trade on something to use a fact or a situation to one's advantage.

• Tom was able to trade on the fact that he had once been in
the Army. • John traded on hispoor eyesight to get a seat closer to the stage.

turn something to one's advantage to

make an advantage for oneself out of
something (which might otherwise be
a disadvantage). • Sally found a way to
turn the problem to her advantage. • The
ice cream store manager was able to turn
the hot weather to her advantage.

Straight and narrow a straight and law abiding route through life.

BEHAVIOR – CHANGE
Change someone's tune to change the manner of a person, usually from bad to good, or from rude to pleasant. • The teller was
most unpleasant until she learned that I'm a bank director. Then she changed her tune. • "I will help change your tune by fining
you $150," said the judge to the rude defendant.

dance to another tune to shift quickly to different behavior; to change one's

behavior or attitude. • After being yelled at, Ann danced to another tune. • A stern talking-to will make her dance to another tune.

sing a different tune AND sing another tune to change one's manner, usually from bad to good. • When she learned that I was
a bank director, she began to sing a different tune. • You will sing a different tune as soon as you find out how right I am!

BEHAVIOR - IMPROPER
have no business doing something to be wrong to do something; to be extremely unwise to do something. • You have no
business bursting in on me like that! • You have no business spending money like that

step out of line to misbehave; to do something offensive. • I'm terribly sorry I hope I didn't step out of line. • John is a lot of fun
to go out with, but he has a tendency to step out of line.

up to no good doing something bad.

(Informal.) • I could tell from the look
on Tom's face that he was up to no good.
• There are three boys in the front yard.
I don't know what they are doing, but I
think they are up to no good.

up to something occupied in some activity, often something secret or wrong. • Those kids are up to something. They're too quiet.
• Goodness knows what that child will be up to next.

BELIEF
believe it or not to choose to believe
something or not. • Believe it or not, I
just got home from work. • I'm over fifty
years old, believe it or not.

buy something to believe someone; to accept something to be a fact. (Informal.) • It may be true, but I don't buy it. • I just don't
buy the idea that you can swim that far.
give credence to something to believe something. • He tells lies. Don't give credence to what he says. • Please don't give
credence to Mary. She doesn't know what she's talking about.
given to understand made to believe. • They were given to understand that there would be no tax increase, but after the election
taxes went up. • She was given to understand that she had to be home by midnight.
lead someone to believe something to
imply something to someone; to cause
someone to believe something untrue,
without lying. • But you led me to believe
that this watch was guaranteed! •
Did you lead her to believe that she was
hired as a clerk?
seeing is believing one must believe
something that one sees. • I never would
have thought that a cow could swim, but
seeing is believing. • I can hardly believe
we are in Paris, but there's the Eiffel
Tower, and seeing is believing.
take one at one's word to believe what
someone says and act accordingly. • She
told me to go jump in the lake, and I took
her at her word. • You shouldn't take her
at her word. She frequently says things she
doesn't really mean.
take something on faith to accept or believe something on the basis of little or no evidence. • Please try to believe
what I'm telling you. Just take it on faith. • Surely you can't expect me to take a story like that on faith.

BENEFIT
all to the good for the best; for one's benefit. D He missed the train, but it was all to the good because the train had a wreck. • It
was all to the good that he died without suffering.

(all) well and good good; desirable. (Fixed order.) • It's well and good that
you're here on time. I was afraid you'd be
late again. • It's all well and good that
you're passing English, but what about
math and science?
be a credit to someone or something to
be of value or benefit to someone or
something; to be of enough value or
worth as to enhance someone or something.
• I always want to be a credit to
my school. • John is not what you would
call a credit to his family.
do someone good to benefit someone.
(Informal.) • A nice hot bath really does
me good. • A few years in the army would
do you good.
get something out of something to get
some kind of benefit from something. •
/ didn't get anything out of the lecture. •
I'm always able to get something helpful
out of our conversations.

in the interest of someone or something

as an advantage or benefit to
someone or something; in order to ad-vance or improve someone or something.
(Formal.) • In the interest of
health, people are asked not to smoke. D
The police imprisoned the suspects in the
interest of the safety of the public.
of benefit (to someone) serving someone
well; to the good of someone. • /
can't believe that this proposal is of benefit
to anyone. • Oh, I'm sure it's of benefit.
work wonders (with someone or something)
to be surprisingly beneficial to
someone or something; to be very helpful
with someone or something. • This
new medicine works wonders with my
headaches. • Jean was able to work wonders
with the office staff. They improved
their efficiency as soon as she took over.
worth someone's while worth one's
time and trouble. • The job pays so badly
it's not worth your while even going for an
interview. • It's not worth Mary's while
going all that way just for a one-hour
meeting.

vance or improve someone or something.

