Phrases & Expressions 21

idiom C2 • synonyms: unacceptable, outrageous, indecent • beyond the pale behavior/remark/action; morally/socially beyond the pale; beyond the pale of decency/reason • freq in AmE: 4/10

outside the bounds of acceptable behavior, morality, or social norms; considered shocking, offensive, or unacceptable

idiom C2 • synonyms: claim moral superiority, act righteously • take/maintain/lose the moral high ground; moral high ground in debate/politics/conflict; stand on moral high ground • freq in AmE: 5/10

to adopt a position of ethical superiority, especially in a conflict or debate; to act or speak in a way that emphasizes one’s own moral integrity, often to contrast with others’ questionable behavior

idiom B2 • do the right thing despite pressure/fear; strive/want to do the right thing; doing the right thing vs what’s easy/profitable; do the right thing and speak out/take action/apologize • freq in AmE: 8/10

to act in a morally correct or responsible way, especially when faced with a difficult choice; to follow one’s conscience or ethical principles

idiom C1 • synonyms: forward-thinking, proactive, innovative • stay/be/remain/keep ahead of the curve; stay ahead of the curve in adopting tech/predicting change; ahead of the curve on trends/innovation/regulation/sustainability • freq in AmE: 6/10

more advanced, innovative, or proactive than others — especially in anticipating trends, adopting new ideas, or outperforming competitors

idiom C1 • synonyms: outdated, reactive, slow to adapt, behind the times • fall/be/remain behind the curve in adopting tech/regulation; risk being behind the curve • freq in AmE: 6/10

less advanced, slower to respond, or less informed than others — especially in adapting to change, recognizing trends, or implementing innovations

idiom C2 • synonyms: be at stake, be in jeopardy • your job/reputation/life is on the line; everything/all we’ve built is on the line; be on the line emotionally/financially; put something on the line; what’s on the line is... • freq in AmE: 6/10

to be at risk of loss, harm, or failure; to be in a situation where something important is threatened or exposed to danger

idiom C2 • rule with an iron fist/grip/hand; leader/regime/manager rules with an iron fist; iron-fisted control/discipline; contrast: rule with a velvet glove • freq in AmE: 5/10

to govern or control in a very strict, harsh, and authoritarian way; to exercise power with little tolerance for dissent or opposition

idiom • informal, exclamatory • synonyms: holy cow, holy moly • freq in AmE: 7/10

used to express surprise, shock, disbelief, excitement, or amazement — often in reaction to something unexpected or intense

idiom • informal exclamatory • synonyms: holy moly, wow, oh my gosh • freq in AmE: 6/10

used to express surprise, amazement, disbelief, or excitement — often in a lighthearted or playful way

idiom informal (vulgar) • synonyms: holy crap, holy hell, damn • freq in AmE: 8/10

used to express intense surprise, shock, disbelief, or excitement — often in reaction to something extreme, unexpected, or overwhelming

idiom • B2 • synonyms: be kind-hearted, compassionate • have a heart of gold; someone with a heart of gold; show/reveal/prove heart of gold • freq in AmE: 7/10

to be very kind, generous, and caring; to possess a deeply good and compassionate nature, often expressed through selfless actions or emotional warmth

idiom C1 US informal • synonyms: talk nonsense, lie, exaggerate • talk total/constant crap; talk crap about someone; stop/believe/ignore crap; talk crap to impress/manipulate; sound like crap • freq in AmE: 6/10

to say things that are foolish, dishonest, exaggerated, or meaningless; often used to express disbelief, irritation, or contempt toward someone’s speech

idiom (informal) C2 • synonyms: resentful, embittered, disillusioned, spiteful, hardened • become/get/stay bitter and twisted • freq in AmE: 6/10 (BrE: 9/10)

feeling angry, resentful, or full of bitterness, especially because of disappointment, failure, or past hurt

idiom [C ] B2 informal • synonyms: key point, essence, bottom line • speed/profit/survival is the name of the game; in politics/business/sports that’s the name of the game • freq in AmE: 7/10

the most important aspect, goal, or principle of a situation or activity; what really matters or drives success

idiom [C ] C1 informal • synonyms: fresh perspective, new approach • from a new angle; find/offer/explore/need a new angle; new angle on story/problem/topic; bring a new angle to debate/campaign; angle that shifts tone/perception • freq in AmE: 7/10

a fresh or different perspective, approach, or way of thinking about a topic, problem, or situation — often used in journalism, storytelling, negotiation, or creative work

idiom [informal ] C1 US slang • synonyms: galore, overflowing, excessively • have sth out/up the wazoo; problems/talent/paperwork/fees out the wazoo; humor/frustration up the wazoo; packed/loaded out the wazoo • freq in AmE: 6/10

in extremely large quantities; to an excessive or overwhelming degree — often humorous or exaggerated

verb phrase • C1 (also carry the mark(s) of something) • bear the marks of trauma/history/genius; bear the mark of experience/origin; emotionally/physically bear the marks; still bears the marks of time/event • freq in AmE: 5/10

to show visible or symbolic signs of something, especially past experiences, influences, or characteristics; to carry evidence of a cause, origin, or impact

idiom [C1 ] • synonyms: stretch your neck, peer, lean forward • crane your neck to see/look/watch; crane your neck over/around/out; crowd craning their necks • freq in AmE: 5/10

