Phrasal

Meaning Example
Verb
We have to ABIDE BY what the court
Abide by Accept or follow a decision or rule.
says.
Account They had to ACCOUNT FOR all the
To explain.
for money that had gone missing.
My partner's been away for a
Ache for Want something or someone a lot.
fortnight- I am ACHING FOR her.
The police were ACTING ON a tip
To take action because of something
Act on from an informer and caught the
like information received.
gang red-handed.
The medicine only ACTS ON
Act on Affect.
infected tissue.
Perform something with actions and They ACTED OUT the story on
Act out
gestures.. stage.
Express an emotion in your Their anger is ACTED OUT in their
Act out
behaviour. antisocial behaviour.
My computer's ACTING UP; I think I
Act up Behave badly or strangely.
might have a virus.
To take action because of something The police were ACTING UPON a
Act upon
like information received. tip-off.
The enzyme ACTS UPON certain
Act upon Affect.
proteins.
You have to ADD the VAT ON to the
Add on Include in a calculation.
price they give.
We ADDED UP the bill to check it
Add up To make a mathematical total.
was correct.
Be a satisfactory explanantion for She explained why the work wasn't
Add up
something. ready, but her story doesn't ADD UP.
Trains delays are getting worse and
Add up to Have a certain result. with the high fares, it all ADDS UP
TO misery for the commuters.
The total costs ADD UP TO several
Add up to Come to a certain amount or figure.
million euros.
Affect- usually used in the negative to
show that something has had a I feel terrible- that food didn't AGREE
Agree with
negative effect, especially is it makes WITH my stomach.
you feel bad.
The magazine is AIMED AT
Aim at To target.
teenagers.
They're AIMING AT reducing costs
Aim at Intend to achieve.
by ten percent.
Include something in a plan or You should ALLOW FOR delays
Allow for
calculation. when planning a journey.
The rules don't ALLOW OF any
Allow of Make possible, permit.
exceptions.
 He's been ANGLING FOR an
Try to get something indirectly, by
Angle for invitation, but I don't want him to
hinting or suggesting.
come.
Her mother was shocked when she
Answer To reply rudely to someone in
started ANSWERING her BACK and
back authority.
refusing to help.
The government should be made to
Answer for Be held responsible for a problem. ANSWER FOR their failure to sort
out the problem.
I can ANSWER FOR my partner
Speak on behalf of someone or from
Answer for because I know her position on this
knowing them.
issue.
Argue Beat someone in a debate, discussion The teacher tried to ARGUE the girl
down or argument. DOWN, but she couldn't.
Argue Persuade someone to drop the price She ARGUED him DOWN ten
down of something they're selling. percent.
Argue Try to persuade people not to accept They tried to ARGUE DOWN the
down a proposition, motion, etc. proposal.
If we can't ARGUE our differences
Argue about a problem to find a
Argue out OUT, we'll have to take them to
solution.
court.
Ask how someone is doing, especially
Ask about He ASKED ABOUT my father.
professionally and in terms of health.
Jenny rang earlier and ASKED
Enquire about someone's health, how
Ask after AFTER you, so I told her you were
life is going.
fine.
Ask a number of people for I have no idea, but I'll ASK AROUND
Ask around
information of help. at work and see if anyone can help.
We ASKED them AROUND for
Ask aroundInvite someone.
dinner.
Ask for To provoke a negative reaction. You're ASKING FOR trouble.
Ask for Request to have or be given. I ASKED FOR the menu.
Ask in To invite somebody into your house. 'Jon's at the door.' 'ASK him IN.'
He wanted to ASK her OUT but was
Ask out To invite someone for a date.
too shy.
They have ASKED us OVER for
Ask over Invite.
drinks on Friday.
Ask round Invite someone. We ASKED John ROUND for diner.
They AUCTIONED OFF their
Auction off Sell something in an auction. property as they were heavily in
debt.
The crowd BACKED AWAY when the
Back away Retreat or go backwards.
man pulled a knife.
Retract or withdraw your position or She refused to BACK DOWN and
Back down
proposal in an argument. was fired.
Back into Enter a parking area in reverse gear. He prefers to BACK his car INTO the
 garage.
The police told the protesters to
Back off Retreat.
BACK OFF.
He BACKED OUT two days before
Fail to keep an arrangement or
Back out the holiday so we gave the ticket to
promise.
his sister
Fail to keep an agreement, She BACKED OUT OF the
Back out of
arrangement. agreement at the last minute.
She BACKED the Rolls OUT OF its
Back out ofExit a parking area in reverse gear.
parking space.
You should always BACK UP
important files and documents so
Back up Make a copy of computer data. that you won't lose all your work if
something goes wrong with the
hardware.
The rest of the staff BACKED her UP
Back up Support. when she complained about working
conditions.
Tom BACKED UP without looking
Back up Drive a vehicle backwards.
and ran over his laptop.
Don't bag out BAG OUT Australian
Bag out Criticise.
English.
The government had to BAIL OUT
Bail out Save, rescue. the airline because it was losing so
much money.
Remove water from something that is The boat was leaking so they had to
Bail out
flooded. BAIL it OUT.
Jump out of a plane because it is The pilot BAILED OUT when he saw
Bail out
going to crash. that the engines had failed.
Pay a bond to release someone from I must BAIL my drunken brother OUT
Bail out of
jail. OF jail.
Stop supporting someone when they Everybody BAILED OUT ON him
Bail out on
are in trouble. when the scandal broke.
I was late because he BAILED me
Bail up Talk to someone and delay them. UP on the phone and wouldn't shut
up.
He was BAILED UP by a couple of
Bail up Rob someone at gunpoint.
muggers as he came out of the bank.
The new project has BALLED me
Ball up Confuse or make things complicated.
UP- I have no idea what to do.
He BALLED UP his napkin when he
Ball up Roll or form into a round shape.
had finished eating.
Balls up Spoil, ruin. He BALLSED the presentation UP.
He's BANGING ABOUT in the
Bang aboutMove in a place making a lot of noise.
kitchen.
Bang Move in a place making a lot of noise. I can hear him BANGING ABOUT
around upstairs.
He BANGED ON for half an hour but
Bang on Talk at great length.
no one was listening.
Bang on He's always BANGING ON ABOUT
Keep talking about something.
about football.
She BANGED the tune OUT on the
Bang out Play a musical instrument loudly.
piano.
The judge BANGED him UP for eight
Bang up Put someone in prison.
years.
Bang up Damage badly. He BANGED his car UP last night.
I'm BANKING ON your help; I can't
Bank on Count or rely on.
do it alone.
Bargain Persuade someone to drop the price I BARGAINED her DOWN to half
down of something they're selling. what she originally wanted.
Expect something to happen (usually I hadn't BARGAINED FOR so many
Bargain for
negative). people coming.
Expect something to happen (usually I hadn't BARGAINED ON him
Bargain on
negative). coming.
He keeps BARGING IN and asking
Barge in Enter a place and interrupt. stupid questions when I'm trying to
work.
They BARGED INTO my office
Enter a place and interrupt people
Barge into without knocking and started talking
rudely.
even though I was on the phone.
If you BASH your monitor ABOUT
Bash about Mistreat physically.
like that, it won't last long.
The burglars BASHED the door IN to
Bash in Break, damage or injure by hitting.
enter the house.
Write something quickly without much I BASHED the essay OUT the night
Bash out
preparation. before I had to hand it in.
They BASHED him UP in the fight in
Bash up Break, damage or hurt by hitting. the pub last week and he had to go
to hospital.
She BAWLED me OUT for coming
Bawl out Scold, shout at someone.
home drunk.
She BAWLED Raj OUT for getting
Bawl out Scold.
there late.
He BAWLED OUT our names at the
Bawl out Sing or shout unpleasantly loudly.
top of his voice.
The police ARE AFTER him because
Be after Try to find or get.
of the theft.
The next bus should BE ALONG in
Be along Arrive.
the next quarter of an hour or so.
She's AWAY on business for three
Be away Be elsewhere; on holiday, etc..
weeks.
Be cut out Be suitable, have the necessary She's not CUT OUT FOR this kind of
for qualities. work.
She was very CUT UP about coming
Be cut up Be upset. second as she thought she deserved
to win.
He's BEEN DOWN since his partner
Be down Be depressed.
left him.
The firm's profits ARE DOWN by ten
Be down Be reduced or less.
percent this quarter.
Be down Have negative feelings toward After the argument, James is DOWN
on someone. ON his boss.
Be down Gul is DOWN WITH some bug and is
Be ill.
with off work today.
Be fed up Be bored, upset or sick of something. I AM FED UP of his complaints.
They ARE never IN; I always get
Be in Be at home or at work.
their answerphone.
The application form must BE IN by
Be in Be submitted, arrive.
3pm on Friday.
Susan was the only one who
Be in on Be involved in.
WASN'T IN ON the plan.
The way he's behaving IS just NOT
Be not on Be unacceptable.
ON.
This yoghurt must BE OFF; it smells
Be off Be bad (of food).
foul.
Be off Depart, leave. I'm OFF home; it's five o'clock.
Be on Be functioning (of machines). The computer IS ON.
The show IS ON for the next three
Be on Take place.
months.
Take medication or drugs, especially He IS ON anti-depressants and has
Be on
when they affect the person badly. become very difficult to please.
Be at the top of one’s game, He IS really ON right now- three
Be on
performing very well. goals in five minutes!
Be on I couldn't understand what he WAS
Mean, try to say.
about ON ABOUT- it made no sense.
Pursue, be aware of someone's true He's being very careful because he
Be onto
nature. thinks the police ARE ONTO him.
Be out Be absent from a place. She IS OUT on a visit for the day.
We're OUT OF coffee so I'll have to
Be out of Have no more left.
go and get some.
She IS OUT TO get him sacked
Be out to Attempt.
because she hates him.
We're completely SNOWED UNDER
Be snowed
Have too much work. at work because it's the end of the
under
tax year.
Be taken I WAS TAKEN ABACK when I saw
Be shocked or surprised.
aback him because he's lost all his hair.
Be taken Like something. I WAS very TAKEN WITH the
with performance- it was superb.
Be up Be out of bed. She's not UP yet.
The company's profits ARE UP by
Be up Have increased or risen.
fifteen percent.
When the time for something finishes Time's UP, please finish your drinks
Be up
or expires. and leave.
Be enthusiastic about an upcoming ARE you UP FOR the climb of Mt.
Be up for
event. Blanc?
He's not UP TO the job; get someone
Be up to Be good enough.
else.
Be up to Doing something naughty or wrong. What are those kids UP TO?
Bear down She spotted him on the other side of
Move towards.
on the room and BORE DOWN ON him.
The judge's character may well
Bear on Influence, affect.
BEAR ON the final decision.
Statistics BEAR OUT the
Bear out Confirm that something is correct.
government's positions on the issue.
How are you BEARING UP under
Bear up Resist pressure.
the strain?
Bear up Cope with something difficult or He's BEARING UP UNDER the
under stressful. pressure.
Please BEAR WITH me a moment
Bear with Be patient.
while I finish this email.
The sun WAS really BEATING
Beat down Strong sunshine. DOWN and we couldn't stay
outdoors.
Get someone to lower the price of I managed to BEAT him DOWN to
Beat down
something. fifty Euros.
The marathon runner barely BEAT
Beat out Narrowly win in competition.
OUT his rival at the tape.
The mugger BEAT him UP and stole
Beat up Attack violently.
his wallet.
Beaver She's BEAVERING AWAY before her
Work hard.
away exams.
Beaver I have to BEAVER AWAY AT it or
Work hard doing something.
away at else I will fail the course.
Sleep somewhere less comfortable We had to BED DOWN on the floor
Bed down
than normal. for the night.
The new government has found it
Become established or successful
Bed down hard to BED DOWN and become
over time.
accepted.
I BEDDED the plants OUT when the
Bed out Move a plant outside.
weather warmed up.
Beef up Make something stronger or more The company BEEFED UP their
solid. case when they saw that the public
wouldn't accept their first explanation
 of the accident.
Belong to Be a member. He BELONGS TO a secret society.
Their ideas BELONG TO the
Be connected to a time, place, belief,
Belong to nineteenth century and seem old-
thing, etc.
fashioned now.
Belong Be in the correct or appropriate Does this disc BELONG WITH those
with location with other items. on the shelf?
They BELTED OUT the national
Belt out Sing something loudly.
anthems before the game.
She told the students to BELT UP
Belt up Be quiet. because they were making so much
noise.
I told the kids to BELT UP before I
Belt up Fasten your seatbelt.
started the car.
I BENT DOWN to pick it up off the
Bend down Lower the top half of your body.
floor.
Bend over Lower the top part of your body. I BENT OVER to do my shoes up.
Bend over Do a lot to try to help or please I BENT OVER BACKWARDS for
backwards someone. them and they didn't even thank me.
Big up Exaggerate the importance. He BIGS himself UP all the time.
Increase the size of muscles by They work out a lot to BIG
Big up
exercise. themselves UP.
Bitch up Spoil or ruin something. I BITCHED UP the interview.
He BLACKED OUT and collapsed on
Black out Fall unconscious.
the floor.
Everything BLACKED OUT when the
Black out Lose light.
power supply failed.
The email addresses were
Censor text so that words cannot be
Blank out BLANKED OUT in the documents
read.
shown to the court.
I was so nervous in the interview that
Blank out Have a temporary memory failure. I just BLANKED OUT and couldn't
answer their questions properly.
The music was BLARING OUT and I
Blare out A loud sound or music.
couldn't get to sleep.
Leave the ground- spaceship or The space shuttle BLASTED OFF on
Blast off
rocket. schedule yesterday.
The shooters BLAZED AWAY at the
Blaze away Fire a gun repeatedly.
pheasants.
Cause sufficient blood loss to result in
Bleed out They BLED OUT their calves.
death.
I BLISSED OUT on the beach all
Bliss out Be extremely relaxed and happy.
week.
I couldn't drive here this morning
Block in Park a car and obstruct another car. because someone had BLOCKED
me IN.
 He BLOCKED IN the events in his
Block in Shade or fill in.
calendar.
Obstruct an exit to prevent people The police BLOCKED OFF the road
Block off
from leaving. after the murder.
The trees BLOCK the sun OUT most
Block out Stop light from entering or leaving.
of the day.
It was so unpleasant that I try to
Try not think about or feel something
Block out BLOCK it OUT- otherwise, I'd just be
because it is upsetting or painful.
angry all the time.
The pipe's BLOCKED UP and no
Block up Fill a space so that nothing can pass.
water gets through.
He grabbed a gun and BLEW the
Blow away Kill.
police officer AWAY.
Beat rivals or competitors by a large Their new product has BLOWN all
Blow away
margin. the others AWAY.
Blow away Impress greatly. Her first novel BLEW me AWAY.
When the wind moves something The flag BLEW AWAY in the storm;
Blow away
from a place. we'll have to buy a new one.
When the wind forces something to A tree was BLOWN DOWN in the
Blow down
fall. storm.
Arrive, sometimes suddenly or He BLEW IN from Toronto early this
Blow in
unexpectedly. morning.
We were going to meet last night, but
Blow off Not keep an appointment. she BLEW me OFF at the last
minute.
I BLEW the homework OFF and did
Blow off Ignore, not do something.
badly.
Blow off Expel gas from the anus. He BLEW OFF in front of everybody.
She BLEW the candles OUT on her
Blow out Extinguish candles, matches, etc..
birthday cake.
The Broncos BLEW OUT the
Blow out Defeat decisively.
Raiders 55-0.
The scandal BLEW OVER within a
Blow over When a scandal gets forgotten. fortnight when the press found
someone else to attack.
The bomb BLEW UP without any
Blow up Explode.
warning.
The pressure was low, so I BLEW
Blow up Inflate.
the tyre UP.
BLOW UP that photo so we can see
Blow up Enlarge (e.g., photograph)..
his face.
A storm BLEW UP while we were out
Blow up The beginning of a storm.
walking.
They BLEW UP when they heard
Blow up Lose your temper, become angry.
what I had done wrong.
Blurt out Say something quickly without I was really angry when he
 thinking, especially if you shouldn't.BLURTED OUT the secret.
Arrange for pets to stay somewhere We BOARD our dog OUT with
Board out
while you're away. friends when we go abroad.
They BOARDED UP all the windows
Cover windows or doors with wood,
Board up to stop people getting into the empty
metal, etc..
houses.
Yasini got BOGGED DOWN in his
Bog down Slow make progress. research and didn't finish the project
in time.
We were starving and BOGGED IN
Bog in Eat enthusiastically.
when the food was served.
Bog into Eat something enthusiastically. They BOGGED INTO the lunch.
He lost his temper and told her to
Bog off! Get lost.
BOG OFF.
The report's so long, I BOILED it
Boil down Simplify, reduce to the essentials.
DOWN into a two-page summary.
Boil down It all BOILS DOWN TO money at the
Amount to.
to end of the day.
When a hot liquid spills out of a I left the milk on the cooker and it
Boil over
container. BOILED OVER.
When people lose their tempers and The tension had been building up
Boil over
things get nasty. and it BOILED OVER in the meeting.
The anger BOILED UP in me when I
Boil up Feel a negative emotion strongly.
saw what they had done.
Cook or heat something to boiling I BOILED UP some water for a cup
Boil up
point. of coffee.
We were all scared but she
Bolster up Give support, reinforce, strengthen.
BOLSTERED UP our courage.
I will have to BONE UP to get a good
Bone up Study hard for a reason.
result.
I need to BONE UP ON my French
Bone up onStudy hard for a goal or reason.
grammar for the test.
I'll BOOK us IN at the
Book in Make a reservation in advance.
Intercontinental.
WE took a taxi from the airport to the
Book in Check in at a hotel.
hotel and BOOKED IN.
I've BOOKED us INTO a hotel in the
Book into Make a reservation in advance.
centre of town for three nights.
We BOOKED INTO the first hotel we
Book into Check in at a hotel.
could find.
I don't like the look of the people
Book out Leave a place in a hurry.
arriving- let's BOOK OUT.
The flight's fully BOOKED UP; I'll
Book up Reserve.
have to go the following day.
He BOOTED UP the computer and
Boot up Start a computer.
started work.
Border on Be located next to a place. Portugal BORDERS ON Spain.
What he did was BORDERING ON
Border on Be very nearly something.
betrayal.
Use excessive authority to control
Boss about She BOSSES everyone ABOUT.
people.
Boss Use excessive authority to control
He BOSSES everyone AROUND.
around people.
I BOTCHED UP the whole project
Botch up Ruin or spoil something.
and it had to be cancelled.
Bottle He kept his feelings BOTTLED
Store up.
away AWAY.
She was going to tell her boss
Bottle out Lack courage to do something. exactly what she thought, but
BOTTLED OUT in the end.
She BOTTLED UP her feelings even
Bottle up Not express your feelings. though she was furious with them
and kept quiet.
The recession BOTTOMED OUT and
Bottom out Pass the lowest point and start rising.
the economy is recovering well.
They have BOUNCED the
Bounce
Force someone. government INTO calling an early
into
election.
Bounce The economy is BOUNCING BACK
Recover.
back from the recession.
They BOUNCED ideas OFF each
Bounce off Test ideas.
other in a brainstorming session.
Hit someone's wicket in cricket with He BOWLED the player OUT first
Bowl out
the ball. ball.
Bowl over Surprise someone greatly. I was BOWLED OVER by the news.
He was BOWLED OVER by the
Bowl over Knock someone to the ground.
crowd rushing out.
Prevent something from moving, I was BOXED IN by the bus and
Box in
especially vehicles. couldn't change lane.
At the end of term, I BOXED my
Box up Pack things in boxes to move them.
books UP and sent them home.
Feel more confident or optimistic You should BRACE UP and stop
Brace up
about something. worrying.
Move into a different area of The supermarkets have BRANCHED
Branch out
business, etc.. OUT into banking.
Leave an organisation, usually to form The SDP BROKE AWAY from the
Break away
a new one. Labour Party.
The talks between management and
Break
End negotiations unsuccessfully. the unions BROKE DOWN
down
acrimoniously.
Break
Start crying. He BROKE DOWN in tears.
down
Break My car's BROKEN DOWN, so I came
Stop working.
down by taxi.
Break He had to BREAK DOWN their
Remove a barrier or obstacle.
down opposition to his ideas.
The burglars BROKE IN and stole
Break in Go into a building to steal something.
the TV and video.
I'm sorry to BREAK IN on your
Break in Interrupt something.
conversation, but there's a problem.
Break in Train a horse to be ridden. It took ages to BREAK the horse IN.
Carefully use new products until they I must watch my speed until I
Break in
are fully functional.. BREAK IN my new Volvo.
She BROKE OFF a square of
Break off Break a piece from something.
chocolate and gave it to her dog.
She BROKE OFF their engagement
Break off End a relationship. when she found out that he'd been
unfaithful.
They're worried that war will BREAK
Break out Start (war, conflict).
OUT.
Break out Sweat heavily, develop skin sores or The measles caused me to BREAK
in irritation.. OUT IN a rash.
Three dangerous Category A
Break out
Escape. prisoners BROKE OUT OF
of
Wandsworth Prison last night.
The crowd BROKE THROUGH the
Break
Pass a barrier or obstacle. police barriers and attacked the
through
hunters.
The plate BROKE UP when he
Break up Break into many pieces.
dropped it on the floor.
Close an educational institution for Schools BREAK UP at the end of
Break up
the holidays. June for the summer holidays.
They had been going out for a
Break up Finish a relationship. couple of years before they BROKE
UP.
You're BREAKING UP; I'll call you
Become inaudible over the telephone
Break up back in a minute and see if we get a
because of interference.
better connection.
The film BREEZES ALONG for the
Breeze
Move easily and quickly. first hour, then becomes rather dull
along
and slow.
He BREEZED IN and started
Breeze in Enter a place quickly.
shouting at us.
He BREEZED INTO the room and
Breeze into Enter a place quickly.
switched the TV on.
Breeze She BREEZED THROUGH her
Pass easily, succeed.
through exams.
Brick in Close or fill a space with bricks. We BRICKED IN the side window.
Brick up Close or fill a space with bricks. We BRICKED the back entrance UP.
Brighten The day started cloudy but
Improve (weather).
up BRIGHTENED UP in the afternoon.
Brighten He BRIGHTENED UP when he
Become happier.
up heard the news.
Brighten Make something more attractive or We tried to BRIGHTEN the place UP
up pleasant. by painting it.
The changes to the law were
Bring BROUGHT ABOUT by the
Make something happen.
about government because so many
people were ignoring the old one.
Bring Bring someone or something to You can BRING your friends ALONG
along certain place. if you like.
Bring Her coach has BROUGHT her
Help someone improve.
along ALONG a lot in the last six months.
Bring It took me ages to BRING him
Persuade or convince someone.
around AROUND to my point of view.
Bring Bring something with you when you He BROUGHT some books
around visit. AROUND when he came last night.
He didn't want to discuss the details,
Bring Get someone talking about
but I managed to BRING him
around something.
AROUND and he told me everything.
Visiting my old school BROUGHT
Bring back Cause someone to remember. BACK memories of when I was a
pupil there.
He took the calculator home
Bring back Return. yesterday and hasn't BROUGHT it
BACK yet.
The vote of no-confidence
Bring downMake a government fall.
BROUGHT the government DOWN.
The improvements in technology
have BROUGHT the prices of
Bring downMake something cheaper.
computers DOWN considerably in
recent months.
Produce something, make it known or The prosecution BROUGHT FORTH
Bring forth
visible. a lot of evidence against him.
She BROUGHT FORTH a surprising
Bring forth Produce.
result.
The report has BROUGHT FORTH a
Bring forth Make something happen.
lot of criticism of the policy.
Remove something from where it is She BROUGHT FORTH the diary
Bring forth
kept or hidden. and showed it to us.
The meeting has been BROUGHT
Bring Make something happen earlier than FORWARD to this Friday instead of
forward originally planned. next week because some people
couldn't make it then.
 The job BRINGS IN two thousand
Bring in Earn.
dollars a month.
No one thought she'd manage to do
Bring off Succeed with something difficult. it, but she BROUGHT it OFF in the
end.
Cause something to happen or speed Getting wet in the rain yesterday
Bring on
up the process. BROUGHT ON my cold.
Bring on Make something appear. BRING ON the dancers!
The band are BRINGING OUT a new
Bring out Release or publish.
CD in the autumn.
Bring out Elicit a response. Suzie BRINGS OUT the best in him.
Bring out It was the lobster that BROUGHT me
Cause a health problem or reaction.
in OUT in this rash all over my body.
Bring Make someone wake up from The doctors BROUGHT him ROUND
round unconsciousness or an anaesthetic. a few hours after the operation.
They didn't BRING the subject UP at
Bring up Mention.
the meeting.
My parents BROUGHT me UP
Bring up Raise a child.
strictly.
He was BROUGHT UP on charges
Bring up Be officially charged with a crime.
of public intoxication.
They didn't BRING the subject UP at
Bring Up Mention.
the meeting.
My parents BROUGHT me UP
Bring Up Raise a child.
strictly.
He was BROUGHT UP on charges
Bring Up Be officially charged with a crime.
of public intoxication.
The minister BRUSHED OFF the
Brush off Ignore, pay little attention.
criticism.
She took a two-week course to
BRUSH UP her Spanish before she
Brush up Improve a skill quickly.
went travelling around South and
Central America.
Bubble She BUBBLED OVER with joy when
Become very excited.
over she heard her exam results.
Buck up Hurry (either transitive or reflexive). 'BUCK UP - the taxi's waiting.'
You had better BUCK your ideas UP,
Buck up Smarten up, improve.
or you'll fail the course.
Bucket Take an umbrella; it's BUCKETING
Rain heavily.
down DOWN.
Buckle We had to BUCKLE DOWN and
Start working hard, apply yourself.
down study for the exam.
Buckle Accept something under pressure, They didn't like the ideas, but had to
under against your will. BUCKLE UNDER or face the sack.
We were told to BUCKLE UP before
Buckle up Fasten a seatbelt.
take-off.
 We had to BUDGE UP to let the
Budge up Move to make space for someone.
fourth person in the back of the car.
Clear, clean or make something The silver candlestick looked lovely
Buff up
shine. after I BUFFED it UP.
After the scandal, the politician tried
Buff up Improve.
to BUFF UP his public image.
I BUFFED UP ON my grammar
Buff up on Improve your knowledge quickly.
before the test.
I told her to bug off because she was
Bug off! Go away.
annoying me.
He BUGGED OUT when she turned
Bug out Open your eyes wide in surprise.
up.
They BUGGED OUT when the police
Bug out Leave somewhere in a hurry.
arrived.
She BUILT the business UP from
Build up Develop a company. nothing into a market leader in less
than a decade.
Tension has been BUILDING UP
Build up Increase. ever since the government passed
the unpopular law.
I BULKED the essay OUT with a few
Bulk out Make something bigger or thicker. quotes to reach the number of word
required.
He's BULKED UP a lot since he got
Bulk up Gain weight, develop bigger muscles.
those steroids.
I BUMPED INTO Helen on the
Bump into Meet by chance.
underground the other day.
The drug dealer was BUMPED OFF
Bump off Kill.
by a rival gang.
They BUMP UP the prices in the high
Bump up Increase.
season.
Bundle off Send someone somewhere. He BUNDLED the kids OFF to bed.
The barman BUNDLED the drunk
Bundle out Expel. OUT because he was annoying the
other customers.
We BUNDLED UP before going out
Bundle up Put on warm clothing.
as it was snowing.
I BUNDLED UP my newspapers and
Bundle up Wrap or tie things together.
dropped them in the recycling bin.
I used to BUNK OFF school and go
Bunk off Not go to school when you should.
into town.
After so much criticism, the positive
Buoy up Make someone feel more positive.
review BUOYED him UP.
The lifejacket BUOYED me UP till
Buoy up Keep afloat.
the boat arrived.
Burn down Burn completely. They had to completely rebuild the
 museum after the old one BURNED
DOWN.
Remove by burning or similar I BURN OFF a lot of calories in the
Burn off
process. gym.
Jennie BURNT OUT after ten years
Lose enthusiasm and energy to
Burn out working as a futures broker and went
continue in a demanding job.
to live in the country.
All his possessions were BURNED
Burn up Destroy completely by fire.
UP in the fire.
The bank robbers BURNED UP the
Burn up Drive at high speed.
roads but were soon captured.
His undeserved win in the election
Burn up To be or cause to be highly annoyed.
really BURNS me UP.
The car BURST INTO flames and the
Burst into Catch fire very quickly. driver died as he didn't have time to
get out.
She BURST INTO laughter when she
Burst into Laugh, cry or clap loudly.
heard the joke.
End a relationship, usually angrily or
Bust up They BUST UP after a row last night.
after arguing.
I hope you don't mind me BUTTING
Butt in Interrupt. IN on your conversation, but I
couldn't help hearing what you said...
Not be involved in other people's This is none of your business, so just
Butt out
business. BUTT OUT!
I tried BUTTERING my tutor UP but
Butter up Praise or flatter someone excessively. she still wouldn\'t let me hand it in
late.
Joe Meek's last hit, 'Singin' the
Force a CD or record into the charts Blues', was probably BOUGHT IN at
Buy in
by buying lots of copies. number 40, but failed to go any
higher.
I never BOUGHT INTO the idea of a
Buy into Accept an idea.
federalist Euopean Union.
Pay someone to stop them causing He BOUGHT the newspaper OFF by
Buy off
trouble. placing a lot of adverts.
His business partners BOUGHT him
Buy out Buy somebody's share in a company.
OUT to get rid of him.
We BOUGHT UP all the shop had
Buy up Buy all of something.
before the price went up.
Buzz Reporters were BUZZING AROUND
Move quickly around a place.
around the scene of the accident.
I'm BUZZING OFF now- I have to
Buzz off Leave somewhere.
meet some people.
He told them to BUZZ OFF because
Buzz off! Go away (imperative).
they were annoying him.
 She was CALLED Rose AFTER her
Call after Name someone after somebody else.
late grandmother.
I CALLED AROUND but she wasn't
Call aroundVisit.
in.
I must CALL her BACK when we get
Call back Return a phonecall.
to the office.
The Opposition party CALLED FOR
Call for Demand. the minister's resignation after the
scandal broke.
The courier CALLED FOR your
Call for Go to collect something. parcel, but I told him it wasn't ready
yet.
Call for Telephone for something. I'll CALL FOR a cab right away.
I'll CALL FOR you at seven, so be
Go and collect someone to take them
Call for ready because the film starts at half
out.
past.
An emergency like this CALLS FOR
Call for Require.
some pretty drastic action.
The protests CALLED FORTH a
Call forth Make something happen.
strong reaction from the police.
We had to CALL IN a plumber
Call in Get someone to come and do a job. because the sink was leaking and I
had no idea how to fix it.
I CALLED IN on Jenny on my way
home because she's not very well at
Call in Stop and visit.
the moment and I wanted to see if
she needed anything.
The concert had to be CALLED OFF
Call off Cancel. because the singer went down with a
bad case of flu.
CALL OFF your lawyers; we can
Call off Order someone to stop attacking.
work something out.
The President CALLED ON the
wealthy countries for financial aid
Call on Ask for help.
after the floods destroyed much of
the country's agriculture.
As we were in the area, we CALLED
Call on Visit.
ON my sister-in-law.
He CALLED the speaker ON several
Call on Challenge.
mis-statements of fact.
Ask someone to do something,
I now CALL ON the other party to
Call on especially to speak in public.
give their account of what happened.
(Formal).
He CALLED them OUT over
Expose or accuse someone of
Call out awarding contracts to family
wrongdoing or incompetence.
members.
 I CALLED ROUND on my way home
Call round Visit.
but no one was in.
Summon someone for military The army CALLED UP the reserve
Call up
service. soldiers when the war broke out.
I CALLED him UP as soon as I got to
Call up Telephone.
a phone to tell him the news.
Stop being angry or emotionally When I lose my temper, it takes ages
Calm down
excited. for me to CALM DOWN again.
Have an opposite effect on something The airport taxes CANCELLED OUT
Cancel out that has happened, taking things back the savings we had made on the
to the beginning. flight tickets.
Finish or complete, often with some She CAPPED OFF the meeting with
Cap off
decisive action. a radical proposal.
I don't CARE FOR fizzy drinks; I
Care for Like.
prefer water.
The team got CARRIED AWAY when
Carried Get so emotional that you lose they won the championship and
away control. started shouting and throwing things
around.
Carry They CARRIED FORWARD their
Include a figure in a later calculation.
forward losses to the next financial year.
They hope the new management will
Carry
Make something progress. be able to CARRY the project
forward
FORWARD.
She CARRIED OFF the first prize in
Carry off Win, succeed.
the competition.
Cancer CARRIED him OFF a couple
Carry off Die of a disease.
of years ago.
CARRY ON quietly with your work
Carry on Continue.
until the substitute teacher arrives.
The children annoyed me by
Carry on Behave badly.
CARRYING ON all morning.
Carry on He's been CARRYING ON WITH
Have an affair.
with someone at work for years.
The government is CARRYING OUT
Carry out Perform a task. test on growing genetically modified
crops.
Food bought from a restaurant to take I'm too tired to cook- let's get a
Carry out
away. CARRY-OUT.
The meeting CARRIED OVER into
Carry over Continue past a certain point. the afternoon because there was so
much to talk about.
Carry They CARRIED the reforms
Complete successfully.
through THROUGH despite the opposition.
Take someone away, usually under The police CARTED them OFF to
Cart off
arrest or to prison. question them.
 Take something away, especially if The thieves CARTED OFF all the
Cart off
stealing or without permission. ticket receipts.
Create or get a area where you can She's CARVED OUT a career in
Carve out
be special or successful. photojournalism.
They CARVED the company UP and
Carve up Divide into smaller pieces.
sold a lot off.
Overtake someone and then pull The idiot CARVED us UP and forced
Carve up
directly in front of a car. me to brake hard.
Convert shares, bonds, casino chips, They CASHED IN their bonds and
Cash in
etc, into money. spent the money on a holiday.
The opposition party are CASHING
Benefit or make money on something,
Cash in on IN ON the government's
especially if done unfairly.
unpopularity.
A hacker got my credit card details
Illegally access a bank account or
Cash out from my computer and CASHED
credit card and steal money.
OUT a lot of money.
Exchange something for money, After winning, she CASHED OUT her
Cash out
collect winnings. chips.
Count all the money taken in a shop After the shop closed, they have to
Cash up
or business at the end of the day. CASH UP before they can go home.
Cast about They're CASTING ABOUT FOR
Try to find something.
for support.
Cast She was CASTING AROUND FOR
Try to find something.
around for people to help her.
Dispose, get rid of, ignore because
Cast aside you no longer like something or He CAST her ASIDE.
someone.
They CAST OFF any semblance of
Cast off Dispose, get rid of.
politeness and attacked us viciously.
They CAST OFF and headed out to
Cast off Untie a boat so it's free to sail.
sea.
They CAST him OUT because of his
Cast out Expel, reject.
behaviour.
Cast round He CAST ROUND FOR any sign of
Try to find something.
for his things.
The rubbish was CAST UP by the
Cast up Be left on the shore by the sea.
tide.
She CAUGHT AT my sleeve as I was
Catch at Take or grab hold of something. leaving and said she needed to talk
to me.
Many critics were shocked when
Catch on Become popular.
techno CAUGHT ON in the clubs.
Everyone else realised what was
Catch on Finally understand what is going on. happening, but it took Henry ages to
CATCH ON.
Catch out Trick. The exam is designed to CATCH you
 OUT.
He CAUGHT me OUT when he
Discover or prove that someone is
Catch out checked my story with my previous
lying.
employer.
Put someone in an unexpected and We were CAUGHT OUT in the
Catch out
difficult situation (often passive). storm.
I was ill for a fortnight and now I've
Catch up Get work, etc, up to date.. got to CATCH UP on the work I
missed.
Reach someone who was ahead of He started well, but I CAUGHT him
Catch up
you. UP on the third lap.
Become involved, often against one’s The tourists were CAUGHT UP IN
Catch up in
will. the violence of the revolution.
Catch up Do something that should have been I'm going home to CATCH UP ON
on done earlier. my sleep.
I hadn't seen her for years, so we
Catch up Reminisce with an old friend after not
spent the afternoon CATCHING UP
on seeing them for a while.
ON old times.
Catch up Do something that should have been I'm going home to CATCH UP WITH
with done earlier. my sleep.
Meet someone after a period of time
Catch up I CAUGHT UP WITH her at the
and find out what they have been
with conference.
doing.
Catch up When something negative starts to His criminal behaviour is starting to
with have an effect. CATCH UP WITH him.
Punish someone after they have been The tax authorities CAUGHT UP
Catch up
doing something wrong for a long WITH me for not submitting my tax
with
time. returns.
Catch up Learn something new that many My mother's trying to CATCH UP
with people already understand. WITH computers.
The college CATERS FOR students
Cater for To provide what is necessary.
of all ages.
To provide what is needed, often seen The film CATERS TO the audience's
Cater to
negatively. worst instincts.
The roof CAVED IN because of the
Cave in Collapse.
weight of the snow.
The government has refused to
Cave in Stop resisting or refusing. CAVE IN despite the protests and
demonstrations.
He went into the toilets to CHALK a
Chalk out To cut a line of cocaine.
line OUT.
The company has CHALKED UP its
Chalk up To achieve something good.
highest ever profits.
They CHALKED the poor sales UP
Chalk up to Explain the reason for a problem. TO the lower numbers of tourists
visiting this year.
Chance I CHANCED UPON a very rare book
Find something by accident.
upon in car boot sale and bought it for 65p.
Change The Irish CHANGED OVER to using
Change a system.
over kilometres in 2005.
I need to CHARGE my phone UP-
Charge up Put electricity into a battery.
the battery's dead.
