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to arrive in dribs and drabs We're receiving food, but it is only arriving in dribs and drabs start learning
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to arrive in small numbers and quantities and at irregular intervals
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If we leave bright and early tomorrow morning, we should get there by midday. start learning
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(to wake up/get up/leave) very early in the morning (has a positive connotation)
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By and large, most people would prefer to have a badly paid job that they liked rather than a well paid job that they disliked. start learning
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generally, in most situations By and large, people have welcomed the changes.
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to b few and far between: not to be very common/to be very difficult to find start learning
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Good jobs are few and far between in days of high unemployment.
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to grin and bear It: to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining (probably because there is no choice) start learning
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A shorter lunch break is new company policy, so we'll just have to grin and bear it.
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Ins and out: the details of a complicated situation/problem/ system/proposal start learning
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We have yet to discuss all the ins and outs of his proposal.
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to make a song and dance about: to compla in too much about sth, in a way that seems unnecessary start learning
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I was only 10 minutes late. Why are you making such a song and dance about it?
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odds and nds: small unimportant objects start learning
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Everything had been packed away in boxes except for a few odds and ends.
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once and for all: definitely and finally so that you end all doubt and uncertainty start learning
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He set out to prove once and for all at Deakin's alibi was nothing but a tiesue of lies.
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one's own flesh and blood We're talking about my family here, my own flesh and blood. Of course I trust them. start learning
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an out-and-out II: a complete lie (used in reply to sb who has accused you of sth) start learning
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That is an out-and-out lie; you've made it all up!
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tob Part and parcel of: a basic and fundamental part of (lite/a job/a problem) start learning
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Having your private life splashed across the front pages of newspapersand glossymagazines is part and parcel of being a celebrity.
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peace and qui: calm and tranquillity start learning
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We took a couple of days off and went to the country for a bit of peace and quiet
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prld and loY: sth/sb that a person is very proud of and which/who is very important to them start learning
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His car/daughter/garden is his pride and joy
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prim and proper: very conservative and easily offended (used to describe people) start learning
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She's far too prim and proper to have written anything as scandalous as that
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pushing and shoving: push ing (used with reference to crowded places) start learning
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After a lot of pushing and shoving, I finally made it to the counter where everything had been reduced by 50%.
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safe and sound: safe and unharmed (used when sb has not been harmed despite being in a potentially dangerous situation start learning
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The two children, who had been missing for three days, were found safe and sound hiding in an abandoned mine shaft
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spick and span: very clean start learning
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When I get back, I want this place looking spick and span.
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touch and go: doubtful (used with reference to important or lifethreatening situations) start learning
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It was touch and go whether they would allow us to leave the country.
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up-and-comlng: sb who shows a lot of promise and will probably be very successful in the future start learning
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up-and-coming artist/tennis player /pianist/writer The government has introduced a scheme Whereby up-and-coming young athletes will receive financial support.
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to have up and downs: to have good times and bad times start learning
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What family doesn 't have its ups and downs?
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wear and tear: damage caused to furniture/clothes/equipment, by daily use start learning
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Even allowing for wear and tear, these chair covers should last for at least fifteen years.
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well and trUly: completely (often used with lost and beaten) start learning
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After walking for three hours, we realised that we were well and truly lost. As we had been well and truly beaten the Saturday before, the manager decided to make wholesale changes to the team
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to win fair and square: to win fairly (often used when you have been accused of cheating) start learning
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What do you mean I cheated? I won fair and square, and you know it.
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