to have one’s heart set on: to desire greatly, to be determined to
over and over (again): repeatedly (also: time after time, time and again) Examples of OVER AND OVER I told you, over and over, not to call me by that nickname, and you still call me by that nickname. The monkey with the miniature cymbals banged them together over and over again.
to shake hands: to exchange greetings by clasping hands Examples of SHAKE HANDS It’s customary to shake hands when you first meet someone. It was then that she decided, rather than giving him a kiss at the end of the date, only to shake hands.
to make up one’s mind: to reach a decision, to decide finally Examples of MAKE UP ONE’S MIND He needs to make up his mind what restaurant to go to, otherwise we’ll never eat. She can’t make up her mind between two great jobs.
to get back: to return Examples of GET BACK We’ll need to get back to headquarters, now that we’ve finished our mission. I like to get back to my hometown in the suburbs every couple of weeks, to visit my parents and to catch up with old friends.
fifty-fifty: divided into two equal parts Examples of FIFTY-FIFTY We’ve got, I’d say, a better than fifty-fifty chance of winning the game. The odds are the same for a heads or a tails to come up, they’re fifty-fifty.
to cut corners: to economize, to save money Examples of TO CUT CORNERS Most students live on limited budgets and have to cut corners whenever possible. The Livingstons have nine children, so it is essential that they cut corners at all times.