out of the deal at the last minute leaving us high and dry.
(54) hunt/search high and low - to search everywhere for something.
eg: I've been hunting high and low for that certificate and I still can't find it!
(55) bend/lean over backwards - to try very hard to do something.
eg: I've been bending over backwards trying to help you and this is all the thanks I get!
(56) What's eating sb? - used to ask why someone seems angry or upset.
eg: Jack's in a strange mood - I wonder what's eating him?
(57) The early bird catches the worm - said to advise someone that they will gain an advantage if they do something immediately or before anyone else does it.
(58) break the ice - to make people who have not met before feel more relaxed with each other.
eg: Someone suggested that we play a party game to break the ice.
(59) keep to sth - to do what you have promised or planned to do.
eg: I think we should keep to our original plan.
(60) keep sth to yourself - to keep something secret.
eg: I don't want everyone to know, so if you could keep it to yourself I'd appreciate it.
(61) keep to sth - If you keep to a particular subject, you only talk about that subject.
eg: For heaven's sake let's keep to the point or we'll never reach any decisions.
(62) slip into sth (also slip sth on) - to quickly put on a piece of clothing.
eg: If you could wait two minutes, I'm just going to slip into a smarter dress.
You don't need to go into the changing rooms - just slip the jacket on over your sweater.
(63) in the face of sth - despite having to deal with a difficult situation or problem.
eg: She left home in the face of strong opposition from her parents.
(64) be laughing on the other side of your face - used to tell someone that although they are pleased now, they will not be pleased later when things do not happen as they expected or planned.
eg: She's pleased with her promotion but she'll be laughing on the other side of her face when she sees the extra work.
(65) flying start - in a race, when one competitor starts more quickly than the others.
eg: She's got off to a flying start (= has begun very well) in her new job.
(66) laugh your head off - to laugh a lot, loudly.
eg: You laughed your head off when I fell!
(67) off the top of your head - from the knowledge you have in your memory.
eg: "What's the capital of Mauritania?" "I couldn't tell you off the top of my head, but I could go and look it up."
(68) offhand - without looking for information and without thinking carefully; immediately.
eg: I can't quote the exact statistics for you offhand, but they're there for you to see in the report.
(69) having said that - despite what has just been said.
eg: He forgets most things, but having said that, he always remembers my birthday.
(70) snap out of sth - to force yourself to stop feeling sad and upset.
eg: He just can't snap out of the depression he's had since his wife died.
Now come on, snap out of it. Losing that money isn't the end of the world.
(71)so-so - between average quality and low quality; not good or well.
eg: a so-so performance
"How are you getting on with your new boss?" "So-so."
(72) hit the hay/sack - to go to bed in order to sleep.
eg: I've got a busy day tomorrow, so I think I'll hit the sack.
(73)infra dig - below what you consider to be socially acceptable.
eg: Diane thinks it's a bit infra dig to do her own housework.
(74) tie sb up (NOT AVAILABLE) - When someone is tied up, they are busy or are prevented from doing something, such as speaking to someone or going somewhere, because they are involved in another event or activity.
eg: I'm afraid we can't meet till Wednesday - I'm tied up on Monday and Tuesday.
Mrs Moran is tied up in a meeting at the moment, but I'll ask her to call you later.
(75) or otherwise - used to refer to the opposite of the word which comes before it.
eg: Hand in your exam papers, finished or otherwise (= or not finished).
(76) to perfection - extremely well.
eg: The fish was cooked to perfection.
(77) shrine - a place for worship which is holy because of a connection with a holy person or object.
eg: Islam's most sacred shrine is at Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
(78) meet your Waterloo - to be defeated by someone who is too strong for you or by a problem which is too difficult for you.
(79) harp on - to talk or complain about something many times.
eg: He's always harping on about lack of discipline.
I know you want to go to Paris. Don't keep harping on (about it)!
(80) bury the hatchet - to stop an argument and become friends again.
eg: Can't you two just bury the hatchet?
(81) tread carefully/gently/lightly - to speak or behave carefully to avoid upsetting or causing offence to anyone.
eg: The government know they have to tread carefully on this issue.
(82) call sb names - If a person, especially a child, calls someone names, he or she addresses that person with a name which is intended to be offensive.
eg: Tom's worried that if he wears glasses at school the other children will call him names.
(83) have a bellyful of sb/sth - to have more than you can deal with of someone or something bad or annoying.
eg : I've had a bellyful of their lies.
(84) into - enthusiastic about or interested in.
Eg: Jackie's really into classical music.
(85) your eyes pop out of your head - a way of describing the way you look when you are extremely surprised to see something or someone.
eg: When she saw the amount written on the cheque, her eyes nearly popped out of her head.
(86) poke - to push a finger or other pointed object quickly into someone or something.
eg: You'll poke someone in the eye with that umbrella if you're not careful!
Two kids were poking a stick into the drain.
(87) in your birthday suit - not wearing any clothes.
(88) make it up to sb - to do something good for someone you have upset, in order to become friends with them again.
eg: I'm sorry we can't take you with us, but I promise I'll make it up to you somehow.
(89) make up to sb - to be too friendly to someone or to praise them in order to get advantages.
eg: Have you seen the disgusting way she makes up to the boss?
(90) hold sb/sth responsible - to blame someone or something.
eg: He held me personally responsible whenever anything went wrong in the project.
(91) squeeze sb/sth in - to manage to do something or see someone in a short period of time or when you are very busy.
eg: While we're in Australia, we're hoping to squeeze in a trip to the Barrier Reef.
I'm very busy this week but I could squeeze you in at 2.30 on Tuesday.
(92) have a mind of its own - A machine or other object can be said to have a mind of its own if it seems to be controlling the way it behaves or moves, independently of the person using it.
eg: This shopping trolley has a mind of its own.
(93) on your toes - Someone or something that keeps you on your toes forces you to continue directing all your attention and energy to what you are doing.
eg: I work with people who are half my age so that keeps me on my toes.
(94) Get real! - used for telling someone that they should try to understand the true facts of a situation and not hope for what is impossible.
eg: Get real! He's never going to give you the money.
(95) excuse me - used to politely ask someone to move so that you can walk past them.
eg: Excuse me, can I just get past?
(96) The conditions that these prisoners are kept in are second to none (= better than all others).
(97) keep tabs on sth/sb - to watch something or someone carefully.
eg: I like to keep tabs on my bank account so that I don't overdraw.
(98) give sth/sb the once-over - to look at and examine something or someone briefly.
eg: The security guards gave me the once-over, but they didn't ask me for any identification.
(99) hand in glove (US also hand and glove) - working together, often to do something dishonest.
eg: It was rumoured at the time that some of the gangs were working hand in glove with the police.
(100) specifics - exact details.
eg: I can't comment on the specifics of the case.
The specifics of the plan still have to be worked out.
eg: Look on the bright side - no one was badly hurt.
(2) take the liberty of doing sth - to do something that will have an effect on someone else, without asking their permission.
eg: I took the liberty of booking theatre seats for us.
(3) be at liberty to do sth - to be allowed to do something.
eg: I'm not at liberty to reveal any names.
(4) become of sb/sth - If you ask what became of someone or something, you want to know where they are and what happened to them.
eg: Whatever became of that parcel you sent?
And Mickey Adams - I wonder what became of him.
(5) out of the blue - If something happens out of the blue, it is completely unexpected.
eg: One day, out of the blue, she announced that she was leaving.
a bolt from/out of the blue - something completely unexpected that surprises you very much.
eg: The news of his marriage was a bolt from the blue.
(6) pull (sb/sth) out - to stop being involved in an activity or agreement.
eg: He pulled out of the deal at the last moment.
They've pulled all their athletes out of the competition.
(7) decided - certain, obvious or easy to notice.
eg: She had a decided advantage over her opponent.
decidedly -
eg: He was decidedly (= very obviously) careful about what he told me.
An agreement is looking decidedly difficult according to the newspapers.
decidedly - in a way that shows that you are sure and determined about sth.
eg: ‘I won’t go,’ she said decidedly.
(8) put sb to shame - to make someone feel ashamed.
eg: It puts me to shame that I still haven't replied to David's letter.
put sb/sth to shame - to be much better than sb/sth.
eg: Their presentation put ours to shame.
(9) shame on you - used to tell someone that they should feel sorry for something they did.
eg: Shame on you for being so unkind.
humorous You mean you were in town and you didn't come and see us - shame on you!
(10) to my shame - I feel ashamed because.
eg: To my shame, I never wrote and thanked Mary for her present.
To my shame (= I feel shame that) I refused to listen to her side of the story.
(11) take (to) the floor - to stand and begin to dance.
eg: The Prince and Princess were the first to take the floor.
take the floor - start speaking.
(12) get a move on - to hurry.
eg: Come on, you two, get a move on!
We need to get a move on if we're going to catch that train.
(13) breathe/say a word - to tell other people about something.
eg: Don't say a word about the accident to my mother.
If you breathe a word of this to anyone, I'll be really upset.
(14) at/on the double - very quickly and without any delay.
(15) see to sth/sb - to deal with a person or task that needs to be dealt with or is waiting to be dealt with.
eg: "These letters need posting." "I'll see to them later."
Mrs Chapman asked for some help with the orders - could you see to it?
Please see to it that no-one comes in without identification.
(16) guest of honour - the most important person at a social occasion.
eg: The Prime Minister was guest of honour at the dinner.
(17) be quick/slow on the uptake - If someone is quick/slow on the uptake they understand things easily/with difficulty.
eg: He's a bit slow on the uptake, so you may have to repeat the instructions a few times.
(18) after you - used to politely say that someone can go in front of you or serve themselves with food before you.
eg: "Can I pour you some coffee?" "Oh no, after you."
(19) Spit it out! - used to tell someone to start speaking or to speak more quickly, when they are unwilling to speak or are speaking slowly.
eg: Come on, spit it out, who told you about this?
(20) for sure - certain or certainly.
eg: I know for sure that I won't be able to go to the party.
One thing's for sure - once the baby's born, your lives will never be the same again.
(21) every now and again/then - sometimes but not often.
eg : Every now and again/then they'll have a beer together.
every so often - sometimes but not often.
eg: Every so often I treat myself to a meal in an expensive restaurant.
(22) no less than - used to show your surprise at a large number.
eg: There were no less than a thousand people there buying tickets.
(23) throw sth away/out - to get rid of something that you do not want any more.
eg: So when are you going to throw away those old magazines?
(24) pronounce on/upon sth - to give a judgement or opinion about something.
eg: I'd rather not go pronouncing on a subject that I know so little about.
(25) align yourself with sb/sth - If you align yourself with an organization or person, you agree with and support their aims.
eg: The party is under pressure to align itself more closely with industry.
(26) glitzy - having a fashionable appearance intended to attract attention.
eg: He celebrated his birthday at a glitzy party in Beverly Hills.
glitz
The party's electoral message may be obscured by the glitz and glamour of its presentation.
the glitz and glamour of the music scene
(27) ties - the friendly feelings that people have for other people, or special connections with places.
eg: Family ties are weaker if you move a long way away.
I no longer feel any ties with my home town.
He urged governments worldwide to break diplomatic ties with the new regime.
(28) sinister - making you feel that something bad or evil might happen.
eg: The ruined house had a sinister appearance.
A sinister-looking man sat in the corner of the room.
(29) set/put the record straight - to write or say something in order to make the true facts known.
eg: She's decided to write her memoirs to set the record straight once and for all.
(30) premonition - a feeling that something, especially something unpleasant, is going to happen.
eg: He had a premonition that his plane would crash, so he took the train.
She had a sudden premonition of what the future might bring.
(31) hook (sb/sth) up to sth - to connect a machine to a power supply or to another machine, or to connect a person to a piece of medical equipment.
eg: Can we hook up to the electricity supply at the campsite?
Helen was unconscious and hooked up to a life support machine.
(32) win-win - describes a situation, plan, etc. in which you cannot lose, whatever choice of action you make, or in which all the groups involved will gain benefits.
eg: This is a win-win situation for her, because whoever wins this match, she's still going to be champion.
Promoting fairtrade is a win-win option, because everyone, both producers and consumers, benefits.
(33) cut through sth - If you cut through something difficult that usually causes problems, you quickly understand it or deal with it so that it does not cause problems for you.
eg: She always manages to cut through the complex theory and get at the facts.
(34) side with sb - to support one person or group in an argument.
eg: If ever there was any sort of argument, she'd always side with my father against me.
(35) take sb's side - to support someone in an argument.
eg: My mother always take my father's side when I argue with him.
(36) the right way round/up - in the correct position.
eg: The lid has to go on the right way round or it won't fit.
Keep the bottle the right way up.
(37) right away / off - immediately; without delay.
eg: I want it sent right away.
I told him right off what I thought of him.
(38) give sb their due - said when you are praising someone for something good they have done, although you dislike other things about them.
eg: He failed again, but to give him his due, he did try hard.
(39) have time to kill - to have nothing to do for a particular period.
eg: We've got some time to kill before our train arrives - shall we have a drink?
(40) by the look(s) of things (also by the look of it) - judging by the information we have now.
eg: By the look of things, we won't be able to take our holiday till the autumn.
(41) Look who's talking! (also You're a fine one to talk!, also You can/can't talk!, US also You should talk!)
- something you say when someone criticises you for something that they do themselves.
eg: I'm lazy? You're a fine one to talk!
(42) You've got nothing to lose. (also What have you got to lose?) - used to tell someone that they cannot cause any disadvantages for themselves by doing a particular thing.
eg: Why don't you take the job? You've got nothing to lose.
(43) call into question - to cause doubts about something.
eg: The fact that a party can be voted into power by a minority of the electorate calls into question the country's electoral system.
call sth into question - to doubt sth or make others doubt sth.
SYN : question
eg: His honesty has never been called into question.
