Australia Network - Nexus - English Bites Library - Common Expressions

gear up

prepare; get ready

There is a lot of activity when a city gears up for the Olympic Games.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Right now, Rockhampton is in the grip of bull madness, as the city gears up for the nation's biggest beef expo, which it hosts every three years.

genie is out of the bottle

To say that the genie is out of the bottle is to say that something unpredictable and dangerous has been set free.

The genie is out of the bottle with genetically modified crops.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

I don't think Australia can wait another two or three years before we do something about this, because the genie is out of the bottle.

get a buzz out of

To get a buzz out of something is to get a thrill, or to enjoy something very much.

I get a buzz out of driving fast.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

I really enjoy and get a buzz out of just seeing the amount of effort put in by so many organisations to get to the stage of releasing these animals into the wild.

get a feel for

To get a feel for something is to gain an understanding about it.

It took a while to get a feel for this new computer program.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Besides viewing species in zoos and museums, Ms Kurczok spends time observing her subjects in the wild to get a feel for their habitat.

get a grip on

take control of

We must get a grip on the rising crime rate.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

However, there's plenty of competition for that money - a fact that golf courses are going to have to recognise if they expect to get a grip on the problem.

get away from it all

To get away from it all is to go on holiday in order to escape from the problems of modern life.

I'm going bushwalking to get away from it all.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

To 300,000 visitors every year, Fraser Island is a paradise found. A place to get away from it all and get close to nature - especially to dingoes.

get behind

To get behind something is to completely support it.

You should get behind the appeal to raise money for victims of the disaster.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

The whole town has got behind this project and it's now about much more than new parents and their babies.

get down to business

To get down to business is to start doing something seriously.

Ok, enough joking - it's time to get down to business.

get in touch with

To get in touch with means to contact or communicate with.

I must get in touch with my parents.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

You can get in touch with the flying doc any time of the day and night with the emergency button, and they're very good.

get into

become involved; get interested

I got into computers when I was about ten years old.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

So, my father and uncle played lawn bowls so I got into it at an early age and sort of stuck to it.

get into shape

To get into shape is to become healthy and fit.

I'm going to start excercising and get into shape.

get into the spirit

To get or enter into the spirit of something is to take part in something with enthusiasm.

They get into the spirit of Christmas by decoarating their house.

get it

understand it

I don't get it.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

What we're finding is that people in this community understand that climate change is already affecting them. Really, they get it here.

get off lightly

To get off lightly is to be lucky and avoid injury, punishment or trouble

I think he got off lightly with just a fine.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

So far these guys have got off lightly. Just a broken wrist and a few concussions that's about it.

get off the ground

start successfully

All we need to get off the ground is a loan from the bank.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

The proponents of space tourism really want to see it get off the ground ...

get on like a house on fire

To get on like a house on fire is to become friendly very quickly.

We got on like a house on fire from the moment we met.

get on with it

continue even though it is difficult

I know that we don’t have enough staff, but we’ll just have to get on with it.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

I'm very sorry I can't be emotional about things like this, but, you know, working is working, and if this is the job you do, you get on with it.

get on your high horse

To get on your high horse is to be irritated because you think that someone has not shown you enough respect.

She got on her high horse when he started to criticise her work.

get rid of

To get rid of something means to dispose of it and be free of it.

I want to get rid of all this rubbish.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

We’re not going to suddenly get rid of industry here and we don’t want to.

get stuck in

To get stuck in is to work hard.

Let's get stuck in and get the job finished.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

I mean, they just have a willingness to work and they get really stuck in but they're also really good for the community.

get the bug

become enthused; get involved and excited

Once you start learning about computers, you get the bug and spend more and more time with them.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Everybody's fascinated and I think, you know, once you start doing it, you get the bug.

get the hang of it

To get the hang of something is to learn how to use or do something.

It takes a while to get the hang of this computer program.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

It doesn't worry me what it is, it's just working every day. It's different, doing other things. But, yes, you get the hang of it.

get wind of

To get wind of something is to hear about something secret.

How did she get wind of the new plan?

get you down

make you depressed; make you sad

The amount to learn in English sometimes gets me down.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

It does get you down. You know you should be able to see that and should be able to do that, but you can't -- you know you can't, and it does get frustrating, I tell you, very frustrating at times.

gets up your nose

Something that gets up your nose annoys you.

Working on the weekend gets up my nose.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

I don't mind competing against corporate farms if they're genuine tea tree farmers, but, you know, if they're there for a completely different reason, well, then, that gets up my nose a little bit.

getting even

To get even is to cause someone the same amount of trouble or harm they have caused you.

