1) a far cry from something very different, almost the opposite The movie was good, but it was `a far cry from` the book it was based on. 2) about to on the point of doing something Tom was `about to` leave when the telephone rang. 3) a close call a situation in which something bad almost happened I had `a close call!` A big truck almost hit me! 4) all along all the time I knew `all along` that Jack wasn't telling us the whole story. 5) all of a sudden something happening quickly, without advance warning It started out to be a beautiful day. Then, `all of a sudden`, it became cloudy and began to rain. 6) as a rule usually, customarily `As a rule` I never stay out late on a week night, because I have to get up early the next morning. 7) as far as someone is concerned in one's opinion `As far as I'm concerned`, it's too cold to go swimming this afternoon. 8) as long as because something else is happening at the same time `As long as` you're going to the drugstore anyway, buy me some aspirins. 9) as luck would have it the way things happened I made good notes for my speech, but `as luck would have it`, I forgot to take them with me. 10) at all used with negative expressions to give emphasis I've read that book, but I didn't like it `at all`. 11) be behind the times not be up-to-date, modern in one's thinking He's not a good teacher. He's `behind the times` in his methods. 12) be bent on something have a strong desire to do something I told Harry not to drive his car in such bad weather, but he `was bent on` leaving right away. 13) be better off be better on a long-term basis Do you think I'd `be better off` quitting my present job and going to New York? 14) be broke be without money I'd like to go to the concert with you, but `I'm broke`. 15) be hard on something treat roughly My son `is hard on` shoes. Look at this pair. They were new a month ago. 16) be in keeping with something be appropriate I liked what Professor Thomas said to the International Club, because his words `were in keeping with` the purpose of the Club. 17) be in someone's shoes be in another person's positions I wish I were `in John's shoes`. He just won a free trip to Europe. 18) be on the safe side not to take any chances I don't think it's going to rain today, but I'm going to take my umbrella, just `to be on the safe side`. 19) be to blame be responsible for something bad or unfortunate Don't punish Billy for breaking the window. He's not `to blame`. 20) be up to one's ears have too much to do Helen would like to go with us but she can't. She's `up to her ears` in work. 21) be up to something doing something that one shouldn't do Henry's been smiling to himself all morning. I think he's `up to something`, but I don't know what it is. 22) beat around the bush speak indirectly, evasively I wish Albert would say what he really means and not always `beat around the bush`. 23) bend over backwards try very hard, make a real effort I `bent over backwards` to help Bertha find a job, but she didn't appreciate it. 24) bite off more than one can chew try to do more than one is able to, accept more responsibility than one can take care of When Jim accepted the presidency of the club, he;`bit off more than he could chew`. 25) brush up on something review something to make it fresh again in one's mind I'm going to make a speech tomorrow, so I have to `brush up on`my notes. 26) by all means definitely, certainly When Mary asked her husband if he wanted steak for dinner, he replied, `"By all means!"` 27) by heart by memorizing In elementary school I learned several of Longfellow's poems `by heart`. 28) carry something out fulfill, see that something is done One good thing about Clarence: he not only has good ideas, but he `carries them out`, too. 29) catch cold to get a cold I enjoyed the football game, but it was such a wet, windy day that I `caught cold`. 30) catch one's breath rest for a moment When Mrs. Brewster reached the top of the hill, she was so tired she had to stop for a moment and `catch her breath`. 31) come down with something become ill with something I don't feel very well. I think I'm `coming down with` the flu. 32) come near almost do something I was so angry last night I `came near` telling George what I;thought of him. 33) come to the point be definite, precise in telling something Professor Johnson's stories are interesting but long, and he never seems to `come to the point`. 34) come up with suggest, contribute, introduce When the teacher asked what the capital of California was, only one student could `come up with` the right city. 35) cut corners economize When you have six children, you have to learn how to `cut corners`. 36) do one's best make the greatest effort that one can I'm not sure I can be there tonight, but I'll `do my best`. It all depends on how much work I finish this afternoon. 37) do one's bit fulfill one's responsibility to help accomplish something If everyone who offered to help would come and `do his bit`, we could finish this job in an hour. 38) do someone good be beneficial for somebody Go to the seashore for a few days. The fresh air will `do you good`. 39) do without live without something If there's no butter for our bread, we'll `do without`. 