(44) be out of the question (also be no question of (doing) sth) - to be an event which cannot possibly happen.
eg: A trip to New Zealand is out of the question this year.
There's no question of agreeing to the demands.
out of the question - impossible or not allowed and therefore not worth discussing.
eg: Another trip abroad this year is out of the question.
(45) a question mark over sth - an expression used when doubt exists about a particular thing.
eg: A question mark hangs over the future of the company.
a question mark over / against sth - used to say that sth is not certain.
eg:There’s still a big question mark hanging over his future with the team.
(46) (only) time will/can tell - used to say that the truth or a result will only be known in the future after events have happened.
eg: Only time will tell whether we made the right decision.
(47) smell a rat - to recognize that something is not as it appears to be or that something dishonest is happening.
eg: He's been working late with her every night this week - I smell a rat!
smell a rat - to suspect that sth is wrong about a situation.
(48) take the bull by the horns - to do something difficult in a brave and determined way.
eg: Why don't you take the bull by the horns and tell him to leave?
(49) (straight) from the horse's mouth - If you hear something (straight) from the horse's mouth, you hear it from the person who has direct personal knowledge of the matter.
(50) horse around/about - to behave in a silly and noisy way.
eg: He was horsing around in the kitchen and broke my favourite bowl.
(51) Has the cat got your tongue? - something you say to someone when you are annoyed because they will not speak.
eg: What's the matter? Has the cat got your tongue?
(has the) cat got your tongue? - said to sb, especially a child, who stays silent when expected to speak, for example after being asked a question.
(52) tongue in cheek (also with your tongue in your cheek) - If you say something tongue in cheek, you intend it to be understood as a joke, although you might appear to be serious.
eg: He said that he was America's greatest lover, although I suspect it was tongue in cheek.
with your tongue in your cheek | with tongue in cheek - if you say sth with your tongue in your cheek, you are not being serious and mean it as a joke.
(53) leave sb high and dry - to do something which is very inconvenient for someone and put them in a very difficult situation.
eg: They pulled out of the deal at the last minute leaving us high and dry.
(54) hunt/search high and low - to search everywhere for something.
eg: I've been hunting high and low for that certificate and I still can't find it!
(55) bend/lean over backwards - to try very hard to do something.
eg: I've been bending over backwards trying to help you and this is all the thanks I get!
(56) What's eating sb? - used to ask why someone seems angry or upset.
eg: Jack's in a strange mood - I wonder what's eating him?
(57) The early bird catches the worm - said to advise someone that they will gain an advantage if they do something immediately or before anyone else does it.
(58) break the ice - to make people who have not met before feel more relaxed with each other.
eg: Someone suggested that we play a party game to break the ice.
(59) keep to sth - to do what you have promised or planned to do.
eg: I think we should keep to our original plan.
(60) keep sth to yourself - to keep something secret.
eg: I don't want everyone to know, so if you could keep it to yourself I'd appreciate it.
(61) keep to sth - If you keep to a particular subject, you only talk about that subject.
eg: For heaven's sake let's keep to the point or we'll never reach any decisions.
(62) slip into sth (also slip sth on) - to quickly put on a piece of clothing.
eg: If you could wait two minutes, I'm just going to slip into a smarter dress.
You don't need to go into the changing rooms - just slip the jacket on over your sweater.
(63) in the face of sth - despite having to deal with a difficult situation or problem.
eg: She left home in the face of strong opposition from her parents.
(64) be laughing on the other side of your face - used to tell someone that although they are pleased now, they will not be pleased later when things do not happen as they expected or planned.
eg: She's pleased with her promotion but she'll be laughing on the other side of her face when she sees the extra work.
(65) flying start - in a race, when one competitor starts more quickly than the others.
eg: She's got off to a flying start (= has begun very well) in her new job.
(66) laugh your head off - to laugh a lot, loudly.
eg: You laughed your head off when I fell!
(67) off the top of your head - from the knowledge you have in your memory.
eg: "What's the capital of Mauritania?" "I couldn't tell you off the top of my head, but I could go and look it up."
(68) offhand - without looking for information and without thinking carefully; immediately.
eg: I can't quote the exact statistics for you offhand, but they're there for you to see in the report.
(69) having said that - despite what has just been said.
eg: He forgets most things, but having said that, he always remembers my birthday.
(70) snap out of sth - to force yourself to stop feeling sad and upset.
eg: He just can't snap out of the depression he's had since his wife died.
Now come on, snap out of it. Losing that money isn't the end of the world.
(71)so-so - between average quality and low quality; not good or well.
eg: a so-so performance
"How are you getting on with your new boss?" "So-so."
(72) hit the hay/sack - to go to bed in order to sleep.
eg: I've got a busy day tomorrow, so I think I'll hit the sack.
(73)infra dig - below what you consider to be socially acceptable.
eg: Diane thinks it's a bit infra dig to do her own housework.
(74) tie sb up (NOT AVAILABLE) - When someone is tied up, they are busy or are prevented from doing something, such as speaking to someone or going somewhere, because they are involved in another event or activity.
eg: I'm afraid we can't meet till Wednesday - I'm tied up on Monday and Tuesday.
Mrs Moran is tied up in a meeting at the moment, but I'll ask her to call you later.
(75) or otherwise - used to refer to the opposite of the word which comes before it.
eg: Hand in your exam papers, finished or otherwise (= or not finished).
(76) to perfection - extremely well.
eg: The fish was cooked to perfection.
(77) shrine - a place for worship which is holy because of a connection with a holy person or object.
eg: Islam's most sacred shrine is at Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
(78) meet your Waterloo - to be defeated by someone who is too strong for you or by a problem which is too difficult for you.
(79) harp on - to talk or complain about something many times.
eg: He's always harping on about lack of discipline.
I know you want to go to Paris. Don't keep harping on (about it)!
(80) bury the hatchet - to stop an argument and become friends again.
eg: Can't you two just bury the hatchet?
(81) tread carefully/gently/lightly - to speak or behave carefully to avoid upsetting or causing offence to anyone.
eg: The government know they have to tread carefully on this issue.
(82) call sb names - If a person, especially a child, calls someone names, he or she addresses that person with a name which is intended to be offensive.
eg: Tom's worried that if he wears glasses at school the other children will call him names.
(83) have a bellyful of sb/sth - to have more than you can deal with of someone or something bad or annoying.
eg : I've had a bellyful of their lies.
(84) into - enthusiastic about or interested in.
Eg: Jackie's really into classical music.
(85) your eyes pop out of your head - a way of describing the way you look when you are extremely surprised to see something or someone.
eg: When she saw the amount written on the cheque, her eyes nearly popped out of her head.
(86) poke - to push a finger or other pointed object quickly into someone or something.
eg: You'll poke someone in the eye with that umbrella if you're not careful!
Two kids were poking a stick into the drain.
(87) in your birthday suit - not wearing any clothes.
(88) make it up to sb - to do something good for someone you have upset, in order to become friends with them again.
eg: I'm sorry we can't take you with us, but I promise I'll make it up to you somehow.
(89) make up to sb - to be too friendly to someone or to praise them in order to get advantages.
eg: Have you seen the disgusting way she makes up to the boss?
(90) hold sb/sth responsible - to blame someone or something.
eg: He held me personally responsible whenever anything went wrong in the project.
(91) squeeze sb/sth in - to manage to do something or see someone in a short period of time or when you are very busy.
eg: While we're in Australia, we're hoping to squeeze in a trip to the Barrier Reef.
I'm very busy this week but I could squeeze you in at 2.30 on Tuesday.
(92) have a mind of its own - A machine or other object can be said to have a mind of its own if it seems to be controlling the way it behaves or moves, independently of the person using it.
eg: This shopping trolley has a mind of its own.
(93) on your toes - Someone or something that keeps you on your toes forces you to continue directing all your attention and energy to what you are doing.
eg: I work with people who are half my age so that keeps me on my toes.
(94) Get real! - used for telling someone that they should try to understand the true facts of a situation and not hope for what is impossible.
eg: Get real! He's never going to give you the money.
(95) excuse me - used to politely ask someone to move so that you can walk past them.
eg: Excuse me, can I just get past?
(96) The conditions that these prisoners are kept in are second to none (= better than all others).
(97) keep tabs on sth/sb - to watch something or someone carefully.
eg: I like to keep tabs on my bank account so that I don't overdraw.
(98) give sth/sb the once-over - to look at and examine something or someone briefly.
eg: The security guards gave me the once-over, but they didn't ask me for any identification.
(99) hand in glove (US also hand and glove) - working together, often to do something dishonest.
eg: It was rumoured at the time that some of the gangs were working hand in glove with the police.
(100) specifics - exact details.
eg: I can't comment on the specifics of the case.
The specifics of the plan still have to be worked out.
English Tongue 6
ENGLISH TONGUE
(1) nosh - food or a meal.
eg: They serve good nosh in the cafeteria.
(2) smirk - a smile that expresses satisfaction or pleasure about having done something or knowing something which is not known by someone else.
eg: "Maybe your husband does things that you don't know about," he said with a smirk.
"I told you it would end in disaster," said Polly with a self-satisfied smirk on her face.
smirk
eg: I don't like the way he winks and smirks at me whenever he sees me.
He smirked his way through the interview.
(3) wink - to close one eye briefly as a way of greeting someone or showing friendliness, affection, sexual attraction, etc., or of showing that you are not serious about something you have said.
eg: She winked at me as he turned his back.
For a moment I thought he was being serious, but then he winked at me.
(4) a load (also loads) - a lot.
eg: I've got a load of work to get through before tomorrow.
There were a load of people there.
Have some more food - there's loads.
She looks loads better with her new haircut.
(5) don't you dare - used to tell someone angrily not to do something.
eg: "I think I'll just walk my dirty shoes over your nice clean floor." "Don't you dare!"
Don't you dare go without me!
(6) stranded - unable to leave somewhere because of an inconvenience such as a lack of transport or money.
eg: He left me stranded in town with no car and no money for a bus.
If the tide comes in, we'll be stranded on these rocks.
(7) have a bumpy ride - to have a difficult time.
eg: She's had a bumpy ride at work over the last few months.
(8) jab - to push or hit something forcefully and quickly, often with a thin or sharp object.
eg: The doctor jabbed the needle into the dog's leg.
Watch out! You nearly jabbed me in the eye with your umbrella!
He was jabbing a finger at (= towards) them and shouting angrily.
(9)puncture - to suddenly make someone less confident or positive.
eg: My positive mood was rather punctured by the news.
(10) whatsoever (also whatever) - used after a negative phrase to add emphasis to the idea that is being expressed.
eg: He has no respect for authority whatsoever.
I can honestly say that I have no interest whatsoever in the royal family.
There is no evidence whatever to show that this is in fact the case.
"Had you any idea what was happening at the time?" "None whatsoever."
(11) take the liberty of doing sth - to do something that will have an effect on someone else, without asking their permission.
eg: I took the liberty of booking theatre seats for us.
(12) no mean - used to say a person is very good at a certain activity.
eg: He's no mean cook.
(13) grave - seriously bad.
eg: a grave situation
(14) befuddled - confused.
eg: I'm so tired, my poor befuddled brain can't absorb any more.
befuddled - confused and unable to think normally.
eg: He was befuddled by drink.
(15) faint - to suddenly become unconscious for a short time, usually falling down.
eg: He faints at the sight of blood.
I nearly fainted in the heat.
She took one look at the hypodermic needle and fainted (dead) away (= lost consciousness immediately).
(16) Shove off! - used to tell someone angrily to go away.
eg: Just shove off, will you?
(17) not give/care a damn - used as a way of saying you do not care about something, especially the annoying things that someone else is doing or saying.
eg: He can think what he likes about me - I don't give a damn!
(18) it remains to be seen - it is not yet certain.
eg: It remains to be seen who will win.
(19) the fact remains - it is still true.
eg: I know you're sorry now, but the fact remains that you hit your sister.
(20) disquieting - causing anxiety.
eg: The disquieting situation between these two neighbouring countries looks set to continue.
(21) wonky - shaky, weak or unsatisfactory.
eg: One of the legs on this chair is a bit wonky.
He may have to stop playing cricket because of his wonky knee.
The jury system may be a bit wonky but nobody's ever thought of anything better.
(22) grim - worried or worrying, without hope.
eg: The future looks grim.
Her face was grim as she told them the bad news.
The expression on his face was one of grim determination.
Later Mr Ashby left the court, grim-faced and silent.
(23) be on top of sth - to be able to control a situation or deal with it.
eg: Do you think he’s really on top of his job?
(24) at/on the stroke of sth - exactly at a particular time.
eg: Fireworks started at the stroke of ten.
(25) shiver (up and) down your spine - a frightened or excited feeling.
eg: At its most terrifying, his writing sends shivers up and down my spine.
Whenever I hear that music, I feel a shiver down my spine.
(26) wimp - a person who is not strong, brave or confident.
eg: I'm afraid I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to climbing up ladders.
(27) go to the dogs - to get into a very bad state.
eg: This firm’s gone to the dogs since the new management took over.
(28) oaf - a stupid, rude or awkward person, especially a man.
eg: a drunken/insensitive/stupid oaf
You clumsy oaf! You've broken it!
(29) pat - to touch someone or something gently and usually repeatedly with the hand flat.
eg: He patted my head/patted me on the head affectionately.
I bent down to pat the little puppy.
(30) lay it on a bit thick - to praise someone too much.
eg: She went on and on about how she admired his work - laid it on a bit thick, if you ask me.
lay it on thick - to talk about sb/sth in a way that makes them or it seem much better or much worse than they really are; to exaggerate sth.
eg: Praise them when necessary, but don’t lay it on too thick.
(31)most - the biggest number or amount of; more than anything or anyone else.
It was what she wanted most of all.
The kids loved the fair, but they enjoyed the bumper cars most of all.
