1 a change of pace 節奏變換

You can’t do these chemistry experiments all day long. You certainly need a change of pace.

2 a far cry from 相距甚遠

The published book is far cry from the early manuscript.

3 and how 的確

A: She’s a good dancer.
B: and how.

4 a matter of time 時間問題

It is only a matter of time.

5 a phone call away 一個電話之遠愿意過來幫忙。

If you need my help do let me know. Just remember I am a phone call away.

6 a while back 不久以前

7all along 一直

I knew it all along.

8 anything but 絕對不

I was anything but happy about going.

9 account for 解釋

How do you account for it?

10 after all 到底

A: I’ve just seen the X-rays and your teeth look just fine
B: I see. Then there is nothing to worry about after all.

11 allergic to 對……過敏

Oh man! Something in this room is making my eyes itch. I must be allergic to something.

12 at sb’s service 愿為某人服務

I am at your service at any time.

13 around the clock 24小時不停

Martha studied around the clock for management exam.

14 as far as I know 就我所知

15 at home with對….. 很熟悉

She is at home with problems like this.

16 back out

1)退出
A: Wasn’t Bert supposed to sing tonight?
B: Yes but he backed out at last minute

2)不履行
She finally backed out of her promise.

17 be cut out for 天生適合

I’m not cut out to be a hero.

18 be absorbed in

She has been absorbed in a horror fiction. I can’t tear her away.

19 be addicted to 對……上癮

She has been addicted to drugs for years.

20 be attached to 對……有感情

A: I’m amazed that you are still driving that old car of yours. I thought you would have

gotten rid of it years ago.
B: It runs well and I’ve actually been quite attached to it.

21 back up

1)累積
The subway is running behind schedule and traffic is backed up for blocks. I don’t know if we’ll make the 6:30 show.

2)支持
I’ll back it up.

22 be bound for 到……地方

The bus is bound for New England.

23 be (feel) myself 找到自我

I’m feeling myself again.

24 be burned up 生氣

She was really burned up at the news.

25 be hard up for

I’m hard up for clothes but I have a lot of books