1,a while back 不久以前
2, a far cry from 相距甚远
The published book is far cry from the early manuscript.
3,and how 的确
A: She’s a good dancer.
B: and how.
4, all along 一直
I knew it all along.
5, a phone call away 一个电话之远，愿意过来帮忙。
If you need my help, do let me know. Just remember I am a phone call away.
6, a change of pace 节奏变换
You can’t do these chemistry experiments all day long. You certainly need a change of pace.
7， a matter of time 时间问题
It is only a matter of time.
8, anything but 绝对不
I was anything but happy about going.
9, account for 解释
How do you account for it?
10, after all 到底
A: I’ve just seen the X-rays and your teeth look just fine,
B: I see. Then there is nothing to worry about after all.
11, allergic to 对|……过敏
Oh man! Something in this room is making my eyes itch. I must be allergic to something.
12, at sb’s service 愿为某人服务
I am at your service at any time.
13, around the clock 24小时不停
Martha studied around the clock for management exam.
14, as far as I know 就我所知
15，at home with 对…..很熟悉
She is at home with problems like this.
16, back out
1) 退出
A: Wasn’t Bert supposed to sing tonight?
B: Yes, but he backed out at last minute
2）不履行
She finally backed out of her promise.
17, be cut out for 天生适合
I’m not cut out to be a hero.
18, be absorbed in
She has been absorbed in a horror fiction. I can’t tear her away.
19, be addicted to 对……上瘾
She has been addicted to drugs for years.
20，be attached to 对……有感情
A: I’m amazed that you are still driving that old car of yours. I thought you would have
gotten rid of it years ago.
B: It runs well and I’ve actually been quite attached to it.
21, back up
1) 累积
The subway is running behind schedule, and traffic is backed up for blocks. I don’t know if we’ll make the 6:30 show.
2) 支持
I’ll back it up.
22, be bound for 到……地方
The bus is bound for New England.
23, be (feel) myself 找到自我
I’m feeling myself again.
24, be burned up 生气
She was really burned up at the news.
25, be hard up for
I’m hard up for clothes, but I have a lot of books.
26, be head and shoulders above 好许多
In calculus, Joe is head and shoulders above his classmates.
27，be in the dark 蒙在鼓里
A: Do you have any idea what his notice is about?
B: I’m as in the dark as you are.
28，be stuck 卡住了
I can’t get this window open. It’s stuck.
29, bite off more than one can chew. 贪多嚼不烂
A: I hear you’re taking an advanced physics course this semester.
B: I think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.
30, break new ground 有了新的突破
His architectural design broke new ground in the field.
31，benefit concert 慈善音乐会
We need to let everyone know about the benefit concert, but we don’t have much money for advertising.
32, busy signal 占线
I’ve been calling David for the past half hour, but I keep getting a busy signal.
33,between you and me 你我之间，保密
34，call for
A,打电话找
Tom just called for you.
B,预报
The forecast calls for heavy rain again tonight. Aren’t you glad we’ll be getting away from this for a week?
C,问
It’s probably in the new part of town. We’ll have to call for directions.
35, call it a day 就此结束
A: I’m really glad our club decides to raise money for the children’s hospital, and most of the people we’ve phoned seemed happy to contribute.
B: Yeah, I agree. Now we’ve gone through all the numbers on our list now, so I guess we can call it a day.
36,cash the check 兑现支票
Have your sister cashed her paycheck?
37,clear off 收拾，整理
It’s about time we clear off the desk.
38,come down (雨，雪)下起来
The heavy rain is coming down, now.
39, come in first in the race 比赛第一名
Not only did Jill come in first in the race but she also had her best running time of the season.
40,come what may 不管怎样
We’ll pick you up tomorrow at eight, come what may.
41,cost somebody an arm and a leg
A: Did you see the diamond ring Bill gave to Linda?
B: I sure did. It must have cost him an arm and a leg.
42, cut it out 闭嘴
I told you to cut it out.
43,be cut out for 生来时做……的
Dr. Hamilton doesn’t feel Larry is cut out for the medical profession.
44,do with 用…..凑合; do without 没有……也行
You can do with your girlfriend.
You can do without your girlfriend
45,fall back on 依赖
A: Were you able to understand that French novel without any help from the teacher?
B: I did pretty well, but I had to fall back on my dictionary occasionally.
46, department chair 系主任
I didn’t write that memo to the department chair.
47, dog tired 特别累，同义：run down; worn out; out of steam
I’m dog tired these days. I’m working on seven articles.
48, down jacket 羽绒服
49，dirt cheap 非常便宜
A: You’ve already furnished your apartment?
B: I’ve found some used furniture that was dirt cheap.
50, drive somebody up the wall 让某人发疯；同义：drive somebody out of one’s mind
The sound of all that raffic is driving me out of my mind.