(32) too much of a good thing - when something pleasant becomes unpleasant because you have or do too much of it.
eg: You can have too much of a good thing.
(33) suffice (it) to say - it is enough to say.
eg: Suffice (it) to say, Mike won't be going to Tina's birthday party after what he said about her to her boss.
(34) speak out of turn - to say sth when you should not, for example because it is not the right time or you are not the right person to say it.
speak/talk out of turn - to say something which you should not have said.
eg: I'm sorry if I've spoken out of turn, but I thought everyone had already been told.
(35) know-all UK (US know-it-all) - a person who thinks that they know much more than other people.
(36) antidote - a way of preventing or acting against something bad.
eg: Regular exercise is the best antidote to tiredness and depression.
(37) peaky - slightly ill, often looking pale.
eg: You look a bit peaky, love, are you all right?
(38) pipe down - to stop talking or making unnecessary noise.
eg: Will you please pipe down, you two? I'm trying to read!
(39)on tap - available for use at any time.
eg: Working in a library as I do, I have all this information on tap.
We have this sort of information on tap.
(40) whippersnapper - a young person who is too confident and shows a lack of respect towards other, especially older, people.
eg: I'm not going to have some young whippersnapper tell me what to do!
(41) conjure - to make something appear by magic, or as if by magic.
eg: In an instant, the magician had conjured (up) a dove from his hat.
(42) strut - to walk in a proud way trying to look important.
eg: The boys strutted around trying to get the attention of a group of girls who were nearby.
(43) cleave to sth - to stick or hold firmly onto something.
eg: The ancient ivy cleaved to the ruined castle walls.
(44) loathsome - extremely unpleasant.
eg: He's a loathsome man.
(45) meddle - to try to change or have an influence on things which are not your responsibility, especially in a critical, damaging or annoying way.
eg: My sister's always meddling in other people's affairs.
People shouldn't meddle with things they don't understand.
meddle (with sth) - to touch sth in a careless way, especially when it is not yours or when you do not know how to use it correctly.
eg: Somebody had been meddling with her computer.
(46) notwithstanding - despite the fact or thing mentioned.
eg: Notwithstanding some members' objections, I think we must go ahead with the plan.
Injuries notwithstanding, he won the semi-final match.
(47) be up to no good - to be behaving in a dishonest or bad way.
eg: He certainly looked as if he was up to no good.
I’m sure he’s up to no good (= doing sth bad).
(48) resolute - determined in character, action or ideas.
eg: Their resolute opposition to new working methods was difficult to overcome.
She's utterly resolute in her refusal to apologise.
resolutely
She resolutely refused to learn about computers.
(49) wearisome - causing a person to be tired and/or bored.
eg: Simple repetitive tasks can be very wearisome.
(50) strapping - describes someone who is tall and strong-looking.
eg: A big strapping lad like you shouldn't have much difficulty lifting that!
(51) manky - describes an object that is unpleasantly dirty, usually because it is old or has been used a lot.
eg: a manky tissue
manky old carpets
(52) shambles - a state of confusion, bad organization or untidiness, or something which is in this state.
eg: After the party, the house was a total/complete shambles.
Our economy is in a shambles.
The way these files are arranged is the biggest shambles I've ever seen.
(53) shambolic - confused and badly organized.
eg: Things are often a bit shambolic at the beginning of the school year.
Anna is far too shambolic to be able to run a business.
(54) parting of the ways - the point at which two people or organizations separate.
eg: The parting of the ways came after a series of disagreements between the singer and his song-writer.
(55) be (right) under your nose - to be in a place that you can clearly see.
eg: I spent ages looking for the book and it was right under my nose all the time.
She shoved the letter under her boss's nose (= made certain he saw it).
(56) demented - unable to think or act clearly because you are extremely worried, angry or excited by something.
eg: She was nearly demented with worry when her son didn't come home.
(57) be/go heavy on sth - to use a lot of something.
eg: The engine is heavy on fuel.
(58) a heavy heart - a feeling of unhappiness.
eg: With a heavy heart, she turned to wave goodbye.
(59) Time hangs heavy - said when minutes, hours, weeks, etc. seem to go past very slowly.
eg: Time hangs heavy in prison.
(60) get stuck in (also get stuck into sth) - to start doing something enthusiastically.
eg: We showed them where the crates had to be moved to, and they got stuck in straightaway.
You really got stuck into your food (= ate your food quickly) - you must have been hungry.
Mum brought in the sandwiches and told us to get stuck in.
(61) fella - a man.
eg: There were a couple of fellas leaning up by the bar.
(62) stop at nothing - If you stop at nothing to achieve something, you are willing to do anything in order to achieve it, even if it involves danger, great effort or harming other people.
eg: She'll stop at nothing to get her revenge.
(63) let go - to stop holding something.
eg: Hold on tight and don't let go!
Let go of my hand, you're hurting me!
(64) put sb/sth to the test - to put sb/sth in a situation which will show what their or its true qualities are.
eg: His theories have never really been put to the test.
put sth to the test - to find out how good something is.
eg: Her constant questions really put my patience to the test!
(65) a pain in the arse/backside uk and Australian English (US pain in the ass/butt) - someone or something that is very annoying.
eg: The kids were a real pain in the arse.
(66) antsy - very nervous, anxious or unpleasantly excited.
eg: It was a long drive and the children started to get antsy.
I always get antsy about meeting my husband's boss.
(67) be in and out of somewhere - to be frequently staying in and receiving treatment in a particular place.
eg: She's been in and out of hospitals ever since the accident.
(68) beat around the bush (UK also beat about the bush) - to avoid talking about what is important.
eg: Don't beat around the bush - get to the point!
beat around the bush (UK also beat about the bush) - to talk about sth for a long time without coming to the main point.
eg: Stop beating about the bush and tell me what you want.
(69) bushed - very tired
(70) hassle - (a situation causing) difficulty or trouble.
eg: I can't face the hassle of moving house again.
My boss has been giving me a lot of hassle this week.
It's one of the few bars that women can go to and not get any hassle from men.
It was such a hassle trying to get my bank account changed that I nearly gave up.
I should have taken it back to the shop but I just didn't think it was worth (all) the hassle.
(71) hit the hay/sack - to go to bed in order to sleep.
eg: I've got a busy day tomorrow, so I think I'll hit the sack.
(72) change (your) tack - to try a different method to deal with the same problem.
eg: I've written twice and received no reply, so I might change tack and call her.
(73) tightwad - a person who is not willing to spend money.
eg: There's no point in asking Joe to pay for it - he's a real tightwad.
(74) yes and no - used when you cannot give a particular answer to a question.
eg: "Is the job going okay?" "Well, yes and no."
(75) zilch - nothing; none; no .
eg: "How many points did you score?" "Zilch."
(76) hold off - to not do something immediately.
eg: They've decided to hold off on buying a car until they're both working.
(77) play it by ear - to decide how to deal with a situation as it develops rather than by having a plan to follow.
eg: I don’t know what they’ll want when they arrive—we’ll have to play it by ear.
I don't know how long I'll continue touring with the band. We've always said we'll just play it by ear.
(78) be out of your league - to be too good or too expensive for you.
eg: He was so good-looking and so popular that I felt he was out of my league.
A house like that is out of our league (= too expensive for us).
(79) make a point of doing sth - to always do something or to take particular care to do something.
eg: She makes a point of keeping all her shopping receipts.
make a point of doing sth - to be or make sure you do sth because it is important or necessary.
eg: I made a point of closing all the windows before leaving the house.
(80) on the shelf - not noticed or not used.
eg: It's important to apply research in a practical way and not leave it on the shelf.
(81) my point exactly - said in answer to something that someone has just said when you believe it yourself, or when you have said it yourself earlier.
eg: "So even if we got the funding, we still couldn't get the project started." "My point exactly."
(82) You're on! - used as a way of expressing agreement to something happening.
eg: "I'll give you fifty quid for your bike." "You're on!"
(83) be not on - Something that is not on is unacceptable and should not happen.
eg: You can't be expected to work for nothing - it's not on.
(84) if it wasn't/weren't for (also if it hadn't been for) - without.
eg: If it wasn't for the life jacket, I would have drowned.
(85) fish in troubled waters - to try to gain an advantage from a difficult situation or from someone else's problems.
(86) not a dickybird - nothing at all.
eg: We haven't heard a dickybird from (= spoken to or received a letter from) Riza recently.
(87) a dim memory/recollection, etc. - something that you remember slightly, but not very well.
eg: I had a dim recollection of having met her before.
(88) the fag end of sth - the last, and often worst, part of something.
eg: We always used to go on holiday at the fag end of the holiday season.
(89) can't be fagged - If you can't be fagged to do something, you are unwilling to make the effort that is needed to do it.
eg: I can't be fagged to walk all the way there.
(89) on its last legs - Something that is on its last legs is in such bad condition that it will soon be unable to work as it should.
eg: I've had the same TV for fifteen years now and it's really on its last legs.
(90) on your last legs - A person who is on their last legs is very tired or near to death.
eg: We'd been out walking all day and I was on my last legs when we reached the hotel.
It looks as though her grandfather's on his last legs.
(91) these days - used to talk about the present time, in comparison with the past.
eg: Vegetarianism is very popular these days.
(92) to the day - exactly.
eg: She died ten years ago to the day.
(93) to this day - until now.
eg: To this day nobody knows what happened to him.
(94) this and that (also this, that and the other) - various things.
eg: "What were you talking about?" "Oh, this and that."
(95) by this time (also before this) - already.
eg: I thought you'd have finished by this time.
(96) at this rate - if the situation stays as it is.
eg : At this rate, we won't be home till midnight.
(97) come down on one side of the fence or other - to make a decision between two opposing points of view.
eg: The election is next week, so you'll have to come down on one side of the fence or other by then.
(98) have it in for sb - to be determined to harm or criticize someone.
eg: She's always had it in for me.
(99) to the point - expressing something very important or suitable for the subject being discussed.
eg: Her comments on my work were very apt and to the point.
(100) as it happens / happened - used when you say sth that is surprising, or sth connected with what sb else has just said.
eg: I agree with you, as it happens.
As it happens, I have a spare set of keys in my office.
(1) nosh - food or a meal.
eg: They serve good nosh in the cafeteria.
(2) smirk - a smile that expresses satisfaction or pleasure about having done something or knowing something which is not known by someone else.
eg: "Maybe your husband does things that you don't know about," he said with a smirk.
"I told you it would end in disaster," said Polly with a self-satisfied smirk on her face.
smirk
eg: I don't like the way he winks and smirks at me whenever he sees me.
He smirked his way through the interview.
(3) wink - to close one eye briefly as a way of greeting someone or showing friendliness, affection, sexual attraction, etc., or of showing that you are not serious about something you have said.
eg: She winked at me as he turned his back.
For a moment I thought he was being serious, but then he winked at me.
(4) a load (also loads) - a lot.
eg: I've got a load of work to get through before tomorrow.
There were a load of people there.
Have some more food - there's loads.
She looks loads better with her new haircut.
(5) don't you dare - used to tell someone angrily not to do something.
eg: "I think I'll just walk my dirty shoes over your nice clean floor." "Don't you dare!"
Don't you dare go without me!
(6) stranded - unable to leave somewhere because of an inconvenience such as a lack of transport or money.
eg: He left me stranded in town with no car and no money for a bus.
If the tide comes in, we'll be stranded on these rocks.
(7) have a bumpy ride - to have a difficult time.
eg: She's had a bumpy ride at work over the last few months.
(8) jab - to push or hit something forcefully and quickly, often with a thin or sharp object.
eg: The doctor jabbed the needle into the dog's leg.
Watch out! You nearly jabbed me in the eye with your umbrella!
He was jabbing a finger at (= towards) them and shouting angrily.
(9)puncture - to suddenly make someone less confident or positive.
eg: My positive mood was rather punctured by the news.
(10) whatsoever (also whatever) - used after a negative phrase to add emphasis to the idea that is being expressed.
eg: He has no respect for authority whatsoever.
I can honestly say that I have no interest whatsoever in the royal family.
There is no evidence whatever to show that this is in fact the case.
"Had you any idea what was happening at the time?" "None whatsoever."
(11) take the liberty of doing sth - to do something that will have an effect on someone else, without asking their permission.
eg: I took the liberty of booking theatre seats for us.
(12) no mean - used to say a person is very good at a certain activity.
eg: He's no mean cook.
(13) grave - seriously bad.
eg: a grave situation
(14) befuddled - confused.
eg: I'm so tired, my poor befuddled brain can't absorb any more.
befuddled - confused and unable to think normally.
eg: He was befuddled by drink.
(15) faint - to suddenly become unconscious for a short time, usually falling down.
eg: He faints at the sight of blood.
I nearly fainted in the heat.
She took one look at the hypodermic needle and fainted (dead) away (= lost consciousness immediately).
(16) Shove off! - used to tell someone angrily to go away.
eg: Just shove off, will you?
(17) not give/care a damn - used as a way of saying you do not care about something, especially the annoying things that someone else is doing or saying.
eg: He can think what he likes about me - I don't give a damn!
(18) it remains to be seen - it is not yet certain.
eg: It remains to be seen who will win.
(19) the fact remains - it is still true.
eg: I know you're sorry now, but the fact remains that you hit your sister.
(20) disquieting - causing anxiety.
eg: The disquieting situation between these two neighbouring countries looks set to continue.
(21) wonky - shaky, weak or unsatisfactory.
eg: One of the legs on this chair is a bit wonky.
He may have to stop playing cricket because of his wonky knee.
The jury system may be a bit wonky but nobody's ever thought of anything better.
(22) grim - worried or worrying, without hope.
eg: The future looks grim.
Her face was grim as she told them the bad news.
The expression on his face was one of grim determination.
Later Mr Ashby left the court, grim-faced and silent.
(23) be on top of sth - to be able to control a situation or deal with it.
eg: Do you think he’s really on top of his job?
