PHRASAL

MEANING

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

abide by

keep to rules, decisions,

promises or agreements

If you decide to do it, you'll have to abide by their strict

rules.
Si decides hacerlo tendrs que acatar sus estrictas
normas.

account for

explain, give a good reason

for something

The storm accounts for the plane crash.

La tormenta explica el accidente areo.

act like

behave in a specific way

Herbert is acting like a fool today.

Herbert se est comportando como un tonto hoy.

act up

misbehave

Both kids have been acting up all day long.

Los dos chicos se estuvieron portando mal todo el da.

add in

include

Please add Macarena in: she would like to go on the picnic

tomorrow with you all.
Por favor, incluyan a Macarena: ella quisiera ir al picnic de
maana con todos ustedes.

add up

1) find the total of numbers

1) You made a mistake when you were adding the bill up.
Cometi un error cuando sum la cuenta.

2) to have sense

2) "I can't understand this. It doesn't add up".

"No entiendo esto. No le encuentro sentido".

add up to

result in, total

lt all adds up to this: she is entirely untrustworthy.

Todo se puede resumir as: ella no es para nada confiable.

allow for

take into consideration,

take into account

All hunters allow for the possibility of boar bites.

Todo cazador tiene en cuenta las mordeduras de los
jabales.

answer back

answer a reproof impudently,

retort (colloquial)

Don't answer back when your parents talk to you.

No contestes mal a tus padres cuando te estn hablando.

answer up

reply clearly and without

any delay

Jane answered up when the visitor addressed her.

Jane respondi rpidamente cuando el visitante se dirigi a
ella.

answer up to

have a ready reply (to)

His wife answered up to every question the police asked

her.
Su esposa respondi a cada pregunta que la polica le
hizo.

apply for

ask for something

One hundred subscribers have applied for a scholarship to

study our new OM COMPANY Business Course online.
Cien suscriptores han solicitado una beca para realizar por

Internet nuestro nuevo Curso de Negocios OM COMPANY.

ask after someone

ask about a person,

his health, etc.

Lucy has asked after your mom.

Lucy ha preguntado por la salud de tu mam.

ask down

invite (a person) to come

downstairs

They asked me down to talk to them.

Me pidieron que bajara a hablar con ellos.

ask for

request

The sales manager asked for a new extension.

El gerente de ventas solicit un nuevo interno.

ask in

invite (a person) into a house

(usually separated)

Ask your new friend in; we would all like to meet him.
Haz pasar a tu nuevo amigo; todos queremos conocerlo.

ask out

invite (a person) to any form

of entertainment.

Barbara's friends always ask her out.

Los amigos de Brbara siempre la invitan a salir.

ask up

invite (a person) to come

upstairs

The invalid asked Ann up to talk to her.

La invlida le pidi a Ann que subiera a hablar con ella.

ask many people the same

question

I asked around but nobody has seen my wallet

MEANING

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

ask around

PHRASAL
back away

move back slowly

(in the face of danger)

The robbers backed away when they saw the fierced dog.
Los ladrones retrocieron cuando vieron el perro enfurecido.

back down

give up a claim

The claimant backed down and was content to take his

share.
El reclamante se ech atrs y qued satisfecho con su
parte.

back down from

withdraw, avoid

The new president never backs down from a challenge.

El nuevo presidente jams se echa atrs ante un desafo.

back off

not follow a threat,

give up a claim

She backed off when I insisted on paying for the damages.

Se retract cuando insist en pagar los daos.

back out of

1) break a promise,
change one's opinion

1) My husband promised me a trip, but he finally backed

out of his promise.
Mi esposo me prometi un viaje pero al
finalmente rompi su promesa.

2) withdraw from

He had to back out of the deal owing to his recent

misfortunes.
Debi retirarse del acuerdo debido a sus ltimas
desgracias.

back up

bail out

bale out

1) support (a claim or a person), 1) All of us will back you up at the election.

confirm
Todos te apoyaremos en las elecciones.
2) move in reverse,
reverse a car

2) Could you please back up your car a little?

Podra retroceder (dar marcha atrs a) su auto un poco?

3) make a protection copy

Before my computer crashed, I could back all my files up.

Antes de que mi computadora fallara pude proteger (hacer
una copia de seguridad de) todos mis archivos.

1) rescue

1) If your son runs into difficulties, who will bail him out?
Si tu hijo se mete en aprietos, quin lo va a salvar?

2) provide money for a

person's release from prison

2) A rich friend soon came and bailed Joe out.

Enseguida apareci un amigo rico de Joe y pag su fianza.

1) escape from an aeroplane

by parachute

1) The pilot baled out when the aircraft fell in flames.

El piloto salt en paracadas cuando el avin se incendi.

2) remove water from a vessel

2) We baled out for several hours until the boat was safe.
Sacamos agua durante varias horas hasta que el bote
estuvo a salvo.

bandy about

discuss lightly or jokingly

I don't like to hear my secrets being bandied about.

No me gusta que se anden revelando mis secretos.

bank on

depend on

We all are banking on good weather next Monday.

Todos dependemos de que haga buen tiempo el prximo
lunes.

barge in

intrude (slang)

We were at a private meeting when she barged in.

Estbamos en reunin privada cuando ella se entrometi.

bark out

say petulantly

She barked out the salesman, "Why don't you leave?"

Le espet al vendedor, "Por qu no se va de una vez?".

be about to

be on the point of
(doing something)

He is about to leave for Costa Rica.

Est por salir para Costa Rica.

be after

search for, want (slang)

I am after the truth of this problem.

Busco (Estoy detrs de) la verdad de este problema.

be against

be opposed to

I'm against buying everything they offer you.

Estoy en contra de comprar todo lo que te ofrecen.

be away

be far from home, from this

place (for at least a night)

I'm afraid Sheila is away for the weekend.

Me temo que Sheila se fue por el fin de semana.

be back

have returned after a long

Mr. Barter will be back in half an hour.

be behind with

or short absence

El Sr. Barter regresar en media hora.

be late with

You are already behind with your rent.

Ya te atrasaste con el alquiler.

be down for

have one's name written

down or entered for

Are you down for the OM Personal final examinations?

Te anotaste para los exmenes finales de OM Personal?

be down in

have failed in (slang)

Poor Mary is down in French and Maths.

Pobre Mary, le fue mal (la reprobaron) en Francs y
Matemticas.

be for

be in favour of

I'm for doing nothing till the police arrive.

Estoy a favor de no hacer nada hasta que llegue la polica.

be in

be at home, be here or there

in this or that building

I want to see Mr. Delaware. Is he in?

Necesito ver al Sr. Delaware. Se encuentra aqu?

be in for

be about to have or experience

(usually something unpleasant)

The pilot has just said that we are in for a bumpy flight.
El piloto acaba de anunciar que vamos a tener un vuelo movido.

be in with

be friendly with

His father is in with the manager.

Su padre anda bien (tiene buena relacin) con el gerente.

be off

1) go away (colloquial)

1) She is off now. Call her later.

No se encuentra ahora. Llmela ms tarde.

2) have gone bad (colloquial)

2) This milk is off; throw it away.

Esta leche est mal; trala.

3) be free from duty

3) He promised to see me when she was off.

Prometi venir a verme cuando no est ocupado.

4) be cancelled (colloquial)

4) The meeting scheduled for tonight is now off.

La reunin programada para esta noche est cancelada.

5) start

5) The movie is off now!

Ya comienza la pelcula!

1) be on duty (colloquial)

1) They are on from 2 pm to 6 pm

Estn ocupados desde las 2 hasta las 6 de la tarde.

2) agree (colloquial)

2) We are swimming soon. Are you on?

Pronto vamos a ir a nadar. Ests de acuerdo?

1) be away from home

(for a short time, not overnight)

Mrs. Dennys is out at the moment.

La Sra. Dennys est afuera en estos momentos.

be on

be out

2) be mistaken, be wrong

2) The accountant was out in his budget.

El contador se equivoc en el presupuesto.

3) be published

3) Her book is already out.

Ya se ha publicado su libro.

4) be no longer burning

4) Is the fire out?

Ya apagaron el incendio?

5) be beyond consideration
(colloquial)

5) I'm so busy that even a short holiday is out.

Estoy tan ocupado que hasta una corta vacacin es imposible.

be out for

be seeking (colloquial)

Sheila is out for a good time.

Sheila est buscando pasarla bien.

be out of

1) be away from

1) He is out of Buenos Aires at the present.

No se encuentra en Buenos Aires actualmente.

2) have finished, have

exhausted the supply of

2) I am out of sugar and coffee.

Me qued sin azcar y caf.

be over

be finished

The storm is over now. We can go on.

Termin la tormenta. Podemos seguir.

be through
with

have finished with (colloquial)

I am through with you for good and all.

Para bien o para mal he terminado contigo.

be up

1) have risen, be out of bed

1) She won't be up till 11 am today.

No se va a levantar hasta las 11 de la maana hoy.

2) be happening

2) What's up? Why did you scream?

Qu ocurri? Por qu gritaste?

3) be finished
(used only of time)

3) Your time is up. You must return now.

Tu tiempo se acab. Debes regresar ahora.

be up against

compete against, be facing,

be opposite

Mankind is always up against Nature.

La Humanidad compite permanentemente con la Naturaleza.

be up and
about

be out of bed and active,

be convalescent (from illness)

Mr Rivers is much better now: he is already up and about.

El Sr. Rivers se encuentra mucho mejor ahora: ya anda por all.

be up to

1) be doing, be busy with

1) Martha is very quiet. Go and see what she is up to.

Martha est muy silenciosa. Anda a ver en qu est haciendo.

2) feel able to, be fit for

2) My doctor said that I was not up to making such a long flight.

El mdico me dijo que no estoy en condiciones de hacer un vuelo
tan largo.

3) be someone's responsibility

3) It is up to you to teach your children manners.

Es tu responsabilidad ensearles buenos modales a tus hijos.

be well up in

be well versed in, know

thoroughly

He is well up in movie business: ask him about this film.

Conoce muy bien el negocio del cine: pregntale sobre esta
pelcula.

bear away

win

Our team bore away the championship.

Nuestro equipo gan el campeonato.

bear out

confirm

This report bears out my theory about the murder.

Este informe confirma mi teora acerca del asesinato.

bear up

support bad news,

not despair

Try to bear up even if you feel sick.

Trata de aguantar aunque te sientas enfermo.

bear with

be patient with

Please, kindly bear with the delay.

Por favor, tenga paciencia con la demora.

beat down

force someone to lower

his prices

He asked me $1000 for the tree, but I beat him down to $600.
Me pidi $1000 por el rbol pero logr hacrselo bajar a $600.

beat off
beat back

repel

The villagers could beat off (back) several attackes in the past.
Los pobladores lograron rechazar varios ataques en el pasado.

beat up

1) strike so. severely

1) This fellow has beat up several boys at school.

Este tipo ya le peg a varios muchachos en la escuela.

2) mix thoroughly

2) Beat up the ingredients and then boil everything.

Mezcla bien todos los ingredientes y luego hierve todo.

beg off

decline, ask to be excused

Marly begged off from her engagement to come to the party.

Marly pid que disculpramos su compromiso de venir a la fiesta.

block up

obstruct so as to make
access impossible

Bank deposits in Argentina were blocked up in December 2001.

Los depsitos bancarios de Argentina fueron bloqueados en
Diciembre de 2001.

blow out

extinguish, put out a flame

by blowing

The wind blew out the candle (or The wind blew the candle out).
El viento apag la vela.

blow over

pass

All these troubles will soon blow over.

Todos estos problemas pronto pasarn.

blow up

1) destroy by explosion,
explode

1) Suddenly the whole barrel blew up.

El barril explot repentinamente.

2) fill with air, inflate, pump up

2) Laura's father blew up all the balloons for the party.

El padre de Laura infl todos los globos para la fiesta.

3) become angry

3) He blew up when his seceretary told him about the

mistake.
Estall cuando su secretaria le coment acerca del error.

4) arise

4) A storm suddenly blew up in the Caribbean.

De pronto estall una tormenta en el Caribe.

1) continue boiling

1) The water has been boiling away for the last ten minutes.
Hace diez minutos que est hirviendo el agua.

2) boil until all liquid has

evaporated

2) The milk has all boiled away.

Se ha evaporado toda la leche.

boil down to

can be reduced to
(colloquial)

All his ideas boil down to imaginary thoughts.

Todas sus ideas pueden reducirse a pensamientos
imaginarios.

boil over

boil and flow over the sides

of the container

The milk boiled over and there was a horrible smell of burning.
Se derram la leche hervida y haba un espantoso olor a
quemado.

border on

be near, be next to

Their excitement bordered on dangerous hysteria.

Su excitacin estaba al lmite de una peligrosa histeria.

bounce back

recover

Helen's husband bounced back from his defeat.

El esposo de Helen se recuper de su frustracin.

bow out of

withdraw

They finally bowed out of the car race.

Finalmente abandonaron la carrera de autos.

branch out

begin or develop a new

business

Our company branched out and has two agencies in Brazil.

Nuestra empresa se expandi y tiene dos sucursales en
Brasil.

break down

1) smash, demolish

1) The thieves broke down the front door.

Los ladrones derribaron la puerta de entrada.

2) stop functioning,
stop working

2) The engine has broken down.

El motor ha dejado de funcionar (se ha averiado).

3) collapse through ill-health

or great emotion, lose control

3) When she heard the news, she broke down and wept.
Cuando supo las noticias se derrumb y se larg a llorar.

4) analyse

4) Could you break down these information into age-groups?

Podras distribuir estos datos por edad grupal?

1) enter by force
(also break into)

1) Two thieves broke in and stole the car.

Entraron dos ladrones y robaron el auto.

boil away

break in

2) interrupt someone
(colloquial)

2) I was telling Paul about Venice when she broke in.

Le estaba contando a Paul sobre Venecia cuando ella
interrumpi.

3) tame, train for use.

train to labour

3) It took many men to break in that wild horse.

Domesticar a ese caballo salvaje ocup a varios hombres.

1) separate by breaking

1) He took the chocolate and broke off a piece.

Tom el chocolate y cort un trozo.

2) stop, disrupt

2) Before the war some countries broke off diplomatic

relations.
Antes de la guerra muchas naciones rompieron sus
relaciones diplomticas.

1) escape by using force

1) Several prisoners managed to break out of prison.

Varios prisioneros se ingeniaron para escapar de la crcel.

2) suddenly begin wars,

fires, epidemics

2) War broke out in 1939.

La guerra comenz en 1939.

3) appear suddenly

3) The sun finally broke out and the rain stopped.

Finalmente sali el sol y dej de llover.

4) utter, exclaim

4) Suddenly he broke out into terrible curses.

De pronto estall en terribles maldiciones.

1) break into pieces

1) The old ship was broken up by the waves.

El viejo barco fue desintegrado por las olas.

2) stop, finish

2) Classes broke up and students went back home.

Terminaron las clases y los estudiantes regresaron a sus
hogares.

3) depart, disperse
(separable when transitive)

3) The police managed to break the angry crowd up.

La polica se arregl para dispersar a la multitud enojada.

4) break a relationship

4) Mary and James broke up their engagement.

Mary y James rompieron su compromiso.

breathe in

inhale

We went out to the garden and breathed in the fresh air.

Salimos al jardn y respiramos el aire puro.

breathe out

exhale

Jane breathed out a sigh of relief when she saw her son was
in.
Jane exhal un suspiro cuando vio que su hijo estaba
adentro.

bring about

cause to happen

What has brought about all this disaster?

break off

break out

break up

Qu ocasion este desastre?

bring around

1) persuade someone to
agree with one's proposal

1) Finally I brought him around to my point of view.

Finalmente pude convencerlo acerca de mi opinin.

2) restore to consciousness

2) This medicine will soon bring her around.

Este medicamento la revivir (har volver en s) pronto.

3) bring to your house

3) I'll bring your book around tonight.

Esta noche te llevo el libro a tu casa.

1) recall (usually not

separated with a noun)

1) He always brings back his trip to Paris.

Siempre aora (le viene a la mente) su viaje a Pars.

2) return

2) She brought back her four library books.

Ella devolvi los cuatro libros a la biblioteca.

bring down

lower, reduce

Finally the artist brought his price down.

Finalmente el artista redujo el precio.

bring forward

1) introduce, propose

1) Who brought this matter forward?

Quin sac (trajo a colacin) este tema?

2) carry figures to
the next page

2) You must bring forward last month's total on to page 25.

Tienes que trasladar los totales del mes pasado a la pgina
25.

1) introduce

1) The foreigners brought in many customs.

Los inmigrantes introdujeron muchas costumbres.

2) produce as profit, yield

2) The sale has brought in an interesting sum.

La venta rindi una suma interesante.

3) earn

3) His business brings in a lot of money every month.

Su negocio produce mucho dinero mensualmente.

4) pronounce a verdict

4) The jury brought in a verdict of not guilty.

El jurado se pronunci con un veredicto de no culpable.

bring off

accomplish something
very difficult

I thought Doris couldn't pass the FCE but she brought it off.
Pens que Doris no podra aprobar el FCE pero lo logr.

bring out

publish

When are you bringing out your next novel?

Cuando publicars tu prxima novela?

bring up

1) educate, raise, rear

1) Bringing up children is never easy.

Educar a los nios nunca es fcil.

2) mention as a topic

2) We decided to bring the matter up at the next meeting.

bring back

bring in

of discussion

Decidimos mencionar el tema en la prxima reunin.

brush up

polish, revise

I'm trying to brush my English up.

Estoy intentando mejorar (pulir) mi Ingls.

brush up on

refresh knowledge of,

review

I'm traveling to Canada soon. I must brush up on my French.

Pronto viajar a Canad. Tengo que refrescar mis
conocimientos de Francs.

buckle down

work seriously

You may fail your TOEFL exam if you don't buckle down.
Puedes fracasar en tu examen TOEFL si no te pones a
estudiar en serio.

build on

develop from

The new manager wants to build on the company success.

El nuevo gerente quiere tomar como base el xito de la
compaa.

add an extension
to a building

When the new extension is built on, the factory will be huge.
Cuando se construya la nueva ampliacin la fbrica ser
enorme.

destroy by fire
(used of buildings)

The rebels burnt down all the cottages.

Los rebeldes incendiaron todas las casas.

burn down

burn up

1) become destroyed by fire

1) Her pictures burned up when the apartment set on fire.

Sus cuadros se quemaron cuando el departamento se incendi.

2) cause someone
to become very angry

2) It burns me up when people is so rude!!

Me saca de quicio cuando la gente es tan grosera!!

burst into

suddenly enter

Four thieves burst into the meeting room last night.

Anoche cuatro ladrones irrumpieron en la sala de reuniones.

burst out

suddenly show emotion

He burst out laughing at the end of the speech.

Se larg a rer al final del discurso.

butt in

interrupt impolitely
a conversation

Sheila butts in all the time so you cannot talk with comfort.
Sheila interrumpe todo el tiempo y no puedes hablar con
comodidad.

butter up

flatter, praise dishonestly

We buttered him up to see if he would agree to our proposal.

Lo adulamos para ver si aceptaba nuestra propuesta.

button up

fasten with buttons

He buttoned his jacket up easily.

Se aboton el saco con facilidad.

buy up

buy everything

He brought up the entire stock of Argentine wines.

Se compr toda la existencia de vinos argentinos.

PHRASAL

MEANING

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

call at

visit a place for a short time

I called at the bank to transfer some money.

Pas por el banco para transferir algo de dinero.

call for

1) visit a place to collect

someone or something

1) Tom is calling for me at 8 pm.

Tom me pasa a buscar a las 8 de la noche.

2) require, demand

2) This situation calls for tact and a deep investigation.

Esta situacin requiere tacto y una investigacin a fondo.

call in

send for someone to come

ask to assist

It was too late to call in an electrician.

Era demasiado tarde para llamar (hacer venir) a un
electricista.

call off

1) cancel something that has

been scheduled, not started

1) The couple decided to call off the wedding.

Los jvenes decidieron cancelar el casamiento.

2) divert, distract

2) Please, call off your dog at once !!

Por favor distraiga ya a su perro!!.

1) ask someone to do
something

1) The president called on his people to make some

sacrifices.
El presidente convoc a su gente a hacer algn sacrificio.

2) visit

2) Call on me if you have any problems.

Venga a verme si tiene problemas.

1) shout, cry, exclaim

1) They called my name out.

Me gritaron (llamaron a los gritos) por mi nombre.

2) summon troops for action

2) The Fire Brigade was called out twice during the night.
La Brigada de Incendios fue citada dos veces durante la
noche.

1) remember, recollect

1) The old man is calling up many memories.

El anciano se la pasa recordando el pasado.

2) summon for military service

2) Here men are called up at 18.

Aqu llaman a los hombres para el servicio militar a los 18
aos.

3) telephone someone

3) I called Tom up and told him the news.

call on

call out

call up

Lo llam por telefno a Tom para comentarle las

novedades.
call upon

visit someone for a short time

Yesterday they called upon the ambassador.

Ayer visitaron al embajador.

calm down

become less agitated

Veronica is really upset. I'll try to calm her down.

Vernica est absolutamente disgustada. Tratar de
calmarla.

care about

be concerned about

This movie star cares about his reputation.

A esta estrella de cine le preocupa su fama.

care for

1) like, want

1) He doesn't care for films about war.

No le interesan las pelculas de guerra.

2) look after, take care of

2) This house looks well cared for.

Esta casa se ve bien cuidada (en buenas condiciones)..

1) continue

1) The widow carried on as if nothing had happened.

La viuda continu como si nada hubiese ocurrido.

2) continue with

2) Both brothers carried on with their boring conversation.

Los dos hermanos continuaron con su aburrida
conversacin.

carry out

perform, put in practice

It is not easy to carry out this task.

No es fcil poner en prctica esta tarea.

cast up

calculate, add

The accountant will cast up all the figures in this book.

El contador sumar todas las cifras en este libro.

catch on

1) become popular; be widely

accepted

1) The fashion of wearing bow ties is catching on.

Se est poniendo de moda usar moos de corbata.

2) understand (slang)

2) He saw the old lady and suddenly caught on.

Vio a la anciana y comprendi de inmediato.

1) overtake but not pass,

stop being behind

1) Finally I could catch up on/with Paul on the street.

Finalmente pude alcanzar a Paul en la calle.

2) do something that you

have neglected

2) I phoned Helen to catch up on/with the latest news.

Llam a Helen para ponerme al tanto de las ltimas
noticias..

carry on

catch up on
catch up with

cater for

provide with things desired

Our company caters for every kind of food for planes.

Nuestra empresa provee todo tipo de alimentos para aviones.

check in

register one's arrival

You must check in at the front desk.

Tienes que registrarte en la recepcin.

check off

make a mark on a list to

indicate completed things

She checked off all the things she had packed up.
Ella tild (marc) todas las cosas que haba empacado.

check out

1) register one's departure

1) Please, leave the key here when you check out.

Tenga a bien dejar aqu la llave cuando se retire.

2) verify, investigate

2) Can you check out this information?

Podras verificar esta informacin?

cheer on

cheer, encourage

She promised to be there to cheer us on.

Prometi estar all para darnos nimo.

cheer up

help someone feel less

worried or happier

Cheer up! Everything will be all right.

Algrate! Todo va a andar bien.

chew out

scold someone severely

His father chewed him out when he arrived so late.

Su padre lo reprendi severamente cuando lleg tan tarde.

chicken out

lose the courage or confidence

to do something

I was going to ask him for a job, but I chickened out.

Estaba por pedirle un trabajo pero no tuve el coraje.

chip in

contribute, donate
(usually money)

My mother is collecting donations for the cause. I'm sure

you want to chip in.
Mi madre est juntando fondos para la causa. Estoy seguro
que quieres contribuir.

chop down

fell; cut down by delivering

a blow

They finally chopped down the old oak tree.

Finalmente talaron (derribaron) el antiguo roble.

chop up

cut into small pieces

She chopped the meat up for the stew.

Cort la carne en pedacitos para el guiso.

clam up

refuse to talk about

something

When I try to talk about her divorce, Mary just clams up.
Cuando intento hablar de su divorcio, Mary enmudece
(rehusa hablar).

clean down

brush or wask a wall, car, etc.

He spent all day cleaning my car down.

Me pas el da limpiando el auto.

clean out

make clean and tidy

The maid will soon clean out the cupboard.

La mucama enseguida ordenar (dejar ordenado) el
aparador.

clean up

tidy

This painters always clean up when they've finished.

Estos pintores siempre dejan todo ordenado despus de
pintar.

clean up after

tidy for

She spent half a day cleaning up after the children.

Se pas medio da ordenando lo que dejaron los nios.

clear away
clear off
clear out

1) remove or get rid of articles

(in order to make space)

1) He cleared away (off, out) the old records.

Se deshizo de (tir) los discos viejos.

2) disperse

2) "You clear away (off, out) immediately", shouted the

farmer.
El granjero grit, "Salga de aqu inmediatamente!".

1) become finer or bright

1) When the weather clears up, we'll go to the movies.

Cuando mejore el tiempo iremos al cine.

2) tidy up

2) Please, clear up all this mess.

Por favor, despeja (ordena) todo este lo de cosas.

3) finish

3) I have some letters to be cleared up before I leave.

Tengo algunas cartas para terminar antes de irme.

4) solve a mystery

4) The detective finally cleared up the mystery.

El detective finalmente resolvi el misterio.

5) used when introducing

import goods

5) You must clear up Customs when you come from

abroad.
Tienes que pasar por Aduana cuando llegas de otro pas.

clock in

register one's arrival in a clock

(in factories)

The workmen here clock in from 6 am to 6.30 am.

Aqu los obreros marcan su entrada de 6 a 6.30 de la
maana.

clock off
clock out

register one's departure in a clock Our workmen clock off (out) at 3 pm.
(in factories)
Nuestros operarios marcan su salida a las 3 de la tarde.

close down

shut permanently

Trade here is so bad that many shops close down.

El comercio aqu es tan pobre que muchos negocios
cierran definitivamente.

close in
close on

come nearer, approach from

all sides, surround

As the mist was closing in (on) we decided to stay there.

Como la niebla se aproximaba decidimos quedarnos all
mismo.

close up

1) close completely, block

1) The old road has been closed up.

Han clausurado la vieja ruta.

2) come nearer to one another

2) Please children, close up a bit for another boy on this

seat.
Por favor nios, jntense un poco para hacer lugar a otro.

become overcast

Although it clouded over (up) in the afternoon, the rain

stayed away and we could play in the garden.

clear up

cloud over
cloud up

Aunque se nubl por la tarde, la lluvia se mantuvo alejada y

pudimos jugar en el jardn.
come about

happen

It came about that we both left Spain on the same plane.

Ocurri que los dos salimos de Espaa en el mismo avin.

come across

1) meet accidentally

1) I met across several old friends at the meeting.

En la reunin me encontr con varios viejos amigos.

2) find unexpectedly,
by chance

2) I will tell you if I come across the book you are looking
for.
Te avisar si encuentro el libro que ests buscando.

1) progress

1) How is your new novel coming along?

Cmo anda tu novela nueva?

2) hurry

2) Come along now, or we'll be late.

Vamos ya o llegaremos tarde.

1) leave

1) Come away now. It's time to go home.

Salgamos ya. Es hora de ir a casa.

2) become detached

2) The knob of the CD player came away in my hands.

La perilla del reproductor de CDs se sali (cay en mis
manos).

come back

return

I shall be waiting for you when you come back.

Te estar esperando cuando regreses.

come down

descend

Mrs. Blair will come down in five minutes.

La Sra. Blair bajar en cinco minutos.

come down to

can be reduced to

Your choices come down just to these two alternatives.

Tus posibilidades de eleccin ser reducen a dos
alternativas.

come down with

become ill with

My wife came down with the flu.

Mi esposa cay engripada.

come in
come into

1) enter

1) Come into my garden and I shall show you my new

roses.
Ven al jardn que te mostrar mis nuevas rosas.

2) become fashionable

2) Short skirts have come in this year.

Este ao se han puesto de moda las polleras cortas.

1) be detached

1) The minute hand of my watch has come off.

Se sali la aguja minutera de mi reloj.

2) be successful

2) Your plan has come off after all.

come along

come away

come off

Despus de todo tu plan di buenos resultados.

3) take place

3) When is the wedding coming off? Next month?

Cundo es el casamiento? El mes prximo?

4) be taken off,
stop functioning

4) This play is coming off next week.

Esta obra de teatro deja de representarse la semana que
viene.

1) be revealed

1) The whole truth finally came out.

Finalmente se supo toda la verdad.

2) be published

2) Her new book will come out next week.

Su nuevo libro ser publicado la semana prxima.

3) disappear

3) Tomato stains do not usually come out.

Las manchas de tomate no salen fcilmente.

4) result

4) Everything has come out as we wanted.

Todo sali como desebamos.

come over

come to one's house,

visit casually

Come over and have tea with us.

Ven a tomar el t con nosotros.

come round

1) recover consciousness

1) The cyclist came round after two hours.

El ciclista volvi en s despus de dos horas.

2) come to my house

2) I could come round tonight if you are not busy.

Podra pasar por tu casa esta noche si no ests ocupado.

3) finally accept

3) Lina refused to study abroad but she came round in the

end.
Lina no quera estudiar en el extranjero pero al final acept.

1) regain consciousness

1) After he fainted he came to himself very quickly.

Despus de desmayarse volvi en si rpidamente.

2) total

Your purchase comes to $60. Will you pay with a credit

card?
Su compra asciende a $60. Va a pagar con tarjeta de
crdito?

1) ascend, rise to the surface

1) Come up and take a look at the bedroom.

Subir a ver el dormitorio.

2) be mentioned, arise

2) The question of my salary came up at the meeting.

En la reunin se mencion el tema de mi sueldo.

3) approach

3) The stranger came up and asked me the time.

come out

come to

come up

El extrao se acerc y me pregunt la hora.

come up against

meet an obstacle

They have come up against many difficulties lately.

Ellos han tropezado con muchas dificultades ltimamente.

come upon

discover

We finally came upon a small lake near the Andes.

Finalmente descubrimos un pequeo lago cercano a los
Andes.

come up to

1) be equal to

1) His work does not come up to Mary's.

