at first: at the beginning, originally Examples of AT FIRST At first, I didn’t know what to think about Jamie, but now I think she’s pretty cool. She consulted, at first, with a general practitioner, but then she decided to see a specialist.

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 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.

to put on: to gain (pounds or weight); to present, to perform Examples of TO PUT ON It sounds odd but I actually managed to put on weight during my five-day ordeal. It reminded me of a family reunion where some of the kids got up to put on show.

to look up: to locate information in a directory, dictionary, book, etc. Examples of LOOK UP I needed to look up half a dozen words before I figured out what the complicated passage meant. We wanted to look up a new cleaning service because the old one didn’t do a good job.

to take down: to remove from an elevated place; to write what is said, to note Examples of TO TAKE DOWN We should take the pictures down from the wall and clean off the dust. The secretary took down everything that was said at the meeting.