Crocodile tears: False or fake tears. Examples: Politicians love to cry crocodile tears about how hard it is to cut government spending. President Obama shed his crocodile tears for the latest group of victims.

to burn down: to burn slowly, but completely (usually said of candles); todestroy completely by fire Example of TO BURN DOWN The fire was able to burn down the house very quickly. After two days of the city burning down it began to rain and doused the remaining fire.

to keep time: to operate accurately (for watches and clocks) Examples of TO KEEP TIME The clock keeps quite good time. The old clock keeps perfect time; it’s never fast or slow.

to cut off: to shorten by cutting the ends; to disconnect or stop suddenly Examples of TO CUT OFF The rude waitress tried to cut me off while I was placing my order. “I’ll need to cut off the microphone, if you don’t behave yourself,” the chairman said to the angry committee member.

to do over: to revise, to do againA noun or pronoun must separate the two parts of this idiom. Examples of TO DO OVER Who wouldn’t like the chance to go back to high school and do it all over again? You’d better do the essay over because it is written so poorly.

a bone of contention: something which people argue and disagree over.Examples: Medicaid costs have long been a bone of contention between counties and the state. How climate change will affect hurricanes has long been a bone of contention.