I'm going to get even with him and scratch his car like he scratched mine.

get-up-and-go

energy and enthusiasm

We want to hire someone with a lot of get-up-and-go.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Being a woman and an artist in the 20th century is hard enough, but being a woman and an artist in the 19th century I think was probably near impossible unless you had a very rich husband and a lot of get-up-and-go.

give away

reveal; tell

Don't give away your secrets.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Exactly what is in our sausage is good lean pork, pork from female pigs, male pigs tend to taste a bit stronger, and cereal binders, but that's about all I can give away at the moment.

give it a shot

To give something a shot is to give it a try or to do it

I suppose I should give surfing a shot.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Oh, I just really enjoy the Fringe. Love being here and saw that they were looking for volunteers so I thought I'd give it a shot.

give it away

stop doing something

I'm sick of playing football. I should give it away.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Do you know why they give it away?

give someone a go

To give someone a go means to give them a chance, or an opportunity to try something.

We should give the young players a go.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

I bought her her first car for the road and that was a manual car as well, and she spruced it up, put some big wheels on it and made it look like the boy's car down the road and I thought "Well, yeah, I'll give her a go".

give someone a hand

To give someone a hand is to help them.

Can you give me a hand with my homework?

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

You get pretty tired but at least I'm helping dad and giving him a hand and all that because he's really busy.

give someone grief

To give somebody grief is to criticise their behaviour.

My girlfriend is always giving me grief.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

The unconditional love, with the dogs, and you can't get that from a person, they don't talk back, they don't give you any grief if you're late or you're too drunk when you come home, it's all good.

give someone the drum

To give someone the drum is Australian slang for giving someone some useful information or advice.

He gave me the drum on the winning horse before the race.

give someone the go ahead

To give someone the go ahead is to allow them to proceed or to tell them that something can now happen.

I'm not doing any more work on this project until we're given the go ahead.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

I have talked to the owner a couple of times and asked if he would like me to move it from his place. I talked to him today and he gave me the go ahead.

give something a shot

To give something a shot is to give it a try.

You have to give something a shot to see if you're any good at it.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

What I'm hearing is certainly that they are giving it their best shot - to continue to work hard every day, to know when to take some time off and have family time.

give them a mouthful

To give someone a mouthful is to abuse them or swear at them.

The car driver gave the cyclist a mouthful.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

You would give them a mouthful just to see if you could get any reaction, but you didn't know any better.

give up on

To give up on something is to lose faith and trust in it

I've given up on him - he'll never be any good.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

She's given up on recruitment agencies, which she says treat her as though her time has past.

give up the ghost

To give up the ghost means to die or stop working.

My old car has finally given up the ghost.

To give up the ghost can also mean to stop making an effort or to stop trying.

The team got beaten by 10 goals because they gave up the ghost at half time when they were 3 goals down.

give way

fall down; break

The were dancing on the table and of course it gave way.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

The span toppled after two columns, each 150 feet high, gave way.

To give way also means to allow traffic to go first.

You must give way to traffic coming from the right.

to concede or allow someone to have what they want

If you give way to your child's temper tantrum, you should expect more tantrums.

given a spray

To give someone a spray means to tell them off, or to speak angrily to them.

The boss gave him a spray for being late again.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Supermarket chains Woolworths and Coles have also been given a spray for importing processed vegetables and in some cases labelling them as "house brands".

go ahead

proceed; continue; happen

Our new program will go ahead next year.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

The dam will not go ahead.

go astray

Something that goes astray goes wrong or goes in the wrong direction.

The plan to eat outside went astray when it began to rain.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

The official proceedings went astray for a few moments when the New South Wales Premier was upstaged by the leader of a radical right-wing group called the New Guard, who wanted royalty to open the bridge.

Go astray also means to become lost.

Some important documents have gone astray.

go broke

go bankrupt; go out of business; go bust

If the price of fuel keeps increasing, we’ll go broke.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Could they make businesses go broke, halt manufacturing, even cause supermarket shelves to empty?

go fly a kite

To tell someone to go fly a kite is to tell them to go away and stop annoying you.

Why don't you just go fly a kite?

go for it

just do it; do something even though it looks difficult

Don't worry about how hard people say it is - just go for it.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

I would definitely encourage them. Really the benefits'd far outweigh any problems we've had out here. And just to bite the bullet and go for it because it's very rewarding.

go for your life

To go for your life is to try as hard as you can or to do something enthusiastically.

Get out on to the football pitch and go for your life.

Tjhis expression is used in Woodchopping 22/11/02.

The axemen start either off a shouted handicap or off scratch for a championship and they simply go for their lives at these standing logs, the first to punch through, as they say, being the winner.

go from strength to strength

To go from strength to strength is to continue to have success and improve something that is already very good.

The team has not lost all season and just keeps going from strength to strength.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

In 1972, Dr Maruff ceased his involvement in the Nerada tea industry sadly, and so in 1985 tea planting started on this estate here. From that point it's just gone from strength to strength.

go hand in hand

are very closely related or connected

Poverty and lack of education go hand in hand.

This expresssion is used in Surf School 12/4/05.

Surfboard manufacture and coaching go hand in hand and they get a chance to test their skills in both.

go on to

To go on to something is to progress.

He went on to university and then became a teacher.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

He started off at high school and now he's gone on to university studies.

go out of your way

To go out of your way is to make a special effort.

