D1 … give one a piece of one’s mind
… give one a piece of one’s mind
… I gave the company manager a piece of my mind about the poor service.
… She gave him a piece of her mind after he broke his promise.
… give one a piece of one’s mind to express one’s anger or criticism to someone very directly.
… give one a piece of one’s mind
/ give one a piece of one’s mind
… I gave the company manager a piece of my mind about the poor service.
/ I gave the company manager a piece of my mind about the poor service.
… I gave the company manager a piece of my mind about the poor service.
… She gave him a piece of her mind after he broke his promise.
/ She gave him a piece of her mind after he broke his promise.
… She gave him a piece of her mind after he broke his promise.
D2 … have half a mind to do
… have half a mind to do
… I have half a mind to quit this job.
… She had half a mind to call the police.
… have half a mind to do to be strongly tempted or inclined to do something.
… have half a mind to do
/ have half a mind to do
… I have half a mind to quit this job.
/ I have half a mind to quit this job.
… I have half a mind to quit this job.
… She had half a mind to call the police.
/ She had half a mind to call the police.
… She had half a mind to call the police.
D3 … from Missouri
… from Missouri
… You’ll have to show me proof. I’m from Missouri.
… He’s from Missouri when it comes to extraordinary claims.
… from Missouri skeptical and unwilling to believe something without proof.
… from Missouri
/ from Missouri
… You’ll have to show me proof. I’m from Missouri.
/ You’ll have to show me proof. I’m from Missouri.
… You’ll have to show me proof. I’m from Missouri.
… He’s from Missouri when it comes to extraordinary claims.
/ He’s from Missouri when it comes to extraordinary claims.
… He’s from Missouri when it comes to extraordinary claims.
D4 … on the move
… on the move
… The company is always on the move, looking for new opportunities.
… We stayed busy and were on the move all day.
… on the move active, busy, or traveling from place to place.
… on the move
/ on the move
… The company is always on the move, looking for new opportunities.
/ The company is always on the move, looking for new opportunities.
… The company is always on the move, looking for new opportunities.
… We stayed busy and were on the move all day.
/ We stayed busy and were on the move all day.
… We stayed busy and were on the move all day.
D5 … Mum’s the word
… Mum’s the word
… Mum’s the word about the surprise party.
… I’ll tell you the secret, but mum’s the word.
… Mum’s the word keep this a secret; do not tell anyone.
… Mum’s the word
/ Mum’s the word
… Mum’s the word about the surprise party.
/ Mum’s the word about the surprise party.
… Mum’s the word about the surprise party.
… I’ll tell you the secret, but mum’s the word.
/ I’ll tell you the secret, but mum’s the word.
… I’ll tell you the secret, but mum’s the word.
D6 … call ~ names
… call ~ names
… The children were calling each other names.
… Don’t call people names when you’re angry.
… call ~ names to insult someone by using unpleasant words.
… call ~ names
/ call ~ names
… The children were calling each other names.
/ The children were calling each other names.
… The children were calling each other names.
… Don’t call people names when you’re angry.
/ Don’t call people names when you’re angry.
… Don’t call people names when you’re angry.
D7 … take one’s name in vain
… take one’s name in vain
… Don’t take God’s name in vain.
… Her parents taught her never to take the Lord’s name in vain.
… take one’s name in vain to use a person’s or God’s name carelessly or disrespectfully.
… take one’s name in vain
/ take one’s name in vain
… Don’t take God’s name in vain.
/ Don’t take God’s name in vain.
… Don’t take God’s name in vain.
… Her parents taught her never to take the Lord’s name in vain.
/ Her parents taught her never to take the Lord’s name in vain.
… Her parents taught her never to take the Lord’s name in vain.
D8 … the name of the game
… the name of the game
… In this business, customer satisfaction is the name of the game.
… Adaptability is the name of the game in today’s economy.
… the name of the game the most important aspect or main objective of a situation.
… the name of the game
/ the name of the game
… In this business, customer satisfaction is the name of the game.
