all along: all the time, from the beginning (without change) Examples of ALL ALONG After we searched and searched, it turned out that the turtle was in his crate all along! We knew all along that Jeremy would win the election.

to work out: to exercise; to develop, to devise (a plan) Examples of TO WORK OUT She home-schools her 15-year-old son, runs errands, cleans house, takes care of her family, works out at the fitness center and tries to sleep. Eventually we worked out a plan so that he could return to work.

to make a difference (to): to be of importance (to), to affect Examples of MAKE A DIFFERENCE The sociology student just wanted to make a difference in the lives of the poor. “I can’t figure out how to make a difference in this community,” the frustrated politician thought to himself.  

to take up: to begin to do or study, to undertake; to occupy space, time,or energy Examples of TO TAKE UP Prime Stage Theater’s offering takes up the challenge somewhat self-consciously. At 6-foot-3 he takes up nearly half of the room when he leans back in his chair.

to buy out: to purchase a business or company; to purchase all of a person’s chares or stock Examples of TO BUY OUT When the larger scale media companies buy out the more smaller-scaled or local companies they become more powerful within the market. The other directors have offered to buy me out.

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…