Anthony's Fifty Useful English Phrases Plus 25 common phrasal verbs - Anthony Gurling

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i-Phrase 5
Fifty Useful English Phrases Plus Twenty Five
Commonly Used Phrasal Verbs
Anthony Gurling
Speak like a native
Each phrase has its origins explained, followed by
the literal meaning.
Then a sentence or two with everyday examples of
usage.
Volume Five
How to use this book.
Each phrase on the list below is explained in detail, firstly, where
possible, the source of the phrase is explained. Then the literal or
metaphorical meaning is explained. Following the explanations are one
or two sentences using the phrase in context.
Next to many of the phrases you will see other numbers and letters, such
as 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 another
phrase in book 2, item number 60, with an opposing meaning.
 
SYN = Synonym where the link shows another phrase with a similar
meaning. 3/101 = Bk 3, item 101.
 
COMP = Compare where the link shows a comparable phrase not with a
direct similarity.
 Book 5 Phrases
201. Follow suit
202. Throw your weight around
203. Scrimp and scrape
204. Keep your feet on the ground
205. Get your fingers burnt
206. In the driving seat
207. Take it on the chin
208.Bury the hatchet
209. Come clean
210. Dip your toe in the water
211. A needle in a haystack
212. Tip of the iceberg
213. Like a duck to water
214. Cost an arm and a leg
215. Get on your high horse
216. Nip in the bud
217. Get your teeth into
218. A bad taste in your mouth
219. Room for manoeuvre
220. Fine tuning
221. Take exception to something
222. To be kept in the dark
223. Get along like a house on fire
224. Put on a brave face
225. Get the upper hand
226. Up to your eyes in something 227. Turn a blind eye
228. A steep learning curve
229. Run the gauntlet
230. Grasp the meaning
231. Make a killing
232. Come unstuck
233. Let your hair down
234. Something in the offing 235. A clean sweep
236. Hand over fist
237. Take the wind out of your sails 238. Water off a duck’s back
239. In at the deep end
240. Dribs and drabs
241. Throw in the towel
242. Go for broke
243. Out of the blue
244. Money where your mouth is 245. Suck it and see
246. Up at the crack of dawn 247. Iron something out
248. On the way out
249. Under the weather
250. Cast a shadow
25 more phrasal verbs follow the 50 phrases, all with many example of
usage.
 
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Follow suit.
Source:
In a game of cards you have four suits: Hearts, clubs, diamonds and
spades.
In some games, one player lays down a card and the following players
need to try to lay a card of the same suit.
Meaning:
This refers to when one person follows the actions of another, in a
similar way, usually because it is a good idea.
Examples:
“I made a profit by investing in shares, if you follow suit you could
make 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 of
your position.
Meaning:
By throwing your weight around it says that you are using your position
in a very authorative way, more than you perhaps should.
Examples:
“The new boss that has taken over isn’t very popular, she throws her
weight around and makes people feel uncomfortable.”
“With a big majority the government is starting to throw its weight
around by introducing new laws.”
 
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 Scrimp and scrape.
Source:
To scrimp is to spend as little money as possible because you don’t have
much. To scrape (up some money) is to find some cash from different
sources somehow, to pay a particular bill.
Meaning:
When you are very short of money you try to find some any way
possible to pay for your shopping or bills.
Examples:
“I lost my job and had to scrimp and scrape to survive until I got a new
job.”
“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 air
with being so happy.
Meaning:
If you tell someone to keep their feet on the ground you are suggesting
they are getting too excited and they need to calm down.
Examples:
“I’m hoping to get a new job next week but I’m keeping my feet on the
ground until I get confirmation.”
“I hear you have sold 1,00o books now, soon you will be famous.” “I’m
not so sure, I’m 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 or
you may burn your fingers.
Meaning:
This refers to any actions you may be looking at which could be risky or
dangerous.
Examples:
“I invested in a new company starting up but it failed, I got my fingers
burnt there and lost all my money.”
“Did you buy that painting you were telling me about?” “Yes but it
turned 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 are
doing.
Examples:
“At the boy scouts meeting one young lad showed clear leadership
skills. The scout leader put him in charge of the day’s events and told
him ‘you are in the driving seat, let’s 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 is
more 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 student
criticised me heavily, I took it on the chin and went back to the drawing
board.”
“The politician was heavily criticised for his racist remarks but he took
it on the chin and apologised.”
 
