Phrases & Expressions

To hold a view or belief about something.

• Everyone has an opinion about politics.
• Do you have an opinion on this matter?

To be very busy; to have too many tasks to do.

• I have my hands full with this project.
• She has her hands full with three young children.

To find it hard to do something.

• I have trouble understanding her accent.
• She has trouble with the new software.

To have or enjoy two good things that cannot exist together.

• You can't have your cake and eat it too.
• He wants a promotion but not more work; he can't have his cake and eat it.

To start doing something quickly, usually said as an order.

• The boss wants this done, so hop to it!
• Come on, everyone, hop to it! The guests arrive in an hour.

An informal way to ask why something has happened or why a situation exists.

• How come you're so late?
• How come she didn't call?

Used to agree, often without much enthusiasm, or to say you think something is true.

• Can I borrow your car tonight? — I suppose so.
• I suppose so, but I'm not sure.

Put in the fewest words possible.

• In a nutshell, we lost.
• The plan, in a nutshell, is to save money.

In a difficult or dangerous situation that is hard to deal with.

• The company will be in deep water if sales keep falling.
• He got into deep water when he borrowed money he couldn't repay.

Usually, considering everything.

• In general, I prefer tea to coffee.
• In general, things are going well.