# data[].attributes.custom_properties.aBf1KwIs
Get ready to work hard; prepare for a difficult task.

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We have a lot of homework today, so it’s time to roll up our sleeves. / If we want to finish this project on time, everyone will need to roll up their sleeves. 

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unwilling to change lifestyle or habits.

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My grandfather is very set in his ways and refuses to use a smartphone.

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There are no limits to what you can achieve.

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With your creativity, the sky’s the limit for what you can do.

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To admit you were wrong and apologize, especially after behaving proudly or arrogantly.

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Tom said the test was easy, but he got a bad grade. He had to eat humble pie. / Anna said she didn’t need help with her project. But later, she had to ask for help—and eat humble pie.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.aBf1KwIs
To reach the lowest point in your life or situation — when things cannot get any worse.

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After failing all my exams and fighting with my parents, I felt like I had hit rock bottom. / I hit rock bottom during lockdown. I stopped doing my hobbies, and I didn’t talk to anyone.

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A piece of work (A nasty piece of work) 

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A piece of work (A nasty piece of work) 

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a very unkind or unpleasant person/ a very unpleasant person 

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It soon becomes clear that Minty is rather a piece of work./ Don’t let the charm fool you — he’s a nasty piece of work behind the scenes.

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something that is very unpleasant but must be accepted

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Failing my driving test after months of practice was a bitter pill to swallow. / Not getting invited to the party by my close friends was a bitter pill to swallow.

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If someone is or has a big mouth, they often say things that are meant to be kept secret/ used when you have said something that was meant to be kept secret

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He has such a big mouth./ I'm sorry. I wasn't supposed to tell you! Me and my big mouth!

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If someone is quick/slow on the uptake, they understand things easily/with difficulty

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He's a little slow on the uptake, so you may have to repeat the instructions a few times.

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to suddenly become very angry, upset, or act crazy

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She went off the deep end when she found out her phone was stolen./ Don’t go off the deep end—it’s just a small mistake.

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After hearing she got the scholarship, Maria was walking on air for days./ I felt like I was walking on air when I finally passed my driving test. 

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To suddenly become very angry or furious

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My mom saw red when she found out I skipped school to go to the concert./ Emma saw red when someone took her phone from her locker. 

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when you do something, but it's not enough and it's done too late to make a difference

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His apology was too little, too late — the damage to their friendship had already been done./ The government’s new policies were too little, too late to prevent the economic crisis. 

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To cause someone to remember something they had forgotten or almost forgotten.

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Hearing that song jogged my memory of our trip to Italy./  Can you give me a hint to jog my memory?

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to cause a huge amount of attention online, usually because something is so popular, shocking, or exciting that everyone is talking about it on social media.

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When Billie Eilish announced her new album, it broke the internet. 

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a film, play or book that gives a very realistic view of ordinary life

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The book is a slice of life about a teenager growing up in a small town — no superheroes, just real feelings and daily struggles.

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When two things go hand in hand, they exist together, are closely related, or complement each other naturally.

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Education and success go hand in hand. / Social media and drama often go hand in hand. / Being a teenager and mood swings go hand in hand. 

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someone or something that perfectly represents a particular quality or situation.

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She was the picture of elegance in her evening gown. / After the long hike, he was the picture of exhaustion. 

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too difficult or strange for you to understand 

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That math problem went completely over my head. / His joke went over her head — she didn’t get why it was funny.

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to stay up all night, especially to study or work

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I had to pull an all-nighter to finish my essay before the deadline.

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1. to complete something successfully / 2. to help someone be able to deal with a difficult situation 

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1. Despite the challenges, she managed to carry through with the project and delivered it on time. / 2. Their strong friendship carried them through many hardships over the years.

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to rely on or depend on someone or something, especially for help, support, or a certain outcome

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You can count on me to help you with your project./ We’re counting on good weather for the outdoor event.

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to discover or understand something by thinking hard about it

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It took me a while to puzzle out the meaning of the poem./ The detective finally puzzled out the identity of the thief.

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To persuade someone to do something they were initially hesitant or unwilling to do.

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I wasn’t sure about getting a pet, but my sister talked me into adopting a cat.

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What time does the game kick off? / The scandal kicked off a wave of protests across the country.

