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Essential Idioms in English

phrasal verbs and collocations

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Essential Idioms in English

phrasal verbs and collocations

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ae. den Essential idioms in in English” Collocations Title, 03044730 SECTION 1: BEGINNING LESSOR Barre ee a sn get iniget on... get our of/ get off... puton .. sake off fom on... tum off ... right away .... pick up. sooner or later... getup ... come up with ... at first Lesson 2... Beet dress up... atlast .-- asusual find out... look at look for .< all right «all along. lirle by litle tire our <.."spend'time ... never mind pick owe. take one’s ime... tik over --. liedown stand up ... sitdown ... all day, week, month, year) long by oneself +. on purpose... get along (with) make a difference (co) -. ake out Lesson 4 . ee partin Tooke up... wait on atleast ... solar... take a walk, bike, et, ... take a trip yon... think over ... take place ... putaway Lesson 5 a : ‘out -.. shake hands... get back... catch a cold getover ... make up one’s rind . .. change one's mind, lor the sime being ... for good ... call off ... put off . in a busty Lesson 6. . a hhang out... hangup... count on... mace friends out of order... get to... look over... have (time) off goon ... putout ... all ofa sudden ++. ahead of time Lesson 7 z point out... beup «.- beover ».. ontime .. intime to... get beter, worse exe. .-- ger sick well, ted, busy, wer, etc. «had better ... would rather calli a day/night... figure out ... think of Lesson 8 ... . : : be about to... tue around ... take curns --. pay attention (co)... brush up on ... over and over (again) ‘wear out ... throwaway ... fallin love ... go out (with) gocout ..1 Break up (with) Contents ttt LesSOM 9 vonnsnnnne : Wake up «bein charge of" as s00n as fave a good dime ».. immo time «= cut down on track down on =. gute few + used to --. be wsedt0 - getused to... back and forth LESSON 10 sewers eee eee make sure... now and then... get rid of fevery ather (one)... go with +» first-rate ‘come from ... make good time... mix up See about... make an impeession ... by heart Lesson 11. ‘keep out =~» keep away (from) =. find fault wr be upto... illatease ... do aver ... look into take hold of ... get through ... from now on Ieeap crack of | ger carried away a 63 tap to date. ou of date catch fire barn down... burn up.» bur out ..- stands to reason breakout... asfor ... for one thing -.. feel sorry for Lesson 13 - os oe break down ... tusn our. once in a blue moon giveup ... cross out ... take for granted take imo account ... make clear... clear cut hhaveon ... comet ... call for Section 1 Collocations... 33 Review: Lessons 4-33 ... SECTION 2: INTERMEDIATE ..... Bt Lesson 14 ee 83 ‘atin eat ou. eutand dried» look afer feellike. once and forall .. hear from ... hear of snake fun of --- come tue ..» asa matter of fact have one way «look forward to Lesson 15 o 88 inside ou upside do take advantage of «.. no matier «.. cake up fake up with. cake afer -.. inthe long ron in touch... out of touch Lesson 16 ss eee 3 tn one’s tors watch one's step wratch what one aaysidoes ... se eye to eye have in mind -.» keep ia mind... for once... go off grow out of. male che best of ... cutoff». cutout IV Essential Idioms in English Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson 43 49 5 6 6 3 75 81 a3 88 93. Lesson 17 jow out smc of shutup have got have got ro... keep up with ... on the other hand tum down ... fifey-ifty ... break in... a lost cause above all Lesson 18 sane ‘according to... be bound to ... for sure Jy out... teardown ... tear up run out of =~. atheart s+ on band Lesson 19 ee 308 bice off «tell pare allin all ~~ pass out goaround ... bein thelone’s way... puton ... putup .. put up with .. inyain ... day in and day our «catch up se 13 hold sil" break the news bring up... getlose ... holdup ... mun away «>. role out ... by far ... seeoff ... steout ... ao wonder Lesson 21. goup -.