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Below are examples of idioms consisting of prepositional phrases. The following selection of idioms emphasizes those used in North American English. The meaning of each idiom is indicated after the colon.

At
not at all: not in any way
at all times: always
at any rate: whatever happens
keep someone at arm's length: avoid becoming closely involved with someone
at close quarters: very near
at one's disposal: to be used as one wishes
at a distance: not near
at fault: causing something wrong
at first: at the beginning
see at a glance: see immediately
at hand: near; readily available
at last: finally, after some delay
at a loss: uncertain what to do or say
at the mercy of: without defense against
at the moment: now
at once: immediately
at present: now
at rest: not moving
at risk: threatened by danger or loss
at short notice: with little warning
at stake: to be won or lost
at a stretch: continuously
at that rate: under those circumstances
at this point: at this place; at this moment
at the wheel: in control

Behind
behind the scenes: (of persons) influencing events secretly; (in a theater) behind the stage
behind schedule: not on time

Beside
be beside oneself: lose one's self-control
beside the point: irrelevant

Between
read between the lines: deduce a meaning that is not actually expressed

Beyond
beyond help: unable to be helped
beyond a joke: too annoying to be amusing
beyond reproach: perfect; blameless

By
by accident: not deliberately
by all means: by any possible method
bit by bit: gradually
by chance: by accident; without planning
by courtesy of: with the help or permission of
win by default: win because of lack of competition
by degrees: gradually
perform by ear: perform (music) by listening to the sound, without referring to written music
by hand: without the use of machinery
by heart: from memory
little by little: gradually
by means of: by using
by mistake: accidentally
by no means: not at all
one by one: one at a time
by oneself: alone
side by side: beside one another
by the way: incidentally (used to introduce an unrelated topic of conversation)
by word of mouth: orally

For
once and for all: for the last time (e.g. used when giving someone a final warning)
for certain: definitely; without doubt
for a change: for the sake of variety
for example: as an illustration
for fun: for the sake of enjoyment
for good: permanently
for good measure: in addition to the necessary amount
for instance: for example; as an illustration
for keeps: (colloquial) permanently
for a living: as a profession
for now: temporarily
run for office: compete for an elected position
for one thing: because of one reason (out of several)
for the sake of: for the benefit of; for the purpose of
for sale: intended to be sold
for sure: definitely (more colloquial than for certain)
food for thought: something which makes one think
play for time: delay doing something in the hope that the situation will improve
for the time being: until some other arrangement is made
ask for trouble: act in a dangerous or foolish way
for a while: for a period of time
word for word: exactly as said or written

From
from afar: from a distance
from all sides: from all directions
from head to foot: (of a person) completely; all over
from scratch: from the beginning
from time to time: occasionally

