to pick out: to choose, to select (s)
- Ann picked out a good book to give to her brother as a graduation gift.
- Johnny, if you want me to buy you a toy, then pick one out now.
to take one’s time: to do without rush, not to hurry
This idiom is often used in the imperative form.
- There’s no need to hury doing those exercises. Take your time.
- William never works rapidly. He always takes his time in everything that he does.
to talk over: to discuss or consider a situation with others
- We talked over our ideas about redecorating the room, but we couldn’t reach a decision.
- Before Iaccepted the new job offer, I talked the matter over with my wife.
to lie down: to plase oneself in a flat position, to recline
- If yuo are tired, why don’t you lie down for an hour ot so?
- The doctor says that Grace must lie down and rest for a short time every afternoon.
to stand up: to rise from a sitting or lying position (also: to get up)
- When the president entered the room, everyone stood up.
- Don’t just sit there. Get up and help me clean the house!
to sit down: to be seated (also: to take a seat, to have a seat)
- We sat down on the park bench and watched the children play.
- There aren’t any more chairs, but you can take a seat on the floor.
- Please have a seat. The program will be staring soon.
all (day, week,month, year) long: the entire day, week month, year
- I’ve been workong on my income tax forms all day long. I’ve hatdly had time to eat.
- It’s been raining all week long. We haven’t seen the sun since last Monday.
by oneself: alone, without assistance
- Francis translated that French novel by himself. No one helped him.
- Paula likes to walk through the woods by herself, but her brother prefers to walk with a companion.
on purpose: for a reason, deliberately
This idiom is usually used when someone does something wrong or unfair.
- Do you think that she didn’t come to the meeting on purpose?
to get along (with): to associate or work well (with)
- Terry and her new roommate don’t get along: they argue constantly.
- Adrienne has a hard time at school because she doesn’t get along with her biology professor.
to make a difference (to): to be of importance (to), to afeect (also: to matter to)
These idioms are often used with adjectives to show the degree of importance.
- It makes a big difference to me whether he likes the food I serve.
- Does it make any difference to you where we go for dinner? No, it doesn’t matterto me. It matters a lot to Liza, though. She’s a vegetarian.
to take out: to remove, to extract; to go on a date with (also: go out(with))
- Students, take out your books and open them to page twelve.
- Did you take Sue out last night?
- No, she couldn’t go out with me.