Bk 3/107. (A pinch of salt. OPP.) Bk 5/238. (Water off a duck’s back.
COMP.)
 
No. 208
 
Bury the hatchet.
Source:
In olden days of warring tribes, when two opposing leaders reached
agreement, they buried their hatchets (axes) in the ground as a sign of
peace.
Meaning:
When you want to end a (long-standing) argument, you can suggest you
bury the hatchet.
Examples:
“I was fighting for years over the boundary of my property with my
neighbour but when I threatened to go to court he relented and we
buried 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 been
keeping secret for some time.
Examples:
Manager to a member of staff:
“I think you have been fiddling your expenses, if you come clean I won’t
take disciplinary action.”
Teacher to pupils:
“Some students’ homework look very similar, if anyone has been
cheating, come clean now and I won’t 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 make
sure it is not too hot.
Meaning:
Anytime you want to try something new and may need to be careful, it’s
like 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.) Bk
5/245. (Suck it and see. SYN.) Bk 6/260. (In feet first. OPP.) Section
one 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'm
going to have to
............................................................................ (save) and even though
I want to travel
extensively I'm ....................................................................................
(realistic) for now.
I made a mistake this week but I ............................................... (honest)
and although I
upset my boss I took her criticism .................................................
(openly) and we have
............................................................................................. (make peace)
and moved on.
I wanted to ...................................................................................... (try)
and get into the
driving seat but
............................................................................................. .(suffer loss)
Luckily she is not one to
................................................................................. . (be bossy)
Others should ........................................................... (copy) and end
arguments 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, but
after searching many book shops and scouring the internet I realised it
was 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 problems
following, it’s like looking at the tip of an iceberg knowing that much
bigger dangers lie out of sight below the water.
Examples:
“The riots on the streets of London last year were just the tip of the
iceberg, the underlying problem is massive social inequality.”
“The economic troubles in Europe are just the tip of the iceberg, more
serious problems are looming.”
 
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Like a duck takes to water.
Source:
Ducks love swimming on water, whether it’s a river or a lake, it comes
very natural to them.
Meaning:
When you start a new job or hobby, and you begin well with no
problems, it’s 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 found
it easy and enjoyable and I settled into my new career like a duck takes
to water.”
“My daughter started cycling at the age of 4 and took to it like a duck to
water.”
 
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 you
would 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 and
most students need to borrow heavily and get into debt.”
“There’s a nice new restaurant that’s just opened in the city but a meal
there 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 generals
and leaders would always have the biggest horses.
Meaning:
If a person gets bossy and starts to give orders to others, perhaps
without good reason or in return for a slight error, the analogy is that
they 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 to
get off her high horse.”
Bk 3/107. (Take with a pinch of salt. OPP.) Bk 3/131. (The end of your
tether. COMP.) Bk 5/238. (Water off a duck’s 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 nip
something is to cut it off.
Meaning:
You can cut off small buds to allow one to grow big and produce the
best flower. By cutting off (nipping) the smaller buds, you stop them
from growing and interfering with the best bud.
Examples:
“I usually go to the gym twice a week to keep fit, but I’ve missed three
weeks now. I had better nip this in the bud before I start getting fat and
lazy.”
“I started losing money in a casino but I cashed in my remaining chips to
nip 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 chew
on it to get the most flavour out of it.
Meaning:
Anything you like doing and really enjoy, the analogy is like chewing
on a good steak to enjoy it more.
Examples:
“I’ve nearly finished my latest book and I’m getting my teeth into
finishing it by the end of the year.”
“My students told me their homework was too hard. I told them to get
their 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 will
have a bad taste in your mouth afterwards.
Meaning:
This refers to anything that happens which afterwards leaves you sad or
unhappy that it has happened.
Examples:
“I took my car in for a service to my usual garage, the workers of which I
regarded as friends. After the service the car did not work properly. I
took the car back to the garage but after they fixed it they asked for
more money. I paid reluctantly and the affair left a bad taste in my
mouth. I won’t 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 to
accommodate changes in your schedule.
Examples:
“My diary is almost full at the moment but I always keep a few hours
free so that I have room for manoeuvre should any students wish you
change 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 wish
to listen to. With an engine, tuning means to make adjustments to get
the engine working perfectly.
Meaning:
Fine tuning anything refers to making small changes to what you are
working on to make it as near perfect as possible.
Examples:
“The latest of these phrase books is almost ready, just a bit of fine
tuning and it’s 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 next
book is ready. Any errors have been
.......................................................... (stop quickly)
and I have some ............................................................................. .
(space) These books
I think are cheap, they are not going to
.......................................................................... .
When I started all these phrases I realised I had taken to them
......................................
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, (easily)
but after I started with the first 50 phrases I realised it was just
....................................
......................................................................................................................
. (beginning)
I hope students ............................................................. (work hard) these
exercises and
don't .................................................................. (complain) saying they
are too difficult.
Searching for the right answers could be like looking
.................................................................................... (difficult to find)
but I really hope
you don't end up with ................................................................ .
(disappoint)
 
