10 Idiomatic Expressions with the modal verb “can't”:

[karlusha1986]

1. can't wait - to be excited about something
Ex: I can't wait to see my friends next week. It’s going to be wonderful.

2. can't stand - to strongly dislike something
Ex: I can't stand the traffic in London.

3. can't bear - to strongly dislike something because it makes you unhappy
Ex: She can't bear to be away from her family longer than a week.

4. can't take it - cannot tolerate something
Ex: I can't take his constant shouting anymore. I have to leave.

5. can't be bothered - to have no interest in something
Ex: I know I should got for a run but I can't be bothered tonight.

6. can't take my eyes off her/him - to be attracted to someone
Ex: Simon can't seem to take his eyes off the new Marketing assistant.

7. can't win - life is difficult
Ex: Sometimes no matter what you do in life, you can't win.

8. can't help it - to have no control over something
Ex: I can't help it, I find chocolate digestives irresistible!

9. can't think straight - cannot concentrate
Ex: I am so tired that I can't think straight.

10. can't hear myself think - cannot concentrate
Ex: There is so much noise here that I can't hear myself think.