to stretch your neck forward or upward in order to see something more clearly, especially when visibility is limited

idiom B2 informal (also off the beaten track) • synonyms: remote, hidden, unconventional • travel/live/think off the beaten path • freq in AmE: 6/10

in a place or direction that is not commonly visited, known, or chosen; away from mainstream routes, trends, or expectations

collocation with off the beaten path idiom B2 informal (also off the beaten track) • synonyms: explore hidden places, go off-grid • travel off the beaten path to discover/connect/avoid • freq in AmE: 6/10

to explore places that are not commonly visited by tourists; to choose unconventional or less popular travel routes and experiences

expression B2 informal • synonym: I'll do it in my own way • stubbornly/confidently say "I'll do it my way" • decide to do it your way; insist on doing it your way • freq in AmE: 7/10

used to say that you will do something according to your own ideas, style, or preferences, not as others suggest

idiom [C1 ] formal • synonyms: in order to, aiming to, intending to, for the purpose of • with a view to improving/reducing/achieving; with a view to reforming/streamlining/resolving; steps taken with a view to future success/growth/compliance

with the intention or aim of achieving something in the future — often used to describe purposeful actions taken in preparation for a desired outcome

idiom C1 • synonyms: in the context of, amid, during • against a backdrop of war/crisis/protests; events unfold against a backdrop of tension/change; reforms/elections occur against a backdrop of instability

in the context of a particular situation or set of circumstances, especially one that influences or contrasts with the main event or action

idiom C1 US (UK in the light of sth) • synonyms: considering, given, in view of • in light of recent events/evidence/findings; revise/reconsider in light of something; decision/reaction made in light of risks/facts/circumstances

considering or taking into account a particular fact, situation, or piece of information; often used to explain or justify a decision, reaction, or interpretation

idiom C1 • synonyms: honor, pamper, welcome lavishly • roll out the red carpet for guests/VIPs/investors; red-carpet treatment/welcome; metaphor: roll out the red carpet for trouble or drama

to give someone special treatment, often with great ceremony or attention, as if they were a celebrity or VIP

idiom C2 • be/take/remain at the helm; at the helm of a company/government/movement; new CEO at the helm

(IN CHARGE) in a position of leadership or control, especially of an organization, project, or government

idiom C1 • synonyms: take over, carry on, assume responsibility, continue the work • take up the baton of leadership/tradition; take up the baton from a predecessor

(CONTINUE LEADERSHIP) to accept responsibility for continuing a task, role, or leadership position from someone else — often implying succession, continuity, or legacy

idiom C2 • synonyms: believe without proof, accept blindly • take something on faith/alone/blindly; take someone’s word/promise on faith; be asked to/choose to take it on faith; take it on faith that...

to accept something as true or trustworthy without proof, evidence, or personal verification

idiom B2 • synonyms: recover, move on, let go • get over a breakup/failure/trauma; hard to get over; finally/never get over it; just get over it (dismissive); help someone get over something

to accept an unpleasant fact or situation after dealing with it for a while

idiom B2 • synonyms: be stunned, dwell on, obsess • can’t/couldn’t get over the fact; get over how + adj; still/never get over it; emotionally unable to get over something

to be extremely surprised, shocked, or emotionally affected by something; to find it hard to accept or stop thinking about it

idiom C1 • synonyms: conform, obey, comply • toe the party/corporate line; expected/pressured to toe the line; refuse to toe the line; toe the line or face consequences; toe the line at work/in public

to conform to rules, expectations, or authority — especially when compliance is expected without question or when deviation may lead to consequences

idiom C1 • synonyms: have surgery, get operated on • go under the knife for cosmetic/life-saving surgery; decide/need to go under the knife; go under the knife and recover/face complications; athletes go under the knife

to have surgery; to undergo a medical operation — often used informally, sometimes with emotional or dramatic undertones

idiom B2–C1 • synonyms: get it done, bring it about • make it happen through effort/teamwork; decide/promote to make it happen; make it happen despite setbacks; make it happen and succeed/inspire

to take action to ensure that something is accomplished or becomes reality — often used to express determination, initiative, or encouragement

idiom C2 emotional acceptance • synonyms: accept, reconcile, make peace • come to terms with loss/change/reality; struggle to/finally come to terms; help someone come to terms; come to terms with being/having/knowing

to accept a difficult or unpleasant situation, especially after struggling with it emotionally or mentally

idiom B2 • synonyms: improve, enhance, visibly affect • make a noticeable/visible/clear difference to/in something; really make a noticeable difference • freq in AmE: 8/10

to cause a clear, perceptible change in a situation, condition, or outcome; to improve or influence something in a way that is easily observed or felt

idiom B2/C1 • synonyms: deeply affect, substantially improve, have major impact • make a significant/major/real difference to/in something; really make a significant difference • freq in AmE: 7/10

to cause a major, meaningful, or impactful change in a situation, condition, or outcome; to influence something in a way that is important and substantial

idiom B2 • synonyms: strongly affect, improve, help • make a big/huge/real difference to/in something; really make a big difference • freq in AmE: 9/10

to cause a major, noticeable, or meaningful change in a situation, condition, or outcome; to have a strong positive impact