Take exception to something.
Source:
An exception is something different in some way from other people or
things.
Meaning:
To take exception is to dislike something because you feel annoyed or
dislike something.
Examples:
“When my friend gets drunk his language is awful, lots of swearing
which I take exception to.”
“You look as though you are getting fat.”
“I take exception to that remark, compare me with others and you will
see 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 you
cannot see anything.
Meaning:
Keeping someone in the dark about something is to not tell them for
whatever reason, usually because you wish to keep something secret.
Examples:
“I have bought my girlfriend a nice present for her birthday but I am
keeping 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 very
quickly. To get along with someone is to get to like them.
Meaning:
If you get along (like) someone, like a house on fire, your relationship
develops very quickly.
Examples: “How is your new group of students?” “Great, we are getting
on 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 be
going wrong.
Meaning:
Making your facial expression in such a way that looks like nothing is
wrong, is to show that even though there are problems, you don’t let
them 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 their
loyalty 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, an
even hand).
Meaning:
Having the upper hand indicates you are in control of a situation where
other people are trying to get into a better position.
Examples:
“In WWII the UK and allies gained the upper hand when the USA
entered the war on their side.”
“Government troops are gradually gaining the upper hand in the conflict
with 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, it’s like your body and
mind are so full of thoughts that fill your head - filled to the top.
Examples:
“Hi mate do you fancy a beer tonight?”
“I’d 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, to
deliberately not see something, it’s a sign that you are prepared to
ignore something that maybe should be dealt with.
Examples:
“Many people park their cars in shopping-mall car parks for free and
don’t go to the mall to shop. The authorities generally turn a blind eye
to this in the hope that some times the car owners will use the mall in
the 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, for
example, means prices go up quickly.
Meaning:
When you are studying, or learning something, especially by making
mistakes, a steep learning curve means you don’t make the same
mistakes 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 took
it as a steep learning curve.”
“When I first started motorcycling I crashed many times, that was a
steep 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. This
phrase has a slightly different meaning.
Meaning:
It refers again to a challenge but it means to go through with the
challenge and see how you perform.
Examples:
“During election time, politicians often have to run the gauntlet of loads
of 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 can’t quite understand something it is like not being abe to
hold it in your mind.
Examples:
“My friend invented a new game but I couldn’t grasp the meaning
behind the rules.”
“The new rules of the company are very complicated and many of the
staff couldn’t grasp the meaning for the changes.”
 
Bk 1/29. (Lose the plot. COMP.) Bk 3/122. (Take on board. SYN.) Bk
6/270. (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 plan
to tell everyone
soon. If my ideas are not well received I shall
..................................................................
and won't ............................................................................(not like)
criticism, nor will I
...................................................................... (ignore) as any feedback is
good. I hope we
continue to
.................................................................................................... (freinds)
and
although 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 a
killing 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 three
of 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 unstuck
and fail.”
“The company’s plans for expansion came unstuck because of the lack
of 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 working
day, to keep it tidy and easier to manage. After work they usually untie
their hair to relax.
Meaning:
This doesn’t only apply to ladies but metaphorically, anyone ‘letting
their hair down’ is preparing to party.
Examples:
“After working hard all week I usually let my hair down on a Friday
evening and go clubbing.”
“You look a bit stressed my friend, perhaps you should let your hair
down 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 shore
and the horizon.
Meaning:
Something in the offing is possible or likely to happen in the near
future. In other words, it can be seen as being close.
Examples:
“There are signs that something is in the offing as the Government is
speaking more often of having fresh elections.”
“There’s 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 the
wall. SYN.)
 
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