Essential Idioms in English, Section 1
- Niamaat
- Jul 20, 2023
- 13 min read
Updated: Dec 31, 2023
Study all or part of one of the lessons below before out next class. In writing, prepare questions, statements, and/or questions using the vocabulary that you selected to study.
For some or all lessons, I or a student or a client have written text using the target vocabulary.
Lesson 1
to get in
to get on
to get out of
to get off
to put on
to take off
to call up
to turn on
to turn off
right away
to pick up
sooner or later
to get up
at first
Lesson 1 Examples
to get in
Yesterday, I got in Ricardo’s car.
Alexia, please get in the car.
to get on
When I went to Disneyland, I got on a ride.
to get out of
I get out of the car when I arrive at my house.
I got out of the car when I arrived at my house
Lesson 2
to dress up
at last
as usual
to find out
to look at:
to look (all over) for
all right:
little by little
to tire out
to wear out
to call on:
never mind
Lesson 2 Examples
to dress up
I really like to dress up! I like putting on clothes that are beautiful. I think they encourage me to be my best.I should dress up more often! at last At last, I found the state where I want to live in Mexico. t took me nearly 12 months to figure out where I wanted to live. as usual This morning, as usual, I did all of my housekeeping before my first class. to find out I still haven't found out where to get a map of the ejidos in this state. This week I will probably visit the office of the ejido assembly or whatever it is called. to look at I have a mirror on my desk so tht when I work I can look at my face and remind myself of what I look like.
to look (all over) for
Today I will look all over for my supply of blue plastic bags. Apparently I put them in a box, but I didn't label the outside of the box with "blue plastic bags".
all right
Is everything all right? Yes? Alright, I'll stop worrying now that I know you are okay. Today I will give 4 students a test. I wonder if they will get the answers all right? uh oh! I need to double check the usage/meaning of "all right" vs "alright" little by little I want to learn Russian all at once, but I think I will probably need to work on it little by little. to tire out I am sure my new exercise rotuine will tire me out, but that's okay. I need to exercise! to wear out When a car tire wears out, it looses its tread and becomes smooth. Sometimes people get a pair of shoes re-soled when the soles wear out and become too thin or when the soles wear out and develop a hole. to call on Today, in class, I called on Cassandra, Alma Rosa and her two children. They were all excited about the class. Sonia called on me at home, but I wasn't at home. She called on me another time, when I was at home and I was working in the front room. I opened the door and spoke with her there. never mind A: Uh, oh. I think I left my wallet somewhere. Do you mind paying for the parking? B. Sure, no problem, I can pay for the parking. B: Never mind. I found my wallet. Thanks anyway.
Lesson 3
to pick out
to take one's time
to talk over
to lie down
to stand up
to sit down
all (day or week or month or year) long
by oneself
on purpose:
to get along with
to make a difference (to)
take out:
to go out
Lesson 3 Examples
Lesson 3 Examples
This past week, I *didn't pick out* where I wanted to live, but I would love to live near intelligent, knowledgeable and ethical people.
I *took my time* clearing my bodega/office. I moved all of the boxes. I swept and mopped everywhere. I even wiped the tops and bottoms of each box.
I *talked over* buying land in "el cerro" with the owner of a tortilleria. He said it is better to buy a hectacre instead of a full hectare. He has land in the cerro and he doesn't live there. He has 18 cows there and a man who takes care of the cows. The caretaker's salary consists of the milk production from the cows plus a few pesos per week.
I *stood up* during an entire in person English class on Friday.
Fortunately, I didn't have any challenging situation in which I needed *to stand up for myself* this past week.
I *sat down* on the ground to explain to a Ghassan what "ground" meant.
I sang to myself everyday *all week long*.
I decided to learn what I need to know about Beam *by myself.*
Yesterday, I saved some of my milk *on purpose*. So this morning I had two large glasses of one day old cow milk. It was delicious.