She was arrested in customs last
Charge
Accuse somebody of a crime. night and has been CHARGED
with
WITH smuggling.
Chase The press CHASED us DOWN when
Try hard to find or get something.
down the story broke.
The dog CHASED he postal worker
Chase off Force a person to leave or go away.
OFF.
Ensure that someone remembers to The librarian is CHASING me UP
Chase up
do something. about my overdue books.
Try to get someone to pay a bill, debt, I CHASED her UP as she hadn't paid
Chase up
etc. for several months.
Try to get more information about the I didn't get a reply so I have been
Chase up
progress of something. CHASING them UP.
Talk to someone you are sexually
He spent the whole night CHATTING
Chat up interested in to get them interested in
her UP.
you.
She CHEATED ON me with my
Cheat on Be sexually unfaithful.
friend.
She thought he had always been
faithful to her, but he had been
Deceive or betray, often in a sexual
Cheat on CHEATING ON her ever since their
and/or emotional context.
wedding day (with one of the
bridesmaids).
Cheat out Get money from someone under false I hate him- he CHEATED me OUT
of pretences. OF £100.
We CHECKED BY the office to see if
Check by Visit a place to check something.
the stuff was ready.
Register on arriving at a hotel or at They CHECKED IN at the Ritz
Check in
the airport. yesterday.
Register on arriving at a hotel or at They CHECKED INTO the Ritz
Check into
the airport. yesterday.
She CHECKED OFF the candidates'
Check off Mark something on a list as done.
names as they arrived.
She CHECKED OUT and took a cab
Check out Pay the bill when leaving a hotel.
to the airport.
She CHECKED OUT last week; the
Check out Die.
funeral's tomorrow.
Get information about or inspect I CHECKED the new restaurant OUT
Check out
something to see if it's satisfactory. as soon as it opened.
Check out Settle up and pay before leaving a Guests have to CHECK OUT OF the
of hotel. hotel before midday.
We CHECKED the contract OVER
Check over Check something very carefully.
before signing it.
Their CHEERED their team ON
Cheer on Encourage.
throughout the match.
Come on, CHEER UP; it isn't all bad,
Cheer up Be less unhappy.
you know.
The dog CHEWED OFF the man's
Chew off Remove by biting.
face.
Thinks about something carefully I'll CHEW ON it for a day or two and
Chew on
before deciding. let you know what I think.
They CHEWED him OUT for being
Chew out Criticize someone angrily.
late.
He asked for a few days to CHEW
Chew over Think about an issue. the matter OVER before he made a
final decision.
The puppy CHEWED UP the
Chew up Cut into small pieces with your teeth.
newspaper.
Chew up Damage something inside a machine. The video CHEWED my tape UP.
Chicken I CHICKENED OUT of the bungee
Be too afraid to do something.
out jumping when I saw how high it was.
I'm staying at home and CHILLING
Chill out Relax.
OUT this evening.
If it's OK, I'd like to CHIME IN
Chime in Contribute to a discussion.
because I think it's a good idea.
They have been CHIPPING AWAY
Chip away Gradually reduce something to make
AT his reputation ever since he took
at it less powerful, effective, etc.
office.
Everybody CHIPPED IN to pay the
Chip in Contribute some money.
bill.
If I could CHIP IN, there are a couple
Chip in Contribute to a discussion.
of issues I'd like to raise.
These guerilla attacks are CHOKING
Choke off Stop or restrict.
OFF our food shipments.
Water hyacinth is CHOKING OUT
Choke out Clog or overwhelm.
the native vegetation in our rivers.
Jeff CHOKED UP during his
Choke up Become tearfully emotional.
retirement speech.
Grip a handle farther from the end for He CHOKED UP on the bat and hit
Choke up
better control. the ball better.
Choose up Form groups or teams. We CHOSE UP to play the game.
They CHOPPED DOWN most of the
Chop down Fell or cut down a tree.
forest and now it looks like a desert.
I CHOPPED UP the vegetables for
Chop up Cut into small pieces.
the soup.
Chow Eat. Dinner's ready- CHOW DOWN!.
down
Chow We're going to CHOW DOWN ON
Eat something.
down on that barbecued pork.
I CHUCKED AWAY all my old
Chuck Dispose of something you no longer
records years ago when CDs came
away need or want.
out.
I CHUCKED my job IN to go
Chuck in Quit something.
travelling.
I CHUCKED IN a few points at the
Chuck in Make a comment.
end of the discussion.
Dispose of something you no longer I CHUCKED OUT some stuff I found
Chuck out
need or want. in the fridge that had gone bad.
He got ridiculously drunk and
Chuck up Vomit, be sick. CHUCKED UP in the back of the
minicab on the way home.
She didn't like the course, so she
Chuck up Quit something.
CHUCKED it UP after a few weeks.
Produce, usually quickly or in large The government CHURNS OUT
Churn out amounts without much regard to educational policies every few
quality. months.
His arteries are CLAGGED UP
Clag up Make something sticky. because he eats so much saturated
fat.
Everybody CLAMMED UP when the
Clam up Be quiet, refuse to speak.
Principal entered.
Clamp The government are CLAMPING
Restrict or try to stop something.
down on DOWN ON antisocial behaviour.
The new tax will CLAW BACK what
Claw back Get money back. the government has given out in
grants.
The opposition parties are trying to
Claw back Retake possession with difficulty. CLAW BACK the voters they lost in
the last election.
They are CLAWING BACK their
Claw back Regain possession with difficulty.
market share from their competitors.
After dinner, I CLEANED OFF the
Clean off Remove dirt or something dirty.
table.
I really must CLEAN the study OUT;
Tidy up thoroughly and throw away
Clean out there's stuff all over the floor and
unwanted things..
piles of paper everywhere.
Cause someone to spend all their The holiday CLEANED me OUT- I'm
Clean out
money. broke till the end of the month.
CLEAN this bedroom UP; it's a
Clean up Tidy and clean.
disgrace.
At the horse races yesterday we
Clean up Profit, sometimes suddenly.
really CLEANED UP.
 We were told to CLEAR AWAY from
Clear away Leave a place.
the scene of the accident.
After dinner, I CLEARED AWAY the
Clear away Remove or tidy.
plates and dishes.
As soon as the trouble started, we
Clear off Leave somewhere quickly.
CLEARED OFF.
I spent the whole weekend
Tidy up thoroughly and throw away
Clear out CLEARING OUT the attic as it was
unwanted stuff..
full of papers and other junk.
I told them to CLEAR OUT because
Clear out Leave somewhere.
they were making so much noise.
I took the antihistamines and the
Clear up Cure or recover from an infection.
rash CLEARED UP right away.
I'd better CLEAR AWAY the mess
Clear up Tidy up.
before leave.
Could you CLEAR these points UP
Clear up Explain.
before we go any further?
The skies CLEARED UP and the sun
Clear up Improve (weather).
came out.
Only a tiny fraction of users ever
Click Open an advertisement on the
bother CLICKING THROUGH the
through Internet.
banner adverts.
The Prime Minister had to CLIMB
DOWN over his tax proposals
Climb Accept that you are wrong and
because there was so much
down change your position.
opposition from the members of his
own party.
He told me to CLING ON as the
Cling on Hold tight.
motorbike accelerated.
They CLUNG ON TO power despite
Cling on to Try to keep something.
the protests.
They CLING TO their old way of
Cling to Try to maintain beliefs, hopes, etc..
thinking.
The traffic's so bad the roads get
Clog up Block, slow movement right down.
CLOGGED UP at rush hour.
The banks have CLOSED DOWN a
Close Close a shop, branch or business
lot of branches in villages over the
down permanently.
last few years.
Close He CLOSED the player DOWN and
Stop an opponent being a challenge.
down stopped him being a threat.
The fog CLOSED IN and we couldn't
Close in Surround, envelop.
see two yards in front of us.
The police were CLOSING IN so
Close in Approach, get near.
they decided to try to make a break.
The police were CLOSING IN ON
Close in on Get near someone.
the gang.
Close in The police were CLOSING IN UPON
Get near someone.
upon the gang.
The police CLOSED the road OFF
Close off Block a place to stop people entering.
after the explosion.
She is CLOSING ON the leader of
Close on Get nearer.
the race.
We CLOSED OUT the meeting early
Close out Bring something to an end.
and went home.
She CLOSED OUT the account and
Close out Close or stop using.
changed to another bank.
They always CLOSE me OUT of
Close out Ignore, exclude.
their plans.
They CLOSE UP the building after
Close up Completely close something.
everyone has left.
Close up Join together. The leaves CLOSE UP when it rains.
They CLOSED UP when they saw
Close up Move closer together.
the gang coming towards them.
The morning started bright and
Cloud over Get very cloudy. warm, but it CLOUDED OVER
around midday and poured with rain.
Clown The students were CLOWNING
Behave stupidly or waste time.
about ABOUT all lesson.
I couldn't concentrate because they
Clown
Behave stupidly or waste time. were CLOWNING AROUND all
around
afternoon.
She's been COASTING ALONG all
Coast Do something without making much
year and hasn't made a lot of
along effort or trying to improve.
progress.
Cobble Make, assemble or produce They COBBLED a few pages
together something quickly, without much care. TOGETHER and submitted it.
It was so easy, but he managed to
Cock up Ruin or spoil something.
COCK everything UP.
He COLOURED (COLORED) UP
Colour
Blush. when he was caught stealing from
(Color) up
the till.
Come The meeting CAME ABOUT because
Happen, occur.
about both sides were sick of fighting.
Come The yacht CAME ABOUT to a
Shift direction (nautical).
about heading of 240 degrees.
I CAME ACROSS my old school
Come
Find by accident. reports when I was clearing out my
across
desk.
Come I was surprised when she CAME
Agree to have sex with someone.
across ACROSS on the first night.
Come He CAME ACROSS as shy because
The way other people see you.
across he spoke so quietly.
Come May I COME ALONG on your trip
Accompany.
along tomorrow?
Come COME ALONG, we’ll never get there
Move faster or keep up.
along if you don’t keep up with us.
It CAME APART when I tried to lift it
Come apartBreak into pieces. off the floor and I had to glue it back
together.
It took several hours after the
Come
Recover consciousness. operation before he CAME
around
AROUND.
Agree with or accept something you They have started COMING
Come
had previously disapproved of or AROUND TO our way of thinking and
around to
disliked.. are less hostile.
I left work and CAME BACK home
Come back Return.
early.
Come Appear in court charged with a crime He CAME BEFORE the court on
before or offence. charges of speeding.
I'll COME BY after work and see if
Come by Visit.
you need any help.
Come by Acquire. How did you COME BY that Rolex?
Come Just look at the rain COMING
Rain.
down DOWN! I'm not going out in that.
Come When you're next in London, COME
Travel.
down DOWN and see us.
The management really CAME
Come
Criticise heavily. DOWN ON him for losing the
down on
contract.
Come They will COME DOWN UPON us if
Criticise, reprimand severely.
down upon we are late.
Come
Fall ill. She CAME DOWN WITH a virus.
down with
The draft proposal CAME FORTH in
Come forth Appear.
April.
None of the witnesses CAME
Come forth
Provide information. FORTH WITH an accurate
with
description of the gang.
Country or town where you were
Come from She COMES FROM Somalia.
born.
The plane CAME IN at two-thirty in
Come in Arrive for flights.
the morning.
Place or ranking in a competition, I did my best but CAME IN last but
Come in
etc.. one in the race.
Reports are just COMING IN of an
Come in Receive news. assassination attempt on the
President.
Come in Receive (criticism or praise). Jack\'s COME IN FOR quite a lot of
for criticism of late.
Money doesn't COME INTO it; I
Come into Be important or relevant. simply will not do it under any
circumstances.
She CAME INTO a lot of money
Come into Inherit.
when her grandmother died.
Come into The computerised system CAME
Start being used.
use INTO USE at the end of last year.
I picked it up and the handle CAME
Come off When something breaks off.
OFF in my hand.
I was surprised when the plan CAME
Come off Be successful.
OFF so easily.
I don't believe what you're saying; COME OFF IT; tell me the truth for
Come off it
used as an imperative. goodness' sake.
COME ON; don't give up now when
Come on Encouragement.
you're so close to finishing.
I've got a bit of a headache. I hope it
Come on Start an illness. doesn't mean I've got flu COMING
ON.
The central heating COMES ON
Come on Start functioning (machines, etc). automatically an hour before I have
to get up.
The details of the scandal CAME
Come out A secret is revealed. OUT in the press and she had to
resign.
Be published or otherwise available to The band's new CD is COMING OUT
Come out
the public. in September.
The red wine I spilt just will not
Come out Disappear when washed. COME OUT of the carpet no matter
what I try to clean it with.
She CAME OUT at university and
Let people know that you are lesbian
Come out has been living with her partner,
or gay.
Jane, for the last couple of years.
It started cloudy, but then the sun
Come out When the sun appears. CAME OUT and we all went to the
park.
She CAME OUT IN a nasty rash
Come out
Have a rash or similar skin problem. after touching the poisonous plant by
in
mistake.
Come out After three years, he CAME OUT OF
Recover consciousness.
of the coma.
Come out They have just COME OUT WITH a
Make something available.
with new version.
She CAME OUT WITH the answer
Come out Say something publicly and
when everyone was expecting it to
with unexpectedly.
remain unsolved.
 I CAME OVER all faint and weak
Come over Feel strange. because my sugar level was too low.
(British)
Affect mentally in such a way as to
I'm sorry about last night - I don't
Come over change behaviour (possibly related to
know what CAME OVER me.
'overcome').
She CAME ROUND and learned that
Come Become conscious, wake up from
the operation had been a complete
round anaesthetic.
success.
At first she didn't like the idea, but
Come
Change your opinion. she CAME ROUND to our way of
round
thinking in the end.
News is COMING THROUGH of a
Come major accident on the M25, where
Arrive (messages and information).
through freezing fog has been making driving
conditions extremely dangerous.
Come The anger she felt COMES
Communicate an emotion.
through THROUGH.
Come They promised they'd do it, but they
Produce a result.
through haven't COME THROUGH yet.
Come
He didn't COME THROUGH WITH
through Provide something needed.
the money and they went bust.
with
Become conscious, wake up from She CAME TO an hour after the
Come to
anaesthetic. operation.
The two men started arguing but
Come to Result in. they soon CAME TO blows and
started fighting in earnest.
I'll be late home tonight because
Come up Appear. something's COME UP at work has
to be ready for tomorrow morning.
The sun CAME UP just as we
Come up Rise (the sun).
reached the outskirts of the town.
They CAME UP AGAINST a lot of
Come up
Encounter problems or difficulties. opposition to their plans for an out-
against
of-town supermarket development.
Nobody could COME UP WITH a
Come up
Think of a solution, excuse, etc.. satisfactory explanation for the
with
accident.
I CAME UPON the book in a little
Come uponFind by chance.
second-hand bookshop in Dorset.
Create a picture or memory in It CONJURES UP memories of my
Conjure up
someone's mind. school days.
I had to CONJURE UP a full
Create something without many
Conjure up weekend's entertainment for the
resources.
visitors with no notice at all.
 I was exhausted and CONKED OUT
Conk out Fall fast asleep.
on the sofa.
The printer CONKED OUT so I
Conk out Suddenly breakdown or stop working.
couldn't get a hard copy.
Since it started, many companies
Become involved or committed to
Contract in have CONTRACTED IN to lend their
something.
support.
Contract Give a contract for a service outside They have CONTRACTED OUT their
out the company you work for. catering services to save money.
Contract I CONTRACTED OUT OF the deal
Formally leave and agreement.
out of years ago.
I left the tea for a minute until it had
Cool down Get cooler.
COOLED DOWN enough to drink.
It took me ages to COOL DOWN
Cool down Become calm.
after the argument.
We’ll talk to Fred once he COOLS
Cool off Become calmer.
OFF and can talk rationally.
They COOPED the dog UP in a tiny
Coop up Confine in a small area.
room.
They really COPPED IT when they
Cop it Get into trouble.
got caught shoplifting.
We COPPED OFF early on Friday
Cop off Leave work or school early.
because there was nothing to do.
She COPPED OFF with Damian at
Cop off Kiss, pet or have sex with someone.
the end-of-term party.
She was going to take a Master's
Cop out Choose an easy alternative. degree but COPPED OUT and
chose the Diploma course instead.
Calculate how expensive some work The decorators are going to COST
Cost up
is going to be. UP the work tomorrow.
It took me ages to COTTON ON to
Cotton on To work out the truth.
what they were planning.
He was checked so hard he
Lose possession of a ball, etc. in a
Cough up COUGHED UP the puck in front of
contact sport.
his own goal.
Expel something from your lungs or He gave up smoking after he
Cough up
throat by coughing. COUGHED UP some blood.
Could do I COULD really DO WITH a cup of
Need or want something.
with tea.
Count Affect negatively, make less likely to Not having a university degree will
against succeed. COUNT AGAINST her.
Count Include someone or something in a I COUNT her AMONG my closest
among group, category, etc. friends.
Count Wait impatiently or excitedly for I'm COUNTING DOWN the days till
down something to happen. they leave.
Count for Be recognised as important, Experience COUNTS FOR a lot in
 worthwhile or valuable. decision making.
If you're going on that skiing holiday,
Count in Include or involve. you can COUNT me IN; I'd love to
go.
They COUNTED the students OFF
Count off Say numbers aloud in a sequence.
as they arrived.
You can COUNT ON them; if they
Count on Depend, rely. have promised to do something,
they'll do it.
I was COUNTING ON the payment
arriving last week and was really
Expect something to happen and
Count on angry when it didn't arrive as I didn't
base plans on it.
have enough money to pay for
everything.
I don't want to go- you can COUNT
Count out Exclude.
me OUT.
He COUNTED OUT £250 and paid
Count out Count a certain amount of money.
me.
Count Be a part needed to complete The coursework COUNTS
towards something. TOWARDS the final grade.
COUNT UP the number of tickets
Count up Add.
sold, please.
I was COUNTING UPON their
Count Expect something to happen and
support and lost because they didn't
upon base plans on it.
vote my way.
Count
Depend, rely. I COUNT UPON them to help me.
upon
She asked me to COVER FOR her if
Cover for Provide an excuse or alibi.
anyone asked where she'd gone.
Do someone's work while they are I COVERED FOR her while she was
Cover for
temporarily absent. off sick.
Conceal, try to stop people finding They tried to COVER UP the incident
Cover up
out. but it got into the newspapers.
It was cold and I COZIED UP by the
Cozy up Make yourself comfortable.
fire.
He's been COZYING UP TO our
Cozy up to Make yourself popular with someone.
boss because he wants a pay rise.
The police always CRACK DOWN
Crack
Use more authority than usual. ON drink-driving offences over the
down on
Christmas period.
Continue doing something with We had to CRACK ON to get
Crack on
energy. everything finished on time.
He CRACKED UP after his son died
Crack up Have a nervous breakdown. and had to take a couple of months
off work.
Crack up Have bad reception on a mobile You'll have to talk louder- you're
 phone. CRACKING UP.
Everybody CRACKED UP when he
Crack up Burst out laughing.
told the joke.
He CRACKED his car UP last night
Crack up Damage a car badly.
when he came off the road.
My boss keeps CRANKING OUT
Crank out Produce a lot of something fast.
stupid memos.
He's been CRANKING UP heroin for
Crank up Inject non-medical drugs.
years.
Start a machine, originally with a
Crank up He CRANKED the saw UP.
handle.
I CRANKED the volume UP as high
Crank up Increase, make something bigger.
as it would go.
Sleep at someone's house because Dave CRASHED OUT at a friend's
Crash out
you are too tired, drunk, etc. to leave. flat after the end-of-term party.
I CRASHED OUT in front of the TV
Crash out Fall asleep.
last night.
Separate the best or most talented
The private schools CREAM OFF
Cream off people so that they can receive
many of the best pupils.
special or different treatment.
This means smaller banks can
Take money or divert funds, usually
Cream off CREAM OFF excess profits during
wrongfully or unfairly.
lending booms.
He tried to stay calm, but you could
Creep in Start to be noticeable.
hear the anger CREEPING IN.
Get included despite attempts to keep Errors CREPT IN as the text got
Creep in
it or them out. longer.
An angry tone CREPT INTO her
Creep into Become noticeable in something.
voice.
make someone feel worried or He CREEPS me OUT when he gets
Creep out
uneasy. drunk.
Creep out To do the same activity for a very long He's been CREEPING OUT ON that
on time. computer game all day.
Fear CREPT OVER me as I walked
Creep over Start to have a negative feeling.
through the graveyard.
Creep up They CREPT UP ON their rivals and
Approach without someone realising.
on overtook them.
I'm going to be late tonight as
Crop up Appear unexpectedly. something has just CROPPED UP at
work.
She CROSSED him OFF her
Cross off Delete, remove from a list.
Christmas card list after they argued.
She CROSSED OUT her mistakes
Put as line through some writing to
Cross out and wrote the correct answers above
show it is wrong.
them.
Cross up Confuse, deceive. The treasure map was deliberately
 drawn to CROSS us UP.
Cruise
Pass or succeed easily. He CRUISED THROUGH the exam.
through
Crumb The waiter CRUMBED DOWN
Clear a table in a restaurant.
down before the coffee was served.
I've got to work tonight; can I CRY
Cry off To cancel an arrangement.
OFF going out for dinner?
He CRIED OUT when he dropped
Cry out Shout because you are in pain.
the box on his toes.
Go across a place rather than around It'll be quicker if we CUT ACROSS
Cut across
it to make the journey quicker. the park.
The issue CUTS ACROSS social
Affect people of different groups,
Cut across backgrounds as it affects us all
classes, etc.
equally.
The firm CUT BACK production
Cut back Reduce.
because sales were sluggish.
Remove branches from a plant or tree
Cut back We CUT the tree BACK every winter.
to encourage future growth.
The government has decided to CUT
Cut back
Reduce expenditure. BACK ON spending on the armed
on
forces.
I'm trying to CUT DOWN the amount
Cut down Consume less.
of coffee I drink during the day.
A lot of soldiers were CUT DOWN by
Cut down Shoot. enemy fire as they stormed the
airport.
Reduce a vertical thing to ground
Cut down The logger CUT the tree DOWN.
level by cutting.
After Christmas he didn't carefully
Cut down Cut something from a high position. detach all the decorations, he just
CUT them all DOWN.
Doctors advised her to CUT DOWN
Cut down
Reduce. ON the amount of saturated fats in
on
her diet.
The fans CUT IN when the engine
Cut in Start functioning.
starts getting too hot.
Drive in front of another vehicle A car CUT IN and nearly caused an
Cut in
without warning. accident.
We were having a conversation
Cut in Interrupt.
when he came up and CUT IN.
Include someone in a deal that makes We had to CUT the police IN on the
Cut in
money. deal to avoid trouble.
Cut in Mix fat and flour until the combine. CUT the butter IN with the flour.
Stop your unfair or unreasonable Will you two idiots CUT IT OUT and
Cut it out
behaviour. keep quiet.
Cut off Disconnect. The telephone's been CUT OFF
 because we didn't pay the bill.
The heavy snow has blocked many
Cut off Isolate or make inaccessible. roads and CUT OFF a number of
villages.
Cut out Exclude. I'm CUTTING OUT salt from my diet.
The car CUT OUT at the traffic lights
Cut out When an engine or motor stops.
just as they went green.
Cut a picture or similar from a I CUT some pictures OUT to use as
Cut out
magazine, etc. visual aids.
We’d better CUT OUT, the security
Cut out Leave quickly.
men are on the way.
They CUT OUT three prime bulls
Cut out Separate livestock from a group.
from the herd.
Although he'd promised to help, the
Cut out on Let down, snub. star CUT OUT ON the charity when
offered more money.
After cutting the tree down, the
Cut up Cut into smaller pieces.
logger CUT it UP into logs.
I was just driving onto the motorway
Drive into a neighbouring lane, slip-road, when a red Mini CUT me
Cut up
directly in front of another vehicle. UP and I had to brake suddenly to
avoid an accident.
Cut up Upset. Her reaction really CUT me UP.
I CUT my hand UP when I broke the
Cut up Have a lot of small injuries.
glass.
Damp They tried to DAMP DOWN the
Calm or reduce feelings, emotions.
down anger over the announcement.
Damp They tried to DAMP DOWN the
Make a fire burn less.
down flames before the fire spread.
When there is too much moisture and The seedlings DAMP OFF in the
Damp off
a plant is affected by fungal parasites. spring if it's very wet.
He DASHED DOWN a memo and
Dash down Write something quickly.
sent it to everybody.
It's late- I'm going to DASH OFF
Dash off Leave somewhere quickly.
home.
Do something quickly, especially He DASHED OFF the report in a
Dash off
writing. couple of hours.
Finally realise or understand The truth only DAWNED ON me
Dawn on
something. much later.
Trevor spent a long time looking at
flats before he bought one, but
Decide on Choose, select.
eventually DECIDED ON one near
his work.
Decide Choose, select. Jane spent a long time looking at
upon houses before she bought one, but
eventually DECIDED UPON one
 near her office.
Become quieter or inaudible (of a The last notes DIED AWAY and the
Die away
sound). audience burst into applause.
When the parts of a plant above
Die back The plant DIES BACK in the winter.
ground die, but the roots remain alive.
It was on the front pages of all the
Die down Decrease or become quieter. papers for a few days, but the
interest gradually DIED DOWN.
I'm DYING FOR the weekend- this
Die for Want something a lot.
week's been so hard.
Most of the elm trees in the UK DIED
Die off Become extinct. OFF when Dutch elm disease
arrived.
Some scientists say that the
dinosaurs DIED OUT when a comet
Die out Become extinct or disappear.
hit the earth and caused a nuclear
winter.
We were starving so we really DUG
Dig in Start eating greedily.
IN when the food finally did arrive.
Excavate a protective shelter Anticipating an artillery barrage, we
Dig in
(military). quickly DUG IN.
She DUG INTO her handbag and
Dig into Reach inside to get something.
pulled out a bunch of keys.
Find something you haven't used, I DUG OUT my old university
Dig out
seen, etc, for a long time. essays.
Dig to remove something or They had to DIG the survivors of the
Dig out
someone. earthquake OUT from the ruins.
Find something that is supposed to be The reporters eventually DUG UP
Dig up
secret. the truth about the affair.
Dig up Remove something from the ground. The police DUG UP a body.
Make a hole in a road, the ground,
Dig up The council have DUG the road UP.
etc.
We DINED OUT because we
Dine out Have dinner outside your home.
couldn't be bothered to cook.
Tell a story repeatedly that is well I've DINED OUT ON the story of his
Dine out on
received. accident.
Put something in a liquid for a short I DIPPED the brush IN the paint and
Dip in
time. began painting the wall.
I've been DIPPING INTO the book,
Dip into Read parts of a book, but not all.
but haven't read it properly.
I've had to DIP INTO my savings
Dip into Take money out of your savings. account to pay for the works on my
house.
The party was so dull I DIPPED
Dip out Leave a place without telling anyone.
OUT.
Disagree Make someone feel sick or ill. I feel dreadful; the prawns I had for
with lunch are DISAGREEING WITH me.
Dish out Serve food. I DISHED OUT the dinner.
Give something, usually when you Doctors have been DISHING OUT
Dish out
shouldn't. viagra to anyone who asks for it.
Criticise, when you can't take criticism He DISHES it OUT, but gets all hurt
Dish out
in return. when anyone responds.
He DISHED UP a great dinner when
Dish up Serve food.
we got back.
Start doing something, usually without When we saw what was happening,
Dive in
planning. we all DIVED IN to help.
Dive in Start eating. Dinner's on the table, so DIVE IN.
She DIVED INTO her bag and pulled
Dive into Reach inside something quickly.
out a lighter.
Divide up Share. They divided up the profits.
The waiters and waitresses DIVVY
Divvy out Divide, share.
OUT the tips at the end of the night.
Divvy up Divide, share. We DIVVIED UP the money equally.
Do away The United Kingdom DID AWAY
Abolish, get rid of.
with WITH the death penalty in 1965.
After he reported the gang, he feared
Do in Kill.
they would DO him IN.
They lied on the reference and DID
Cheat somebody out of something
Do out of me OUT OF any chance of getting
that is rightfully theirs.
the job.
You must DO UP your safety belt in
Do up Close or fasten clothes, etc..
the back of cars and taxis now.
It took them six months to DO UP the
Do up Repair and renovate. house before they could actually
move in.
Wish for or ask for (usually after can I could DO WITH a cold beer about
Do with
or could). now.
There's no sugar, so you'll have to
Do without Manage without something.
DO WITHOUT.
Report someone to teachers,
Dob in He DOBBED me IN to the teacher.
authorities, etc.
Everyone DOBBED IN some cash to
Dob in Contribute money.
help.
Pressure someone into doing He needed some help, so DOBBED
Dob in
something. us IN.
They were DOLING OUT leaflets in
Dole out Give out, distribute.
front of the station.
Spend time doing very little or being I couldn't get down to my work and
Doss about
unproductive. DOSSED ABOUT all night.
Doss Spend time doing very little or being I spent the afternoon DOSSING
around unproductive. AROUND.
Doss down Sleep somewhere temporarily I was feeling really tired, so I
 DOSSED DOWN on his sofa for the
because you don't go home.
night.
My study DOUBLES AS a spare
Double as Have a second function or purpose.
bedroom when we have visitors.
Double When he saw the police, he
Go back the way you were coming.
back DOUBLED BACK and went home.
Double She DOUBLED OVER in pain after
Bend over at the waist.
over being hit in the stomach.
He DOUBLED UP in pain after being
Double up Bend over at the waist.
hit in the stomach.
Share accommodation because there We had to DOUBLE UP because we
Double up
are too many people. hadn't booked enough rooms.
Double up The display screen DOUBLES UP
Have a second function or purpose.
as AS a solar panel.
The movie was a bit boring and I
Doze off Fall asleep.
DOZED OFF halfway through.
The meeting DRAGGED ON for two
Drag on Be unnecessarily long.
and a half hours.
He DREW BACK when the dog
Draw back Retreat, move backwards.
barked.
The administration want to DRAW
Draw down Reduce levels. DOWN troop numbers as soon as
they can.
The college wants to DRAW DOWN
Draw down Get funding.
extra funding for IT provision.
To deplete by consumption or heavy Gas reserves were DRAWN DOWN
Draw down
spending. in the recent cold spell.
The exhausted horse DREW EVEN
Draw even Equalize one’s competitive position.
at the finish line.
The nights are DRAWING IN now it's
Draw in Get dark earlier.
winter.
Draw in Arrive at a station (for trains). The train DREW IN and we got off.
I didn't want to take sides because I
Get involved in something
Draw into didn't want to get DRAWN INTO their
unpleasant.
arguments.
As the lesson DREW ON, the
Draw on Pass slowly (time).
students started to get bored.
Inhale smoke from a cigarette, cigar, He DREW ON his cigarette and
Draw on
etc. coughed.
Make something continue longer than The director DREW the meeting
Draw out
needed. OUT with a lengthy speech.
He was so quiet at first, but the
Draw out Make a shy person more outgoing. teacher managed to DRAW him OUT
and get him to participate.
The contract was DRAWN UP by our
Draw up Prepare a contract.
solicitor.
 The police car DREW UP alongside
Draw up When a vehicle stops. him at the red lights and asked him
to pull over.
I wouldn't even DREAM OF telling
Dream of Not think or consider.
her that.
They DREAMED UP the scheme for
Dream up Invent something, have an idea. the improvements and it was
accepted by the board.
The newspapers DREDGED UP the
Discover things about someone's
Dredge up details of his affair with his research
past.
assistant.
Dress The staff are allowed to DRESS
Dress casually.
down DOWN on Fridays.
Dress She DRESSED me DOWN for being
Scold.
down rude.
It's an informal party so there's no
Dress up Dress very smartly.
need to DRESS UP.
We were great friends at school but
Slowly cease to be close to or friends
Drift apart DRIFTED APART when we went to
with someone.
different universities.
I was DRIFTING OFF when the
Drift off Start to fall asleep.
noise disturbed me.
Search through layers of information I really had to DRILL DOWN to get
Drill down
on a computer. the answers from the database.
Drill down Get to the bottom of something, get They DRILLED DOWN THROUGH
through detailed data. the information to find the truth.
Repeat something many times to The teacher DRILLED the rules
Drill into
make someone learn it. INTO the students.
Drink up Finish a drink. DRINK UP, please; it's closing time.
Force an animal or someone to leave Their unfriendliness DRIVES
Drive away
a place. customers AWAY.
The police DROVE the crowd BACK
Drive back Repulse, force back. to give the rescue workers more
space.
He was killed in a DRIVE-BY
Drive by Do something out of a car.
shooting.
She slammed the car door shut and
Drive off Drive away from a place.
DROVE OFF without saying a word.
The soldiers DROVE them OUT of
Drive out Force someone to leave a place.
their homes.
The market uncertainty has DRIVEN
Drive up Make something increase.
prices UP.
They DROVE UP just as we were
Drive up Arrive in a vehicle.
about to leave.
Drone on Talk boringly for a long time. The minister DRONED ON for an
hour and the audience looked
 increasingly bored.
Drop Visit someone, often without making We DROPPED AROUND to collect
around an arrangement. the stuff we'd left there last week.
Drop I DROPPED AROUND the things
Deliver.
around they needed.
The numbers of people attending
Drop away Become smaller- amount, numbers. began the DROP AWAY after a few
months.
He stared at the front, but got tired
Drop back Move towards the back of a group. and DROPPED BACK as the race
went on.
He DROPPED BY on his way home
Drop by Pay a brief visit.
from work.
Visit without having made I was in the area so I DROPPED IN
Drop in
arrangements. at the office to see her.
Take something or someone to a I DROPPED the kids OFF at school
Drop off
place and leave it or them there.. on my way to work.
I DROPPED OFF during the play
Drop off Fall asleep.
and woke up when it ended.
Sales have DROPPED OFF in the
Drop off Decrease in number or amount.
last few months.
She DROPPED OUT of college and
Drop out Quit a course.
went straight into a good job.
Drop over Visit for a short time. I'll DROP OVER on my way back.
Visit someone, often without making We DROPPED ROUND their house
Drop round
an arrangement. on our way.
I DROPPED the papers ROUND so
Drop round Deliver. she could read them before the
meeting.
Drop
I really DROPPED him IN IT when I
someone Get someone into trouble.
told them what he'd done.
in it
The big scheme he was talking about
Drop
Come to nothing, produce no results. seems to have DROPPED
through
THROUGH.
Drown in Cover excessively. They DROWN the food IN sauce.
Be so loud that another sound cannot The music DROWNED OUT the
Drown out
be heard. sound of the phone ringing.
They DRUM all the traps INTO you
To make someone learn or believe
Drum into before the test, so you can't go
something by constant repetition.
wrong.
They DRUMMED the minister OUT
when she was caught lying.The
Force someone out of their job or
Drum out minister was DRUMMED OUT of her
position.
post for lying. (The passive form with
OF is more common)
 They are trying to DRUM UP support
Drum up Increase support or interest.
for the referendum.
Dry something quickly, or dry the I had a shower and DRIED myself
Dry off
surface. OFF.
Stop drinking or taking drugs when He checked into a clinic to DRY OUT
Dry out
addicted. after being arrested for drink-driving.
Dry out Dry something fully. They DRIED the fruit OUT in the sun.
Lose all the water from a river, lake, The lake DRIED UP because of the
Dry up
source, etc. water extraction for cotton farming.
His income DRIED UP when
Dry up Stop being supplied with something.
cheaper options became available.
She DRIED UP in the press
Dry up Be unable to speak.
conference.
Dry plates, dishes, cutlery, etc, after
Dry up I washed and DRIED UP.
washing them up.
He DUCKED OUT OF helping us last
Duck out ofAvoid doing something.
night.
He was DUFFED UP in a night club
Duff up Beat or hit someone repeatedly.
last night.
Dumb Reduce the intellectual level of Television has been DUMBING
down something in search of popularity. DOWN the news for years.
Her boss DUMPS ON everyone
Dump on Treat someone badly.
when things go wrong.
Dump on Criticize heavily, often unfairly. She DUMPS ON her family a lot.
When he';s depressed, he needs
Dump on Tell someone your problems.
someone to DUMP ON.
The programme DWELLED ON little
Dwell on Spend a lot of time on something.
other than the scandal.
She DWELT UPON the economic
Dwell upon Spend a lot of time on something.
situation in her speech.
She EASED OFF the accelerator to
Ease off Reduce pressure.
let the car slow down.
She asked her teacher to EASE UP
Ease up Relax, calm down. because she was feeling very
stressed.
Eat away Destroy slowly. The disease EATS the liver AWAY.
We didn't feel like going to a
Eat in Eat at home.
restaurant so we ATE IN.
Use something valuable when you We've had to EAT INTO our savings
Eat into
don't want to. since I lost my job.
We couldn't be bothered to cook so
Eat out Eat in a restaurant.
we ATE OUT last night.
If you don't EAT UP your greens, you
Eat up Eat all of something.
won't get any dessert.
Eat up Consume. This car EATS UP petrol.
Eat up Consume something you don't want The graphics EAT UP our bandwidth-
 to be consumed. they're costing us a fortune.
His life was EBBED AWAY as the
Ebb away Disappear gradually.
illness progressed.
The shareholders EDGED the CEO
Gradually push someone or
Edge out out because results were getting
something out of their position.
worse.
She EDGED UP behind the bus at
Edge up Approach slowly.
the red light.
The other students EGGED him ON
Egg on Encourage. when he started arguing with the
teacher.
Most students have to EKE OUT
Make something like money last as
Eke out their income because they have so
long as possible.
little money to live on.
Piere EMBARKED ON an MBA at
Embark on Start a project or venture.
Insead last autumn.
