E1 … rough-and-tumble
… rough-and-tumble
… He grew up in the rough-and-tumble world of politics.
… The children enjoyed some rough-and-tumble play.
… rough-and-tumble involving vigorous activity, competition, or physical action.
… rough-and-tumble
/ rough-and-tumble
… He grew up in the rough-and-tumble world of politics.
/ He grew up in the rough-and-tumble world of politics.
… He grew up in the rough-and-tumble world of politics.
… The children enjoyed some rough-and-tumble play.
/ The children enjoyed some rough-and-tumble play.
… The children enjoyed some rough-and-tumble play.
E2 … round up
… round up
… The police rounded up several suspects.
… We need to round up all the participants before we leave.
… round up to gather together people, animals, or things.
… round up
/ round up
… The police rounded up several suspects.
/ The police rounded up several suspects.
… The police rounded up several suspects.
… We need to round up all the participants before we leave.
/ We need to round up all the participants before we leave.
… We need to round up all the participants before we leave.
E3 … rub it in
… rub it in
… Don’t rub it in just because you won.
… She kept rubbing it in after I made a mistake.
… rub it in to keep reminding someone of a mistake, loss, or embarrassment.
… rub it in
/ rub it in
… Don’t rub it in just because you won.
/ Don’t rub it in just because you won.
… Don’t rub it in just because you won.
… She kept rubbing it in after I made a mistake.
/ She kept rubbing it in after I made a mistake.
… She kept rubbing it in after I made a mistake.
E4 … rule out
… rule out
… We can’t rule out the possibility of rain.
… The doctor ruled out a serious illness.
… rule out to eliminate something as a possibility or choice.
… rule out
/ rule out
… We can’t rule out the possibility of rain.
/ We can’t rule out the possibility of rain.
… We can’t rule out the possibility of rain.
… The doctor ruled out a serious illness.
/ The doctor ruled out a serious illness.
… The doctor ruled out a serious illness.
E5 … run around
… run around
… I’ve been running around all day doing errands.
… Stop running around and sit down for a minute.
… run around to be very busy doing many different things; also, to move about aimlessly.
… run around
/ run around
… I’ve been running around all day doing errands.
/ I’ve been running around all day doing errands.
… I’ve been running around all day doing errands.
… Stop running around and sit down for a minute.
/ Stop running around and sit down for a minute.
… Stop running around and sit down for a minute.
E6 … run-down
… run-down
… The hotel looked old and run-down.
… I felt run-down after working for two weeks without a break.
… run-down in poor condition; tired and lacking energy.
… run-down
/ run-down
… The hotel looked old and run-down.
/ The hotel looked old and run-down.
… The hotel looked old and run-down.
… I felt run-down after working for two weeks without a break.
/ I felt run-down after working for two weeks without a break.
… I felt run-down after working for two weeks without a break.
E7 … run-of-the-mill
… run-of-the-mill
… It was just a run-of-the-mill meeting.
… The restaurant serves run-of-the-mill food.
… run-of-the-mill ordinary and not special in any way.
… run-of-the-mill
/ run-of-the-mill
… It was just a run-of-the-mill meeting.
/ It was just a run-of-the-mill meeting.
… It was just a run-of-the-mill meeting.
… The restaurant serves run-of-the-mill food.
/ The restaurant serves run-of-the-mill food.
… The restaurant serves run-of-the-mill food.
E8 … get into a rut
… get into a rut
… I’ve gotten into a rut at work lately.
… Many people get into a rut and stop trying new things.
… get into a rut to become stuck in a boring and repetitive pattern of life or work.
… get into a rut
/ get into a rut
… I’ve gotten into a rut at work lately.
/ I’ve gotten into a rut at work lately.
… I’ve gotten into a rut at work lately.
… Many people get into a rut and stop trying new things.
/ Many people get into a rut and stop trying new things.
… Many people get into a rut and stop trying new things.
E9 … safe and sound
… safe and sound
… The children arrived home safe and sound.
… We were relieved to hear that she was safe and sound.
… safe and sound unharmed and in good condition.
… safe and sound
/ safe and sound
… The children arrived home safe and sound.
