Idioms Lesson 29

P. 170

To work out: to exerciseto devise a plan

to proceed or end successfully I like to work out at the gym every day. We worked out a plan for improving our idiom

lessons. They used to fight so much that things just didn't

work out between them.

To back up: to drive or go backwardsto defend or support

to return to a previous thought I am no good at backing up my car.

I backed him up in the argument. (I need back-up) Could you back up to the last thing you said?

To back out: to move a car out of a parking space

to withdraw support; fail to keep a promise or obligation

I backed my car out of the parking space very carefully.

He said he would help me, but he backed out at the last minute.

To have one's heart set on: to desire greatly; to be determined to

Luci has her heart set on passing ESLI She has her heart set on returning home. Don't get your heart set on leaving early today!

(used as an imperative)

To buy up: to buy the complete stock of

The bank just bought up all the dollar currency at the cheapest price.

I bought up the store's entirely supply of candies.

To buy out: to purchase a company or businessto purchase all of a person's shares or stock

Qwest telecommunications was bought out by AT&T.

When the board stopped liking Ben, they bought out all his shares in the company so he would no longer be around.

Noun form: buy-out

To sell out:to sell all itemsto arrange for the sale of a company or business

to abandon one's beliefs or principles for money or success

Sell-out (noun): someone who has abandoned his/her beliefs to go with the herd

On opening day, popular movies often sell out of their tickets.

I will sell my company out when it starts making a profit.

To catch on: to become popular or widespreadto understand, appreciate a joke

Smart phones caught on quickly with students and other young people.

I am often slow to catch on when someone tells a joke.

To be cut out for: to have the necessary skills or talent for

Son, you are not cut out to be a superstar.

Are you sure you're cut out for this job?

To throw out: to discardto remove by force

to refuse to consider, to reject Throw out those old, smelly socks! We got thrown out of the party when we started

fighting. The judge threw the case out of court for lack of

evidence.

To throw up: to erect or construct quicklyto vomit.

My house was thrown up in just a couple of months.

The baby threw up all over me.

To clear up: to make understandableto become sunny

The weather cleared up quickly after the storm.

We need to clear up this misunderstanding between us.