Phrases & Expressions 17

phrase informal C1 • synonyms: miss a deadline, fail to deliver • blow an important/final/tight deadline; repeatedly/completely blow a deadline; blow a deadline due to X; scramble/apologize after blowing a deadline

fail to meet a deadline; miss the agreed or expected time for completing a task or delivering something

idiom C1 informal • synonyms: try out, give it a go, experiment • give yoga/coding/online dating a whirl; decide to/might/finally give sth a whirl; give sth a quick/proper whirl; give sth a whirl and see how it goes

try something out, especially for the first time or without knowing if it will work or suit you

idiom C1 • informal (especially US) • ink a contract/deal/agreement; ink a merger/movie deal • freq in AmE: 7/10

(informal, business) to formally sign a contract or agreement, especially after negotiations; to finalize a deal in writing

idiom C1 informal • phone/line/hotline ringing off the hook • freq in AmE: 4/10

(of a telephone) to be ringing continuously or very frequently, indicating many incoming calls

idiom C2 • informal • freq in AmE: 4/10follow suit (do the same as someone else)

to do the same thing as someone else, especially after they have done it first

idiom C1 • paint a grim picture of something; paint a grim picture of the future/situation; paint a grim picture in reports • freq in AmE: 3/10

to describe a situation or event in a way that makes it seem very bad, depressing, or worrying; to present a negative or bleak view

idiom or noun [C usually sing ] C1 • have a sweet tooth; satisfy a sweet tooth; give in to a sweet tooth • freq in AmE: 4/10

a strong liking or craving for sweet foods, especially sugary treats and desserts

verb phrase [I ] C2 or idiom C2 • toss and turn all night; toss and turn in bed; unable to sleep • freq in AmE: 3/10

to move restlessly from side to side, especially while trying to sleep; to be unable to sleep well due to discomfort, worry, or stress

idiom C1 • synonyms: go all out, spare no effort, leave no stone unturned • pull out all the stops for sth/to do sth; really pull out all the stops • freq in AmE: 7/10

to do everything you possibly can to achieve a result, especially by using all available resources, effort, or creativity — often in a spectacular or determined way

idiom C1 • synonyms: feel nervous, have jitters, pre-show anxiety • get/have butterflies in your stomach before sth; feel butterflies; nervous butterflies • freq in AmE: 7/10

a fluttery, nervous feeling in your stomach caused by anxiety, anticipation, or excitement — often before a performance, event, or important moment

idiom C1 • social/emotional • synonyms: pretend, mask, maintain illusion • keep up appearances despite hardship/scandal; just for the sake of appearances • freq in AmE: 6/10

to maintain an outward show of normalcy, success, or respectability, even when the reality is different; to avoid revealing problems or decline

idiom C1 • interpersonal/cultural • synonyms: preserve dignity, avoid shame, protect reputation • save face after failure; let someone save face • freq in AmE: 6/10

to preserve one’s dignity, reputation, or social standing by avoiding embarrassment, shame, or loss of respect — especially in public or interpersonal situations

idiom C1 • interpersonal/cultural • antonym of: save face • synonyms: be humiliated, lose respect, suffer shame • lose face publicly; risk losing face • freq in AmE: 5/10

to suffer embarrassment, humiliation, or a loss of respect — especially in front of others; to damage one’s reputation or dignity

idiom B2 • motivational/strategic • synonyms: lean into strengths, focus on assets, use your edge • play to your strengths in interviews/teams/tasks • freq in AmE: 7/10

to focus on and use your strongest skills, qualities, or advantages in order to succeed or make the most impact

idiom C1 • synonyms: underperform, disappoint, miss the mark • fall short of expectations/standards/goals; someone/something falls short of what is needed/promised/hoped for • freq in AmE: 7/10

to fail to reach a desired level, expectation, standard, or goal — often by a noticeable margin, despite effort or intention

idiom C1 • synonyms: support, back, endorse • lend (your) support to something; lend your support for a cause/campaign; refuse/withdraw support • freq in AmE: 6/10

to express approval of or help for an idea, project, or person, usually by publicly showing it

idiom C1 (also be under wraps) • synonyms: conceal, keep secret, hide • keep something under wraps; keep details/info/news under wraps; be under wraps until... • freq in AmE: 7/10

to keep something secret or not make it known to the public

idiom C1 informal • synonyms: secret, undisclosed, confidential • keep something under wraps; remain/stay under wraps; stay under wraps until... • freq in AmE: 7/10

secret or not yet made known to the public

idiom B2 informal • synonyms: available, open, attainable • be up for grabs; still up for grabs; make something up for grabs • freq in AmE: 7/10

