Phrases & Expressions

A browser setting requesting websites not to track your online activity.

• I enabled the 'Do Not Track' option in my browser.
• Many websites ignore the Do Not Track signal.

An aggressive or domineering woman who misuses her power.

• Beth is a real dragon lady — she's always yelling at her employees and blaming them for her mistakes.
• Liz was nasty to you? I'm not surprised — she's a dragon lady.

To lower something, like curtains or a flag.

• Please draw down the blinds.
• She drew down the blinds to keep the sun out.

Used to tell someone that what they hope for is very unlikely to happen.

• You want me to lend you a thousand pounds? Dream on!
• She thinks she'll be a movie star — dream on.

Wearing very smart, elegant clothes, especially for a special occasion.

• Everyone was dressed to the nines for the wedding.
• She arrived at the party dressed to the nines.

To tap your fingers repeatedly on a surface, often showing impatience or boredom.

• He drummed his fingers on the table while waiting.
• Stop drumming your fingers; it's annoying.

Things, especially money, obtained without effort are often lost just as easily.

• He spent it all — easy come, easy go.
• Easy come, easy go, I guess.

To use up or reduce a supply of something, especially money or time.

• Costs ate into the profits.
• Meetings eat into my time.

A person who drains the energy and enthusiasm of others.

• He's an energy vampire; I feel exhausted after seeing him.
• Avoid energy vampires to protect your well-being.

The main factor or process that drives a company's growth.

• Customer referrals are a key engine of growth.
• We need to find the right engine of growth for our product.