Su trabajo no se compara con el de Mary.

2) come close enough to 2) The policeman came up to me and said, "You can't park here.
talk,
Please, park over there".
approach
El agente se me acerc y dijo, "No puede estacionar aqu.
Por favor estacione ms all".
come up with

produce

OM Personal comes up with many alternatives to the Spanish speakers

who need to learn English.
OM Personal ofrece muchas alternativas para los hispano-parlantes
que necesitan aprender ingls.

confide in

share a secret

The two friends have always confided in each other.

Los dos amigos se han confiado siempre sus secretos.

cook up

concoct (slang)

How did you mnage to cook up such a fantastic excuse?

Cmo te las ingeniaste para tramar semejante excusa?

cool down

become cool or calm

They could cool down the angry parent after some minutes.
Despus de unos minutos lograron calmar al padre enojado.

cope with

deal with problems

He could cope with that difficult situation.

Pudo hacer frente a esa difcil situacin.

cordon off

block

The police cordoned off this area.

La polica clausur (bloque) esta zona.

count in

include (usually
separated)

You can count me in for the picnic.

Pueden incluirme para el picnic.

count on

rely on, depend on

You can count on me; I won't fail you.

Puedes contar conmigo; no te voy a fallar.

count out

exclude (usually
separated)

Please, count me out for the birthday present.

Por favor, no me incluyas para el regalo de cumpleaos.

count up

add up figures

Count these figures up once more.

Suma estos nmeros una vez ms.

creep up on

approach undetected

Old age tends to creep up on one.

Los aos aparecen en ti sin darte cuenta.

crop up

appear unexpectedly

All sort of difficulties have cropped up in our country.

En nuestro pas han aparecido (surgido) todo tipo de dificultades.

cross out

show that something

written is wrong by
crossing it with an X

He spent all the morning crossing out his students' mistakes.

Se pas la maana tachando los errores de sus estudiantes.

cry out

shout out

He cried out that he was innocent.

Grit que era inocente.

cry out for

urgently require

The education system in Argentina is crying out forimprovement.

El sistema educativo de Argentina reclama urgentes mejoras.

cut across

use a short route

If you want to arrive earlier, cut across the parking lot.

Si quieres llegar ms rpido, atraviesa el (toma un atajo a travs del)
estacionamiento.

cut back on

1) reduce consumption

1) She is a little overweight. She should cut back on fat.

Est excedida de peso. Tendra que reducir el consumo de grasa.

2) reduce expenses

2) The government has cut back spending. (Where was it?)

El gobierno ha reducido los gastos. (Dnde ha ocurrido?)

1) fell

1) Finally they cut down the huge oak tree.

Finalmente talaron (cortaron) el viejo roble gigante.

2) reduce in size or
amount

2) Try to cut down your expenses.

Trata de reducir (recortar) tus gastos.

cut down

cut in

pass one car when there Never try to cut in during rush hours. It's really dangerous.
isn't room to do it safely No trates de adelantarte a otros en horas pico. Es muy peligroso.

cut off

1) separate by cutting

1) She cut off a piece of cake for me.

Cort un pedazo de torta para m.

2) disconnect

2) I was cut off in the middle of my phone conversation.

Me cortaron en medio de la conversacin telefnica.

3) discontinue supply
(gas, electricity, etc)

3) The company has cut off our electricity supply.

La empresa nos cort el servicio de electricidad.

4) disinherit

4) His father cut him off without a penny.

Su padre lo dej sin un centavo de herencia.

5) isolate, intercept

5) You will be cut off if you go to live in that small village.

Vas a quedar aisaldo si te vas a vivir a ese pueblito.

cut out

1) remove by cutting

1) Julia is cutting out a photograph of her favourite film star.

Julia est recortando una foto de su estrella de cine favorita.

2) omit, leave out

2) If you want to get thin you must cut out sugar.

Si quieres adelgazar debes eliminar el azcar.

3) stop

3) Cut those jokes out, please !!!

Terminen con esas bromas, por favor!!!

cut out for

be suitable for,
have the qualities for

He is cut out for a teacher.

Tiene las cualidades perfectas para ser educador.

cut up

cut into pieces

She cut the cake up and gave each of us a piece.

Cort la torta en pedazos y nos dio un trozo a cada uno.

PHRASAL

MEANING

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

dawn on

begin to appear; begin to grow

clear to the mind

After reading her letter the truth began to dawn on me.

Despus de leer su carta la verdad empez a aclarar en
m.

deal in

stock, sell

Jennifer's husband deals in gold and jewels.

El esposo de Jennier comercia oro y joyas.

deal with

handle successfully

She is really lucky, so she can deal with this situation.

Es muy afortunada, por lo tanto puede manejar esta
situacin.

decide on

settle on

About sales they have already decided on a course of action.

Acerca de las ventas ya han definido una lnea de accin.

die away

become gradually faintier,

disappear

The prisoners waited till the sound of the warder died away.
Los prisioneros aguardaron hasta que los pasos del
guardia se extinguieron (desaparecieron).

die down

become gradually calmer,

become less

When the excitement had died down the shop was

reopened.
Cuando se calm la excitacin se reabri la tienda.

die out

become extinct

Blue whales could die out in a few years.

La ballena azul podra extinguirse en pocos aos.

dig up

remove from the ground

by digging

The pirates are digging up the treasure.

Los piratas estn desenterrando el tesoro.

dispense with

proceed without

The chairman dispensed with formalities and took off his tie
El presidente prescindi de toda formalidad y se quit la
corbata.

dispose of

get rid of, remove,

do away with

If my parents move, they will have to dispose of their

furniture.
Si mis padres se mudan tendrn que deshacerse de sus
muebles.

do away with

remove, destroy, abolish

Modern civilisation has down away with slavery.

La civilizacin moderna ha abolido (desterrado) la
esclavitud.

do in

1) cause to become very tired

(generally used in the passive)

1) I slept long hours as the work in the garden had done me

in.
Dorm mucho porque el trabajo en el jardn me haba
extenuado.

2) kill, murder

2) The old woman had been done in at midnight in the park.

La anciana haba sido asesinada a medianoche en el
parque.

do over

do something again

This report is full of mistakes. You'll have to do it over.

Este informe est lleno de errores. Tendrs que rehacerlo.

do up

1) fasten (shoe laces,

zippers, etc.)

1) She did up the zip on her dress and went out.

Subi el cierre de su vestido y se fue.

2) redecorate, restore

2) When I do this room up I will paint the walls in stripes.

Cuando redecore esta habitacin pintar las paredes a
rayas.

do without

manage in the absence of

They did without food and fresh water.

Sobrevivieron (se arreglaron) sin alimentos ni agua fresca.

double up

bend over

When we saw her costume we were doubled up with

laughter.
Cuando vimos su disfraz nos descostillamos de la risa.

drag into

involve unwillingly

Please, don't drag me into this discussion once again!!

Por favor, no me involucren en esta discusin otra vez!!

drag on

continue tediously

The sermon dragged on for over an hour.

El sermn dur (result interminable por) ms de una hora.

draw back

retire, retreat

It's too late to draw back now; the plans are all made.
Es tarde para volverse atrs; todos los planes estn
hechos.

draw into

involve gradually

They managed to draw me into the conversation.

Se la arreglaron para ir involucrndome en la conversacin.

draw near

approach

As the dentist drew near, several frightened children ran

away.
Cuando el dentista se acerc varios nios huyeron
atemorizados.

draw out

prolong something

The speaker was so boring that he drew his speech out for
over three hours.
El orador era tan aburrido que estir su discurso durante
ms de tres horas.

take money out of an

account at a bank

The accountant drew out an equivalent sum of cash with

the company cheque.
El contador extrajo (retir) una suma equivalente de dinero
mediante el cheque de la empresa.

1) stop (of vehicles)

1) The car drew up and the driver got out.

El auto se detuvo y el conductor descendi.

2) make a written plan.

compose a formal document

2) My solicitor drew up the lease yesterday.

Ayer mi abogado redact el contrato de alquiler.

dream about
dream of

dream of (persons, things)

He always dreams about (of) going to Venice.

Siempre suea con ir a Venecia.

dress up

dress elaborately

Alan dressed up for the ceremony.

Alan se puso de punta en blanco para la ceremonia.

drink up

drink all of

Drink your milk up before you go to bed.

Bebe toda la leche antes de irte a la cama.

drive away

go away in a car

She waved and drove away.

Salud y se fue (conduciendo) su auto.

drive up

arrive in a car

He drove up in a large American car.

Lleg en un enorme auto americano.

drop behind

leave behind

The athlete soon dropped the other runners behind.

El atleta enseguida dej atrs a los dems corredores.

drop by

visit informally

I'd love to see you. Please try to drop by our house.

Me encantara verte. Por favor pasa por casa.

drop in on

visit casually
(unannounced visit)

He dropped in on us to tell me something about the office.

Pas por casa (Nos hizo una visita de pasada) para decirme
algo acerca de la oficina.

draw up

drop off

1) fall

1) In autumn leaves begin to drop off.

En otoo comienzan a caer las hojas.

2) fall asleep

2) Many people dropped off during the long lecture.

Mucha gente se qued dormida durante la larga conferencia.

3) deliver something

3) Please, drop these off as you leave the office.

Por favor despacha estas cartas cuando te vayas de la
oficina.

4) give someone a ride

4) When Ana moves close to me I'll be glad to drop her off.

Cuando Ana se mude cerca de casa ser un placer acercarla
en mi automvil.

drop out

withdraw

One runner twisted his foot in the race and dropped out.
Un corredor se torci el pie durante la carrera y abandon.

drum into

teach by repetition

In order to improve their conversational skills, OM

Personaldrums all sort of dialogues into the students.
A fin de mejorar la comprensin oral, OM Personal machaca a
sus estudiantes con todo tipo de dilogos.

drum up

raise

Veronica has drummed up support for her marketing plan.

Vernica ha conseguido apoyo para su plan de mercadeo.

dry up

1) become completely dry

1) The streams all dried up during the hot summer.

Todos los arroyos se secaron durante el trrrido verano.

2) make dry

2) Please, dry these glasses up.

Seca estos vasos, por favor.

emphasize

My boss dwelt on the risks involved in this new plan.

Mi jefe recalc los riesgos involucrados en este nuevo plan.

dwell on

PHRASAL

MEANING

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

ease off

become less painful

or troublesome

My headache has now eased off a little.

El dolor de cabeza se ha atenuado un poco ahora.

eat in

eat at home

We are all going to eat in tonight, so please prepare a big

meal.
Todos cenaremos en casa esta noche, de modo que
prepara una buena cantidad de comida.

eat out

eat away from home (in a

restaurant or at a friend's
house, etc.)

There was no food in the house, so we decided to eat out.

No quedaba comida en la casa, por lo tanto decidimos
comer afuera

eat up

eat all of, eat completely

(separable)

"Eat up your dinner and then you will grow into a big boy."
"Come toda tu cena y te convertirs en un muchacho
grandote".

egg on

encourage, persuade

His friends egged him on until he finally agreed to the plan.

Sus amigos lo persuadieron hasta que finalmente acept la
propuesta.

eke out

make a living by doing

something extra (separable
but often not separated)

The poor teacher gave private music lessons in order to

eke out his low salary.
El pobre profesor daba clases privadas de msica para
compensar sus bajos ingresos.

empty out

remove what is inside

something

The maid found the missing keys when she emptied out
both drawers in the bedroom.
La mucama encontr las llaves que faltaban cuando vaci
los dos cajones del dormitorio.

end off

finish

Sheila ended off her speech with some amusing stories.

Sheila finaliz su discurso con algunas entretenidas
historias.

end up

reach an end

If you continue to act like this, you will end up in prison.

Si continas manejndote as, terminars en la crcel.

enlarge on

say more about

Please enlarge on your proposal.

Por favor, ampla (explica con ms detalles) tu propuesta.

enter into

1) begin, commence

1) Finally the sisters entered into an agreement.

Finalmente las hermanas se pusieron de acuerdo.

2) be connected with

2) What he wants doesn't enter into our relationship.

Lo que l quiera no tiene nada que ver con nuestra
relacin.

enter up

keep a written record of

accounts, etc. (separable)

The clerk forgot to enter up the figures for the sales on

Tuesday.
El empleado olvid ingresar los importes de las ventas del
martes.

even up

make even or equal

(separable when transitive)

The last goal has now evened up the score and the match
will probably end in a draw.
El ltimo gol acaba de emparejar los resultados y el partido
probablemente finalice empatado.

expand on

say more about

Please expand on what you have just mentioned.

Por favor, ampla (explica con ms detalles) lo que acabas
de mencionar.

explain away

remove uncertainty by showing

why one should not be blamed
for a fault, mistake, etc.

face up to

1) withstand

1) The explorers faced up to terrible experiences.

Los exploradores se enfrentaron con terribles experiencias.

2) accept and deal with,

admit to

2) Learn to face up to the truth no matter how much it hurts.

Aprende a aceptar la verdad por ms que sta duela.

fade away

become weaker or fainter,

disappear

The sound gradually faded away when they appeared.

El sonido desapareci gradualmente cuando aparecieron.

fag out

exhaust (slang)

The long journey has fagged me out.

El largo viaje me ha dejado agotado.

fall back

recede, retreat

As soon as the enemy fell back, the soldiers returned to

their homes in Spain.
Apenas el enemigo retrocedi, lo soldados regresaron a
sus hogares en Espaa.

fall back on

turn to for help, make use of

in an emergency

Because of unexpected expenses, we had to fall back on

our savings.
A causa de gastos imprevistos tuvimos que hacer uso de
nuestros ahorros.

fall behind

be passed by others

Our runner seems to have fallen behind.

Parece que nuestro corredor se ha atrasado (quedado
atrs).

fall behind with

fail to pay a sum of money

which is due

Jones fell behind with his payments for the car and had to
borrow money.
Jones se atras con los pagos del automvil y tuvo que
pedir dinero prestado.

fall down

lose one's balance

Charles tripped over a stone and fell down.

Carlos tropez con una piedra y se cay.

fall for

fall in with

Why did you behave so rudely to our guest? Explain that

away.
Por qu se comport tan groseramente con nuestro
invitado? Explquese.

1) be attracted by the
charms of (slang)

1) Robert soon fell for the beautiful Monica.

Roberto enseguida se sinti atrado por la bella Mnica.

2) succumb to a trick or
suggestion

2) He always falls for every lie his friends tell him.

Se cree (traga) cualquier mentira que le cuentan sus amigos.

come across,

The student fell in with some young girls and went to the

meet by chance

movies with them.

El estudiante se encontr de casualidad con algunas chicas y
fue al cine con ellas.

fall off

become less, decrease

Attendance at the concerts has been falling off lately.

La concurrencia a los conciertos ha estado decayendo
ltimamente.

fall out with

quarrel with

Mrs. Davidson fell out with her neighbor Miss. Roolings.

La Sra Davidson se pele con su vecina la Srta. Roolings.

fall through

not happen, fail a plan,

miscarry, not be
accomplished

A brilliant plan for a new bridge fell through after a year.

Despus de un ao fracas un brillante plan para un nuevo
puente.

fed up with

bored, tired
(past participle only)

I'm fed up with my present job. What about you?

Estoy harto de mi trabajo. Y t?

feed up

fatten

Those turkeys have been fed up specially for Christmas.

Esos pavos han sido engordados especialmente para
Navidad.

feel like

be willing to

I don't feel like going to the movies tonight.

No tengo ganas de ir al cine esta noche.

feel up to

feel able or strong enough

to do something

Do you feel up to making that long and exhausting journey?

Te sientes capaz de hacer ese largo y agotador viaje?

fend off

repel

The goalkeeper fended off most attacks but we could win.

El arquero rechaz la mayora de los ataques pero pudimos
ganar.

ferret out

search out,
find with difficulty

It was really hard but we managed to ferret out the

information.
Fue realmente difcil pero nos arreglamos para obtener la
informacin.

fiddle about with

waste time, fail to use

an opportunity

You will be late if you fiddle about with your hair any longer.
Llegars tarde si sigues perdiendo el tiempo con tu pelo.

figure out

solve, understand

I can't figure out what happened yesterday at the office.

No logro entender qu ocurri ayer en la oficina.

figure up

calculate, compute

Can you figure the total cost up?

Puedes calcular el costo total?

file down

smooth or wear by filing

The locksmith filed down my key so that it would fit the lock.
El cerrajero lim mi llave para que entrara en la cerradura.

fill in

add information,
complete (forms, etc)

Please fill in this form by tomorrow.

Por favor llene este formulario para maana.

fill in for

substitute for, temporarily

do someone else's work

Doris said she would fill in for me if I was sick.

Doris dijo que me reemplazara si me senta mareado.

fill in on

supply information that

someone doesn't know

I couldn't go to the English class yesterday. Could you fill me

in on what they taught?
No pude ir a la clase de ingls ayer. Podras comentarme
qu ensearon?

fill out

1) complete (forms, etc) by

adding required information

1) I filled out the form with all my personal data.

Complet el formulario con todos mis datos personales.

2) become less thin, plump

or fat, gain weight

Maria used to be thinner, but lately she has begun to fill out.
Mara sola ser ms delgada pero ltimamente ha subido de
peso (engordado).

1) make full (forms, etc)

1) Fill up this form according with the instructions.

Complete este formulario de acuerdo con las instrucciones.

2) fill completely, make

completely full (a container)

2) Fill up the glasses with Argentine wine and let us toast the
birthday girl!!
Llenemos las copas con vino argentino y brindemos por la
cumpleaera!!.

filter out

become public
(by rumour, etc)

The news of Pauline's divorce soon filtered out.

Las noticias del divorcio de Pauline enseguida se hicieron
pblicas.

find out

discover, learn

Have you found out the title of the novel yet?

Ya averiguaste el ttulo de la novela?

find out about

get information about

I found about his situation a minute ago.

Me enter de su situacin hace un minuto.

finish up

1) end (separable
when transitive)

1) The meeting finished up with a concerto in the garden.

La reunin finaliz con un concierto en el jardn.

2) end one's career

2) Father finished up by becoming Director of Education.

Pap termin (su carrera) siendo Director de Educacin.

fire up

become angry
(colloquial)

Sandra fired up when her brother told her to leave.

Sandra enfureci cuando su hermano le dijo que se retirara.

fit in with

be suited to, be suitable,

She doesn't fit in with our group.

fill up

be congenial

Ella no encaja en nuestro grupo.

1) repair

1) The mechanic soon fixed up the car.

El mecnico repar enseguida el automvil.

2) arrange, organise in
a suitable manner

2) We must fix up the next meeting before we leave.

Tenemos que arreglar la prxima reunin antes de irnos.

flame out

burst suddenly into flame

The fire flamed out when the wind arose.

El fuego estall cuando se levant viento.

flood out

force to leave because

of flooding

Twenty villagers were flooded out yesterday.

Veinte habitantes del pueblo fueron evacuados ayer.

fly back

return by air

They will fly back on Saturday afternoon.

Volarn de regreso el sbado por la tarde.

fly over

fly to where someone is

After many invitations, my parents finally accepted and flew

over to spend some time with us.
Despus de muchas invitaciones, mis padres finalmente
aceptaron y volaron hasta aqu para pasar un tiempo con
nosotros..

fold up

bend or lay so that one part

covers the other

Please fold up the newspaper after reading it.

Por favor dobla (pliega) el diario despus de leerlo.

follow on

follow after an interval

(usually intransitive)

Please go ahead. We will follow on when we have rested.

Por favor continuen. Nosotros seguiremos cuando hayamos
descansado.

follow up

pursue to a conclusion,
bring to a successful issue

Diana followed up my recommendations and passed the

exam.
Diana sigui hasta el final mis indicaciones y pas el examen.

fool around with

not be serious,
have as a hobby

He likes to fool around in cybercafes all day.

Le gusta pasar el tiempo en los cibercafs todo el da.

frighten into

control by fear

The little girl frightened her brother into obeying her.

La nia asustaba a su hermano obligndolo a obedecerla.

frown on

disapprove of

Absenteeism is frowned on in most companies.

El ausentismo es desaprobado en la mayora de las
empresas.

fumble about for

feel about uncertainly

with one's hands

He fumbled about for his key but it wasn't in his pocket.

Hurg en busca de su llave pero no estaba en su bolsillo.

fix up

PHRASAL

MEANING

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

get about

move from place to place,

circulate

Although she is over eighty, Mrs. Ballon still gets about.

Aunque tiene ms de ochenta aos, la Sra. Ballon todava se
moviliza de un lado para el otro..

get across

make understood,
communicate something
understandably

The American comedian found it difficult to get his jokes

across to the audience of Argentinians.
Al comediante norteamericano le result difcil hacer entender
sus chistes al pblico de argentinos.

get ahead

advance, prosper,
make progress

If he has an aptitude for that job, he is sure to get ahead.

Si tiene condiciones para ese trabajo, seguro que prosperar.

get at

reach

The store was so crowded, it was hard to get at the food.

La tienda estaba tan atestada que fue imposible acercarse la
comida.

get along with

have a friendly relationship

Pablo insists that my dog doesn't get along with his cat.
Pablo insiste que mi perro no se lleva bien con su gato.

get around

1) circulate. move about

1) He is too old to get around now.

Ya est demasiado anciano para circular por ah.

2) evade, avoid doing

something

2) She always gets around that topic about politics.

Ella siempre rehuye ese tema de poltica.

get away

escape

I hooked a fish, but it got away.

Enganch un pescado pero escap.

get away with

do without being caught

or punished

He got away with being late for school.

Se qued sin castigo (Se salv) por sus llegadas tarde a la
escuela.

get back

1) return home

1) When did you get back from Japan?

Cundo regresaste de Japn?

2) obtain back

2) I haven't got my old book back yet.

An no he recuperado (no me han devuelto) mi antiguo libro.

1) barely succeed

1) She studied just hard enough to get by.

Estudi apenas lo necesario para aprobar.

get by

2) manage, survive financially

2) The whole family had to get by on the mother's salary.

Toda la familia se tuvo que arreglar con el sueldo de la
madre.

get down

make you feel depressed

(colloquial)

Don't let this horrible weather get you down.

No permitas que este tiempo espantoso te deprima.

get down to

begin dealing seriously with,

become serious about

After a delicious meal both men got down to business.

Despus de una comida deliciosa los dos hombres se
concentraron en los negocios.

get in

1) arrive, enter (at a station,

at an air- terminal, at a port)

1) What time does the bus from Montevideo get in?

A qu hora llega el mnibus de Montevideo?

2) enter or board
a small vehicle

2) We got in the taxi and the driver started the engine.

Nos metimos en el taxi y el conductor arranc el motor.

get in on

manage to participate in

I would love to get in on the decoration for your new house.

Me encantara participar de la decoracin de tu nueva casa.

get into

become involved with

I don't want to get into any argument with you.

No deseo involucrarme en ninguna discusin contigo.

get off

1) leave a horse, a bicycle or 1) They got off the train at 5 pm.

public transportation (bus, train) Se bajaron del tren a las cinco de la tarde.

get on

2) be excused for duty

2) My school got Valentine's Day off. Can you believe it?

Mi escuela dio feriado por San Valentn. Puedes creerlo?

3) avoid punishment for

someone

3) He's a terrible lawyer. He got the murderer off.

Es un abogado fatal. Consigui la inocencia del asesino.

1) board a big vehicle

(bus, train)

1) They got on the bus as soon as it arrived.

Subieron al mnibus tan pronto como lleg.

2) manage

2) How is your sister getting on?

Cmo le van las cosas a tu hermana?

3) mount (a horse, a bike)

3) Here is your bike: get on and let's go.

Aqu est tu bicicleta: sbete y vaymonos.

4) grow older

4) Ann is getting on. She must be at least 70.

Ana est envejeciendo. Debe tener ms o menos 70.

get out of

1) leave a small vehicle

(car, taxi)

1) Get out of your car and open the garage door.

Baja de tu auto y abre la puerta de la cochera.

2) escape having a duty

2) I was really but I could get out of giving my class today.

Estaba realmente cansada hoy pero pude escapar (a mi
obligacin) de dictar mi clase hoy.

get over with

undergo, finish
(usually separated)

I hate dentists' offices, so if I must visit one, I prefer

to get itover with as soon as possible.
Odio los consultorios de los dentistas, de modo que si tengo
que ir a ver a uno prefiero terminar con esto lo antes posible.

get over

1) recover from

My wife has not got over the flu yet.

Mi esposa no se ha recuperado de su gripe todava.

2) finish

Her English classes get over at 6 pm.

Sus clases de ingls terminan a las seis de la tarde.

1) throw away

"Why don't you get rid of these old papers and books?"
"Por qu no te sacas de encima estos diarios y libros?"

2) dismiss, fire

The manager will soon get rid of her. She talks too much.
El gerente pronto se la sacar de encima. Ella habla mucho.

get through

survive, finish

I won't be able to get through with my project until May.

No podr terminar mi proyecto hasta Mayo.

get through to

be in or establish
communication with

Have you got through to Mr. Morrison yet?

Ya te has comunicado con el Sr. Morrison?

get together

meet for a social purpose

Our family used to get together to celebrate Christmas.

Nuestra familia sola reunirse para celebrar Navidad.

get up

1) arise from bed

1) My grandfather used to get up at six every day.

Mi abuelo solia levantarse a las seis todos los das.

2) rise to one's feet

2) Everyone got up when she entered the room.

Todos se pusieron de pie cuando ella ingres a la habitacin.

1) give freely (separable)

1) Before dying he gave all his money away.

Antes de morir regal todo su dinero.

2) distribute

2) OM Personal gives away prizes every month.

OM Personal entrega premios todos los meses.

get rid of

give away

3) reveal

3) Although I had asked Luis not to do it, he gave away my

secret during the meeting.
Aunque le haba pedido a Luis que no lo hiciera, revel mi
secreto durante la reunin.

4) betray

4) The secret agent was given away by a co-worker.

El agente secreto fue traicionado por un colaborador.

give back

return something to its owner

Today I gave back the bicycle I had borrowed.

Hoy devolv la bicileta que haba pedido prestada.

give in

1) admit defeat, surrender

1) The thief finally went to the Police and gave in.

Finalmente el ladrn fue a la Polica y se entreg.

2) hand papers, exams,

books to another person

2) "Please, give in your examination papers now".

"Por favor, entreguen sus exmenes ahora".

give off

send out, emit

Boiled cabbage gives off an unpleasant odor.

El repollo hervido desprende un olor desagradable.

give out

distribute

Who will help me to give all these books out?

Quin me va a ayudar a distribuir todos estos libros?

give up

1) surrender

1) The prisoners gave themselves up.

Los prisioneros se entregaron.

2) resign

2) The electrician gave up his job to become a priest.

El electricista dej su trabajo para convertirse en sacerdote.

3) abandon

3) Try to give up cigarettes and alcohol.

Trata de dejar los cigarrillos y el alcohol.

give up on

stop trying

Helen has given up on such a terrible situation.

Elena ha abandonado la lucha en tan mala situacin.

go against

oppose

Don't go against the rules. You must obey them.

No vayas en contra de las normas. Tienes que respetarlas.

go along with

agree, not resist

I'm willing to go along with your idea. It looks great!!

Estoy de acuerdo con tu idea. Es fantstica!!

go back

return

Captain Meyer decided to go back to Miami this summer.

El Capitn Meyer decidi regresar a Miami este verano.

go back on

break a promise,
fail to keep one's word

He never goes back on his word.

Nunca se retracta de la palabra comprometida.

go down

1) decrease, get smaller

1) The price of cameras has gone down recently.

El precio de las cmaras ha disminudo recientemente.

2) sink

2) The Titanic went down after hitting an iceberg.

El Titanic se hundi luego de chocar contra un tmpano.

3) sunset

3) The sun went down at 7 pm.

El sol se puso a las 19 horas.

4) be sent to prison

4) He went down for armed robbery.

Fue enviado a la crcel por robo armado.

5) fall to the ground

5) The boxer went down in the second round.

El boxeador fue derribado en la segunda vuelta.

6) stop working
(especially computers)

6) The computer system went down for an hour.

El sistema de computacin se cay durante una hora.

go for

like a great deal

Mother really goes for black chocolate.

A mam le encanta realmente el chocolate negro.

go in for

1) be interested in

1) He preferred to go in for civil engineering.

El se interes por (se especializ en) ingeniera civil.

2) participate in

2) Over 50,000 subscribers are going in for OM Personal

courses and tutorials.
Ms de 50.000 suscriptores se encuentran participando de
los cursos y tutoriales de OM Personal.

1) depart, leave

1) She went off without saying goodbye.

Se fue sin decir adis.

2) explode

2) Luckily the time-bomb went off outside the station.

Por suerte la bomba de tiempo estall fuera de la estacin.

3) be successful (parties)

3) The wedding party seemed to go off very well.

Parece que la fiesta de bodas tuvo mucho xito.

1) continue

1) Please go on. Don't let me interrupt you.

Por favor, contina. No dejes que te interrumpa.

2) happen

2) What's going on in this room today?

go off

go on

Qu est pasando en esta habitacin hoy?

go out

1) leave (a building, a room)

1) I felt lonely after my parents had gone out.

Me sent solo despus que mis padres se haban ido.

2) cease burning

2) The fire soon went out after we threw water on it.

El fuego pronto se apag luego de haberle arrojado agua.

3) cease to be fashionable

3) Long dresses have gone out this year.

Los vestidos largos pasaron de moda este ao.

4) go on strike

4) All the operators wet out on strike last week.

Todos los operadores hicieron huelga la semana pasada.

5) recede

5) The tide is going out.

La marea est retrocediendo.

go out with

have a date with

Monica went out with Carlos and Julie for New Year.
Mnica sali con Carlos y Julie para Ao Nuevo.

go over

review

I would like to go over the report again.

Me gustara revisar el informe nuevamente.

go through

examine in detail

Have you gone through the January report?

Has examinado en detalle el informe de enero?

go through with

fulfill, carry out, continue

until the end

The architect went through with his controversial rounded

design for a new bank.
El arquitecto continu hasta el final con su controvertido
diseo redondeado para un nuevo banco.

go up

1) ascend

1) We all watched the tourists going up the mountain.

Todos observamos a los turistas ascender la montaa.

2) increase in price

2) Rents have gone up greatly in the past two years.

Los alquileres han subido muchsimo en los ltimos dos aos.

3) be built

3) Many factories have gone up in the last decade.

Se han construido muchas fbricas en la ltima dcada.

1) match, harmonize with,

look good with

1) Those leather shoes don't go with your sports outfit.

Esos zapatos de cuero no quedan bien con tu conjunto
deportivo.

2) date regularly

2) Susana is going with Robert, isn't she?

go with

Susana sale con Robert, no es cierto?

go without

abstain from

I will have to go without any vacation next summer.

Tendr que pasar sin vacaciones el prximo verano.

goof off

be lazy

I'm going to goof off all the afternoon.

Voy a hacer fiaca (pereza) toda la tarde.

grow on

become more attractive to

I'm sure the idea of a Brazilian tour will grow on you.

Estoy seguro que la idea de una excursin por Brasil te
atraer.

grow out of

become too big for

My son has grown out of most of his clothes.

grow up

1) become an adult, mature

1) He wants to be a pilot when he grows up.

Quiere ser piloto cuando madure.

2) arise, develop (legends,

traditions, customs)

2) And so the legend of Santa Claus grew up.

Y as fue como se desarroll la leyenda de Santa Claus.

guard against

take precautions

North American people guarded against possible attacks.

Los norteamericanos tomaron precauciones ante eventuales
ataques.

hand down

leave as an inheritance

These traditions are handed down from father to son.

Estas tradiciones son transmitidas de padres a hijos.

hand in

submit assignment or
homework, give in by hand to
the proper person or authority

Yesterday my boss handed in his resignation to Dr. Shofer,

the company's president..
Ayer mi jefe entreg en mano su renuncia al Dr. Shofer,
presidente de la compaa.

hand on

give to someone else

Will you please hand on this message to Miguel?

Por favor, puedes entregarle este mensaje a Miguel?

hand out

distribute

I enjoy handing out gifts to my relatives on Christmas Day.

Me encanta repartir regalos entre mis parientes en Navidad.

hand over

transfer

Strange to say, the enemy finally handed over the town to its
inhabitants.
Por extrao que parezca, finalmente el enemigo entreg la
ciudad a sus habitantes.

hand round

show round

Robert handed round the letter he had just received.

Roberto hizo circular la carta que acababa de recibir.

hang about (US)

hang around (UK)

remain idly in the vicinity of

There are lots of men hanging about at street corners for the
pubs to open.
Hay muchos hombres dando vueltas en las esquinas
esperando que abran los boliches..

hang back

be reluctant, hesitate to act

When Mr. Kell asked for two volunteers, Ana hang back.
Cuando el Sr. Kell pidi dos voluntarios, Ana se mostr
reacia.

hang on

continue to do something
(in connection with waiting)

"Can you hang on while I change my clothes?".

"Podras seguir en el puesto mientras me cambio de ropa?"

hang on to

keep, retain

I would hang on to that old briefcase if I were you. It might

prove to be very useful.
En tu lugar, yo me quedara con ese antiguo portafolios.
Podra resultar muy til.

hang out

lean forwards or downwards

Can you see that car? Is that a dog hanging out?

Ves ese auto? No es un perro colgando de l?

hang up

1) delay (generally used

in passive)

1) Sorry for being late. I was hung up in a traffic jam.

Disclpame por llegar tarde. Qued atascado en un
embotellamiento.

2) finish a telephone call

by hanging up the receiver

2) After receiving a busy signal, I hung up the phone.

Despus de recibir seal de ocupado colgu el telfono.

have in

invite someone in

The Greens had the doctor in to see their son.

Los Green hicieron pasar al mdico para que viera a su hijo.

have on

wear, be dressed in

He had his best suit on.

Llevaba puesto su mejor traje.

have out

take out

My tooth was aching so much that I had to have it out.

El diente me dola tanto que tuve que hacerlo extraer.

have to do with

be about

This new section has to do with the use of Phrasal Verbs.

Esta nueva seccin trata sobre el uso de los Verbos Frasales.

heap up

put in a heap, amass

He heaped up great wealth while he was abroad.

Amas una gran fortuna mientras estaba en el exterior.

hear from

receive a communication
from someone

We just heard from Lucy when she arrived in Boston.

Recin supimos de Lucy cuando lleg a Boston.

hear of

learn about

Actress Lorna Keller? I've never heard of her.

La actriz Lorna Keller? Jams escuch hablar acerca de
ella.

hear out

listen to someone until

he has finished (usually
separated)

Don't make any decision yet: please, hear me out.

No tomes ninguna decisin todava: por favor, escchame sin
interrumpir.

help on

1) encourage

1) Thanks messages help OM Personal on day after day.

Los mensajes de agradecimiento estimulan (alientan) a OM
Personal da tras da.

2) help someone to put

something on (usually
separated)

2) I helped Mariana on with the heavy coat she had bought

the day before.
Le ayud a Mariana a vestirse el pesado abrigo que haba
comprado el da anterior.

help out

help someone
(usually separated)

Please, help me out with the dishes.

Por favor, aydame con los platos.

hinge on

depend on

This trip hinges on my wife's decision.

Este viaje depende de la decisin de mi esposa.

hit off

imitate, mimic

There are some comedians who can hit off many film-stars
perfectly.
Hay algunos comediantes que logran imitar a la perfeccin
a muchas estrellas de cine.

hit on

discover accidentally

He hit on a plan for making money easily.

Descubri un mtodo para hacer dinero fcilmente.

hold against

blame for

Please don't hold all my mistakes against me.

Por favor, no me eches la culpa de todos mis errores.

hold back

1) restrain

1) He was so impatient that I couldn't hold him back.

Era tan impaciente que no logr contenerlo.

2) conceal

2) I am sure he is holding something back.

Estoy seguro que l est ocultando algo.

3) hesitate

3) Many people held back when the man asked for volunteers.
Mucha gente vacil cuando el hombre solicit voluntarios.

keep down

He held his head down in shame.

hold down

Mantuvo la cabeza baja por vergenza.

hold off

delay in doing something

The President held off his departure until next Saturday.

El Presidente demor su partida hasta el prximo sbado.

hold on

1) wait while telephoning

1) Hold on a moment, please.

Aguarde un momento en lnea, por favor.

2) continue, proceed

2) The export of cotton held on for many years after the war.
La exportacin de algodn se mantuvo durante muchos aos
despus de la guerra.

3) grasp tightly

3) Please, hold on this glass while I fill it up.

Por favor, sostn firme esta copa mientras la lleno.

hold on to

adhere, keep

Although Manuela lives in Korea now, she still holds on to her

Argentinian customs.
Aunque Manuela vive en Corea ahora, todava se mantiene
fiel a sus hbitos argentinos.

hold out

1) persist

1) The survivors will not be able to hold out much longer.

Los sobrevivientes no lograrn resistir mucho tiempo ms.

2) last

2) Their rations will not hold out for more than two days.
Sus raciones no durarn ms de dos das.

1) raise, keep up, lift to a

higher-than-normal position

1) Hold up your left arm.

Levante su brazo izquierdo.

2) delay

2) The train was held up on account of the floods.

El tren fue demorado debido a las inundaciones.

3) stop and rob (bus, train)

3) The robbers held the bus up.

Los ladrones detuvieron el mnibus para robar.

hunt down

persecute

The Police attempted to hunt down the criminals.

La Polica intent perseguir a los criminales.

hurry up

act quickly

Hurry up!! Our train is leaving in ten minutes.

Aprate!! Nuestro tren sale en diez minutos.

hush up

keep an affair secret

by being silent

The actor tried to hush up the scandal but he couldn't.

El actor intent ocultar el escndalo pero no lo logr.

hold up

PHRASAL

MEANING

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

idle away

waste (time, etc.) in idleness

Ken idled away his time until he got a job in the plant.
Ken se la pas perdiendo el tiempo hasta que consigui un
trabajo en la fbrica.

inquire about

ask for information about

Before the race many people inquired about the horses.

Antes de la carrera mucha gente averigu (consult, busc
informacin) sobre los caballos.

inquire after

ask about somebody's

health, welfare, etc.

Nobody inquired after the child's health in all his years.

Nadie pregunt por la salud del pequeo en todos estos
aos.

inquire into

investigate

Every student will have to inquire into a variety of grammar

topics for this final exam.
Para este examen final los estudiantes tendrn que
investigar una serie de temas gramaticales.

inquire of

seek information about

The detective tried to inquire of Dr. Dalmon's murder.

El detective trat de buscar informacin sobre el asesinato
del Dr. Dalmon.

invite in

ask someone into one's

house, a room, etc.

He invited the stranger in and gave him a meal.

Hizo pasar al extrao y le ofreci comida.

invite out

ask someone to go out to a

party, a meal, movies, etc.

We have been invited out to Luciana's birthday.

Hemos sido invitados al cumpleaos de Luciana.

iron out

remove, make smooth

(problems, difficulties)

Finally, husband and wife ironed out their problems

together.
Finalmente, marido y mujer resolvieron juntos sus
problemas.

PHRASAL

MEANING

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

jack up

lift with a jack

Herbert jacked up the car and changed wheels.

Herbert levant el auto (con el cric) y cambi la rueda.

jog along

proceed quietly and slowly

Tom is not brilliant. He just jogs along in his work.

Toms no es brillante. Simplemente se toma su tiempo
para realizar su trabajo.

join in with

share with

I decided to join in with them when they said they were

going to buy a yacht.

Decid compartir el gasto con ellos cuando dijeron que iban
a comprar un yate.
join up

PHRASAL

enlist in the Army, Navy

or Air Force

MEANING

When they were very young, Manuel and his brother

decided to join up and fight for their country.
Cuando eran muy jvenes, Manuel y su hermano
decidieron alistarse para pelear por su patria.

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

keep at

persevere at

Keep at it! Persist in what you are doing!

Dale! (Persevera!) Contina en lo que ests haciendo!

keep away from

avoid coming near,

stay away from

The angry woman shouted the thief to keep away from her.
La mujer enojada le grit al ladrn que se alejara de ella.

1) conceal

1) They discovered that the boy was keeping something

back.
Detectaron que el muchacho estaba ocultando algo.

keep back

2) restrain, hinder

2) An urgent meeting at the office kept me back.

Me retuvo una reunin urgente en la oficina.

3) not come forward,

stay back

3) Please, try to keep back. This fire is dangerous.

Por favor, qudate atrs. Este fuego es peligroso.

keep back from

stay away from

Keep back from the edge of the platform. The train is coming.
Aljate del borde de la plataforma. Est llegando el tren.

keep down

1) lie low, crouch

1) Keep down or they will see you.

Agchate (qudate abajo) o te vern.

2) subject, repress

2) This country has been kept down for several decades.

Este pas ha permanecido sometido durante varias dcadas.

keep in
1) confine, detain

keep in with

1) The teacher kept him in for two hours after school.

El profesor lo retuvo durante dos horas despus de la
escuela.

2) allow to continue burning

2) Keep the fire in until I return.

Mantn el fuego encendido hasta que regrese.

continue on good terms

with someone

It's advisable to keep in with your boss.

Es aconsejable andar bien con tu jefe.

keep off

1) stay away

1) Keep off from the grass.

Mantngase alejado del csped (No pise el csped).

2) stay at a distance,
not near

2) If the rain keeps off we could play in the garden.

Si la lluvia se mantiene alejada podramos jugar en el jardn.

keep on

persist in, continue

(followed by an ing verb)

Helen kept on changing the topic of our conversation.

Helen insisti en cambiar el tema de nuestra charla.

keep on at

worry, snag,
scold someone

Why do you persist in keeping on at Fernando so much? He

has not hurt you.
Por qu insistes tanto en reprender a Fernando? No te ha
daado.

keep out

1) prevent people or things

from entering

1) The janitor in our building is good at keeping strangers out.

El encargado de nuestro edificio es bueno para mantener
alejados a los intrusos.

2) stay outside

2) Keep out!! Can't you read the sign on the door?

Aljate!! No lees el cartel sobre la puerta?

keep to

adhere to

This train always keeps to the schedule.

Este tren siempre cumple (respeta) el horario.

keep up with

1) go forward at an equal pace 1) Please, walk more slowly. I can't keep up with you.
Por favor, camina ms despacio. No puedo alcanzarte.
2) learn as much as

2) Herbert can't keep up with the rest of the class.

Herbert no puede emparejarse con (ponerse al mismo nivel
que) el resto de la clase.

3) compete with
(as indicating social status)

3) We are not trying to keep up with the Joneses.

No estamos tratando de competir con la familia Jones.

key up

excite, stimulate

OM Personal visitors are always keyed up for interesting

prizes at our OM Lucky section.
Los visitantes de OM Personal siempre se estimulan con los
interesantes premios de nuestra seccin OM Lucky.

kick off

start a game by giving

the first kick

Our team kicked off at 3 pm.

Nuestro equipo dio el puntapi inicial a las tres de la tarde.

kick out

fire, expel, dismiss,

force someone to leave

Yesterday the manager kicked the salesclerk out.

Ayer el gerente despidi (ech) al vendedor.

kick up

cause a noise or disturbance

She kicked such a fuss when her husband returned home so

late at night.
Ella hizo gran escndalo cuando su esposo regres tan tarde
de noche.

kill off

exterminate, get rid of

in large numbers

This new insecticide kills off all the pests.

Este nuevo insecticida mata todos los insectos.

knit up

restore, repair

I hope we can knit the old partnership up: it would be a pity to

separate now.
Espero que podamos restablecer (recuperar) la vieja
sociedad: sera una pena separarnos ahora.

wander

The tourist said he had knocked about all over the world.
El turista dijo que haba andado por todo el mundo.

hit again and again;

treat roughly

The new furniture was knocked about during transportation.

Los muebles nuevos fueron golpeados durante el transporte.

1) knock someone to the

ground

1) The boxer soon knocked his opponent down.

El boxeador pronto derrib a su adversario.

2) destroy

2) The architects have started to knock the old house down.

Los arquitectos han comenzado a derribar la vieja casa.

3) force someone
to lower a price

3) I wanted 3,000 dollars for my car, but the customer knocked

me down to 2,500 dollars.
Yo quera 3.000 dlares por mi automvil pero el cliente me lo
hizo bajar a 2.500 dlares.

knock about

knock down

The auctioneer knocked down the old china vase to me when

the bidding had reached only one hundred dollars.
El rematador me vendi el antiguo florero de porcelana
cuando las ofertas apenas haban alcanzado los cien
dlares.

knock down to

sell something to someone

who has bid in an auction

knock in

hit something

Knock this nail in, please. I want to hang this picture.

Coloca este clavo, por favor. Quiero colgar este cuadro.

knock off

1) stop working (colloquial)

1) The workmen knocked off at five o'clock.

Los obreros dejaron de trabajar a las cinco en punto.

2) compose hastily

2) Lorena knocked the poem off in ten minutes.

Lorena compuso el poema en apenas diez minutos.

3) deduct

3) Martha asked the shopkeeper if he could knock off ten

dollars from the list price.

Martha le pregunt al vendedor si podra descontarle (hacerle

una rebaja de) diez dlares sobre el precio del lista.
knock oneself out

work much harder than

expected

I knocked Joe Burlington out in the fifth round.

Lo dej nocaut a Joe Burlington en la quinta vuelta.

knock out

make someone unconscious

I knocked Joe Burlington out in the fifth round.

Lo dej nocaut a Joe Burlington en la quinta vuelta.

knock over

turn over

The cat knocked over our expensive flower vase.

El gato volte nuestro costoso florero.

knock up

exhaust

The hikers were knocked up after their long walk in the Alps.
Los mochileros quedaron agotados despus de su larga
caminata en los Alpes.

knuckle down to

work very hard

We really knuckled down but the new paint in the kitchen

looks great now.
Realmente trabajamos duro pero la nueva pintura de la
cocina luce fantstica.

knuckle under to

submit to, yield to

The mayor had knuckle under to the authority in government.

El alcalde tuvo que ceder ante la autoridad gubernamental.

PHRASAL
lap up

MEANING

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

1) accept eagerly

1) The public lapped up the story.

El pblico se trag la historia.

2) take up with the tongue

2) The cat lapped up all the milk in the saucer.

El gato lami toda la leche del plato.

laugh at

mock, make fun of

Don't laugh at my son!, the woman shouted at us.

No ser ran de mi hijo!, nos grit la mujer.

launch into

start with vigor

He launched into a very long explanation.

Empez vigorosamente a dar una larga explicacin.

lay before

present to

We will lay the evidence before the court.

Expondremos la evidencia ante la corte.

lay in

store up for future use

Many of the farmers laid in provisions for a bad winter.

Muchos de los granjeros almacenaron provisiones para un
mal invierno.

lay off
fire, dismiss, put out of work
because of lack of work or
money

This Japanese company laid off six hundred workers last

month because of lack of work.
Esta empresa japonesa despidi a seiscientos operarios el
mesa pasado debido a la falta de trabajo.

1) lay out in a line, arrange

1) She laid out her clothes for the ceremony.

Ella orden (dispuso) sus ropas para la ceremonia.

2) get ready for a particular

purpose or event

2) The assistant laid out the tools for the surgery.

El asistente prepar el instrumental para la operacin.

3) provide a detailed plan

or design

3) She laid out her plans for a rock garden in the house.
Ella realiz los diseos de un jardn de rocas para de la casa.

lead up to

be a preparation for

The first chapters of his book lead up to the full story.

Los primeros captulos de su libro anticipan toda la historia.

leaf through

turn the pages

Sheila leafed idly through the big volume.

Sheila hoje sin apuro el enorme volumen.

leave behind

not bring, go away without,

leave

It's raining and I left my umbrella behind!!

Llueve y olvid traer mi paraguas!!

leave out

omit, forget

They had left my name out in the examinations list.

Haban omitido mi nombre en la lista de exmenes.

let down

disappoint or fail someone

George let me down when he refused to lend me the money.

George me decepcion cuando rehus prestarme dinero.

let in

admit, allow to enter

We let them in although it was very late.

Los dejamos entrar a pesar de que era muy tarde.

let in on

reveal, share a secret

(always separated)

Unknowingly she let them in on the secret.

Sin darse cuenta ella les revel el secreto.

let into

allow to share

Shall we let you parents into the secret?

Les revelaremos el secreto a tus padres?

let off

1) allow to leave without

punishment

1) The magistrate let the boy off with a serious warning..

El magistrado dej ir al muchacho con una seria advertencia.

2) explode

2) Argentinians love to let off fireworks on Christmas season.

lay out

A los argentinos les encanta explotar fuegos artificiales para

la poca de Navidad.
let out

1) allow to go out

1) Norma let her kid out on such a nice day.

Norma permiti salir a su chico con un da tan agradable.

2) divulgue, disclose

2) Why did you let the secret out?

Por qu divulgaste el secreto?

3) extend, loosen

3) The tailor let out the dress as it was too tight.

El sastre ensanch el vestido porque era muy ajustado.

let up
1) diminish, become less
intense (colloquial)

1) The pain has let up since I began to take these tablets.

El dolor comenz a ceder desde que tomo estos
comprimidos.

2) make less effort (colloquial) 2) The teacher asked the boys not to let up until the exam.
El profesor les pidio a los muchachos que no aflojaran hasta
el examen.
level off

stop rising

Prices finally have leveled off.

Finalmente los precios se han estabilizado.

lie down

assume a reclining position

Go home and lie down on the bed until you feel better.
Vte a casa y recustate en la cama hasta que sentirte mejor.

live down

live so that past faults

are forgotten

How did the actress manage to live down the scandal that
surrounded all her life?
Cmo hizo la actriz para sobrellevar el escndalo que rode
toda su vida?

live on

survive using

What did you live on when you were at school?

De qu vivas cuando estabas en la escuela?

live up to

maintain a standard

She has lived up to her reputation as a singer.

Ella ha vivido de acuerdo con su fama de cantante.

log off

break contact with

a computer system

The system was overloaded, so I had to log off.

El sistema estaba sobrecargado, por lo tanto tuve que salir
de sesin.

log on to

contact a computer

She logged on to the new system.

Ella entr en sesin con el nuevo sistema.

log on

contact a computer

Do you know how to log on?

Sabes cmo entrar en sesin?

look after

watch, take care of

Mrs. Reston, thanks for looking after my baby tonight.

Sra. Reston, gracias por cuidar a mi beb esta noche.

look back on

recall, remember,
reflect on

The old man looked back on the days of his youth.

El anciano record los das de su juventud.

look down on

regard as inferior,
look with disdain

Martin is an arrogant professor. He always looks down on the

students who don't catch on immediately.
Martin es un profesor arrogante. Siempre menosprecia a los
estudiantes que no entienden rpidamente.

look for

try to locate or discover

look forward to

anticipate with pleasure

I'm looking forward to my holidays.

Estoy esperando (ansiosamente) mis vacaciones.

look in on

visit to check something

Jenny has just come back from Europe. I'm going to look in on
her today to see how happy she is.
Jenny acaba de regresar de Europa. Voy a pasar por su casa
para ver lo feliz que est.

look into

investigate, get more details

He promised us to look into this difficult situation.

Nos prometi investigar esta complicada situacin.

look like

resemble in appearance

Does the new baby look like Helen or Robert?

Se parece el nuevo beb a Helen o a Robert?

look out for

watch for

Look out for fallen branches and snakes in this area.

Ten cuidado con las ramas cadas y las vboras en esta zona.

look over

check, review

There may be some mistakes in my report. Could you look it

over?
Puede haber algunos errores en mi informe Podras echarle
una ojeada (revisarlo)?

look through

examine quickly

They looked through the magazines while they were waiting.

Hojeaban las revistas mientras esperaban.

look up

find information

We looked up the new word in a dictionary.

Buscamos la nueva palabra en un diccionario.

look up to

admire, respect

At OM Personal we look up to our visitors' effort to learn or

improve their English day after day.
En OM Personal valoramos el esfuerzo de nuestros visitantes
por aprender o mejorar su ingls da tras da.

luck out

be unexpectedly lucky

I was worried because I wasn't well prepared to take my

TOEFL but finally I lucked out because the exam was

I'm looking for a new job. Any good advertisements today?

Estoy buscando un nuevo trabajo. Hay algn buen aviso
hoy?

cancelled.
Yo estaba preocupado porque no estaba bien preparado para
rendir mi TOEFL pero finalmente me salv (tuve una suerte
inesperada) cuando el examen fue cancelado.

PHRASAL
make away

MEANING

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

hurry away

While the others were arguing I made away on my bike.

Mientras los otros seguan discutiendo me fui en mi bicicleta.

1) steal

1) The thieves made away with some valuable jewels.

Los ladrones robaron algunas joyas valiosas.

2) hide

2) The boy made away with the broken vase before his
mother came back home.
El muchacho ocult el florero roto antes que su madre
regresara a casa.

3) kill

3) The unhappy old lady tried to make away with herself.

La desdichada anciana intent terminar consigo.

1) go in the direction of

1) It's late. We'd better turn and make for home.

Es tarde. Mejor demos vuelta y vayamos en direccin a casa.

2) attack, go for,
rush violently at

2) When I was halfway across the field a bull made for me and
I had to run.
Cuando me encontraba en medio del campo a toro me atac
y tuve que correr.

make fun of

make unkind jokes about

They hurt her feelings when they made fun of her.

La hirieron cuando se burlaron (mofaron) de ella.

make of

understand

Can you make anything of this message?

Puedes entender algo de este mensaje?

make off with

run away with

While I was bathing, someone made off with all my clothes.

Mientras me estaba baando alguien escap con todas mis
ropas.

make out

1) draw up a document

1) My father made out a cheque for me to buy the camera.

Mi padre me extendi un cheque para comprar la cmara.

2) understand

2) I can't make out what he is trying to say.

No logro entender qu est tratando de decirnos.

make away with

make for

3) see, distinguish,
recognise

4) manage (colloquial)

make over

3) Someone is coming down the mountain, but I can't make

out who it is.
Alguien est descendiendo de la montaa pero no puedo
distinguir de quin se trata.
4) How did the children make out while their mother was out?
Cmo se arreglaron los chicos mientras su madre no
estuvo?

5) imply

5) Several people tried to make out that Martin was a traitor.

Algunos dieron a entender que Martin era un traidor.

6) pretend

6) They were always asking for money and making out that
they were broke.
Siempre estaban pidiendo dinero y fingiendo que estaban sin
un centavo.

transfer formally

They made over all their property to their son in Italy.

Le transfirieron todas sus propiedades a su hijo en Italia.

1) invent, create imaginary

information

1) He made up an incredible story about his vacation.

Invent una increble historia sobre sus vacaciones.

make up
2) apply cosmetics

2) Sandra made up very carefully before meeting her

boyfriend.
Sandra se maquill muy cuidadosamente antes de
encontrarse con su novio.

3) compensate

3) I couldn't come for the test. May I make it up today?.

No pude venir para el examen. Puedo compensarlo hoy?

4) end a quarrel or
misunderstanding

4) They quarrel every morning and make it up every evening.

Se pelean por la maana y se amigan por la tarde.

make up for

compensate for

She tried to make up for her past mistakes but it was too late.
Trat de compensar sus errores del pasado pero ya era tarde.

make up to

flatter, make friendly

approaches to (colloquial)

Tom used to make up to his sister whenever he needed

money.
Tom sola adular a su hermana cuando necesitaba dinero.

make up with

re-establish a relationship
end a quarrel

After the misunderstanding, Luis made up with Raquel.

Luego del malentendido, Luis hizo se reconcili con Raquel.

mark down

1) mark goods at a lower price, 1) OM Personal CDs have been marked down by 30%.
reduce the price
Los CDs de OM Personal han sido rebajados en un 30%.

2) make a note of in writing

2) Mark this number down: 431-2568. It's Kim's phone

number.
Anota este nmero: 431-2568. Es el telfono de Kim.

mark off

separate by marking

They will mark off the playing field tomorrow.

Maana marcarn las divisiones en el campo de juego.

mark out

mark lines showing limits

or boundaries

Bill and Edwin have already marked out the tennis courts.
Bill y Edwin ya han marcado las canchas de tenis.

mark up

increase the price for resale

Liza is doing a lot of money. She buys inexpensive dresses

in Taiwan and then marks them up.
Liza est haciendo mucho dibnero. Compra vestidos a bajo
precio en Taiwan y liego los remarca (sube de precio).

miss out

omit

The student answered the questions correctly, but missed out

the sixth one.
El estudiante respondi correctamente las preguntas pero
omiti la sexta.

mix up

confuse

This boy always tries to mix up the teacher by asking

irrelevant questions.
Este muchacho siempre trata de confundir al profesor
haciendo preguntas irrelevantes.

mop up

wipe up

Molly, please!! Mop up that pool of water in the bathroom.

Por favor, Molly!! Seca (pasa un trapo de piso a) ese charco
de agua en el bao.

mount up

rise

Our bills soon mounted up at that expensive hotel.

Nuestras cuentas enseguida subieron en un hotel tan caro.

move along

move farther in the

direction indicated

"Move along, please", said the bus driver.

"Crranse, por favor", dijo el conductor del mnibus.

move in

take possession of
living quarters

When are you moving in to your new apartment?

Cundo te vas a mudar a tu nuevo departamento?

move on

move to another place

A policeman moved on my car.

Un agente de polica movi (cambi de lugar) mi automvil.

move out

give up possession of
living quarters

Leila moved out yesterday and she is really exhausted now.

Leila se mud ayer y ahora est realmente agotada.

muddle up

mix up

I'm all muddled up now after your attempt to explain Passive

Voice and Reported Speech to me.
Estoy totalmente confundido ahora luego de tu intento de
explicarme Voz Pasiva y Lenguaje Indirecto.

muster up

collect, gather together

narrow down

You will have to muster up all your courage for this hard task.
Tendrs que juntar coraje para realizar esta difcil tarea.

The suspects now have been narrowed

down to three.
Ahora los sospechosos han sido
reducidos a tres.

reduce

nip along

hurry (colloquial)

The small car nipped along at sixty miles an hour.

El pequeo automvil se mova a sesenta millas por hora.

nip in

enter quickly before

someone else (colloquial)

When he saw the door open, Henry's cat nipped in.

Cuando vio la puerta abierta el gato de Henry se meti.

nip off

leave, go away (colloquial)

I'm really sorry but I will have to nip off soon.

Lo siento realmente pero pronto tendr que irme.

nip out

go out for a short time

(colloquial)

We all decided to nip out for fresh air.

Todos decidimos salir en busca de un poco de aire fresco.

nod off

fall sleep

Half the bus passengers were nodding off.

La mitad de los pasajeros en el mnibus estaban dormitando.

nose out

find out, ascertain

(colloquial)

Mrs. Ferling nosed out the cause of the rumour.

La Sra. Ferling averigu la causa del rumor.

number off

call out a number:

one, two, three, etc.

The boys numbered off from left to right.

Los muchachos cantaron los nmeros de izquierda a
derecha.

PHRASAL

MEANING

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

offer up

present to God (usually not

separated with a noun)

The priest offered up prayers for rain.

El sacerdote elev plegarias por la lluvia.

open out

1) lay open, unfold

1) When we arrived Martha opened out a blue tablecloth

and spread it on the grass.
Cuando llegamos, Marta desenvolvi un mantel azul y lo
despleg sobre el csped.

2) develop

2) This land has been opened out considerably; it is full of

factories and houses now.
Esta tierra ha progresado considerablemente; est repleta
de fbricas y casas ahora.

3) begin to be talkative

3) After a few minutes the stranger opened up and began to

tell us all about his life in Russia.
Despus de unos minutos el extrao tom confianza y
comenz a contarnos toda su vida en Rusia.

1) lay open, throw open,

cut open, etc.

1) The surgeon opened up the man's arm and removed

the bullet.
El cirujano abri el brazo del hombre y extrajo la bala.

2) make accessible

2) This small village has been opened up to tourists thanks

to the new highway.
Este pequeo pueblo es accesible a los turistas gracias a
la nueva autopista.

order about

give someone a lot of orders

compulsively

I'm tired of Billy always ordering us about.

Estoy cansado de que Billy nos est dando rdenes todo
el tiempo.

order in

command someone to enter

She ordered her son in at once.

