C1 … off the top of one’s head
… off the top of one’s head
… Off the top of my head, I can’t think of a better solution.
… I don’t know the exact number off the top of my head.
… off the top of one’s head without careful thought or preparation.
… off the top of one’s head
/ off the top of one’s head
… Off the top of my head, I can’t think of a better solution.
/ Off the top of my head, I can’t think of a better solution.
… Off the top of my head, I can’t think of a better solution.
… I don’t know the exact number off the top of my head.
/ I don’t know the exact number off the top of my head.
… I don’t know the exact number off the top of my head.
C2 … head over heels
… head over heels
… He fell head over heels in love with her.
… She was head over heels about her new job.
… head over heels deeply and completely in love.
… head over heels
/ head over heels
… He fell head over heels in love with her.
/ He fell head over heels in love with her.
… He fell head over heels in love with her.
… She was head over heels about her new job.
/ She was head over heels about her new job.
… She was head over heels about her new job.
C3 … count heads
… count heads
… Let’s count heads before we leave.
… The teacher counted heads to make sure no student was missing.
… count heads to count the number of people present.
… count heads
/ count heads
… Let’s count heads before we leave.
/ Let’s count heads before we leave.
… Let’s count heads before we leave.
… The teacher counted heads to make sure no student was missing.
/ The teacher counted heads to make sure no student was missing.
… The teacher counted heads to make sure no student was missing.
C4 … after one’s own heart
… after one’s own heart
… A person who loves books is a man after my own heart.
… She’s a woman after my own heart because she enjoys hiking.
… after one’s own heart having qualities or interests that one greatly admires.
… after one’s own heart
/ after one’s own heart
… A person who loves books is a man after my own heart.
/ A person who loves books is a man after my own heart.
… A person who loves books is a man after my own heart.
… She’s a woman after my own heart because she enjoys hiking.
/ She’s a woman after my own heart because she enjoys hiking.
… She’s a woman after my own heart because she enjoys hiking.
C5 … Cross one’s heart!
… Cross one’s heart!
… Cross my heart, I didn’t tell anyone your secret.
… Cross my heart, I’ll be there on time.
… Cross one’s heart! an expression used to promise that one is telling the truth.
… Cross one’s heart!
/ Cross one’s heart!
… Cross my heart, I didn’t tell anyone your secret.
/ Cross my heart, I didn’t tell anyone your secret.
… Cross my heart, I didn’t tell anyone your secret.
… Cross my heart, I’ll be there on time.
/ Cross my heart, I’ll be there on time.
… Cross my heart, I’ll be there on time.
C6 … have one’s heart set on
… have one’s heart set on
… She has her heart set on studying abroad.
… He had his heart set on becoming a pilot.
… have one’s heart set on to strongly desire or be determined to get something.
… have one’s heart set on
/ have one’s heart set on
… She has her heart set on studying abroad.
/ She has her heart set on studying abroad.
… She has her heart set on studying abroad.
… He had his heart set on becoming a pilot.
/ He had his heart set on becoming a pilot.
… He had his heart set on becoming a pilot.
C7 … take ~ to heart
… take ~ to heart
… Don’t take his criticism to heart.
… She took the advice to heart and improved her performance.
… take ~ to heart to be deeply affected by something that is said or done.
… take ~ to heart
/ take ~ to heart
… Don’t take his criticism to heart.
/ Don’t take his criticism to heart.
… Don’t take his criticism to heart.
… She took the advice to heart and improved her performance.
/ She took the advice to heart and improved her performance.
… She took the advice to heart and improved her performance.
C8 … raise hell
… raise hell
… The customers raised hell about the poor service.
… Father raised hell when he discovered the damaged car.
… raise hell to cause trouble, make a loud disturbance, or become very angry.
… raise hell
/ raise hell
… The customers raised hell about the poor service.
/ The customers raised hell about the poor service.
… The customers raised hell about the poor service.
… Father raised hell when he discovered the damaged car.
/ Father raised hell when he discovered the damaged car.
… Father raised hell when he discovered the damaged car.
C9 … So help me.
… So help me.
… So help me, I’m telling the truth.
