to clean out: to empty, to tidy by removing; to steal, to rob; to buy or purchase all of something Examples of TO CLEAN OUT I want to clean out that closet so that we can store these things in there. A burglar entered my apartment while I was gone and cleaned me out. He…

a sore point/spot: a subject which someone would prefer not to talk about because it makes them angry or embarrassedExamples Try not to mention baldness while he’s here – it’s a sore spot for him. Annual running operation now comes to $5.4 million, a sore point in Parliament.

to wake up: to arise from sleep, to awaken Examples of TO WAKE UP I hit my snooze alarm over and over again, because I didn’t want to wake up. The voters of this district need to wake up and realize that Governor Stevens isn’t doing a good job.

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 make a difference (to): to be of importance (to), to affect Examples of MAKE A DIFFERENCE The sociology student just wanted to make a difference in the lives of the poor. “I can’t figure out how to make a difference in this community,” the frustrated politician thought to himself.  

breadwinner: a person who earns a livelihood, especially one who also supports dependents.Examples of BREADWINNER As long as I am the breadwinner in this house, I have the right to make some rules for everyone who lives here. Being a single mother was very difficult for Sheila – she was the breadwinner, the house cleaner,…