In
in addition to: as well as
in advance: before
be in agreement with: have the same opinion as
in any case: whatever happens
in brief: in a few words
in bulk: (of goods) in large amounts; not in packages
be in charge of: have responsibility for
in common: shared by all members of a group
in control: having the power to direct something
in the course of: during
in danger: likely to be harmed
in a daze: unable to think clearly; confused
in debt: owing money
in demand: (of goods or persons) desired by many people
in depth: (investigate something) thoroughly
in detail: (explain something) thoroughly
in disgrace: regarded with disapproval because of having done something wrong
in the distance: far away
in doubt: uncertain
in duplicate: so that there are two identical copies (of a document)
in earnest: seriously; in a determined way
in effect: (of rules) operating
in the end: finally
in fact: in reality; really
in fashion: fashionable; accepted as being the most desirable and up to date
in favor of: supporting (an idea)
in flames: burning, with visible flames
in a flash: very quickly; suddenly
in full: without omitting anything
in general: usually; as a whole
hand in hand: (of persons) holding hands; (of related situations) occurring together
in a hurry: trying to accomplish something quickly
in jest: as a joke
in kind: (payment) in goods rather than in money
in itself: without reference to anything else
in league with: (of persons) joined together with (usually for a dishonest purpose)
be in the limelight: be the focus of attention; receive great publicity
in the long run: in the end; eventually
in the long term: looking ahead to the distant future
leave someone in the lurch: abandon someone who is in a difficult situation
be in the minority: be in the smaller of two groups
in mint condition: (of manufactured goods) perfect; brand-new
in a minute: soon
in a moment: soon; quickly
set something in motion: start something going
nip something in the bud: put an end to something before it gets properly started
in no time: very soon; very quickly
in order of: arranged according to
in order to: for the purpose of
in part: to some degree
in particular: especially
in power: (of a political party) holding office
in practice: able to do something well because of recent practice; in reality (opposite of in theory)
in print: (of a book) printed and available from the publisher
in private: not in front of other people
in public: openly; not in private
in reality: really
in reserve: saved for later use
in retrospect: looking back over past events
in return for: as repayment for
be in the right: be correct
in season: (of fruit or vegetables) readily available at that time of year
in a second: soon; quickly
in short supply: scarce; not easily obtainable
in sight: able to be seen
in stock: (of goods at a store) present and available
in that case: if that is true
in theory: ideally; according to theoretical considerations
be in time: not be late
in touch with in: communication with; informed about
in triplicate: so that there are three identical copies (of a document)
be in trouble: be in a difficult situation; be blamed or punished for doing something wrong
in tune: at the correct pitch
act in unison: act together
in vain: without success
in the vicinity of: near
once in a while: occasionally
in words of one syllable: (explain something) clearly and simply
in working order: able to function properly
in the wrong: responsible for an error; guilty

Inside
inside out: with the inner side out; thoroughly

Into
paint oneself into a corner: take a course of action which greatly narrows one's future choices of action
go into hiding: hide oneself
get into a rut: get into a fixed and uninteresting way of life
get into trouble: get into a difficult situation; do something deserving blame or punishment

Of
of course: certainly; as one would expect; as everyone knows
hard of hearing: somewhat deaf
next of kin: nearest relative or relatives
of one's own accord: voluntarily; on one's own initiative
of one's own free will: voluntarily; by choice
one's point of view: one's opinion about something
right of way: public right to use a path or road; (of road traffic) right to proceed before others
rule of thumb: a simple way to calculate what procedure to follow, based on extensive experience,
rather than on theoretical considerations

Off
go off the air: (of radio or television) stop broadcasting
off duty: not engaged in one's regular work
off one's hands: no longer one's responsibility
off and on: from time to time
off the record: say something privately, that is not to be officially recorded
off the track: following a wrong line of thought or action

On
on account of: because of
be on the air: (of radio or television) be in the process of broadcasting
on the alert: ready to act
be on all fours: (of a person) be on hands and knees
on the average: usually; normally
on behalf of: for; in the interests of
on board: on a ship or airplane
on business: as part of one's work
on condition that: only if; provided that
on demand: when asked for
on display: being exhibited
on duty: engaged in one's regular work
on fire: burning
to go on foot: to walk
be on one's guard: be alert and ready to meet an attack
on hand: available
on loan: lent and not yet returned
shoot on location: (of a movie) film in natural surroundings, not in a studio
on the lookout: watchful
put something on the map: cause something to become well-known
get on one's nerves: annoy; irritate
on no account: absolutely not
on the one hand: (used to introduce one side of an argument)
on one's own: alone; without help
act on one's own initiative: act independently, without orders from anyone else
on order: requested but not yet delivered
on the other hand: (used to introduce a contrasting side of an argument)
act on principle: do something to support a policy
on purpose: deliberately
go on record: say something which is to be officially recorded
on sale: being sold at a lower price than usual
on schedule: at the correct time; as planned or predicted
on second thoughts: after thinking further about something
on a shoestring: with a very small amount of money
be on the spot: be where important events are taking place; be placed in an awkward situation
on the spur of the moment: on a sudden impulse
go off on a tangent: change suddenly to a new line of thought or action
on time: at the correct time
walk on tiptoe: walk on the toes and balls of the feet
accept something on trust: accept something without proof
on the verge of: very close to; about to
on the whole: taking everything into consideration

