Idioms

by oneself: alone, without assistance Examples of BY ONESELF He drove four hours to Los Angeles, by himself, for the audition. Frustrated with her useless team, Carol finished the project by herself.

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 sit down: to be seated (also: take a seat) Examples of SIT DOWN “I need to sit down,” the exhausted runner managed to stammer. When I hurt my back, it was hard to sit down and put on my socks.

to stand up: to rise from a sitting or lying position (also: to get up) Examples of STAND UP My psychologist told me that I need to learn how to stand up for myself. Lawyers need to speak clearly and to stand up straight, or the jury won’t listen to them.

to live down: to overcome the shame or embarrassment of something. Examples of LIVE DOWN It’ll take some time to live down this embarrassment; everyone has heard about it. With his charitable activities, Danial found it easy to live down his tax problems.

to lie down: to place oneself in a flat position, to recline Examples of LIE DOWN Bell told the woman to lie down on the floor because he had a gun, Chitwood said. She asks them to lie down, close their eyes and imagine they are at the hospital.

to talk over: to discuss or consider a situation with others Examples of TALK OVER In fact, Yemenis get together to talk over a chew and it is a very social event. To talk over a poem with him is like getting you to put a sentence into dialect.

to take one’s time: to do without rush, not to hurry Examples of TAKE ONE’S TIME The landlord will need to take his time to draft the new lease. The artist wanted to take his time on his masterpiece.

to pick out: to choose, to select Examples of PICK OUT I took Gregory to the mall to pick out his first suit for the ceremony. I’m so happy! How did you manage to pick out the perfect ring?

never mind: don’t be concerned about it; ignore what was just said Examples of NEVER MIND “Just never mind!” mom snapped, when I wouldn’t stop asking her questions. Everything will be fine, so just never mind the people who are criticizing you now.