(During the) course (of): During means “in or throughout the duration
of”), so “during the course of” is repetitive.
Definite decision: Decisions may not be
final, but when they are made, they are unequivocal and therefore definite, so
one should not be described as “a definite decision.”
Difficult dilemma: A dilemma is by nature
complicated, so omit difficult as
a modifier.
Direct confrontation: A confrontation is a
head-on conflict. Direct as
a qualifier in this case is redundant.
End result: A result is something
that occurs at the end, so omit end as a
modifier of result.
Enter in: To enter is to go in, so
throw in out.
Estimated at about/roughly: An estimate is an
approximation. About and roughly are superfluous.
False pretense: A pretense is a
deception, so false is
redundant.
Few in number: Few refers to a small number; do not
qualify few with
the modifier “in number.”
Final outcome: An outcome is a result
and is therefore intrinsically final.
First began, new beginning: A beginning is when
something first occurs, so first and new are superfluous terms in these cases.
For a period/number of days: Days is plural, so a duration is implied;
“a period of” or “a number of” is redundant. It’s better to specify the number
of days or to generalize with many.
Foreign imports: Imports are products
that originate in another country, so their foreign nature is implicit and the
word foreign is
redundant.
Forever and ever: Ever is an unnecessary reduplication of forever.
Free gift: A gift is by definition
free (though cynics will dispute that definition), so free is extraneous.
Invited guests: Guests are intrinsically
those who have an invitation, so invited is
redundant.
Major breakthrough: A breakthrough is a
significant progress in an effort. Though major is
not directly redundant, the notable nature of the event is implicit.
[Number] a.m. in the
morning/p.m. in the evening: The abbreviations a.m. and p.m. already identify
the time of day, so omit “in the morning” or “in the evening.”
Past history/record: A history is by
definition a record of past occurrences, and a record is documentation of what
has already happened. In both cases, past is
redundant.
Plan ahead: To plan is to prepare
for the future. Ahead is
extraneous.
Possibly might: Might indicates
probability, so omit the redundant qualifier possibly.
Postpone until later: To postpone is to delay. Later is superfluous.
Protest against: To protest is to
communicate opposition. Against is
redundant.
Repeat again: To repeat is to
reiterate an action, so again is
unnecessary.
Revert back: Something that reverts
returns to an earlier state. Back is
superfluous.
Same identical: Same and identical are
just that (and that). Omit same as
a qualifier for identical.
Since the time when: Since indicates a time in the past; “the
time when” is superfluous.
Spell out in detail: To spell out is to
provide details, so “in detail” is repetitive.
Still remains: Something that remains
is still in place. Still is
redundant.
Suddenly exploded: An explosion is an
immediate event. It cannot be any more sudden than it is.
Therapeutic treatment: Treatment in the sense of medical care is by
nature therapeutic, so the adjective is redundant.
Unexpected surprise: No surprise is expected,
so the modifier is extraneous.
Unintended mistake: A mistake is an
inadvertently erroneous action. The lack of intention is implicit.
Usual custom: A custom is something
routinely and repeatedly done or observed, and usual is redundant.
Written down: Something written has
been taken down. Down is
superfluous.
crash course - a quick
lesson
(to) miss
out -
to miss an opportunity; to fail to make use of an opportunity
(to) go to great lengths - to
do a lot; to do a lot to achieve a certain goal
fuddy-duddy - out of fashion;
not modern; an old-fashioned person who doesn't want to change
to (barely or only) scratch the surface - to
only begin to explore or understand something; to deal with something only
superficially
bells and
whistles -
fancy features; product features that make a product more premium or expensive
but that are not usually necessary; extras
to tie the
knot –
to get married
to call it quits – to end
something (such as a relationship, a job, a project, etc)
to lose
heart –
to give up hope; to get discouraged
bottom line – the main point
is…; the conclusion is…
to kiss up – to flatter; try to
gain favor with; behave in a way to make people like you more
shoot the breeze - to talk; to chat; to make
conversation
dog-eat-dog
world
- a cruel world; a challenging environment in which people just look out
for themselves