… I’ll finish this project by tomorrow, so help me.
… So help me. an expression used to emphasize that one is telling the truth or making a sincere promise.
… So help me.
/ So help me.
… So help me, I’m telling the truth.
/ So help me, I’m telling the truth.
… So help me, I’m telling the truth.
… I’ll finish this project by tomorrow, so help me.
/ I’ll finish this project by tomorrow, so help me.
… I’ll finish this project by tomorrow, so help me.
C10 … high-handed
… high-handed
… The manager was criticized for his high-handed attitude.
… The government took a high-handed approach to the issue.
… high-handed using power in an unfair, arrogant, or forceful way.
… high-handed
/ high-handed
… The manager was criticized for his high-handed attitude.
/ The manager was criticized for his high-handed attitude.
… The manager was criticized for his high-handed attitude.
… The government took a high-handed approach to the issue.
/ The government took a high-handed approach to the issue.
… The government took a high-handed approach to the issue.
C11 … high-hat
… high-hat
… She tends to high-hat people who disagree with her.
… Don’t high-hat your coworkers just because you’re successful.
… high-hat to treat others in a superior or disrespectful manner.
… high-hat
/ high-hat
… She tends to high-hat people who disagree with her.
/ She tends to high-hat people who disagree with her.
… She tends to high-hat people who disagree with her.
… Don’t high-hat your coworkers just because you’re successful.
/ Don’t high-hat your coworkers just because you’re successful.
… Don’t high-hat your coworkers just because you’re successful.
C12 … over the hill
… over the hill
… He jokes that he’s over the hill now that he’s turned fifty.
… Some people think athletes are over the hill at forty.
… over the hill past one’s prime; no longer young.
… over the hill
/ over the hill
… He jokes that he’s over the hill now that he’s turned fifty.
/ He jokes that he’s over the hill now that he’s turned fifty.
… He jokes that he’s over the hill now that he’s turned fifty.
… Some people think athletes are over the hill at forty.
/ Some people think athletes are over the hill at forty.
… Some people think athletes are over the hill at forty.
C13 … hit it off
… hit it off
… We hit it off the moment we met.
… Tom and Sarah really hit it off at the party.
… hit it off to become friendly with someone immediately.
… hit it off
/ hit it off
… We hit it off the moment we met.
/ We hit it off the moment we met.
… We hit it off the moment we met.
… Tom and Sarah really hit it off at the party.
/ Tom and Sarah really hit it off at the party.
… Tom and Sarah really hit it off at the party.
C14 … go the whole hog
… go the whole hog
… If we’re going to renovate the kitchen, let’s go the whole hog.
… They went the whole hog and bought the most expensive package.
… go the whole hog to do something completely and thoroughly.
… go the whole hog
/ go the whole hog
… If we’re going to renovate the kitchen, let’s go the whole hog.
/ If we’re going to renovate the kitchen, let’s go the whole hog.
… If we’re going to renovate the kitchen, let’s go the whole hog.
… They went the whole hog and bought the most expensive package.
/ They went the whole hog and bought the most expensive package.
… They went the whole hog and bought the most expensive package.
C15 … hold down
… hold down
… She works hard to hold down two jobs.
… The company is trying to hold down costs.
… hold down to keep a job, position, or responsibility successfully.
… hold down
/ hold down
… She works hard to hold down two jobs.
/ She works hard to hold down two jobs.
… She works hard to hold down two jobs.
… The company is trying to hold down costs.
/ The company is trying to hold down costs.
… The company is trying to hold down costs.
C16 … Hold it!
… Hold it!
… Hold it! I think you dropped your wallet.
… Hold it! There’s something you need to know first.
… Hold it! an expression used to tell someone to stop or wait.
… Hold it!
/ Hold it!
… Hold it! I think you dropped your wallet.
/ Hold it! I think you dropped your wallet.
… Hold it! I think you dropped your wallet.
… Hold it! There’s something you need to know first.
/ Hold it! There’s something you need to know first.
… Hold it! There’s something you need to know first.
C17 … hold on
… hold on
… Hold on a minute while I check the schedule.
