to take apart: to disassemble, to separate the parts of something (S)
A noun or pronoun usually divides this idiom.
o It is much easier to take a watch apart than it is to assemble it.
o The engine had a serious problem, so the mechanic had to take it apart
completely in order to fix it.
to put together: to assemble (S)
A noun or pronoun usually divides this idiom. The preposition back is used
when something has been disassembled and then is being reassembled, as in
the second example.
o Todd followed the directions on the box but he couldn't manage to put
the bicycle together properly.
o After the teenager took the broken video game apart and fixed it, he
was unable to put it back together again.
to be better off: to be in a more favorable condition or situation
The opposite of this idiom is to be worse off.
o Jim would be better off staying at home because of his cold.
o You'd be much better off working in an office than in a factory.
o The economies of some nations are worse off than they were several
decades ago.
to be well-off: to have enough money to enjoy a comfortable life, to be rich
(also: to be well-to-do)
o They live in the best section of town in a large home; they are very well-
off.
o By the time I reach the age of fifty-five, I hope to be well-to-do and to
travel frequently.
to take by surprise: to surprise, to amaze, to astonish (S)
A noun or pronoun usually divides this idiom.
o The offer of a high-paying position with another company took me by
surprise.
o The president's announcement that the university was in financial
trouble didn't take anyone by surprise.
to keep in touch with: to maintain contact with (also: to stay in touch
with)
This idiom should be compared with to get in touch with in Lesson 9.
o You can telephone me every few days, and in that way we can keep in
touch with each other.
o He promised to stay in touch with us while he was abroad. However, we
were very disappointed that he never did get in touch with us.
to name after: to give the same name as another (S)
o Helen's parents named Helen after her grandmother.
o My grandson is named after Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the
United States.
to hold on: to grasp tightly or firmly; to wait, to be patient