to shake hands: to exchange greetings by clasping hands Examples of SHAKE HANDS It’s customary to shake hands when you first meet someone. It was then that she decided, rather than giving him a kiss at the end of the date, only to shake hands.

about to: ready to, just going to Examples of ABOUT TO He rode in a van with five men who were about to be deported to Mexico, he said. You also must figure out how long you’ve held the security you’re about to sell.

to knock one self out: to work very hard (sometimes too hard) to do somethingA reflexive pronoun must divide the idiom. Examples of TO KNOCK ONE SELF OUT She really knocked herself out trying to pass that difficult class. Don’t knock yourself out during practice. Save your strength for the competition later.

to change one’s mind: to alter one’s decision or opinion Examples of CHANGE ONE’S MIND I tried to change his mind, but he insisted on leaving the office early on Friday. It’s easy for Kelly to change her mind; it seems like she never sticks with any one thing very long.    

to take down: to remove from an elevated place; to write what is said, to note Examples of TO TAKE DOWN We should take the pictures down from the wall and clean off the dust. The secretary took down everything that was said at the meeting.

every other (one): every second (one), alternate (ones) Examples of EVERY OTHER (ONE) Young Voices is published online and in the print newspaper every other Tuesday. One of the group’s primary fundraisers is a fashion show, held every other year.