English Vocabulary for learners
BINOMIALS - 4
Fixed two-word expressions
Binomials from: 'rack and ruin' to: 'word for word'
Binomials Expressions, page 4:
Binomials are two-word expressions linked by a conjunction or preposition, for example 'rack and ruin'.
| BINOMIAL EXPRESSION |
MEANING | EXAMPLE |
|---|---|---|
| Rack and ruin | A state of complete disrepair. | The old house has gone to rack and ruin. |
| Rank and file | The workers or members of an organisation. | The minister remains popular with the party rank and file. |
| Rant and rave | Speak loudly and angrily about something. | You can rant and rave about the rules, but you still have to obey them! |
| Rise and fall | Growth and decline; success and failure. |
In history class we learn about the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. |
| Rest and relaxation (R and R) |
A time of inactivity to chill out or unwind. | You need some rest and relaxation. You've been working too hard. |
| Rough and ready | Hastily prepared but sufficient for the purpose. | The map of the area was rough and ready, but we found our way. |
| Rules and regulations | Instructions as to what is allowed or forbidden. | The rules and regulations in our school are very strict. |
| Safe and sound | Not injured or hurt in any way. | After the avalanche, all of the skiers were found safe and sound. |
| Short and sweet | Brief but appropriate and/or efficient. | His introductory speech was short and sweet, which suited everyone! |
| Sick and tired | Annoyed or frustrated to the point of weariness. | Tom was sick and tired of having to explain the problem over and over again. |
| Sink or swim | Succeed or fail solely through your own efforts. | After a brief explanation, the new recruit was left to sink or swim! |
| Skin and bone | Be very thin or emaciated. | She was nothing but skin and bone after a severe illness. |
| Sooner or later | Eventually; at some time or other in the future | I’ve mislaid my bracelet but I’ll find it sooner or later. |
| Spick and span | Very clean and tidy; spotless. | They cleaned up after the party and left the place spick and span. |
| Step by step | From one stage to the next. | The whole procedure was explained to us step by step. |
| Stuff and nonsense | Meaningless talk; absurdity; rubbish. | Jason referred to Joe’s recommendations as “stuff and nonsense. |
| Tall and proud | With dignity and confidence. | The students stood tall and proud as they received their diplomas. |
| The long and (the) short | Used to explain something without giving the details. | The long and short of it is that I just don't want to go! |
| Topsy-turvy | In a state of disorder. | Everything was topsy-turvy when we moved offices. |
| Toss and turn | Move around restlessly in bed because you are unable to sleep. | She tossed and turned all night, and woke up feeling exhausted. |
| Trial and error | Try different methods and learn from our mistakes. | Some things we have to learn by trial and error. |
| Trials and tribulations | The difficulties we face in life. | It's a book about the trials and tribulations of living abroad. |
| Twists and turns | Surprising changes and developments. | The film is full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.. |
| Tried and tested Tried and true |
Tested and known to be reliable. | A cup of warm milk is my tried-and-tested / tried-and-true remedy for insomnia. |
| Up and coming | Showing great promise or likely to achieve success. | Nowadays he’s meeting competition from up-and-coming players. |
| Ups and downs | A mixture of both good and bad experiences or events. | Anne and Tony have had their ups and downs, but they're still together. |
| Wait and see | Be patient and observe what happens. | It's difficult to predict the outcome. We'll just have to wait and see. |
| Weal and woe | Prosperity (weal) and adversity (woe); joy and sorrow. | His life was a tale of weal and woe. |
| Wear and tear | Damage that happens gradually over time due to everyday use. | After several years of wear and tear, we had to buy a new sofa. |
| Weird and wonderful | Strange or unusual but ingenious. | A collection of weird and wonderful inventions was on display. |
| Wine and dine | Entertain someone with a good meal. | The company likes to wine and dine good customers. |
| Word for word | Exactly as written or spoken. | That's exactly what the boss said - word for word! |
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