<6>
in a nutshell : in summary, in brief
in favor of : in agreement with, supporting
in hot water : in trouble
in no time : very soon, very quickly
in person : face to face (not by telephone, letter, etc.)
in store : in the future, coming up
in the dark : not knowing, confused
in the long run : over a long period of time
in the same boat : in the same situation, having the same problems
iron out : solve (a problem)
join the club : have the same problem as other people
jump to conclusions : form opinions without sufficient evidence
keep an eye on : watch, take care of, look after
keep an eye out (for) : look for
keep on (with) : continue
keep track of : know where something or someone is
keep up (with) : maintain the same speed as
kill time : spend time doing unimportant things (before an appointment, for xample)
know like the back of one’s hand : be very similar with
lay off : put out of work
learn the ropes : become familiar with, get used to, get the hang of
leave out : not include, omit
leave someone/something alone : not disturb
let someone down : disappoint
let up : decline in intensity (rain , for example)
look after : take care of, mind
look for : try to locate
look forward to : anticipate (with pleasure)
look into : investigate
look like : resemble
look out (for) : be careful
look over : examine, read
look up : (1) find information (especially in a reference book)
(2) try to locate someone
look up to : respect, admire
<7>
make a fool of oneself : act embarrassingly
make a point of : make a special effort
make ends meet : balance a budget
make sense (of) : be logical and clear, understand
make up : invent, create
make up one’s mind : decide
make way for : allow space for, provide a path for
mean to : intend to
mixed up : confused
music to one’s ears : something that sounds pleasant
a nervous wreck : someone who is very nervous
next to nothing : very little (money, for example), cheap
no doubt about it : certainly, definitely
no harm done : there was no damage done
not at all : not in any way, not to any degree
not believe one’s ears(or eyes) : be unable to believe what one hers (or sees)
not think much of : not like, not have a good opinion of
odds and ends : small, miscellaneous items
an old hand (at) : an experienced person
on edge : nervous
on end : consecutively, without a break (days on end, for example)
on hand : easily available
on needles and pins : nervous, anxious
on one’s own : independent
on second thought : after reconsidering
on the go : always busy, always moving
on the tip of one’s tongue : almost able to remember
on the whole : in general
out of (something) : not having something
out of one’s mind : insane, illogical, irrational
out of order : broken, not functioning, properly
out of the question : definitely not, impossible
over and over : again and again, repeatedly
over one’s head : not understandable (a joke, for example), obscure
<8>
part with : no longer have, get rid of, not be in the company of
pass up : not accept, not choose
pass with flying colors : do very well (on a test)
pat oneself on the back : congratulate oneself
pick out : choose, select
pick up : (1) take something from a surface (for example, a floor)
(2) go to a location and get someone or something
(3) learn (especially without formal training)
pick up the tab (for) : pay for
the picture of : a perfect example of something
play it by ear : do something without a definite plan
play it safe : choose a cautious plan
point out : indicate
a pretty penny : a lot of money
pull one’s leg : joke with someone, make up a story
push one’s luck : to continue doing something too long, to keep taking chances
put aside : save for later, set aside
put away : return something to its proper place
put off : delay, postpone
put on : begin to wear
put together : assemble
put up with : tolerate
