all along - throughout; from beginning to end
EXAMPLE 1: Jenny told Nicole she would vote for her, but all along shewas planning on voting for Andrea.
EXAMPLE 2: I never believed Joel when he told us he was marrying aprincess from Denmark. I knew all along that he was lying.
all better - completely cured
EXAMPLE 1: "All better?" asked Maureen, after her son stopped crying.
EXAMPLE 2: If you're not all better, you shouldn't go to work tomorrow.
(to) buy (some) time - to make more time available (in orderto achieve a certain purpose)
EXAMPLE 1: We're not sure yet whether or not we want to buy the house.We'd better buy some time so we can think about it over the weekend.
EXAMPLE 2: I'm not sure whether or not I want to take the job offer. I'dbetter buy some time to think about it.
(to) chill out [slang] - to relax
EXAMPLE 1: Chill out! If we miss this train, we'll just take the next one.
EXAMPLE 2: Your dog ate your homework? Chill out, I'm sure yourteacher will understand!
(to) cut it out - stop it; stop the annoying behavior
EXAMPLE 1: Tracy was chewing gum loudly during the movie. Her boyfriendfinally told her to cut it out.
EXAMPLE 2: Cut it out! Stop trying to pull my shoes off!
first things first - let's focus on the most important thing ortask first
EXAMPLE 1: You want to work here at Lulu's Dance Club? First thingsfirst, have you ever worked as a dancer before?
EXAMPLE 2: You want to ask your teacher if you can hand in your papertwo weeks late? First things first, you'd better think of an excuse.
(to) freak out [slang] - to respond to something irrationallyor crazily; to overreact
EXAMPLE 1: Ashley's parents freaked out when she told them she wasdropping out of college to become an actress.
EXAMPLE 2: Don't freak out when I tell you this, but I lost the laptop youlent me last week.
(to be) in charge of- having responsibility for
EXAMPLE 1: John is in charge of all international sales for his company.
EXAMPLE 2: Who's in charge of making sure we don't run out of toiletpaper in the bathroom?
in progress - happening; under way; going on now
EXAMPLE 1: The play is already in progress, so you'll have to wait untilintermission to sit down.
EXAMPLE 2: Once the test is in progress, you will not be allowed to leavethe room.
(to) make a fortune - to make a lot of money
EXAMPLE 1: Adam made a fortune when he sold his company to Microsoft.
EXAMPLE 2: Emma made a fortune selling candy to her classmates afterlunch every day.SYNONYMS: to make a bundle; to make a killing
(to be) sick and tired of- completely bored with; sick of
EXAMPLE 1: Ted is sick and tired of hearing about what an excellentstudent Nicole is.
EXAMPLE 2: I'm sick and tired of this nasty weather we've been having!
(to) burn someone up - to make someone angry
EXAMPLE 1: Jenny didn't vote for Nicole. That really burns Nicole up.
EXAMPLE 2: I can't believe Kristen and Andrew didn't invite us to theirwedding. That really burns me up!
come on in - enter
EXAMPLE 1: Come on in, the door's open!
EXAMPLE 2: If nobody answers the door when you ring tonight, just comeon in.
NOTE: This is a more conversational way of saying "come in."
(to) get plastered [slang] - to get drunk
EXAMPLE 1: Harold got plastered at the wedding and fell into the weddingcake.
EXAMPLE 2: That's your fifth martini. What are you trying to do, getplastered?SYNONYMS:
to get loaded [slang]; to get sloshed [slang]
(to) get rid of - to free oneself of; to throw out
EXAMPLE 1: We finally got rid of our spider problem, but now we have ants.
EXAMPLE 2: I've got too many old magazines and newspapers in my office.I need to get rid of some of them.
(to) get (something) straight - to clarify; to understand
EXAMPLE 1: Are you sure you got the directions straight?
EXAMPLE 2: Let me get this straight — you're leaving your husband?
(to) hold a grudge against (someone) - to stay angry withsomeone about a past offense
EXAMPLE 1: Nicole holds a grudge against Jenny for voting for Andreainstead of her.
EXAMPLE 2: Julia held a grudge against her boyfriend for not bringingher flowers on Valentine's Day.
(to) let (someone) go - to fire; dismiss employees
EXAMPLE 1: The investment bank let Chris go after they discovering hewas stealing erasers, paper clips, and other office supplies.
EXAMPLE 2: The Xerxes Corporation was doing so poorly, they had to letmany workers go earlier this year.
(to) level with (someone) - to speak openly and honestlywith someone
EXAMPLE 1: Let me level with you. I'm voting for Andrea instead of you.
EXAMPLE 2: I have a feeling you're not telling me the whole truth. Pleasejust level with me.
(to) lose one's head - to lose control of one's behavior; tonot know what one is doing
EXAMPLE 1: Nicole lost her head after losing the elections and startedyelling at all her friends.
EXAMPLE 2: Remember to stay calm before the judge. Don't get nervousand lose your head!
no hard feelings - no anger; no bitterness
EXAMPLE 1: After the elections, Andrea said to Nicole, "I hope there areno hard feelings."
