o Terence can't continue to put his friends down like that and expect to
get away with it forever.to serve (someone) right: to receive one's just punishment (S)
This idiom is usually used at the beginning of a sentence after the subject it.
Compare the following examples with those in the previous idiom above.
o It serves Jonathan right to be fired from his job.
o It serves Terence right that none of his friends are willing to help him
move to a new apartment.
to keep up: to prevent from sleeping (S); to continue maintaining (speed,
level of work, condition, etc.) (S)
o Could you please turn down the TV volume? You're keeping up the
children.
o If we can keep up this speed, we should arrive there in about two hours.
o James is so proud of his daughter for getting mostly A's in school. He's
certain that she can keep up the good work.
o The Federal Reserve Bank hopes to keep the value of the dollar up at
least through the rest of the year.
to keep up with: to have current knowledge of; to understand as an
explanation
This idiom should be compared to the meaning of to keep up with in Lesson 17.
o Evan keeps up with world affairs by reading a new magazine each week.
o I understand a lot of the Spanish language, but I can't keep up with the
fast conversation in this Mexican film.
to stand out: to be easily visible or noticeable (also: to stick out)
This idiom is used for someone or something that is different from all others.
o Her bright red hair makes her stand out from others in the group.
o Brandon Styles is a tall, distinguished gentleman who sticks out in any
crowd.
to let on: to reveal or tell what you know, to hint
o We are going to the movies tonight and we don't want Doris to go. If
you see her, make sure not to let on.
o They asked me not to let on to Ted that we're planning the birthday
party; it's supposed to be a big surprise.
to go wrong: to fail, to result badly
o Something went wrong with the engine, so we had to have the car
towed to a garage.
o Shawn should have been here over an hour ago; I'm certain that
something went wrong.
to meet (someone) halfway: to compromise with someone
o Steve wanted $4,500 for his car, and Gwen offered $4,000. They met
each other halfway and agreed on $4,250.
o After a long process of give and take, the owners of the company agreed
to meet the workers halfway by providing some additional health
benefits but no wage increase.