短语词组积累

tell apart; as it is/as it were; mean business; worm one’s way; goes for; come into (play); regardless of; patch/plot of

1. tell apart

be able to distinguish sb/sth from other similar people or things

Examples:

I can never tell the twins apart.

Cf. tell from: distinguish sb/sth from another person or thing

It needs skill to tell a real diamond from a fake.

Can you tell her from her twin sister?

2. as it is / as it were

as it is: in the existing circumstances (often in contrast to what was expected)

as it were: in a way

Examples:

We won’t be able to buy a new car this year—we can only just afford a holiday as it is.

She is one of my best friends, as it were, my second self.

3. mean business (informal)

be serious about what you plan to do; be determined

Examples:

He means business. If we try to escape, he’ll shoot us.

I’m not joking. This time I really mean business.

4. worm one’s way

a. move with difficulty by crawling or wriggling

b. insinuate one's way (into)

c. gradually make sb like or trust you, especially in order to gain an advantage for yourself

Examples:

I wormed my way through the undergrowth.

The educated dealers may later worm their way into stock broking.

Somehow he managed to worm his way into her confidence.

4. worm one’s way

edge/feel/inch/make/push/thread/weave/wend/wind/work/cut/elbow/fight/force/hack/pick/shoulder one’s way

Examples:

The river wound its way through the valley.

She fought her way up to the top of the company.

She bluffed her way through the exam.

5. go for

apply to; be true

Examples:

The same goes for money-grabbing lawyers

What he said about you goes for me too.

6. come into (play)

begin to exist, happen

Examples

All your faculties have come into play in your work.

The cherry trees are coming into blossom.

The band only came into being in 1995.

When do the new regulations come into force/effect?

When did the Labour party come into office?

7. regardless of

without regard or consideration for

Examples

The allowance is paid regardless of age or income.

I shall go regardless of the weather.

8. patch/plot of

piece of

Examples

an isolated patch of forest

patches of colors

patches of clear blue sky

plot of land

Cf. bunch/cluster/bundle/clump/pack/ of