Fixed Phrases/Idioms Flashcards
one in every three/two in every hundred etc
used to show how common something is
ex. In Britain, one in every three marriages now ends in divorce.
a great/good deal of
a large quantity of something (a lot)
ex. It took a great deal of time and effort.
apart/aside from
except for
ex. We didn’t see anyone all day, apart from a couple of kids on the beach.
by/in virtue of
by means of, or as a result of something
ex. She became a British resident by virtue of her marriage.
to provide (someone) with (something)
to give something to someone or make it available to them, because they need it or want it
ex. The project is designed to provide young people with work.
to experiment with/on
a scientific test done to find out how something reacts under certain conditions, or to find out if a particular idea is true
ex. experiments with alcohol-fuelled cars
experiments on sleep deprivation
to miss out on (something)
to lose the chance to do something / get something / achieve something
ex.
in fact
actually
ex. He was in fact near death by the time they reached him.
in the habit of
if you are in the habit of doing something, you do it regularly or often
ex. They were in the habit of giving two or three dinner parties a month.
have a good chance of
there is strong likelihood / possibility of doing something or of something happening
ex. There’s a good chance (that) I’ll have this essay finished by tomorrow.
it goes without saying
something is so obvious that it
need not be said
ex. Of course, it goes without saying that you’ll be paid for the extra hours you work
something strikes somebody as (being)
to make someone have a particular opinion or feeling
ex. He didn’t strike me as being the jealous sort
struggle to (verb), let alone
not to mention
ex. He was incapable of leading a bowling team, let alone a country
such was (noun) that
ex. Such was the force of the blast, that the car was blown right across the street
to congratulate on
ex. Congratulations on winning the lottery!
it would appear that
it seems
ex. It would appear that the love is reciprocal.
turn up at (something)
arrive
ex. I am sorry for not turning up at the meeting.
in case
if it is true that
ex. We take gloves, in case it is cold
symptomatic of (something)
serving as a symptom or sign, especially of something undesirable
ex. These difficulties are symptomatic of fundamental problems
even so
in spite of that; nevertheless
ex. It was not the most exciting of places, but even so I was having a good time
reputation for (being)
ex. The company has a reputation for excellent customer care
as if
as would be the case if
ex. She behaved as if he wasn’t there
(a) little chance of
a small possibility
ex. There’s still a little chance of winning the contest.
it made a change to (verb)
to become different
ex. It made a change to learn something useful from TV last night.
regret (noun/gerund)
ex. She regretted not getting along better with her father.
get along
have a harmonious or friendly relationship.
ex. They seem to get along pretty well
on time/in time
at a particular designated time/early enough
come to terms with the fact
to accept an unpleasant or sad situation and no longer feel upset or angry about it
ex. She finally came to terms with the fact that she would never see him again.
(prices/taxes) have gone though the roof
has been a big raise
ex. Property taxes have gone though the roof in the last year.
make no/a secret of something
To try to hide something; to keep something secret
ex. He make no secret of the fact that he has been married before.
to be on speaking terms
friendly enough to talk
ex. We had an argument, but we’re back on speaking terms now.
tell (someone) apart
to recognize the difference between people or things that are similar
ex. I cannot tell them apart.
on the point of
was about to do something
ex. As we were on the point of giving up hope, a letter arrived.
bring to (someone’s) attention
to make someone aware of (something)
ex. It has been brought to my attention that the meeting has been canceled.
take (no) notice of something
to give something your attention
ex. She took no notice of the fact that she is unsuitable.
no sooner had (subj) (verb past) than
one thing happens immediately after another thing
ex. No sooner had they started their walk than it started to rain.
put (something) down to (something)
you think it has happened for that reason (attributed)
ex. I put his irritability down to tiredness.
to live to up to (someone’s) expectations
to do as well as someone expects one to do
ex. He found it hard to live up to his parents’ expectations.
only after (subj. + verb) to be + subj.
ex. Only when I filled my glass did I notice that it was broken
let (someone) out of (your) sight
in a place that you cannot see from where you are
ex. Don’t let the kids out of your sight for a second.
to mistake (someone) for (someone)
to confuse someone with someone else
ex. I’m sorry. I mistook you for John.
