Australia Network - Nexus - English Bites Library - Common Expressions

if you like

We sometimes use the expression if you like when we've made an fairly exaggerated claim.

Mine is the Roll Royce, if you like, of computers.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

This is a sort of grand final, if you like, for poultry shows.

ill effects

harmful or unpleasant consequences

He showed no ill effects from his exposure to the gas.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

While there's no apparent ill effects now, low vitamin D contributes to osteoporosis and hip fracture.

in a nutshell

The expression in a nutshell is used when you are saying something in the shortest possible way.

Do you enjoy learning English?
In a nutshell, no.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Well, that's pretty much me in a nutshell, but if you follow me now to the other side of the house, here in studio A you can meet my other half, Andre.

in advance

before something has happened

If you could know in advance the results of the races, you could win a lot of money.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

If we were able to identify people in advance as being at high risk because they possessed a set of genes, then that might have adverse effects on them in terms of the way others in their social environment treat them.

in all

as a total number

We have 13 animals in all - 9 chickens, 2 guinea pigs, a rabbit and a frog.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

They started making aeroplanes in the old hangar at Qantas - in fact they made seven aeroplanes in all - and this was from a period of about 1920 through to 1927, 28.

in between

between two states

He's neither tall nor short. He's in between.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Manipulate the lighting and you can get something in between.

in charge

To be in charge is to have control or command or something.

The teacher is in charge of the classroom.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Peter Whelan is a medical entomologist and in charge of the dengue mosquito eradication project.

in common

To have something in common with someone else is to have the same quality or to be very similar.

When we started to talk we discovered that we had a lot in common.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Despite the massive population and recent success of western pop, Bobby Cash is literally one in a billion, but he says Indian culture and country music have a lot in common.

in days gone by

in the past

Bjorn Borg was good tennis player in days gone by.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

You can't what?
Run.
Oh, well, you could have done in days gone by.

in debt

If you’re in debt to someone, you owe money to them.

I'm in debt to the bank.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

But I feel bad having to owe it to my mum anyway. I'm still $20 in debt from my last bill.

in droves

A drove is a large group or crowd of something. To come in droves means to come in large numbers.

They came in droves to see the fireworks display.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

They're coming in droves to outback SA, injecting millions of tourist dollars into a region that in the past has relied largely on cattle.

in for a surprise

Saying that someone is in for a surprise means that they are going to be surprised.

She thinks she might get some flowers for Valentine's, but she's in for a surprise.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

The usual Cat Empire fans are certainly in for a surprise this time.

in full swing

at the busiest and liveliest time

When we arrived, the party was in full swing.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

It's just after dawn at the Sydney flower market and already it's in full swing.

in hindsight

after knowing what has happened; looking back after the event

In hindsight, we spent too much money.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

I think we ended up putting in 6km of fencing and something like 5 or 6 thousand trees, which in hindsight was probably too many, and we just couldn't water them.

in jeopardy

in danger

Always arriving late puts you in jeopardy of losing your job

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Some products people throw into the bins jam the processing machinery and many items place the health of the workers in jeopardy.

in keeping with

Something that is in keeping with something else is appropriate or in agreement with it.

That dress is not in keeping with a formal occasion.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

And I’m the boat builder here and it’s my job to look after these vessels, to keep them in keeping with the time frame of the village - it’s around the 1870s.

in limbo

To be in limbo is to be in a state of uncertainty.

I'm in limbo waiting for my next job.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

The archives here at the Alexander Library Building in Perth are the cream of the crop. But the vast majority of them are locked in limbo because the State Records Office is at capacity.

in mind

To have something in mind means to be thinking about it or be aware of it.

I kept the cost of heating in mind when planning the house.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Designed with recreational use in mind, it's quickly finding commercial applications and on these islands orders are flowing in.

in my heart of hearts

To say in your heart of hearts means that you really believe something and feel that it is right.

I didn't want it to be true, but in my heart of hearts I knew the doctor was right and that I would never walk again.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

But in my heart of hearts, the thing that I loved most was my contact with people.

in no small part

in large part; to a large extent

She was responsible in no small part for their success.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

The animal's survival can be credited in no small part to these two.

in on the ground floor

To be in on the ground floor is to become involved in the beginning, especially in a project that will make money.

You should get in on the ground floor and buy shares in this new company.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

...to have a development like this that you can be in on the ground floor that is going to develop into something which will be looked upon in years to come as just such an innovation.

in one fell swoop

in one decisive action; at once

You can lose weight and improve your health in one felll swoop with our miracle diet.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

We made a selection of eight paintings, a large number of paintings, and 83 drawings, a very large number of drawings, and that in one fell swoop, so called, has given us a very strong, cohesive and wide ranging, varied collection of works and we thought we should put these immediately on show.

in one go

with one action

I killed two flies in one go.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

So it's actually closing the loop and solving two problems in one go.

in return

as a way of paying; in exchange

What will you give me in return for this favour?

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

National parks is trying to negotiate a solution where the government takes over the disputed land for protection and gives the farmer other viable land in return.

in safe hands

Something that is in safe hands is being carefully cared for by someone who can be trusted.

