Phrases & Expressions 19

verb phrase [C1 ] • synonyms: corner someone, put someone on the spot, trap someone • put someone in a bind/problem/predicament; be in a bind; get out of a bind *• freq in AmE: 6/10

to place someone in a difficult or problematic situation, often involving conflicting choices, pressure, or lack of good options

verb phrase [C1 ] • synonyms: be independent, stand alone, be self-reliant • stand on your own feet; learn to stand on your own; finally/fully stand on your own *• freq in AmE: 6/10

to be independent and self-reliant, especially after a period of support or dependence; often used figuratively to describe personal growth, autonomy, or resilience

idiom C1 informal • synonyms: depend financially, sponge off, be supported by parents • live off mom and dad’s dollar/income/support; still/live/continue to live off mom and dad *• freq in AmE: 5/10

to rely financially on one’s parents for living expenses, often implying prolonged dependence, lack of autonomy, or avoidance of adult responsibilities

idiom • poetic/spiritual tone • freq in AmE: 4/10

to spend time in deep connection with the natural world, often in a reflective, peaceful, or spiritual way; to feel attuned to nature’s rhythms and presence

idiom • B2 • synonyms: ready, available, in reserve • have/keep something on tap; be on tap for someone/something • talent/support/ideas/resources on tap • freq in AmE: 6/10

available for immediate use or ready to be deployed when needed; often used to describe resources, services, or people that are prepared and accessible

idiom • C1 • synonyms: informed, caught up, in the loop • get/bring/be/keep someone up to speed (on/with something); quickly/fully up to speed; up to speed on trends/tech/updates • freq in AmE: 7/10

fully informed or up-to-date with the latest developments, knowledge, or requirements; also used to describe someone who has caught up or adapted to a new situation

collocation with idiom up to speed C1 (also bring/be/keep someone up to speed) • get/bring someone up to speed (on/with something); quickly/fully get someone up to speed; need to get someone up to speed before meeting/event • freq in AmE: 7/10

to inform someone of the latest developments or necessary background so they can understand or participate effectively; often used when someone joins a project, returns after absence, or enters a new situation

idiom C2 informal (also call the tune) • synonyms: be in charge, run the show, make the decisions • call the shots at work/home; like to call the shots; who’s calling the shots? • freq in AmE: 7/10

to be in control and make the important decisions; to have the power to determine what happens, especially in a group, organization, or situation

idiom C2 informal • synonyms: speak plainly, be blunt, tell it like it is • call a spade a spade about something; always call a spade a spade; admire someone for calling a spade a spade • freq in AmE: 6/10

to speak plainly and directly about something, even if it’s unpleasant or controversial; to name things as they are without euphemism or avoidance

idiom C2 with pace noun [U ] B2 • synonyms: keep up with, match, stay aligned with • keep pace with change/growth/trends/technology; struggle to keep pace; policies must keep pace • freq in AmE: 7/10

to move, develop, or progress at the same rate as something else; to stay up to date or competitive in response to change, growth, or innovation

idiom C2 • synonyms: move deeply, play on emotions, evoke sympathy • to tug at heartstrings sincerely or manipulatively • freq in AmE: 6/10

to evoke strong emotional reactions such as sympathy, tenderness, or sadness — either sincerely, as in deeply moving moments, or strategically, to influence or manipulate someone’s feelings for personal gain

idiom C1 • synonyms: spread, reverberate, cascade • policy/event ripples through the economy; ripple effects across sectors • freq in AmE: 5/10

to spread gradually or indirectly across different sectors or regions of the economy, often as a consequence of a specific event, policy, or shock

idiom C1 mainly UK • synonyms: struggle financially, tighten the belt, feel economic pressure • feel the pinch from inflation/loss of income • freq in AmE: 6/10

to experience financial strain or difficulty, especially due to reduced income, rising costs, or tighter budgets — often felt in everyday life

idiom • C2 formal • synonyms: contradict, conflict with, diverge from • at variance with facts/values/opinions • freq in AmE: 5/10

to be in disagreement, conflict, or contradiction with someone or something; to differ significantly in opinion, behavior, or outcome

idiom • C2 figurative • synonyms: lose objectivity, be clouded by prejudice, distort judgment • blinded by bias/emotion/politics; remain blinded by bias • freq in AmE: 5/10

to be unable to see or assess something objectively due to personal prejudice, assumptions, or emotional investment; to let bias distort perception or judgment

idiom • C1 figurative • synonyms: fall short, fail, misfire, be off-target • miss the mark emotionally/strategically; attempt/message misses the mark • freq in AmE: 6/10

to fail to achieve the intended result, goal, or effect; to be inaccurate, ineffective, or off-target in action, judgment, or communication

phrase • C2 formal-neutral (also for the foreseeable future) • synonyms: soon, within reach, predictably, in coming months/years • in the foreseeable future; unlikely/expected in the foreseeable future • freq in AmE: 7/10

within a time frame that can reasonably be predicted or anticipated; used to refer to events or conditions expected to continue or occur soon, though without a fixed date