De inmediato le orden a su hijo que entrara.

order out

command someone to leave

a room, a house, etc.

He ordered the stranger out.

Le orden al extrao que se retirara.

own up

admit, confess

The maid owned up and said she had broken the lamp
accidentally.
La mucama admiti y dijo que haba roto la lmpara
accidentalmente.

open up

PHRASAL
pack up

MEANING

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

1) put things away, get things

ready for a journey, a holiday

Helen has already packed everything up for her rip.

Helen ya ha empacado todo para su viaje.

2) stop work (colloquial)

It's time we packed up and went home.

Es hora de dejar de trabajar (guardar todo) e irnos a casa.

3) stop functioning,
break down

The car engine seems to have packed up.

Parece que el motor del automil ha dejado de funcionar.

pair off

marry (colloquial
and intransitive)

Some of the students paired off after meeting one another at

Burbon College.
Algunos estudiantes se casaron despus de haberse
conocido en la Universidad Burbon.

pal up with

become friendly with

Annie has already palled up with Joan and Sylvia.

(slang)

Annie ya se ha hecho amiga de Joan y Sylvia.

palm off

get rid of a useless object

He palmed off his old radio on me.

Me regal (por inservible) su vieja radio.

pan out

result (colloquial)

The new system seems to have panned out well.

El nuevo sistema parece haber salido bueno.

paper over

repair superficially

They attempted to paper over their differences.

Ellos intentaron reparar sus diferencias.

part with

give up reluctantly

Your books are occupying too much space. You'll have to part
with them.
Tus libros estn ocupando demasiado espacio. Aunque no te
guste, vas a tener que deshacerte de ellos.

pass along

circulate, pass to people

Pass this notice along, please.

Haz circular este aviso, por favor.

pass away

die

The old man passed away last week.

El anciano falleci la semana pasada.

pass back

return

Pass the book back when you have finished with it.
Devuelve el libro cuando hayas terminado con l.

pass by

1) move towards

When I was passing by I heard a crash.

Justo cuando pasaba escuch un choque.

2) omit, disregard

He passed that point by in his lecture.

Omiti (Se salte) ese tema en su conferencia.

1) happen

Her performance passed off quite successfully.

Su actuacin fue realmente exitosa.

2) fade, decrease

Has your toothache passed off yet?

Ya se te pas el dolor de muelas?

pass out

faint, become unconscious

It was so hot, I almost passed out.

Hizo tanto calor que casi me desmayo.

pass up

miss a chance,
not take advantage

She couldn't pass up such an opportunity and left today.

No poda dejar pasar semejante oportunidad y se fue hoy.

pay back

1) return what is owing

He has not paid the two hundred dollars back.

Todava no ha devuelto los doscientos dlares.

pass off

2) take revenge on

I shall pay him back for all he said about me.

Me vengar (Le pagar con la misma moneda) por todo lo
que dijo de m.

pay in

deposit money with a bank

to one's own or another's
account

The auditor has found that more was drawn out from the bank
than was paid in.
El auditor ha detectado que se ha extrado ms dinero del
banco del que fue depositado.

pension off

dismiss with a pension

Nice company!! He was pensioned off at the age of fifty.

Bonita empresa!! Lo jubilaron a la edad de cincuenta aos.

phase in

introduce gradually

The new program will be phased in over the next six months.
El nuevo programa ser presentado progresivamente en los
prximos seis meses.

phase out

cease gradually

The old program will gradually be phased out.

El viejo programa ser retirado gradualmente.

pick on

choose someone for kidding,

be unkind to

Because he was the youngest, the other boys picked on him.

Por ser el ms joven los otros muchachos se metan con l.

pick out

1) choose, select

She picked out the most expensive pair of shoes.

Escogi el par de zapatos ms costoso.

2) distinguish

I can't pick you out on this old school photograph!!

No logro reconocerte en esta vieja fotografa escolar!!

1) lift up from the ground

Please, pick up your feet. I'm cleaning the floor.

Por favor levanta los pies. Estoy limpiando el piso.

2) collect

My wife is going to pick up some Concord grapes..

Mi esposa pasar a recoger algunas uvas Concord.

3) improve

Our business is picking up.

Nuestro negocio est mejorando (progresando).

4) learn casually

I picked this information up while waiting in the line to pay.

Me enter por casualidad de esta informacin mientras haca
cola para pagar.

5) collect someone or
something in a car, boat, etc.

We can pick you up at six.

Podemos pasar a buscarte a la seis.

6) recover one's strength

The patient has picked up considerably during this month.

El paciente se ha recuperado considerablemente este mes.

pick up

7) rescue

The survivors were picked up near South Africa.

Los sobrevivientes fueron rescatados cerca de Sudfrica.
The Police tried to pin the boy down to details about the
death.
La Polica intent poner al muchacho contra la pared en
busca de los antecedentes de la muerte.

pin down

get a commitment

pitch in

help, set to work energetically

(colloquial)

If everyone pitches in, the work will be done in a few minutes.

Si todos colaborar, este trabajo se puede hacer en minutos.

play along

pretend to agree

Let's play along until we find out what his plans are.
Finjamos estar de acuerdo hasta que averigemos cules
son sus planes.

play down

make or cause to appear

less important

He played down the importance of the news.

Le dio muy poca importancia a las noticias.

play off against

encourage to fight

Very cleverly Maria played one boyfriend off against the other.
Muy astutamente, Mara puso a un novio en contra del otro.

play up to

flatter (colloquial)

For his own advantage, he always plays up to his boss.

Para ventaja propia, l siempre adula a su jefe.

point out

draw attention to, show,

indicate

She pointed out the advantages of the proposal.

Ella destac las ventajas de la propuesta.

polish off

finish (colloquial)

We polished off the rest of the apple pie.

Terminamos (Liquidamos) el resto del pastel de manzanas.

prey on

1) hunt and eat

1) Brown bears prey on fish.

Los osos pardos pescan y devoran peces.

2) disturb

2) This idea preys on my mind.

Esta idea agobia mi mente.

provide for

prepare for

In our company we have provided for any emergency.

En nuestra empresa estamos preparados para emergencias.

pull down

demolish

Many old buildings are pulled down to make way for new
ones.
Muchos edificios antiguos se estn demoliendo para hacer
lugar a los nuevos.

pull in

vehicle arrives

The bus pulled in next to the curb.

El mnibus par junto al cordn de la vereda.

pull off

win, succeed in

Do you think she can pull off her new plan?

Crees que puede tener xito con su nuevo plan?

pull out of

a vehicle leaves a place

The train pulled out of the station.

El tren sali de la estacin.

pull out

a vehicle leaves

The train pulled out at ten o'clock.

El tren sali a las diez en punto.

pull over

drive to the side of the road

The policeman ordered me to pull over.

El polica orden detenerme al costado de la carretera.

pull up

remove (weeds, etc) by pulling The gardener was pulling up weeds all the morning.
El jardinero estuvo desmalezando toda la maana.

pull through

recover

The doctor thinks his wife will pull through.

El doctor piensa que su esposa va a mejorar.

push on with

go ahead, continue

I must push on with my work.

Debo continuar con (dndole fuerte a) mi trabajo.

put away

put things tidily in their place

It is time to put the toys away.

Es hora de guardar estos juguetes.

put back

return to original location

Please put these books back on the shelf.

Por favor devuelve estos libros al estante.

put down to

attribute to

We put his bad temper down to fatigue and work stress.

Atribuimos su mal carcter al cansancio y estrs laboral.

put off

postpone

We cannot put off the meeting again.

No podemos postergar nuevamente la reunin.

put on

1) dress oneself in,

put clothes on

I put on my old clothes for the journey.

Me puse mi ropa vieja para el viaje.

2) gain, increase

Has she put any weight on?

Ha subido ella algo de peso? (Engord algo?)

3) switch on

Put the light on, please.

Enciende la luz, por favor.

1) place outside, expel,

drive out

Have you put out the cat?

Has sacado el gato?

put out

put through

put up

2) extend, hold out

He put out his hand for me to shake.

El extendi su mano para estrechar la ma.

3) begin a voyage, set sail

Their tiny vessel put out to sea.

Su diminuta embarcacin se hizo a la mar.

4) extinguish

The six firemen soon put out the fire.

Los seis bomberos extinguieron pronto el incendio.

5) switch off

Put out the lamp now, please.

Desconecte (Apague) la lmpara ahora, por favor.

6) annoy (usually used

in the passive)

I was put out by his aggressive attitude to me.

Me molest su actitud agresiva hacia m.

7) inconvenience, trouble

He said he did not want to put us out by accepting our dinner.

Dijo que no quera incomodarnos al aceptar nuestra cena.

8) dislocate

I must have put my shoulder out while I was playing tennis.

Debo haberme dislocado el hombro mientras jugaba tenis.

9) publish

Dr. Wise has just put out a book on education.

El Dr. Wise acaba de publicar un libro sobre educacin.

1) carry out

The new plan has been put through successfully.

El nuevo plan ha sido llevado a cabo con xito.

2) connect by telephone
(usually separated)

Please, put me through to Extension 106.

Por favor, comunqueme con el Interno 106.

1) raise, hold up

Please help me to put this ladder up.

Por favor aydame a levantar esta escalera.

2) raise (prices)

Bread has been put up to 4 dollars a kilo.

El pan ha sido incrementado a 4 dlares el kilo.

3) pack away, put aside,

lay away

We decided to put the deck chairs up for this winter.

Decidimos guardar las sillas de jardn por este invierno.

4) build, erect

I've put a shed up at the end of my garden.

He construido un galpn en el fondo de mi jardn

5) provide lodging and food

We can put you up for the weekend.

Podemos alojarte durante el fin de semana.

6) lodge

We put up for the night at Werton Lodge.

Nos hospedamos por la noche en la Posada Werton.

7) propose for election,

nominate

The party put up Mr. Reno as their candidate.

El partido propuso como candidato al Sr. Reno.

8) offer for sale by auction

Three valuable pictures were put up for tomorrow's auction.

Para el remate de maana se colocaron tres valiosos
cuadros.

9) provide for a business

purpose

Mariana's father put up the money for her dental clinic.

El padre de Mariana puso el dinero para su clnica dental.

10) offer a prayer

The priest put up a prayer for safety in Spain.

El sacerdote elev una plegaria por la seguridad en Espaa.

put up to

instigate, urge to do wrong

(usually separated)

She put me up to playing a trick on the teacher.

Me incit a hacerle una broma al profesor.

put up with

endure, tolerate, suffer

When he lived in Buenos Aires and Santiago he had to put up

with crowded buses.
Cuando viva en Buenos Aires y Santiago tuvo que soportar
mnibus saturados de gente.

PHRASAL

MEANING

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

quiet down

become quiet

The city quieted down after the political disturbances.

La ciudad se calm despus de los disturbios polticos.

queue up

form a line to enter a theatre,

get on a bus or buy something
(British English).

They had to queue up for two hours in order to buy the

tickets for The Phantom of the Opera.
Tuvieron que hacer una cola de dos horas para poder
comprar las entradas para El Fantasma de la Opera.

PHRASAL

MEANING

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

read off

read quicky or fluently

He read off the names of the places he had visited.

Ley rapidamente la lista de lugares que haba visitado.

read into

find other meanings

You are reading too much into her remarks.

Le ests dando demasiada importancia a sus comentarios.

read on

continue reading

"Read on, please", said Mr. Puentes.

"Contina leyendo, por favor", dijo el Sr. Puentes.

read out

read aloud, in a loud voice

Everybody listened as Walter read his report out.

Todos escuchaban mientras Walter lea su informe en voz
alta.

read over

examine thoroughly
by reading

He read my short story over and gave me his opinion.

Ley con atencin mi cuento corto y me dio su opinin.

read up on

read about, study

Whenever we travel, my wife and I like to read up on the

places we are going to visit.
Cada vez que viajamos, a mi esposa y a m nos gusta leer
anticipadamente acerca de los lugares que vamos a visitar.

reason out

reach a result by reasoning

(separable)

I cannot reason out an answer to this problem.

Me cuesta encontrar una respuesta a este problema.

reason with

try to persuade

It is really hard to reason with an angry person.

Es muy difcil tratar de convencer a una persona enojada.

reckon in

include

When I was counting up the money I had spent, I forgot to

reckon in the three books I had bought the day before.
Cuando estaba verificando el dinero que haba gastado,
olvid incluir tres libros que haba comprado el da anterior.

reckon on

calculate on

reckon up

count up, find the total

number or amount of

He quickly reckoned up the bill and wrote a cheque.

Rpidamente calcul la cuenta y extendi un cheque.

reel off

say quickly and without effort,

recite a long list

The student reeled off the names of twenty famous scientists.

El estudiante recit los nombres de veinte cientificos
famosos.

rely on
rely upon

depend on with confidence

You can rely on us to help you pass your exam.

Puedes confiar en nosotros para ayudarte a pasar tu examen.

render up

give up

The noblemen had to render up their lands to the conqueror.

Los nobles tuvieron que entregar sus tierras al conquistador.

ring off

put down the telephone

Helen suddenly rang off in the middle of the conversation.

De repente Helen cort la comunicacin telefnica en medio
de la conversacin.

ring up

telephone

Ring me up at six o'clock.

Llmame por telfono a las seis.

I hadn't reckoned on being the center of attention in your

party.
No estaba en mis clculos ser el centro de atencin de tu
fiesta.

1) tear off quickly

1) She ripped the coat cover off but saw nothing underneath.
Ella desgarr el forro de la chaqueta pero no hall nada
dentro.

2) cheat, take advantage of,

steal, rob (high prices)

2) "Don't buy anything at Kacharol. They'll rip you off".

"No compres nada en Kacharol. Te estafan (con los precios)".

rise above

be superior to

Rising above his circumstances, he studied at OM Personal

for free and he managed to succeed.
Superando su situacin, estudi en OM Personal
gratuitamente y logr alcanzar el xito.

rope in

persuade to help, induce

someone to join a cause

We roped in everyone we could to help with this good cause.

Persuadimos a todos los que pudimos para ayudar en esta
noble causa.

round off

1) complete with
a suitable ending

1) He rounded off his speech by thanking everyone who

assisted him in his project.
Finaliz (redonde) su discurso agradeciendo a todos los que
lo haban ayudado en su proyecto.

2) express as a round
number

2) The grocer rounded $102, 70 off to $103,00.

El almacenero redonde dlares 102,70 a dlares 103,00.

rub off

remove a mark by rubbing

She rubbed the soot off easily with this new product.
Quit todo holln fcilmente frotando con este producto
nuevo.

rub off on

acquire from someone

Some of his enthusiasm has rubbed off on me.

He adquirido (se me ha pegado) algo de su entusiasmo.

rub out

erase

Be sure to rub out all the pencil marks.

Asegrate de borrar todas las marcas de lpiz.

rub up

1) polish up

1) He asked the goldsmith to rub up the ring.

Le solicit al joyero que puliera su anillo.

2) revise

2) Miguel started visiting OM Personal two years ago as

hewanted to rub up his English.
Miguel comenz a visitar OM Personal hace dos aos porque
quera repasar su ingls.

rule out

exclude, remove from

consideration

The reporter said that none of the possibilities mentioned can

be ruled out yet.
El reportero comunic que ninguna de las posibilidades
mencionadas pueden ser descartadas todava.

run across

find accidentally,

Thelma ran across some interesting information.

rip off

find by chance

Thelma encontr por casualidad una informacin interesante.

run after

pursue

Some men ran after the cyclist who had stolen them.
Algunos hombres persiguieron al ciclista que los haba
robado.

run away

escape

The thieves managed to run away with all the jewels.

Los ladrones se arreglaron para huir con todas las joyas.

run down

1) overtake and capture

1) The police ran down the thief in the woods.

La polica captur al ladrn en los bosques.

2) disparage, express
a negative opinion of

2) John is contantly running down his boss.

John est permanentemente descalificando a (hablando mal
de) su jefe.

3) stop functioning

3) The battery in my watch has run down.

La batera de mi reloj pulsera se ha agotado.

run in

drive slowly, not to damage

the new engine

I'm still running my car in.

Todava estoy conduciendo mi auto a baja velocidad.

run into

1) meet accidentally,
meet by chance

1) I ran into my cousin downtown today.

Hoy me encontr por casualidad con mi primo en el centro.

2) colllide with

2) A big bus ran into our car yesterday.

Un enorme mnibus choc nuestro automvil ayer.

run out

expire

The policeman told me that that my licence had run out.

El agente de policia me dijo que mi permiso de conducir
haba vencido.

run out of

finish, become exhausted,

use the last of

run over

1) injured by a vehicle

1) He was driving at high speed and ran over a dog.

Conduca a alta velocidad y atropell a un perro.

2) overflow

2) The water ran over and flooded the bathroom because

Monica left the faucet on.
El agua corri inundando el bao porque Mnica dej la
canilla abierta.

"We have run out of coffee. Why don't you buy some, honey?"
"Nos quedamos sin caf, Por qu no compras algo,
querida?"

run up against

PHRASAL

meet

MEANING

When you travel you run up against different kinds of people.

Cuando viajas te topas con diferentes clases de personas.

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION
Rogelio saved up enough money to buy a car.
Rogelio ahorr el suficiente dinero para comprar un
automvil.

save up

spend sparingly, avoid

the waste of

saw up

cut into pieces with a saw

He has already sawn the branch up.

Acaba de aserrar (cortar con un serrucho) la rama.

scale down

reduce

Because of lack of funds, we had to scale down our plan.

A raz de la falta de fondos tuvimos que reducir nuestro plan.

scrape along

manage to exist in
spite of difficulties

For five years we scraped along on my small pension.

Durante cinco aos nos arreglamos con mi reducida pensin.

scrape off
scrape out

remove mud, grease, paint

She scraped out the sticky saucepan.

Ella le quit la grasa a la sucia sartn.

scratch along

manage to live (slang)

Although their father was out of work, they scratched along.

Aunque su padre estaba sin trabajo se ingenieron para vivir.

scratch out

erase

Scratch my name out, please: I don't want to participate.

Borra mi nombre por favor: no quiero participar.

screw up

1) tighten by turning a screw

He screwed up the door handle which was loose.

Atornill la manija de la puerta que estaba suelta.

2) twist up

She screwed the letter up and threw it into the wastepaper

basket very angrily.
Ella retorci la carta y la arroj al papelero muy fastidiada.

3) make tight, contract

Janet screwed up her nose to show her disapproval.

Janet retorci su nariz para mostrar su desaprobacin.

4) gather up courage

I screwed up my courage and spoke to my wife.

Junt coraje y le habl a mi esposa.

remove by scrubbing

Did she manage to scrub out the purple mark?

scrub out

Se las arregl para quitar la mancha violcea?

search out

seek and find

The first thing I did was to search out for my brother.

Lo primero que hice fue salir a buscar a mi hermano.

see about

be busy with

She organized the party and I saw about getting the food.
Ella organiz la fiesta y yo me ocup de conseguir la comida.

see in

welcome in
(usually separated)

They all waited to see the New Year in.

Todos esperaron para recibir el Ao Nuevo.

see off

see someone leave

(usually separated)

I went to the airport to see Paula off.

Fui al aeropuerto a despedir a Paula.

see through

not be deceived by

We all saw through them.

Todos supimos qu clase de personas era realmente.

sell off

stock of goods
very cheaply

Finally we decided to sell off all the furniture.

Finalmente nos decidimos por liquidar todos los muebles.

send away

dismiss, fire

Yesterday Mr. Rams sent Dolly away.

Ayer el Sr. Rams la ech (despidi) a Dolly.

send away for

order by mail

We sent away for a new digital camera.

Compramos por correo una nueva cmara digital.

send for

ask to be sent

You will have to send for your CD-ROMs.

Tendrs que mandar a buscar los CD-ROMs.

send in

mail in, email in

She loves comments sent in by visitors.

A ella le encanta los mensajes enviados por los visitantes.

send off

dispatch

OM Personal sends off almost 400 emails every day.

OM Personal despacha casi 400 correos electrnicos por da.

send on

send ahead or in advance

We have sent on our luggage by train.

Hemos enviado nuestro equipaje por tren.

send out

distribute

The circulars have all been sent out.

Todas las circulares han sido distribuidas (repartidas).

serve up

prepare, cook a meal

She served up a delicious orange cake.

Ella prepar una torta de naranjas exquisita.

set against

make antagonistic

She likes to set people against one another.

A ella le gusta poner en contra a las personas.

set aside

1) put on one side

for use later on

She set aside her winter coat and took out her summer dress.
Puso a un costado su abrigo de invierno y sac su vestido
veraniego.

2) reserve

The hotel manager set two pleasant rooms aside for us.
El gerente del hotel nos reserv dos agradables habitaciones.

set back

delay

This situation will set back the project by many years.

Esta situacin retrasar el proyecto por varios aos.

set down

deposit people, allow a

passenger to get down or out

The bus stopped to set down an old lady..

El autobus se detuvo para dejar bajar a una seora mayor.

set in

begin

When the fall (autumn) sets in, leaves turn reddish.

Cuando comienza el otoo, las hojas se vuelven rojizas.

set off

1) start on a journey, leave

What time did they set off?

A qu hora se fueron (de viaje)?

2) start a chain of events

The unpopular law set off a series of protests.

La impopular ley desencaden una serie de protestas.

3) start someone doing

something

The comedian set everyone off laughing.

El comediante empez haciendo reir a todos.

4) contrast with, embellish

The pink wall helps to set off those green curtains.

La pared rosada ayuda a destacar esas cortinas verdes.

5) explode

Who set the firework off?

Quin hizo estallar los fuegos de artificio?

set on

order to attack

We will set our dogs on any intruders.

Prepararemos a nuestros perros para atacar a cualquier
intruso.

set out

start on a journey

We set out at daybreak yesterday.

Partimos al alba ayer.

set up

1) place in position, erect

They have set up a statue to Lennon in the park.

Han colocado un monumento a Lennon en el parque.

2) establish

He set up a special group of soldiers to guard him.

Estableci un grupo especial de soldados para protegerlo.

become contented
in a new job or place

The family soon settled down in India..

La familia se adapt pronto a la India.

settle down

settle for

reluctantly accept

Since there were no strawberries, we had to settle for grapes.

Visto que no haba fresas nos tuvimos que contentar con
uvas.

settle in

move in and become

used to

We will come to visit you after you have both settled in.
Iremos a visitarlos despus que se hayan adaptado.

settle up

pay one's debts to

Mario won the lottery and was able to settle up all his debts.
Mario gan la lotera y pudo pagar todas sus deuda.

shake out

remove dust or dirt

by shaking

She picked up the blanket and shook the dust out.

Levant la frazada y le sacudi el polvo.

shout down

stop from speaking

by shouting

The crowd shouted the speaker down.

La multitud grit para que no se escuchara al orador.

show off

1) display

The hostess showed off her china dishes to the guests.

La anfitriona mostr su vajilla de porcelana a los invitados.

2) act ostentatiously

Don't show off so much. Try to be modest.

No te mandes la parte. Trata de ser modesto.

show up

arrive

I waited for him till noon and he showed up at 3 pm.

Lo esper hasta el medioda y apareci a las tres de la tarde.

shrug off

dismiss as unimportant

They attempted to shrug off their mistake.

Intentaron hacer pasar desapercibido su error.

shut up

stop talking (slang)

"Shut up and listen to your father", Paul's mother said.

"Cllate y escucha a tu padre", dijo la madre de Paul.

side with

support in a dispute

That was unfair. Why did you side with him?

Eso no estuvo bien. Por qu te pusiste de su lado?

single out

select from others

You have been singled out for a vacation in Barcelona.

Ha sido seleccionado para unas vacaciones en Barcelona.

sit out
sit through

sit and endure

I had to sit out (sit through) the lecture without falling asleep.
Tuve que soportar sentado la conferencia sin dormirme.

sit up

not go to bed

I sat up all night waiting for you to come back.

Pas en vela toda la noche esperando que regresaras.

size up

assess

I quickly sized up his financial situation.

Rpidamente estim (calcul) su situacin financiera.

sleep in

sleep later than usual

I'm sorry I'm late. I slept in.

Siento llegar tarde. Dorm ms de lo acostumbrado.

sleep on

continue sleeping

She slept on after the phone had rung.

Ella continu durmiendo despus que son el telfono.

slice up

cut into slices

The baker sliced up the loaf.

El panadero cort en rebanadas el pan.

slip away

go or move quietly
or quickly

The party was so boring that Mirtha and I slipped away when
nobody was watching.
La fiesta fue tan aburrida que Mirta y yo nos escabullimos
cuando nadie miraba.

slow down

reduce speed, go more slowly The driver slowed down at the roundabout.
(separable when transitive)
El conductor redujo la velocidad en la rotonda.

smooth over

improve, get rid of

difficulties, problems

We all tried to smooth over the difficult situation.

Todos intentamos mejorar la difcil situacin.

soak up

absorb

The big sponge soaked up all the water on the floor.

La esponja grande absorbi todo el agua del piso.

sort out

organize, arrange or order

by classes or categories

It will take some time to sort out this mess.

Llevar cierto tiempo poner en orden este lo.

sound out

try to learn someone's

opinions and intentions

We attempted to sound him out.

Intentamos tantearlo para conocer su opinin.

speak out
speak up

speak loudly, clearly

Speak up!! We cannot hear you at the back of the room.

Hable ms fuerte!! No le escuchamos en el fondo de la sala.

speed up

increase speed, accelerate,

move faster

He speeded up when he saw that he was being followed.

Aceler cuando vio que lo perseguan.

spell out

say or write each letter

of a word

Will you please spell your last name out?

Puede deletrear su apellido?

spit it out

speak louder, tell everything

(slang)

Spit it out and let us know the truth.

Dilo de una vez y cuntanos la verdad.

split up

divide

OM Personal megaportal is split up into over 100 bilingual

courses and tutorials.
El megaportal de OM Personal est dividido en ms de 100
cursos y tutoriales bilinges.

spy out

discover by spying

He spied out the land and decided it was safe to proceed.

Espi el terreno y decidi que era seguro para avanzar.

stammer out

stammer, speak not fluently

They stammered out their apologies.

Tartamudearon al disculparse. (Se disculparon
tartamudeando).

stand by

support, be ready to help

or to act

I hope you will stand by me in case I need your help.

Espero que me apoyes en caso de necesitar tu ayuda.

stand down

resign from an important

position, retire

The President voluntarily stood down in favor of the new

candidate.
El Presidente renunci voluntariamente en favor del nuevo
candidato.

stand for

represent

What does OM stand for? O stands for Orlando and M stands

for Moure, the first and last names of this megaportal's owner.
Qu significa OM? O significa Orlando y M representa
Moure, el nombre y apellido del dueo de este megaportal.

stand in for
(someone)

to substitute for someone;

to do someones job for them
when they are not there:

Your teacher is sick today, so Im standing in for her.

Vuestra maestra est enferma hoy, por ello la estoy
reemplazando.

stand out

be prominent

Lucila is really smart and se always stands out in class..

Lucila es realmente lista y siempre se destaca en clase.

stand up

rise to one's feet

We all stood up when the ladies came into the club.

Todos nos pusimos de pie cuando las damas entraron al club.

stand up for

support

My boss criticized Eliana and nobody stood up for her.

Mi jefe critic a Eliana y nadie sali a defenderla.

stand up to

1) face bravely (with people)

She will have to be brave and stand up to that situation.

Tendr que ser fuerte y hacer frente a la situacin.

2) withstand (with things)

This car will stand up to all kinds of strains.

Este automvil soportar todo tipo de esfuerzos.
I'm staying in this evening. I have a lot of work to do.
Me voy a quedar en casa esta noche, Tengo mucho por
hacer.

stay in

remain at home

stay up

remain out of bed

Diana stayed up all night reading my book.

Diana se qued levantada toda la noche leyendo mi libro.

step down

quit, resign, give up

or retire from a position

Mr. Ronson stepped down for health reasons.

El Sr. Ronson se retir (renunci) por razones de salud.

step in

intervene

The government had to step in to save the business.

El gobierno tuvo que intervenir para salvar el negocio.

stick out for

insist on
(colloquial)

The men stuck out for better conditions of employment.

Los hombres insistieron en mejores condiciones laborales.

stick to

adhere to

The architect said that he would stick to the original plan.

El arquitecto dijo que se ajustara al plano original.

stick up for

defend, support
(colloquial)

Will you stick up for me at the trial?

Me defenders (apoyars) en el juicio?

stir up

mix, move around

She stirred up the jam with a wooden spoon.

Ella revolvi la mermelada con una cuchara de madera.

stock up on

lay in supplies

We should stock up on every sort of exotic fruits.

Deberamos abastecernos de todo tipo de frutas exticas.

strike off
strike out

cross out

Who struck my name off (out)?

Quin tach mi nombre?

stumble across

find accidentally

The explorers stumbled across an interesting fossil.

Los exploradores hallaron (descubrieron) un interesante fsil.

sum up

summarize

The director summed up the interview in a few words.

El director resumi la entrevista en unas pocas palabras.

summon up

gather together

She attempted to summon up her courage and spoke.

Ella trat de juntar (hacerse de) coraje y habl.

survive on

survive using

During last summer, they had to survive on vegetables.

Durante el verano pasado tuvieron que vivir comiendo fruta.

switch off

prevent electricity, etc. from

flowing by turning a switch

Switch the lights off, please.

Apaga las luces , por favor.

switch on

allow electricity, etc.

to flow by turning a switch

She switched on the ceiling fan.

Ella encendi el ventilador de techo.

PHRASAL

MEANING

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

take aback

surprise

We were taken aback by the news of his departure.

Nos quedamos sorprendidos con la noticia de su partida.

take after

resemble an ancestor

Paul takes after his grandfather.

Paul se parece a su abuelo.

take along

escort

I took my sister along to the party.

Acompa a mi hermana a la fiesta.

take apart

dismantle, divide into its

constituent pieces

If you have to repair this PC, you have to take it apart first.
Si quieres reparar esta PC tienes que desmontarla primero.

take away

remove

He has locked the room and taken the key away.

Ha cerrado la habitacin y se llev la llave.

take back

return

Take this book back. We don't need it now.

Devuelve este libro. No lo necesitamos..

take care of

be in charge of

Roger takes care his father's business these days.