available for anyone who wants it; open to be taken, won, or claimed by whoever acts first or best

idiom C1 informal • synonyms: furious, outraged, angry • be up in arms over/about something; have people up in arms; cause outrage/uproar • freq in AmE: 7/10

very angry or upset about something; protesting or strongly complaining against something perceived as unfair or wrong

idiom C1 (also put your weight behind something) • synonyms: endorse, back, advocate • throw weight behind candidate/cause/reform; publicly/strategically throw weight • freq in AmE: 6/10

to use your influence, authority, or reputation to support a cause, person, or initiative; often implies strategic endorsement or active backing that can shift outcomes

idiom B2 informal • synonyms: watch out for, keep an eye out for, be alert to • be/stay/remain on the lookout for something/someone; always be on the lookout for danger/opportunity • freq in AmE: 8/10

to watch carefully for something or someone that might appear, especially to notice danger, opportunity, or something you want to find

idiom C1 informal (spin - spun or UK also span - spun) • synonyms: get out of hand, go off the rails, lose control • spin/get/fall out of control; situation/emotion/event spins out of control • freq in AmE: 8/10

to become uncontrollable or chaotic; to lose stability or order, especially after a situation changes too quickly or unexpectedly

expression/idiom B2–C1 informal spoken (humorous or ironic) • synonyms: nothing surprises me anymore • Just when I thought I’d seen it all / heard it all / done it all; Just when you think you’ve seen it all • freq in AmE: 9/10

said when something surprising, strange, or unbelievable happens — right when you thought nothing could surprise you anymore

idiom B2 • synonyms: takeaway, lesson, conclusion • the moral of the story is...; what we learn from this is... • freq in AmE: 6/10

a phrase used to introduce or summarize the lesson, insight, or takeaway from a story, experience, or situation — often humorous, ironic, or reflective

idiom [C ] C1 • synonyms: basic concern, livelihood issue • bread-and-butter issues: jobs, wages, housing, healthcare; political/economic context; freq in AmE: 6/10

a basic, practical concern that directly affects people’s everyday lives — especially economic or livelihood-related matters such as jobs, wages, healthcare, or cost of living

idiom [C ] B2 • synonyms: monitor, track, watch, oversee • keep tabs on kids/spending/team/progress; tech/parental/managerial vigilance; freq in AmE: 6/10

to monitor, observe, or track someone or something closely and regularly — often to stay informed, ensure safety, or maintain control; can imply vigilance, suspicion, or care depending on context

idiom C1 • synonyms: start, initiate, innovate • break ground on a project/building/idea; technologically/scientifically break ground • freq in AmE: 6/10

to begin a new project, venture, or phase — especially one that is innovative, ambitious, or involves construction or development; also used literally for starting excavation

idiom C1 • synonyms: crush hopes, shatter expectations, disappoint deeply • dash sb’s hopes of success/victory/change; emotionally/suddenly dash hopes • freq in AmE: 5/10

to suddenly destroy someone's expectations, dreams, or optimism — often through disappointing news, failure, or unexpected obstacles

idiom C1 • synonyms: operational, functioning, active • be/get up and running (system/project/business); finally/fully up and running • freq in AmE: 6/10

functioning properly and actively after being started, repaired, or set up — often used for systems, machines, businesses, or projects that are now operational

idiomatic phrase with bet verb [T ] B2 informal (bet-bet-bet) (also don’t bet on it) • I wouldn’t bet on it; don’t count on it; I doubt it; not likely • freq in AmE: 6/10

(informal) used to express doubt, skepticism, or lack of confidence in a particular outcome; often a dry or ironic way to say “I don’t think that will happen”

idiom with weight noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: matter, influence, hold sway • carry (a lot of/considerable/more) weight • someone’s opinion/endorsement/evidence carries weight • freq in AmE: 6/10

to have influence, importance, or credibility in a particular context; to be taken seriously or considered significant by others

idiom with weight noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: have impact, be influential, matter • carry real/genuine/true weight • someone’s words/report/opinion carries real weight • freq in AmE: 5/10

to possess genuine influence, authority, or credibility that significantly affects decisions, opinions, or outcomes; to be taken seriously and have substantial impact