… Hold on to your dreams no matter what happens.
… hold on to wait for a short time or to maintain one’s grip.
… hold on
/ hold on
… Hold on a minute while I check the schedule.
/ Hold on a minute while I check the schedule.
… Hold on a minute while I check the schedule.
… Hold on to your dreams no matter what happens.
/ Hold on to your dreams no matter what happens.
… Hold on to your dreams no matter what happens.
C18 … hang up
… hang up
… Don’t hang up. I need to tell you something important.
… He hung up before I could answer his question.
… hang up to end a telephone call; also, to hang something on a hook.
… hang up
/ hang up
… Don’t hang up. I need to tell you something important.
/ Don’t hang up. I need to tell you something important.
… Don’t hang up. I need to tell you something important.
… He hung up before I could answer his question.
/ He hung up before I could answer his question.
… He hung up before I could answer his question.
C19 … hot air
… hot air
… The candidate’s speech was full of hot air.
… That’s just hot air. He has no intention of doing it.
… hot air foolish talk or meaningless boasting.
… hot air
/ hot air
… The candidate’s speech was full of hot air.
/ The candidate’s speech was full of hot air.
… The candidate’s speech was full of hot air.
… That’s just hot air. He has no intention of doing it.
/ That’s just hot air. He has no intention of doing it.
… That’s just hot air. He has no intention of doing it.
C20 … on the hour
… on the hour
… The train leaves on the hour.
… The news is broadcast on the hour every hour.
… on the hour exactly at the beginning of an hour.
… on the hour
/ on the hour
… The train leaves on the hour.
/ The train leaves on the hour.
… The train leaves on the hour.
… The news is broadcast on the hour every hour.
/ The news is broadcast on the hour every hour.
… The news is broadcast on the hour every hour.
C21 … on the house
… on the house
… Your dessert is on the house tonight.
… The restaurant offered drinks on the house.
… on the house provided free of charge by the business or host.
… on the house
/ on the house
… Your dessert is on the house tonight.
/ Your dessert is on the house tonight.
… Your dessert is on the house tonight.
… The restaurant offered drinks on the house.
/ The restaurant offered drinks on the house.
… The restaurant offered drinks on the house.
C22 … break the ice
… break the ice
… He told a joke to break the ice.
… Games can help students break the ice on the first day of class.
… break the ice to do or say something that makes people feel more relaxed in a social situation.
… break the ice
/ break the ice
… He told a joke to break the ice.
/ He told a joke to break the ice.
… He told a joke to break the ice.
… Games can help students break the ice on the first day of class.
/ Games can help students break the ice on the first day of class.
… Games can help students break the ice on the first day of class.
C23 … budge an inch
… budge an inch
… She wouldn’t budge an inch from her position.
… The stubborn mule wouldn’t budge an inch.
… budge an inch to change one’s position or opinion even slightly.
… budge an inch
/ budge an inch
… She wouldn’t budge an inch from her position.
/ She wouldn’t budge an inch from her position.
… She wouldn’t budge an inch from her position.
… The stubborn mule wouldn’t budge an inch.
/ The stubborn mule wouldn’t budge an inch.
… The stubborn mule wouldn’t budge an inch.
C24 … in a jam
… in a jam
… I’m in a jam and need your help.
… We got in a jam after missing the last train home.
… in a jam in trouble or in a difficult situation.
… in a jam
/ in a jam
… I’m in a jam and need your help.
/ I’m in a jam and need your help.
… I’m in a jam and need your help.
… We got in a jam after missing the last train home.
/ We got in a jam after missing the last train home.
… We got in a jam after missing the last train home.
C25 … go jump in the lake
… go jump in the lake
… If you don’t like my idea, you can go jump in the lake.
… He got angry and told me to go jump in the lake.
… go jump in the lake an impolite expression telling someone to go away or stop bothering you.
… go jump in the lake
/ go jump in the lake
… If you don’t like my idea, you can go jump in the lake.
/ If you don’t like my idea, you can go jump in the lake.
… If you don’t like my idea, you can go jump in the lake.
… He got angry and told me to go jump in the lake.
/ He got angry and told me to go jump in the lake.
