1996
1- Bear out
Back up or confirm
The results bear out what he predicted.
His story bears me out exactly. [Late 1400s]
2- Back out / back out of something
Move or retreat backwards without turning; same as back away; withdraw from a situation, or break an agreement or engagement
After the announcement appeared in the papers, Mary found it doubly difficult to back out of her engagement to Todd. [Early 1800s]
3- Carry over
To keep something, usually merchandise, for a subsequent period
We’ll carry over this summer’s bathing suits for next winter’s resort season.
Persist from one time or situation to another
His leadership in sports carried over to the classroom. [Late 1800s]
4- Come off
Happen, occur
The trip came off on schedule. [Early 1800s]
Acquit oneself, reach the end
This usage always includes a modifier Whenever challenged he comes off badly.
This model is doomed to come off second-best. [Mid-1600s] Succeed, as in Our dinner party really came off. [Mid-1800s]
5- Fall back
Give ground, retreat
The troops fell back before the relentless enemy assault. He stuck to his argument, refusing to fall back. [c. 1600]
Recede
The waves fell back from the shore. [c. 1800]
6- Figure out
Discover or determine
Let’s figure out a way to help. [Early 1900s]
Solve or decipher
Can you figure out this puzzle? [Early 1800s]
To begin to comprehend someone or something; to come to understand someone or something better
I just can’t figure you out.
I can’t figure out quiet people readily.
7- learn to live with
Get used to or accustom oneself to something that is painful, annoying, or unpleasant
The doctor said nothing more could be done about improving her sight; she’d just have to learn to live with it.
Pat decided she didn’t like the new sofa but would have to learn to live with it.
8- Set in
Insert, put in
I still have to set in the sleeves and then the sweater will be done. [Late 1300s]
Begin to happen or become apparent
Darkness was setting in as I left. [c. 1700]
Move toward the shore, said of wind or water
The tide sets in very quickly here. [Early 1700s]
9- Cover up
Wrap up or enfold in order to protect
Be sure to cover up the outdoor furniture in case of rain. It’s cold, so be sure to cover up the baby. [Late 1800s]
Conceal something, especially a crime
The opposition accused the President of covering up his assistant’s suicide. [c. 1920]
10- Iron out
Work out, resolve, settle
They managed to iron out all the problems with the new production process. John and Mary finally ironed out their differences.
This expression uses ironing wrinkled fabric as a metaphor for smoothing differences. [Mid- 1800s]
1994
(i) Between Scylla and Charybidis
In a position where avoidance of one danger exposes one to another danger.
(ii) Hobson’s choice
An apparently free choice that actually offers no alternative
My dad said if I wanted the car I could have it tonight or not at all—that’s Hobson’s choice.
This expression alludes to Thomas Hobson of Cambridge, England, who rented horses and allowed each customer to take only the horse nearest the stable door. [Mid-1600s]
(iii) Sting in the tail
With open arms
Enthusiastically, warmly
They received their new daughter-in-law with open arms. This term alludes to an embrace. [Mid-1600s]
(v) Wash one’s hand of (To)
Refuse to accept responsibility for; abandon or renounce
I’ve done all I can for him, and now I’m washing my hands of him.
This expression alludes to Pontius Pilate’s washing his hands before having Jesus put to death, saying “I am innocent of the blood of this just person” (Matthew 27:24).
(vi) Count one’s chickens (To)
Make plans based on events that may or may not happen
You might not win the prize and you’ve already spent the money? Don’t count your chickens before they hatch!
I know you have big plans for your consulting business, but don’t count your chickens.
This expression comes from Aesop’s fable about a milkmaid carrying a full pail on her head. She daydreams about buying chickens with the milk’s proceeds and becoming so rich from selling eggs that she will toss her head at suitors; she then tosses her head and spills the milk.
Widely translated from the original Greek, the story was the source of a proverb and was used figuratively by the 16th century. Today it is still so well known that it often appears shortened and usually in negative cautionary form (don’t count your chickens).
(vii) Burn midnight oil (To)
Stay up late working or studying
The semester is almost over and we’re all burning the midnight oil before exams. This expression alludes to the oil in oil lamps. [Early 1600s]
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