Binomial expressions (B2 Vocabulary)

Binomials are fixed pairs: pros and cons (advantages and disadvantages), ups and downs (good and bad times), ins and outs (details), give and take (compromise).

Fixed pairs joined by 'and'

• Not ""We need to weigh the cons and pros carefully."" — say ""We need to weigh the pros and cons carefully."". Keep the fixed order: pros and cons, not "cons and pros".
• Try it: Liam: Who should train the new volunteer on the sign-up system? Mei: Ask Amina. She has learned the ___ over the years. Choose the words for the blank. (ins and outs / outs and ins / ins or outs) Answer: ins and outs — The fixed pair is "ins and outs", with that order and the word "and".

Word	Pronunciation	Example
pros and cons	/proʊz ənd kɑnz/	Before we decide, let's weigh the pros and cons of moving the office.
ups and downs	/ʌps ənd daʊnz/	Every long friendship has its ups and downs.
ins and outs	/ɪnz ənd aʊts/	After a month on the job, she knew the ins and outs of the whole system.
give and take	/ˌɡɪv ən ˈteɪk/	A long partnership needs some give and take on both sides.

More pairs: and, or

More pairs: sooner or later (eventually), more or less (roughly), by and large (generally), trial and error (learning by trying). Some take or, some and.

• Try it: Wei: Can I skip the form this week? Farid: Not forever. ___ you have to fill it in. Choose the words for the blank. (Sooner or later / Sooner or never / Sooner and later) Answer: Sooner or later — The fixed pair is "sooner or later", meaning eventually, and it takes "or".
• Try it: Liam: Is the hike to the lake long? Diego: It takes ___ two hours. Choose the words for the blank. (more or less / less or more / more and less) Answer: more or less — The fixed pair is "more or less", meaning roughly, and it takes "or".

Word	Pronunciation	Example
sooner or later	/ˈsunər ɔr ˈleɪtər/	You can put it off, but sooner or later you'll have to reply to that email.
more or less	/mɔr ɔr lɛs/	The repairs are more or less finished; just a few small things left.
by and large	/ˌbaɪ ən ˈlɑrdʒ/	By and large, the new bike lanes have made the commute safer.
trial and error	/ˈtraɪəl ənd ˈɛrər/	I learned to cook mostly through trial and error, not from recipes.

Pairs for how things go

Once and for all means finally, back and forth means repeatedly between two sides, hit or miss means unreliable, touch and go means uncertain.

• Try it: Ethan: Are you still drinking coffee late at night? Liam: No, I've given it up ___. I sleep much better now. Choose the words for the blank. (once and for all / once and for ever / once or for all) Answer: once and for all — The fixed pair is "once and for all", meaning finally, with "and" and "all".

Word	Pronunciation	Example
once and for all	/ˈwʌns ən fər ˈɔl/	She paid off the loan once and for all last spring.
back and forth	/ˈbæk ən ˈfɔrθ/	The ferry goes back and forth across the bay all day.
hit or miss	/ˈhɪt ər ˈmɪs/	Phone signal in the valley is hit or miss.
touch and go	/ˈtʌtʃ ən ˈɡoʊ/	The final was touch and go until the very last minute.