(24) at/on the stroke of sth - exactly at a particular time.
eg: Fireworks started at the stroke of ten.
(25) shiver (up and) down your spine - a frightened or excited feeling.
eg: At its most terrifying, his writing sends shivers up and down my spine.
Whenever I hear that music, I feel a shiver down my spine.
(26) wimp - a person who is not strong, brave or confident.
eg: I'm afraid I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to climbing up ladders.
(27) go to the dogs - to get into a very bad state.
eg: This firm’s gone to the dogs since the new management took over.
(28) oaf - a stupid, rude or awkward person, especially a man.
eg: a drunken/insensitive/stupid oaf
You clumsy oaf! You've broken it!
(29) pat - to touch someone or something gently and usually repeatedly with the hand flat.
eg: He patted my head/patted me on the head affectionately.
I bent down to pat the little puppy.
(30) lay it on a bit thick - to praise someone too much.
eg: She went on and on about how she admired his work - laid it on a bit thick, if you ask me.
lay it on thick - to talk about sb/sth in a way that makes them or it seem much better or much worse than they really are; to exaggerate sth.
eg: Praise them when necessary, but don’t lay it on too thick.
(31)most - the biggest number or amount of; more than anything or anyone else.
It was what she wanted most of all.
The kids loved the fair, but they enjoyed the bumper cars most of all.
(32) too much of a good thing - when something pleasant becomes unpleasant because you have or do too much of it.
eg: You can have too much of a good thing.
(33) suffice (it) to say - it is enough to say.
eg: Suffice (it) to say, Mike won't be going to Tina's birthday party after what he said about her to her boss.
(34) speak out of turn - to say sth when you should not, for example because it is not the right time or you are not the right person to say it.
speak/talk out of turn - to say something which you should not have said.
eg: I'm sorry if I've spoken out of turn, but I thought everyone had already been told.
(35) know-all UK (US know-it-all) - a person who thinks that they know much more than other people.
(36) antidote - a way of preventing or acting against something bad.
eg: Regular exercise is the best antidote to tiredness and depression.
(37) peaky - slightly ill, often looking pale.
eg: You look a bit peaky, love, are you all right?
(38) pipe down - to stop talking or making unnecessary noise.
eg: Will you please pipe down, you two? I'm trying to read!
(39)on tap - available for use at any time.
eg: Working in a library as I do, I have all this information on tap.
We have this sort of information on tap.
(40) whippersnapper - a young person who is too confident and shows a lack of respect towards other, especially older, people.
eg: I'm not going to have some young whippersnapper tell me what to do!
(41) conjure - to make something appear by magic, or as if by magic.
eg: In an instant, the magician had conjured (up) a dove from his hat.
(42) strut - to walk in a proud way trying to look important.
eg: The boys strutted around trying to get the attention of a group of girls who were nearby.
(43) cleave to sth - to stick or hold firmly onto something.
eg: The ancient ivy cleaved to the ruined castle walls.
(44) loathsome - extremely unpleasant.
eg: He's a loathsome man.
(45) meddle - to try to change or have an influence on things which are not your responsibility, especially in a critical, damaging or annoying way.
eg: My sister's always meddling in other people's affairs.
People shouldn't meddle with things they don't understand.
meddle (with sth) - to touch sth in a careless way, especially when it is not yours or when you do not know how to use it correctly.
eg: Somebody had been meddling with her computer.
(46) notwithstanding - despite the fact or thing mentioned.
eg: Notwithstanding some members' objections, I think we must go ahead with the plan.
Injuries notwithstanding, he won the semi-final match.
(47) be up to no good - to be behaving in a dishonest or bad way.
eg: He certainly looked as if he was up to no good.
I’m sure he’s up to no good (= doing sth bad).
(48) resolute - determined in character, action or ideas.
eg: Their resolute opposition to new working methods was difficult to overcome.
She's utterly resolute in her refusal to apologise.
resolutely
She resolutely refused to learn about computers.
(49) wearisome - causing a person to be tired and/or bored.
eg: Simple repetitive tasks can be very wearisome.
(50) strapping - describes someone who is tall and strong-looking.
eg: A big strapping lad like you shouldn't have much difficulty lifting that!
(51) manky - describes an object that is unpleasantly dirty, usually because it is old or has been used a lot.
eg: a manky tissue
manky old carpets
(52) shambles - a state of confusion, bad organization or untidiness, or something which is in this state.
eg: After the party, the house was a total/complete shambles.
Our economy is in a shambles.
The way these files are arranged is the biggest shambles I've ever seen.
(53) shambolic - confused and badly organized.
eg: Things are often a bit shambolic at the beginning of the school year.
Anna is far too shambolic to be able to run a business.
(54) parting of the ways - the point at which two people or organizations separate.
eg: The parting of the ways came after a series of disagreements between the singer and his song-writer.
(55) be (right) under your nose - to be in a place that you can clearly see.
eg: I spent ages looking for the book and it was right under my nose all the time.
She shoved the letter under her boss's nose (= made certain he saw it).
(56) demented - unable to think or act clearly because you are extremely worried, angry or excited by something.
eg: She was nearly demented with worry when her son didn't come home.
(57) be/go heavy on sth - to use a lot of something.
eg: The engine is heavy on fuel.
(58) a heavy heart - a feeling of unhappiness.
eg: With a heavy heart, she turned to wave goodbye.
(59) Time hangs heavy - said when minutes, hours, weeks, etc. seem to go past very slowly.
eg: Time hangs heavy in prison.
(60) get stuck in (also get stuck into sth) - to start doing something enthusiastically.
eg: We showed them where the crates had to be moved to, and they got stuck in straightaway.
You really got stuck into your food (= ate your food quickly) - you must have been hungry.
Mum brought in the sandwiches and told us to get stuck in.
(61) fella - a man.
eg: There were a couple of fellas leaning up by the bar.
(62) stop at nothing - If you stop at nothing to achieve something, you are willing to do anything in order to achieve it, even if it involves danger, great effort or harming other people.
eg: She'll stop at nothing to get her revenge.
(63) let go - to stop holding something.
eg: Hold on tight and don't let go!
Let go of my hand, you're hurting me!
(64) put sb/sth to the test - to put sb/sth in a situation which will show what their or its true qualities are.
eg: His theories have never really been put to the test.
put sth to the test - to find out how good something is.
eg: Her constant questions really put my patience to the test!
(65) a pain in the arse/backside uk and Australian English (US pain in the ass/butt) - someone or something that is very annoying.
eg: The kids were a real pain in the arse.
(66) antsy - very nervous, anxious or unpleasantly excited.
eg: It was a long drive and the children started to get antsy.
I always get antsy about meeting my husband's boss.
(67) be in and out of somewhere - to be frequently staying in and receiving treatment in a particular place.
eg: She's been in and out of hospitals ever since the accident.
(68) beat around the bush (UK also beat about the bush) - to avoid talking about what is important.
eg: Don't beat around the bush - get to the point!
beat around the bush (UK also beat about the bush) - to talk about sth for a long time without coming to the main point.
eg: Stop beating about the bush and tell me what you want.
(69) bushed - very tired
(70) hassle - (a situation causing) difficulty or trouble.
eg: I can't face the hassle of moving house again.
My boss has been giving me a lot of hassle this week.
It's one of the few bars that women can go to and not get any hassle from men.
It was such a hassle trying to get my bank account changed that I nearly gave up.
I should have taken it back to the shop but I just didn't think it was worth (all) the hassle.
(71) hit the hay/sack - to go to bed in order to sleep.
eg: I've got a busy day tomorrow, so I think I'll hit the sack.
(72) change (your) tack - to try a different method to deal with the same problem.
eg: I've written twice and received no reply, so I might change tack and call her.
(73) tightwad - a person who is not willing to spend money.
eg: There's no point in asking Joe to pay for it - he's a real tightwad.
(74) yes and no - used when you cannot give a particular answer to a question.
eg: "Is the job going okay?" "Well, yes and no."
(75) zilch - nothing; none; no .
eg: "How many points did you score?" "Zilch."
(76) hold off - to not do something immediately.
eg: They've decided to hold off on buying a car until they're both working.
(77) play it by ear - to decide how to deal with a situation as it develops rather than by having a plan to follow.
eg: I don’t know what they’ll want when they arrive—we’ll have to play it by ear.
I don't know how long I'll continue touring with the band. We've always said we'll just play it by ear.
(78) be out of your league - to be too good or too expensive for you.
eg: He was so good-looking and so popular that I felt he was out of my league.
A house like that is out of our league (= too expensive for us).
(79) make a point of doing sth - to always do something or to take particular care to do something.
eg: She makes a point of keeping all her shopping receipts.
make a point of doing sth - to be or make sure you do sth because it is important or necessary.
eg: I made a point of closing all the windows before leaving the house.
(80) on the shelf - not noticed or not used.
eg: It's important to apply research in a practical way and not leave it on the shelf.
(81) my point exactly - said in answer to something that someone has just said when you believe it yourself, or when you have said it yourself earlier.
eg: "So even if we got the funding, we still couldn't get the project started." "My point exactly."
(82) You're on! - used as a way of expressing agreement to something happening.
eg: "I'll give you fifty quid for your bike." "You're on!"
(83) be not on - Something that is not on is unacceptable and should not happen.
eg: You can't be expected to work for nothing - it's not on.
(84) if it wasn't/weren't for (also if it hadn't been for) - without.
eg: If it wasn't for the life jacket, I would have drowned.
(85) fish in troubled waters - to try to gain an advantage from a difficult situation or from someone else's problems.
(86) not a dickybird - nothing at all.
eg: We haven't heard a dickybird from (= spoken to or received a letter from) Riza recently.
(87) a dim memory/recollection, etc. - something that you remember slightly, but not very well.
eg: I had a dim recollection of having met her before.
(88) the fag end of sth - the last, and often worst, part of something.
eg: We always used to go on holiday at the fag end of the holiday season.
(89) can't be fagged - If you can't be fagged to do something, you are unwilling to make the effort that is needed to do it.
eg: I can't be fagged to walk all the way there.
(89) on its last legs - Something that is on its last legs is in such bad condition that it will soon be unable to work as it should.
eg: I've had the same TV for fifteen years now and it's really on its last legs.
(90) on your last legs - A person who is on their last legs is very tired or near to death.
eg: We'd been out walking all day and I was on my last legs when we reached the hotel.
It looks as though her grandfather's on his last legs.
(91) these days - used to talk about the present time, in comparison with the past.
eg: Vegetarianism is very popular these days.
(92) to the day - exactly.
eg: She died ten years ago to the day.
(93) to this day - until now.
eg: To this day nobody knows what happened to him.
(94) this and that (also this, that and the other) - various things.
eg: "What were you talking about?" "Oh, this and that."
(95) by this time (also before this) - already.
eg: I thought you'd have finished by this time.
(96) at this rate - if the situation stays as it is.
eg : At this rate, we won't be home till midnight.
(97) come down on one side of the fence or other - to make a decision between two opposing points of view.
eg: The election is next week, so you'll have to come down on one side of the fence or other by then.
(98) have it in for sb - to be determined to harm or criticize someone.
eg: She's always had it in for me.
(99) to the point - expressing something very important or suitable for the subject being discussed.
eg: Her comments on my work were very apt and to the point.
(100) as it happens / happened - used when you say sth that is surprising, or sth connected with what sb else has just said.
eg: I agree with you, as it happens.
As it happens, I have a spare set of keys in my office.
English Tongue 5
100 ENGLISH TONGUE
(1) a pretty pass - a bad situation.
eg: Things have come to a pretty pass when a referee can no longer be trusted.
(2) à la - in the style of.
eg: She has her hair blonde and curly, à la Marilyn Monroe.
à la - (from French) in the same style as sb/sth else.
eg: a new band that sings à la Beatles
(3) a must - An inevitability; a necessity.
eg: Visas in many foreign countries are a must.
- An extremely interesting or memorable event, such as a free concert given by an international celebrity.
eg: Alfred Brendel's Beethoven master classes are open to the public and are not to be missed; they're a must.
(4) about face -
A sudden change of course or a decision opposite to what was decided earlier.
eg: Her decision to become an actress instead of a dentist was an about face from her original plans.
(5) above all (things) - more than everything else.
eg: I value my freedom above all things.
(6) in absentia - while the person involved is not present.
eg: An Italian court convicted him in absentia for his terrorist activities.
in absentia - (from Latin) while not present at the event being referred to.
eg: Two foreign suspects will be tried in absentia.
(7) Achilles heel - a small fault or weakness in a person or system that can result in its failure.
eg: A misbehaving minister is regarded as a government's Achilles heel and is expected to resign.
(8) an acquired taste - something that you dislike at first, but that you start to like after you have tried it a few times.
eg: Olives are an acquired taste.
(9) across the board - happening or having an effect on people at every level and in every area.
eg: The improvement has been across the board, with all divisions either increasing profits or reducing losses.
The initiative has across-the-board support.
(10) ad lib - said without any preparation or thought in advance.
eg: I'd forgotten the notes for my speech so I had to do it ad lib.
ad-lib comments
(11) after a fashion - If you can do something after a fashion, you can do it, but not well.
eg: I can cook, after a fashion.
after a fashion - to some extent, but not very well.
eg: I can play the piano, after a fashion.
(12) the dust settles - If the dust settles after an argument or big change, the situation becomes calmer
eg: We thought we'd let the dust settle before discussing the other matter.
let the dust settle / wait for the dust to settle - to wait for a situation to become clear or certain.
(13) be alive and well/kicking - to continue to live or exist and be full of energy.
eg: She said she'd seen him last week and he was alive and kicking.
(14) alive with - If something is alive with something else, it is so covered with or full of them that it appears to be living and moving.
eg: The pond was alive with frogs.
(15) so much the better (also all the better) - used to say that a particular action or situation would be even more successful.
eg: If you can go there this afternoon, so much the better.