— phrasal verb with pull verb [T ] informal

to get control of your emotions or actions after being very upset

idiom C2 (also stand your ground) • synonyms: stand firm, stay resolute, not back down • hold your ground in a debate/conflict; she held her ground despite pressure • freq in AmE: 6/10

to refuse to change your position, opinion, or actions, especially when under pressure or facing opposition; to remain firm and resolute

idiom C1 (also fall victim to something/someone) • synonyms: become victim, succumb to, be deceived • fall prey to scams/anxiety/violence/manipulation • individuals/companies fall prey to someone/something • freq in AmE: 6/10

to become a victim of something harmful, manipulative, or destructive; often used to describe being deceived, overwhelmed, or negatively affected by external forces

idiom C1 (also murky waters) • synonyms: unknown territory, unfamiliar ground • navigate/enter/explore uncharted waters; venture into/head into/drift into/move into/sail into uncharted waters; be in/find yourself in uncharted waters • freq in AmE: 6/10

a situation or area that is unfamiliar, unexplored, or without precedent — often used metaphorically to describe entering risky, uncertain, or innovative territory where outcomes are unknown

idiom C1 • synonyms: unknown ground, unexplored domain • enter/venture into uncharted territory (emotional/ethical/scientific) • freq in AmE: 6/10

a situation, area, or domain that is unfamiliar, unexplored, or without precedent — often used metaphorically to describe new experiences, challenges, or fields where no clear guidance exists

idiom B2 (also do the rounds, go the rounds) • synonyms: circulate, go around, do the rounds • make the rounds of rooms/people/places; rumor/news/story makes the rounds • freq in AmE: 6/10

to go from place to place or person to person, often in a routine or systematic way — used literally (e.g. visiting locations) or figuratively (e.g. circulating in media or conversation)

idiom C2 formal • synonym: instead of • in lieu of something; receive X in lieu of Y; in lieu of payment/flowers/refund/time off • freq in AmE: 2/10

instead of something; as a substitute or replacement for something else — typically used in formal or legal contexts

prepositional phrase C1 • synonyms: following, subsequent, after • in the ensuing days/months/years/chaos/fight; in the ensuing silence/confusion/tension • freq in AmE: 6/10

used to refer to a period of time or events that follow immediately after something else; often implies a cause-and-effect relationship or unfolding consequences

prep phrase C1 • collocation • synonyms: over the following years, in the years that followed • in the ensuing years, her influence grew; in the ensuing years after the war • freq in AmE: 6/10

during the period of years that follows a particular event or moment; often used to describe long-term consequences, developments, or changes that unfold gradually

idiom C1 informal • synonyms: available, unclaimed, open to competition • be/go/remain up for grabs; job/prize/opportunity up for grabs • freq in AmE: 6/10

available to anyone who wants it or is able to take it; not yet claimed or assigned, often implying competition or opportunity

idiom C2 • synonyms: attract attention, cause a stir, stand out • make a splash with/in something; debut/product/idea makes a splash; instantly/really make a splash • freq in AmE: 6/10

to attract a lot of attention or cause a strong impression, especially in a dramatic or noticeable way; often used in contexts of debut, innovation, or public appearance

idiom C1 • synonyms: open up, confide deeply, express emotions • pour your heart out to someone/in something; finally/really/tearfully pour your heart out • freq in AmE: 5/10

to express deep emotions openly and intensely, especially feelings of sadness, vulnerability, or longing; often implies a moment of emotional release or confession

idiom B2 • make a difference to someone/something (to → directs attention to the recipient of the change); make a difference in something (in → highlights the domain or area where the change takes place) • freq in AmE: 9/10

to have a noticeable or meaningful impact on someone or something; to cause a change that matters, improves, or influences a situation

idiom B2 • synonyms: not matter, be irrelevant, have no effect • make no difference to someone/something; it makes no difference whether/if...; make no real/significant/practical difference • freq in AmE: 8/10

to have no impact or effect on someone or something; to not change the situation or outcome in any meaningful way

idiom [C2 ] • synonyms: face the consequences, get what you deserve • reap what you sow; sow kindness/hatred and reap joy/pain; now he's reaping what he sowed • freq in AmE: 7/10

to experience the consequences—good or bad—of one’s actions; what you do now will affect what happens later; often used in moral, philosophical, or cautionary contexts

idiom [C2 ] informal • synonyms: karma, poetic justice, reap what you sow • what goes around comes around; eventually pay the price or receive the reward • freq in AmE: 7/10

the idea that one’s actions—good or bad—will eventually return to affect them; often used to express moral justice, karma, or poetic retribution

idiom [informal ] C1 • synonyms: mischief, antics, trickery, shady dealings • be up to monkey business; no monkey business allowed; suspect monkey business • freq in AmE: 6/10

informal behavior that is silly, mischievous, dishonest, or suspicious — often playful or slightly unethical, but not seriously criminal; used to express disapproval or suspicion in a lighthearted way