Phrases & Expressions 18

idiom C2 formal • synonyms: dominate, influence, control, prevail • hold sway over something/someone; still hold sway; charisma/ideology holds sway • freq in AmE: 5/10

to have power, influence, or control over people, decisions, or situations — often used in political, cultural, or emotional contexts to describe dominant authority or persuasive impact

idiom C1 (also leave someone standing) • synonyms: exclude, marginalize, overlook • leave someone on the sidelines; be/feel left on the sidelines; keep someone on the sidelines of X • freq in AmE: 6/10

to exclude someone from active participation, decision-making, or influence; to keep someone uninvolved, overlooked, or marginalized — often unintentionally or due to systemic factors

idiom C1 • synonyms: stop, cease, freeze, grind to a halt • come to a sudden/complete halt; bring something to a halt; negotiations came to a halt • freq in AmE: 6/10

to stop moving or progressing; to cease activity or operation

idiom C1 • synonyms: drive, motivate, fuel, define • what makes someone tick; understand what makes someone tick; curiosity about what makes people tick • freq in AmE: 5/10

to be the underlying reason for someone’s behavior, motivation, or personality; to explain what drives a person

idiom B2 • synonyms: ecstatic, euphoric, overjoyed, thrilled • be on cloud nine; feel on cloud nine; put someone on cloud nine • freq in AmE: 8/10

extremely happy; in a state of bliss or euphoria

idiom B2 • synonyms: qualify, succeed, meet the standard, pass • make the grade in something; fail to make the grade; only few made the grade • freq in AmE: 6/10

to meet the required standard; to succeed or qualify, especially in a competitive or demanding context

idiom B2 • synonyms: qualify as, succeed in role, prove oneself • make the grade as a leader/artist/student; fail to make the grade as something; finally made the grade as something • freq in AmE: 5/10

to meet the necessary standards or expectations to be accepted or recognized in a specific role, profession, or identity

idiom C2 informal • synonyms: commit, dare, go for it • take the plunge and do/doing something; take the plunge and start/buy/move/confess; take the plunge into new life/relationship/adventure • freq in AmE: 6/10

to decide to do something significant or risky, especially after hesitating or considering it for a long time; often used when someone commits to a major change, investment, or emotional step

idiom C2 informal • synonyms: qualify, be selected, succeed • make the cut for/in/as something; fail/barely/finally make the cut; make the cut for team/job/shortlist • freq in AmE: 6/10

to succeed in being selected or accepted, especially when there is competition or a strict standard; often used in contexts like auditions, sports, job recruitment, or elite programs

idiom C1 informal (also hit the market/shops) • synonyms: launch, go on sale, be released • product/book/game hits the shelves; hit the shelves on/in/before something; hit the shelves and sell out • freq in AmE: 6/10

to be released and made available for purchase in stores; often used for products, books, albums, or new merchandise entering the market

idiom [C2 ] • synonyms: powerhouse, unstoppable person, dynamo • be/act like a force of nature; described as a force of nature; emotional/creative force of nature • freq in AmE: 7/10

a person with an intense, unstoppable energy or presence; someone who acts with passion, drive, and impact, often defying norms or limitations