Lesson 8

Be about to..... turn around…. take turns….. pay attention (to)….. brush up on…. over and over (again)….. wear out….. throw away….. fall in love….. go out….. out of the question….. have to do with…..
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To be about to: to be at the moment of doing something, to be ready
This idiom is often used with the adverb just.
Ø I was just about to leave when you telephoned.
Ø Oh, hi, John. We’re just about to eat dinner.
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To turn around: to move or face in the opposite direction (S), to completely change the condition of (S)
Ø The man turned his car around and drove back the way he came.
Ø The company has been very successful since the new business manager was able to turn it around.
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To take turns: to alternate, to change people while doing something.
Ø During the trip, Darlene and I took turns driving so that neither of us would tire out.
Ø I have to make sure that my two sons take turns playing the video game.
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To pay attention (to): to look at and listen to someone while they are speaking, to concentrate
Ø Please pay attention to me while I’m speaking to you!
Ø You’ll have to pay more attention in class if you want to get a good grade.
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To brush up on: to review something in order to refresh one’s memory.
Ø Before I traveled to Mexico, I brushed up on my Spanish; I haven’t practiced it since high school.
Ø In order to take that advanced mathematics class, Sidney will have to brush up on his algebra.
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Over and over (again): repeatedly (also: time after time, time and again)
Ø The actress studied her lines in the movie over and over until she knew them well.
Ø Children have difficulty remembering rules, so it’s often necessary to repeat them over and over again.
Ø Time and again I have to remind Bobby to put on his seatbelt in the car.
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To wear out: to use something until it has no value or worth anymore, to make useless through wear (S)
Ø When I wear out these shoes, I’ll have to buy some that last longer.
Ø What do you do with your clothes after you wear them out?
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To throw away: to discard, to dispose of (S)
Ø I generally throw away my clothes when I wear them out.
Ø Don’t throw the magazines away, I haven’t read them yet.
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To fall in love: to begin to love
This idiom is used with the expression at first sight to indicate a sudden interest in love.
Ø Ben and Sal fell in love in high school, and got married after graduation.
Ø Have you ever fallen in love at first sight?
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To go out: to stop functioning, to stop burning, to leave home or work (also: to step out)
Ø The lights went out all over the city because of an electrical problem.
Ø The campers didn’t have to put out the fire because it went out by itself.
Ø Gary isn’t here right now; he went out to the store for a moment.
Ø I have to step out of the office briefly to pick up a newspaper.
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Out of the question: impossible, not feasible
Ø Stephen told Deborah that it was out of the question for her to borrow his new car.
Ø Don’t expect me to do that again. It’s absolutely out of the question.
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To have to do with: to have some connection with or relationship to
Ø Ralph insisted that he had nothing to do with breaking the window.
Ø What does your suggestion have to do with our problem?
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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.
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1. Don’t discard those old cardboard boxes; Jim can use them for packing his
things when he moves to a new apartment.
a. put away (lesson 4)
b. throw away
c. wear out
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2. If you had concentrated on what I said, I wouldn’t have to repeat myself.
a. paid attention to
b. had to do with
c. turned around
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3. I plan to stay in school temporarily and take more coursework.
a. out of the question
b. over and over again
c. for the time being (lesson 5)
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4. How do our children make their pants useless in such a short time?
a. take turns
b. dress up (lesson 2)
c. wear out
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5. Before George takes a college-level biology class, he should review his biology
from high school.
a. brush up on
b. look over (lesson 6)
c. be about to
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6. I liked that movie so much that I could watch it repeatedly.
a. out of the question
b. taking turns
c. over and over again
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7. Betty can’t understand why she’s having trouble with the engine of her car.
a. turn around
b. figure out (lesson 7)
c. step out
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8. This message from Tom plans for the party tonight...
a. is out of the question
b. doesn’t fall in love with
c. has nothing to do with
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9. Sally was ready to take a shower when the phone rang, so she answered it.
a. was about to
b. took turns to
c. had better (lesson 7)
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10. I’m tired of working, let’s leave home for a while and shop for groceries.
a. turn around
b. go out
c. call it a day (lesson 7)
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Fill in each blank with the appropriate form of an idiomatic expression from this unit only.
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Lee: Jan, you’ve _______________ these shoes completely. Why do you keep
them?
Jan: Don’t ask me again, Lee! I’ve told you _____________ they are my favorite
pair.
Lee: I know, I know. Every time we ____________ somewhere, you wear them.
Jan: It’s terrible, isn’t it? I know that I should __________ such bad-looking shoes,
but they’re so comfortable, I can’t!
Lee: What if I said that I would buy a new pair for you – would you discard them
then?
Jan: That’s completely _____________! This situation doesn’t __________
money, it’s connected to my feeling for the shoes.
Lee: Feeling for the shoes! Is it possible that you have ______________ with
them?
Jan: Yes, I guess I love them more than I love you!