1. a couple of

I ordered a couple of lady’s watches.

We worked for a couple of weeks and finally solved this problem.

They will finish the project in a couple of hours.

For a couple of years, I was very grateful to receive toys for my kids for Christmas. 

A couple of good questions were asked during the interview.

2. be supposed to...

You were supposed to be here an hour ago.

The charge is supposed to be 50 dollars.

You are not supposed to copy other students’ assignment.

The device is supposed to be installed here.

The doctor is supposed to be responsible for the result of the operation.

3. out of+n.

The item is out of stock.

I will be an old lady by then. 

I will be out of fashion.

Don’t take medicine out of date.

The life is out of order.

It is out of place to ask them to stay with us for dinner.

4. promise to be...

2017 promises to be a big year for VR.

In the longer term, relations between China and Japan promises to be tough.

The benefit promises to be huge.

The next year promises to be a big challenge to our company.

The coming economic crisis promises to be a nightmare （噩梦）.