(Formal.) • In the interest of
health, people are asked not to smoke. D
The police imprisoned the suspects in the
interest of the safety of the public.
of benefit (to someone) serving someone
well; to the good of someone. • /
can't believe that this proposal is of benefit
to anyone. • Oh, I'm sure it's of benefit.
work wonders (with someone or something)
to be surprisingly beneficial to
someone or something; to be very helpful
with someone or something. • This
new medicine works wonders with my
headaches. • Jean was able to work wonders
with the office staff. They improved
their efficiency as soon as she took over.
worth someone's while worth one's
time and trouble. • The job pays so badly
it's not worth your while even going for an
interview. • It's not worth Mary's while
going all that way just for a one-hour
meeting.
scapegoat for the whole affair. It wasn't all
his fault. • Don't try to make me the
scapegoat. I'll tell who really did it.
on someone's head on someone's own
self. • All the blame fell on their heads.
• / don't think that all the criticism
should be on my head.
pin something on someone to place the
blame for something on someone. (Informal.)
• J didn't take the money. Don't
try to pin it on me. I wasn't even there. •
The police managed to pin the crime on
Bob.
point the finger at someone to blame
someone; to identify someone as the
guilty person. • Don't point the finger
at me! I didn't take the money. Ù The
manager refused to point the finger at anyone
in particular and said that everyone
was sometimes guilty of being late.
put the blame on someone or something
AND lay the blame on someone or
something; place the blame on someone
or something to blame someone or
something. • Don't put the blame on me.
I didn't do it. • We'll have to place the
blame for the damage on the storm.
use someone or something as an excuse
to blame someone or something
(for a failure). • John used his old car as
an excuse for not going to the meeting. •
My husband was sick in bed, and I used
him as an excuse.

When the cat's away, the mice will play. Some people will get into mischief when they are not being watched. • The students
behaved very badly for the substitute teacher. When the cat's away, the mice

1. get out of p.v. When you get out of something or get out of doing something you must do but do
not want to do, you find a way to avoid it.
Sam got out of gym class by pretending to be sick.
The boss wants me to work a double shift, but I'll get out of it.
I got out of going to church with my parents by pretending to be sick.
2. get... out of p.v. If an activity gives you pleasure, satisfaction, or some other benefit, you get pleasure,
satisfaction, or some other benefit out of it.
I sat through that boring class for three months and didn't learn a thing. I didn't get anything out of it.
The judge didn't get any pleasure out of imposing such a harsh penalty.
3. get... out of p.v. When you use force, pressure, or deceit to get something, such as information or
money, from people, you get it out of them.
They tortured him for days, but they couldn't get any information out of him.
It took me a while, but I got the whole story out of her.
1. go back on p.v. When you make a promise, but you do not do what you promised to do, you go back
on your promise.
I promised to take my son to a baseball game, and I'm not going back on my word.
The President went back on his pledge not to raise taxes.
1. go through with p.v. When you do something that you have decided to
do even though it may be dangerous or unpleasant or others may object, you go
through with it.
The spokeswoman said the company would go through with its plan to move the company to Mexico.
Despite his family's opposition, Erik went through with his decision to quit his job and start his own business.

Put to
1. put... to p.v. When you confront people with a difficult or thought-provoking question, accusation, or
proposition, you put it to them.
He didn't want to tell me the truth, but I really put it to him, and he finally told me the whole story.
When Prof. Kline put his theory to me like that, I realized what he was talking about.
2. put... to p.v. When you put people to trouble or put them to an expense, you cause them to do extra work or
to spend money.
Thanks for helping me with my flat tire. I'm sorry to put you to so much trouble.
I know my father would pay my dental bill if I asked him, but I hate to put him to such an expense.
3. put ...to p.v. When you put part of your body or something in your hand to something, you touch or press it
to something.
The neighbors were arguing again, so we put our ears to the wall to try to hear what they were saying.
When he put a gun to my head, I realized he wasn't joking.
. point to p.v. When a situation or occurrence causes you to consider something else, it points to that thing.
□These terrible test scores point to a need for some major changes in our educational system. □ The fact that all
the people with food poisoning ate tuna salad sandwiches pointed to contaminated mayonnaise as the source
of the illness.
. look up p.v. When a situation is looking up or starting to look up, it is improving.
Business was pretty bad for a while, but things are starting to look up. □ I'm much happier
than I was last year. Things are looking up.
Refuse
[INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] to say you will not do something that one has asked you to do
Mum asked him to apologize, but he refused.
Refuse to do something: How could he refuse to help his own son?
Flatly refuse (=refuse in a firm and sometimes impolite way): Senior executives flatly refused to comment as they
left the meeting.
Collocations▪ absolutely, adamantly, consistently, flatly, politely, resolutely, steadfastly, stubbornly
[INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] to say that you do not want what one has offered to you
It seemed impolite to refuse when she invited me for dinner.□Alternative therapies are suggested for patients who
refuse conventional med ical treatment.
[TRAN.] to not give one what they ask for, or to not let one do what they ask to do□Some landowners refuse
permission to use footpaths on their land.
refuse one something: Judge Mackey refused the defendant the right to appeal.
Work

[INT.] to spend time trying to achieve something, especially when this involves using a lot of effort □I've been
working in the garden all day.
Work on: Our thanks go to everybody who has worked on this project.
Work to do something: He worked tirelessly to improve safety conditions in the mines.
[TRAN.] to make one work She always works us too hard.
work in/with: He works in oils and acrylics, painting mostly landscapes.
[INT.] to have a job, usually one that you are paid to do □Dominic works part-time.
work in: I hope to work in marketing when I'm older.
work as: She worked as a journalist.
work with: All our nursery nurses are qualified to work with children.
work for: She works for a big law firm in the city.

