Lesson 20

Hold still… know by sight… be the matter… bring up…. get lost… hold up…. run away…. rule out… by far….. see off…. see out…. no wonder.
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To hold still: not to move (S)
Ø Please hold still while I adjust your tie.
Ø If you don’t hold that camera still, you’ll get a blurred picture.
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To know by sight: to recognize (S)
This idiom is used when the person has been seen previously but is not know personally. The person must be used to separate the idiom.
Ø I have never met our new neighbors; I simply know them by sight.
Ø The woman said that she would know the thief by sight if she ever saw him again.
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To be the matter: to be unsatisfactory, to be improper, to be wrong
In a question, this idiom is used with what or something. In an answer, something or nothing is usually used.
Ø A: What is the matter, Betty? You look very upset.
Ø B: Yes, something is the matter. I’ve lost my purse!
Ø A: Is something the matter, Charles? You don’t look well.
Ø B: No, nothing is the matter. I’m just a little under the weather.
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To bring up: to rear, to raise from childhood (S), to mention, to raise an issue, to introduce a topic (S)
Ø Parents should bring up their children to be responsible members of society.
Ø Sarah wanted to bring the scheduling problem up at the club meeting, but finally she decided against doing so.
Ø One of the students brought up an interesting point related to the subject in our textbook.
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To get lost: to become lost, to go away in order not to bother.
The second definition provides a very informal, even rude, meaning that should be used only with close friends. It is sometimes used in a joking manner.
Ø While driving in Boston, we got lost and drove many miles in the wrong direction.
Ø Todd kept bothering me while I was studying, so I told him to get lost.
Ø Lisa joked that she wanted her sister to get lost forever.
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To hold up: to delay, to make late (S), to remain high in quality
Ø A big accident held up traffic on the highway for several hours.
Ø Deidre is amazed at how well her car has held up over the years.
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To run away: to leave without permission, to escape
Ø The young couple ran away and got married because their parents wouldn’t permit it.
Ø That cat is just like a criminal – it runs away from anyone who tries to come near!
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To rule out: to refuse to consider, to prohibit (S)
Ø Heather ruled out applying to college in Texas because she would rather go to school in Canada.
Ø I’d like to watch a good movie on TV tonight, but a ton of homework rules that out.
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By far: by a great margin, clearly
Ø Jacquie is by far the most intelligent student in our class.
Ø This is by far the hottest, most humid summer we’ve had in years.
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To see of: to say good-bye upon departure by train, airplane, bus, etc. (also: to send off) (S)
A noun or pronoun must divide the idiom.
Ø We are going to the airport to see Peter off on his trip to Europe.
Ø When I left for Cincinnati on a business trip, no one came to the train station to send me off.
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To see out: to accompany a person out of a house, building, etc. (S)
A noun or pronoun must again divide the idiom.
Ø The Johnsons were certain to see their guests out as each one left the party.
Ø Would you please see me out to the car? It’s very dark outside.
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No wonder: it‘s no surprise that, not surprisingly
This idiom derives from reducing it is no wonder that…
Ø No wonder the portable heater doesn’t work. It’s not plugged into the electrical outlet!
Ø Jack has been out of town for several weeks. No wonder we haven’t seen him recently.
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E X E R C I S E S
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Choose the appropriate idiomatic expression to substitute for the italicized word or words in each sentence below. Idioms from previous lessons are indicated by number.
1. This new typewriter isn’t remaining high in quality as well as the typewriter that I
had for over twenty years.
a. holding still
b. bringing up
c. holding up
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2. When Tim’s roommate asked to borrow Tim’s car for the whole weekend, Tim
responded jokingly by saying, “Go away!”
a. Get lost
b. Rule out
c. Never mind (lesson 2)
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3. The Simpson children were raised on a farm, so they have an appreciation of
nature that most children don’t have.
a. put up (lesson 19)
b. brought up
c. known by sight
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4. Would you like Alex to accompany you outside to your car?
a. to see you off
b. to see you out
c. to see you about (lesson 10)
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5. This is the best meal I’ve ever had in this restaurant by a great margin.
a. by far
b. little by little (lesson 2)
c. by myself (lesson 3)
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6. The company president refused to consider the participation of the middle
managers in future business negotiations.
a. brought up
b. ruled out
c. was the matter
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7. It’s no surprise that the water is cold. No one turned on the stove!
a. No matter (lesson 15)
b. Nothing is the matter
c. No wonder
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8. I’m sorry I’m late. I was delayed by heavy traffic.
a. taken hold of (lesson 11)
b. held up
c. held still
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9. The new flight attendant hesitated to raise the issue of overtime pay with the
union representative.
a. to bring up
b. to be the matter of
c. to be in charge of (lesson 9)
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10. Occasionally Mary enjoys driving up to the mountains and camping by herself.
a. Over and over again (lesson 8)
b. Every now and then (lesson 10)
c. Once in a blue moon (lesson 13)
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Answer these questions orally by making use of the idiomatic expressions studied in this lesson.
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1. Give an example of when you would have to hold still.
2. Why might you choose to introduce yourself to someone that you know only by sight?
3. Where were you brought up? Did your parents bring you up well?
4. Are there any topics that you would never bring up with your parents? Can you mention any of them?
5. Have you ever gotten seriously lost? What happened?
6. Could you ever tell someone to get lost? Why or why not?
7. Which countries manufacture products that generally hold up well?
8. What kind of job would you definitely rule out for yourself? Why?
9. When was the last time that someone saw you off?
10. Why would you offer to see someone out of your house or apartment?