B1 – 1 … break the ice
… break the ice
… The host told a simple joke to break the ice at the party.
… A basic question helped us break the ice during the meeting.
… break the ice is To make people feel more relaxed and comfortable in an awkward or first-time situation.
… break the ice
/ break the ice
… The host told a simple joke to break the ice at the party.
/ The host told a simple joke to break the ice at the party.
… The host told a simple joke to break the ice at the party.
… A basic question helped us break the ice during the meeting.
/ A basic question helped us break the ice during the meeting.
… A basic question helped us break the ice during the meeting.
B1 – 2 … take for granted
… take for granted
… Many people take for granted the natural beauty of their hometown.
… Don’t take for granted the common things your friends do for you.
… take for granted is To assume something will always be there or happen without appreciating it.
… take for granted
/ take for granted
… Many people take for granted the natural beauty of their hometown.
/ Many people take for granted the natural beauty of their hometown.
… Many people take for granted the natural beauty of their hometown.
… Don’t take for granted the common things your friends do for you.
/ Don’t take for granted the common things your friends do for you.
… Don’t take for granted the common things your friends do for you.
B1 – 3 … come in handy
… come in handy
… A simple map can come in handy when you travel abroad.
… This basic tool will come in handy during the repair.
… come in handy is To be useful when needed.
… come in handy
/ come in handy
… A simple map can come in handy when you travel abroad.
/ A simple map can come in handy when you travel abroad.
… A simple map can come in handy when you travel abroad.
… This basic tool will come in handy during the repair.
/ This basic tool will come in handy during the repair.
… This basic tool will come in handy during the repair.
B1 – 4 … make a difference
… make a difference
… Even a small action can make a difference in someone’s day.
… A simple change in routine can make a difference in your health.
… make a difference is To have a positive impact or effect.
… make a difference
/ make a difference
… Even a small action can make a difference in someone’s day.
/ Even a small action can make a difference in someone’s day.
… Even a small action can make a difference in someone’s day.
… A simple change in routine can make a difference in your health.
/ A simple change in routine can make a difference in your health.
… A simple change in routine can make a difference in your health.
B1 – 5 … count on
… count on
… You can count on her because she has strong skills.
… I count on my basic training when things get difficult.
… count on is To rely on someone or something.
… count on
/ count on
… You can count on her because she has strong skills.
/ You can count on her because she has strong skills.
… You can count on her because she has strong skills.
… I count on my basic training when things get difficult.
/ I count on my basic training when things get difficult.
… I count on my basic training when things get difficult.
B1 – 6 … get rid of
… get rid of
… I want to get rid of these old clothes.
… He finally got rid of a common bad habit.
… get rid of is To remove or eliminate something.
… get rid of
/ get rid of
… I want to get rid of these old clothes.
/ I want to get rid of these old clothes.
… I want to get rid of these old clothes.
… He finally got rid of a common bad habit.
/ He finally got rid of a common bad habit.
… He finally got rid of a common bad habit.
B1 – 7 … break down
… break down
… The car began to break down on a quiet road.
… My computer might break down because it’s old.
… break down is To stop working or to lose emotional control.
… break down
/ break down
… The car began to break down on a quiet road.
/ The car began to break down on a quiet road.
… The car began to break down on a quiet road.
… My computer might break down because it’s old.
/ My computer might break down because it’s old.
… My computer might break down because it’s old.
B1 – 8 … keep an eye on
… keep an eye on
… Please keep an eye on the small kids at the park.
… I’ll keep an eye on your basic equipment while you’re away.
… keep an eye on is To watch something or someone carefully.
… keep an eye on
/ keep an eye on
… Please keep an eye on the small kids at the park.
/ Please keep an eye on the small kids at the park.
… Please keep an eye on the small kids at the park.
… I’ll keep an eye on your basic equipment while you’re away.
/ I’ll keep an eye on your basic equipment while you’re away.
… I’ll keep an eye on your basic equipment while you’re away.
