B1 … easy does it
… easy does it
… Easy does it! That box is full of glass.
… Easy does it. There’s no need to rush.
… easy does it used to tell someone to do something slowly and carefully.
… easy does it
/ easy does it
… Easy does it! That box is full of glass.
/ Easy does it! That box is full of glass.
… Easy does it! That box is full of glass.
… Easy does it. There’s no need to rush.
/ Easy does it. There’s no need to rush.
… Easy does it. There’s no need to rush.
B2 … have an edge on
… have an edge on
… Our team has an edge on the competition because of its experience.
… She has an edge on other candidates thanks to her language skills.
… have an edge on to have an advantage over someone or something.
… have an edge on
/ have an edge on
… Our team has an edge on the competition because of its experience.
/ Our team has an edge on the competition because of its experience.
… Our team has an edge on the competition because of its experience.
… She has an edge on other candidates thanks to her language skills.
/ She has an edge on other candidates thanks to her language skills.
… She has an edge on other candidates thanks to her language skills.
B3 … on edge
… on edge
… Everyone was on edge before the exam results were announced.
… The strange noise kept me on edge all night.
… on edge nervous, anxious, or easily irritated.
… on edge
/ on edge
… Everyone was on edge before the exam results were announced.
/ Everyone was on edge before the exam results were announced.
… Everyone was on edge before the exam results were announced.
… The strange noise kept me on edge all night.
/ The strange noise kept me on edge all night.
… The strange noise kept me on edge all night.
B4 … out of one’s element
… out of one’s element
… I felt out of my element at the formal dinner.
… He’s out of his element when discussing art.
… out of one’s element in an unfamiliar situation where one feels uncomfortable.
… out of one’s element
/ out of one’s element
… I felt out of my element at the formal dinner.
/ I felt out of my element at the formal dinner.
… I felt out of my element at the formal dinner.
… He’s out of his element when discussing art.
/ He’s out of his element when discussing art.
… He’s out of his element when discussing art.
B5 … on an expense account
… on an expense account
… The salesman traveled across Europe on an expense account.
… They enjoyed expensive meals on the company’s expense account.
… on an expense account with costs paid by an employer or organization.
… on an expense account
/ on an expense account
… The salesman traveled across Europe on an expense account.
/ The salesman traveled across Europe on an expense account.
… The salesman traveled across Europe on an expense account.
… They enjoyed expensive meals on the company’s expense account.
/ They enjoyed expensive meals on the company’s expense account.
… They enjoyed expensive meals on the company’s expense account.
B6 … in the eye of the beholder
… in the eye of the beholder
… Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
… What looks boring to one person may be fascinating in the eye of the beholder.
… in the eye of the beholder dependent on personal opinion or individual judgment.
… in the eye of the beholder
/ in the eye of the beholder
… Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
/ Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
… Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
… What looks boring to one person may be fascinating in the eye of the beholder.
/ What looks boring to one person may be fascinating in the eye of the beholder.
… What looks boring to one person may be fascinating in the eye of the beholder.
B7 … more than meets the eye
… more than meets the eye
… There is more to this story than meets the eye.
… The company appears successful, but there’s more than meets the eye.
… more than meets the eye having more importance, complexity, or meaning than is immediately apparent.
… more than meets the eye
/ more than meets the eye
… There is more to this story than meets the eye.
/ There is more to this story than meets the eye.
… There is more to this story than meets the eye.
… The company appears successful, but there’s more than meets the eye.
/ The company appears successful, but there’s more than meets the eye.
… The company appears successful, but there’s more than meets the eye.
B8 … save face
… save face
… He apologized publicly to save face.
… The compromise allowed both sides to save face.
… save face to avoid embarrassment or loss of respect.
… save face
/ save face
… He apologized publicly to save face.
/ He apologized publicly to save face.
… He apologized publicly to save face.
… The compromise allowed both sides to save face.
/ The compromise allowed both sides to save face.
… The compromise allowed both sides to save face.
B9 … fall back on
… fall back on
… If the business fails, he can fall back on his teaching qualification.
… She has savings to fall back on in an emergency.
