• by and large = in general.
I guess the team played quite well, by and large.
I guess the team played quite well, by and large.
• chapter and verse = with a lot of details.
The teacher gave them chapter and verse about where to find the information.
The teacher gave them chapter and verse about where to find the information.
• far and wide = everywhere.
She tried far and wide to find the keys but she couldn't. She had to take a taxi instead.
She tried far and wide to find the keys but she couldn't. She had to take a taxi instead.
• first and foremost = most important.
First and foremost, I would like to thank you all for this welcome.
First and foremost, I would like to thank you all for this welcome.
• forgive and forget = forget enmity.
Let's be friends again, I'm sorry, but you have to forgive and forget.
Let's be friends again, I'm sorry, but you have to forgive and forget.
• free and easy = relaxed, friendly.
She knew that life wouldn't be so free and easy at work.
She knew that life wouldn't be so free and easy at work.
• hit and miss = random.
I don't know how to operate this machine, it's just a question of hit and miss for me!
I don't know how to operate this machine, it's just a question of hit and miss for me!
• live and learn = become wiser.
You trusted her and she deceived you. You live and learn, so don't get fooled again.
You trusted her and she deceived you. You live and learn, so don't get fooled again.
• in and out = entering and leaving a place.
The boss has been in and out all day, to see if the employees were working.
The boss has been in and out all day, to see if the employees were working.
• loud and clear = very clearly.
Even though he was 400km away, I could hear him loud and clear on the phone line.
Even though he was 400km away, I could hear him loud and clear on the phone line.
• now and again = occasionally.
They like to go to a concert now and again.
They like to go to a concert now and again.
• on and off = not all the time, at irregular intervals.
It's been raining on and off all day, I hate this kind of weather.
It's been raining on and off all day, I hate this kind of weather.
• sink or swim = be successful or fail.
This a very difficult job, you have to be careful. It's really sink or swim.
This a very difficult job, you have to be careful. It's really sink or swim.
• up and about = in good health.
After the accident, he recovered very well, he's now up and about.
After the accident, he recovered very well, he's now up and about.
• wait and see = wait patiently.
I hope this government will be able to put plans into practice, but we must wait and see.
I hope this government will be able to put plans into practice, but we must wait and see.
Exercises!
1. People came from------------------------------------ to see this concert.
2. We got your message ------------------------------------------- .
3. I guess we'll just----------------------------------- how things develop.
4. It's good to see you ------------------------------------- again!
5.----------------------------------------------- , the new arrangements have worked well so far.
6. The guide won't help you much, you are really left to----------------------------------------- .
7. We see our in-laws------------------------------------------------ .
8. What if we stop arguing? Let's----------------------------------------- .
Ill post the answers tomorrow!