Intensity or Emphasis: English Vocabulary List

in a way that is very high in speed, quality, or degree

"She worked like nobody's business."

"The dedicated chef prepared the elaborate meal for the banquet, working like nobody's business to ensure every dish was perfect and served on time."

in a very intense, energetic, or fast way

"He ran like the Devil."

"The determined athlete trained like the Devil for the marathon, pushing their physical limits to achieve their personal best time."

to make something, particularly something unpleasant, less severe or intense

"A cup of tea took the edge off my hunger."

"A cup of hot tea helped take the edge off my stress after a long difficult day at work."

to take away from the intensity of something unpleasant

"His kind words took the sting out of the criticism."

"The kind nurse gave the child a lollipop to take the sting out of the injection."

in a proper and correct way

"Do it according to cocker, by the book."

"She insisted that the recipe be followed exactly, according to cocker, for the best results."

in a complete manner

"I will support you all the way."

"She supported her friend's decision to change careers and encouraged her all the way through the process."

with all that one has

"She devoted herself body and soul to the cause."

"The artist poured her body and soul into her latest masterpiece, creating a truly captivating work."

completely and in every possible way

"The horse threw the rider neck and crop."

"The old, dilapidated building was torn down neck and crop to make way for the new park."

exactly in a place, especially the middle

"He landed smack dab in the middle."

"He landed smack dab in the middle of the mud puddle and got completely soaked and dirty."

used for emphasizing the correctness or accuracy of something

"Your guess was right on the nose."

"The blindfolded man hit the target on the nose with his very first throw."

in a complete and total way

"He's an out and out cheat."

"The politician was revealed to be an out and out fraud, deceiving voters for personal gain."

used for emphasizing the intensity, speed, etc. of something

"I ran the hell out of there."

"The comedian scared the hell out of the audience with his sudden loud scream."

in every single way

"She is loyal through and through."

"My grandfather is a gentleman through and through who always holds the door open for everyone."

used to emphasize that one has done or said something many times in the past

"For the thousandth time, clean your room."

"For the thousandth time please remember to put the milk back in the refrigerator after using it."

used to describe the intensity of something

"That was the mother of all storms."

"The huge storm was the mother of all storms and knocked out power for days."

used to emphasize that someone does something with excessive intensity or force

"The boxer beat the shit out of his opponent."

"The coach pushed the shit out of his players during training, demanding absolute commitment from every single one of them."