/ The children arrived home safe and sound.
… The children arrived home safe and sound.
… We were relieved to hear that she was safe and sound.
/ We were relieved to hear that she was safe and sound.
… We were relieved to hear that she was safe and sound.
E10 … break out of a rut
… break out of a rut
… He took a vacation to break out of a rut.
… Trying a new hobby helped her break out of a rut.
… break out of a rut to escape from a boring or repetitive situation.
… break out of a rut
/ break out of a rut
… He took a vacation to break out of a rut.
/ He took a vacation to break out of a rut.
… He took a vacation to break out of a rut.
… Trying a new hobby helped her break out of a rut.
/ Trying a new hobby helped her break out of a rut.
… Trying a new hobby helped her break out of a rut.
E11 … put salt in the wound
… put salt in the wound
… His criticism put salt in the wound after the defeat.
… To put salt in the wound, they blamed her for the failure.
… put salt in the wound to make a bad situation feel even worse by reminding someone of it.
… put salt in the wound
/ put salt in the wound
… His criticism put salt in the wound after the defeat.
/ His criticism put salt in the wound after the defeat.
… His criticism put salt in the wound after the defeat.
… To put salt in the wound, they blamed her for the failure.
/ To put salt in the wound, they blamed her for the failure.
… To put salt in the wound, they blamed her for the failure.
E12 … from scratch
… from scratch
… She built the business from scratch.
… We made the cake from scratch.
… from scratch from the very beginning and without using anything prepared beforehand.
… from scratch
/ from scratch
… She built the business from scratch.
/ She built the business from scratch.
… She built the business from scratch.
… We made the cake from scratch.
/ We made the cake from scratch.
… We made the cake from scratch.
E13 … Search me!
… Search me!
… Why did he leave so suddenly? Search me!
… Search me! I have no idea where the keys are.
… Search me! an informal expression meaning “I don’t know.”
… Search me!
/ Search me!
… Why did he leave so suddenly? Search me!
/ Why did he leave so suddenly? Search me!
… Why did he leave so suddenly? Search me!
… Search me! I have no idea where the keys are.
/ Search me! I have no idea where the keys are.
… Search me! I have no idea where the keys are.
E14 … Beats me.
… Beats me.
… Why is the train late? Beats me.
… Beats me. I’ve never been there before.
… Beats me. an informal expression meaning “I have no idea.”
… Beats me.
/ Beats me.
… Why is the train late? Beats me.
/ Why is the train late? Beats me.
… Why is the train late? Beats me.
… Beats me. I’ve never been there before.
/ Beats me. I’ve never been there before.
… Beats me. I’ve never been there before.
E15 … sell off
… sell off
… The company sold off several unprofitable divisions.
… They had to sell off their property to pay their debts.
… sell off to sell something, especially a large amount, often quickly.
… sell off
/ sell off
… The company sold off several unprofitable divisions.
/ The company sold off several unprofitable divisions.
… The company sold off several unprofitable divisions.
… They had to sell off their property to pay their debts.
/ They had to sell off their property to pay their debts.
… They had to sell off their property to pay their debts.
E16 … set one back
… set one back
… The new computer set me back about 1,500 dollars.
… The injury set him back several months.
… set one back to cost someone a certain amount of money; also, to delay progress.
… set one back
/ set one back
… The new computer set me back about 1,500 dollars.
/ The new computer set me back about 1,500 dollars.
… The new computer set me back about 1,500 dollars.
… The injury set him back several months.
/ The injury set him back several months.
… The injury set him back several months.
E17 … get shafted
… get shafted
… We got shafted by the airline and missed our connection.
… He felt he got shafted when he was passed over for promotion.
… get shafted to be treated unfairly or cheated.
… get shafted
/ get shafted
… We got shafted by the airline and missed our connection.
/ We got shafted by the airline and missed our connection.
… We got shafted by the airline and missed our connection.
… He felt he got shafted when he was passed over for promotion.
/ He felt he got shafted when he was passed over for promotion.
… He felt he got shafted when he was passed over for promotion.