(16) come/go/be along for the ride - to join in an activity without playing an important part in it.
eg: My husband is speaking at the dinner and I'm just going along for the ride.
(17) and so on (also and so forth) - together with other similar things.
eg: schools, colleges and so on
(18) and such like (also and the like) - and similar things.
eg: There's a big sports hall for tennis and badminton and such like.
(19) and then some - and even more.
eg: It looked like 20 000 people and then some at the demonstration.
(20) as far as it goes - used to say that something has good qualities but could be better.
eg: It's a good essay as far as it goes.
(21) be at a loss - to not know what to do or say.
eg: I'm at a loss to know how I can help you.
(22) take sth at face value - to accept something for what it appears to be rather than studying it more closely.
eg: I took the offer at face value. I didn't think they might be trying to trick me.
take sth at face value - to believe that sth is what it appears to be, without questioning it.
eg:Taken at face value, the figures look very encouraging.
You shouldn’t take anything she says at face value.
(23) be at fault - to have done something wrong.
eg: Her doctor was at fault for/in not sending her straight to a specialist.
(24) at length - for a long time.
eg: George went on at great length about his various illnesses.
(25) at large - generally.
eg: This group is not representative of the population at large.
(26) be at liberty to do sth - to be allowed to do something.
eg: I'm not at liberty to reveal any names.
(27) at (long) last - finally.
eg: I've finished my essay at last!
At long last the government is starting to listen to our problems.
(28) against (all) the odds/against all odds - If you do or achieve something against (all) the odds/against all odds, you do or achieve it although there were a lot of problems and you were not likely to succeed.
eg: Against all the odds, he recovered.
(29) at worst - used to say what the most unpleasant or difficult situation could possibly be.
eg: At worst, she can only tell you off for being late.
(30) burst at the seams - to be completely full.
eg: When all the family come home the house is bursting at the seams.
(31) at the ready - prepared for immediate use or action.
eg: He stood by the phone, pencil at the ready.
(32) the outset - the beginning.
eg: I told him at/from the outset I wasn't interested.
(33) at the drop of a hat - If you do something at the drop of a hat, you do it immediately without stopping to think about it.
eg: People will file lawsuits at the drop of a hat these days.
(34) at its best - at the highest standard achievable.
eg: The documentary was an example of investigative journalism at its best.
(35) at sea - confused.
eg: I'm all/completely at sea with the new coins.
(36) at/in one fell swoop - If you do something at/in one fell swoop, you do it all at the same time.
eg: I got all my Christmas shopping done in one fell swoop.
(37) at issue - most important in what is being discussed.
eg: The point at issue is what is best for the child.
(38) on purpose - If you do something on purpose, you do it intentionally, not accidentally.
eg: I didn't do it on purpose - it was an accident.
(39) at sb's beck and call - always willing and able to do whatever someone asks.
eg: Go and get it yourself! I'm not at your beck and call, you know.
(40) please yourself / do as you please - to be able to do whatever you like.
eg: There were no children to cook for, so we could just please ourselves.
please yourself - to do whatever you choose to do, often used in a slightly rude way by someone who does not agree with or care about what you to do.
eg: "I can't stand this place - I'm going home." "Please yourself."
(41) Be my guest - something you say when you give someone permission to do or use something.
eg: "Can I try out your new bicycle?" "Be my guest."
(42) itch to do sth (also itch for sth) - to want to do something very much and as soon as possible.
eg: He was itching to hear the results.
By four o'clock I was itching for the meeting to end.
(43) be/go on at sb - to complain to someone again and again about their behaviour or to ask them to do something.
eg: My parents are always on at us about having a baby.
She's been on at me to get my hair cut.
(44) have a bearing on sth - to have an influence on something or a relationship to something.
eg: What you decide now could have a considerable bearing on your future.
(45) become of sb/sth - If you ask what became of someone or something, you want to know where they are and what happened to them.
eg: Whatever became of that parcel you sent?
And Mickey Adams - I wonder what became of him.
(46) the shit out of sb/sth - used to emphasize the degree of force of an action which you are describing.
eg: His dad would beat/knock/kick the shit out of him if he disobeyed.
Don't creep up on me like that - you scared the shit out of me.
(47) Beggars can't be choosers - said when you recognize that you must accept an offer or a situation because it is the only one available to you.
eg: I would have preferred a house of my own rather than sharing, but beggars can't be choosers, I suppose.
(48) belabour the point - to repeat an idea, argument, etc. many times to emphasize it, especially when it has already been mentioned or understood.
eg: There's no need to belabour the point - you don't need to keep reminding me.
(49) between times - during the periods between the separate events mentioned.
eg: If you only go to the supermarket once a month, what do you do between times?
(50) bide your time - to wait calmly for a good opportunity to do something.
eg: She was biding her time until she could get her revenge.
(51) smack your lips - to close and open your mouth loudly to express a strong desire to eat something you like a lot.
eg: "I adore chocolate cake, " said Susannah, smacking her lips.
(52) sing the praises of sb/sth - to praise someone or something.
eg: The newspapers have been singing the praises of Italy's new star player.
(53) by inches - very closely or only just.
eg: The car skidded and I avoided the dog by inches (= I very nearly hit the dog).
(54) bum around - to spend time being lazy and doing very little.
eg: I wish you'd stop bumming around and start looking for a job.
(55) He took a calculated risk (= a risk that you decide is worth taking even though you know it might have bad results).
(56) call a halt to sth - to prevent something from continuing.
eg: How many more people will have to die before they call a halt to the fighting?
(57) cut-throat - fierce; not involving consideration or care about any harm caused to others.
eg: the cut-throat world of journalism
The advertising world can be a very cut-throat business.
(58) cutup - someone who behaves in an active and silly way in order to make people laugh.
eg: It's hard to believe Sally was a cutup in school - she's so quiet now.
be cut up - to be upset.
eg: Philip was very cut up about his grandmother's death.
(59) cut (sb) to the quick - to greatly hurt someone's feelings.
eg: Her thoughtless remark cut him to the quick.
(60) to the bone - all the way through, or very badly.
eg: I was frozen/chilled to the bone after waiting so long for the bus.
(61) cut sb down to size - to show someone that they are not as clever or important as they think they are.
eg: Someone should cut that man down to size!
(62) be out of your class - to be much better at doing something than you.
eg: I can't play chess with him. He's completely out of my class!
(63) the crux - the most important or serious part of a matter, problem or argument.
eg: The crux of the country's economic problems is its foreign debt.
The issue of an arms embargo will be at the crux of the negotiations in Geneva.
(64) come a cropper - to fail badly, or to fall from a horse or have a bad accident in a vehicle.
eg: Having reached the final, the British have come a cropper against the more experienced German team.
She came an almighty cropper when her back wheels hit an icy patch.
(65) crook - a very dishonest person, especially a criminal or a cheat.
eg: These politicians are just a bunch of crooks.
(66) up the creek - in trouble.
eg: If any more people resign, we'll be really up the creek.
(67) bridge a/the gap - to connect two things or to make the difference between them smaller.
eg: Mr Clinton singled out education as a vital tool in bridging the gap between rich and poor.
This collection of stories bridges the gap between history and fiction.
(68) creature of habit - someone who always does the same thing in the same way.
eg: My father's such a creature of habit - he always has to have a biscuit and a cup of tea at bedtime.
(69) the cream of sth - the best of a particular group of things or people.
eg: The cream of this year's graduates have gone abroad for jobs.
(70) conversation piece - an unusual object which causes people to start talking.
(71) come/get to grips with sth - to make an effort to understand and deal with a problem or situation.
eg: The government have failed to come to grips with the two most important social issues of our time.
I can't seem to get to grips with this problem.
(72) come/go/turn full circle - If something or someone has come full circle after changing a lot, they are now the same as they were in the beginning.
eg: Things have come full circle now that long skirts are back in fashion.
(73) (at) daggers drawn - If two people, countries, etc. are at daggers drawn, they are in a state of extreme unfriendliness and do not trust each other.
eg: The two sides have been at daggers drawn for some months now with no sign of improvement in relations.
(74) the daily round - the tasks you have to do every day.
eg: I get exhausted just by the daily round.
(75) be two/ten a penny (US be a dime a dozen) - to be very common.
eg: Antique toy cars are ten a penny nowadays
(76) daylight robbery - a situation in which you are charged a lot too much for something.
eg: £4 for an orange juice? That's just daylight robbery!
(77) sb's/sth's days are numbered - If someone or something's days are numbered, they will not exist for much longer.
eg: The latest opinion polls suggest that his days as leader are numbered.
(78) have had its/your day - to be much less popular than before.
eg: She sold a lot of books in the 1960's, but she's had her day.
have had your day - to no longer be successful, powerful, etc.
eg: She’s had her day as a supermodel.
(79) over my dead body - If you say something will happen over your dead body, you mean that you will do everything you can to prevent it.
eg: "Joe says he's going to buy a motorbike." "Over my dead body!"
(80) into the bargain (US also in the bargain) - in addition to other facts previously mentioned.
eg: He's intelligent, witty, a loving husband, and an excellent cook into the bargain.
(81) (your) every word - all the things that you say.
eg: She's such a fascinating lecturer - I was hanging on to her every word.
(your) every move - everything that you do.
eg: I'd hate to be someone really famous with the press reporting my every move.
After that, she was watching his every move
(your) every need - all the things that you need or want.
eg: There'll be an assistant there to see to your every need.
every inch - exactly like.
eg: She looked every inch a vampire in her costume.
every which way - in all directions.
eg: The game was hindered by a fierce wind that swept the ball every which way.
(82) a fact of life - something unpleasant which cannot be avoided.
eg: Going bald is just a fact of life.
(83) fat chance - used to say that you definitely do not think that something is likely to happen.
eg: "Perhaps they'll invite you." "Fat chance (of that)!"
(84) fight shy of - to try to avoid something.
eg: Before this course I'd always fought shy of technology.
fight shy of sth / of doing sth - to be unwilling to accept sth or do sth, and to try to avoid it.
eg: Successive governments have fought shy of such measures.
(85) fizzle out - to gradually end, often in a disappointing or weak way.
eg: They went off to different universities and their relationship just fizzled out.
(86) in full flow - If an activity is in full flow, it is happening fast and with energy.
eg: Preparations for the event are now in full flow.
(87) blow the gaff - to make known a secret.
eg: He's a good bloke - he wouldn't blow the gaff on us.
(88) blow hot and cold - to sometimes like or be interested in something or someone and sometimes not, so people are confused about how you really feel.
eg: He's been blowing hot and cold about the trip to Holland.
(89) just about - almost; very nearly.
eg: I’ve met just about everyone.
‘Did you reach your sales target?’ ‘
Just about – approximately.
eg: She should be arriving just about now.
(90) gang up - to unite as a group against someone.
eg: They all ganged up to try and get him to change his decision.
The whole class ganged up against/on her because she was the teacher's pet.
(91) gatecrash - to go to a party or other event when you have not been invited.
eg: He decided to gatecrash the wedding.
(92) be kind/generous, etc. to a fault - to be extremely kind/generous, etc.
eg: She's a really sweet person and she's generous to a fault.
(93) dressing-down - an act of speaking angrily to someone because they have done something wrong.
eg: She gave me a dressing-down for getting there late.
(94) stake sth out - to establish or make clear your opinion or position on something.
eg: Two of the president's chief advisors have staked out opposite positions on this issue.
New software companies are going to find it hard staking out a position in an already crowded market.
(95) heave a sigh of relief - to suddenly feel very happy because something unpleasant has not happened or has ended.
eg: We both heaved a sigh of relief when she left.
(96) hang by a thread - If a serious situation hangs by a thread, it means that even a slight change can decide what will happen and that a bad result such as death, failure, etc. is likely.
eg: The mayor's political future has been hanging by a thread since the fraud scandal.
(97) qualm - an uncomfortable feeling of doubt about whether you are doing the right thing.
eg: She had no qualms about lying to the police.
(98) cinch - something which is very easy and is therefore a certainty.
eg: The exam was a cinch.
(99) in a flutter - in a confused and excited state.
eg: When economic statistics are first published they grab headlines and put markets in a flutter.
(100) in a flash (also quick as a flash) - quickly or suddenly.
eg: The ceremony was over in a flash.
100 ENGLISH TONGUE
(1) at a pinch (US in a pinch) - Something that you can do at a pinch can be done if it is really necessary, but it will be difficult, not perfect, or not what you would really like.
eg: I need £2000 to set up the business, but I suppose £1500 would do at a pinch.
(2) jaw drops (open) - If someone's jaw drops (open), they look very surprised.
eg: My jaw dropped open when she told me how old she was.
(3) before you can/could say Jack Robinson - done or happening very quickly.
eg: I put the plate of food on the floor, and before you could say Jack Robinson, the dog had eaten it.
(4) joking apart/aside - said when you want to start speaking seriously about something after making jokes and laughing about it.
eg: Joking apart, will you be able to manage on your own?
(5) just what the doctor ordered - exactly what sb wants or needs.
eg: Ooh thank you, a nice cup of tea. Just what the doctor ordered.
(6) lacuna - an absent part, especially in a book or other piece of writing.
syn: gap
(7) just this once - used to say that you will only do or request something on this particular occasion.
eg: All right, I'll give you a lift - just this once.
(8) keep sb company - to stay with someone so that they are not alone.
eg: I'll keep you company till the train comes.
(9) be in good company - to have the same problem as many other people.
eg: "I can't play tennis - I'm hopeless at it!" "Oh well, you're in good company."
(10) lateness - the fact of being late.
eg: It was no great surprise that you were tired given the lateness of the hour.
(11) bring a lump to your throat - to give you a tight feeling in your throat because you want to cry.
eg: It was quite a moving speech - it almost brought a lump to my throat.
