few and far between: not frequent, unusual, rare Examples of FEW AND FAR BETWEEN It’s hard to find a trustworthy lawyer; they’re few and far between. Friendships like ours are few and far between, my best friend told me.  

to stand a chance: to have the possibility of accomplishing something Examples of TO STAND A CHANCE With coast guard teams using the Stiletto, smugglers seem not to stand a chance. Poor little child doesn’t stand a chance at a good life, being with such losers.

to drop (someone) a line: to write a note to someone Examples of TO DROP A LINE Please feel free to drop me a line with any of your thoughts regarding the page. I’ll try to get it up tomorrow, and will drop you a line when it’s available.  

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 feel sorry for: to pity, to feel compassion for (also: to take pity on) Examples of TO FEEL SORRY FOR Go meet someone; it’s time to stop feeling sorry for yourself after your divorce. I’m not able to feel sorry for your financial problems – you knew you’d have to pay your credit card…

for once: this one time, for only one time Examples of FOR ONCE For once they were the stars, not just a sideshow in the track-and-field circus. For once I agree that the brilliant Shaw talks his way into a theatrical morass.