Phrases & Expressions

To hit someone repeatedly and violently so that they are injured.

• The gang beat up the shopkeeper during the robbery.
• The bully threatened to beat him up after school.

To leave a group or organization, often to form a separate one.

• She broke away from the group.
• Several members broke away to form a new club.

To talk casually without any real purpose.

• We chewed the fat for hours.
• Let's sit and chew the fat for a while.

To be so interesting or impressive that people notice you or it immediately.

• Her bright red dress commanded attention.
• The new product is designed to command attention.

A family member not closely related.

• He's a distant relative of my mother.
• I met a distant relative yesterday.

In an honest, straightforward way; according to the rules.

• We lost the match, but they beat us fair and square.
• Tony won the ping-pong tournament fair and square.

To use the same aggressive methods against someone that they are using against you.

• They are spreading rumors, so we have to fight fire with fire.
• The company decided to fight fire with fire and launch a counter-campaign.

To argue or struggle to get or keep something.

• The brothers always fight over the remote control.
• Two countries have fought over this border for years.

This phrase introduces your personal opinion or way of seeing a situation.

• From my perspective, the project is going well.
• From my perspective, we need more time.

To disapprove of something; to consider it wrong or unacceptable.

• Talking loudly in libraries is frowned upon.
• Society used to frown upon women who travelled alone.