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Everyday Expressions 4

be thankful for = appreciate; be grateful for

  • The begger was thankful for the coin.
  • The criminal was thankful for the judges's mercy.

  • A: Some people sleep in the subway station because they don't have a house or a bed.
  • That would be terrible. I am very thankful for my home.

be used to = be familiar with; be accustomed to

  • A: You've lived in Mexico for six months. How do you like it?
  • Tarzan was used to living in the jungle.

  • A: Did you finish cleaning your room?
  • B: I like it, but my stomach isn't used to Mexican food yet!

be willing to = be happy to; be inclined to; be prepared to

  • Sam was willing to lend money to his friend.
  • Miss Eyre was willing to teach in the small school.

  • A: Are you willing to help me with my chemistry homework?
  • B: Yes I am, but I am busy right now. I will help you tonight.

be worried about = be anxious about; be concerned about

  • The farmer was worried about the weather.
  • He is worried about his health.

  • A: I am worried about our dog.
  • B: Me too. He hasn't eaten for three days.

be worth (-ing) = be useful enough to; equal in value to

  • The hotel is great! It's worth staying an extra night.
  • Our car is old, but it's worth keeping.

  • A: Is this movie worth watching?
  • B: No it's not! I saw it last night, and it was terrible.

because of = due to; as a result of; owing to; on account ofg

  • He can't ride the bicycle because it has a flat tire.
  • We couldn't go because of the weather.

  • A: Did you play baseball yesterday?
  • B: No I didn't. We couldn't play because of the rain.

before long = in a short time; pretty soon

  • Dinner will be ready before long.
  • Before long, Sandy will graduate from high school.

  • A: The weather is getting colder.
  • B: Yes it is, and before long I think it will start to snow.

belong to = be owned by; be the proberty of

  • The yacht belonged to Mrs. Vanderbilt.
  • This business belongs to me.

  • A: Does this bag belong to Max?
  • B: No it doesn't. It is Kathy's bag.

between you and me = just between us; confidentially; off the record

  • Between you and me, I think Greg is handsome.
  • The police officer was angry with the drunk driver.Between you and me, I think the food here is terrible!
  • A: Please don't tell anybody the story I just told you.
  • B: I won't tell anybody else. I'll keep it between you and me.

blow out = put out a fire; extinguish

  • The wind blew out the fire.
  • He blew out the candle before going to bed.

  • A: Oh no! Why is it so dark in here?
  • Be: The wind blew out our candles.

break away from = escape from; get away from; break free from

  • He broke away from the crowd.
  • The dog broke away from its owner.

  • A: How did Sylvia win the race?
  • :She was WI. 'th the other runners, then she broke away from them and crossed the finish line first!

break out = occur with suddenness or force; happen

  • He was just a child when war broke out in his country.
  • A fight broke out at the baseball game

  • A: Why were you late for work today?
  • B:A fire broke out in my apartment this morning.

bring about = cause to happen; lead to; result in

  • Years of stress brought about his illness.
  • Hard work brought about his success.

  • A: The weather is warmer this summer than it has been in the past. Why is that?
  • B: I don't know. Some people think the warmer weather was brought about by air pollution.

bring in = get in; call in

  • Make sure that you don't bring in dirt.
  • "Bring in the next patient," said the doctor.

  • A: Oh no! It's starting to rain on our picnic!
  • B: No problem! I will carry the hamburgers to the house, and you can bring in the cake.

bring out = reveal something to someone

  • The old woman brought out a gold ring.
  • Bring out the two men.

  • A: I'm going to get an orange from the refrigerator. Do you want anything?
  • B: Yes.Could you bring out some watermelon, please?

by oneself = alone; on one's own

  • The girl went to the movie by herself.
  • After a few days of practice, the children could swim by themselves.

  • A: I want to go to the library by myself.
  • B: Why?
  • A: I have a lot of studying to do and don't want to be disturbed.

by the way = incidentally; in addition

  • By the way, may I borrow some money?
  • By the way, when are you going to America?

  • A: I heard that you're moving to a new house.
  • B: Yes. By the way, do you need a sofa and some chairs?

by way of = by going through; via

  • We sailed to Europe by way of the Mediterranean Sea.
  • They came to North America by way of a land bridge.

  • A: Did the teacher say that I have to read that book?
  • B: No. She said by way of suggestion that you should read it.

call off = stop a planned event; cancel

  • The boss called off the meeting.
  • It rained so they called off the baseball game.

  • A: They had to call off the soccer game yesterday.
  • B: How come?
  • A: One of the teams didn't have enough players.

call on= visit; come to see

  • She called on me but I wasn't home.
  • Do you have time to calIon your grandmother?

  • A: Where is Donald? I thought he was going to play soccer with us tonight.
  • B: He was going to, but some relatives called on him unexpectedly.

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