A1 … get across
… get across
… The teacher tried to get across the importance of honesty to his students.
… It was difficult to get her point across during the noisy meeting.
… get across to communicate an idea, message, or feeling clearly so that other people understand it.
… get across
/ get across
… The teacher tried to get across the importance of honesty to his students.
/ The teacher tried to get across the importance of honesty to his students.
… The teacher tried to get across the importance of honesty to his students.
… It was difficult to get her point across during the noisy meeting.
/ It was difficult to get her point across during the noisy meeting.
… It was difficult to get her point across during the noisy meeting.
A2 … act out
… act out
… The child acted out his favorite scene from the movie.
… Students acted out the story in front of the class.
… act out to express feelings or emotions through actions or behavior, often in a dramatic way.
… act out
/ act out
… The child acted out his favorite scene from the movie.
/ The child acted out his favorite scene from the movie.
… The child acted out his favorite scene from the movie.
… Students acted out the story in front of the class.
/ Students acted out the story in front of the class.
… Students acted out the story in front of the class.
A3 … act up
… act up
… My computer has been acting up all week.
… The kids started acting up when the teacher left the room.
… act up to behave badly or not work properly.
… act up
/ act up
… My computer has been acting up all week.
/ My computer has been acting up all week.
… My computer has been acting up all week.
… The kids started acting up when the teacher left the room.
/ The kids started acting up when the teacher left the room.
… The kids started acting up when the teacher left the room.
A4 … in the air
… in the air
… There is a feeling of excitement in the air before the festival.
… Our vacation plans are still up in the air.
… in the air likely to happen soon; felt or noticed around people.
… in the air
/ in the air
… There is a feeling of excitement in the air before the festival.
/ There is a feeling of excitement in the air before the festival.
… There is a feeling of excitement in the air before the festival.
… Our vacation plans are still up in the air.
/ Our vacation plans are still up in the air.
… Our vacation plans are still up in the air.
A5 … put on airs
… put on airs
… He always puts on airs when he’s around wealthy people.
… Stop putting on airs and just be yourself.
… put on airs to behave as if one is more important, wealthy, or educated than others.
… put on airs
/ put on airs
… He always puts on airs when he’s around wealthy people.
/ He always puts on airs when he’s around wealthy people.
… He always puts on airs when he’s around wealthy people.
… Stop putting on airs and just be yourself.
/ Stop putting on airs and just be yourself.
… Stop putting on airs and just be yourself.
A6 … be alive with
… be alive with
… The garden was alive with butterflies in spring.
… The streets were alive with music and laughter during the festival.
… be alive with to be full of activity, energy, or excitement.
… be alive with
/ be alive with
… The garden was alive with butterflies in spring.
/ The garden was alive with butterflies in spring.
… The garden was alive with butterflies in spring.
… The streets were alive with music and laughter during the festival.
/ The streets were alive with music and laughter during the festival.
… The streets were alive with music and laughter during the festival.
A7 … down one’s alley
… down one’s alley
… That mystery novel is right down my alley.
… The job sounds right up her alley.
… down one’s alley suited to someone’s interests, skills, or preferences.
… down one’s alley
/ down one’s alley
… That mystery novel is right down my alley.
/ That mystery novel is right down my alley.
… That mystery novel is right down my alley.
… The job sounds right up her alley.
/ The job sounds right up her alley.
… The job sounds right up her alley.
A8 … as of
… as of
… As of July 1, the new policy is in effect.
… As of today, we have received over 500 applications.
… as of starting from a particular time or date.
… as of
/ as of
… As of July 1, the new policy is in effect.
/ As of July 1, the new policy is in effect.
… As of July 1, the new policy is in effect.
… As of today, we have received over 500 applications.
/ As of today, we have received over 500 applications.
… As of today, we have received over 500 applications.
A9 … back out
… back out
… He backed out of the deal at the last minute.
… She promised to help but backed out the day before the event.
… back out to withdraw from an agreement, promise, or commitment.
… back out
/ back out
… He backed out of the deal at the last minute.
/ He backed out of the deal at the last minute.