Embark Fernanda has just EMBARKED
Start a project or venture.
upon UPON a new professional challenge.
I must EMPTY OUT the rubbish
Empty out Empty something completely.
before I leave for work.
Remove some things or everything I EMPTIED some of the coffee OUT
Empty out
from a container. so I could pour more milk in.
End in Finish a certain way. It'll END IN tears.
We couldn't get tickets for Egypt so
End up Become or do something unplanned. we ENDED UP going to Turkey
instead.
End up He tried hard but ENDED UP WITH
Get as a result of something.
with a poor grade.
They ENTERED FOR the national
Enter for Join or enter a competition. championship but weren't good
enough.
They ENTERED INTO an agreement
Enter into Become involved in or accept.
with their rivals.
The guy EYED the other man UP
Eye up Look carefully at someone. because he was behaving
suspiciously.
The company FACED OFF the
Face off Confront.
competition.
Many people find it hard to FACE UP
Face up to Accept an unpleasant truth.
TO the fact that they are getting old.
He told her to stop FAFFING ABOUT
Faff about Behave indecisively.
and make her mind up.
She told him to stop FAFFING
Faff aroundBehave indecisively.
AROUND and make his mind up.
We FELL ABOUT when we heard
Fall about Laugh a lot.
what she'd done.
 The box FELL APART when I picked
Fall apart Break into pieces.
it up.
Become emotionally disturbed and He FELL APART when they sacked
Fall apart
unable to behave normally. him.
The army FELL BACK after losing
Fall back Retreat.
the battle.
It was good to have some money in
Fall back
Be able to use in an emergency. the bank to FALL BACK ON when I
on
lost my job.
I was ill for a week and FELL
Fall behind Make less progress.
BEHIND with my work.
I slipped on the ice and FELL
Fall down Fall on the ground.
DOWN.
The argument FALLS DOWN when
Fall down Have a weak point.
you look at how much it'll cost.
He FELL FOR her the moment their
Fall for Be attracted to somebody, fall in love.
eyes met.
He FELL FOR my story and allowed
Fall for Believe a lie or a piece of deception. me yet another extension for the
submission of my thesis.
The ceiling FELL IN hurting a lot of
Fall in Collapse.
people.
I just FELL INTO my job when an
Fall into Start doing something unplanned.
opportunity came up.
The membership FELL OFF
Fall off Decrease. dramatically when the chairperson
resigned.
They FELL OUT over the decision
Argue and be on bad terms with
Fall out and hardly speak to each other any
someone.
more.
He's started getting worried about
Fall out Lose hair. baldness because his hair is
FALLING OUT rather quickly.
Fall over Fall on the ground. I slipped on the ice and FELL OVER.
Fall The plans FELL THROUGH when
Be unsuccessful.
through planning permission was refused.
At first he was independent, but then
Fall under Become controlled.
he FELL UNDER their influence.
Give or contract work to someone The company wants to FARM OUT
Farm out
else. their maintenance.
The manager was angry because the
Fart about Waste time doing silly things.
staff were FARTING ABOUT.
Fart We were really bored in the lecture
Waste time doing pointless things.
around so we started FARTING AROUND.
Fasten We FASTENED it DOWN to keep the
Tie something so that it doesn't move.
down wind from blowing it away.
 Give attention to something that They have FASTENED ON the
Fasten on
confirms your beliefs. speech as a source of inspiration.
He FASTENED ONTO the minister
Fasten Follow someone closely, normally
on his visit and asked him repeatedly
onto when they don't want your company.
about the scandal.
They FASTEN ONTO any figures
Fasten Give attention to something that
that they think can support their
onto confirms your beliefs.
case.
Fasten up Close, attach. FASTEN UP your seatbelts.
I couldn't FATHOM OUT what she
Fathom out Understand something.
wanted from me.
Give an animal a lot to eat to make it They FATTEN the cows UP before
Fatten up
fat. slaughtering them.
Praise someone in an excessive way
He's always FAWNING ON his boss
Fawn on to get their favour or something from
to try to get promoted.
them.
Praise someone in an excessive way She FAWNED OVER the inspectors
Fawn over to get their favour or something from in the hope that they would give her
them. a good grade.
The gecko FEEDS OFF mosquitoes
Feed off Eat a food as part of an animals diet.
and other insects.
He FEEDS OFF people's fear of
Feed off Use something to your advantage. crime to get them to support his
proposals.
The opposition party's FEEDING ON
Feed on Grow stronger.
the government's weaknesses.
Feed on Consume in an animal's diet. The bats FEED ON insects.
Feed on Give someone a particular food. He FEEDS his cat ON dry food.
Give someone a lot of food to restore She's been ill for a fortnight so we're
Feed up
their health, make them bigger, etc. FEEDING her UP.
Someone FELT me UP in the club as
Feel up Touch sexually, grope.
I was trying to get to the bar.
I'm so tired. I don't think I FEEL UP
Feel up to Feel capable of doing something.
TO going out tonight.
Fence in Enclose an area. They FENCED the whole garden IN.
Enclose an area to keep animals or They FENCED OFF one side of the
Fence off
people out. park to keep dogs out.
Take care of yourself or someone with The children had to FEND FOR
Fend for
help from other people. themselves after their parents died.
He managed to FEND OFF the
Fend off Resist something successfully.
criticism in the press.
She FENDED OFF the dog when it
Fend off Push an attacker away.
attacked her.
The investigation finally managed to
Ferret out Search and discover something.
FERRET OUT the truth.
Fess up Confess, admit something reluctantly. The company FESSED UP after they
 were exposed in the newspapers.
Fess up Give. FESS UP your share of the bill.
Confess, admit reluctantly to
Fess up to They FESSED UP TO the crime.
something.
We spent the whole afternoon
Fiddle Waste time doing silly things, or doing
FIDDLING ABOUT with the computer
about things unsuccessfully.
but couldn't get it to work.
Fiddle Waste time doing silly things, or I FIDDLED AROUND with the phone
around unsuccessful things. but couldn't get any signal.
Fiddle Make small movements with your He FIDDLED AROUND for
around hands. something in his pockets.
Fiddle
Waste time. He FIDDLED AWAY the afternoon.
away
The army attacked the town and the
Fight back Defend yourself, resist an attack.
inhabitants FOUGHT BACK fiercely.
He tried to FIGHT BACK the tears
Try to control and emotion and keep it
Fight back when he heard the news of her
hidden.
death.
Struggle to see who wins, both by Their FIGHTING IT OUT to see who
Fight it out
arguing or fighting. will become the next CEO.
The old lady managed to FIGHT the
Fight an attacker and force them
Fight off muggers OFF and they didn't get her
back.
purse.
Fight off Resist an illness or emotion. I'm FIGHTING OFF a cold.
What job do you FIGURE ON doing
Figure on Plan, expect.
when you graduate?
The police couldn't FIGURE OUT
Figure out Find the answer to a problem. how the burglars had got into the
warehouse.
Put a document in the correct place I FILED a copy of the letter AWAY for
File away
for storage in a filing system. my records.
Apply for something legally, like They FILED FOR divorce after two
File for
divorce or bankruptcy. years of marriage.
I FILLED IN the application form and
Fill in Complete a form.
posted it off.
She's just had a baby, so we have
Fill in Substitute someone at work.
hired someone to FILL IN for her.
I was away for a few days, so they
Fill in for Substitute. had to get someone to FILL IN FOR
me.
I'm sorry I missed the meeting; could
Fill in on Give someone information.
you FILL me IN ON what happened.
I FILLED OUT the application form
Fill out Complete a form.
and mailed it.
I stopped at the garage and FILLED
Fill up Fill something completely.
UP with petrol.
 Move into a lane of traffic without The slip lane allows traffic to FILTER
Filter in
making other cars stop. IN at the junction.
It FILTERS OUT all the impurities
Filter out Remove something unwanted. and chemicals in tap water so that it
tastes better.
I went to the library to FIND OUT all I
Find out Discover. could about the life and work of Joe
Meek.
They FINISHED OFF all the
Finish off Finish completely. chocolates and had to go to the all-
night garage to buy some more.
Kill a person or animal, often when The animal was badly hurt, so they
Finish off
they have already been hurt. FINISHED it OFF to end its suffering.
The second goal FINISHED them
Finish off Beat, make victory certain in sport.
OFF.
We FINISHED OFF the coffee and
Finish off Consume all.
had to get some more.
Finally get somewhere, usually We went out for diner and FINISHED
Finish up
without planning to go there. UP in a club.
We attended some workshops and
Finish up Have or do something at the end or
FINISHED UP WITH the keynote
with as the last of something.
speaker.
She FINISHED WITH him a few
Finish with End a relationship.
months ago.
He wanted to leave but I was furious
Finish with Stop dealing with someone.
and hadn't FINISHED WITH him.
Can I read the paper when you've
Finish with Finish using or requiring.
FINISHED WITH it.
He FINKED ON her to the
Fink on Give away secrets about someone.
authorities.
Fail to keep a promise, arrangement, He said he'd come with us then
Fink out
etc. FINKED OUT at the last minute.
What do you want to know? FIRE
Fire away Ask questions.
AWAY and I'll tell you.
Send quickly, angrily or many (letter, He FIRED OFF an email complaining
Fire off
emails, etc). about the report.
The police FIRED OFF several
Fire off Shoot, fire a gun (usually repeatedly).
rounds and killed the man.
She FIRED UP the computer and
Fire up Start a computer.
printed out a hard copy of the files.
Everyone was FIRED UP and
Fire up Excite, become excited.
desperate to get it finished in time.
Make things clearer in a negotiation We need to FIRM UP some aspects
Firm up
or discussion. of the contract before we sign it.
Exercise to make muscles harder and I go swimming every day to FIRM UP
Firm up
remove fat. my body.
 Try to get some information or to get He's always FISHING FOR
Fish for
someone to say something. compliments.
Remove something from a bag, She reached into her handbag and
Fish out
pocket, etc. FISHED some coins OUT.
Remove from water, such as the sea, It's fallen in the pool- I'll have to FISH
Fish out
rivers, etc. it OUT.
I didn't FIT IN with the other people
Fit in Get on in a group of people. working there so I left and found
another job.
Have enough time or space for I didn't have time to FIT IN another
Fit in
something. appointment.
They're not arriving until Thursday,
Fit in with Be convenient or occur conveniently. which FITS IN WITH my schedule for
the week.
His rudeness yesterday FITS IN
Occur or happen in a way that shows
Fit in with WITH what I have always thought of
that plans or ideas have not changed.
his behaviour.
Their ideas didn't FIT INTO our
Fit into Become part of.
plans.
They FITTED OUT the boat for the
Fit out Provide with necessary equipment.
race.
Provide someone with necessary They didn't FIT the troops OUT
Fit out with
equipment. WITH the necessary protective gear.
Frame someone- make them look The police FITTED him UP for
Fit up
guilty of something they haven't done. dealing drugs.
They FITTED us UP with the latest
Fit up Provide equipment.
IT.
He FIXED UP an appointment for me
Fix up Make an arrangement.
to see a specialist.
The campaign started well, but
Fizzle out End in an unsuccessful way. FIZZLED OUT when they ran out of
money.
The police officer FLAGGED the car
Flag down Signal at a vehicle to get it to stop. DOWN because it didn't have its
headlights on.
Raise an issue, or highlight its We should FLAG UP working
Flag up
importance. conditions at the meeting.
I worked till midnight then FLAKED
Flake out Fall asleep from exhaustion.
OUT.
The company FLAMED OUT in the
Flame out Fail.
recession.
Flame up Burn brightly. The wood FLAMED UP in the fire.
He FLARED OUT when he saw the
Flare out Get angry suddenly.
dreadful report.
The argument FLARED UP when he
Flare up When trouble suddenly appears.
was rude to them.
 The recent government report
Flesh out Add more details or information.
FLESHED OUT the draft proposals.
She FLICKED OVER to see if the
Flick over Change TV channels quickly.
news had started.
I FLICKED THROUGH the channels
Flick
Change TV channels repeatedly. to see if there was anything worth
through
watching.
Flick I FLICKED THROUGH the magazine
Look through something quickly.
through and decided to buy it.
Extend your middle finger as a When the police were walking away,
Flip off
gesture of contempt. he FLIPPED them OFF.
He FLIPPED OUT when he won the
Flip out Become very excited and lose control.
final.
I FLIPPED THROUGH the latest
Flip Look quickly through a magazine,
issue of the magazine in the shop
through book, etc.
and decided to buy it.
The council FLOGGED OFF the land
Flog off Sell something cheaply to get rid of it. cheaply to a developer who had
close links to a few of the councillors.
She FLOORED IT when the police
Floor it Drive a vehicle as fast as possible.
arrived.
Leave a place or walk away from He FLOUNCED OFF when they
Flounce off
someone angrily. laughed at him.
Flounce He FLOUNCED OUT when the press
Leave a place angrily.
out started criticising him.
Shake or pat a cushion so that it fills She FLUFFED OUT the sofa
Fluff out
with air. cushions.
Shake or pat a cushion so that it fills He FLUFFED UP the pillow before
Fluff up
with air. going to bed.
The rumour has been FLYING
Fly about Circulate (rumours, etc). ABOUT for the past week, but no
one has confirmed it.
There are a lot of stories FLYING
Fly around Circulate (rumours, etc).
AROUND about her past.
The dog FLEW AT the cat when it
Fly at Attack.
came into the garden.
He FLEW AT them for not trying hard
Fly at Criticise or shout angrily.
enough.
Fly by When time appears to move quickly. As I get older, the years just FLY BY.
Fly into Change emotion quickly. He FLEW INTO a rage.
Make or persuade someone to accept
Fob off I FOBBED it OFF Paul.
something.
He FOBBED us OFF with a really
Fob off Lie or deceive someone.
stupid excuse.
Make or persuade someone to accept
Fob off on I FOBBED the work ON the others.
something you don't want.
Fob off Make or persuade someone to accept I FOBBED the fake note ONTO a
onto something you don't want. shopkeeper.
Make or persuade someone to accept
Fob off He FOBBED her OFF WITH some
something of lower quality than they
with fake gold.
wanted.
The report FOCUSES ON the
Focus on Concentrate.
company's weak points.
Darren FOLDED UP the letter and
Fold up Make a sheet of paper smaller.
put it in an envelope.
Leave to meet someone after they He left an hour ago and I'll be
Follow on
have left the place you're at. FOLLOWING ON soon.
In cricket, if the second team to bat
They were over 200 runs behind and
Follow on doesn't score enough runs, it has to
had to FOLLOW ON.
bat again.
Follow on The film FOLLOWS ON from the
Be the part of something.
from original.
Follow Do what is necessary to complete The project went wrong when the
through something or make it successful. staff failed to FOLLOW THROUGH.
Follow Continue moving limbs after hitting a You need to FOLLOW THROUGH
through ball. smoothly when playing golf.
Do something to check or improve an He FOLLOWED UP the meeting with
Follow up
earlier action. a report.
The police didn't FOLLOW UP the
Follow up Find our about a problem and act.
allegations.
They were FOOLING ABOUT and
Fool about Not be serious.
wouldn't settle down.
Their marriage broke down because
Fool about Be unfaithful.
he kept FOOLING ABOUT.
Fool The teacher was angry because the
Not be serious.
around class were FOOLING AROUND.
She suspects her husband is
Fool
Be unfaithful. FOOLING AROUND with one of her
around
friends.
Don't FOOL WITH that- it could
Fool with Play with something dangerous.
explode.
We've been FORGING AHEAD with
Forge
Make a lot of progress in a short time. the work and should be finished well
ahead
before the deadline.
Forge She FORGED AHEAD of the other
Move forwards very quickly.
ahead runners and won.
She FREAKED OUT completely
Freak out Become very disturbed or angry. when she didn't get the grades to get
into university.
Make money or time available by not If we get the work done tonight, it will
Free up
using it elsewhere. FREE UP the weekend to go away.
Free up Do work or a task for someone to If you proofread this text, it will FREE
 make them available for something. me UP to get on with the next part.
Shut out or exclude by unfriendly They tried to FREEZE me OUT of
Freeze out
treatment. the conversation.
Force to retire or withdraw from After Jim was FROZEN OUT of the
Freeze out
membership, a job, etc. case, they hired a new lawyer.
Freeze Become covered with ice (lake, river, The winter was very severe and the
over pond, etc). lake FROZE OVER.
The pipes all FROZE UP so no water
Freeze up Be blocked with ice.
came through.
Stop working because the parts of a
Freeze up The gears had FROZEN UP.
machine won't move.
The computer FROZE UP; it showed
Freeze up When a computer stops working. me the blue screen of death and I
couldn't reboot.
WE FROZE UP when we heard the
Freeze up Be paralysed with fear.
window break.
Wash quickly and improve I'm going to the bathroom to
Freshen up
appearance. FRESHEN UP before they arrive.
Add more alcohol to a glass before it Here, let me FRESHEN UP your
Freshen up
is empty. drink.
Quickly improve the appearance of The magazine gives you tips on how
Freshen up
something. to FRESHEN UP your home cheaply.
Frighten Scare someone so much that they go The noise FRIGHTENED the birds
away away. AWAY.
Scare or worry someone enough to
Frighten The strikes FRIGHTENED many
stop them doing something they had
away visitors AWAY.
planned.
Frighten Scare someone so much that they go The dog FRIGHTENED the burglars
off away. OFF.
Scare or worry someone enough to
Frighten The crash in share prices
stop them doing something they had
off FRIGHTENED investors OFF.
planned.
Represent someone, especially when The solicitor FRONTS FOR a
Front for
covering illegal or wrongful activities. number of criminal gangs.
The two guys FRONTED each other
Confront someone and let them know
Front off OFF, but someone managed to calm
you are prepared to fight.
them down before it got out of hand.
My house FRONTS ONTO the main
Front onto Face (of a building).
square.
Face up to someone, withstand He accused her of lying, but she
Front out
criticism. FRONTED him OUT
I hate these occasions, but I'll
Front up Appear somewhere for a short time.
FRONT UP for the first half.
She FRONTED UP the money we
Front up Advance cash for something.
needed.
Frown on Disapprove. He FROWNS ON people making
 personal calls at work.
We stopped to FUEL UP before the
Fuel up Put petrol or other fuel into a vehicle.
car ran out.
Visit a lot of different places for I spent the afternoon GADDING
Gad about
pleasure. ABOUT in the West End.
Gad I spent the afternoon GADDING
Visit different places for pleasure.
around AROUND looking for some books.
Gag for Want something a lot. I'm GAGGING FOR a drink.
Form a group against something or They GANGED UP to try to stop the
Gang up
someone. new system.
They GANGED UP AGAINST me
Gang up
Harass, bully (in a group). because I wouldn't accept their
against
ideas.
Gang up They GANGED UP ON him because
Harass, bully.
on of the way he spoke.
Organise or arrange something for a
Gear to particular purpose, audience, etc. It's not GEARED TO non-specialists.
(Often passive).
Gear Organise or arrange something for a The project is GEARED TOWARDS
towards particular purpose, audience, etc. older people.
The shops are GEARING UP for the
Gear up Get ready for a busy period.
New Year sales.
Henry always GEEKS OUT at parties
Geek out Talk at length about computing. and bores all the people who don't
know much about computers.
I GET ABOUT a lot with my job- last
Get about Visit many places.
years I visited eleven countries.
It didn't take long for the news to
Get about Become known. GET ABOUT- everyone's talking
about it.
She can't GET ABOUT much, but
Get about Walk or visit places.
she is in her eighties.
Have personal or sexual relationships She GETS ABOUT a bit; she's
Get about
with many people. always with some new guy.
She's been GETTING ABOVE
HERSELF since she got promoted.
Behave as if you are better or more (This is normally used in progressive
Get above
important than others. forms and followed by a reflexive
pronoun, though 'get above your
station' is also used.)
I just couldn't GET my message
Get across Communicate successfully.
ACROSS at the meeting.
It's impossible to GET ACROSS the
Get across Go from one side to the other.
road with all this traffic.
Move something from one side to the How are we going to GET these
Get across
other. bags ACROSS the river?
Get across Be convincing or make a good How can I GET ACROSS TO my
to impression. audience?
You should GET AFTER them to
Get after Nag or exhort someone.
finish the work.
GET AFTER her and give her the
Get after Chase. message before she leaves the
building.
Nowadays, you need IT skills if you
Get ahead Progress.
want to GET AHEAD.
Get ahead I work at home in the evening to GET
Move in front of.
of AHEAD OF schedule.
Why don't you two GET ALONG?
Get along Have a good relationship.
You're always arguing.
It's late; we must be GETTING
Get along Leave.
ALONG.
How's the homework GETTING
Get along Progess.
ALONG?
Get along How are you GETTING ALONG IN
Progress.
in the company.
Get along Have a good relationship with I don't GET ALONG WITH my sister-
with someone. we have nothing in common.
Get along How are you GETTING ALONG
Deal with, handle.
with WITH the training course?
It didn't take long for the news to
Get around Become known. GET AROUND once it got into the
newspapers.
He GETS AROUND a lot- he's
Get around Visit many different places.
always flying somewhere different.
He's finding it hard to GET AROUND
Get around Walk or go to places. since the operation and spends most
of his time at home.
It'll be tricky, but we will find a way to
Get around Avoid a problem.
GET AROUND the regulations.
She didn't want to accept my
Get around Persuade, convince. application because it was late, but I
managed to GET AROUND her.
Have personal or sexual relationships He GETS AROUND a bit; he's
Get around
with many people. always with some new girlfriend.
Get around Finally manage to do something, It always takes me ages to GET
to make the effort to do something. AROUND to replying to letters.
His boss is always GETTING AT him
Get at Criticise.
for arriving late.
What do you think she's GETTING
Get at Mean.
AT? I've no idea what she wants.
It's on the top shelf and I can't GET
Get at Be able to reach, find, access.
AT it.
 The gangsters GOT AT the jury, who
Use threats, payments, bribes, etc, to
found them not guilty of all charges
Get at affect someone's testimony or
despite the evidence presented in
decision.
court.
The robbers GOT AWAY in a stolen
Get away Escape. car, which the police later found
abandoned.
We love to GET AWAY from
Get away Go on holiday or for a short break.
everything and relax in the country.
He didn't come because he was
Get away Move, leave somewhere. stuck at work and couldn't GET
AWAY.
Get away Go somewhere different or do Work's getting on top of me; I need
from something different. to GET AWAY FROM it.
I think we're GETTING AWAY FROM
Get away Start to talk about something that is
the point here- we need to
from not relevant to the discussion.
concentrate on the main ideas.
Get away Not get caught, criticised or punished Thieves GOT AWAY WITH two
with for doing something wrong. Picassos, which were never found.
Get away Achieve something, despite not doing Do you think we could GET AWAY
with it correctly or properly. WITH using the cheaper product?
"I passed." "GET AWAY! You couldn't
Get away! An expression of disbelief.
have passed."
The train was held up so we didn't
Get back Return.
GET BACK home until midnight.
Don't lend him any money; you'll
Get back Return something.
never GET it BACK.
He was rude and embarrassed me,
Get back Revenge.
but I'll GET him BACK.
The police told the crowd to GET
Get back Move away. BACK to allow the ambulance
through.
I'll GET BACK AT her for landing me
Get back at Take revenge.
in trouble.
I am GETTING BACK INTO my
Get back Start doing something after stopping
Khmer lessons after the summer
into for some time.
break.
Get back I lost interest for a while, but I'm
Find a new enthusiasm for something.
into GETTING BACK INTO it.
I'll GET BACK TO you as soon as I
Get back toRespond to a contact.
hear any news.
I don't know at the moment, but I will
Get back toRespond when you know the answer. GET BACK TO you as soon as I
have the information.
Start doing something again after an It took me ages to GET BACK TO
Get back to
interruption. sleep after the phone rang.
Get back We split up a few months ago but
Restart a relationship.
together GOT BACK TOGETHER last week.
All the students GOT BEHIND the
Get behind Support.
teacher.
If you GET BEHIND WITH mortgage
Get behind Be late paying instalments for
payments, you might lose your
with something..
home.
They're finding it increasingly difficult
Get by Have just enough money to live on. to GET BY since their daughter was
born.
I had checked it, but there still were a
Get by Not be noticed (problems, errors, etc). few mistakes that didn't GET BY the
editor.
Manage on a certain amount of
Get by on It's hard to GET BY ON my salary.
money.
Have enough of something to do the We should be able to GET BY WITH
Get by with
job. three PCs, but four would be better.
Make someone depressed, unhappy, The miserable weather in winter
Get down
exhausted, etc.. really GETS me DOWN.
I couldn't GET DOWN everything he
Get down Write, record.
said.
The medicine tasted horrible and it
Get down Manage to swallow.
was difficult to GET it DOWN.
The trained pulled in and we GOT
Get down Descend, leave a vehicle.
DOWN.
When they had finished dinner, the
Get down Leave the table after eating. children asked if they could GET
DOWN.
The doctor says I my GET my
Get down Reduce.
cholesterol levels DOWN.
They GOT DOWN at the party last
Get down Have an affair or sexual relations.
week.
Get down My mother used to GET DOWN ON
Criticise.
on us for not doing enough homework.
I find it extremely difficult to GET
Get down
Start working seriously. DOWN TO doing any revision for
to
examinations.
Get down People were GETTING DOWN TO
Enjoy something a lot.
to the concert.
The air conditioning has broken
Arrange for someone to do a job in
Get in down; we'll have to GET a technician
your home, workplace, etc.
IN to fix it.
Get in Arrive (train, plane, etc.). Her plane GETS IN at 2am our time.
She didn't GET IN till well after
Get in Arrive home. twelve o'clock because she'd been
out for a few drinks with her mates.
Get in Enter a car or taxi. The taxi pulled up and we GOT IN.
We need to GET some coffee IN;
Get in Buy or obtain supplies, like food.
we're completely out.
I GOT IN late today because the
Get in Arrive at work, school, home.
train broke down.
Get in Enter a building or place. I borrowed her pass to GET IN.
The government GOT IN with a very
Get in Be elected.
small majority.
I couldn't GET a word IN throughout
Get in Manage to say or do.
the meeting.
He did badly in the entrance exam
Get in Be admitted to a university, club, etc.
and didn't GET IN.
It's raining; I'd better GET the
Get in Bring inside a place.
washing IN.
We have to GET the forms IN by the
Get in Submit, apply.
end of this week.
Get in Pay for drinks. He GOT the drinks IN.
The company tried to GET IN ON our
Get in on Become involved.
market.
I tried to GET IN WITH them as I
Get in with Become friendly with, ingratiate with.
thought it would help me at work.
She's been GETTING INTO dance
Get into Become involved or interested.
music recently.
Become involved in something bad or He GOT INTO drugs when he was at
Get into
criminal. university.
She did well and GOT INTO
Get into Be accepted or admitted.
Cambridge University.
He GOT INTO the first team for
Get into Become or be accepted as a member.
football.
Start a habit or way of acting or It took me ages to GET INTO driving
Get into
behaving. on the left.
I couldn't GET INTO the boots; they
Get into Be small enough to wear something.
were too tight.
Get into Criticise. He GOT INTO me for doing it badly.
If you don't stop that right now, you'll
Get it Be punished or scolded.
really GET IT!
Get it off Have sex. They GOT IT OFF at the party.
Get it off She GOT IT OFF WITH her friend's
Have sex with.
with husband.
The talk was dull and nobody GOT IT
Get it on Become interested or excited.
ON.
Get it on Have sex. Did you two GET IT ON?
Get it on
Have sex with. Did you GET IT ON WITH him?
with
Get it Control things in your life to achieve If I don't GET IT TOGETHER, I will
together your aims. never reach my targets.
Get it They only GET IT TOGETHER at the
Begin a relationship.
together very end of the film.
He couldn't GET IT UP and felt very
Get it up Become aroused (of a man).
embarrassed.
He GOT OFF on a technicality and
Get off Escape punishment.
left the court a free man.
We GOT OFF the bus and walked to
Get off Leave a bus, train, etc..
my house.
Get off Finish, leave work. I like to GET OFF early on Fridays.
We need to GET OFF early to avoid
Get off Start a journey.
the rush hour traffic.
I can't GET the kids OFF because of
Get off Help a baby or child sleep.
the noise from next door.
Get off Orgasm, have sex. We GOT OFF last night.
She GOT OFF a few shots before
Get off Manage to fire a gun.
she was arrested.
Let me know when he GETS OFF
Get off Stop talking on the phone.
the phone as I need to make a call.
I GOT three emails OFF before the
Get off Write or send letters, messages, etc.
meeting.
She GOT OFF some jokes at the
Get off Say or write something funny.
start of her presentation.
A way of expressing disbelief, or
I knew he was lying so I told him to
Get off it telling someone that they're wrong or
GET OFF IT.
have an incorrect opinion.
He GETS OFF ON crystal meth
Get off on Enjoy a drug.
every night.
She GETS OFF ON her power over
Get off on Become excited by.
us.
Get off withHave casual sex with. He GOT OFF WITH her at the party.
If he bothers you, just tell him where
Get off! Don't touch, leave alone.
to GET OFF.
The teacher asked the pupils to GET
Get on Continue doing something. ON with some work quietly as she
had to leave the classroom.
We GOT ON the train at Plymouth
Get on Enter a bus, train, plane, etc..
and went up to London.
Make progress, deal with something How are you GETTING ON with your
Get on
with a reasonable degree of success. Spanish lessons?
Get on Have a good relationship. We have always GOT ON well.
He's GETTING ON now and doesn't
Get on Become old, age.
work so hard.
I must get home now; it's GETTING
Get on Be late or near an arranged time.
ON.
I have put so much weight on that I
Get on Wear, fit.
couldn't GET my old suits ON.
 I must be GETTING ON; I have other
Get on Leave.
things to do this evening.
He's always GETTING ON AT me
Get on at Criticise unfairly.
when I haven't done anything wrong.
Get on for Be near a time. It's GETTING ON FOR midnight.
It took the authorities a long time to
Get on to Start to suspect.
GET ON TO the gang.
Fortunately, I GET ON WITH my
Get on with Have a good relationship.
boss.
She told us to GET ON WITH our
Get on with Continue or start doing something.
work.
We didn't GET ONTO the third item
Get onto Start discussing a topic.
on the agenda.
Get onto Be elected, appointed. He didn't GET ONTO the committee.
He GOT ONTO every major channel
Get onto Appear on the radio or TV.
after the accident.
Contact someone because you need We'd better GET ONTO someone to
Get onto
or want them to do something. fix this.
She GOT ONTO the plane just
Get onto Enter a plane, train, etc.
before it took off.
Leave the house to visit place and She doesn't GET OUT much now
Get out
socialise. she has her baby.
Become known when people want it The truth GOT OUT despite the
Get out
to remain secret. injunction on reporting the case.
The dog GOT OUT because I left the
Get out Leave a place, escape.
door open.
Remove something from where it is I GOT the car OUT so that we could
Get out
stored to use it. load up the suitcases.
I spilled some red wine on my carpet
Get out Remove dirt or something unwanted.
and can't GET the stains OUT.
Publish, make available for the public We have to GET the report OUT by
Get out
to see or buy. the end of the month.
He was so upset he couldn't GET the
Get out Say what you want when it is difficult.
words OUT.
I said I wasn't feeling well and GOT
Get out of Avoid doing something you dislike.
OUT OF the extra work.
We GOT OUT OF the taxi and paid
Get out of Leave a car, van, etc..
the driver.
If you GET OUT OF a routine, it can
Get out of Stop a regular activity or habit.
be hard to start again.
Make someone confess or tell the The police couldn't GET any
Get out of
truth. information OUT OF him.
Make someone give something to Did you GET a refund OUT OF the
Get out of
you. travel agency?
Derive pleasure or benefit from She's GETTING a lot OUT OF her
Get out of
something. university course.
 Help someone avoid doing I GOT him OUT OF having to work at
Get out of
something. the weekend.
Get out! Expression of disbelief. 'I got 100% on the test.''Get out!'
It took me ages to GET OVER the
Get over Recover from something, feel better.
bout of flu.
It took us a long time to GET OVER
Get over Solve, find a solution. the problems with the computer
system.
Communicate, make people He makes jokes to help GET his
Get over
understand. message OVER.
Be shocked or surprised that I couldn't GET OVER how much
Get over
something if real or true. weight he had put on.
We couldn't GET OVER the river
Get over Get to the other side.
because of the floods.
He said he needed help and ask me
Get over Come somewhere.
to GET OVER as soon as I could.
Do something unpleasant that has to I GOT the test OVER WITH rather
Get over
be done rather than delaying it any than have to worry about it any
with
more. longer.
I don't want this to GET ROUND, so
Get round Become known.
please keep it to yourself.
We're nearly ready, but there are few
Get round Find a solution. little problems we have to GET
ROUND before we finish.
It always takes me ages to GET
Get round
Finally manage to do something. ROUND to writing letters. (In
(around) to
American English 'around' is used)
She didn't want to let me do it, but I
Get round succeeded in GETTING ROUND her.
Persuade someone.
(or around) (In American English 'around' is
used)
Get I tried calling her mobile phone, but I
Contact.
through couldn't GET THROUGH.
Get He GETS THROUGH two bottles of
Consume.
through wine a day.
I'm going to take some work home
Get
Finish. because I haven't managed to GET
through
THROUGH it all today.
Get My car didn't GET THROUGH its
Succeed in an exam or test.
through inspection.
Get Help someone or something succeed My teacher GOT me THROUGH the
through or pass a test or exam. exam.
We will have to be careful with our
Get Endure or deal with a difficult
money to GET THROUGH the
through experience.
month.
Get Be accepted or passed (laws, If the proposal GETS THROUGH, it'll
through proposals, etc). make things much better for us.
Get The water GOT THROUGH the roof
Manage to pass.
through and damaged the carpets.
Get The message didn't GET
Arrive.
through THROUGH.
Get I explained it carefully, but I just
Make someone understand.
through to couldn't GET THROUGH TO him.
Get I rang but couldn't GET THROUGH
Contact, especially by phone.
through to TO her.
Get If they win, they'll GET THROUGH
Reach a stage in a competition.
through to TO the quarter finals.
Don't let her GET TO you; she's just
Get to Annoy, irritate.
in a bad mood.
When I GET TO it, I'll look at the
Get to Arrive.
matter carefully.
We asked him to GET TO the point,
Get to Start discussing a topic.
but he just waffled away.
Last June I GOT TO visit
Get to Have the opportunity to do something.
Stonehenge.
Get We GOT TOGETHER in the pub for
Meet socially.
together a drink.
I GET UP at seven o'clock on
Get up Get out of bed. weekdays, but lie in till noon at the
weekend.
They GOT UP a list of two hundred
Get up Organise. people who were opposed to the
local council's plans.
The children are always GETTING
Get up to Do something wrong or naughty.
UP TO some trouble or other.
They GHOSTED him AWAY to a
Ghost Remove someone secretly of
secret location before he could be
away discreetly.
arrested.
The candidates tried to GIN UP
Gin up Boost, increase or exaggerate. support at the straw poll by
transporting their supporters for free.
They tried to GINGER UP the party
Ginger up Make more lively.
to stop people leaving.
Entrust your daughter to her husband He GAVE his daughter AWAY and
Give away
through the marriage ceremony. told the groom to look after her.
She didn't GIVE anything AWAY
Give away Tell a secret, often unintentionally. about the party so it came as a
complete surprise to me.
In this issue of the magazine, they
Give away Distribute something for free.
are giving away a free DVD.
Give without asking for or expecting He decided to GIVE his new album
Give away
payment. AWAY in a magazine.
 Give an advantage to your opponent
They GAVE AWAY two goals in the
Give away in a sport by making a mistake,
first half.
playing badly, etc.
Give an unwanted baby to people to She had to GIVE her baby AWAY as
Give away
bring up. she couldn't afford to bring it up.
The gang GAVE him AWAY to the
Give away Betray, report to authorities.
police.
Give a weight advantage to an He is GIVING AWAY thirty pounds to
Give away
opponent in boxing. the challenger.
I GAVE the money BACK that she'd
Give back Return something you've borrowed.
lent to me.
Return something that someone has Nothing could GIVE me BACK the
Give back
lost. way I felt before the scandal.
I couldn't finish the crossword puzzle
Stop doing something because it's too
Give in and had to GIVE IN and look at the
hard or requires too much energy.
answers.
The projects have to be GIVEN IN
Give in Submit homework, etc.. three weeks before we break up for
the end of term.
They GAVE IN when the police
Give in Surrender, accept defeat.
surrounded the building.
Offer or submit for judgement, They GAVE IN their complaint to the
Give in
approval. court.
The government says it will not GIVE
Give in to Agree to something you don't like.
IN TO terrorists.
Allow a feeling or desire to control Eventually, I GAVE IN TO my anger
Give in to
you. and screamed at them.
Criticise harshly or punish someone They really GAVE IT TO me for
Give it to
for something. forgetting to turn up.
Give it up Please GIVE IT UP FOR our next
Applaud.
for guest.
Give it up Please GIVE IT UP TO our next
Applaud.
to guest.
Contribute without expecting anything He GIVE OF his free time to help the
Give of
in return, usually time or money. club.
The police stopped the van because
Emit pollution or something else
Give off it was GIVING OFF a lot of black
unpleasant.
smoke.
Behave in a way that makes people
Give off She GIVES OFF an air of nobility.
think of you in a certain way.
The company is GIVING OFF all
Give off Expand.
over the country.
Give off Follow or take one of 2 or more A particular application of a
branches (instructions, in machine processing code can be GIVEN OFF
code) in writing a computer program while requiring minimal run-time
(using system software for a support.
 programming language).
Open into a place, for a door or The French windows GIVE ONTO
Give onto
window. the lawn.
Somebody was GIVING leaflets OUT
Give out Distribute.
in front of the underground station.
I'd been having trouble with my
Stop working, through age or
Give out laptop and it finally GAVE OUT at the
overuse.
weekend.
