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Domanda American English Risposta American English
envisage
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to imagine or expect something in the future, especially something good/When do you envisage finishing the project?(also imagine)
devoid
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be devoid of sth to lack or be without something that is necessary or usual: Their apartment is devoid of all comforts. He seems to be devoid of compassion.
inheritance
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money or objects that someone gives you when they die: The large inheritance from his aunt meant that he could buy his own boat. At 21 she came into her inheritance (= it was given to her).
abrasion
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the process of rubbing away the surface of something: There seems to have been some abrasion of the surface./She had a small abrasion on her knee.
chafe
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to make or become damaged or sore by rubbing: The bracelet was so tight that it started to chafe (my wrist).
concur
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to agree or have the same opinion: The new report concurs with previous findings./"I think you're absolutely right," concurred Chris.
claim to fame
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a reason why someone or something is famous: This little town’s claim to fame is that a president was born here.
rear
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care for: He describes how these birds rear their young/at the back of something: There's a sticker on the rear door/window.
tenants
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a person who pays rent for the use of land or a building
investiture
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a ceremony in which someone is given an official rank, authority, power, etc.: The investiture of the new president will take place this evening.
cradle
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to hold something or someone gently, especially by supporting with the arms: She cradled him tenderly in her arms.
bulge
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to stick out in a round shape: Her bags were bulging with shopping
aver
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to say that something is certainly true: The lawyer averred her client's innocence./"He's guilty, I tell you," she averred.
respectively
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in a way that relates or belongs to each of the separate people or things you have just mentioned:/Steven and James are aged 10 and 13 respectively.
(every) now and then
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sometimes but not very often: We still meet for lunch now and then, but not as often as we used to.
be of two minds
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to be unable to decide about something: I was of two minds whether or not to come this morning.
counterfeit
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made to look like the original of something, usually for dishonest or illegal purposes: counterfeit jewelry/passports/coins
strut
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to walk in a proud way trying to look important: The boys strutted around trying to get the attention of a group of girls who were nearby.
scamper
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When small children and animals scamper, they run with small quick steps: The children scampered off into the garden.
slink
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to walk away from somewhere quietly so that you are not noticed: I tried to slink out of the room so that nobody would see me go.
dwindle
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to become less in number or smaller: The community had dwindled to a tenth of its former size.
elicit
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to get or produce something, especially information or a reaction: Have you managed to elicit a response from them yet?
paramount
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more important than anything else: There are many priorities, but reducing the budget deficit is paramount/is of paramount importance.
advent
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the fact of an event happening, an invention being made, or a person arriving: Life was transformed by the advent of the steam engine.
petulant
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easily annoyed and complaining in a rude way like a child
make a killing
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to earn a lot of money in a short time and with little effort: They made a killing with the sale of their London house.
bring sb/sth to their knees
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to destroy or defeat someone or something: The strikes had brought the economy to its knees.
pull sb's leg
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to try to persuade someone to believe something that is not true, as a joke: Is it really your car or are you pulling my leg?
turn over a new leaf
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to start behaving in a better way: Apparently he's turned over a new leaf and he's not smoking any more.
on the level
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being honest or speaking truthfully: I know he’s lied to you before, but I really think he’s on the level this time.
drop sb a line
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to write someone a letter/email, especially a short informal one: Just drop me a line when you decide on a date.
go to any/great lengths
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to try very hard to achieve something: He'll go to any lengths to get what he wants.
shed light on sth
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Tracking technologies have shed light on the birds' social nature.
make light of sth
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to act as if something is not serious, esp. when it is serious: They've both had knee injuries, but the two friends make light of their weaknesses.
bury/have your head in the sand
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to refuse to think about unpleasant facts, although they will have an influence on your situation: You have to face facts here - you can't just bury your head in the sand.
come to a head
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comes to a head or someone brings something to a head, a situation reaches a point where something must be done about it
meet sb halfway
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to do some of the things that someone wants you to do, in order to show that you want to reach an agreement or improve your relationship with them
come/go under the hammer
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to be sold at an auction
lose/make money hand over fist
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to make or lose a lot of money very quickly: Like many Internet companies, they lost money hand over fist at first.
