to burn the midnight oil – to work or study late at night when other people are
sleeping
* Leticia must have burned the midnight oil to write such a long report in just two
days.
under control – a manageable situation; something that one can handle;
something that one is in control of
* Excuse me. It looks like you’re having trouble. Is everything under control or
would you like some help?
to pack up – to put things inside of a suitcase, box, or another container to take
them when one leaves
* When the Kwon family was moving, Mr. Kwon packed up the dishes and Mrs.
Kwon packed up the clothes.
briefcase – a rectangular box with hard sides and a handle, usually made from
leather, that is used to carry work papers
* If you work with a lot of private and confidential information, be sure to use a
briefcase that locks.
to shut down – to turn off a computer or another machine
* Did you remember to shut down your computer before you left the office?
desk drawer – a box that has a handle in front and can be pulled out of a desk
or another piece of furniture to put things inside it
* There are some extra pens and pencils in the second desk drawer on the right.
safekeeping – safety; protection from getting lost or stolen
* Pilar made an extra copy of her house key and gave it to her aunt for
safekeeping.
outbox – a small rectangular metal, wooden, or plastic box on one’s desk where
one puts papers that need to be given to other people
* At the end of the day, I have to take the papers out of my outbox and give them
to the people who need them.
to clear – to clean off; to organize and remove objects on the surface of a table,
desk, or shelf
* Can you please clear the table so that there’s room to eat dinner?