Some common words and their use

1. As a matter of fact

Use: As a matter of fact he did not recommend your name.

2. All of a sudden

Use: all of sudden I saw a bear coming towards me.

3. After all

Use: He is after all your son and you should take care of him.

4. Again and again

Use: he read the letter again and again.

5. Above all

Use: above all I want to complete this project.

6. without fail

Use: He will come here without fail.

7. with one voice

His proposal was accepted with one voice.

8. there and then

Use: he decided there and then to leave the job.

9. sooner and later

Use: death comes to all sooner and later.

10. so far as/ as far as

Use: so far as I know he is cheater.

11. out and out

Use: he is out and out a patriot.

12. first and foremost

Use: our first and foremost duty is to serve our motherland.

13. far and near

Use: he was known far and near for his honesty.

14. by all means

Use: You will have to do it by all means.

15. by heart

Use: I have learnt the poem by heart.

16. by the way

Use: By the way did you consult him?

17. by and by

Use: by and by you will come to know the fact.

18. at a stretch

Use: I can work eight hours at a stretch.

19. at large

Use: the prisoner who escaped last night is at large.

20. at the eleventh hour

Use: he changed his mind at the eleventh hour.

21. at any rate/ at any cost/ at all costs

Use: I want this car at any cost.

22. on the whole

Use: on the whole he is a through gentleman.

23. once for all

Use: I have told you once for all that I can not help you.

24. off and on

Use: we go to see him off and on.

25. little by little

Use: the level of water raise little by little.

26. in vain

Use: the doctor tried to save him but in vain.

27. in short

In short he is an ideal teacher.

28. in particular

Use: I have warned all the boys but mohan in particular.

29. in the nick of time

Use: he reached the railway station in the nick of time.

30. to find fault with

Use: we should not find fault with elders.

31. to fight to the last

Use: we should fight to the last for the defense of our country.

32. to end in a draw

Use. The test match ended in a draw.

33. to do one’s best

Use: he did his best to help me in my dark days.

34. to cut a sorry figure

Use: he abused him and cut a sorry figure.

35. to cry over split milk

It is no use crying over spilt milk.

36. to mess with me

Use: don’t mess with me.

37. to turn the table against

38. to smell a rat

39. to poison the ears

40. to pick the pocket

41. to make fuss

42. to keep in touch with

43. to follow suit

44. in the dark

45. for good