/ In this business, customer satisfaction is the name of the game.
… In this business, customer satisfaction is the name of the game.
… Adaptability is the name of the game in today’s economy.
/ Adaptability is the name of the game in today’s economy.
… Adaptability is the name of the game in today’s economy.
D9 … to one’s name
… to one’s name
… He doesn’t have a dollar to his name.
… She had only a suitcase to her name when she arrived.
… to one’s name owned by someone, especially referring to money or possessions.
… to one’s name
/ to one’s name
… He doesn’t have a dollar to his name.
/ He doesn’t have a dollar to his name.
… He doesn’t have a dollar to his name.
… She had only a suitcase to her name when she arrived.
/ She had only a suitcase to her name when she arrived.
… She had only a suitcase to her name when she arrived.
D10 … for nothing
… for nothing
… I got these tickets for nothing.
… All our hard work was for nothing.
… for nothing free of charge; also, without any result or purpose.
… for nothing
/ for nothing
… I got these tickets for nothing.
/ I got these tickets for nothing.
… I got these tickets for nothing.
… All our hard work was for nothing.
/ All our hard work was for nothing.
… All our hard work was for nothing.
D11 … go nuts
… go nuts
… People went nuts when the band appeared on stage.
… My parents will go nuts if I lose my phone again.
… go nuts to become very excited, angry, or crazy.
… go nuts
/ go nuts
… People went nuts when the band appeared on stage.
/ People went nuts when the band appeared on stage.
… People went nuts when the band appeared on stage.
… My parents will go nuts if I lose my phone again.
/ My parents will go nuts if I lose my phone again.
… My parents will go nuts if I lose my phone again.
D12 … once in a blue moon
… once in a blue moon
… We eat out only once in a blue moon.
… He visits his hometown once in a blue moon.
… once in a blue moon very rarely.
… once in a blue moon
/ once in a blue moon
… We eat out only once in a blue moon.
/ We eat out only once in a blue moon.
… We eat out only once in a blue moon.
… He visits his hometown once in a blue moon.
/ He visits his hometown once in a blue moon.
… He visits his hometown once in a blue moon.
D13 … pad the bill
… pad the bill
… The mechanic was accused of padding the bill.
… Some contractors pad the bill with unnecessary charges.
… pad the bill to add false or unnecessary charges to a bill.
… pad the bill
/ pad the bill
… The mechanic was accused of padding the bill.
/ The mechanic was accused of padding the bill.
… The mechanic was accused of padding the bill.
… Some contractors pad the bill with unnecessary charges.
/ Some contractors pad the bill with unnecessary charges.
… Some contractors pad the bill with unnecessary charges.
D14 … take pains
… take pains
… She took pains to make every guest feel welcome.
… Scientists took great pains to verify the results.
… take pains to make a great effort to do something carefully.
… take pains
/ take pains
… She took pains to make every guest feel welcome.
/ She took pains to make every guest feel welcome.
… She took pains to make every guest feel welcome.
… Scientists took great pains to verify the results.
/ Scientists took great pains to verify the results.
… Scientists took great pains to verify the results.
D15 … wear the pants
… wear the pants
… Everyone knows she wears the pants in the family.
… Although he seems in charge, his wife wears the pants.
… wear the pants to be the person who has the most authority or control in a relationship.
… wear the pants
/ wear the pants
… Everyone knows she wears the pants in the family.
/ Everyone knows she wears the pants in the family.
… Everyone knows she wears the pants in the family.
… Although he seems in charge, his wife wears the pants.
/ Although he seems in charge, his wife wears the pants.
… Although he seems in charge, his wife wears the pants.
D16 … up to par
… up to par
… His work hasn’t been up to par recently.
… The hotel service was not up to par.
… up to par meeting the expected standard or quality.
… up to par
/ up to par
… His work hasn’t been up to par recently.
/ His work hasn’t been up to par recently.
… His work hasn’t been up to par recently.
