i-Phrase 5

Fifty Useful English Phrases Plus Twenty FiveCommonly Used Phrasal Verbs

Anthony Gurling

Speak like a nativeEach phrase has its origins explained, followed bythe literal meaning.Then a sentence or two with everyday examples ofusage.Volume Five

How to use this book.

Each phrase on the list below is explained in detail, firstly, wherepossible, the source of the phrase is explained. Then the literal ormetaphorical meaning is explained. Following the explanations are oneor two sentences using the phrase in context.

Next to many of the phrases you will see other numbers and letters, suchas this:

1. Come to fruition. Bk 2/60 OPP. Bk 2/93 OPP. Bk 3/101 SYN.

OPP = Opposite where the link to phrase number 2/60 shows anotherphrase in book 2, item number 60, with an opposing meaning.

SYN = Synonym where the link shows another phrase with a similarmeaning. 3/101 = Bk 3, item 101.

COMP = Compare where the link shows a comparable phrase not with adirect similarity.

Book 5 Phrases

201. Follow suit202. Throw your weight around203. Scrimp and scrape204. Keep your feet on the ground205. Get your fingers burnt206. In the driving seat207. Take it on the chin208.Bury the hatchet209. Come clean210. Dip your toe in the water211. A needle in a haystack212. Tip of the iceberg213. Like a duck to water214. Cost an arm and a leg215. Get on your high horse216. Nip in the bud217. Get your teeth into218. A bad taste in your mouth219. Room for manoeuvre220. Fine tuning221. Take exception to something222. To be kept in the dark223. Get along like a house on fire224. Put on a brave face225. Get the upper hand226. Up to your eyes in something 227. Turn a blind eye228. A steep learning curve229. Run the gauntlet230. Grasp the meaning

231. Make a killing232. Come unstuck233. Let your hair down234. Something in the offing 235. A clean sweep236. Hand over fist237. Take the wind out of your sails 238. Water off a ducks back239. In at the deep end240. Dribs and drabs241. Throw in the towel242. Go for broke243. Out of the blue244. Money where your mouth is 245. Suck it and see246. Up at the crack of dawn 247. Iron something out248. On the way out249. Under the weather250. Cast a shadow

25 more phrasal verbs follow the 50 phrases, all with many example ofusage.

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Follow suit.

Source:In a game of cards you have four suits: Hearts, clubs, diamonds andspades.In some games, one player lays down a card and the following playersneed to try to lay a card of the same suit.

Meaning:This refers to when one person follows the actions of another, in asimilar way, usually because it is a good idea.

Examples:I made a profit by investing in shares, if you follow suit you couldmake some money too.

I like your new clothes, you look smart.

You should follow suit and smarten yourself up.

Bk 1/9. (Buck the trend. OPP.) Bk 3/146. (Go against the grain. OPP.)

No. 202

Throw your weight around.

Source:Not your physical weight but here we are talking about the power ofyour position.

Meaning:By throwing your weight around it says that you are using your positionin a very authorative way, more than you perhaps should.

Examples:The new boss that has taken over isnt very popular, she throws herweight around and makes people feel uncomfortable.

With a big majority the government is starting to throw its weightaround by introducing new laws.

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Scrimp and scrape.

Source:To scrimp is to spend as little money as possible because you dont havemuch. To scrape (up some money) is to find some cash from differentsources somehow, to pay a particular bill.

Meaning:When you are very short of money you try to find some any waypossible to pay for your shopping or bills.

Examples:I lost my job and had to scrimp and scrape to survive until I got a newjob.

How could you afford your new car?

We scrimped and scraped until we had saved enough to buy it.

Bk 2/69. (Push the boat out. OPP.) Bk 3/105. (Make ends meet. SYN.)

No. 204

Keep your feet on the ground.

Source:When you are excited about something you could be jumping in the airwith being so happy.

Meaning:If you tell someone to keep their feet on the ground you are suggestingthey are getting too excited and they need to calm down.

Examples:Im hoping to get a new job next week but Im keeping my feet on theground until I get confirmation.

I hear you have sold 1,00o books now, soon you will be famous. Imnot so sure, Im keeping my feet firmly on the ground.

Bk 2/75. (A pipe dream. COMP.) Bk 2/82. (Head in the clouds.COMP.)

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Get your fingers burnt.

Source:If you are handling something hot, you should wear protective gloves oryou may burn your fingers.

Meaning:This refers to any actions you may be looking at which could be risky ordangerous.

Examples:I invested in a new company starting up but it failed, I got my fingersburnt there and lost all my money.