- goupto take apart... puc together ... be beter off be well-off... take by surprise ... stress out name alter |. hold on LeSSOM 22 nn i 124 ‘Sop by". dzop someone) line give (someone) a call ‘come across. cross one's mind... stand for . stand a chance |. lookon -.. lock up to look down on... take off... pull off Lesson 23 fe 1130 ‘make do give bith v0. close call» eton one’s nerves... pat down ... go lor ... be iato stay up... stayin’. take over”... show up ... clean out Lesson 24 .... ss 435 nock out =. knock oneself our -- carry out ~~ rum ino... sec our... setoutto -.. draw up... give and take ... drop out of ... believe in. cheee up make sense Lesson 25 6... a ‘burst out... getaway --. getaway with serve (someone) right .. keep up ... keep up with stand out ... leton |. go wrong meet (someone) hallway. check upon... stile up Lesson 26 .. ae eer come about... bring about... build up... die down fade away... die out ... make out ... live up 0 stick to... rip off... stand up for... cut comers Contents V LESSON 27 rene ee 5 take on take down all hrough ~~ all behind give in .-- geoff -.» give out ... have it infor baveit ourwith .-. heldoff ... hold out ... hold over Section 2 Collocations. erent 156 Review: Lessons 14-27 a58 SECTION 3: ADVANCED 263 Lesson 28 ... 365 ietup slay off. bring out ~~ bring back wait up for ... leave (someone oF something) alone letalose .. break off... wear off... wear down onthe whole... couch and go Lesson 29 — cieaniee 170 coat». back up ~~ back out hhave one’s heareseton . buy up ... buy ont sellout ... catch oa.» becut out for... throw ouc throw up .-. clear up Lesson 30 .. es eee 275 slow down -.- dy up -»- dry oat .-- be upto (something). beat around the bush. come co an end putanend os. geteven with ... fool aroand fook outon =. sirup... take in Lesson 31 i a jo thcough go without saying put someone) oa Keep one's head.» lose one's head». narrow-minded stand up... getthe berer of «.. brealeloose ... on edge waste one’s Breath... cut short Lesson 32 .. : aeaeer : 85 pin... sepdown -.. step onit ~~ asteal play upto"... more orless ... screw up ».. goof up go off the deep end .... lose one’s touch ... under control dirag one’s heelsfeet LeSS0M 33 sooner ae Sees apa ‘kick (something) around on the ball. make up make up with =. pull gether .. be looking up kick the habit <1 cover up ... drop off... turn over gotheough channels ... last straw Lesson 34 arn ae : 295 igeccold feer trade in acetorface be with (someone) ... be with it... fall for in iguces ... make (someone) tick... cover for sive (someone) « break... bow oui «=. stickit out VI_ Essential Idioms in English Lessot Lessor Lessor Lessor Sectioi Review DICTIONA. APPENDIX Equiva ANSWER F INDEX 154 56 58 63 65 70 75 85 90. 95 rub itin rub the wrong way - geta tise ouc of hang around ... pick up the tab... by the way letslide ... seazch me... get off one's chest live itup <<. liven up... have a say in Lesson 35, Lesson 36 .. 205 ‘out of che question have todo with. check in check out ... take one at one’s word serve (thefone's) purpose ... copout ... ine up lose one's cool ... leave open... miss the bost .. think up Lesson 37. ‘throw (someone) a curve -.. make waves . cary on not on your life ... cover ground ... throw the book at put one’s foor in... be up for grabs... show off Teatn the ropes . have under one's belt Keep (one's) fingers crossed Lesson 38 wn. : land on one’s feet™... dish out... gee through to 215 keep one’s word ... be in over one’s head ... ask for bea farcry from... byall means... get oue from under take the bull by the hors . .. give (someone) hand give (someone) a big hand Lesson 39 .. 220 chind one's back. talk back to” bein. be out draw the ine at... gee out of line. dry run play by ear... bein (someone's) shoes.» keep after fixup... be had Section 3 Collocations 225 Review: Lessons 28-39 .. 237 DICTIONARY SKILLS .. 233 APPENDIX: Equivalent Idioms in Spanish, French, and Portuguese ...... 248 ANSWER KEY 265 INDEX ...... 