Out of
out of the blue: unexpectedly
out of breath: (after running) panting from a shortage of oxygen
out of character: unlike a person's known character
out of control: not able to be regulated or guided
out of danger: safe
out of date: no longer used; old-fashioned; (of news) no longer true
out of debt: having paid one's debts
be out of one's depth: be unable to handle a situation because of lack of experience
out of doors: in the open air; not in a building
out of fashion: not fashionable; not presently in common use
out of hand: not under control
out of harm's way: safe
out of line with: in disagreement with
be out of one's mind: be insane
out of order: not functioning properly; (at a formal meeting) not behaving according to the rules
out of the ordinary: unusual
out of place: unsuitable
out of practice: unable to do something as well as one has in past, because of lack of recent practice
out of print: (of a book) no longer available from the publisher
out of proportion: too big or too small; not having the appropriate relationship to something
out of the question: impossible; not to be considered
out of season: (of fruit or vegetables) not readily available at that time of year
out of shape: (of persons) not in top condition because of lack of exercise
out of sight: hidden, not able to be seen
out of stock: (of goods at a store) temporarily unavailable
out of style: not fashionable
out of touch: with not in communication with; not informed about
out of town: having temporarily left town
out of trouble: not in trouble
out of tune: not at the correct pitch
out of work: no longer having employment

To
to all intents and purposes: in all important ways
to a certain extent: partly
to date: so far; until now
up to date: current; modern
see eye to eye with: agree entirely with
take something to heart: be much affected by something
made to measure: exactly suitable; (of clothes) made for a certain person
keep something to oneself: not tell anyone
to the point: relevant

Under
under age: below the age of being legally permitted to do something
be under arrest: be held prisoner and charged with wrongdoing
under the auspices of: with the patronage of; supported by
under one's breath: in a whisper
under the circumstances: because this is true
under consideration: being thought about
under control: able to be regulated or guided
under cover of: protected by; undetected because of
under fire: being shot at; being criticized
under the impression that: having the idea that
be under the influence of: be affected by
be under oath: have sworn to tell the truth
under observation: being watched carefully
under restraint: prevented from doing something

Up
have something up one's sleeve: have a secret idea or plan in reserve

With
with impunity: without risk of injury or punishment
with the naked eye: without using a magnifying lens
with no strings attached: (of help given) with no conditions; to be used freely
take with a pinch of salt: not believe completely
with regard to: concerning; about
with respect to: concerning; about
tarred with the same brush: having the same faults
with a vengeance: very much; more than usual

Within
within limits: to a certain extent; not too much
within living memory: within the memory of people now alive

Without
go without saying: be obvious

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The following are examples of nouns which are usually followed by certain prepositions. In the case of phrases which are idioms, the meanings of the phrases are indicated in brackets.

Against
take precautions against

For
have affection for make allowances for
have compassion for an excuse for
a reason for have a reputation for
have respect for have sympathy for
have a talent for lie in wait for (ambush)
pave the way for (prepare for)

From
absence from

In
have confidence in have faith in
have an interest in take part in
make progress in

Into
have insight into

Of
have an abhorrence of an acknowledgement of
take advantage of take care of
take command of evidence of
an example of an excess of
make a fool of make fun of (ridicule)
have an impression of a lack of
neglect of a number of
a pair of be part of
a possibility of make a practice of (do often)
a proof of a quantity of
recognition of a recollection of
a result of run the risk of (risk)
catch sight of (see suddenly) a sign of
a survey of a symbol of
a symptom of a token of
make use of a way of
wash one's hands of (stop caring
about and dealing with)

On
an attack on dependence on
make an impression on play a joke on
shed light on (explain) have pity on

To
have access to pay attention to
an objection to a reply to
a response to lay siege to (besiege)
shut one's eyes to (deliberately
ignore a problem)

Toward or Towards
animosity toward(s) an attitude toward(s)

With
have a connection with find fault with (criticize)
fall in love with change places with



Adjectives and verbs in the passive voice followed by prepositions

In some cases different prepositions can be used without causing a change in meaning. For instance, the following examples both have the same meaning.
--> I was angry at them.
I was angry with them.

