Expressions Paraphrase Usage 16 take a break stop working (for a short time) A: Let's take a ten-minute break. 17 take a lot of nerve require a lot of courage A: My brother is going to invest all his savings in a new business venture. B: That takes a lot of nerve. I’d be afraid to take a risk like that. 18 take a lot out of (someone) be hard on someone; drain energy from someone B: Looking after a baby really takes a lot out of you. 19 take advantage of utilize; make use of; exploit A: My new roommate is from Italy. B: You should take advantage of this opportunity to learn some Italian. 20 take after resemble; look like (especially an older relative) A: Do you take after your mother or father? B: I don’t think I look much like either one of them. 21 take apart disassemble A: Earl had no trouble taking apart the engine on the lawn mower, but then he couldn’t put it back together. 22 take it easy relax; calm down B: Now that you've finished your exams, you can take it easy. Expressions Paraphrase Usage 1 take off (1) remove (clothing) (2) ascend (as a plane does) (3) become popular quickly (1)A: Take off your muddy boots before you go into the house. (2)A: Most air accidents take place when a plane is taking off or landing. 2 take over assume control or responsibility B: After we'd stopped for lunch Sheila took over the driving for a while. 3 take part in participate in A: About 400 students took part in the protest. 4 take the plunge finally take action; do something different A: So, Louisa, you’re going to try out for a part in the play? B: Yes, I’ve been interested in acting for quite a while, so I finally decided to take the plunge. 5 take a shortcut take a more direct of faster route than usual A: How did you get home so quickly? B: I took a shortcut through the woods. 6 take time off (from) take a vacation or a break (from work or school) B: Have you ever had to take time off for health reasons? 7 take up begin to study some topic or engage in some activity A: I need more excitement in my life. B: Why don’t you give up stamp collecting and take up sky diving instead? 8 talk down to speak to someone as if he or she were a child; patronize A: Far from being treated as adults, however, students on the course were talked down to as though they were children. 9 talk into persuade; convince B: At first, I didn’t want to go to the party, but I’m glad Annette talked me into it. It was fun. 10 talk out of dissuade; convince not to do something A: Marvin was going to drop out of school, but his grandfather talked him out of it. 11 talk over discuss B: You may want to talk things over with your academic advisor. 12 tear oneself away from something stop doing something interesting A: Will your friend Scott be coming to the reception? B: If he can tear himself away from those computer games he’s always playing. 13 tear up rip into small pieces A: The spy tore up the document so that no one else could read it. 14 tell apart distinguish B: The twins look so much alike that almost no one can tell them apart. 15 things are looking up the situation is improving A: Now the summer's here things are looking up ! 16 think over consider B: Why don't you think it over and give me a call in a couple of days? 17 throw away discard; get rid of A: I’m going to throw away those old newspapers. B: Don’t just put them in the trash-recycle them instead. 18 throw the book at someone give someone the maximum punishment A: Dan was afraid the judge would throw the book at him because he had been charge with the same offense several times. 19 throw (pour) cold water on discourage; force to cancel(a plan, for example) B: Mieno is pouring cold water on the report before she's even seen it. 20 try on test clothing before buying (for size, style, and so on) A: You’d better try on these gloves before you buy them; they may not fit. 21 try out test a product before buying B: I wish I’d tried out this calculator before I bought it. It doesn’t seem to be working right. 22 try out (for) audition for ( a role in a play, for example); attempt to join ( a team, for example) A: I tried out for the swim team when I was a kid. Expressions Paraphrase Usage 1 turn around face in a different direction; change directions ;about face A: A bear! I don’t see a bear! Where is it? B: Turn around slowly. It’s right behind you. 2 turn down (1)reject an offer (2) decrease in intensity (1) B: Brian was offered the manager’s job but he turned it down. He said he didn’t want the responsibility. (2) B: It’s warm in here. Could you turn down the heat a little? 3 turn in (1)return; give back; hand in (2)go to bed A: It’s been a rough day. I’m going to turn in early and get a good night’s sleep. 4 turn into change to; transform into B: The story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is about a scientist who turned into a monster after drinking a chemical potion. 5 turn off stop the operation (of an appliance for example); shut off A: Turn off the water or the tub will overflow. 6 turn on start the operation (of an appliance, for example) B: I can’t see a thing. Please turn on the light. 7 turn out (1)result; end up; be the final (2)produce (3)arrive; gather (for a meeting) (3) A: Not many people turned out for the meeting last night. 8 turn up (1) increase in intensity (2) arrive B: I love that song. Could you turn up the volume on the radio a little? 9 under the weather slightly ill A: Mitchell looked pale and tired. B: He told me he was feeling a little under the weather. 10 use up use completely A: She's used up all the hot water. 11 wait on serve B: Don’t ask me to wait on you! I’m not your servant. 12 walk on air be very happy A: You must be happy about getting that scholarship. B: Are you kidding? I’m still walking on air. 13 warm up (1)heat (2)practice; prepare for A: I’m hungry! B: Why don’t you warm up some of the leftovers from dinner last night. You can use the microwave oven. Before the game starts, the players need to warm up. 14 warm up (to) become friendly with; start to enjoy A: Bruce didn't warm up to him as he had to Casey. 15 Watch out (for) be alert; look out for B: If you’re on a crowded bus or subway, you must watch out for pickpockets. 16 wear out become no longer useful because of wear A: This sweater looked nice when it was new, but now it’s worn out. 17 what the doctor ordered exactly what was needed; the perfect thing A: How about a nice cup of hot tea? B: That’s exactly what I’m in the mood for. It’s just what the doctor ordered. 18 wipe out eliminate B: The fur trade has wiped leopards out in some areas. 19 without a hitch without a problem A: How was your presentation? B: Great. It went off without a hitch. 20 work out (1) exercise (2)bring to a successful conclusion; solve (1)A: I’m going to the gym to work out on the exercise machines. (2) A: Maria had quite a few problems last year, but she worked them all out. Expressions Paraphrase Usage 1 part with no longer have; get rid of A: You should get rid of that old leather jacket. It’s in pretty bad shape. B: I know, but I hate to part with it. I’ve had it for years. 2 pass up not accept; not choose A: Are you going to take that job? B: No, I decided to pass it up because I don’t want to relocate. 3 pass with flying colors do very well (on a test) A: How did you do on your final exams? B: Great! I passed them all with flying colors. 4 pat oneself on the back congratulate oneself A: I finally finished collecting all the materials I need to write my report. B: Great, but don’t be too quick to pat yourself on the back. You still have to write the report. 5 pay attention (to) concentrate on; focus on A: Pay attention as I read the directions or you won’t understand what to do. 6 pick on be cruel to; torment B: Why don't you pick on someone else for a change? 7 pick out choose; select A: Who picked out that tie for you? B: No one. I chose it myself. 8 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) (1) A: The child picked up her toys from the floor and then put them away in her toy box. (3) A: How did you learn to make such beautiful pottery? Did you take a class in ceramics? B: No, I just picked it up on my own. 9 pick up the tab (for) pay for A: We all went out to dinner, and Adam picked up the tab. 10 the picture of a perfect example of something B: Head bowed and sobbing, she was the picture of misery. Cf: be the picture of health be the picture of innocence 11 play by ear do something without a definite plan A: What do you want to do tomorrow? B: I don’t know. Let’s just play it by ear. 12 play it safe choose a cautious plan A: Play it safe (=avoid risks) and make sure the eggs are thoroughly cooked. 13 point out indicate B: Luke pointed out two large birds by the water's edge. 14 a pretty penny a lot of money A: That conference you attended in San Diego must have cost a pretty penny. B: You’re right, it was quite expensive, but fortunately, the company I work for picked up the tab for me. 15 pull one’s leg joke with someone ;make up a story A: I wouldn’t believe a word Lynn told you. She’s just pulling your leg. 16 push one’ s luck to continue doing something too long; to keep taking chances B: It's 26 miles, so you're pushing your luck if you try to hike it in a day. 17 put aside ; set aside save for later A: Could you put this cake aside for me? 18 put away return something to is proper place B: He put his toys away every night. 19 put off delay; postpone A: Bert and Mary had to put off their dinner party until next weekend because Bert wasn’t feeling well. 20 put on begin to wear A: Can you read that sign? B: Just a minute. Let me put my glasses on. 21 put together assemble B: It took Linda weeks to put together that thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle. 22 put up with tolerate A: Vanessa is allergic to tobacco smoke, so she can’t put up with smoking. Expressions Paraphrase Usage 1 right away immediately B: Write down your ideas right away. If you wait to write them down, you may forget them. 2 ring a bell (with) sound familiar to A: Have you ever heard of an actor name Anthony Reed? B: Hmm, I don’t think so. The name doesn’t ring a bell with me at all. 3 rough it experience somewhat primitive conditions A: Norman doesn’t like to rough it when he goes on vacation. He prefers to stay at luxury hotels. 4 rub someone the wrong way irritate; annoy B: Don’t rub the TA the wrong way. 5 rule out say something is impossible ;eliminate a possibility A: She has refused to rule out the possibility of singing again. 6 run a temperature have a fever A: I feel awful. I have a terrible cold or maybe even the flu. B: Are you running a temperature? If you have a fever, then you probably have the flu. 7 run for office try to get elected B: It’s expensive to run for office these days. Political campaigns cost a lot of money. 8 run into (1) meet unexpectedly (2) collide with A: I ran into my old friend Leslie downtown yesterday. I hadn’t seen her for months. 9 run late be in a hurry be late B: I'm running late, so I'll talk to you later. 10 run of the mill ordinary A: I’d heard that the clothes in this store were very nice, but I found them run of the mill. 11 run out (of something) exhaust the supply B: I was late because I ran out of gasoline on the way over here. 12 save one’s breath don’t bother asking someone A: I’m collecting money for the Red Cross. I think I’ll ask Pat to contribute. B: Save your breath. Pat never contributes to anything. 