B1 – 9 … see eye to eye
… see eye to eye
… We don’t see eye to eye on this simple issue.
… They finally saw eye to eye after a long talk.
… see eye to eye is To agree completely.
… see eye to eye
/ see eye to eye
… We don’t see eye to eye on this simple issue.
/ We don’t see eye to eye on this simple issue.
… We don’t see eye to eye on this simple issue.
… They finally saw eye to eye after a long talk.
/ They finally saw eye to eye after a long talk.
… They finally saw eye to eye after a long talk.
B1 – 10 … call it a day
… call it a day
… After finishing the main task, we called it a day.
… Let’s call it a day before it gets dark.
… call it a day is To stop working for now.
… call it a day
/ call it a day
… After finishing the main task, we called it a day.
/ After finishing the main task, we called it a day.
… After finishing the main task, we called it a day.
… Let’s call it a day before it gets dark.
/ Let’s call it a day before it gets dark.
… Let’s call it a day before it gets dark.
B1 – 11 … under the weather
… under the weather
… She stayed home because she felt under the weather after a busy week.
… I’m a bit under the weather, so I’ll take a simple rest.
… under the weather is To feel sick or unwell.
… under the weather
/ under the weather
… She stayed home because she felt under the weather after a busy week.
/ She stayed home because she felt under the weather after a busy week.
… She stayed home because she felt under the weather after a busy week.
… I’m a bit under the weather, so I’ll take a simple rest.
/ I’m a bit under the weather, so I’ll take a simple rest.
… I’m a bit under the weather, so I’ll take a simple rest.
B1 – 12 … once in a blue moon
… once in a blue moon
… He visits his old hometown once in a blue moon.
… We go out for a special dinner once in a blue moon.
… once in a blue moon is Very rarely.
… once in a blue moon
/ once in a blue moon
… He visits his old hometown once in a blue moon.
/ He visits his old hometown once in a blue moon.
… He visits his old hometown once in a blue moon.
… We go out for a special dinner once in a blue moon.
/ We go out for a special dinner once in a blue moon.
… We go out for a special dinner once in a blue moon.
B1 – 13 … get cold feet
… get cold feet
… She got cold feet before the big performance.
… He got cold feet and canceled the important meeting.
… get cold feet is To suddenly feel too nervous to do something.
… get cold feet
/ get cold feet
… She got cold feet before the big performance.
/ She got cold feet before the big performance.
… She got cold feet before the big performance.
… He got cold feet and canceled the important meeting.
/ He got cold feet and canceled the important meeting.
… He got cold feet and canceled the important meeting.
B1 – 14 … spill the beans
… spill the beans
… She spilled the beans about the secret plan.
… He spilled the beans during a casual talk.
… spill the beans is To reveal a secret.
… spill the beans
/ spill the beans
… She spilled the beans about the secret plan.
/ She spilled the beans about the secret plan.
… She spilled the beans about the secret plan.
… He spilled the beans during a casual talk.
/ He spilled the beans during a casual talk.
… He spilled the beans during a casual talk.
B1 – 15 … cost an arm and a leg
… cost an arm and a leg
… That modern phone costs an arm and a leg.
… The popular concert tickets cost an arm and a leg.
… cost an arm and a leg is To be extremely expensive.
… cost an arm and a leg
/ cost an arm and a leg
… That modern phone costs an arm and a leg.
/ That modern phone costs an arm and a leg.
… That modern phone costs an arm and a leg.
… The popular concert tickets cost an arm and a leg.
/ The popular concert tickets cost an arm and a leg.
… The popular concert tickets cost an arm and a leg.
B1 – 16 … beat around the bush
… beat around the bush
… Stop beating around the bush and give a clear answer.
… He beat around the bush during the simple interview.
… beat around the bush is To avoid saying something directly.
… beat around the bush
/ beat around the bush
… Stop beating around the bush and give a clear answer.
/ Stop beating around the bush and give a clear answer.
