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To make a name for yourself is to achieve something that makes you famous or well known. You need to make a name for yourself in TV and theatre before you get a role in a big movies. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Holden then went on to produce other iconic models, the first being the Monaro sports coupe in 1968. That ran for ten years and made a real name for itself in the racing world. without emotions or feelingsYou would have to be made of stone not to be moved by this film. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:I think you'd have to be pretty much made of stone not to be affected by a lot of the things that happen here and a lot of the things you see and hear, so, yes, I think it's hard to walk away and just leave it all behind. The main drag is slang for the main street.He has a bookshop on the main drag. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:And in the main drag, there’s a house made of bottles - a monument to many a hangover. The main game is the most important thing.Earning money is the main game. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:But in the end the visual aids aren't the main game. The main game is schoolwork, and homework! very unexpected resultKorea's defeat of Italy in the World Cup was a major upset. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:But there was a major upset in the big race... To make a mountain out of a molehill is to behave as if a minor problem is more serious and important than it really is.She scratched to car and he made a mountain out of a molehill and didn't speak to her for two days. To make a song and dance about something is to get excited about something that isn't really very important.It's not worth making a song and dance about a trial exam. To make do is to manage with something that is not as good as is can be.When we played football as children we had to make do with an old plastic ball. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Alice Springs, the built environment reflects isolation, a scarcity of materials, a great ingenuity, a making do. There's a certain poverty in the landscape. To make ends meet is to earn enough to pay all of your living expenses.If I lose my job I won't be able to make ends meet. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:It's fallen below the poverty line for a long, long time, which means many child care workers have had to choose other industries to work in because they just can't make ends meet be successfulYou have to work hard if you want to make it in this business. This is how the expression is used in this sense one of our stories:Some stay in Brisbane or move to Brisbane and some stay in Sydney, but everyone's moving to Melbourne because this is where you've got to make it. To make it also means to succeed in reaching a place.You'll never make it to the top of the mountain. This is how the expression is used in this sense one of our stories:Cook carried on with the Endeavour across the Indian Ocean to Cape Town at the bottom of South Africa where he had his records copied and sent before him in a merchant ship so that when he finally made it to England he entered the Downs the word had got out already that the Endeavour was almost home and had successfully circumnavigated the world To make matters worse is to make the things that are happening become more unpleasant.I'm scared that if I complain it will just make matters worse. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Some people just don't want to tell teachers or even friends because they don't want to make matters worse. To make no bones about something is to be open and honest and not to hesitate.He makes no bones about the fact that he likes a drink. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:...there's no guarantees in this game. This is a very cut-throat business, make no bones about it, it's a very cut-throat business. The thing that is most important to success or failure is descibed as make or break.This exam is make or break for my career. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:The staff will make or break your business and getting people, getting baristas that are passionate about that product themselves is a really great way to go. To make short work of something is to do or finish it quickly and easily.She made short work of that chocolate cake. be good enoughThis new product doesn't make the grade. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Raulin and Wright both believe classical instruments made of native timber can make the grade. To make up your mind means to make a decision or decide what to choose.I can't make up my mind what to eat. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:People have made up their mind that they don't want this invasive species. use something for your advantageYou should make use of our language library. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:All we have to do is make use of a simple device invented nearly 200 years ago, and this is it, a mesh of metal screen. When you visit someone, they might tell you to make yourself at home. That means you should relax and make yourself feel as comfortable as you would in your own home.Come in and make yourself at home. makes a lasting impression; has an obvious effectThe volcanoes in the region have made their mark on the landscape. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Water makes it mark everywhere along the coast of Discovery Bay. makes your day worthwhile; cheers you up; makes you happyEmails from people who like your work are something that makes your day. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Seeing kids, if they smile or they have a giggle or whatever, it just makes your day. To make a beeline for something is to take the quickest and most direct route.Watch the children make a beeline for the ice-cream. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Instead of making a beeline for Alice Springs, it would be a giant 'U' shape, starting with the Birdsville Track. To make a dent in something is to reduce the amount.The tax bill will make a dent in my savings. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:I think we are making a dent in Salvation Jane. making lots of moneyOur company is making a killing with this new product. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:With half a million visitors each year and accommodation routinely full, the island should be making a killing. To make waves is to attract attention by doing something interesting.She's making waves in the music scene. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:But, these kids are not just making waves in the pool. pay attention to what I'm sayingShe'll accept our offer, you mark my words. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:All the markets are important, but mark my words, once this thing takes off there won't be anywhere near enough camels in Australia to supply that market. friendship; camaraderie; the state of equality and fellowship among menThe mateship among soldiers is important for their morale. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:For about 2,000 workers who have built the railway during the last two years it's been a story of hard work and mateship. Somone who means business is serious and determined to get things done. They mean to do exactly what they say.He means business and will shoot anyone who tries to escape. