to make good time: to travel a sufficient distance at a reasonable speed Examples of TO MAKE GOOD TIME We loaded the car with snacks; we don’t want to stop because we need to make good time to the coast. The flight made good time and we landed twenty minutes early.

a lost cause: a hopeless case, a person or situation having no hope of positivechange. Examples of A LOST CAUSE Repeat these steps as necessary to remove the stain, but it may be a lost cause. Even this late in the game, the search for the black boxes is not a lost cause.

to throw away: to discard, to dispose of Examples of THROW AWAY We’re having leftovers tonight because George can’t bear to throw away food. I didn’t want to throw away the old suit because it might have been possible to donate it to a homeless shelter.

right away: very soon; immediately (also: at once) Examples of RIGHT AWAY I need sixty dollars right away, or they’ll turn off my phone. Clean this mess up right away!

to hold on: to grasp tightly or firmly; to wait, to be patient Examples of TO HOLD ON They don’t give up and they hold on to hope that things are going to get better. He finally broke off and told her to hold on a second because Daddy was talking.

to cut down on: to reduce, to lessen (also: to cut back on) Examples of TO CUT DOWN ON As she was making her budget, she realized she needed to cut down on her expenses. My doctor told me to cut down on desserts.