… The hotel service was not up to par.
/ The hotel service was not up to par.
… The hotel service was not up to par.
D17 … pass for
… pass for
… He could easily pass for a college student.
… This imitation could pass for the real thing.
… pass for to be accepted as or mistaken for something else.
… pass for
/ pass for
… He could easily pass for a college student.
/ He could easily pass for a college student.
… He could easily pass for a college student.
… This imitation could pass for the real thing.
/ This imitation could pass for the real thing.
… This imitation could pass for the real thing.
D18 … pass over
… pass over
… She was passed over for promotion again.
… The committee passed over his proposal without discussion.
… pass over to ignore or overlook someone or something; also, to decline to choose someone.
… pass over
/ pass over
… She was passed over for promotion again.
/ She was passed over for promotion again.
… She was passed over for promotion again.
… The committee passed over his proposal without discussion.
/ The committee passed over his proposal without discussion.
… The committee passed over his proposal without discussion.
D19 … pass up
… pass up
… I couldn’t pass up such a great opportunity.
… She passed up the chance to study abroad.
… pass up to decline or refuse an opportunity.
… pass up
/ pass up
… I couldn’t pass up such a great opportunity.
/ I couldn’t pass up such a great opportunity.
… I couldn’t pass up such a great opportunity.
… She passed up the chance to study abroad.
/ She passed up the chance to study abroad.
… She passed up the chance to study abroad.
D20 … stand pat
… stand pat
… We decided to stand pat and wait for more information.
… The company stood pat despite criticism.
… stand pat to refuse to change one’s position, decision, or opinion.
… stand pat
/ stand pat
… We decided to stand pat and wait for more information.
/ We decided to stand pat and wait for more information.
… We decided to stand pat and wait for more information.
… The company stood pat despite criticism.
/ The company stood pat despite criticism.
… The company stood pat despite criticism.
D21 … for peanuts
… for peanuts
… He worked long hours for peanuts.
… They bought the old furniture for peanuts.
… for peanuts for very little money.
… for peanuts
/ for peanuts
… He worked long hours for peanuts.
/ He worked long hours for peanuts.
… He worked long hours for peanuts.
… They bought the old furniture for peanuts.
/ They bought the old furniture for peanuts.
… They bought the old furniture for peanuts.
D22 … perk up
… perk up
… She perked up when she heard the good news.
… A cup of coffee helped him perk up.
… perk up to become more cheerful, lively, or energetic.
… perk up
/ perk up
… She perked up when she heard the good news.
/ She perked up when she heard the good news.
… She perked up when she heard the good news.
… A cup of coffee helped him perk up.
/ A cup of coffee helped him perk up.
… A cup of coffee helped him perk up.
D23 … pick on
… pick on
… The older boys always picked on him at school.
… Why are you picking on me?
… pick on to repeatedly treat someone unfairly or criticize them.
… pick on
/ pick on
… The older boys always picked on him at school.
/ The older boys always picked on him at school.
… The older boys always picked on him at school.
… Why are you picking on me?
/ Why are you picking on me?
… Why are you picking on me?
D24 … no picnic
… no picnic
… Raising three children is no picnic.
… Climbing the mountain was no picnic.
… no picnic not easy; difficult or unpleasant.
… no picnic
/ no picnic
… Raising three children is no picnic.
/ Raising three children is no picnic.
… Raising three children is no picnic.
… Climbing the mountain was no picnic.
/ Climbing the mountain was no picnic.
… Climbing the mountain was no picnic.
D25 … pie in the sky
… pie in the sky
… His promise of becoming rich overnight is just pie in the sky.
… The proposal sounded like pie in the sky and lacked any practical plan.
… pie in the sky a hope, dream, or promise that is unlikely to be achieved.
… pie in the sky
/ pie in the sky
… His promise of becoming rich overnight is just pie in the sky.
/ His promise of becoming rich overnight is just pie in the sky.
… His promise of becoming rich overnight is just pie in the sky.
