Phrases & Expressions

Used to ask why someone is behaving in an unusual or unexpected way.

• Sara is usually so calm, but she shouted at everyone today. What's got into her?
• My dad has started running every morning at six. I don't know what's got into him!

Completely honest and morally good (often used ironically).

• The company likes to present itself as whiter than white, but its factories tell a different story.
• Nobody in the team is whiter than white; we have all made mistakes at some point.

To go past someone or something very fast, often making a rushing sound.

• Cyclists in the city complain that delivery vans whizz past them with only a few centimetres to spare.
• We were standing at the side of the track when the racing cars whizzed past at incredible speed.

A short period of time when there is a good chance to do something.

• Students have a short window of opportunity to change courses during the first two weeks of term.
• The new trade agreement offers a window of opportunity for small businesses to export their products.

With the aim or intention of doing something in the future.

• The council bought the empty factory with a view to turning it into affordable housing.
• She is studying Mandarin with a view to working for an international company in Shanghai.

Used on a note or card to show that something is sent or given free by a person or company.

• The hotel left a bottle of water in our room with the compliments of the manager.
• Free tickets for the opening night were sent to local schools with the compliments of the theatre.

Without complaining or objecting at all.

• Most students handed in their phones at the door without a murmur, even though they hated the new rule.
• My son usually hates vegetables, but last night he ate his broccoli without a murmur.

Without showing any sign of fear, pain or hesitation.

• The nurse gave the little boy an injection, and he took it without flinching.
• She listened to the harsh criticism of her project without flinching and then calmly answered every point.

To be employed in a factory with very low pay, long hours and bad conditions.

• An investigation revealed that the brand's trainers were made by teenagers working in sweatshops for twelve hours a day.
• Before the new labour laws were passed, thousands of teenagers worked in sweatshops in the city's industrial zone.

To work or succeed perfectly, exactly as you hoped it would.

• We were nervous about the new online booking system, but on its first day it worked like a dream.
• Pairing stronger and weaker students in the speaking lessons worked like a dream, and everyone's confidence grew.