Robert_J._Dixson]_Essential_Idioms_in_English__Ph

(Barré) #1

Both now and then and once in a while can be preceded by the adjective every.
Another idiom with the same meaning and form is every so often.
o I don't see him very often, but (every) now and then we arrange to have
lunch together.
o Gary gets a cold (every) once in a while even though he takes good care
of himself.
o Every so often my brother and I get together for a camping trip.
o I like to sleep late in the morning from time to time.


to get rid of: to eliminate, to remove; to discard, to throw away
o Jerry tried hard to get rid of the stain on his shirt, but he never
succeeded.
o The stain was so bad that Jerry finally had to get rid of his shirt.


every other (one): every second (one), alternate (ones)
o I play tennis with my father every other Saturday, so I usually play
twice a month.
o There were twenty problems in the exercise, but the teacher told us
only to do every other one. Actually, doing ten problems was difficult
enough.


to go with: to match, to compare well in color to design; to date, to
accompany (also: to go out with)
For the first definition, adverbs such as well and poorly are often used.
o That striped shirt goes well with the gray pants, but the pants go poorly
with those leather shoes.
o Eda went with Richard for about six months, but now she is going out
with a new boyfriend.


first-rate: excellent, superb
o The food served in that four-star restaurant is truly first-rate.
o The Beverly Hills Hotel provides first-rate service to its guests.


to come from: to originate from
This idiom is commonly used in discussion of one's home town, state, or
country.
o What country in South American does she come from? She comes from
Peru.
o I just learned that he really comes from Florida, not Texas.
o Where did this package come from? The mail carrier brought it.


to make good time: to travel a sufficient distance at a reasonable speed
The adjective excellent can also be used.
o On our last trip, it rained the entire time, so we didn't make good time.
o We made excellent time on our trip to Florida; it only took eighteen
hours.


to mix up: to stir or shake well (S); to confuse, to bewilder (S)
For the second definition, the passive forms to be mixed up or to get mixed up
are often used.
o You should mix up the ingredients well before you put them in the pan.

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