Phrases & Expressions

To get involved in matters that are not your business, in a way that annoys people.

• My parents rarely interfere in my personal life, but they always give me advice when I ask for it.
• Several governments accused the foreign power of interfering in their elections by spreading fake news online.

To become involved in a situation in order to stop it getting worse or to improve it.

• The central bank may have to intervene in the currency market to stop the national currency from falling further.
• Teachers are trained to intervene in arguments between pupils before they turn into fights.

Used to say that something is clear or obvious from the available evidence.

• From the survey results, it is apparent that most students prefer face-to-face teaching to online classes.
• It is apparent that the new manager has little experience of leading a team, so he may need extra support.

Used to say firmly that a situation or someone's behaviour is not acceptable and must change.

• It just won't do to hand in an essay full of spelling mistakes when you have a spellchecker.
• We keep losing customers because nobody answers the phone. It just won't do!

(UK) to spend a lot of time with someone as a friend.

• When I was at school, I used to knock around with a group of kids who loved skateboarding.
• His parents were worried about the older teenagers he had started knocking around with.

To know every detail of a subject, place or system extremely well.

• After teaching the course for ten years, she knows the syllabus inside out.
• Don't worry about getting lost — Ahmet grew up here and knows the city inside out.

To give orders in a very bossy, authoritative manner, expecting others to obey without question.

• Our new manager laid down the law on his first day, banning phones in all meetings.
• My father would lay down the law whenever we came home late on a school night.

To live in a protected way, with little experience of the difficult or unpleasant sides of the world.

• Having led a sheltered life in a small village, he was shocked by the poverty he saw when he volunteered abroad.
• She had led such a sheltered life that she had never used public transport alone until she was twenty.

To be so far ahead of rivals in speed, quality or success that they seem to stand still.

• The new electric car's acceleration leaves most sports cars standing.
• In the final lap, she left the other runners standing and won by a huge margin.

To leave a job or position while people suspect or disapprove of you because of something you did.

• Despite leaving under a cloud five years ago, the former coach has been invited back to manage the team.
• She refused to leave under a cloud and asked for a full investigation to clear her name before resigning.