Roger est a cargo de los negocios de su padre estos dias.

take down

1) take to a lower place

He went to the shelf and took down a book of poems.

Se dirigi al estante y baj un libro de poemas.

2) pull down, pull to pieces

Take down your model railway before tea.

Desarma tu tren de juguete antes del t.

3) write down, make a note of

The reporters took down the speech.

Los reporteros tomaron nota del discurso.

4) humble, lower the pride

of someone

That fellow needs to be taken down.

A ese tipo hay que bajarle los humos.

1) understand

She told me that my son had taken her explanation in.

Me dijo que mi hijo haba comprendido su explicacin.

2) escort inside a house

He took me in and offered me a cup of coffee.

Me hizo pasar y me ofreci una taza de caf.

3) admit or receive as guests

or lodgers

This woman takes in lodgers at home.

Esta mujer recibe huspedes en su casa.

4) deceive, cheat

I was completely taken in by Monica's disguise.

El disfraz de Mnica me enga totalmente.

5) make smaller

The tailor took in the suit at the waist.

El sastre achic el traje en la cintura.

6) subscribe to, buy regularly

I have just started to take in the OM Personal free newsletter.

Acabo de suscribirme al boletn gratuito de OM Personal.

1) remove

Please take off your hat.

Por favor qutate el sombrero.

2) deduct

He took fifteen dollars off because I am a good customer.

take in

take off

Me descont quince dlares porque soy un buen cliente.

take on

take out

3) mimic

He is excellent at taking off famous stars.

Es excelente imitando artistas famosos..

4) leave the ground,

rise into the air

Your flight is scheduled to take off at 3.00 pm.

Tu vuelo est programado para despegar a las 15:00 horas.

1) undertake work or
responsibilites

She was glad to take on the responsibility of looking after

Marina's kids.
Estaba contenta de asumir la responsabilidad de cuidar los
chicos de Marina.

2) engage to work

Sunrise Ltd. took on twenty additional people for the

construction of the new bridge.
Sunrise Ltd. tom veinte personas adicionales para la
construccin del nuevo puente.

1) carry outside a house,

a room or a building

OM Personal takes their CD parcels out and post them.

OM Personal sale a franquear los paquetes de sus CDs.

2) escort outside

He took the dog out for two hours.

Sac al perro por dos horas.

3) remove, extract

How many teeth did the dentist take you out?

Cuantos dientes te extrajo el dentista?

4) obtain a legal right or

a document

He took out a patent on his new invention.

Obtuvo una patente de su nueva invencin.

5) accompany out, invite out to John took Patricia out to have dinner at Lola's last night.
a party, a restaurant, a dance Anoche John llev a Patricia a cenar a Lola.
take over

assume control

The new manager will take over at the beginning of June.

El nuevo gerente asumir el cargo a principios de junio.

take up

1) raise, pick up

Take the carpet up before you move the furniture.

Levanta la alfombra antes de mover los muebles.

2) occupy space, one's time,

one's energies

My job takes up most of my time.

Mi trabajo ocupa la mayor parte de mi tiempo.

3) begin to follow a profession, The medical student decided to take up surgery.

a hobby, a sport, a way of life El estudiante de medicina decidi emprender ciruga.

4) shorten

I need to take this dress up at the bottom.

Necesito acortar el ruedo de este vestido.

5) arrest

He was taken up by the police for drunkenness.

La polica lo arrest por borrachera.

take up on

accept an offer

I need a car so I would like to take you up on your offer.

Necesito un auto de modo que me gustara aceptar tu oferta.

take up with

become friendly with

Molly took up with Robert after he had saved her life in Miami.
Molly se hizo amiga de Robert despus que l le haba
salvado la vida en Miami.

talk away

continue talking incessantly

talk back to

argue rudely with

Don't talk back to your father: listen to what he says.

No contestes mal a tu padre: escucha lo que dice.

talk down

silence a person by talking

I tried to argue with her, but she talked me down.

Trat de discutir con ella pero no me dej hablar.

talk down to

1) speak patronizingly

He always talks down to people younger than he is.

Siempre trata como tontos a la personas ms jvenes que l.

2) talk in a disdainful way to

She is unpopular because she often talks down to people.

No es apreciada porque a menudo haba mal de la gente.

talk into

persuade

Can you talk Mabel into changing her strict point of view?
No puedes persuadir a Mabel para que cambie su estricto
punto de vista?

talk out of

dissuade from

We tried to talk him out of quitting jis job.

Tratamos de disuadirlo de renunciar a su trabajo.

talk over

discuss

Let us talk it over before we decide.

Conversmoslo (Discutmoslo) antes de decidir.

talk round

persuade someone by talking

(usually separated)

Did you manage to talk your father round into lending us some
money for the apartment?.
Lograste persuadir a tu padre para que nos preste algo de
dinero para el departamento?

She talked away for over two hours and told me all her
troubles.
Habl sin parar durante ms de dos horas y me cont todos
sus problemas.

tamper with

interfere with

Someone has tampered with the lock.

Alguien ha alterado (modificado) la cerradura.

tear off

separate or remove
by tearing

He tore the paper off and opened his Christmas gift.

Arranc el papel y abri su regalo de Navidad.

tear out

pull out or remove

by tearing

Neil tore a page out and gave it to me.

Neil arranc una pgina y me la entreg.

tear up

destroy by tearing,
tear into pieces

She tore up her husband's letter.

Hizo pedazos la carta de su marido.

tell off

reprove, scold

Betty's boss told her off for being late.

El jefe de Betty la reprendi por llegar tarde.

think out
think over

consider

I need some time to think your proposal out (over).

Necesito algo de tiempo para analizar tu propuesta.

think up

invent

What will they think up next?

Qu inventarn la prxima vez?

throw away
throw out

get rid of

I must throw all this rubbish away (out).

Tengo que tirar toda esta basura.

throw over

abandon

He threw over his old frineds when when his father died.
Abandon a sus viejos amigos cuando muri su padre.

throw up

1) raise

They threw up their hands in utter amazement.

Levantaron las manos totalmente sorprendidos.

2) resign, quit

She threw up her job because of her failing health.

Renunci a su trabajo debido a su debilitada salud.

3) vomit

He ate too much and threw up at night.

Comi en exceso y vomit de noche.

4) reject, abandon

He threw up his previous plan of going to Paris for his

vacation.
Abandon su plan inicial de ir a Pars de vacaciones.

thrust on
thrust upon

force upon

They thrust the responsibility upon the manager.

Obligaron al gerente a aceptar su responsabilidad..

tick off

mark with a tick

She ticked off all the things she had packed up.
Ella tild (marc) todas las cosas que haba empacado.

tidy up

put in order

You must tidy up your room before the visitor arrives.

Tienes que ordenar la habitacin antes que llegue el visitante.

tie up

1) bind up

The thief tied up his victim.

El ladrn at a su vctima.

2) be busy, not free

(usually in the passive)

I cannot see you tonight as I will be tied up all evening.

No puedo verte esta noche porque estar tapado (lleno de
trabajo) toda la tarde.

tire out

completely exhaust

The long journey tired us all out.

El largo viaje nos dej exhaustos a todos.

total up

add up in number
and quantity

The cashier totalled up the value of both cheques.

El cajero totaliz (sum) el valor de ambos cheques.

touch down

land (of planes)

The plane touched down at 9 am.

El avin baj (aterriz) a las 9 de la maana.

touch on

mention

She touched on many important subjects in class.

Ella toc (mencion) muchos temas importantes en clase.

track down

capture by tracking,
search for and find

The detective finally tracked him down at the library.

El detective finalmente lo localiz en la biblioteca.

trade in

give as part payment

Why don't you trade in your old car for a new one?
Por qu no canjeas tu viejo auto por uno nuevo?

triffle away

waste time, money,

opportunities

Don't triffle away your time on parties and dances.

No desperdicies el tiempo en fiestas y bailes.

trip up

cause to stumble

Walter put his foot out and stripped his sister up.
Walter estir su pie e hizo tropezar a su hermana.

try on

test clothes by putting

them on

Helen tried on the new dress, but it didn't fit her.

Helen se prob el vestido nuevo pero no le iba bien.

try out

test by using

Let's try out this new computer before buying it.

Probemos esta computadora antes de comprarla.

tune in

find a station on the radio

(separable when transitive)

We tuned in to listen to the B.B.C. program.

Sintonizamos la radio para escuchar el programa de la B.B.C.

turn away

1) turn or look in a different

direction

She turned away because the sight of the accident was too
much for her to bear.
Ella se dio vuelta (apart la vista) porque la visin del
accidente era demasiado fuerte para que soportarlo.

2) refuse admission, dismiss

The stadium was full so many people had to be turned away.

El estadio estaba lleno y a mucha gente se le rechaz el
ingreso.

turn back

turn in a reverse or contrary

direction (separable when
transitive)

We decided to turn back when we saw all the cows in the

middle of the road.
Decidimos dar vuelta (regresar) cuando vimos todas las
vacas en el medio de la carretera.

turn down

1) put down, fold over

He turned down the collar of his coat.

Baj el cuello de su abrigo..

2) reduce or make lower by

turning (a switch, a faucet)

She turned the radio down when the telephone rang.

Redujo el volumen de la radio cuando son el telfono.

turn in

go to bed (colloquial)

We decided to turn in early after our long journey.

Decidimos ir a la cama temprano luego de nuestro largo viaje.

turn inside out

reverse (usually separated)

turn into

change into

turn off

prevent water, electric current Turn the lights off before you go to bed.
from flowing by using a switch Apaga las luces antes de irte a la cama.

turn on

allow water, electric current

to flow by using a switch

She turned on the television and sat down.

Encendi el televisor y se sent.

turn out

1) prove to be

Everything turned out all right in the end.

Todo result bien al final.

2) produce

The factory turns out twenty cars each day.

La fbrica produce veinte automviles por da.

3) empty

The police asked everyone to turn out their pockets.

La polica le pidi a todos que vaciaran sus bolsillos.

4) extinguish by turning

Turn out the gas now: we've finished cooking.

Apaga el gas ahora: hemos terminado de cocinar.

1) appear, arrive
(colloquial)

Several friends of mine turned up at the meeting.

Varios amigos mos aparecieron en la reunin.

2) raise or make higher by

turning (a switch, a faucet)

They turned the volume up and a neighbor knocked at the

door.

turn up

He turned all his pockets inside out but he couldn't find his
key.
Dio vuelta todos los bolsillos pero no pudo encontrar su llave.
Our sofa can be turned into a double bed.
Nuestro silln puede ser convertido en una cama doble.

Subieron el volumen y un vecino golpe a la puerta.

turn upside down

PHRASAL

disturbe, disarrange
(usually separated)

MEANING

She turned the whole house upside down when she tried to
find the missing key.
Ella dio vuelta la casa cuando trat de encontrar la llave que
faltaba.

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

use up

exhaust the supply of,

consume

We have used up all the printing paper. We need to buy

more.
Hemos consumido todo el papel de impresin. Tenemos
que comprar ms.

usher into

lead, conduct

The maid ushered us into the modern living-room.

La mucama nos condujo hasta la moderna sala de estar.

PHRASAL

MEANING

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

verge on

approach

Her husband's behavior always verges on rudeness.

El comportamiento de su marido siempre raya en la
grosera.

volunteer to

do a task

When I was younger I volunteered to teach English for free.

Cuando era ms joven me ofrec para ensear ingls grati

PHRASAL

MEANING

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

wade through

slowly peruse

We had to wade through a pile of documents.

Tuvimos que recorrer lentamente una pila de documentos.

wait on

attend, assist, help

Two salesgirls are waiting on the customer.

Dos vendedoras estn atendiendo al cliente.

wait up for

stay out of bed for

He waited up for the news of his daughter.

Aguard despierto las noticias de su hija.

wake up

stop sleeping

He wakes up at six every day.

Se despierta a las seis todos los das.

walk about

stroll

Before our flight back we spent a pleasant hour walking about

the Buenos Aires Botanical Garden.
Antes de nuestro vuelo de regreso pasamos una agradable

hora paseando por el Jardn Botnico de Buenos Aires.

walk away with

win easily, steal,

take away

They walked away with all the prizes.

Arrasaron con (Se robaron) todos los premios.

walk out on

leave, abandon

My sister is sad because her boyfriend walked out on her.

Mi hermana est apenada porque su novio la dej.

walk out with

court

Jane is walking out with an old friend of hers.

Jane est saliendo con un viejo amigo suyo.

warm up

1) become or make warmer

(separable when transitive)

1) The small fire warmed up all the room..

El pequeo fuego calento toda la habitacin.

2) become more animated

2) He warmed up when he saw his brother again.

Se reanim cuando vio a su hermano nuevamente.

warn off

inform in advance
of what may happen

The guard warned the intruder off not to enter.

El guardia le advirti al intruso que no entrara.

wash down

clean a car, a ship by using

a stream or jet of water

The crew spent two days washing the ship down.

La tripulacin se pas dos dias baldeando el barco.

wash off
wash out

remove a stain by washing

She was able to wash the dirty mark out.

Ella pudo eliminar la marca de suciedad.

wash up

clean dishes after a meal

(separable when transitive)

Who is washing up tonight?

Quin va a lavar los platos esta noche?

watch out for

beware of, be careful with

If you go into the jungle, watch out for tigers and snakes.
Si entras en la selva ten cuidado con los tigres y las vboras.

watch out

beware, be careful

Watch out! The roads are icy today.

Ten cuidado! Las carreteras estn resbaladizas hoy.

watch over

guard

The shepherd watched over the sheep.

El pastor vigilaba las ovejas.

water down

dilute

This soup has been watered down.

Esta sopa se ha aguado.

wear away
wear down

gradually reduce the height

by constant wearing

The soles of his shoes were worn away.

Las suelas de sus zapatos estaban desgastadas.

wear off

diminish, cease or disappear

gradually

My toothache has now worn off.

Mi dolor de muelas ya ha desaparecido.

wear on

pass slowly on

The night wore on and still he could not sleep.

Transcurra la noche y an as no se poda dormir.

wear out

1) gradually destroy
by wearing or using

1) My jacket is wearing out, although it is only a year old.

Mi chaqueta se est gastando aunque apenas tiene un ao.

2) exhaust (separable but

usually used in the passive)

2) I felt worn out after the long flight to Australia.

Me senta agotado despus del largo vuelo a Australia.

weed out

remove weeds or
what is unwanted

The manager insisted that they had to weed out all the
unsuitable candidates as they had to weed out their gardens.
El gerente insisti que tenan que eliminar los postulantes
inadecuados como tenan que eliminar la maleza de sus
jardines.

weigh out

estimate how heavy it is

The greengrocer weighed out a kilo of strawberries for Molly.

El verdulero calcul un kilo de fresas para Molly.

weigh up

consider carefully

He weighed up his chances of promotion before quitting..

El analiz sus oportunidades de ascenso antes de renunciar.

while away

spend some time pleasantly

We whiled away the whole afternoon at the exhibition.

Pasamos toda la tarde en la exposicin.

win over

convert

This priest won over many people to Christianity.

Este sacerdote convirti mucha gente al Cristianismo.

win through

survive, recover

Despite all the hardships, he won through.

Sobrevivi a pesar de todas las privaciones.

wind up

1) turn the spring of a machine 1) I forgot to wind up my cuckoo clock last night.
or a clock to make it go
Anoche olvid darle cuerda a mi reloj cuc.

2) end a meeting or speech

(separable when transitive)

2) The meeting will wind up with a few English songs.

La reunion finalizar con algunas canciones inglesas.

wipe out

destroy, annihilate

A town near Miami was wiped out by the tornado.

Un pueblo prximo a Miami fue aniquilada por el tornado.

wipe up

take up liquid by wiping

usually with a mop

He rushed to wipe up the pool of coffee on the wooden floor.

Corri a secar el charco de caf sobre el piso de madera.

wither up

become dry, faded or dead

Some flowers soon wither up under the rays of the sun.

Algunas flores se marchitan pronto bajo los rayos del sol.

work in

introduce

The author worked in a few lines about his own life in Africa.
El autor introdujo algunas lneas sobre su vida en Africa.

work in with

fit in with

His ideas for a new factory did not work in with those of his
employers and he was fired.
Sus ideas de una nueva planta no encajaron con las de sus
empleadores y fue despedido.

work off

get rid of, get over

He worked off his depression by visiting Menem's properties.

Super su depresin visitando las propiedades de Menem.

work out

1) plan, solve by careful study

1) Can you work this puzzle out?

Puedes resolver este acertijo?

2) exhaust by working

2) The old coal mine has already been worked out.

La antigua mina de carbn ya ha sido agotada.

3) be calculated at

3) The restaurant bill worked out at 20 dollars each.

La cuenta del restaurante result a 20 dlares por persona.

4) produce the desired result

4) Their plan did not work out and the robbers were caught.
Su plan no funcion y los ladrones fueron capturados.

1) excite, arouse

1) The dictator worked up the emotions of the crowd.

El dictador despert las emociones de la multitud.

2) study more thoroughly

2) She told us to work up 300 Phrasal Verbs for the exam.

Nos indic que estudiramos en detalle 300 Verbos Frasales
para el examen.

work up to

progress gradually to

His novel works up to a thrilling climax.

Su novela avanza gradualmente hacia un final apasionante.

worm out

find out by devious means

find our without scruples

Don't let worm out your secret so easily.

No permitas que te sonsaquen tu secreto con tanta facilidad.

wrap up

1) cover, put round,

roll up

1) It was very cold so I wrapped myself up in a blanket.

Estaba muy fro de modo que me envolv en una manta.

2) wind or fold as
a covering

2) She wrapped up the gift in a beautiful silver paper.

Envolvi el regalo en un hermoso papel plateado.

avoid

Amanda always tries to wriggle out of her responsibilities.

Amanda siempre trata de evitar sus responsabilidades.

work up

wriggle out of

wrinkle up

to get wrinkles in perplexity

He wrinkled up his face and admitted he was puzzled.

Frunci el ceo y acept estar esconcertado.

write down

make a note

I wrote down the instructions.

Tom nota de las instrucciones.

write into

add to in writing

The terms were written into the lease.

Se agregaron por escrito las condiciones a la locacin.

write off

cancel, regard as

They were forced to write off several irretrievable debts.

Nos vimos forzados a dar de baja varias deudas incobrables.

write oneself out

exhaust one's ideas

in writing

The novelist appears to have written himself out because

nothing new has emerged from his pen since 2000.
El novelista parece haber agotado sus ideas porque nada
nuevo ha salido de su pluma desde el ao 2000.

write out

write in full

The witness wrote out his account of the acident.

El testigo pas en limpio su versin del accidente.

write up

compose in writing

I used my notes to write up the report.

Us mis notas para redactar el informe.

PHRASAL

MEANING

EXAMPLES / TRANSLATION

yearn after

desire strongly

Helen yearned after the sight of the old, familiar house.

Helen aoraba ver la vieja casa familiar.

yearn for

have affection for;

feel tenderness for

Both brothers yearn for their native land in Spain.

Los dos hermanos aoran su tierra natal en Espaa.

Phrasal
Verb]

[Meaning]

[Example]

Accept or follow a decision or rule.

We have to ABIDE BY what the

court says..
They had to ACCOUNT FOR all the
money that had gone missing..
My partner's been away for a
fortnight- I am ACHING FOR her..

A
Abide by

Account for To explain.

Ache for

Want something or someone a lot.

Act on

To take action because of something

like information received.

The police were ACTING ON a tip

from an informer and caught the gang
red-handed..
Act on
Affect.
The medicine only ACTS ON
infected tissue..
Act out
Perform something with actions and
They ACTED OUT the story on
gestures..
stage..
Act out
Express an emotion in your behaviour. Their anger is ACTED OUT in their
antisocial behaviour..
Act up
Behave badly or strangely.
My computer's ACTING UP; I think I
might have a virus..
Act upon To take action because of something
The police were ACTING UPON a
like information received.
tip-off..
Act upon Affect.
The enzyme ACTS UPON certain
proteins..
Add on
Include in a calculation.
You have to ADD the VAT ON to the
price they give..
Add up
To make a mathematical total.
We ADDED UP the bill to check it
was correct..
Add up
Be a satisfactory explanantion for
She explained why the work wasn't
something.
ready, but her story doesn't ADD UP..
Add up to Have a certain result.
Trains delays are getting worse and
with the high fares, it all ADDS UP
TO misery for the commuters..
Add up to Come to a certain amount or figure.
The total costs ADD UP TO several
million euros..
Agree with Affect- usually used in the negative to I feel terrible- that food didn't
show that something has had a negative AGREE WITH my stomach..
effect, especially is it makes you feel
bad.
Aim at
To target.
The magazine is AIMED AT
teenagers..
Aim at
Intend to achieve.
They're AIMING AT reducing costs
by ten percent..
Allow for Include something in a plan or
You should ALLOW FOR delays
calculation.
when planning a journey..
Allow of
Make possible, permit.
The rules don't ALLOW OF any
exceptions..
Angle for Try to get something indirectly, by
He's been ANGLING FOR an
hinting or suggesting.
invitation, but I don't want him to
come..
Answer
To reply rudely to someone in
Her mother was shocked when she
back
authority.
started ANSWERING her BACK and
refusing to help..

Answer for Be held responsible for a problem.

The government should be made to

ANSWER FOR their failure to sort
out the problem..
Answer for Speak on behalf of someone or from
I can ANSWER FOR my partner
knowing them.
because I know her position on this
issue..
Argue
Beat someone in a debate, discussion or The teacher tried to ARGUE the girl
down
argument.
DOWN, but she couldn't..
Argue
Persuade someone to drop the price of She ARGUED him DOWN ten
down
something they're selling.
percent..
Argue
Try to persuade people not to accept a They tried to ARGUE DOWN the
down
proposition, motion, etc.
proposal..
Argue out Argue about a problem to find a
If we can't ARGUE our differences
solution.
OUT, we'll have to take them to
court..
Ask about Ask how someone is doing, especially He ASKED ABOUT my father..
professionally and in terms of health.
Ask after Enquire about someone's health, how Jenny rang earlier and ASKED
life is going.
AFTER you, so I told her you were
fine..
Ask around Ask a number of people for information I have no idea, but I'll ASK
of help.
AROUND at work and see if anyone
can help..
Ask around Invite someone.
We ASKED them AROUND for
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.'.
Ask out
To invite someone for a date.
He wanted to ASK her OUT but was
too shy..
Ask over Invite.
They have ASKED us OVER for
drinks on Friday..
Ask round Invite someone.
We ASKED John ROUND for diner..
Auction off Sell something in an auction.
They AUCTIONED OFF their
property as they were heavily in
debt..
B
Back away Retreat or go backwards.
Back down Retract or withdraw your position or
proposal in an argument.
Back into Enter a parking area in reverse gear.

The crowd BACKED AWAY when

the man pulled a knife..
She refused to BACK DOWN and
was fired..
He prefers to BACK his car INTO the
garage..

Back off
Back out
Back out of
Back out of
Back up

Back up
Back up
Bag out
Bail out
Bail out
Bail out
Bail out of
Bail out on
Bail up
Bail up
Ball up
Ball up
Balls up
Bang about

Retreat.

The police told the protesters to

BACK OFF..
Fail to keep an arrangement or promise. He BACKED OUT two days before
the holiday so we gave the ticket to
his sister.
Fail to keep an agreement,
She BACKED OUT OF the
arrangement.
agreement at the last minute..
Exit a parking area in reverse gear.
She BACKED the Rolls OUT OF its
parking space..
Make a copy of computer data.
You should always BACK UP
important files and documents so that
you won't lose all your work if
something goes wrong with the
hardware..
Support.
The rest of the staff BACKED her UP
when she complained about working
conditions..
Drive a vehicle backwards.
Tom BACKED UP without looking
and ran over his laptop..
Criticise.
Don't bag out BAG OUT Australian
English..
Save, rescue.
The government had to BAIL OUT
the airline because it was losing so
much money..
Remove water from something that is The boat was leaking so they had to
flooded.
BAIL it OUT..
Jump out of a plane because it is going The pilot BAILED OUT when he
to crash.
saw that the engines had failed..
Pay a bond to release someone from
I must BAIL my drunken brother
jail.
OUT OF jail..
Stop supporting someone when they are Everybody BAILED OUT ON him
in trouble.
when the scandal broke..
Talk to someone and delay them.
I was late because he BAILED me
UP on the phone and wouldn't shut
up..
Rob someone at gunpoint.
He was BAILED UP by a couple of
muggers as he came out of the bank..
Confuse or make things complicated. The new project has BALLED me
UP- I have no idea what to do..
Roll or form into a round shape.
He BALLED UP his napkin when he
had finished eating..
Spoil, ruin.
He BALLSED the presentation UP..
Move in a place making a lot of noise. He's BANGING ABOUT in the
kitchen..

Bang
around
Bang on
Bang on
about
Bang out
Bang up
Bang up
Bank on
Bargain
down
Bargain for
Bargain on
Barge in
Barge into
Bash about
Bash in
Bash out
Bash up
Bawl out
Bawl out
Bawl out
Be after
Be along

Move in a place making a lot of noise. I can hear him BANGING ABOUT
upstairs..
Talk at great length.
He BANGED ON for half an hour
but no one was listening..
Keep talking about something.
He's always BANGING ON ABOUT
football..
Play a musical instrument loudly.
She BANGED the tune OUT on the
piano..
Put someone in prison.
The judge BANGED him UP for
eight years..
Damage badly.
He BANGED his car UP last night..
Count or rely on.
I'm BANKING ON your help; I can't
do it alone..
Persuade someone to drop the price of I BARGAINED her DOWN to half
something they're selling.
what she originally wanted..
Expect something to happen (usually I hadn't BARGAINED FOR so many
negative).
people coming..
Expect something to happen (usually I hadn't BARGAINED ON him
negative).
coming..
Enter a place and interrupt.
He keeps BARGING IN and asking
stupid questions when I'm trying to
work..
Enter a place and interrupt people
They BARGED INTO my office
rudely.
without knocking and started talking
even though I was on the phone..
Mistreat physically.
If you BASH your monitor ABOUT
like that, it won't last long..
Break, damage or injure by hitting.
The burglars BASHED the door IN to
enter the house..
Write something quickly without much I BASHED the essay OUT the night
preparation.
before I had to hand it in..
Break, damage or hurt by hitting.
They BASHED him UP in the fight
in the pub last week and he had to go
to hospital..
Scold, shout at someone.
She BAWLED me OUT for coming
home drunk..
Scold.
She BAWLED Raj OUT for getting
there late..
Sing or shout unpleasantly loudly.
He BAWLED OUT our names at the
top of his voice..
Try to find or get.
The police ARE AFTER him because
of the theft..
Arrive.
The next bus should BE ALONG in
the next quarter of an hour or so..

Be away

Be elsewhere; on holiday, etc..

Be cut out Be suitable, have the necessary

for
qualities.
Be cut up Be upset.
Be down

Be depressed.

Be down

Be reduced or less.

Be down on Have negative feelings toward

someone.
Be down
Be ill.
with
Be fed up Be bored, upset or sick of something.
Be in
Be at home or at work.
Be in

Be submitted, arrive.

Be in on

Be involved in.

Be not on

Be unacceptable.

Be off

Be bad (of food).

Be off
Be on
Be on

Depart, leave.
Be functioning (of machines).
Take place.

Be on

Take medication or dr*gs, especially

when they affect the person badly.
Be on
Be at the top of ones game,
performing very well.
Be on about Mean, try to say.
Be onto
Be out
Be out of

Pursue, be aware of someone's true

nature.
Be absent from a place.
Have no more left.

Be out to

Attempt.

Be snowed Have too much work.

She's AWAY on business for three

weeks..
She's not CUT OUT FOR this kind of
work..
She was very CUT UP about coming
second as she thought she deserved to
win..
He's BEEN DOWN since his partner
left him..
The firm's profits ARE DOWN by ten
percent this quarter..
After the argument, James is DOWN
ON his boss..
Gul is DOWN WITH some bug and
is off work today..
I AM FED UP of his complaints..
They ARE never IN; I always get
their answerphone..
The application form must BE IN by
3pm on Friday..
Susan was the only one who WASN'T
IN ON the plan..
The way he's behaving IS just NOT
ON..
This yoghurt must BE OFF; it smells
foul..
I'm OFF home; it's five o'clock..
The computer IS ON..
The show IS ON for the next three
months..
He IS ON anti-depressants and has
become very difficult to please..
He IS really ON right now- three
goals in five minutes!.
I couldn't understand what he WAS
ON ABOUT- it made no sense..
He's being very careful because he
thinks the police ARE ONTO him..
She IS OUT on a visit for the day..
We're OUT OF coffee so I'll have to
go and get some..
She IS OUT TO get him sacked
because she hates him..
We're completely SNOWED UNDER

under

at work because it's the end of the tax

year..
Be taken
Be shocked or surprised.
I WAS TAKEN ABACK when I saw
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..
Be up
Have increased or risen.
The company's profits ARE UP by
fifteen percent..
Be up
When the time for something finishes Time's UP, please finish your drinks
or expires.
and leave..
Be up for Be enthusiastic about an upcoming
ARE you UP FOR the climb of Mt.
event.
Blanc?.
Be up to
Be good enough.
He's not UP TO the job; get someone
else..
Be up to
Doing something naughty or wrong.
What are those kids UP TO?.
Bear down Move towards.
She spotted him on the other side of
on
the room and BORE DOWN ON
him..
Bear on
Influence, affect.
The judge's character may well
BEAR ON the final decision..
Bear out
Confirm that something is correct.
Statistics BEAR OUT the
government's positions on the issue..
Bear up
Resist pressure.
How are you BEARING UP under
the strain?.
Bear up
Cope with something difficult or
He's BEARING UP UNDER the
under
stressful.
pressure..
Bear with Be patient.
Please BEAR WITH me a moment
while I finish this email..
Beat down Strong sunshine.
The sun WAS really BEATING
DOWN and we couldn't stay
outdoors..
Beat down Get someone to lower the price of
I managed to BEAT him DOWN to
something.
fifty Euros..
Beat out
Narrowly win in competition.
The marathon runner barely BEAT
OUT his rival at the tape..
Beat up
Attack violently.
The mugger BEAT him UP and stole
his wallet..
Beaver
Work hard.
She's BEAVERING AWAY before
away
her exams..
Beaver
Work hard doing something.
I have to BEAVER AWAY AT it or
away at
else I will fail the course..
Bed down Sleep somewhere less comfortable than We had to BED DOWN on the floor
normal.
for the night..

