to be about to: to be at the moment of doing something, to be ready
- This idiom is often used with the adverb just.
- I was about to leave when you called me.
- Oh, hi, John. We’re just about to eat dinner.
to turn around: to move or face in the opposite direction; to completely change the condition of(S)
- She turned around to wave goodbye before getting on the airplane.
- The man turned his car around and drove back the way he came.
- The company has been very successful since the new business manager was able to turn it around.
to take turns: to alternate, to change people while doing something
- During the trip, Darlene and I took turns driving so that neither of us would tire out.
- I have to make sure that my two sons take turns playing the video game.
to pay attention (to): to look at and listen to someone while they are speaking, to concentrate
- Please pay attention to me while I’m speaking to you!
- You’ll have to pay more attention in class if you want to get a good grade.
to brush up on: to review something in order to refresh one’s memory
- Before I travelled to Mexico, I brushed up on my Spanish; I haven’t practiced it since high school.
- In order to take that advance math class, Sidney will have to brush up on his algebra.
Over and over (again): repeatedly (also: time after time, time and again)
- The actress studied her lines over and over until she knew them well.
- Children have difficulty remembering rules, so it’s often necessary to repeat them over and over again.
- Time and again I have to remind Arturo to put on his seatbelt in the car.
to wear out: to use something until it has no value or worth anymore, to make useless through wear (S).
- When I wear out these shoes, I’ll have to buy some that last longer.
- What do you do with your clothes after you wear them out?
to throw away: to discard, to dispose of (S)
- I generally throw away my clothes when I wear them out.
- Don’t throw the magazines away: I haven’t read them yet.
to fall in love: to begin to love
- Ben and Sal fell in love in high scholl, and got married after graduation.
- Have you ever fallen in love at first sight?
to go out (with): to go on a date (with); to date repeatedly
- Andre and I are going out on Saturday. We are going to have dinner at my favorite restaurant.
- Eda went out with Rick for six months, but now she is going out with someone else
to go out: to stop functioning ; to stop burning; to leave home or work (also: to step out)
- The lights went out all over the city because of an electrical problem.
- The campers didn’t have to put out the fire because it went out by itself.
- I have to step out of the office briefly to pick up a newspaper.
to break up (with) to stop dating
- Leo and Heidi just broke up after dating for three years.
- Tai broke up with his girlfriend bacause he fell in love with someone else.