EXAMPLE 2: I know you were disappointed that I beat you in the golftournament, but I hope there are no hard feelings.
no use crying over spilt milk - there's no point in regrettingsomething that's too late to change
EXAMPLE 1: Nicole realized she'd made some mistakes with her campaignfor president, but there was no use crying over spilt milk.
EXAMPLE 2: Your bike was ruined in an accident? There's no use cryingover spilt milk. You'll just have to buy a new one.
Not on your life! - definitely not
EXAMPLE 1: You want me to sit in that sauna for an hour? Not on your life!
EXAMPLE 2: Thanks for offering me a job in Siberia. Am I going to takeit? Not on your life!
on the job - at work
EXAMPLE 1: Jennifer has four men on the job painting her house.
EXAMPLE 2: Dan got fired for drinking on the job.
small fortune - a good amount of money
EXAMPLE 1: When her great aunt died, Anne inherited a small fortune.
EXAMPLE 2: You won $25,000 in the lottery? That's a small fortune!
(to) stop by - to pay a quick visit
EXAMPLE 1: I'm having some friends over for pizza tomorrow night. Whydon't you stop by?EXAMPLE 2: Stop by my office on your way home tonight.
three sheets to the wind - drunk
EXAMPLE 1: After drinking four beers, Bob was three sheets to the wind.
EXAMPLE 2: Somebody needs to make sure Greg gets home safely. He'sthree sheets to the wind.SYNONYMS: wasted [slang]; liquored up [slang];
dead drunkwell off - wealthy; financially secure
EXAMPLE 1: Betsy's grandfather used to be very well off, but he lost mostof his fortune when the U.S. stock market crashed in 1929.
EXAMPLE 2: Debbie is a doctor and her husband is a lawyer. They're quitewell off.
better off- in a more fortunate position
EXAMPLE 1: We're better off leaving for France on Thursday evening, sowe can spend the entire weekend there.
EXAMPLE 2: If you're interested in studying languages, you'd be betteroff attending Northwestern University than the University of Chicago.
NOTE: This expression is often used with conditional tense (would), especiallywhen you're giving advice: "you would be better off doing something"or "you'd be better off doing something."
(to) buy out - to purchase an entire business or someone'sshare of a business
EXAMPLE 1: Microsoft bought out Adam's company for $12 million.
EXAMPLE 2: Harriett and Jane sell homemade snack chips. They hope oneday a big company will buy out their business.
dragon lady - a nasty woman who misuses her power
EXAMPLE 1: Beth is a real dragon lady. She's always screaming at heremployees and blaming them for her mistakes. I hope she gets fired!
EXAMPLE 2: Liz was nasty to you? I'm not surprised. She's a dragon lady.SYNONYMS: bitch [slang]; shrew
(to) get it - to understand
EXAMPLE 1: I invited 40 people to my Thanksgiving dinner, but only 10people came. I don't get it!EXAMPLE 2: Don't you get it? Your company is about to go out of business!134Bob: Why not?Susan: The National Cookie Company called. They want tobuy out our business.Bob: Susan, this is a dream come true. It looks like we'vestruck it rich!Susan: Yes. Soon we'll be rolling in dough!
it looks like - it's likely that
EXAMPLE 1: It looks like I'll be able to get out of work early today, solet's plan on meeting downtown at 4:30.
EXAMPLE 2: It looks like it's going to rain, so we'd better just cancel thepicnic now.
no laughing matter - nothing to joke about; something serious
EXAMPLE 1: When the tornado came into town, it was no laughing matter.
EXAMPLE 2: Jim might have been fooling around when he hit John, buthe really hurt him. It was no laughing matter.
nothing to do with (someone or something) - not have anyrelationship with someone; to not get involved with something
EXAMPLE 1: After I found out that Nora shoplifted some lipstick from thedrugstore, I wanted nothing to do with her.
EXAMPLE 2: Larry asked Nick if he wanted to help him plan a robbery.Nick told Larry that he wanted nothing to do with it.
rolling in dough - very rich
EXAMPLE 1: Susan and Bob don't need to work anymore. They're rollingin dough.EXAMPLE 2: Adam will be able to retire young. He's rolling in dough.NOTE: This is a play on words. "Dough" means "money" as well as whatis used to make cookies, breads, and pastries. The dough (cookies) madeby Bob and Susan brought them lots of dough (money).SYNONYMS: rolling in it; rolling in money; loaded
(to) strike it rich - to attain sudden financial success
EXAMPLE 1: Chad struck it rich with the winning lottery ticket.
EXAMPLE 2: Craig hopes to strike it rich so he can quit his job and opena winery in California.
that's the way the cookie crumbles - that's the way thingsgo sometimes and there's nothing you can do about it
EXAMPLE 1: You lost your job? That's the way the cookie crumbles.EXAMPLE 2: Somebody drank your last can of Pepsi? Oh well, that's theway the cookie crumbles.
all over - throughout; everywhere
EXAMPLE 1: Nicole's classmates are from all over the world, includingArgentina, Brazil, China, Japan, Korea, Poland, and Ukraine.
EXAMPLE 2: Oh no! I got ketchup all over my white sweater.