E18 … shell out
… shell out
… I had to shell out a lot of money for car repairs.
… Tourists often shell out extra for hotels during the holiday season.
… shell out to pay money, especially unwillingly.
… shell out
/ shell out
… I had to shell out a lot of money for car repairs.
/ I had to shell out a lot of money for car repairs.
… I had to shell out a lot of money for car repairs.
… Tourists often shell out extra for hotels during the holiday season.
/ Tourists often shell out extra for hotels during the holiday season.
… Tourists often shell out extra for hotels during the holiday season.
E19 … lose one’s shirt
… lose one’s shirt
… He lost his shirt in the stock market crash.
… Many investors lost their shirts during the recession.
… lose one’s shirt to lose all or most of one’s money.
… lose one’s shirt
/ lose one’s shirt
… He lost his shirt in the stock market crash.
/ He lost his shirt in the stock market crash.
… He lost his shirt in the stock market crash.
… Many investors lost their shirts during the recession.
/ Many investors lost their shirts during the recession.
… Many investors lost their shirts during the recession.
E20 … shy away from
… shy away from
… She shies away from public speaking.
… The company is shying away from risky investments.
… shy away from to avoid something because of fear, uncertainty, or dislike.
… shy away from
/ shy away from
… She shies away from public speaking.
/ She shies away from public speaking.
… She shies away from public speaking.
… The company is shying away from risky investments.
/ The company is shying away from risky investments.
… The company is shying away from risky investments.
E21 … size up
… size up
… He sized up the situation before taking action.
… The coach sized up the new players during practice.
… size up to carefully assess or evaluate someone or something.
… size up
/ size up
… He sized up the situation before taking action.
/ He sized up the situation before taking action.
… He sized up the situation before taking action.
… The coach sized up the new players during practice.
/ The coach sized up the new players during practice.
… The coach sized up the new players during practice.
E22 … come to grips with
… come to grips with
… She is trying to come to grips with her loss.
… The company must come to grips with changing market conditions.
… come to grips with to begin to understand and deal with a difficult problem or situation.
… come to grips with
/ come to grips with
… She is trying to come to grips with her loss.
/ She is trying to come to grips with her loss.
… She is trying to come to grips with her loss.
… The company must come to grips with changing market conditions.
/ The company must come to grips with changing market conditions.
… The company must come to grips with changing market conditions.
E23 … get under one’s skin
… get under one’s skin
… His constant complaints really get under my skin.
… The unfair remark got under her skin.
… get under one’s skin to annoy someone greatly or affect them deeply.
… get under one’s skin
/ get under one’s skin
… His constant complaints really get under my skin.
/ His constant complaints really get under my skin.
… His constant complaints really get under my skin.
… The unfair remark got under her skin.
/ The unfair remark got under her skin.
… The unfair remark got under her skin.
E24 … sleep on
… sleep on
… Let me sleep on your offer before deciding.
… She slept on the problem and found a solution the next morning.
… sleep on to delay making a decision until the next day in order to think about it carefully.
… sleep on
/ sleep on
… Let me sleep on your offer before deciding.
/ Let me sleep on your offer before deciding.
… Let me sleep on your offer before deciding.
… She slept on the problem and found a solution the next morning.
/ She slept on the problem and found a solution the next morning.
… She slept on the problem and found a solution the next morning.
E25 … up one’s sleeve
… up one’s sleeve
… He must have something up his sleeve for the negotiation.
… I thought we would lose, but our coach had a few tricks up his sleeve.
… up one’s sleeve kept secret and ready to be used when needed.
… up one’s sleeve
/ up one’s sleeve
… He must have something up his sleeve for the negotiation.
/ He must have something up his sleeve for the negotiation.
… He must have something up his sleeve for the negotiation.
… I thought we would lose, but our coach had a few tricks up his sleeve.
/ I thought we would lose, but our coach had a few tricks up his sleeve.
… I thought we would lose, but our coach had a few tricks up his sleeve.
E26 … let ~ slide
… let ~ slide
… I’ll let it slide this time, but don’t do it again.
… The teacher couldn’t let the cheating slide.