(12) beat a path to sb's door - to be eager to buy or obtain something from someone.
eg: I tried to sell my old bike by advertising it in the local paper, but I didn't have a lot of people beating a path to my door.
(13) as often as not (also more often than not) - usually.
eg: As often as not when I make the effort to visit her, I wonder why I've even bothered.
(14) squeeze sb dry - If you squeeze someone dry, you obtain as much from them as possible.
eg: When they got divorced, his wife squeezed him dry and took everything.
(15) as a matter of course - If something is done as a matter of course, it is a usual part of the way in which things are done and is not special.
eg: Safety precautions are observed as a matter of course.
(16) take the floor - start speaking.
eg: The Chancellor of the Exchequer will take the floor for his Budget speech at 3.00 p.m.
(17) near at hand - If something is near at hand, it is near enough to you for you to reach it.
eg: I like to have my books near at hand when I'm working.
(18) near enough - almost.
eg: They're the same age or near enough.
(19) be neither here nor there - to be unimportant.
eg: It's essential that she has this medicine, and the cost is neither here nor there.
(20) nip sth in the bud - to stop something before it has an opportunity to become established.
eg: Many serious illnesses can be nipped in the bud if they are detected early enough.
It's important to nip this kind of bullying in the bud.
(21) nip and tuck - If a competition is nip and tuck, first one side seems to be winning and then the other, so that the result is uncertain.
eg: It was nip and tuck as to who would win the playoffs, but Denver's determination helped them to beat a tough Washington team.
(22) no wonder - it is not surprising.
eg: No wonder the children are excited, - this is the first time they've been abroad.
"If brutal killers like these two are at work, it is no wonder that so many Kosovans have fled," he said.
(23) not lift/raise a finger - to not make any effort to help.
eg: He never lifts a finger to help with the housework.
(24) get to/reach first base - to have the first achievement or agreement which is needed for later success.
eg: The proposal is so poorly designed, they won't even get to first base with the directors.
(25) not in the least - not in any way.
eg: "Are you dissatisfied with the results?" "Not in the least."
(26) occupy - to keep someone busy or interested.
eg: On long car journeys I occupy myself with solving maths puzzles.
(27) be of the same mind (also be of one mind) - to have the same opinion.
eg: We're of the same mind on most political issues.
(28) one-in-a-million - describes a chance that is extremely unlikely.
eg: Don't worry - the chances of anything going wrong are one-in-a-million.
(29) avail - use, purpose, advantage, or profit.
eg: We tried to persuade her not to resign, but to no avail (= did not succeed).
My attempts to improve the situation were of little/no avail.
(30) pack a punch - to have a lot of force or a great effect.
eg: His speech packed quite a punch.
These cocktails taste quite innocent, but they really pack a punch!
pack a (powerful, real, etc.) punch - to have a powerful effect on sb.
eg: The advertising campaign packs quite a punch.
(31) paint a bleak/gloomy/rosy, etc. picture of sth - to describe something in a particular way.
eg: He painted a rosy picture of family life.
She paints a gloomy picture of the future.
paint a (grim, gloomy, rosy, etc.) picture of sb/sth - to describe sth in a particular way; to give a particular impression of sb/sth.
eg: The report paints a vivid picture of life in the city.
Journalists paint a grim picture of conditions in the camps.
(32) be par for the course - If a type of behaviour, event or situation is par for the course, it is not good but it is normal or as you would expect.
eg: The school budget is going to be cut again this year, but then that's par for the course.
(33) storm in/into/out to - enter or leave a place in a way that shows that you are angry.
eg: He stormed out of the house, slamming the door as he went.
(34) take sb's part - to support someone.
eg: For once, my brother took my part in the argument.
(35) pecking order - an informal social system in which some people or groups know they are more or less important than others.
eg: There's a clearly established pecking order in this office.
He started as a clerk but gradually rose in the pecking order.
(36) peckish - slightly hungry.
eg: By ten o'clock I was feeling rather peckish, even though I'd had a large breakfast.
(37) pick a fight/quarrel/argument - to start a fight/quarrel/argument with someone.
eg: He'd had too much to drink and tried to pick a fight with the bartender.
(38) have your pick - to have a large choice available.
eg: The plane was fairly empty so we had our pick of seats.
(39) pick up the pieces - to try to return to a satisfactory situation.
eg: The fire was a blow, but we were determined to pick up the pieces and get the business back on its feet.
(40) pidgin English/French, etc. English/French, etc. when it is spoken in a simple way, often with many mistakes, either by a foreigner or to a foreigner.
eg: "He come here?" he asked in pidgin English.
(41) put words in/into sb's mouth - to suggest that someone meant one thing when really they meant another.
eg: Stop putting words in my mouth - I didn't say you looked fat in the red dress - I merely said you looked very slim in the black!
(42) puff up - If part of your body puffs up, it becomes bigger because it is infected or injured.
eg: My leg puffed up all round the insect bite.
(43) put sb to shame - to make someone feel ashamed.
eg: It puts me to shame that I still haven't replied to David's letter.
(44) by way of - as a type of.
eg: He sent me some flowers by way of an apology.
(45) rabbit on - to continue talking about something which is not interesting to the listener.
eg: He's always rabbiting on about his stamp collection.
(46) Finishing this project by December is going to be a race against time/the clock (= an attempt to finish fast within a time limit).
(47) rack your brains - to think very hard.
eg: I've been racking my brains all day but I can't remember her name.
(48) lose your rag - to suddenly become very angry.
eg: He said one too many stupid things and I just lost my rag.
(50) lose track - to no longer know what is happening, or not to remember something.
eg: What he was saying was so complicated that I lost track after the first couple of sentences.
I've lost track of the number of times he's asked me to lend him money.
(51) raise your hand to/against sb - to hit someone.
eg: Never raise your hand to a child.
(52) raise a rumpus (UK also kick up a rumpus) - to make a forceful complaint.
eg: You should raise a rumpus about the lack of safety routines here.
(53) a reach of the imagination - when you have to try very hard to imagine something.
eg: It takes (quite) a reach of the imagination to believe that story.
(54) read sb's mind (also read sb's thoughts) - to know what someone is thinking without them telling you.
eg: "How about a drink, then? "Ah, you read my mind!"
(55) Are you fishing for (= trying to get) compliments?
(56) ring true - If something someone says or writes rings true, it seems to be true.
eg: Something about his explanation didn't quite ring true.
(57) run its course to develop and finish naturally.
eg: The doctor's advice is to let the fever run its course.
I had to accept that the relationship had run its course.
(58) run for sth - to run fast in order to get or avoid something.
eg: I ran for the bus but it drove off.
(59) throw money at sth - to spend a lot of money on trying to solve a problem.
eg: We won't solve this problem by throwing money at it.
(60) screw up your courage - to force yourself to be brave.
eg: I screwed up my courage and went in to see the director.
(61) safe and sound - completely safe and without injury or damage.
eg: After three days lost in the mountains, all the climbers arrived home safe and sound.
(62) your secret's safe with me - used to say that you will not tell anyone what you have just been told.
eg: "I'd appreciate it if you kept quiet about this." "Don't worry - your secret's safe with me."
(63) a blitz on sth - a great effort to improve something or do something that needs to be done.
eg: We had a blitz on the house at the weekend and cleaned it completely.
(64) in the saddle - in charge or in control .
eg: The chairman is back in the saddle after his heart attack.
(65) sail against the wind - to be trying to achieve something that is unlikely to succeed because most people would oppose it.
eg: He's sailing against the wind in his attempt to stop women using the club.
(66) (You) mark my words! - something that you say when you tell someone about something that you are certain will happen in the future.
eg: He'll cause trouble - you mark my words!
(67) face - the respect and honour of others.
eg: He thinks he would lose face if he admitted the mistake.
She tried to save face by inventing a story about being overseas at the time.
(68) pull / make faces / a face (at sb) - to produce an expression on your face to show that you do not like sb/sth or in order to make sb laugh.
eg: What are you pulling a face at now?
(69) strike a balance - If you strike a balance between two things, you accept parts of both things in order to satisfy some of the demands of both sides in an argument, rather than all the demands of just one side.
eg: It's a question of striking the right balance between quality and productivity.
strike a balance (between A and B) - to manage to find a way of being fair to two opposing things; to find an acceptable position which is between two things.
(70) scrape (the bottom of) the barrel - to use the worst people or things because that is all that is available.
eg: Richard's in the team? - You really are scraping the barrel!
scrape (the bottom of) the barrel - to have to use whatever things or people you can get, because there is not much choice available.
(71) you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours - used to tell someone that if they help you, you will help them.
(72) see your way (clear) to - to agree to do or allow something.
eg: Could you see your way to letting us borrow the machine on Wednesday?
see your way (clear) to doing sth / to do sth - to find that it is possible or convenient to do sth.
eg: Small builders cannot see their way clear to take on many trainees.
(73) send sb packing - to ask someone to leave immediately.
eg: There were some kids at the door asking for money but I sent them packing.
(74) in store - going to happen soon.
eg: You never know what's in store for you.
There's a bit of a shock in store for him when he gets home tonight!
in store (for sb) - waiting to happen to sb.
eg: We don’t know what life holds in store for us.
If she had known what lay in store for her, she would never have agreed to go.
They think it’ll be easy but they have a surprise in store.
(75) settle a score - to punish someone for something wrong which they did to you in the past, and which you cannot forgive.
eg: Police believe the killer was a gang member settling a score with a rival gang.
(76) shift (your) ground - to change your opinion.
eg: He's annoying to argue with because he keeps shifting his ground.
(77) pull up short - to stop suddenly in a vehicle.
eg: A dog suddenly ran across the road and I had to pull up short.
(78) at short notice (US on short notice) - only a short time before something happens.
eg: I can't cancel my arrangements at such short notice.
(79) in the midst of sth - in the middle of an event, situation or activity.
eg: I'm afraid I'm too busy - I'm in the midst of writing up a report.
The country is in the midst of an economic crisis.
(80) (in) midstream - in the middle of an activity, often one that is interrupted.
eg: She interrupted him in midstream to ask a question.
(81) steal the show/scene - to be the most popular or the best part of an event or situation.
eg: The child with the dog stole the show.
(82) stop at nothing - If you stop at nothing to achieve something, you are willing to do anything in order to achieve it, even if it involves danger, great effort or harming other people.
eg: She'll stop at nothing to get her revenge.
(83) swallow your words - to be forced to admit that something you have said has been shown to be wrong.
eg: I had to swallow my words when the scheme turned out to be a great success.
(84) sweep sth under the carpet UK (US sweep sth under the rug) - to hide a problem or try to keep it secret instead of dealing with it.
eg: The committee is being accused of sweeping financial problems under the carpet to avoid embarrassment.
(85) weeny - extremely small.
eg: All right, I'll have a slice of cake then - but just a weeny bit.
(86) change (your) tack - to try a different method to deal with the same problem.
eg: I've written twice and received no reply, so I might change tack and call her.
(87) tip the scales at - to weigh.
eg: The baby tipped the scales at 3.75 kgs.
(88) take a fancy to sth/sb - to start liking something or someone very much.
eg: Laura's taken a fancy to Japanese food.
(89) take issue with sth - to disagree strongly.
eg: I took issue with him over his interpretation of the instructions.
(90) take the edge off sth - to make something unpleasant have less of an effect on someone.
eg: Have an apple - it'll take the edge off your hunger.
His apology took the edge off her anger.
(91) up to scratch - reaching an acceptable standard.
eg: Your last essay wasn't up to scratch/didn't come up to scratch.
(92) glued to the spot - unable to move because you are very frightened, nervous or interested.
eg: I just stood there, glued to the spot.
(93) hit the spot - to be exactly what is needed.
eg: That bacon sandwich really hit the spot!
(94) every trick in the book - every possible way.
eg: I've tried every trick in the book to seduce him and still no luck!
every trick in the book - every available method, whether it is honest or not.
eg: He’ll try every trick in the book to stop you from winning.
(95) serve sb right - If you say that something bad serves someone right, you mean that they deserve it.
eg: "He hit me!" "It serves you right. You shouldn't have been rude to him."
(96) worrywart - a person who tends to worry, especially about unimportant things.
eg: Don't listen to him - he's just an old worrywart.
(97) verbal diarrhoea - have verbal diarrhoea to talk continuously or too much.
(98) vicious circle - a continuing unpleasant situation, created when one problem causes another problem which then makes the first problem worse.
eg: Many people get caught/trapped in a vicious circle of dieting and weight gain.
(99) wee - to urinate.
eg: Daddy, I want to wee!
(100) What of it? - used to rudely say that you do not think something is important.
eg: "That's the third time you've done that!" "Yeah, what of it?"
(1) a pretty pass - a bad situation.
eg: Things have come to a pretty pass when a referee can no longer be trusted.
(2) à la - in the style of.
eg: She has her hair blonde and curly, à la Marilyn Monroe.
à la - (from French) in the same style as sb/sth else.
eg: a new band that sings à la Beatles
(3) a must - An inevitability; a necessity.
eg: Visas in many foreign countries are a must.
- An extremely interesting or memorable event, such as a free concert given by an international celebrity.
eg: Alfred Brendel's Beethoven master classes are open to the public and are not to be missed; they're a must.
(4) about face -
A sudden change of course or a decision opposite to what was decided earlier.
eg: Her decision to become an actress instead of a dentist was an about face from her original plans.
(5) above all (things) - more than everything else.
eg: I value my freedom above all things.
(6) in absentia - while the person involved is not present.
eg: An Italian court convicted him in absentia for his terrorist activities.
in absentia - (from Latin) while not present at the event being referred to.
eg: Two foreign suspects will be tried in absentia.
(7) Achilles heel - a small fault or weakness in a person or system that can result in its failure.
eg: A misbehaving minister is regarded as a government's Achilles heel and is expected to resign.