27 Contents vil Idiomatic expressions have long played an important role in the English language. In fact, the use of idioms is so ‘widespread that understanding these expressions is essential to successful communication, whether in listening, speaking, reading, or writing. The student may learn grammar and, with time, acquire adequate vocabulary, but without a working knowledge of such idioms as above all, to get along, on the swhole, to look up, and so on, even the best speech will remain awkward and ordinary. Teachers of English have long recognized that idiomatic expressions add grace and exactness to the language. The alert teacher will make their stady an integral part of the teaching process. Even so, learning such expressions is never an easy task for the student learning English as a second or foreign, language. Attempts to translate literally from the student's native tongue usually lead to roundabout expressions of ‘meaning and, more often, to confusion. For this reason, the idioms, phrasal verbs, and collocations included in this book have been selected because they are, for the most part, basic to good English—and the book is called, appropriately, Essential Idioms in English, Students are not burdened with a discussion of the origins of idioms, nor is there an attempt to define the exact nature of an idiom except to point out that as a phrase it has a meaning different from the meanings of its individual parts, (This essential characteristic is one reason why it is often difficult to translate an idiom from one language to another without incurring some change in meaning or usage.) ‘Our hope is that experienced ESL and EFL teachers will agree, for the most part, with the selection of idioms in this text. This edition has been updated to include current idioms, and older usages have been dropped, But every selection, no matter how careful, is necessarily arbitrary, because the range is so great. Our intent is to provide a useful learning and reference tool for students who want to speak appropriate, contemporary English, Preface 1X NEW TO THIS EDITION This new edition of a classic text retains its original three: section format: Beginning (Lessons 1-13), Intermediate | (Lessons 14-27), and Advanced (Lessons 28-39}, New idioms have of course been included, and outdated idioms have been removed throughout. Lessons in all sections review and build upon idioms introduced in earlier lessons. In some cases, notes that explain special usage or meaning are provided after the definitions, and related idiomatic forms are listed. The wide assortment of exercises provides variety in the activities from ‘one section to another, Essential Idioms has always included two-word, or phrasal, verbs in the general category of idioms. A phrasal verb is one whose meaning is altered by the addition of a particle (a preposition used with a verb to form an idiomatic expression.) To look, for example, may become to look up or to look over, each having its own special meaning. When a phrasal verb can be separated by a noun or pronoun, the symbol (8) for separable is inserted in the definition. Sentences illustrating both separable and nonseparable forms are included in the examples. In this edition, students will also find collocations included in each section. Collocations are words that tend to be used together, not based on rules of grammar, but rather based on traditional patterns of usage by native speakers, Collocations can occur in a number of different patterns. Among the most common are adjective + noun (shining star, heavy breathing), verb + noun (take a bus, deliver a baby), and verb + adverb (fully document), The addition of collocations reflects the growing interest in these unique word patterns in second- language study. As in the previous edition, this edition includes an Appendix that lists equivalent idioms in French and Spanish, and we have added Portuguese in this edition as well, We hope this will X Essential Idioms in English in ae eee a sal, sone ssion.) rover, rbcan he ed in don tions most ing), ecb adix se have ill make Essential Idioms especially useful to native speakers of these languages and will provide students with a surer grasp of English idioms and greater confidence in using them. Finally, also new to’this edition is a section on Dictionary Skills, which includes a brief set of activities designed to provide students with strategies for using one of their primary language learning tools. Overall, this classic text continues to provide an outstanding, comprehensive introduction to idiomatic English for learners at all levels. Preface Xt SECTION 1 Beginning Lesson J) i to get in/to get on: to enter or to board a vehicle To get in is used for cars: fo get om is used for all other forms of transportation. @ Tes easiest to get in the car from the driver's side. The door on the other side doesn’t.wwork well, always get om the bus to work at 34th : Street. to get out offto get off: to leave or to descend from a vehicle To get out of is used for cars; to get offs used for all other forms of transportation. @ Why don’r we stop and get out of the car for a while? @ Helen got off the train at the 42nd Street terminal. to put on: to place on oneself (usually said of clothes) (S)* @ Mary put on her coat and left the oom. @ Put your hat on before you leave the house. to take off: to remove (usually said of clothes) (S) @ John took off his jacket as he entered the office. @ Take your sweater off. The room is very warm, ‘The symbol (5) adicats that on ilom fs seporable—that a noun or noun phrase may be placed batween the vet andthe special preposition (called a particle. In these cases, ‘examples of bth separable and inseparable orms are given, See the index, page 273, fo" further deta section 1 Beginning 3 to turn on: to start or cause to function (also: to swiitch on) (S) to get uy © Please turn om the light; it’s too dark in here. fore © Do you know who turned the air conditioning on? es @ At to tura off: to cause to stop functioning (also: to switch off, to shut off) (S) oe Turn on and turn off, as well as their retated forms, are used for things that flow, . such as electricity, water, gas, etc. @ AE @ Please turn off the light when you leave the room. : © By Are you really listening to the cadio, or should I turn it off? - right away: very soon; immediately (also: at once) at Firsts | Dad says that dinner will be ready right away, so, we'd better wash our @ a hands and set the table. @ It © Tell Will to come to my office right away, I must see him immediately. bg ® Stop playing that loud music at once! EXERCISE to pick up: to lift with one’s fingers or hands. (S); to retrieve or collect (S); 1 A 4, Choos: to team (5) ae orwor @ Harry picked up the newspaper that was on the front doorstep. ‘| 1 Hi Lucia was so busy that she forgot to pick her son up from school. ov & Margot picks up math easily, but she is not good at reading, i be sooner or later: eventually, after a period of time « @ If you study English seriously, sooner or later you'll become fluent. 2 Itt @ Ym too tited to do my homework now; I’m sure Pll do it sooner or later. o b. 4 Essential Idioms in English to get up: to arise, to rise from a bed; to make someone arise (S) For the last definition a noun phrase must separate the verb and particle. D Carla gets up at seven o'clock every morning. ® Atwhat time should we get the children up tomorrow? © ' to ind, to nies 0 come up with: to find, to discover © After worrying for days, I finally came up with a solution to my problem. Even though Kwan doesn’t have a job, he always contes up with enough money to pay his bills, at frst: in the beginning, originally ae @ At first English was difficult for him, but later he made great progress ® I choughe at first that it was Sheila calling, but then I realized that it was liately a EXERCISES Choose the appropriate idiomatic expression to substitute for the italicized word Nag# or words in each sentence below. 1. His alarm clock is always set for six o'clock. He arises at the same time ak every day. a. turns off b. gets up c. puts on rat, It's 4 RM. now, and this important letter must be mailed today. Can you take it to the post office immediately? a. at first » or later. b. right away c. sooner or later secriow 1 Beginning 5 4 Be sure to switch off the light before you leave the house. a. totum off b. to take off c. to get off Pat placed her new hat on her head while looking in the mirror. a. picked up 'b. put on . gets on Remove your jacket and sit down for a few minutes. a. Turn on b. Get on c. Take off I want to stay single for a while, but | hope to get married eventually. 