We're going out of our way to make her feel comfortable staying with us.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

And we're going out of our way to try and demystify that and to give opportunities for young Victorians to have a look to make up their own minds.

go places

To go places is to succeed or be likely to succeed

If you want to go places, then it helps to learn English.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

In 2005, we introduced more new elements. Segments about sport and leisure. Indigenous stories. History. Craft. Health. And young people going places.

go postal

To go postal is American slang for behaving in an angry and violent way.

This guy in the bar last night went postal and started a fight.

The expression go postal apparently originated in the USA in the 1990s, where there was a spate of shootings by disgruntled postal workers.

go public

say something publicly to everyone instead of privately to friends

I’m going to go public with what I know about the President’s affairs.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

But, these days, any critics of Bendigo's old-style strategy don't like to go public.

go to any/all lengths

To go to all (or any) lengths is to do everything possible.

They'd go to any lengths to have children.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

It's proof, the owners say, that the role of pets in the family has changed.
Definitely more of a child, people will go to all lengths, to actually spend money on their babies, and you know, in winter, some of the fashions that they come in with are like mind blowing.

go to hell

The expression go to hell is used to tell someone to go away or to stop doing something. It is used in anger and can offend people.

He wanted to say sorry , but I just told him to go to hell.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

I hope it's a success and whoever carries... moves the resolution, that it's carried by a big majority to bring back the architect that designed the job and tell Hughes to go to hell and mind his own blasted business.

go to seed

To go to seed is to become so careless about your appearance that you look dirty and untidy.

I saw him for the first time in years and he'd really gone to seed.

go to the wall

To go to the wall or be sent to the wall is to fail as a business.

If oil prices keep rising we will go to the wall.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

He's predicting that the closure of the archipelago to aquarium collectors will create a domino effect sending several Western Australian and interstate customers to the wall.

gobbled up

(informal) eaten

She was gobbled up by a shark.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

The instant you get a fish into a freshwater system like that they get gobbled up and they disappear quite quickly.

goes

Goes is slang for says.

She goes " I don't like him."

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

He goes, "Mum, I broke my arm."

goes to your head

Something that goes to your head makes you proud and smug in a way that other people find annoying.

They're making a lot of money, but it's not going to their heads.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

But their good fortune isn't going to their heads.

going great guns

doing very well; succeeding; moving fast

The team have been going great guns since they got a new coach.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

That's how it started. It has been going great guns ever since.

going on

to be nearly a time, age or number

It was going on ten o'clock by the time I left work.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

I'm Clement Paligaru and I'm from Fiji. I was born there, came to Australia when I was just 16 going on 17.

going under the hammer

being put up for sale at an auction; going to be sold

Our house is going under the hammer next week.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

When the library was told the collection was going under the hammer at Christie's in London a major funding drive was launched in a bid to come up with the money.

gold mine

Something that makes a lot of money is called a gold mine.

Their new business is proving to be a gold mine.

gone through the roof

increased very quickly

The share price has gone through the roof.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Sausage sales have actually gone through the roof, right.

gone too far

To have gone too far means to have done too much or to do something extreme and not socially acceptable.

He's gone too far by coming to work drunk.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

It makes me feel proud and good, even though my daughter says I've gone too far.

good many

a lot; very many

There are a good many expressions in our Common Expressions Library.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Over a good many years she developed her talents in the bush, and three times she went back to London to study art at various art schools, and on her last visit to London in 1911, she was successful in having her first book published.

goody-two-shoes

A goody-two-shoes is someone who is good all the time in a way that irriates other people.

No-one else has done the homework except that goody-two-shoes.

got into the spirit

took part in an activity with enthusiasm

They danced and got into the spirit of the celebration.

got the goods

If you've got the goods, you have the talent to do something.

If you think you've got the goods, you should try to be an actor.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

It means if you are the best in your field and you have got the goods, then you may have a chance to be on the best stage in the opera world.

got to me

affected me strongly

The news about the earthquake really got to me.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

The thing that really got to me was just all these beautiful old, historic telescopes, every one of them unique, that are just gone.

grave concerns

Grave concerns are very serious worries.

We have grave concerns about the missing girl.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

And there are grave concerns for Darwin's frill-necked lizard population.

great strides

very good progress

Computer technology has taken great strides in the past twenty years.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

The award judges were impressed with the great strides many children made over several years, in reading and writing.

green light

To give the green light is to allow something to go ahead.

We need to get the green light before we start building.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

This week, the green light was given and the excavator moved in.

groundbreaking

Groundbreaking means new, or something that's never been done before.

She's doing some groundbreaking research into the causes of diabetes.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

As Douglas Mawson set off on his groundbreaking journey, photographer Frank Hurley was there, recording everything with his stereoscopic camera.

guinea pigs

people used in scientific experiments; people used to see if something works

We need a group of people to be guinea pigs to see if our product works.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

The two and a half thousand people of the Texas district are guinea pigs for the Queensland Health Department.


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