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Idioms That Begin With Prepositions
Idioms That Begin With Prepositions
The following list is by no means an exhaustive list of idioms that begin with
prepositions. It is, however, a litany of very commonly used idiomatic phrases.
At
Behind
Beside
By
1
by mistake: accidentally
by oneself: alone
by the way: incidentally (used to introduce a new, unrelated topic)
For
From
In
2
in no time: very soon; very quickly (used to tell how quickly something
happened)
in season: (fruit or vegetables) ripe and available for sale at that time of year
(opposite: out of season)
in trouble: blamed or punished for doing something wrong; in a difficult
situation (opposite: out of trouble)
in vain: without success
in the wrong: responsible for an error; guilty
Inside
Of
Off
off and on: (describes a situation that exists at some times, but not others,
over a period of time)
On
3
on sale: being sold at a reduced price
on second thought: after thinking further
on a shoestring: with very little money
on the spur of the moment: spontaneously; on a sudden impulse
on time: at the correct time
on the verge of: very close to (an achievement)
Out
To
Under
4
under fire: being shot at; being criticized
under the impression that: having the idea/belief that
under the influence of: affected by (usually alcohol or drugs)
Up
With
Within
Activities
Write down a few sentences using the prepositional idioms given above:
1.___________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________
6. ___________________________________________________________________
7. ___________________________________________________________________
8. ___________________________________________________________________
5
9. ___________________________________________________________________
10. __________________________________________________________________