to take place: to occur, to happen according to plan Examples of TAKE PLACE The organization’s rules mandate that the conference has to take place in a new country every year. Jamie was frantic when he thought that the hearing was going to take place at 9:00, but it was really at 11:00.

back and forth: in a backward and forward motion Examples of BACK AND FORTH She and I went back and forth, continually trading ideas, but we never reached an agreement. My job has me going back and forth between Atlanta and New York right now.

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.

to be in (the/one’s) way: to block or obstruct; not to be helpful, to causeinconvenience (for both, also: to get in the/one’s way) Examples of TO BE IN THE/ONE’S WAY The brave citizen stood in the way of the line of tanks so they wouldn’t reach the Square. Getting off the airplane took forever because…

to bring up: to rear, to raise from childhood; to mention, to raise an issue,to introduce a topic Examples of TO BRING UP The couple planned to bring up the issue at a school board meeting Monday night. Bring up to full pressure, turn the heat down to medium and cook for 25 minutes.

in time to: before the time necessary to do something Examples of IN TIME TO He had good position but had not turned his head in time to see the ball arrive. Officers went to the hospital, but did not arrive in time to talk to the victim.