Phrases & Expressions

An unfriendly or unwelcoming reception or response.

• The new proposal met with a frosty reception from the committee.
• He expected a warm welcome, but got a frosty reception instead.

To struggle to breathe because you need air urgently.

• He was gasping for air after running the race.
• The diver surfaced, gasping for air.

To fire someone from their job.

• Mary talked on the phone all day until her boss finally gave her the ax.
• The company gave several employees the ax due to budget cuts.

To deliberately ignore someone or treat them in an unfriendly way.

• After their argument, she gave him the cold shoulder.
• He tried to apologize, but they just gave him the cold shoulder.

To try as hard as possible; to use all available resources and effort.

• They went all out to make the wedding perfect.
• She went all out on her costume.

To start planning something again because a previous attempt has failed.

• Our proposal was rejected, so we have to go back to the drawing board.
• The experiment failed, forcing the scientists to go back to the drawing board.

To stop communicating or transmitting signals, often suddenly or unexpectedly.

• The ship went dark after entering the storm.
• The spy satellite went dark for several hours.

To become increasingly successful, stronger, or better.

• Since moving to the new office, the business has gone from strength to strength.
• Under the new coach, the team went from strength to strength.

To go wrong; to fail badly.

• The plan went pear-shaped.
• Everything went pear-shaped after the manager quit.

To support or defend someone, especially when they are in trouble.

• I'll go to bat for you if anyone complains.
• She always goes to bat for her colleagues.