40) draw the line refuse to go beyond a certain point in doing something I'll pay for my wife's ticket to that lecture on modern art, but I `draw the line` at attending with her! 41) dress up put on one's best clothes When Celia `dresses up`, she is more beautiful than a movie actress. 42) eat one's words admit one is wrong in something one has said Richard insisted the United States was larger than Brasil, but he had to `eat his words` when Elizabeth showed him the map. 43) every now and then occasionally `Every now and then` I like to take a walk in the country. 44) every other alternate This class meets `every other` day, not every day. 45) feel up to feel able (health or ability) to do something I ought to go to Jane's party, but I just don't `feel up to` it now. 46) few and far between scarce, infrequent, rare Yes, I do hear from Roger, but his letters are `few and far between`. 47) firsthand without assistance from an intermediary, direct What I'm telling you is `firsthand` information. I didn't hear it from someone else. 48) for good forever, permanently Peter told me he's left Springfield `for good`. He'll never go back there to live again. 49) for the time being for the present time I need a new car, but `for the time being` this one will have to do. 50) frame of mind mental state Be sure, Edith, that your husband is in a good `frame of mind` before you show him your new hat. 51) from now on from this moment forward I'm too fat. `From now on` I'm not going to eat so much. 52) get after someone tell someone to do something you feel he should do Every time Professor Jackson goes out into the rain, his wife has to `get after him` to carry his umbrella. 53) get away with something do something one shouldn't and not be caught at it Dave may have been successful in fooling the boss this time, but he can't `get away with it` every time. 54) get cold feet become very cautious, be afraid to do something John wanted to ask Vera to marry him, but he `got cold feet`. 55) get in touch with someone communicate with someone by phone, telegraph, mail, etc. I can't talk with you now, but I'll `get in touch with you` this;evening by phone. 56) get mixed up become confused Nancy has six children, and I always `get mixed up` on their names. 57) get on one's high horse become angry and superior in attitude toward someone else Vernon is a republican, and he `gets on his high horse' every time someone criticizes his party. 58) get rid of something destroy, throw away, sell When Ella told Frank she didn't like his hat, he `got rid of it`. 59) get right down to something begin working without hesitation After the chairman opened the meeting, the committee `got right down to` business. 60) get to the bottom of something learn all the facts about something I've made a mistake in my calculations, but I can't find it. Perhaps if I begin again and study each detail carefully, I'll;`get to the bottom of it`. 61) give someone a hand help someone I'll `give you a hand` when you move to your new apartment. 62) go Dutch each person pay his own way to a movie, restaurant, etc. Thanks for asking me to go to lunch with you, but I insist we `go Dutch`. 63) go from bad to worse become progressively worse After Joe became president of the club, we thought everything would be all right. Instead, things went `from bad to worse`. 64) go in for something (used more in negative);like, have a strong interest in I like golf, but I don't `go in much for` tennis. 65) goes without saying something is so obvious that it doesn't have to be mentioned Mary's an excellent student. It `goes without saying` that her parents;are very proud of her. 66) grow on someone increase in favor with someone gradually I hated Kansas City at first, but I have to admit `it's grown on` me. 67) had better should do something, ought to do something `I'd better` go now or I'll be late for class. 68) have it in one have the capacity, ability, to do something I think Marie `has it in her` to be a great concert pianist. 69) have no business doing something have no right to do something You `had no business` using my car without asking me first! 70) have one's heart set on smth want something very much I don't know what to do. My wife `has her heart set on` a new coat for her birthday, but I don't have enough money to buy it. 71) have the heart (usually used in negative);have the courage to do something that will cause others;unhappiness or disappointment Alfred failed his exam, but his teacher `doesn't have the heart` to;tell him. 72) have words with someone quarrel, argue with some person I `had words with` the manager of that store, because he refused to refund my money for a TV set that wasn't operating properly. 73) high and low everywhere, in every conceivable place I've lost my passport. I've looked `high and low` for it, but I can't find it. 74) hit upon something to discover something that will help make progress in a certain cause or situation The scientist worked for a long time but couldn't solve his problem. Then, after many hours, he `hit upon` the right solution. 