Did you buy that painting you were telling me about? Yes but itturned out to be a fake and I got my fingers burnt.

Bk 3/101. (Come up trumps. OPP.) Bk 6/266. (Play with fire. SYN.)

No. 206

In the driving seat.

Source:

In a car there is only one seat for the driver who is in control of the car.

Meaning:Anyone said to be in the driving seat is in control of whatever they aredoing.

Examples:At the boy scouts meeting one young lad showed clear leadershipskills. The scout leader put him in charge of the days events and toldhim you are in the driving seat, lets see how you do.

Bk 4/182. (Take a back seat. OPP.) Bk 6/251. (Call the shots. SYN.)

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Take it on the chin.

Source:In boxing each opponent tries to punch the other. A punch to the head ismore effective.

Meaning:By saying that someone takes it on the chin, it refers to accepting

something unpleasant but unavoidable.

Examples:My first version of this book was full of mistakes and a studentcriticised me heavily, I took it on the chin and went back to the drawingboard.

The politician was heavily criticised for his racist remarks but he tookit on the chin and apologised.

Bk 3/107. (A pinch of salt. OPP.) Bk 5/238. (Water off a ducks back.COMP.)

No. 208

Bury the hatchet.

Source:In olden days of warring tribes, when two opposing leaders reachedagreement, they buried their hatchets (axes) in the ground as a sign ofpeace.

Meaning:When you want to end a (long-standing) argument, you can suggest youbury the hatchet.

Examples:I was fighting for years over the boundary of my property with myneighbour but when I threatened to go to court he relented and weburied the hatchet.

BK 2/55. (See eye to eye. SYN.) Bk 5/247. (Iron something out. SYN.)

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Come clean.

Source:

Clean in this context, means being honest.

Meaning:To come clean means to be honest about something you have beenkeeping secret for some time.

Examples:Manager to a member of staff:

I think you have been fiddling your expenses, if you come clean I wonttake disciplinary action.

Teacher to pupils:Some students homework look very similar, if anyone has beencheating, come clean now and I wont take it any further.

Bk 6/292. (Keep under wraps. OPP.)

No. 210

Dip you toe in the water.

Source:When you plan to have a bath, first you put a toe in the water to makesure it is not too hot.

Meaning:Anytime you want to try something new and may need to be careful, itslike trying the water in a bath.

Examples:I had some spare cash and thought about investing in the stock market,firstly I dipped my toe in the water to see if I could make money.

BK 3/149. (Play by ear. SYN.) Bk 5/239. (In at the deep end. OPP.) Bk5/245. (Suck it and see. SYN.) Bk 6/260. (In feet first. OPP.) Sectionone review.

Fill each gap with one of the phrases from 201 - 210

The word in brackets is an approximate synonym.

Make sure it is in the correct grammatical form.

Thinking of holidays if I am to go away for a while this summer I'mgoing to have to............................................................................ (save) and even thoughI want to travelextensively I'm ....................................................................................(realistic) for now.I made a mistake this week but I ............................................... (honest)and although Iupset my boss I took her criticism .................................................(openly) and we have............................................................................................. (make peace)and moved on.I wanted to ...................................................................................... (try)and get into thedriving seat but............................................................................................. .(suffer loss)Luckily she is not one to................................................................................. . (be bossy)Others should ........................................................... (copy) and endarguments quickly.

A needle in a haystack.

Source:A needle is small and if lost, difficult to find. A haystack, in

comparison, is much bigger.

Meaning:Dropping a needle into a haystack would be virtually impossible to find,metaphorically it refers to anything lost and difficult to find.

Examples:I wanted to buy a copy of an old book I read in my school days, butafter searching many book shops and scouring the internet I realised itwas like looking for a needle in a haystack.

BK 6/297. (As clear as a bell. OPP.)

No. 212

The tip of the iceberg.

Source:

An iceberg is generally huge but only about 1% is seen above the water.

Meaning:When you see a problem and suspect there may be many more problemsfollowing, its like looking at the tip of an iceberg knowing that muchbigger dangers lie out of sight below the water.

Examples:The riots on the streets of London last year were just the tip of theiceberg, the underlying problem is massive social inequality.

The economic troubles in Europe are just the tip of the iceberg, moreserious problems are looming.

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Like a duck takes to water.

Source:Ducks love swimming on water, whether its a river or a lake, it comesvery natural to them.

Meaning:When you start a new job or hobby, and you begin well with noproblems, its like a duck walking into water for the first time, i.e.things such as this coming very natural to you.

Examples:

I started writing a couple of years ago with no prior experience, I foundit easy and enjoyable and I settled into my new career like a duck takesto water.

