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 manuscript¹.

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　allergic² to 对|……过敏
Oh man! Something in this room is making my eyes itch³. 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 addicted⁴ 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.