Phrases & Expressions

To be the last person or thing in a group that is moving.

• She always brings up the rear in our walks.
• The slowest runners brought up the rear.

To be or act differently from the general way things are going.

• They decided to buck the trend and start their own business.
• Our sales bucked the trend and rose last year.

To spend effort on a goal that's out of reach.

• He spent years chasing rainbows.
• Stop chasing rainbows and focus on reality.

To return to a starting point or original condition after a process or journey.

• After years abroad, he came full circle and returned home.
• The project has come full circle and is back to the initial plan.

To reach a stage where one is confident, successful, and respected.

• The young artist is finally coming into her own.
• She came into her own after years of hard work.

Whatever happens; no matter what the circumstances are.

• I will support you, come what may.
• Come what may, we will face it together.

Tears or sadness that someone shows but does not really feel.

• She wept crocodile tears at the funeral of her rival.
• Don't cry crocodile tears — you didn't really care.

A situation where people misunderstand each other due to poor communication.

• There must have been crossed wires somewhere.
• We had crossed wires about the meeting time.

To gain respect or status by proving your abilities or worth.

• You need to earn your stripes in this competitive industry.
• After years of hard work, he finally earned his stripes as a team leader.

Used to ask someone to explain a difficult subject in a very simple way.

• Can you explain like I'm 5? I'm new to this.
• I don't understand blockchain at all, so explain like I'm 5.