My daughter started cycling at the age of 4 and took to it like a duck towater.

Bk 2/94. (Fall on your feet. SYN.) Bk 3/114. (Hit the ground running.SYN.)

No. 214

Cost an arm and a leg.

Source:You would never sell any part of your body presumably, the cost to youwould be too high.

Meaning:

This phrase describes anything that is ridiculously expensive.

Examples:To go to university in England these days costs an arm and a leg andmost students need to borrow heavily and get into debt.

Theres a nice new restaurant thats just opened in the city but a mealthere costs an arm and a leg.

Bk 2/52. (Break the bank. SYN.)

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Get on your high horse.

Source:In the days when wars were fought with men using horses, the generalsand leaders would always have the biggest horses.

Meaning:If a person gets bossy and starts to give orders to others, perhapswithout good reason or in return for a slight error, the analogy is thatthey are getting on a high horse to show off their powerful position.

Examples:I forgot to get the shopping after going to the pub with a friend. When I

got home the wife had a right moan at me, I told her I was sorry and toget off her high horse.

Bk 3/107. (Take with a pinch of salt. OPP.) Bk 3/131. (The end of yourtether. COMP.) Bk 5/238. (Water off a ducks back. COMP.)

No. 216

Nip something in the bud.

Source:A bud is a small growth on a plant which develops into a flower. To nipsomething is to cut it off.

Meaning:You can cut off small buds to allow one to grow big and produce thebest flower. By cutting off (nipping) the smaller buds, you stop themfrom growing and interfering with the best bud.

Examples:I usually go to the gym twice a week to keep fit, but Ive missed threeweeks now. I had better nip this in the bud before I start getting fat andlazy.

I started losing money in a casino but I cashed in my remaining chips tonip the losses in the bud.

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Get your teeth into something.

Source:When you have something nice to eat, such as a juicy steak, you chewon it to get the most flavour out of it.

Meaning:Anything you like doing and really enjoy, the analogy is like chewingon a good steak to enjoy it more.

Examples:Ive nearly finished my latest book and Im getting my teeth intofinishing it by the end of the year.

My students told me their homework was too hard. I told them to gettheir teeth stuck into it and concentrate.

Bk 2/83. (Get the bit between your teeth. SYN.)

Bk 6/262. (Err on the side of caution. OPP.)

No. 218

A bad taste in your mouth.

Source:Something to eat that has perhaps gone bad, and you eat it, you willhave a bad taste in your mouth afterwards.

Meaning:This refers to anything that happens which afterwards leaves you sad orunhappy that it has happened.

Examples:I took my car in for a service to my usual garage, the workers of which Iregarded as friends. After the service the car did not work properly. Itook the car back to the garage but after they fixed it they asked formore money. I paid reluctantly and the affair left a bad taste in mymouth. I wont use that garage again.

Bk 6/260. (Cast a shadow. SYN.)

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Room for manoeuvre.

Source:

To manoeuvre is to move things about to make more space available.

Meaning:Having room for manoeuvre is to be flexible and allow yourself space toaccommodate changes in your schedule.

Examples:My diary is almost full at the moment but I always keep a few hoursfree so that I have room for manoeuvre should any students wish youchange their class times.

Bk 6/288. (Hands tied. OPP.)

No. 220

Fine tuning.

Source:To tune, for example a radio, is to set the radio to the station you wishto listen to. With an engine, tuning means to make adjustments to getthe engine working perfectly.

Meaning:Fine tuning anything refers to making small changes to what you areworking on to make it as near perfect as possible.

Examples:The latest of these phrase books is almost ready, just a bit of finetuning and its ready.

The engine on your car sounds as though it needs a bit of fine tuning.. Section two review.

Fill each gap with one of the phrases from 211 - 220

Make sure it is in the correct grammatical form.

Nearly all done now, just some ......................................................(adjust) and the nextbook is ready. Any errors have been.......................................................... (stop quickly)and I have some ............................................................................. .(space) These booksI think are cheap, they are not going to.......................................................................... .When I started all these phrases I realised I had taken to them......................................

.............................................................................................................................., (easily)but after I started with the first 50 phrases I realised it was just........................................................................................................................................................... (beginning)I hope students ............................................................. (work hard) theseexercises anddon't .................................................................. (complain) saying theyare too difficult.Searching for the right answers could be like looking.................................................................................... (difficult to find)but I really hopeyou don't end up with ................................................................ .(disappoint)

Take exception to something.

Source:An exception is something different in some way from other people orthings.

Meaning:To take exception is to dislike something because you feel annoyed ordislike something.

