Phrases & Expressions

To earn enough money to live.

• He earns a living by writing.
• How do you earn a living?

The regular movement of the sea away from and towards the land.

• The ebb and flow of the tide is easy to predict.
• We sat on the beach and watched the ebb and flow of the waves.

Everyone will have a moment in their life when they are successful or lucky.

• Don't worry about failing this time; every dog has its day.
• He was a nobody for years, but every dog has its day.

An instruction for an aircraft to climb as quickly as possible.

• Expedite climb to the assigned altitude.
• The pilot was told to expedite climb.

An instruction for an aircraft to descend as quickly as possible.

• Expedite descent due to weather.
• ATC asked the crew to expedite descent.

To accept a difficult or unpleasant truth or reality.

• Let's face it — if Ted studied more, he wouldn't be failing so many classes.
• Let's face it, without a college degree it's hard to find a high-paying job.

Used to accept that something is reasonable, even if you do not fully agree.

• You think we should leave now? Fair enough.
• He said he couldn't come. Fair enough.

To move backwards, especially when facing pressure or danger.

• The soldiers fell back to a safer position.
• The crowd fell back when the police arrived.

To move or make progress more slowly than others.

• He fell behind in class.
• The slower runners soon fell behind the group.

To feel comfortable somewhere.

• I hope you will feel at home here.
• I feel at home in this city.