Vocabulary Word Pairs Quiz

Study Notes

Vocabulary Word Pairs

Ifs or buts: Represents excuses or objections; emphasizes the need for commitment without excuses.
- Example: "I want no ifs or buts, just get the job done."
Sink or swim: Describes a situation where one must rely on their own skills to succeed or fail completely.
- Example: "When I started my new job, it was sink or swim."
Wait and see: Encourages patience to observe outcomes before taking action.
- Example: "We’ll just have to wait and see how things turn out."
By and large: Used to indicate a general or overall perspective.
- Example: "By and large, the project was a success."
Far and wide: Indicates a vast area or extensive reach.
- Example: "People came from far and wide to see the concert."
Give and take: Refers to a mutual compromise or exchange within relationships.
- Example: "A good relationship involves some give and take."
Hit or miss: Describes unpredictability in success or quality.
- Example: "The quality of the restaurant’s food is hit or miss."
Now and then: Indicates occasional occurrence without a specific frequency.
- Example: "I like to go hiking now and then."
On and off: Refers to something happening intermittently rather than continuously.
- Example: "They’ve been dating on and off for years."
Short and sweet: Describes something that is brief yet effective or enjoyable.
- Example: "Let’s keep the meeting short and sweet."
Neat and tidy: Refers to being very organized and clean.
- Example: "Her room is always neat and tidy."
Back and forth: Indicates a repeated movement or exchange, often in discussions.
- Example: "They discussed the issue back and forth for hours."
Live and learn: Expresses the idea that experiences teach important lessons, often from mistakes.
- Example: "I didn’t know that could happen, but you live and learn."
Take it or leave it: Presents a final offer with no flexibility for negotiation.
- Example: "This is my final offer—take it or leave it."
Sooner or later: Suggests that something will eventually happen at an unspecified time.
- Example: "Sooner or later, you’ll need to confront the problem."
Safe and sound: Indicates being unharmed and in good condition after a potentially dangerous situation.
- Example: "After the storm, we were relieved to find everyone safe and sound."
Trial and error: A problem-solving method that involves experimentation until a solution is found.
- Example: "We learned how to fix the machine through trial and error."
Give or take: Implies an approximation with minor variations.
- Example: "The journey will take four hours, give or take."
More or less: Signifies an approximate quantity or status.
- Example: "The project is more or less finished."
All or nothing: Describes situations where only complete success or failure is possible, with no intermediate outcomes.
- Example: "His approach to business is all or nothing."
Odds and ends: Refers to small, diverse items of little importance.
- Example: "The drawer was full of odds and ends."
Over and over: Indicates repetition.
- Example: "She played the song over and over."
Wear and tear: Represents the gradual damage incurred from regular use or aging.
- Example: "The sofa shows some wear and tear after years of use."
First and foremost: Prioritizes the most important point or issue.
- Example: "First and foremost, we need to address the budget issues."
To and fro: Describes a continuous back-and-forth movement.
- Example: "The boat rocked to and fro in the waves."
Pros and cons: Refers to the advantages and disadvantages of a particular situation or choice.
- Example: "Let’s weigh the pros and cons before making a decision."
Sick and tired: Expresses frustration or weariness with a situation.
- Example: "I’m sick and tired of hearing the same excuses."
Fast and furious: Describes something happening rapidly with energy and excitement.
- Example: "The debate was fast and furious."
Now or never: Indicates an urgent moment to take action, as it may not be repeated.
- Example: "This is our chance to make a change—it’s now or never."