100 Most Frequently Used English Idioms

[shirin71]

better off

- to be in a better situation than before
My friend would be better off if he sold his old car and bought a new one.

break down (something)

- to divide something into parts, to separate something into simpler substances
We tried to break down the problem for further study.
The sugar began to break down soon after it was swallowed.

break up

- to separate, to divide into groups or pieces, to put an end to something
Nobody wanted to break up their groups.
We usually break up into small groups during our class.

by the way

- incidentally
"By the way, could you please bring your laptop computer tomorrow."

carry out (something)

- to put something into action, to accomplish something, to do something
The scientist wanted to carry out several experiments before discussing the new medicine.

come on!

- please, hurry, go faster
"Come on, I only have a few minutes before I must go."
"Come on, stop doing that."

come up

- to happen unexpectedly
I will not be able to go to the party if something else comes up.

come up with (something)

- to produce or find a thought/idea/answer
I tried to come up with a name for the new magazine.

deal with (something)

- to be concerned with something, to take action about something
We will deal with the boxes tomorrow.

end up (doing something or going somewhere)

- to do something that one had not planned to do, to go somewhere one had not planned to go
We ended up going to a restaurant after the movie last night.

figure out (someone or something)

- to try to understand someone or something, to solve something
I finally figured out how to use the new DVD player.

fill in (something)

- to write words in blank spaces
"Please fill in this form and give it to the receptionist."

find out (something)

- to learn or discover something
My mother is angry at me because she found out that I had quit my French class.

first of all

- the very first thing
First of all we prepared the garden and then we planted the seeds.

for good

- permanently
The city will close the public swimming pool for good next week.

for sure

- without doubt, certainly, surely
"I will go to the movie with you for sure next week."

get back to (something)

- to return to something
I was happy to get back to my work after my holiday.

get into (something)

- to become interested or involved in something
I do not want to get into an argument with my friend.
We will get into the details of the plan tomorrow.

get into (somewhere)

- to enter somewhere
My friend wants to get into a good university.
I bumped my head as I was getting into the car.

get out of (somewhere)

- to leave somewhere, to escape from somewhere
I want to hurry and get out of my house.

get rid of (something)

- to give or throw something away, to sell or destroy something, to make a cold or fever disappear
I bought a new television set so I want to get rid of the old one.

get through (something)

- to complete something, to fi something
My friend is having trouble getting through her final exams.
I have much reading that I must get through before tomorrow.

go ahead

- to begin to do something
"Let`s go ahead and start now. We can`t wait any longer."

go on

- to continue
The game will probably go on for an hour after we leave.

go over (something)

- to examine or review something
The accountant will go over the books tomorrow.
We plan to go over that question tomorrow.

go through (something)

- to discuss something, to look at something, to do something
The teacher decided to go through the exercise before the test.

go with (something)

- to choose one thing rather than another
We decided to go with the small rental car rather than the large one.

hang out (somewhere/with someone)

- to spend one`s time with no great purpose, to spend leisure time with friends
Recently my friend has been hanging out with a group of people who are not a good influence on him.

have (something) to do with (something)

- to be about something, to be on the subject of something, to be related to something
"The book has something to do with cooking but I am not sure if you will like it."
That problem has nothing to do with me.

hold on

- to wait a minute, to stop, to wait and not hang up the phone
"Please hold on for a minute while I lock the window."

in a way

- to a certain extent, a little, somewhat
In a way I want to go to the new restaurant but in a way I don`t really care.

in case

- if, if something should happen
I will take my umbrella in case it rains.

in common

- shared together or equally, in use or ownership by all
I had nothing in common with the other members of the class.

in detail

- giving all the details, item by item
The saleswoman explained about the new product in detail.

in effect

- for practical purposes, basically
The man's silence was in effect a way of disagreeing with the other people in the meeting.

in fact

- actually, the truth is
The man has been to China before. In fact he has been there three times.