… let ~ slide to ignore a mistake or offense without taking action.
… let ~ slide
/ let ~ slide
… I’ll let it slide this time, but don’t do it again.
/ I’ll let it slide this time, but don’t do it again.
… I’ll let it slide this time, but don’t do it again.
… The teacher couldn’t let the cheating slide.
/ The teacher couldn’t let the cheating slide.
… The teacher couldn’t let the cheating slide.
E27 … slip one’s mind
… slip one’s mind
… I’m sorry, your birthday completely slipped my mind.
… It slipped my mind to send the email.
… slip one’s mind to be forgotten temporarily.
… slip one’s mind
/ slip one’s mind
… I’m sorry, your birthday completely slipped my mind.
/ I’m sorry, your birthday completely slipped my mind.
… I’m sorry, your birthday completely slipped my mind.
… It slipped my mind to send the email.
/ It slipped my mind to send the email.
… It slipped my mind to send the email.
E28 … go up in smoke
… go up in smoke
… Years of hard work went up in smoke after the fire.
… Our vacation plans went up in smoke because of the storm.
… go up in smoke to be destroyed or fail completely.
… go up in smoke
/ go up in smoke
… Years of hard work went up in smoke after the fire.
/ Years of hard work went up in smoke after the fire.
… Years of hard work went up in smoke after the fire.
… Our vacation plans went up in smoke because of the storm.
/ Our vacation plans went up in smoke because of the storm.
… Our vacation plans went up in smoke because of the storm.
E29 … snap
… snap
… The tasks assigned to us were a snap.
… The math test was a snap for her.
… snap to suddenly lose control of one’s emotions, especially anger.
… snap
/ snap
… The tasks assigned to us were a snap.
/ The tasks assigned to us were a snap.
… The tasks assigned to us were a snap.
… The math test was a snap for her.
/ The math test was a snap for her.
… The math test was a snap for her.
E30 … for a song
… for a song
… He bought the antique table for a song.
… They acquired the land for a song years ago.
… for a song for a very low price.
… for a song
/ for a song
… He bought the antique table for a song.
/ He bought the antique table for a song.
… He bought the antique table for a song.
… They acquired the land for a song years ago.
/ They acquired the land for a song years ago.
… They acquired the land for a song years ago.
E31 … sound ~ out on
… sound ~ out on
… I sounded my coworkers out on the new proposal.
… She sounded him out on the possibility of changing jobs.
… sound ~ out on to ask someone’s opinion about something before making a decision.
… sound ~ out on
/ sound ~ out on
… I sounded my coworkers out on the new proposal.
/ I sounded my coworkers out on the new proposal.
… I sounded my coworkers out on the new proposal.
… She sounded him out on the possibility of changing jobs.
/ She sounded him out on the possibility of changing jobs.
… She sounded him out on the possibility of changing jobs.
E32 … on the spot
… on the spot
… The manager put me on the spot by asking an unexpected question.
… The thief was caught on the spot.
… on the spot immediately; also, at the exact place where something happens.
… on the spot
/ on the spot
… The manager put me on the spot by asking an unexpected question.
/ The manager put me on the spot by asking an unexpected question.
… The manager put me on the spot by asking an unexpected question.
… The thief was caught on the spot.
/ The thief was caught on the spot.
… The thief was caught on the spot.
E33 … on the spur of the moment
… on the spur of the moment
… On the spur of the moment, we decided to go hiking.
… She bought the dress on the spur of the moment.
… on the spur of the moment done suddenly without planning.
… on the spur of the moment
/ on the spur of the moment
… On the spur of the moment, we decided to go hiking.
/ On the spur of the moment, we decided to go hiking.
… On the spur of the moment, we decided to go hiking.
… She bought the dress on the spur of the moment.
/ She bought the dress on the spur of the moment.
… She bought the dress on the spur of the moment.
E34 … pull up stakes
… pull up stakes
… After retiring, they pulled up stakes and moved to Hawaii.
… The company pulled up stakes and relocated its headquarters to Tokyo.
… pull up stakes to leave a place and move somewhere else.
