Phrases & Expressions

To spend time in a silly way without a serious purpose.

• If we keep fooling around here, we'll be late to the restaurant.
• Stop fooling around — you've got a lot of work to do.

To look at someone with your eyebrows pulled together because you are angry, worried or disapproving.

• The teacher frowned at the students who were talking.
• Why are you frowning at me like that?

To be successful in life or a career, often by competing with others.

• You have to work hard to get ahead in this industry.
• She's determined to get ahead and prove her critics wrong.

To continue to try hard and not give up, especially in a difficult situation.

• Hang in there — things will get better soon.
• She hung in despite the pressure from her boss.

To leave a place or start a journey.

• I'm heading off now.
• They headed off early in the morning.

To continue to resist or endure a difficult situation.

• How long can we hold out?
• The small town held out against the floods for three days.

To state very firmly that something must happen or be done.

• She insisted on paying for the meal.
• He insisted on seeing the manager.

To write something quickly on a piece of paper so that you remember it.

• Let me jot down your phone number before I forget it.
• I quickly jotted down her address on a napkin.

To put something or someone down on a surface.

• She laid down her bag and sat on the bench.
• He laid down his tools and went home for lunch.

To spread things out or arrange them so they can be seen or used.

• She laid out her clothes on the bed the night before the trip.
• The waiter laid out the knives and forks on the table.