This form is used mainly in American English. More information about variations can be found in the examples, which are chosen to reflect the range of forms occurring in The Bank of English. The language of the explanations is kept as simple as possible, and just over 2000 different words are used. In addition to describing the meaning of idioms, explanations often give information about the context in which they are used. In a race or contest, if two competitors are neck and neck , they are exactly level with each other, so that it is impossible to say who will win.
Idioms sometimes have two or more different meanings.
We indicate this by giving a number after the idiom headword. There are often different variations associated with the different meanings. Similarly, they often have different usages or frequencies, and we give this information in the individual numbered entries. Sometimes follow-on paragraphs are used to deal with slight changes in meaning or usage. For example, the main explanation of change hands is If something changes hands , one person or organization gets it from another, usually by buying it.