… Stop beating around the bush and give a clear answer.
… He beat around the bush during the simple interview.
/ He beat around the bush during the simple interview.
… He beat around the bush during the simple interview.
B1 – 17 … play it by ear
… play it by ear
… We didn’t plan much; we just played it by ear during the short trip.
… Let’s play it by ear and make natural choices.
… play it by ear is To decide what to do as things happen, without a plan.
… play it by ear
/ play it by ear
… We didn’t plan much; we just played it by ear during the short trip.
/ We didn’t plan much; we just played it by ear during the short trip.
… We didn’t plan much; we just played it by ear during the short trip.
… Let’s play it by ear and make natural choices.
/ Let’s play it by ear and make natural choices.
… Let’s play it by ear and make natural choices.
B1 – 18 … bear in mind
… bear in mind
… Bear in mind that this is a basic rule.
… Please bear in mind the main point of the lesson.
… bear in mind is To remember or consider something.
… bear in mind
/ bear in mind
… Bear in mind that this is a basic rule.
/ Bear in mind that this is a basic rule.
… Bear in mind that this is a basic rule.
… Please bear in mind the main point of the lesson.
/ Please bear in mind the main point of the lesson.
… Please bear in mind the main point of the lesson.
B1 – 19 … jump to conclusions
… jump to conclusions
… Don’t jump to conclusions based on limited information.
… She jumped to conclusions after hearing a simple rumor.
… jump to conclusions is To decide something too quickly without enough evidence.
… jump to conclusions
/ jump to conclusions
… Don’t jump to conclusions based on limited information.
/ Don’t jump to conclusions based on limited information.
… Don’t jump to conclusions based on limited information.
… She jumped to conclusions after hearing a simple rumor.
/ She jumped to conclusions after hearing a simple rumor.
… She jumped to conclusions after hearing a simple rumor.
B1 – 20 … get the ball rolling
… get the ball rolling
… Let’s get the ball rolling with a simple idea.
… A basic introduction will get the ball rolling.
… get the ball rolling is To start something, especially a project or activity.
… get the ball rolling
/ get the ball rolling
… Let’s get the ball rolling with a simple idea.
/ Let’s get the ball rolling with a simple idea.
… Let’s get the ball rolling with a simple idea.
… A basic introduction will get the ball rolling.
/ A basic introduction will get the ball rolling.
… A basic introduction will get the ball rolling.
B1 – 21 … put up with
… put up with
… I can’t put up with this constant noise.
… She put up with a common problem for years.
… put up with is To tolerate something unpleasant.
… put up with
/ put up with
… I can’t put up with this constant noise.
/ I can’t put up with this constant noise.
… I can’t put up with this constant noise.
… She put up with a common problem for years.
/ She put up with a common problem for years.
… She put up with a common problem for years.
B1 – 22 … go along with
… go along with
… I’ll go along with your simple plan.
… They went along with the basic suggestion.
… go along with is To agree or cooperate with someone’s idea.
… go along with
/ go along with
… I’ll go along with your simple plan.
/ I’ll go along with your simple plan.
… I’ll go along with your simple plan.
… They went along with the basic suggestion.
/ They went along with the basic suggestion.
… They went along with the basic suggestion.
B1 – 23 … hold up
… hold up
… The old bridge still holds up well.
… His basic explanation didn’t hold up under pressure.
… hold up is To delay or to remain strong.
… hold up
/ hold up
… The old bridge still holds up well.
/ The old bridge still holds up well.
… The old bridge still holds up well.
… His basic explanation didn’t hold up under pressure.
/ His basic explanation didn’t hold up under pressure.
… His basic explanation didn’t hold up under pressure.
B1 – 24 … back down
… back down
… He refused to back down from his strong opinion.
… She backed down after hearing a clear argument.
… back down is To withdraw a claim or stop arguing.
… back down
/ back down
… He refused to back down from his strong opinion.
/ He refused to back down from his strong opinion.