… fall back on to depend on something when other options fail.
… fall back on
/ fall back on
… If the business fails, he can fall back on his teaching qualification.
/ If the business fails, he can fall back on his teaching qualification.
… If the business fails, he can fall back on his teaching qualification.
… She has savings to fall back on in an emergency.
/ She has savings to fall back on in an emergency.
… She has savings to fall back on in an emergency.
B10 … fall behind
… fall behind
… He fell behind in his studies after missing a week of school.
… The company is falling behind its competitors.
… fall behind to fail to keep up with others in work, study, or progress.
… fall behind
/ fall behind
… He fell behind in his studies after missing a week of school.
/ He fell behind in his studies after missing a week of school.
… He fell behind in his studies after missing a week of school.
… The company is falling behind its competitors.
/ The company is falling behind its competitors.
… The company is falling behind its competitors.
B11 … fall over backwards
… fall over backwards
… She fell over backwards to make her guests comfortable.
… We fell over backwards trying to help him succeed.
… fall over backwards to make an exceptional effort to help or please someone.
… fall over backwards
/ fall over backwards
… She fell over backwards to make her guests comfortable.
/ She fell over backwards to make her guests comfortable.
… She fell over backwards to make her guests comfortable.
… We fell over backwards trying to help him succeed.
/ We fell over backwards trying to help him succeed.
… We fell over backwards trying to help him succeed.
B12 … after a fashion
… after a fashion
… He repaired the car after a fashion, but it still had problems.
… She can speak French after a fashion.
… after a fashion in a way, although not very well or not completely.
… after a fashion
/ after a fashion
… He repaired the car after a fashion, but it still had problems.
/ He repaired the car after a fashion, but it still had problems.
… He repaired the car after a fashion, but it still had problems.
… She can speak French after a fashion.
/ She can speak French after a fashion.
… She can speak French after a fashion.
B13 … sit on the fence
… sit on the fence
… The senator sat on the fence during the debate.
… Stop sitting on the fence and make a decision.
… sit on the fence to avoid choosing a side in a disagreement or decision.
… sit on the fence
/ sit on the fence
… The senator sat on the fence during the debate.
/ The senator sat on the fence during the debate.
… The senator sat on the fence during the debate.
… Stop sitting on the fence and make a decision.
/ Stop sitting on the fence and make a decision.
… Stop sitting on the fence and make a decision.
B14 … fend for oneself
… fend for oneself
… After college, he had to fend for himself.
… The children were left to fend for themselves.
… fend for oneself to take care of oneself without help from others.
… fend for oneself
/ fend for oneself
… After college, he had to fend for himself.
/ After college, he had to fend for himself.
… After college, he had to fend for himself.
… The children were left to fend for themselves.
/ The children were left to fend for themselves.
… The children were left to fend for themselves.
B15 … ferret out
… ferret out
… Journalists ferreted out the truth behind the scandal.
… We managed to ferret out some useful information.
… ferret out to discover or uncover something through careful searching.
… ferret out
/ ferret out
… Journalists ferreted out the truth behind the scandal.
/ Journalists ferreted out the truth behind the scandal.
… Journalists ferreted out the truth behind the scandal.
… We managed to ferret out some useful information.
/ We managed to ferret out some useful information.
… We managed to ferret out some useful information.
B16 … field day
… field day
… The newspapers had a field day with the politician’s mistake.
… Critics had a field day attacking the new policy.
… field day a time of great opportunity, success, or enjoyment.
… field day
/ field day
… The newspapers had a field day with the politician’s mistake.
/ The newspapers had a field day with the politician’s mistake.
… The newspapers had a field day with the politician’s mistake.
… Critics had a field day attacking the new policy.
/ Critics had a field day attacking the new policy.
… Critics had a field day attacking the new policy.
B17 … figure on
… figure on
… We figure on arriving around noon.
… Don’t figure on getting any help from him.
… figure on to expect, plan, or rely on something.
… figure on
/ figure on
… We figure on arriving around noon.
/ We figure on arriving around noon.
… We figure on arriving around noon.
… Don’t figure on getting any help from him.