… He backed out of the deal at the last minute.
… She promised to help but backed out the day before the event.
/ She promised to help but backed out the day before the event.
… She promised to help but backed out the day before the event.
A10 … bring home the bacon
… bring home the bacon
… He works hard every day to bring home the bacon for his family.
… Both parents bring home the bacon in their household.
… bring home the bacon to earn money and provide financial support for oneself or one’s family.
… bring home the bacon
/ bring home the bacon
… He works hard every day to bring home the bacon for his family.
/ He works hard every day to bring home the bacon for his family.
… He works hard every day to bring home the bacon for his family.
… Both parents bring home the bacon in their household.
/ Both parents bring home the bacon in their household.
… Both parents bring home the bacon in their household.
A11 … in the bag
… in the bag
… With a 20-point lead, the election seemed to be in the bag.
… Don’t celebrate yet. The victory isn’t in the bag.
… in the bag certain to be achieved or won.
… in the bag
/ in the bag
… With a 20-point lead, the election seemed to be in the bag.
/ With a 20-point lead, the election seemed to be in the bag.
… With a 20-point lead, the election seemed to be in the bag.
… Don’t celebrate yet. The victory isn’t in the bag.
/ Don’t celebrate yet. The victory isn’t in the bag.
… Don’t celebrate yet. The victory isn’t in the bag.
A12 … at bay
… at bay
… Vaccinations helped keep the disease at bay.
… She kept her fears at bay by staying busy.
… at bay kept under control or prevented from advancing.
… at bay
/ at bay
… Vaccinations helped keep the disease at bay.
/ Vaccinations helped keep the disease at bay.
… Vaccinations helped keep the disease at bay.
… She kept her fears at bay by staying busy.
/ She kept her fears at bay by staying busy.
… She kept her fears at bay by staying busy.
A13 … full of beans
… full of beans
… The children were full of beans after the party.
… Even at eighty, my grandfather is full of beans.
… full of beans very energetic, lively, and enthusiastic.
… full of beans
/ full of beans
… The children were full of beans after the party.
/ The children were full of beans after the party.
… The children were full of beans after the party.
… Even at eighty, my grandfather is full of beans.
/ Even at eighty, my grandfather is full of beans.
… Even at eighty, my grandfather is full of beans.
A14 … beef about
… beef about
… He is always beefing about the quality of the food.
… Employees have been beefing about long working hours.
… beef about to complain about something.
… beef about
/ beef about
… He is always beefing about the quality of the food.
/ He is always beefing about the quality of the food.
… He is always beefing about the quality of the food.
… Employees have been beefing about long working hours.
/ Employees have been beefing about long working hours.
… Employees have been beefing about long working hours.
A15 … for the birds
… for the birds
… That excuse is for the birds.
… Most experts think the conspiracy theory is for the birds.
… for the birds trivial, unimportant, or not worth paying attention to.
… for the birds
/ for the birds
… That excuse is for the birds.
/ That excuse is for the birds.
… That excuse is for the birds.
… Most experts think the conspiracy theory is for the birds.
/ Most experts think the conspiracy theory is for the birds.
… Most experts think the conspiracy theory is for the birds.
A16 … on the block
… on the block
… Several historic buildings are on the block for redevelopment.
… His house went on the block last week.
… on the block available for sale or open to public bidding.
… on the block
/ on the block
… Several historic buildings are on the block for redevelopment.
/ Several historic buildings are on the block for redevelopment.
… Several historic buildings are on the block for redevelopment.
… His house went on the block last week.
/ His house went on the block last week.
… His house went on the block last week.
A17 … put one’s cards on the table
… put one’s cards on the table
… It’s time to put our cards on the table and discuss the real problem.
… The company finally put its cards on the table during negotiations.
… put one’s cards on the table to be completely honest and reveal one’s intentions or feelings.
… put one’s cards on the table
/ put one’s cards on the table
… It’s time to put our cards on the table and discuss the real problem.
/ It’s time to put our cards on the table and discuss the real problem.
… It’s time to put our cards on the table and discuss the real problem.
… The company finally put its cards on the table during negotiations.