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to criticize, punish, or be unkind to the same person often and unfairly

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Stop picking on your little brother! / My boss picks on me whenever something goes wrong.

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to end something suddenly (a relationship, agreement, or conversation)

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They broke off their engagement after a huge argument. /  He broke off in the middle of his speech when he saw someone enter the room.

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to achieve what is expected, esp. high standards/ to be as good as something

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The new movie didn’t live up to my expectations; I found it quite disappointing. / David's cooking was brilliant - we'll never live up to that.

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To gradually stop, fade away or lose effect (usually with feelings, effect or influence)

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The excitement of the holiday wore off quickly.

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To suggest, propose, or present an idea, plan, or opinion for consideration

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She put forward a new proposal to improve the school's program. 

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She kept cutting in while I was trying to explain my point. / Sorry to cut in, but I have something important to add.

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to argue with someone and stop being friendly with them

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They fell out over a small disagreement.

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To know something completely and thoroughly, with all the details.

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If you study hard, you’ll know this topic inside out before the exam. 

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To reveal one’s true character, intentions, or feelings; 

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At first, he seemed kind and helpful, but he showed his true colors when he started gossiping about his friends.

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someone who always does the same thing in the same way:

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My father's such a creature of habit - he always has to have a biscuit and a cup of tea at bedtime.

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She turned down the opportunity to work in Paris.

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To be uncertain about something; to have difficulty making a decision.

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He’s in two minds about joining the hiking trip. 

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If something happens out of the blue, it is completely unexpected:

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She called me out of the blue after years of no contact.

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To start a conversation in a social situation.

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The teacher told a funny story to break the ice with the new students.

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to force yourself to do something unpleasant or difficult, or to be brave in a difficult situation

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I hate going to the dentist, but I'll just have to bite the bullet.

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to pretend to be happier, less poor, etc. than you really are, because you do not want people to know how bad your situation is:

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They were very unhappily married but kept up appearances for the sake of their children.

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If a quality, ability, disease, etc. runs in the family, many members of the family have it:

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Intelligence seems to run in that family.

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What a restaurant - the food was out of this world!

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to do the same thing as someone else did previously, especially as a job

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She followed in her mother's footsteps, starting her own business.

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used to say that a decision, action, etc. is sudden and done without any planning:

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We hadn't planned to go away - it was one of those spur-of-the-moment decisions. / We just jumped in a car on the spur of the moment and drove to the seaside.

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to tell someone about something that has been worrying you or making you feel guilty for a long time

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I had spent two months worrying about it and I was glad to get it off my chest.

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I'd love to buy a Porsche, but they cost an arm and a leg.

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Thanks for lending me your bike. It came in handy while my car was in the shop.

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I was in two minds whether or not to come this morning.

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(especially of something boring) done or happening every day for a long period of time:

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I have to do the same boring jobs day in day out.

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the middle of the night, when it is very dark:

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I lay in my tent in the dead of night, listening to the noises in the woods.

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The country cannot afford to turn its back on tourism.

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If two people see eye to eye, they agree with each other

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My sisters don't see eye to eye with me about the arrangements.

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He studied round the clock, losing forty pounds during that time. / He requires round-the-clock care.

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I can't go out tonight. I need to hit the books.

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If someone is or feels under the weather, they feel ill or not completely well; 

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I'm feeling a bit under the weather - I think I'm getting a cold.

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to stop what you are doing because you do not want to do any more or think you have done enough

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I'm getting a bit tired now - let's call it a day.

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My sister lives in Alaska, so I only see her once in a blue moon.

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to lose an opportunity to do something by being slow to act:

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There were tickets available last week, but he missed the boat by waiting till today to try to buy some.

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in a difficult situation in which you are likely to be punished

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Emails that criticize others can land you in hot water, so be careful what you write.

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If the ball is in your court, it is your turn to speak or act next.

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"We gave the manager a list of complaints, so the ball is in his court now."

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to be in the same unpleasant situation as other people:

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She's always complaining that she doesn't have enough money, but we're all in the same boat.

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to ignore something that you know is wrong

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The teacher turned a blind eye to the students whispering in class. / She knew her friend was cheating on the test, but she turned a blind eye and said nothing.