to back out: to drive a vehicle out of a parking space (S); to withdraw
support, to fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
o The parking lot attendant had to back another car out before he could
get to mine.
o We were all ready to sign the contracts when one of the parties to the
agreement backed out.
to have one's heart set on: to desire greatly, to be determined to
o She has her heart set on taking a trip abroad. She's been thinking about
it for months.
o Todd has his heart set on going to medical school and becoming a
doctor.
to buy up: to buy the complete stock of (S)
o Before the hurricane struck, residents bought up all the food and water
in local stores.
o The government plans to buy up all surplus grain in order to stabilize
the price.
to buy out: to purchase a business or company (S); to purchase all of a
person's chares or stock (S)
This idiom is similar in meaning to take over in Lesson 23.
o Larger companies often buy out smaller companies that are having
financial difficulties.
o Mr. Lee has been trying for come time to buy his partner out so that he
can control the company by himself.
to sell out: to sell all items (S); to arrange for the sale of a company or
business (S)
o That store is closing its doors for good and is selling out everything this
weekend.
o If my new business enterprise is successful, I'll sell it out for a few
million dollars.
to catch on: to become popular or widespread; to understand, to appreciate
a joke
This idiom is often used with the preposition to for the second definition.
o Fashions of the past often catch on again among young people.
o When the teacher speaks quickly like that, can you catch on easily?
o His joke was very funny at the time, but when I told it to others later,
nobody seemed to catch on. I had to tell the joke again before anyone
could catch on to it.
to be cut out for: to have the necessary skills or talent for
The idiom is most often used in the negative or in questions.
o John is certainly not cut out for the work of a trial lawyer.
o Are you certain that you are cut out for that kind of job.
to throw out: to discard (S); to remove by force (S); to refuse to consider, to
reject (S)