(8) an acquired taste - something that you dislike at first, but that you start to like after you have tried it a few times.
eg: Olives are an acquired taste.
(9) across the board - happening or having an effect on people at every level and in every area.
eg: The improvement has been across the board, with all divisions either increasing profits or reducing losses.
The initiative has across-the-board support.
(10) ad lib - said without any preparation or thought in advance.
eg: I'd forgotten the notes for my speech so I had to do it ad lib.
ad-lib comments
(11) after a fashion - If you can do something after a fashion, you can do it, but not well.
eg: I can cook, after a fashion.
after a fashion - to some extent, but not very well.
eg: I can play the piano, after a fashion.
(12) the dust settles - If the dust settles after an argument or big change, the situation becomes calmer
eg: We thought we'd let the dust settle before discussing the other matter.
let the dust settle / wait for the dust to settle - to wait for a situation to become clear or certain.
(13) be alive and well/kicking - to continue to live or exist and be full of energy.
eg: She said she'd seen him last week and he was alive and kicking.
(14) alive with - If something is alive with something else, it is so covered with or full of them that it appears to be living and moving.
eg: The pond was alive with frogs.
(15) so much the better (also all the better) - used to say that a particular action or situation would be even more successful.
eg: If you can go there this afternoon, so much the better.
(16) come/go/be along for the ride - to join in an activity without playing an important part in it.
eg: My husband is speaking at the dinner and I'm just going along for the ride.
(17) and so on (also and so forth) - together with other similar things.
eg: schools, colleges and so on
(18) and such like (also and the like) - and similar things.
eg: There's a big sports hall for tennis and badminton and such like.
(19) and then some - and even more.
eg: It looked like 20 000 people and then some at the demonstration.
(20) as far as it goes - used to say that something has good qualities but could be better.
eg: It's a good essay as far as it goes.
(21) be at a loss - to not know what to do or say.
eg: I'm at a loss to know how I can help you.
(22) take sth at face value - to accept something for what it appears to be rather than studying it more closely.
eg: I took the offer at face value. I didn't think they might be trying to trick me.
take sth at face value - to believe that sth is what it appears to be, without questioning it.
eg:Taken at face value, the figures look very encouraging.
You shouldn’t take anything she says at face value.
(23) be at fault - to have done something wrong.
eg: Her doctor was at fault for/in not sending her straight to a specialist.
(24) at length - for a long time.
eg: George went on at great length about his various illnesses.
(25) at large - generally.
eg: This group is not representative of the population at large.
(26) be at liberty to do sth - to be allowed to do something.
eg: I'm not at liberty to reveal any names.
(27) at (long) last - finally.
eg: I've finished my essay at last!
At long last the government is starting to listen to our problems.
(28) against (all) the odds/against all odds - If you do or achieve something against (all) the odds/against all odds, you do or achieve it although there were a lot of problems and you were not likely to succeed.
eg: Against all the odds, he recovered.
(29) at worst - used to say what the most unpleasant or difficult situation could possibly be.
eg: At worst, she can only tell you off for being late.
(30) burst at the seams - to be completely full.
eg: When all the family come home the house is bursting at the seams.
(31) at the ready - prepared for immediate use or action.
eg: He stood by the phone, pencil at the ready.
(32) the outset - the beginning.
eg: I told him at/from the outset I wasn't interested.
(33) at the drop of a hat - If you do something at the drop of a hat, you do it immediately without stopping to think about it.
eg: People will file lawsuits at the drop of a hat these days.
(34) at its best - at the highest standard achievable.
eg: The documentary was an example of investigative journalism at its best.
(35) at sea - confused.
eg: I'm all/completely at sea with the new coins.
(36) at/in one fell swoop - If you do something at/in one fell swoop, you do it all at the same time.
eg: I got all my Christmas shopping done in one fell swoop.
(37) at issue - most important in what is being discussed.
eg: The point at issue is what is best for the child.
(38) on purpose - If you do something on purpose, you do it intentionally, not accidentally.
eg: I didn't do it on purpose - it was an accident.
(39) at sb's beck and call - always willing and able to do whatever someone asks.
eg: Go and get it yourself! I'm not at your beck and call, you know.
(40) please yourself / do as you please - to be able to do whatever you like.
eg: There were no children to cook for, so we could just please ourselves.
please yourself - to do whatever you choose to do, often used in a slightly rude way by someone who does not agree with or care about what you to do.
eg: "I can't stand this place - I'm going home." "Please yourself."
(41) Be my guest - something you say when you give someone permission to do or use something.
eg: "Can I try out your new bicycle?" "Be my guest."
(42) itch to do sth (also itch for sth) - to want to do something very much and as soon as possible.
eg: He was itching to hear the results.
By four o'clock I was itching for the meeting to end.
(43) be/go on at sb - to complain to someone again and again about their behaviour or to ask them to do something.
eg: My parents are always on at us about having a baby.
She's been on at me to get my hair cut.
(44) have a bearing on sth - to have an influence on something or a relationship to something.
eg: What you decide now could have a considerable bearing on your future.
(45) become of sb/sth - If you ask what became of someone or something, you want to know where they are and what happened to them.
eg: Whatever became of that parcel you sent?
And Mickey Adams - I wonder what became of him.
(46) the shit out of sb/sth - used to emphasize the degree of force of an action which you are describing.
eg: His dad would beat/knock/kick the shit out of him if he disobeyed.
Don't creep up on me like that - you scared the shit out of me.
(47) Beggars can't be choosers - said when you recognize that you must accept an offer or a situation because it is the only one available to you.
eg: I would have preferred a house of my own rather than sharing, but beggars can't be choosers, I suppose.
(48) belabour the point - to repeat an idea, argument, etc. many times to emphasize it, especially when it has already been mentioned or understood.
eg: There's no need to belabour the point - you don't need to keep reminding me.
(49) between times - during the periods between the separate events mentioned.
eg: If you only go to the supermarket once a month, what do you do between times?
(50) bide your time - to wait calmly for a good opportunity to do something.
eg: She was biding her time until she could get her revenge.
(51) smack your lips - to close and open your mouth loudly to express a strong desire to eat something you like a lot.
eg: "I adore chocolate cake, " said Susannah, smacking her lips.
(52) sing the praises of sb/sth - to praise someone or something.
eg: The newspapers have been singing the praises of Italy's new star player.
(53) by inches - very closely or only just.
eg: The car skidded and I avoided the dog by inches (= I very nearly hit the dog).
(54) bum around - to spend time being lazy and doing very little.
eg: I wish you'd stop bumming around and start looking for a job.
(55) He took a calculated risk (= a risk that you decide is worth taking even though you know it might have bad results).
(56) call a halt to sth - to prevent something from continuing.
eg: How many more people will have to die before they call a halt to the fighting?
(57) cut-throat - fierce; not involving consideration or care about any harm caused to others.
eg: the cut-throat world of journalism
The advertising world can be a very cut-throat business.
(58) cutup - someone who behaves in an active and silly way in order to make people laugh.
eg: It's hard to believe Sally was a cutup in school - she's so quiet now.
be cut up - to be upset.
eg: Philip was very cut up about his grandmother's death.
(59) cut (sb) to the quick - to greatly hurt someone's feelings.
eg: Her thoughtless remark cut him to the quick.
(60) to the bone - all the way through, or very badly.
eg: I was frozen/chilled to the bone after waiting so long for the bus.
(61) cut sb down to size - to show someone that they are not as clever or important as they think they are.
eg: Someone should cut that man down to size!
(62) be out of your class - to be much better at doing something than you.
eg: I can't play chess with him. He's completely out of my class!
(63) the crux - the most important or serious part of a matter, problem or argument.
eg: The crux of the country's economic problems is its foreign debt.
The issue of an arms embargo will be at the crux of the negotiations in Geneva.
(64) come a cropper - to fail badly, or to fall from a horse or have a bad accident in a vehicle.
eg: Having reached the final, the British have come a cropper against the more experienced German team.
She came an almighty cropper when her back wheels hit an icy patch.
(65) crook - a very dishonest person, especially a criminal or a cheat.
eg: These politicians are just a bunch of crooks.
(66) up the creek - in trouble.
eg: If any more people resign, we'll be really up the creek.
(67) bridge a/the gap - to connect two things or to make the difference between them smaller.
eg: Mr Clinton singled out education as a vital tool in bridging the gap between rich and poor.
This collection of stories bridges the gap between history and fiction.
(68) creature of habit - someone who always does the same thing in the same way.
eg: My father's such a creature of habit - he always has to have a biscuit and a cup of tea at bedtime.
(69) the cream of sth - the best of a particular group of things or people.
eg: The cream of this year's graduates have gone abroad for jobs.
(70) conversation piece - an unusual object which causes people to start talking.
(71) come/get to grips with sth - to make an effort to understand and deal with a problem or situation.
eg: The government have failed to come to grips with the two most important social issues of our time.
I can't seem to get to grips with this problem.
(72) come/go/turn full circle - If something or someone has come full circle after changing a lot, they are now the same as they were in the beginning.
eg: Things have come full circle now that long skirts are back in fashion.
(73) (at) daggers drawn - If two people, countries, etc. are at daggers drawn, they are in a state of extreme unfriendliness and do not trust each other.
eg: The two sides have been at daggers drawn for some months now with no sign of improvement in relations.
(74) the daily round - the tasks you have to do every day.
eg: I get exhausted just by the daily round.
(75) be two/ten a penny (US be a dime a dozen) - to be very common.
eg: Antique toy cars are ten a penny nowadays
(76) daylight robbery - a situation in which you are charged a lot too much for something.
eg: £4 for an orange juice? That's just daylight robbery!
(77) sb's/sth's days are numbered - If someone or something's days are numbered, they will not exist for much longer.
eg: The latest opinion polls suggest that his days as leader are numbered.
(78) have had its/your day - to be much less popular than before.
eg: She sold a lot of books in the 1960's, but she's had her day.
have had your day - to no longer be successful, powerful, etc.
eg: She’s had her day as a supermodel.
(79) over my dead body - If you say something will happen over your dead body, you mean that you will do everything you can to prevent it.
eg: "Joe says he's going to buy a motorbike." "Over my dead body!"
(80) into the bargain (US also in the bargain) - in addition to other facts previously mentioned.
eg: He's intelligent, witty, a loving husband, and an excellent cook into the bargain.
(81) (your) every word - all the things that you say.
eg: She's such a fascinating lecturer - I was hanging on to her every word.
(your) every move - everything that you do.
eg: I'd hate to be someone really famous with the press reporting my every move.
After that, she was watching his every move
(your) every need - all the things that you need or want.
eg: There'll be an assistant there to see to your every need.
every inch - exactly like.
eg: She looked every inch a vampire in her costume.
every which way - in all directions.
eg: The game was hindered by a fierce wind that swept the ball every which way.
(82) a fact of life - something unpleasant which cannot be avoided.
eg: Going bald is just a fact of life.
(83) fat chance - used to say that you definitely do not think that something is likely to happen.
eg: "Perhaps they'll invite you." "Fat chance (of that)!"
(84) fight shy of - to try to avoid something.
eg: Before this course I'd always fought shy of technology.
fight shy of sth / of doing sth - to be unwilling to accept sth or do sth, and to try to avoid it.
eg: Successive governments have fought shy of such measures.
(85) fizzle out - to gradually end, often in a disappointing or weak way.
eg: They went off to different universities and their relationship just fizzled out.
(86) in full flow - If an activity is in full flow, it is happening fast and with energy.
eg: Preparations for the event are now in full flow.
(87) blow the gaff - to make known a secret.
eg: He's a good bloke - he wouldn't blow the gaff on us.
(88) blow hot and cold - to sometimes like or be interested in something or someone and sometimes not, so people are confused about how you really feel.
eg: He's been blowing hot and cold about the trip to Holland.
(89) just about - almost; very nearly.
eg: I’ve met just about everyone.
‘Did you reach your sales target?’ ‘
Just about – approximately.
eg: She should be arriving just about now.
(90) gang up - to unite as a group against someone.
eg: They all ganged up to try and get him to change his decision.
The whole class ganged up against/on her because she was the teacher's pet.
(91) gatecrash - to go to a party or other event when you have not been invited.
eg: He decided to gatecrash the wedding.
(92) be kind/generous, etc. to a fault - to be extremely kind/generous, etc.
eg: She's a really sweet person and she's generous to a fault.
(93) dressing-down - an act of speaking angrily to someone because they have done something wrong.
eg: She gave me a dressing-down for getting there late.
(94) stake sth out - to establish or make clear your opinion or position on something.
eg: Two of the president's chief advisors have staked out opposite positions on this issue.
New software companies are going to find it hard staking out a position in an already crowded market.
(95) heave a sigh of relief - to suddenly feel very happy because something unpleasant has not happened or has ended.
eg: We both heaved a sigh of relief when she left.
(96) hang by a thread - If a serious situation hangs by a thread, it means that even a slight change can decide what will happen and that a bad result such as death, failure, etc. is likely.
eg: The mayor's political future has been hanging by a thread since the fraud scandal.
(97) qualm - an uncomfortable feeling of doubt about whether you are doing the right thing.
eg: She had no qualms about lying to the police.
(98) cinch - something which is very easy and is therefore a certainty.
eg: The exam was a cinch.
(99) in a flutter - in a confused and excited state.
eg: When economic statistics are first published they grab headlines and put markets in a flutter.
(100) in a flash (also quick as a flash) - quickly or suddenly.
eg: The ceremony was over in a flash.
100 ENGLISH TONGUE
(1) at a pinch (US in a pinch) - Something that you can do at a pinch can be done if it is really necessary, but it will be difficult, not perfect, or not what you would really like.
eg: I need £2000 to set up the business, but I suppose £1500 would do at a pinch.
(2) jaw drops (open) - If someone's jaw drops (open), they look very surprised.
eg: My jaw dropped open when she told me how old she was.
