Idioms with Prepositions - At Length

Meaning – in great detail.

Ø     The visiting lecturer talked at length about the benefits of studying and working in Australia.

Ø     Raymond went on at length about the things he did and the places he visited when he was travelling around Europe.

Idiomatic Pairs of Nouns - Heart and Soul

Meaning – completely

Ø      John put his heart and soul into his performance as a pirate and the audience loved him.

Ø      It’s clear that Wendy loves those children with her heart and soul as she tries to spend as much time as possible with them.

Similes with Like - Treat Someone Like Dirt

Meaning – to treat someone very badly/poorly

Ø     I don’t understand why Sally stays with her boyfriend. He treats her like dirt.

Ø     It’s most unfortunate that despite being siblings (=brothers/sisters), John still treats Sam like dirt.

Idioms With Prepositions - At a Price

Meaning – for a lot of money, time, effort etc.

Ø     They can make your fairy tale wedding come true, but it will come at a price.

Ø     John may be a successful salesman, but his success came at a price. He hardly has time to sleep, eat or exercise.

Words from The Same Family - Lose v Loss

Lose (verb)

1.   to no longer have sth.

Ø     I’ve lost my parking ticket.

2.   to have sth or someone taken away.

Ø     At least 500 people will lose their jobs if the factory closes.

3.   to stop feeling a certain way.

Ø     I lost interest halfway through the movie.

4.  to have less of sth than before.

Ø     William is trying to lose some weight before Christmas.

Loss (noun)

1.   to no longer have sth or have less of sth.

Ø     Poor Tim suffered a gradual loss of memory as he grow older over the years.

Ø     Wendy’s sudden weight loss is a huge concern to her and her family.

2.   to refer to the death of someone.

Ø     Mr and Mrs Johnson never really got over the loss of their young son.

3.   a situation whereby a company spends more money than it makes.

Ø     Poor sales has led to a loss of millions of dollars at the  company. 

Verbal Idioms - Beat Someone To It.

Meaning – Be the first to do something.

Ø     I was hoping to be the first to wish my sister Happy Birthday, but my mother beat me to it.

Ø     John was so sure he’d be the first in the family to visit Europe, but his sister beat him to it.

Similes with Like - Take to Something Like a Duck to Water

Meaning – to get used to and enjoy something new immediately.

Ø     Cindy’s parents were relieved and delighted that she took to tennis like a duck to water.

Ø     Most children take to candy like a duck to water. David,  however, seems to prefer fruit.