by all means
Used to give someone enthusiastic and complete permission to do something.
Example: "Can I borrow your pen?" "By all means."
B220 words · Upper-intermediate
Expressions & Sayings vocabulary — B2
Fixed expressions and sayings used in more formal writing and speech, with phrases like by all means, with regard to and every cloud has a silver lining.
20 questions
Words in this set
20at your own risk
Doing something while accepting full responsibility for any danger or loss involved.
Example:
The sign warned that swimmers entered the water at their own risk.
under no circumstances
Never, absolutely not, regardless of the situation.
Example:
Under no circumstances should you share your password.
to a certain extent
Partly true, but not completely.
Example:
I agree with you, to a certain extent.
with regard to
Concerning a particular subject that is about to be discussed.
Example:
I'm writing with regard to your recent application.
in the grand scheme of things
When considering the bigger picture overall, rather than one small detail.
Example:
Missing one bus isn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things.
for all intents and purposes
In every practical and important sense, essentially.
Example:
The deal was, for all intents and purposes, already finished.
as luck would have it
By chance, as it happened, often in a surprisingly convenient or unfortunate way.
Example:
As luck would have it, the last seat on the train was mine.
in light of
Considering a particular fact or piece of information when making a decision.
Example:
In light of the new evidence, the case was reopened.
for the sake of
In order to help, please, or achieve something, even if it requires sacrifice.
Example:
They stayed together for the sake of the children.
the grass is always greener on the other side
A traditional saying meaning that different people's situations often seem more appealing than your own, even when they aren't.
Example:
He envied his friend's job, but the grass is always greener on the other side.
don't count your chickens before they hatch
A saying warning against making plans based on something good that has not actually happened yet.
Example:
We haven't won the contract yet, so don't count your chickens before they hatch.
too many cooks spoil the broth
A well-known saying meaning that a task suffers when several people try to manage it at the same time.
Example:
Everyone gave conflicting instructions, proving that too many cooks spoil the broth.
absence makes the heart grow fonder
A traditional saying meaning that being apart from someone can increase how much you love or appreciate them.
Example:
After a year abroad, he realised absence makes the heart grow fonder.
all that glitters is not gold
A saying warning that something attractive on the surface may not actually be as valuable as it seems.
Example:
The bargain looked amazing, but all that glitters is not gold.
every dog has its day
A well-known saying meaning that each person eventually gets a moment of success or good fortune.
Example:
After years of losing, the underdog finally won — every dog has its day.
slow and steady wins the race
An old saying meaning that careful, consistent effort achieves better results than rushing.
Example:
She never rushed her studies, proving that slow and steady wins the race.
all's fair in love and war
A saying suggesting that in emotional or competitive situations, normal rules of conduct sometimes don't apply.
Example:
He switched tactics at the last minute — all's fair in love and war.
every cloud has a silver lining
A saying meaning that something positive can usually be found even in a difficult situation.
Example:
Losing that job led her to a better one — every cloud has a silver lining.
the early bird catches the worm
People who start something first or act quickly have the best chance of success.
Example:
I applied the same day the job was posted — the early bird catches the worm.
