a breakthrough
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idiom

a breakthrough

Meaning
a significant discovery or achievement in science or research
Example
The team made a breakthrough in cancer research.
phrasal-verb

lean on each other

Meaning
to rely on teammates for help or support
Example
In challenging projects, we often lean on each other for motivation.
phrasal-verb

roll over

Meaning
to reinvest money from a matured investment into a new one
Example
He decided to roll over his fixed deposit for another year.
phrasal-verb

go by

Meaning
to pass (about time); to follow or be guided by something
Example
As the years go by, we learn more about ourselves.
idiom

Blue skies thinking

Meaning
Creative or open-minded thinking without limits.
Example
Our brainstorming session encouraged blue skies thinking.
phrasal-verb

dream up with

Meaning
to invent or imagine something together with someone
Example
The design team dreamed up with a clever solution overnight.
phrasal-verb

go on

Meaning
to happen or take place
Example
The celebration went on until midnight with music and dance.
phrasal-verb

stretch out

Meaning
to extend your body or limbs to relax or prepare for exercise
Example
Don’t forget to stretch out before starting your workout.
phrasal-verb

keep back

Meaning
to withhold something; to stay at a distance
Example
The police told the crowd to keep back from the scene.
phrasal-verb

stick at

Meaning
to continue doing something with determination even when it is difficult
Example
If you stick at it, you will eventually see the results of your effort.
idiom

split personality

Meaning
having two very different sides to one's character
Example
He’s got a split personality—sometimes kind, sometimes cruel.
phrasal-verb

go to bed

Meaning
to lie down to sleep at night
Example
I try to go to bed before 11 p.m. every night.
idiom

data privacy

Meaning
the protection of personal information from unauthorized access or disclosure.
Example
The company implemented strong data privacy measures to protect customer information.
phrasal-verb

work toward excellence

Meaning
to make consistent efforts to achieve high standards
Example
Our teachers motivate us to work toward excellence in every subject.
idiom

learning on the fly

Meaning
to adapt and learn quickly without prior preparation
Example
AI systems are learning on the fly from user data.
idiom

Have something up your sleeve

Meaning
To have a secret plan or idea.
Example
Don’t worry, he has something up his sleeve for the project.
idiom

throw one's hat in the ring

Meaning
to announce one’s intention to compete for a position or office
Example
Several candidates have thrown their hats in the ring for the presidency.
phrasal-verb

open onto

Meaning
to lead to a place or opportunity for connection
Example
This conversation could open onto a deeper understanding between us.
idiom

on the beat

Meaning
a police officer's regular patrol route
Example
The officer was on the beat when he spotted the suspect.
idiom

hit the roof

Meaning
to become very angry
Example
Dad will hit the roof when he sees the broken window.
idiom

At your own risk

Meaning
You are responsible for any possible danger or loss.
Example
You can enter the cave, but it’s at your own risk.
idiom

blow someone away

Meaning
to impress or surprise someone greatly
Example
Her performance really blew me away.
idiom

to shoot for the stars

Meaning
to aim for something very ambitious or difficult to achieve
Example
He decided to shoot for the stars by applying to the most prestigious universities.
phrasal-verb

cool your nerves

Meaning
to calm yourself when feeling nervous or tense
Example
He took a short walk to cool his nerves before the interview.
idiom

beyond words

Meaning
too great or extreme to be described in words
Example
Her kindness was beyond words.
idiom

fear of the unknown

Meaning
anxiety about things that are unfamiliar or uncertain
Example
Many people avoid change because of their fear of the unknown.
phrasal-verb

look for

Meaning
to search for something you need
Example
I’m looking for a new job because I need more stability.
phrasal-verb

hash out with

Meaning
to resolve details through thorough discussion
Example
We hash out with the partners before signing the merger paperwork.
idiom

close the deal

Meaning
to successfully finalize an agreement
Example
After weeks of negotiation, they finally closed the deal.
phrasal-verb

set forth

Meaning
to present or explain an idea or proposal clearly
Example
The president set forth his vision for the nation’s economic future.
idiom

