Phrases & Expressions

To be completely certain that something is true or will happen.

• You can bet your life on the price of petrol going up again before the holidays.
• 'Will she remember your birthday?' 'You can bet your life on it – she never forgets anything.'

To spend nearly all your time studying and ignore other activities.

• Once the exam timetable came out, my flatmate buried herself in her books and hardly left the library.
• You can't just bury yourself in your books all term; you need some time to relax and see friends.

Used to complain that there is so much noise that you cannot concentrate.

• With the drilling next door going on all day, I can't hear myself think, let alone write my essay.
• The open-plan office is so noisy that on most days I can't hear myself think.

To rain very heavily.

• Take an umbrella – it's been chucking it down all morning.
• It chucked it down during the match, but the fans stayed until the final whistle.

To be unable to make progress because something or someone is blocking you.

• Campaigners hoping to save the old library came up against a brick wall when the council refused to discuss the matter.
• We've come up against a brick wall with the planning application, so we may need to hire a lawyer.

To decorate or furnish a room or building in a particular way; mainly British.

• The hotel has been done out in a modern style, with bright colours and wooden floors.
• We did the spare room out in pale blue and turned it into a small office.

To feel slightly unwell or not quite your normal self.

• Lack of sleep can leave students feeling out of sorts and unable to concentrate in morning lectures.
• She felt out of sorts all weekend, but by Monday morning she was back to normal.

To try to make people say nice things about you, often by pretending to be modest.

• When she said her presentation was terrible, I think she was just fishing for compliments.
• Posting selfies with captions like 'I look awful today' is often a way of fishing for compliments online.

(British, informal) for a very long time.

• I've known Sam for donkey's years — we were at primary school together.
• That little shop has been selling the same old-fashioned sweets for donkey's years.

(informal) permanently, so that you can keep something and do not have to give it back.

• My cousin lent me her old guitar, then told me I could have it for keeps.
• Is this jacket just a loan, or can I have it for keeps?