o James thinks highly of his new boss, who is a kind and helpful person.LESSON 8
to be about to: to be at the moment of doing something, to be ready
This idiom is often sued with the adverb just.
o I was just about to leave when you telephoned.
o Oh, hi, John. We're just about to eat dinner.
to turn around: to move or face in the opposite direction (S); to completely
change the condition of (S)
o The man turned his car around and drove back the way he came.
o The company has been very successful since the new business manager
was able to turn it around.
to take turns: to alternate, to change people while doing something
o During the trip, Darlene and I took turns driving so that neither of us
would tire out.
o I have to make sure that my two sons take turns playing the video game.
to pay attention (to): to look at and listen to someone while they are
speaking, to concentrate
o Please pay attention to me while I'm speaking to you!
o You'll have to pay more attention in class if you want to get a good
grade.
to brush up on: to review something in order to refresh one's memory
o Before I traveled to Mexico, I brushed up on my Spanish; I haven't
practiced it since high school.
o In order to take that advanced mathematics class, Sidney will have to
brush up on his algebra.
over and over (again): repeatedly (also: time after time, time and
again)
o The actress studied her lines in the movie over and over until she knew
them well.
o Children have difficulty remembering rules, so it's often necessary to
repeat them over and over again.
o Time and again I have to remind Bobby to put on his seatbelt in the car.
to wear out: to use something until it has no value or worth anymore, to
make useless through wear (S)
o When I wear out these shoes, I'll have to buy some that last longer.
o What do you do with your clothes after your wear them out?
to throw away: to discard, to dispose of (S)
o I generally throw away my clothes when I wear them out.
o Don't throw the magazines away; I haven't read them yet.
to fall in love: to begin to love