[TRAN.] if you work a particular area or type of place, you go to that area or to those places as part of your job, for
example to try and sell things or to perform there □He worked the clubs long before TV made him famous.

[INT.] to operate in a satisfactory way□The new telephone system seems to be working perfectly.□This pen doesn't
work.□My brain's not working very well today.

[TRAN.] to operate something such as a machine or piece of equipment □I don't know how to work this thing.
[INT.] to succeed □If this plan doesn't work, we'll think of something else.□ The strategy seems to be working.

to have a particular effect or result □The drug works by blocking the spread of the virus.□Her dazzling performance
worked its magic on the audience (=had a good effect on them).

Work for/against one (=have a good/bad result): Criticizing your former employer works against you in an
interview.
Work in one's favor/work to one's advantage (=be an advantage to one): The exchange rate is currently working in
the company's favor.
[INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] to move gradually from one position to another The strap of one of her sandals had
worked itself loose.
[TRAN.] to put something into a different position or state □She managed to work one hand free.
Work yourself into something: He was slowly working himself into a panic.
work both ways-if something such as a particular situation or type of behavior works both ways, it has equal
advantages and disadvantages for everyone it involves □We are expected to be very flexible, but that should work
both ways.
Work for one-SPOKEN□used for saying that you agree with a plan or like a particular idea
'If you don't mind driving, I can read the map.' 'That works for me.'
Work it-INFORMAL-to arrange for something to happen □I'll try and work it so we can leave early today.
Work like magic or work like a charm-to be very successful, or to have exactly the effect you want □She found that
a little flattery worked like magic.
Work the system-to do or get what you want despite the rules that make it difficult □Government workers know
how easy it is to work the system.
work your fingers to the bone□to work very hard, especially doing something that involves a lot of physical effort
work your way-if you work your way somewhere, you travel there slowly and with difficulty □Mitch was working his
way up the hill with a heavy pack on his back.
work around one/something to deal successfully with a person or problem that might prevent you from achieving
your aim
A skilled craftsman can work around these difficulties.
Work around to or work round to BRITISH
to gradually start to talk or write about a particular subject in a conversation or piece of writing, especially because it
is embarrassing
She suspected that he had something important to say and could not work around to it.
Work at something to try hard to develop or improve something □If she works at improving her game, she could be
a champion. Successful relationships don't just happen – you have to work at them.
Work into-to add one thing or idea to another, or include one thing or idea in another
If you can work in the word 'objective', that would be good.
Work something into something: They work a lot of Brazilian sounds and rhythms into their music.
Sensible describes the reasonable way in which you think about things or do things: a sensible suggestion ♦ It
wouldn't be sensible to start all over again now.
Sensitive describes the emotional way in which you react to things: He has always been a sensitive child. ♦ I didn't
realize she was so sensitive about her work.
[INT.] to hurry in order to get somewhere very quickly

Rush
rush in/towards/through/down etc: Suddenly the door burst open and Joe rushed in. Ambulance crews rushed
to the scene of the accident. the sound of traffic rushing by
[TRAN.] to take or send one or something somewhere in a hurry
rush one to/into/off etc: Frank was rushed to hospital with violent stomach pains. We rushed the children off to
school.
rush one something: Can you rush me a copy of the report?
[INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] to hurry to do something There's no need to rush. We've got plenty of time. Don't rush
your decision.
rush to do something:
Hayley rushed to t h e phone.
[TRAN.] to try to make one hurry
Stop rushing me!
rush one into (doing) something: You can't rush one into marrying you.
Rush into something to do something without first thinking carefully about it * Try not to rush into a decision you
may later regret.
Nothing/nowhere etc on earth-used for adding emphasis to negative statements
Nothing on earth could get me to speak to her.□There is no reason on earth why we shouldn't just leave.
Adverse- ADJECTIVE -Negative, unpleasant, or harmful
an adverse reaction from the public□adverse consequences
have an adverse effect on: The drug has so far had no adverse effect on patients.
likely to cause problems □adverse weather conditions

Impair-to make something less good or effective, especially by causing damage that affects the way something
works The condition does not seem to impair his ability to work.
As we know it : If you talk about a thing or system as we know it, you are referring to the form in which it exists
now and which is familiar to most people. He planned to end the welfare system as we know it.14
To get to know sb : If you get to know one, you find out what they are like by spending time with them.
The new neighbors were getting to know each other...
I know : You say `I know' to show that you agree with what has just been said. convention
`This country is so awful.'`I know, I know.'
You say `I know' to show that you accept that something is true, but think that it is not very important or relevant.
`There are trains straight from Cambridge.'`I know, but it's no quicker.'
I know (how you feel, etc) You use `I know' to express sympathy and understanding towards one.
I know what you're going through.
I don't know (about that) : You can use I don't know to indicate that you do not completely agree with something
or do not really think that it is true.`He should quite simply resign.'<emdash>`I don't know about that.'
I don't know about you You can say `I don't know about you' to indicate that you are going to give your own
opinion about something and you want to find out if one else feels the same. *I don't know about the rest of you, but
I'm hungry...
At the end of the day-SPOKEN-used for saying what you consider is the most important thing about a situation
after thinking about it * At the end of the day, I'm the one who is going to be held responsible.
End up to be in a particular place or state after doing something or because of doing it□ Somehow they all ended up
at my house□ Keep on doing that and you'll end up in serious trouble.

