English expression
Make a mental note
Meaning
Deliberately try to remember something for later.
In a sentence
I made a mental note to bring a charger next time.
THE IDIOM COLLECTION
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THE EXPRESSION COLLECTION
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English expression
Lose your train of thought
Meaning
Forget the connected ideas you were thinking about or intended to say.
In a sentence
The doorbell rang, and I lost my train of thought halfway through the explanation.
English expression
Look before you leap
Meaning
Consider the possible problems and consequences before taking action.
In a sentence
Before joining the course, look before you leap and check its timetable.
English expression
You live and learn
Meaning
Said when you discover something new or surprising.
In a sentence
I never knew the library lent out musical instruments—you live and learn.
English expression
Like chalk and cheese
Meaning
Very different from each other.
In a sentence
The twins are like chalk and cheese: one loves crowds, and the other prefers quiet evenings.
English expression
Leave well alone
Meaning
Avoid changing or interfering with something because doing so might make it worse.
In a sentence
The shelf is level now, so let’s leave well alone.
English expression
Leave a lot to be desired
Meaning
Be much less satisfactory than you would like.
In a sentence
The room was spacious, but the sound insulation left a lot to be desired.
English expression
Keep something in perspective
Meaning
Judge something reasonably by considering its place in the wider situation.
In a sentence
I was disappointed with one test result, but I tried to keep it in perspective.
English expression
Keep body and soul together
Meaning
Manage to stay alive by obtaining the basic things needed to live.
In a sentence
During that difficult year, small repair jobs helped him keep body and soul together.
English expression
Keep your finger on the pulse
Meaning
Stay well informed about what is happening in a particular area.
In a sentence
Our librarian keeps her finger on the pulse of what local readers want.
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