Pair Phrases Flashcards
bright and early
to wake up/get up/leave very early in the morning (has a positive connotation
by and large
generally
to be few and far between
not to be very common/to be very difficult to find (good jobs are few and far between in days of high unemployment)
to grin and bear it
to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining (probably because there is no choice)
[we’ll just have to grin and bear it)
ins and outs
ex. [We have yet to discuss all the ins and outs of his proposal]
to make a song and dance about
to complain too much about sth, in a way that seems unnecessary
odds and ends
small unimportant objects
once and for all
definitely and finally so that you end all doubt and uncertainty
one’s own flesh and blood
a relative (We’re talking about my family here, my own flesh and blood. Of course I trust them. )
peace and quiet
calm and tranquillity
pride and joy
duma, chluba
prim and proper
very conservative and easily offended (used to decribe people)
safe and sound
safe and unharmed
spick and span
very clean [when i get back, i want this place looking spick and span]
touch and go
doubtful
up-and-coming
sb who shows a lot of promise and will probably be very successful in the future [up-and-coming artist/tennis player/writer]
to have ups and dowsn
to have good times and bad times
wear and tear
damage caused to furniture/clothes/equipment, by daily use [ even allowing for wear and tear these chair covers should last for at least fiteen years]
well and truly
completely (often used with lost and beaten})
to win fair and square
to win fairly (often used when you have been accused of cheating) what do you mean I cheated? I won fait and square and you know it.
