in vain: useless, without the desired result Examples of IN VAIN The last-minute get-out-the-vote effort was in vain, because the opposition candidate still lost. The director didn’t even see me, so all the rehearsing I did was in vain.

according to: in the order of; on the authority of Examples of ACCORDING TO Around $386 billion was spent, according to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Demand for this game was, according to ticket seller StubHub, at a record level.

all day long:  (also all week, month, year long) the entire day, week, month, year Examples of ALL (DAY, WEEK, MONTH, YEAR) LONG I loved the band’s new single so much that I listened to it all day long. All month long, she’s been trying to save money for her vacation.  

to wait on: to serve in a store or restaurant Examples of WAIT ON You should arrive on time, because the job interviewer won’t want to wait on you. The hockey players had to wait on the last game to end before they could start.

to take turns: to alternate, to change people while doing something Examples of TAKE TURNS The well-behaved children knew how to take turns on the swing set. The skiers had to take turns going down the slope.

above all: mainly, especially Examples of ABOVE ALL The emperor demanded to be respected above all others in his retinue. When you’re under oath, above all, you must tell the truth.