… The proposal sounded like pie in the sky and lacked any practical plan.
/ The proposal sounded like pie in the sky and lacked any practical plan.
… The proposal sounded like pie in the sky and lacked any practical plan.
D26 … pinch pennies
… pinch pennies
… They had to pinch pennies to save for a new house.
… My grandparents still pinch pennies despite being wealthy.
… pinch pennies to spend money very carefully and avoid unnecessary expenses.
… pinch pennies
/ pinch pennies
… They had to pinch pennies to save for a new house.
/ They had to pinch pennies to save for a new house.
… They had to pinch pennies to save for a new house.
… My grandparents still pinch pennies despite being wealthy.
/ My grandparents still pinch pennies despite being wealthy.
… My grandparents still pinch pennies despite being wealthy.
D27 … play up to
… play up to
… He plays up to his boss whenever he wants a favor.
… Some politicians play up to public opinion.
… play up to to behave in a way that gains the approval or favor of someone.
… play up to
/ play up to
… He plays up to his boss whenever he wants a favor.
/ He plays up to his boss whenever he wants a favor.
… He plays up to his boss whenever he wants a favor.
… Some politicians play up to public opinion.
/ Some politicians play up to public opinion.
… Some politicians play up to public opinion.
D28 … ply one with
… ply one with
… They plied the guest with food and drinks.
… The reporter tried to ply him with questions.
… ply one with to keep giving someone food, drinks, information, or questions.
… ply one with
/ ply one with
… They plied the guest with food and drinks.
/ They plied the guest with food and drinks.
… They plied the guest with food and drinks.
… The reporter tried to ply him with questions.
/ The reporter tried to ply him with questions.
… The reporter tried to ply him with questions.
D29 … potluck
… potluck
… They had a potluck party on Saturday night.
… Everyone brought a dish to the potluck.
… potluck a meal or gathering where each person brings food to share.
… potluck
/ potluck
… They had a potluck party on Saturday night.
/ They had a potluck party on Saturday night.
… They had a potluck party on Saturday night.
… Everyone brought a dish to the potluck.
/ Everyone brought a dish to the potluck.
… Everyone brought a dish to the potluck.
D30 … powder room
… powder room
… Excuse me, where is the powder room?
… She went to the powder room to fix her makeup.
… powder room a restroom, especially one for women.
… powder room
/ powder room
… Excuse me, where is the powder room?
/ Excuse me, where is the powder room?
… Excuse me, where is the powder room?
… She went to the powder room to fix her makeup.
/ She went to the powder room to fix her makeup.
… She went to the powder room to fix her makeup.
D31 … prevail upon
… prevail upon
… She prevailed upon him to join the project.
… We finally prevailed upon the mayor to reconsider the plan.
… prevail upon to persuade someone to do something.
… prevail upon
/ prevail upon
… She prevailed upon him to join the project.
/ She prevailed upon him to join the project.
… She prevailed upon him to join the project.
… We finally prevailed upon the mayor to reconsider the plan.
/ We finally prevailed upon the mayor to reconsider the plan.
… We finally prevailed upon the mayor to reconsider the plan.
D32 … provide for
… provide for
… Parents must provide for their children.
… The contract provides for annual salary increases.
… provide for to supply what is needed for someone or something; to support financially.
… provide for
/ provide for
… Parents must provide for their children.
/ Parents must provide for their children.
… Parents must provide for their children.
… The contract provides for annual salary increases.
/ The contract provides for annual salary increases.
… The contract provides for annual salary increases.
D33 … pull off
… pull off
… The team pulled off an unexpected victory.
… She managed to pull off the event without any problems.
… pull off to succeed in doing something difficult.
… pull off
/ pull off
… The team pulled off an unexpected victory.
/ The team pulled off an unexpected victory.
… The team pulled off an unexpected victory.
… She managed to pull off the event without any problems.
/ She managed to pull off the event without any problems.
… She managed to pull off the event without any problems.
