C11 - Collocation Note

at odds

in disagreement or conflict with someone

taking offence

becoming resentful or upset by something someone has said or done

in high esteem/regard

held in great respect or admiration

provoke into

to deliberately make someone annoyed or angry so that they react in a certain way

take it as read

to accept that something is true or has been agreed without needing to discuss it

have no inkling of sth

to have no hint, clue, or suspicion about something

drive sb round the bend

to make someone very frustrated, annoyed, or angry

keep sth under one’s hat

to keep something a secret

a cog in a big wheel/machine

a person who is a small and unimportant part of a large organization or system

taking in (cloth)

to make a garment tighter or smaller by sewing the seams further in

put off (manner)

to be repelled or discouraged by someone's behavior or personality

opt out of

to choose not to participate in something or to leave a scheme

under par

feeling slightly unwell or performing below one's usual standard

pluck up (the courage)

to force oneself to be brave enough to do something

get one’s teeth into

to deal with something with great energy, enthusiasm, and focus

without further complications

finishing or proceeding without any additional problems or delays

took exception to

to object strongly to something; to be offended by

conduct oneself

to behave in a specified way, especially in a formal situation

the best part of…

almost all of a certain period of time or amount

fall out (argument)

to have a quarrel and stop being friendly with someone

throng of tourists

a large, densely packed crowd of people visiting a place

as plain as the nose on one’s face

very obvious and easy to see or understand

not a hair on his head

(contextual) used to emphasize that someone is completely bald or hasn't been touched

dealt a blow to his chances

significantly damaged or ruined someone's likelihood of success

cut one’s teeth

to gain initial experience in a particular field or activity

on a par

equal in importance, quality, or status to something else

bending one’s ear

talking to someone at great length, usually to complain or ask for something

pins and needles

a tingling sensation in a limb recovering from numbness

prim and proper

very formal, correct, and easily shocked by anything rude

chop and change

to keep changing one's mind, plans, or activities

to all intents and purposes

in all the most important ways; practically speaking

do a lot worse than…

used to suggest that a particular choice is actually a very good one

flake out

to fall asleep or collapse from extreme exhaustion

seize up

(of a machine or body part) to stop moving or functioning properly

run off

to leave suddenly; to produce copies of a document quickly