Don Quixote

Meaning
A person who is overly idealistic, unrealistic, or impractical.
Example
He’s being a Don Quixote, chasing impossible dreams.
idiom

spur on

Meaning
to encourage someone to continue or try harder
Example
Her mentor’s feedback spurred her on to apply for the grant.
phrasal-verb

run out

Meaning
to have no remaining phone balance or battery
Example
My phone ran out of battery during the call.
phrasal-verb

shake with laughter

Meaning
to laugh so much that your body moves
Example
They shook with laughter at the comedian’s jokes.
phrasal-verb

build connections with

Meaning
to form positive relationships with people from other cultures
Example
He tried to build connections with his colleagues from various countries.
idiom

bank on

Meaning
to rely on or depend on something happening
Example
You can bank on her support during tough times.
idiom

dig out

Meaning
to retrieve something that has been stored or buried
Example
Could you dig out last year’s budget notes?
idiom

back to the drawing board

Meaning
to start over again after a failure
Example
Our proposal was rejected, so it's back to the drawing board.
phrasal-verb

pray for

Meaning
to express hope or desire for something by praying
Example
We all pray for a better future.
idiom

know something by heart

Meaning
to memorize something perfectly
Example
She knows all the poems by heart.
phrasal-verb

thank warmly

Meaning
to express gratitude in a sincere way
Example
She thanked everyone warmly for attending the event.
phrasal-verb

reach sustainability goals

Meaning
to achieve targets related to environmental and social balance
Example
Nations are collaborating to reach sustainability goals by 2030.
idiom

key into

Meaning
to pay close attention to or understand something important
Example
Leaders must key into what customers value most.
idiom

a bone of contention

Meaning
a subject of disagreement or dispute
Example
Money has always been a bone of contention between them.
idiom

give someone a piece of your mind

Meaning
to express your opinion strongly, especially when criticizing someone
Example
She gave him a piece of her mind after the argument.
idiom

blue chip

Meaning
a well-established and financially sound company
Example
He prefers to invest in blue chip stocks for stability.
phrasal-verb

get bogged down

Meaning
to become so involved in something that you cannot make progress
Example
I got bogged down in paperwork and missed the meeting.
phrasal-verb

grow into self-belief

Meaning
to gradually develop confidence in yourself
Example
Over time, he grew into self-belief and stopped comparing himself to others.
phrasal-verb

back out of an agreement

Meaning
to withdraw from a deal or commitment that was previously made
Example
The country decided to back out of an agreement citing national interest.
idiom

neck and neck

Meaning
very close in a race or competition
Example
The two runners were neck and neck until the final lap.
idiom

good egg

Meaning
a kind and reliable person
Example
Everyone likes John because he’s a good egg.
idiom

political hot potato

Meaning
a controversial issue that no one wants to deal with
Example
Immigration reform has become a political hot potato for the government.
phrasal-verb

draw up plans

Meaning
to prepare detailed strategies or documents
Example
Experts drew up plans for cross-border trade cooperation.
phrasal-verb

dream up

Meaning
to imagine or invent something new or creative
Example
They dreamed up a new way to achieve their business goals.
idiom

get to the bottom of something

Meaning
to understand or solve the real cause of something
Example
We need to get to the bottom of this issue to prevent it from happening again.
phrasal-verb

pack up for travel

Meaning
to gather and prepare belongings before a trip
Example
We pack up for travel the night before an early flight.
phrasal-verb

write out

Meaning
to write something in full form
Example
Please write out your answers clearly in the exam sheet.
idiom

go out of one’s way

Meaning
to make a special effort to help someone
Example
She went out of her way to make sure we felt welcome.
phrasal-verb

freeze with fear

Meaning
to be unable to move because of fear
Example
The child froze with fear when he saw the big dog.
idiom

make ends meet

Meaning
to earn enough money to live on
Example
He works two jobs to make ends meet.
idiom

