Top 5 idioms with the extremely common word “it”
The common little word – the pronoun often employed to avoid repetition of the previous noun – “it” – is a grammatical function well understood. But how about its idiomatic function? There are many commonly used short idiomatic phrases wherein “it” does not refer back to any particular noun. The word as such becomes virtually devoid of any meaning in and of itself. Let’s look at 5 examples.
1. To make it
- To indicate success (or failure) in one’s career
After years of hard work and dedication, she finally made it.
= she finally achieved her career goal.
- To indicate success (or failure) in reaching a destination by a certain pre-determined time.
Our flight’s at 6, and look at this traffic! We’ll never make it.
We made it. But we wouldn’t have if we hadn’t sprinted the final kilometre.
- To indicate ability (or inability) to attend an appointment/meeting, etc.
I’m terribly sorry but I don’t think I’ll be able to make it for our planned get-together. A few issues have cropped up at home. Can we do it some other time?
2. I take it that …
Used as an alternative to assume or suppose. Only used in the first person.
- I haven’t received a reply, so I take it that you’re not coming to the meeting.
- I take it that you’ll be coming by train, in which case, I’ll meet you at the station.
3. See to it that …
Used as an alternative to make sure that…
- Can you see to it that the front door is locked and the alarm activated when you leave the building? Thanks.
- See to it that he gets the message, will you? Thanks.
4. I put it to you that …
To make a serious suggestion to someone with the intention of “testing” their response.
- I put it to you that we need a radical overhaul of our accounts procedure. The current system is not working well.
- My boss asked for my input, so I put it to her that a better way of handling the complaint would be to meet the customer in person.
5. I have it on good authority that…
To believe information you have received because the person acting as the source of the information is trustworthy.
- I have it on good authority that this deal is not going to go through. Our counterparts won’t accept our terms.
- I have it on good authority that you’re leaving! Is this true?! You’ll be sorely missed at this company.