75) hold one's horses wait patiently instead of going forward When Betty insisted that they leave immediately, Jeff told her; to `hold her horses`, since there was plenty of time before their plane left. 76) hold one's own to maintain oneself in, be equal to, a given situation Bob's parents don't worry about him. They know he can `hold his own` in his university studies. 77) hold something against someone blame someone for something for a period of time I was responsible for Fred's being late to class this morning, but he doesn't `hold it against me`. 78) ill at ease not comfortable psychologically David speaks easily in front of a small group but he seems `ill at ease` before a large audience. 79) in advance before, ahead of time If you want to see that play, you should buy your tickets `in advance`. 80) in care of someone write to one person at the address of another person When you write to Roy, be sure to put "`in care of` Mrs. John Briggs";on the envelope. 81) in charge of something responsible for something, such as the department of a large company or an activity for which arrangements must be made Alex is `in charge of` the publicity committee for the school dance. 82) in fact actually, really Yes, I know Robert Johnson. `In fact`, he's my cousin. 83) in one's element doing something one likes and is capable of doing very well Look at Norman! He's `in his element` when he's arguing politics! 84) in other words to say something in a different way You say you're going to be late at the office? `In other words`, you'll be late for supper tonight. 85) in the clear free from suspicion, blame, or obligation The suspect's explanation to the police of why he was present at the scene of the crime was a very good one and put him `in the clear`. 86) in the long run looking ahead to the distant future, not just the near future You may get tired studying English every day, but `in the long run` you'll be glad that you did. 87) in time to be at a place at the right time to do something George couldn't come for dinner, but he arrived `in time to` have dessert and coffee with us. 88) just as soon prefer that one thing be done rather than another My wife wants to attend that lecture, but I'd `just as soon` stay home. 89) keep an eye on smth, someone watch in the sense of take care of Will you `keep an eye on` my baby while I go to the store? 90) keep one's fingers crossed hope to have good results in an effort, hope that nothing will go wrong I'm on my way to take my examination. `Keep your fingers crossed`for me! 91) keep one's word be responsible and do what one says one will do If Paul said he'd get that book for you, he'll do it. He always `keeps his word`. 92) (not) know the first thing about smth (usually used in the negative) have knowledge of I `don't know the first thing about` an automobile engine. 93) know the ropes be very familiar with routine procedures such as those of a business, factory, or school I'll enjoy my new job more as soon as I `know the ropes`. 94) lead someone on make someone believe something that isn't true Alec gave me a long story about what a good student he was in college. Later I discovered none of it was true, he was just `leading me on`. 95) leave word leave a message Ralph had to go, but he `left word` that you should meet him at the hotel. 96) let bygones be bygones forget and forgive unpleasant happenings in the past I decided to `let bygones be bygones` and not say anything about the way Alice spoke to me last week. 97) little by little gradually Frank broke his leg and couldn't walk for a long time, but `little by little` he began to use it again. 98) little does one think one cannot imagine When Bill asked Helen to go to the dance with him, `little did he think` that she already had a date. 99) look forward to something anticipate with pleasure I've been working hard. I `look forward to` my vacation this year. 100) lose one's temper become angry When Sam's wife told him she'd had an accident with the car, he `lost his temper`. 101) lose one's way go in the wrong direction in trying to find a place and become lost I'm sorry to be late, but `I lost my way`. I went east instead of west. 102) lose track of someone, something cease having information about, not be informed currently about someone or something I've `lost track of` Mr. and Mrs. Brown. Where are they now? 103) make a point of something do or say something with a definite intention When Professor Gray greeted me, he `made a point of` asking how my parents were. 104) make ends meet be able to live with the money one has The Smiths have seven children, and although Joe doesn't have a big salary, they seem to `make ends meet`. 105) make friends form friendships with people Alice is very lovely, and I think her problem is that she doesn't know how to `make friends`. 106) make fun of something, someone ridicule, laugh at I've decided that the reason Jim always `makes fun of others` is that he's so insecure himself. 107) make oneself at home be comfortable, as if in one's own home When people come to our house, we like them `to make themselves at home`. 108) make room for something, someone allow space for, arrange space for There were already three people on the sofa, but they moved over and `made room for me` to sit down. 109) make sense seen reasonable I think I'll vote for Wheeler. What he says;in his interviews `makes sense`. 