… He got angry and told me to go jump in the lake.
C26 … jump the queue
… jump the queue
… It’s rude to jump the queue.
… A man tried to jump the queue and everyone complained.
… jump the queue to move ahead of others in line before it is your turn.
… jump the queue
/ jump the queue
… It’s rude to jump the queue.
/ It’s rude to jump the queue.
… It’s rude to jump the queue.
… A man tried to jump the queue and everyone complained.
/ A man tried to jump the queue and everyone complained.
… A man tried to jump the queue and everyone complained.
C27 … for keeps
… for keeps
… If I lend you this book, are you keeping it for keeps?
… They were playing for keeps in the championship game.
… for keeps permanently; not intended to be returned.
… for keeps
/ for keeps
… If I lend you this book, are you keeping it for keeps?
/ If I lend you this book, are you keeping it for keeps?
… If I lend you this book, are you keeping it for keeps?
… They were playing for keeps in the championship game.
/ They were playing for keeps in the championship game.
… They were playing for keeps in the championship game.
C28 … get a kick out of
… get a kick out of
… I get a kick out of watching old comedy shows.
… She gets a kick out of making people laugh.
… get a kick out of to enjoy or find great amusement in something.
… get a kick out of
/ get a kick out of
… I get a kick out of watching old comedy shows.
/ I get a kick out of watching old comedy shows.
… I get a kick out of watching old comedy shows.
… She gets a kick out of making people laugh.
/ She gets a kick out of making people laugh.
… She gets a kick out of making people laugh.
C29 … kick ~ around
… kick ~ around
… We kicked the idea around before making a decision.
… The committee has been kicking around several proposals.
… kick ~ around to discuss or consider an idea informally.
… kick ~ around
/ kick ~ around
… We kicked the idea around before making a decision.
/ We kicked the idea around before making a decision.
… We kicked the idea around before making a decision.
… The committee has been kicking around several proposals.
/ The committee has been kicking around several proposals.
… The committee has been kicking around several proposals.
C30 … kick upstairs
… kick upstairs
… The company kicked him upstairs to an advisory position.
… After the scandal, he was kicked upstairs instead of being fired.
… kick upstairs to move someone to a higher position, often to remove them from real responsibility.
… kick upstairs
/ kick upstairs
… The company kicked him upstairs to an advisory position.
/ The company kicked him upstairs to an advisory position.
… The company kicked him upstairs to an advisory position.
… After the scandal, he was kicked upstairs instead of being fired.
/ After the scandal, he was kicked upstairs instead of being fired.
… After the scandal, he was kicked upstairs instead of being fired.
C31 … know ~ like the back of one’s hand
… know ~ like the back of one’s hand
… She knows Tokyo like the back of her hand.
… I know this neighborhood like the back of my hand.
… know ~ like the back of one’s hand to know something extremely well and in great detail.
… know ~ like the back of one’s hand
/ know ~ like the back of one’s hand
… She knows Tokyo like the back of her hand.
/ She knows Tokyo like the back of her hand.
… She knows Tokyo like the back of her hand.
… I know this neighborhood like the back of my hand.
/ I know this neighborhood like the back of my hand.
… I know this neighborhood like the back of my hand.
C32 … at large
… at large
… The suspect is still at large.
… A dangerous animal was reported at large in the area.
… at large free and not captured; also, generally affecting the public.
… at large
/ at large
… The suspect is still at large.
/ The suspect is still at large.
… The suspect is still at large.
… A dangerous animal was reported at large in the area.
/ A dangerous animal was reported at large in the area.
… A dangerous animal was reported at large in the area.
C33 … the lay of the land
… the lay of the land
… Before investing, we need to understand the lay of the land.
… Let me get the lay of the land before making a decision.
… the lay of the land the general situation or state of affairs.
… the lay of the land
/ the lay of the land
… Before investing, we need to understand the lay of the land.
/ Before investing, we need to understand the lay of the land.
… Before investing, we need to understand the lay of the land.
… Let me get the lay of the land before making a decision.
/ Let me get the lay of the land before making a decision.
… Let me get the lay of the land before making a decision.