end up doing something: I ended up spending the night in the airport.

give one hell to be very angry with one or treat them severely * Caroline would give me hell if she thought I'd lied.
run into trouble/difficulty/problems etc to start to have trouble/difficulty/problems etc
Our project ran into difficulties when we lost a sponsor.
take a risk: Can you take the risk that you might lose your money?
take (the) credit: I did all the work, but Gill took all the credit.
 take control/command: The rebels are taking control of the city.
take responsibility: We must encourage fathers to take full responsibility for their children.
[TRAN.] to have or to show a feeling or opinion
take something as something: I'll take his behavior as an example of what I mean.
[TRAN.] to think about one or something in a particular way □He tries hard, but I just can't take him seriously.
take something as a compliment/an insult: She took his remarks as a compliment.
take one's word for it (=believe what one tells you): to accept an explanation or something that one says without
discussing it or arguing about it You don't have to take my word for it – ask anyone.
take it from one (=believe them): That's the truth, take it from me.
the point of no return the halfway point; the point at which it is too late to turn back. (Often with past.) □ The f light
was past the point of no return, so we had to continue to our destination. □ The entire project is past the point of no
return; we will have to continue with it.
point the finger at someone to blame someone; to identify someone as the guilty person. (See also put the finger on
someone.) □ Don’t point the finger at me! I didn’t take the money. □ The manager refused to point the finger at anyone
in particular and said that everyone was sometimes guilty of being late.
poke one’s nose in(to something) and stick one’s nose in(to something) to interfere with something; to be nosy
about something. (Also literal.) □ I wish you’d stop poking your nose into my business. □ She was too upset for me to
stick my nose in and ask what was wrong
praise someone or something to the skies to give someone or something much praise. □ He wasn’t very good, but
his friends praised him to the skies. □ They liked your pie. Everyone praised it to the skies.
Grass is always greener on the other side’.
Grass roots The ‘ordinary’ members of the public or a group (e.g. ‘grass roots opinion’ is what ‘ordinary’ people think
about something).
Grounds for… The phrase is usually followed by ‘argument’, ‘discussion’ or ‘divorce’, though many other words or
phrases are possible. The phrase means ‘basis for’ or ‘reasons for’. Thus if someone has ‘grounds for an argument’
they have reasons for being angry. ‘Ground’ can mean ‘basis’ or ‘root’.
Sink your differences

to stop arguing and come to an agreement

the devil is in the detail

used for saying that something may seem simple, but in fact the details are complicated and likely to cause problems
 on the one hand...on the other hand

used for giving two different opinions about something

Many of these garden pests cause little real damage. On the otherhand, aphids can infect raspberries with incurable dise
ases.*On the one hand, expansion would be good, but on the other hand itwould be sad to lose the family atmosphere.
be an honour: Being asked to perform at La Scala is an honour forany singer.
be an honour to do something: It’s a great honour to be here withyou tonight.
Word

word of mouth
communication that consists of comments that people make to eachother in an informal way, not formal communicat
ion such as newsreports and advertisements
The book became a worldwide best-seller, largely by word of mouth.
Most of our customers hear about us by word of mouth.
Point
Way

way out/around
a method of solving a problem, or of avoiding a difficult situation
Housing developers are looking for a way around the law.
talk/think/bribe etc your way out of something (=use words, intelligence, money etc to avoid
trouble): You can’t talk your way out of trouble this time.

a method for doing something

way (that): There are so many delicious ways you can preparechicken.
way of doing something: Is there any way of contacting you whileyou’re in Africa?
way to do something: The students are learning new ways tocommunicate in writing.
the manner or style in which something happens or is done
way (that): I love to watch the way she plays with the children.
no way to do something (=not the right thing to do): That’s no way to talk to your mother.

someone’s individual manner of behaving or speaking

someone’s way of doing something: Have you noticed herirritating way of interrupting when you talk?
change your ways (=behave much better): Greg has reallychanged his ways since he went to prison.
in someone’s own way (=a style of doing something that is not obvious to other
people): In his own way he really is trying to help.

what someone wants to do or how they want to behave

get/have your way (=be allowed to have or do what you want):
The government are unlikely to get their way on this issue.
go your own way (=behave in an independent manner): Hisparents must realize that he will soon go his own way.
Way ▪ best, cheapest, easiest, quickest, safest, simplest, surest
a particular aspect of something, or a particular attitude towardssomething
It’s not right, whichever way you think about it.
in more ways than one (=from many aspects): The evening was a great success, in more ways than one.

in a way (=from one point of view): In a way, I agree with you.

the particular road, path, or track that you use to go from one place to another I don’t think this is the right way.

way to: Is this the way to the Eiffel Tower?

show/tell someone the way: Could you please show me the way to the temple?

