Phrases & Expressions

Happening or being completed at the planned time.

• The project is on schedule and within budget.
• The train arrived exactly on schedule.

Used to introduce a statement that is the opposite of what was just said.

• On the contrary, I love it.
• No, on the contrary, I feel great!

Occasionally; not often.

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

Breathing with difficulty after exercise.

• I was out of breath after running.
• He was out of breath when he arrived.

No longer operating.

• The shop went out of business.
• Many companies are out of business.

Not present at the workplace or office, usually due to absence or leave.

• My automatic reply says I'm out of office.
• She is out of office until next week.

Not available or not grown at the current time of year.

• You can't buy fresh peaches; they're out of season.
• Trying to find fresh strawberries out of season is hard.

Not physically healthy or strong enough for exercise.

• I'm really out of shape these days.
• He gets out of shape easily.

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.

To ignore someone or something; to not pay attention.

• Pay no mind to him, he's just joking.
• She paid no mind to the mess in the room.