Here are some idioms and words that you can use to talk about large amounts of something.
Table of Contents
Expressions with Adjectives
Let’s start with some expressions with adjectives:
rich in/with sth – having or supplying a large amount of sth that is wanted or needed
Meat is rich in protein.
He had a life rich with blessings.
abundant – existing or occurring in large amounts
There was abundant evidence against him.
alive with sth – covered, filled or active with sth
The floor was alive with ants. They were everywhere.
lousy with sth – with sth in abundance
We should avoid this place. It’s lousy with cops.
rolling in sth – having sth in large amounts
Why don’t you buy a better car? I know you’re rolling in money.
good and… – very, fully
I’ll tell her the truth when I’m good and ready.
luxuriant – having heavy and thick growth
The man had a luxuriant gray beard and a mustache.
lush – having a lot of full and healthy growth
The frequent rainfall encouraged the lush growth of vegetation.
a dime a dozen – abundant, in large amounts, cheap and common
You may have lots of friends, but real friends are not a dime a dozen.
Expressions with Nouns
Here are some expressions with a noun:
abundance – a large amount of sth
New York has an abundance of theaters.
a drug on the market – sth that is available in great amounts on the market
These cheap mountain bikes are a drug on the market right now.
the works – everything that is available
I don’t know which pizza to choose. I think I’ll take one with the works.
Adverbial Expressions
And now let’s have a look at some adverbial expressions:
in (great) abundance – in large amounts
Trees covered the land in great abundance.
to one’s heart’s content – as much as you want
There’s a huge pool. You can swim to your heart’s content.
to a great extent – largely
To a great extent, this is your fault!
as far as possible – as much as possible
You should, as far as possible, avoid this place during the summer season.
beyond measure – in very large amounts, more than you can measure
The party was great. There was food beyond measure.
by a mile – by a great distance
They were planning to shoot him, but somehow they missed by a mile.
out in force – appearing in great numbers
There’s a lake near here, so when it gets dark, the mosquitoes are out in force.
by the dozens – in large numbers, but less than hundreds
New problems started showing up by the dozens.
in the worst way – very much
Since I first saw this new model, I’ve wanted it in the worst way.
by and large – in most cases, in general
By and large it takes a year to finish the course.
to beat the band – in a very large amount or in a very forceful way
I couldn’t sleep at all. He was snoring to beat the band.
thick and fast – in large amounts and at a fast rate
I think I’m done with that, but new issues are coming up thick and fast, I’m afraid.
Verbal Expressions
Finally, some verbal expressions:
abound in/with sth – contain a large amount of sth
This is a small country, but it abounds in/with oil.
teem with sth – be full of sth (life and activity)
This river is teeming with fish. The problem is I don’t like fishing.
get the works – to receive a lot of sth
– How about a sandwich?
– Actually I’m starving. Let’s get the works.
give sb the works – to give sb the full amount of sth
The judge gave me the works for committing this crime. Funny thing is, I didn’t commit it.
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