as a matter of fact: really, actually (also: in fact) Examples of AS A MATTER OF FACT I know you thought I’d forgotten your birthday, but as a matter of fact, I’ve been planning a surprise party all along. As a matter of fact, I was hoping that New England would lose.

upside down: with the upper side turned toward the lower side Examples of UPSIDE DOWN Nobody noticed that the abstract painting was hung on the wall upside down. After the second hit, the truck rolled over into a ditch and landed upside down.

to run out of: to exhaust the supply of, not to have more of Examples of TO RUN OUT OF It was new construction, and the builders ran out of money to complete the work. The 10-point lead would hold, as the Red Wolves ran out of gas down the stretch.

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.

to stop by: to visit or stop somewhere briefly in order to do something Examples of TO STOP BY   Stop by and learn how you might be able to make a difference for your neighbors. If we stop by the house at dinnertime, Mom says she’s already eaten and is full.

to take by surprise: to surprise, to amaze, to astonish Examples of TO TAKE BY SURPRISE The offer of a high-paying position with another company took me by surprise. The president’s announcement that the university was in financial trouble didn’t take anyone by surprise.