Phrasal Verbs and Idioms for English Speaking | Lesson 8 – Elementary Level

This idiom is often sued with the adverb just.

• Ex: I was just about to leave when you telephoned.
• Ex: Oh, hi, John. We‘re just about to eat dinner.

• Ex: The man turned his car around and drove back the way he came.
• Ex: The company has been very successful since the new business manager was able to turn it around.

• Ex: During the trip, Darlene and I took turns driving so that neither of us would tire out.
• Ex: I have to make sure that my two sons take turns playing the video game.

• Ex: Please pay attention to me while I’m speaking to you!
• Ex: You’ll have to pay more attention in class if you want to get a good grade.

• Ex: Before I traveled to Mexico, I brushed up on my Spanish; I haven’t practiced it since high school.
• Ex: In order to take that advanced mathematics class, Sidney will have to brush up on his algebra.

• Ex: The actress studied her lines in the movie over and over until she knew them well.
• Ex: Children have difficulty remembering rules, so it’s often necessary to repeat them over and over again.
• Ex: Time and again I have to remind Bobby to put on his seatbelt in the car.

• Ex: When I wear out these shoes, I’ll have to buy some that last longer.
• Ex: What do you do with your clothes after you wear them out?

• Ex: I generally throw away my clothes when I wear them out.
• Ex: Don’t throw the magazines away; I haven’t read them yet.

This idiom is used with the expression at first sight to indicate a sudden interest in love.

• Ex: Ben and Sal fell in love in high school, and got married after graduation.
• Ex: Have you ever fallen in love at first sight?

• Ex: The lights went out all over the city because of an electrical problem.
• Ex: The campers didn’t have to put out the fire because it went out by itself.
• Ex: Gary isn’t here right now; he went out to the store for a moment.
• Ex: I have to step out of the office briefly to pick up a newspaper.

• Ex: Stephen told Deborah that it was out of the question for her to borrow his new car.
• Ex: Don’t expect me to do that again. It’s absolutely out of the question.

• Ex: Ralph insisted that he had nothing to do with breaking the window.
• Ex: What does your suggestion have to do with our problem?