/ Don’t figure on getting any help from him.
… Don’t figure on getting any help from him.
B18 … fill ~ in on
… fill ~ in on
… Could you fill me in on what happened at the meeting?
… She filled us in on the latest developments.
… fill ~ in on to give someone information about something they have missed or do not know.
… fill ~ in on
/ fill ~ in on
… Could you fill me in on what happened at the meeting?
/ Could you fill me in on what happened at the meeting?
… Could you fill me in on what happened at the meeting?
… She filled us in on the latest developments.
/ She filled us in on the latest developments.
… She filled us in on the latest developments.
B19 … fish or cut bait
… fish or cut bait
… It’s time to fish or cut bait and make a decision.
… Stop hesitating and fish or cut bait.
… fish or cut bait to decide and take action, or stop wasting time.
… fish or cut bait
/ fish or cut bait
… It’s time to fish or cut bait and make a decision.
/ It’s time to fish or cut bait and make a decision.
… It’s time to fish or cut bait and make a decision.
… Stop hesitating and fish or cut bait.
/ Stop hesitating and fish or cut bait.
… Stop hesitating and fish or cut bait.
B20 … see fit
… see fit
… The manager saw fit to promote her.
… The court saw fit to reduce the sentence.
… see fit to consider something appropriate or acceptable to do.
… see fit
/ see fit
… The manager saw fit to promote her.
/ The manager saw fit to promote her.
… The manager saw fit to promote her.
… The court saw fit to reduce the sentence.
/ The court saw fit to reduce the sentence.
… The court saw fit to reduce the sentence.
B21 … a flash in the pan
… a flash in the pan
… Many thought the young singer would be a flash in the pan.
… The company’s early success was not just a flash in the pan.
… a flash in the pan a person or thing that is successful for only a short time.
… a flash in the pan
/ a flash in the pan
… Many thought the young singer would be a flash in the pan.
/ Many thought the young singer would be a flash in the pan.
… Many thought the young singer would be a flash in the pan.
… The company’s early success was not just a flash in the pan.
/ The company’s early success was not just a flash in the pan.
… The company’s early success was not just a flash in the pan.
B22 … fall flat
… fall flat
… His joke fell flat and nobody laughed.
… The proposal fell flat during the meeting.
… fall flat to fail to produce the intended effect or success.
… fall flat
/ fall flat
… His joke fell flat and nobody laughed.
/ His joke fell flat and nobody laughed.
… His joke fell flat and nobody laughed.
… The proposal fell flat during the meeting.
/ The proposal fell flat during the meeting.
… The proposal fell flat during the meeting.
B23 … flop
… flop
… The author’s new book was a flop.
… Despite heavy advertising, the movie was a flop.
… flop a complete failure, especially of a performance, event, or plan.
… flop
/ flop
… The author’s new book was a flop.
/ The author’s new book was a flop.
… The author’s new book was a flop.
… Despite heavy advertising, the movie was a flop.
/ Despite heavy advertising, the movie was a flop.
… Despite heavy advertising, the movie was a flop.
B24 … flunk out
… flunk out
… He flunked out of college in his second year.
… Several students flunked out because of poor attendance.
… flunk out to be forced to leave school because of poor academic performance.
… flunk out
/ flunk out
… He flunked out of college in his second year.
/ He flunked out of college in his second year.
… He flunked out of college in his second year.
… Several students flunked out because of poor attendance.
/ Several students flunked out because of poor attendance.
… Several students flunked out because of poor attendance.
B25 … flush it
… flush it
… We finally flushed it out of the bushes.
… Detectives worked hard to flush out the suspect.
… flush it to get rid of something completely or dispose of it.
… flush it
/ flush it
… We finally flushed it out of the bushes.
/ We finally flushed it out of the bushes.
… We finally flushed it out of the bushes.
… Detectives worked hard to flush out the suspect.
/ Detectives worked hard to flush out the suspect.
… Detectives worked hard to flush out the suspect.
B26 … fly-by-night
… fly-by-night
… Be careful dealing with fly-by-night companies.
… The scheme was promoted by a fly-by-night operator.
