Phrases & Expressions 17

phrase informal C1 • synonyms: miss a deadline, fail to deliver • blow an important/final/tight deadline; repeatedly/completely blow a deadline; blow a deadline due to X; scramble/apologize after blowing a deadline

fail to meet a deadline; miss the agreed or expected time for completing a task or delivering something

idiom C1 informal • synonyms: try out, give it a go, experiment • give yoga/coding/online dating a whirl; decide to/might/finally give sth a whirl; give sth a quick/proper whirl; give sth a whirl and see how it goes

try something out, especially for the first time or without knowing if it will work or suit you

idiom C1 • informal (especially US) • ink a contract/deal/agreement; ink a merger/movie deal • freq in AmE: 7/10

(informal, business) to formally sign a contract or agreement, especially after negotiations; to finalize a deal in writing

idiom C1 informal • phone/line/hotline ringing off the hook • freq in AmE: 4/10

(of a telephone) to be ringing continuously or very frequently, indicating many incoming calls

idiom C2 • informal • freq in AmE: 4/10follow suit (do the same as someone else)

to do the same thing as someone else, especially after they have done it first

idiom C1 • paint a grim picture of something; paint a grim picture of the future/situation; paint a grim picture in reports • freq in AmE: 3/10

to describe a situation or event in a way that makes it seem very bad, depressing, or worrying; to present a negative or bleak view

idiom or noun [C usually sing ] C1 • have a sweet tooth; satisfy a sweet tooth; give in to a sweet tooth • freq in AmE: 4/10

a strong liking or craving for sweet foods, especially sugary treats and desserts

verb phrase [I ] C2 or idiom C2 • toss and turn all night; toss and turn in bed; unable to sleep • freq in AmE: 3/10

to move restlessly from side to side, especially while trying to sleep; to be unable to sleep well due to discomfort, worry, or stress

idiom C1 • synonyms: go all out, spare no effort, leave no stone unturned • pull out all the stops for sth/to do sth; really pull out all the stops • freq in AmE: 7/10

to do everything you possibly can to achieve a result, especially by using all available resources, effort, or creativity — often in a spectacular or determined way

idiom C1 • synonyms: feel nervous, have jitters, pre-show anxiety • get/have butterflies in your stomach before sth; feel butterflies; nervous butterflies • freq in AmE: 7/10

a fluttery, nervous feeling in your stomach caused by anxiety, anticipation, or excitement — often before a performance, event, or important moment

idiom C1 • social/emotional • synonyms: pretend, mask, maintain illusion • keep up appearances despite hardship/scandal; just for the sake of appearances • freq in AmE: 6/10

to maintain an outward show of normalcy, success, or respectability, even when the reality is different; to avoid revealing problems or decline

idiom C1 • interpersonal/cultural • synonyms: preserve dignity, avoid shame, protect reputation • save face after failure; let someone save face • freq in AmE: 6/10

to preserve one’s dignity, reputation, or social standing by avoiding embarrassment, shame, or loss of respect — especially in public or interpersonal situations

idiom C1 • interpersonal/cultural • antonym of: save face • synonyms: be humiliated, lose respect, suffer shame • lose face publicly; risk losing face • freq in AmE: 5/10

to suffer embarrassment, humiliation, or a loss of respect — especially in front of others; to damage one’s reputation or dignity

idiom B2 • motivational/strategic • synonyms: lean into strengths, focus on assets, use your edge • play to your strengths in interviews/teams/tasks • freq in AmE: 7/10

to focus on and use your strongest skills, qualities, or advantages in order to succeed or make the most impact

idiom C1 • synonyms: underperform, disappoint, miss the mark • fall short of expectations/standards/goals; someone/something falls short of what is needed/promised/hoped for • freq in AmE: 7/10

to fail to reach a desired level, expectation, standard, or goal — often by a noticeable margin, despite effort or intention

idiom C1 • synonyms: support, back, endorse • lend (your) support to something; lend your support for a cause/campaign; refuse/withdraw support • freq in AmE: 6/10

to express approval of or help for an idea, project, or person, usually by publicly showing it

idiom C1 (also be under wraps) • synonyms: conceal, keep secret, hide • keep something under wraps; keep details/info/news under wraps; be under wraps until... • freq in AmE: 7/10

to keep something secret or not make it known to the public

idiom C1 informal • synonyms: secret, undisclosed, confidential • keep something under wraps; remain/stay under wraps; stay under wraps until... • freq in AmE: 7/10

secret or not yet made known to the public

idiom B2 informal • synonyms: available, open, attainable • be up for grabs; still up for grabs; make something up for grabs • freq in AmE: 7/10

available for anyone who wants it; open to be taken, won, or claimed by whoever acts first or best

idiom C1 informal • synonyms: furious, outraged, angry • be up in arms over/about something; have people up in arms; cause outrage/uproar • freq in AmE: 7/10

very angry or upset about something; protesting or strongly complaining against something perceived as unfair or wrong

idiom C1 (also put your weight behind something) • synonyms: endorse, back, advocate • throw weight behind candidate/cause/reform; publicly/strategically throw weight • freq in AmE: 6/10

to use your influence, authority, or reputation to support a cause, person, or initiative; often implies strategic endorsement or active backing that can shift outcomes