I *took out* the trash yesterday. There is a place on the ground floor of this apartment building where all of the tenants put their bags of trash.
Lesson 4
to take part in
at all
to look up
to wait on
at least
so far
to take a walk
to go for a hike
to take a trip
to try on
to think over
to take place
to put away
Lesson 4 Examples
Lesson 4 Examples
1. to take part in
I participated in a discussion about internal Russian politics yesterday.
2. at all
I did not like to run at all.
I do no like to run at all.
3. to look up
When I read a book in English I look up unknown words in dictionary.
4. To wait on
My friends' son waited on us in the restaurant.
5. At least
I need to read at least one book to learn a new subject.
6. so far
So far the weather today has been nice.
7. to take a walk
Every day I take a walk around a the lake in front of my house.
8. To take a trip
I will take a trip to Washington on Friday.
9. to try on
I like to try on new clothes in shops.
10. To think over
I have to think over everything before making any decision.
11. to take place
Yesterday an accident took place on the road near my apartment.
Lesson 5
to look out
to shake hands
to get back
to catch cold
to get over
to make up one's mind
to change one's mind
for the time being
to call off
to put off
in a hurry
Lesson 5 Examples
I need to get on the land, so I *am looking out for* opportunities. I *am on the look out for* opportunities to learn more about ejido land in this state==what the boundries are, who the owners are, what the water, soil and fauna featrues are, etc. I know next to nothing and I have yet to secure a detailed road map of the county or the region, I want to shake hands with many peole this week, Since the c19 hoax, people rarely touch each other. It's not good for my helath. I miss cheek to cheek greetings.
I used to look out for Edwin when we were children. I hated to see others taking advantage of him or encouraging him to do stupid things.
Last night, I left a lot of unfinished tasks stacked neatly on my desk. I told myself that I would get back to business in the morning. I told Sonia I would get back to her to confirm the date as soon as I got home, but I forgot.
Fortunately I haven't caught a cold this year, but I did have a very mild Hexheimer reaction, I think.
I got over
I made up my mind to figure out where I want to buy land as soon as possible.
I haven't made up my mind yet, about how to most efficiently obtain the documents that I need.
For the time being, I am very picky about what I eat. I hope I am always in a position to decide what I consume.
She called off her trip due to the dangerous travel conditions.
She put off her trip due to illness. Maybe she will be able to travel next year. Tentatively, she re=-scheduled the trip for next year.
Today, I am in a hurry to finish my work before 6PM.
Lesson 6
under the weather
to hang up
to count on
to make friends
out of order
to get to
few and far between
to look over
to check over
to have [time] off
to take [time] off
to go on
to put out
all of a sudden
Lesson 6 Examples
Fortunately I *haven't been under the weather* in a long time. I feel great! Tnank goodness!
Nowadays I *hang up* my laundry to dry indoors, using hangers and the edge of a table.
I have a hang up with being in dirty or stinky environments.
I was hung up on someone for a long time, but I got over it. It took me many months. The key was to keep myself very busy working on high priority items.
There are only a handful of people that I *can count on* in the world to help me materially or intellectually.
I *made many friends* in Michoacan in 2022.
In the past, I have lost money in vending machines that were *out of order.*
Today after our class, I *get to* learn more about health and medicine. There some other things that I have to do, such as, buy fruit, visit the butcher shop and clean my bathroom.
Alley cats are *few and far between* in my neighborhood. An "alley cat" is a homeless cat. Many homeless cats are feral. That means that they are not domesticated. They are wild.
Last night, I *looked over* my to-do list for today.
I will have next Friday off. I probably *have next Friday off*. (notice that with timetables that refer to the future we can use the simple present or the simple past)
Is it possible for all life to be destroyed or does life *go on* and on and on?
I don't remember the last time I *put out a fire*, but I am sure it was a fire that I started..
Sometimes I have a great idea to do something. And sometimes that great idea just pops into my head *all of the sudden*. All of the sudden, out of nowhere, I get a great idea.
