Page 124 - Speak English Like an American

(to) get a handle on — to gain an understanding of
EXAMPLE |: This new computer program is very difficult. I still haven’t
gotten a handle on it.
EXAMPLE 2: Once you get a handle on how the game works, please ex-
plain it to everybody else.

(to) get one’s act together — to get organized; to start oper-
ating more effectively
Example 1: If Ted gets his act together now, he might be able to get into
a good college.
EXAMPLE 2: We'd better get our act together. Otherwise, we’re going to
miss our flight.

(to) knock oneself out — to work very hard at something
(sometimes too hard)
te
Examp |: Ted knocked himself out getting votes for Nicole, and she
didn’t even say thank you.
ExamPpLe 2: I really knocked myself out getting these free concert tickets
for you and your girlfriend. I hope you appreciate it.
Note: “Don’t knock yourself out!” means don’t work too hard at some-
thing or for someone; it’s not worth it. Example: Don’t knock yourself
out for Jeremy — he won’t appreciate it anyway!

(to) make a living — see Lesson 11

one’s heart goes out to (someone) — to feel sorry for someone
ExampLe |: My heart goes out to the Richardsons. Their home was
destroyed in a fire.
EXAMPLE 2: Naomi’s heart went out to all the people who lost their jobs
when the auto plant shut down.

(to) rant and rave — to talk loudly, often in anger

EXAMPLE 2: Let’s just sweep this incident under the rug and move on.
ExampLe 1: A customer in the video rental store was ranting and raving
that the DVD he rented was broken.
EXAMPLE 2: Please stop ranting and raving! Let’s discuss this issue in a
calm manner.

(to) sweep (something) under the rug — to hide something,
often a scandal
ExamPLe |: “Senator, don’t try to sweep it under the rug. Everybody
knows about your affair with the intern.”

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