English Vocabulary for learners
Expressions with 'WELL'
from: 'all is well'
to: 'well worth'
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| All is well that ends well | A happy ending makes up for any difficulties encountered. | "Jack missed the flight but got a seat on the following one. All is well that ends well!" |
| All very well All well and good |
Something may be acceptable, but there are other things to consider. | "It’s all very well telling me you’ll be home late, but who’s going to pick up the kids?" "Buy a new television? That’s all well and good, but where de we find the money?" |
| Alive and well | Be in good physical condition. | "The search party found the stranded hiker alive and well." |
| Bode well | Is a good sign. Is promising. |
"The high illiteracy rate doesn't bode well for the future." |
| Do well for oneself | Be successful in life. | "All of their children are doing well for themselves." |
| Just as well | Have the same result or effect. | "The food was very ordinary. We could just as well have stayed at home." |
| Know perfectly well | Be fully aware of something while pretending not to know. | "The boy looked surprised but he knew perfectly well what I was talking about!" |
| Leave well (enough) alone | Stop making changes to something that is already good enough. | "It’s quite satisfactory like that. Let’s leave well alone." |
| May/might as well (do something) | Suggest doing something, often when there’s no other/no better option. | "We’ve missed the last bus, so we may as well start walking." |
| Well heeled Well off Well to do |
Wealthy or have sufficient money to lead a comfortable life. | "Most children in private schools come from well-heeled/well-off/well-to-do families." |
| Well worth the price | The price is justified. You get good value for the money paid. | "It’s quite expensive but it works extremely well and is well worth the price" |
| Well done! | Expression used to congratulate someone. | "You got the job? Well done!" |
| Well oiled | Operates smoothly and efficiently. | "The election campaign is running like a well-oiled machine." |
| Well put Well said |
Expressed in a clear and intelligent manner. | "I must say his argument was well put." "I agree with that. Well said!" |
| Well spent | Time or money well used. | "The discussions lasted several hours but the time was well spent - we reached an agreement." |
| Well up in Well read Well versed |
Be very knowledgeable in a particular field. | "The candidate for the teaching position is well versed in Spanish literature." |
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