to hold still: not to move

• Please hold still while I adjust your tie.
• If you don’t hold that camera still, you’ll get a blurred picture.

to know by sight: to recognize

This idiom is used when the person has been seen previously but is not known personally. The person must be used to separate the idiom.

• I have never met our new neighbors; I simply know them by sight.
• The woman said that she would know the thief by sight if she ever saw him again.

to be the matter: to be unsatisfactory, to be improper, to be wrong
In a question, this idiom is used with what or something. In an answer, something or nothing is usually used.

•  A: What is the matter, Betty? You look very upset.
•  B: Yes, something is the matter. I’ve lost my purse!
•  A: Is something the matter, Charles? You don’t look well.
•  B: No, nothing is the matter. I’m just a little under the weather.

to bring up: to rear, to raise from childhood ; to mention, to raise an issue, to introduce a topic

•  Parents should bring up their children to be responsible members of society.
•  Sarah wanted to bring the scheduling problem up at the club meeting, but finally she decided against doing so.
• One of the students brought up an interesting point related to the subject in our textbook.

to get lost: to become lost; to go away in order not to bother
The second definition provides a very informal, even rude, meaning that should be used only with close friends. It is sometimes used in a joking manner.

• While driving in Boston, we got lost and drove many miles in the wrong direction.
• Todd kept bothering me while I was studying, so I told him to get lost.
•  Lisa joked that she wanted her sister to get lost forever.

to hold up: to delay, to make late ; to remain high in quality

•  A big accident held up traffic on the highway for several hours.
•  Deidre is amazed at how well her car has held up over the years.

to run away: to leave without permission; to escape

• The young couple ran away and got married because their parents wouldn’t permit it.
• That cat is just like a criminal — it runs away from anyone who tries to come near!

to rule out: to refuse to consider, to prohibit

• Heather ruled out applying to college in Texas because she would rather go to school in Canada.
• I’d like to watch a good movie on TV tonight, but a ton of homework rules that out.

by far: by a great margin, clearly

•  Jacquie is by far the most intelligent student in our class.
•  This is by far the hottest, most humid summer we’ve had in years.

to see off: to say good-bye upon departure by train, airplane, bus, etc. (also: to send off)
A noun or pronoun must divide the idiom.

• We are going to the airport to see Peter off on his trip to Europe.
• When I left for Cincinnati on a business trip, no one came to the train station to send me off.

to see out: to accompany a person out of a house, building, etc.
A noun or pronoun must again divide the idiom.

• The Johnsons were certain to see their guests out as each one left the party.
• Would you please see me out to the car? It’s very dark outside.

no wonder: it’s no surprise that, not surprisingly
This idiom derives form reducing it is no wonder that…

• No wonder the portable heater doesn’t work. It’s not plugged into the electrical outlet!
• Jack has been out of town for several weeks. No wonder we haven’t seen him recently.

#Fancy