13 search me I don’t know. I have no idea. A: Where is she? B: Search me! 14 see eye to eye (with someone) (on something) have the same opinion; be in agreement A: My brother and I agree on most issues, but I sure don’t see eye to eye with him on this proposal to build a new stadium. 15 see (someone) off accompany (to an airport or train station, for example) A: Has John gone back to Minneapolis yet? B: Yes, I just saw him off at the airport. 16 see to take care of; check on; fix B: Don't worry - I'll see to it . 17 serve one right receive the proper punishment; get the penalty one deserves A: She kicked me! B: Serves you right, teasing her like that. 18 short for a nick name for A: Your sister’s name is Jessie? B: That’s what everyone calls her-it’s short for Jessica. 19 show around orient; give a tour B: Harrison showed her around the house. 20 show off try to attract attention by unusual behavior ; display expertise A: He couldn't resist showing off on the tennis court. 21 show up arrive B: I don’t like to go to parties too early. I’d rather show up a little bit late. 22 shut down close stops operating A: I'm always forgetting to shut down my computer before I go home. 23 sign up (for) enroll (for a class, for example) A: Did you sign up for Professor Carmichael’s class? B: No. I decided to take Professor Knudson’s class instead. 24 sing another tune change one’s opinion; feel differently A: Bennett thought those stories Tina told about you were pretty funny. B: They weren’t funny, they were embarrassing. Bennett would be singing another tune if Tina had told that kind of story about him. 25 size up measure; estimate A: It only took a few seconds for her to size up the situation. 26 sleep on it postpone a decision until the next day A: So, do you plan to buy this motorcycle or not? B: I’m still not sure. Can I sleep on it and let you know tomorrow morning? 27 slowly but surely gradually; steadily but not quickly A: I understand you’re learning how to speak Russian. B: Yes, and it was really hard for me, especially at first. Now, though, I’m slowly but surely getting the hang of it. 28 snowed under very busy A: Did you have a busy night at the restaurant? B: We weren’t just busy- we were snowed under! I’ve never seen so many customers! 29 so far, so good up until now, there are no problems M: Vicky, how’s that project you’re working on coming along? W: So far, so good, but the tricky part will be next week. 30 sooner or later at some indefinite future time ; in no time B: I'm sure Brian will turn up sooner or later. 31 speak one’s mind say what one is thinking A: Larry isn't afraid to speak his mind, even in front of the boss. 32 speak up speak more loudly B: Could you speak up, please? 33 speak up for support A: Did they make fun of him for speaking up for the underdog in school? 34 spell out (for) make something very clear ; explain in detail A: Frank doesn’t take a hint very well, does he? B: No, you have to spell things out for Frank. He likes everything crystal clear. Expressions Paraphrase Usage 1 spick- and-span extremely clean; spotless B: We have to leave the apartment spick-and-span. The landlord said that if it wasn’t clean when we moved out, we’d lost part of our security deposit. 2 stack up against compare with A: Tim, you’ve eaten at both these restaurants-how does Chez Michele stack up against the Oak Room. B: Oh, they’re both good. I think the Oak Room has slightly better food, but the service is better at Chez Michele. 3 stamp out eliminate; wipe out A: Vaccines have permitted doctors to virtually stamp out a number of diseases, including smallpox, polio. 4 stand for (1)tolerate (2)symbolize; represent (1) B: The teacher won’t stand for cheating. When she caught one student cheating on the mid-term exam, she gave him a zero on that test. (2) B: The fifty stars on the American flag stand for the fifty states. 5 stand out be noticeable A: Don was wearing jeans and a T-shirt while all the other guests had on formal dinner wear. He really stood out. 6 stand up for support, defend B: It's time we stood up for our rights. 7 stay out not come home A: How late do you usually stay out on weekends? B: I sometimes don’t come home until two or three in the morning. 8 stay out (or up) to all hours come home (or go to bed) very late A: He started staying out late , studying at the library. 9 stay up not go to bed A: How late do you usually stay up? B: I normally in bed by eleven on weekdays. 10 stick with not change; stay with A: I give up. I can’t solve this chemistry problem. B: Stick with it. Eventually, you’ll figure it out. 11 stock up on get a large supply of something A: I just heard on the news that the Florida orange crop was damaged by the hurricane last week, and that orange juice prices are going to go way up. B: If we had a big freezer, we could stock up on frozen orange juice now and we wouldn’t have to pay those prices later. 12 a stone’s throw from not far away from ; close to A: Do you live near Cecilia? B: Oh, sure. My apartment building is just a stone’s throw from hers. 13 stop by visit informally ; go to see B: Daniel stopped by the store on his way home. 14 straighten up clean up; make tidy A: Do you straighten up your apartment before guests stop by? B: A little bit. I don’t mind if it’s a little messy, but I don’t want it to look like a disaster area. 15 stuck with have something one cannot get rid of A: I tried and tried to find a buyer for this old car. B: Looks like you’re stuck with it for now.