Vocabulary Word Pairs PDF

Vocabulary: word pairs 1. Ifs or buts: any excuses or objections Example: I want no ifs or buts, just get the job done. 2. Sink or swim: a situation where one must succeed through their own efforts or fail completely Example: When I started my n...

Vocabulary: word pairs 1. Ifs or buts: any excuses or objections Example: I want no ifs or buts, just get the job done. 2. Sink or swim: a situation where one must succeed through their own efforts or fail completely Example: When I started my new job, it was sink or swim. 3. Wait and see: to wait and find out what will happen before taking any action Example: We’ll just have to wait and see how things turn out. 4. By and large: generally speaking; overall Example: By and large, the project was a success. 5. Far and wide: over a large area; everywhere Example: People came from far and wide to see the concert. 6. Give and take: a situation in which people compromise or exchange favors Example: A good relationship involves some give and take. 7. Hit or miss: unpredictable; sometimes successful and sometimes not Example: The quality of the restaurant’s food is hit or miss. 8. Now and then: occasionally; sometimes Example: I like to go hiking now and then. 9. On and off: sporadically; not continuously Example: They’ve been dating on and off for years. 10. Short and sweet: brief but pleasant or to the point Example: Let’s keep the meeting short and sweet. 11. Neat and tidy: very clean and organized Example: Her room is always neat and tidy. 12. Back and forth: moving repeatedly from one place to another or engaging in a dialogue or argument Example: They discussed the issue back and forth for hours. 13. Live and learn: a phrase used to express that you learn from experiences, often from mistakes Example: I didn’t know that could happen, but you live and learn. 14. Take it or leave it: an offer that is final, with no room for negotiation Example: This is my final offer—take it or leave it. 15. Sooner or later: eventually, at some unspecified time in the future Example: Sooner or later, you’ll need to confront the problem. 16. Safe and sound: unharmed and in good condition, especially after a dangerous situation Example: After the storm, we were relieved to find everyone safe and sound. 17. Trial and error: a method of solving problems by trying different approaches until finding one that works Example: We learned how to fix the machine through trial and error. 18. Give or take: approximately; possibly a little more or less Example: The journey will take four hours, give or take. 19. More or less: approximately; almost Example: The project is more or less finished. 20. All or nothing: a situation where only complete success or complete failure is possible, with no middle ground Example: His approach to business is all or nothing. 21. Odds and ends: small, miscellaneous items that are usually of little value Example: The drawer was full of odds and ends. 22. Over and over: repeatedly; again and again Example: She played the song over and over. 23. Wear and tear: damage that naturally occurs as a result of normal use or aging Example: The sofa shows some wear and tear after years of use. 24. First and foremost: above all; most importantly Example: First and foremost, we need to address the budget issues. 25. To and fro: back and forth; in a constant movement between two places Example: The boat rocked to and fro in the waves. 26. Pros and cons: the advantages and disadvantages of something Example: Let’s weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. 27. Sick and tired: fed up with or weary of something Example: I’m sick and tired of hearing the same excuses. 28. Fast and furious: happening quickly, with a lot of energy and excitement Example: The debate was fast and furious. 29. Now or never: a critical moment when action must be taken immediately, or the opportunity will be lost Example: This is our chance to make a change—it’s now or never. 30. Give or take: approximately; possibly a little more or less Example: The population of the town is 10,000, give or take a few hundred.