Phrases & Expressions

The highest price for something; a lot of money.

• Nicole paid top dollar for a shirt at a designer shop.
• Wait until those jeans go on sale — why pay top dollar?

To express something in a skilful and often elegant way.

• She can turn a phrase like no one else.
• He is a gifted writer who really knows how to turn a phrase.

To attract attention because of how attractive or unusual someone looks.

• The model's stunning dress turned heads on the red carpet.
• He turned heads when he walked into the room.

To cease paying attention to or supporting someone or something.

• She turned her back on her old friends after becoming famous.
• Don't turn your back on those who helped you.

Under pressure or facing a difficult deadline.

• The team is under the gun to finish the report.
• He felt under the gun during the exam.

To move around a social event, talking to many different people to be friendly or make connections.

• The host worked the room, greeting every guest personally.
• A good politician knows how to work the room.

The ability to speak persuasively.

• He has a silver tongue.
• With his silver tongue, he convinced everyone.

To happen; to occur; to become a reality.

• The prophecy eventually came to pass.
• What we feared came to pass.

Talking nonsense or making empty promises without real substance.

• Don't listen to him; he's full of hot air.
• My neighbour says he will fix everything, but he's full of hot air.

To fail spectacularly and completely.

• The entire project went down in flames.
• His career went down in flames after the scandal.