(to) come to an agreement - to reach an agreement
EXAMPLE 1: If we can come to an agreement now, I can start work onMonday.EXAMPLE 2: If you're not willing to negotiate, it's going to be very difficultfor us to come to an agreement.in that case - under that circumstance
EXAMPLE 1: It's snowing? In that case, you'd better take the bus to schooltoday instead of driving.
EXAMPLE 2: You forgot your wallet at home today? In that case, you canborrow five bucks from me for lunch.
(to be or to get) in touch with (someone) - to be or to get incontact with (someone)
EXAMPLE 1: I was surprised when Luis called me, since we hadn't been intouch with each other since high school.
EXAMPLE 2: Leave me your contact information in case I need to get intouch with you while you're on vacation.
(to) look forward to - to anticipate eagerly
EXAMPLE 1: I'm looking forward to my trip to Mexico next month.
EXAMPLE 2: Ron has worked as a high school teacher for over 40 years.He's really looking forward to retiring next year.
(to) make one's day - to give one great satisfaction
EXAMPLE 1: Our neighbors with the crazy dogs are moving away? Thatreally makes my day!EXAMPLE 2: Thanks for bringing over those cookies last week. That mademy day!
nuts and bolts - details; basic components of something
EXAMPLE 1: I don't need to know the nuts and bolts of how the computerworks — just show me how to turn it on.
EXAMPLE 2: Simon really understands the nuts and bolts of how toiletswork.
He would be a very good plumber.on a shoestring - on a very low budget
EXAMPLE 1: Bob and Susan were living on a shoestring after Bob lost his job.
EXAMPLE 2: In the beginning, the Hewlett-Packard company ran on ashoestring out of a garage.
track record - a record of achievements or performances
EXAMPLE 1: The women's basketball team at the University of Connecticuthas an excellent track record.
EXAMPLE 2: We've spoken to your past employers, so we know you'vegot an excellent track record.
(to) work out - to find a solution; to resolve
EXAMPLE 1: Nicole spent half the night helping Ted work out a very difficultchemistry problem.
EXAMPLE 2: Sally couldn't work out her problems with her neighbors, soshe finally decided to move away.
NOTE: "Work out" has several other meanings, including:1. succeed; prove effective. This plan won't work out — you'll need togo back to the drawing board and work out a new plan.2. endure; last. Tony and Angela argue all the time. I don't think theirmarriage will work out.3. exercise. After working out at the gym for two hours, Scott couldbarely walk.
all by a hair -just barely; very narrowly; by a small amount
EXAMPLE 1: Larry won the bicycle race by a hair. The second-place winnercame in just a second behind him.
EXAMPLE 2: Was the tennis ball in or out? I think it was out by a hair.You know the old saying: "When in doubt, call it out!"
fair and square - honestly
EXAMPLE 1: Did George Bush win the 2000 presidential election fair andsquare? That depends on whether you ask a Democrat or a Republican!
EXAMPLE 2: Tony won the ping pong tournament fair and square.
for sure - definitely
EXAMPLE 1: This year, Tom Cruise will win an Academy Award for sure.
EXAMPLE 2: Mike is the most popular guy in school. If he runs for studentbody president, he'll win for sure.
(to) give it one's best shot - to try as hard as one can
EXAMPLE 1: Courtney lost the race, but at least she gave it her best shot.
EXAMPLE 2: I know you're nervous about the interview. Just give it yourbest shot and see what happens.
(to) give up - to admit defeat; to surrender
EXAMPLE 1: Bill gave up golf after realizing he'd never be good at it.
EXAMPLE 2: I know you're 100 points ahead of me, but I still might winthe Scrabble game. I'm not giving up yet!
(to) go wrong - to make a mistake; to go astray; to malfunction;to work incorrectly
EXAMPLE 1: Follow the directions I gave you, and you can't go wrong.
EXAMPLE 2: Something went wrong with my neighbor's car alarm system,and the alarm wouldn't stop ringing all night.
(to) live with it - to accept a difficult reality
EXAMPLE 1: Your boss is an idiot. Live with it.
EXAMPLE 2: Your hair will never be straight. Just live with it!
NOTE: There is also the expression "to learn to live with it," which meansto get used to something annoying or difficult. Example: Sandra knewthat Roger would always throw his dirty clothes on the floor. She'd justhave to learn to live with it.
(to) make a fool of oneself- to cause oneself to look stupid
EXAMPLE 1: Dan drank too much and then made a fool of himself.
EXAMPLE 2: Please stop arguing with me in front of all these people.You're making a fool of yourself!
(to) mess up - to make a mistake; to spoil an opportunity
EXAMPLE 1: Amber messed up and put salt instead of sugar in the cookies.
EXAMPLE 2: Ted really messed up on his chemistry test. He got a "D."SYNONYM: screw up [slang]
(to) put the blame on (someone) - to name somebody elseas responsible for a misdeed or misfortune
EXAMPLE 1: Mrs. Lopez put the blame on her husband for losing theirlife savings in the stock market.
EXAMPLE 2: Don't put the blame on me that your plants died while youwere on vacation. You forgot to tell me to water them!