IDIOMS---2005/Oct/13

2005/Oct/13

01. bite off more than one can chew: overloaded

When James registered for 30 credits in his last semester of college, he bit off more than he can chew.

02. tell apart: distinguish, identify

The two brothers look so much alike that few people can tell them apart.

03. all in all: generally, in summary

There were a few problems, but all in all it was a well-organized seminar.

04. pass out(1): to distribute

Please help me pass out these test papers; there must be a hundred of them.

05. pass out(2): faint

The weather was so hot in the soccer stadium that some of the fans in the stands passed out.

06. go around: to go for everyone

We thought that we had bought enough food and drink for the party, but actually there wasn’t enough to go around.

07. in the way: in the middle, blocking

Jocelyn couldn’t drive through the busy intersection because a big truck was in the way.

08. put on: to gain weight

Bob has put on a lot of weight recently. He must have put at least fifteen pounds on.

09. put up: to build

The construction company is tearing down that old office building in order to put up a new one.

10. put something up: to raise

Please put your hand up if you have never studied English grammar before.

11. put up with: tolerate

While I'm studying, I can't put up with any noise or other distractions.

12. in vain: helpless, useless

All the doctors' efforts to save the injured woman were in vain. She was declared dead three hours after being admitted to the hospital.

13. day in day out: everyday

During the moth of April, it rained day in day out.

14. catch up: keep up, not fall behind

The student was absent from class so long that it tool her a long time to catch up.