C34 … shake a leg
… shake a leg
… Shake a leg or we’ll miss the train.
… Come on, shake a leg and get ready.
… shake a leg to hurry up or move faster.
… shake a leg
/ shake a leg
… Shake a leg or we’ll miss the train.
/ Shake a leg or we’ll miss the train.
… Shake a leg or we’ll miss the train.
… Come on, shake a leg and get ready.
/ Come on, shake a leg and get ready.
… Come on, shake a leg and get ready.
C35 … let out
… let out
… They let out a cheer when their team won.
… The school lets out at three o’clock.
… let out to allow someone to leave; also, to reveal a secret or make a sound.
… let out
/ let out
… They let out a cheer when their team won.
/ They let out a cheer when their team won.
… They let out a cheer when their team won.
… The school lets out at three o’clock.
/ The school lets out at three o’clock.
… The school lets out at three o’clock.
C36 … let up
… let up
… The rain finally let up in the evening.
… We can’t relax until the pressure lets up.
… let up to become less intense or stop temporarily.
… let up
/ let up
… The rain finally let up in the evening.
/ The rain finally let up in the evening.
… The rain finally let up in the evening.
… We can’t relax until the pressure lets up.
/ We can’t relax until the pressure lets up.
… We can’t relax until the pressure lets up.
C37 … level-headed
… level-headed
… She remained level-headed during the crisis.
… We need a level-headed leader in difficult times.
… level-headed calm, sensible, and able to make good judgments.
… level-headed
/ level-headed
… She remained level-headed during the crisis.
/ She remained level-headed during the crisis.
… She remained level-headed during the crisis.
… We need a level-headed leader in difficult times.
/ We need a level-headed leader in difficult times.
… We need a level-headed leader in difficult times.
C38 … level off
… level off
… Inflation has begun to level off.
… After rapid growth, sales leveled off.
… level off to stop rising or falling and remain steady.
… level off
/ level off
… Inflation has begun to level off.
/ Inflation has begun to level off.
… Inflation has begun to level off.
… After rapid growth, sales leveled off.
/ After rapid growth, sales leveled off.
… After rapid growth, sales leveled off.
C39 … draw a line somewhere
… draw a line somewhere
… I don’t mind helping, but I have to draw a line somewhere.
… Parents need to draw a line somewhere when setting rules.
… draw a line somewhere to set a limit on what one will accept or tolerate.
… draw a line somewhere
/ draw a line somewhere
… I don’t mind helping, but I have to draw a line somewhere.
/ I don’t mind helping, but I have to draw a line somewhere.
… I don’t mind helping, but I have to draw a line somewhere.
… Parents need to draw a line somewhere when setting rules.
/ Parents need to draw a line somewhere when setting rules.
… Parents need to draw a line somewhere when setting rules.
C40 … toe the line
… toe the line
… Employees are expected to toe the line.
… He refused to toe the line and resigned.
… toe the line to follow rules, standards, or instructions closely.
… toe the line
/ toe the line
… Employees are expected to toe the line.
/ Employees are expected to toe the line.
… Employees are expected to toe the line.
… He refused to toe the line and resigned.
/ He refused to toe the line and resigned.
… He refused to toe the line and resigned.
C41 … Keep a stiff upper lip.
… Keep a stiff upper lip.
… Keep a stiff upper lip and don’t give up.
… She kept a stiff upper lip despite the difficulties.
… Keep a stiff upper lip. remain calm and brave despite difficulties or emotional pain.
… Keep a stiff upper lip.
/ Keep a stiff upper lip.
… Keep a stiff upper lip and don’t give up.
/ Keep a stiff upper lip and don’t give up.
… Keep a stiff upper lip and don’t give up.
… She kept a stiff upper lip despite the difficulties.
/ She kept a stiff upper lip despite the difficulties.
… She kept a stiff upper lip despite the difficulties.
C42 … listen in on
… listen in on
… I accidentally listened in on their conversation.
… Reporters were accused of listening in on private calls.
… listen in on to listen to a conversation without being invited to take part.
… listen in on
/ listen in on
… I accidentally listened in on their conversation.
