| Idiom | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| By day | Refers to activities or events that occur during the daytime rather than at night. | The museum is open by day, allowing visitors to enjoy the exhibits under natural light. |
| By the day | 1. Refers to something happening daily; 2. Indicates a situation that is changing or worsening over time. | The prices for hotel rooms are increasing by the day as the holiday season approaches. |
| By half | 1. To change the amount by fifty percent; 2. Suggests an excessive degree of cleverness or ability. | The new policy cuts costs by half, helping the company save money during the financial crisis. |
| By halves | To do something incompletely or without full commitment. | The project was poorly executed; they really dealt with it by halves instead of giving it their full attention. |
| By inches | 1. Describes a slow or gradual process; 2. Indicates a narrow margin or close call. | The car crept forward by inches in the heavy traffic, testing everyone’s patience. |
| Inch by inch | 1. To progress in small steps; 2. To examine something meticulously. | We made progress inch by inch in our negotiations, ensuring every detail was perfect before signing. |
| By installments | Refers to making payments in smaller, divided amounts over a set period. | They decided to purchase their new furniture by installments to manage their budget more effectively. |
| In installments | Describes something that is released or published in separate parts over time. | The magazine will feature the article in installments, keeping readers engaged over several months. |
| By occasion of something | A formal phrase indicating an event or reason for something happening. | The event was rescheduled by occasion of the unforeseen weather conditions that made travel dangerous. |
| On the occasion of something | Used to describe something happening in relation to a specific event or celebration. | The guests received special gifts on the occasion of the anniversary celebration. |
| By one’s own account | Refers to information provided according to someone’s personal perspective or narrative. | By her own account, she was the last person to see the missing item, but there were no witnesses to confirm it. |
| On one’s own account | Indicates acting independently without relying on others. | After years of working for others, he decided to start a business on his own account, following his passion. |
| By order of someone | Refers to actions taken according to instructions or authority given by a specific individual. | By order of the school principal, all students must wear uniforms starting next week. |
| Under the orders of someone | Indicates being commanded or directed by a superior, often used in military contexts. | The troops operated under the orders of their commanding officer, following the strategy laid out for the mission. |
| By rule | Refers to actions or decisions made according to established laws or guidelines. | The team operates by rule, ensuring that every decision aligns with company policies and regulations. |
| By rule and line | A dated phrase meaning to do something with precise measurement or accuracy. | The architect designed the building by rule and line, ensuring every detail was accounted for in the blueprints. |
| Idiom | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| By succession | Refers to a legal process where one individual inherits or takes over from another in a formal context. | The new CEO was chosen by succession, following the company’s established protocol for leadership transition. |
| In succession | Describes a series of events occurring one after another in a sequential manner. | The speakers presented their ideas in succession, each building on the previous one’s concepts. |
| By the authority of someone | Indicates that an action is taken with permission or power granted by a specific individual. | The contract was signed by the authority of the board, ensuring all legal requirements were met. |
| On the authority of someone | Refers to statements or actions supported by the endorsement or permission of a particular individual. | I was informed on the authority of the manager that the project deadline has been extended. |
| By the clock | Means to do something carefully and punctually, often with a focus on keeping to a schedule. | We need to finish this project by the clock if we want to meet our deadline. |
| By the time | Refers to the point at which something happens; often indicates a time frame in which actions occur. | By the time she arrived at the party, most of the guests had already left. |
| By the name of | Indicates a person or thing known or referred to by a specific name. | I received a letter from a colleague by the name of Sarah, who I had not met before. |
| Under the name of | Refers to a pseudonym or alias used by someone for their work or actions. | The author published several novels under the name of a well-known pen name. |
| By the seat of one’s pants | To rely on instinct and experience rather than detailed planning or theory. | I had to navigate through the city by the seat of my pants, as I had never been there before. |
| By the skin of one’s teeth | To barely succeed or manage to achieve something, often in a precarious situation. | She passed the exam by the skin of her teeth, scoring just enough to pass. |
| By virtue of something | Indicates that something is achieved or granted through a specific means or reason. | He gained respect by virtue of his hard work and dedication to the community. |
| In virtue of something | Refers to obtaining a position or recognition due to a specific reason or circumstance. | She was promoted in virtue of her outstanding performance over the past year. |
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