Examples:When my friend gets drunk his language is awful, lots of swearingwhich I take exception to.

You look as though you are getting fat.

I take exception to that remark, compare me with others and you willsee I am in good condition.

Bk 6/281. (A chip on your shoulder. COMP.)

No. 222

To be kept in the dark.

Source:If you are in room with no windows and no lights, it is dark and youcannot see anything.

Meaning:Keeping someone in the dark about something is to not tell them forwhatever reason, usually because you wish to keep something secret.

Examples:I have bought my girlfriend a nice present for her birthday but I amkeeping her in the dark until the time is right

Do you like my new car?.How could you afford it?I had a little win on the lottery.Nice, you kept me in the dark about that though.

Bk 5/209. (Come clean. OPP.)

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Get along like a house on fire.

Source:If a house catches on fire, the fire can spread through the house veryquickly. To get along with someone is to get to like them.

Meaning:If you get along (like) someone, like a house on fire, your relationshipdevelops very quickly.

Examples: How is your new group of students? Great, we are gettingon like a house on fire.

Bk 2/55. (See eye to eye. SYN.) Bk 4/152. (Rub up the wrong way. OPP.)Bk 4/181. (Burn your bridges. OPP.) Bk 5/208. (Bury the hatchet.COMP.)

No. 224

Put on a brave face.

Source:Being brave is to be confident at times when everything seems to begoing wrong.

Meaning:Making your facial expression in such a way that looks like nothing iswrong, is to show that even though there are problems, you dont letthem be seen.

Examples:I lost a contract which left me with difficulties in paying staff wages.At a staff meeting, everyone put on a brave face and assured me of theirloyalty and support and promised to help the business keep going.

Bk 6/268. (Needs must. SYN.)

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Get/have the upper hand.

Source:Upper - means higher, more powerful, in this context.Hand - means the way you manage people. (A strong hand, fair hand, aneven hand).

Meaning:Having the upper hand indicates you are in control of a situation whereother people are trying to get into a better position.

Examples:In WWII the UK and allies gained the upper hand when the USAentered the war on their side.

Government troops are gradually gaining the upper hand in the conflictwith rebels.

Bk 4/161. (Steal a march. SYN.)

No. 226

Up to your eyes.

Source:

Your eyes are high up on your body, almost at the top of your head.

Meaning:If you have lots of work, or duties to be done, its like your body andmind are so full of thoughts that fill your head - filled to the top.

Examples:Hi mate do you fancy a beer tonight?Id love to but I am up to my eyes in paperwork just now.

Other things you can be up to your eyes in:

Housework; jobs around the house; homework.

Bk 2/86. (Have your work cut out. SYN.) Bk 3/113. (At a loose end.OPP.) Bk 4/198. (Bursting at the seams. COMP.)

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Turn a blind eye.

Source:

If your are unfortunately blind, you can see nothing.

Meaning:By turning your head to one side, literally or metaphorically, todeliberately not see something, its a sign that you are prepared toignore something that maybe should be dealt with.

Examples:Many people park their cars in shopping-mall car parks for free anddont go to the mall to shop. The authorities generally turn a blind eyeto this in the hope that some times the car owners will use the mall inthe future.

Bk 6/264. (Turn a deaf ear. SYN.)

No. 228

A steep learning curve.

Source:Steep refers to something that rises quickly. A steep rise in prices, forexample, means prices go up quickly.

Meaning:When you are studying, or learning something, especially by makingmistakes, a steep learning curve means you dont make the samemistakes so easily because you have learnt not to.

Examples:I thought getting to work a few minutes late wouldn't be a problem.When the boss reprimanded me and threatened me with the sack I tookit as a steep learning curve.

When I first started motorcycling I crashed many times, that was asteep learning curve in how not to die young.

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Run the gauntlet.

Source:The gauntlet, as described in 1/41 and 4/169 is a metal glove. Thisphrase has a slightly different meaning.

Meaning:It refers again to a challenge but it means to go through with thechallenge and see how you perform.

Examples:During election time, politicians often have to run the gauntlet of loadsof journalists waiting to interview them.

The road through a forest is full of tight turns and dangers,motorcyclists often run the gauntlet of this road for excitement.

No. 230

Grasp the meaning.

Source:

To grasp something is to hold it tightly so that you keep it secure.

Meaning:When you cant quite understand something it is like not being abe tohold it in your mind.

Examples:My friend invented a new game but I couldnt grasp the meaning

behind the rules.

The new rules of the company are very complicated and many of thestaff couldnt grasp the meaning for the changes.