110) make short work of something do something quickly The thief `made short work of` robbing the bank. 111) make something do use what one has instead of getting something else that would be better If there isn't cream for our coffee, `we'll have to make milk do`. 112) make the most of something do the best one can in a situation,;get as much as possible out of it You `made the most of` your three days in Paris. I think you saw everything there. 113) make up for something compensate for something, often an unkind or unconsiderate act Jim took my whole evening asking me questions about his physics exam. However, he `made up for it` the next afternoon by repairing my car. 114) make up one's mind decide When did you `make up your mind` to get a new car? 115) meet someone halfway to compromise with someone in a situation where the opinions differ Charles has very definite ideas but he's not unreasonable, he tries to `meet you halfway`. 116) might as well it is a good idea (to do something), although not of major importance If you're going to the library, I `might as well` go with you and return these books. 117) never mind don't worry If you can't get that book for me at the library, `never mind`. I'm going tomorrow, and I can get it then. 118) no wonder it isn't surprising `No wonder` you're tired! You walked ten miles today! 119) not to mention omitting to say anything about something I can't go to Steve'party. I've got to do my homework, prepare a speech for tomorrow, and study for an exam, `not to mention` take my little brother to the dentist. 120) on credit make regular payments, not pay cash for a purchase If you buy your car `on credit`, it's more expensive than if you pay cash. 121) on edge nervous, irritable What's the matter with Ray? He seems to be `on edge` about something. 122) on hand available Do you have any aspirin `on hand`? I have a terrible headache. 123) on one's toes alert I think Bert will get the job. He was really `on his toes` and made a good impression during the interview. 124) on purpose intentionally Jimmy hit his little brother in the eye, but he didn't do it `on purpose`. 125) on the other hand looking at the other side of the question Bert is extremely intelligent. `On the other hand`, he's a very;lazy student. 126) on the spur of the moment at that moment, without previous thought or plan I planned to study yesterday afternoon, but `on the spur of the moment` I changed my mind and went to the movies. 127) on time at the hour designated, not before or after that hour Bill's very punctual. He's always `on time` for everything. 128) once in a blue moon very infrequently, almost never I seldom see Bill. Only `once in a blue moon`. 129) out of the question impossible, beyond consideration Your suggestion that we go swimming is `out of the question`. It's much too cold today. 130) pay attention look at or listen to with concentration Now children, `pay attention`. I'm going to tell you;something very important. 131) pull the wool over someone's eyes deceive someone Ethel was sure that Robert was `pulling the wool over her eyes`when he said he'd been in the library studying all evening. 132) put in a word for someone, something say something positive for someone or something If you have a chance to `put in a word for me` when you speak;to the mayor, I'll appreciate it. 133) put one's foot in it say or do the wrong thing Joe `put his foot in it` when he told Ethel she looked like Dora.The two girls dislike each other. 134) put something off postpone Because of the weather, we had to `put our picnic off`until next Sunday. 135) put something over on someone deceive someone I believed everything he said and then discovered none of it was true. He really `put something over on me`. 136) quite a few many I haven't any recordings by Tom Jones, but I have `quite a few`by the Beatles. 137) remember someone to someone else tell someone to say hello to another person for you `Remember me to` your brother when you see him. 138) right away immediately I'm sorry I forgot to get that medicine for you. I'll take care of it `right away`. 138) rub someone the wrong way irritate Henry isn't a very diplomatic person, he's always `rubbing people the wrong way`. 139) save face maintain one's pride and honor, not be disgraced Donald completely forgot Irene's party and tried to `save face` by sending her flowers the next morning. 140) scratch the surface study something superficially I don't know much about international politics, I've only `scratched the surface`. 141) see about take the responsibility to do something, make arrangements for Let's have a picnic on Sunday. I'll `see about` the food. 142) see eye to eye to agree I agree with the president on domestic matters, but I don't `see eye to eye` with him on foreign policy. 143) serve someone right get what someone deserves (usually used in the negative sense) It `serves Albert right` that he missed the train.;Maybe he'll learn to be on time after this. 144) serve someone's purpose be useful to someone for a certain purpose I prefer cream for this recipe, but milk will `serve my purpose`. 