|
Idiom |
Definition |
Usage |
| if worst comes
to worst |
If the worst scenario
occurs |
If worst comes
to worst we must cancel our vacation. |
| ill at ease |
uncomfortable |
He appeared to be
ill at ease during the interview. |
| in a bind |
in trouble |
They will really be
in a bind if they cannot sell their house. |
| in a family way |
pregnant |
Our new secretary is
in a family way and plans to quit work
soon. |
| in a fog |
confused |
He is always in
a fog and never seems to know what is going on. |
| in a haze |
confused |
He is always in
a haze and never seems to know what is going on. |
| in a hole |
in trouble |
He really is in
a hole now that he has problems at work. |
| in a hurry |
rushed |
I am in a hurry
and cannot talk now. |
| in a jam |
in trouble |
He is really in
a jam at work. |
| in a nutshell |
briefly |
Please explain the
problem to the group in a nutshell. |
| in a pig's eye |
Unlikely that |
In a pig's eye
he is gonna show up on time. |
| in a pinch |
temporarily |
This tool will do
in a pinch if you cannot find another one. |
| in a rush |
in a hurry |
They were in a
rush to get to the party. |
| in a rut |
always doing the same
thing |
She is depressed an
in a rut again. |
| in a spot |
in a difficult situation |
He will be in a
spot if he cannot pass the entrance exams. |
| in a way |
somewhat |
I would like to go with
you in a way. |
| in a word |
Briefly |
In a word,
I think that you need to study more. |
| in a world of
one's own |
thinking and unaware of
her surroundings |
She always seems to be
in a world of her own. |
| in advance |
ahead of time |
They bought the tickets
in advance so that they could get good
seats. |
| in and out |
coming in and going out |
The boss has been
in and out of his office the entire day. |
| in any case |
Absolutely |
In any case,
we can meet at the coffee shop. |
| in any event |
Absolutely |
In any event,
we can meet at the coffee shop. |
| in charge of |
in control of |
The new employee will be
in charge of production. |
| in deep |
deeply involved |
They are really
in deep with each other. |
| in short supply |
less than the amount
needed |
These days the amount of
oil is in short supply. |
| in stock |
available |
The new paints are
in stock. |
| in the bag |
settled |
Everything is in
the bag. There is nothing to worry about. |
| in the black |
making money |
The company has been
in the black since last year. |
| in the long run |
over time |
The company lost money
but should be okay in the long run. |
| in the market
for |
looking for and ready to
buy |
She is in the
market for a new car. |
| in the red |
losing money |
The company has been
in the red since last year. |
| in the works |
being planned |
The new line of products
is in the works. |
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