1. to pick out: to choose, to select

  • Ex: Ann picked out a good book to give to her brother as a graduation gift.
  • Ex: Johnny, if you want me to buy you a toy, then pick one out now.
2. to take one’s time: to do without rush, not to hurry

This idiom is often used in the imperative form. (See the first example)

  • Ex: There’s no need to hurry doing those exercises. Take your time.
  • Ex: William never works rapidly. He always takes his time in everything that he does.
3. to talk over: to discuss or consider a situation with others

  • Ex: We talked over Carla’s plan to install an air conditioner in the room, but we couldn’t reach a decision.
  • Ex: Before I accepted the new job offer, I talked the matter over with my life
4. to life down: to place oneself in a flat position, to recline

  • Ex: If you are tired, why don’t you lie down for an hour or so?
  • Ex: The doctor says that Grace must lie down and rest for a short time every afternoon.
5. to stand up: to rise from a sitting or lying position (also: to get up)

  • Ex: When the president entered the room, everyone stood up.
  • Ex: Suzy, stop rolling around on the floor; get up now.
6. to sit down: to be seated (also: take a seat)

  • Ex: We sat down on the park bench and watched the children play.
  • Ex: There aren’t any more chairs, but you can take a seat on the floor.
 7. all (day, week, month, year) long: the entire day, week, month, year

  • Ex: I’ve been working on my income tax forms all day long. I’ve hardly had time to eat.
  • Ex: It’s been raining all week long. We haven’t seen the sun since last Monday.
by oneself: alone, without assistance

  • Ex: Francis translated that French novel by himself. No one helped him.
  • Ex: Paula likes to walk through the woods by herself, but her brother prefers to walk with a companion.
on purpose: for a reason, deliberately

  • This idiom is usually used when someone does something wrong or unfair.
  • Ex: Do you think that she didn’t come to the meeting on purpose?
  • Ex: It was no accident that he broke my glasses. He did it on purpose.
to get along with: to associate or work well with; to succeed or manage in doing (also: to get on with)

  • Ex: Terry isn’t getting along with her new roommate; they argue constantly.
  • Ex: How are you getting on with your students?
to make a difference (to): to be of importance (to), to affect This idiom is often used with adjectives to show the degree of importance.

  • Ex: It makes a big difference to me whether he likes the food I serve.
  • Ex: Does it make any difference to you where we go for dinner? No, it doesn’t make any difference.
  • Ex: It makes no difference to Lisa either.
to take out: to remove, to extract; to go on a date with (also to go out with)

  • Ex: Student, take out your books and open them to page twelve.
  • Ex: Did you take Sue out last night?. No, she couldn’t go out with me.

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