Pump money into

Meaning
To invest large amounts of money to boost growth.
Example
The government plans to pump money into infrastructure projects.
phrasal-verb

follow your passion

Meaning
to pursue what you love doing as a career or goal
Example
He decided to follow his passion for photography.
phrasal-verb

look down upon

Meaning
to regard someone or something as inferior or less worthy
Example
No one should look down upon others based on their position.
phrasal-verb

get sick of

Meaning
to become bored or annoyed with something or someone
Example
I got sick of hearing the same song over and over.
phrasal-verb

radiate happiness

Meaning
to clearly show happiness or joy through your appearance or behavior
Example
The bride radiated happiness throughout the ceremony.
idiom

blow one’s own trumpet

Meaning
to praise oneself; to boast about one's achievements
Example
He loves to blow his own trumpet whenever he achieves something.
idiom

A Scrooge

Meaning
A very stingy or miserly person.
Example
Don’t be a Scrooge—it’s Christmas!
phrasal-verb

loosen out

Meaning
to relax muscles or body after strain
Example
Stretching helps you loosen out your body.
phrasal-verb

take over for

Meaning
to temporarily handle someone’s virtual responsibilities
Example
Can you take over for me while I’m offline?
idiom

keyboard warrior

Meaning
someone who posts aggressive or angry comments online
Example
He acts tough online, but he’s just a keyboard warrior.
phrasal-verb

pace meetings well

Meaning
to manage the speed of a meeting appropriately
Example
Hosts pace meetings well by sticking to the agenda timing.
idiom

Bet the farm

Meaning
To risk everything on one big decision.
Example
He bet the farm on that business deal.
phrasal-verb

rise above failure

Meaning
to overcome failure and continue striving towards goals
Example
True leaders rise above failure and inspire others to do the same.
phrasal-verb

carry yourself with

Meaning
to present yourself in a confident and dignified way
Example
He always carries himself with confidence and calmness.
idiom

the buck stops here

Meaning
I am the one responsible; I will take responsibility.
Example
The buck stops here, and I will handle the mistake personally.
idiom

have guts

Meaning
to have courage or confidence to do something difficult
Example
It takes someone with real courage to have guts to speak the truth.
idiom

make room for

Meaning
to clear space to accommodate something
Example
Let’s make room for the new equipment near the window.
phrasal-verb

drift off

Meaning
to gradually fall asleep
Example
She drifted off while reading a book.
idiom

a cold war

Meaning
a state of political hostility without open warfare
Example
The two nations seem to be entering a cold war again.
idiom

step up your game

Meaning
to improve your performance or effort
Example
You need to step up your game if you want to win.
idiom

a peace of mind

Meaning
a state of mental and emotional calmness
Example
After the long vacation, she finally got a peace of mind.
idiom

under the gun

Meaning
under pressure to perform or complete something
Example
We were under the gun to meet the deadline for the report.
idiom

kindred spirit

Meaning
someone who has similar interests or feelings
Example
We became friends because we’re kindred spirits.
idiom

out of bandwidth

Meaning
too busy or overwhelmed to handle more tasks
Example
I’m out of bandwidth today, can we talk tomorrow?
phrasal-verb

reach out diplomatically

Meaning
to try to establish communication or improve relations through diplomacy
Example
The government decided to reach out diplomatically to its neighboring countries.
phrasal-verb

reflect kindness on

Meaning
to show gratitude by being kind to others in return
Example
She reflected kindness on others after being helped herself.
idiom

out of the woods

Meaning
no longer in danger or difficulty
Example
She’s recovering now, so she’s out of the woods.
phrasal-verb

take up a new habit

Meaning
to start doing something regularly as a habit or routine
Example
She decided to take up a new habit of reading before bed.
phrasal-verb

break away for a moment

Meaning
to step aside from work or tension for a short time
Example
I like to break away for a moment to clear my head.
phrasal-verb

calm over

Meaning
to gradually become peaceful or composed
Example
After some quiet time, you’ll calm over and think clearly.
phrasal-verb