… pull up stakes
/ pull up stakes
… After retiring, they pulled up stakes and moved to Hawaii.
/ After retiring, they pulled up stakes and moved to Hawaii.
… After retiring, they pulled up stakes and moved to Hawaii.
… The company pulled up stakes and relocated its headquarters to Tokyo.
/ The company pulled up stakes and relocated its headquarters to Tokyo.
… The company pulled up stakes and relocated its headquarters to Tokyo.
E35 … stake out
… stake out
… The police staked out the building.
… Detectives staked out the suspect’s house for several days.
… stake out to watch a place carefully, often for a long period of time.
… stake out
/ stake out
… The police staked out the building.
/ The police staked out the building.
… The police staked out the building.
… Detectives staked out the suspect’s house for several days.
/ Detectives staked out the suspect’s house for several days.
… Detectives staked out the suspect’s house for several days.
E36 … standing rule
… standing rule
… It is a standing rule that all visitors must sign in.
… Wearing safety equipment is a standing rule at the factory.
… standing rule a rule that is permanently in effect.
… standing rule
/ standing rule
… It is a standing rule that all visitors must sign in.
/ It is a standing rule that all visitors must sign in.
… It is a standing rule that all visitors must sign in.
… Wearing safety equipment is a standing rule at the factory.
/ Wearing safety equipment is a standing rule at the factory.
… Wearing safety equipment is a standing rule at the factory.
E37 … start out
… start out
… He started out as a teacher before becoming a writer.
… We started out early to avoid traffic.
… start out to begin a journey, activity, or career.
… start out
/ start out
… He started out as a teacher before becoming a writer.
/ He started out as a teacher before becoming a writer.
… He started out as a teacher before becoming a writer.
… We started out early to avoid traffic.
/ We started out early to avoid traffic.
… We started out early to avoid traffic.
E38 … stick around
… stick around
… Stick around after class if you have questions.
… We decided to stick around and watch the sunset.
… stick around to stay in a place instead of leaving.
… stick around
/ stick around
… Stick around after class if you have questions.
/ Stick around after class if you have questions.
… Stick around after class if you have questions.
… We decided to stick around and watch the sunset.
/ We decided to stick around and watch the sunset.
… We decided to stick around and watch the sunset.
E39 … straight
… straight
… He tried to give straight facts on her past.
… Tell me the straight truth about what happened.
… straight honest and direct; also, in a clear and accurate manner.
… straight
/ straight
… He tried to give straight facts on her past.
/ He tried to give straight facts on her past.
… He tried to give straight facts on her past.
… Tell me the straight truth about what happened.
/ Tell me the straight truth about what happened.
… Tell me the straight truth about what happened.
E40 … strip off
… strip off
… He stripped off his wet clothes after the storm.
… The workers stripped off the old paint.
… strip off to remove clothing or a covering quickly.
… strip off
/ strip off
… He stripped off his wet clothes after the storm.
/ He stripped off his wet clothes after the storm.
… He stripped off his wet clothes after the storm.
… The workers stripped off the old paint.
/ The workers stripped off the old paint.
… The workers stripped off the old paint.
E41 … stuck-up
… stuck-up
… She seems nice, but some people think she’s stuck-up.
… Nobody likes him because he’s so stuck-up.
… stuck-up behaving as if one is superior to other people; arrogant.
… stuck-up
/ stuck-up
… She seems nice, but some people think she’s stuck-up.
/ She seems nice, but some people think she’s stuck-up.
… She seems nice, but some people think she’s stuck-up.
… Nobody likes him because he’s so stuck-up.
/ Nobody likes him because he’s so stuck-up.
… Nobody likes him because he’s so stuck-up.
E42 … It wouldn’t surprise me to
… It wouldn’t surprise me to
… It wouldn’t surprise me to hear that he quit his job.
… It wouldn’t surprise me to see prices rise again.
… It wouldn’t surprise me to used to say that something seems likely or expected.
… It wouldn’t surprise me to
/ It wouldn’t surprise me to
… It wouldn’t surprise me to hear that he quit his job.
/ It wouldn’t surprise me to hear that he quit his job.
