Phrases & Expressions

To suddenly start sweating due to fear, anxiety, or illness.

• Hearing the strange noise, I broke out in a cold sweat.
• He broke out in a cold sweat when he realized he'd lost his keys.

To interrupt a sequence of events, especially a negative or harmful one.

• We need to break the chain of transmission.
• A short walk can break the chain of negative thoughts.

To cause a situation to reach a critical point or climax.

• The strike brought the negotiations to a head.
• His actions brought the crisis to a head.

To be the last person or thing in a group that is moving.

• She always brings up the rear in our walks.
• The slowest runners brought up the rear.

To be or act differently from the general way things are going.

• They decided to buck the trend and start their own business.
• Our sales bucked the trend and rose last year.

A study comparing people with a condition (cases) to similar people without it (controls) to find causes.

• They conducted a case-control study.
• A case-control study identified risk factors.

To spend effort on a goal that's out of reach.

• He spent years chasing rainbows.
• Stop chasing rainbows and focus on reality.

In US air traffic control, said when a departure clearance stops being valid if the aircraft is not airborne by a set time.

• Clearance void if not off by 1430; time now 1422.
• The pilot missed the clearance void time and had to call ATC again.

To return to a starting point or original condition after a process or journey.

• After years abroad, he came full circle and returned home.
• The project has come full circle and is back to the initial plan.

To reach a stage where one is confident, successful, and respected.

• The young artist is finally coming into her own.
• She came into her own after years of hard work.