The water GAVE OUT after a week
Give out Have no more of a supply.
in the desert.
They GAVE the names of the
Give out Make public.
winners OUT last night.
The factory GIVES OUT a lot of
Give out Emit.
fumes.
The path GIVES OUT halfway
Give out End or finish somewhere.
around the lake.
Give out Make a sound or noise. She GAVE OUT a moan.
Read the wordings of a hymn or
Give out psalm aloud for congregational He GAVE OUT the psalm.
singing.
Stop doing something bad or They were making a lot of noise so I
Give over
annoying. told them to GIVE OVER.
We've GIVEN the premises OVER to
Give over Entrust, pass on responsibility.
the new company.
The police told the rioters to GIVE
Give over Stop an activity.
OVER.
Give over He GAVE himself OVER TO finding
Dedicate, devote.
to his son.
Give over After her death, they GAVE control of
Transfer responsibility.
to the estate OVER TO her niece.
They've doubled your salary- GIVE
Give over! An expression of disbelief.
OVER!
Stop doing something that has been a I GAVE UP taking sugar in tea and
Give up
habit. coffee to lose weight.
She GAVE UP all her school friends
Give up Stop being friendly, end relationships.
when she went to university.
I have GIVEN UP trying to help
Give up Stop doing something.
them.
I can't think of the answer; I GIVE
Give up Surrender, stop trying.
UP.
Sacrifice or dedicate time, etc, to I GAVE UP all my free time to the
Give up
something. project.
Allow someone to sit in your chair, I GAVE UP my seat to a pregnant
Give up
take your place, etc. woman.
Allow or give away a run while He has GIVEN UP 14 earned runs in
Give up
pitching (baseball). 14 innings.
 I GAVE UP ON them when I heard
Lose faith in or stop believing in
Give up on what they were saying about me
something or someone.
behind my back.
I have GIVEN UP ON them; they
Give up on Stop feeling hope.
never do what they promise.
He GAVE his accomplices UP TO
Give up to Denounce, report to authorities.
the police.
Give way Stop to allow vehicles to pass. You must GIVE WAY at this junction.
The dam GAVE WAY when the
Give way Collapse, break.
floods rose.
Give way Don't GIVE WAY TO your worst fears
Yield, surrender, retreat.
to about this.
Give way
Relinquish position or ascendancy. Night GIVES WAY TO day.
to
Give way Be replaced by something better, Cottage industries GAVE WAY TO
to cheaper, more modern, etc. the big companies.
Give way You must GIVE WAY TO oncoming
Allow a vehicle to pass in front.
to traffic.
Give way He GAVE WAY TO his anger and
Surrender to strong emotions.
to started screaming at them.
Give The gang GAVE THEMSELVES UP
Surrender to the police or authorities.
yourself up last night.
Give
Dedicate time, energy, etc, to
yourself up He GAVE himself UP TO his job.
something.
to
The Minister tried to GLOSS OVER
Try to minimise the importance of
Gloss over the report that was critical of her
something.
department.
I know it was wrong and guilt has
Gnaw at Trouble, worry or annoy someone.
GNAWED AT me ever since I did it.
The government's dishonesty has
Gnaw at Harm gradually. GNAWED AT people's trust in
politicians.
Gnaw away Their behaviour GNAWED AWAY AT
Harm gradually.
at our trust in them.
How should I GO ABOUT telling her
Go about Deal with something.
the bad news?
A rumour is GOING ABOUT involving
Go about Circulate.
the Attorney General.
He WENT ACROSS to the
Go across Move to another side or place.
opposition.
The cat WENT AFTER the pigeon,
Go after Chase, try to get.
but it flew away.
If the decision GOES AGAINST me,
Go against Lose a decision or a verdict of a court.
I'll go bankrupt.
Go ahead Proceed. The construction of the bypass
 WENT AHEAD despite the protests
from environmentalists.
Go ahead We now intend to GO AHEAD WITH
Proceed.
with the final stage of the project.
I didn't really agree, but I WENT
Go along
Accept a decision or suggestion. ALONG WITH the decision because
with
I was in the minority.
Go along I plan to GO ALONG WITH them as
Accompany.
with far as Los Angeles.
A rumour is GOING AROUND about
Go around Circulate.
the Attorney General.
There aren't enough jobs to GO
Go around Be or have enough of something. AROUND for the numbers of people
graduating nowadays.
I WENT AROUND for dinner at their
Go around Visit.
house.
Attack or approach something with She WENT AT her dinner like she
Go at
vigour. hadn't eaten for days.
This drug should make the pain GO
Go away Leave a place or disappear.
AWAY.
He and I GO BACK a long way- we
Go back Have a long history.
were at school together.
Return to, start doing something We WENT BACK to work after the
Go back
again. break.
The government have GONE BACK
Go back on Break a promise.
ON their promise not to raise taxes.
We can´t ignore what has GONE
Go before Precede. BEFORE and pretend that
everything has been OK.
The captain told the passengers to
Go below Leave the top deck of a ship.
GO BELOW when the storm started.
Ten years WENT BY before we saw
Go by The passing of time.
each other again.
Trust or depend on for correct Don't GO BY my watch; it's usually a
Go by
information. bit slow.
Nobody was at home when I WENT
Go by Pay a short visit, call.
BY yesterday.
The price of scanners has GONE
Go down Decrease, get smaller.
DOWN recently.
The Titanic WENT DOWN after it hit
Go down Sink.
an iceberg on its maiden voyage.
The sun WENT DOWN at seven
Go down Sunset.
o'clock.
He WENT DOWN for ten years for
Go down Be sent to to prison.
armed robbery.
Go down Become recorded as or known as. It WENT DOWN as the worst day in
 the history of the company.
Go down Be eaten or swallowed. The medicine WENT DOWN easily.
The boxer WENT DOWN in the
Go down Fall to the ground.
second round.
The police thought that a big crime
Go down Happen, take place.
was GOING DOWN that night.
The computer system WENT DOWN
Go down Stop working, especially computers.
for an hour last night.
The lights WENT DOWN and the
Go down Become dimmer.
audience stopped talking.
Be received by people, in terms of
Go down My joke WENT DOWN very badly.
their reaction.
Go down
Perform oral sex. He WENT DOWN ON her.
on
Chelsea WENT DOWN TO Arsenal
Go down toBe defeated.
in a thrilling game.
Go down
Fall ill. She WENT DOWN WITH a virus.
with
Do you think the scheme will GO
Go down
Find acceptance. DOWN WITH the farmers in the
with
area?
The neighbour's dog WENT FOR the
Go for Attack.
postman and bit him.
Go for Be attracted to. She tends to GO FOR guys like him.
I'll GO FOR the soup of the day,
Go for Choose, select.
followed by the duck.
The player WENT FOR the ball but
Go for Try to get.
missed.
The play didn't have much GOING
Go for Have something favourable.
FOR IT and we left halfway through.
It's a couch that also GOES FOR a
Go for Pass for or serve as.
bed.
Be assertive and ready to initiate He was not always successful, but
Go for it action.(Related to the meaning whatever he tried to do he would
'attack'). always GO FOR IT.
He WENT FORTH and found a wife
Go forth Leave a place.
in another city.
They WENT FORTH to spread the
Go forth Travel abroad, leave a place.
word of the new religion.
The clocks MOVE FORWARD an
Go forward Move clocks ahead.
hour on Sunday.
The top three teams GO FORWARD
Go forward Progress.
to the next round.
Go to hospital for treatment, surgery, He WENT IN for a triple bypass
Go in
etc.. operation two days ago.
Go in Fit. The cable GOES IN here.
 Disappear, become obscured by a
Go in The sun has GONE IN.
cloud.
Go in Attack. The troops WENT IN at dawn.
He WENT IN FOR the photography
Go in for Enter a competition or sit an exam.
prize, but didn't win.
I don't GO IN FOR the claims being
Go in for Support, advocate.
made about blogging.
Go in for Like, have an interest in. He GOES IN FOR classical music.
Have you thought about GOING IN
Go in for Make a career choice.
FOR teaching?
They're going to GO IN WITH the
Go in with Form a union or alliance.
Social Democrats.
Ask the other to GO IN WITH them
Go in with Join, enter.
on the plan
They refused to GO INTO exactly
Go into Discuss in some detail.
what was wrong.
Enter a profession, hospital, trade, She WENT INTO banking after she'd
Go into
market. finished university.
He WENT INTO a long attack on the
Go into Begin a speech or description.
way press had handled the issue.
A lot of time and effort WENT INTO
Go into Be dedicated or devoted.
this book.
Go into Be contained in a larger number. Five GOES INTO sixty 12 times
Shouting at the boss like that is
Go it Behave in a reckless way.
GOING IT.
After the traffic jam, he really WENT
Go it Move or drive very fast.
IT to make up time.
He prefers to GO IT ALONE rather
Go it alone Do something without help.
then working with the team.
The fire alarm WENT OFF because
Go off Explode (bomb), start ringing (alarm).
someone was smoking in the toilets.
The milk WENT OFF because I
Go off Go bad.
forgot to put it in the fridge.
I WENT OFF her when she lied to
Go off Start to dislike.
me.
Please don't GO OFF until we have
Go off Leave a place.
sorted this out.
Go off Take place, follow a plan or pattern. The party WENT OFF well.
Stop working (electric/electronic The lights GO OFF automatically
Go off
equipment). when the office is empty.
She WENT OFF WITH her friend's
Go off with Elope, run away with someone.
husband.
He WENT OFF WITH my credit
Go off with Steal.
cards.
He WENT ON and ON talking and I
Go on Continue.
was so bored.
 There are loads of people out in the
Go on Happen.
street; what's GOING ON?
She WENT ON the pill when she met
Go on Start doing or taking something.
him.
The investigators have no clues to
Go on Be guided.
GO ON.
It's GOING ON ten years since we
Go on Be nearly a certain period of time.
met.
They asked me how the project was
Go on Progress.
GOING ON.
Most of my salary GOES ON my
Go on Spend money.
mortgage repayments.
Start working (electric/electronic The alarm GOES ON when you
Go on
equipment). close the front door.
Go on He's always GOING ON ABOUT his
Talk too much.
about kids.
Pester, try to make someone do
He WENT ON AT his parents until
Go on at something by repeatedly asking or
they bought him the game.
suggesting.
We had dinner and WENT ON TO a
Go on to Proceed.
few bars.
Go on with Continue doing. Please GO ON WITH your work.
Go one A way of encouraging someone. GO ON, apply for the job.
The candle WENT OUT and left us in
Go out Stop burning, be extinguished.
darkness.
Go out Leave a place. He WENT OUT last night.
The workers WENT OUT for more
Go out Go on strike.
money.
Go out Become infashionable. That sort of tie WENT OUT last year.
Go out Move backwards, of a tide. The tide GOES OUT in the evening.
England WENT OUT in the second
Go out Be eliminated in a competition.
round.
The item WENT OUT on the news
Go out Be transmitted.
yesterday.
The newsletter WENT OUT last
Go out Be sent.
night.
Go out Intend. I didn't GO OUT to offend them.
Become a candidate, apply for She WENT OUT FOR a place on the
Go out for
something. team.
Our condolences GO OUT TO all the
Go out to Feel sympathy with someone. families who have lost people in this
tragic accident.
He's been GOING OUT WITH his
Go out withHave a relationship with.
girlfriend for around six months now.
We WENT OVER our notes before
Go over Look at something, revise.
the exam.
 I hadn't seen her for a while, so I
Go over Visit.
WENT OVER on Friday night.
Go over Be approved or accepted. My plans WENT OVER well.
Could you GO OVER that point
Go over Repeat or explain.
again, please?
I WENT OVER the living room with
Go over Clean. the vacuum cleaner before they
arrived.
I'm GOING OVER TO Hong Kong
Go over to Go on a journey.
next month.
She WENT OVER TO Islam when
Go over to Become converted.
she was living in the Middle East.
I used to drink beer but I have GONE
Go over to Change to something different.
OVER TO wine.
She WENT PAST me without saying
Go past Pass without stopping.
hello.
There aren't enough jobs to GO
Go round Be or have enough of something. ROUND for the numbers of people
graduating nowadays.
There's a nasty rumour GOING
Go round Circulate.
ROUND about them.
I WENT ROUND last night to see
Go round Visit.
them.
You wouldn't believe what I WENT
Go through Experience.
THROUGH when I was ill!
I WENT THROUGH my notes before
Go through Read again.
the exam.
I WENT THROUGH my desk looking
Go through Examine, search.
for the letter.
Do something in a certain way or You must GO THROUGH the proper
Go through
following certain procedures. channels to get the approval.
He WENT THROUGH his ideas
Go through Explain. twice but I couldn't really understand
them.
My divorce WENT THROUGH last
Go through Be approved formally or sanctioned.
week.
They said I could GO THROUGH the
Go through Enter.
exam room.
We WENT THROUGH a fortune on
Go through Consume or spend.
our holiday.
I WENT THROUGH my work in a
Go through Perform or carry something out.
daze after I heard the news.
Go through Do or complete something you've He did promise, but I doubt that he'll
with agreed to. GO THROUGH WITH it.
About half of my income GOES TO
Go to Allocate money.
pay the mortgage.
Go Drinking and driving don't GO
Harmonize or be compatible.
together TOGETHER.
The money WENT TOWARDS my
Go towardsContibute.
university fees.
Many small shops are GOING
Go under Go bankrupt. UNDER because they cannot
compete with the supermarkets.
She WENT UNDER a few minutes
Go under Lose consciousness. after they administered the
anaesthetic.
The ship WENT UNDER in a heavy
Go under Sink.
storm.
The price of petrol has GONE UP
Go up Rise or climb. sharply because of the increase in
duty in the Government's budget.
We WENT UP and asked them for
Go up Approach.
some information about the courses.
Skyscrapers are GOING UP
Go up Be built.
everywhere in the city centre.
A huge cheer WENT UP when the
Go up Be heard.
president arrived.
The top three teams GO UP at the
Go up Be promoted.
end of the season.
She WENT UP TO him and asked
Go up to Approach.
him if he wanted a drink.
She WENT UP TO Cambridge after
Go up to Attend a university.
she finished secondary school.
The book only GOES UP TO the
Go up to Reach.
start of the Second World War.
Go with Combine nicely. Does this tie GO WITH my shirt?
Go with Accompany. A lot of benefits GO WITH the job.
We're GOING WITH our original plan
Go with Accept, agree to.
in the end.
She's been GOING WITH him since
Go with Date, have a relationship with.
she was at university.
I had to GO WITHOUT lunch today
Go without Not have.
because I didn't have any time.
They're not coming, so we'll have to
Go without Cope without having something.
GO WITHOUT their help.
Goof We spent the weekend GOOFING
Fool around, not be serious.
around AROUND.
We GOOFED OFF for the afternoon
Goof off Avoid or leave work.
to watch the match.
Goof up Mess, spoil. They GOOFED UP our plans.
He GRASPED AT the rail when he
Grasp at Try to take hold of something quickly.
fell.
 Take an opportunity without They GRASPED AT the chance to
Grasp at
hesitation. speak to her.
Report someone to a person in He GRASSED ON us and got us into
Grass on
authority. a lot of trouble.
She didn't to GRASS them UP, even
Report someone to a person in
Grass up though they'd been bullying her
authority.
badly.
Disable a function in a computer They GREYED OUT the print button
Grey out program, leaving it visible but not to stop people using it.(In American
working. English, 'gray' would be used.)
Although I hated it, I GROUND
Grind away Keep working at something.
AWAY until I had finished.
Grind Reduce or destroy someone's
Their negativity GRINDS me DOWN
down enthusiasm.
Press or twist something hard into She GROUND her cigarette INTO
Grind into
something else. the ashtray.
Grind on Proceed relentlessly. The war GROUND ON for years.
He was still GRINDING ON about
Grind on Talk endlessly.
football when we left.
Produce something with great I find it very hard to GRIND OUT an
Grind out
difficulty. original essay every week.
She GROUND the beans UP and
Grind up Reduce to small pieces.
made some coffee.
Become distant, stop having a close
We used to be good friends at school
Grow apart relationship because time, distance,
but have since GROWN APART.
interests, etc, have changed.
Grow away I have GROWN AWAY FROM many
Become less friendly with.
from of the people I grew up with.
Nails GROW BACK quickly after you
Grow back Grow again.
cut them.
Grow from Result from a process. A lot GREW FROM the peace talks.
The jacket's a bit big, but she'll
Grow into Grow to fit large clothes.
GROW INTO it.
She's has GROWN INTO a lovely
Grow into Mature or change into.
person.
Develop or change over time to fit It may seem difficult at first, but you
Grow into
something. will GROW INTO the job.
Like something that you didn't like at The painting has GROWN ON me; I
Grow on
first. used to ate it.
Have a greater influence or degree of The plans sounded strange at first,
Grow on
acceptance. but they have GROWN ON me.
A feeling of distrust of them GREW
Grow on Become gradually more evident.
ON me.
Let hair, etc, with dyes, perms grow to
Grow out I'm letting the perm GROW OUT.
get rid of the style.
Grow out Grow too large for clothes. He GREW OUT OF those shoes in
of no time at all.
He was obsessed with computer
Grow out Lose interest as you grow older or
games but the he GREW OUT OF
of become more mature.
them.
The idea for the film GREW OUT OF
Grow out
Result or develop from. an accident that happened to the
of
director.
We GREW TO like the
Grow to Eventually do something.
neighbourhood.
Grow Gradually become attached, united or We GREW TOGETHER while we
together close. were working on the same project.
Grow up Mature, become adult. He GREW UP in the West Country.
Grow up Arise, emerge. The industry GREW UP very quickly.
Develop in a place or for a reason The town GREW UP as a trading
Grow up
(city, town, etc). post.
Grow up Do or have something when you are a
We GREW UP ON cartoons.
on child.
The book started slowly and was a
Like something that you didn't like at
Grow upon bit dull, but it has GROWN UPON
first.
me.
As we got nearer the date of the
Have a greater influence or degree of
Grow upon meeting, their idea GREW UPON
acceptance.
me.
A feeling of distrust of them GREW
Grow upon Become gradually more evident.
UPON me.
He's GUNNING FOR his rivals at
Gun for Try to destroy an opponent.
work.
Dress smartly or improve the They spent a fortune GUSSYING UP
Gussy up
appearance of something. the house.
I've been HACKING AROUND all
Hack
Waste time. morning because I can't get down to
around
doing any revision.
He HACKED INTO the government
Hack into Break into a computer system.
database and stole a lot of data.
He HACKS me OFF with his endless
Hack off Annoy.
complaining.
They HACKED the table UP and
Hack up Chop or cut into small pieces.
burnt it.
I HACKED UP a lot of phlegm while I
Hack up Expel by coughing.
was ill.
Perform or act in an excessive way to He HAMMED the part UP to get the
Ham up
attract attention or amuse people. audience to laugh.
Hammer She HAMMERED AWAY AT her PC
Work relentlessly.
away at all night and finished the project.
Hammer Repeat something over a period of
He HAMMERED the rules INTO me.
into time to make someone remember it.
 They HAMMERED OUT their
Hammer
Negotiate and reach an agreement. differences and got the contract
out
signed.
The police officer checked my
Hand back Return.
licence, then HANDED it BACK.
The jewellery has been HANDED
Hand down Pass on to the next generation.
DOWN in my family for generations.
The court HANDED DOWN its ruling
Hand down Give a formal decision.
yesterday.
I HANDED my homework IN late as
Hand in Submit work for appraisal.
usual.
I HANDED the job ON to a
Hand on Give to someone else.
colleague.
Transmit knowledge to the next The secrets have been HANDED ON
Hand on
generation. from generation to generation.
The teacher HANDED OUT the
Hand out Distribute.
worksheet to the class.
The robbers told the clerk to HAND
Hand over Give.
OVER all the money.
Spend time somewhere not doing They HANG ABOUT the station most
Hang about
much. of the day.
Hang Stop what you're doing and pay HANG ABOUT! We're not allowed to
about! attention to me. do this.
Hang They HANG AROUND the station
Stay in a place.
around most of the day.
When they raced towards the
Not move forwards to avoid doing
Hang back entrance, I HUNG BACK till it was
something.
less crowded.
Hang back They were HANGING BACK FROM
Delay or avoid doing something.
from making the final decision.
Hang in Were were doing badly, but we
Persevere, not give up.
there HUNG IN THERE till we finished.
I’m getting too old for this- I’m going
Hang it up Retire, quit.
to HANG IT UP starting next month.
Could you HANG ON for a moment
Hang on Wait.
till she's free.
The driver told the passengers to
Hang on Hold tightly.
HANG ON as the bus pulled off.
I HUNG ONTO my old records even
Hang onto Keep.
though I never played them.
He HANGS OUT in the pub The
Hang out Spend time socially.
Monarch; he's there most nights.
Hang out Wait or refuse to do something until She's HANGING OUT FOR a big
for you get what you want. raise.
I have a lot of financial problem
Hang over Worry or trouble.
HANGING OVER my head.
Hang Work together when things are We have to HANG TOGETHER if
together difficult. we're going to finish this project.
Hang up End a phone call. I lost my temper and HUNG UP.
A telesales person called, so I said
Hang up onEnd a phone call with someone. something rude and HUNG UP ON
them.
He has been HANGING WITH them
Hang with Spend time with.
for a few months.
I'm supposed to be on a diet and I
Hanker Want something a lot, especially if
can't stop HANKERING AFTER
after you shouldn't want it or can't have it.
some chocolate.
Want something a lot, especially if I have always HANKERED FOR a
Hanker for
you shouldn't want it or can't have it. soft-top car.
I was late twice last week and my
Harp on Talk repeatedly about something.
boss keeps HARPING ON about it.
Be jealous, abuse or have an active She HATES ON people who
Hate on
hatred of someone. disagree with her ideas.
Have Dislike, disagree or hold a grudge I HAVE nothing AGAINST their
against (Usually negative). proposals.
Have I HAD the neighbours AROUND for
Entertain someone in your home.
around dinner last night.
Have down Think of someone or something in a I HAD her DOWN AS a liberal, but I
as particular way. was very wrong.
Have a supply of something in a
Have in Do we HAVE any beer IN?
particular place.
We HAD the decorators IN last
Have in Get someone to do some work.
week.
We HAD them IN last night for
Have in Entertain people in your home.
dinner.
Have it Have sex with someone, especially She HAD IT AWAY with him last
away casual sex. Friday.
Have it in He has HAD IT IN FOR me since I
Hold a grudge.
for beat him last year.
Have it off Have sex. They HAD IT OFF after the party.
I'd been worried for ages, so I
Have it out Discuss or argue an issue to improve
decided to HAVE IT OUT WITH
with a situation.
them.
I HAD a couple of days OFF last
Have off Take time off work.
week to relax.
What did Jennie HAVE ON at the
Have on Be wearing.
party?
Have an electronic device switched
Have on I HAVE my computer ON all the time.
on.
I HAVE a lot of meetings ON next
Have on Have an arrangement.
week.
Have on Tease, deceive. They said they'd failed, but they were
 HAVING me ON.
I HAVEN'T any money ON me, but I
Have on Be in possession at a particular time.
can get some from the ATM.
Know something about someone that I HAVE a lot ON him because we
Have on
could harm them. used to work together.
Shall we HAVE them OVER for
Have over Receive a guest.
dinner?
I HAD a few friends ROUND
Have roundEntertain someone in your home.
yesterday.
They HAD him UP for armed
Have up Make someone appear in court.
robbery.
It's getting late- I'm HEADING FOR
Head for Move or travel towards.
home.
Stop someone or force them to The sheriff and his men HEADED
Head off
change direction. the bandits OFF at the pass.
The company made a better offer to
Head off Prevent something bad happening.
HEAD OFF the moves for a strike.
Leave somewhere to go to another After work, we all HEADED OFF to
Head off
place. the pub.
We're HEADING OUT at seven, so
Head out Go out.
don't be late.
He's HEADING UP the steering
Head up Be in charge.
committee.
Have you HEARD ABOUT the
Hear about Get to know some information.
company takeover?
Receive a phone call, email, letter or I haven't HEARD FROM them since
Hear from
other communication from someone. we left university.
Know of something or someone's I've HEARD OF the band, but don't
Hear of
existence. know their music.
Receive news, updates or information I have HEARD nothing OF them
Hear of
about someone. since they moved house.
In the negative, this can mean that
I said it would be a positive step, but
Hear of someone refuse to accept, allow or
she wouldn't HEAR OF it.
acknowledge something.
Listen to everything someone has to I HEARD them OUT before I
Hear out
say. commented.
He HEATED the soup UP in the
Heat up Make food hot.
microwave.
She really HELPED me OUT when I
Help out Give assistance.
was going through my divorce.
Put something in a place where it They HID the money AWAY in secret
Hide away
won't be found. bank accounts.
Go or stay somewhere where you I'm renting a cottage where I can
Hide away
won't be found or away from people. HIDE AWAY for the summer.
Go or stay somewhere to avoid being The police think he's HIDING OUT in
Hide out
caught or found. the woods.
 Everything HINGES ON the results
Hinge on Depend very much or completely. of the negotiations; if they go badly,
we'll be in real trouble.
Be an essential point for the The film HINGES ON his not being
Hinge on
development of a story. recognised when he's in disguise.
Everything HINGES UPON the
Hinge uponDepend very much or completely. results of the negotiations; if they go
badly, we'll be in real trouble.
The president HIT BACK at her
Hit back Attack or criticise.
critics in a speech last night.
Get someone to pay or donate They HIT the sponsors FOR a lot of
Hit for
money. money.
Have a good relationship from the first We HIT IT OFF immediately and
Hit it off
time you meet a person. became firm friends.
Hit it off Like someone from the first time you
I HIT IT OFF WITH her immediately.
with meet them.
Hit on Have an idea. I suddenly HIT ON the solution
Talk to someone to try to attract them She HIT ON him at the party and
Hit on
sexually. they went back to her house.
A beggar HIT ON me when I left the
Hit on Ask for money.
restaurant.
The government HIT OUT AT the
Hit out at Respond angrily to criticism.
media for their negativity.
Hit up Inject drugs. She's been HITTING UP for years.
He always tries to HIT me UP for
Hit up Ask someone for some money.
money when we meet.
He's been HITTING UP ON heroin
Hit up on Inject drugs.
for years.
It took us ages to HIT UPON a
Hit upon Have an idea.
solution.
Hit upon Try to attract someone sexually. He tried to HIT UPON her at the pub.
Surprise someone with some He HIT me WITH the details of their
Hit with
information or news. demands.
Separate part of a company or They HIVED OFF the retail
Hive off
service, often by selling it. operations.
Hold Have a grudge against someone, or He was very rude, but I won't HOLD
against little respect. it AGAINST him.
It was really hard to HOLD BACK the
Hold back Not show emotion.
tears.
Prevent something moving forwards Lack of funding HELD the project
Hold back
or progressing. BACK.
The government HELD BACK the
Not disclose information or make it
Hold back findings of the report for fear of
public.
alienating voters.
Hold back I had to HOLD BACK FROM losing
Not allow yourself to do something.
from my temper with them.
 He's so unreliable that he can never
Hold down Keep a job. HOLD DOWN a job for more than a
couple of months.
Stop someone or something from It took four of us to HOLD him
Hold down
moving. DOWN and stop the fight.
State your opinions about something,
The manager HELD FORTH on the
Hold forth especially when talking for a long time
topic for about twenty minutes.
and boringly.
The rain HELD OFF until we'd got
Hold off When bad weather doesn't appear.
back home.
Stop someone from attacking or Chelsea couldn't HOLD their
Hold off
beating you. opponents OFF and lost the game.
Could you HOLD ON for a minute;
Hold on Wait.
she'll be free in a moment.
We HELD ON as the bus started to
Hold on To hold tightly.
move.
I HELD ON TO my luggage while I
Hold on to Hold tightly. was waiting fr the taxi so that it didn't
get stolen.
It tried to HOLD ONTO my cash
during the holiday so I could buy
Hold onto Keep as long as possible.
some duty free stuff on the way
back.
The mother HELD ONTO her
Hold onto Hold tightly. daughter's hand to keep together in
the crowd.
When the enemy attacked, they
Hold out Resist.
HELD OUT for six weeks.
I HELD OUT my hand when she
Hold out Hold in front of you.
walked in.
The staff are HOLDING OUT
Hold out
Try to reject. AGAINST the plans to reduce the
against
workforce.
Wait for something better or refuse
Hold out We are HOLDING OUT FOR a much
something now for something better
for better deal than the one offered.
in the future.
He's been HOLDING OUT ON me
Hold out Not pay someone or give them
for weeks and I really need the
on information.
money.
The meeting has been HELD OVER
Hold over Delay.
till Friday.
It has been so successful that they
To continue something for longer than
Hold over have HELD it OVER for another
planned.
fortnight.
Hold The society managed to HOLD
Not break up.
together TOGETHER despite the crisis.
 I was HELD UP by the terrible traffic
Hold up Delay when travelling. and arrived half an hour late for my
appointment.
Two armed men HELD UP the bank
Hold up Rob with violence or threats thereof. in High Street this morning and got
away with £75,000.
Hold with Accept (usually negative). I don't HOLD WITH their plans.
They HOLED UP in a remote cottage
Hide to avoid detection or an
Hole up while the police were searching for
unpleasant situation.
them.
The government is HOMING IN ON
Home in on Target.
benefit fraud.
The company HONED IN ON its rival
and tried to take it over.(Some
Hone in on Target, focus.
consider this verb to be wrong and
that is confused with 'home in on.)
Persuade someone to do something She HOOKED them INTO coming
Hook into
they don't want to do. after all.
Hook up Meet someone. We HOOKED UP at the conference.
He's HOOKED UP TO a ventilator in
Hook up to Connect to a machine.
the hospital.
He was HOONING AROUND in his
Hoon Act in a dangerous or reckless way,
new car last night and the police
around especially when driving fast.
pulled him.
The class were HORSING AROUND
Horse
Not be serious. when the teacher came in and told
around
them to sit down.
Use a hose to wet, clean or wash
Hose down They HOSED the patio DOWN.
something.
Invest heavily in or throw a lot of They have HOSED DOWN an
Hose down
money at something. obscure start-up up with capital.
Force someone out of a place, job, The press HOUNDED the minister
Hound out
position, etc.. OUT after the scandal broke.
Hover She was HOVERING AROUND to
Move about a place.
around see what we were talking about.
Hunker Settle in a place as comfortably as The troops HUNKERED DOWN in
down possible to stay there. the building.
Search for someone to punish or kill The police HUNTED the killer
Hunt down
them. DOWN.
It took me ages to HUNT OUT the
Hunt out Search until you find something.
photos.
Search for and manage to find He HUNTED UP a copy the book in
Hunt up
something. the British library.
The company tried to HUSH UP the
Try to keep something bad from
Hush up scandal, but it still got into the
becoming widely known.
newspapers.
 The management team IRONED
Remove small problems or
Iron out OUT the tax problems before they
irregularities.
gave the project the OK.
New initiatives ISSUE FORTH from
Issue forth Come out of a place.
the government on a daily basis.
They started JABBERING AWAY
Jabber
Talk fast or incomprehensibly. about file systems and lost me
away
completely.
Jack Make trouble for someone, fail to Don't listen to him- he always JACKS
around keep promises. people AROUND.
I JACKED my job IN because my
Jack in Quit, give up.
boss refused to give me a raise.
Raise a car to be able to do We JACKED the car UP and
Jack up
mechanical work. changed the tyre.
They have JACKED UP the price of
Jack up Increase sharply.
oil this month.
Jack JAMMED ON the brakes when
Jam on Apply or operate something forcefully.
the rabbit ran in front of his car.
That shows that your interest is not
Talk just for the point of talking rather
Jaw away in helping the student, but in
than having anything to say.
JAWING AWAY.
The show was getting stale so they
Make something more interesting or
Jazz up JAZZED it UP with some new
attractive.
scenes.
Jerk Cause someone trouble, treat He was JERKING us AROUND and
around someone badly. wouldn't give us the facts.
Jerk They were JERKING AROUND
Behave stupidly.
around during the lecture.
You should get your work done and
Jerk off Waste time doing unimportant things.
stop JERKING OFF.
Joke He's always JOKING AROUND in
Be funny, or try to.
around class.
I JOTTED DOWN her number on a
Jot down Make a quick note.
scrap of paper and I can't find it now.
Make something more exciting or I need to buy some memory to
Juice up
perform better. JUICE my computer UP.
I'd JUMP AT the chance to go and
Jump at Accept eagerly.
live in Japan.
He JUMPED IN and told them
Jump in Enter a conversation.
exactly what he thought.
The IPO JUMPED OFF on the first
Jump off Start quickly, often well.
day.
Everyone JUMPED ON me when I
Jump on Criticize, attack.
raised the issue.
The boat KEELED OVER in the
Keel over Turn upside down.
storm and the crew drowned.
 He was going to confront his boss,
Keel over Surrender, give in. but KEELED OVER and didn't
mention the matter.
The drunk KEELED OVER when
Keel over Fall to the ground.
trying to leave the pub.
Keep I KEEP a dictionary AROUND when
Keep something near you.
around I'm doing my homework.
She found the course hard but she
Keep at Continue with something difficult. KEPT AT it and completed it
successfully.
Medicines should always be KEPT
Keep away Don't allow someone near something.
AWAY from children.
The police told the crowd to KEEP
Keep back Maintain a safe distance.
BACK from the fire.
The food was so horrible that I
Keep down Not vomit.
struggled to KEEP it DOWN.
I couldn't KEEP FROM arguing with
Keep from Control yourself, refrain.
her.
The teacher KEPT the students IN
Keep in Not allow someone out. after school because they had
misbehaved.
She KEPT OFF the subject of her
Keep off Not talk about.
divorce.
KEEP OFF the grass in the park,
Keep off Not tread on something.
please.
He KEPT ON trying and succeeded
Keep on Continue.
in the end.
The police KEPT the demonstrators
Keep out Not allow someone to enter.
OUT of the building.
Keep to Stay within limits. Please KEEP TO the path.
My neighbours KEPT me UP till after
Keep up Not let someone go to bed.
4 am with their loud music last night.
First I phoned you and left a
message that you should phone me;
then you phoned and I was out, so
Keep up Maintain a continuous action, persist.
you left a message; then...! How long
can we KEEP this UP without ever
speaking to each other directly?
Learning a language is difficult, but if
Keep up at Continue, not quit. you KEEP UP AT it, you'll succeed in
the end.
Keep up He walks too fast and it's really hard
Move at the same rate.
with to KEEP UP WITH him.
Keep up Stay up to date. It's hard to KEEP UP WITH all the
with latest improvements and
breakthroughs in technology
 nowadays.
I need to KEY DOWN before I go to
Key down Relax, unwind.
bed.
Enter numbers or information into a It took me ages to KEY IN all the
Key in
computer or electronic system. information into the database.
They KEYED IN ON the person they
Key in on Focus attention on, single out.
believed had done it.
We will KEY ON the opposing team's
Key on Target, focus on (sport).
lack of skills on defense.
Plan things to fit or suit people or Promotions are KEYED TO people's
Key to
situations. abilities.
Key up Make someone excited or nervous. The noise got us KEYED UP.
We KICKED the idea ABOUT at the
Kick about Discuss.
meeting.
Kick
Discuss. We KICKED the idea AROUND.
around
Kick I used to KICK AROUND WITH
around Spend time with. them, but haven't seen them for a
with while.
I had to KICK ten percent BACK to
Pay someone illegally as part of the
Kick back the government official to get the
price.
contract.
They KICKED BACK when we
Kick back Resist.
suggested downsizing.
Rather than go out tonight, we plan
Kick back Relax.
to KICK BACK and watch television.
Kick down Break something with your feet. The police KICKED the door DOWN.
Her hayfever didn't feel half as bad
Kick in When a drug starts to take effect. once the antihistamines had KICKED
IN.
Kick in Break something with your feet. They KICKED his head IN.
I’ll KICK IN for some of the beer if
Kick in Contribute money.
you will buy the pizza.
The budget cuts are starting to KICK
Kick in Start having an effect.
IN and people are struggling.
The match KICKS OFF at three
Kick off Start a game of football.
o'clock.
He KICKED OFF last month when he
Kick off Die.
had a massive heart attack.
The fight KICKED OFF when he
Kick off When trouble starts.
insulted the guy's girlfriend.
Argue, protest and refuse to co- He started KICKING OFF big time
Kick off
operate. when the police tried to arrest him.
Kick out Expel. The family KICKED the au pair OUT
when they found out that she was
planning to move to work for another
 household.
My back KICKS UP when it gets
Kick up Cause trouble or pain.
cold.
Reduce or exterminate a population There used to be a lot of wolves
Kill off by hunting, pollution, development, around here, but most of them have
etc.. been KILLED OFF.
Sleep away from your home, often It's too late to get the train, so can I
Kip down
without planning to. KIP DOWN here tonight?
Kip down There were so many of us that we
Sleep on something other than a bed.
on had to KIP DOWN ON the floor.
He was bugging us, so we told him
Kiss off Used to tell someone to go away.
to KISS OFF.
Consider something to be
Kiss off He KISSED the criticism OFF.
unimportant or inferior.
He's a creep and is always KISSING
Kiss up to Try to get into someone's favour.
UP TO the director.
Knock He KNOCKED his brother ABOUT
Beat someone.
about after they argued.
Knock We KNOCKED the idea AROUND a
Discuss casually.
around bit, but decided not to bother.
Knock Your holiday must have KNOCKED
Cost someone a lot of money.
back you BACK a bit.
Knock Finish a drink quickly, drink a lot of The pub was closing so we
back alcohol. KNOCKED our drinks BACK and left.
Knock It really KNOCKED me BACK when I
Shock.
back heard they had been killed.
