Idioms Lesson 18

To do without: survive or exist without something (to go without)

No one can do without water.

According to: in the order of; on the authority of

According to the ESLI schedule, the last day of finals will be August 7.

(to be) bound to: to be certain to, to be sure to

If you go outside without a coat in winter, you are bound to get cold.

If you go outside right now, you are bound to get very hot and sweaty.

To take (someone/something) for: to perceive or understand as (often by mistake

Because of the way he is dressed, I took him for a student, not a teacher!

To try out: to test, to use during a trial period; to audition

If you want to be an actor, you need to try out for a part in the play.

Most car dealers let you try out a new car by taking it for a test drive.

To tear down: to destroy by making flat, to demolish

They tore down the old school so they could build a parking lot.

To tear up: rip into tiny pieces

When Jack and Jill broke up, she tore up every letter he wrote to her.

To go over: to be appreciated or accepted

Mrs. Sedillo’s new assignment did not go over well with the students.

The research went over well in the science community.

To run out of: to exhaust the supply or not have any more of something

Be sure to get lots of sleep so you don’t run out of energy in the afternoon.

I always run out of toilet paper at night when the stores are closed.

At heart: basically, fundamentally (describes the true nature of a person)

“In spite of everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.” Anne Frank

On hand: available, nearby It is smart to keep a little money on

hand for emergencies.