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Both the council and residents have complained that the Government has been dragging its feet on this issue, but the Government now insists it means business. any place of pilgrimage; a special place people want to come toThe great pyramid of Egypt is a tourist mecca. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:And each of Belgium's thousands of different beers is served in its own particular glass. There are dark beers, light beers, strong beers, beers made of fruit, sparkling beers -- it's a beer lover's beer mecca. The mercury refers to the mercury in a thermometer. A thermometer is a device with a thin glass tube traditionally filled with mercury which expands up the tube as the temperature increases.Today the mercury will reach 40 degrees. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:In winter it's freezing and in summer the mercury creeps over 50 degrees. Middle of the road is conventional, standard or mainstream.Her style of dress is just middle of the road. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:I'd never like to be classed as middle of the road or mainstream. The milk of human kindness is an expression that refers to kind feelings or gentle and affectionate feelingsThe milk of human kindness was not much in evidence on the battlefront. amazing or astonishingThe Nexus website is mind blowing. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:It's proof, the owners say, that the role of pets in the family has changed. If your mind goes blank then you can’t think of anything.Definitely more of a child, people will go to all lengths, to actually spend money on their babies, and you know, in winter, some of the fashions that they come in with are like mind blowing. My mind's gone blank. The expression mind you is used for emphasis.When I was young we used to walk, walk mind you, all the way to school every day. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:But that hasn't stopped one former outlaw motorbiker from going into the food trade. Condiments are his thing. Mind you, he can't get into the supermarkets, find decent distributors or even manage to stay on the local tourism committee. Something that is mind-boggling is so amazing or complicated that it is difficult to imagineThe English Bites language library is mind-boggling. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Plane-spotting is a hobby with an international following and these enthusiasts' intimate knowledge of each aircraft is nothing short of mind-boggling. Your mind's eye is your imagination.I can still picture her in my mind's eye. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Few eyes have seen its work. No light penetrates here and the diver's torches only capture a glimpse but it's enough for the mind's eye to sense the vaulting spaces. A mine of information is a someone or something that can provide a lot of information.He's a mine of information about gardening. To miss out is to not get what you want.I missed out on that job This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:The concerns arise because Melbourne singers, musicians, stagehands and technicians are all missing out on work and audiences are missing out too. modern conveniences; appliances that make life easier like dishwashersThe new house has all the mod cons. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:When we go on a holiday we really know we've been on a holiday because we don't take any mod cons. A money-spinner is something that makes a lot of money.Football is a real money-spinner. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Before he turned to retail, Piers Cody was in media, having built up Cody Outdoor Signs into a big money-spinner. Taking or having the moral high ground is having an argument that is considered morally better or that shows what a worthy person you are.Vegetarians take the moral high ground when they claim that producing meat can only be cruel. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:But they believe they have the moral high ground. usuallyMore often than not I'll be out for lunch at midday. Mother Nature refers to the natural world.Farmers have to rely on Mother Nature for rain. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Our cutting edge photonics technology is old hat for Mother Nature. the most extreme example of; the biggestThis is the mother of all storms. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:On a perfect spring morning in South Australia's Barossa Valley comes the mother of all food junkets. evidence that is building up; accumulating proofThere is mounting evidence that the Earth is warming up. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:But cane farmers continue to question the mounting evidence of damage to the reef. Something that is a mouthful is difficult to say or pronounce or just too long to bother saying.The new hospital is going to be called the Marjorie Jackson Nelson Hospital, which is quite a mouthful This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:We are at the premises of the South Australia Society of Model and Experimental Engineers which is a mouthful so it's usually known as the initials SASMEE, S-A-S-M-E-E. It's a lot easier to do. If there are moves afoot, there are actions being planned.There are moves afoot to cut back staff. helped, especially with difficult or unpleasant workEveryone mucked in after the party to clean up. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:As the State industry department's commissioner for Italy, Sir James Gobbo also mucked in to help set up the production, but it's been slow going juggling two cultures, two government bureaucracies and 350 volunteers. Mucking around means being silly, or playing.Stop mucking around and do some work! This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:I started with my uncle just on a hire track and just mucking around. Mulling over means studying or looking at and thinking about. Usually we use this expression to mean thinking about something in a dreamy or unsystematic wayI sat around yesterday mulling over things that happened when I was a child. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:It has 75 community bank branches and is mulling over another 1,000 applications. force your way in; break inHe muscled in to the queue. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:The hiatus in Tasmanian scallops coming to market has provided an opportunity for Asian imports to muscle in. pleasant to hear; good to hear; good newsThe sound of rain on the roof is music to the ears of the farmers who need it. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Such talk is music to the ears of horticulturalists Michael and Tamara Boland. Things that are mutally exclusive cannot exist at the same time. They cannot go together.Believing in God and being an atheist are mutually exclusive. my style; what I likeYou can have nightclubbing - a comfortable armchair and a good book is more my speed. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Now, Pauline's ute is a little bit more my speed.
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Common Expressions