They KNOCKED DOWN the old
Knock
Demolish. church and built a block of flats in its
down
place.
Knock The car KNOCKED her DOWN and
Hit and injure someone.
down she broke her arm.
Knock it The were making too much noise, so
Stop doing something annoying.
off! I told them to KNOCK IT OFF.
We KNOCKED OFF early on Friday
Knock off Finish work for the day.
to avoid the rush hour queues.
They KNOCKED ten pounds OFF
Knock off Reduce the price of something.
when I asked for a discount.
Reduce the time required to do The new road KNOCKS an hour
Knock off
something. OFF the journey.
Knock off Steal. He KNOCKED it OFF and sold it.
I KNOCKED the essay OFF in an
Knock off Produce or create something quickly.
hour.
The reigning middleweight champion
Knock out Hit and make somebody unconscious. KNOCKED OUT the challenger in
the fourth round of the fight.
Knock out Sell, distribute. They're KNOCKING hundreds OUT
 a day in the sales.
They KNOCKED TOGETHER two
Knock
Join houses that had been separate. outbuilding and turned them into a
together
home.
She got KNOCKED UP when she
Knock up Become or get someone pregnant..
was on holiday.
The teams KNOCKED UP for a few
Knock up Play a bit before a match to get ready.
minutes before the final.
They KNOCKED a model UP over
Knock up Produce or create something quickly.
the weekend.
I've got my exams next week and I
Knuckle
Make a great effort. haven't done much work, so I'd
down
better KNUCKLE DOWN.
The teacher made the students
Knuckle
Submit to authority. KNUCKLE UNDER and hand their
under
projects in on time.
He LANDED ME IN it when he told
Land in Get someone into trouble.
them what I had done wrong.
Arrive, end a journey in a place, often We set out for Manchester, but
Land up in
without planning. LANDED UP IN Liverpool.
He LANDED ME WITH the job of
Land with Create a problem for someone.
proofreading the whole thing.
Lap up Appreciate something. He LAPPED UP their praise.
They were LARGING IT UP in the
Large it up Have a good time when intoxicated.
rave.
The children made me angry
Lark about Behave in a silly way. because they were LARKING
ABOUT.
Lark The students wouldn't stop LARKING
Behave in a silly way.
around AROUND.
Enjoy yourself noisily and After they won, they went to a bar to
Lark it up
exuberantly. L ARK IT UP.
The rain was LASHING DOWN all
Lash down Fall heavily (rain).
day and the roads were flooded.
Secure something with ropes or We LASHED the tarpaulin DOWN to
Lash down
cords. stop the wind blowing it away.
He LASHED INTO them for messing
Lash into Criticise someone strongly.
thins up.
He LASHED OUT and broke the
Lash out Suddenly become violent.
man's nose.
He LASHES OUT when things don't
Lash out React angrily.
go his way.
I LASHED OUT in the sales last
Lash out Spend a lot of money on luxuries.
week.
Lash out The press has LASHED OUT
Criticise something strongly.
against AGAINST the policy.
 Hit someone suddenly, usually He LASHED OUT AT me when I
Lash out at
without warning, or try to hit them. laughed at him.
She LASHED OUT AT her
Lash out at Criticise someone or shout at them.
colleagues when she was sacked.
Lash out Spend a lot of money buying
I LASHED OUT a lot ON a new car.
on something.
They were lying, but it took her ages
Latch on Understand, often after a long time.
to LATCH ON.
Understand something, often after a The police didn't LATCH ON TO what
Latch on to
long time. the crooks were doing for years.
The gecko LATCHED ONTO the
Latch onto Connect to something.
ceiling.
Decide or realise that something is Oil companies have LATCHED
Latch onto
good or profitable. ONTO environmental ideas.
He LAUGHED OFF the sprained
Pretend something (an injury, news,
Laugh off finger but it obviously affected his
etc.) isn’t important.
golf game.
The rules of the sport were LAID
Lay down Establish rules or procedures. DOWN early in the nineteenth
century.
He got LAID DOWN in a turf war
Lay down Kill, murder.
about supplying drugs.
His partner LAID INTO him when he
Lay into Criticise angrily.
arrived two hours late..
The hotel LAID OFF twenty staff
Lay off Make an employee redundant.
because tourist numbers were down.
They LAID ON a buffet lunch at the
Lay on Organise, supply.
conference.
They LAID OUT thousands of
Lay out Spend money.
pounds on their wedding reception.
She LED HIM ON about her desire to
Lead on Falsely or cruelly raise hopes.
get married.
The investigation LED TO the arrest
Lead to Result in.
of a number of suspects.
The company's plans to close the
Leak out Become public knowledge. factory LEAKED OUT and they were
very embarrassed.
The government has denied
Put pressure on someone to get them
Lean on LEANING ON the Attorney General
to do what you want.
to get his approval of the war.
Leap at Take an opportunity enthusiastically. He LEAPED AT the chance to visit.
Show interest in or try to use They have LEAPT ON the
Leap on
something to your advantage. bandwagon to increase sales.
Her face LEAPT OUT AT me the
Leap out at Be very noticeable.
second I saw the photo.
Leap upon Show interest in or try to use They have LEAPT UPON a couple of
 errors in the document and want to
something to your advantage.
invalidate the agreement.
LEAVE the TV ON; I want to hear the
Leave on Not turn off.
football results.
He was LEFT OUT of the side
Leave out Not include. because he hasn't been playing too
well lately.
Disappoint, fail to keep an She failed to turn up and I felt badly
Let down
arrangement. LET DOWN.
He's grown so much, we'll have to
Let down Make clothes longer.
LET his trousers DOWN.
The doorstaff didn't LET him IN the
Let in Allow someone to enter. nightclub because he was wearing
jeans.
The judge LET him OFF with a fine
Let off Not punish. rather than a prison sentence since it
was his first offence.
I didn't mean to LET ON about the
Let on Tell a secret.
party; I just said it without thinking.
The convict was LET OUT of prison
Let out Allow to leave or go out. after serving five years of an eight-
year sentence.
He LET OUT a huge sigh of relief
Let out Make a sound.
when he heard the results.
I've put on so much weight that I'm
Let out Make clothes bigger.
going to have to LET my suits OUT.
The pilot LEVELED OFF at 5,000
Level off Stabilize the altitude of an airplane.
meters.
The pilot LEVELED OUT at 5,000
Level out Stabilize the altitude of an airplane.
meters.
Most days he would usually just LIE
Lie around Act in a lazy or unproductive way.
AROUND the house.
I'm going to LIE DOWN for a few
Lie down Rest.
minutes before we have to go out.
The decision about the contract LIES
Lie with Have the right to make a decision.
WITH the courts.
Leave the ground- rocket or
Lift off 5-4-3-2-1- we have LIFT-OFF!
spaceship.
When Zeke found out they were
Light out Leave suddenly. coming for him he LIT OUT for the
border.
Asif LIT UP as soon as he got out of
Light up Light or start smoking a cigarette.
the building.
They LIGHT UP the streets at
Light up Illuminate.
Christmas time.
Lighten up Be less serious. I told them to LIGHTEN UP but they
 continued complaining about it.
Do some exercises to warm up before
The team LIMBERED UP for a few
Limber up playing a sport or other physical
minutes before the game started.
activity.
Limber up Prepare for something that will require They are LIMBERING UP FOR the
for a great effort. end of the financial year.
The police got them to LINE UP
Line up Arrange in a line.
against the wall.
He LINED the bottles UP against the
Line up Arrange something in a line.
wall.
We have LINED UP a lot of meetings
Line up Arrange events for someone.
for them.
Link up Connect, join. The train LINKS UP the cities.
Link up Connect with someone or contact We LINKED UP WITH the firm over
with them. the web.
Listen out They put their coats on and
Listen for a particular noise or sound.
for LISTENED OUT FOR the minicab.
Pay attention (often used as a LISTEN UP, men! Here are your new
Listen up
command). assignments.
Follow a belief system to guide your
Live by He tries hard to LIVE BY the Bible.
behaviour.
If I fail the test and everyone else
Stop being embarrassed about
Live down passes, I'll never be able to LIVE it
something.
DOWN.
Believe something is extremely
Live for He LIVES FOR football.
important.
Live in the place where you work or The university has a residential halls
Live in
study.. where students can LIVE IN.
Have a good time by spending a lot of She's been LIVING IT UP like crazy
Live it up
money. since she won the lottery.
They find it hard to LIVE OFF the
Live off Use money earned.
money they make.
He’s 40 and he still LIVES OFF his
Live off Be financially supported.
parents.
Live on Use money for basic necessities. They have to LIVE ON $200 a week.
He's been dead for many years, but
Live on Not be forgotten.
his name LIVES ON.
She LIVED OUT her final years in a
Live out Stay somewhere until you die.
nursing home.
Many parents try to LIVE OUT their
Live out Fulfill an ambition or fantasy.
dreams through their children.
In my final year at university I LIVED
Not live at the place where you study
Live out OUT with some friends in a flat we
or work.
rented.
Live It was hard to LIVE THROUGH the
Experience different times.
through recession, but we managed it.
Live Have a relationship and live in the We LIVED TOGETHER for a few
together same place without marrying. years before we got married.
The concert didn't LIVE UP TO my
Live up to Meet expectations or standards.
expectations.
It's hard to LIVE WITH the pain of a
Live with Accept something unpleasant.
serious illness.
I LIVED WITH her for a couple of
Have a relationship and live in the
Live with years before the relationship went
same place without marrying.
sour.
I was LOADED DOWN with all the
Load down Burden.
stuff I had to take there.
Load up Take illegal drugs. He's been LOADING UP for years.
We LOADED the car UP and left for
Load up Fill a machine or vehicle.
our holiday.
Consume a lot of something for a The athletes LOADED UP ON
Load up on
particular purpose. carbohydrates before the race.
He LOCKED the gun AWAY in a
Lock away Lock in a safe place.
drawer.
Put someone in prison or a mental They LOCKED him AWAY for life
Lock away
hospital for a very long time. after the murders.
If you lock down your computer
Lock down Make very secure. properly, it is very difficult for people
to access it.
Lock a place to stop someone They LOCKED him IN the room until
Lock in
leaving. he had calmed down.
Commit someone in such a way that They are LOCKED IN now that they
Lock in
they cannot leave. have paid their subscription.
The missile LOCKED ONTO the
Lock onto Find a target and head for it.
plane and blew it out of the sky.
The management LOCKED the staff
Close a workplace to stop workers
Lock out OUT because they had turned down
entering.
the pay offer.
Lock a place to stop someone getting I lost my key and LOCKED myself
Lock out
in. OUT.
She LOCKED UP after everyone had
Lock up Close all doors, windows, etc..
left and went home.
Lock up Lock something in a safe place. I LOCKED my money UP in the safe.
Lock up Put in prison or a mental hospital. They LOCKED him UP for burglary.
Lock
Go somewhere away from people to I LOCK MYSELF AWAY for a few
yourself
study or work. weeks before exams.
away
Enter a restricted area on a computer I had forgotten my password and
Log in
system. couldn't LOG IN.
Enter a restricted area of a computer I LOGGED INTO the staff intranet to
Log into
system. check my email.
Log off Exit a computer system. When she'd finished working on the
 spreadsheet, she LOGGED OFF and
left the office.
He entered his password for the
Log on Enter a computer system.
college intranet and LOGGED ON.
Danny closed the programs and
Log out Exit a computer system. LOGGED OUT when it was time to
go home.
Their auntie LOOKED AFTER them
Look after Take care.
while their mother was in hospital.
Old people often LOOK BACK on
Look back Think about the past.
over their lives.
He LOOKS DOWN ON his
Look down
Have a low opinion of. colleagues because he thinks he's
on
better than they are.
I've been LOOKING FOR all their
Look for Try to find. hidden files, but I can't find them
anywhere.
Look Wait for or anticipate something I'm LOOKING FORWARD TO
forward to pleasant. meeting you.
Look in Make a quick visit. I'll LOOK IN on my way home.
I'm going to LOOK IN ON grannie on
Visit briefly to see if everything's all
Look in on the way home tonight as she's been
right.
a bit unwell recently.
We'll LOOK INTO the problem and
Look into Research, investigate. come back to you when we have the
information.
Watch something like a crime without The crowd just LOOKED ON as the
Look on
helping. old lady was mugged.
Look on as Consider, regard. I LOOK ON her AS a close friend.
LOOK OUT; you're going to drop
Look out Be careful.
that!
Look out Take care of someone, make sure She LOOKED OUT FOR her sister
for someone is cared for. when she started school.
Look out We we told to LOOK OUT FOR any
Keep alert and try to see.
for suspicious behaviour.
They came to LOOK the house
Look over Inspect.
OVER with a view to buying it.
We LOOKED ROUND the house and
Look roundInspect a house. decided that we didn't like it enough
to buy it.
Look
Read quickly. I LOOKED THROUGH the article.
through
The company is LOOKING TO
Look to Expect, hope.
increase its sales in Asia.
Look up Consult a reference work (dictionary, I didn't know the correct spelling so I
phonebook, etc.) for a specific piece had to LOOK it UP in the dictionary.
 of information..
Look up Improve. The economy is LOOKING UP.
I LOOKED him UP when I went back
Look up Find, trace an old friend.
to Cambridge.
Look up to Respect. She's LOOKS UP TO her mother.
Look upon
Consider, regard. I LOOK UPON him AS a close friend.
as
He was very shy at first but has
Loosen up Become more relaxed or comfortable. LOOSENED UP and is more
talkative now.
She loves to LORD IT OVER her
Lord it overBehave in a superior manner.
employees.
Many people LOST OUT when the
Lose out Be at a disadvantage.
new regulations were enforced.
Lose out Not gain or have something Because I left the company, I LOST
on advantageous. OUT ON my bonus.
People without IT skills often LOSE
Lose out to Be less successful.
OUT TO those with the skills.
We LUCKED INTO getting the
Luck into Get something by chance.
answer.
I really LUCKED OUT when I met my
Luck out Be very lucky.
partner.
He secretly LUSTS AFTER his
Lust after Be attracted sexually.
friend’s wife.
Lust after Want something very much. He LUSTS AFTER a Rolex.
He MAGICKED the bill AWAY and
Magic
Make something disappear quickly. paid for us all before I could get my
away
wallet out.
The police MADE AFTER the stolen
Make after Chase.
car.
Make away The thieves MADE AWAY WITH the
Steal.
with painting.
Make do Accept something less satisfactory There's no coffee, so we'll have to
with because there's no alternative. MAKE DO WITH tea.
We MADE FOR home when it
Make for Head in a certain direction.
started raining.
The low quality of the service MADE
Make for Produce a result or situation.
FOR a lot of dissatisfaction.
Change something into something Many churches have been MADE
Make into
else. INTO flats in recent years.
I thought you weren't coming, so I
Make it Arrive or get a result.
was really pleased you MADE IT.
Make it up Try to compensate for doing He tried to MAKE IT UP TO her, but
to something wrong. she wouldn't speak to him.
What do you MAKE OF your new
Make of Understand or have an opinion.
boss?
 They MADE OFF when they heard
Make off Leave somewhere in a hurry.
the police siren.
Make off Thieves MADE OFF WITH over a
Steal.
with million dollars in the robbery.
Please MAKE the cheque OUT to
Make out Make a cheque payable to somebody.
RGM Productions Ltd.
He MADE OUT that he was ill so that
Make out Pretend.
he didn't have to go to school.
How are your children MAKING OUT
Make out Progress.
at the new school?
They were MAKING OUT at the
Make out Kiss and pet.
party last night.
I can just MAKE OUT the outline of a
Make out Discern a small detail.
flying saucer in this photo.
Can you MAKE OUT what she's
Make out Be able to see or hear something.
saying?
Understand someone's nature or
Make out He's strange; I can't MAKE him OUT.
personality.
The beauty salon gave her a
Make over Change appearance.
MAKEOVER before the party.
Give money or possessions to She MADE OVER her property to
Make over
someone in a legal way. her children.
Make
Head in the direction. We MADE TOWARDS the centre.
towards
They are always arguing, but they
Make up Stop being angry with someone.
MAKE UP again very quickly.
She went to the bathroom to MAKE
Make up Put on cosmetics.
her face UP.
They MADE UP an excuse for being
Make up Invent a story.
late.
Make up I sent her a present to try to MAKE
Compensate.
for UP FOR my appalling behaviour.
The charity collected £24,517.57,
Increase a sum received to a higher
Make up to and the anonymous donor MADE the
figure.
total UP TO £25,000'
MAKE WITH the money you owe
Make with Give (usually used as an imperative).
me.
He MANNED DOWN and didn't
Man down Behave without courage or conviction.
come with us.
She told her anonymous critics to
Man up Behave with courage or conviction.
MAN UP and speak publicly.
Students who gave obviously
Give a student a lower grade for a rehearsed answers were MARKED
Mark down
particular reason. DOWN, while those who spoke
naturally were rewarded accordingly.
Mark down Reduce the price of something. I'll buy a lot more if you MARK them
 DOWN a bit.
I MARKED them DOWN AS
Mark down Consider someone or something to
conservatives, but they're very
as be of a certain group, type, etc..
liberal.
Tick, cross out or otherwise mark
I MARKED OFF the items on the list
Mark off something to show that it has been
as I finished them.
dealt with.
Mark out Draw lines to enclose an area. They MARKED OUT the pitch.
Mark out His dedication MARKED him OUT
Show promise for the future.
for FOR great things.
Mark out Stand out because of certain Her speed MARKS her OUT FROM
from qualities. the rest of the group.
They MARK the goods UP by 25%
Mark up Increase the price of something.
before they sell them.
Marry someone of the same ethnicity, Many religions encourage their
Marry in
religion, etc. followers to MARRY IN.
Her parents disowned her and
Marry someone of a different ethnicity,
Marry out refused to speak to her when she
religion, etc.
MARRIED OUT.
Crush something until it becomes a He MASHED UP some bananas for
Mash up
paste. the dessert.
Mix sources of audio, video or other She MASHED UP the songs into a
Mash up
computer sources.. single track.
He MASHED UP my MP3 player and
Mash up Break or damage.
lost my files.
Take something to the limit, reach a
Max out She MAXED OUT her credit cards.
limit.
The work doesn't look good if you
Measure
Evaluate or judge by comparison. MEASURE it AGAINST what our
against
competitors have done.
Measure Measure something and mark the The tailor MEASURED OFF the
off point where it ends or will be cut. material for my suit.
Measure He MEASURED OFF a metre of the
Mark a length on something to cut it.
off silk.
Measure Measure or weigh the amount He MEASURED OUT the flour for
out needed. the bread.
Measure She MEASURED OUT a hundred
Weigh or measure an exact amount.
out grammes of the powder.
Measure The estate agent MEASURED UP all
Find the size of something.
up the rooms.
She didn't MEASURE UP in her
Measure Be good enough, meet the required
probationary period, so we didn't
up standard.
extend her contract.
Measure They made her a director, but she
Be good enough.
up didn't MEASURE UP.
Measure Find out the size of something. They MEASURED UP the room.
up
Measure Be good enough or worthy of I hope to MEASURE UP TO the
up to something. confidence you have in me.
They MET WITH some problems
Meet with Have something happen to you.
they hadn't anticipated.
Heat something solid, especially They MELTED the gold statue
Melt down
metal, until it becomes liquid. DOWN and turned it into gold bars.
The children were MESSING ABOUT
Not be serious, not use something
Mess about with the TV remote control and broke
properly.
it.
He is always MESSING me ABOUT
Mess aboutTreat someone badly.
and never does what he promises.
He's not faithful- he's been
Have a sexual relationship outside
Mess about MESSING ABOUT since they were
marriage or a permanent relationship.
married.
Mess about Have a sexual relationship outside She's been MESSING ABOUT WITH
with marriage or a permanent relationship. another guy she knows from work.
The computer was working fine until
Mess about Try to improve something, usually
he started MESSING ABOUT WITH
with making things worse.
it.
I was MESSING AROUND on the
Mess
Not be serious, play with something. internet because I couldn't be
around
bothered to do any work.
She is always MESSING me
Mess
Treat someone badly. AROUND and never does what she
around
promises.
She's not faithful- she's been
Mess Have a sexual relationship outside
MESSING ABOUT since they got
around marriage or a permanent relationship.
married.
Mess
Have a sexual relationship outside He's been MESSING ABOUT WITH
around
marriage or a permanent relationship. a woman he works with.
with
Mess The computer was working fine until
Try to improve something, usually
around they started MESSING ABOUT
making things worse.
with WITH it.
They MESSED her OVER when she
Mess over Treat someone badly.
applied for the job.
They MESSED UP the discussions
Mess up Spoil or ruin.
and the contract fell through.
They MESSED UP the room and left
Mess up Make something untidy or dirty.
stuff all over the place.
Cause mental, physical or emotional He took a lot of LSD and it really
Mess up
problems. MESSED him UP.
Become involved in something
Mess with He's been MESSING WITH cocaine.
damaging or dangerous.
Mess with Annoy, bother. Don't MESS WITH me or there will
 be trouble.
He's been MESSING WITH some
Mess with Associate (negative).
dangerous people.
Try to repair or improve, usually She's been MESSING WITH it for
Mess with
unsuccessfully. hours and it still doesn't work.
Give people harsh punishments or They METED OUT savage penalties
Mete out
treatment. to anyone who broke the law.
There were a lot of people MILLING
Mill around Walk around without going anywhere.
AROUND waiting for the bus.
Not do something enjoyable or It'll be great; you'll be MISSING OUT
Miss out
rewarding. if you don't come.
Make sure you don't MISS anyone
Miss out Not include.
OUT when you call their names.
Miss out Trudy MISSED OUT ON the
Lose a chance, fail to achieve.
on promotion.
I always MIX those two sisters UP
Mix up Confuse.
because they look so like each other.
The DJ MIXED UP the night with
Mix up Make something lively.
some hard techno.
Make a model of something to show They MOCKED UP an example to
Mock up
or test it. show us what they would look like.
Moggy off Leave ('moggie off' is also used.). We MOGGIED OFF early.
The police officer told the drunks to
Monkey
Not be serious. stop MONKEYING AROUND and go
around
home quietly.
I MOOCHED ABOUT the whole
Mooch
Spend time doing little or nothing. afternoon because I didn't feel like
about
working.
Mooch I MOOCHED AROUND the house all
Spend time doing little or nothing.
around day.
He was left to MOP UP the mess
Mop up Resolve a problem.
after they resigned.
After the battle, it took them a couple
Kill or capture the last few enemy
Mop up of weeks to MOP UP the remaining
soldiers after a victory..
rebels.
The sauce was so delicious that I
Mop up Eat a sauce with bread to finish it.
ordered some bread to MOP it UP.
I used a cloth to MOP UP the coffee I
Mop up Remove a liquid that has been spilt.
had knocked over.
Mope She didn't get the job and has been
Move around being miserable.
about MOPING ABOUT all afternoon.
Mope He's been MOPING AROUND since
Move around being miserable.
around his girlfriend left him.
My debts MOUNTED UP while I was
Mount up Increase over time.
at university.
Mouth off Speak angrily about something. I always get angry and start
 MOUTHING OFF when the news is
on TV.
The construction can MOVE AHEAD
Move Make progress, often after a pause or
now that permisson has been
ahead delay.
granted.
The police told the people watching
Move alongTell someone to move from a place.
to MOVE ALONG.
Develop or progress in a reasonable The project's MOVING ALONG and
Move along
or satisfactory manner. everything should be ready on time.
Leave the area where you have been I MOVED AWAY when the factory
Move away
living. shut down.
Move away Stop doing or using something to They're MOVING AWAY FROM
from change to something different. Windows and are using Linux.
He was finding the course too
Move down Move a student to a lower level.
difficult so they MOVED him DOWN.
The house was empty for ages, but
Move in Start living in a place. some new tenants MOVED IN a few
weeks ago.
As he watched, the hyenas began to
Move in on Approach, often stealthily. MOVE IN ON the hapless
wildebeest.
They MOVED INTO the house as
Move into Start living in a place.
soon as it was ready.
She MOVED ON to another
Move on Change the subject or your job. company where the salary was
considerably better.
The police MOVED the crowd ON
Move on Make people move from a place. because they were holding up the
traffic.
She's tired of living there and is
Move out Leave a place you live or work in.
MOVING OUT.
The president said they would MOVE
Move out Remove.
the troops OUT next year.
Change lane or position to pass a
Move out I MOVED OUT to overtake the bus.
vehicle.
Move The government are MOVING
Make preparations for something.
towards TOWARDS free elections.
Could you MOVE UP and let me sit
Move up Move to make space.
down?
They MOVED her UP to senior
Move up Move to a higher level.
management.
Muddle If you're ambitious, you cannot
Continue without a clear aim or plan.
along MUDDLE ALONG.
Do or achieve something without
Muddle We didn't know what to expect and
knowing what is required or having a
through just MUDDLED THROUGH.
plan.
 Take things that are ordered or My cleaner MUDDLED UP my books
Muddle up
sequenced and mess them up. and I can't find anything.
Mistake a person or thing for
Muddle up someone or something else because I MUDDLE her and her sister UP.
they look similar.
Mug up Study quickly, revise. I have to MUG UP before the exam.
I need to MUG UP ON my history for
Mug up on Study something quickly, revise.
the test.
She said that she'd had to MULL IT
Mull over Think about an issue or problem.
OVER before deciding what was
Become involved in something when We tried to exclude him of the
Muscle in
your involvement is not wanted. committee, but he MUSCLED IN.
Become involved in something She MUSCLED IN ON the deal even
Muscle in
despite opposition to your though we wanted to do it without
on
involvement. her.
They are MUSCLING INTO our
Become involved even though there
Muscle into market and there is very little we can
is opposition to your involvement.
do to stop them.
They used their contacts in local
Use power, contacts, etc, to force
Muscle out government to MUSCLE the
someone out.
competitors OUT.
Get lost, go away (used as He was making a fuss, so I told him
Naff off
imperative). to NAFF OFF.
My boss is always NAGGING AT me
Repeatedly criticise someone
Nag at about my arriving a few minutes late
verbally.
for work.
They are having trouble NAILING
Nail down Succeed in getting, achieve.
DOWN the contract.
I can't NAIL DOWN what's wrong
Nail down Understand fully. with their idea, but I'm sure it won't
work.
I can't NAIL them DOWN about when
Nail down Get full information from someone.
they're going to finish the project.
I NAILED the job DOWN in the first
Nail down Succeed or achieve something.
interview.
Give someone a name to remember I was NAMED AFTER my uncle who
Name after
another person. died in the war.
I am not sure which university to
Narrow Remove less important options to
apply to, but I have NARROWED my
down make it easier to choose.
list DOWN to three.
I'm going to NERD OUT and not go
Nerd out Play safe and avoid taking a risk.
on the river trip.
I had to NERD OUT when they
Nerd out Discuss something in great detail. asked about conditionals and deontic
modality.
Nip off Go somewhere quickly. I'm NIPPING OFF to get some milk.
 She'll be back in a minute- she's just
Nip out Go somewhere quickly.
NIPPED OUT to the shops.
Nod off Fall asleep. I NODDED OFF during the speech.
Nod Pass a law, regulation, etc, without Parliament NODDED the bill
through considering or debating it seriously. THROUGH.
The police are NOSING ABOUT to
Nose about Look for something hidden or secret. see if they can find anything against
the gang.
Nose The boss keeps NOSING AROUND
Look around for evidence.
around our office when we are out at lunch.
Find out, discover- usually
Nose out He NOSED OUT their plans.
information, secrets, etc.
The other candidate NOSED him
Nose out Narrowly beat someone.
OUT by a few votes.
She NOTED DOWN my fax number
Write something short like a phone so that she could send me the
Note down
number for future reference.. documents when she got to the
office.
The management and unions had a
Nut out Find an answer to a problem.
meeting to NUT things OUT.
Didn't it OCCUR TO you to help me
Occur to Enter one's mind. when you saw how much trouble I
was in?
She hates to OPEN UP and discuss
Open up Start to talk freely about something.
her feelings.
They OPEN UP at seven in the
Open up Open a shop or business for the day.
morning.
Before they joined the WTO, they
Open up Allow goods into a market.
had to OPEN UP their markets.
She was OPERATED ON for eight
Operate on Perform surgery.
hours.
I OPTED FOR an endowment
Opt for Choose.
mortgage and lost a lot of money.
Choose to be part or a member of If you want them to notify you of
Opt in
something. updates, you have to OPT IN.
Choose to be a member or part of
Opt into I OPTED INTO the scheme.
something.
The UK OPTED OUT of a lot of EU
Opt out Choose not to be part of something. legislation on working hours and
conditions.
She OWES her success TO hard
Owe to Be the reason for something.
work and determination.
Nobody OWNED UP to breaking the
Own up Confess.
window.
I PACKED AWAY the suitcases in the
Pack away Put something where it belongs.
loft after we had emptied them.
Pack in Stop doing something. I'm trying to PACK IN smoking.
Pack in End a relationship. She PACKED her boyfriend IN.
They really PACK them IN at the
Pack in Fill a venue. club- it was so crowded it was
impossible to move.
The photocopier has PACKED IN
Pack in Break down, stop working.
again.
Stop doing something (used as an The kids were making a fuss, so I
Pack it in
imperative). told them to PACK IT IN.
His boss PACKED him OFF to a
Pack off Send someone away.
regional office.
Pack out Fill a venue. The stadium was PACKED OUT.
Pack up Stop doing something. You should PACK UP smoking.
We had nothing left to do, so we
Pack up Finish work.
PACKED UP early.
My printer PACKED UP last night- I'll
Pack up Break down, stop working.
have to get a new one.
Collect things and put them where At the end of the presentation, I
Pack up
you keep them. PACKED UP my laptop.
I'm too tired to come home; can I
Pad down Sleep somewhere for the night.
PAD DOWN here tonight?
Make a text longer by including extra I couldn't think of much to write, so I
Pad out content, often content that isn't PADDED the essay OUT with a few
particularly relevant. lengthy quotes.
They PAIRED OFF shortly after
Pair off Begin a romantic relationship.
starting university.
Introduce people, hoping they will I tried to PAIR him OFF with my
Pair off
start a relationship. sister.
The class PAIRED OFF to practise
Pair off Form pairs.
the exam interviews.
Pair off I PAIRED OFF WITH Trish for the
Form a pair with someone.
with test.
Pair up Form a pair. We PAIRED UP for the last activity
Be friendly and spend time with We used to PAL ABOUT when we
Pal about
someone. were at school.
Be friendly and spend time with
Pal around We PALLED AROUND at university.
someone.
We PALLED UP when I started
Pal up Become friends.
working with her.
Get someone to accept something He tried to PALM me OFF with a
Palm off
that isn't true. pathetic excuse.
Pretend something is better than it is He tried to PALM his computer OFF
Palm off
in order to sell it. as the latest model.
I don't know how things will PAN
Pan out The way a situation develops. OUT now the company's been taken
over.
 The government tried to PAPER
Try to conceal a problem without
Paper over OVER the problems in the proposal,
really fixing it.
but the press were very critical.
They have had to PARE BACK the
If you pare something back, you
Pare back services they offer as their funding
reduce the size or numbers..
was reduced.
They have PARED DOWN the
Pare down Reduce, decrease. number of employees as they
haven't been doing well.
I found it very hard to PART WITH
Give something away, especially
Part with my old CDs when I digitized my
when you don't want to.
collection.
Pass The teacher PASSED the handout
Give out to everybody there.
around AROUND.
Although not qualified, he managed
Pass as Be believed to be something.
to PASS AS a doctor for years.
Sadly, Georgia's uncle PASSED
Pass away Die.
AWAY yesterday after a short illness.
I felt awful when the teacher started
Pass back Return.
to PASS BACK the exam papers.
I was just PASSING BY when I saw
Pass by Go past without stopping.
the accident.
I was PASSING BY her house the
Pass by Visit briefly.
other day when I heard about it.
The chance for promotion PASSED
Pass by Miss an opportunity.
me BY.
The tales were PASSED DOWN for
Transmit information or give property
Pass down centuries without changing ay of the
to younger generations.
words.
You'd be surprised at what PASSES
Be accepted as something, usually
Pass for FOR good cooking in many
when not.
restaurants.
Convince something that something is I managed to PASS OFF the fake
Pass off
real. money in the market.
The demonstration PASSED OFF
Pass off Happen in a certain way.
peacefully.
I'll PASS the message ON when she
Pass on Give a message to someone.
gets here.
I think I'll PASS ON dinner tonight-
Pass on Decline an invitation or opportunity.
I'm not hungry.
Pass on Die. Her husband PASSED ON last year.
Let's PASS ON TO the next item on
Pass on to Change topic or subject.
the agenda.
He got so drunk that he PASSED
Pass out Faint, lose consciousness.
OUT.
Pass out Distribute. The protesters PASSED OUT leaflets
 to the growing crowd.
Ignore someone and give a job, They PASSED him OVER and made
Pass over
reward, etc, to someone more junior. his assistant the new director.
Let's PASS OVER what they said
Pass over Ignore, refuse to discuss.
and get on.
They PASSED ROUND copies of the
Pass round Distribute, give to people present.
handbook.
Pass Visit a place without stopping or only I didn't see much as I was only
through stopping briefly. PASSING THROUGH the town.
Give ownership or responsibility to The shares PASSED TO his
Pass to
someone. daughter when he died.
Become owner of or responsible for The property will PASS TO her when
Pass to
something. they die.
She PASSED UP the opportunity to
Pass up Decline a chance. go to university because she'd been
offered a job.
The police PATTED them DOWN for
Pat down Search or frisk someone.
weapons but found nothing.
Patch Create or assemble something They PATCHED TOGETHER a
together quickly without much planning. coalition after the election.
I tried to PATCH things UP after the
Patch up Fix or make things better. argument, but they wouldn't speak to
me.
Give an injured person basic medical After the accident, they PATCHED
Patch up
treatment. her UP and sent her to hospital.
I PAID BACK the twenty pounds I'd
Pay back Repay money borrowed.
borrowed.
I'm going to PAY him BACK for that
Pay back Take revenge on.
insult.
The British government can't PAY
Pay down Pay a debt over time.
DOWN the national debt.
Pay for Purchase. I PAID twenty pounds FOR the book.
Pay into Deposit money. I PAID the cash INTO my account.
The mortgage will be PAID OFF in
Pay off Completely repay a debt.
twenty-five years.
Their patience PAID OFF when he
Produce a profitable or successful
Pay off finally showed up and signed the
result.
contract.
The food wasn't very nice, so I
Peck at Eat very small amounts.
PECKED AT it to look polite.
Leave a group by moving in a Some of the crowd PEELED AWAY
Peel away
different direction. to get out of the crush.
Peel away Leave a group by moving in a They PEELED AWAY FROM the
from different direction. crowd and went down a side road.
Peel off Leave a group by moving in a When the police blocked the road, a
different direction. few protesters PEELED OFF and left
 the march.
They PEELED OFF FROM the
Peel off Leave a group by moving in a
demonstration when the police
from different direction.
arrived.
Fearing the police, he PEELED OUT
Peel out Accelerate rapidly from stationary.
in a cloud of tire smoke.
I PEGGED AWAY for weeks before
Peg away Keep working at something.
my exams.
We PEGGED the tent DOWN to stop
Peg down Fasten something to the ground.
the wind blowing it about.
After a long illness, she finally
Peg it Die.
PEGGED IT yesterday.
I PEGGED the washing OUT after it
Peg out Put washing outside to dry.
stopped raining.
He PEGGED OUT last night from a
Peg out Die.
heart attack.
I'll PENCIL Thursday night IN, but if
Pencil in Make a provisional appointment.
anything comes up, give me a ring..
Pep up Make something more interesting. You need to PEP your writing UP.
Make someone more enthusiastic,
Pep up Her talk PEPPED us UP.
energetic or interested.
She was ill in bed with flu, but she
Feel better or happier, make someone
Perk up PERKED UP a bit when some
feel better or happier.
friends dropped by.
Everyone was keen at first, but the
Peter out Lose impetus and stop. enthusiasm PETERED OUT when
they saw how long it would take.
They are PHASING IN the reforms
Phase in Introduce gradually.
over the next two years.
They have introduced a compact
edition of the newspaper and are
Phase out Remove gradually.
PHASING OUT the broadsheet
edition over the next few months.
I wasn't very hungry so I just
Pick at Eat unwillingly.
PICKED AT my food.
There were a few problems that
Pick at Criticise. could be PICKED AT, but it was
generally good.
There were many rebels against the
Pick off Target individuals to change a group. policy, but the government PICKED
OFF the leaders.
Bother, annoy, criticize or make fun of My friends always PICK ON me
Pick on
someone. because I don't sing well.
She PICKED OUT the ones she
Pick out Choose.
wanted to take and left the rest.
Pick out Identify from a picture. The victim couldn't PICK OUT her
 attacker from the photos the police
showed her.
Pick Search something that is disordered The police have been PICKING
through for something. THROUGH the wreckage for clues.
Sales PICKED UP a bit during the
Pick up Improve.
Christmas period.
She PICKED UP Spanish in six
Pick up Learn quickly.
months.
While you're in town, can you PICK
Pick up Collect. UP my trousers from the Dry
Cleaner?
When we rent a holiday cottage in
Pick up Receive (a broadcast). Cornwall, we can't PICK UP Channel
5.
Collect (a person). This differs from
the 'collect a thing' meaning - as that i) Can you PICK me UP and take me
means 'collect and bring back' to The George when you go to the
Pick up whereas this means either (i) 'collect party?ii) Can you PICK UP some
and drop off on your way' or (ii) friends of mine on your way to the
'collect and bring to the same party? They're going too.
destination'..
I always have to PICK UP AFTER
Pick up
Tidy a mess someone else has made. him because he leaves things all
after
over the office.