/ The company finally put its cards on the table during negotiations.
… The company finally put its cards on the table during negotiations.
A18 … call ~ on the carpet
… call ~ on the carpet
… The manager called him on the carpet for missing the deadline.
… She was called on the carpet after the customer complained.
… call ~ on the carpet to criticize or reprimand someone for a mistake or wrongdoing.
… call ~ on the carpet
/ call ~ on the carpet
… The manager called him on the carpet for missing the deadline.
/ The manager called him on the carpet for missing the deadline.
… The manager called him on the carpet for missing the deadline.
… She was called on the carpet after the customer complained.
/ She was called on the carpet after the customer complained.
… She was called on the carpet after the customer complained.
A19 … catch
… catch
… There’s got to be a catch in their offer.
… The deal sounds great, but what’s the catch?
… catch to capture, seize, or understand something.
… catch
/ catch
… There’s got to be a catch in their offer.
/ There’s got to be a catch in their offer.
… There’s got to be a catch in their offer.
… The deal sounds great, but what’s the catch?
/ The deal sounds great, but what’s the catch?
… The deal sounds great, but what’s the catch?
A20 … catch up with
… catch up with
… I finally caught up with my old friend after many years.
… She spent the weekend catching up with her homework.
… catch up with to reach the same level, position, or speed as someone or something.
… catch up with
/ catch up with
… I finally caught up with my old friend after many years.
/ I finally caught up with my old friend after many years.
… I finally caught up with my old friend after many years.
… She spent the weekend catching up with her homework.
/ She spent the weekend catching up with her homework.
… She spent the weekend catching up with her homework.
A21 … chalk up
… chalk up
… The team chalked up another victory.
… We can chalk this success up to hard work.
… chalk up to achieve, record, or attribute something such as a success or accomplishment.
… chalk up
/ chalk up
… The team chalked up another victory.
/ The team chalked up another victory.
… The team chalked up another victory.
… We can chalk this success up to hard work.
/ We can chalk this success up to hard work.
… We can chalk this success up to hard work.
A22 … cheesecake
… cheesecake
… Mother raised hell over the cheesecake magazines I bought.
… The actor became famous after appearing in several cheesecake magazines.
… cheesecake photographs or images of attractive women intended to be admired for their beauty.
… cheesecake
/ cheesecake
… Mother raised hell over the cheesecake magazines I bought.
/ Mother raised hell over the cheesecake magazines I bought.
… Mother raised hell over the cheesecake magazines I bought.
… The actor became famous after appearing in several cheesecake magazines.
/ The actor became famous after appearing in several cheesecake magazines.
… The actor became famous after appearing in several cheesecake magazines.
A23 … in the chips
… in the chips
… After selling his company, he was really in the chips.
… They must be in the chips if they can afford a house like that.
… in the chips having plenty of money; wealthy.
… in the chips
/ in the chips
… After selling his company, he was really in the chips.
/ After selling his company, he was really in the chips.
… After selling his company, he was really in the chips.
… They must be in the chips if they can afford a house like that.
/ They must be in the chips if they can afford a house like that.
… They must be in the chips if they can afford a house like that.
A24 … chip in
… chip in
… Everyone chipped in to buy the teacher a gift.
… Could you chip in a few dollars for lunch?
… chip in to contribute money, effort, or assistance to a group activity or purpose.
… chip in
/ chip in
… Everyone chipped in to buy the teacher a gift.
/ Everyone chipped in to buy the teacher a gift.
… Everyone chipped in to buy the teacher a gift.
… Could you chip in a few dollars for lunch?
/ Could you chip in a few dollars for lunch?
… Could you chip in a few dollars for lunch?
A25 … chow line
… chow line
… The soldiers stood in the chow line waiting for dinner.
… We had to wait in a long chow line at the camp.
… chow line a line of people waiting to receive food, especially in a cafeteria or military camp.
… chow line
/ chow line
… The soldiers stood in the chow line waiting for dinner.
/ The soldiers stood in the chow line waiting for dinner.
… The soldiers stood in the chow line waiting for dinner.