know sth off-hand
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know sth without asking or looking it up
(keep) out of harm's way
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in a position that is safe from harm or from which harm cannot be done: The children will be here soon - you'd better put that plate out of harm's way.
have to hand(give) it to sb
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admire sb and think they deserve praise
fly off the handle
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to react in a very angry way to something that someone says or does: He's extremely irritable - he flies off the handle at the slightest thing.
make headway
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to begin to succeed: Has the city made any headway in attracting new businesses?
take heart
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to feel encouraged: Take heart. You'll be done soon, and you won't have to think about this paper ever again.
strike/hit home
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to hit the intended place or have the intended effect: The laser guidance system dramatically increases the likelihood that the missile will strike home.
after hours
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after the usual hours of work: I often do some of my own work after hours.
curb
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to control or limit something that is not wanted: The government should act to curb tax evasion.
perpetually
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always or very often: She's perpetually asking me for money.
incessant
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never stopping, especially in an annoying or unpleasant way: incessant rain/noise/complaints
eminent
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famous, respected, or important: an eminent historian
sprawl
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to spread out esp. awkwardly over a large area: Jamie came home from school and sprawled on the couch.
terse
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using few words, sometimes in a way that seems rude or unfriendly: "Are you feeling any better?" "No!" was the terse reply.
be down in the mouth
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to be sad
get a move on
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to hurry: Come on, you two, get a move on! We need to get a move on if we're going to catch that train.
perform/work a miracle
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to be extremely effective in improving a situation: You've performed a miracle in this kitchen - I've never seen it so clean!
slip your mind
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forget
make hay while the sun shines
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to make good use of an opportunity while it lasts
be second to none
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as good as or better than all others: The conditions that these prisoners are kept in are second to none.
hit the nail on the head
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to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem
null and void
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having no legal force: The change in the law makes the previous agreement null and void. The election was declared null and void.
on tenterhooks
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worried or nervous about something that is going to happen: We were on tenterhooks all morning waiting for the phone to ring.
add insult to injury
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make things even worse: They told me I was too old for the job, and then to add insult to injury, they refused to pay my expenses!
make inroads into
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to start to have a direct and noticeable effect (on something): The policy changes are definitely making inroads into the problem of unemployment.
to/for all intents and purposes
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in all the most important ways: For all intents and purposes, the project is completed.
in the intertrim
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in the time between two particular periods or events: The new secretary starts in June, but in the interim we're having to type our own letters.
take issue with ab
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to disagree strongly: I took issue with him over his interpretation of the instructions.
get itchy feet
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to start to want to travel or do something different: After three years in the job she began to get itchy feet.
be in jeopardy
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in danger of being damaged or destroyed: The lives of thousands of birds are in jeopardy as a result of the oil spill.
jog your memory
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to cause you to remember something: Seeing her again jogged my memory, and I recalled my life as a child on a farm in Minnesota. g your memory
do justice to sth/sb
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to treat someone or something in a way that is fair and shows their or its true qualities: This postcard doesn't do justice to the wonderful scenery.
rough justice/luck
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something that happens to you that is severe or unfair: It seems like rough justice that he should lose his house as well as his wife.
on a knife-edge
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in a difficult or worrying situation of which the result is very uncertain: At the moment the election seems balanced on a knife edge.
knock'em dead
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used to tell someone to perform or play as well as possible
efficacious
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able to produce the intended result
grudge
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a strong feeling of anger and dislike for a person who you feel has treated you badly, especially one that lasts for a long time: I don't bear any grudge against you.
perogative
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something that certain people are able or allowed to do or have, but is not possible or allowed for everyone: Alex makes all the big decisions - that's his prerogative as company director.
exemption
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special permission not to do or pay something: Applicants with a degree in chemistry have exemption from this class.
