to be cut out for: to have the necessary skills or talent for
The idiom is most often used in the negative or in questions.
– John is certainly not cut out for the work of a trial lawyer.
– Are you certain that you are cut out for that kind of job.
to come across: to meet or find unexpectedly (also: to run across); to be perceived or judged as (also: to come off) Examples of TO COME ACROSS A woman walking her dog came across a butchered body left on a pile of branches. I came across this story out of Georgia on a National Park…
to make out: to read or see clearly; to prepare a legal document, such as a will, a check, Examples of TO MAKE OUT The letter was so poorly handwritten that I couldn’t make out many of the words. Harold, please make the check out to Acme Piano Company.
to back out: to drive a vehicle out of a parking space; to withdraw support, to fail to fulfill a promise or obligation Examples of TO BACK OUT The parking lot attendant had to back another car out before he could get to mine. We were all ready to sign the contracts when one of…
to take up with: to consult someone about an important matter Examples of TO TAKE UP WITH If you don’t like it, take it up with your Congress member, and your conscience. Take this up with your manager, if you can’t help me.
to knock out: to make unconscious; to impress or attract greatlyThis idiom can be made into the noun from knockout for both definitions. Examples of TO KNOCK OUT The prizefighter knocked out his opponent with one punch. The stone hit her on the head and knocked her out for a few minutes.
to lay off: to abstain from, stop using as a habit; to release or discharge from a job (also: related idiom: to let go) Examples of TO LAY OFF Today is my 30th birthday, but I should probably lay off the cake and champagne. He said the company had to lay off employees and has…