Bed down

Become established or successful over The new government has found it

time.
hard to BED DOWN and become
accepted..
Bed out
Move a plant outside.
I BEDDED the plants OUT when the
weather warmed up..
Beef up
Make something stronger or more
The company BEEFED UP their case
solid.
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..
Belong to Be connected to a time, place, belief, Their ideas BELONG TO the
thing, etc.
nineteenth century and seem oldfashioned now..
Belong with Be in the correct or appropriate location Does this disc BELONG WITH those
with other items.
on the shelf?.
Belt out
Sing something loudly.
They BELTED OUT the national
anthems before the game..
Belt up
Be quiet.
She told the students to BELT UP
because they were making so much
noise..
Belt up
Fasten your seatbelt.
I told the kids to BELT UP before I
started the car..
Bend down Lower the top half of your body.
I BENT DOWN to pick it up off the
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..
Big up
Increase the size of muscles by
They work out a lot to BIG
exercise.
themselves UP..
Bitch up
Spoil or ruin something.
I BITCHED UP the interview..
Black out Fall unconscious.
He BLACKED OUT and collapsed
on the floor..
Black out Lose light.
Everything BLACKED OUT when
the power supply failed..
Blank out Censor text so that words cannot be
The email addresses were
read.
BLANKED OUT in the documents
shown to the court..
Blank out Have a temporary memory failure.
I was so nervous in the interview that
I just BLANKED OUT and couldn't
answer their questions properly..
Blare out A loud sound or music.
The music was BLARING OUT and
I couldn't get to sleep..
Blast off
Leave the ground- spaceship or rocket. The space shuttle BLASTED OFF on

Blaze away
Bleed out
Bliss out
Block in
Block in
Block off
Block out
Block out
Block up
Blow away
Blow away
Blow away
Blow away
Blow down
Blow in
Blow off
Blow off
Blow off
Blow out
Blow out
Blow over

schedule yesterday..
Fire a gun repeatedly.
The shooters BLAZED AWAY at the
pheasants..
Cause sufficient blood loss to result in They BLED OUT their calves..
death.
Be extremely relaxed and happy.
I BLISSED OUT on the beach all
week..
Park a car and obstruct another car.
I couldn't drive here this morning
because someone had BLOCKED me
IN..
Shade or fill in.
He BLOCKED IN the events in his
calendar..
Obstruct an exit to prevent people from The police BLOCKED OFF the road
leaving.
after the murder..
Stop light from entering or leaving.
The trees BLOCK the sun OUT most
of the day..
Try not think about or feel something It was so unpleasant that I try to
because it is upsetting or painful.
BLOCK it OUT- otherwise, I'd just
be angry all the time..
Fill a space so that nothing can pass.
The pipe's BLOCKED UP and no
water gets through..
Kill.
He grabbed a gun and BLEW the
police officer AWAY..
Beat rivals or competitors by a large
Their new product has BLOWN all
margin.
the others AWAY..
Impress greatly.
Her first novel BLEW me AWAY..
When the wind moves something from The flag BLEW AWAY in the storm;
a place.
we'll have to buy a new one..
When the wind forces something to
A tree was BLOWN DOWN in the
fall.
storm..
Arrive, sometimes suddenly or
He BLEW IN from Toronto early this
unexpectedly.
morning..
Not keep an appointment.
We were going to meet last night, but
she BLEW me OFF at the last
minute..
Ignore, not do something.
I BLEW the homework OFF and did
badly..
Expel gas from the anus.
He BLEW OFF in front of
everybody..
Extinguish candles, matches, etc..
She BLEW the candles OUT on her
birthday cake..
Defeat decisively.
The Broncos BLEW OUT the
Raiders 55-0..
When a scandal gets forgotten.
The scandal BLEW OVER within a

Blow up

Explode.

Blow up

Inflate.

Blow up

Enlarge (e.g., photograph)..

Blow up

The beginning of a storm.

Blow up

Lose your temper, become angry.

Blurt out

Say something quickly without

thinking, especially if you shouldn't.
Board out Arrange for pets to stay somewhere
while you're away.
Board up Cover windows or doors with wood,
metal, etc..
Bog down

Slow make progress.

Bog in

Eat enthusiastically.

Bog into
Bog off!

Eat something enthusiastically.

Get lost.

Boil down Simplify, reduce to the essentials.

Boil down Amount to.
to
Boil over When a hot liquid spills out of a
container.
Boil over When people lose their tempers and
things get nasty.
Boil up
Feel a negative emotion strongly.
Boil up

Cook or heat something to boiling

point.
Bolster up Give support, reinforce, strengthen.
Bone up

Study hard for a reason.

Bone up on Study hard for a goal or reason.

fortnight when the press found

someone else to attack..
The bomb BLEW UP without any
warning..
The pressure was low, so I BLEW the
tyre UP..
BLOW UP that photo so we can see
his face..
A storm BLEW UP while we were
out walking..
They BLEW UP when they heard
what I had done wrong..
I was really angry when he
BLURTED OUT the secret..
We BOARD our dog OUT with
friends when we go abroad..
They BOARDED UP all the windows
to stop people getting into the empty
houses..
Yasini got BOGGED DOWN in his
research and didn't finish the project
in time..
We were starving and BOGGED IN
when the food was served..
They BOGGED INTO the lunch..
He lost his temper and told her to
BOG OFF..
The report's so long, I BOILED it
DOWN into a two-page summary..
It all BOILS DOWN TO money at
the end of the day..
I left the milk on the cooker and it
BOILED OVER..
The tension had been building up and
it BOILED OVER in the meeting..
The anger BOILED UP in me when I
saw what they had done..
I BOILED UP some water for a cup
of coffee..
We were all scared but she
BOLSTERED UP our courage..
I will have to BONE UP to get a good
result..
I need to BONE UP ON my French

Book in

Make a reservation in advance.

Book in

Check in at a hotel.

Book into

Make a reservation in advance.

Book into

Check in at a hotel.

Book out

Leave a place in a hurry.

Book up

Reserve.

Boot up

Start a computer.

Border on Be located next to a place.

Border on Be very nearly something.
Boss about Use excessive authority to control
people.
Boss
Use excessive authority to control
around
people.
Botch up Ruin or spoil something.
Bottle away Store up.
Bottle out

Lack courage to do something.

Bottle up

Not express your feelings.

Bottom out Pass the lowest point and start rising.

Bounce into Force someone.
Bounce
Recover.
back
Bounce off Test ideas.
Bowl out

Hit someone's wicket in cricket with

the ball.
Bowl over Surprise someone greatly.

grammar for the test..

I'll BOOK us IN at the
Intercontinental..
WE took a taxi from the airport to the
hotel and BOOKED IN..
I've BOOKED us INTO a hotel in the
centre of town for three nights..
We BOOKED INTO the first hotel
we could find..
I don't like the look of the people
arriving- let's BOOK OUT..
The flight's fully BOOKED UP; I'll
have to go the following day..
He BOOTED UP the computer and
started work..
Portugal BORDERS ON Spain..
What he did was BORDERING ON
betrayal..
She BOSSES everyone ABOUT..
He BOSSES everyone AROUND..
I BOTCHED UP the whole project
and it had to be cancelled..
He kept his feelings BOTTLED
AWAY..
She was going to tell her boss exactly
what she thought, but BOTTLED
OUT in the end..
She BOTTLED UP her feelings even
though she was furious with them and
kept quiet..
The recession BOTTOMED OUT
and the economy is recovering well..
They have BOUNCED the
government INTO calling an early
election..
The economy is BOUNCING BACK
from the recession..
They BOUNCED ideas OFF each
other in a brainstorming session..
He BOWLED the player OUT first
ball..
I was BOWLED OVER by the news..

Bowl over Knock someone to the ground.

He was BOWLED OVER by the

crowd rushing out..
Box in
Prevent something from moving,
I was BOXED IN by the bus and
especially vehicles.
couldn't change lane..
Box up
Pack things in boxes to move them.
At the end of term, I BOXED my
books UP and sent them home..
Brace up Feel more confident or optimistic about You should BRACE UP and stop
something.
worrying..
Branch out Move into a different area of business, The supermarkets have BRANCHED
etc..
OUT into banking..
Break away Leave an organisation, usually to form The SDP BROKE AWAY from the
a new one.
Labour Party..
Break
End negotiations unsuccessfully.
The talks between management and
down
the unions BROKE DOWN
acrimoniously..
Break
Start crying.
He BROKE DOWN in tears..
down
Break
Stop working.
My car's BROKEN DOWN, so I
down
came by taxi..
Break
Remove a barrier or obstacle.
He had to BREAK DOWN their
down
opposition to his ideas..
Break in
Go into a building to steal something. The burglars BROKE IN and stole
the TV and video..
Break in
Interrupt something.
I'm sorry to BREAK IN on your
conversation, but there's a problem..
Break in
Train a horse to be ridden.
It took ages to BREAK the horse IN..
Break in
Carefully use new products until they I must watch my speed until I
are fully functional..
BREAK IN my new Volvo..
Break off Break a piece from something.
She BROKE OFF a square of
chocolate and gave it to her dog..
Break off End a relationship.
She BROKE OFF their engagement
when she found out that he'd been
unfaithful..
Break out Start (war, conflict).
They're worried that war will
BREAK OUT..
Break out Sweat heavily, develop skin sores or
The measles caused me to BREAK
in
irritation..
OUT IN a rash..
Break out Escape.
Three dangerous Category A
of
prisoners BROKE OUT OF
Wandsworth Prison last night..
Break
Pass a barrier or obstacle.
The crowd BROKE THROUGH the
through
police barriers and attacked the
hunters..
Break up Break into many pieces.
The plate BROKE UP when he

dropped it on the floor..

Break up Close an educational institution for the Schools BREAK UP at the end of
holidays.
June for the summer holidays..
Break up Finish a relationship.
They had been going out for a couple
of years before they BROKE UP..
Break up Become inaudible over the telephone You're BREAKING UP; I'll call you
because of interference.
back in a minute and see if we get a
better connection..
Breeze
Move easily and quickly.
The film BREEZES ALONG for the
along
first hour, then becomes rather dull
and slow..
Breeze in Enter a place quickly.
He BREEZED IN and started
shouting at us..
Breeze into Enter a place quickly.
He BREEZED INTO the room and
switched the TV on..
Breeze
Pass easily, succeed.
She BREEZED THROUGH her
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 up Improve (weather).
The day started cloudy but
BRIGHTENED UP in the afternoon..
Brighten up Become happier.
He BRIGHTENED UP when he
heard the news..
Brighten up Make something more attractive or
We tried to BRIGHTEN the place UP
pleasant.
by painting it..
Bring about Make something happen.
The changes to the law were
BROUGHT ABOUT by the
government because so many people
were ignoring the old one..
Bring along Bring someone or something to certain You can BRING your friends
place.
ALONG if you like..
Bring along Help someone improve.
Her coach has BROUGHT her
ALONG a lot in the last six months..
Bring
Persuade or convince someone.
It took me ages to BRING him
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..
Bring
Get someone talking about something. He didn't want to discuss the details,
around
but I managed to BRING him
AROUND and he told me
everything..
Bring back Cause someone to remember.
Visiting my old school BROUGHT
BACK memories of when I was a
pupil there..

Bring back Return.

He took the calculator home

yesterday and hasn't BROUGHT it
BACK yet..
Bring down Make a government fall.
The vote of no-confidence
BROUGHT the government DOWN..
Bring down Make something cheaper.
The improvements in technology
have BROUGHT the prices of
computers DOWN considerably in
recent months..
Bring forth Produce something, make it known or The prosecution BROUGHT FORTH
visible.
a lot of evidence against him..
Bring forth Produce.
She BROUGHT FORTH a surprising
result..
Bring forth Make something happen.
The report has BROUGHT FORTH a
lot of criticism of the policy..
Bring forth Remove something from where it is
She BROUGHT FORTH the diary
kept or hidden.
and showed it to us..
Bring
Make something happen earlier than
The meeting has been BROUGHT
forward
originally planned.
FORWARD to this Friday instead of
next week because some people
couldn't make it then..
Bring in
Earn.
The job BRINGS IN two thousand
dollars a month..
Bring off Succeed with something difficult.
No one thought she'd manage to do it,
but she BROUGHT it OFF in the
end..
Bring on
Cause something to happen or speed up Getting wet in the rain yesterday
the process.
BROUGHT ON my cold..
Bring on
Make something appear.
BRING ON the dancers!.
Bring out Release or publish.
The band are BRINGING OUT a
new CD in the autumn..
Bring out Elicit a response.
Suzie BRINGS OUT the best in him..
Bring out in Cause a health problem or reaction.
It was the lobster that BROUGHT me
OUT in this rash all over my body..
Bring
Make someone wake up from
The doctors BROUGHT him
round
unconsciousness or an anaesthetic.
ROUND a few hours after the
operation..
Bring up Mention.
They didn't BRING the subject UP at
the meeting..
Bring up Raise a child.
My parents BROUGHT me UP
strictly..
Bring up Be officially charged with a crime.
He was BROUGHT UP on charges of
public intoxication..
Bring Up Mention.
They didn't BRING the subject UP at

the meeting..
Bring Up Raise a child.
My parents BROUGHT me UP
strictly..
Bring Up Be officially charged with a crime.
He was BROUGHT UP on charges of
public intoxication..
Brush off Ignore, pay little attention.
The minister BRUSHED OFF the
criticism..
Brush up Improve a skill quickly.
She took a two-week course to
BRUSH UP her Spanish before she
went travelling around South and
Central America..
Bubble
Become very excited.
She BUBBLED OVER with joy
over
when she heard her exam results..
Buck up
Hurry (either transitive or reflexive). 'BUCK UP - the taxi's waiting.'.
Buck up
Smarten up, improve.
You had better BUCK your ideas UP,
or you'll fail the course..
Bucket
Rain heavily.
Take an umbrella; it's BUCKETING
down
DOWN..
Buckle
Start working hard, apply yourself.
We had to BUCKLE DOWN and
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..
Buckle up Fasten a seatbelt.
We were told to BUCKLE UP before
take-off..
Budge up Move to make space for someone.
We had to BUDGE UP to let the
fourth person in the back of the car..
Buff up
Clear, clean or make something shine. The silver candlestick looked lovely
after I BUFFED it UP..
Buff up
Improve.
After the scandal, the politician tried
to BUFF UP his public image..
Buff up on Improve your knowledge quickly.
I BUFFED UP ON my grammar
before the test..
Bug off!
Go away.
I told her to bug off because she was
annoying me..
Bug out
Open your eyes wide in surprise.
He BUGGED OUT when she turned
up..
Bug out
Leave somewhere in a hurry.
They BUGGED OUT when the
police arrived..
Build up
Develop a company.
She BUILT the business UP from
nothing into a market leader in less
than a decade..
Build up
Increase.
Tension has been BUILDING UP
ever since the government passed the
unpopular law..

Bulk out
Bulk up
Bump into
Bump off
Bump up
Bundle off
Bundle out
Bundle up
Bundle up
Bunk off
Buoy up
Buoy up
Burn down
Burn off
Burn out
Burn up
Burn up
Burn up
Burst into
Burst into

Make something bigger or thicker.

I BULKED the essay OUT with a

few quotes to reach the number of
word required..
Gain weight, develop bigger muscles. He's BULKED UP a lot since he got
those steroids..
Meet by chance.
I BUMPED INTO Helen on the
underground the other day..
Kill.
The dr*g dealer was BUMPED OFF
by a rival gang..
Increase.
They BUMP UP the prices in the high
season..
Send someone somewhere.
He BUNDLED the kids OFF to bed..
Expel.
The barman BUNDLED the drunk
OUT because he was annoying the
other customers..
Put on warm clothing.
We BUNDLED UP before going out
as it was snowing..
Wrap or tie things together.
I BUNDLED UP my newspapers and
dropped them in the recycling bin..
Not go to school when you should.
I used to BUNK OFF school and go
into town..
Make someone feel more positive.
After so much criticism, the positive
review BUOYED him UP..
Keep afloat.
The lifejacket BUOYED me UP till
the boat arrived..
Burn completely.
They had to completely rebuild the
museum after the old one BURNED
DOWN..
Remove by burning or similar process. I BURN OFF a lot of calories in the
gym..
Lose enthusiasm and energy to
Jennie BURNT OUT after ten years
continue in a demanding job.
working as a futures broker and went
to live in the country..
Destroy completely by fire.
All his possessions were BURNED
UP in the fire..
Drive at high speed.
The bank robbers BURNED UP the
roads but were soon captured..
To be or cause to be highly annoyed. His undeserved win in the election
really BURNS me UP..
Catch fire very quickly.
The car BURST INTO flames and the
driver died as he didn't have time to
get out..
Laugh, cry or clap loudly.
She BURST INTO laughter when she
heard the joke..

Bust up
Butt in
Butt out
Butter up
Buy in

Buy into
Buy off
Buy out
Buy up
Buzz
around
Buzz off
Buzz off!

End a relationship, usually angrily or

after arguing.
Interrupt.

They BUST UP after a row last

night..
I hope you don't mind me BUTTING
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
business.
BUTT OUT!.
Praise or flatter someone excessively. I tried BUTTERING my tutor UP but
she still wouldn\'t let me hand it in
late..
Force a CD or record into the charts by Joe Meek's last hit, 'Singin' the
buying lots of copies.
Blues', was probably BOUGHT IN at
number 40, but failed to go any
higher..
Accept an idea.
I never BOUGHT INTO the idea of a
federalist Euopean Union..
Pay someone to stop them causing
He BOUGHT the newspaper OFF by
trouble.
placing a lot of adverts..
Buy somebody's share in a company. His business partners BOUGHT him
OUT to get rid of him..
Buy all of something.
We BOUGHT UP all the shop had
before the price went up..
Move quickly around a place.
Reporters were BUZZING AROUND
the scene of the accident..
Leave somewhere.
I'm BUZZING OFF now- I have to
meet some people..
Go away (imperative).
He told them to BUZZ OFF because
they were annoying him..

C
Call after

Name someone after somebody else.

Call around Visit.

Call back

Return a phonecall.

Call for

Demand.

Call for

Go to collect something.

Call for
Call for

Telephone for something.

Go and collect someone to take them
out.

She was CALLED Rose AFTER her

late grandmother..
I CALLED AROUND but she wasn't
in..
I must CALL her BACK when we get
to the office..
The Opposition party CALLED FOR
the minister's resignation after the
scandal broke..
The courier CALLED FOR your
parcel, but I told him it wasn't ready
yet..
I'll CALL FOR a cab right away..
I'll CALL FOR you at seven, so be
ready because the film starts at half

past..
Call for
Require.
An emergency like this CALLS FOR
some pretty drastic action..
Call forth Make something happen.
The protests CALLED FORTH a
strong reaction from the police..
Call in
Get someone to come and do a job.
We had to CALL IN a plumber
because the sink was leaking and I
had no idea how to fix it..
Call in
Stop and visit.
I CALLED IN on Jenny on my way
home because she's not very well at
the moment and I wanted to see if she
needed anything..
Call off
Cancel.
The concert had to be CALLED OFF
because the singer went down with a
bad case of flu..
Call off
Order someone to stop attacking.
CALL OFF your lawyers; we can
work something out..
Call on
Ask for help.
The President CALLED ON the
wealthy countries for financial aid
after the floods destroyed much of the
country's agriculture..
Call on
Visit.
As we were in the area, we CALLED
ON my sister-in-law..
Call on
Challenge.
He CALLED the speaker ON several
mis-statements of fact..
Call on
Ask someone to do something,
I now CALL ON the other party to
especially to speak in public. (Formal). give their account of what happened..
Call out
Expose or accuse someone of
He CALLED them OUT over
wrongdoing or incompetence.
awarding contracts to family
members..
Call round Visit.
I CALLED ROUND on my way
home but no one was in..
Call up
Summon someone for military service. The army CALLED UP the reserve
soldiers when the war broke out..
Call up
Telephone.
I CALLED him UP as soon as I got
to a phone to tell him the news..
Calm down Stop being angry or emotionally
When I lose my temper, it takes ages
excited.
for me to CALM DOWN again..
Cancel out Have an opposite effect on something The airport taxes CANCELLED
that has happened, taking things back to OUT the savings we had made on the
the beginning.
flight tickets..
Cap off
Finish or complete, often with some
She CAPPED OFF the meeting with
decisive action.
a radical proposal..
Care for
Like.
I don't CARE FOR fizzy drinks; I
prefer water..

Carried
away

Get so emotional that you lose control. The team got CARRIED AWAY
when they won the championship and
started shouting and throwing things
around..
Carry
Include a figure in a later calculation. They CARRIED FORWARD their
forward
losses to the next financial year..
Carry
Make something progress.
They hope the new management will
forward
be able to CARRY the project
FORWARD..
Carry off Win, succeed.
She CARRIED OFF the first prize in
the competition..
Carry off Die of a disease.
Cancer CARRIED him OFF a couple
of years ago..
Carry on Continue.
CARRY ON quietly with your work
until the substitute teacher arrives..
Carry on Behave badly.
The children annoyed me by
CARRYING ON all morning..
Carry on Have an affair.
He's been CARRYING ON WITH
with
someone at work for years..
Carry out Perform a task.
The government is CARRYING OUT
test on growing genetically modified
crops..
Carry out Food bought from a restaurant to take I'm too tired to cook- let's get a
away.
CARRY-OUT..
Carry over Continue past a certain point.
The meeting CARRIED OVER into
the afternoon because there was so
much to talk about..
Carry
Complete successfully.
They CARRIED the reforms
through
THROUGH despite the opposition..
Cart off
Take someone away, usually under
The police CARTED them OFF to
arrest or to prison.
question them..
Cart off
Take something away, especially if
The thieves CARTED OFF all the
stealing or without permission.
ticket receipts..
Carve out Create or get a area where you can be She's CARVED OUT a career in
special or successful.
photojournalism..
Carve up Divide into smaller pieces.
They CARVED the company UP and
sold a lot off..
Carve up Overtake someone and then pull
The idiot CARVED us UP and forced
directly in front of a car.
me to brake hard..
Cash in
Convert shares, bonds, casino chips,
They CASHED IN their bonds and
etc, into money.
spent the money on a holiday..
Cash in on Benefit or make money on something, The opposition party are CASHING
especially if done unfairly.
IN ON the government's
unpopularity..

Cash out

Illegally access a bank account or credit A hacker got my credit card details
card and steal money.
from my computer and CASHED
OUT a lot of money..
Cash out Exchange something for money, collect After winning, she CASHED OUT
winnings.
her chips..
Cash up
Count all the money taken in a shop or After the shop closed, they have to
business at the end of the day.
CASH UP before they can go home..
Cast about Try to find something.
They're CASTING ABOUT FOR
for
support..
Cast
Try to find something.
She was CASTING AROUND FOR
around for
people to help her..
Cast aside Dispose, get rid of, ignore because you He CAST her ASIDE..
no longer like something or someone.
Cast off
Dispose, get rid of.
They CAST OFF any semblance of
politeness and attacked us viciously..
Cast off
Untie a boat so it's free to sail.
They CAST OFF and headed out to
sea..
Cast out
Expel, reject.
They CAST him OUT because of his
behaviour..
Cast round Try to find something.
He CAST ROUND FOR any sign of
for
his things..
Cast up
Be left on the shore by the sea.
The rubbish was CAST UP by the
tide..
Catch at
Take or grab hold of something.
She CAUGHT AT my sleeve as I was
leaving and said she needed to talk to
me..
Catch on Become popular.
Many critics were shocked when
techno CAUGHT ON in the clubs..
Catch on Finally understand what is going on.
Everyone else realised what was
happening, but it took Henry ages to
CATCH ON..
Catch out Trick.
The exam is designed to CATCH you
OUT..
Catch out Discover or prove that someone is
He CAUGHT me OUT when he
lying.
checked my story with my previous
employer..
Catch out Put someone in an unexpected and
We were CAUGHT OUT in the
difficult situation (often passive).
storm..
Catch up Get work, etc, up to date..
I was ill for a fortnight and now I've
got to CATCH UP on the work I
missed..
Catch up Reach someone who was ahead of you. He started well, but I CAUGHT him
UP on the third lap..
Catch up in Become involved, often against ones The tourists were CAUGHT UP IN

Catch up
on
Catch up
on
Catch up
with
Catch up
with

will.
Do something that should have been
done earlier.
Reminisce with an old friend after not
seeing them for a while.

the violence of the revolution..

I'm going home to CATCH UP ON
my sleep..
I hadn't seen her for years, so we
spent the afternoon CATCHING UP
ON old times..
I'm going home to CATCH UP WITH
my sleep..
I CAUGHT UP WITH her at the
conference..

Do something that should have been

done earlier.
Meet someone after a period of time
and find out what they have been
doing.
Catch up When something negative starts to have His criminal behaviour is starting to
with
an effect.
CATCH UP WITH him..
Catch up Punish someone after they have been The tax authorities CAUGHT UP
with
doing something wrong for a long time. WITH me for not submitting my tax
returns..
Catch up Learn something new that many people My mother's trying to CATCH UP
with
already understand.
WITH computers..
Cater for To provide what is necessary.
The college CATERS FOR students
of all ages..
Cater to
To provide what is needed, often seen The film CATERS TO the audience's
negatively.
worst instincts..
Cave in
Collapse.
The roof CAVED IN because of the
weight of the snow..
Cave in
Stop resisting or refusing.
The government has refused to CAVE
IN despite the protests and
demonstrations..
Chalk out To cut a line of coca*ne.
He went into the toilets to CHALK a
line OUT..
Chalk up To achieve something good.
The company has CHALKED UP its
highest ever profits..
Chalk up to Explain the reason for a problem.
They CHALKED the poor sales UP
TO the lower numbers of tourists
visiting this year..
Chance
Find something by accident.
I CHANCED UPON a very rare book
upon
in car boot sale and bought it for
65p..
Change
Change a system.
The Irish CHANGED OVER to using
over
kilometres in 2005..
Charge up Put electricity into a battery.
I need to CHARGE my phone UPthe battery's dead..
Charge
Accuse somebody of a crime.
She was arrested in customs last night
with
and has been CHARGED WITH
smuggling..

Chase
down
Chase off
Chase up
Chase up
Chase up
Chat up
Cheat on
Cheat on

Cheat out
of
Check by
Check in
Check into
Check off
Check out
Check out
Check out
Check out
of
Check over
Cheer on
Cheer up

Try hard to find or get something.

The press CHASED us DOWN when

the story broke..
Force a person to leave or go away.
The dog CHASED he postal worker
OFF..
Ensure that someone remembers to do The librarian is CHASING me UP
something.
about my overdue books..
Try to get someone to pay a bill, debt, I CHASED her UP as she hadn't paid
etc.
for several months..
Try to get more information about the I didn't get a reply so I have been
progress of something.
CHASING them UP..
Talk to someone you are s*xu*lly
He spent the whole night CHATTING
interested in to get them interested in her UP..
you.
Be s*xu*lly unfaithful.
She CHEATED ON me with my
friend..
Deceive or betray, often in a s*x*al
She thought he had always been
and/or emotional context.
faithful to her, but he had been
CHEATING ON her ever since their
wedding day (with one of the
bridesmaids)..
Get money from someone under false I hate him- he CHEATED me OUT
pretences.
OF 100..
Visit a place to check something.
We CHECKED BY the office to see
if the stuff was ready..
Register on arriving at a hotel or at the They CHECKED IN at the Ritz
airport.
yesterday..
Register on arriving at a hotel or at the They CHECKED INTO the Ritz
airport.
yesterday..
Mark something on a list as done.
She CHECKED OFF the candidates'
names as they arrived..
Pay the bill when leaving a hotel.
She CHECKED OUT and took a cab
to the airport..
Die.
She CHECKED OUT last week; the
funeral's tomorrow..
Get information about or inspect
I CHECKED the new restaurant OUT
something to see if it's satisfactory.
as soon as it opened..
Settle up and pay before leaving a
Guests have to CHECK OUT OF the
hotel.
hotel before midday..
Check something very carefully.
We CHECKED the contract OVER
before signing it..
Encourage.
Their CHEERED their team ON
throughout the match..
Be less unhappy.
Come on, CHEER UP; it isn't all bad,
you know..

Chew off

Remove by biting.

The dog CHEWED OFF the man's

face..
Chew on
Thinks about something carefully
I'll CHEW ON it for a day or two and
before deciding.
let you know what I think..
Chew out Criticize someone angrily.
They CHEWED him OUT for being
late..
Chew over Think about an issue.
He asked for a few days to CHEW
the matter OVER before he made a
final decision..
Chew up Cut into small pieces with your teeth. The puppy CHEWED UP the
newspaper..
Chew up Damage something inside a machine. The video CHEWED my tape UP..
Chicken
Be too afraid to do something.
I CHICKENED OUT of the bungee
out
jumping when I saw how high it
was..
Chill out
Relax.
I'm staying at home and CHILLING
OUT this evening..
Chime in Contribute to a discussion.
If it's OK, I'd like to CHIME IN
because I think it's a good idea..
Chip away Gradually reduce something to make it They have been CHIPPING AWAY
at
less powerful, effective, etc.
AT his reputation ever since he took
office..
Chip in
Contribute some money.
Everybody CHIPPED IN to pay the
bill..
Chip in
Contribute to a discussion.
If I could CHIP IN, there are a couple
of issues I'd like to raise..
Choke off Stop or restrict.
These guerilla attacks are CHOKING
OFF our food shipments..
Choke out Clog or overwhelm.
Water hyacinth is CHOKING OUT
the native vegetation in our rivers..
Choke up Become tearfully emotional.
Jeff CHOKED UP during his
retirement speech..
Choke up Grip a handle farther from the end for He CHOKED UP on the bat and hit
better control.
the ball better..
Choose up Form groups or teams.
We CHOSE UP to play the game..
Chop down Fell or cut down a tree.
They CHOPPED DOWN most of the
forest and now it looks like a desert..
Chop up
Cut into small pieces.
I CHOPPED UP the vegetables for
the soup..
Chow down Eat.
Dinner's ready- CHOW DOWN!..
Chow down Eat something.
We're going to CHOW DOWN ON
on
that barbecued pork..
Chuck
Dispose of something you no longer
I CHUCKED AWAY all my old
away
need or want.
records years ago when CDs came

Chuck in

Quit something.