… He refused to back down from his strong opinion.
… She backed down after hearing a clear argument.
/ She backed down after hearing a clear argument.
… She backed down after hearing a clear argument.
B1 – 25 … hand over
… hand over
… Please hand over the important documents.
… He handed over a simple report to the manager.
… hand over is To give something to someone else.
… hand over
/ hand over
… Please hand over the important documents.
/ Please hand over the important documents.
… Please hand over the important documents.
… He handed over a simple report to the manager.
/ He handed over a simple report to the manager.
… He handed over a simple report to the manager.
B1 – 26 … cut down on
… cut down on
… I want to cut down on sweet snacks.
… She cut down on common mistakes by practicing more.
… cut down on is To reduce the amount of something.
… cut down on
/ cut down on
… I want to cut down on sweet snacks.
/ I want to cut down on sweet snacks.
… I want to cut down on sweet snacks.
… She cut down on common mistakes by practicing more.
/ She cut down on common mistakes by practicing more.
… She cut down on common mistakes by practicing more.
B1 – 27 … fall through
… fall through
… Our big plan fell through at the last minute.
… The simple idea fell through because of a small error.
… fall through is To fail to happen.
… fall through
/ fall through
… Our big plan fell through at the last minute.
/ Our big plan fell through at the last minute.
… Our big plan fell through at the last minute.
… The simple idea fell through because of a small error.
/ The simple idea fell through because of a small error.
… The simple idea fell through because of a small error.
B1 – 28 … fall behind
… fall behind
… He fell behind after a busy month.
… She fell behind in her basic training.
… fall behind is To not keep up with others.
… fall behind
/ fall behind
… He fell behind after a busy month.
/ He fell behind after a busy month.
… He fell behind after a busy month.
… She fell behind in her basic training.
/ She fell behind in her basic training.
… She fell behind in her basic training.
B1 – 29 … call into question
… call into question
… The results call into question the main theory.
… His behavior called into question a common belief.
… call into question is To make people doubt something.
… call into question
/ call into question
… The results call into question the main theory.
/ The results call into question the main theory.
… The results call into question the main theory.
… His behavior called into question a common belief.
/ His behavior called into question a common belief.
… His behavior called into question a common belief.
B1 – 30 … lose sight of
… lose sight of
… Don’t lose sight of your main goals.
… She lost sight of the simple reason she started.
… lose sight of is To forget something important.
… lose sight of
/ lose sight of
… Don’t lose sight of your main goals.
/ Don’t lose sight of your main goals.
… Don’t lose sight of your main goals.
… She lost sight of the simple reason she started.
/ She lost sight of the simple reason she started.
… She lost sight of the simple reason she started.
B1 – 31 … keep track of
… keep track of
… It’s hard to keep track of daily tasks.
… I keep track of my basic expenses every week.
… keep track of is To monitor or follow the progress of something.
… keep track of
/ keep track of
… It’s hard to keep track of daily tasks.
/ It’s hard to keep track of daily tasks.
… It’s hard to keep track of daily tasks.
… I keep track of my basic expenses every week.
/ I keep track of my basic expenses every week.
… I keep track of my basic expenses every week.
B1 – 32 … burn the midnight oil
… burn the midnight oil
… He burned the midnight oil to finish the important project.
… She burned the midnight oil before the big exam.
… burn the midnight oil is To work late into the night.
… burn the midnight oil
/ burn the midnight oil
… He burned the midnight oil to finish the important project.
/ He burned the midnight oil to finish the important project.
… He burned the midnight oil to finish the important project.
… She burned the midnight oil before the big exam.
/ She burned the midnight oil before the big exam.
… She burned the midnight oil before the big exam.
B1 – 33 … throw in the towel
… throw in the towel
… After many hard attempts, he threw in the towel.
… She threw in the towel during a simple challenge.
… throw in the towel is To give up.
… throw in the towel
/ throw in the towel
… After many hard attempts, he threw in the towel.
