Phrases & Expressions

To contribute ideas, skills, or resources to a group effort or discussion.

• What skills do you bring to the table?
• Each partner brings something different to the table.

To work very hard, staying up late and getting up early, until you are exhausted.

• She's been burning the candle at both ends to finish the project.
• If you keep burning the candle at both ends, you will get ill.

To do something in order to gain extra time for a decision or action.

• We're not sure whether to buy the house yet — we need to buy some time to think it over.
• I'm not sure if I want to accept the job offer; I'd better buy some time to think.

To succeed or escape by a very narrow margin.

• He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth.
• We escaped the accident by the skin of our teeth.

By a very narrow margin; only just, and with great difficulty.

• He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth.
• We escaped the accident by the skin of our teeth.

To stop doing something and go to bed or go home for the night.

• We walked around downtown for hours; it was so cold we were ready to call it a night by nine.
• Let's call it a night and meet back at the office at seven tomorrow.

A strong desire to experience the wilderness and outdoor adventures.

• He heard the call of the wild and went camping.
• The city dweller felt the call of the wild.

To be unable to see the overall situation because you are focused on small details.

• She is so busy with small details that she can't see the forest for the trees.
• He can't see the forest for the trees and misses the main point.

A change in someone's opinion or feelings about something.

• He had a change of heart and decided to stay.
• What caused her change of heart about the job?

To talk casually without any real purpose.

• We chewed the fat for hours.
• Let's sit and chew the fat for a while.