… We had to wait in a long chow line at the camp.
/ We had to wait in a long chow line at the camp.
… We had to wait in a long chow line at the camp.
A26 … clean up
… clean up
… Tom cleaned up in real estate.
… She cleaned up at the poker table last night.
… clean up to make something clean and tidy; also, to earn a large amount of money.
… clean up
/ clean up
… Tom cleaned up in real estate.
/ Tom cleaned up in real estate.
… Tom cleaned up in real estate.
… She cleaned up at the poker table last night.
/ She cleaned up at the poker table last night.
… She cleaned up at the poker table last night.
A27 … around the clock
… around the clock
… Doctors worked around the clock to save the patient.
… The factory operates around the clock.
… around the clock continuously throughout the day and night without stopping.
… around the clock
/ around the clock
… Doctors worked around the clock to save the patient.
/ Doctors worked around the clock to save the patient.
… Doctors worked around the clock to save the patient.
… The factory operates around the clock.
/ The factory operates around the clock.
… The factory operates around the clock.
A28 … The coast is clear.
… The coast is clear.
… The coast is clear. Let’s go in.
… Wait until the coast is clear before crossing the hallway.
… The coast is clear. there is no danger or obstacle, so it is safe to proceed.
… The coast is clear.
/ The coast is clear.
… The coast is clear. Let’s go in.
/ The coast is clear. Let’s go in.
… The coast is clear. Let’s go in.
… Wait until the coast is clear before crossing the hallway.
/ Wait until the coast is clear before crossing the hallway.
… Wait until the coast is clear before crossing the hallway.
A29 … come by
… come by
… Good jobs are hard to come by these days.
… Please come by my office after lunch.
… come by to obtain, receive, or visit a place.
… come by
/ come by
… Good jobs are hard to come by these days.
/ Good jobs are hard to come by these days.
… Good jobs are hard to come by these days.
… Please come by my office after lunch.
/ Please come by my office after lunch.
… Please come by my office after lunch.
A30 … come down on
… come down on
… The principal came down on the students for cheating.
… The government came down hard on illegal activities.
… come down on to criticize or punish someone severely.
… come down on
/ come down on
… The principal came down on the students for cheating.
/ The principal came down on the students for cheating.
… The principal came down on the students for cheating.
… The government came down hard on illegal activities.
/ The government came down hard on illegal activities.
… The government came down hard on illegal activities.
A31 … come off
… come off
… The event came off exactly as planned.
… His joke didn’t come off very well.
… come off to happen successfully or take place as planned.
… come off
/ come off
… The event came off exactly as planned.
/ The event came off exactly as planned.
… The event came off exactly as planned.
… His joke didn’t come off very well.
/ His joke didn’t come off very well.
… His joke didn’t come off very well.
A32 … come off it
… come off it
… Come off it! Nobody is going to believe that story.
… Oh, come off it. You know that’s not true.
… come off it used to tell someone to stop saying something foolish or unbelievable.
… come off it
/ come off it
… Come off it! Nobody is going to believe that story.
/ Come off it! Nobody is going to believe that story.
… Come off it! Nobody is going to believe that story.
… Oh, come off it. You know that’s not true.
/ Oh, come off it. You know that’s not true.
… Oh, come off it. You know that’s not true.
A33 … come up with
… come up with
… She came up with a brilliant idea.
… We need to come up with a solution quickly.
… come up with to think of or produce an idea, plan, or solution.
… come up with
/ come up with
… She came up with a brilliant idea.
/ She came up with a brilliant idea.
… She came up with a brilliant idea.
… We need to come up with a solution quickly.
/ We need to come up with a solution quickly.
… We need to come up with a solution quickly.
A34 … con man
… con man
… The old woman was tricked by a con man.
… Police arrested a con man who had cheated dozens of people.
… con man a person who tricks others in order to obtain money or valuables.
… con man
/ con man
… The old woman was tricked by a con man.
/ The old woman was tricked by a con man.
… The old woman was tricked by a con man.
… Police arrested a con man who had cheated dozens of people.
/ Police arrested a con man who had cheated dozens of people.
