Phrases & Expressions

To bring something to an end, often by preventing it from continuing.

• The strike put paid to the company's expansion plans.
• The bad weather put paid to our picnic plans.

To claim that someone said or meant something that he or she did not say or mean.

• Don't put words in my mouth; that's not what I meant.
• He accused me of putting words in his mouth.

Preferring to have a lot of something rather than having things of good quality.

• During brainstorming, we practice quantity over quality.
• This approach focuses on quantity over quality.

Strong emotions and physical changes caused by hormones, especially in teenagers.

• Teenagers often struggle with raging hormones.
• His mood swings were due to raging hormones.

To spoil someone's pleasure or enthusiasm.

• Don't rain on my parade; I'm very excited about this.
• I don't want to rain on your parade, but the project might be delayed.

To make people hope for or expect a better result than before.

• The early goal raised expectations of an easy win.
• Don't raise expectations you cannot meet.

To state that you disagree with or do not approve of something.

• Several members raised objections to the new plan.
• Nobody raised any objections at the meeting.

To set a higher level of quality or achievement.

• This new technology raises the bar for the industry.
• They always raise the bar with their performances.

To stretch your arm over something to get or touch something on the other side.

• Can you reach across and get the salt?
• He reached across the table to shake my hand.

To understand the situation by noticing clues or hints.

• He didn't read the signs and missed the opportunity.
• You need to read the signs to know when to act.