D34 … put it
… put it
… How would you put it in simpler terms?
… To put it bluntly, we are running out of money.
… put it to express or state something in a particular way.
… put it
/ put it
… How would you put it in simpler terms?
/ How would you put it in simpler terms?
… How would you put it in simpler terms?
… To put it bluntly, we are running out of money.
/ To put it bluntly, we are running out of money.
… To put it bluntly, we are running out of money.
D35 … put off
… put off
… We had to put off the meeting until next week.
… His rude attitude put me off.
… put off to postpone something; also, to discourage or disgust someone.
… put off
/ put off
… We had to put off the meeting until next week.
/ We had to put off the meeting until next week.
… We had to put off the meeting until next week.
… His rude attitude put me off.
/ His rude attitude put me off.
… His rude attitude put me off.
D36 … put on
… put on
… They put on the famous play.
… They put on a charity concert.
… put on to wear something; also, to present or perform a show or event.
… put on
/ put on
… They put on the famous play.
/ They put on the famous play.
… They put on the famous play.
… They put on a charity concert.
/ They put on a charity concert.
… They put on a charity concert.
D37 … put on
… put on
… She has put on 3 kg since last year.
… He put on 5 kg during the winter.
… put on to pretend or assume a particular manner, expression, or behavior.
… put on
/ put on
… She has put on 3 kg since last year.
/ She has put on 3 kg since last year.
… She has put on 3 kg since last year.
… He put on 5 kg during the winter.
/ He put on 5 kg during the winter.
… He put on 5 kg during the winter.
D38 … be hard put to (it to)
… be hard put to (it to)
… I would be hard put to it to finish this report by tomorrow.
… The small village would be hard put to support so many new residents.
… be hard put to (it to) to have difficulty doing something or finding an answer.
… be hard put to (it to)
/ be hard put to (it to)
… I would be hard put to it to finish this report by tomorrow.
/ I would be hard put to it to finish this report by tomorrow.
… I would be hard put to it to finish this report by tomorrow.
… The small village would be hard put to support so many new residents.
/ The small village would be hard put to support so many new residents.
… The small village would be hard put to support so many new residents.
D39 … on the quiet
… on the quiet
… They got married on the quiet.
… He has been looking for another job on the quiet.
… on the quiet secretly and without attracting attention.
… on the quiet
/ on the quiet
… They got married on the quiet.
/ They got married on the quiet.
… They got married on the quiet.
… He has been looking for another job on the quiet.
/ He has been looking for another job on the quiet.
… He has been looking for another job on the quiet.
D40 … call it quits
… call it quits
… After three hours of work, we decided to call it quits.
… Let’s call it quits and go home.
… call it quits to stop doing something or end an activity.
… call it quits
/ call it quits
… After three hours of work, we decided to call it quits.
/ After three hours of work, we decided to call it quits.
… After three hours of work, we decided to call it quits.
… Let’s call it quits and go home.
/ Let’s call it quits and go home.
… Let’s call it quits and go home.
D41 … reckon with
… reckon with
… We must reckon with the possibility of failure.
… The government had to reckon with growing public anger.
… reckon with to deal with or take into account something or someone.
… reckon with
/ reckon with
… We must reckon with the possibility of failure.
/ We must reckon with the possibility of failure.
… We must reckon with the possibility of failure.
… The government had to reckon with growing public anger.
/ The government had to reckon with growing public anger.
… The government had to reckon with growing public anger.
D42 … report for duty
… report for duty
… All soldiers must report for duty at 6 a.m.
… She reported for duty despite feeling tired.
… report for duty to arrive and be ready to begin assigned work.
… report for duty
/ report for duty
… All soldiers must report for duty at 6 a.m.
/ All soldiers must report for duty at 6 a.m.
… All soldiers must report for duty at 6 a.m.
… She reported for duty despite feeling tired.
/ She reported for duty despite feeling tired.
… She reported for duty despite feeling tired.
