English Bites Library
Common Expressions
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explore the common expressions library
under serious threat
in great danger
The future of pandas is under serious threat.
 
under the illusion
hold the mistaken belief
He is under the illusion that he will pass easily.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
If you're under the illusion that the Internet is secure, take a look at this.
 
under their belt
already achieved and making them feel confident
They'll perform better now that they have some experience under their belt.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Steve says the only way for these boys to improve is by getting more rides under their belt.
 
under way
Something that is under way has started.
The game was already under way when we arrived at the stadium.
This expresssion is used in Seed Bank 6/9/05.
Saving species from extinction is the motivation for the painstaking, often tedious seed harvesting now under way in every state of Australia and also in the drylands of at least 20 other countries around the world.
 
under your breath
in a whisper or a low voice
He said something under his breath about what the boss was saying.
 
under your own steam
To go somewhere under your own steam is to go without help from anyone else.
I don't need a lift - I'll go under my own steam.
 
under your wing
To take someone under your wing means to start to protect and care for them.
She took the promising student under her wing and made sure he stayed at school.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Mick Craddock and his mate Big Al Corbett took Joel Bennett under their wing.
 
unheard-of
not known; not heard of before; unprecendented
Sex before marriage was almost unheard-of in Victorian times
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
As a child a leg of lamb as a Sunday roast was almost unheard-of. It was almost always our own chicken...
 
until the cows come home
Until the cows come home means for ever, or for a very long time.
If you try to catch a bus after midnight, you'll be waiting until the cows come home.
 
up and running
operating; just started working
Our new show is up and running.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
If they get those base stations up and running, we need to go there every eight days -- and it'll probably be by Squirrel.
 
up for grabs
Something that is up for grabs is available or possible to achieve.
The game is still up for grabs even though the home team are trailing by two goals.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
And then my dear nana moved out of her older house and suddenly this sofa that I'm sitting on now came up for grabs and I just knew I had to have it.
 
up in arms
very angry
She's up in arms about the new development.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
It's a move that has left Aldinga Beach residents up in arms.
 
up to speed
To be up to speed means to have all the latest information about something.
He's up to speed with all the latest technology.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
We've actually taken an old concept and revamped it with modern materials, modern ideas and putting 2000 technology into an old idea and bringing it up to speed.
 
up with the birds
up very early; awake very early in the morning
I was up with the birds this morning.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Daybreak at Flemington and the horses are up with the birds.
 
ups and downs
times of happiness and times of sadness
Every marriage has its ups and downs.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
I grow old with them as they grow old, and I see them through their ups and downs, and they see me through my ups and downs.
 
upset the apple cart
To upset the apple cart is to cause trouble or spoil arrangements.
The council's rejection of our building plans has really upset the apple cart.
 
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