LESSON 7

to point out: to show, to indicate, to bring to one's attention (S)

• What important buildings did the tour guide point out to you?
• The teacher pointed out the mistakes in my composition.
• A friend pointed the famous actor out to me.

to be up: to expire, to be finished

This idiom is used only with the word time as the subject.

• "The time is up," the teacher said at the end of the test period.
• We have to leave the tennis court because our hour is up; some other people want to use it now.

to be over: to be finished, to end (also: to be through)

This idiom is used for activities and events.

• After the dance was over, we all went to a restaurant.
• The meeting was through ten minutes earlier than everyone expected.

on time: exactly at the correct time, punctually

• I thought that Margaret would arrive late, but she was right on time.
• Did you get to work on time this morning, or did rush hour traffic delay you?

in time to: before the time necessary to do something

• We entered the theater just in time to see the beginning of the movie.
• The truck was not able to stop in time to prevent an accident.

to get better, worse, etc.: to become better, worse, etc.

• Heather has been sick for a month, but now she is getting better.
• This medicine isn't helping me. Instead of getting better, I'm getting worse.

to get sick, well, tired, busy, wet, etc.: to become sick, well, tired, busy, wet, etc.

This idiom consists of a combination of get and various adjectives.

• Gerald got sick last week and has been in bed since that time.
• Every afternoon I get very hungry, so I eat a snack.

had better: should, ought to, be advisable to

This idiom is most often used in contracted form (I'd better).

• I think you'd better speak to Mr. White right away about this matter.
• The doctor told the patient that he'd better go home and rest.

would rather: prefer to (also: would just as soon)

• Would you rather have the appointment this Friday or next Monday?
• I would just as soon go for a walk as watch TV right now.

to all it a day/night: to stop working for the test of the day/night

• Herb tried to repair his car engine all morning before he called it a day and went fishing.
• We've been working hard on this project all evening; let's call it a night.

To figure out: to solve, to find a solution (S); to understand (S)

o       How long did it take you to figure out the answer to the math problem?

o       I was never able to figure it out.

to think of: to have a (good or bad) opinion of

This idiom is often used in the negative or with adjectives such as much and highly.

o       I don't think much of him as a baseball player; he's a slow runner and a poor hitter.

o       James thinks highly of his new boss, who is a kind and helpful person.