basic idioms

1) To get in:  to enter or to board a car
Get in the car! We are already late!
2) To get on: to enter or to board a vehicle other than a car
Please get on the bus from this side. The door on the other side doesn’t work well.
3) To get out of: to leave a car
Why don’t we stop and get out of the car for a while?
4) To get off: to leave a vehicle other than a car
John got off the train a moment later.
5) To put on: to place on oneself (usually clothes)
I put on my coat. / Put your coat on before leaving the house.
6) To take off: to remove (usually clothes)
John took off his jacket. / Jack took his jacket off.
7) To call up: to give someone a call
I have to call up Mr. John. / Call me up tomorrow.
8) To turn on: to start functioning
Please turn on the light. / Turn the light on Jack.
9) To turn off: to stop functioning
Remember to turn off the light. / Turn the radio off immediately!
10) To switch on: to turn on
Would you please switch on the television?
11) To switch off: to turn off
Are you really listening to the radio? Switch it off now!
12) To shut off: to turn off
Shut off the water in the toilet!
13) Right away: immediately
The dinner will be ready right away!
14) At once: right away
Stop playing that loud music at once!
15) To pick up: to lift an object from a place (using fingers/hand)
Harry picked up the paper that was on the table. / Would you please pick that toy up?
16) Sooner or later: after a period of time
If you study English seriously, sooner or later you will be able to study abroad.
I am sure I will do my homework sooner or later.
17) Get up: to rise from a bed; to arise
Susan gets up at seven o’clock every morning.
I think we should get Bob up.
18) At first: in the beginning, originally
At first, English was difficult for him, but later he made progress.
I thought at first that it was impossible.
19) To dress up: to dress very nice
We should definitely dress up to go to the theatre.
20) At last: finally, after a long time
We waited for hours and then the train arrived at last.
Now I am eighteen, at last I can drive my parents’ car.
21) As usual: as in the general case
George is late as usual. / As usual, George is late.
22) To find out: get information about
Would you please find out what time the plane arrives?
I will find it out I promise.
23) To look at: give one’s attention to; to watch
Please look at the blackboard, not at the book.
24) To look for: to try to find, to search for
I am looking for my pen. / I have looked all over for the pen.
25) All right (alright informal): acceptable, fine, Okay, yes
I think it would be all right to do this.
Do you want me to turn off the TV? Alright!
26) All along: all the time, from the beginning (without change)
Obama knew all along that the Republicans would never agree with the plan.
27) Little by little: gradually
Karen’s health seems to be improving little by little.
28) Step by step: little by little
If you study regularly, step by step your vocabulary will increase.
29) To tire out: to become tired due to hard work
The hot weather tired out the runners in the marathon.
30) To wear out: to tire out
Does studying for exams wear you out, John?
31) To call on: to ask for a response
Jose didn’t know the answer when the teacher called on him.
32) To call on: to visit
Last night several friends called on us at our home.
33) To drop in on: to visit
Why don’t we drop in on Sally?
34) Never mind: ignoring something
So you were not listening to me again. Never mind; it wasn’t important.
35) To pick out: to choose, to select
Ann picked out a good book to give to me as a gift.
If you want me to buy you a book, then pick one out now.
36) To take one’s time: to do without rush, not to hurry
There’s no need to hurry. Take your time.
John always takes his time in everything he does.
37) To talk over: to discuss or to consider a matter with others
We talked over the plan but we couldn’t reach a decision. We have to talk it over again.
38) To lie down: to place oneself in a flat position
If you are that tired, why don’t you lie down for a while?
39) To stand up: to rise from a lying position
We should stand up when the officials enter the room.
40) To get up: to stand up
Susan, stop sitting on the floor. You should get up.
41) To sit down: to be seated
We sat down on the bench and watched them play.
42) Take a seat: to sit down
You can take a seat on the floor. There is no chair.
43) Have a seat: to sit down
Please have a seat.
44) All day/week/month/year… long: the entire day, week, month, year…
I have been working on my project all day along. It’s terrible!
It has been raining all week long. When can we go hiking?
45) By oneself: alone without assistance
Rachimov translated that French novel all by himself.
46) On purpose: for a reason
I didn’t do that on purpose.
It was not an accident that he broke Jim’s glasses. He did it on purpose.
47) To get along with: have smooth relations
I got along well with my new neighbor.
48) To get on with: have smooth relations
49) To get along with: succeed in doing/ to have progress
How are you getting along with your Liberal Studies?
50) To get on with: succeed in doing/ to have progress
51) To make a difference: to be important to/ to be able to influence
It makes a big difference to me whether Susan loves me or not.
It doesn’t make any difference. That is just a minor problem.
52) To take out: to remove, to extract
Take out your textbooks and turn to page eleven.
53) To take out: to go on a date with
Did you take Susan out last night?
54) To go out with: to go on a date with
Yes, she went out with me last night.
55) To take part in: to participate in
Mark was sick and could not take part in the party yesterday.
56) To be in on: to participate in
Stop shouting at me! I don’t want to be in on your argument.
57) At all: in any degree
Do you feel pain at all? Not at all!
58) In the least: in any degree
I am not tired. Not in the least.
59) To look up: to find out some information
I really have to look up Susan’s telephone number in the directory.
Look that word up if you don’t understand its meaning.
60) To wait on: to serve (in a store/restaurant)
A handsome waiter waited on me in that shop.
61) At least: no fewer/less than
Mike claims that he drinks at least a quart of water every day.
62) To take a trip: to travel
I am so busy that I have no time to take a trip.
63) To try on: To check the style or size before buying clothes
He tried on several suits before he bought a blue one.
64) To think over: to consider carefully
I would like to think over your offer first.
65) To take place: to occur (according to plan)
The celebration took place at John’s house.
66) To put away:  to remove something to a proper place
Please put away your notes before you open the exam booklet.
John put his book away after receiving the instruction.