… Police arrested a con man who had cheated dozens of people.
A35 … cook up
… cook up
… The children cooked up a plan to surprise their parents.
… He was accused of cooking up the entire story.
… cook up to invent or create something, especially a plan, excuse, or story.
… cook up
/ cook up
… The children cooked up a plan to surprise their parents.
/ The children cooked up a plan to surprise their parents.
… The children cooked up a plan to surprise their parents.
… He was accused of cooking up the entire story.
/ He was accused of cooking up the entire story.
… He was accused of cooking up the entire story.
A36 … fly the coop
… fly the coop
… Their son flew the coop after graduating from college.
… She couldn’t wait to fly the coop and live on her own.
… fly the coop to leave home, escape, or run away.
… fly the coop
/ fly the coop
… Their son flew the coop after graduating from college.
/ Their son flew the coop after graduating from college.
… Their son flew the coop after graduating from college.
… She couldn’t wait to fly the coop and live on her own.
/ She couldn’t wait to fly the coop and live on her own.
… She couldn’t wait to fly the coop and live on her own.
A37 … under the counter
… under the counter
… The medicine was sold under the counter without a prescription.
… Some stores were offering goods under the counter during the shortage.
… under the counter sold secretly or illegally, often without official approval.
… under the counter
/ under the counter
… The medicine was sold under the counter without a prescription.
/ The medicine was sold under the counter without a prescription.
… The medicine was sold under the counter without a prescription.
… Some stores were offering goods under the counter during the shortage.
/ Some stores were offering goods under the counter during the shortage.
… Some stores were offering goods under the counter during the shortage.
A38 … give ~ credit for
… give ~ credit for
… I give her credit for staying calm in a difficult situation.
… You have to give him credit for trying.
… give ~ credit for to recognize and praise someone for an achievement, effort, or quality.
… give ~ credit for
/ give ~ credit for
… I give her credit for staying calm in a difficult situation.
/ I give her credit for staying calm in a difficult situation.
… I give her credit for staying calm in a difficult situation.
… You have to give him credit for trying.
/ You have to give him credit for trying.
… You have to give him credit for trying.
A39 … have a crush on
… have a crush on
… He has a crush on a girl in his class.
… When I was younger, I had a crush on a famous singer.
… have a crush on to have romantic feelings for someone, usually not expressed openly.
… have a crush on
/ have a crush on
… He has a crush on a girl in his class.
/ He has a crush on a girl in his class.
… He has a crush on a girl in his class.
… When I was younger, I had a crush on a famous singer.
/ When I was younger, I had a crush on a famous singer.
… When I was younger, I had a crush on a famous singer.
A40 … be cut out
… be cut out
… I’m not cut out for a desk job.
… She is cut out to be a teacher.
… be cut out to be naturally suited or intended for a particular job or activity.
… be cut out
/ be cut out
… I’m not cut out for a desk job.
/ I’m not cut out for a desk job.
… I’m not cut out for a desk job.
… She is cut out to be a teacher.
/ She is cut out to be a teacher.
… She is cut out to be a teacher.
A41 … make a dent in
… make a dent in
… We barely made a dent in the pile of paperwork.
… The donation helped make a dent in the hospital’s debt.
… make a dent in to reduce or make noticeable progress on something.
… make a dent in
/ make a dent in
… We barely made a dent in the pile of paperwork.
/ We barely made a dent in the pile of paperwork.
… We barely made a dent in the pile of paperwork.
… The donation helped make a dent in the hospital’s debt.
/ The donation helped make a dent in the hospital’s debt.
… The donation helped make a dent in the hospital’s debt.
A42 … dig up
… dig up
… Reporters dug up new evidence in the case.
… I managed to dig up an old photo of my grandfather.
… dig up to find or discover information, facts, or something hidden.
… dig up
/ dig up
… Reporters dug up new evidence in the case.
/ Reporters dug up new evidence in the case.
… Reporters dug up new evidence in the case.
… I managed to dig up an old photo of my grandfather.
/ I managed to dig up an old photo of my grandfather.
