Essential English Idiom - Lesson 2

Lesson 2 

to take part in: to be involved in, to participate in (also: to be in on)

- Martin was sick and could not take part in the meeting yesterday.

- I didn't want to be in on their argument, so I remained silent.

at all: to any degree (also: in the least)

This idiom is used with the negative to add emphasis to a statement.

- Larry isn't at all shy about expressing his opinions.

- When I asked Donna whether she was tired, she said, "Not in the least. I'm full of energy."

to look up: to locate information in a directory, dictionary, book, etc. (S)

- Ellen suggested that we look up Lee's telephone number in the directory.

- Students should try to understand the meaning of a new word from context before looking the word up in the dictionary.

to wait on someone: to serve in a store or restaurant

- A very pleasant young clerk waited on me in that shop.

- The restaurant waitress asked us, "Has anyone waited on you yet?"

at least: a minimum of, no fewer (or less) than

- I spend at least two hours every night on my studies.

- Mike claims that he drinks at least a quart of water every day.

so far: until now, until the present time (also: up to now, as of yet)

This idiom is usually used with the present perfect tense.

- 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, stroll, hike, etc.: to go for a walk, stroll, hike, etc

A stroll involves slow, easy walking; a hike involves serious, strenuous walking.

- Last evening we took a walk around the park.

- It's a fine day. Would you like to take a stroll along Mason Boulevard?

- Let's take a hike up Cowles Mountain this afternoon.

to take a trip (to): to go on a journey, to travel

- I'm 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 on next?

to think over: to consider carefully before deciding (S)

- I'd 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.

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 it. 

to look 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 friend almost stepped in a big hole in the ground.

- 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. Harris got back from his business trip to Chicago this morning.

- Could you get the children back home by five o'clock?

to catch cold : to become sick with a cold of the nose or throat

- If you go out in this rain, you will surely catch cold.

- How did she ever catch cold in such warm weather?

to get over: to recover from an illness; to accept a loss or sorrow

- It took me over a month to get over my cold, but I'm finally well now.

- It seems that Mr. Mason will never get over the death of his wife.

to make up one's (my, his, your, etc.) mind: to reach a decision, to decide finally

- Sally is considering several colleges to attend, but she hasn't made up her mind yet.

- When are you going to make up your mind about your vacation plans?

to change one's (my, his, your, etc.) 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 referee 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)

- Many students put off doing their assignments until the last minute.

- Let's put the party off until next weekend, okay?

in a hurry: hurried, rushed (also: in a rush )

- Alex seems in a hurry; he must be late for his train again.

- She's always in a rush in the morning to get the kids to school 

under the weather: not feeling well, sick

- John stayed home from work because he was feeling under the weather.

- When you catch cold, you feel under the weather.

to hang up: to place clothes on a hook or hanger (S), to replace the receiver on the phone at the end of a conversation (S)

- Would you like me to hang up your coat for you in the closet?

- The operator told me to hang the phone up and call the number again.

to count on: to trust someone in time of need (also: to depend on)

- I can count on my parents to help me in an emergency.

- Don't depend on Frank to lend you any money; he doesn't have any.

to make friends (with): to become friendly with others

- Patricia is a shy girl and doesn't make friends easily.

- During the cruise Ronald made friends with almost everyone on the ship.

out of order: not in working condition

- The elevator was out of order, so we had to walk to the tenth floor of the building.

- We couldn't use the soft drink machine because it was out of order.

to get to: to be able to do something special; to arrive at a place, such as home, work, etc.

For the second definition, do not use the preposition to with the words home or there.

- The children got to stay up late and watch a good movie for the family.

- I missed the bus and couldn't get to the office until ten o'clock.

- When are you planning to get home tonight?

few and far between: not frequent, unusual, rare

- The times that our children get to stay up late are few and far between.

- Airplane travel is very safe because accidents are few and far between.

to look over: to examine, to inspect closely (also: to go over, to read over, to check over ) (S)

Go over is different from the other forms because it is not separable.

- I want to look my homework over again before I give it to the teacher.

- The politician went over his speech before the important presentation.

- You should never sign any legal paper without checking it over first.

to have (time) off: to have free time, not to have to work (also: to take time off (S))

The related form (S) to take time off is used when someone makes a decision to have free time, sometimes

when others might not agree with the decision.

- Every morning the company workers have time off for a coffee break.

- Several workers took the afternoon off to go to a baseball game.

to go on: to happen; to resume, to continue (also: to keep on )

- Many people gathered near the accident to see what was going on.

- I didn't mean to interrupt you. Please go on.

- The speaker kept on talking even though most of the audience had left.

to put out: to extinguish, to cause to stop functioning (S)

To put out has the same meaning as to turn off (Lesson 1) for a light fixture.

- No smoking is allowed in here. Please put out your cigarette.

- The fire fighters worked hard to put the brush fire out.

- Please put out the light before you leave. Okay, I'll put it out.

all of a sudden: suddenly, without warning (also: all at once)

- All of a sudden Ed appeared at the door. We weren't expecting him to drop by.

- All at once Millie got up and left the house without any explanation