Phrases & Expressions

(of two people or teams in a contest) so close that it is impossible to say who will win.

• With one question left in the quiz, our team and the teachers' team were neck and neck.
• Going into the final lap, the leading runners were neck and neck, and nobody knew who would win.

Something you do not particularly like or find interesting.

• I know many people love camping, but sleeping in a tent is not my cup of tea.
• Working in a noisy open-plan office is not everyone's cup of tea, so some firms offer quiet rooms.

Ordinary and not especially good, interesting or impressive.

• The hotel was clean and cheap, but the food was nothing to write home about.
• Her exam results were nothing to write home about, but they were good enough to get her into college.

To give someone new opportunities, especially in their career.

• An internship at a well-known company can open doors that would otherwise stay closed.
• The success of her first novel opened doors to the world of film and television.

Unusual or different from what normally happens or what you normally see.

• The hotel was certainly out of the ordinary, with guest rooms built inside old railway carriages.
• At first the results seemed nothing out of the ordinary, but further analysis revealed an unusual pattern.

To do something, such as eating, drinking or exercising, too much, so that it harms you.

• Doctors advise people who start exercising after a long break not to overdo it in the first few weeks.
• It's fine to enjoy a few treats during the holidays, as long as you're not overdoing it every day.

To stop arguing about past disagreements so that you can work or live together peacefully.

• If the two of you are going to run this business together, you need to put your differences behind you.
• 'Shake hands and put your differences behind you,' the head teacher told the two boys after the fight.

To make something easier to understand by providing new information about it.

• Recent findings shed light on the mysterious origin of the ancient temple.
• Police hope the security footage will shed light on the suspect's movements.

To make something easier to understand by providing new facts or explanations.

• The new evidence shed light on the mysterious disappearance.
• Recent research has shed light on how the disease spreads.

To be easily noticed because you are different from or better than others.

• Small cafés need a clear identity and a memorable name to stand out from the crowd on a busy high street.
• With thousands of new apps released every day, it is hard for any single one to stand out from the crowd.