Phrases

Question 1

brush someone/something aside

Answer 1

to refuse to consider something or someone seriously because you feel that they are not important:

• She brushed their objections aside, saying “Leave it to me.”
• Every time I try to explain, you brush me aside as though nothing I say can have any value.

Question 2

toss something around

Answer 2

If you toss ideas, suggestions, or phrases around, you mention them and discuss them with other people.

Question 3

Better off

Answer 3

to have more money than you had in the past or more money than most other people:

• Obviously we’re better off now that we’re both working.
• When his parents died, he found himself $100,000 better off (= he had $100,000 more than before).

Question 4

leave someone/something out

Answer 4

to not include someone or something:

• You can leave the butter out of this recipe if you’re on a low-fat diet.
• I’ve made a list of names - I hope I haven’t left anyone out.

Question 5

Out of the blue

Answer 5

If something happens out of the blue, it is completely unexpected:
• One day, out of the blue, she announced that she was leaving.

Question 6

Blurt something out

Answer 6

to say something suddenly and without thinking, usually because you are excited or nervous:
•He blurted everything out about the baby, though we’d agreed to keep it a secret for a while.
•She suddenly blurted out, “I can’t do it!”
•Late one evening, Gianni blurted out that he loved her.