CPE_Unit 11

(by) trial and error

learning from one’s mistakes

at a premium

1) at a higher price than usual because it is scarce, 2) wanted/needed but difficult to get/achieve

at one’s own pace

at a speed which is comfortable for one

be (as) thick (as a brick)

be stupid

be ahead of one’s time

have progressive ideas

be an abundance of something

there is a large amount of something

be behind the times

to be old-fashioned, outdated, or not up-to-date with current trends or ideas

be depending on something

rely on something for success or outcome

be dwarfed by somebody

seem small or less significant in comparison to someone

be earmarked for something

be reserved or designated for a particular purpose

be out of step with something

not in agreement or harmony with something

be prohibited

not allowed by rules or law

be prone to

likely to do or experience something, especially something negative

be swamped with something

be overwhelmed with too much of something

be the butt of one’s jokes

be the person who is regularly mocked or laughed at

be tickled pink

be really pleased

bring somebody down a peg or two

reduce somebody to their true status

come to terms with

accept a difficult situation

dawn on someone

someone suddenly realizes or understands something

feel below/under par

feel tired and unable to work etc. as well as usual

feel the pinch

be in a difficult financial situation

for the time being

temporarily

get in

be elected, come to power

go to great pains

try hard to do something because it is important

go to pot

deteriorate

have so much on one’s plate

have a lot of tasks or responsibilities

in a tick

shortly, soon

in passing

incidentally

in the nick of time

just in time

it was thoughtless of someone

someone acted in a careless or inconsiderate way

keep somebody posted

keep somebody informed

kill time

pass time while waiting for somebody/something

lay the table

prepare/set the table for a meal

not a patch on

not nearly as good as; not comparable

not be one’s cup of tea

not suit one’s taste

not put it past somebody

not be surprised if somebody did something they shouldn’t

on second thoughts

having changed one’s mind

out of turn

not in the correct order/time

paint the town red

have a great time

pass up

not take a chance or opportunity

phase in

introduce gradually

pile up

mount up

pit your wits against somebody (or something)

compete with somebody (or something) in intelligence/a test of knowledge

play at

do something others don’t understand

play truant

stay away from school without permission

pluck up the courage

make an effort to be brave

plumb new depths

be worse than ever

press on/ahead

continue determinedly

put two and two together

arrive at the truth by looking at the facts

red tape

unnecessary bureaucracy

say your piece

give your view or opinion

take one’s time

not hurry

take something in one’s stride

deal with something difficult in a calm way

take the plunge

take a/the risk

through thick and thin

whatever happens

touch and go

with uncertain result

be conferred upon somebody

be officially given to someone

be handed down

be passed from one generation to another

be overcome with emotion

be strongly affected or overwhelmed by feelings

be provoked into something

be caused or pushed to do something

be staffed

have employees or personnel assigned to a place or role

come in for a good few criticisms

receive or be subjected to quite a lot of criticism

something goes with something

two things match or complement each other

to go round

be enough for everyone