Go through all examples below in general way. Pay attention to fixed expressions. Fixed expressions are in italics and underlined.

Listen all examples below.

Then utter all examples below 4–5 times aloud:

He’s absolutely honest and above suspicion.

Occasionally, I do get up by five – but not as a rule.

At a glance, he could see it was not the real thing.

At a guess, there were 200 people at the meeting.

He didn’t know what to do – he was at a loose end.

It was all so sudden that I couldn’t say anything – I was at a loss.

You can sell the car at a profit.

I can’t do more than one thing at a time.

There’s no alternative – you have to finish it by tomorrow at all costs.

I met her at breakfast, not at lunch.

I’m never at ease in his presence – he makes me uncomfortable.

He seemed to be very soft at first sight – but soon we found that he was very tough.

There was a big stone lying at hand, and she hit him with it.

Here she is at last – what a long time she has been!

Why didn’t you go? At least, you could have sent a message.

He didn’t look carefully – he just picked up one at random.

Is he doing well at school?

You’ll have to get this done somehow – our reputation is at stake.

It must reach here by the 30th at the latest.

Greece and Turkey were at war

Those things must have happened before my time.

Read the newspaper everyday – or you’ll be behind the times.

I met him quite by accident.

Why do you doubt? I’ll be there by all means.

He discovered what was happening by chance.

When you say the same thing over and over again, you learn to say it by heart.

She is related to them by marriage.

I picked it up by mistake – I thought it was mine.

There are fifty of them, and he knows everyone of them by name.

I don’t know them by name, but I know them by sight.

All these developments took me by surprise, and I was at loss.

Today, we’ll have something else for a change.

I have not decided when to go back – I’ll be here for a while.

I hadn’t seen him for ages – today, I met him by chance.

He’ll not be coming back – he has left the place for good.

I’m not doing this for anything – I’m doing this for love.

Don’t be so obstinate – you must do it for my sake.

You’ll have to pay for it – you can’t have it for nothing.

I wish he treated us all to lunch for once.

We call it ‘fridge’ for short – actually, it’s a full name is ‘refrigerator’.

I don’t know for sure – but at a guess, he must have paid not less than 2000 rupees.

They’ve lost everything they had – now they’ll have to start from scratch.

He comes here asking for this and that from time to time.

He and his wife were walking hand in hand.

You don’t have to worry – your children can play here in (complete) safety.

I don’t agree with you completely, but in a way you are right.

You don’t have to pay anything in advance.

There’s no difference of opinion now – they’re all in agreement.

All your jokes are in bad taste – stop making them.

You speak to him – he is in charge.

Who’s in command here – you or your wife?

No wonder you like her – you two have got much in common.

Don’t quote me – she told it to me in confidence.

You can go ahead with it – we’re all in favour.

Fire broke out half an hour back – everything is in flames

Her place has become so colourful – all the plants and trees are in flower.

I was a bit late, and when I reached there, the celebrations were in full swing.

That’s a very good school – he’s in good hands.

We got there in good time, and there was plenty of time left.

That’s 100 feet in height.

There’s a reception in his honour – he has been elected.

Why are they all wearing black? Are they in mourning?

Don’t stand in my light – I can’t see to read.

What would you have done if you had been in my shoes.

Get everything ready – they’ll get here in no time at all.

Don’t leave the books lying scattered like this – Keep them all in order.

He has sprained his elbow – he is in pain.

It’s no use writing – explain it to them in person.

It’s all very well for us to say – but will it work in practice?

I agree in principle, but I’m not sure whether it’ll work in practice.

I’ll do it for you – but what do I get in return?

They sacked him, and he is now doing all these in revenge.

There aren’t any oranges now – they are not in season.

I had nothing against him, but I had to hit him in self-defense.

It’s not entirely bad – it’s good in some respects.

How much of this do you have in stock?

This week is not going to be pleasant – there’s plenty of trouble in store.

It was all right in the beginning, but it became boring in the end.

You should’ve told me everything – instead, you kept me in the dark.

I had to search for a long time – but I found it in the end.

There may not be any immediate benefit – but it will bring you profits in the long run.

I can’t get started – I’m not in the mood.

Has been in the news for sometime now.

He likes swimming in the nude – with absolutely nothing on.

About this, you are not in the right – you are certainly wrong.

I have the same problem – we’re in the same

Go and play outside – you are always getting in the way.

He warned me in time.

I was afraid the bus would be late – but we got there in time.

I don’t know his address – we’re not in touch.

I know that song, but I can’t sing in tune.

She hasn’t decided yet – she’s in two minds.

The students were in uniform.

Iron box? Sorry we can’t spare it now – It’s in use.

All our efforts are in vain – they’ve cancelled the programme.

He must be at least 50 kgs in weight.

The road in front is at least 30 feet in width.

We’ve got permission in writing.

You must put an end to all this – it’s in your own interest.

All these books are of great value – no wonder they are very costly.

I don’t want it – it’s of no use.

He is a bit off colour – maybe, he has headache or something.

I don’t know what happened – I was off duty then.

I’ll have to look it up – I can’t tell you off hand.

I told her everything – I wanted to get it off my chest.

That’s impossible – you must be off your head.

She’s on a diet since last month – she has lost five kilos already.

She has gone on a journey to Dubai.

I met him in Mumbai – I was there on a visit.

We are here on business – not on holiday.

He is a bit on edge – maybe, he is worried about the interview.

Those sheds were on fire – that’s why we saw the fire engines going.

I didn’t get the bus – I came on foot.

Let us go on foot – the scooter is out of order.

He missed several balls – he wasn’t on form, I think.

Who said we had quarrelled? We’re on good terms.

He got a washing machine on hire for a few days.

He’s very thoughtful – there’s something on his mind, I believe.

They kept on announcing the results (every hour), on the hour.

Was he on duty on that day or was he on leave?

It’s not mine – I’ve got it on loan.

This (book) is not mine – it’s on loan from a friend.

I can’t come – my assistant will be there on my behalf.

Your intentions may be good, but I am against the scheme, and I object to it on principle.

She didn’t do it on purpose – it happened by accident.

I was about to send in my resignation – but on second thoughts, I decided not to.

There has been some delay – the employees were on strike.

Don’t worry – we’ve got whatever he said on record.

Incidents like this are on the increase

We heard it on the television.

He asked for an advance of 5000 rupees, and I gave it to him on the spot.

Most of the trains arrive on time.

I saw it on TV.

Try the keys one by one – one of them will fit.

He came running – he was out of breath.

He’s feelings got out of control.

He is still unconscious, but he is out of danger.

They have lost once again – they are out of luck.

Our washing machine has been out of order for two days now.

Most of them were strangers, and I didn’t know their language – I felt out of place, and wanted to get away.

He has not been selected – he has been out of practice for sometime now.

He is now out of reach of the police – he is in Brazil.

He was out of sight, and I couldn’t see him.

I was a bit taken aback – the news came out of the blue.

You won’t get it back – that’s out of the question.

He has been out of work since July last – he has had an accident.

To my knowledge, nothing of that sort has happened.

We can’t admit him – he’s still under age.

They haven’t rejected your application – it’s still under consideration.

Don’t give them a free hand in everything – keep them under control.

My car is under repair, can I have yours for a day?

I couldn’t hear them – they were talking under their breath.

The labour problem has been solved – work is now under way.

It’s a loan, I’ve to repay it with interest.

They’ll only be happy – they’ll welcome you with open arms.

He talked for three hours without a break.

They are very particular about all this, and I must supply it by day after tomorrow without fail.

They tried it, but without success.

We must go there without warning – then we’ll get a true picture.