Commonly used english part 95 pdf

turn something to good account- to make good use of a situation/experience We were able to turn our experience with the income tax office to good account when we began to look at our bus

turn (something) to good account

- to make good use of a situation/experience

We were able to turn our experience with the income tax office to good account when

we began to look at our business practices

turn (something) to one's advantage

- to make an advantage for oneself out of something

The man was able to turn his previous job experience to his advantage in his new job

turn tail

- to run away from trouble or danger

The young boys turned tail when the farmer began to chase them from the field

turn the clock back

- to return to an earlier period

The politician wanted to turn the clock back to an earlier time but everyone knew it was impossible

turn the heat up on (someone)

- to increase the pressure on someone to do something

The police are turning the heat up on the members of the criminal gang

turn the other cheek

- to let someone do something to you and not try to get revenge or become angry The man decided to turn the other cheek when someone tried to start a fight with him

in the restaurant

turn the tables on (someone)

- to reverse the situation for someone

The opposing team was able to turn the tables and win the game

turn the tide

- to change what looks like defeat into victory

At the beginning of the game we were losing badly but we turned the tide and won the game

turn the trick

- to bring about the result that one wants, to succeed in what one plans to do

"That will turn the trick," I said as my friend found the correct tool to fix the kitchen sink

turn thumbs down on (someone or something)

- to disapprove or reject someone or something, to say no to someone or something

My supervisor turned thumb downs on my plan to have a more flexible schedule

turn to (someone or something)

- to go to someone or something for help

We turned to my wife`s parents for advice about buying a house

turn up

- to appear suddenly

The girls turned up when the party was almost over

turn up

- to be found, to be discovered

My wallet turned up in my jacket exactly where I had left it

turn up one`s nose at (something)

- to refuse something because it is not good enough

My friend turned up his nose at the job offer in another department of his company

.

twiddle one`s thumbs

- to not be busy, to not be working

We twiddled our thumbs all morning and did not get any work done

twist (someone`s) arm

- to force or threaten someone to make them do something

My friend did not have to twist my arm to get me to go to the movie I wanted to go anyway

twist (someone) around one`s (little) finger

- to have complete control over someone and be able to make them do anything that you want

The woman is able to twist her supervisor around her little finger and she gets

whatever she wants at work

twist (someone's) words around

- to restate someone's words inaccurately when quoting him or her

The supervisor twisted my words around when he repeated my complaint to the manager

two bits

- twenty-five cents, a quarter of a dollar

I bought several used books for two bits each

two bricks shy of a load

- someone who is not very smart or clever

The young man is two bricks shy of a load and is very hard to work with

two cents

- something not important, something very small

Although my friend's stereo works well I would not give him two cents for it

two cents worth

- an opinion (that is not asked for)

My friend is always talking and I never have a chance to put in my two cents worth

two-faced

- disloyal, untrustworthy

I think that our supervisor is two-faced and cannot be trusted

two-time (someone)

- to cheat or betray one's spouse or partner by dating someone else

The woman in the movie was two-timing her husband

U

ugly duckling

- an ugly or plain child who grows up to be attractive

She was an ugly duckling when she was a child but now she is very beautiful

unaccustomed to (someone or something)

- not used to someone or something

The man was unaccustomed to waking up early in the morning

under Idioms

under a cloud

- depressed, sad

She has been under a cloud of depression since her cat died

under a cloud (of suspicion)

- not trusted, suspected of doing something wrong

The politician has been under a cloud of suspicion over the possibility of taking bribes

under arrest

- arrested by the police before being charged with a crime

The three men were under arrest for robbing a bank

under certain circumstances/conditions

- depending on or influenced by something

Under certain circumstances the children were permitted to use the indoor stadium for

under (close) scrutiny

- being watched or examined closely

The business owner was under close scrutiny after the accounting scandal

under construction

- being built or repaired

The hotel was still under construction, two years after it began

under control

- not out of control, manageable

The fire was under control after the fire department arrived

under cover

- hidden, concealed

The police officer went under cover to look for the drug dealers

under fire

- being shot at or attacked, under (verbal) attack

The owner of the company is under fire for not paying his employees a fair salary

under oath

- having taken an oath (solemn promise)

The man was under oath when he spoke before the judge

under one`s belt

- in one`s experience, memory or possession

When he has more experience as a cook under his belt he will begin to look for a job

under one`s belt

- in one`s stomach

After he had a big breakfast under his belt he was ready for work

under one`s breath

- in a whisper, with a low voice

He was talking under his breath in the movie theater and somebody complained

under one`s nose

- within sight of someone, easily seen or found

He found his driver`s license right under his nose where he had left it

under one`s own steam

- by one`s own efforts, without help

He was able to go home under his own steam even though he was feeling very sick

under one`s thumb

- obedient to someone, controlled by someone

He is only an assistant salesman but he has his boss under his thumb

under one`s wing

- under the care or protection of (someone)

He took the new employee under his wing to help him in the new job

under pressure

- experiencing something that causes stress or anxiety

The boy's father is always under pressure at work

under the circumstances

- because of the circumstances

The girl was very sick and under the circumstances did not have to take the exam

under the counter

under the hammer

- up for sale at an auction

The painting went under the hammer and sold for a very high price

under the influence of (something)

- experiencing the effects of alcohol/drugs/a controlling power or person

The driver was under the influence of alcohol when he hit the young child

under the sun

- anywhere on earth at all, everywhere

We looked for my wallet everywhere under the sun

under the table

- in secret and usually illegal

He paid some money under the table in order to get his product imported into the country

under the weather

- feel ill (but not seriously ill)

He is feeling under the weather so he is going to bed early tonight

under the wire

- just barely in time or on time

We were able to send in our payment for the school fees just under the wire

under wraps

- not allowed to be seen until the right time, in secrecy

The new car was still under wraps when the car show started

unearthly hour

- absurdly early or inconvenient

We got up at an unearthly hour this morning so we could get ready to go camping

unfamiliar territory

- an area of knowledge unknown to the speaker

Trying to pilot an airplane was unfamiliar territory for the flight attendant

unknown quantity

- a person or thing which nobody knows much about

The new mayor was an unknown quantity and nobody knew what to expect

until all hours (of the day or night)

- until very late

We stayed up until all hours playing cards

until hell freezes over

- forever

He said that he would not talk to his girlfriend again until hell freezes over

until the cows come home

- until very late

It is my birthday today so I plan to stay out and party until the cows come home

up Idioms

up a blind alley

- on a route that leads nowhere, at a dead end

The police were up a blind alley in their search for evidence of the crime

up against

- having trouble with