Phrase 4

The $20 check came in very handy

They accused him of riding on the coattails of the president.

the video has sold 30,000 copies in no time

His efforts were to no avail.

He stopped at the door, waiting in vain for her to acknowledge his presence

If you don't like it, fair enough, but that's hardly a justification to attack the whole thing.

That restaurant has the best desserts!" "I wouldn't know." [cause I've never been there.]

I won't tell the girls anything you tell me about it. I promise, cross my heart

The hotel has indeed done them proud.

On nie był człowiekiem z większą skłonnością do współczucia

He was not a man much given to compassion.

Carol answered the door as soon as I knocked.

I thought I'd brush up on my French before going to Paris.

Consumer spending on sports-related items amounted to £9.75 billion.

It was very nice meeting you, Samantha. ― Likewise, Mr Thompson.

But be warned: this is not a cheap option.

For starters, he doesn't even know how to drive

There were lots of very amusing entries, but the pick of the bunch came from John Robinson

Before leaving the city, be sure to make time for a shopping trip

It's not important now. Drop it.

Your confidence borders on arrogance.

I'll call you back in a couple of minutes.

I fell asleep watching TV.

Our cars get blocked in and we can't leave for ages

Get cracking! You're already late.

You can take the ring you gave me - I have no use for it now.

Directors call the shots and nothing happens on set without their say-so.

His tone was by turns angry and aggrieved

Get out of my face bitch before you get got

Traffic is slow on the westbound carriageway of the M4.

He always sits bolt upright when he poses for photos.

If you're a judge, you can't take sides.

My wife's just had a baby.

He ate a whole chili pepper for a dare.

A daily intake of 20 mg of vitamin C is known to be sufficient in most cases to ward off scurvy.

Don't waste your time being eaten up with envy

The phones went dead during the storm.

There is not a shred of truth in the story.

I'm going to stop inviting Samantha to do stuff with me because she always ends up flaking out.

After the eighth or ninth hour wandering in the woods, George eventually flaked out under a tree.

Don't make fun of me.

He was drinking and making a fool of himself.

The closer we get to the deadline the more bargaining power the workers have

She married a man seven years her junior.

A recent ruling will give terrestrial broadcasters a leg up in competing with satellite radio.

We took a police officer in case he cut up rough.

We shed blood for this piece of land.

I was so surprised to see her that I was at a loss for words

We have a huge range of exotic teas—assam, pu-erh, guayusa, yerba mate, to name but a few.

I don't see some evidence you can hold your liquor, be the last gig you ever play with me.

This house is slated for demolition.

Michael is a hoot, a real character.

It's a toss-up whether oil prices will go up or down over the days ahead.

The senator has a checkered past.

a dozen or so people

1. They sought refuge in another country. 2. After the death of her husband, she took/sought/found refuge in her music.

A: "I know you're freaked out, but we can't call Mom and Dad at this hour—it's after midnight!" B: "OK, you have a point there."

Did she see him as capable of murder? She had used the word without a qualm.

1. The colossal failure of our latest product has put the company's future in jeopardy. 2. I hope you realize that you're putting your children in jeopardy by smoking inside the house like that.

emphasis

'Did you find yourself wondering what went wrong?'—'Precisely'

Can be used literally or figuratively.

The old man sits on his porch shaking his fist at kids who walk on his lawn.

1. When someone calls a company they get patched through to a specific person. 2. If the 911 call center doesn't patch you through to poison control, call 1-800-222-1222 after you are finished with 911.

Something about his explanation didn't quite ring true.

The police is on to him.

The guerrillas would fight to the bitter end, he said, in order to achieve their main goal

1. Oh, Tim! I'm sorry but I have to dash. 2. See you tomorrow night. Must dash now.

Both companies were keen on a merger

He had only gone along out of concern for his two grandsons

Wish him all the best, and tell him we miss him.

The officers managed to wrestle the suspect into the squad car.

We dropped our luggage off at the hotel and went sightseeing.

A: "Do you have any extra pens?" B: "Nothing but! Take your pick."

Thank you for taking it upon yourself to organize the meeting.

The economy is in a shambles

The agreement is still subject to approval by the League's 30 teams and the players.

There are no limitations with respect to the disposal of the Object to be exchanged

I am a vegetarian and use a lot of lentils in my day-to-day cooking

"I came to ask you a favour." "I thought as much."

The Channel Islands are a favourite summer haunt for UK and French tourists alike.

1. Excuse me, sorry to disturb you, but is this seat taken? 2."This compartment taken?" she said to the man going into the adjacent room on the train.

We're going to start a true people's campaign, for the people, by the people—can you dig it?

Smuggling is not, like polygamy, a hanging offense. The worst that can happen to us is the confiscation of our merchandise.

Now the banks are talking about selling off people's mortgages to vulture funds to make a quick buck. How greedy can you get?

You're plowing water if you think you're going to change Henry's mind.

I know he's terrified of speaking in public, so he's plucking up his courage with a stiff drink.

I ain't long enough for a trip right now, so I could only go if you paid for both of us.

It has long been known that ageing wine in oak barrels can add extra flavour.

The snowstorm is really playing havoc with rush-hour traffic.

Mr Simon said he was not against taxes as such, 'but I do object when taxation is justified on spurious or dishonest grounds,' he says.

The owner is making huge profits at the expense of downtrodden peasants.

The young Miguel grew up as part of what Gerald Brenan called "a hard-drinking, whoring, horse-loving aristocracy"

The Patriots trading for two backup offensive tackles Sunday smacks of running to the store to buy a shovel after the blizzard already started.

I have it on good authority that Mom will take us out for ice cream if you finish your vegetables

You must be tuckered out after that bus trip across the country

the US economy lucked out for most of the decade

Tom is honest as the day is long—if he promised to help you move, then he'll be here.

"two witnesses have come forward with information"

If it doesn't work out, it's all on me.

All I can hope is that the good name of the Bank will not be impugned in some way.

Unlike a current account, a savings account doesn't allow you to withdraw money before a given period, specified in the agreement.