… fly-by-night unreliable or dishonest, especially in business activities.
… fly-by-night
/ fly-by-night
… Be careful dealing with fly-by-night companies.
/ Be careful dealing with fly-by-night companies.
… Be careful dealing with fly-by-night companies.
… The scheme was promoted by a fly-by-night operator.
/ The scheme was promoted by a fly-by-night operator.
… The scheme was promoted by a fly-by-night operator.
B27 … foot the bill
… foot the bill
… Her parents footed the bill for the wedding.
… Taxpayers will have to foot the bill for the project.
… foot the bill to pay the cost of something.
… foot the bill
/ foot the bill
… Her parents footed the bill for the wedding.
/ Her parents footed the bill for the wedding.
… Her parents footed the bill for the wedding.
… Taxpayers will have to foot the bill for the project.
/ Taxpayers will have to foot the bill for the project.
… Taxpayers will have to foot the bill for the project.
B28 … put one’s best foot forward
… put one’s best foot forward
… He put his best foot forward during the job interview.
… We need to put our best foot forward at the conference.
… put one’s best foot forward to make the best possible impression or effort.
… put one’s best foot forward
/ put one’s best foot forward
… He put his best foot forward during the job interview.
/ He put his best foot forward during the job interview.
… He put his best foot forward during the job interview.
… We need to put our best foot forward at the conference.
/ We need to put our best foot forward at the conference.
… We need to put our best foot forward at the conference.
B29 … freeload
… freeload
… He freeloaded off his friends for months.
… Don’t let people freeload at your expense.
… freeload to take advantage of others’ generosity without contributing anything.
… freeload
/ freeload
… He freeloaded off his friends for months.
/ He freeloaded off his friends for months.
… He freeloaded off his friends for months.
… Don’t let people freeload at your expense.
/ Don’t let people freeload at your expense.
… Don’t let people freeload at your expense.
B30 … have free rein
… have free rein
… The manager gave us free rein to develop new ideas.
… She had free rein to redesign the website.
… have free rein to have complete freedom to do what one wants.
… have free rein
/ have free rein
… The manager gave us free rein to develop new ideas.
/ The manager gave us free rein to develop new ideas.
… The manager gave us free rein to develop new ideas.
… She had free rein to redesign the website.
/ She had free rein to redesign the website.
… She had free rein to redesign the website.
B31 … put up a good front
… put up a good front
… He put up a good front despite his financial troubles.
… She put up a good front and hid her disappointment.
… put up a good front to appear confident or cheerful despite difficulties or worries.
… put up a good front
/ put up a good front
… He put up a good front despite his financial troubles.
/ He put up a good front despite his financial troubles.
… He put up a good front despite his financial troubles.
… She put up a good front and hid her disappointment.
/ She put up a good front and hid her disappointment.
… She put up a good front and hid her disappointment.
B32 … full of oneself
… full of oneself
… He’s so full of himself that he never listens to others.
… Don’t be so full of yourself just because you got promoted.
… full of oneself excessively proud or self-centered.
… full of oneself
/ full of oneself
… He’s so full of himself that he never listens to others.
/ He’s so full of himself that he never listens to others.
… He’s so full of himself that he never listens to others.
… Don’t be so full of yourself just because you got promoted.
/ Don’t be so full of yourself just because you got promoted.
… Don’t be so full of yourself just because you got promoted.
B33 … gate-crasher
… gate-crasher
… A gate-crasher slipped into the wedding reception.
… The party was crowded because several gate-crashers showed up.
… gate-crasher a person who attends an event without being invited.
… gate-crasher
/ gate-crasher
… A gate-crasher slipped into the wedding reception.
/ A gate-crasher slipped into the wedding reception.
… A gate-crasher slipped into the wedding reception.
… The party was crowded because several gate-crashers showed up.
/ The party was crowded because several gate-crashers showed up.
… The party was crowded because several gate-crashers showed up.
B34 … gloss over
… gloss over
… The report glossed over several serious problems.
… He tried to gloss over his mistake during the meeting.
… gloss over to avoid discussing something unpleasant or important in detail.
