Phrase 2

to phone somebody

make a call

pleasant to look at/listen to

easy on the eye/ear

if one thing... into another thing, it is difficult to know where one ends and the other begins

shade into

to talk about something that happened in the past which you think should now be forgotten or ignored 🇬🇧

rake over the coals

to speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong.

rake over the coals

If someone... from the......, they win when it seems that they are certain to lose. If someone...... from the ..., they lose when it seems that they are certain to win.

snatch defeat from the jaws of victory/ snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

You use... when you are saying that something is necessary or must happen in the way stated. In informal 🇺🇸, the first word is sometimes omitted.

have got do something

it’s a phrase that means you should fill me in, you say it when you’re missing out on something and you want to be filled in

catch somebody up

the belief that thinking about something or wanting it to happen can make it happen:

magical thinking

used metaphorically to say that someone has not seen a situation or problem clearly

be unsighted

To become... on something means to become inebriated by it, whatever it is, not especially booze, it could be something in te figurative sense

drunk on something

to... plates, cups, etc. with a cloth after they have been washed

dry something up/ wipe something dry

to remove something from a floor or other surface using a vacuum cleaner

hoover something up

used to ask how much of something someone has, or to ask about someone's arrangements

how are you fixed for something?

A phrase used by an auctioneer as auction ends = close to being sold, almost sold, sold.

Going, going, gone!

If you say that someone is on the..., you disapprove of them because they are trying to get a lot of money or power, possibly by illegal or immoral methods.

on the make

To overcome some delay, disadvantage, or setback and return to a normal or optimal position.

make up leeway

to cause (someone or something) to be in a situation that shows how strong, good, etc., that person or thing really is

put to the test

If a particular action or feature is... of someone or something, it shows their usual qualities or characteristics.

typical of something

used for saying goodbye to someone when you expect to see them soon, or later the same day.

Catch you later

firstly; before anything else

first up

if information is given to people......., they are given only the details that they need at the time when they need them

on a need-to-know basis

having a strong feeling against someone who has behaved badly, making you want to shout at them or hurt them:

be angry with somebody

You use ... +... to indicate that the thing mentioned does not affect or contradict the truth of what you are saying.

for all something

To place an order or request for something (for someone), especially food or drin

order up

Food is ready! An expression often used in restaurants when an order of food is ready to be served.

Order up!

in a position that is diagonally opposite someone or something else:

catty-corner/kitty-corner

to represent the feelings or opinions of another person or group of people.

speak for somebody

You use ... before a negative, or a word that suggests something negative, to mean almost, but not completely.

next to something

You use ...... in order to give the most important aspect of something when comparing it with another aspect.

next to something

the information required to contact someone, such as an address or telephone number.

contact details

If you do something ..., you succeed in doing it without anyone helping you.

by oneself

If you say that someone ... to an idea, you are critical of them because they say they are in favour of it, but they do not do anything to support it.

pays lip service to something/somebody

to be known by a specific name, a name that is not your real name.

go by the name

serious trouble will occur as a result of a previous or proposed action.

there will be hell to pay

If you reply '.......' when a plan or action has been suggested, you are emphasizing that you dislike it, and will do everything you can to prevent it.

over my dead body

If you say that something is in ......, you mean that it is in perfect condition.

in mint condition

To narrowly avoid something or some situation that turns out to be undesirable, disastrous, dangerous, or otherwise harmful.

dodge a bullet

If you say that someone ..., you mean they are trying to be kind and helpful, even though they might be causing someone problems or upsetting them

mean well

used to say that something/someone is very similar to something else

much like somebody/ something

To prove that one has endurance and strength of character, or the necessary skills, abilities, or traits to succeed in something

show/ prove (one's) mettle

up to an unspecified point in the past not long before now

until recently

to get the money that you need to pay for food, a place in which to stay, clothing, etc. from someone or something

live off someone/ something

happening only when a special arrangement has been made for someone to do something or see someone:

by appointment

If you... +... to something wrong that you have done, you admit that you did it.

own up to something

to perform better or reach a higher standard

do better

Quickly; as fast as possible; in short order

lickety-split

a slight knowledge of something, or a small amount:

smattering

A good quality or aspect that makes up for other drawbacks

redeeming feature (quality)

blatant and unfair overcharging 🇺🇸

highway robbery

to cause or create change in something or someone

bring about change

To endure conditions or accommodations that are worse than what one is accustomed to.

