1. a far cry from 相距甚遠
【例】The published book is a far cry from the early manuscript.
2. a change of pace 改變步調;換口味
【例】You can't do these chemistry experiments all day long. You certainly need a change of pace.
3. and how 的.確
【例】
A: She' s a good dancer.
B: And how .
4. a matter of time 時間問題
【例】It is only a matter of time.
5. a phone call away 一個電話之遠，即願意過來幫忙
【例】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
【例】Well, I listened to that CD you lent me a while back.
7. all along 一直
【例】I knew it all along.
8. anything but 絕對不
【例】I was anything but happy about going.
9. account for 解釋
【例】How do you account for it?
10. after all 畢竟;終究
【例】
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 願為某人服務
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
But as far as I know, he once won the world champion at the Olympic Games.
15. at home with 對……很熟悉
She is at home with problems like this.
16. back out
退出
A：Wasn' t Bert supposed to sing tonight?
B：Yes, but he backed out at last minute.
不履行
She finally backed out of her promise.
17. be cut out for 適合於，有做某事物的天賦
She is cut out for a dancer.
18. be absorbed in 全神貫注於某事物
She has been absorbed in a horrorfiction. I can' t tear her away.
19. be addicted to 對某事物上癮
She has been addicted to drugs for years.
20. be attached to 對某事物有感情
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.