know the way: Does Tim know the way to your house from here?
lose your way (=become lost while going to a place): The touristslost their way and had to ask for directions.
across the way (=on the other side of the street etc): There’s apetrol station just across the way.
the direction in which something is standing or moving
The bathroom is this way. *Rachel just looked the other way. *Look both ways before crossing the road.
*The car was going the wrong way.
the journey or distance from one place to another There was still a little way to go.
all the/this/that way: You came all this way just to see me? *The children were arguing all the way home.
a period of time A decision would still be a long way in the future.
a method of going into or out of a place Tell them to leave by the back way.
force your way into (=use force to get into a place): The crowdforced their way into the building.
not stand/get in someone’s way (=not prevent someone from doing what they
want): I won’t stand in your way if you’re reallydetermined.
go out of your way to do something
to make an extra effort to do something even though it is notconvenient or easy to do
Rachel really went out of her way to make me feel welcome.
the way things are a situation or condition that someone or something is in at a particulartime
I’m disappointed with the way things have been recently.
the way things are going used for saying what seems likely to happen as a result of what ishappening now
The way things are going, I should be finished by next week.
Viable - able to be done, or worth doing The present system is simply no longer viable.

commercially/economically/financially viable (=capable of producing a

profit): Hospitals plan to stop services that are notfinancially viable.
Idioms and other expressions to describe character and personality

Pain in the neck (= someone who is very annoying). This is often shortened to a pain: "Peter is such a pain!".
Slave driver (= someone who makes people work very hard).
Early bird (= someone who gets up early, starts work early, etc). This expression comes from the English saying
"The early bird catches the worm".
clock-watcher (= someone who doesn't concentrate on their work because they wish it was time to stop).
Salt of the earth (= an ordinary person who is respected because they are honest and good. Note that this
expression always uses the and not a).
Trouble-maker (= someone who causes problems, often by being violent or by making others argue).
Trouble shooter
Bigmouth (= someone who talks a lot and is unable to keep anything secret).
Rough diamond (= someone who does not behave politely or is not well-educated, but is pleasant and kind)

Wolf in sheep's clothing (= someone who seems friendly but is in fact unpleasant or cruel). The opposite is a teddy
bear (= someone, always a man, who looks tough and unfriendly, but is in fact very friendly and pleasant)
Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using 'put'

The company I had been working for was taken over by a new manager, and we didn't get on very well. Every
suggestion that I put forward he rejected, he put me under a lot of pressure to work longer hours, and he
continually put me down in front of the other employees. The final straw came when he told me to put together an
exhibition for a trade fair: I put in weeks of work, but he told me that he thought the final result was "rubbish". He
even put the word out that I was lazy and unreliable. I made a great effort to put aside our differences, but
eventually decided the best thing would be to put in for a transfer to another department. When this was refused, I
decided I couldn't put up with it anymore, and resigned.
Fortunately I had managed to put aside a bit of money (including some that I had put into a high-interest deposit
account), and so I decided to take a well-deserved holiday. There were several interesting holiday offers in the
newspapers, but I decided to put off choosing one until I found exactly what I wanted. It was a friend who put me
onto a travel agency that specialised in walking holidays in interesting parts of the world. I checked their website,
found a holiday that I wanted and put down a £200 deposit, followed by the balance three weeks later. When
the tickets didn't arrive, I tried calling their telephone helpline, but was continually put through to a recorded
announcement. After several attempts to phone them, I put pen to paper and wrote them a letter (I'm always much
better at putting myself across in writing than I am at speaking). I was naturally put out when I didn't get a reply, so I
visited the agency in their London offices. The manager saw me personally and I put my situation to him,
explaining that I either wanted my tickets or my money back. He tried to put me off by saying that there was no
record of my booking, but I put him straight by showing him the transaction record on my credit card account. I
then put my foot down and insisted he return my money.
To my shock he called me a liar and told a security guard
to remove me from the building. That was when I lost my
temper. I went to my car, started the engine, put the car
into gear, put my foot down, and smashed the car
through the agency's window.

You really let the cat out of the bag when you asked Louise what time her party started. She didn't know anything
about it. It was supposed to be a surprise. (to tell someone something that was supposed to be a secret)
(People who are not affected by comments, insults, etc, are thick-skinned who is intelligent, and deals well with
problems and disappointments

If you are having a conversation with someone and you cut them short, you stop talking so that they can say
something.

A cutting remark is a remark that is cruel and intended to upset someone.

If you are doing a job and you cut corners, you do not do the job as thoroughly as you should, especially because
you want to finish it as quickly as possible.

If you cut something short (for example, you cut a visit short), you arrive early.

If something cuts both ways, it has both good and bad aspects
At/in one go: Don't try to eat the whole thing in one go.
See which way the wind blows (= if you wait to see which way the wind blows, you observe a situation carefully
before making a decision)

a storm in a teacup (= a lot of trouble about something that is not important)

Back to back If things happen back to back, they are directly one after another.
Bad taste in your mouth If something leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth, you feel there is something wrong
or bad about it.
Ball is in your court If the ball is in your court, it is up to you to make the next decision or step.
Bark is worse than their bite someone who is bark is worse than their bite may well get angry and shouts, but
doesn't take action.
Barking up the wrong tree If you are barking up the wrong tree, it means that you have completely misunderstood
something or are totally wrong.
Bear fruit If something bears fruit, it produces positive results.
Beside the point If something is beside the point, it's not relevant to the matter being discussed or considered.
Bet your bottom dollar (USA) If you can bet your bottom dollar on something, you can be absolutely sure about it.
Blessing in disguise If some bad luck or misfortune ultimately results in something positive, it's a blessing in disguise.
Blind leading the blind When the blind are leading the blind, the people in charge of something don't know
anything more than the people they are in charge of, when they should have greater knowledge.
Bottom line In accountancy, the bottom line is net income, and is used idiomatically to mean the conclusion.
Brain surgery If something is not brain surgery, it isn't very complicated or difficult to understand or master.
Breathe down your neck If someone follows you or examines what you're doing very closely, they are breathing
down your neck.
Burning question A burning question is something we all want to know about.
By word of mouth If something becomes known by word of mouth, it gets known by being talked about rather than
through publicity or advertising, etc.