/ I accidentally listened in on their conversation.
… I accidentally listened in on their conversation.
… Reporters were accused of listening in on private calls.
/ Reporters were accused of listening in on private calls.
… Reporters were accused of listening in on private calls.
C43 … at loose ends
… at loose ends
… I’m at loose ends this weekend.
… After finishing the project, she felt at loose ends.
… at loose ends having nothing particular to do; lacking a clear plan or purpose.
… at loose ends
/ at loose ends
… I’m at loose ends this weekend.
/ I’m at loose ends this weekend.
… I’m at loose ends this weekend.
… After finishing the project, she felt at loose ends.
/ After finishing the project, she felt at loose ends.
… After finishing the project, she felt at loose ends.
C44 … horse around
… horse around
… The boys were horsing around in the classroom.
… Stop horsing around and pay attention.
… horse around to play roughly or behave in a silly, noisy way.
… horse around
/ horse around
… The boys were horsing around in the classroom.
/ The boys were horsing around in the classroom.
… The boys were horsing around in the classroom.
… Stop horsing around and pay attention.
/ Stop horsing around and pay attention.
… Stop horsing around and pay attention.
C45 … make it
… make it
… She worked hard and finally made it as an actress.
… We won’t make it to the airport on time.
… make it to succeed or achieve a goal; also, to arrive somewhere in time.
… make it
/ make it
… She worked hard and finally made it as an actress.
/ She worked hard and finally made it as an actress.
… She worked hard and finally made it as an actress.
… We won’t make it to the airport on time.
/ We won’t make it to the airport on time.
… We won’t make it to the airport on time.
C46 … make…of ~
… make…of ~
… What do you make of his strange behavior?
… I don’t know what to make of the sudden announcement.
… make…of ~ to understand, interpret, or form an opinion about something.
… make…of ~
/ make…of ~
… What do you make of his strange behavior?
/ What do you make of his strange behavior?
… What do you make of his strange behavior?
… I don’t know what to make of the sudden announcement.
/ I don’t know what to make of the sudden announcement.
… I don’t know what to make of the sudden announcement.
C47 … in the market for
… in the market for
… We’re in the market for a new car.
… Are you in the market for a larger house?
… in the market for interested in buying or obtaining something.
… in the market for
/ in the market for
… We’re in the market for a new car.
/ We’re in the market for a new car.
… We’re in the market for a new car.
… Are you in the market for a larger house?
/ Are you in the market for a larger house?
… Are you in the market for a larger house?
C48 … take one’s medicine
… take one’s medicine
… He made a mistake and had to take his medicine.
… It’s time for the company to take its medicine and accept the losses.
… take one’s medicine to accept criticism, punishment, or unpleasant consequences.
… take one’s medicine
/ take one’s medicine
… He made a mistake and had to take his medicine.
/ He made a mistake and had to take his medicine.
… He made a mistake and had to take his medicine.
… It’s time for the company to take its medicine and accept the losses.
/ It’s time for the company to take its medicine and accept the losses.
… It’s time for the company to take its medicine and accept the losses.
C49 … mince no words
… mince no words
… She minced no words when criticizing the policy.
… The coach minced no words after the team’s poor performance.
… mince no words to speak in a direct and straightforward manner without trying to soften the message.
… mince no words
/ mince no words
… She minced no words when criticizing the policy.
/ She minced no words when criticizing the policy.
… She minced no words when criticizing the policy.
… The coach minced no words after the team’s poor performance.
/ The coach minced no words after the team’s poor performance.
… The coach minced no words after the team’s poor performance.
C50 … get one’s mind off
… get one’s mind off
… Reading helps me get my mind off my problems.
… She went for a walk to get her mind off the bad news.
… get one’s mind off to stop thinking about something, especially something worrying or upsetting.
… get one’s mind off
/ get one’s mind off
… Reading helps me get my mind off my problems.
/ Reading helps me get my mind off my problems.
… Reading helps me get my mind off my problems.
… She went for a walk to get her mind off the bad news.
/ She went for a walk to get her mind off the bad news.
… She went for a walk to get her mind off the bad news.
