Phrases & Expressions

Without complaining or objecting at all.

• Most students handed in their phones at the door without a murmur, even though they hated the new rule.
• My son usually hates vegetables, but last night he ate his broccoli without a murmur.

To work or succeed perfectly, exactly as you hoped it would.

• We were nervous about the new online booking system, but on its first day it worked like a dream.
• Pairing stronger and weaker students in the speaking lessons worked like a dream, and everyone's confidence grew.

Used to say that a place is completely silent, often because people are tense or attentive.

• When the head teacher walked into the exam hall, you could hear a pin drop.
• It's the kind of library where you could hear a pin drop, which makes it perfect for revision.

(old-fashioned, informal) during your whole life.

• I've never seen snow like this in all my born days!
• Grandma says that in all her born days she has never owned a credit card, and she isn't going to start now.

(British, informal) very fast.

• The new manager is making changes at a rate of knots, and some staff are struggling to keep up.
• We were driving along at a rate of knots when we suddenly saw the police car behind us.

To do exactly as you please, without following the rules or conventions others accept.

• Our new manager is a law unto herself; she ignores company procedures and makes her own rules.
• My teenage son is a law unto himself when it comes to bedtimes and homework.

To look or feel unhappy and discouraged; a rather old-fashioned expression.

• You look a bit down in the mouth today — didn't you get the exam results you wanted?
• After losing the final, the players were down in the mouth for days.

To work very closely with someone, often in a secret or dishonest way.

• The investigation found that some customs officials were hand in glove with the smugglers.
• Critics claim the regulator is hand in glove with the industry it is supposed to control.

To be greatly admired and talked about by everyone in a place because of a recent success.

• After winning the national science competition, the twins were the toast of their small town.
• Within weeks of releasing her first album, she was the toast of the London music scene.

To praise someone so weakly that it suggests you do not really think they are good.

• Describing the new museum as 'perfectly adequate', the reviewer damned it with faint praise.
• A reference letter that only says a candidate was 'always punctual' may damn them with faint praise.