municipal
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of or belonging to a town or city: municipal authorities municipal tennis courts municipal elections
entail
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to make something necessary, or to involve something: Such a large investment inevitably entails some risk. [+ -ing verb ] Repairing the roof will entail spending a lot of money.
milieu
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the people, physical, and social conditions and events that provide the environment in which someone acts or lives: It is a study of the social and cultural milieu in which Michelangelo lived and worked.
in the offing
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going to happen soon: With an election in the offing, the mayor is getting nervous.
status symbol
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a thing that people want to have because they think other people will admire them if they have it: Among young people, this brand of designer clothing is the ultimate status symbol.
white elephant
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something that has cost a lot of money but has no useful purpose
short and sweet
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surprisingly short in a way that is pleasing: This morning's meeting was short and sweet.
out and out
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complete or in every way; used to emphasize an unpleasant quality of a person or thing: That's an out-and-out lie! The whole project was an out-and-out disaster.
in public
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in a place where people can see you: I'd never behave like that in public.
grease sb's palm
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to secretly give someone money in order to persuade them to do something for you
take sth to pieces
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to separate something into smaller parts: If you take the bookcase to pieces, it will fit in the back of your car.
out of print
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books that are out of print are no longer available to buy because new copies are no longer being produced: be/go out of print Most of her books went out of print years ago.
past your/its prime
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after the best, most successful, most productive stage: He can still play, but he's past his prime.
beside the point
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not important: The exact cost is beside the point – what’s important is that we get the job done.
pop the question
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to ask someone to marry you: So did he pop the question, then?
be part and parcel of
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to be a feature of something, especially a feature that cannot be avoided: Being recognized in the street is part and parcel of being a celebrity.
out of the frying pan into the fire
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said when you move from a bad or difficult situation to one that is worse
a bitter pill to swallow
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something that is very unpleasant but must be accepted: Losing to a younger player was a bitter pill to swallow.
fall into place
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understand/When things fall into place, they happen in a satisfactory way, without problems: If you plan the project well, then everything should fall into place.
pelt
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run fast/to throw a number of things quickly at someone or something: We saw rioters pelting police with bricks and bottles.
by and large
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when everything about a situation is considered together: There are a few small things that I don't like about my job, but by and large it's very enjoyable.
larger than life
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person that attracts a lot of attention because they are more exciting or interesting than most people: Most characters in his movies are somewhat larger than life.
on its last legs
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in such bad condition that it will soon be unable to work as it should: I've had this laptop for five years now, and it's really on its last legs.
lay it on a bit thick
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to praise someone too much: She went on and on about how she admired his work - laid it on a bit thick, if you ask me.
lay sb low
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to cause someone to be unable to do what they usually do: A kidney infection laid her low for a couple of months.
on the level
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being honest or speaking truthfully: I know he’s lied to you before, but I really think he’s on the level this time.
make light of sth
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to act as if something is not serious, esp. when it is serious: They've both had knee injuries, but the two friends make light of their weaknesses.
bring sth into line (with sth)
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to make something the same as or similar to something else: He'd like to bring the pay of an Army private into line with that of a police constable.
draw the line
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to never do something because you think it is wrong: I swear a lot, but even I draw the line at saying certain words.
put/lay sth on the line
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to risk something: Firefighters put their lives on the line every working day.
be lost on sb
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If a joke or remark is lost on someone, they do not understand it.
for love nor money
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If you cannot get something, or if someone will not do something, for love nor money, it is impossible to get it or to persuade them to do it: You can't get hold of those tickets for love nor money these days.
like it or jump it
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you mean that person must accept a situation they do not like, because it cannot be changed: Like it or lump it, romantic fiction is read regularly by thousands.
leave sb in the lurch
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to leave someone at a time when they need you to stay and help
reel
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to walk, moving from side to side, looking like you are going to fall/If the place where you are reels, what you are looking at seems to go around and around in front of you
totter
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to walk with difficulty in a way that looks as if you are about to fall: She tottered unsteadily down the stairs in her high-heeled shoes.