Bk 1/29. (Lose the plot. COMP.) Bk 3/122. (Take on board. SYN.) Bk6/270. (Get your head around. SYN.)

Section three review.

Fill each gap with one of the phrases from 221 - 230

Make sure it is in the correct grammatical form.

This method of revision has been a............................................................. (quick lesson)for me and I have been .....................................................................(busy) in new ideas.I won't keep anyone ...................................................... (secret) as I planto tell everyonesoon. If my ideas are not well received I shall..................................................................and won't ............................................................................ (not like)criticism, nor will I...................................................................... (ignore) as any feedback isgood. I hope wecontinue to.................................................................................................... (freinds)

andalthough sometimes I feel as though I am....................................................................... ,I can ............................................................. of taking..................................................... .

Make a killing.

Source/Meaning:To make a killing is to earn a lot of money in a short period of time.Sometimes this is done illegally or immorally.

Examples:I bought my first house just before a property boom set in. I made akilling when I sold it a year later for a huge profit.

You look happy today.Yes I went to the horse races yesterday and made a killing when threeof the horses I backed won their races.

Bk 3/101. (Come up trumps. SYN.) Bk 5/205. (Get your fingers burnt.OPP.)

No. 232

Come unstuck.

Source/Meaning:If a person, or something they are trying to achieve, comes unstuck,problems appear to make everything go wrong.

Examples:Students who do not prepare adequately for exams often come unstuckand fail.

The companys plans for expansion came unstuck because of the lackof funding.

Bk 3/137. (In a pickle. SYN.)

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Let your hair down.

Source:Ladies, in particular, often wear their hair tied up during their workingday, to keep it tidy and easier to manage. After work they usually untietheir hair to relax.

Meaning:This doesnt only apply to ladies but metaphorically, anyone lettingtheir hair down is preparing to party.

Examples:After working hard all week I usually let my hair down on a Fridayevening and go clubbing.

You look a bit stressed my friend, perhaps you should let your hairdown a bit.

Bk 3/127. (Throw caution to the wind. SYN.)

No. 234

Something in the offing.

Source:The offing is the area that can be seen at sea, the area between the shoreand the horizon.

Meaning:Something in the offing is possible or likely to happen in the nearfuture. In other words, it can be seen as being close.

Examples:There are signs that something is in the offing as the Government isspeaking more often of having fresh elections.

Theres been no news of the crisis in Ukraine for a few days but

journalists say there is something in the offing.

Bk 1/49. (Light at the end of the tunnel. SYN.) Bk 6/258. (Writing on thewall. SYN.)

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A clean sweep.

Source:Sweeping the floor with a broom leaves the floor nice and clean. i.e.leaving nothing behind.

Meaning:This represents when there is a competition, one player wins everythingand the other competitors are left with nothing.

Examples:The Chinese women athletes made a clean sweep of the gymnasticcompetition.

The ruling party won a clean sweep at the elections winning every seatin parliament.

Bk 1/8. (By the skin of your teeth. OPP.)

No. 236

Hand over fist.

Source:This phrase stems from pulling on a rope, for example on a boat to raisethe sails. One hand goes over the other to make the sails go higher andthe boat can go faster.

Meaning:

Here it refers to making money quickly and in a short period of time.

Examples:I opened a stall on the market and my product sold well, I realised thatI was making money hand over fist.

Developers who bought land in the recession are now making moneyhand over fist by selling their properties post-recession while prices arehigh.

Bk 3/136. (Thick and fast. COMP.) Bk 5/240. (Dribs and drabs. OPP.)

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Take the wind out of your sails.

Source:Sailing boats need wind to propel the boat forward, no wind = nomovement.

Meaning:If the wind is taken out of your sails, then someone has done somethingto take away all your energy and enthusiasm.

Examples:I was really looking forward to selling thousands of copies of my bookbut negative feedback from some customers took the wind out of my

sails.

Bk 2/100. (Keep you on your toes. COMP.) Bk 4/176. (Plain sailing.OPP.)

No. 238

Water off a ducks back.

Source:Ducks have so many feathers, and down, the tiny feathers close to theskin, which makes them waterproof.

Meaning:This refers to anything that doesnt stick, for example, accusations,criticism, or anything bad said against you.

Examples:The politician is such an arrogant, self-confident person that to him,any criticism is like water off a ducks back.

Hi mate did you know that your neighbours have been spreadingrumours about you?Yes but I dont care any more, its water off a ducks back to me.

Bk 1/3. (Thick skinned. SYN.) Bk 3/107. (Take with a pinch of salt.SYN.)

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