Phrases & Expressions

To feel relaxed and stop worrying because a problem or danger has passed.

• The doctor said it was nothing serious, so I can breathe easy now.
• You can breathe easy; the test results were negative.

A nervous or excited feeling in your stomach, often before an important event.

• I always get butterflies before a big presentation.
• I had butterflies in my stomach before the interview.

To record or remember a special or exciting moment.

• Take a picture to capture the moment.
• We hired a photographer to capture the moment at our wedding.

To attract someone's attention, often visually.

• A red dress in the window caught her eye.
• He tried to catch the waiter's eye for the bill.

To rest for a short time to recover after physical exertion.

• Let's stop here and catch our breath for a minute.
• He needed to catch his breath after the run.

Extremely cold in temperature or in manner.

• Her hands felt cold as ice after being outside.
• When I said hello, her voice was cold as ice.

Whatever happens; in any circumstances.

• We will meet tomorrow, come rain or shine.
• He goes for a run every morning, come rain or shine.

You will deal with a problem only when it actually arrives.

• What if it rains tomorrow? We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
• Don't worry now — we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

To deliberately skip a class without permission.

• Ted often cuts class to spend more time with his girlfriend.
• If you keep cutting French class, you're going to fail it.

A job that offers no chance of advancement or promotion.

• Diane realized that working as a cashier was a dead-end job.
• Jim worked many dead-end jobs before finally deciding to start his own business.