Phrases & Expressions

A pupil who the teacher is thought to like best.

• He was always the teacher's pet, getting extra attention.
• No one liked her because she acted like the teacher's pet.

A difficult phase of behavior for two-year-old children.

• We are in the terrible twos now.
• Every toddler goes through the terrible twos in a different way.

To treat someone in an unfriendly or distant way, ignoring them deliberately.

• After their argument, she gave him the cold shoulder.
• He felt ignored when his colleagues gave him the cold shoulder.

The very best people or things in a particular group or selection.

• They hired the cream of the crop for the new project.
• This wine is the cream of the crop.

To say your thoughts out loud as you are thinking them, often without intending to communicate them to others.

• I often think aloud when solving a problem.
• She tends to think aloud when making big decisions.

A small part of a much larger problem or situation.

• The cost of the project is just the tip of the iceberg.
• This is only the tip of the iceberg; there are more issues.

When too many people try to manage a task, the result is poor.

• Too many cooks spoil the broth, so let's assign roles.
• Five people edited the report, so it was a case of too many cooks.

Very strong, tough, and resilient.

• She's tough as nails and never complains.
• He's tough as nails, even after the accident.

To continue doing something difficult until it is finished.

• You have to tough it out.
• They will tough it out.

To make someone feel disgusted or nauseous.

• The smell of rotten food turned my stomach.
• His cruelty turns my stomach.