little by little: gradually, slowly (also: step by step) Examples of LITTLE BY LITTLE Little by little, we built up our investment portfolio so we could have a good retirement. The old building was slowly falling apart, little by little.

no matter: regardless of Examples of NO MATTER No matter what, I’m going to get to the front row of the concert. You will be home before nine, no matter what.

to get back: to return Examples of GET BACK We’ll need to get back to headquarters, now that we’ve finished our mission. I like to get back to my hometown in the suburbs every couple of weeks, to visit my parents and to catch up with old friends.

to pay attention (to): to look at and listen to someone while they are speaking, to concentrate Examples of PAY ATTENTION (TO) I know I need to pay attention to you when you talk, but you’re just so boring! It’s important to pay attention when your boss is explaining your mistakes.

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.

all of a sudden: suddenly, without warning (also: all at once) Examples of ALL OF A SUDDEN It seems like, all of a sudden, you’re mad at me, and I can never figure out why. All of a sudden, the storm subsided and the rain stopped.