… I managed to dig up an old photo of my grandfather.
A43 … take a dim view of
… take a dim view of
… The school takes a dim view of cheating.
… My parents take a dim view of wasting money.
… take a dim view of to disapprove of something or regard it unfavorably.
… take a dim view of
/ take a dim view of
… The school takes a dim view of cheating.
/ The school takes a dim view of cheating.
… The school takes a dim view of cheating.
… My parents take a dim view of wasting money.
/ My parents take a dim view of wasting money.
… My parents take a dim view of wasting money.
A44 … hit the ceiling
… hit the ceiling
… Dad hit the ceiling when he saw the broken window.
… The boss hit the ceiling after hearing the bad news.
… hit the ceiling to become very angry suddenly.
… hit the ceiling
/ hit the ceiling
… Dad hit the ceiling when he saw the broken window.
/ Dad hit the ceiling when he saw the broken window.
… Dad hit the ceiling when he saw the broken window.
… The boss hit the ceiling after hearing the bad news.
/ The boss hit the ceiling after hearing the bad news.
… The boss hit the ceiling after hearing the bad news.
A45 … keep one’s distance from
… keep one’s distance from
… You should keep your distance from that aggressive dog.
… She keeps her distance from office gossip.
… keep one’s distance from to avoid becoming too involved with or too close to someone or something.
… keep one’s distance from
/ keep one’s distance from
… You should keep your distance from that aggressive dog.
/ You should keep your distance from that aggressive dog.
… You should keep your distance from that aggressive dog.
… She keeps her distance from office gossip.
/ She keeps her distance from office gossip.
… She keeps her distance from office gossip.
A46 … go down the drain
… go down the drain
… All our efforts went down the drain after the project was canceled.
… I don’t want my savings to go down the drain.
… go down the drain to be wasted or lost completely.
… go down the drain
/ go down the drain
… All our efforts went down the drain after the project was canceled.
/ All our efforts went down the drain after the project was canceled.
… All our efforts went down the drain after the project was canceled.
… I don’t want my savings to go down the drain.
/ I don’t want my savings to go down the drain.
… I don’t want my savings to go down the drain.
A47 … drive at
… drive at
… What exactly are you driving at?
… I think she’s driving at the need for better communication.
… drive at to mean or intend to say something indirectly.
… drive at
/ drive at
… What exactly are you driving at?
/ What exactly are you driving at?
… What exactly are you driving at?
… I think she’s driving at the need for better communication.
/ I think she’s driving at the need for better communication.
… I think she’s driving at the need for better communication.
A48 … drop off
… drop off
… Business tends to drop off in the winter.
… I dropped off the package on my way home.
… drop off to decrease gradually; also, to deliver someone or something to a place.
… drop off
/ drop off
… Business tends to drop off in the winter.
/ Business tends to drop off in the winter.
… Business tends to drop off in the winter.
… I dropped off the package on my way home.
/ I dropped off the package on my way home.
… I dropped off the package on my way home.
A49 … by ear
… by ear
… He learned to play the piano by ear.
… I can’t read music, so I play everything by ear.
… by ear by listening rather than by reading music or following written instructions.
… by ear
/ by ear
… He learned to play the piano by ear.
/ He learned to play the piano by ear.
… He learned to play the piano by ear.
… I can’t read music, so I play everything by ear.
/ I can’t read music, so I play everything by ear.
… I can’t read music, so I play everything by ear.
A50 … one’s ears burn
… one’s ears burn
… My ears were burning, and later I found out my friends had been talking about me.
… Whenever my ears burn, I wonder who’s mentioning my name.
… one’s ears burn to have a feeling that people are talking about you when you are not present.
… one’s ears burn
/ one’s ears burn
… My ears were burning, and later I found out my friends had been talking about me.
/ My ears were burning, and later I found out my friends had been talking about me.
… My ears were burning, and later I found out my friends had been talking about me.
… Whenever my ears burn, I wonder who’s mentioning my name.
/ Whenever my ears burn, I wonder who’s mentioning my name.
… Whenever my ears burn, I wonder who’s mentioning my name.