pour out your heart

Meaning
to express all your emotions and thoughts freely to someone
Example
She poured out her heart to her best friend after the breakup.
phrasal-verb

load up on veggies

Meaning
to eat a lot of vegetables
Example
I load up on veggies at lunch so dinner can stay light.
phrasal-verb

snap out of fear

Meaning
to quickly recover from a fearful or panicked state
Example
He managed to snap out of fear and take control of the situation.
idiom

see the light at the end of the tunnel

Meaning
to begin to see signs of improvement after a long period of difficulty
Example
After months of effort, we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
phrasal-verb

build empathy with

Meaning
to develop understanding and compassion toward people from different cultures
Example
Cultural exchange programs help students build empathy with others.
phrasal-verb

pay something off

Meaning
to completely repay a debt or loan
Example
We finally paid off our mortgage last month.
idiom

a brush with fame

Meaning
a brief encounter or experience with a famous person
Example
During the exhibition, I had a brush with fame when I met a renowned painter.
idiom

stroke of genius

Meaning
a brilliant and creative idea or action
Example
That marketing campaign was a stroke of genius.
phrasal-verb

go over lessons

Meaning
to review or check lessons again for better understanding
Example
I always go over lessons before an exam.
idiom

climb the ladder

Meaning
to move up in position or success, especially in a career
Example
He worked hard to climb the ladder in his company.
idiom

key in

Meaning
to enter data using a keyboard or keypad
Example
Please key in your code before the door locks.
idiom

sitting on a gold mine

Meaning
to have something very valuable that is not yet realized
Example
That old property is worth millions — you're sitting on a gold mine.
idiom

jump down someone's throat

Meaning
to react angrily and criticize someone suddenly
Example
She jumped down my throat when I suggested a different approach.
phrasal-verb

build towards

Meaning
to develop something gradually to reach a goal
Example
He is slowly building towards his dream project.
idiom

as luck would have it

Meaning
by chance; fortunately or unfortunately
Example
As luck would have it, I met my old friend at the airport.
phrasal-verb

work through emotions

Meaning
to process and deal with emotions over time
Example
It took her months to work through her grief.
phrasal-verb

pass out

Meaning
to lose consciousness
Example
He passed out from exhaustion after the marathon.
idiom

swept off your feet

Meaning
to be suddenly and strongly attracted to someone
Example
She was swept off her feet by his charm.
phrasal-verb

learn to let go

Meaning
to accept something and move on emotionally
Example
You must learn to let go of your past regrets.
phrasal-verb

reach out with thanks

Meaning
to contact someone to express appreciation
Example
She always reaches out with thanks after receiving any help.
idiom

the world is your oyster

Meaning
you can achieve anything you want in life
Example
With your talent, the world is your oyster.
idiom

scare the living daylights out of someone

Meaning
to frighten someone very much
Example
The horror movie scared the living daylights out of me.
phrasal-verb

follow on from

Meaning
to happen or result from something that was done earlier
Example
This report follows on from our last quarter’s findings.
idiom

carry the weight

Meaning
to take on a large responsibility or burden
Example
As the team leader, it's his job to carry the weight of the project's success.
idiom

out of the box

Meaning
creative and different from usual ideas
Example
Her out of the box marketing strategy increased sales rapidly.
idiom

Star-studded

Meaning
Full of famous or talented people.
Example
The event was star-studded with celebrities from all fields.
idiom

rule of law

Meaning
the principle that everyone is subject to the law
Example
Democracy depends on the rule of law.
phrasal-verb

pull out

Meaning
to move into traffic from the side of the road
Example
Be careful when you pull out from a parking space.
phrasal-verb

fill out arrival forms

Meaning
to complete entry paperwork when arriving somewhere
Example
Travelers fill out arrival forms while waiting in the queue.
idiom

a few bricks short of a load

Meaning
a little stupid or crazy
Example
He tries hard, but he’s a few bricks short of a load.
phrasal-verb

warm to someone

Meaning
to begin to like someone or feel friendly towards them
Example
She didn’t like him at first but slowly warmed to him.