on one’s toes: alert, cautiousThis idiom is usually used with the verbs stay and keep. Examples of ON ONE’S TOES So, city leaders will have to stay on their toes to deal with the demand, the mayor said. It makes folks stay on their toes.

more or less: approximately, almost; somewhat, to a certain degree Examples of MORE OR LESS Although your bedroom feels smaller, it’s more or less the same size as mine. Ted more or less agreed with our decision to put off the meeting until more members could show up. At least he didn’t object strongly.

in vain: useless, without the desired result Examples of IN VAIN The last-minute get-out-the-vote effort was in vain, because the opposition candidate still lost. The director didn’t even see me, so all the rehearsing I did was in vain.

to stand out: to be easily visible or noticeable (also: to stick out) Examples of TO STAND OUT So job seekers are trying to stand out to catch the eye of a potential employer. The clams were plentiful, but the dish didn’t stand out, lacking strong flavors.

to make out: to read or see clearly; to prepare a legal document, such as a will, a check, Examples of TO MAKE OUT The letter was so poorly handwritten that I couldn’t make out many of the words. Harold, please make the check out to Acme Piano Company.

to look up: to locate information in a directory, dictionary, book, etc. Examples of LOOK UP I needed to look up half a dozen words before I figured out what the complicated passage meant. We wanted to look up a new cleaning service because the old one didn’t do a good job.