1. a change of pace 节奏变换

You can’t do these chemistry experiments all day long. You certainly need a change of pace。

2. a far cry from 相距甚远

The published book is far cry from the early manuscript。

3. and how 的确

A: She’s a good dancer。

B: and how。

4. a matter of time 时间问题

It is only a matter of time。

5. a phone call away 一个电话之远，愿意过来帮忙

If you need my help. do let me know. Just remember I am a phone call away。

6. a while back 不久以前

7，all along 一直

I knew it all along。

8. anything but 绝对不

I was anything but happy about going。

9. account for 解释

How do you account for it?

10. after all 到底

A: I’ve just seen the X-rays and your teeth look just fine。

B: I see. Then there is nothing to worry about after all。

11. allergic to 对|……过敏

Oh man! Something in this room is making my eyes itch. I must be allergic to something。

12. at sb’s service 愿为某人服务

I am at your service at any time。

13. around the clock 24小时不停

Martha studied around the clock for management exam。

14. as far as I know 就我所知

15，at home with 对....。.很熟悉

She is at home with problems like this。

16. back out

1) 退出

A: Wasn’t Bert supposed to sing tonight?

B: Yes. but he backed out at last minute

2) 不履行

She finally backed out of her promise。

17. be cut out for 天生适合

I’m not cut out to be a hero。

18. be absorbed in

She has been absorbed in a horror fiction. I can’t tear her away。

19. be addicted to 对……上瘾

She has been addicted to drugs for years。

20，be attached to 对……有感情

A: I’m amazed that you are still driving that old car of yours. I thought you would have gotten rid of it years ago。

B: It runs well and I’ve actually been quite attached to it。