to be bound to happen | to be certain to happen (because it always happens) |
to be certain to happen | sth will very probably happen (1) |
to be in with a chance of +ing form | there is a good possibility that |
to be unlikely to/it is unlikely that | one/sth probably won't |
to blow your chances | to ruin your chances (of getting/achieving sth) |
to grab an opportunity/chance (with both hands) | to quickly accept a good opportunity, especially because you think you will not get that opportunity |
(sth will), in all probability, (happen) | sth will very probably happen (2) |
it is doubtful whether/that sth will happen | sth probably won't happen |
it was purely by chance that... | it was complete chance that sth happened |
to jump at the chance/opportunity | to quickly accept a good opportunity |
(to do sth) on the off-chance | do sth hoping it will succeed although you think it is unlikely |
to pass up a chance/opportunity | to say no to a good opportunity (a good job offer, etc) |
(not) to stand a chance | to have no possibility (of achieving/getting sth)[note:to stand no/little/a(very)good chance of+ing |
the chances are that sth will happen | sth will probably happen |
the chances of sth happening are very remote | there is very little possibility that sth will happen |
the odds are against sth happening | sth probably won't happen |
there's a slim/remote/little chance that sth will/ could happen | there is not much possibility of sth happening |
there's every indication (to suggest) that sth will happen | all the signs show that sth will very probably happen |
there's every likelihood of sth happening/that sth will happen | sth will very probably happen (3) |
to be in quandary | not to be able to decide what to do because you find yourself in a difficult situation |
to be in two minds about sth/whether to do sth | can't decide whether or not to do sth |
to be shortlisted | to be chosen from a large number of applicants for a job to join a much smaller group,all of whom... |
to be spoilt for choice | to have a lot of (similar) things to choose from |
to be torn between sth and sth else | to find two things attractive and as a result not to be able to decide between them |
hand-picked | especially chosen to do a particular job |
to have a change of heart | to change the way you feel about sth/sb |
to have no alternative but to... | the only choice sb has it to; often used in formal threats |
to opt for/to do sth | (formal) to choose (to do) sth |
to reach/come to/arrive at a decision | to decide after careful consideration (generally used for juries, committees, boards of directors |
to single (sth/sb) out | to choose and pay special attention to sth/sb from a group of similar things/people, (..) |
to sit on the fence | not to commit oneself in an argument; to neither agree nor disagree |
baggy | very loose |
creased/crumpled | unironed, full of lines and wrinkles |
faded | having lost its original colour or brightness |
fancy | special and unusual, with a lot of decoration |
fetching | attractive; can be used to describe a person (generally a woman) or an article of clothing |
flared | wide at the bottom |
flat | with very low or no heels |
garish | very colourful, in a way that is not in good taste |
grubby | dirty |
loud | very colourful, in a way that some might find unpleasant |
moth-eaten | full of clothes |
patched | with pieces of material sewn on to cover holes |
platform | platform shoes have thick high heels and an elevated sole |
shabby | looking old and in bad condition |
sturdy | strong |
synthetic | made from artificial substances/material |
tailored | designed to fit close to the body |
worn-out | old and ready to be thrown away |