… gloss over
/ gloss over
… The report glossed over several serious problems.
/ The report glossed over several serious problems.
… The report glossed over several serious problems.
… He tried to gloss over his mistake during the meeting.
/ He tried to gloss over his mistake during the meeting.
… He tried to gloss over his mistake during the meeting.
B35 … go about
… go about
… How should we go about solving this problem?
… She went about her work quietly and efficiently.
… go about to begin or continue doing something in a particular way.
… go about
/ go about
… How should we go about solving this problem?
/ How should we go about solving this problem?
… How should we go about solving this problem?
… She went about her work quietly and efficiently.
/ She went about her work quietly and efficiently.
… She went about her work quietly and efficiently.
B36 … go along with
… go along with
… I don’t agree, but I’ll go along with the plan.
… They decided to go along with the committee’s recommendation.
… go along with to agree with or support someone or something.
… go along with
/ go along with
… I don’t agree, but I’ll go along with the plan.
/ I don’t agree, but I’ll go along with the plan.
… I don’t agree, but I’ll go along with the plan.
… They decided to go along with the committee’s recommendation.
/ They decided to go along with the committee’s recommendation.
… They decided to go along with the committee’s recommendation.
B37 … go down in history
… go down in history
… Neil Armstrong went down in history as the first person to walk on the moon.
… The speech went down in history as a turning point for the nation.
… go down in history to be remembered as an important event or person in history.
… go down in history
/ go down in history
… Neil Armstrong went down in history as the first person to walk on the moon.
/ Neil Armstrong went down in history as the first person to walk on the moon.
… Neil Armstrong went down in history as the first person to walk on the moon.
… The speech went down in history as a turning point for the nation.
/ The speech went down in history as a turning point for the nation.
… The speech went down in history as a turning point for the nation.
B38 … get one’s goat
… get one’s goat
… It really gets my goat when people are rude.
… Her constant complaining finally got his goat.
… get one’s goat to annoy or irritate someone.
… get one’s goat
/ get one’s goat
… It really gets my goat when people are rude.
/ It really gets my goat when people are rude.
… It really gets my goat when people are rude.
… Her constant complaining finally got his goat.
/ Her constant complaining finally got his goat.
… Her constant complaining finally got his goat.
B39 … go-getter
… go-getter
… She’s a real go-getter and always looks for new opportunities.
… The company prefers hiring go-getters.
… go-getter an energetic and ambitious person who works hard to achieve success.
… go-getter
/ go-getter
… She’s a real go-getter and always looks for new opportunities.
/ She’s a real go-getter and always looks for new opportunities.
… She’s a real go-getter and always looks for new opportunities.
… The company prefers hiring go-getters.
/ The company prefers hiring go-getters.
… The company prefers hiring go-getters.
B40 … make good on
… make good on
… The company made good on its promise to reduce emissions.
… He finally made good on his debt.
… make good on to fulfill or carry out a promise, obligation, or commitment.
… make good on
/ make good on
… The company made good on its promise to reduce emissions.
/ The company made good on its promise to reduce emissions.
… The company made good on its promise to reduce emissions.
… He finally made good on his debt.
/ He finally made good on his debt.
… He finally made good on his debt.
B41 … good day
… good day
… Good day, sir. It’s nice to see you again.
… He wished everyone a good day before leaving.
… good day an expression used to greet someone or say goodbye politely.
… good day
/ good day
… Good day, sir. It’s nice to see you again.
/ Good day, sir. It’s nice to see you again.
… Good day, sir. It’s nice to see you again.
… He wished everyone a good day before leaving.
/ He wished everyone a good day before leaving.
… He wished everyone a good day before leaving.
B42 … go together
… go together
… Those shoes go together perfectly with your jacket.
… Success and hard work often go together.
… go together to match well or be suitable when combined.
… go together
/ go together
… Those shoes go together perfectly with your jacket.
/ Those shoes go together perfectly with your jacket.
… Those shoes go together perfectly with your jacket.
… Success and hard work often go together.
/ Success and hard work often go together.
… Success and hard work often go together.
B43 … against the grain
… against the grain
… It goes against the grain for him to ask for help.