/ After many hard attempts, he threw in the towel.
… After many hard attempts, he threw in the towel.
… She threw in the towel during a simple challenge.
/ She threw in the towel during a simple challenge.
… She threw in the towel during a simple challenge.
B1 – 34 … face the music
… face the music
… He had to face the music after the major mistake.
… She faced the music for a common error.
… face the music is To accept the consequences of your actions.
… face the music
/ face the music
… He had to face the music after the major mistake.
/ He had to face the music after the major mistake.
… He had to face the music after the major mistake.
… She faced the music for a common error.
/ She faced the music for a common error.
… She faced the music for a common error.
B1 – 35 … go the extra mile
… go the extra mile
… She always goes the extra mile to deliver high quality work.
… He went the extra mile on a basic task.
… go the extra mile is To make extra effort beyond what is expected.
… go the extra mile
/ go the extra mile
… She always goes the extra mile to deliver high quality work.
/ She always goes the extra mile to deliver high quality work.
… She always goes the extra mile to deliver high quality work.
… He went the extra mile on a basic task.
/ He went the extra mile on a basic task.
… He went the extra mile on a basic task.
B1 – 36 … make ends meet
… make ends meet
… It’s hard to make ends meet with a low salary.
… They struggled to make ends meet during a tough year.
… make ends meet is To manage to live on the money you have.
… make ends meet
/ make ends meet
… It’s hard to make ends meet with a low salary.
/ It’s hard to make ends meet with a low salary.
… It’s hard to make ends meet with a low salary.
… They struggled to make ends meet during a tough year.
/ They struggled to make ends meet during a tough year.
… They struggled to make ends meet during a tough year.
B1 – 37 … take advantage of
… take advantage of
… You should take advantage of this special chance.
… He took advantage of a simple opportunity.
… take advantage of is To use something or someone for your benefit.
… take advantage of
/ take advantage of
… You should take advantage of this special chance.
/ You should take advantage of this special chance.
… You should take advantage of this special chance.
… He took advantage of a simple opportunity.
/ He took advantage of a simple opportunity.
… He took advantage of a simple opportunity.
B1 – 38 … take into account
… take into account
… Please take into account the main factors.
… We must take into account the basic needs of everyone.
… take into account is To consider something when making a decision.
… take into account
/ take into account
… Please take into account the main factors.
/ Please take into account the main factors.
… Please take into account the main factors.
… We must take into account the basic needs of everyone.
/ We must take into account the basic needs of everyone.
… We must take into account the basic needs of everyone.
B1 – 39 … draw the line
… draw the line
… She drew the line after a serious problem.
… I need to draw the line at this common issue.
… draw the line is To set a limit on what you will accept.
… draw the line
/ draw the line
… She drew the line after a serious problem.
/ She drew the line after a serious problem.
… She drew the line after a serious problem.
… I need to draw the line at this common issue.
/ I need to draw the line at this common issue.
… I need to draw the line at this common issue.
B1 – 40 … come down to
… come down to
… It all comes down to one simple choice.
… The decision comes down to a basic question.
… come down to is To be essentially about something.
… come down to
/ come down to
… It all comes down to one simple choice.
/ It all comes down to one simple choice.
… It all comes down to one simple choice.
… The decision comes down to a basic question.
/ The decision comes down to a basic question.
… The decision comes down to a basic question.
B1 – 41 … by all means
… by all means
… By all means, use the simple tools if you need them.
… By all means, join our small event.
… by all means is Absolutely; certainly; go ahead.
… by all means
/ by all means
… By all means, use the simple tools if you need them.
/ By all means, use the simple tools if you need them.
… By all means, use the simple tools if you need them.
… By all means, join our small event.
/ By all means, join our small event.
… By all means, join our small event.
B1 – 42 … all of a sudden
… all of a sudden
… All of a sudden, the quiet room became noisy.
… All of a sudden, a simple idea came to me.
… all of a sudden is Very suddenly.