Chuck in

Make a comment.

Chuck out Dispose of something you no longer

need or want.
Chuck up

Vomit, be sick.

Chuck up

Quit something.

Churn out Produce, usually quickly or in large

amounts without much regard to
quality.
Clag up
Make something sticky.
Clam up

Be quiet, refuse to speak.

Clamp
Restrict or try to stop something.
down on
Claw back Get money back.
Claw back Retake possession with difficulty.
Claw back Regain possession with difficulty.
Clean off

Remove dirt or something dirty.

Clean out

Tidy up thoroughly and throw away

unwanted things..

Clean out
Clean up

Cause someone to spend all their

money.
Tidy and clean.

Clean up

Profit, sometimes suddenly.

Clear away Leave a place.

out..
I CHUCKED my job IN to go
travelling..
I CHUCKED IN a few points at the
end of the discussion..
I CHUCKED OUT some stuff I
found in the fridge that had gone
bad..
He got ridiculously drunk and
CHUCKED UP in the back of the
minicab on the way home..
She didn't like the course, so she
CHUCKED it UP after a few weeks..
The government CHURNS OUT
educational policies every few
months..
His arteries are CLAGGED UP
because he eats so much saturated
fat..
Everybody CLAMMED UP when the
Principal entered..
The government are CLAMPING
DOWN ON antisocial behaviour..
The new tax will CLAW BACK what
the government has given out in
grants..
The opposition parties are trying to
CLAW BACK the voters they lost in
the last election..
They are CLAWING BACK their
market share from their competitors..
After dinner, I CLEANED OFF the
table..
I really must CLEAN the study OUT;
there's stuff all over the floor and
piles of paper everywhere..
The holiday CLEANED me OUTI'm broke till the end of the month..
CLEAN this bedroom UP; it's a
disgrace..
At the horse races yesterday we really
CLEANED UP..
We were told to CLEAR AWAY from
the scene of the accident..

Clear away Remove or tidy.

After dinner, I CLEARED AWAY the

plates and dishes..
Clear off
Leave somewhere quickly.
As soon as the trouble started, we
CLEARED OFF..
Clear out Tidy up thoroughly and throw away
I spent the whole weekend
unwanted stuff..
CLEARING OUT the attic as it was
full of papers and other junk..
Clear out Leave somewhere.
I told them to CLEAR OUT because
they were making so much noise..
Clear up
Cure or recover from an infection.
I took the antihistamines and the rash
CLEARED UP right away..
Clear up
Tidy up.
I'd better CLEAR AWAY the mess
before leave..
Clear up
Explain.
Could you CLEAR these points UP
before we go any further?.
Clear up
Improve (weather).
The skies CLEARED UP and the sun
came out..
Click
Open an advertisement on the Internet. Only a tiny fraction of users ever
through
bother CLICKING THROUGH the
banner adverts..
Climb
Accept that you are wrong and change The Prime Minister had to CLIMB
down
your position.
DOWN over his tax proposals
because there was so much
opposition from the members of his
own party..
Cling on
Hold tight.
He told me to CLING ON as the
motorbike accelerated..
Cling on to Try to keep something.
They CLUNG ON TO power despite
the protests..
Cling to
Try to maintain beliefs, hopes, etc..
They CLING TO their old way of
thinking..
Clog up
Block, slow movement right down.
The traffic's so bad the roads get
CLOGGED UP at rush hour..
Close down Close a shop, branch or business
The banks have CLOSED DOWN a
permanently.
lot of branches in villages over the
last few years..
Close down Stop an opponent being a challenge.
He CLOSED the player DOWN and
stopped him being a threat..
Close in
Surround, envelop.
The fog CLOSED IN and we couldn't
see two yards in front of us..
Close in
Approach, get near.
The police were CLOSING IN so
they decided to try to make a break..
Close in on Get near someone.
The police were CLOSING IN ON
the gang..

Close in
upon
Close off

Get near someone.

The police were CLOSING IN

UPON the gang..
Block a place to stop people entering. The police CLOSED the road OFF
after the explosion..
Close on
Get nearer.
She is CLOSING ON the leader of
the race..
Close out Bring something to an end.
We CLOSED OUT the meeting early
and went home..
Close out Close or stop using.
She CLOSED OUT the account and
changed to another bank..
Close out Ignore, exclude.
They always CLOSE me OUT of
their plans..
Close up
Completely close something.
They CLOSE UP the building after
everyone has left..
Close up
Join together.
The leaves CLOSE UP when it rains..
Close up
Move closer together.
They CLOSED UP when they saw
the gang coming towards them..
Cloud over Get very cloudy.
The morning started bright and warm,
but it CLOUDED OVER around
midday and poured with rain..
Clown
Behave stupidly or waste time.
The students were CLOWNING
about
ABOUT all lesson..
Clown
Behave stupidly or waste time.
I couldn't concentrate because they
around
were CLOWNING AROUND all
afternoon..
Coast along Do something without making much She's been COASTING ALONG all
effort or trying to improve.
year and hasn't made a lot of
progress..
Cobble
Make, assemble or produce something They COBBLED a few pages
together
quickly, without much care.
TOGETHER and submitted it..
Cock up
Ruin or spoil something.
It was so easy, but he managed to
COCK everything UP..
Colour
Blush.
He COLOURED (COLORED) UP
(Color) up
when he was caught stealing from the
till..
Come
Happen, occur.
The meeting CAME ABOUT because
about
both sides were sick of fighting..
Come
Shift direction (nautical).
The yacht CAME ABOUT to a
about
heading of 240 degrees..
Come
Find by accident.
I CAME ACROSS my old school
across
reports when I was clearing out my
desk..
Come
Agree to have s*x with someone.
I was surprised when she CAME
across
ACROSS on the first night..

Come
The way other people see you.
across
Come along Accompany.

He CAME ACROSS as shy because

he spoke so quietly..
May I COME ALONG on your trip
tomorrow?.
Come along Move faster or keep up.
COME ALONG, well never get
there if you dont keep up with us..
Come apart Break into pieces.
It CAME APART when I tried to lift
it off the floor and I had to glue it
back together..
Come
Recover consciousness.
It took several hours after the
around
operation before he CAME
AROUND..
Come
Agree with or accept something you
They have started COMING
around to had previously disapproved of or
AROUND TO our way of thinking
disliked..
and are less hostile..
Come back Return.
I left work and CAME BACK home
early..
Come
Appear in court charged with a crime or He CAME BEFORE the court on
before
offence.
charges of speeding..
Come by Visit.
I'll COME BY after work and see if
you need any help..
Come by Acquire.
How did you COME BY that Rolex?.
Come down Rain.
Just look at the rain COMING
DOWN! I'm not going out in that..
Come down Travel.
When you're next in London, COME
DOWN and see us..
Come down Criticise heavily.
The management really CAME
on
DOWN ON him for losing the
contract..
Come down Criticise, reprimand severely.
They will COME DOWN UPON us
upon
if we are late..
Come down Fall ill.
She CAME DOWN WITH a virus..
with
Come forth Appear.
The draft proposal CAME FORTH in
April..
Come forth Provide information.
None of the witnesses CAME
with
FORTH WITH an accurate
description of the gang..
Come from Country or town where you were born. She COMES FROM Somalia..
Come in
Arrive for flights.
The plane CAME IN at two-thirty in
the morning..
Come in
Place or ranking in a competition, etc.. I did my best but CAME IN last but
one in the race..
Come in
Receive news.
Reports are just COMING IN of an

assassination attempt on the

President..
Come in for Receive (criticism or praise).
Jack\'s COME IN FOR quite a lot of
criticism of late..
Come into Be important or relevant.
Money doesn't COME INTO it; I
simply will not do it under any
circumstances..
Come into Inherit.
She CAME INTO a lot of money
when her grandmother died..
Come into Start being used.
The computerised system CAME
use
INTO USE at the end of last year..
Come off When something breaks off.
I picked it up and the handle CAME
OFF in my hand..
Come off Be successful.
I was surprised when the plan CAME
OFF so easily..
Come off it I don't believe what you're saying; used COME OFF IT; tell me the truth for
as an imperative.
goodness' sake..
Come on Encouragement.
COME ON; don't give up now when
you're so close to finishing..
Come on Start an illness.
I've got a bit of a headache. I hope it
doesn't mean I've got flu COMING
ON..
Come on Start functioning (machines, etc).
The central heating COMES ON
automatically an hour before I have
to get up..
Come out A secret is revealed.
The details of the scandal CAME
OUT in the press and she had to
resign..
Come out Be published or otherwise available to The band's new CD is COMING
the public.
OUT in September..
Come out Disappear when washed.
The red wine I spilt just will not
COME OUT of the carpet no matter
what I try to clean it with..
Come out Let people know that you are lesbian or She CAME OUT at university and
gay.
has been living with her partner, Jane,
for the last couple of years..
Come out When the sun appears.
It started cloudy, but then the sun
CAME OUT and we all went to the
park..
Come out Have a rash or similar skin problem.
She CAME OUT IN a nasty rash
in
after touching the poisonous plant by
mistake..
Come out Recover consciousness.
After three years, he CAME OUT OF
of
the coma..
Come out Make something available.
They have just COME OUT WITH a

with
Come out
with

Say something publicly and

unexpectedly.

Come over Feel strange.

Come over Affect mentally in such a way as to
change behaviour (possibly related to
'overcome').
Come
Become conscious, wake up from
round
anaesthetic.
Come
round

Change your opinion.

Come
through

Arrive (messages and information).

Come
through
Come
through
Come
through
with
Come to

Communicate an emotion.
Produce a result.
Provide something needed.

Come to

Become conscious, wake up from

anaesthetic.
Result in.

Come up

Appear.

Come up

Rise (the sun).

Come up
against

Encounter problems or difficulties.

Come up
with

Think of a solution, excuse, etc..

Come upon Find by chance.

new version..
She CAME OUT WITH the answer
when everyone was expecting it to
remain unsolved..
I CAME OVER all faint and weak
because my sugar level was too low.
(British).
I'm sorry about last night - I don't
know what CAME OVER me..
She CAME ROUND and learned that
the operation had been a complete
success..
At first she didn't like the idea, but
she CAME ROUND to our way of
thinking in the end..
News is COMING THROUGH of a
major accident on the M25, where
freezing fog has been making driving
conditions extremely dangerous..
The anger she felt COMES
THROUGH..
They promised they'd do it, but they
haven't COME THROUGH yet..
He didn't COME THROUGH WITH
the money and they went bust..
She CAME TO an hour after the
operation..
The two men started arguing but they
soon CAME TO blows and started
fighting in earnest..
I'll be late home tonight because
something's COME UP at work has
to be ready for tomorrow morning..
The sun CAME UP just as we
reached the outskirts of the town..
They CAME UP AGAINST a lot of
opposition to their plans for an outof-town supermarket development..
Nobody could COME UP WITH a
satisfactory explanation for the
accident..
I CAME UPON the book in a little
second-hand bookshop in Dorset..

Conjure up Create a picture or memory in

someone's mind.
Conjure up Create something without many
resources.

It CONJURES UP memories of my
school days..
I had to CONJURE UP a full
weekend's entertainment for the
visitors with no notice at all..
Conk out Fall fast asleep.
I was exhausted and CONKED OUT
on the sofa..
Conk out Suddenly breakdown or stop working. The printer CONKED OUT so I
couldn't get a hard copy..
Contract in Become involved or committed to
Since it started, many companies
something.
have CONTRACTED IN to lend their
support..
Contract Give a contract for a service outside the They have CONTRACTED OUT
out
company you work for.
their catering services to save money..
Contract Formally leave and agreement.
I CONTRACTED OUT OF the deal
out of
years ago..
Cool down Get cooler.
I left the tea for a minute until it had
COOLED DOWN enough to drink..
Cool down Become calm.
It took me ages to COOL DOWN
after the argument..
Cool off
Become calmer.
Well talk to Fred once he COOLS
OFF and can talk rationally..
Coop up
Confine in a small area.
They COOPED the dog UP in a tiny
room..
Cop it
Get into trouble.
They really COPPED IT when they
got caught shoplifting..
Cop off
Leave work or school early.
We COPPED OFF early on Friday
because there was nothing to do..
Cop off
Kiss, pet or have s*x with someone.
She COPPED OFF with Damian at
the end-of-term party..
Cop out
Choose an easy alternative.
She was going to take a Master's
degree but COPPED OUT and chose
the Diploma course instead..
Cost up
Calculate how expensive some work is The decorators are going to COST
going to be.
UP the work tomorrow..
Cotton on To work out the truth.
It took me ages to COTTON ON to
what they were planning..
Cough up Lose possession of a ball, etc. in a
He was checked so hard he
contact sport.
COUGHED UP the puck in front of
his own goal..
Cough up Expel something from your lungs or
He gave up smoking after he
throat by coughing.
COUGHED UP some blood..
Could do Need or want something.
I COULD really DO WITH a cup of
with
tea..

Count
against
Count
among
Count
down
Count for

Affect negatively, make less likely to Not having a university degree will
succeed.
COUNT AGAINST her..
Include someone or something in a
I COUNT her AMONG my closest
group, category, etc.
friends..
Wait impatiently or excitedly for
I'm COUNTING DOWN the days till
something to happen.
they leave..
Be recognised as important, worthwhile Experience COUNTS FOR a lot in
or valuable.
decision making..
Count in
Include or involve.
If you're going on that skiing holiday,
you can COUNT me IN; I'd love to
go..
Count off Say numbers aloud in a sequence.
They COUNTED the students OFF
as they arrived..
Count on Depend, rely.
You can COUNT ON them; if they
have promised to do something,
they'll do it..
Count on Expect something to happen and base I was COUNTING ON the payment
plans on it.
arriving last week and was really
angry when it didn't arrive as I didn't
have enough money to pay for
everything..
Count out Exclude.
I don't want to go- you can COUNT
me OUT..
Count out Count a certain amount of money.
He COUNTED OUT 250 and paid
me..
Count
Be a part needed to complete
The coursework COUNTS
towards
something.
TOWARDS the final grade..
Count up Add.
COUNT UP the number of tickets
sold, please..
Count upon Expect something to happen and base I was COUNTING UPON their
plans on it.
support and lost because they didn't
vote my way..
Count upon Depend, rely.
I COUNT UPON them to help me..
Cover for Provide an excuse or alibi.
She asked me to COVER FOR her if
anyone asked where she'd gone..
Cover for Do someone's work while they are
I COVERED FOR her while she was
temporarily absent.
off sick..
Cover up Conceal, try to stop people finding out. They tried to COVER UP the incident
but it got into the newspapers..
Cozy up
Make yourself comfortable.
It was cold and I COZIED UP by the
fire..
Cozy up to Make yourself popular with someone. He's been COZYING UP TO our
boss because he wants a pay rise..
Crack
Use more authority than usual.
The police always CRACK DOWN

down on
Crack on
Crack up
Crack up
Crack up
Crack up
Crank out
Crank up
Crank up
Crank up
Crash out
Crash out
Cream off
Cream off
Creep in
Creep in
Creep into
Creep out
Creep out
on
Creep over
Creep up

ON drink-driving offences over the

Christmas period..
Continue doing something with energy. We had to CRACK ON to get
everything finished on time..
Have a nervous breakdown.
He CRACKED UP after his son died
and had to take a couple of months
off work..
Have bad reception on a mobile phone. You'll have to talk louder- you're
CRACKING UP..
Burst out laughing.
Everybody CRACKED UP when he
told the joke..
Damage a car badly.
He CRACKED his car UP last night
when he came off the road..
Produce a lot of something fast.
My boss keeps CRANKING OUT
stupid memos..
Inject non-medical dr*gs.
He's been CRANKING UP heroin for
years..
Start a machine, originally with a
He CRANKED the saw UP..
handle.
Increase, make something bigger.
I CRANKED the volume UP as high
as it would go..
Sleep at someone's house because you Dave CRASHED OUT at a friend's
are too tired, drunk, etc. to leave.
flat after the end-of-term party..
Fall asleep.
I CRASHED OUT in front of the TV
last night..
Separate the best or most talented
The private schools CREAM OFF
people so that they can receive special many of the best pupils..
or different treatment.
Take money or divert funds, usually
This means smaller banks can
wrongfully or unfairly.
CREAM OFF excess profits during
lending booms..
Start to be noticeable.
He tried to stay calm, but you could
hear the anger CREEPING IN..
Get included despite attempts to keep it Errors CREPT IN as the text got
or them out.
longer..
Become noticeable in something.
An angry tone CREPT INTO her
voice..
make someone feel worried or uneasy. He CREEPS me OUT when he gets
drunk..
To do the same activity for a very long He's been CREEPING OUT ON that
time.
computer game all day..
Start to have a negative feeling.
Fear CREPT OVER me as I walked
through the graveyard..
Approach without someone realising. They CREPT UP ON their rivals and

on
Crop up

Appear unexpectedly.

Cross off

Delete, remove from a list.

Cross out

Put as line through some writing to

show it is wrong.

Cross up

Confuse, deceive.

Cruise
through
Crumb
down
Cry off

Pass or succeed easily.

Clear a table in a restaurant.

overtook them..
I'm going to be late tonight as
something has just CROPPED UP at
work..
She CROSSED him OFF her
Christmas card list after they argued..
She CROSSED OUT her mistakes
and wrote the correct answers above
them..
The treasure map was deliberately
drawn to CROSS us UP..
He CRUISED THROUGH the exam..

The waiter CRUMBED DOWN

before the coffee was served..
To cancel an arrangement.
I've got to work tonight; can I CRY
OFF going out for dinner?.
Cry out
Shout because you are in pain.
He CRIED OUT when he dropped
the box on his toes..
Cut across Go across a place rather than around it It'll be quicker if we CUT ACROSS
to make the journey quicker.
the park..
Cut across Affect people of different groups,
The issue CUTS ACROSS social
classes, etc.
backgrounds as it affects us all
equally..
Cut back Reduce.
The firm CUT BACK production
because sales were sluggish..
Cut back Remove branches from a plant or tree We CUT the tree BACK every
to encourage future growth.
winter..
Cut back Reduce expenditure.
The government has decided to CUT
on
BACK ON spending on the armed
forces..
Cut down Consume less.
I'm trying to CUT DOWN the
amount of coffee I drink during the
day..
Cut down Shoot.
A lot of soldiers were CUT DOWN
by enemy fire as they stormed the
airport..
Cut down Reduce a vertical thing to ground level The logger CUT the tree DOWN..
by cutting.
Cut down Cut something from a high position.
After Christmas he didn't carefully
detach all the decorations, he just
CUT them all DOWN..
Cut down Reduce.
Doctors advised her to CUT DOWN
on
ON the amount of saturated fats in
her diet..

Cut in

Start functioning.

The fans CUT IN when the engine

starts getting too hot..
Cut in
Drive in front of another vehicle
A car CUT IN and nearly caused an
without warning.
accident..
Cut in
Interrupt.
We were having a conversation when
he came up and CUT IN..
Cut in
Include someone in a deal that makes We had to CUT the police IN on the
money.
deal to avoid trouble..
Cut in
Mix fat and flour until the combine.
CUT the butter IN with the flour..
Cut it out Stop your unfair or unreasonable
Will you two idiots CUT IT OUT and
behaviour.
keep quiet..
Cut off
Disconnect.
The telephone's been CUT OFF
because we didn't pay the bill..
Cut off
Isolate or make inaccessible.
The heavy snow has blocked many
roads and CUT OFF a number of
villages..
Cut out
Exclude.
I'm CUTTING OUT salt from my
diet..
Cut out
When an engine or motor stops.
The car CUT OUT at the traffic lights
just as they went green..
Cut out
Cut a picture or similar from a
I CUT some pictures OUT to use as
magazine, etc.
visual aids..
Cut out
Leave quickly.
Wed better CUT OUT, the security
men are on the way..
Cut out
Separate livestock from a group.
They CUT OUT three prime bulls
from the herd..
Cut out on Let down, snub.
Although he'd promised to help, the
star CUT OUT ON the charity when
offered more money..
Cut up
Cut into smaller pieces.
After cutting the tree down, the
logger CUT it UP into logs..
Cut up
Drive into a neighbouring lane, directly I was just driving onto the motorway
in front of another vehicle.
slip-road, when a red Mini CUT me
UP and I had to brake suddenly to
avoid an accident..
Cut up
Upset.
Her reaction really CUT me UP..
Cut up
Have a lot of small injuries.
I CUT my hand UP when I broke the
glass..
D
Damp
down
Damp
down

Calm or reduce feelings, emotions.

Make a fire burn less.

They tried to DAMP DOWN the

anger over the announcement..
They tried to DAMP DOWN the
flames before the fire spread..

Damp off

When there is too much moisture and a The seedlings DAMP OFF in the
plant is affected by fungal parasites.
spring if it's very wet..
Dash down Write something quickly.
He DASHED DOWN a memo and
sent it to everybody..
Dash off
Leave somewhere quickly.
It's late- I'm going to DASH OFF
home..
Dash off
Do something quickly, especially
He DASHED OFF the report in a
writing.
couple of hours..
Dawn on Finally realise or understand
The truth only DAWNED ON me
something.
much later..
Decide on Choose, select.
Trevor spent a long time looking at
flats before he bought one, but
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..
Die away Become quieter or inaudible (of a
The last notes DIED AWAY and the
sound).
audience burst into applause..
Die back
When the parts of a plant above ground The plant DIES BACK in the winter..
die, but the roots remain alive.
Die down Decrease or become quieter.
It was on the front pages of all the
papers for a few days, but the interest
gradually DIED DOWN..
Die for
Want something a lot.
I'm DYING FOR the weekend- this
week's been so hard..
Die off
Become extinct.
Most of the elm trees in the UK
DIED OFF when Dutch elm disease
arrived..
Die out
Become extinct or disappear.
Some scientists say that the dinosaurs
DIED OUT when a comet hit the
earth and caused a nuclear winter..
Dig in
Start eating greedily.
We were starving so we really DUG
IN when the food finally did arrive..
Dig in
Excavate a protective shelter (military). Anticipating an artillery barrage, we
quickly DUG IN..
Dig into
Reach inside to get something.
She DUG INTO her handbag and
pulled out a bunch of keys..
Dig out
Find something you haven't used, seen, I DUG OUT my old university
etc, for a long time.
essays..
Dig out
Dig to remove something or someone. They had to DIG the survivors of the
earthquake OUT from the ruins..
Dig up
Find something that is supposed to be The reporters eventually DUG UP the
secret.
truth about the affair..

Dig up
Dig up
Dine out

Remove something from the ground. The police DUG UP a body..

Make a hole in a road, the ground, etc. The council have DUG the road UP..
Have dinner outside your home.
We DINED OUT because we couldn't
be bothered to cook..
Dine out on Tell a story repeatedly that is well
I've DINED OUT ON the story of his
received.
accident..
Dip in
Put something in a liquid for a short
I DIPPED the brush IN the paint and
time.
began painting the wall..
Dip into
Read parts of a book, but not all.
I've been DIPPING INTO the book,
but haven't read it properly..
Dip into
Take money out of your savings.
I've had to DIP INTO my savings
account to pay for the works on my
house..
Dip out
Leave a place without telling anyone. The party was so dull I DIPPED
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..
Dish out
Give something, usually when you
Doctors have been DISHING OUT
shouldn't.
viagra to anyone who asks for it..
Dish out
Criticise, when you can't take criticism He DISHES it OUT, but gets all hurt
in return.
when anyone responds..
Dish up
Serve food.
He DISHED UP a great dinner when
we got back..
Dive in
Start doing something, usually without When we saw what was happening,
planning.
we all DIVED IN to help..
Dive in
Start eating.
Dinner's on the table, so DIVE IN..
Dive into Reach inside something quickly.
She DIVED INTO her bag and pulled
out a lighter..
Divide up Share.
They divided up the profits..
Divvy out Divide, share.
The waiters and waitresses DIVVY
OUT the tips at the end of the night..
Divvy up Divide, share.
We DIVVIED UP the money
equally..
Do away
Abolish, get rid of.
The United Kingdom DID AWAY
with
WITH the death penalty in 1965..
Do in
Kill.
After he reported the gang, he feared
they would DO him IN..
Do out of Cheat somebody out of something that They lied on the reference and DID
is rightfully theirs.
me OUT OF any chance of getting
the job..
Do up
Close or fasten clothes, etc..
You must DO UP your safety belt in
the back of cars and taxis now..

Do up
Do with
Do without
Dob in
Dob in
Dob in
Dole out
Doss about
Doss
around
Doss down
Double as
Double
back
Double
over
Double up
Double up
Double up
as
Doze off
Drag on
Draw back
Draw down
Draw down

Repair and renovate.

It took them six months to DO UP the

house before they could actually
move in..
Wish for or ask for (usually after can or I could DO WITH a cold beer about
could).
now..
Manage without something.
There's no sugar, so you'll have to
DO WITHOUT..
Report someone to teachers,
He DOBBED me IN to the teacher..
authorities, etc.
Contribute money.
Everyone DOBBED IN some cash to
help..
Pressure someone into doing
He needed some help, so DOBBED
something.
us IN..
Give out, distribute.
They were DOLING OUT leaflets in
front of the station..
Spend time doing very little or being I couldn't get down to my work and
unproductive.
DOSSED ABOUT all night..
Spend time doing very little or being I spent the afternoon DOSSING
unproductive.
AROUND..
Sleep somewhere temporarily because I was feeling really tired, so I
you don't go home.
DOSSED DOWN on his sofa for the
night..
Have a second function or purpose.
My study DOUBLES AS a spare
bedroom when we have visitors..
Go back the way you were coming.
When he saw the police, he
DOUBLED BACK and went home..
Bend over at the waist.
She DOUBLED OVER in pain after
being hit in the stomach..
Bend over at the waist.
He DOUBLED UP in pain after being
hit in the stomach..
Share accommodation because there
We had to DOUBLE UP because we
are too many people.
hadn't booked enough rooms..
Have a second function or purpose.
The display screen DOUBLES UP
AS a solar panel..
Fall asleep.
The movie was a bit boring and I
DOZED OFF halfway through..
Be unnecessarily long.
The meeting DRAGGED ON for two
and a half hours..
Retreat, move backwards.
He DREW BACK when the dog
barked..
Reduce levels.
The administration want to DRAW
DOWN troop numbers as soon as
they can..
Get funding.
The college wants to DRAW DOWN

Draw down
Draw even
Draw in
Draw in
Draw into
Draw on
Draw on
Draw out
Draw out
Draw up
Draw up
Dream of
Dream up
Dredge up
Dress down
Dress down
Dress up
Drift apart
Drift off

extra funding for IT provision..

To deplete by consumption or heavy
Gas reserves were DRAWN DOWN
spending.
in the recent cold spell..
Equalize ones competitive position. The exhausted horse DREW EVEN
at the finish line..
Get dark earlier.
The nights are DRAWING IN now
it's winter..
Arrive at a station (for trains).
The train DREW IN and we got off..
Get involved in something unpleasant. I didn't want to take sides because I
didn't want to get DRAWN INTO
their arguments..
Pass slowly (time).
As the lesson DREW ON, the
students started to get bored..
Inhale smoke from a cigarette, cigar, He DREW ON his cigarette and
etc.
coughed..
Make something continue longer than The director DREW the meeting
needed.
OUT with a lengthy speech..
Make a shy person more outgoing.
He was so quiet at first, but the
teacher managed to DRAW him OUT
and get him to participate..
Prepare a contract.
The contract was DRAWN UP by our
solicitor..
When a vehicle stops.
The police car DREW UP alongside
him at the red lights and asked him to
pull over..
Not think or consider.
I wouldn't even DREAM OF telling
her that..
Invent something, have an idea.
They DREAMED UP the scheme for
the improvements and it was accepted
by the board..
Discover things about someone's past. The newspapers DREDGED UP the
details of his affair with his research
assistant..
Dress casually.
The staff are allowed to DRESS
DOWN on Fridays..
Scold.
She DRESSED me DOWN for being
rude..
Dress very smartly.
It's an informal party so there's no
need to DRESS UP..
Slowly cease to be close to or friends We were great friends at school but
with someone.
DRIFTED APART when we went to
different universities..
Start to fall asleep.
I was DRIFTING OFF when the
noise disturbed me..

Drill down Search through layers of information on I really had to DRILL DOWN to get
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..
Drill into Repeat something many times to make The teacher DRILLED the rules
someone learn it.
INTO the students..
Drink up Finish a drink.
DRINK UP, please; it's closing time..
Drive away Force an animal or someone to leave a Their unfriendliness DRIVES
place.
customers AWAY..
Drive back Repulse, force back.
The police DROVE the crowd BACK
to give the rescue workers more
space..
Drive by
Do something out of a car.
He was killed in a DRIVE-BY
shooting..
Drive off Drive away from a place.
She slammed the car door shut and
DROVE OFF without saying a word..
Drive out Force someone to leave a place.
The soldiers DROVE them OUT of
their homes..
Drive up
Make something increase.
The market uncertainty has DRIVEN
prices UP..
Drive up
Arrive in a vehicle.
They DROVE UP just as we were
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 an We DROPPED AROUND to collect
around
arrangement.
the stuff we'd left there last week..
Drop
Deliver.
I DROPPED AROUND the things
around
they needed..
Drop away Become smaller- amount, numbers.
The numbers of people attending
began the DROP AWAY after a few
months..
Drop back Move towards the back of a group.
He stared at the front, but got tired
and DROPPED BACK as the race
went on..
Drop by
Pay a brief visit.
He DROPPED BY on his way home
from work..
Drop in
Visit without having made
I was in the area so I DROPPED IN
arrangements.
at the office to see her..
Drop off
Take something or someone to a place I DROPPED the kids OFF at school
and leave it or them there..
on my way to work..
Drop off
Fall asleep.
I DROPPED OFF during the play and
woke up when it ended..
Drop off
Decrease in number or amount.
Sales have DROPPED OFF in the

last few months..

