to get better, worse, etc.: to become better, worse, etc. Examples of GET BETTER, WORSE I practice the violin every day, because I know there’s no other way to get better. When he got the angry call from his manager, he knew his day was going to get worse.

to leave open: to delay making a decision on. Examples: So, mark the date, get your list together, and make sure to leave the date open. While he tries to leave open spaces in his schedule, sometimes they get filled.

to be over: to be finished, to end (also: to be through) Examples of BE OVER He was secretly happy to be over with his ex-girlfriend, but he pretended that she’d broken his heart. Benny needs to be over his reliance on clichés when he writes.

to do over: to revise, to do againA noun or pronoun must separate the two parts of this idiom. Examples of TO DO OVER Who wouldn’t like the chance to go back to high school and do it all over again? You’d better do the essay over because it is written so poorly.

to have one’s way: to arrange matters the way one wants (especially whensomeone else doesn’t want to same way) (also: to get one’s way) Examples of TO HAVE ONE’S WAY My boss always insists that he has everything his way; he can’t compromise at all. You can have it your way, the fast-food chain advertised,…

to take for granted: not to appreciate fully; to assume to be true withoutgiving much thoughtA noun or pronoun often follows the verb take. Examples of TO TAKE FOR GRANTED Most citizens in Africa do not have these luxuries we take for granted. These people are being careless and taking for granted the lives that…