Lesson 5

Look out.. shake hands... get back…. catch cold….get over….. make up one’s mind…. change one’s mind…. for the time being…. for good…. call of…. put off… in a hurry
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To look out: to be careful or cautious (also: to watch out)
Both of these idioms can occur with the preposition for.
Ø “Look out!” Jeffrey cried as his friend almost stepped in a big hole in the ground.
Ø Look out for reckless drivers whenever you cross the street.
Ø Small children should always watch out for strangers offering candy.
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To shake hands: to exchange greetings by clasping hands
Ø When people meet for the first time, they usually shake hands.
Ø The student warmly shook hands with his old professor.
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To get back: to return (S)
Ø Mr. Harris got back from his business trip to Chicago this morning.
Ø Could you get the children back home by five o’clock?
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To catch cold: to become sick with a cold of the nose or throat.
Ø If you go out in this rain, you will surely catch a cold.
Ø How did she ever catch cold in such warm weather?
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To get over: to recover from an illness, to accept a loss or sorrow
Ø It took me over a month to get over my cold, but I’m finally well now.
Ø It seems that Mr. Mason will never get over the death of his wife.
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To make up one’s mind: to reach a decision, to decide finally
Ø Sally is considering several colleges to attend, but she hasn’t made up her mind yet.
Ø When are you going to make up your mind about your vacation plans?
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To change one’s mind: to alter one’s decision or opinion
Ø We have changed our minds and are going to Canada instead of California this summer.
Ø Matthew has changed his mind several times about buying a new car.
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For the time being: temporarily (also: for now)
Ø For the time being, Janet is working as a waitress, but she really hopes to become an actress soon.
Ø We’re living in an apartment for now, but soon we’ll be looking for a house to buy.
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For good: permanently, forever
Ø Ruth has returned to Canada for good. She won’t ever live in the United States again.
Ø Are you finished with school for good, or will you continue your studies some day?
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To call off: to cancel (S)
Ø The referee called off the soccer game because of the darkness.
Ø The president called the meeting off because she had to leave town.
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To put off: to postpone (S)
Ø Many students put off doing their assignments until the last minute.
Ø Let’s put the party off until next weekend, okay?
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In a hurry: hurried, rushed (also: in a rush)
Ø Alex seems in a hurry, he must be late for his train again.
Ø She’s always in a rush in the morning to get the kids to school.
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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. Will you return in time for dinner or will you be home late tonight?
a. put off
b. get back
c. take place (lesson 4)
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2. It took me a long time to recover from the sadness of losing my girlfriend.
a. to get over
b. to look out
c. to change my mind
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3. Do you think it’s too early to telephone Cindy this morning?
a. to call off
b. to call on (lesson 2)
c. to call up (lesson 1)
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4. James dislikes his smoking habit so much that he wants to quit forever.
a. for the time being
b. for good
c. in a hurry
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5. At the last moment, Judy altered her decision about getting married so quickly.
a. changed her mind
b. made up her mind
c. never mind (lesson 2)
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6. Judy wanted to postpone the wedding for another two or three months.
a. to call off
b. to put off
c. to turn off (lesson 1)
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7. I’d like you to remove those toys from sight before they get broken.
a. to put away
b. to take out
c. to look out
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8. If you don’t wear a sweater in this cold weather, you’ll become sick.
a. get over
b. catch cold
c. tire out (lesson 2)
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9. I still have a lot of work to do, but I feel like stopping temporarily.
a. in a hurry
b. to shake hands
c. for now
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10. If you don’t be careful, you’ll cut your hands on that sharp knife.
a. look up (lesson 4)
b. watch out
c. make up your mind
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Fill in each blank with the appropriate form of an idiomatic expression from this unit only.
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Todd: Mark! I was wondering when you would________________ home!
Mark: Hi, Todd. I’m sorry, but I had a late meeting today.
Todd: Usually you leave a note in the morning when you’ll be late.
Mark: I know, but I had to leave________________ to catch the bus to work. I
almost missed it.
Todd: Say, what do you think? Should I go to a movie tonight with Sheila and Dick,
or shouldn’t I? I need to _______________ soon.
Mark: What do you mean? You haven’t _____________ your cold yet, have you?
Todd: No, I haven’t, but I feel much better.
Mark: I think that you feel much better _____________ only because you stayed
home all day.
Todd: I guess you’re right. Do you think that I should ________________ going
with them until another time?
Mark: That would be my advice.