to stand a chance: to have the possibility of accomplishing something Examples of TO STAND A CHANCE With coast guard teams using the Stiletto, smugglers seem not to stand a chance. Poor little child doesn’t stand a chance at a good life, being with such losers.

to come across: to meet or find unexpectedly (also: to run across); to be perceived or judged as (also: to come off) Examples of TO COME ACROSS A woman walking her dog came across a butchered body left on a pile of branches. I came across this story out of Georgia on a National Park…

to burn out: to stop functioning because of overuse; to make tired from toomuck work Examples of TO BURN OUT Nissan says the clutch has burned out after just 1,290 miles and my driving is to blame. The housing market has burned out like a spent comet.

to get lost: to become lost; to go away in order not to bother Examples of TO GET LOST It turned out to be an even better thing as I got lost on my way to the airport. So I told him to get lost, and that we could raise the baby separately.

to go off: to explode; to sound as an alarm; to leave suddenly withoutexplanation Examples of TO GO OFF The journalist decided to go off on his own, quit the newspaper, and started his own website. The boring horror movie even had somebody who left to explore, despite being warned not to go off on…

to pick up: to lift from the floor, table, etc., with one’s fingers Examples of PICK UP He went to pick up his kids from soccer practice. Don’t forget to pick up milk at the store!