… It wouldn’t surprise me to hear that he quit his job.
… It wouldn’t surprise me to see prices rise again.
/ It wouldn’t surprise me to see prices rise again.
… It wouldn’t surprise me to see prices rise again.
E43 … sweat it out
… sweat it out
… We sweated it out while waiting for the results.
… Let’s sweat it out at the gym.
… sweat it out to endure a difficult or worrying situation patiently.
… sweat it out
/ sweat it out
… We sweated it out while waiting for the results.
/ We sweated it out while waiting for the results.
… We sweated it out while waiting for the results.
… Let’s sweat it out at the gym.
/ Let’s sweat it out at the gym.
… Let’s sweat it out at the gym.
E44 … swing one’s weight
… swing one’s weight
… He tried to swing his weight to get special treatment.
… The chairman swung his weight to influence the decision.
… swing one’s weight to use one’s influence or authority to achieve something.
… swing one’s weight
/ swing one’s weight
… He tried to swing his weight to get special treatment.
/ He tried to swing his weight to get special treatment.
… He tried to swing his weight to get special treatment.
… The chairman swung his weight to influence the decision.
/ The chairman swung his weight to influence the decision.
… The chairman swung his weight to influence the decision.
E45 … pick up the tab
… pick up the tab
… I’ll pick up the tab for dinner tonight.
… Thanks for picking up the tab at lunch.
… pick up the tab to pay the bill for oneself or others.
… pick up the tab
/ pick up the tab
… I’ll pick up the tab for dinner tonight.
/ I’ll pick up the tab for dinner tonight.
… I’ll pick up the tab for dinner tonight.
… Thanks for picking up the tab at lunch.
/ Thanks for picking up the tab at lunch.
… Thanks for picking up the tab at lunch.
E46 … turn the tables on
… turn the tables on
… The underdog turned the tables on the champion.
… She turned the tables on her critics with her success.
… turn the tables on to reverse a situation and gain an advantage over someone.
… turn the tables on
/ turn the tables on
… The underdog turned the tables on the champion.
/ The underdog turned the tables on the champion.
… The underdog turned the tables on the champion.
… She turned the tables on her critics with her success.
/ She turned the tables on her critics with her success.
… She turned the tables on her critics with her success.
E47 … take after
… take after
… She takes after her mother in appearance.
… Tom takes after his father and loves sports.
… take after to resemble a family member in appearance or behavior.
… take after
/ take after
… She takes after her mother in appearance.
/ She takes after her mother in appearance.
… She takes after her mother in appearance.
… Tom takes after his father and loves sports.
/ Tom takes after his father and loves sports.
… Tom takes after his father and loves sports.
E48 … take it easy
… take it easy
… Take it easy and get some rest.
… I’m just going to take it easy this weekend.
… take it easy to relax and avoid hard work or stress.
… take it easy
/ take it easy
… Take it easy and get some rest.
/ Take it easy and get some rest.
… Take it easy and get some rest.
… I’m just going to take it easy this weekend.
/ I’m just going to take it easy this weekend.
… I’m just going to take it easy this weekend.
E49 … take it or leave it
… take it or leave it
… That’s my final offer. Take it or leave it.
… We can’t negotiate any further, so take it or leave it.
… take it or leave it to accept an offer as it is or reject it completely.
… take it or leave it
/ take it or leave it
… That’s my final offer. Take it or leave it.
/ That’s my final offer. Take it or leave it.
… That’s my final offer. Take it or leave it.
… We can’t negotiate any further, so take it or leave it.
/ We can’t negotiate any further, so take it or leave it.
… We can’t negotiate any further, so take it or leave it.
E50 … take it out on
… take it out on
… Don’t take your frustration out on me.
… He took his bad mood out on his coworkers.
… take it out on to direct one’s anger or frustration toward someone who is not responsible for the problem.
… take it out on
/ take it out on
… Don’t take your frustration out on me.
/ Don’t take your frustration out on me.
… Don’t take your frustration out on me.
… He took his bad mood out on his coworkers.
/ He took his bad mood out on his coworkers.
… He took his bad mood out on his coworkers.
