Lesson 25 Flashcards

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1
Q

Big deal!

A

So what? That doesn’t really matter.

EXAMPLE 1: You won five dollars in the lottery? Big deal!

EXAMPLE 2: Your father has a job with a big company in New York City? Big deal!

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2
Q

(to) break into

A

to enter or be let into a profession

EXAMPLE 1: If you want to break into journalism, it’s a good idea to work on a college newspaper.

EXAMPLE 2: These days it’s difficult to break into investment banking.

Norn: “Break into” has several other meanings:

  1. Interrupt. Boris and I were talking. Please don’t try to break into our conversation.
  2. Enter illegally or by force. Somebody broke into Peter’s house and stole his DVD player.
  3. To suddenly begin an activity, such as singing. After receiving the check from the National Cookie Company, Susan broke into song.
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3
Q

cream of the crop

A

the best of a group

EXAMPLE 1: In the world of women’s tennis, the Williams sisters are the
cream of the crop.

EXAMPLE 2: Of course you’ll get accepted to Harvard. Don’t forget, you’re the cream of the crop!

SYNONYM: creme de la creme

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4
Q

(to) foot the bill

A

to pay

EXAMPLE 1: You paid last time we went to the movies. Let me foot the bill this time.

EXAMPLE 2: Fortunately, whenever we go out to dinner with the boss, she foots the bill.

SYNONYM: to pick up the tab

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5
Q

(to be) out of it

A

not aware or knowledgeable about trends or modem habits

EXAMPLE 1: Don’t ask for Susan’s advice on fashion. She’s really out of it. She wears sneakers with everything.

EXAMPLE 2: Betsy has never even heard of Harry Potter. She’s really out of it!
NOTE: “Out of it” also means “confused” or “disoriented.” Example: After staying up all night studying, Ted felt out of it the next day.

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6
Q

spending money

A

money for minor expenses

EXAMPLE 1: Before Tim left for Europe, his parents gave him $400 in spending money.

EXAMPLE 2: Martin’s parents are paying his college tuition, but he has to earn his own spending money.

SYNONYM: pocket money

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7
Q

(to) wine and dine

A

to take someone out for an evening or an expensive meal

EXAMPLE 1: Donna wined and dined Bob and Susan and then presented them with a contract for the sale of Susan’s Scrumptious Cookies.

EXAMPLE 2: Kate was wined and dined during her trip to Santiago.

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8
Q

(to be on a) winning streak

A

a series of wins

EXAMPLE 1: The basketball team hasn’t lost a game all season. They’re on a winning streak!

EXAMPLE 2: You won 10 games in a row? You’re on a winning streak!

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9
Q

(to) wrap up

A

to finish

EXAMPLE 1: If you wrap up your homework by eight o’clock, we’ll have time to catch a movie tonight.

EXAMPLE 2: Okay folks, let’s wrap up these exercises so we can go home early tonight.

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