* better off: in a preferable position
ex>
I know you want pizza, but you’d be better off having a salad instead.
ex>
My ancestors were much better off after they left their homeland and
came here.
Note>
When you’re trying to console your friend who has been dumped by his/her
significant other, you’ll probably say, “You’re better off without him/her!”
* in one’s prime: at the height of one’s
abilities
ex>
When my dad was in his prime, he could bench press over 200 lbs.
ex>
Many orchestral conductors are still in their prime when they’re in
their eighties.
* lose one’s marbles: to become senile or
insane
ex>
I’m worried that if my cousin spends any more time in the military, he might lose
his marbles.
* heads are going to roll / heads will roll: people will be
dismissed or punished
ex>
Heads will roll when the boss finds out that the project is behind
schedule again.
ex>
If the economy takes another downturn, you can bet that heads are going to
roll.
Note>
This phrase is from the imagery of a head rolling on the ground when a person
is decapitated as punishment for a crime.
* dinosaur: an old and obsolete worker,
piece of equipment, etc.
ex>
We should get rid of that dinosaur and buy a new photocopier.
ex>
Clay’s linguistics professor was an old dinosaur who had taught there
for decades.
* get the axe: to be dismissed or
canceled
ex>
Rumors suggest that over 3,000 workers will get the axe when the company
restructures.
ex>
My proposal got the axe, but many of its central ideas were retained.
* loaded:
Like many English expressions, “loaded” has an alternate meaning that is very
different: it means “drunk.” When you hear this expression being used, you will
have to rely on the context to figure out which meaning is intended. For
example, if someone says their family is loaded, they’re probably talking about
money, not alcohol.
ex>
Marie told me that our new neighbors are having a second garage built for all
their cars.
Really?
They must be loaded.
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