youtube- usa idioms, compose

the United States comprises 50 states. (The whole includes the parts.) The house comprises three bedrooms and a kitchen. whole to parts. The cake comprises flour and sugar."

The molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

The committee is composed of experts from three countries. Lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers compose the salad. Compose Parts make Whole "Flour and sugar compose the cake."

"You don't need to say 'ATM machine.' The 'M' stands for machine, so it's a bit redundant.""We have to fill out the digital form and then print it to sign it? That seems a bit redundant.

it's time to put it to use and practice

"He didn't want to come to the party, but I twisted his arm, and now he's here." Example: "I had to twist her arm to get her to volunteer for the committee."

"That project sounds like it's right up your alley," meaning it's a task they would be good at. "Salsa lessons would be right up her alley," because she loves to dance.

"I’m not sure if it will rain tomorrow, so we can't book the boat yet. Let's just play it by ear.""I don't want to make a reservation for dinner. Let's just walk around downtown and play it by ear."

"I don't have any notes, so I'm just going to wing it."I have no idea what the answers are. I'll just have to wing it and hope for the best.

"I was so mad at my boss, I went to the gym to punch the boxing bag and blow off some steam."After finals week, the students went to a club to dance and blow off some steam."

The election results are going down to the wire; the candidates are tied with 99% of the votes counted."We had to submit the project by 5:00 PM, and we were working down to the wire, submitting it at 4:59 PM."

We’ve been writing this report for three weeks, but we are finally in the home stretch. Just two more pages to go." We have been driving for eight hours, but we are in the home stretch now—only 20 minutes until we get to the hotel."

I forgot our anniversary yesterday, so I am definitely in the doghouse." Example: "I'm in the doghouse with my wife because I tracked mud on the new carpet.""I missed the deadline, so I’m in the doghouse with the boss right now."

hen I saw the damage to the car, I was at a loss for words." Example: "He was so rude to the waiter that the rest of the table was at a loss for words."

I'm so worried about the math exam. I haven't studied enough." You: "Don't worry, we are in the same boat. I haven't opened the book either!"Stop complaining and help me fix this project! If we miss the deadline, we both get fired. We are in the same boat

Put your wallet away. I’m picking up the tab for dinner tonight since it’s your birthday."Don't worry about the flight costs; the company will pick up the tab.

Our competitor launched their product a month before us, so we are starting the quarter behind the eight ball." Example: "With these new budget cuts, the project is really behind the eight ball."

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What did you use to get that sink so shiny?" "Elbow grease," The old car looked terrible, but after a weekend of elbow grease, it looks brand new."We can finish this renovation by Friday, but it's going to take a lot of elbow grease from the whole team."

"I'm applying for a mortgage, so I need to get my ducks in a row and find all my tax documents." Example: "We are leaving for Europe tomorrow. Passports, tickets, hotels—I think I have all my ducks in a row."

When the fire alarm went off, nobody knew the exit route, so they were all running around like headless chickens."I haven't packed for my trip yet, so I'll be running around like a headless chicken all morning trying to find my passport."

We are planning a surprise party for Mom, so make sure she doesn't get wind of it." Example: "The media got wind of the celebrity's secret wedding."

"I heard through the grapevine that we are getting a new manager next month." Example: "The official email hasn't gone out yet, but through the grapevine, I hear layoffs are coming."

I’m going to stick my neck out and say that the underdog team will win the championship."I really stuck my neck out to get you this job interview, so please don't be late." Meaning: If you are late, I will look like a fool for recommending you.

I didn't have any job offers for six months, and suddenly I have three interviews this week! When it rains, it pours."

I'm leaving work an hour early today. Don't tell the boss. Mum's the word, okay?"Please don't tell anyone I'm pregnant yet." Person B: "Mum's the word." (I promise I won't speak.) You better zip your lip about this."Let's keep a lid on this news for now."

"The police found the real thief, so the suspect is officially off the hook." "I was supposed to work this weekend, but they hired a freelancer, so I'm off the hook."You were late, but I'll let you off the hook this time."

"The concert was sold out, so we had to pay through the nose to get tickets from a scalper."Our heater broke on Christmas Eve, and we had to pay through the nose to get a plumber to come out on a holiday."

I promised my mom I’d visit her, but I also bought tickets for the game. I’m really in a pickle now."I drove all the way to the airport but left my passport at home. I’m in a bit of a pickle."

I can't believe I invested all my money in that company before it crashed. I was so stupid." You: "Don't beat yourself up. You didn't know the market would turn. Hindsight is 20/20

Don't bother asking her out. She is a famous model; she is way out of your league." Self-Deprecation: "I don't know why he married me. He is totally out of my league.

t’s easy to play Monday morning quarterback and say the mayor shouldn't have closed the schools, but at the time, nobody knew how bad the storm would be."don't need a Monday morning quarterback telling me I should have brought a jacket. I know I'm cold!"

The economy is crashing, but we have enough savings to weather the storm." Many small businesses couldn't weather the storm of the pandemic and had to close." They had a huge argument last year, but they managed to weather the storm and stay together."

Economists are predicting a recession next year, so we need to batten down the hatches and freeze our budget."Mom found out about the broken vase. Batten down the hatches; she’s going to be furious when she gets home."

I thought that band would be the next Beatles, but they turned out to be just a flash in the pan."The quarterback had a great first game, but critics worry he might be a flash in the pan."Many viral marketing campaigns are just a flash in the pan