English idioms

to talk one into doing (out of doing) something — to
persuade (to dissuade) somebody to do something
1. “Edna talked him into going,” said Tony. (M. Wilson)
2. He acted immediately and calmly. Bunder would never, of course, let himself be talked into stopping so that they could give themselves up. Yet stop they must. He moved forward slightly and grasped the hand-brake. (J. Wain)
3. “My mind’s made up,” said Mrs. Watkins aggressively, … “and I won’t be talked out of it.” (J. Lindsay)

to be getting on (to, for, in) — to draw near
1. “Hello, Max,” he said pleasantly. “You’re getting on in years.” “Oh, I’m just getting ready for my finals, then I’ll bloom again.” (M. Wilson)
2. Dr. Galbraith was getting on in years. (A. Cronin)
3. It was getting on to the time for their usual fortnight at the seaside. (W. S. Maugham)
4. It’s getting on for one o’clock. It’s not fair to your work. (G. Gordon)

to keep (a person) in the dark — to hide things from a person; to keep things secret
to be in the dark about — not to know about or not to understand fully, not to be in the know
to keep (a thing) dark — to keep it a secret

1. He must keep Bunder absolutely and permanently in the dark about Dogson and his mission to reveal the secrets of the drug traffic. (J. Wain)
2. Besides, she was in the dark about his feeling now. (J. Gals¬ worthy)
3. I don’t see how anyone else but Parker could have sent it. Depend upon it, his own man. But keep it dark — we don’t want to alarm him just yet. (A. Christie)

so far (as yet) — up to now, all the while up to now
1. Hm! May I ask what you have said so far? (B. Shaw)
2. Thirty years ago five doctors gave me six months to live, and I’ve seen three of them out so far. (D. Cusack)
3. So far you are right. (W. S. Maugham)

to slip (out of) one’s mind (memory) — to forget
1. Perhaps you really have a friend called Merde and it slipped your mind. (J. Wain)
2. … that the main purpose of my visit had slipped from his failing memory. (A. Cronin)

to let oneself in for — to be persuaded to do something
1. I let myself in for several hours’ boredom every day, Dixon. A couple more won’t break my back. (K. Amis)
2. Oh, God, Christine, you don’t want to come to that, you’ll be bored stiff. How have you let yourself in for it. (A. Christie)

in high (great, good) spirits — cheerful
1. The young woman wore a bunch of violets and seemed in high spirits. (Th. Dreiser)
2. Carrie reached home in high good spirits, which she could scarcely conceal. (Th. Dreiser)
3. He was pleased to see the architect in such high spirits and left him to spend the afternoon with Irene, while he stole off to his pictures, after his Sunday habit. (J. Galsworthy)

to sit up late (to keep late hours) — not to go to bed
at the usual hours
1. Alf and Morris swore they could not sleep. They wanted to sit up all night in order to get down to the wagon on time. (K. Prichard)
2. Bless you! Don’t sit up too late. Anne’s rather in the dumps. (J. Galsworthy)

it is no use crying over spilt milk (to cry over spilt milk) — to spend time uselessly regretting unfortunate events
1. “Well, I judge there’s no use crying over spilt milk. Com¬mand me in any way. 1 am your very faithful servant.” And turning round, he went out. (J. Galsworthy)

2. “Oh, dear me!” exclaimed Carrie. Then she settled back with a sigh. “There is no use crying over spilt milk,” she said. “It’s too late!” (Th. Dreiser)
3. And the grass — those great places had no grass, he believed! The blossom, too, was late this year — no blossom before they left! Well, the milk was spilled! (J. Galsworthy)

at heart — in one’s heart; in one’s heart of hearts; in one’s secret heart; in one’s inmost self
1. “The trouble with you, Bill,” said Nan, “is that for all your noisy Labour Party views you’re a snob at heart.” (I. Murdoch)
2. He went home, uneasy and sore at heart, for this concerned two people of whom he was very fond, and he could see no issue that was not full of suffering to both. (J. Galsworthy)
3. Short of the most convincing proofs he must still refuse to believe for he did not wish to punish himself. And all the time at heart — he did believe. (J. Galsworthy)