Units 1-6 Review

Back to square one

(Adv.) to start over, or to go back to the beginning Ex: Our computer crashed and we lost the report. Now it's ____________________.

Fix up with

(Separable phrasal verb) to arrange for two people to meet so that they might begin a romantic relationship Ex: Can I _______ you ___________my sister? You're both single, and I think you'd get along great!

Head over heels (in love with)

(adj.) Very much in love with Ex: He falls in love so easily! He met a woman last night and he's already _______________!

Attached/Joined at the hip

(adj.) two people always spend time together Ex: Fred and Susie are _____________________. I always see them together.

Two peas in a pod

(adj.) very similar, either in appearance or personality Ex: My sisters are ____________________. They look like twins even though they're 3 years apart.

On the rocks

(adj.) when a relationship is in a bad situation and may soon end Ex: Their relationship has been ______________ for months. I wonder if they're going to break up.

Through thick and thin

(adv) in every situation; in good times and in bad times Ex: A true friend will be by your side ________________.

From the ground up

(adv.) If you build a business or project from zero or from the bottom Ex: Bill Gates built Microsoft ____________________________.

By the book

(adv.) doing it strictly according to the rules, policies or the law Ex: The manager is really strict. She always does everything ___________________.

behind his back

(adv.) secretly and in a dishonest way; without someone knowing Ex: He's such a gossip! He always talks about his boss ______________________.

be into

(inseparable phrasal verb) to be interested in Ex: Could you ____________ her? You always blush whenever you see her!

fall for

(inseparable phrasal verb) to fall in love with Ex: It's a bad idea to ______________ your co-worker! It might be hard to keep things professional at work.

Match made in heaven

(n.) A relationship that is likely to be happy and successful because the couple seems perfect for each other. Ex: My grandparents were a ________________________. They were happily married for 60 years.

Helicopter parent

(n.) a parent who is closely involved with their child's life and tries to control it too much, especially their child's education Ex: I'm a total _________________! I can't step back and let my daughter make her own mistakes.

Your own flesh and blood

(n.) one's family Ex: You should forgive your sister. She's ________________________________________.

A shoulder to cry on

(n.) someone who is willing to listen to your problems and give you sympathy, emotional support, and encouragement Ex: If you need ________________________, I'm here for you.

what makes ________ tick

(n.) what makes someone behave in a particular way; a person's motivations Ex: After 20 years of marriage, you've probably learned _____________ your partner ________.

your other/better half

(n.) your husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, romantic partner Ex: Where's _______________? I thought she would be coming to the party with you tonight.

Hit the nail on the head

(v.) Do or say something exactly right Ex: You __________________ when you said this company is competitive.

Runs in the family

(v.) If a quality, ability, disease, etc. ____________, many members of the family have it Ex: Being bad at math _____________________! The father and son both have trouble with the subject.

Air your dirty laundry in public

(v.) To talk about your private disagreements or embarrassing matters in public, often while arguing Ex: A: MOOOM, Rachel hit me. B: He hit me first, Mom! C: Hush, don't ______________________! We'll resolve this at home.

Get down to business

(v.) When it's time to start seriously focusing on the actual work Ex: Enough chit-chat, let's ______________________ and start the meeting.

Call it a day

(v.) When your work has been completed for the day, or when you decide to stop working on an activity Ex: Woah, it's already 7:00 pm. Let's _________________ and continue tomorrow.

Cut corners

(v.) taking shortcuts and using the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to do something Ex: He got fired because he was lazy and always _____________________.

Think outside the box

(v.) think in a new and different way Ex: Our advertising firm is looking to hire someone who can _______________________. You know, someone with fresh and creative ideas.

put up with

(v.) to accept unpleasant behavior or an unpleasant situation, although you do not like it Ex: I ___________________ you and your bad habits because I love you!

Climb the corporate ladder

(v.) to advance in a company by getting promotions Ex: This company is so competitive. Everyone is just trying to _________________________!

has eyes in the back of his head

(v.) to be able to know everything that's happening around you Ex: I swear my dad __________________________________! He always knows when I'm playing video games instead of doing homework.

Be there for sb

(v.) to be available to provide help and support for someone Ex: It's important for brothers and sisters to _____________________ each other when life gets hard.

Have a bun in the oven

(v.) to be pregnant Ex: Both of them _______________________. They're both due in May.

Stab me in the back

(v.) to betray someone; to do something bad to someone who trusts you Ex: I thought Mindy was my friend until she decided to ________________________ and stole my boyfriend!

Swept him off his feet

(v.) to cause someone to fall suddenly and completely in love with you Ex: She ________________________________ the first time they met. It was love at first sight.

Tie up loose ends

(v.) to complete something that is almost finished by doing some last small tasks Ex: I'm almost done working for the day. I'll give you a call after I ________________ a few ___________.

meet me halfway

(v.) to compromise; to agree to do part of what someone wants if that person will do part of what you want Ex: Could you _____________________? You said the price is $300, but I offered $200. How about we agree on $250?

Touch base with

(v.) to contact someone to update them about something Ex: I'll _______________________ you after the meeting to let you know how it went.

Keep/stay in touch with

(v.) to continue to talk or write to someone Ex: I know you're moving away, but please ___________________________ me! I'll miss you.

Follow in her footsteps

(v.) to do the same thing as someone else did previously Ex: She wants to be just like her mom. She will __________________________________ and become a doctor too.

hit it off

(v.) to get along very well with someone Ex: Can I fix you up with my brother? I know you'll ______________ right away!

Pick your brain

(v.) to get information by asking questions of a more experienced person Ex: I'm thinking of going into accounting. Could I ______________________ about the job?

Tie the knot

(v.) to get married Ex: We're going to ___________________ in July. You're all invited!

Go the extra mile

(v.) to give more effort or do more than what's expected of you Ex: They both got promoted because they always _____________________________.

Had a falling out

(v.) to have a serious argument and often stop talking to each other Ex: They ______________________ and now they refuse to be together at Thanksgiving.

Be the spitting image of sb

(v.) to look extremely similar to someone Ex: I think the baby is going to ________________________ her mother!

take _____ for granted

(v.) to not show that you are grateful for someone or something, and forget that you are lucky to have them Ex: Remember not to ________ your friends ____________. We should show them that we appreciate them.

Bury the hatchet

(v.) to stop an argument and become friends again, to make up after a fight Ex: Let's _______________ and be friends again.

Bring me up to speed

(v.) to update someone; to give someone all the latest information about something Ex: I missed work yesterday because I was sick. Could you ________________________________?

Learn the ropes

(v.) used in situations where someone, usually a new coworker, needs to learn the basics of how something is done. Ex: It takes most new employees a couple of weeks to ____________________.

Like father, like son/ Like mother, like daughter

A son is often similar to his father/ a daughter is often similar to her mother Ex: He's so bad at math! _______________________! His father was too!

Get along (with)

If two or more people _______________________, they like each other and are friendly to each other Ex: The brothers don't _______________. They are always arguing.

Take care of sb

Looking after someone (especially children, the elderly, the sick, or pets) Ex: It's a lot of work to _________________ a puppy! Transitive & Inseparable

Bring sth/sb up

MULTIPLE MEANINGS (1) raise (children) Ex: Parents ___________ their children in many different ways. (2) mention, start to talk about Ex: Please don't ____________ that topic. It's so unpleasant! Transitive & Separable

Pick sth/sb up

MULTIPLE MEANINGS: (1) lift Ex: Can you help me __________ this box? (2) go to (someone's house) and transport them in your car to another location. Ex: Can you __________ me __________ and take me to work? (3) to learn something without trying Ex: If you go to Spain, you'll _____________ some Spanish. Transitive & Separable

Blood is thicker than water

This means you believe that family connections are always more important than other types of relationship Ex: You should never take your family for granted. You know, ________________!

Help sb out

assist (someone) Ex: Could you ______ me ___________? I can't carry this box alone. Transitive & Separable

Fill sth in

complete by writing in a blank space (usually one item on the form) (separable) Ex: Please ____________ your name on this line. Transitive & Separable

Think sth over

consider Ex: I need to _____________ it ____________ before I make a decision. Transitive & Separable

Talk sth over

discuss Ex: I'm not sure what to do. Can we ________ the problem __________? Transitive & Separable

Give sth away

donate, get rid of by giving Ex: She lost weight, so she is going to ___________ her clothes that no longer fit her. Transitive & Separable

Figure sth out

find the solution to a problem (often through effort) Ex: Did you __________ why your boss never came to work today? I hope nothing is wrong! Transitive & Separable

Cheer sb up

make happier Ex: I wanted to ___________ my son, so I bought him his favorite candy. Transitive & Separable

Get through sth

pass or assist someone in passing (a difficult or testing experience or period) Ex: We hope to ____________________ 2020 and have a better year in 2021! Transitive & Inseparable

Throw sth away/out

put in the trash, discard You can ____________ that food. It's already expired. Transitive & Separable

Give sth up

quit doing something or quit trying Ex: My doctor told me I need to _____________ eating unhealthy food. Transitive & Separable

Call sb back

return a telephone call Ex: I know you don't have time to talk on the phone right now, so could you _________ me __________ later? Transitive & Separable

Lay sb off

stop employment (by employer) Ex: The company may need to _______________ some workers because their profits have fallen. Transitive & Separable

Put up with sth*

to accept or continue to accept an unpleasant situation or experience, or someone who behaves unpleasantly Ex: I ___________________ you and your bad habits because I love you! Transitive & Inseparable

Look up to sb

to admire and respect someone Ex: I __________________ my sister. She's my role model. Transitive & Inseparable

Get by

to be able to live or deal with a situation with difficulty Ex: It's hard to ______________ in a new country when you don't know the language, but it gets easier with time.