2, sooner or later b. right away c. at first In the beginning | thought that golf was boring, but | like it now. a. Togeton b. At once c. At first He boarded the bus at Broadway and 79th Street. a. got off b, got on . picked up 6 Essential Idioms in English | 9. Joh Fill ine B) itistes Bye 9. John took the pencil and began to write a note. a. tumed on b. got off . picked up 40, Eli finally found a great topic for his history report. a. got up . +b. came up with . put on Fillin each blank with the appropriate form of an idiomatic expression from this lesson. ty. SECTION: Beginning 7 Lesson 2) to dress up: to wear formal clothes, to dress very nicely @ We should definitely dress up to go to the theater, © You don’t have to dress up for Mike's party. at last: finally, after a long time & We waited for hours and then the train arrived at last. @ Now that [am sixteen, at last I can drive my parents’ car. as usual: as is the general case, as is typical © George is late for class as usual. This seems to happen every day. @ As usual, Dora received first prize in the swimming contest, It’s the third consecutive year that she has won. to find out: get information about, to determine (S) This idiom is separable only when a pronoun is used, as in the second example. @ Will you please try to find out what time the airplane arrives? @ Pll call right now to find it owt. to took at: give one's attention to; to watch @ The teacher told us to look at the board and not at our books. © [like to walk along a country road at night and look at the stars. {0 look for: to try to find, to search for ‘An adverb phrase such as all over can be put between the verb and preposition, as in the second example. However, the idiom cannot be separated by a noun or pronoun. & He's spent over an hour looking for the pen that he lost 8 Essential Idioms in English jie Epes eee ee to sper oF the third sxample. rs. position, as aun or ® There you aret We've looked all over for you. all right: acceptable, fine; yes, okay This idiom can also be spelled alright in informal usage. © He said that it would be all right to wait in her office until she returned. ® Do you want me to turn off the TV? Alright, if you insist. all along: all the time, from the beginning (without change) © She knew all along that we'd never agree with his plan. @ Did you know ail along that I'd give you a birthday present, or were you surprised? littte by little: gradually, slowly (also: step by step) ® Karen's health seems to be improving little by little, @ Ifyou study regularly each day, step by step your vocabulary will increase. to tire out: to make very weary due to difficult condi {also: to wear out) (S) ns or hard effort @ The hot weather tired out the runners in the marathon. Does studying for final exams wear you out? It makes me feel worn out! to spend time: to do an activity over a period of time (5) ® Adrian would cather spend time watching TV than doing homework. ® I spent too much time getting ready this morning, so I was late for work. never mind: don’t be concerned about it; ignore what was just said @ When he spilled his drink on my coat, I said, “Never mind, Ie needs to be cleaned anyway.” 2 So you weren't listening to me again. Never mind; it wasn’t important. stcrions Beginning 9 EXERCISES 6. Jo Choose the appropriate idiomatic expression to substitute for the italicized : A) word or words in each sentence below. Idioms from previous lessons are indicated by umber. © 4. Emily is trying to find the purse that she lost yesterday. ey a. finding out 2 b, looking at, : b ¢. looking for . 2, Asis typical, Doug is late for the meeting. a a. Atlast = b, All along b. c As usual . 3. Were you able to determine what his occupation is? ' 9. We a. to find out a b. to pick up (Lesson ) 7 . to spend time . 4. lam very weary after ail that physical exercise today. aoe iE fo a. tured off (Lesson 1) i a b. tired out b, . never mind 5. Samuel was upset earlier, but he is fine now. a. tired out b. as usual c. all right icized are 10. John's mother knew that he wasn't telling the truth from the beginning. a. all along b. allright «little by little Eventually, Matio will be able to speak English better than he does now. a. Never mind b. Sooner of later (Lesson 1) c. At last Is it okay for Mary to borrow our car for a few hours? a. tight away (Lesson 1) b. all right step by step Would you please give your attention to me while I'm talking? a. dress up ». look at wear out They waited for forty-five minutes until finally the server brought their food. a. at last b. tittle by little . at first (Lesson 1) secon 1 Beginning 11 §) Fill in each blank with the appropriate form of an idiomatic expression from # this lesson. Bos: Jim, should we ___ Jim: No, casual clothes are fine. I'm. Have you seen them? _ for the party tonight? my shoes Boe: No, Did you check that closer by the front door? Jim: Of course I did! Gosh, my legs hurt. I’m really Bos: What did you say? jim: Oh, Bos: Sorry, I was _ from playing so much soccer today. It wasn’t important, the another article about the robbery. Jia: Have the police dollars? No, they haven't. But they have looking for him. newspaper. There's who stole the million alot of Jum: Hey, just found my shoes! They were in that closet Boa: I told you so! 12 Essential Idioms in English Lesso fo pick ¢ @ar @ Joi to take ¢ This idio @ Th aw he. totalko aw rea ® Ber totie da to recline @ ify for @ Th to stand to get up @w @ Do n from ght? ay shoes. 