1. to hold still: not to move
- Ex: Please hold still while I adjust your tie.
- Ex: If you don’t hold that camera still, you’ll get a blurred picture.
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| 2. to know by sight: to recognize
This idiom is used when the person has been seen previously but is not known personally. The person must be used to separate the idiom.
- Ex: I have never met our new neighbors; I simply know them by sight.
- Ex: The woman said that she would know the thief by sight if she ever saw him again.
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| 3. to be the matter: to be unsatisfactory, to be improper, to be wrong
In a question, this idiom is used with what or something. In an answer, something or nothing is usually used.
Example:
- A: What is the matter, Betty? You look very upset.
- B: Yes, something is the matter. I’ve lost my purse!
- A: Is something the matter, Charles? You don’t look well.
- B: No, nothing is the matter. I’m just a little under the weather.
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4. to bring up: to rear, to raise from childhood; to mention, to raise an issue, to introduce a topic Ex: Parents should bring up their children to be responsible members of society.
- Ex: Sarah wanted to bring the scheduling problem up at the club meeting, but finally she decided against doing so.
- Ex: One of the students brought up an interesting point related to the subject in our textbook.
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| 5. to get lost: to become lost; to go away in order not to bother
The second definition provides a very informal, even rude, meaning that should be used only with close friends. It is sometimes used in a joking manner.
- Ex: While driving in Boston, we got lost and drove many miles in the wrong direction.
- Ex: Todd kept bothering me while I was studying, so I told him to get lost.
- Ex: Lisa joked that she wanted her sister to get lost forever.
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6. to hold up: to delay, to make late; to remain high in quality
- Ex: A big accident held up traffic on the highway for several hours.
- Ex: Deidre is amazed at how well her car has held up over the years.
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7. to run away: to leave without permission; to escape
- Ex: The young couple ran away and got married because their parents wouldn’t permit it.
- Ex: That cat is just like a criminal — it runs away from anyone who tries to come near!
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8. to rule out: to refuse to consider, to prohibit
- Ex: Heather ruled out applying to college in Texas because she would rather go to school in Canada.
- Ex: I’d like to watch a good movie on TV tonight, but a ton of homework rules that out.
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9. by far: by a great margin, clearly
- Ex: Jacquie is by far the most intelligent student in our class.
- Ex: This is by far the hottest, most humid summer we’ve had in years.
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| 10. to see off: to say good-bye upon departure by train, airplane, bus, etc. (also: to send off)
A noun or pronoun must divide the idiom.
- Ex: We are going to the airport to see Peter off on his trip to Europe.
Ex: When I left for Cincinnati on a business trip, no one came to the train station to send me off.
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| 11. to see out: to accompany a person out of a house, building, etc.
A noun or pronoun must again divide the idiom.
- Ex: The Johnsons were certain to see their guests out as each one left the party.
- Ex: Would you please see me out to the car? It’s very dark outside.
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| 12. no wonder: it’s no surprise that, not surprisingly
This idiom derives form reducing it is no wonder that…
Ex: No wonder the portable heater doesn’t work. It’s not plugged into the electrical outlet!
Ex: Jack has been out of town for several weeks. No wonder we haven’t seen him recently |
