Lesson 55: Advanced English Speaking / Idioms - Phrasal verbs

David SNEAKED INTO the laundry room without Maria noticing. He was BREATHING DOWN HER NECK and watching whether Maria would go back on the promise she made to herself. Maria took a vow that she would never smoke again after her mother’s death. Maria CALLED IT QUITS because her mother PASSED AWAY due to lung cancer and that BROKE her DOWN even more. But watching if Maria would LIGHT UP a cigarette wouldn’t make the situation better. David needed to know that acting this way would RUB HER THE WRONG WAY and it would make her even more mad because this would leave her feeling as if she was CHEATING ON herself. David needed to trust and support her instead of discouraging her by being overbearing and watching her every move. Maria knew that such a decision needs a lot of effort, but still she TOOK THE PLUNGE. She was doing a great job. Although she went COLD TURKEY,  she hasn’t smoked a cigarette since.