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as a matter of fact
→ in fact; actually
EXAMPLE 1: We need more milk? As a matter of fact, I was just going to ask you to go shopping.
EXAMPLE 2: This isn't the first time Andy has gotten in trouble at school. As a matter of fact, just last month he was suspended for an entire week.
(to) blow things out of proportion
→ to exaggerate; to make more of something than one should
EXAMPLE 1: They sent a 12 year-old boy to jail for biting his babysitter? Don't you think they're blowing things out of proportion?
EXAMPLE 2: Sally called the police when her neighbor's party got too loud. I think that was blowing things out of proportion.
SYNONYM: To make a mountain out of a molehill
(to) find out
→ to learn; to discover
EXAMPLE 1: Al is calling the theater to find out what time the movie starts.
EXAMPLE 2: David had a big party at his house while his parents were away on vacation. Fortunately for him, they never found out.
(to) get a handle on
→ to gain an understanding of
EXAMPLE 1: This new computer program is very difficult. I still haven't gotten a handle on it.
EXAMPLE 2: Once you get a handle on how the game works, please explain it to everybody else.
(to) get one's act together
→ to get organized; to start operating more effectively
EXAMPLE 1: If Ted gets his act together now, he might be able to get into a good college.
EXAMPLE 2: We'd better get our act together. Otherwise, we're going to miss our flight.
(to) knock oneself out
→ to work very hard at something (sometimes too hard)
EXAMPLE 1: Ted knocked himself out getting votes for Nicole, and she didn't even say thank you.
EXAMPLE 2: I really knocked myself out getting these free concert tickets for you and your girlfriend. I hope you appreciate it.
NOTE: "Don't knock yourself out!" means don't work too hard at something or for someone; it's not worth it. Example: Don't knock yourself out for Jeremy — he won't appreciate it anyway!
(to) make a living
→ to earn enough money to support oneself
EXAMPLE 1: Many people laugh at him, but Bill actually makes a living selling gourmet dog food.
EXAMPLE 2: Danny makes some money playing his guitar on street corners, but not enough to make a living.
one's heart goes out to (someone)
→ to feel sorry for someone
EXAMPLE 1: My heart goes out to the Richardsons. Their home was destroyed in a fire.
EXAMPLE 2: Naomi's heart went out to all the people who lost their jobs when the auto plant shut down.
(to) rant and rave
→ to talk loudly, often in anger
EXAMPLE 1: A customer in the video rental store was ranting and raving that the DVD he rented was broken.
EXAMPLE 2: Please stop ranting and raving! Let's discuss this issue in a calm manner.
(to) sweep (something) under the rug
→ to hide something, often a scandal
EXAMPLE 1: "Senator, don't try to sweep it under the rug. Everybody knows about your affair with the intern."
EXAMPLE 2: Let's just sweep this incident under the rug and move on.
taken aback
→ surprised (almost always in a negative sense)
EXAMPLE 1: Nicole was taken aback when her friend Rosa told her she no longer wanted to hang out with her.
EXAMPLE 2: I was taken aback when my friend asked me if she could borrow my toothbrush because she forgot hers at home.
(to) throw the book at someone
→ to punish or chide severely
EXAMPLE 1: When Ted failed his chemistry test the second time, his teacher really threw the book at him.
EXAMPLE 2: The judge threw the book at Matt for stealing a football from the store. He'll be going to jail for six months.
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