1.flying colors--success, victory

2.little by little--gradually

3.call off--cancel

4.come into--receive, especially after another's death

5.put off--postpone

6.stop by--make a brief visit on one's way elsewhere

7.tie up--hinder

8.be out for--trying to get

9.fill in for--take another's place

10.turn down-- (1) refuse or reject (2) reduce the loudness of

11.go off--begin to ring

12.cut down--lessen; reduce; limit

13.come up with--produce; supply

14.make it-- (1) achieve a specific goal (2) succeed in general

15.catch one's eye--attract one's attention

16.care for-- (1) like; value (2) look after; take care of

17.head and shoulders above--much better

18.catch on--become popular

19.on the whole--in general

20.fill sb in--tell what sb should know

21.in a nutshell--in a few words

22.from top to bottom--completely; entirely

23.take the plunge--enter with sudden decision upon an unfamiliar course of action

24.on the tip of one's tongue--unable to be recalled

25.cheer up--feel happy; stop being sad or discouraged; become hopeful

26.hold off--postpone; delay

27.on cloud nine--a state of perfect happiness

28.back out--withdraw from an undertaking

29.grin and bear it--be as cheerful as possible in pain or trouble; do something without complaining

30.turn out to be--come to be; prove

31.bite off more than one can chew--attempt something that exceeds one's ab

ility

32.in the air--uncertain

33.get hold off--find a person so you can speak with him

34.learn the ropes--acquire thorough or special knowledge of a job

35.tear oneself away from--depart with great reluctance; force oneself to leave

36.tie up--engage or occupy completely

37.touch on--mention a subject briefly or casually

39.see to it--take care;take the responsibility;make sure

40.get along with--live or work in harmony with

41.give away--give as present