Lesson 7
to point out:
times up
to be over
in time to
to get better; to get worse
would rather
to call it a day; to call it a night
to figure out
to think highly of; to think poorly of
Lesson 7 Examples
I told you time was up.
I said, "Times up! Let's go.'
I always seem to run out of time. Before I realize it, time is up and I have to stop.
When the music is over, turn out the light.
He was a hippie.
When our lesson is over, I will have breakfast.
When our lesson isover, I will go out to have breakfast.
Yesterday I had a headache, but now I am better.
I slept. I rested. That is how I got better.
Sometime after shopping, I get sick.
I would rather have English lessons with you every day.
I decided to call it a day.
I called it a night after reading last night.
I figured out
I figure out
i will figure out
I think highly of traditional education in the former Soviet Union.
Lesson 8
to be about to
to turn around
to take turns
to pay attention
to brush up on
over and over (again)
to wear out
to throw away
to fall in love (at first sight)
to go out
to be out of the question
to have to do with
Lesson 8 Examples
1. Yesterday I was about to have dinner at the hotel but we accidently decided to go out for dinner instead.
Yesterday, we were about to have dinner at the hotel, but we changed our mind when we realized that the food we had wasn't good. We decided to go out for dinner because the food in our room, that we had purchased earlier from a shop, wasn't good.
A decision is not normally "accidental". Decisions are normally "intentional". Even unconscious decisions are not "accidental".
2. I turned around to see what people are were doing behind by back.
3. I took turns working yesterday.
4. I don't pay attention in to my phone when I work.
5. I brushed up my memory on the book I read 5 years ago.
You can refresh your memory. You can refresh your knowledge.
You cannot brush up on your memory. You can brush up on knowledge, on a subject.
6. I read books of Remarque over and over.
to wear out
I threw away my Nike tennis shoes before I wore them out. In fact they were in good condition when I threw them away.
to throw away
I throw away things that I don't like or things that are ugly or things that are broken that I cannot repair. I put those things in the garbage. I throw them away.
to fall in love (at first sight)
I don't know if I have ever fallen in love at first sight, but once I had a very strong physical reaction to a fellow student who I saw in a library. I was very surprised. He was a friend of a friend. The palms of my hands became very moist and maybe my heart skipped a beat or two.
to go out
I never go out with friends. When people go out, they often go to restaurants, shopping malls, bars, the movies or do some recreational activity.
to be out of the question
Moving to Mexico City is out of the question for me. Moving to Mexico City would not be a logical or smart thing for me to do now.
to have to do with
What do chimpanzees have to do with humans?
Lesson 9
to wake up
to be in charge of
as soon as
to get in touch with
to have a good time
at all
to cut down on
used to
to be used to
to get used to
back and forth
Lesson 9 Examples
I asked Violeta to wake up early. She has (or had).had an exam.
You are in charge of reviewing these documents and sending them.
I will be in touch with my new friend from Paris.
Are you having a good time in at Paulina's party? No, I'm not. Not at all
to cut down on
I need to cut down on procrastination. I need to do everything on my "to do" list everyday. I need to avoid putting things off!
used to
I used to exercise on a regular basis when I was in school. Now I only dream of exercise. I never do anything athletic.
to be used to
I am used to waking up early. Waking up early is something that I am accustomed to doing.
to get used to
It is easy for me to get used to a new place.
back and forth
From time to time I like to run back and forth from my front door to the back wall of my office, then back again to my front door, then back again to the back wall of my office. This isn't really exercise, but it's fun to run back and forth in my apartment.