… all of a sudden
/ all of a sudden
… All of a sudden, the quiet room became noisy.
/ All of a sudden, the quiet room became noisy.
… All of a sudden, the quiet room became noisy.
… All of a sudden, a simple idea came to me.
/ All of a sudden, a simple idea came to me.
… All of a sudden, a simple idea came to me.
B1 – 43 … out of the blue
… out of the blue
… Out of the blue, he called after a long time.
… She appeared out of the blue during a casual meeting.
… out of the blue is Unexpectedly.
… out of the blue
/ out of the blue
… Out of the blue, he called after a long time.
/ Out of the blue, he called after a long time.
… Out of the blue, he called after a long time.
… She appeared out of the blue during a casual meeting.
/ She appeared out of the blue during a casual meeting.
… She appeared out of the blue during a casual meeting.
B1 – 44 … for good
… for good
… He moved to the small town for good.
… She quit her old job for good.
… for good is Permanently.
… for good
/ for good
… He moved to the small town for good.
/ He moved to the small town for good.
… He moved to the small town for good.
… She quit her old job for good.
/ She quit her old job for good.
… She quit her old job for good.
B1 – 45 … in the long run
… in the long run
… In the long run, a simple habit can change your life.
… In the long run, basic skills matter the most.
… in the long run is Over a long period of time.
… in the long run
/ in the long run
… In the long run, a simple habit can change your life.
/ In the long run, a simple habit can change your life.
… In the long run, a simple habit can change your life.
… In the long run, basic skills matter the most.
/ In the long run, basic skills matter the most.
… In the long run, basic skills matter the most.
B1 – 46 … in light of
… in light of
… In light of the recent news, we changed the plan.
… In light of the main issue, we made a new rule.
… in light of is Considering something.
… in light of
/ in light of
… In light of the recent news, we changed the plan.
/ In light of the recent news, we changed the plan.
… In light of the recent news, we changed the plan.
… In light of the main issue, we made a new rule.
/ In light of the main issue, we made a new rule.
… In light of the main issue, we made a new rule.
B1 – 47 … on behalf of
… on behalf of
… I spoke on behalf of the whole team.
… She accepted the award on behalf of her small group.
… on behalf of is As a representative of someone.
… on behalf of
/ on behalf of
… I spoke on behalf of the whole team.
/ I spoke on behalf of the whole team.
… I spoke on behalf of the whole team.
… She accepted the award on behalf of her small group.
/ She accepted the award on behalf of her small group.
… She accepted the award on behalf of her small group.
B1 – 48 … at times
… at times
… At times, even simple tasks feel difficult.
… At times, a basic idea can solve everything.
… at times is Sometimes.
… at times
/ at times
… At times, even simple tasks feel difficult.
/ At times, even simple tasks feel difficult.
… At times, even simple tasks feel difficult.
… At times, a basic idea can solve everything.
/ At times, a basic idea can solve everything.
… At times, a basic idea can solve everything.
B1 – 49 … for instance
… for instance
… Many common animals—cats, for instance—need daily care.
… Some simple tools, for instance a ruler, are useful.
… for instance is For example.
… for instance
/ for instance
… Many common animals—cats, for instance—need daily care.
/ Many common animals—cats, for instance—need daily care.
… Many common animals—cats, for instance—need daily care.
… Some simple tools, for instance a ruler, are useful.
/ Some simple tools, for instance a ruler, are useful.
… Some simple tools, for instance a ruler, are useful.
B1 – 50 … no wonder
… no wonder
… He studied hard, so no wonder he passed.
… The weather was terrible, so no wonder the event was canceled.
… no wonder is It is not surprising.
… no wonder
/ no wonder
… He studied hard, so no wonder he passed.
/ He studied hard, so no wonder he passed.
… He studied hard, so no wonder he passed.
… The weather was terrible, so no wonder the event was canceled.
/ The weather was terrible, so no wonder the event was canceled.
… The weather was terrible, so no wonder the event was canceled.
