would rather: prefer to (also: would just as soon) Examples of WOULD RATHER I would rather go biking than running, because biking is easier on my knees. He would rather go to the salad bar, but she wanted to go to the steakhouse.

to have it in for: to want revenge on, to feel hostile towards (also: to hold a grudge against) Examples of TO HAVE IT IN FOR Martina expects to lose her job because her boss has had it in for her for a long time. The teacher has held a grudge against Al ever since the…

to drop (someone) a line: to write a note to someone Examples of TO DROP A LINE Please feel free to drop me a line with any of your thoughts regarding the page. I’ll try to get it up tomorrow, and will drop you a line when it’s available.  

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.

on the whole: in general, in most ways (also: by and large) Examples of ON THE WHOLE He is, on the whole, a good student. Rents and occupancy rates in commercial real estate remain healthy on the whole.

to tear up: to rip into small pieces Examples of TO TEAR UP Let’s tear up the rule book and just do our own thing! Reports said he tore up the check and threw some of the pieces out of the window.