GRAMMAR RESOURCE · CHAPTER 38 · PART D

Idiomatic and Fixed Expressions

Learn common idioms, phrasal verbs and fixed grammatical patterns through context, meaning and usage examples.

Estimated study time: 12–18 minutes · 5 lesson sections · 15 practice questions with explanations

Your learning path

1. LearnRead the rules and examples carefully.
2. PractiseAnswer all 15 questions before revealing the key.
3. ReviewExplain each mistake and write a new example.

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to explain the rules, recognise the target forms in context, avoid common errors and apply the patterns to new sentences.

1. Learn expressions in context

An idiom's meaning may not equal the literal meanings of its words. Learn a short example, register and situation where it is natural, rather than memorising a translation alone.

After weeks of practice, she finally got the hang of it.

2. Phrasal verbs

A phrasal verb combines a verb with an adverbial particle, and sometimes a preposition. Some are separable; with separable verbs and a pronoun object, the pronoun usually goes between verb and particle.

Turn the light off / Turn it off.

3. Fixed preposition patterns

Expressions such as be used to, look forward to, take part in and make a decision have established grammatical patterns. Here, to may be a preposition and take a noun or gerund.

She is used to working at night.

4. Register and collocation

Choose expressions that fit the situation. Formal writing may prefer investigate to look into, while both can be correct. Collocations such as make a decision and heavy rain sound natural to fluent speakers.

We need to make a decision, not usually do a decision.

5. Use a context clue

The surrounding sentence often reveals whether an expression means postpone, tolerate, discover, continue or cancel. Test your choice by replacing the expression with its meaning.

The meeting was called off means it was cancelled.

Guided practice

Try each item first without checking the answers. Afterward, open the key and read the explanation for every uncertain answer.

  1. What does “call off a meeting” mean?
  2. Choose: Please turn ___ the lights before leaving. (off them / them off)
  3. What does “look into a matter” mean?
  4. Complete: I look forward to ___ from you. (hear / hearing)
  5. Choose the natural collocation: make a decision / do a decision
  6. What does “give up” mean in “He gave up smoking”?
  7. Complete: She takes pride ___ her work. (in / on)
  8. What does “once in a blue moon” mean?
  9. Choose: We need to ___ an effort. (make / do)
  10. Complete: The plane took ___ on time. (off / out)
  11. What does “break the ice” mean?
  12. Choose: He is used to ___ early. (get up / getting up)
  13. What does “put up with noise” mean?
  14. Complete: The match was put ___ until Friday. (off / away)
  15. Why should idioms be learned with examples?
Show answer key and explanations
  1. Cancel a meeting. — Call off means cancel an event or plan.
  2. them off — With the separable phrasal verb turn off, a pronoun object goes between verb and particle.
  3. Investigate it. — Look into means examine or investigate.
  4. hearing — In look forward to, to is a preposition followed by a gerund.
  5. make a decision — Make a decision is the established collocation.
  6. Stop the habit. — Give up + gerund means stop doing an activity or habit.
  7. in — Take pride in is the standard fixed expression.
  8. Very rarely. — This idiom describes something that happens infrequently.
  9. make — Make an effort is the usual collocation.
  10. off — Take off means leave the ground when used of an aircraft.
  11. Help people feel more comfortable and start interacting. — The idiom refers to easing social tension at the start of an interaction.
  12. getting up — Be used to means be accustomed to and takes a noun or gerund.
  13. Tolerate the noise. — Put up with means tolerate something unpleasant.
  14. off — Put off means postpone.
  15. Context shows the intended meaning, grammar pattern and appropriate use. — A real sentence helps prevent literal misinterpretation and incorrect word patterns.

Learning reflection

Retention tip: Review your mistakes tomorrow, then again after three days and one week. Write one new example for each rule you missed.

Continue your study

For stronger learning, connect this lesson to the next chapter and the quiz library. Return to this page when a quiz reveals a weak area.

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Editorial note: Some conventions vary by dialect, context and examination syllabus. Where relevant, follow the standard specified by your course or exam board.