English idioms

№19 to be in a predicament — to be in a dangerous, awkward or unpleasant situation
1. I felt a sharp anger against him for the predicament in which he had placed me. (A. Cronin)
2. … he had not realized, what circumstances were soon to teach him, that his predicament was not one that could be improved by thinking. (J. Wain)
3. To them he narrated Veronica’s predicament and they imme¬diately offered to adopt the child as soon as it was born — or say a month after. (A. Coppard)

№21 in the long run — eventually; before all is over; finally; after many changes of fortune, successes and failures
1. He filled a pipe and tried his best to feel that, after all, in the long run Dinny would be happier unmarried to him. (J. Gals¬ worthy)
2. “Naturally 1 don’t approve of them,” said Emery, still uncertain whether he felt more annoyed or pleased at Clayton’s insistence that in the long run they were both good fellows more or less on the same side. (J. Lindsay)
3. Hospital meant charring as far as work went but in its social atmosphere it meant something more interesting, more romantic, and, in the long run, more respectable. (J. Wain)
Note: In the long run means ‘over a period of time’ or ‘at the end of a long period of time’. In the end means ‘something less vague’. It is a more particular point of time.
In the long run it will not matter to us whether we stay at Brighton or Hastings. They are both seaside towns so 1 cannot understand why my parents are making such a fuss about the choice.
But: In the end we decided to stay at Brighton because my mother said there was more to do there if it rained. I must tell him about it in the end.

№23 out of the blue (out of a clear sky) — a sudden surprise, something quite unexpected
1. A life, they say, may be considered as a point of light which suddenly appears from nowhere, out of the blue. (R. Aldington)
2. We were sitting at the supper-table on Carey’s last day, when, out of the blue, she spoke. “How would you like to live in London, Jane?” (J. Walsh)
3. “Well, there’s one happily married couple, any way,” I used to say, “so congenial, and with that nice apartment, and all. And then, right out of a clear sky, they go and separate.” (D. Parker)

№25 not to care two pins about (not to care a hang, fig, hoot, etc.) — to care nothing
1. I don’t care two pins if you think me plain or not. (W. S. Maugham)

2. Caroline does not care a hang for woods at any time of the year. (A, Christie)
3. … a laugh you couldn’t trust, but a laugh which made you laugh back and agree that in a crazy world like this all sorts of things didn’t matter a hang. (Or. Greene)

№27 to be all for — strongly in favour of, to want it to be so, definitely to want something
1. Mother, I’m all for Hubert sending his version to the papers. (J. Galsworthy)
2. “I’m ready to welcome what you call half the truth — the facts.” — “So am I. I’m all for it.” (J. Priestley)
3. Anthony was all for the open fields and his friends, Steve on the other hand took little notice of other children. (G. Gordon)

№29 to do smb a good turn
them too and that you’re just dying to do them a favour. It’s sort of funny, in a way. (J. Salinger)
2. This is for a friend who’s done me a good turn. (1. Mur¬doch)
3. “1 came to do you a good turn,” she said. (J. Wain)

№31 what’s the odds? — is it of any consequence? what difference does it make?
1. 1 reckon Morrey’s right. Lost faith in Hannans myself. But what’s the odds? (K. Prichard)
2. “You mean the gold stealing and illicit buying?” — “You know what I mean. And if you’re not in on it, they’ll think you are. So what’s the odds?” (K. Prichard)
3. Later Alice challenged him. “I can’t say I like him,” he an¬swered. “But what’s the odds?” (J. Lindsay)

№33 to set one’s mind on something — to be intent on; to be determined about
1. It was true that he had his ways. When he set his mind on something, that was that.
2. I may as well tell you that I should have thrown it up, only, I’m not in the habit of giving up what I’ve set my mind on. (J. Galsworthy)

№35 into the bargain — beyond what has been stipulated; extra; besides; in addition
1. “I know it’s a bit thick to rob you of a cheroot and then grill you with personal questions into the bargain,” he began. (J. Wain)
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2. To break up a home is at the best a dangerous experiment, and selfish into the bargain. (J. Galsworthy)
3. She is an excellent teacher and a good housewife into the bargain,

№37 at that — moreover (nearly always used to qualify some¬ thing already mentioned)
1. And it occurred to me as I said that it mightn’t be such a bad life at that. (I. Murdoch)
2. He was twenty-five and not a thing to show for it except his life in the army. A damn good life at that — up to a point. (D. Cusack)
3. He has lost his umbrella, a new one at that. (A. Hornby)