to have one’s heart set on: to desire greatly, to be determined to
to live it up: to spend money freely, to live luxuriously Examples of TO LIVE IT UP Jackson and Aiden saved up money for two years so that they could travel to Europe and live it up. After receiving a large inheritance from a rich aunt, I was able to live it up for years.
to pull off: to succeed in doing something difficult; to exit to the side of a highway Examples of TO PULL OF The group of investors pulled off a big deal by buying half the stock in that company. I wonder how they pulled it off before the company could prevent it. The motorist pulled…
to let up: to slacken, to lessen in intensity; to relax or ease one’s effort (also: related idiom: to take it easy) Examples of TO LET UP When Evie is working, she never lets up for a moment. Despite recent storms, the pain is not expected to let up anytime soon.
to tear down: to destroy by making flat, to demolish Examples of TO TEAR DOWN The reviewer tried to tear down the movie, but the review was so badly written that the reviewer just looked dumb. We need the savings, but it sure feels like we’re using them to tear the house down.
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.
a bitter pill to swallow: unpleasant, but has to be acceptedExamples: Losing my job was initially a bitter pill to swallow. It’s a bitter pill to swallow but a difficult cure promises the best result.