D43 … take ~ for a ride
… take ~ for a ride
… The mechanic took me for a ride and charged far too much.
… Don’t let anyone take you for a ride.
… take ~ for a ride to deceive or cheat someone.
… take ~ for a ride
/ take ~ for a ride
… The mechanic took me for a ride and charged far too much.
/ The mechanic took me for a ride and charged far too much.
… The mechanic took me for a ride and charged far too much.
… Don’t let anyone take you for a ride.
/ Don’t let anyone take you for a ride.
… Don’t let anyone take you for a ride.
D44 … ride high
… ride high
… The company is riding high after its recent success.
… He was riding high after winning the championship.
… ride high to be very successful, confident, or popular.
… ride high
/ ride high
… The company is riding high after its recent success.
/ The company is riding high after its recent success.
… The company is riding high after its recent success.
… He was riding high after winning the championship.
/ He was riding high after winning the championship.
… He was riding high after winning the championship.
D45 … rip-off
… rip-off
… That restaurant is a rip-off.
… The expensive service turned out to be a complete rip-off.
… rip-off something that is unfairly expensive or a form of cheating.
… rip-off
/ rip-off
… That restaurant is a rip-off.
/ That restaurant is a rip-off.
… That restaurant is a rip-off.
… The expensive service turned out to be a complete rip-off.
/ The expensive service turned out to be a complete rip-off.
… The expensive service turned out to be a complete rip-off.
D46 … send ~ up the river
… send ~ up the river
… The judge sent the criminal up the river for ten years.
… He deserved to be sent up the river for fraud.
… send ~ up the river to send someone to prison.
… send ~ up the river
/ send ~ up the river
… The judge sent the criminal up the river for ten years.
/ The judge sent the criminal up the river for ten years.
… The judge sent the criminal up the river for ten years.
… He deserved to be sent up the river for fraud.
/ He deserved to be sent up the river for fraud.
… He deserved to be sent up the river for fraud.
D47 … hit the road
… hit the road
… We should hit the road before traffic gets heavy.
… After breakfast, they hit the road and headed north.
… hit the road to begin a journey or leave a place.
… hit the road
/ hit the road
… We should hit the road before traffic gets heavy.
/ We should hit the road before traffic gets heavy.
… We should hit the road before traffic gets heavy.
… After breakfast, they hit the road and headed north.
/ After breakfast, they hit the road and headed north.
… After breakfast, they hit the road and headed north.
D48 … rock-bottom
… rock-bottom
… Oil prices fell to a rock-bottom level.
… The store offers rock-bottom prices.
… rock-bottom the lowest possible level, price, or condition.
… rock-bottom
/ rock-bottom
… Oil prices fell to a rock-bottom level.
/ Oil prices fell to a rock-bottom level.
… Oil prices fell to a rock-bottom level.
… The store offers rock-bottom prices.
/ The store offers rock-bottom prices.
… The store offers rock-bottom prices.
D49 … know the ropes
… know the ropes
… It took me a few weeks to learn the ropes.
… Ask Sarah if you need help; she knows the ropes.
… know the ropes to be familiar with the details and procedures of a job or activity.
… know the ropes
/ know the ropes
… It took me a few weeks to learn the ropes.
/ It took me a few weeks to learn the ropes.
… It took me a few weeks to learn the ropes.
… Ask Sarah if you need help; she knows the ropes.
/ Ask Sarah if you need help; she knows the ropes.
… Ask Sarah if you need help; she knows the ropes.
D50 … rough it
… rough it
… We roughed it in the mountains for a week.
… They decided to rough it rather than stay in a hotel.
… rough it to live in a simple or uncomfortable way, usually without modern conveniences.
… rough it
/ rough it
… We roughed it in the mountains for a week.
/ We roughed it in the mountains for a week.
… We roughed it in the mountains for a week.
… They decided to rough it rather than stay in a hotel.
/ They decided to rough it rather than stay in a hotel.
… They decided to rough it rather than stay in a hotel.