All of the above advice is easy to say and sounds fine in theory, but how do you apply this to real life? Writing is
usually never easy and almost always a challenge and stressful. So maybe the first step to better business writing is to
try to eliminate the stress."The difficulty is not to write, but to write what you mean."
To say nothing of

used for adding extra information to what you have just said
Pollution affects the soil, to say nothing of its impact on wildlife.
 To say nothing of someone or something

not to even mention the importance of someone or something. John and Mary had to be taken care of, to say nothing
ofBill, who would require even more attention. I'm having enough difficulty painting the house, to say nothing of the gar
age that is very much in need of paint.
to say nothing of ... and in addition there is: It would be an enormous amount of work, to say nothing of the cost.

Attribute something to someone/something

to believe that something is the result of a particular situation, event, or person's actions
Her teachers attributed her learning difficulties to emotional problems.
to think of someone or something as having a particular quality or feature
People are attributing qualities to me that I just don't have.
At a loss

at a loss for words-not knowing what to say, especially because you are very surprised or shocked

He hesitated and briefly appeared at a loss for words.

at a loss (to do something)-confused and not knowing what to do

I was at a loss to understand what had happened.

it's someone's loss-used for saying that if someone does not do something, they will not get an advantage

Oh well, if they don't want to participate that's their loss.

give someone a hard time

1. to be unpleasant to someone, or to criticize them a lot

Has Luke been giving you a hard time?
take a hard line
to deal with someone or something in a very firm or strict way andrefuse to change your opinion or decision
The government is taking a hard line over tax avoidance.

From where someone stands

according to the way that someone views or understands a situation
From where we stand, there can only be one choice.
Where something "stands" means what its current situation or status is. We use this expression to talk about the
progress of things like projects, proposals, applications, and so on.
For example, if you've been working on a project with someone at work but had to leave the office for a few days, you
can say this when you return:
So fill me in on where we stand.
This means "Tell me what's happening with the project."

stand firm, to remain steadfast.

stand to reason, to be obvious, logical, or reasonable.
stand a chance to have a hope or likelihood of winning, succeeding, etc
stand fast to maintain one's position firmly
stand one's ground to maintain a stance or position in the face of opposition
take the stand
to come and sit in the witness box in order to testify. The witness was asked to take the stand.

Like I said….

Take

To take down (To write, note down something which has been said, dictated)
• It's unheard of for her not to take down what the teacher says. What's come over her?
• Boss to secretary: Can you please take this letter down and then get it off before the last post?

Take a chance and take a risk to try something where failure or bad fortune is likely.
Come on, take a chance. You may lose, but it’s worth trying. □
I’m not irresponsible, but I don’t mind taking a risk now and then.

To take it out on (To be very unpleasant to someone for a reason which has got nothing to do with them or is not
their fault - usually with a member of the same family, staff or a close friend)
• Husband to wife: I’m sorry I had a go at you last night, but my work is really getting to me at the moment, and you’re
the only one I can take it out on.
• Just because you’re going through a bad patch, there’s no need to take it out on the kids.
 To take it/everything/something in one’s stride (To deal with life’s problems without making a fuss□ and in a calm
manner)
• His sister is very highly-strung but he, on the other hand, takes everything in his stride.
• A year ago I couldn’t cope with the hassles of the job but now, I take it all in my stride.
• She takes divorce in her stride; mind you, she’s been through three of them!
A stride is the length of one's step when walking or running.
To take someone’s word for it
(To accept/to rely on something someone says as being true or a fact, without verifying it for oneself)
• She assured me that the accommodation was spotless and that my client would be missing out on something if he
didn’t take it up. The biggest mistake I made was that I took her word for it. It was messy!
• Don’t take my word for it. If you don’t think there’ll be enough to go around, order some more...but don’t go over-the-
top.

Have a try at sth; have a go at (doing) something ; give something a try; give something a go
An attempt to do something , try to do it
She once had a go at writing a novel but quickly gave up.
I'd thought about skiing for some time and finally decided to give it a go this winter.
You can't afford to get carried away by your promotion until you know what it entails.

 Get

To get down to
(To start something which requires concentration and organisation - e.g. a piece of work, a business deal?)
• I've been messed about by so many people today. It was getting on for 5 o'clock before I seriously got down to work.
• I apologize, gentlemen, but we'll have to make do with the small conference room, if we want to get down to business
this morning.

 Put

To put down (To run down□, criticize, humiliate)

• I didn’t mean to put you down the other day; it was just the way it came over.

