some, any, no, every redux

Just over a week ago we were looking at the difference between the compounds formed with some, any, no and every. In relation to this point I thought it would be a good idea to look at some idiomatic expressions containing those words to help you remember them!

1. somewhere along the line = at some point during a period or an activity.

I don't know exactly what happened but somewhere along the line I just stopped loving him.

2. pull something out of the bag = to suddenly do something to improve a bad situation

If Barcelona want to win the League this year they really need to pull something out of the bag.

3. be all dressed up with nowhere to go = we say this when we have put on some nice clothes to go somewhere nice but then there is a change of plans and we don't go anywhere.

I had put on my sexiest black dress and my new Manolo shoes and then John phoned to say that he couldn't meet me after all! I was all dressed up with nowhere to go!

4. the lights are on but nobody's home = a phrase to describe somebody you think is stupid or somebody who is unresponsive because they are thinking about something else.

It's no good expecting John to participate in the meeting. The lights are on but nobody's home.

5. anybody who is anybody = if anybody who is anybody is doing something it means that all the most famous and important people are doing that thing.

Anybody who is anybody will be at the Madrid Nobu restaurant opening, we have to get tickets.

6. be on everyone's lips = when a word or question is on everyone's lips, a lot of people are talking about it or are interested in it.

The question on everyone's lips at the moment is, where will Angelina Jolie choose to give birth to her new baby?