Correct someone when they say My teacher PICKS UP ON any
Pick up on
something wrong. mistake I make and corrects me.
Notice something that most people He's very quick to PICK UP ON new
Pick up on
don't. trends.
The government has PICKED UP
Pick up on React to something.
ON the reports in the media.
Comment on something said earlier in I'd like to PICK UP ON the point that
Pick up on
a conversation. Jill made.
Pick It took him a long time to PICK
Recover from a fall or problem.
yourself up HIMSELF UP after his wife left him.
Used to tell someone to get lost or He told them to PIG OFF and leave
Pig off
leave you alone. him in peace.
The food was great, so I really
Pig out Eat a lot.
PIGGED OUT.
Enter a place quickly, in a The coach stopped and we all PILED
Pile in
disorganised way. IN.
Enter a place quickly, in a We PILED INTO the shop when it
Pile into
disorganised way. opened.
Work's crazy- they keep PILING ON
Pile on Add or give more or something.
the pressure.
Exaggerate or talk in a way to affect It wasn't very serious, but they
Pile on
someone's feelings. PILED ON the guilt.
 Leave a place quickly, in a The train eventually arrived and we
Pile out
disorganised way. all PILED OUT.
Work just keeps on PILING UP and I
Pile up Accumulate.
really can't manage to get it all done.
The ironing's PILING UP as I hate
Pile up Accumulate in a pile or heap.
doing it.
I've asked him to set a date, but he's
Get a fixed idea, opinion, etc, from
Pin down a hard man to PIN DOWN and won't
someone..
give a definite answer.
Discover exact details about The government can't PIN DOWN
Pin down
something. where the leak came from.
The police tried to PIN the crime ON
Pin on Attach the blame to someone.
him.
Fix something to a wall, or other
Pin up I PINNED the notice UP on the board
vertical surface, with a pin.
He's been PINING AWAY since his
Suffer physically because of grief,
Pine away wife died and is a shadow of his
stress, worry, etc.
former self.
The lecturer asked the students to
Pipe down Be quiet (often as an imperative).
PIPE DOWN and pay attention.
At first, no one answered, then finally
Pipe up To speak, raise your voice.
someone PIPED UP.
The war PITTED neighbour
Pit against Compete or force to compete.
AGAINST neighbour.
Pit out Go into the pits (car racing). He PITTED OUT in the twentieth lap.
Try to persuade someone to give your He PITCHED FOR the job, but they
Pitch for
work, business, a job, etc. gave it to someone else.
We were behind schedule, but the
Work together to help achieve an
Pitch in others PITCHED IN and we got it
objective.
done in time.
The shareholders PITCHED INTO
Pitch into Criticise severely or attack someone. the management about their pay
rises at the meeting.
Put a young plant that has been
They need to be PLANTED OUT in
Plant out grown in a pot or greenhouse into the
the spring.
ground.
PLATE UP and drizzle with salsa
Plate up Put food onto a plate to serve.
verde.
Pretend to agree or accept something I disagreed with the idea but I had to
Play along in order to keep someone happy or to PLAY ALONG because everyone
get more information. else liked it.
Play The children were PLAYING
Be silly.
around AROUND and being annoying.
Play
Be sexually promiscuous or unfaithful. I PLAYED AROUND a lot at college.
around
Play at Pretend to be something. He just PLAYS AT being a lawyer- he
 never wins a case.
Be sexually unfaithful when away He travels abroad a lot and his wife
Play away
from home. thinks he PLAYS AWAY.
Listen to or watch something you've We PLAYED the recording BACK to
Play back
recorded. see if it was OK.
The Government has tried to PLAY
Try to make something seem less
Play down DOWN the importance of the
important.
minister's resignation.
As both teams had the same points,
Play a game to decide who the winner
Play off they PLAYED OFF to decide the
is.
winner.
Make people compete against each He PLAYED them OFF against each
Play off
other so that you benefit. other to get the best deal.
Continue playing a sport though there It looked like a foul, but the referee
Play on
might be a reason to stop. told them to PLAY ON.
The band PLAYED ON for another
Play on Continue playing music.
hour.
They are just PLAYING ON our fears
Play on Exploit a weakness.
to get us to do what they want.
Play on Pun. The advert PLAYS ON the slogan
Play out Progress, often till it finishes. Let's see how things PLAY OUT.
Pretend that something is real and Computer games allow people to
Play out
reduce its effect. PLAY OUT their violent urges.
Rain stopped them PLAYING the
Play out Play something to the end.
game OUT.
When he hooked the swordfish, his
Play out Unwind (e.g., fishing line).
line rapidly PLAYED OUT.
The children PLAYED UP all evening
Play up Behave badly.
and drove the babysitter mad.
I'm PLAYING UP TO my boss at the
Play up to Flatter someone. moment because I want the
promotion.
He's got a reputation for being
Play up to Behave in a way expected.
trouble and PLAYS UP TO it.
They are PLAYING UPON people's
Play upon Exploit a weakness.
concerns to get their way.
Touch and move something to occupy He can't stop PLAYING WITH his
Play with
your hands. beard.
I wasn't hungry, so I just PLAYED
Play with Not eat much of a meal.
WITH the food.
Consider something, but not We PLAYED WITH the idea, but
Play with
seriously. decided against it.
Plead guilty to get a reduced The CEO PLEADED OUT and
Plead out
sentence or fine. blamed the CFO for the fraud.
Plough Re-invest money you have made into We PLOUGHED BACK all the profits
back a business. to grow the company.
 The bus skidded and PLOUGHED
Plough intoCollide into at speed.
INTO the bus stop.
Continue doing something you don't It was really boring, but we
Plough on
want to. PLOUGHED ON.
Plough We PLOUGHED THROUGH all
Eat a big meal.
through seven courses.
Plough Read something that is difficult or It took me ages to PLOUGH
through takes a lot of time. THROUGH 'Ulysses'.
Move through somewhere where
Plough The boat had to PLOUGH
there is little space or there are
through THROUGH the ice.
obstacles.
The tractor PLOUGHED UP the field
Plough up Break the surface of soil.
so they could sow the seed.
Re-invest money you have made into We PLOWED BACK all the profits to
Plow back
a business. grow the company.
The bus skidded and PLOWED
Plow into Collide into at speed.
INTO the bus stop.
Continue doing something you don't It was really boring, but we PLOWD
Plow on
want to. ON.
Plow We PLOWED THROUGH all eight
Eat a big meal.
through courses.
It takes me ages to PLOW
Plow Read something that is difficult or
THROUGH any of Henry James'
through takes a lot of time.
novels.
Move through somewhere where
Plow The police car had to PLOW
there is little space or there are
through THROUGH the crowd.
obstacles.
The tractor PLOWED UP the field so
Plow up Break the surface of soil.
they could sow the crop
Pull or fiddle with something He was PLUCKING AT his cuffs
Pluck at
nervously. during the interview.
They PLUCKED UP the courage to
Pluck up Muster, acquire, gather.
complain.
Connect machines to the electricity He PLUGGED the TV IN and turned
Plug in
supply. it on full blast.
Plump Put something in a place without He PLUMPED his bag DOWN and
down taking care. kicked his shoes off.
Plump for Choose. I PLUMPED FOR the steak frites.
Make something like a cushion bigger I PLUMPED UP the pillow and lay
Plump up
and softer by shaking it. down.
Plump She PLUMPED HERSELF DOWN
yourself Sit down heavily. next to me and started asking me
down what had happened.
He POINTED OUT that I only had
Point out Make someone aware of something. two weeks to get the whole thing
finished.
 Move things around or search in a I POKED ABOUT in my CD
Poke about
casual way to try to find something. collection to see if I could find it.
Poke Move things around or search in a I POKED AROUND in my desk to
around casual way to try to find something. see if the letter was there.
She POLISHES OFF half a bottle of
Polish off Finish, consume.
gin every night.
I need to POLISH UP my French
Polish up Improve something quickly.
before I go to Paris.
I had to PONY fifty dollars UP for the
Pony up Pay for something.
meal.
I was going to write my essay, but I
Poop out Get too tired to do something. POOPED OUT and went to bed
instead.
We were supposed to meet
Poop out
Fail to keep an appointment. yesterday, but she POOPED OUT
on
ON me at the last minute.
Pootle We were POOTLING ALONG at
Travel in a leisurely way.
along thirty miles an hour.
He POPPED IN for a coffee on his
Pop in Visit for a short time.
way home.
He's always POPPING OFF when
Pop off Talk loudly, complain.
things don't suit him.
He's just POPPED OFF for a break
Pop off Go out for a short time.
but should be back in a few minutes.
I'm just POPPING OUT to the shops.
Pop out Go out for a short time.
Do you need anything while I'm out?
Appear, like windows and boxes The dialogue box POPPED UP up
Pop up
opening on a computer screen.. when I pressed Enter.
I'm going to have to work late tonight
Pop up Appear unexpectedly. because something has POPPED
UP.
She PORED OVER the report
Pore over Read, look at or study carefully.
looking for mistakes.
On Saturday mornings, I POTTER
Potter Spend time doing little things for
ABOUT the garden if the weather's
about pleasure.
fine.
Potter Spend some time doing little things I POTTERED AROUND, sorting out
around for pleasure. my CDS and a few other things.
It POURED DOWN all day so we
Pour down Rain hard.
had to remain indoors.
Emerge from a place in large Useless statistics POUR FORTH
Pour forth
numbers. from him.
Power Cut the electricity supply to a I POWERED DOWN my computer
down computer or electronic device. and went for lunch.
Cut the electricity to a computer or You mustn't POWER it OFF while it
Power off
device to turn it off. is updating.
 Turn a computer or electronic device I POWERED UP my laptop and
Power up
on so that it is ready to use. started work.
Geoff just PRATTLED ON instead of
Prattle on Talk too much.
giving a straight answer.
Press They PRESSED AHEAD with the
Continue with something.
ahead elections despite the violence.
Apply pressure to get permission or to The workers are PRESSING FOR
Press for
obtain something. better pay and conditions.
Press
Continue or go ahead with a project, The government are PRESSING
forward
process, plan, etc. FORWARD WITH the new law.
with
When the line was breached, reserve
Press into Bring or force into use. troops were PRESSED INTO
service.
We PRESSED ON to get to our
Press on Continue with something.
destination before night fell.
Pressure someone to accept The invitations were PRESSED
Press upon
something offered. UPON us and it was hard to say no.
Prey on Catch and kill an animal for food. Spiders PREY ON insects.
Prey on Exploit or harm. They PREY ON older people.
Prey upon Catch and kill an animal for food. Cats PREY UPON birds and mice.
They PREY UPON people's fears
Prey upon Exploit or harm.
about immigration.
Include the affects of possible future
Speculators have PRICED IN the
Price in events when assessing the value of
risk of a war breaking out.
something.
In rural areas where they have a
monopoly, some garages PRICE UP
Price up Charge more for something.
fuel because there's nowhere else to
buy it.
Make a hard copy of a computer He PRINTED OUT the letter and
Print out
document. checked through it carefully.
Support something, both physically The council have PROPPED UP the
Prop up
and financially, politically, etc.. museum for years with grants.
Work out or anticipate someone's We have to try to PSYCH OUT our
Psych out
intentions. rivals.
Boxers try to PSYCH their opponents
Psych out Make someone less confident. OUT before the fight to gain an
advantage.
Psych up Prepare someone mentally. I PSYCHED myself UP for the exam.
Move your lips into position to receive She PUCKERED UP when he leant
Pucker up
a kiss. forwards to kiss her.
The lorry was going slowly but we
Pull ahead Overtake, move in front.
managed to PULL AHEAD.
Pull apart Destroy an argument, theory, etc. My tutor PULLED my essay APART.
Pull apart Stop people or animals fighting. A fight broke out in the pub and it
 was hard to PULL the people
involved APART.
It PULLED me APART to see them
Pull apart Make someone unhappy or upset.
arguing so much.
The car PULLED AWAY from the
Pull away When a vehicle moves from a place.
lights at high speed.
They were two-nil down until five
Pull back Score a goal or point when losing. minutes before the end, when they
PULLED BACK a goal.
Move away from a place, especially They have PULLED the troops
Pull back
when talking about soldiers. BACK from the front line.
She PULLED BACK when he tried to
Pull back Move away from someone.
kiss her.
Decide not to do something or not to
Pull back They PULLED BACK from the deal.
be involved with it any longer.
They PULLED the old cinema
Pull down Demolish.
DOWN to build a new shopping mall.
Pull down Make someone depressed. Losing her job PULLED her DOWN.
Pull down Earn. He's PULLING DOWN a fortune.
Who will you be PULLING FOR in
Pull for Support.
the final?
The train PULLED IN and we rushed
Pull in When a train arrives at a station.
to meet her as she got off.
Their last tour PULLED IN millions of
Pull in Attract.
fans.
I PULLED IN to let the passengers
Pull in Stop a car by the side of the road.
out.
Areest or take someone to a police The police PULLED them IN after the
Pull in
station for questioning. trouble.
No-one thought that she would be
Manage to do something difficult or
Pull off able to do it, but she PULLED it OFF
tricky.
in the end.
When the lights turned green, the car
Pull off Start moving (vehicles).
PULLED OFF.
I PULLED ON a jumper when the
Pull on Put clothes on.
sun went in.
The train was PULLING OUT when I
Pull out Start moving (train).
got there.
The traffic was so bad that it took me
Pull out Move into traffic.
ages to PULL OUT.
The project was going badly and
Pull out Withdraw.
they decided to PULL OUT
People want the government to
Pull out Remove soldiers from an area.
PULL the troops OUT.
Pull over Stop by the side of the road. The police PULLED the car OVER
Pull over Make a vehicle stop. The police PULLED the car OVER
 and tested the driver for alcohol.
At one stage it looked as if she was
Pull
Recover from and illness or problem. going to die, but she PULLED
through
THROUGH in the end.
Close a door or window that has been Could you PULL the door TO,
Pull to
left open. please?
Pull If we all PULL TOGETHER, we'll
Work together as a team.
together have it finished in no time.
The cab PULLED UP outside my
Pull up Slow and stop a car.
house and I got out.
He PULLED me UP because I had
Pull up Inform someone that they are wrong.
got my facts wrong.
Pull
Become calm or regain control of your He was so angry that he couldn't
yourself
emotions. PULL HIMSELF TOGETHER.
together
She just PUSHED IN the queue in
Push in Get in a queue without waiting. front of me at the supermarket
checkout.
He found it difficult to PUT ACROSS
Put across Communicate, convey a message. what he wanted to say at the
meeting.
He PUT the dictionary BACK on the
Put something back in the correct
Put away shelf after he'd finished the
place.
crossword.
The judge PUT him AWAY for ten
Put away Put someone in prison.
years for robbery.
The AGM has been PUT BACK until
Put back Rearrange something for a later time.
July the seventeenth.
I try to PUT some money BY every
Put by Save for the future.
month towards our summer holiday.
He had his dog PUT DOWN because
Put down Kill an animal because it's old, ill, etc.. it was in a lot of pain from its
tumours.
Stop holding (but withdraw support PUT the gun DOWN slowly and keep
Put down
gently). your hands where I can see them.
Put down
Commit to make a payment. PUT me DOWN FOR 50p per mile.
for
Put down He didn't score many, but we can
Give as an explanation.
to PUT that DOWN TO inexperience
They had to PUT IN a whole new
Put in Install. central heating system because the
house was so cold.
He PUT IN FOR a transfer to the
Put in for Make a request.
new branch.
Put off Postpone. The concert's been PUT OFF until
next month because the singer's got
 a throat infection.
I was really PUT OFF by the way he
Put off Stop liking something or somebody.
eats with his mouth open.
He's PUT ON a lot of weight since he
Put on Get fat.
gave up smoking.
Put on Deceive, lie. I am not PUTTING you ON.
I PUT my coat ON before we went
Put on Start wearing.
out.
Several charities PUT OUT an
appeal on TV for money for the
Put out Broadcast.
victims of the flooding in
Mozambique.
Would it be PUTTING you OUT
Put out Disturb or trouble someone. greatly if I asked to change to
another day.
He PUT OUT his cigarette before
Put out Extinguish a cigarette, fire, etc..
entering the building.
Successfully execute (a scam, trick, They PUT OVER a clever practical
Put over
etc.). joke on us.
Put Could you PUT me THROUGH to
Connect someone by phone.
through extension 259 please.
She PUT $250 TOWARDS the cost
Put
Make a financial contribution. of the repairs and we had to pay the
towards
rest.
She PUT me UP for the night
Allow someone to stay at your house
Put up because I'd missed the last bus and
for a night or a few days..
there were no night buses running.
The government has PUT tuition
Put up Increase prices, taxes, duties, etc.. fees for undergraduate students UP
again.
Show skill or determination in a
Put up They PUT UP a great fight but lost.
contest, competition, fight, etc.
His friends PUT him UP TO stealing
Put up to Encourage someone to do something.
it.
I can't PUT UP WITH my neighbour's
Put up with Tolerate.
noise any longer; it's driving me mad.
The girl's mother was QUARRELING
Argue with someone about a specific
Quarrel out OUT with her daughter about the
subject.
party.
I am not QUARRELLING WITH their
Quarrel
Dispute or disagree with something. idea, but I think there are other
with
possibilities.
Queer up Mess up, ruin. I QUEERED the exam UP.
Quieten Fall silent. The audience QUIETENED DOWN
down when the lights were switched off in
the auditorium and the play was
 ready to begin.
Stop working, associating or being
They QUIT ON me just when things
Quit on friends with someone, especially
got rough.
when they need support.
My phone has QUIT ON me- can I
Quit on Stop working or functioning.
borrow yours?
They RACED OFF when the police
Race off Hurry away, leave somewhere quickly.
arrived.
Used to tell someone to go away
Rack off He told her to RACK OFF.
because they're annoying you.
Rack out Sleep, take a nap. I'm tired- I'm going to RACK OUT.
He's RACKED UP a number of
Rack up Acquire a lot of something.
convictions for speeding.
They RACKED UP the car in an
Rack up Damage.
accident.
Rain down Bombs RAINED DOWN ON the city
Fall in large numbers.
on all night.
Be postponed or stopped by rain
Rain off The match was RAINED OFF.
(usually passive).
Be postponed or stopped by rain
Rain out The game was RAINED OUT.
(usually passive).
Rake in Earn, make money easily. She's RAKING IN thousands a day.
It's the only shop in the area and
Rake it in Make a lot of money.
they're RAKING IT IN.
Cheat someone by charging them too
Rake off They RAKE tourists OFF all the time.
much.
Talk, think, etc, about something They keep RAKING OVER the rows
Rake over
negative in the past. we had last year.
Bring something back to people's The press have RAKED UP some
Rake up
attention. scandals from her past.
Talk at length without getting to the Quit RAMBLING ON- I’m tired of
Ramble on
point. listening to you.
The company has RAMPED its
Increase price, speed or power of
Ramp up prices UP because of higher oil
something.
prices.
Rap out Say something firmly and loudly. She RAPPED OUT the command.
She RATTED ON her neighbours to
Inform authorities about someone's
Rat on the police because they were
wrongdoings.
smuggling alcohol from France.
Rat on Fail to keep a promise. He always RATS ON his promises.
Rat out Inform the authorities about someone. He RATTED me OUT to the police.
Rat I RATTED THROUGH the papers on
Look for something hurriedly.
through my desk but couldn't find the letter.
The media are trying to RATCHET
Ratchet up Increase.
UP the pressure on the president.
Rattle off Quote figures rapidly. She RATTLED OFF loads of
 statistics which nobody could
understand.
I REACHED OUT and caught the
Reach out Stretch your arm to get something.
ball.
Reach out They are REACHING OUT FOR
Try to achieve something difficult.
for major economic reforms.
I REACHED OUT TO you when I
Reach out
Ask for help. was in trouble and you were a great
to
help.
Charities are REACHING OUT TO
Reach out
Offer help. those who lost their homes in the
to
floods.
Reach out Try to communicate and establish The candidates are REACHING OUT
to good relations with people. TO the poor to get their votes.
Read a list aloud for someone to write I READ OFF the figures and she
Read off
down. wrote them down in her notebook.
The teacher READ OUT the names
Read out Read aloud rather than silently.
of the students who'd passed.
I've been READING UP ON Japan
Read up on Research.
as I'm going to live there next year.
Come to a conclusion or solution after He REASONED OUT the answer to
Reason out
some thought. the math problem.
Jeff says we can RECKON ON there
Reckon on The minimum expected. being at least fifty people there
tonight.
Catch a fish on a line and pull the line
Reel in He REELED IN a ten-pound salmon.
to land.
Attract people, especially customers,
They hope the discounts will REEL
Reel in to get them to do what you want them
people IN.
to.
The minister REELED OFF a load of
Reel off Quote statistics or facts rapidly.
figures to support her position.
Score a lot of points or win a lot of They REELED OFF five victories and
Reel off
games one after the other. became the champions.
I REELED OUT the hose and
Reel out Unwind.
watered the lawn.
They had to REIN the minister IN
Control someone or something to
Rein in after her dreadful performance on
stop them causing more trouble.
TV.
Let, grant a service or allow usage for They RENTED their house OUT
Rent out
a fee. while the were abroad.
She got on her motorbike and RODE
Ride off Go away on a bike, horse, etc.
OFF.
His reputation is RIDING ON this
Ride on Depend on.
deal working out.
Ride out Survive a difficult time. They managed to RIDE OUT the
 recession.
Her skirt RODE UP when she sat
Ride up Move higher on the body (of clothes).
down.
I phoned and left a message this
Ring back Return a phonecall. morning but she still hasn't RUNG
me BACK.
Telephone to inform or confirm I RANG IN and told them I would be
Ring in
something. late.
Dave RANG OFF guiltily when he
Ring off Finish a phone conversation.
saw his boss coming.
Two shots RANG OUT and then we
Ring out Make a sudden loud sound.
heard a scream.
Telephone a number of people, I RANG ROUND to see if anyone
Ring round
usually to try to get some information. knew where she'd gone.
Ring up Telephone. Helen RANG me UP earlier.
Ring up Achieve an amount or number. They RANG UP several victories.
Enter figures into a till or cash They RANG UP the bill for the
Ring up
register. groceries.
The room RANG WITH their
Ring with When a place is full of a loud sound.
laughter.
Charge excessively or obtain money Tourists get RIPPED OFF a lot when
Rip off
unfairly. they don't speak the language.
The army ROLLED BACK when they
Roll back Retreat.
came under attack.
The government want to ROLL
Roll back Reduce or remove.
BACK the freedom of the press.
Roll by Pass (time). The years ROLLED BY.
They ROLLED IN very drunk at three
Roll in Arrive somewhere, especially if late.
o'clock in the morning.
Arrive in large numbers, for military The tanks ROLLED IN and took
Roll in
vehicles. control of the capital city.
When something continues to The competition ROLLED ON
Roll on
happen. despite the administrative problems.
Said when you can't wait for Roll on Friday! It's been a dreadful
Roll on!
something nice in the future. week.
Launch or introduce a new product, The company ROLLED OUT its
Roll out
initiative, etc.. takeover plans last week.
To appear in large numbers for an Thousands ROLLED UP to see the
Roll up
event. stars at the film premiere.
An imperative used to attract people Roll up! Come and see the circus
Roll up!
to a public event. tonight.
In the first race, the favourite
Romp in Win easily.
ROMPED IN.
Romp We ROMPED THROUGH the tasks
Do something easily or quickly.
through because they were so simple.
Room in To keep a mother and baby together Nowadays, most hospitals have a
 policy of ROOMING IN mothers and
after the birth.
their babies.
Look in a place to try to find He ROOTED ABOUT in his
Root about
something. briefcase, trying to find a pen.
Root Look in a place to try to find I ROOTED AROUND my flat trying to
around something. find the letter.
Everyone was ROOTING FOR
Root for Support. Arsenal to win the Champions
League.
The police ROOTED OUT the
Root out Look for and find.
informer.
Find the source of a problem and They are trying to ROOT OUT the
Root out
remove it. troublemakers.
He ROOTED UP the plants and
Root up Dig a plant out of the ground.
replanted them.
The teacher ROPED her students IN
Rope in Get somebody to help. to carry her stuff when she had to
change classroom.
Get someone to help or become
I got ROPED INTO helping them set
Rope into involved, usually when they don't
the stall up.
want to.
Extend ropes or barriers across or The celebrity entrance was ROPED
Rope off
around an area. OFF from the general public.
The mugger ROUGHED him UP
Rough up Assault. when he refused to hand his wallet
over.
Finish something in a satisfactory Winning the FA Cup ROUNDED OFF
Round off
manner. a wonderful season for Arsenal.
The prime minister refused to ROW
Row back Retreat from a position.
BACK and lost the vote.
They're not friends, but we RUB
Rub along Have a reasonably good relationship.
ALONG.
She RUBBED the horse DOWN with
Rub down Dry or clean something with a cloth.
a towel after riding it.
Massage or rub someone to help The trainer RUBBED her DOWN
Rub down
them relax. after the race.
Apply a substance like cream or He applied the steroid cream and
Rub in
ointment and rub it until it is absorbed. RUBBED it IN.
Even though the minister had
Emphasise how bad a situation is to resigned, the press RUBBED IT IN
Rub it in
make someone feel worse. by publishing more details of the
scandal.
Pass a quality or characteristic to His enthusiasm RUBS OFF ON
Rub off on
people. everyone around him.
He RUBBED OUT the figure and
Rub out Delete ink or pencil with an eraser.
wrote the correct one in.
 The gangsters RUBBED him OUT
Rub out Kill.
for stealing from them.
Rub up Touch someone in a sensual or The cat RUBBED UP AGAINST my
against sexual way. leg purring.
I need to RUB UP ON my
Rub up on Revise.
Portuguese before I go to Brazil.
The police have RULED OUT suicide
Rule out Exclude a possibility. and are treating it as a case of
murder.
I RAN ACROSS an old friend in the
Run acrossMeet or find accidentally.
library.
The police RAN AFTER the guy
Run after Chase, pursue. who'd stolen it, but he was too fast
for them.
Try to become romantically involved He was RUNNING AFTER her for
Run after
with someone. ages never managed to get a date.
Opinion is RUNNING AGAINST his
Run
Oppose, make difficulties. policies and he has very little
against
support.
They kept disturbing him, so he told
Go away, leave (often as an
Run along them to RUN ALONG and leave him
imperative).
in peace.
Run I'm exhausted- I've been RUNNING
Be very busy doing many things.
around AROUND all day.
Run away Escape from people chasing you. He RAN AWAY from his attackers.
Leave home because of problems
She RAN AWAY to avoid a forced
Run away with other family members or to
marriage.
elope.
The minicab RAN him DOWN on the
Run down Hit a pedestrian with a vehicle.
zebra crossing.
You should only recharge the battery
Run down Lose energy or power.
when it has fully RUN DOWN.
They're always RUNNING me
Run down Criticise, disparage.
DOWN and I am sick and tired of it.
Find the source or origin of The police RAN DOWN all the leads
Run down
something. they had and caught them.
She's thinking about RUNNING FOR
Run for Campaign for a position.
the presidency.
Arrest, take to police station for
Run in They RAN him IN last night.
questioning.
Drive a new car carefully in order not She RAN the car IN for a thousand
Run in
to damage the engine. miles.
Run in Pay a casual visit. We RAN IN and chatted for an hour.
Run in Insert. He RAN a graph IN next to the text.
Run into Cost. The project has RUN INTO millions
of dollars without any prospect of a
 return on this investment.
I RAN INTO James in a bar in the
Run into Meet by accident.
City on Friday.
Could you RUN OFF two hundred
Run off Make photocopies.
copies of this report, please.
Run on Be powered by. The van RUNS ON diesel.
We've RUN OUT OF sugar; I'm
Run out of Have none left.
going to the shops for some.
Could you RUN OVER that point
Run over Explain quickly. again; I'm afraid I didn't quite
understand it.
The driver couldn't stop in time and
Run over Hit with a vehicle. RAN the fox OVER when it ran in
front of his car.
The meeting RAN OVER by twenty
Run over Exceed a time limit.
minutes.
The cast RAN THROUGH the play
Run Practise a dramatic work like a play
the day before it opened to the
through quickly.
public.
The musketeer RAN his enemy
Run Stab or wound deeply with a knife,
THROUGH with a sword and killed
through sword, etc..
him.
Whenever he gets into debt, he
Run to Go to someone for help.
RUNS TO his parents for help.
His musical tastes RUN TO the
Run to Include in things you like. Residents, who are hated by most
people.
Have enough money to buy Things are a bit tight and won't RUN
Run to
something, often negative. TO going abroad for a holiday.
He RAN UP next to me and started
Run up Move quickly to where someone is.
shouting.
Run up Hoist, raise a flag. They RAN UP the Union Jack.
He RAN UP a few examples for them
Run up Do or make something very quickly.
to look at.
Run up Spend a lot of money on credit. He RAN UP a lot of bills at the hotel.
Run up Encounter problems, often They RAN UP AGAINST a lot of
against unexpected. opposition to the construction.
Robert was sitting in his car and a
Approach someone without their
Run up on guy RAN UP ON him and shot
knowing.
through the car but missed.
She RUNS WITH some dodgy
Run with Keep company, normally bad.
characters.
They RUSHED AWAY when the
Rush away Leave a place in a hurry.
police arrived.
Rush into Do something too quickly. They don't want to be RUSHED
INTO giving an answer and have
 asked for more time.
Zac RUSHED OFF to get to his
Rush off Depart in a hurry.
medical appointment.
Release or put something on sale They RUSHED the single OUT after
Rush out
quickly. it started getting airplay.
Make something quickly without much We RUSTLED UP dinner from what
Rustle up
preparation. was in the fridge.
Put a saddle on and prepare an She SADDLED UP the horse and
Saddle up
animal to ride. rode off.
Saddle Give someone a task or responsibility They SADDLED me WITH preparing
with that is difficult or hard work. the visit.
Not go to school or work, or leave I was bored so I SAGGED OFF work
Sag off
early when you shouldn't. early and went home.
He SAILED INTO me for turning up
Sail into Criticise angrily.
an hour late.
Sail
Pass easily, succeed. He SAILED THROUGH the final test.
through
Leave somewhere safe or The townspeople SALLIED FORTH
Sally forth
comfortable. to fight the invading army.
Leave somewhere safe or Though it was pouring with rain, we
Sally out
comfortable. SALLIED OUT to meet her.
She's making a lot of money, but
Salt away Save money. SALTS it AWAY rather than spending
it.
Reduce or avoid consumption to cut I use Skype to SAVE ON my phone
Save on
costs. bills.
Save up For money for a particular purpose. He's SAVING UP to buy a car.
Collect or store something for future I'm SAVING UP the receipts to claim
Save up
use. on them all at once.
To remove something by cutting it He SAWED OFF the legs of the
Saw off
with a saw. chair.
We SAWED the plank UP to make
Saw up Cut into pieces with a saw.
the shelves.
Make something smaller than They had to SCALE BACK the
Scale back
originally planned. project because of the costs.
Make something smaller than They have had to SCALE DOWN the
Scale down
originally planned. project because of the costs.
They are SCALING UP the
Scale up Increase, make bigger. programme because it has been so
successful.
Frighten someone some much that
Scare away The cat SCARED the birds AWAY.
they go away.
Make someone so frightened that he The vicious Doberman guard-dog
Scare off
or she away. SCARED the burglars AWAY.
Scout The company is SCOUTING ABOUT
Look in different places for something.
about for new staff.
Scout We SCOUTED AROUND to find the
Look in different places for something.
around best price.
The researcher spent months
Scout out Search for something.
SCOUTING OUT the answer.
Scout
Look in different places for something.I SCOUTED ROUND for a bargain.
round
Try to find someone for a task or We'd better SCOUT UP a
Scout up
requirement. replacement for her.
Scrape I've been SCRAPING ALONG on
Manage with little money.
along temporary work since I lost my job.
I thought I was going to fail, but
Scrape by Just manage to pass something.
SCRAPED BY with 51%.
Just get enough to succeed, pass or The government SCRAPED IN with
Scrape in
be accepted. 51% of the votes cast.
Be accepted somewhere, but only She got mediocre grades and just
Scrape into
just. SCRAPED INTO university.
I did no revision and only just
Scrape
Pass a test but only just. SCRAPED THROUGH the final
through
exams.
I had to search my flat for money to
Scrape Manage to collect enough of
SCRAPE TOGETHER what I
together something you need, usually money.
needed.
Manage to collect enough of It took me ages to SCRAPE UP the
Scrape up
something you need, usually money. money for the tickets.
We SCREENED OFF the area
Separate a part of a room with
Screen off where we had the discussion from
something like a curtain, screen, etc..
the rest of the meeting.
Applicants without the right
Screen out Exclude. qualifications were SCREENED
OUT.
The sun cream SCREENS OUT UV
Screen out Block light.
light.
There are so many notices and signs
Screen out Stop noticing something. that I have started SCREENING
them OUT.
Screw He spent the afternoon SCREWING
Waste time.
around AROUD and got nothing done.
Screw He SCREWED AROUND a lot at
Be sexually promiscuous.
around university.
The IRS really SCREWED him
Screw over Treat harshly or cheat.
OVER.
David SCREWED UP his oral exam
Screw up Do badly or fail.
but still managed to scrape a pass.
I'll SEE ABOUT whether we can
See about Arrange, consider.
manage it.
See into Accompany someone into an office. Her secretary SAW me INTO her
 office.
A cat came into the back garden but
See off Chase somebody or something away.
the dog soon SAW it OFF.
Go to the airport, station, etc., to say I went to the station to SEE them
See off
goodbye to someone. OFF.
Accompany a guest to your front door Are you sure you're going? I'll get
See out
when they are leaving your house. your coats and SEE you OUT.
They had a lot of difficulties in
See implementing the project, but the
Continue with something to the end.
through team SAW it THROUGH
successfully.
See Realise someone is lying or being The police quickly SAW THROUGH
through deceitful. her disguise and arrested her.
He SAW TO the arrangements and
See to Deal with something. everything ran smoothly and
efficiently.
They SOLD OFF their research
Sell off Sell a business or part of it.
subsidiary.
Sell something cheaply because you She SOLD OFF her furniture before
Sell off
need the money or don't need it. she emigrated.
We managed to SELL him ON the
Sell on Convince someone.
expansion plans.
Buy something then sell it to someone We buy them wholesale and SELL
Sell on
else. them ON to the public.
The tickets for the Primal Scream
Have no more of something left
Sell out concert at the Brixton Academy
because it has been bought.
SOLD OUT in a couple of hours.
Most bands SELL OUT when they
Lose all artistic integrity in return for sign to a major record label, and
Sell out
commercial success. forget all their principles when
pursuing chart success.
Sell a house or business to move We want to SELL UP and move to
Sell up
somewhere or do something different. the country.
I SENT my food BACK because it
Send back Return something.
was overcooked.
I had to SEND FOR a plumber
Send for Ask someone to come and help.
because the radiator was leaking.
The police were SENT IN to quell the
Order people into a place to handle a
Send in riot as the protesters had started
problem.
burning cars and wrecking shops.
If you want to enter the competition,
Send in Write to get information. you have to SEND IN for an entry
form.
The football striker was SENT OFF
Send off Expel a sports player from a match. for arguing with the referee's
decision.
 I must SEND this letter OFF today
Send off Post a letter.
otherwise it won't get there in time.
Send off I SENT OFF FOR some jeans that I
Order something by post.
for liked in the catalogue.
They SENT OUT a mailshot to all
Send out Send something to a lot of people.
their existing customers.
Send out We couldn't be bothered to cook, so
Order takeaway food by phone.
for we SENT OUT FOR a pizza.
The mischievous schoolboy was
standing at the front of the class,
Send up Imitate/impersonate for comic effect.
SENDING the teacher UP, when the
teacher opened the door behind him.
We SET ABOUT the cleaning and
Set about Start doing something.
got it done before lunchtime.
The gang SET ABOUT her as she
Set about Attack.
left the bank.
Distinguish, be better than or different The quality of their work SETS them
Set apart
from others. APART from their rivals.
The Appeal Court SET ASIDE the
guilty verdict because the evidence
Set aside Overturn a court verdict or decision.
was unsatisfactory and declared her
not guilty.
The car repairs SET me BACK eight
Set back Cost.
hundred pounds.
The accident SET the project BACK
Set back Delay.
several months.
He SET FORTH his ideas in his
Set forth State or outline an opinion.
autobiography.
We SET FORTH at daybreak for the
Set forth Start a journey.
summit of the mountain.
Winter has SET IN; it's started
Set in Change season noticeably.
snowing.
Terrorists SET OFF a car bomb in
Set off Explode a bomb. the city centre last night. Fortunately,
no-one was hurt or killed.
Set off Ring an alarm. The smoke SET the fire alarm OFF.
We SET OFF for work at seven-
Set off Start a journey.
thirty.
The company SET OFF its overseas
Set off Counterbalance a debt.
debts against it profits at home.
Provide a visual contrast that looks The dark frame SETS the pale
Set off
good. drawing OFF well.
The pay freeze SET OFF a wave of
Set off Cause, trigger events.
strikes.
He was SET ON when he left the
Set on Attack.
bar.
 The figures are SET OUT in the
Set out Display, show.
council's annual report.
The explorers SET OUT for the
Set out Start a journey.
South Pole yesterday morning.
The contract SETS OUT all the
Set out Arrange, organise.
details of the agreement.
If we all SET TO, we should be able
Set to Work hard or enthusiastically.
to finish this in a few hours.
Prepare equipment, software, etc., for The technician SET UP the computer
Set up
use. network perfectly.
They SET UP a dot com company,
floated it a couple of years later on
Set up Start a company.
the Stock Exchange and made an
absolute fortune.
Provide someone with the money Winning the lottery SET them UP for
Set up
needed to live. life.