To put down to (to be explained by, to consider that something is caused by something else)
• He reckoned that his young looks could be put down to an easy-going lifestyle.
• We took the plunge, but unfortunately it didn’t work out; let’s just put it down to bad luck.
Note the expression To put it down to experience which means that one should learn by what has happened and not
be depressed by it,
e.g. It hasn’t sunk in yet, but I think you'd be better off putting it down to experience, rather than losing any sleep
over it.
This expression is quite different from To put something down to lack of experience which means that the failure
or problem has been caused by one's lack of experience.

To put down for (To take a note of/to reserve a place in someone’s name for a particular purpose)
If you get hold of some tickets, can you put me down for two?
• A: Shall I put your wife down for the dinner at Christmas?
B: Oh yes, she’d love to come along.

To be/come/get up to scratch (To be/make something good enough, as good as it should be - often used in the
negative)
• I can get by in Spanish, but my French is not quite up to scratch.
• The new ABC computer has a lot of amusing gimmicks but quite frankly, it doesn’t come up to scratch.
• You’d better get your fitness up to scratch, if you want me to put you down for the local marathon.

From scratch (From the beginning, from nothing)

Why don’t we just scrap the whole idea and start from scratch?
• I tell you what; it’s going to be a hassle building it right from scratch.
Drawback (Disadvantage, defect, downside)
• I’m glad the boss came round to the idea of scrapping the old computer system. The only drawback is that the new
one we have installed will work out to be far more expensive.
• The new secretary is on the ball and very efficient. Her only drawback is that she’s a bit bossy.
• I think the new photocopier is not a patch on the old one; it has so many drawbacks.

To strike someone that

(To realize, to occur to someone, comes to mind - often suddenly)
• It only struck me this morning that we haven’t got round to working out our overheads for the year.
• Has it ever struck you that she picks him up on every little thing he says?
Note the paradigm of To strike is strike - struck - struck. A lso note the expression To dawn on which can be used in a
similar way, but is probably more gradual,
e.g. It's only just dawned on me that we could Increase our turnover by talking the Managing Director
into taking an early retirement.
Not to be sneezed/sniffed at (Something which deserves consideration and appreciation and should not be
ignored, e.g. an achievement, an amount of money received)
• I agree, the profit we made last year in normal circumstances would be nothing to write home about; but on the other
hand, it shouldn’t be sneezed at□ during a slump like we’re in now.
• I don’t know why other players put him down. He’s already scored twenty goals this season and that’s not to be
sniffed at.
□ i.e. It's not so bad.

To fit in
(To have something in common with, to feel comfortable with a particular group of people)
She’s very odd; she doesn’t actually fit in with anyone.
• Don’t get me wrong: I’d love to come round but I don’t really fit in□ (with your workmates).
See also To fit (Page 69).□ i.e. I feel the odd one out (see Page 85).
ii. (To suit, agree with, e.g. someone’s plans or ideas conforming to another person’s)
• I’m dreading this take-over; their schemes don’t fit in with what I had planned for the company.
• It’s not worth falling out with them, just because their holiday plans don’t fit in with ours.
iii. (To find the time to do something, see/deal with someone)
• A: Would you mind handling this matter?
B: I’m sorry, I’m off to Spain tomorrow and I don’t think I’ll be able to fit it in.
• Can’t the doctor fit me in tomorrow morning?
I’ve got so many things to sort out in the afternoon.
iv. (To have enough room, space, to accommodate)
I haven’t got a clue how we’re going to fit everyone in.
We’ll just have to make the most of my parents’ living room.
Note lb squeeze in can also be used for this meaning and iii. above.

To go to one’s head

i. (To get excited, carried away□, show off because of one’s success)
• Winning the championship has just sunk in, but I won’t let it go to my head.
• He makes out that he takes everything in his stride, but it’s quite apparent that his promotion has gone (straight) to
his head.
ii. (To make someone drunk quickly - usually a small amount of alcohol)
• I love wine; the only drawback is that just one glass goes (straight) to my head.
To stand out

i. (To be noticed as being much better or more beautiful than the others)
• Out of all the candidates that stood for the Presidency, she stood out as being far and away□ the best.
• I know I keep going on about it, but you have to admit she stands out in a crowd °
□ i.e. easily, without doubt.
°This does not necessarily mean the person is standing amongst a crowd of people. It is merely an alternative way of
saying that someone is strikingly attractive.
ii. (To be noticed as being different from or more important than other things,to be easily noticed)
• We don’t really want colours that will stand out; everything must fit in with the natural surroundings.
• Of all the matters that came up in that meeting, one thing has stood out in my mind and that is, we’re not going to
get through next year without making some ruthless decisions.
• A: Were bound to get lost.
B: Nonsense! I gather that all the signs to the village stand out clearly.

Note the colloquial expression To stand out a mile which means very clear or obvious,
e.g. I can’t believe you never caught on to the fact that she fancied you; it stands out a mile!
Stand/stick out a mile

INFORMAL
to be very easy to see or recognize
Gary stood out a mile in his purple hat.

