To get what one deserves. For Example: “I told Michael not to cheat on his taxes. Now he’s getting his just deserts; the IRS is auditing him.”

Having no knowledge or experience on a topic. For Example: “My physics class is so hard. I’m way out of my depth in there.”

Something that is very established or concrete. For Example: “That red hair runs deep in Jimmy’s family genetics.”

A phrase used to emphasize an emotion. For Example: If you are “scared to death,” you are really scared. If you are “bored to death,” you are really bored.

To receive poor treatment or a bad outcome. If you <strong>get a raw deal</strong>, you had things go unfavorably. For Example: “I got a raw deal today at work: I found out they’re closing my position at the end of the year.”

A phrase that indicates a refusal to do something. For Example: If someone “wouldn’t be caught dead” doing something, that’s their way of saying they would never do it.

Doing something that makes someone happy. For Example: “You should go tell Jenny that you noticed she’s lost some weight. I’m sure it will make her day.”

A phrase used to tell someone they’re not very good at something. For Example: If Cory invites his friend Chris to go golfing and realizes his friend Chris is very bad at golfing, he might say, “well Chris, don’t give up your day job!” as a way of saying he’ll […]

Making no secrets or attempts to hide something. For Example: If you do something in broad daylight, you’re doing it for anyone to see.

Too far along in a certain activity to attempt a certain action. For Example: “Jim thought we should kick a field goal, but it was too late in the day for that. Since we were down by 21, we had to try to go for a touchdown.”

To declare the end of a day’s work. For Example: “Alright, I think we got enough orders shipped out today. Let’s call it a day and go get a beer.”

A wild guess. For Example: “The final question was ‘who won the World Cup in 1994?’ I didn’t have any clue, so I just took a shot in the dark and said Spain.”

Ignorant of a certain fact or issue. For Example: “In the debate when the Senator was asked his opinion on nuclear waste disposal, it was clear by his stuttering that he is in the dark on that issue.”

Not fit to be a part of. For Example: “Debra thought she wanted to become a journalist, but after her first week of classes she determined she’s not cut out for that career.”

Often shortened to “<strong>can’t cut it</strong>,” this phrase means you can’t handle a certain task or issue. For Example: “Bill thought about joining the Marines, but he eventually concluded that he just can’t cut basic training.”