idioms X, Y, Z

Idioms X Y Z

x-rated = for adults only; pictures, movies or language not good for children to see or hear. Natalie starred in an X-rated movie last year, but it caused a lot of problems for her family and her friends because she was naked in the film. She leads an x-rated life. x marks the spot = this is the place to look for or find something. X-marked the spot where the children hid something and later planned to dig it up again. year after year = every year for many years. She's been teaching the same class year after year, but she never gets tired of helping her students learn. year round = all year; every month of the year One reason people like to live in Los Angeles is because it's sunny and warm there year round. you bet / you betcha = you're welcome A: Thanks for the water. B: You bet. you got me = I don't know; I don't have an answer. A: Hey, Tom. Where did your ball go? B: You got me. I can't find it. zero in on = focus on something; pay attention closely; concentrate. He's so zeroed in on winning that he forgets about everything else.

idioms W

Idioms W

wait on = to serve someone, usually used in restaurants. Cindy waits on tables part time to help pay for college. wait up = wait; wait until one person is at about the same place. I told my kids to wait up before they got to the water. walk off with = steal; take someone without permission. He tried walking off with a bag full of money that he stole from a bank, but soon he was caught. walk out on = leave a person; leave a movie because it's bad or boring. After fourteen years of marriage, Helen walked out on her husband because she met another man. warm up = prepare for something, usually for a game other physical activity; get ready. She usually warms up by stretching her legs before she runs. In the winter, I need to warm my car up before I drive it. watch out = be careful; look for something dangerous This sign is telling drivers to watch out for road construction. "Watch out! You might get hit!" You have to watch out for other drivers when you're on the highway. wear out = to get old or to be used too much. When the soles on your shoes wear out, you should think about buying a new pair. wear out / wore out / worn out what's up = hi; How are you? What's going on? What's happening? (very popular) A: Hey, Darrel! What's up? B: Not much. What's up with you? A: Nothing. What are doing? wipe off = to clean; to clean tables, chalkboards, whiteboards The teacher uses an eraser to wipe off the chalkboard. work out = to be good; to be okay; to have success. Brian got a new job last week and it's working out for him and his family's schedule very well. I bought a Dell personal computer a couple years ago, but it never really worked out for me. In fact, it was a terrible purchase. Now I only use Apple computers. (Don't buy a Dell!)

idioms V

Idioms V

veg = to do nothing, usually used when watching TV; short form of vegetable. Since he broke his leg, all he does is veg in front of the TV. vent = to release anger; to express anger, sometimes unfairly or unreasonably. The owner of the company often vents his anger onto his employees. very last = the absolute last; not good. The very last thing she wants to do today is clean up around the house. very well = okay A: It's too late to catch a bus. B: Very well. Let's just take a taxi home. vote no = to say no; to express a choice of no in a group. Sarah wants to go to an expensive restaurant tonight, but I vote no.

idioms U

Idioms U

a. update = to provide new information; to make something new or modern. His girlfriend thinks he needs to update his look. His clothes and his glasses are really old. b. up to date = almost the same as "update," but used as an adjective. I'm not up-to-date on the day's news. upside down = in the opposite direction of up This monkey prefers hanging upside down to sitting on the branch. a. up to = until some time Up to now she hasn't had anything to eat, so she's really hungry. b. up to = the responsibility of a decision belong to someone. Most of the really important decisions to be made are left up to his boss. a. used to = something is in the past--similar to "did." I used to eat a lot of candy, but now I don't because it's bad for my teeth. b. used to = accustomed to something; in the habit of. I'm used to eating healthy food, whether it tastes good or not. (a gerund often appears after "used to.") Are you used to your computer, or is it difficult to operate? use up - use all of something; deplete food. We're going to use up all the milk and the eggs when we make lunch, so we need to get some more.

idioms T

Idioms T

take advantage of = use; make use of an opportunity; use at the expense of another person. Next summer I'll take advantage of my big, sunny backyard and grow tomatoes. take care of = manage; care for; keep in good condition. The people who own this old house try to take good care of it. take out = to move something from one place so that it can be used. Rafael took his cell phone out of his pocket and started to talk. When he was finished, he put it back in his pocket. ("put back" is the opposite of "take out.") take over = take responsibility from another person; take control When Mehmet took over as the cook at the restaurant, the quality of the food really improved. The cook he replaced had quit. take on = to hire. Business at this restaurant has been really slow lately, so they aren't taking on any new employees right now. take turns = one person uses something, then another person uses it; to share time They're taking turns riding on the sled. take place = to happen; occur in the past or the future Unfortunately, wars have taken place throughout human history. tell (one) so = to inform; to give a command or an order. A: Did he clean his room yet? B: No, but I told him so. turn in = give to someone, usually to a teacher or to a government agency. The teacher wasn't very happy when his student said that his assignment wasn't ready to be turned in. (passive voice-infinitive) turn out = result My wife made some stir-fried food last night and it turned out great!

idioms S

Idioms S

save up = save; save money for a purpose I'm trying to save up money for a new car. scare away = scare; frighten Many farmers think that a scarecrow can frighten away birds that will eat their crops. set up = to create something, usually for a purpose. They set their tent up outside of a wooded area. show up = arrive, go or come to a place; often used for appointments or work. He always shows up late at meetings. Sometimes he never shows up. so far = up until now They've only completed one wall on this house so far. sort of = a little; in some small way Those clouds look sort of like smoke. I'm sort of tired. I think I'll go to bed now. stick with = to continue doing something; not to quit or give up The fist bump is becoming popular in the U.S., but I think I'll stick with the traditional handshake.