Menial (Monotonous and requiring very little skill or intelligence - usually a job or piece
of work) menial work is boring or dirty and is considered to be of low status
• As Managing Director, you can’t afford the time to take on these menial tasks; get one of the youngsters round to give
you a hand.
• He’s not really on the ball enough to handle these clients. Can’t we give him something more menial to do?
To sort out

i. (To put in order, organize, to choose which things should be kept)

•It has just struck me that we’ve still got to sort out all this correspondence.
• You won’t get on in this world unless you sort yourself out now.
• After you’ve turned out those drawers, do you think you could sort out□ which papers are worth keeping?
ii. (To solve, work out□, deal with a problem)
• It’s a good job we sorted out these problems before Christmas; we would never have been able to cope with them
otherwise.
• If I come unstuck, will you help me sort out the hassle with the bank?

One-off

(Something which is unlikely to be repeated, unique)

• We won’t stand for this appalling behavior. Let’s just put it down to poor judgment, and hope that it was a one-off
incident.
• It’s a one-off opportunity to get our own back on him. Don’t mess it up this time!
I'm working on it -INFORMAL used for saying that you are dealing with something
Don't worry about that, I'm working on it.
Work on someone -to try to influence someone
We'll have to work on Joey to find out what's going on.
Work like magic or work like a charm-
to be very successful, or to have exactly the effect you want
She found that a little flattery worked like magic.
Work the system
to do or get what you want despite the rules that make it difficult
Government workers know how easy it is to work the system.
Work your fingers to the bone
to work very hard, especially doing something that involves a lot of physical effort
Work around someone/something
to deal successfully with a person or problem that might prevent you from achieving your aim
A skilled craftsman can work around these difficulties.
She suspected that he had something important to say and could not work around to it.
Work at something to try hard to develop or improve something
If she works at improving her game, she could be a champion.
Successful relationships don't just happen – you have to work at them.

Work towards something –

to do things that help you to make progress towards something that you want to achieve
Both countries are working towards peace in the region.

Work up
to develop a particular feeling
We went for a long walk to work up an appetite.
I just can't work up any enthusiasm for this trip.
work yourself up to make yourself feel upset, excited, or nervous
The kids had worked themselves up to a fever pitch of excitement.
to develop something □I'd like you to work up the next set of guidelines.
Work up to something: to prepare yourself to do something difficult, or to try to prepare someone for bad news
Are you working up to telling me that you can't pay?
to develop or to increase and reach a particular level
The plane's engines were working up to take-off power.
That’s what gives me motivation. My job gives me lots of satisfaction. The work can be stretching, taking me to the
limits of my skills and knowledge. My job is difficult and demanding, but sometimes we get recognition from parents.
I don’t like unnecessary interferences. I don’t like people breathing down my neck.
Breathe down someone's neck to watch closely what someone is doing, in a way that annoys them

Go away, I can't work with you breathing down my neck.

entrust -to give someone responsibility for an important job or activity

All employees entrusted with the care of children are checked by the police. *
We cannot entrust the country's telecommunications to unqualified people.
Rewarding giving you satisfaction, pleasure, or profit

Do you find your work rewarding? * Our journey to the Yukon was a very rewarding experience.
a rewarding investment
Outspoken an outspoken person states their opinion honestly, even if other people do not like it

an outspoken critic of the government

outspokenness NOUN

Thick-skinned Not easily offended or upset) • She’s far too thick-skinned to take in all the nasty comments that
people have been coming out with.

Blunt
i. (Not sharp)
• You’d be better off using the blunt edge of a knife to open this bottle than one of those useless gimmicks.
ii. (Frank, straightforward□ without trying to be polite)
• Sorry to be blunt, but your work is just not up to scratch.
• To put□ it bluntly, I don’t fancy your chances of attracting a girl who stands out as much as she does.
□ Note: this use of To put simply means to say. How can I put it? is very often employed when there is a pause in a
conversation and the speaker wants to ask himself aloud how he can express something in a better way. He is
not expecting an answer from the person he is speaking to, e.g. Well... How can I put it?... It’s just not working
out...
The hottest/lowest/worst etc on record

hotter/lower/worse etc than ever before

This summer has been the hottest on record.
(Just) for the record used for giving a piece of information that you want people to know

It doesn't matter now, but just for the record – you were wrong.
On (the) record used for stating that you are saying something officially or publicly

Go on record: The minister has gone on record as saying the law should be changed.
Set/put the record straight (To put it on record)

to tell the truth about something after someone else has not told the truth about it
Off the record
(Unofficially, “Don’t tell anybody I said this, b u t...” , not to be made public—note the opposite “on record ”, which
means official, a publicly known fact)
• Off the record, many Conservatives admit they cannot win the election. • Mortgage Consultant: You could wind up
paying higher interest. Off the record, I reckon you’d be better off going to your own bank rather than one of my clients.
• Before we get things under way, I must stress that anything that comes up during this meeting must be kept strictly off
the record. • Interviewer to Prime Minister: I’m not trying to catch you out, but you are on record as saying that inflation
would plummet once we had recovered from the slump.

Intensifying adverbs
A heated debate, a heated discussion or a heated
conversation is one in which people disagree in an
angry way with each other.
You tend to lose your temper too easily.
You set high standards for yourself
The best aspect of your personality is the way you
always put others first.
Although you can be painfully shy in social
situations, at work you give the impression of being
supremely confident.
You have a tendency to make snap decisions.
You have a strong sense of responsibility and always
keep your word.