1.flying colors--success, victory
2.little by little--gradually
3.call off--cancel
4.come into--receive, especially after another's death
5.put off--postpone
6.stop by--make a brief visit on one's way elsewhere
7.tie up--hinder
8.be out for--trying to get
9.fill in for--take another's place
10.turn down-- (1) refuse or reject (2) reduce the loudness of
11.go off--begin to ring
12.cut down--lessen; reduce; limit
13.come up with--produce; supply
14.make it-- (1) achieve a specific goal (2) succeed in general
15.catch one's eye--attract one's attention
16.care for-- (1) like; value (2) look after; take care of
17.head and shoulders above--much better
18.catch on--become popular
19.on the whole--in general
20.fill sb in--tell what sb should know
21.in a nutshell--in a few words
22.from top to bottom--completely; entirely
23.take the plunge--enter with sudden decision upon an unfamiliar course of action
24.on the tip of one's tongue--unable to be recalled
25.cheer up--feel happy; stop being sad or discouraged; become hopeful
26.hold off--postpone; delay
27.on cloud nine--a state of perfect happiness
28.back out--withdraw from an undertaking
29.grin and bear it--be as cheerful as possible in pain or trouble; do something without complaining
30.turn out to be--come to be; prove
31.bite off more than one can chew--attempt something that exceeds one's ab
ility
32.in the air--uncertain
33.get hold off--find a person so you can speak with him
34.learn the ropes--acquire thorough or special knowledge of a job
35.tear oneself away from--depart with great reluctance; force oneself to leave
36.tie up--engage or occupy completely
37.touch on--mention a subject briefly or casually
39.see to it--take care;take the responsibility;make sure
40.get along with--live or work in harmony with
41.give away--give as present