to back up: to drive or go backwards (S); to defend, to support (S); to return to a previous thought Examples of TO BACK UP So it plans to buy back up to $10 million of its stock over the next few months Unfortunately, the rates haven’t gone back up, and people are dealing with…

to work out: to exercise; to develop, to devise (a plan) Examples of TO WORK OUT She home-schools her 15-year-old son, runs errands, cleans house, takes care of her family, works out at the fitness center and tries to sleep. Eventually we worked out a plan so that he could return to work.

touch and go: risky, uncertain until the end Examples of TOUCH AND GO The outcome of the soccer final was touch and go for the entire match. It was touch and go at one stage whether I would make the journey to hospital.

on the whole: in general, in most ways (also: by and large) Examples of ON THE WHOLE He is, on the whole, a good student. Rents and occupancy rates in commercial real estate remain healthy on the whole.

to wear off: to disappear gradually Examples of TO WEAR OFF Thankfully, most of the initial feelings of awkwardness wear off fairly quickly. It will wear off as we get older.

to break off: to terminate, to discontinue Examples of TO BREAK OFF Venezuela broke off diplomatic relations, and Argentina withdrew its ambassador. Olivia and Alex were once engaged, but they have already broken it off.

let alone: and certainly not (also: not to mention, to say nothing of) Examples of LET ALONE He would never walk again let alone play golf. He doesn’t even speak his own language well, let alone French.

to leave (someone or something) alone: not to disturb, to stay away from (also: to let alone) Examples of TO LEAVE ALONE Leave the baby alone for a while and she may go to sleep. After the cat had scratched Peter twice, he let it alone.

to wait up for: to wait until late at night without going to bed Examples of TO WAIT UP FOR Would it be terribly rude to wait up for him to chat about his lawn maintenance? He said he waited up for a while, but then fell asleep.

to bring back: to return a bought or borrowed item Examples of TO BRING BACK If you get blisters and your foot is aching, bring it back and try another shoe. I will tell you what I want to eat, you go get the food and bring it back to me.