Phrases & Expressions

Not performing as well as expected or required.

• His performance does not meet expectations.
• The project results did not meet expectations.

A command telling a dog to lie down and stay in that position.

• When the doorbell rang, she said "down stay" to the dog.
• The trainer repeated "down stay" until the puppy lay still.

To make people notice or become interested in someone or something.

• Please don't draw attention to yourself.
• His unusual clothes drew attention from everyone.

To annoy or irritate someone intensely.

• Don't ask Mrs. Smith her age — it drives her crazy.
• Please stop chewing gum so loudly — it's driving me crazy!

To leave school or university before completing your studies.

• He dropped out of school at 16.
• Don't drop out of school.

The regular movement of the sea away from and towards the land.

• The ebb and flow of the tide is easy to predict.
• We sat on the beach and watched the ebb and flow of the waves.

An instruction for an aircraft to climb as quickly as possible.

• Expedite climb to the assigned altitude.
• The pilot was told to expedite climb.

An instruction for an aircraft to descend as quickly as possible.

• Expedite descent due to weather.
• ATC asked the crew to expedite descent.

To accept a difficult or unpleasant truth or reality.

• Let's face it — if Ted studied more, he wouldn't be failing so many classes.
• Let's face it, without a college degree it's hard to find a high-paying job.

Used to accept that something is reasonable, even if you do not fully agree.

• You think we should leave now? Fair enough.
• He said he couldn't come. Fair enough.