… Working in such a rigid system was against the grain.
… against the grain contrary to one’s natural feelings, beliefs, or habits.
… against the grain
/ against the grain
… It goes against the grain for him to ask for help.
/ It goes against the grain for him to ask for help.
… It goes against the grain for him to ask for help.
… Working in such a rigid system was against the grain.
/ Working in such a rigid system was against the grain.
… Working in such a rigid system was against the grain.
B44 … greasy spoon
… greasy spoon
… We stopped at a greasy spoon for breakfast.
… That old greasy spoon serves surprisingly good food.
… greasy spoon a small, inexpensive restaurant, often serving simple food.
… greasy spoon
/ greasy spoon
… We stopped at a greasy spoon for breakfast.
/ We stopped at a greasy spoon for breakfast.
… We stopped at a greasy spoon for breakfast.
… That old greasy spoon serves surprisingly good food.
/ That old greasy spoon serves surprisingly good food.
… That old greasy spoon serves surprisingly good food.
B45 … split hairs
… split hairs
… Let’s not split hairs over minor differences.
… They’re splitting hairs about the wording of the contract.
… split hairs to argue about very small details or unimportant differences.
… split hairs
/ split hairs
… Let’s not split hairs over minor differences.
/ Let’s not split hairs over minor differences.
… Let’s not split hairs over minor differences.
… They’re splitting hairs about the wording of the contract.
/ They’re splitting hairs about the wording of the contract.
… They’re splitting hairs about the wording of the contract.
B46 … give ~ one’s hand on
… give ~ one’s hand on
… I’d give my right hand for a chance to meet her.
… He said he’d give his right hand to be young again.
… give ~ one’s hand on to assure someone of something by giving one’s word or promise.
… give ~ one’s hand on
/ give ~ one’s hand on
… I’d give my right hand for a chance to meet her.
/ I’d give my right hand for a chance to meet her.
… I’d give my right hand for a chance to meet her.
… He said he’d give his right hand to be young again.
/ He said he’d give his right hand to be young again.
… He said he’d give his right hand to be young again.
B47 … on one’s hands
… on one’s hands
… We have a lot of extra inventory on our hands.
… She suddenly found herself with too much free time on her hands.
… on one’s hands under one’s responsibility or requiring one’s attention.
… on one’s hands
/ on one’s hands
… We have a lot of extra inventory on our hands.
/ We have a lot of extra inventory on our hands.
… We have a lot of extra inventory on our hands.
… She suddenly found herself with too much free time on her hands.
/ She suddenly found herself with too much free time on her hands.
… She suddenly found herself with too much free time on her hands.
B48 … hand over fist
… hand over fist
… The company was making money hand over fist.
… During the boom, investors earned profits hand over fist.
… hand over fist rapidly and in large amounts, especially regarding money or profit.
… hand over fist
/ hand over fist
… The company was making money hand over fist.
/ The company was making money hand over fist.
… The company was making money hand over fist.
… During the boom, investors earned profits hand over fist.
/ During the boom, investors earned profits hand over fist.
… During the boom, investors earned profits hand over fist.
B49 … fly off the handle
… fly off the handle
… Dad flew off the handle when he heard the news.
… She tends to fly off the handle over small mistakes.
… fly off the handle to suddenly become very angry.
… fly off the handle
/ fly off the handle
… Dad flew off the handle when he heard the news.
/ Dad flew off the handle when he heard the news.
… Dad flew off the handle when he heard the news.
… She tends to fly off the handle over small mistakes.
/ She tends to fly off the handle over small mistakes.
… She tends to fly off the handle over small mistakes.
B50 … have it out
… have it out
… We finally had it out and resolved our differences.
… She decided to have it out with her roommate over the noise.
… have it out to discuss a problem openly and thoroughly in order to settle it.
… have it out
/ have it out
… We finally had it out and resolved our differences.
/ We finally had it out and resolved our differences.
… We finally had it out and resolved our differences.
… She decided to have it out with her roommate over the noise.
/ She decided to have it out with her roommate over the noise.
… She decided to have it out with her roommate over the noise.
