English Vocabulary for learners
BINOMIALS-1
Fixed expressions with two words
Binomials from: 'aches and pains' to: 'give or take'
What are Binomials?
Binomials, or binomial expressions, are two words usually joined by a conjunction or preposition,
generally 'and' or 'or'.
Binomials are frequently used by native speakers of English. The word order of a binomial pair is usually fixed, and to use them in
a different order would sound strange to a native speaker.
Here are some common binomials:
| BINOMIAL EXPRESSION |
MEANING | EXAMPLE |
|---|---|---|
| Aches and pains | Minor pains and discomfort, especially in the muscles. | After a hectic outing with the kids, I had aches and pains all over! |
| Again and again | Often; something done many times. | I've told you again and again not to do that! |
| Alive and well | In good physical condition. | The search party found the stranded hiker alive and well. |
| All or nothing | Completely/totally or not at all. | She never compromises. It's all or nothing with her! . |
| Back and forth (also: To and fro) |
Going to and from a place. | He's tired of travelling back and forth to London. |
| Bit by bit | Gradually; little by little; a small amount at a time. | They renovated the old house bit by bit. |
| Bits and bobs | An assortment of little items. | There's a compartment between the seats for storing bits and bobs. |
| Bits and pieces | Small items or personal belongings. | Here's a cupboard where you can put all your bits and pieces. |
| Black and blue | Sore and bruised. | The boy was black and blue after falling off his bike. |
| Black and white | Something clear to understand, or something in writing. | Climate change is not black-and-white issue for me. |
| Born and bred | Be born and grow up in a particular place. | I was born and bred in Madrid. |
| Bread and butter | Your main source of income. | I’m a writer, but teaching is my bread and butter. |
| Bright and early | Early in the morning. | My dad goes off bright and early every Saturday morning to play golf. |
| By and large | On the whole, generally. | He can be difficult but by and large he's a good kid. |
| Checks and balances | A system of control mechanisms. | Checks and balances help reduce mistakes. |
| Cloak and dagger | Refers to stories that involve intrigue, secrecy, espionage or mystery. | My young brother loves cloak-and-dagger spy novels. |
| Come and go | Appear and disappear; arrive and leave. | I don't know how many people live in this building. They come and go all the time. |
| Comings and goings | How people keep arriving at and leaving a place. | She observed the comings and goings of guests at the party. |
| Cut and dried | Clear and definite or unchangeable. | There is no cut-and-dried solution to the problem. |
| Do's and don'ts | A set of basic rules. | There's a list of Dos and Don'ts on the wall for everyone who uses the kitchen. |
| Done and dusted | Completely finished. | We've finished the project. It's all done and dusted, so let's go and get a bite to eat! |
| Down and out | Without any money or means of support. | After losing his job, car and home, he was completely down and out. |
| Dribs and drabs | Little by little; in small numbers or amounts. | Instead of the crowd expected, people arrived in dribs and drabs. |
| Fair and square | In an honest and open manner. | Gavin won the competition fair and square - no doubt about it. |
| Far and wide | Over a large geographical area. | People came from far and wide to visit the exhibition. |
| Fast and furious | Full of rapid action and excitement. | A swarm of wasps came at us fast and furious! |
| First and foremost | What is most important. | She went into politics for a while, but first and foremost she was a writer. |
| Flesh and blood | Somone from your own family; your offspring.. | He raised the child as if he were his own flesh and blood. |
| Give and take | Make mutual concessions or find a compromise. | Most relationships require some give and take. |
| Give or take | More or less; plus or minus an amount or number. | I'll be there at 9 a.m. give or take 5 minutes. |
more Binomials: