Phrases & Expressions

Something intended to deceive or mislead.

• The magician's trick was just smoke and mirrors.
• Don't be fooled by their smoke and mirrors.

To smoke cigarettes heavily and continuously.

• He was smoking like a chimney after the stressful meeting.
• My uncle was smoking like a chimney until his doctor warned him.

Used before a verb to show the purpose of an action.

• He whispered so as not to wake the baby.
• She woke up early so as to catch the train.

To spend a lot of money on something, often as a treat or celebration.

• We decided to splash out on a nice hotel for our anniversary.
• She splashed out on designer clothes.

To lie or sit with your arms and legs spread out in a relaxed way.

• He sprawled out on the floor to watch TV.
• Sprawl out and relax after a long day.

To appear or be found suddenly or unexpectedly.

• New challenges often spring up in business.
• Problems can spring up when you least expect them.

To spend money wastefully or carelessly on things that are not important.

• He squandered all his money on expensive cars and holidays.
• Don't squander money on unnecessary gadgets.

To return to the very beginning of a process or task.

• Our plan failed, so we're back to square one.
• After the mistake, it felt like we were back to square one.

A command to transmit a radar identification signal.

• Radar contact, squawk ident.
• The controller asked the pilot to squawk ident to confirm the aircraft's position.

To do the job of another person for a short time because they are absent.

• Can you stand in for me at tomorrow's meeting?
• A young actress stood in for the star.