Phrases & Expressions

To decide what to do after thinking about it carefully.

• Have you made up your mind where to go on holiday?
• It took her a long time to make up her mind.

A polite way to ask if a specific person is available to talk, often used when making a phone call.

• May I speak to the manager, please?
• May I speak to Mr. Smith?

To fail to take an opportunity.

• Don't miss this chance.
• He missed his chance to apologize.

To clean the floor with water and a mop.

• I'll mop the floor tomorrow.
• She mopped the kitchen floor.

Waiting to speak to someone on the phone after your call has been connected.

• Please stay on hold; I'll be right back.
• I was on hold for twenty minutes before anyone answered.

Busy and active, often moving from place to place.

• He is always on the go with his job.
• With three young children, she is on the go from morning till night.

When you almost remember something, but cannot quite recall it.

• His name is on the tip of my tongue, but I can't remember it.
• The word was on the tip of my tongue.

Occasionally; not often.

• I see her once in a while.
• Once in a while, we go out for dinner.

Suddenly and unexpectedly.

• She called me out of the blue.
• Out of the blue, he proposed.

Completely impossible or not allowed.

• My friend Emily wanted me to climb Mount McKinley with her, but I told her it was out of the question.
• You want to borrow my new car and drive across the country? Sorry, that's out of the question.