Phrases & Expressions

Used to introduce your personal opinion or what you believe to be true about something.

• To my mind, this is the best solution.
• To my mind, they should reconsider.

To make your muscles or body firmer and stronger through exercise.

• Regular exercise helps tone up your body.
• She goes to the gym to tone up her arms.

A ground proximity warning that the aircraft is too low with high ground nearby.

• The warning "too low, terrain" sounded as the aircraft descended in cloud.
• When you hear "too low, terrain", climb away from the ground at once.

So clever, or so sure of your own cleverness, that it causes problems for you.

• He tried to outsmart the teacher, but was too smart for his own good.
• Don't be too smart for your own good; listen to advice.

To fill a container that is already partly full right up to the top.

• Can you top off my drink?
• We stopped to top off the tank before the long drive.

To give something old as part payment for something new.

• You can trade in your old phone for a discount.
• He traded in his car for a newer model.

To detect and correct an error before it causes a problem or affects a system.

• The software update should trap errors more effectively.
• Good testing procedures help to trap errors early.

Someone's real character or intentions, especially when they are bad.

• He seemed nice, but his true colors came out later.
• When the money ran out, she finally showed her true colors.

Used to introduce a statement that reveals a surprising or difficult truth.

• Truth be told, I wasn't really listening.
• Truth be told, I'm a little scared.

The process of actively trying to become pregnant.

• They have been trying to conceive for a year.
• Couples often feel stressed when trying to conceive.