1. Usually I wake up early.
2. I am in charge of implementation of the current project..
3. I would like to get in touch with my friends for all my life.
4. As soon as the rain is over I will go to the beach.
5. I had a very good time on my vacation.
6. It was not difficult to write these sentences at all
to cut down on
I need to cut down of junk food. This means I should eliminate unhealthy food and drink from my diet.
used to
I used to live in Guadalajara. Now I live somewhere else.
to be used to
I am used to waking up early. I love getting an early start on my day.
to get used to
It will be a challenge for me to get used to drinking 4 liters of water every day. Today, I am starting with one liter.
back and forth
In my mind I keep going back and forth between living in a poor state versus living in a rich state.
Lesson 10
to make sure
now and then= now and again= at times= from time to time= off and on= once in a while
to get rid of
every other (one)
to go with
first-rate
to come from
to make good time
to mix up
to see about
to make out
by heart
Lesson 10 Examples
1. Please make sure that your solution works before the release.
2. Now and then I go out for breakfast with my friends.
3. At times I have to get rid my old clothes.
4. There was 30 children in my class in the school. Every other was a girl.
5. When I was young I often went with my boy friends.
6. The application what we developed is truly fist-rate.
to come from
I come from the USA. Where do you come from?
to make good time
So far, I am making good time. I have done everything I wanted to do in the fist 2 hours of my day.
to mix up
Identical twins are easy to mix up. They look so much alike that it is hard to tell which one is which.
to see about
Today I will see about setting up a trash pick up service. This means I will set up a trash pick up service today.
to make out
When it is difficult for me to make out what the fine print says on the label of some products, I need to ask a sales clerk to read the ingredients to me.
by heart
I wanted to learn "Las Mañanitas" by heart before Manuel's birthday, but I didn't succeed. I still want to memorize the song, as sung by Alejandro Frenandez.
CORRECTIONS
1. Please make sure that your solution works before the release.
2. Now and then I go out for breakfast with my friends.
3. At times I have to get rid OF my old clothes.
4. There WERE 30 children in my class in school. Half were girls and half were boys..
5. When I was young, I often went OUT with my friends.
6. The application THAT we developed is truly FIRST-rate.
Charlie didn't make out very well on his final examinations.
Charlie didn't do very well on his final examinations.
How did Rachel make out on her audition?
How did Rachel do on her audition?
clothes = clothing
every other one
I play tennis with my father every other Saturday.
every other NOUN
She told use to do every other one.
every other NOUN
Every other child was a girl.
Every other student was a girl.
The application THAT we developed is truly FIRST-rate.
The application WHICH we developed is truly FIRST-rate.
Lesson 11
to keep out:
to find fault with:
to be up to
to find fault with
to be ill at ease
to feel ill at ease
to do over
to look into
to take hold of
to get through
from now on
to keep track of
to be carried away
Lesson 11 Examples
Lesson 12
up to date
out of date
to blow up
to burn up:
to burn down
to get ticked off
to make good
it stands to reason
to break out
as for
to feel sorry for
Lesson 12 Examples
Are you up to date with the changes in the water quality in your city?
Long playing vinyl records (LPs) are obsolete. They have been out of date for years and years.
Dynamite is used to blow up things. After dynamite explosion there are bits of debris all over the place.
I was burned up when I saw that the builders next door to the empty lot were using that lot to dump all of their construction debris.
I burned up some personal papers many years ago. Fortunately, the fire was controlled and I didn' burn myself or anyone or anything else.
Fortunately, our home did not burn down when my brother naively started the fire under the kitchen sink!
I sometimes get ticked off when someone is dishonest with me or when they don't use words to communicate with me.
Seeing the mess that the world is in, it stands to reason, that I need to secure my own sources of food, water and energy.
I think El Chapo broke out of jail at least once.
Other rental property owners hire outside managers or handle the management personally. As for Manuel, he prefers to have his sons manage the tenants.
I feel sorry for people who are too busy or too uninterested to investigate things for themsellves
Lesson 13
to break down
to turn out
once in a blue moon
to give up
to cross out
to take for granted
to take into account
to make SOMETHING clear
clear-cut
to have on
to come to
to call for
Lesson 13 Examples
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