English Vocabulary for ESL learners
BINOMIAL EXPRESSIONS - page 2
Fixed expressions where two words are joined by a conjunction or a preposition
Binomials, or
binomial expressions, 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 EXPRESSIONS | MEANING | EXAMPLE |
Odds and ends | Various small items. Small tasks to finish. |
Part of the garage was full of odds and ends. I've got to take care of a few odds and ends before I leave. |
On and off | Intermittently; sometimes. | I've been suffering from backache on and off this past year. |
Out and about | Go out regularly and take part in an activity | My mother was ill for a while but she’s out and about again. |
Out and out | Absolute; complete | Don’t trust that man. He’s an out-an-out liar! |
Part and parcel | An integral or essential part of something. | Travel is part and parcel of the job. |
Peace and quiet | Freedom from stress and noise; a period of calm. | I just can't concentrate. I need some peace and quiet. |
Pick and choose | Select only certain things and reject the others. | You must obey all the rules. You can't pick and choose! |
Pins and needles | A tingling sensation in a part of the body. | I lay curled up for so long that I had pins and needles in my legs." |
Pride and joy | Something that makes you feel proud and happy | The house he built is his pride and joy. |
Prim and proper | Formal and socially correct | She's too prim and proper to be seen drinking beer! |
Pros and cons |
The good and bad sides of something; the advantages and disadvantages. | Before we decide on anything we should discuss the pros and cons. |
Pure and simple | Plainly, without exaggeration or further explanation | If you cheat, you fail the exam – that’s the rule, pure and simple! |
Rank and file | The ordinary workers or members of an organisation - not the leaders | The minister remains popular with the party rank and file. |
Rant and rave | Speak loudly and angrily about something. | You can rant and rave about the rules but you still have to obey them! |
Rough and ready | Hastily prepared but sufficient for the purpose. Without formality or refinement. | The map of the area was rough and ready, but we found our way. |
Rules and regulations | Instructions as to what is allowed or forbidden. | The rules and regulations in our school are very strict. |
Safe and sound | Not injured or hurt in any way. | After the avalanche all of the skiers were found safe and sound. |
Short and sweet | Brief but pleasant or appropriate. | His introductory speech was short and sweet - which suited everyone! |
Sick and tired | Annoyed or frustrated with something to the point of weariness. | Tom was sick and tired of having to explain the problem over and over again. |
Sink or swim | Succeed or fail solely through your own efforts | After a brief explanation the new recruit was left to sink or swim! |
Skin and bone | Be very thin or emaciated. | She was nothing but skin and bone after a severe illness. |
Sooner or later | Eventually; at some time in the future | I’ve mislaid my bracelet but I’ll find it sooner or later. |
Step by step | From one stage to the next. | The whole procedure was explained to us step by step. |
The long and (the) short | Used to explain something without giving the details | The long and short of it is that I just don't want to go. |
Toss and turn | Move around restlessly in bed because you are unable to sleep. | She tossed and turned all night, and woke up feeling exhausted. |
Trial and error | Solving a problem by trying different methods and learning from mistakes. | Some things we have to learn by trial and error. |
Trials and tribulations | The difficulties we face in life | It's a book about the trials and tribulations of living abroad. |
Tried and true | Tested and known to be reliable | A cup of warm milk is my tried-and-true remedy for insomnia. |
Up and coming | Showing great promise or likely to achieve success | Nowadays he’s meeting competition from up-and-coming players. |
Ups and downs | A mixture of both good and bad experiences or events. | Anne and Tony have had their ups and downs but they're still together. |
Wear and tear | Damage that happens gradually over time due to everyday use. | After several years of wear and tear we had to buy a new sofa. |
Weird and wonderful | Strange or unusual but ingenious | A collection of weird and wonderful inventions was on display. |
Wine and dine | Entertain someone with a good meal | The company likes to wine and dine good customers. |
Please note that British English spelling is used on this website.