1. Jion lot of Lesson 3y ‘to pick out: to choose, to select (S) © Ann picked out a good book to give to her brother as a graduation gift. Johnny, if you want me to buy you a toy, then pick one owt now. to take one’s time: to do without rush, not to hurry ‘This idiom is often used in the imperative form. (See the first example.) There's no need to hurry doing those exercises. Take your time, William never works rapidly. He always takes bis time in everything that he does. to talk over: to discuss or consider a situation with others (S) {9 We talked over our ideas about redecorating the room, but we couldn't reach a decision. @ Before I accepted the new job offer, I talked the matter over with my wife. to lie down: to place oneself in a flat position, to recline @ Ifyou are tied, why don’t you lie downs for an hour or $0? ® The doctor says that Grace must lie downs and rest for a short time every afternoon, to stand up: to rise from a sitting or lying position (als to get up) @ When the president entered the room, everyone stood up. © Don’t just sit there. Get up and help me clean the house! secnoN 1 Beginning 13 to sit down: to be seated (also: to take a seat, to have a seat) oD ‘@ We sat down on the park bench and watched the children play. N There aren't any more chairs, but you can take a seat on the floor t @ Please have a seat, The program will be starting soon. oe @ St} all (day, week, month, year) iong: the entire day, week, month, year Sol @ Pve been working on my income tax forms all day long. De hardly had time to eat. on @ It’s been raining all week long. We haven't seen the sun since last Monday. EXERCISI by oneself: alone, without assistance Choos @ Francis translated that French novel by himself. No one helped him. A) word: a @ Paula likes to walk through the woods by herself, but her brother prefers to walk with a companion. ae a ‘on purpose: for a reason, deliberately b This idiom is usually used when someone does something wrong or unfair. : @ Do you think that she didn’t come to the meeting on purpose? = @ [twas no accident that he broke my glasses. He did it om purpose. is a to get along (with): to associate or work well (with) . © Terry and her new roommate don’t get along; they argue constantly. ie @ Adrienne has a hard time at school because she doesn’t get along with her 3 biology professor. : b. to make a difference (to): to be of importance (to), to affect (also: to matter to) (S) ‘These idioms are often used with adjectives to show the degree of importance. @ It makes a big difference to me whether he likes the food I serve. 1 Essential Idioms in English ardly had st Monday. him. ver prefers to fair. indly, 'g with her atter to) (S) ortance. ® Does it make any difference to you where we go for dinnec? No, it doesn’t matter to me. It matters a lot to Liza, though. She's a vegetarian, to talce out: to remove, to extract (S); to go on a date with (S) (also: go out (with)) Students, take out your books and open them to page twelve. @ Did you take Sue out last night %® No, she couldn't go out with me. EXERCISES Choose the appropriate idiomatic expression to substitute for the italicized A 5 word or words in each sentence below. idioms from previous lessons are =" indicated by number 1. I think that you should remove the last two sentences in the paragraph a. take out b. pick out talk over 2. Ifyou don’ t hurry in completing your schoolwork, you'll do a better job. a. get off (Lesson 1) b. tie down . take your time 3. Does it affect you if | work late tonight? a. get along with b. make a difference to ©. pick out secon 1 Beginning 15 4. I don’t lke to go to the movies alone. aa OG a. as usual (Lesson 2) 7 b. by myself b. ¢. on purpose ie 5- Do you have a moment to try to find my keys with me? 5, Flline a, to tatk over PP mises b. to look for (Lesson 2) «. toget up Jean 6. The child said that she didn’t break the window deliberately Pere a. on purpose », all day long Jean: c. making a difference Pere 7. Did you go on a date with your new gitifriend again today? a. matter to Jean b. stand up c. go out with Pere 8, It's cold outside; you'd better place a sweater on yourself ia a. sit down », put on (Lesson 3) «. take out Pere 9. Fortunately, Marie is associating well with her new co-workers. a. tring out (Lesson 2) iw b. talking over «. getting along with Pere 16 Essential Idioms in English 10. Don't sit on the dirty ground like that; rise right now! a. get up b. tie down c. sit down B 4, Fillin each blank with the appropriate form of an idiomatic expression from Sy this lesson, Jean: Hi, Pete. Did you come > Pere: Yes, Sarah couldn’t come. She's at the dentist's office. Jean: Oh? Why is that? Pere: The dentist has to ___ one of her teeth. It has been hurting ___weele Jean: That's too bad. Well, I'm glad you're early. Pere: Why? I didn’t come early Jen: I know, but now we have time to thar problem regarding the new employee. Pere: You mean the woman who doesn’t _____ her co-workers? Jean: Exactly. But please, take off your coat first and on the conch. Pere: Thanks, Section 1 Beginning 17 This idiom 1 to take part in: to be involved in, to participate in (also: to be in on) +2 fin © Martin was sick and could not take part in the meeting yesterday. 7 ® How 9 Tdidn’t want to be in om their argument, so I remained silent, ‘ ® As of at all: fo any degree (also: in the least) to take a we This idiom is used with the negative to add emphasis to a'statement. ts A hike invol, @ Larry isn’t at all shy about expressing his opinions. @ Lace © When I asked Donna whether she was tired, she said, “Not in the least, Pm a full of energy.” @ Let's t to look up: to locate information in a directory, dictionary, book, etc. (S) to take a trig %@ Elena suggested that we /ook up the store’s telephone number on the @ T'mso Internet, ® During ® Students should try to understand the meaning of a new word from context before looking the word up in the dictionary. ca to wait on: to serve in a store or restaurant @ He trie @ A very pleasant young clerk waited on me in that shop. ® Why de ® The restaurant server asked us, “Has anyone waited on you yet?” Sates at least: a minimum of, no fewer (or less) than @ Md like @ spend at least two hours every night studying, @ You do. ® Mike drinks at least a quart of water every day. ee @ The reg ® Ithougl 18 Essential idioms in English lay. the least. Vm ) on the from context 2 0 far: until now, until the present time (also: up to now, as of yet) This idiom is usually used with the present perfect tense. 3 So far, this year has been excellent for business. I hope that the good luck continues. @ How many idioms have we studied in this book up to now? © As of yet, we have not had an answer from him. to take a walk, hike, etc.: to go for a walk, hike, etc. A hike involves challenging, strenuous walking, usually up a hill or moun ® Last evening we took a walk around the park, @ Let's take a hike up Cowles Mountain this afternoon, to take a trip: to go on a journey, to travel © Pm so busy at work that I have no time to take a trip. ® During the summer holidays, the Thompsons took a trip to Europe. to try on:to wear clothes to check the style or fit before buying (S) @ He tried on several suits before he picked out a blue one. @ Why don’t you try these shoes om next? to think over: to consider carefully before deciding (S) ® Pd like to think over your offer first. Then can we talk it over tomorrow? ® You don’t have to give me your decision now. Think it over for a while, to take place: to occur, to happen according to plan @ The regular meetings of the committee take place in Constitution Hall I thought that the celebration was taking place at John’s house. ‘SEcrioN t Beginning 19 seems ee to put away: to remove from sight, to put in the proper place (S) ® Please put away your papers before you open the test booklet. @ John put the notepad away in his desk when he was finished with ic EXERCISES 7 Choose the appropriate idiomatic expression to substitute for the italicized AD word or words in each sentence below. Idioms from previous lessons are indicated by number. 