Common Binomials Expressions in English

1. Bits and pieces

Meaning: Small individual things

E.g. Then there are all the other bits and pieces involved in a wedding: invitations, photos, and car hire.

2. By and large

Meaning: Mostly, generally; with few exceptions

E.g. It was, by and large, an unexceptional presentation.

3. Give or take

Meaning: Approximately; plus or minus some unknown amount.

E.g. He was six feet tall, give or take.

4. Hustle and bustle

Meaning: A large amount of activity and work, usually in a noisy surrounding.

E.g. He moved to his parents’ farm to have a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

5. More or less

Meaning: Mostly/ approximately/ almost

E.g. There are hundred people in the room, more or less.

6. On and off

Meaning: Intermittently.

E.g. With so much worry, I only slept on and off last night.

7. Part and parcel

Meaning: An integral or essential piece; that which must be done or accepted as part of something else

E.g. Regular maintenance is part and parcel of owning a car.

8. Peace and quite

Meaning:  A period of calm, silence,etc., especially after noise, stress

E.g. Why don’t you allgo and play outside? Your mother needs a bit of peace and quiet.

9. Pros and cons

Meaning: The positive and negative attributes of arguments.

E.g. We need to look at the pros and cons of each system.