slum it

given the difficult nature of the situation

under circumstances

used for saying that something is not possible, especially when someone asks you for something 🇺🇸

no dice 🇺🇸

If you are... +... by someone or something, you are deceived by them, so that you get a false impression of them

be taken in

To create a delay or distraction in order to gain additional time.

stall for time

If something ... +... to a particular time, it started or was made at that time.

date back to something

... is said to people who are on their way to bed. It is a pleasant comment

Sleep well.

jokes or humorous remarks that are made about unpleasant or worrying subjects such as death and illness

gallows humor

... remarks or jokes are about sex and are slightly shocking

off-color humour

the time when those resident at an institution, such as soldiers in barracks or children at a boarding school, are expected to retire to bed

Lights out!

to use something, especially a form of financial support, when other things have failed:

fall back on something

An... is a person that somebody has had an emotional, usually passionate, relationship with, who is still looked on fondly and with affection.

old flame

to be valid for something; to be worth something.

count for something

To have value. This phrase is often used in the negative to convey the opposite.

count for nothing

used for saying that something is not certain because no one knows exactly what has happened or what is going to happen

who's to say? / who can say?

According to whose authority?

Who's to say?

To carry garbage from one's house to a trash can or other receptacle outside

take out the rubbish 🇬🇧 / take out the trash 🇺🇸/ take out the garbage 🇺🇸

having the part that is usually at the top turned to be at the bottom:

upside down

completely fake story or account, full of lies

pack of lies

An exclamation of surprised or incredulous curiosity, sometimes (but not necessarily) a literal prompt for the speaker to tell more.

do tell

Things bought ... are bought secretly and illegally:

under the counter

Phrase to use when you want make a bet with someone

20 bucks says

A clue, detail, action, etc. that obviously reveals something else

be a dead giveaway

Mired in or overwhelmed by something very difficult or troublesome.

knee-deep in something

If you describe someone as a ... for something, you mean that they find it very difficult to resist it.

be a sucker for something

... is when a person feels that they are being treated without proper respect by another person

perceived slight

act on one's hunches or intuition.

play a hunch

an activity that helps you get closer to someone

bonding experience

an arranged opportunity to take a photograph of a politician, a celebrity, or a notable event.

photo opportunity/ photo op

to add (one's comment or opinion) to a conversation or discussion that one has been listening to

chime in/ weigh in

If you say that someone has ...+... of doing something, you disapprove of the fact that they have managed to avoid doing it, although they should have done it.

wriggle out of sth

Phrase used to answering telephone

1. This is him/ her 2. This is he/ she 3. Speaking

To read aloud the information someone else has just dictated or given to one

read back

taking the specified thing into consideration; in view of the fact that.

considering that

to behave in a very active and silly way in order to make people laugh:

cut up 🇺🇸

exit, leave, run away from" an already-agreed plan or activity. It is something done unexpectedly

bail on something / somebody

In clearer, more direct, or more easily understandable terms

simply put

to keep the door open (for somebody)

hold the door

turn upside down, or throw so as to reverse.

flip over

If you say that something is a... you mean that it is very easy to do or to achieve.

be a breeze

used to tell someone to stop doing something that annoys you:

Knock it off!

To recover from surprise, embarrassment, or fear; to regain self-control.

collect oneself

to sleep at someone else's house for the night, especially when you have not planned it or just sleep temporarily e.g. after work

crash

to eject (someone) from a place, or refuse to serve at, a place where alcoholic drinks are sold, as because of drunkenness

eighty-six

to come quickly into your mind:

spring to mind

Coming naturally; (as if) accustomed from birth.

to the manor born

no matter what happens

come what may

sometimes, but not regularly

(every) now and again/ (every) now and then

You can use ... to introduce or follow a summary, general statement, or total.

all told

to do something the same or similar in return for something done

return a favor

If you say that something is the case ... you mean that it often is the case.

half the time

in one's opinion or judgement

for my money

very nearly but not exactly or entirely

almost / most 🇺🇸

: just average: not especially good

so-so/ fair to middling

To leap toward someone or something, especially with the intent of grabbing, attacking, or striking them or it.

lunge at somebody