nestle
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to rest yourself or part of your body in a warm, comfortable, and protected position: She nestled (her head) against his shoulder./to be in, or put something in, a protected position, with bigger things around it
hit the roof/ceiling
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to become extremely angry: Dad will hit the roof when he finds out I dented the car.
work to rule
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a form of protest in which employees do exactly what is stated in their contracts, and nothing more, in order to slow down production
rack your brain
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to think very hard: I've been racking my brain all day but I can't remember her name.
in a rut
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to not have changed what you do or how you do it for a very long time so that it is not interesting any longer: I was in a rut and couldn’t get out of it.
in the long run
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at a time that is far away in the future: It seems a lot of effort but I'm sure it's the best solution in the long run.
it stands to reason
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said when something is obvious or clear from the facts
as a last resort
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if all other methods fail: British police are supposed to use guns only as a last resort.
learnknow the ropes
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to learn/know how to do a job or activity
keep sth quiet
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to not tell people about something: They managed to keep the school's problems quiet for a while.
at close quarters /range
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(from) a short distance away: When you see famous people at close quarters, they always appear much smaller than you imagined them.
cut sb to the quick
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to hurt someone's feelings a lot: Her thoughtless remark cut him to the quick.
on the quiet
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secretly: His wife found out he'd been seeing someone on the quiet.
call it quits
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call it quitsto agree to stop what you are doing: Let’s call it quits for today and get together first thing tomorrow.
out of the question
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out of the questionnot possible or not allowed: The class ends at 2, and leaving before then is out of the question.
beg the question
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If a statement or situation begs the question, it causes you to ask a particular question: Spending the summer traveling around India is a great idea, but it does beg the question of how we can afford it.
unknown quantity
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a person or a thing whose abilities, powers, or effects are not yet known: The third candidate for the seat is a relatively unknown quantity.
make do with sth
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to use what is available although it is not enough or what you wanted: Can you make do with $5 for now and I’ll give you the rest tomorrow?
meet your match
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to compete unsuccessfully with someone: He was a good player, but he met his match in Peter.
mean well
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to do what you think will be helpful, although by doing it you might cause problems without intending to: I know he means well, but he just gets in the way.
live beyond your means
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to spend more than you earn: To avoid slipping into debt, don't live beyond your means.
on the mend
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becoming healthy after an illness: She's still in the hospital, but she's definitely on the mend.
mend your ways
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to behave better: I was getting really bad grades, but I promised my parents I would mend my ways and work harder.
to put it mildly
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used for saying that something is much more extreme than your words suggest: It has been a remarkable day, to put it mildly.
miles away
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to not be conscious of what is happening around you because you are thinking about something else:
in mint condition
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in mint conditionin excellent condition, as if new: Alex’s old Cadillac is in mint condition.
get your money's worth
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to get good value: We were determined to get our money's worth from our day tickets and went to every museum in the city.
name names
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to tell someone the names of people involved in something, especially an unpleasant, secret, or illegal activity: If people are going to accuse their colleagues of racist acts, they should name names.
name of the game
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the most important part of an activity, or the quality that you most need for that activity: People say that in politics the name of the game is making the right friends.
nearest and dearest
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your family, especially those that you live with or are very involved with
hit/touch a nerve
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to upset someone: She touched a raw nerve when she mentioned that job he didn't get.
nest egg
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nest eggan amount of money that has been saved or kept for a special purpose: Regular investment of small amounts of money is an excellent way of building a nest egg.
slip through the cracks
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to escape a punishment or be missed by a system that should deal with or protect you:
none the wiser
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to not understand something: I read the computer manual, but I’m still none the wiser.
stick your nose into sth
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to try to discover things that are not really related to you: I wish he'd stop sticking his nose into my personal life!
hand in your notice
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o tell your employer that you intend to leave your job after a particular period of time: I handed in my notice yesterday.
dilettante
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dilettantea person who is or seems to be interested in a subject, but whose understanding of it is not very deep or serious: He's a bit of a dilettante as far as wine is concerned.

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