Set up Trick, deceive. The police SET them UP.
They SET UPON her when she was
Set upon Attack.
in the car park.
After years of partying and drinking,
Settle
Start living a fixed and routine life. she finally got married and SETTLED
down
DOWN.
We were upset not to win and had to
Settle for Accept whatever is available.
SETTLE FOR the second prize.
It took him a while to SETTLE IN
Settle in Get used to.
when he moved to Japan.
They couldn't agree at first on a
Settle on Agree. name for their daughter, but finally
SETTLED ON Alice.
Let's SETTLE UP for the dinner the
Settle up Pay a debt.
other night.
The government denied that they
Change information to make it more
Sex up had SEXED UP the report to make
attractive to the reader or listener.
the front page.
Live with someone when you are in a They SHACKED UP a few months
Shack up
relationship.. after they started going out.
We had to SHACK UP with friends
Shack up Live somewhere temporarily. while our house was being
decorated.
She SHADED IN the area under the
Shade in Make a part of a picture darker.
tree.
Shake The police SHOOK the house
Search.
down DOWN looking for drugs.
He SHOOK the guy DOWN with
Shake
Extort or cheat money from someone. some story about needing the money
down
for an operation.
 It took me ages to SHAKE OFF the
Shake off Get rid of an illness.
cough.
Shake clothes, cloths, etc to remove He took the tablecloth outside and
Shake out
dirt or creases. SHOOK it OUT after dinner.
The news of her death really SHOOK
Shake up Upset or shock.
me UP.
The management are SHAKING
Make major changes to improve or
Shake up things UP and getting rid of a lot of
save a company, organisation, etc.
workers.
Mix things in a container by shaking Pour the ingredients into a container
Shake up
hard. and SHAKE them UP.
Things are SHAPING UP at work-
Shape up Develop in a positive way.
everything's going well again.
Improve to reach an acceptable If they don't start SHAPING UP,
Shape up
standard. they're going to lose their jobs.
He has SHAVED OFF his moustache
Shave off Shave completely.
and looks much younger.
He SHAVED a few thousand OFF
Shave off Reduce by a small amount.
the budget for the year.
Spend money on something,
I had to SHELL OUT a hundred
Shell out especially when you think it's too
pounds on the dinner.
expensive.
He was causing a lot of trouble, so
Send someone away, often because
Ship off they SHIPPED him OFF to another
of a problem.
branch
We SHIPPED the order OUT two
Ship out Send goods to a place.
days ago.
If you've finished your work, I'm
Ship out Leave a place.
ready to SHIP OUT.
Shoot He SHOT AWAY as soon as the bell
Leave somewhere quickly.
away rang for the end of the lesson.
I'm SHOOTING BACK home to pick
Shoot back Return quickly. up some things I forgot to bring with
me.
I’m SHOOTING FOR nothing less
Shoot for Have as a goal.
than the presidency.
I'll have to SHOOT OFF as soon as
Shoot off Leave promptly and quickly. the lesson finishes, otherwise I'll
miss my train.
I'm SHOOTING OUT to the shops for
Shoot out Go out for a short time.
a paper.
The share prices of internet
Shoot up Increase quickly. companies have been SHOOTING
UP lately.
The heroin-user would SHOOT UP in
Shoot up Take illicit drugs intravenously..
shop doorways.
Shoot up Damage with gun-shots. The gangsters SHOT UP the pub.
Johnny has SHOT UP since I last
Shoot up Increase quickly, grow.
saw him
Shop Look around for the best price, If you SHOP AROUND, you can find
around quality, etc.. some real bargains for air tickets.
The battery SHORTED OUT when it
Short out Short circuit.
got wet.
Shout Make so much noise to stop someone His efforts to raise the issue were
down being heard. SHOUTED DOWN.
Say something loudly, often to attract
Shout out She SHOUTED OUT my name.
someone's attention.
The estate agent SHOWED us
Show Take someone to a place to show
AROUND the house but we didn't
around them certain parts.
like it much.
Take someone into an office or other The secretary SHOWED me IN to
Show in
room. speak to the manager.
Behave in a way so as to attract The children were SHOWING OFF
Show off
attention. and irritated me.
He wanted to SHOW OFF his new
Show off Display something you are proud of.
sound system.
Make the qualities of another thing The shirt really SHOWED OFF his
Show off
more apparent. new tie.
Take someone to out of a room or Her secretary SHOWED me OUT
Show out
building. after the interview.
He SHOWED us OVER the scene of
Show over Take someone around a site.
the accident
Show Take someone to a place to show The guide SHOWED them ROUND
round them certain parts. the historic part of the city.
Show When a feeling can be seen despite His anger SHOWED THROUGH
through attempts to conceal it. despite his smile.
Attend something or arrive Very few SHOWED UP at the
Show up
somewhere. meeting.
The downturn in sales SHOWED UP
Show up Become clear or apparent.
in the company's accounts.
Make someone feel embarrassed or He SHOWED us UP when he arrived
Show up
ashamed. drunk and started arguing.
Disregard something, not consider it He SHRUGGED OFF the criticism
Shrug off
important or harmful. and carried on the same way.
Many people have been SHUT
Imprison or remove someone's
Shut away AWAY in psychiatric hospitals for
freedom.
disagreeing with the government.
The shop SHUT DOWN when the
Shut down Close a business, shop, etc..
out-of-town supermarket opened.
You should close all programs before
Shut down Turn a computer off.
you SHUT a computer DOWN.
Shut in Prevent someone from leaving. I SHUT the cat IN until it was time to
 go to the vet.
They SHUT the water OFF while
Shut off Close, prevent access.
they did the repairs.
You have to SHUT your feelings
Shut out Exclude.
OUT to deal with it.
The Dodgers SHUT OUT the Giants
Shut out Not allow a player or team to score.
3-0.
Exclude someone from an activity, He's been SHUT OUT OF the
Shut out of
etc. discussions.
He told us to SHUT UP and start
Shut up Stop talking or making noise.
working.
They SHUT the shop UP for a
Shut up Close for a period of time.
fortnight while they were on holiday.
Shut
She's SHUT herself AWAY to revise
yourself Withdraw from company.
for her exams.
away
Shy away Avoid doing something because you Many learners SHY AWAY FROM
from lack confidence. using phrasal verbs.
The lecturer SIDED WITH her
Side with Support someone. students and got sacked for her
pains.
He SIDLED UP TO me and
Sidle up to Approach someone discreetly.
whispered his name.
We had to SIFT THROUGH
Sift
Examine a lot of things carefully. thousands of files before we found
through
what we were looking for.
He SIGNED AWAY his rights to
Sign away Give away legal or property rights. compensation when he signed the
contract.
Write a signature on behalf on My boss was out for the day, so I
Sign for
someone. SIGNED her letters FOR her.
We SIGNED IN and went straight to
Sign in Register in a hotel.
bed.
Open a computer program that I SIGNED IN and started chatting
Sign in
requires a name and password. online.
Write your name when entering a You have to SIGN IN before you can
Sign in
place. enter the club.
Open a particular computer program I SIGN INTO MSN Messenger
Sign into
that requires a name and password. automatically when I boot up.
I'll SIGN OFF now, but will write
Sign off End a message.
again next week.
Close a claim for unemployment I SIGNED OFF when I got my new
Sign off
benefit. job.
I'm SIGNING OFF now and going
Sign off Stop doing something to leave.
home- I'm shattered.
Sign off Give someone a letter to be away My doctor SIGNED me OFF for a
 from work. month with back problems.
The director SIGNED OFF ON the
Sign off on Give official approval.
plans to increase sales.
Open a claim for unemployment
Sign on I had to SIGN ON when I lost my job.
benefit.
I've SIGNED ON to help at the
Sign on Agree to participate.
village fete.
He SIGNS ON the same way every
Sign on Start broadcasting.
show.
We've SIGNED ON two new
Sign on Employ.
teachers.
Sign on Sign a document joining or agreeing He's SIGNED ON WITH Manchester
with to something. United for the next three years.
Close a computer program that I SIGNED OUT and then shut the
Sign out
requires a name and password. computer down.
Sign something to show you have Could you SIGN those books OUT,
Sign out
borrowed something. please?
Close a particular computer program I SIGNED OUT OF MSN Messenger
Sign out of
that requires a name and password. and shut the computer down.
Sign up Give your name to do something. I've SIGNED UP as a volunteer.
Sign up Subscribe. I SIGNED UP for their newsletter.
She's SIGNED WITH EMI for the
Sign with Make a contract with.
next few years.
He told them to SIMMER DOWN
Simmer
Become calmer, make less noise. because they were disturbing the
down
class next door.
To sing when a piece of music is
I SANG ALONG when they played it
Sing along being played or performed by
on the radio.
someone else..
When you hear your name, SING
Sing out Reply loudly.
OUT!
Everyone SANG OUT during the
Sing out Sing loudly.
chorus.
Sing up Sing louder. We can't hear you- SING UP.
Many people applied for the job but
Single out Select or choose one from a group.
we will SINGLE OUT the best one.
The truth finally SANK IN about her
Sink in Slowly come to be understood.
death when it was broadcast on TV.
We spent the afternoon SITTING
Sit and do nothing, especially when
Sit about ABOUT chatting instead of doing any
you should be working.
work.
They just SAT AROUND while the
Sit around Sit idly, doing nothing.
others did all the work.
Wait for something to happen without We SAT BACK and waited for them
Sit back
making any effort. to make the first mistake.
Sit back Relax in a chair. I SAT BACK and enjoyed the show.
 I can't SIT BY while they are
Sit by Not try to stop something.
punished wrongly.
Sit down Help someone to sit. The nurse SAT me DOWN in a chair.
The Queen SAT FOR another official
Sit for Pose for an artist or photographer.
portrait.
Look after children while their parents She SITS FOR her neighbors when
Sit for
are out. they go out.
The students SAT IN the Library as a
Occupy a building to protest about
Sit in protest against the increase in tuition
something.
fees.
Take on someone's responsibilities Her deputy's SITTING IN FOR her
Sit in for
while they are absent. while she's away.
She SAT IN ON the meeting and
Sit in on Attend as an observer.
took notes but said nothing.
She's SAT ON the finance committee
Sit on Be on a committee.
from the beginning.
To handle somebody firmly who If his girlfriend finds out, she'll get
Sit on
behaves impertinently, conceitedly. mad and SIT ON him.
The government have been SITTING
Hold information back or keep it
Sit on ON the report because it was so
secret.
critical.
I had to SIT the game OUT because
Sit out Not take part.
I was ill.
WE SAT OVER dinner discussing the
Sit over Eat or drink slowly.
plans.
I was bored and wanted to leave
Sit through Stay till the end of something dull. halfway through, but we SAT
THROUGH the film.
It's hard to see how their new plan
Sit with Reconcile different positions.
SITS WITH the promises they made.
Assess a situation or person The doorstaff SIZED UP everyone
Size up
carefully.. entering the club.
Soft drinks manufacturers have
Make something bigger or produce
Size up SIZED UP their products in recent
bigger products.
years.
Skin up Make a cannabis joint. She SKINNED UP a fat spliff.
Skin up Make a cannabis joint. Who's going to SKIN UP?
I pretended I was ill and SKIVED
Skive off Avoid doing work or other duty.
OFF on Monday.
Students usually begin the term well,
Reduce one's effort, perform with less
Slack off then SLACK OFF near the end of the
enthusiasm and energy.
semester.
Work SLACKENS OFF during the
Slacken off Become less busy or intense.
holiday period.
The concert was terrible and all the
Slag off Criticise heavily.
papers SLAGGED the band OFF.
Slant That travel magazine is totally
Favour one viewpoint, bias.
toward SLANTED TOWARD the ultra-rich.
Let’s SLEEP IN tomorrow morning-
Sleep in Sleep longer than usual. we won’t have another chance for
weeks.
Sleep in order to recover from excess She went to bed TO SLEEP OFF the
Sleep off
alcohol, drugs, etc.. effects of the tequila.
My boss said she'd have to SLEEP
Sleep on Think about something.
ON it when I asked her for a raise.
Spend the night at someone else's The au pair made tea for the friends
Sleep over
house. who were SLEEPING OVER.
I SLEPT THROUGH the storm even
Sleep
Not wake up. though the wind blew some slates off
through
the roof.
Cut, remove an amount or part of They CUT 10% OFF the original
Slice off
something. price.
I SLICED the cake UP and handed it
Slice up Cut completely into pieces or slices.
round to the people there.
Their hopes of getting back into the
Lose an opportunity or the chance of
Slip away game SLIPPED AWAY after the
winning, succeeding, etc.
second goal.
The year has SLIPPED AWAY and it
Slip away Pass quickly (time).
is hard to believe it's over.
Slip by Pass quickly (time). The years SLIP BY as you get older.
Lose an opportunity or the chance of He didn't follow the offer up and let it
Slip by
winning, succeeding, etc. SLIP BY.
The cold beer SLIPPED DOWN a
Slip down Be enjoyable to drink or eat.
treat after the walk.
He SLIPPED IN a mention of his
Try to include something discreetly
Slip in exam results to remind us how well
when speaking.
he did.
I got out of my suit and SLIPPED
Slip into Put clothes on quickly.
INTO my pyjamas.
The economy SLIPPED INTO
Acquire bad habits or fall into a bad or
Slip into recession and shows no signs of
negative state or condition.
recovery.
It was very boring so we SLIPPED
Slip off Leave a place discreetly.
OFF before it finished.
I SLIPPED my shoes OFF when I
Slip off Remove clothes.
entered.
Slip off to Go somewhere discreetly. We SLIPPED OFF TO the pub.
I SLIPPED my coat ON and rushed
Slip on Put clothes on quickly.
outside.
The party was really dull so we
Slip out Leave discreetly. SLIPPED OUT and went to the pub
instead.
 The waitress SLIPPED UP and didn't
Slip up Make an error.
bring us what we had ordered.
I SLOBBED ABOUT all day as I
Slob about Be lazy, do nothing.
couldn't be bothered to do any work.
Slob I spent the day SLOBBING AROUND
Be lazy, do nothing.
around at home.
Leave somewhere without letting The lecture sounded really boring, so
Slope off
others know. I SLOPED OFF and went to the pub.
The government is increasing its
Slough off Get rid of, dispose. powers but is SLOUGHING OFF
responsibility for its failures.
Slough off Lose or shed outer layers of skin. Snakes SLOUGH OFF their old skin.
He SLOUGHED OFF the pain and
Slough off Ignore or trivialize an injury or insult.
continued running.
The car SLOWED DOWN when they
Slow down Reduce speed.
saw the police.
It is important to slow down, rest, and
Slow down Become less active.
eat sensibly.
The negotiations were SLOWED UP
Slow up Slow the progress of something.
by the arguments.
They SLUGGED IT OUT for hours
Slug it out Fight or argue.
but never came to an agreement.
The government's decision SMACKS
Smack of Appear to have a negative quality.
OF hypocrisy.
Smash The police SMASHED the door
Demolish or break something down.
down DOWN to get into the house.
Break something by hitting it
Smash in He SMASHED the windscreen IN.
repeatedly.
The burglars SMASHED UP the
Smash up Destroy, break into many pieces. office as there was no money to
steal.
Force someone out of a place they're The police SMOKED the gang OUT
Smoke out
hiding in. and arrested them.
Consume, take, buy something other They SNAFFLED UP all the food
Snaffle up
people may want. before we got there.
He SNAPPED OFF a bit of chocolate
Snap off Break a piece off something.
from the bar and gave it to me..
I was feeling depressed and knew I
Snap out ofControl negative emotions.
had to SNAP OUT OF it.
He had taken ages so I told him to
Snap to it! Do something quickly.
SNAP TO IT and get it finished.
Get, acquire or buy something Collectors SNAPPED UP every copy
Snap up
quickly. the day it was released.
My line was all SNARLED UP after I
Snarl up Entangle.
caught that last fish.
Sneak out Depart furtively. Although the thieves tried to SNEAK
 OUT after dark, we were ready for
them.
Sneak up Dave tried to SNEAK UP ON the
Approach someone furtively.
on guard, but was seen anyway.
Look around to see how good
Sniff I SNIFFED AROUND to see if I could
something is or to try to find
around find a better deal.
something better.
A job opportunity like that is not to be
Sniff at Disapprove or be scornful.
SNIFFED AT.
Find something by smell (usually for Customs use dogs to SNIFF OUT
Sniff out
dogs). illegal drugs being smuggled in.
Find out information, especially when Our rivals are trying to SNIFF OUT
Sniff out
people don't want anyone to know. our plans for expansion.
Divulge secrets, inform authorities Reggie was caught after someone
Snitch on
about someone. SNITCHED ON him to the teacher.
Extinguish a small flame by covering I SNUFFED OUT the candles before
Snuff out
it. I went to bed.
He got SNUFFED OUT in a gang
Snuff out Kill.
war.
I messed up the first question, which
Snuff out End something suddenly. SNUFFED OUT my chances of
getting a good grade.
Stop showing the effects of alcohol or Keith SOBERED UP a bit when we
Sober up
drugs. left the pub and walked home.
The bombardment SOFTENED UP
Soften up Weaken. their defenses; I think we can move
in tomorrow.
I paid for everything to SOFTEN
Do things to please someone in the
Soften up them UP before they made the
hope that they will do what you want.
decision.
Life got hard for my dog when he
Continue even when things get
Soldier on went blind, but he just SOLDIERED
difficult.
ON and never complained.
Has the firm SORTED OUT its tax
Sort out Resolve a problem.
problems yet?
He SOUNDED OFF about the quality
Sound off To express your opinions forcefully.
of the food.
You should SOUND her OUT to get
Check what someone thinks about an
Sound out her opinion before you go ahead with
issue, idea, etc..
the plan.
The council is SPAFFING AWAY our
Spaff away Waste (money, time, resources, etc).
taxes on bonuses and consultants.
Cause something, usually unpleasant, The riot was SPARKED OFF by the
Spark off
to happen. police raid on the club.
They SPARKED UP in a no smoking
Spark up Light a cigarette or joint.
area.
 People are afraid to SPEAK OUT in
Speak out Talk openly and freely.
oppressive political regimes.
They couldn't hear the speaker and
Speak up Talk more loudly.
asked him to SPEAK UP a bit.
He won't understand you unless you
Spell out Explain something in great detail.
SPELL everything OUT for him.
Write or say the individual letters that I had to SPELL my surname OUT to
Spell out
make up a word. him as he didn't know how to spell it.
The volcano is SPEWING OUT lava
Spew out Expel, throw out.
and hot gases.
He SPEWED UP when he was
Spew up Vomit.
drunk.
When large numbers of people leave The crowd SPILLED OUT onto the
Spill out
a place at the same time. streets after the match had ended.
Come or flow out of a box, container, The container was cracked and the
Spill out
etc. chemicals SPILLED OUT.
Spill out Express or display emotions openly. I let my frustration SPILL OUT.
The protests and demonstrations
When something bad has a wider
Spill over have SPILLED OVER into
impact on other people or situations.
neighbouring states.
Flow over the edge or top of a I forgot to turn the tap off and the
Spill over
container. water SPILLED OVER.
The research SPUN OFF a number
Produce an unexpected additional
Spin off of new products as well as solving
benefit.
the problem.
Form a separate company from part They SPUN OFF the retail division
Spin off
of an existing one. last year.
They SPUN it OFF from the main
Create a TV show using characters
Spin off show, but it didn't really attract many
from a popular show.
viewers.
The car hit the water and SPUN
Spin out Lose control (vehicle).
OUT.
Make something last as long as I SPUN the work OUT to make as
Spin out
possible. much money from the job as I could.
Remove someone secretly from a They SPIRITED her AWAY before
Spirit away
place. the police arrived.
Remove someone secretly from a They SPIRITED him OFF before any
Spirit off
place. trouble started.
An informal way of telling someone to
Hurry up, SPIT IT OUT! I can't wait
Spit it out say something they are unwilling to
all day for the truth.
say.
He SPAT her name OUT when he
Spit out Say something angrily.
saw her arrive.
Splash Apollo 13 SPLASHED DOWN after a
Land in the sea (space capsules).
down harrowing flight.
Splash out Spend a lot of money on something We went to an expensive restaurant
 that is not essential. and SPLASHED OUT to celebrate
Splash out I SPLASHED OUT ON a new
Spend a lot of money on something.
on camera.
The teacher SPLIT the class UP into
Split up Divide into groups.
groups of four.
They are always SPLITTING UP and
Split up Finish a relationship.
then getting back together again.
He's been SPOILING FOR an
Spoil for Really want something.
argument all day.
Sponge I'll SPONGE it DOWN before putting
Clean something with a sponge.
down it away.
Accept free food and support without Let’s go to New York, we can always
Sponge off
any shame or qualms. SPONGE OFF my brother there.
A lot of people are SPONGING ON
Accept or get money without doing
Sponge on the state by claiming benefits they're
any work.
not entitled to.
Return to original position after being
Spring The lock SPRINGS BACK when the
bent, forced or when pressure is
back key is turned.
removed.
She is going to SPRING FOR all
Spring for Pay for, often generously.
their medical bills.
Spring He SPRANG FROM the bushes
Appear suddenly and unexpectedly.
from when I walked past.
Spring His anger SPRINGS FROM his
Be the cause of something.
from feelings of insecurity.
They SPRUNG a birthday party ON
Spring on Surprise someone.
me at work.
Charity shops are SPRINGING UP in
Spring up Appear suddenly.
the recession.
To smarten, make something neat We SPRUCED the flat UP before we
Spruce up
and tidy. put it on the market.
The thought of the bonus SPURRED
Spur on Encourage someone to continue. her ON to complete the work on
time.
Square There are few things I have to
Finish or sort something out.
away SQUARE AWAY before I can leave.
The two drunks SQUARED OFF and
Confront someone or prepare to fight
Square off the barman had to intervene before a
them.
fight broke out.
Square off Confront someone or prepare to fight They SQUARED OFF AGAINST the
against them. police when they arrived.
Can I SQUARE UP with you for last
Square up Pay back a debt.
night?
Confront someone or prepare to fight The companies are SQUARING UP
Square up
them. for a fight.
Square up Accept responsibility or guilt. They need to SQUARE UP TO what
 they did wrong if we are to make any
to
progress.
Square What he said doesn't SQUARE
Match, conform to.
with WITH what the others said.
Square Check with someone that something I'll have to CHECK that WITH my
with is OK. boss before I can confirm it.
Squeeze Get more people into a space than Four of us had to SQUEEZE UP in
up normal or comfortable. the back of the car.
Stack up Put things in a pile. I STACKED UP the boxes.
Work STACKED UP while I was
Stack up Accumulate.
away on holiday.
I've been STACKING UP a lot of air
Stack up Increase, accumulate something.
miles.
Stack up Be logical, make sense. The budget figures don't STACK UP.
Planes were STACKING UP while
Build up the number of planes waiting
Stack up the airport was closed after the bomb
to land at an airport.
threat.
Stack up The new model doesn't STACK UP
Be as good as something.
against AGAINST the old one.
Employ someone for something They haven't STAFFED the project
Staff up
specific. UP yet.
The government has started a
Stamp out Get rid of something. campaign to STAMP OUT drugs in
schools.
Stand Spend time in a place waiting or doing We STOOD ABOUT drinking coffee
about nothing or very little. before the lecture.
Stand Spend time in a place waiting or doing We STOOD AROUND for an hour
around nothing or very little. waiting for them to turn up.
The prime minister should STAND
Stand Leave a position so that someone
ASIDE and let a new leader head the
aside else can take it.
party.
We STOOD BACK while he lit the
Stand back Keep a distance from something.
firework.
Try to understand something by We need to STAND BACK and look
Stand back
taking a different perspective. at the problem differently.
He STOOD BY her throughout the
Stand by Support someone. trial as he believed her to be
innocent.
The emergency services were
Be ready and waiting for something to
Stand by STANDING BY waiting for the plane
happen.
to land.
The minister announced her intention
Stand Leave a job or position so that
to STAND DOWN at the next
down someone else can take it.
election.
Stand Finish being asked questions in a The judge told the witness to STAND
down court. DOWN after the questioning.
 I'm not going to STAND FOR their
Stand for Accept or tolerate behaviour.
rudeness any longer.
'WHAT do the letters BBC STAND
The words represented by certain
Stand for FOR? ' 'British Broadcasting
initials.
Corporation.'
Stand in She had to STAND IN FOR the
Substitute someone temporarily.
for editor while he was on holiday.
She STOOD OUT from the crowd in
Stand out Be extraordinary and different.
selection and was offered the job.
Move from a sitting or lying down to a Everybody STOOD UP when the
Stand up
vertical position. judge entered the court.
He agreed to meet me last night, but
Stand up Fail to keep an appointment.
he STOOD me UP.
Stand up He's the kind of manager who will
Defend, support.
for always STAND UP FOR his staff.
Keep your principles when challenged She STOOD UP TO the police when
Stand up to
by an authority. they tried to corrupt her.
This coat will STAND UP TO the
Stand up toResist damage.
roughest weather conditions.
He was angry but I STARED him
Look at someone until they cannot
Stare down DOWN and he left without saying
look at you.
much.
They STARTED OFF the meeting
Start off Make something start.
with an attack on our performance.
She STARTED OFF as a receptionist
Start off Begin life, a career or existence.
and ended up as the CEO.
We STARTED OFF early because
Start off Begin a journey. we knew the journey would take all
day.
I was trying to be serious, but their
Start off Make someone laugh.
comment STARTED me OFF.
Help someone to start a piece or work I STARTED her OFF ON the project
Start off on
or activity. then left her to finish it.
It's time to START ON that bottle of
Start on Begin to use or consume.
wine.
The manager was furious and
Start on Criticise angrily. STARTED ON her staff for not trying
hard enough.
He STARTED ON AT me for being
Start on at Criticise or nag.
late.
We STARTED OUT early in the
Start out Begin a journey.
morning.
What had STARTED OUT AS a
Start out asBegin life, existence or a career. protest quickly turned into a full-
blown rebellion.
Start out to Intend, plan. I didn't START OUT TO become the
 boss- it just happened.
It's a mess- I think we should just
Start over Begin something again.
START OVER.
The firm STARTED UP on a
Start up Open a business.
shoestring budget.
There was a pause, then the noise
Start up Begin, especially sounds.
STARTED UP again.
Start up When an engine starts working. The car STARTED UP first time.
Start up Make an engine work. I STARTED the car UP.
He STARTED UP when I entered the
Sit or stand upright because someone
Start up room and tried to hide what he was
has surprised you.
doing.
Store or hide something in a safe I STASHED some money AWAY
Stash away
place. behind some books.
The police STOVE the front door IN
Stave in Push or break something inwards.
and arrested them.
Delay, prevent something from The medicine STAVED OFF the
Stave off
happening. worst of the disease.
He said he didn't like them coming
Stay away Not come.
and wanted them to STAY AWAY.
Stay away He told them to STAY AWAY FROM
Avoid, not come.
from him.
I'm going to STAY IN and chill
Stay in Not go out.
tonight; I can't be bothered to go out.
She STAYED ON after she
Stay on Remain longer than anticipated.
graduated to do a Master's degree.
Stay out Not go home. We STAYED OUT all night.
I STAYED OVER at a friend's house
Stay over Stay overnight.
last night because of the train strike.
The children STAYED UP until way
Stay up Not go to bed.
past their bedtime.
We didn't want to wake them, so we
Steal away Leave a place quietly or secretly. STOLE AWAY in the middle of the
night.
Not wanting to attract attention, she
Steal out Leave in a stealthy or quiet manner.
STOLE OUT early.
Be gradually overcome by an emotion A feeling of pride STOLE OVER me
Steal over
or feeling. as I watched.
The lights were off and everything
Steal up Approach quietly or secretly. was quiet so we STOLE UP as
quietly as we could.
Approach a place or someone quietly We STOLE UP ON them so that they
Steal up on
or secretly. couldn't sound the alarm.
He's trying to STEER CLEAR OF his
Steer clear
Avoid. lecturer because he hasn't finished
of
his assignment yet.
 The trouble STEMS FROM their
Stem from Originate, be caused by.
refusal to discuss the matter.
Everyone thinks that the prime
Leave a job or position so that minister should STEP ASIDE so that
Step aside
someone else can take over. someone new can lead the party into
the election.
We should STEP BACK and try to
Look at something from a different
Step back see how our customers will view the
perspective.
scheme.
Leave a job or position so that The CEO STEPPED DOWN after the
Step down
someone can take over. share price dropped.
Production is being STEPPED
Step down Reduce. DOWN because demand has
dropped.
When I had the accident, a lot of
Step
Offer help. people STEPPED FORWARD to
forward
help me.
Get involved by interrupting I had to STEP IN when they started
Step in
something. fighting.
An imperative used to tell someone to I told the taxi driver to STEP ON IT
Step on it
go faster, especially when driving. as I was late for the meeting.
They've STEPPED OUT for a
Step out Leave a place for a very short time.
cigarette.
Don't STEP TO those guys; they'll kill
Step to Confront.
you.
Step to Chat, talk to. He tried to STEP TO her in the bar.
The police have STEPPED UP the
Step up Increase. pressure on beggars working the
Underground.
Stick He's late, but I'll STICK AROUND for
Stay in a place for some time.
around another few minutes before I leave.
She found the course very tough but
Continue doing something despite
Stick at she STUCK AT it and did well in the
difficulties.
end.
Support someone when they are No one STUCK BY him when the
Stick by
having difficulties. scandal became public.
Stick by Support a plan, opinion or decision. They are STICKING BY their claims.
I couldn't answer the test so I just
Write something quickly or without
Stick down STUCK anything DOWN that I could
thinking about it.
remember.
Stick down Join surfaces with glue. I STUCK the label DOWN.
She STUCK IT TO me for turning up
Stick it to Criticise someone.
half an hour late.
My boss always STICKS IT TO me
Stick it to Treat someone badly or unfairly.
when she's in a bad mood.
Stick out Be easily noticed. He's so much better than the others
 that he STICKS OUT.
Stick out Extend part of your body. He STUCK his tongue OUT at me.
Continue doing something difficult or I STUCK it OUT even though I hated
Stick out
unpleasant. every minute of it.
Stick out We're STICKING OUT FOR a 5%
Demand a salary raise.
for increase.
The Prime Minister decided to STICK
Stick to Not change. TO the original plan despite the
criticism in the media.
I STUCK TO the path and didn't take
Stick to Restrict or limit and not change.
the shortcut.
If we don't STICK TOGETHER,
Stick
Support each other. things will be much worse for all of
together
us- we need some unity.
The static electricity made my hair
Stick up Stand on end.
STICK UP.
They STUCK the bank UP and stole
Stick up Rob using weapons.
tens of thousands.
You have to STICK UP FOR yourself
Stick up forSupport or defend.
here, because no one will back you.
We'd better STICK WITH our original
Stick with Not change something.
idea.
He told the children to STICK WITH
Stick with Stay near someone.
him in the station.
The details have STUCK WITH me
Stick with Not be forgotten.
ever since.
Continue with something difficult or I STUCK WITH the job though I
Stick with
unpleasant. found it very stressful.
My back STIFFENS UP in cold
Stiffen up Become rigid.
weather.
They used starch to STIFFEN the
Stiffen up Make something rigid.
collars UP.
He STIRRED things UP by
Stir up Make trouble for someone else. complaining to senior management
about his line manager.
I STITCHED UP the hole in my
Stitch up Sew something so that it is closed.
sleeve.
We get the contract STITCHED UP
Stitch up Finalise a deal.
this week.
The police STITCHED them UP
Cheat someone or make them look
Stitch up because they couldn't find any
guilty when they aren't.
evidence against them.
He lost his temper and STOMPED
Stomp off Leave somewhere angrily.
OFF home.
Stomp on Treat badly or defeat. They STOMP ON their competitors.
Stop Visit someone for a short time.. Why don't you STOP AROUND my
around place on your way back?
I'll STOP BACK this afternoon when
Stop back Return somewhere.
you're free.
I STOPPED BEHIND at the end of
Stop Stay somewhere when other people
the lecture to ask a couple of
behind leave.
questions.
I must STOP BY the supermarket
Stop by Visit somewhere briefly or quickly.
and pick up some things for dinner.
I was feeling tired so I STOPPED IN
Stop in Stay at home.
last night.
I STOPPED IN at my aunt's after
Stop in Visit briefly.
work.
We STOPPED OFF for lunch about
Stop off Break a journey. halfway there, then carried on
driving.
Be out late, especially when you are Her parents were annoyed because
Stop out
expected home. she STOPPED OUT all night.
I STOPPED OVER in Bangkok for a
Stop over Stay somewhere when on a journey. couple of days on my way back from
Tokyo.
I STOPPED UP last night watching
Stop up Stay up late.
the film.
I STOPPED UP the bottle with a
Stop up Fill or block something.
cork.
They had a row and he STORMED
Storm off Leave a place angrily.
OFF.
He lost his temper and STORMED
OUT OF the bar. (If you don't
Storm out Leave a place angrily.
mention the place, you can just say
'He stormed out')
Hide in a vehicle to travel without She STOWED AWAY on the plane
Stow away
people knowing. but was caught when it landed.
We STOWED it AWAY in the garage
Stow away Store something in a safe place.
to keep it dry.
I'm always having to STRAIGHTEN
Straighten
Make something straight. OUT the wires connected to my
out
computer.
Straighten I had to STRAIGHTEN OUT things
Deal with a problem.
out after the mess they had made.
Straighten There are a few issues I'd like to
Make clear and resolve.
out STRAIGHTEN OUT first.
Straighten Starting work has STRAIGHTENED
Improve someone's behaviour.
out him OUT and calmed him down.
Straighten She STRAIGHTENED UP when her
Stand straight.
up boss walked in.
Straighten Tidy. I STRAIGHTENED UP the room
up before they arrived.
At first, he ignored them, but when
Attack, take action against someone
Strike back things got very serious, he STRUCK
who has hurt you.
BACK.
A hitman STRUCK him DOWN as he
entered the building.(This verb is
Strike
Kill. often used in the passive- He was
down
struck down as he entered the
building.)
I was STRUCK DOWN with food
Strike
Make someone ill. poisoning.(This verb is mostly used
down
in the passive.)
Strike The Appeal Court STRUCK DOWN
Disallow a law, decision, etc.
down the lower court's ruling.
Remove someone's professional The Medical Council STRUCK him
Strike off
licence to practise. OFF for malpractice.
I STRUCK ON the solution when I
Strike on Have a good idea.
was out with my dog.
After doing the same job for five
Start doing something new and
Strike out years, I decided to STRIKE OUT and
different.
change careers.
When he pushed me, I STRUCK
Strike out Try to hit someone.
OUT.
We got up early and STRUCK OUT
Strike out Start going towards a place.
for our final destination.
As they arrived, I STRUCK their
Strike out Cross writing out.
names OUT on the list I had.
I tried to get the government to
Strike out Fail.
support us but I STRUCK OUT.
He STRUCK UP a conversation with
Strike up Start (conversation, relationship).
me in the bar.
The band STRUCK UP and
Strike up Start performing music.
everyone turned to listen.
It took us a long time to STRIKE
Strike uponHave a good idea.
UPON a solution.
They kept saying they were
String
Deceive someone for a long time. interested, but they were just
along
STRINGING me ALONG
String Accompany someone because you Is it alright if I STRING ALONG with
along haven't got anything better to do. you tonight?
There was half an hour to go, so I
Make something last as long as
String out STRUNG the questions OUT as long
possible.
as I could.
I was so nervous in the interview that
String Put words together into a coherent
I could hardly STRING a sentence
together text.
TOGETHER.
 The rebels STRUNG the soldiers UP
String up Hang somebody.
after they captured them.
He STUBBED his cigarette OUT in a
Stub out Extinguish a cigarette. saucer because he couldn't find an
ashtray.
Stuff up Make a mistake, do badly, spoil. I STUFFED the exam UP.
You'll never guess what I
Stumble
Find something accidentally. STUMBLED ACROSS when I was
across
packing my stuff.
Stumble I STUMBLED UPON these photos
Find something accidentally.
upon when I was clearing my room up.
He didn't want to pay me back, but I
Stump up Pay for something.
got him to STUMP UP in the end.
Become involved in something Everyone around her was taking
Suck in
unpleasant. drugs and she got SUCKED IN.
Become involved in something The country got SUCKED INTO the
Suck into
unpleasant. war.
He is always SUCKING UP to try to
Suck up Try to ingratiate yourself.
get the boss's approval.
He's always SUCKING UP TO our
Suck up to Ingratiate yourself with someone.
boss.
Get dressed or put on a uniform for They SUITED UP and went to the
Suit up
an activity or task. interview
At the end of the lecture, she
Sum up Summarise.
SUMMED UP the main points again.
Summon Get the energy or courage to do Andrea couldn't SUMMON UP the
up something. enthusiasm to apply for the position.
It took her ages to SUSS OUT what
Suss out Come to understand.
was going on.
Swan Move in a dramatic or affected
He SWANNED ABOUT at the party.
about manner.
Swan Move in a dramatic or affected She SWANNED AROUND trying to
around manner. impress people.
Enter in a dramatic or attention- He SWANNED IN surrounded by
Swan in
seeking manner. photographers.
Leave somewhere in a defiant or He didn't like the way the spoke to
Swan off
pompous manner. him so he SWANNED OFF angrily.
I SWEAR BY their products- they're
Swear by Have great confidence in.
the best on the market.
Swear He SWORE DOWN that he hadn't
Promise that something is true.
down done it.
Sweep
Pass easily, succeed. She SWEPT THROUGH the exams.
through
Sweep The disease SWEPT THROUGH the
Move quickly through.
through population.
Swing Change your opinion quickly. They SWUNG AROUND to our idea
around after reading the press reports.
Swing He SWUNG ROUND to see what
Turn around quickly.
around had made the noise.