However, in many cases, the use of different prepositions causes a change in meaning. For instance, the past participle protected is typically followed by the preposition from. However, like many other past participles, protected may also be followed by the preposition by, where by serves to introduce the performer of the action expressed by the past participle.
--> The city is protected from the soldiers.
The city is protected by the soldiers.
The first example indicates that the soldiers are a threat to the city; whereas the second example indicates that the soldiers are protecting the city.

The following are examples of predicate adjectives and past participles of verbs in the Passive Voice which are usually followed by certain prepositions. In addition, it should be kept in mind that most verbs in the Passive Voice can be followed by a phrase beginning with the preposition by.

About
anxious about concerned about
curious about depressed about
doubtful about enthusiastic about
excited about happy about
pleased about wrong about
worried about

At
adept at alarmed at
amazed at overjoyed at
shocked at surprised at

Between
torn between

By
accompanied by caused by
guided by manufactured by
obsessed by written by

For
blamed for eligible for
famous for fit for
known for late for
noted for praised for
punished for qualified for
ready for responsible for
ripe for sorry for
suitable for

From
absent from apart from
derived from descended from
detached from different from
distinct from exempt from
far from isolated from
omitted from protected from
removed from safe from
separated from

In
absorbed in disappointed in
engaged in immersed in
interested in involved in

Of
accused of afraid of
ashamed of aware of
capable of certain of
composed of conscious of
convinced of deprived of
devoid of fond of
ignorant of independent of
jealous of proud of
regardless of reminded of
sure of suspicious of
suspected of terrified of
tired of worthy of

On
based on dependent on
intent on

To
acceptable to accessible to
accustomed to adapted to
addicted to adjacent to
attached to attributable to
close to committed to
comparable to dedicated to
detrimental to devoted to
due to equal to
equivalent to essential to
exposed to faithful to
favorable to foreign to
impervious to indifferent to
indispensable to inferior to
kind to loyal to
next to obedient to
obliged to oblivious to
opposed to parallel to
partial to peculiar to
preferable to prior to
proportional to reconciled to
reduced to related to
relative to relevant to
resigned to resistant to
restricted to senior to
sensitive to similar to
subject to subordinate to
suited to superior to
susceptible to tied to

Toward or Towards
protective toward(s)

With
acquainted with affiliated with
associated with besieged with
compared with compatible with
confronted with consistent with
covered with cursed with
exasperated with familiar with
finished with identified with
infatuated with patient with
pleased with satisfied with
synonymous with threatened with




Verbs followed by prepositions

The following are examples of verbs which are often followed by certain prepositions.

About
care about complain about
forget about lie about (tell a lie)
reminisce about talk about
think about wonder about
worry about

Against
discriminate against protest against
react against rebel against
turn against

At
aim at bark at
connive at frown at
gaze at glare at
growl at hint at
look at point at
shoot at smile at
snap at sneer at
stare at wave at
wink at

For
apply for apologize for
beg for blame for
budget for hope for
long for look for
mourn for pay for
plead for pose for
pray for prepare for
press for register for
search for shop for
substitute for vouch for
wait for wish for

From
abstain from benefit from
deduct from derive from
desist from deter from
detract from deviate from
differ from divert from
escape from extricate from
flee from infer from
profit from protect from
quote from radiate from
recoil from recover from
refrain from shrink from
stem from suffer from

In
believe in engage in
indulge in intervene in
invest in participate in
persist in succeed in

Into
change into convert into
delve into dip into
develop into divide into
fall into merge into
plunge into pry into
sink into transform into

Of
approve of beware of
conceive of consist of
deprive of die of
disapprove of smell of

On
blame on concentrate on
depend on impinge on
impose on insist on
intrude on pounce on
reflect on rely on
report on spy on
subsist on thrive on

Over
preside over trip over

To
adapt to adhere to
adjust to amount to
belong to conform to
contribute to correspond to
listen to object to
pertain to prefer to
refer to relate to
respond to resort to
revert to submit to
subscribe to succumb to
surrender to yield to

With
agree with associate with
collaborate with combine with
communicate with comply with
concur with consort with
contend with cooperate with
cope with correspond with
flirt with mingle with
share with sympathize with

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