IDIOMS LESSON 16

TO BE/KEEP/STAY ON (ONE’S) TOES: TO BE ALERT, CAUTIOUS

My students keep me on my toes all the time so that I can do my best for them.

TO WATCH ONE’S STEP: TO WALK OR MOVE CAUTIOUSLY; TO BE CAREFUL WHEN WALKING OR MOVING.

Watch your step when you walk through the tall grass in Texas, because we have venomous snakes.

TO WATCH WHAT ONE SAYS/DOES: TO SPEAK OR BEHAVE VERY CAREFULLY

He is very touchy, so watch what you say to him.

You have to watch what you do when you are at work so that you always look and behave professionally.

TO SEE EYE TO EYE: TO AGREE, CONCUR It’s nice when everyone can see eye to

eye.

TO HAVE IN MIND: TO BE CONSIDERING OR THINKING OF SOMETHING

You always have something interesting in mind!

TO KEEP IN MIND: TO REMEMBER, NOT TO FORGET

Keep in mind that you have homework due on Monday!

FOR ONCE: THIS ONE TIME, FOR ONLY ONE TIME

Would you please, for once, study for the test?

TO GO OFF: TO EXPLODE; TO SOUND AS AN ALARM; TO LEAVE SUDDENLY WITHOUT EXPLANATION.

Careful, that bomb could go off any moment!

The fire alarm went off today at work. He just went off without saying

goodbye.

TO GROW OUT OF: TO OUTGROW, TO BECOME TOO OLD OR TOO BIG FOR, TO BE THE RESULT OF SOMETHING.

My son grows out of his jeans faster than I can buy him new ones.

The ESLI program grew out of a need for international students to learn academic English.

TO MAKE THE BEST OF (SOMETHING): TO DO THE BEST ONE CAN IN A POOR SITUATION

If it rains the day of the picnic, we will make the best of it and have the picnic indoors.

TO CUT OFF: TO SHORTEN BY CUTTING THE ENDS; TO DISCONNECT OR STOP SUDDENLY

Can you cut off the end of this ribbon? We got cut off in the middle of our

conversation.

TO CUT OUT: TO REMOVE BY CUTTING; TO STOP DOING SOMETHING.

She cut a picture out of the magazine. I hate it when you do that, so cut it out!