145) show promise give the impression of having the ability to do something in the future Betty has a beautiful voice and `shows promise` of being a great singer. 146) so far until now I've been on a diet for two weeks, but `so far` I haven't lost any weight. 147) so much the better that's even better Jeanne is delighted to come to our party. If she insists on bringing a cake, `so much the better`. 148) something is up to someone it is one's responsibility to take care of something or to make a decision Tom said it was `up to` Anne to choose the movie they should see that evening. 149) stand a chance have the possibility Phillip wants a scholarship to Harvard but he doesn't `stand a chance` of getting one. 150) stands to reason be a logical conclusion If he lied to you about one thing, it `stands to reason` that he'd lie about other things, too. 151) straight from the shoulder frankly I prefer a person who speaks `straight from the shoulder`, because then I know exactly what he means. 152) take a dim view of something have a poor opinion of something, disapprove of something Mrs. Wright `takes a dim view of` the way her sister is raising her family. 153) take a stand on something make a firm decision about something I don't like the way Tom operates. One day he says one thing and another day he says the opposite. I wish he'd `take a stand on` something. 155) take advantage of something to use something for one's own benefit Let's `take advantage of` this wonderful weather and go to the seashore. 156) take after someone resemble in appearance, personality, or character Peter `takes after` his mother in personality and his father in appearance. 157) take hold of something take in one's hands I burned my hand when I `took hold of` that hot frying pan. 158) take it easy relax Steve, you're working too hard. Sit down and `take it easy` for a while. 159) take one's time do something slowly, not hurry When you're eating, it's important to `take your time` and chew;your food well. 160) take part in something participate in some activity I enjoy seeing a play, but I've never `taken part in` one. 161) take something for granted assume, without giving it a thought, that something is a certain way Excuse me for not introducing you to Bert. I `took it for granted`that you two knew each other. 162) take something into account consider something In considering Andy for the job, we must `take into account` that he has very bad eyesight. 163) take something with a grain of salt only half believe something someone has said Jack is a very likable fellow, but I've learned to take everything he says `with a grain of salt`. 164) take steps prepare for something and put it into action The crime in that city became a serious problem. The police had to `take steps` to correct it. 165) take turns do something alternately with other persons There was only one dictionary, so the students had to `take turns`using it. 166) talk something over discuss Jim always `talks things over` with his parents before he makes an important decision. 167) tell something apart distinguish between two things I know that one stone is a diamond and the other is only glass, but frankly I can't `tell them apart`. 168) the ins and outs all the facts about something In order to learn `the ins and outs` of the family business, Bill took a job as messenger boy in one of the offices. 169) the last straw the point beyond which one can endure no more When I told him to pay me the money he owed me, he said he couldn't. Instead he asked to borrow an additional five dollars. That was `the last straw`! 170) (not) think much of smth, someone (used in the negative);have a good opinion of (affirmative: think a lot of) I liked the book very much, although I `didn't think much of` the ending. 171) Think nothing of it. forget it, don't worry about it that's all right -- I'm sorry I forgot to bring your book.-- That's all right. `Think nothing of it`. 172) till one is blue in the face until one can say no more in trying to convince someone of something Bob's father talked to him `till he was blue in the face`, but it did no good, the boy quit school anyway. 173) to say the least to make the minimum comment about something or someone It's a boring novel, `to say the least`. 174) try one's hand at something see if one is able to do something that requires some skill, ability I've never driven a tractor before, but I'm willing to;`try my hand at it`. 175) turn over a new leaf make a fresh start Every January first, many people `turn over a new leaf` and try to live better lives. 176) under the weather not feeling well physically I'm feeling a little `under the weather` tonight, so I think I'l go to bed early. 177) waste one's breath speak uselessly, to no purpose If you tell Jeff not to go, you'll just be `wasting your breath`, he'll go anyway. 178) watch one's step be careful in one's conduct `Watch your step`, young man! If you're late for work again, you'll lose your job. 179) What's the matter? What is wrong? `What's the matter` with Alice? She looks angry. 180) would rather prefer Would you like pancakes for breakfast? No, thank you. `I'd rather`have bacon and eggs.