Phrases & Expressions

To postpone an invitation or engagement to a later time.

• I can't make it tonight, can I take a rain check?
• Thanks for the invitation, but I'll have to take a rain check.

Used to say that someone can believe you because you know from experience.

• Take it from me, it's worth the effort.
• This is the best restaurant in town, take it from me.

To begin to speak in a meeting or debate.

• The next speaker will take the floor at noon.
• He waited for his chance to take the floor.

Very close and friendly, often sharing secrets.

• They've been friends since childhood and are thick as thieves.
• The two sisters are thick as thieves.

To persuade someone, often with pressure, to do something that person does not want to do.

• I didn't want to go, but she twisted my arm.
• You'll have to twist my arm to get me to try it.

To make an audience feel more excited and enthusiastic, often before a main performance.

• The comedian's job was to warm up the crowd.
• The DJ played some upbeat music to warm up the crowd.

To join a discussion or argument by giving your opinion.

• Let me weigh in on this.
• Several experts weighed in on the debate.

A calm and sensible person who makes good decisions.

• She's a level-headed person, even in a crisis.
• We need a level-headed leader for the team.

A member of a family or group who is considered bad or embarrassing because they are different.

• He's the black sheep of the family.
• Every family has a black sheep.

An unwritten rule within a group that members must not reveal information about their activities, especially illegal ones, to outsiders.

• The police couldn't break the code of silence.
• There's a code of silence among the employees.