on duty- to be at work, to be currently doing one's work There was nobody on duty when we arrived at the swimming pool.. on one's best behavior - being as polite as possible The little b
Trang 1on board
- to be on a ship/plane or similar form of transportation
We got on board the airplane just before they closed the doors
on call
- to be available to be called to go to work
His job is to repair computers and he is always on call
on campus
- to be on the grounds of a college or university
We often go to a small coffee shop on campus after our classes
on cloud nine
- to be very happy
She has been on cloud nine since she decided to get married last month
on consignment
- being sold in a store by someone who still owns the goods
We went to the store to buy some baby furniture that was on consignment
on credit
- to be purchased by using credit
I purchased the stereo on credit
on deck
- to be on the deck of a boat or a ship
When we were on the ship we spent most of the time on deck
Trang 2on duty
- to be at work, to be currently doing one's work
There was nobody on duty when we arrived at the swimming pool
to be on easy street
- to have enough money to live comfortably
He has been on easy street since he sold his house and invested the money
on edge
- to be nervous or irritable
He has been on edge lately because of his exams
on end
- seemingly endless
My uncle works for hours on end at his hobbies
on faith
- without question or proof
I took it on faith that my friend would help me when I had extra work to do
on fire
- to be burning, being burned with flames
The small house was on fire when the fire truck arrived
on foot
- by walking
We decided to go downtown on foot
Trang 3on good terms with (someone)
- to be friendly with someone
We have always been on good terms with our neighbors
on guard
- to be careful/wary
He has been on guard since he was robbed last month
on hand
- to be available
I am sorry but I do not have any aspirin on hand at the moment
on hand
- to be nearby, to be within reach
"Please keep your dictionary on hand in case you need to use it."
on hand
- to be present
The speaker will be on hand after the lecture if you have any questions that you want
to ask her
on hold
- to be waiting, to be temporarily halted
The construction of the building is on hold while the city engineers finish their
inspection
Trang 4on hold
- to be left waiting on a telephone line
I phoned the bank but I was quickly put on hold
on horseback
- to be on the back of a horse
We went up to the campground on horseback
on ice
- to be away for safekeeping or later use, to be postponed
The city have put the plans for the new stadium on ice while they try to raise more money
on impulse
- something that is done without planning
I bought the DVD player on impulse
on land
- on the land, on the soil, not at sea
The old sailor was never very comfortable when he was on land
on line
- connected to a remote computer
The editor is able to do most of his work on line
on location
- a movie being filmed in a location away from the movie studio
The movie was filmed on location in the mountains
Trang 5on medication
- taking medicine for a current medical problem
The woman has been on medication for many years
on no account
- for no reason, absolutely not
On no account am I going to let my friend borrow my laptop computer
on occasion
- occasionally
We go to my favorite restaurant on occasion
on one's best behavior
- being as polite as possible
The little boy was on his best behavior when he went to the meeting with his teacher
on one's chest
- worrisome thoughts or feelings that one might need to share with someone else
I had a long talk with my friend last night because I had many problems on my chest
on one's coat-tails
- as a result of someone else doing something
The mayor was elected on the coat-tails of his brother who is a famous actor
on one's feet
- recovering from sickness or trouble
I was sick for a couple of weeks but now I am on my feet again
Trang 6on one's feet
- standing up
Everybody in the audience was on their feet when the singer walked onto the stage
on one's guard
- to be cautious/watchful
I was on my guard when I went into the meeting with my boss
on/upon one`s head
- to be one`s own responsibility
He himself brought the anger on his head and should not try and blame someone else
on one`s high horse
- to be acting as if one is better than others, to be very proud and scornful
He is always on his high horse and never thinks about other people
on one's honor
- with honesty and sincerity
I am on my honor when I look after the money of our club
on one's mind
- currently being thought about
The incident at school was on my mind all week
on one's own
- by oneself
The young girl has been on her own since she finished high school
Trang 7on one's own time
- not while one is at work
The company told the employees that they must make their personal phone calls on their own time
on one's person
- carried with one
The criminal had a knife on his person when he was arrested
on one`s shoulders
- one`s responsibility
"Please don`t try to put the failure of your business on my shoulders."
on one`s toes
- to be alert
The teacher asks the students many questions to keep them on their toes
on order
- ordered with the delivery expected at some future date
The store has several computer printers on order
on par with (someone or something)
- to be equal to someone or something
The new French restaurant is on par with the best restaurants in Paris
on pins and needles
- to be excited/nervous
Her daughter has been on pins and needles all day waiting for the contest to begin
Trang 8on probation
- to be serving a period of probation, to be serving a trial period
The new employee was on probation for several months before he became a regular member of the staff
on purpose
- intentionally
I think that the woman spilled her drink on purpose
on sale
- to be offered for sale at a special low price
The small television set was on sale so we decided to buy it
on schedule
- to be at the expected or desired time
The train arrived on schedule and we found our friend easily
on second thought
- after having reconsidered something
On second thought I do not think that I will go to a movie tomorrow
on shaky ground
- to be unstable, to be not secure
His position at the company has been on shaky ground for a long time
on (someone's) account
- because of someone
We went to the children's festival on our daughter's account
Trang 9on (someone`s) back/case
- making demands or criticizing someone, being an annoyance or bother to someone
My boss has been on my back all week trying to get me to finish my monthly report
on (someone's) behalf
- acting as someone's agent, acting for the benefit of someone
I was able to sign for the registered letter on my wife's behalf
on (someone's) doorstep
- in someone's care, as someone's responsibility
The responsibility for feeding the extra staff suddenly arrived on my doorstep
on (someone's) head
- on someone's own self (often used with blame)
The responsibility for fixing the computer was again on my head
on (someone or something's) last legs
- to be almost worn out or finished
My computer is on its last legs and soon I will have to buy another one
on (someone's) say-so
- with someone's permission or authority
I was able to ask for a new stove on the apartment manager's say-so
on (someone's) shoulders
- to be someone's responsibility
The responsibility for organizing the office is always on my shoulders
Trang 10on speaking terms with (someone)
- on friendly terms with someone
My mother is not on speaking terms with her older sister
on standby
- to be waiting for a seat/ticket to become available on a train/plane/bus
We decided to fly to visit my parents on standby
on target
- to be on schedule, to be exactly as predicted
Our company is on target to have its best year of sales ever
on the air
- being broadcast on radio or TV
That television program has been on the air for three years now
on the alert (for someone or something)
- to be watchful and attentive for someone or something
The police are on the alert for the man who robbed the small store
on the average
- generally, usually
On the average I get about eight hours of sleep every night
on the ball
- to be intelligent, to be able to do things well
He is on the ball and can usually get his work done quickly