Phrases & Expressions

Very happy, cheerful and full of energy.

• After her holiday, my manager came back to work full of the joys of spring and bursting with new ideas.
• I'm not exactly full of the joys of spring at six o'clock on a Monday morning.

To put on smart clothes and make-up so that you look attractive, especially for a special occasion.

• We spent two hours getting dolled up for the party, and then it was cancelled at the last minute!
• You don't need to get dolled up – it's just a casual dinner with a few friends.

To have a very friendly relationship with someone and enjoy their company a lot.

• I was worried my parents wouldn't like my fiancé, but they got on like a house on fire from the very first evening.
• The two exchange students got on like a house on fire and are still in touch ten years later.

To have someone's company without anyone else around, so you can talk or spend time alone.

• After the conference, I finally got my supervisor to myself and asked her about my dissertation.
• Her parents are always at home, so it's hard to get her to myself for a proper conversation.

To misunderstand each other because each person thinks the other means something different.

• The designer and his client had clearly got their wires crossed, because the finished logo was nothing like her brief.
• The two departments got their wires crossed, and both of them ordered the same expensive equipment.

(British, informal) to catch an illness such as flu; usually said about other people, not yourself.

• My flatmate went down with a stomach bug the night before her driving test.
• Our goalkeeper has gone down with a virus, so he will miss Saturday's match.

To join someone as a partner when starting or running a business.

• Instead of opening the café on her own, she decided to go in with her cousin, who had restaurant experience.
• I'd love to start a design agency, but I'd rather go in with a partner than take all the risk myself.

To happen exactly as planned, smoothly and without any problems.

• Thanks to months of careful planning, the international student conference went like clockwork.
• The wedding went like clockwork, and the guests said everything was perfect.

To be completely forgotten or abandoned, used about plans, rules or qualities.

• With three deadlines in one week, my healthy eating plan has completely gone out of the window.
• When budgets are cut, quality often goes out of the window.

Your brain or intelligence (used humorously).

• Logic puzzles are a great way to give your grey matter a workout on a rainy afternoon.
• This crossword is hard, so you will need to use your grey matter.