Phrases & Expressions

To know every detail of a subject, place or system extremely well.

• After teaching the course for ten years, she knows the syllabus inside out.
• Don't worry about getting lost — Ahmet grew up here and knows the city inside out.

To give orders in a very bossy, authoritative manner, expecting others to obey without question.

• Our new manager laid down the law on his first day, banning phones in all meetings.
• My father would lay down the law whenever we came home late on a school night.

To be so far ahead of rivals in speed, quality or success that they seem to stand still.

• The new electric car's acceleration leaves most sports cars standing.
• In the final lap, she left the other runners standing and won by a huge margin.

To leave a job or position while people suspect or disapprove of you because of something you did.

• Despite leaving under a cloud five years ago, the former coach has been invited back to manage the team.
• She refused to leave under a cloud and asked for a full investigation to clear her name before resigning.

To deliberately leave someone anxious for a while, often as a punishment for something they did.

• My sister broke my laptop, so I let her stew all evening before telling her it could be repaired.
• The manager let the team stew over the weekend before announcing who would lose their bonus.

An exciting, busy and often stressful lifestyle, typically involving money, success and pleasure.

• After ten years of life in the fast lane in London, she moved to a quiet village by the sea.
• Many young bankers enjoy life in the fast lane, but the long hours eventually take a toll on their health.

To bring great happiness and joy to someone.

• Their new granddaughter has really lit up their lives since they retired.
• Music teachers can light up a child's life by helping them discover a hidden talent.

To be separated from the practical problems of ordinary life, especially as an academic.

• As a researcher, I try not to live in an ivory tower, so I regularly talk to the farmers my work is meant to help.
• Policy makers who live in ivory towers often fail to understand the real impact of their decisions.

To live in great comfort, with plenty of money and expensive things.

• While the company's directors live in the lap of luxury, many of its factory workers can barely afford to pay their rent.
• The advert shows a couple living in the lap of luxury in a villa overlooking the sea.

To have so little money that you can only just afford the most basic things.

• Many pensioners are living on the breadline because their savings were wiped out by inflation.
• Despite working full-time, the cleaners say they live on the breadline and cannot afford new shoes for their children.