Swing at Try to hit. He SWUNG AT me but missed.
Visit a person or place on your way I will SWING BY this afternoon and
Swing by
somewhere. pick you up.
Swing They were against it at first then
Change your opinion quickly.
round SWUNG ROUND and supported it.
Swing She SWUNG ROUND and greeted
Turn around quickly.
round them.
The candidate SYPHONED OFF a
Take business, support or votes from
Syphon off lot of votes because of his anti-war
someone.
stance.
The minister had been SYPHONING
Syphon off Divert money illegally. OFF funds from his department for
years.
They TACKED ON a new ending to
Tack on Add something that wasn't planned. the film when they found that test
audiences didn't like the original.
I TACKED a quick message ONTO
Add or attach something that wasn't
Tack onto the end of the letter after I'd printed
planned to something.
it.
Accompany someone, especially if You're off to the cinema; can we TAG
Tag along
they haven't specifically invited you. ALONG?
Add an additional point to something He TAGGED ON a few comments
Tag on
written or spoken. after reading my report.
Add an additional point to something He TAGGED his ideas ONTO the
Tag onto
written or spoken. end of my report.
Add a keyword link or bookmark to a The post was TAGGED WITH
Tag with
blog entry or webpage. keywords.
His voice TAILED AWAY when he
Tail away Become silent or inaudible. was speaking about what he'd done
wrong.
The traffic TAILED BACK for several
Tail back Form a traffic jam.
miles after the accident.
The voices TAILED OFF when she
Tail off Become silent or inaudible.
entered.
Profits TAILED OFF sharply in the
Tail off Decrease. last quarter of the year as a result of
the increase in the price of oil.
Take after Look like, resemble. He TAKES AFTER his mother.
She TOOK the photocopier APART
Take apart Take something to pieces.
to see what had got stuck in it.
The teacher TOOK her ASIDE and
Take aside Get someone alone to talk to them.
said that she'd failed the exam.
Take away Remove. The police TOOK the protestors
 AWAY.
That song always TAKES me BACK
Take back Make someone nostalgic.
to when I was at university.
I had to TAKE BACK everything bad
Retract a statement, admit that
Take back I'd said about them when I learned
something was wrong.
how they'd helped out.
The police TOOK DOWN his
Take down Make notes or write down in full.
answers to their questions.
People TAKE DOWN their Christmas
Take down Remove. decorations twelve days after
Christmas.
The lecture was rather boring and I
Take in Absorb information. didn't TAKE IN much of what the
lecturer said.
She TOOK me IN with her story until
Take in Deceive.
someone told me the truth.
The jacket was far too big around the
Take in Make clothes smaller. shoulders, so I had it TAKEN IN so
that I could wear it.
The family TOOK IN the three
Take in Assume care or support.
homeless kittens.
He's good at criticising others, but
Take it Accept criticism.
can't TAKE IT himself.
Whenever things go wrong, he
Take it out Abuse someone because you're always shouts and TAKES IT OUT
on angry. ON me, even if I had nothing to do
with the problem.
Take it
Take responsibility, often without I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF to make
upon
consulting other people. sure he got up on time.
yourself
The software house really TOOK
Take off Make great progress. OFF when they produced the latest
version of their DTP package.
They've TAKEN ten percent OFF
Take off Reduce the price of an item.
designer frames for glasses.
When a plane departs or leaves the The flight for Dublin TOOK OFF on
Take off
ground. time.
Take off Remove. It was hot, so I TOOK my jacket OFF.
The plane stopped at Zurich to TAKE
Take on Allow passengers on a ship or plane.
ON some passengers.
She TOOK ON the task of indexing
Take on Assume a responsibility.
the book.
The council has had to TAKE ON
Take on Employ. twenty extra employees to handle
their increased workload.
Take out Borrow a library book. I TOOK OUT all the books I needed
 for my essay from the library.
Borrow money from a bank or other Jackie and Anil TOOK OUT a
Take out
official lender. mortgage to buy a bigger flat.
The dentist TOOK OUT all of my
Take out Extract or remove. wisdom teeth before they started
causing any problems.
Go out socially with someone, He TOOK her OUT to a restaurant
Take out
especially a date. last Friday night.
I TOOK OUT some health insurance
Take out Obtain insurance. before I went backpacking around
Latin America.
The gang TOOK him OUT after he
Take out Kill, murder.
spoke to the police.
The bank was TAKEN OVER by a
Assume control of a company or
Take over Hong Kong bank that needed to buy
organisation.
a bank to get into the British market.
Start a job or position that someone She TOOK OVER responsibility for
Take over
had occupied before you. the project last month.
Take He TOOK me THROUGH the
Explain something to someone.
through procedures before we started.
He's TAKEN TO wearing a baseball
Take to Make a habit of something. cap since his hair started thinning
more noticeably.
An awful lot of my time at work is
Take up Fill or occupy time or space. TAKEN UP with pointless
bureaucracy nowadays.
The trousers were too long so I
Take up Make clothes shorter.
TOOK them UP to make them fit.
He TOOK UP squash as he felt he
Take up Start a new hobby, pastime, etc..
had to lose some weight.
Talk He TALKED them AROUND to
Persuade.
around accepting his point of view.
Talk Talk about a problem or issue without They TALKED AROUND the issue
around really dealing with it. without reaching a conclusion.
There's no point trying to convince
Talk to someone and not give them a
Talk at them- they'll just TALK AT you until
chance to reply or listen to them.
you give up.
Respond rudely to a person in The teacher was cross because the
Talk back
authority. pupil TALKED BACK to her.
Try to make something sound less The company CEO TALKED DOWN
Talk down
important. the recent fall in shares.
A man was threatening to jump off
Persuade someone not to jump off a
Talk down the building but the police TALKED
high place to kill themselves.
him DOWN.
Talk down Talk in a way to show your superiority She's a dreadful teacher and TALKS
to not communicate. DOWN TO her students instead of
 teaching them.
She didn't want to let me go, but I
Talk into Persuade someone to do something.
finally managed to TALK her INTO it.
Discuss a problem or issue to find a They had a meeting to TALK OUT
Talk out
solution. how people felt.
He was going to drive home after
Persuade someone not to do
Talk out of drinking half a bottle of wine, but his
something.
friends TALKED him OUT OF it.
We TALKED OVER the problems in
Talk over Discuss. our relationship, but couldn't sort
things out.
She TALKED them AROUND to
Talk round Persuade.
accepting her point of view.
Talk about a problem or issue without WE TALKED ROUND the issue but
Talk round
really dealing with it. didn't reach a conclusion.
Talk The teacher TALKED me THROUGH
Guide someone through an issue.
through the test so I knew what to expect.
Make something appear more
The government are trying to TALK
Talk up important or significant than it really
UP the effect of their policies.
is.
Talk
He TALKED himself OUT after a
yourself Talk until you have nothing left to say.
couple of hours and calmed down.
out
Tap for Get money off someone. I TAPPED him FOR a loan.
Use or exploit a plentiful resource for The company is hoping to TAP INTO
Tap into
your benefit. the Chinese market.
He TAPPED OFF WITH someone at
Tap off withHave sex with.
the party on Saturday.
He TAPPED OUT the tune with his
Tap out Play a rhythm quietly.
pencil while he was thinking.
How can we buy a new house
Tap out Use all the money available. without TAPPING OUT our savings
account.
Chelsea were accused of TAPPING
Approach a footballer illegally to get
Tap up him UP even though he was under
them to change teams.
contract.
Work with someone or a group to They TEAMED UP to publicise the
Team up
achieve something. issue.
People were TORN APART when
Tear apart Disturb or upset greatly. news of the train crash came
through.
Tear at Pull or try to pull something to pieces. The fighters TORE AT each other.
Stop someone doing something I had to TEAR him AWAY from the
Tear away
unwillingly. office for dinner.
The roof was TORN AWAY in the
Tear away Remove a surface violently.
hurricane.
 The estate was TORN DOWN so
Tear down Demolish. that they could develop the land into
luxury flats.
Tear into Criticise strongly or angrily. She TORE INTO me for losing it.
She TORE the slip OFF the bottom
Remove part of a form or letter using
Tear off of the form and sent it with her
your hands, not scissors.
cheque.
The police TORE OFF in their car
Tear off Leave at high speed.
after arresting her.
Tear off Remove with force. The storm TORE the roof OFF.
The sheriff TORE OUT after the
Tear out Depart rapidly.
escaping criminals.
He TORE the fax UP and threw the
Tear up Rip into pieces.
bits of paper in the bin.
They are TEARING UP the old part
Tear up Destroy. of town to build a new shopping
centre.
After hearing the tragic news he
Tear up Have eyes fill with tears. TEARED UP and could hardly
speak.
The new project will TEE OFF next
Tee off Start or launch an event.
month.
Place a golf ball on a short plastic or
Tee off wooden stick before hitting it at the He TEED OFF at the first hole.
start of a hole..
It TEES me OFF when they turn up
Tee off Annoy someone.
late.
She TEED OFF ON me about the
Tee off on Criticise.
work I gave her.
Place a golf ball on a short plastic or
She TEED UP two strokes ahead at
Tee up wooden stick before hitting it at the
the last hole.
start of a hole..
Make preparations before starting or They are TEEING UP for the
Tee up
launching something. conference tomorrow.
They're identical twins so I cannot
Tell apart See a difference between two things.
TELL them APART.
Chide; talk angrily to someone about His fiancée TOLD him OFF for
Tell off
something they've done wrong.. arriving nearly an hour late.
The pupil TOLD ON the others for
Tell on Report someone to an authority.
cheating and the teacher failed them.
Cancel an appointment by sending a I was feeling too tired to go and
Text out
text message. TEXTED OUT.
I've THOUGHT it OVER and have
Think over Consider something carefully. made up my mind; I'm going to take
the job in Leeds.
Think Consider all the possibilities and The plan fell through because they
 hadn't THOUGHT it THROUGH
through outcomes of a situation.
properly.
Create or invent something, I'd better THINK UP a good reason
Think up
especially when lying. for handing the work in late.
Throw Discard something when no longer I THREW the alarm clock AWAY
away needed. because it had stopped working.
May I THROW IN with you? My
Throw in Join, accompany.
companions left me behind.
They THREW IN a printer so I
Throw in Add something to a deal.
bought it from them.
I THREW OFF my shoes and
Throw off Remove item of clothing quickly.
flopped on the settee.
It took me ages to THROW OFF the
Throw off Get rid of.
cold.
The lamp THROWS OFF a lot of
Throw off Produce light or heat.
heat.
I THREW ON a jacket and rushed
Throw on Put clothes on quickly.
outside.
I THREW OUT all my old clothes to
Throw out Get rid of.
make some space in my wardrobe.
Edward slipped on the ice and
Throw out Dislocate.
THREW OUT his shoulder.
The committee THREW the proposal
Throw out Reject.
OUT.
The car THROWS OUT a lot of
Throw out Produce heat, fumes.
smoke.
The school THREW him OUT for
Throw out Expel.
smoking.
Throw over End a relationship with someone. She THREW me OVER last year.
Throw over Reject, refuse to accept. They THREW OVER the agreement.
Throw I THREW a quick dinner TOGETHER
Make or arrange quickly.
together before we left.
The prawns she ate at lunch made
Throw up Vomit. her THROW UP and she had to go
home early.
The talks THREW UP some
Throw up Produce problems, results, ideas, etc.
interesting possibilities.
She THREW UP her job to go
Throw up Leave a job or position suddenly.
travelling.
The road was bumpy and the car in
Create clouds of dust or splash water front was THROWING UP so much
Throw up
into the air. dust that we could hardly see where
we were going.
Throw Make it clear you are sexually He THREW HIMSELF AT her but she
yourself at attracted to someone. wasn't interested.
Throw Do something enthusiastically or She THREW herself INTO the
yourself
energetically. project.
into
Make reasonable progress without Things are TICKING ALONG at work
Tick along
any serious problems. while the director's away.
The last few seconds TICKED AWAY
Tick away Pass (of time).
and the team couldn't come back.
The seconds TICKED BY and the
Tick by Pass (of time).
team failed to score.
She really TICKS me OFF when she
Tick off Annoy.
doesn't reply to my emails.
Tick off Scold. He TICKED me OFF for arriving late.
Put a mark on an item in a list when it She TICKED OFF our names when
Tick off
has been dealt with. we arrived.
Continue working, but without The company TICKED OVER while
Tick over
improving. she was away on holiday.
The mechanic left the engine
Operate but without moving TICKING OVER for a while to see if
Tick over
(engines). he could see what was causing the
problem.
Use something carefully so as not to This £50 will have to TIDE me OVER
Tide over
finish it. until I get paid.
Put things in the correct place in a I TIDIED UP my bedroom because it
Tidy up
room. was a complete mess.
Fasten or secure so that it doesn't She TIED her hair BACK before
Tie back
obstruct. playing tennis.
Secure something to prevent it They TIED him DOWN to stop him
Tie down
moving. escaping.
Tie down Remove or restrict freedom. Marriage TIES you DOWN.
Stop people (often police or military) The army were TIED DOWN with the
Tie down
going where they are needed. rebellion and couldn't help.
The theory TIES IN with what the
Tie in Agree, be connected or support.
police have been saying.
He is TIED IN somehow with the
Tie in Associate with.
crime syndicate.
The publication TIES IN WITH the
Tie in with Occur at the same time.
twentieth anniversary of the incident.
They TIED UP the hostages so that
Tie up Tie or fasten something securely.
they couldn't escape.
Tie up Stop someone doing something. Work has TIED me UP all week.
Tie up Fasten. I TIED UP my shoelaces.
The convoy TIED UP the road for an
Tie up Block a road, etc.
hour.
Make something more secure or They're TIGHTENING UP security
Tighten up
function better. for the president's visit.
The program TIMED OUT before I
Time out End or close because of a time limit.
could reply.
 End or close something because of a The program TIMED me OUT after
Time out
time limit. twenty minutes.
Secretly inform the police or The police arrested the drug dealer
Tip off
authorities. after someone TIPPED them OFF.
I TIPPED my coffee OVER and
Tip over Spill, make something fall on its side.
ruined my keyboard.
She soon TIRED OF the course and
Tire of Get bored of something.
dropped out.
Tire out Make someone exhausted. Working so much TIRES me OUT.
It's geting late, so I'm going to
Toddle off Leave, go home.
TODDLE OFF home.
The Minister tried to TONE DOWN
Make something sound more
Tone down what she had said when the press
moderate.
started attacking her.
The company spent a lot on
Tool up Provide equipment.
TOOLING the factory UP.
The gangsters got TOOLED UP
Tool up Arm yourself or somebody.
before they went into the club.
It's getting late, so we're going to
Tootle off Leave, depart.
TOOTLE OFF home.
He complained for an hour and to
Top off Finish something in a special way. TOP it OFF started shouting his head
off.
Stop increasing, reach the highest The temperature TOPPED OUT at
Top out
point. forty degrees yesterday.
Shall I TOP UP your drink while I'm
Top up Refill something that isn't empty yet.
pouring myself one?
Discuss something freely and openly, WE TOSSED ideas ABOUT before
Toss about
but not very seriously. the negotiations.
Toss Discuss something freely and openly, We TOSSED their plan AROUND a
around but not very seriously. bit and then rejected it.
Toss back Drink quickly. I TOSSED BACK my beer and left.
I TOSSED a couple of drinks DOWN
Toss down Drink quickly.
before they arrived.
Make a decision by throwing a coin
Toss for We TOSSED FOR who would start.
and seeing which side lands face up.
Write something quickly and I TOSSED OFF the essay the night
Toss off
carelessly. before I had to hand it in.
Decide something by throwing a coin We TOSSED UP to see who would
Toss up
and seeing which side lands face up.. kick off.
Touch The plane TOUCHED DOWN at
Land (planes).
down Narita airport an hour late.
I TOUCHED him FOR some cash as
Touch for Borrow money.
I'd forgotten my cards.
The government's decision
Touch off Cause a problem to occur.
TOUCHED OFF riots in the capital.
 The talk TOUCHED ON the issue,
Touch on Mention.
but didn't give any new information.
I couldn't be bothered to redecorate,
Improve the appearance of
Touch up so I just TOUCHED UP the bits that
something.
needed painting the most.
She got angry when he tried to
Touch up Touch someone in a sexual way.
TOUCH her UP in the elevator.
Touch They didn't TOUCH UPON the
Mention.
upon subject because of the controversy.
Remove a vehicle, especially if I parked in a no-parking zone and
Tow away
parked illegally. they TOWED my car AWAY.
Pretend to think about or think about She TOYED AT getting them to help
Toy at
in a casual way. her but then did it alone.
I TOYED OVER the idea for a while,
Toy over Think about something.
but decided not to go ahead with it.
It was horrible, so I just TOYED
Toy with Not eat much of a meal.
WITH the food.
We TOYED WITH the idea of moving
Consider something, but not very
Toy with to the country, but it isn't really
seriously.
practical.
Move or play with something to
Toy with He TOYED WITH his cup.
occupy your hands.
He thought she loved him but she
Toy with Treat insincerely.
was just TOYING WITH him.
It took me ages to TRACK them
Track downFind after a long search. DOWN in the crowd at the football
game.
Their house it too large now that their
Trade Sell something and replace it with children have left home, so they're
down something cheaper. going to TRADE DOWN to
something smaller.
Exchange something old as part of She TRADED IN her old car for the
Trade in
the price of something new. new model.
Leave your wife or husband to marry He TRADED IN his wife when he
Trade in
someone younger. became the chairman.
A longer working week was TRADED
Trade off Bargain, make a deal or compromise.
OFF for a pay rise.
Accept something you don't really We had to TRADE OFF space for the
Trade off
want to get something you do want. location when buying the apartment.
Exploit, use something to your He TRADES ON their insecurity to
Trade on
advantage. get his way.
British wine drinkers have TRADED
Trade up Buy larger or more expensive items. UP over the last few years from
cheap plonk to expensive wines.
Trade up Leave your wife or husband and She supported him for years while he
marry someone better looking, richer, was struggling, but when he hit the
 etc. big time he left her and TRADED UP.
They TRADE UPON their reputation
Trade upon Exploit, use to your advantage.
to scare rivals.
Teach someone the specific skills
I have been TRAINING my new
Train up they will need to carry out a job or
assistant UP.
task.
Pass benefits from economic Despite the economic boom, few
Trickle
expansion through the economy to benefits have TRICKLED DOWN to
down
the less fortunate. the poor.
Be under the influence of After taking the LSD he TRIPPED
Trip out
psychoactive drugs. OUT for hours.
Trip over Fall. I TRIPPED OVER and hurt my knee.
I TRIPPED OVER the kerb and
Trip over Fall because you hit an obstacle.
broke my nose.
I TRIPPED UP in the interview when
Trip up Make a mistake. they asked me about what I could
offer the company.
The meeting was over so I
Trot off Leave.
TROTTED OFF.
Trot off to Go somewhere. I TROTTED OFF TO see the dentist.
The spokeswoman TROTTED OUT
Trot out Make a statement (meant negatively).
the same old unconvincing excuses.
The police TRUMPED UP the
Trump up Charge or accuse someone falsely. charges against him and he ended
up in prison though he hadn't done it.
I called but they weren't in, so I'll
Try back Phone back.
TRY BACK later.
Try for Make an attempt to get something. I'm going to TRY FOR the job.
Provoke someone by being annoying The children were TRYING IT ON all
Try it on
or behaving badly. night until I lost my temper.
Attempt to get something, usually by
He knew I wasn't got to let him do it-
Try it on deceit, without great hopes of
he was just TRYING IT ON.
success.
I TRIED the jacket ON before I
Try on Put clothes on to see if they fit.
bought it.
Scientists are TRYING OUT a new
Try out Test.
drug in the fight against the disease.
Test something to see if you like it or I TRIED OUT the program before I
Try out
want to buy it. bought it.
He TRIED OUT FOR the baseball
Try out for Be tested for a sports team.
team.
I TUCKED the money AWAY in my
Tuck away Put something in a safe place.
drawer.
We TUCKED AWAY a huge dinner
Tuck away Eat a lot.
before we went out.
Tuck in Tidy the ends of items of clothing by I forgot to TUCK my shirt IN.
 placing them inside something.
The dinner smelled so good I
Tuck in Start eating enthusiastically.
couldn't wait to TUCK IN.
Arrange the sheets, duvet or blankets
He TUCKED her IN and read her a
Tuck in to make someone, usually a child,
story.
comfortable in bed.
I was starving and TUCKED INTO
Tuck into Start eating something.
the food.
Arrange the sheets, duvet or blankets
She TUCKED her children UP in bed
Tuck up to make someone, usually a child,
and switched the lights off.
comfortable in bed.
Be sure to TUNE IN next week for
Tune in Watch or listen to a TV or radio show.
the next episode.
Watch or listen to a TV or radio Make sure you TUNE IN TO next
Tune in to
programme. week's show.
I TUNED him OUT because he was
Tune out Ignore, not pay attention.
talking such rubbish.
Improve the performance of a
Tune up He's TUNED his car UP for the race.
machine or engine.
Tune a musical instrument before The orchestra TUNED UP their
Tune up
playing. instruments before the concert.
The public TURNED AGAINST the
Turn
Stop liking and start disliking. government when they became
against
arrogant and ceased to listen.
The doorman TURNED him AWAY
Turn away Not allow someone to enter a place. from the nightclub because he was
wearing trainers.
The room was too hot, so she
Turn down Reduce volume, temperature, etc..
TURNED the heating DOWN.
They offered her the job, but she
Turn down Reject an offer, invitation, etc..
TURNED it DOWN.
Fold the top covers of a bed down to The hotel staff TURNED DOWN the
Turn down make it ready for someone to go to bed and scattered flower petals on it
sleep. while we was having dinner.
I TURNED IN at half past eleven
Turn in Go to bed. because I had an early start the next
morning.
Turn in Hand in, submit. She TURNED IN her paper.
Turn into Become. Tadpoles TURN INTO frogs.
I TURNED the TV OFF and went to
Turn off Stop a machine.
bed.
Cause someone to feel attraction or
Turn on He really TURNS me ON.
pleasure.
I TURNED the radio ON to get the
Turn on Start a machine.
weather forecast.
Turn on Attack. The neighbour's dog TURNED ON
 me when I tried to stroke it.
The factory TURNS OUT three
Turn out Produce.
thousand units a day.
It looked as if we were going to fail,
Turn out Produce an unexpected result.
but it TURNED OUT well in the end.
She TURNED OUT the lights and
Turn out Stop a light.
went to bed.
Thousand TURNED OUT for the
Turn out Attend.
demonstration.
The court ordered the company to
Turn over Give to the authorities.
TURN OVER their financial records.
She had nobody to TURN TO when
Turn to Try to get help.
her husband died.
He TURNED TO drink after he lost
Turn to Take up a habit.
his job.
Turn up Appear. She didn't TURN UP for class today.
Turn up Increase volume, temperature, etc.. I TURNED the music UP full blast.
He TYPED the text IN and printed it
Type in Enter computer data or text.
off.
Write a full or finished version of a She TYPED her essay OUT and
Type out
text on a computer. handed it in a the last minute.
She TYPED UP her lecture notes
Type up Type a finished version.
and printed them out.
Urge on Encourage. The crowd URGED the players ON.
Persuade or pressure to accept They URGED the deal ON the
Urge on
something. company.
Persuade or pressure to accept
Urge upon They URGED the contract UPON us.
something.
Use up Finish or consume all of something. We USED UP all the olive oil.
Be at, mark or celebrate an important We always give a party USHER IN
Usher in
point in time. the NEW YEAR.
Her appointment as CEO USHERED
Usher in Make important changes happen. IN a whole new phase in the
company's growth.
Vacuum up Consume. He VACUUMED UP all of the food.
Make something more exciting, The place is dull and you need to
Vamp up
attractive, etc. VAMP it UP.
I had to VAMP UP a reason for being
Vamp up Invent, maker up, improvise.
so late.
I'm going to VEG OUT in front of the
Veg out Relax, do nothing.
TV tonight.
Venture Leave somewhere safe or If the storm has finished, we could
forth comfortable. VENTURE FORTH.
Start something or get involved, often He just WADED IN without listening
Wade in
without thinking or to forcefully. to what anyone had to say.
Wade in Attack. The hooligans WADED IN when they
 saw fans from the other team.
Become embroiled or involved in a
They WADED INTO the negotiations
Wade into situation, without thinking or planning
and the deal collapsed.
usually.
Wade Get to the end of something with It took me ages to WADE THROUGH
through difficulty. the book.
I WAITED ABOUT for an hour, but
Wait about Wait somewhere doing nothing.
they didn't come.
They were just WAITING AROUND
Wait
Wait somewhere doing nothing. to see if anything was going to
around
happen.
Wait Stay somewhere after other people I WAITED BEHIND to ask the
behind have left. lecturer a question.
Stay at home because someone is
Wait in I WAITED IN for the guy to fix the TV.
going to visit.
They have two people WAITING ON
Wait on Serve people in a restaurant.
each table.
He WAITS ON customers in an
Wait on Sell goods in a shop.
electronics store.
Provide someone with everything they
Wait on He has a butler who WAITS ON him.
need or want.
They're WAITING ON the results of
Wait for a result before being able to
Wait on the vote before taking a final
make a decision.
decision.
Wait till something has finished, We'll have to WAIT OUT this
Wait out
usually something unpleasant. uncertainty.
Not go to bed because you are I was worried and WAITED UP until
Wait up
waiting. they got home safe and sound.
Wait up! Stop (imperative). Wait up! I need to talk to you.
Provide someone with what they They used to have servants
Wait upon
require. WAITING UPON them.
They must WAIT UPON the outcome
Wait for a result before being able to
Wait upon of the match before they know who
make a decision.
they'll be playing.
I WOKE UP at half past six this
Wake up Stop sleeping.
morning.
Walk away You can't just WALK AWAY FROM
Leave something you don't like.
from your problems.
Walk away She WALKED AWAY WITH the first
Win easily.
with prize.
They declined to WALK BACK
Walk back
Retract a statement. FROM their comments despite the
from
controversy.
Enter somewhere unexpectedly and He WALKED IN ON them planning to
Walk in on
see something. sack him.
Walk into Get work without effort. He WALKED INTO a great job
 straight after university.
You WALKED INTO that one [You
Be unaware of the presence of
became victim to a trap I set]orI
Walk into something and either enter it (a trap)
WALKED INTO a door and broke my
or bump into it (an obstruction).
nose.
Go for a walk to reduce the effects of
Walk off I tried to WALK OFF my hangover.
an illness or bad feeling.
Walk off
Win easily. He WALKED OFF WITH the award.
with
Walk off Take something without permission or Someone WALKED OFF WITH my
with steal. umbrella so I got soaked.
I saw the accident but just WALKED
Walk on Continue walking. ON as I didn't want to have to give a
statement.
The workers WALKED OUT because
Leave work because of a dispute with
Walk out the felt that safety wasn't being
the management.
handled correctly.
Leave a place angrily or because you The film was a bore so I WALKED
Walk out
are not satisfied. OUT halfway through.
Walk out He WALKED OUT ON his wife last
Leave somebody angrily.
on year.
Walk Explain or demonstrate something He WALKED me THROUGH the
through carefully to someone. procedures.
A man WALKED UP and asked me
Walk up Go to someone.
the time.
Waltz She WALTZED THROUGH the tests
Pass or succeed easily.
through and got the highest score.
Leave a place, usually without telling She WANDERED OFF and got lost
Wander off
other people. in the crowd.
The lecture was boring and my mind
Wander off Stop paying attention.
WANDERED OFF after ten minutes.
Want to leave a relationship or Jackie wasn't happy with her
Want out
arrangement. marriage and WANTED OUT.
The team WARMED UP half an hour
Warm up Do exercises before a sport.
before the volleyball match.
The ice cream stall on the beach was
When floods or waves completely
Wash away WASHED AWAY in the storm last
remove a structure, building, etc..
night.
Drink in order to swallow something I WASHED the antibiotics DOWN
Wash down
solid. with a glass of water.
Rain so heavily that an event has to The rain WASHED OUT the
Wash out
be cancelled. championship final.
Suddenly experience a strong He felt numb as grief WASHED
Wash over
emotion. OVER him.
Clean everything used to prepare The children WASHED UP after
Wash up
food and eat it. lunch.
 When something in the sea or river is After the crash, several bodies
Wash up
left on the shore or bank. WASHED UP on the beach.
Be sure you and the kids WASH UP
Wash up Wash face and hands.
before dinner.
Waste Become very thin and weak, usually He WASTED AWAY as the cancer
away due to illness. got worse.
Watch out Be careful (imperative). Watch out- there's ice on the road.
Watch out WATCH OUT FOR bats in the caves;
Be careful of something.
for many have rabies.
Keep an eye on something or
The lecturer WATCHED OVER the
Watch over someone to check that there's no
students as they did the experiment.
trouble.
The Freedom of Information Act was
WATERED DOWN by the
Water Make something weaker and less
Government and didn't give ordinary
down effective.
people much access to official data
files
Ignore or refuse to consider what They WAVED ASIDE our objections
Wave aside
someone says. and carried on with the plan.
They WAVED the van DOWN and
Wave downMake a hand signal to stop a vehicle.
got a lift after the accident.
Go to a place where someone is
Wave off We WAVED her OFF at the station.
leaving to wave goodbye.
Make a hand signal to tell someone to The accident was bad, but the police
Wave on
keep moving. WAVED us ON.
Slowly stop a dependency on We will have to WEAN him OFF his
Wean off
something. obsession.
The lawn has been WORN AWAY by
people walking across it and it's just
Wear away Erode, remove gradually.
bare soil now with hardly a blade of
grass.
The stress of my job is WEARING
Wear down Make something weaker.
me DOWN.
The anaesthetic WORE OFF and my
Wear off Stop having an effect.
tooth started hurting.
She played the video so many times
Wear out Use something until it stops working.
that she WORE the tape OUT.
The company WEEDED OUT the
Weed out Remove, get rid of.
unsuccessful sales reps.
Weigh Burden with responsibilities, duties, The requirements of her new job
down on etc. WEIGHED DOWN ON her.
Have a certain weight (in sports like The champion WEIGHED IN at 120
Weigh in
boxing). kilos.
He disliked the plan and WEIGHED
Weigh in Enter an argument forcefully.
IN with some heavy criticism.
Weigh in Enter an argument or discussion to She WEIGHED IN ON their
on express a strongly felt idea. immigration policies.
The issues raised WEIGHED ON her
Weigh on Make someone consider carefully.
mind.
Measure a certain amount of Could you WEIGH OUT 200
Weigh out
something by weight. grammes of that for me?
They WEIGHED the pros and cons
Weigh up Assess.
UP carefully before deciding.
The way he spoke was WEIRDING
Weird out Disturb, cause concern or worry.
me OUT.
I felt tears WELLING UP when I
Well up Feel tears starting.
heard the news.
Anger WELLED UP inside us when
Well up Feel an emotion strongly.
we saw what they had done.
Experience an emotion or feeling, Tears WELLED UP when I heard
Well up
start to cry. they had died.
When he heard the whistle, he
Wheel Turn quickly and face in the opposite
WHEELED AROUND to see what
around direction.
was happening.
Use something like an explanation
They WHEELED OUT the same old
Wheel out that has been used many times
excuses last time this happened.
before and has lost its impact.
Wheel Turn quickly and face in the opposite She WHEELED ROUND when he
round direction. told her to stop.
Spend time doing something because We WHILED a couple of hours
While away
you have nothing better to do. AWAY playing computer games.
Ben WHIPPED INTO the
Whip into Enter rapidly (as for a brief errand). convenience store for a bag of
crisps.
The police officer WHIPPED OUT
Whip out Remove quickly.
her radio and called for back-up.
Lola WHIPPED OUT OF a side
Whip out ofExit rapidly. street without looking and
broadsided a police car.
Whip
Do something quickly. She WHIPPED THROUGH the task.
through
We got back late and WHIPPED UP
Whip up Make food quickly.
dinner.
Mix liquid food quickly to make it thick
Whip up I WHIPPED UP the egg whites.
and creamy.
Make people feel more strongly about The boss tried to WHIP UP some
Whip up
something. support for her new policies.
Whisk The police WHISKED the minister
Take to another place quickly.
away AWAY when the trouble started.
Use correction fluid to cover a Could you pass the Tippex? I need to
White out
mistake in a written text. WHITE this mistake OUT.
Wig out Become excited and lose control. He WIGGED OUT when he heard
 that he had failed.
He was supposed to be in charge but
Wiggle out Avoid doing.
tried to WIGGLE OUT.
Wiggle out I WIGGLED OUT OF having to work
Avoid doing something.
of late.
I was going to have the hottest curry
Not be brave enough to do
Wimp out on the menu, but I WIMPED OUT
something.
and had a mild lamb Korma instead.
I'm going to WIND DOWN in the
Wind down Relax. country this weekend and do
nothing.
Slowly close a business or They WOUND the committee DOWN
Wind down
organisation. after the inquiry.
Forward a film or tape to a certain He WOUND the video ON to show
Wind on
point. us the scene.
The company was WOUND UP
Close a company because it's
Wind up when the creditors demanded
unprofitable.
payment.
Tighten the spring in a watch or clock I forgot to WIND UP my alarm clock
Wind up
to make it work. and overslept.
Irritate someone or increase their
The children are really WINDING me
Wind up stress level, especially if done
UP
deliberately.
Find or get something that takes a It took me a while to WINKLE the
Winkle out
great deal of effort. truth OUT of him.
Revising for the exam last night
Wipe out Make someone very tired.
WIPED me OUT.
A meteor crashing into the planet
Wipe out Kill all of a population, make extinct.
WIPED the dinosaurs OUT.
She WIRED her new stereo system
Wire up Make electrical connections.
UP as soon as she got home.
His supervisor told him to WISE UP
Wise up Stop being stupid. and start following the rules or else
he'd lose his job.
The solicitor WORDED her UP client
Word up Give someone information, advice. before the police interview, so they
go very little out of him.
Word up! A phrase that was used a greeting. 'Word up! You OK?'
She goes to the gym to WORK OFF
Work off Exercise to remove stress or weight.
her anger.
Scientists are WORKING ON
Work on Improve or develop.
genetically modified crops and foods.
Things were going wrong for them
Work out End nicely. but fortunately it all WORKED OUT
in the end.
Work out Find the answer or solution. I couldn't WORK OUT all the
 answers to the crossword puzzle.
They WORKED him OVER and
Work over Assault, beat up.
robbed him.
They WORKED it OVER until they
Work over Repeat, do again.
had got it right.
They WORKED OVER the market
Work over Examine carefully.
looking for bargains.
It took him a long time to WORK
Work Deal with, resolve a problem, often
THROUGH his anger after he lost his
through emotional.
job.
Wrap Cover with clothing, usually to keep She WRAPPED a scarf AROUND
around warm. her head because it was so cold.
Wrap Cover or encircle with part of your He WRAPPED his arms AROUND
around body. her.
Wrap Cover with clothing, usually to keep He WRAPPED the cloth ROUND his
round warm. fingers to keep warm.
Wrap Cover or encircle with part of your She WRAPPED her arms ROUND
round body. him.
They WRAPPED UP the presents
Wrap up Cover in paper.
then put a ribbon around them.
WRAP UP carefully or you'll catch
Wrap up Dress warmly. your death of cold outside in that
rain.
That WRAPS things UP, so we'll end
Wrap up Finish.
this meeting.
Wriggle out Avoid doing something in a way other He always manages to WRIGGLE
of people don't like. OUT OF any extra work we get.
I WROTE her mobile number DOWN
Write down Make notes.
on a scrap of paper and I've lost it.
They asked viewers to WRITE IN
Write in Send a letter to a TV station, etc..
with their opinions and suggestions.
He WROTE the car OFF in an
Write off Destroy a car in an accident.
accident on the motorway.
I WROTE OUT my notes in full to
Write out Write something completely.
help me remember them.
I WROTE UP the report and
Write up Make complete written version.
submitted it.
Talk continuously, especially if it is an
Yack on He YACKED ON for an hour.
annoying way.
Talk continuously, especially if it is an
Yammer on She YAMMERED ON for ages.
annoying way.
I tried hard to resist, but in the end I
Yield to Surrender. YIELDED TO temptation and ate it
all.
Zero in on Direct or focus attention on. The police have ZEROED IN ON the
man they believe to be responsible
 for the murder.
The hurricane is ZEROING IN ON
Zero in on Head for, move towards.
Florida.
The debt was ZEROED OUT by the
Zero out Cut off funding for a project.
department.
The entry was ZEROED OUT of the
Zero out Reduce to zero, cancel, remove.
database.
We ZIPPED AROUND the
Zip around Move quickly. supermarket to get the shopping
done.
The motorbike ZIPPED BY the cars
Zip by Pass quickly.
stuck in the traffic jam.
He told me to ZIP IT, so I said
Zip it Keep quiet, say nothing.
nothing.
He was being stupid in the meeting,
Zip up Keep quiet.
so we told him to ZIP UP.
I was bored at first but then ZONED
Zone in Pay attention after not doing so. IN when things started getting more
interesting.
I ZONED IN ON what they were
Zone in on Pay attention after not doing so.
saying when they started gossiping.
She ZONED OUT during the lecture
Zone out Not pay attention.
because it was so boring.
I put some ambient music on and
Zone out Dissociate yourself from a situation.
ZONED OUT.
I ZONKED OUT during the film and
Zonk out Fall asleep.
missed most of it.
The camera ZOOMED IN to show
Zoom in Focus more closely.
people's faces.
The camera ZOOMED IN ON his
Zoom in on Focus more closely.
face.
He rushed out of the building and
Zoom off Go somewhere quickly.
ZOOMED OFF in his car.
The camera ZOOMED OUT to show
Zoom out Focus less closely.
all the crowd.