WORD(S) / LINES / READ

 (as) good as one's word = acting in accordance with what one promised to
do.
e.g. They were as good as their word and arrived at exactly the time they had promised.

 by word of mouth = spoken and not written

e.g. We heard the news by word of mouth long before it was reported in the newspapers.

 have / say / get the last / final word = to make the last and definitive
statement in an argument
e.g. All his commanders said that the plan was impossible, but the general was determined to
have the last word.

 in a word = in the shortest possible expression (used to introduce a short statement

giving the main point of what has already been said)
e.g. You don't work fast enough, you come in late every day, and you make too many mis-
takes. In a word, you're useless.

 the last word / thing = (not fml) the best or most recent example (of some-
thing)
e.g. This bed is the last word in comfort.

 say (or less common speak) the word = (not fml) to express one's inten-
tions to someone (who is ready to carry them out)
e.g ‘Speak the word, and, as you know, I would take you to the ends of the earth tomorrow.’ (E.
M. Forster)

 someone's word is law = someone has complete power or control

e.g. Wives should no longer feel that their husbands' word is law. It is time that they acted more
independently.

 take someone's word for it = to accept (a statement) as true without making

certain of the facts
e.g. There were six men in the room.-Well, I'll take your word for it, since I wasn't there myself.

 (upon) my word! (coll, slightly old fash) (used to express surprise)

e.g ‘Upon my word,' her father exclaimed, ‘I had no idea how obstinate you are!’
 word for word = in the same words and without any changes; exactly
e.g ‘I repeat this conversation exactly as it occurred. I have no doubt that it is, word for word, the
same’.

 eat one's words = (not fml) to admit that something one has said was wrong; take
back humbly something one has said.
e.g. He said that no one could beat him at tennis, but he had to eat his words after losing several
games.

 not mince one’s words = To speak honestly and truthfully without trying to be
too kind.
e.g. They explained why they hadn’t invited me to their party, and they didn’t mince their words.

 put words into one’s mouth = to state that someone has said something that
has not said, or to suggest that he is about to say something which he has no intention of say-
ing.
e.g. They youngsters have maintained .... that they are innocent. They claim that they were fright-
ened, and words were put into their mouths.

 read between the lines = to discover the true facts or a person’s real feelings or
opinions that are not directly expressed in words; understand more than it is actually written or
spoken.
e.g. I read between the lines of her letter that she had driven him out, and I rejoiced.

 take as read = to regard (sth. such as the details of a meeting) as being understood or
agreed without being fully read out or otherwise stated or expressed.
e.g. You’ve all seen Mr Smith’s statement, so I think we can take it as read.