The future of the company is in safe hands.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Once a home is found for WA's ever expanding collection of records, they'll be in safe hands for hundreds of years.

in strife

in trouble

They're trailing by three goals and are in strife.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

You cruise along at about 90 or 100 and that's it. Any more and you're in strife.

in the back of your mind

Something that is in the back of your mind is something that you are always aware of.

The danger of falling is always in the back of my mind when I'm climbing ladders.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Identity is something that is constantly in the back of my mind.

in the black

If you’re in the black, you’re making money, or making a profit.

I'm pleased to announce that the company is back in the black.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Higher prices are a turn-off for holiday-makers, but without them, Rottnest may never get back in the black.

in the first place

originally; first of all

I should have listened to you in the first place.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

So any 'Made in India' blankets may well have come from here in the first place.

in the grip of

experiencing something unpleasant that is continuing

The country is in the grip of drought.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

And sometimes, looking around here, you'd never guess that Toowoomba is in the grip of its worst drought on record.

in the head

Something that is in the head exists only in the imagination. It's an idea rather than the reality.

His sickness is all in the head.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

How do you get Australian consumers to eat camel?
I think it's the camel, let's face it. I mean, he's not an attractive animal in his state, but once he's processeed and so forth, it's good - low cholesterol as I said earlier, 0.6, 21 per cent protein. I think it's all in the head.

in the heart of

in the middle of

I live in the heart of the suburbs.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

The guides are the Fund's environmental experts, responsible for the management plan that will protect 17 ecosystems on three and half thousand square kilometres of land in the heart of central Queensland.

in the long run

Something that happens in the long run happens after a long period of time, eventually or in the end.

In the long run it's better to buy a house than to rent one.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

But ironically, many Tasmanians have to lose at the casino to see their State profit in the long run.

in the making

to be made; to be developed

This website has been many months in the making.

This expression also means developing into something or being made.

She's a great singer in the making.

This expression is used in New Wine 3/3/04.

This bottle of wine has been more than 100 years in the making.

in the meantime

In the meantime means in the time between two things happening.

It's five o'clock and the train leaves at six. What are we going to do in the meantime?

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

But scientists believe any form of biological control is at least a decade away. So in the meantime traps are the only form of defence.

in the name of

If something is done in the name of something else, it's done for or on behalf of it.

The land must be cleared in the name of progress.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Each year there's a parade down the main street, when schoolchildren, teachers and local businesses transport themselves into a world of make-believe - all in the name of encouraging kids to read.

in the pipeline

Something that is in the pipeline is being developed, but isn't ready.

Thre are many new features in the pipeline for English Bites.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

A full-scale clinical trial on meditation and ADHD is now in the pipeline, but even without scientific proof, parents like Kerrie Hammond, who took part in the clinic, are convinced of its merit.

in the red

If the books are in the red, then the accounts show that you are losing money.

We have to cut expenses because we are in the red.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Last year, the books were again in the red, by $2.5 million.

in the wind

Something that's in the wind is about to happen, but you don't know exactly what or when.

The bosses are having a lot of meetings, so something's in the wind.

in their thousands

When talking about numbers of people or things that are coming to a place we sometimes say in their.

The birds come to breed on the island in their thousands.

in touch

To be in touch is to communicate with or contact someone.

We'll be in touch.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

They may have been living in the back of beyond, but two-way radio and the postal service kept them in touch.

in vogue

fashionable; popular

Flared jeans were in vogue in the seventies.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

And it's no wonder the fear of snakes was so strong given the pre-antivenom remedies that were in vogue at the time. The medical profession favoured injections of ammonia and strychnine, cures that were still being used right up until 1915.

in your blood

Something that is in your blood is inherited and part of your nature. Often the expression is used to refer to family traditions.

He's be as good a footballer as his father - it's in his blood.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

I think once you've got racing in your blood it's pretty hard to get it out…

in your face

Something that in in your face is very annoying and confronting in a way that can't be ignored.

The music enjoyed by young people is often a bit in your face.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

They're going to be right in their face. Would you buy them?

inject new blood

employ new people with energy and enthusiasm

The company needs to inject new blood if it is going to continue to be successful.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

But while the program has helped inject new blood into some practices, it's not a cure for all of the industry's problems.

into

Into means very interested in.

I'm really into learning English.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

And a lot of the kids are really into music, heavily into music.

introduced species

An introduced species is a type of animal or plant brought into a place from somewhere else.

The rabbit is an introduced species in Australia.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Like many introduced species - the cane toad, the rabbit, the European carp -- the Indian or common mynah gets bad press.

iron out

smooth out; remove

I'll have to iron out some differences I'm having with my neighbour.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Probation stations like Rocky Hills were designed to iron out these inequalities, forcing all convicts into government work gangs.

is a bit much

Something that is a bit much is more than you can deal with or unreasonable and exteme.

Taking on an extra job at night is a bit much.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

But now one long-standing partnership is coming to an end. Caller James Reid has decided to call it a day: rounding up dancers and a young family is all a bit much.

it just/only goes to show

it's an example that demonstrates a general truth

I hear that she's not doing well at school - it just goes to show that watching TV all the time ruins your ability to concentrate.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

We have a local who's 74 and he comes out and does a jump every week. So it just goes to show that itcomes down to the personality, not necessarily the age.


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