IDIOMS LESSON 32, P. 185February 15, 2013

TO STEP IN: TO BECOME INVOLVED OR CONCERNED WITH (INTERCEDE); TO ENTER A PLACE FOR A SHORT TIME.

When the students started arguing, I had to step in and make them stop.

Can you wait here while I step into the store and get some milk?

TO STEP DOWN: TO RETIRE OR LEAVE A TOP POSITION; TO RESIGN

On February 28, Pope Benedict will step down from the papacy and a new Pope will have to be elected.

TO STEP ON IT: GO FASTER, WORK MORE QUICKLY

We only have a few minutes, so step on it!

You’d better step on it if you are going to finish your homework in time for class.

A STEAL: VERY INEXPENSIVE; A BARGAIN What a steal! I only had to pay

$20 for this purse! We considered the price a steal

when we saw how much the TV cost in other stores.

TO PLAY UP TO (KISS UP TO): TO BEHAVE SO AS TO GAIN FAVOR WITH SOMEONE (BEHAVE UNCTUOUSLY)

It’s very annoying to watch a co-worker playing up to the boss all the time.

Stop kissing up to the teacher. She knows what you’re doing!

Also to suck up

MORE OR LESS: APPROXIMATELY, ALMOST; TO A CERTAIN DEGREE

The students in my class are more or less the same age, with just one or two exceptions.

That costs $20, more or less.

TO SCREW UP: TO CONFUSE, TO SCRAMBLE, TO CAUSE PROBLEMS IN OR WITH

Your grade isn’t that great, so don’t screw up on the test!

Stop messing with the computer settings or you will screw it all up!

TO GOOF UP: TO PERFORM BADLY, MAKE A MISTAKE

I really goofed up on this job. I hope you will let me fix it.

Pay attention so you don’t goof up again!

Also: to mess up, to screw up, to slip up

TO GO OFF THE DEEP END: TO GET VERY ANGRY AND DO SOMETHING IN HASTE

Wow. Mrs. Sedillo really went off the deep end when she made us all throw our cell phones away!

TO LOSE ONE’S TOUCH: TO FAIL AT SOMETHING ONE USED TO DO WELL

My class is out of control! I am losing my touch!

UNDER CONTROL: WELL-MANAGED I know I didn’t do very well on the

last test, but my grades and study habits really are under control.

It is hard to keep a class under control on Friday afternoon.

TO DRAG ONE’S FEET/HEELS: TO ACT SLOWLY OR RELUCTANTLY

We have to do the work, so stop dragging your feet and get on with it.

Dragging your heels on the assignment will not make it disappear.