Phrases & Expressions

To be a particular person's responsibility or decision.

• Whether we eat out or cook at home tonight is down to you — I honestly don't mind.
• It is down to the manager to make sure everyone in the team follows the safety rules.

To be wearing very smart, fashionable or formal clothes, usually for a special occasion.

• Everyone at the awards ceremony was dressed up to the nines, while I turned up in jeans.
• You're dressed up to the nines tonight — are you going to a wedding or something?

To be extremely annoyed and bored with something that has continued for too long.

• Local residents are fed up to the back teeth with the noise from the new nightclub.
• After three weeks of non-stop rain, everyone at the campsite was fed up to the back teeth.

To have a problem that you cannot easily find a way out of.

• I locked my keys inside the car, so I was in a real fix until a neighbour helped me.
• If the supplier cancels the order now, we will be in a real fix, because our customers are expecting delivery on Monday.

To be in serious trouble, especially because you owe money or are losing it.

• After losing its two biggest clients, the agency was in a hole and had to cut staff.
• If you keep using your credit card to pay off loans, you'll soon be in a hole.

To be in an awkward or difficult situation that is hard to get out of.

• Migrant workers whose visas depend on their jobs are in a tight spot if they are suddenly made redundant.
• When the hotel cancelled our booking at midnight, we were in a tight spot.

To no longer be in danger, under suspicion or facing trouble.

• The police checked his alibi, and he is now in the clear.
• Once the test results came back negative, the doctors told her she was in the clear.

To be improving, especially after a difficult or disappointing period.

• Things are looking up for the local tourism industry after two years of falling visitor numbers.
• Job prospects for engineering graduates are looking up as more companies start hiring again.

Used to say angrily that someone's behaviour is unacceptable and should not continue.

• Someone keeps taking my lunch from the office fridge every day, and frankly this is just not on.
• Our landlord has ignored the broken heating for three weeks in the middle of winter – this is just not on.

To be free from a difficult situation or a responsibility you were worried about.

• My colleague offered to give the presentation instead of me, so I'm off the hook this time.
• The police have caught the real thief, so my brother is finally off the hook.