Watch out for sth/sb

to be careful of something Ex: In warm, humid weather, you should ___________________________ mosquitos! Transitive & Inseparable

Count on sb

to be confident that you can depend on someone Ex: I hope my daughter feels that she can always _____________ me. I always want to support her. Transitive & Inseparable

Be into sb/sth*

to be interested in Ex: Could you ____________ her? You always blush whenever you see her! Transitive & Inseparable

Take after sb

to be similar to an older member of your family Ex: They ____________ their parents. All of them have brown hair and brown eyes and love playing sports! Transitive & Inseparable

Her heart's in the right place

to be well-meaning and kindhearted; to have good intentions even though mistakes happen Ex: I'm a vegan, but my grandma keeps sending me milk chocolate. __________________________, but I wish she'd send vegan chocolate!

Turn into sth/sb

to change and become someone or something different, or to make someone or something do this Ex: In 2020, most teachers had to _________________ online educators! Transitive & Inseparable

Come over

to come to a place, especially somebody's house, to visit for a short time Ex: Do you want to _______________ and watch the presidential debate with me?

Stick to sth

to continue doing or using something and not change to anything else Ex: A: You love music so much and you play the guitar so well! Why don't you try singing? B: My singing voice is terrible! I think I should ________________ playing the guitar! Transitive & Inseparable

Pick on sb

to criticize, punish, or be unkind to the same person often and unfairly Ex: Bullies often _______________ other children who are different in some way. For example, they may tease a girl because she's smart and gets the highest grades in the class. Transitive & Inseparable

Put sth off

to decide or arrange to do something at a later time Ex: It's not a good idea to ______________ doing your homework. Transitive & Separable

Call sth off

to decide that a planned event or activity will not happen because it is not possible, useful, or wanted now Ex: We need to _________________ the meeting because the boss is sick. Transitive & Separable

Stand up for sb/ sth

to defend or support a particular idea or a person who is being criticized or attacked Ex: True friends ________________ each other when someone is picking on them. Transitive & Inseparable

Grow up

to develop into an adult Ex: When our children ____________, we hope they will be open-minded and considerate.

Work out

to do exercises to make your body stronger Ex: I'm going to the gym to ________________.

Fill in for sb

to do someone else's work for them because they cannot or will not do it themselves Ex: I can't come to work tomorrow. Would you __________________ me? Transitive & Inseparable

Pig out on sth*

to eat too much Ex: On American holidays, we always _________________ pies, bread, mashed potatoes, etc. Transitive & Inseparable

Break up (with)

to end a romantic relationship Ex: They fight all the time, but they don't want to _____________. They love each other.

Check sth out

to examine something or get more information about it in order to be certain that it is true, safe, or suitable, to go to a place in order to see what it is like Ex: You should _________________ the neighborhood before you buy a house there. Transitive & Separable

Fall for sb*

to fall in love with Ex: It's a bad idea to ______________ your co-worker! It might be hard to keep things professional at work. Transitive & Inseparable

Get over sth

to get better after an illness, or feel better after something or someone has made you unhappy Ex: It can be hard to _________________ a breakup, especially if you were together for a long time. Transitive & Inseparable

Clean sth up

to make a person or place clean and tidy Ex: Please __________________ your room before your grandparents come over! Transitive & Separable

Get together (with)

to meet in order to discuss something or to spend time together Ex: Do you want to ____________ next weekend? Maybe we can go hiking.

Get away with sth

to succeed in doing something bad or wrong without being punished or criticized Ex: My baby brother is so cute! No one can get mad at him, so he can ______________________ anything! Transitive & Inseparable

Drop sb/sth off

to take someone or something to a place, usually by car as you travel somewhere else Ex: I need to _________________ my daughter ___________ at school. Transitive & Separable

Catch up (with)

to talk to someone you have not seen for a while to discover what they have been doing. Ex: I haven't seen you in ages! Let's get together next weekend and ____________.

Call sb up

to telephone someone Ex: I should __________ him ___________. We haven't talked in a long time. Transitive & Separable

Look down on sb

to think that someone is less important than you Ex: Don't ______________________ Tim just because he's a new employee! He'll has a lot of valuable experience from his last job. Transitive & Inseparable

Get rid of sth

to throw something away or give something to someone because you do not want it now Ex: In the US, it's common to do spring cleaning. We clean up our houses and _________________ old clothes that we don't wear anymore. Transitive & Inseparable

Check up on sb/sth

to try to discover what someone is doing in order to be certain that that person is doing what they should be doing Ex: I need to _____________________ my son while he's doing online learning. He likes to play video games during his Zoom class. Transitive & Inseparable

Show off

to try to make other people admire your abilities or achievements in a way which is annoying Ex: He just bought a new car. He's going to drive to his friend's house so he can ____________ a little bit.

Hold on

to wait (especially on the telephone) Ex: _____________! I'll be with you in a moment.

Fill sth out

write information on a form (the whole form) Ex: Could you help me __________ this job application? Transitive & Separable