4. You'll have to locate his number in the telephone book. a. to think over b. to wait on c. to look up 2. Let's go on a challenging walk in the mountains this weekend. a. take a hike b. take atrip . take part in 3. You ought to spend ¢ minimum of an hour outside in the fresh air. a. inthe least b. as usual (Lesson 2) ©. at least 4. Would you like me to help you choose a new dress for the dance? a. pick out (Lesson 3) b. try on <. putaway 20 Essential Idioms in English We; ate 10. vith i Wicized sare 10. ve always wanted to journey to Alaska during the summer. a. to take a walk b. to take atrip «to take a hike It took a long time for the store clerk fo serve us. 4. to call on (Lesson 2) b, to take part in c. to wait on J don’t enjoy house cleaning to any degree. a, atall b. up to now at last (Lesson 2) ‘Our guest will arrive soon; please remove your dirty clothes from sight. a. tryon b. put away ©. get off (Lesson 2) Pil switch on the light so that we can see better in here. a. be inon b, turn on (Lesson 3) & tryon James didn’t want to be involved in the preparations for the conference. a. to take part in b, to take place c. totryon SECTION + Beginning 24 B ) Fin each blank with the appropriate form of an idiomatic expression from this lesson. Mara: Kim: Mara: Kina: Mara: Kam: Mara: Mara: ‘Where's the store clerk? I don’t know. It’s taking her too long to ___us, I don’t like the service in this store _ I feel like leaving right now. Don’t do that. How many dresses have you tried on. Oh, P’ve tried on about eight dresses. Well, after all that time and effort, you should buy one, don't you think? No, never mind. I'm so upser that I need to ____________ outside in the fresh air. Mara, { think that you're making the wrong decision. This is really a nice dress at a great price. You should iteceeee eee, Well . [guess a few more minutes of waiting won't make a difference. 22 Essential Idioms in English Lesso to look o: Both of t ak @ Lo 8 Sm: offe to shake hands 2 Wh usu. @ The old to get bac @ Me @ Cou tocatch a @ ty @ Ever to get ove @ Itto @ Itse oe Lesson 5) to took out: to be careful or cautious (also: to watch out) Both of these idioms can occur with the preposition for “Look out!” Jeffrey cried as his fiend almost stepped in front of a car feel ® Look out for reckless drivers whenever you cross the street. © Small children should always watch out for strangers offering candy. to shake hands: to exchange greetings by clasping hands © When people meet for the first time, they usually shake hands. @ The student warmly shook hands with his old professor. to get back: to return (S) @ Mr Hartis gor back from his business trip to Chicago this morning. This is @ Could you get the children back home by five o’clock? to catch a cold: to become sick with a cold of the nose or throat (S) © Ifyou go out in this rain, you will surely catch a cold. nake Every winter I catch a terrible cold. to get over: to recover from an illness; to accept a loss or sorrow @ Trtook me over a month to get over my cold, but I'm finally well now. @ Itscems that Mr. Mason will never get over the death of his wife. secriow 1 Beginning 23 to make up one’s mind: to reach a decision, to decide finally « Sally is considering several colleges co attend, but she hasn't made up her mind yet. When are you going co make up your mind about your vacation plans? to change one’s mind: to alter one’s decision or opinion © We have changed our minds and are going to Canada instead of California this summer, @ Matthew has changed his mind several times about buying a new car for the time being: temporarily (also: for now) For the time being, Janet is working as a waitress, but she really hopes to become an actress soon. @ We're living in an apartment for now, but soon we'll be looking for a house to buy. for good: permanently, forever %@ Ruth has returned to Canada for good. She won't ever live in the United States again. : ® Are you finished with school for good, or will you continue your studies some day? to call off: to cancel (S) @ The referce called off the soccer game because of the darkness. @ The president called the meeting off because she had to leave town. to put off: to postpone (S)

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