to break in: gradually to prepare something for use that is new and stiff;to interrupt (for the second definition, also: to cut in) Examples of TO BREAK IN It is best to break a new car in by driving it slowly for the first few hundred miles. While Carrie and I were talking, Bill broke in…
fifty-fifty: divided into two equal parts Examples of FIFTY-FIFTY We’ve got, I’d say, a better than fifty-fifty chance of winning the game. The odds are the same for a heads or a tails to come up, they’re fifty-fifty.
to turn down: to reduce in brightness or volume; to reject, to refuse Examples of TO TURN DOWN I hate to turn down a tired traveler, but my hotel doesn’t have any more rooms available. Sarah turned down my offer to take her to dinner.
on the other hand: however, in contrast Examples of ON THE OTHER HAND On the other hand, registered voters may participate in any primary they choose. Kidney inflammation, on the other hand, is rare, but no treatment exists for it.
to keep up with: to maintain the same speed or rate as Examples of TO KEEP UP WITH Olivia tirelessly worked her garden because she wanted her yard to keep up with her neighbors’. The inexperienced runner wasn’t able to keep up with the champions, even though he tried really hard.
have got to: must (also: have to) Examples of HAVE GOT TO You have got to check out a new restaurant I found; it’s wonderful. I have got to get my essay turned in on time!
have got: to have, to possess Examples of HAVE GOT Coenen has got some work to do when she gets back to her home city of Amsterdam. Have you got one of those fancy German cars they were handing out in the summer?
to shut up: to close for a period of time; to be quiet, to stop talking Examples of TO SHUT UP She just WOULD NOT SHUT UP, and eventually Duncan took to just yelling over her. In cases like these they just need to shut up and take a big bite of humble pie
to become of: to happen to (a missing object or person) Examples of TO BECOME OF In the meanwhile, what has become of us as a previously identified open society? I might have missed this, but what has become of the existing child trust funds?
to blow out: to explode, to go flat (for tires); to extinguish by blowing Examples of TO BLOW OUT The front tires blew out as the plane landed at Tampa International Airport. Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed.