This is the fifth of twelve pages (5/12) of alphabetically organized idiomatic expressions. These expressions begin with the letters G and H. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find a challenging quiz about these idiomatic expressions.
- get the hang of – to learn how to do something through practice.
Example: I’m finally getting the hang of driving. - give a hand – to help someone.
Example: Can you give me a hand with these boxes? - give a hand with – to help with something specific.
Example: She gave me a hand with the cooking. - go easy on – to treat gently or use less of something.
Example: Go easy on the sugar in my coffee. - go on with – to continue doing something.
Example: Please go on with your story. - go overboard – to do something excessively.
Example: He went overboard with the decorations. - go with (1) – to match or suit something.
Example: These shoes go with your dress. - go with (2) – to choose or accept something.
Example: I’ll go with the chicken instead of the fish. - go without saying – to be obvious; not needing explanation.
Example: It goes without saying that you should be polite. - grow up – to become an adult.
Example: I grew up in Canada. - hand in – to submit something.
Example: Don’t forget to hand in your assignment. - hand out – to distribute.
Example: The teacher handed out the tests. - hang on – to wait a short time.
Example: Hang on a second—I’m coming. - hard to come by – rare or difficult to find.
Example: Honest people are hard to come by. - have a heart – to be compassionate.
Example: Have a heart—he’s trying his best. - have a hunch – to have an instinctive feeling or guess.
Example: I had a hunch it would rain today. - have a word with someone – to speak briefly or privately with someone.
Example: I need to have a word with you about your work. - have on – to be wearing.
Example: She had on a red coat. - have one’s hands full – to be very busy.
Example: I have my hands full with three kids. - have the time of one’s life – to really enjoy oneself.
Example: We had the time of our lives on vacation. - hear firsthand (from) – to learn directly from the source.
Example: I heard firsthand from the manager about the change. - hear from – to receive communication from someone.
Example: I haven’t heard from her in weeks. - hear of – to be aware of something or someone.
Example: Have you ever heard of that band? - hit it off – to get along immediately.
Example: They hit it off on their first date. - hit the road – to leave or start a journey.
Example: Let’s hit the road early tomorrow. - hold on – to wait or to grab tightly.
Example: Hold on while I check. / Hold on to the rail. - hold on to – to keep something tightly or not let go.
Example: Hold on to your dreams. - hold still – to stay motionless.
Example: Hold still while I take your picture. - hold up – to delay or to rob.
Example: Traffic held us up. / The bank was held up.