(3) before you can/could say Jack Robinson - done or happening very quickly.
eg: I put the plate of food on the floor, and before you could say Jack Robinson, the dog had eaten it.
(4) joking apart/aside - said when you want to start speaking seriously about something after making jokes and laughing about it.
eg: Joking apart, will you be able to manage on your own?
(5) just what the doctor ordered - exactly what sb wants or needs.
eg: Ooh thank you, a nice cup of tea. Just what the doctor ordered.
(6) lacuna - an absent part, especially in a book or other piece of writing.
syn: gap
(7) just this once - used to say that you will only do or request something on this particular occasion.
eg: All right, I'll give you a lift - just this once.
(8) keep sb company - to stay with someone so that they are not alone.
eg: I'll keep you company till the train comes.
(9) be in good company - to have the same problem as many other people.
eg: "I can't play tennis - I'm hopeless at it!" "Oh well, you're in good company."
(10) lateness - the fact of being late.
eg: It was no great surprise that you were tired given the lateness of the hour.
(11) bring a lump to your throat - to give you a tight feeling in your throat because you want to cry.
eg: It was quite a moving speech - it almost brought a lump to my throat.
(12) beat a path to sb's door - to be eager to buy or obtain something from someone.
eg: I tried to sell my old bike by advertising it in the local paper, but I didn't have a lot of people beating a path to my door.
(13) as often as not (also more often than not) - usually.
eg: As often as not when I make the effort to visit her, I wonder why I've even bothered.
(14) squeeze sb dry - If you squeeze someone dry, you obtain as much from them as possible.
eg: When they got divorced, his wife squeezed him dry and took everything.
(15) as a matter of course - If something is done as a matter of course, it is a usual part of the way in which things are done and is not special.
eg: Safety precautions are observed as a matter of course.
(16) take the floor - start speaking.
eg: The Chancellor of the Exchequer will take the floor for his Budget speech at 3.00 p.m.
(17) near at hand - If something is near at hand, it is near enough to you for you to reach it.
eg: I like to have my books near at hand when I'm working.
(18) near enough - almost.
eg: They're the same age or near enough.
(19) be neither here nor there - to be unimportant.
eg: It's essential that she has this medicine, and the cost is neither here nor there.
(20) nip sth in the bud - to stop something before it has an opportunity to become established.
eg: Many serious illnesses can be nipped in the bud if they are detected early enough.
It's important to nip this kind of bullying in the bud.
(21) nip and tuck - If a competition is nip and tuck, first one side seems to be winning and then the other, so that the result is uncertain.
eg: It was nip and tuck as to who would win the playoffs, but Denver's determination helped them to beat a tough Washington team.
(22) no wonder - it is not surprising.
eg: No wonder the children are excited, - this is the first time they've been abroad.
"If brutal killers like these two are at work, it is no wonder that so many Kosovans have fled," he said.
(23) not lift/raise a finger - to not make any effort to help.
eg: He never lifts a finger to help with the housework.
(24) get to/reach first base - to have the first achievement or agreement which is needed for later success.
eg: The proposal is so poorly designed, they won't even get to first base with the directors.
(25) not in the least - not in any way.
eg: "Are you dissatisfied with the results?" "Not in the least."
(26) occupy - to keep someone busy or interested.
eg: On long car journeys I occupy myself with solving maths puzzles.
(27) be of the same mind (also be of one mind) - to have the same opinion.
eg: We're of the same mind on most political issues.
(28) one-in-a-million - describes a chance that is extremely unlikely.
eg: Don't worry - the chances of anything going wrong are one-in-a-million.
(29) avail - use, purpose, advantage, or profit.
eg: We tried to persuade her not to resign, but to no avail (= did not succeed).
My attempts to improve the situation were of little/no avail.
(30) pack a punch - to have a lot of force or a great effect.
eg: His speech packed quite a punch.
These cocktails taste quite innocent, but they really pack a punch!
pack a (powerful, real, etc.) punch - to have a powerful effect on sb.
eg: The advertising campaign packs quite a punch.
(31) paint a bleak/gloomy/rosy, etc. picture of sth - to describe something in a particular way.
eg: He painted a rosy picture of family life.
She paints a gloomy picture of the future.
paint a (grim, gloomy, rosy, etc.) picture of sb/sth - to describe sth in a particular way; to give a particular impression of sb/sth.
eg: The report paints a vivid picture of life in the city.
Journalists paint a grim picture of conditions in the camps.
(32) be par for the course - If a type of behaviour, event or situation is par for the course, it is not good but it is normal or as you would expect.
eg: The school budget is going to be cut again this year, but then that's par for the course.
(33) storm in/into/out to - enter or leave a place in a way that shows that you are angry.
eg: He stormed out of the house, slamming the door as he went.
(34) take sb's part - to support someone.
eg: For once, my brother took my part in the argument.
(35) pecking order - an informal social system in which some people or groups know they are more or less important than others.
eg: There's a clearly established pecking order in this office.
He started as a clerk but gradually rose in the pecking order.
(36) peckish - slightly hungry.
eg: By ten o'clock I was feeling rather peckish, even though I'd had a large breakfast.
(37) pick a fight/quarrel/argument - to start a fight/quarrel/argument with someone.
eg: He'd had too much to drink and tried to pick a fight with the bartender.
(38) have your pick - to have a large choice available.
eg: The plane was fairly empty so we had our pick of seats.
(39) pick up the pieces - to try to return to a satisfactory situation.
eg: The fire was a blow, but we were determined to pick up the pieces and get the business back on its feet.
(40) pidgin English/French, etc. English/French, etc. when it is spoken in a simple way, often with many mistakes, either by a foreigner or to a foreigner.
eg: "He come here?" he asked in pidgin English.
(41) put words in/into sb's mouth - to suggest that someone meant one thing when really they meant another.
eg: Stop putting words in my mouth - I didn't say you looked fat in the red dress - I merely said you looked very slim in the black!
(42) puff up - If part of your body puffs up, it becomes bigger because it is infected or injured.
eg: My leg puffed up all round the insect bite.
(43) put sb to shame - to make someone feel ashamed.
eg: It puts me to shame that I still haven't replied to David's letter.
(44) by way of - as a type of.
eg: He sent me some flowers by way of an apology.
(45) rabbit on - to continue talking about something which is not interesting to the listener.
eg: He's always rabbiting on about his stamp collection.
(46) Finishing this project by December is going to be a race against time/the clock (= an attempt to finish fast within a time limit).
(47) rack your brains - to think very hard.
eg: I've been racking my brains all day but I can't remember her name.
(48) lose your rag - to suddenly become very angry.
eg: He said one too many stupid things and I just lost my rag.
(50) lose track - to no longer know what is happening, or not to remember something.
eg: What he was saying was so complicated that I lost track after the first couple of sentences.
I've lost track of the number of times he's asked me to lend him money.
(51) raise your hand to/against sb - to hit someone.
eg: Never raise your hand to a child.
(52) raise a rumpus (UK also kick up a rumpus) - to make a forceful complaint.
eg: You should raise a rumpus about the lack of safety routines here.
(53) a reach of the imagination - when you have to try very hard to imagine something.
eg: It takes (quite) a reach of the imagination to believe that story.
(54) read sb's mind (also read sb's thoughts) - to know what someone is thinking without them telling you.
eg: "How about a drink, then? "Ah, you read my mind!"
(55) Are you fishing for (= trying to get) compliments?
(56) ring true - If something someone says or writes rings true, it seems to be true.
eg: Something about his explanation didn't quite ring true.
(57) run its course to develop and finish naturally.
eg: The doctor's advice is to let the fever run its course.
I had to accept that the relationship had run its course.
(58) run for sth - to run fast in order to get or avoid something.
eg: I ran for the bus but it drove off.
(59) throw money at sth - to spend a lot of money on trying to solve a problem.
eg: We won't solve this problem by throwing money at it.
(60) screw up your courage - to force yourself to be brave.
eg: I screwed up my courage and went in to see the director.
(61) safe and sound - completely safe and without injury or damage.
eg: After three days lost in the mountains, all the climbers arrived home safe and sound.
(62) your secret's safe with me - used to say that you will not tell anyone what you have just been told.
eg: "I'd appreciate it if you kept quiet about this." "Don't worry - your secret's safe with me."
(63) a blitz on sth - a great effort to improve something or do something that needs to be done.
eg: We had a blitz on the house at the weekend and cleaned it completely.
(64) in the saddle - in charge or in control .
eg: The chairman is back in the saddle after his heart attack.
(65) sail against the wind - to be trying to achieve something that is unlikely to succeed because most people would oppose it.
eg: He's sailing against the wind in his attempt to stop women using the club.
(66) (You) mark my words! - something that you say when you tell someone about something that you are certain will happen in the future.
eg: He'll cause trouble - you mark my words!
(67) face - the respect and honour of others.
eg: He thinks he would lose face if he admitted the mistake.
She tried to save face by inventing a story about being overseas at the time.
(68) pull / make faces / a face (at sb) - to produce an expression on your face to show that you do not like sb/sth or in order to make sb laugh.
eg: What are you pulling a face at now?
(69) strike a balance - If you strike a balance between two things, you accept parts of both things in order to satisfy some of the demands of both sides in an argument, rather than all the demands of just one side.
eg: It's a question of striking the right balance between quality and productivity.
strike a balance (between A and B) - to manage to find a way of being fair to two opposing things; to find an acceptable position which is between two things.
(70) scrape (the bottom of) the barrel - to use the worst people or things because that is all that is available.
eg: Richard's in the team? - You really are scraping the barrel!
scrape (the bottom of) the barrel - to have to use whatever things or people you can get, because there is not much choice available.
(71) you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours - used to tell someone that if they help you, you will help them.
(72) see your way (clear) to - to agree to do or allow something.
eg: Could you see your way to letting us borrow the machine on Wednesday?
see your way (clear) to doing sth / to do sth - to find that it is possible or convenient to do sth.
eg: Small builders cannot see their way clear to take on many trainees.
(73) send sb packing - to ask someone to leave immediately.
eg: There were some kids at the door asking for money but I sent them packing.
(74) in store - going to happen soon.
eg: You never know what's in store for you.
There's a bit of a shock in store for him when he gets home tonight!
in store (for sb) - waiting to happen to sb.
eg: We don’t know what life holds in store for us.
If she had known what lay in store for her, she would never have agreed to go.
They think it’ll be easy but they have a surprise in store.
(75) settle a score - to punish someone for something wrong which they did to you in the past, and which you cannot forgive.
eg: Police believe the killer was a gang member settling a score with a rival gang.
(76) shift (your) ground - to change your opinion.
eg: He's annoying to argue with because he keeps shifting his ground.
(77) pull up short - to stop suddenly in a vehicle.
eg: A dog suddenly ran across the road and I had to pull up short.
(78) at short notice (US on short notice) - only a short time before something happens.
eg: I can't cancel my arrangements at such short notice.
(79) in the midst of sth - in the middle of an event, situation or activity.
eg: I'm afraid I'm too busy - I'm in the midst of writing up a report.
The country is in the midst of an economic crisis.
(80) (in) midstream - in the middle of an activity, often one that is interrupted.
eg: She interrupted him in midstream to ask a question.
(81) steal the show/scene - to be the most popular or the best part of an event or situation.
eg: The child with the dog stole the show.
(82) stop at nothing - If you stop at nothing to achieve something, you are willing to do anything in order to achieve it, even if it involves danger, great effort or harming other people.
eg: She'll stop at nothing to get her revenge.
(83) swallow your words - to be forced to admit that something you have said has been shown to be wrong.
eg: I had to swallow my words when the scheme turned out to be a great success.
(84) sweep sth under the carpet UK (US sweep sth under the rug) - to hide a problem or try to keep it secret instead of dealing with it.
eg: The committee is being accused of sweeping financial problems under the carpet to avoid embarrassment.
(85) weeny - extremely small.
eg: All right, I'll have a slice of cake then - but just a weeny bit.
(86) change (your) tack - to try a different method to deal with the same problem.
eg: I've written twice and received no reply, so I might change tack and call her.
(87) tip the scales at - to weigh.
eg: The baby tipped the scales at 3.75 kgs.
(88) take a fancy to sth/sb - to start liking something or someone very much.
eg: Laura's taken a fancy to Japanese food.
(89) take issue with sth - to disagree strongly.
eg: I took issue with him over his interpretation of the instructions.
(90) take the edge off sth - to make something unpleasant have less of an effect on someone.
eg: Have an apple - it'll take the edge off your hunger.
His apology took the edge off her anger.
(91) up to scratch - reaching an acceptable standard.
eg: Your last essay wasn't up to scratch/didn't come up to scratch.
(92) glued to the spot - unable to move because you are very frightened, nervous or interested.
eg: I just stood there, glued to the spot.
(93) hit the spot - to be exactly what is needed.
eg: That bacon sandwich really hit the spot!
(94) every trick in the book - every possible way.
eg: I've tried every trick in the book to seduce him and still no luck!
every trick in the book - every available method, whether it is honest or not.
eg: He’ll try every trick in the book to stop you from winning.
(95) serve sb right - If you say that something bad serves someone right, you mean that they deserve it.
eg: "He hit me!" "It serves you right. You shouldn't have been rude to him."
(96) worrywart - a person who tends to worry, especially about unimportant things.
eg: Don't listen to him - he's just an old worrywart.
(97) verbal diarrhoea - have verbal diarrhoea to talk continuously or too much.
(98) vicious circle - a continuing unpleasant situation, created when one problem causes another problem which then makes the first problem worse.
eg: Many people get caught/trapped in a vicious circle of dieting and weight gain.
(99) wee - to urinate.
eg: Daddy, I want to wee!
(100) What of it? - used to rudely say that you do not think something is important.
eg: "That's the third time you've done that!" "Yeah, what of it?"
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