Drop out Quit a course.
She DROPPED OUT of college and
went straight into a good job..
Drop over Visit for a short time.
I'll DROP OVER on my way back..
Drop round Visit someone, often without making an We DROPPED ROUND their house
arrangement.
on our way..
Drop round Deliver.
I DROPPED the papers ROUND so
she could read them before the
meeting..
Drop
Get someone into trouble.
I really DROPPED him IN IT when I
someone in
told them what he'd done..
it
Drop
Come to nothing, produce no results. The big scheme he was talking about
through
seems to have DROPPED
THROUGH..
Drown in Cover excessively.
They DROWN the food IN sauce..
Drown out Be so loud that another sound cannot be The music DROWNED OUT the
heard.
sound of the phone ringing..
Drum into To make someone learn or believe
They DRUM all the traps INTO you
something by constant repetition.
before the test, so you can't go
wrong..
Drum out Force someone out of their job or
They DRUMMED the minister OUT
position.
when she was caught lying.The
minister was DRUMMED OUT of
her post for lying. (The passive form
with OF is more common).
Drum up Increase support or interest.
They are trying to DRUM UP support
for the referendum..
Dry off
Dry something quickly, or dry the
I had a shower and DRIED myself
surface.
OFF..
Dry out
Stop drinking or taking dr*gs when
He checked into a clinic to DRY
addicted.
OUT after being arrested for drinkdriving..
Dry out
Dry something fully.
They DRIED the fruit OUT in the
sun..
Dry up
Lose all the water from a river, lake,
The lake DRIED UP because of the
source, etc.
water extraction for cotton farming..
Dry up
Stop being supplied with something.
His income DRIED UP when cheaper
options became available..
Dry up
Be unable to speak.
She DRIED UP in the press
conference..
Dry up
Dry plates, dishes, cutlery, etc, after
I washed and DRIED UP..
washing them up.
Duck out of Avoid doing something.
He DUCKED OUT OF helping us

Duff up

Beat or hit someone repeatedly.

Dumb
down
Dump on

Reduce the intellectual level of

something in search of popularity.
Treat someone badly.

Dump on
Dump on

Criticize heavily, often unfairly.

Tell someone your problems.

Dwell on

Spend a lot of time on something.

Dwell upon Spend a lot of time on something.

last night..
He was DUFFED UP in a night club
last night..
Television has been DUMBING
DOWN the news for years..
Her boss DUMPS ON everyone
when things go wrong..
She DUMPS ON her family a lot..
When he';s depressed, he needs
someone to DUMP ON..
The programme DWELLED ON
little other than the scandal..
She DWELT UPON the economic
situation in her speech..

E
Ease off
Ease up
Eat away
Eat in
Eat into
Eat out
Eat up
Eat up
Eat up
Ebb away
Edge out
Edge up
Egg on
Eke out

Reduce pressure.

She EASED OFF the accelerator to

let the car slow down..
Relax, calm down.
She asked her teacher to EASE UP
because she was feeling very
stressed..
Destroy slowly.
The disease EATS the liver AWAY..
Eat at home.
We didn't feel like going to a
restaurant so we ATE IN..
Use something valuable when you don't We've had to EAT INTO our savings
want to.
since I lost my job..
Eat in a restaurant.
We couldn't be bothered to cook so
we ATE OUT last night..
Eat all of something.
If you don't EAT UP your greens, you
won't get any dessert..
Consume.
This car EATS UP petrol..
Consume something you don't want to The graphics EAT UP our bandwidthbe consumed.
they're costing us a fortune..
Disappear gradually.
His life was EBBED AWAY as the
illness progressed..
Gradually push someone or something The shareholders EDGED the CEO
out of their position.
out because results were getting
worse..
Approach slowly.
She EDGED UP behind the bus at the
red light..
Encourage.
The other students EGGED him ON
when he started arguing with the
teacher..
Make something like money last as
Most students have to EKE OUT

long as possible.
Embark on Start a project or venture.
Embark
Start a project or venture.
upon
Empty out Empty something completely.
Empty out Remove some things or everything
from a container.
End in
Finish a certain way.
End up
Become or do something unplanned.
End up
with
Enter for

Get as a result of something.

Join or enter a competition.

Enter into Become involved in or accept.

Eye up

Look carefully at someone.

their income because they have so

little money to live on..
Piere EMBARKED ON an MBA at
Insead last autumn..
Fernanda has just EMBARKED
UPON a new professional challenge..
I must EMPTY OUT the rubbish
before I leave for work..
I EMPTIED some of the coffee OUT
so I could pour more milk in..
It'll END IN tears..
We couldn't get tickets for Egypt so
we ENDED UP going to Turkey
instead..
He tried hard but ENDED UP WITH
a poor grade..
They ENTERED FOR the national
championship but weren't good
enough..
They ENTERED INTO an agreement
with their rivals..
The guy EYED the other man UP
because he was behaving
suspiciously..

F
Face off

Confront.

Face up to Accept an unpleasant truth.

Faff about Behave indecisively.
Faff around Behave indecisively.
Fall about Laugh a lot.
Fall apart

Break into pieces.

Fall apart

Become emotionally disturbed and

unable to behave normally.
Retreat.

Fall back
Fall back
on

Be able to use in an emergency.

The company FACED OFF the

competition..
Many people find it hard to FACE UP
TO the fact that they are getting old..
He told her to stop FAFFING
ABOUT and make her mind up..
She told him to stop FAFFING
AROUND and make his mind up..
We FELL ABOUT when we heard
what she'd done..
The box FELL APART when I picked
it up..
He FELL APART when they sacked
him..
The army FELL BACK after losing
the battle..
It was good to have some money in
the bank to FALL BACK ON when I
lost my job..

Fall behind Make less progress.

I was ill for a week and FELL

BEHIND with my work..
Fall down Fall on the ground.
I slipped on the ice and FELL
DOWN..
Fall down Have a weak point.
The argument FALLS DOWN when
you look at how much it'll cost..
Fall for
Be attracted to somebody, fall in love. He FELL FOR her the moment their
eyes met..
Fall for
Believe a lie or a piece of deception.
He FELL FOR my story and allowed
me yet another extension for the
submission of my thesis..
Fall in
Collapse.
The ceiling FELL IN hurting a lot of
people..
Fall into
Start doing something unplanned.
I just FELL INTO my job when an
opportunity came up..
Fall off
Decrease.
The membership FELL OFF
dramatically when the chairperson
resigned..
Fall out
Argue and be on bad terms with
They FELL OUT over the decision
someone.
and hardly speak to each other any
more..
Fall out
Lose hair.
He's started getting worried about
baldness because his hair is
FALLING OUT rather quickly..
Fall over Fall on the ground.
I slipped on the ice and FELL
OVER..
Fall
Be unsuccessful.
The plans FELL THROUGH when
through
planning permission was refused..
Fall under Become controlled.
At first he was independent, but then
he FELL UNDER their influence..
Farm out Give or contract work to someone else. The company wants to FARM OUT
their maintenance..
Fart about Waste time doing silly things.
The manager was angry because the
staff were FARTING ABOUT..
Fart
Waste time doing pointless things.
We were really bored in the lecture so
around
we started FARTING AROUND..
Fasten
Tie something so that it doesn't move. We FASTENED it DOWN to keep
down
the wind from blowing it away..
Fasten on Give attention to something that
They have FASTENED ON the
confirms your beliefs.
speech as a source of inspiration..
Fasten onto Follow someone closely, normally
He FASTENED ONTO the minister
when they don't want your company. on his visit and asked him repeatedly
about the scandal..
Fasten onto Give attention to something that
They FASTEN ONTO any figures

confirms your beliefs.

Fasten up Close, attach.
Fathom out Understand something.

that they think can support their case..

FASTEN UP your seatbelts..
I couldn't FATHOM OUT what she
wanted from me..
Fatten up Give an animal a lot to eat to make it They FATTEN the cows UP before
fat.
slaughtering them..
Fawn on
Praise someone in an excessive way to He's always FAWNING ON his boss
get their favour or something from
to try to get promoted..
them.
Fawn over Praise someone in an excessive way to She FAWNED OVER the inspectors
get their favour or something from
in the hope that they would give her a
them.
good grade..
Feed off
Eat a food as part of an animals diet.
The gecko FEEDS OFF mosquitoes
and other insects..
Feed off
Use something to your advantage.
He FEEDS OFF people's fear of
crime to get them to support his
proposals..
Feed on
Grow stronger.
The opposition party's FEEDING ON
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..
Feed up
Give someone a lot of food to restore She's been ill for a fortnight so we're
their health, make them bigger, etc.
FEEDING her UP..
Feel up
Touch s*xu*lly, grope.
Someone FELT me UP in the club as
I was trying to get to the bar..
Feel up to Feel capable of doing something.
I'm so tired. I don't think I FEEL UP
TO going out tonight..
Fence in
Enclose an area.
They FENCED the whole garden IN..
Fence off Enclose an area to keep animals or
They FENCED OFF one side of the
people out.
park to keep dogs out..
Fend for
Take care of yourself or someone with The children had to FEND FOR
help from other people.
themselves after their parents died..
Fend off
Resist something successfully.
He managed to FEND OFF the
criticism in the press..
Fend off
Push an attacker away.
She FENDED OFF the dog when it
attacked her..
Ferret out Search and discover something.
The investigation finally managed to
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..
Fess up to Confess, admit reluctantly to
They FESSED UP TO the crime..
something.
Fiddle
Waste time doing silly things, or doing We spent the whole afternoon

about

things unsuccessfully.

Fiddle
around
Fiddle
around
Fiddle
away
Fight back

Waste time doing silly things, or

unsuccessful things.
Make small movements with your
hands.
Waste time.
Defend yourself, resist an attack.

FIDDLING ABOUT with the

computer but couldn't get it to work..
I FIDDLED AROUND with the
phone but couldn't get any signal..
He FIDDLED AROUND for
something in his pockets..
He FIDDLED AWAY the afternoon..

The army attacked the town and the

inhabitants FOUGHT BACK
fiercely..
Fight back Try to control and emotion and keep it He tried to FIGHT BACK the tears
hidden.
when he heard the news of her death..
Fight it out Struggle to see who wins, both by
Their FIGHTING IT OUT to see who
arguing or fighting.
will become the next CEO..
Fight off
Fight an attacker and force them back. The old lady managed to FIGHT the
muggers OFF and they didn't get her
purse..
Fight off
Resist an illness or emotion.
I'm FIGHTING OFF a cold..
Figure on Plan, expect.
What job do you FIGURE ON doing
when you graduate?.
Figure out Find the answer to a problem.
The police couldn't FIGURE OUT
how the burglars had got into the
warehouse..
File away Put a document in the correct place for I FILED a copy of the letter AWAY
storage in a filing system.
for my records..
File for
Apply for something legally, like
They FILED FOR divorce after two
divorce or bankruptcy.
years of marriage..
Fill in
Complete a form.
I FILLED IN the application form
and posted it off..
Fill in
Substitute someone at work.
She's just had a baby, so we have
hired someone to FILL IN for her..
Fill in for Substitute.
I was away for a few days, so they
had to get someone to FILL IN FOR
me..
Fill in on Give someone information.
I'm sorry I missed the meeting; could
you FILL me IN ON what happened..
Fill out
Complete a form.
I FILLED OUT the application form
and mailed it..
Fill up
Fill something completely.
I stopped at the garage and FILLED
UP with petrol..
Filter in
Move into a lane of traffic without
The slip lane allows traffic to
making other cars stop.
FILTER IN at the junction..
Filter out Remove something unwanted.
It FILTERS OUT all the impurities

and chemicals in tap water so that it

tastes better..
Find out
Discover.
I went to the library to FIND OUT all
I could about the life and work of Joe
Meek..
Finish off Finish completely.
They FINISHED OFF all the
chocolates and had to go to the allnight garage to buy some more..
Finish off Kill a person or animal, often when
The animal was badly hurt, so they
they have already been hurt.
FINISHED it OFF to end its
suffering..
Finish off Beat, make victory certain in sport.
The second goal FINISHED them
OFF..
Finish off Consume all.
We FINISHED OFF the coffee and
had to get some more..
Finish up Finally get somewhere, usually without We went out for diner and
planning to go there.
FINISHED UP in a club..
Finish up Have or do something at the end or as We attended some workshops and
with
the last of something.
FINISHED UP WITH the keynote
speaker..
Finish with End a relationship.
She FINISHED WITH him a few
months ago..
Finish with Stop dealing with someone.
He wanted to leave but I was furious
and hadn't FINISHED WITH him..
Finish with Finish using or requiring.
Can I read the paper when you've
FINISHED WITH it..
Fink on
Give away secrets about someone.
He FINKED ON her to the
authorities..
Fink out
Fail to keep a promise, arrangement,
He said he'd come with us then
etc.
FINKED OUT at the last minute..
Fire away Ask questions.
What do you want to know? FIRE
AWAY and I'll tell you..
Fire off
Send quickly, angrily or many (letter, He FIRED OFF an email
emails, etc).
complaining about the report..
Fire off
Shoot, fire a gun (usually repeatedly). The police FIRED OFF several
rounds and killed the man..
Fire up
Start a computer.
She FIRED UP the computer and
printed out a hard copy of the files..
Fire up
Excite, become excited.
Everyone was FIRED UP and
desperate to get it finished in time..
Firm up
Make things clearer in a negotiation or We need to FIRM UP some aspects of
discussion.
the contract before we sign it..
Firm up
Exercise to make muscles harder and I go swimming every day to FIRM
remove fat.
UP my body..

Fish for

Try to get some information or to get

someone to say something.
Remove something from a bag, pocket,
etc.
Remove from water, such as the sea,
rivers, etc.
Get on in a group of people.

He's always FISHING FOR

compliments..
Fish out
She reached into her handbag and
FISHED some coins OUT..
Fish out
It's fallen in the pool- I'll have to
FISH it OUT..
Fit in
I didn't FIT IN with the other people
working there so I left and found
another job..
Fit in
Have enough time or space for
I didn't have time to FIT IN another
something.
appointment..
Fit in with Be convenient or occur conveniently. They're not arriving until Thursday,
which FITS IN WITH my schedule
for the week..
Fit in with Occur or happen in a way that shows His rudeness yesterday FITS IN
that plans or ideas have not changed. WITH what I have always thought of
his behaviour..
Fit into
Become part of.
Their ideas didn't FIT INTO our
plans..
Fit out
Provide with necessary equipment.
They FITTED OUT the boat for the
race..
Fit out with Provide someone with necessary
They didn't FIT the troops OUT
equipment.
WITH the necessary protective gear..
Fit up
Frame someone- make them look guilty The police FITTED him UP for
of something they haven't done.
dealing dr*gs..
Fit up
Provide equipment.
They FITTED us UP with the latest
IT..
Fix up
Make an arrangement.
He FIXED UP an appointment for me
to see a specialist..
Fizzle out End in an unsuccessful way.
The campaign started well, but
FIZZLED OUT when they ran out of
money..
Flag down Signal at a vehicle to get it to stop.
The police officer FLAGGED the car
DOWN because it didn't have its
headlights on..
Flag up
Raise an issue, or highlight its
We should FLAG UP working
importance.
conditions at the meeting..
Flake out Fall asleep from exhaustion.
I worked till midnight then FLAKED
OUT..
Flame out Fail.
The company FLAMED OUT in the
recession..
Flame up Burn brightly.
The wood FLAMED UP in the fire..
Flare out Get angry suddenly.
He FLARED OUT when he saw the
dreadful report..

Flare up

When trouble suddenly appears.

The argument FLARED UP when he

was rude to them..
Flesh out Add more details or information.
The recent government report
FLESHED OUT the draft proposals..
Flick over Change TV channels quickly.
She FLICKED OVER to see if the
news had started..
Flick
Change TV channels repeatedly.
I FLICKED THROUGH the channels
through
to see if there was anything worth
watching..
Flick
Look through something quickly.
I FLICKED THROUGH the
through
magazine and decided to buy it..
Flip off
Extend your middle finger as a gesture When the police were walking away,
of contempt.
he FLIPPED them OFF..
Flip out
Become very excited and lose control. He FLIPPED OUT when he won the
final..
Flip
Look quickly through a magazine,
I FLIPPED THROUGH the latest
through
book, etc.
issue of the magazine in the shop and
decided to buy it..
Flog off
Sell something cheaply to get rid of it. The council FLOGGED OFF the land
cheaply to a developer who had close
links to a few of the councillors..
Floor it
Drive a vehicle as fast as possible.
She FLOORED IT when the police
arrived..
Flounce off Leave a place or walk away from
He FLOUNCED OFF when they
someone angrily.
laughed at him..
Flounce out Leave a place angrily.
He FLOUNCED OUT when the press
started criticising him..
Fluff out
Shake or pat a cushion so that it fills
She FLUFFED OUT the sofa
with air.
cushions..
Fluff up
Shake or pat a cushion so that it fills
He FLUFFED UP the pillow before
with air.
going to bed..
Fly about Circulate (rumours, etc).
The rumour has been FLYING
ABOUT for the past week, but no
one has confirmed it..
Fly around Circulate (rumours, etc).
There are a lot of stories FLYING
AROUND about her past..
Fly at
Attack.
The dog FLEW AT the cat when it
came into the garden..
Fly at
Criticise or shout angrily.
He FLEW AT them for not trying
hard 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..
Fob off
Make or persuade someone to accept I FOBBED it OFF Paul..
something.

Fob off

Lie or deceive someone.

Fob off on Make or persuade someone to accept

something you don't want.
Fob off
Make or persuade someone to accept
onto
something you don't want.
Fob off
Make or persuade someone to accept
with
something of lower quality than they
wanted.
Focus on Concentrate.

He FOBBED us OFF with a really

stupid excuse..
I FOBBED the work ON the others..
I FOBBED the fake note ONTO a
shopkeeper..
He FOBBED her OFF WITH some
fake gold..

The report FOCUSES ON the

company's weak points..
Fold up
Make a sheet of paper smaller.
Darren FOLDED UP the letter and
put it in an envelope..
Follow on Leave to meet someone after they have He left an hour ago and I'll be
left the place you're at.
FOLLOWING ON soon..
Follow on In cricket, if the second team to bat
They were over 200 runs behind and
doesn't score enough runs, it has to bat had to FOLLOW ON..
again.
Follow on Be the part of something.
The film FOLLOWS ON from the
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..
Follow up Do something to check or improve an He FOLLOWED UP the meeting
earlier action.
with a report..
Follow up Find our about a problem and act.
The police didn't FOLLOW UP the
allegations..
Fool about Not be serious.
They were FOOLING ABOUT and
wouldn't settle down..
Fool about Be unfaithful.
Their marriage broke down because
he kept FOOLING ABOUT..
Fool
Not be serious.
The teacher was angry because the
around
class were FOOLING AROUND..
Fool
Be unfaithful.
She suspects her husband is
around
FOOLING AROUND with one of her
friends..
Fool with Play with something dangerous.
Don't FOOL WITH that- it could
explode..
Forge
Make a lot of progress in a short time. We've been FORGING AHEAD with
ahead
the work and should be finished well
before the deadline..
Forge
Move forwards very quickly.
She FORGED AHEAD of the other

ahead
Freak out

runners and won..

Become very disturbed or angry.
She FREAKED OUT completely
when she didn't get the grades to get
into university..
Free up
Make money or time available by not If we get the work done tonight, it
using it elsewhere.
will FREE UP the weekend to go
away..
Free up
Do work or a task for someone to make If you proofread this text, it will
them available for something.
FREE me UP to get on with the next
part..
Freeze out Shut out or exclude by unfriendly
They tried to FREEZE me OUT of
treatment.
the conversation..
Freeze out Force to retire or withdraw from
After Jim was FROZEN OUT of the
membership, a job, etc.
case, they hired a new lawyer..
Freeze over Become covered with ice (lake, river, The winter was very severe and the
pond, etc).
lake FROZE OVER..
Freeze up Be blocked with ice.
The pipes all FROZE UP so no water
came through..
Freeze up Stop working because the parts of a
The gears had FROZEN UP..
machine won't move.
Freeze up When a computer stops working.
The computer FROZE UP; it showed
me the blue screen of death and I
couldn't reboot..
Freeze up Be paralysed with fear.
WE FROZE UP when we heard the
window break..
Freshen up Wash quickly and improve appearance. I'm going to the bathroom to
FRESHEN UP before they arrive..
Freshen up Add more al*oh*l to a glass before it is Here, let me FRESHEN UP your
empty.
drink..
Freshen up Quickly improve the appearance of
The magazine gives you tips on how
something.
to FRESHEN UP your home
cheaply..
Frighten
Scare someone so much that they go
The noise FRIGHTENED the birds
away
away.
AWAY..
Frighten
Scare or worry someone enough to stop The strikes FRIGHTENED many
away
them doing something they had
visitors AWAY..
planned.
Frighten off Scare someone so much that they go
The dog FRIGHTENED the burglars
away.
OFF..
Frighten off Scare or worry someone enough to stop The crash in share prices
them doing something they had
FRIGHTENED investors OFF..
planned.
Front for Represent someone, especially when The solicitor FRONTS FOR a
covering illegal or wrongful activities. number of criminal gangs..

Front off

Confront someone and let them know

you are prepared to fight.

Front onto Face (of a building).

Front out
Front up

Face up to someone, withstand

criticism.
Appear somewhere for a short time.

Front up

Advance cash for something.

Frown on

Disapprove.

Fuel up

Put petrol or other fuel into a vehicle.

The two guys FRONTED each other

OFF, but someone managed to calm
them down before it got out of hand..
My house FRONTS ONTO the main
square..
He accused her of lying, but she
FRONTED him OUT.
I hate these occasions, but I'll
FRONT UP for the first half..
She FRONTED UP the money we
needed..
He FROWNS ON people making
personal calls at work..
We stopped to FUEL UP before the
car ran out..

G
Gad about Visit a lot of different places for
pleasure.
Gad
Visit different places for pleasure.
around
Gag for
Want something a lot.
Gang up
Form a group against something or
someone.
Gang up
Harass, bully (in a group).
against
Gang up on Harass, bully.
Gear to
Gear
towards
Gear up

Organise or arrange something for a

particular purpose, audience, etc.
(Often passive).
Organise or arrange something for a
particular purpose, audience, etc.
Get ready for a busy period.

Geek out

Talk at length about computing.

Get about

Visit many places.

Get about

Become known.

Get about

Walk or visit places.

I spent the afternoon GADDING

ABOUT in the West End..
I spent the afternoon GADDING
AROUND looking for some books..
I'm GAGGING FOR a drink..
They GANGED UP to try to stop the
new system..
They GANGED UP AGAINST me
because I wouldn't accept their ideas..
They GANGED UP ON him because
of the way he spoke..
It's not GEARED TO nonspecialists..
The project is GEARED TOWARDS
older people..
The shops are GEARING UP for the
New Year sales..
Henry always GEEKS OUT at parties
and bores all the people who don't
know much about computers..
I GET ABOUT a lot with my job- last
years I visited eleven countries..
It didn't take long for the news to
GET ABOUT- everyone's talking
about it..
She can't GET ABOUT much, but she
is in her eighties..

Get about

Have personal or s*x*al relationships

with many people.
Get above Behave as if you are better or more
important than others.

Get across Communicate successfully.

Get across Go from one side to the other.
Get across Move something from one side to the
other.
Get across Be convincing or make a good
to
impression.
Get after Nag or exhort someone.
Get after

Chase.

Get ahead Progress.

Get ahead Move in front of.
of
Get along Have a good relationship.
Get along

Leave.

Get along

Progess.

Get along
in
Get along
with
Get along
with
Get around

Progress.
Have a good relationship with
someone.
Deal with, handle.
Become known.

Get around Visit many different places.

Get around Walk or go to places.

She GETS ABOUT a bit; she's

always with some new guy..
She's been GETTING ABOVE
HERSELF since she got promoted.
(This is normally used in progressive
forms and followed by a reflexive
pronoun, though 'get above your
station' is also used.).
I just couldn't GET my message
ACROSS at the meeting..
It's impossible to GET ACROSS the
road with all this traffic..
How are we going to GET these bags
ACROSS the river?.
How can I GET ACROSS TO my
audience?.
You should GET AFTER them to
finish the work..
GET AFTER her and give her the
message before she leaves the
building..
Nowadays, you need IT skills if you
want to GET AHEAD..
I work at home in the evening to GET
AHEAD OF schedule..
Why don't you two GET ALONG?
You're always arguing..
It's late; we must be GETTING
ALONG..
How's the homework GETTING
ALONG?.
How are you GETTING ALONG IN
the company..
I don't GET ALONG WITH my
sister- we have nothing in common..
How are you GETTING ALONG
WITH the training course?.
It didn't take long for the news to
GET AROUND once it got into the
newspapers..
He GETS AROUND a lot- he's
always flying somewhere different..
He's finding it hard to GET
AROUND since the operation and
spends most of his time at home..

Get around Avoid a problem.

Get around
Get around
Get around
to
Get at
Get at
Get at
Get at

Get away
Get away
Get away
Get away
from
Get away
from
Get away
with
Get away
with
Get away!
Get back
Get back
Get back
Get back

It'll be tricky, but we will find a way

to GET AROUND the regulations..
Persuade, convince.
She didn't want to accept my
application because it was late, but I
managed to GET AROUND her..
Have personal or s*x*al relationships He GETS AROUND a bit; he's
with many people.
always with some new girlfriend..
Finally manage to do something, make It always takes me ages to GET
the effort to do something.
AROUND to replying to letters..
Criticise.
His boss is always GETTING AT him
for arriving late..
Mean.
What do you think she's GETTING
AT? I've no idea what she wants..
Be able to reach, find, access.
It's on the top shelf and I can't GET
AT it..
Use threats, payments, bribes, etc, to The gangsters GOT AT the jury, who
affect someone's testimony or decision. found them not guilty of all charges
despite the evidence presented in
court..
Escape.
The robbers GOT AWAY in a stolen
car, which the police later found
abandoned..
Go on holiday or for a short break.
We love to GET AWAY from
everything and relax in the country..
Move, leave somewhere.
He didn't come because he was stuck
at work and couldn't GET AWAY..
Go somewhere different or do
Work's getting on top of me; I need to
something different.
GET AWAY FROM it..
Start to talk about something that is not I think we're GETTING AWAY
relevant to the discussion.
FROM the point here- we need to
concentrate on the main ideas..
Not get caught, criticised or punished Thieves GOT AWAY WITH two
for doing something wrong.
Picassos, which were never found..
Achieve something, despite not doing it Do you think we could GET AWAY
correctly or properly.
WITH using the cheaper product?.
An expression of disbelief.
"I passed." "GET AWAY! You
couldn't have passed.".
Return.
The train was held up so we didn't
GET BACK home until midnight..
Return something.
Don't lend him any money; you'll
never GET it BACK..
Revenge.
He was rude and embarrassed me, but
I'll GET him BACK..
Move away.
The police told the crowd to GET

BACK to allow the ambulance

through..
Get back at Take revenge.
I'll GET BACK AT her for landing
me in trouble..
Get back Start doing something after stopping for I am GETTING BACK INTO my
into
some time.
Khmer lessons after the summer
break..
Get back Find a new enthusiasm for something. I lost interest for a while, but I'm
into
GETTING BACK INTO it..
Get back to Respond to a contact.
I'll GET BACK TO you as soon as I
hear any news..
Get back to Respond when you know the answer. I don't know at the moment, but I will
GET BACK TO you as soon as I
have the information..
Get back to Start doing something again after an
It took me ages to GET BACK TO
interruption.
sleep after the phone rang..
Get back Restart a relationship.
We split up a few months ago but
together
GOT BACK TOGETHER last week..
Get behind Support.
All the students GOT BEHIND the
teacher..
Get behind Be late paying instalments for
If you GET BEHIND WITH
with
something..
mortgage payments, you might lose
your home..
Get by
Have just enough money to live on.
They're finding it increasingly
difficult to GET BY since their
daughter was born..
Get by
Not be noticed (problems, errors, etc). I had checked it, but there still were a
few mistakes that didn't GET BY the
editor..
Get by on Manage on a certain amount of money. It's hard to GET BY ON my salary..
Get by with Have enough of something to do the
We should be able to GET BY WITH
job.
three PCs, but four would be better..
Get down Make someone depressed, unhappy,
The miserable weather in winter
exhausted, etc..
really GETS me DOWN..
Get down Write, record.
I couldn't GET DOWN everything he
said..
Get down Manage to swallow.
The medicine tasted horrible and it
was difficult to GET it DOWN..
Get down Descend, leave a vehicle.
The trained pulled in and we GOT
DOWN..
Get down Leave the table after eating.
When they had finished dinner, the
children asked if they could GET
DOWN..
Get down Reduce.
The doctor says I my GET my

cholesterol levels DOWN..

Get down Have an affair or s*x*al relations.
They GOT DOWN at the party last
week..
Get down Criticise.
My mother used to GET DOWN ON
on
us for not doing enough homework..
Get down Start working seriously.
I find it extremely difficult to GET
to
DOWN TO doing any revision for
examinations..
Get down Enjoy something a lot.
People were GETTING DOWN TO
to
the concert..
Get in
Arrange for someone to do a job in
The air conditioning has broken
your home, workplace, etc.
down; we'll have to GET a technician
IN to fix it..
Get in
Arrive (train, plane, etc.).
Her plane GETS IN at 2am our time..
Get in
Arrive home.
She didn't GET IN till well after
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..
Get in
Buy or obtain supplies, like food.
We need to GET some coffee IN;
we're completely out..
Get in
Arrive at work, school, home.
I GOT IN late today because the train
broke down..
Get in
Enter a building or place.
I borrowed her pass to GET IN..
Get in
Be elected.
The government GOT IN with a very
small majority..
Get in
Manage to say or do.
I couldn't GET a word IN throughout
the meeting..
Get in
Be admitted to a university, club, etc. He did badly in the entrance exam
and didn't GET IN..
Get in
Bring inside a place.
It's raining; I'd better GET the
washing IN..
Get in
Submit, apply.
We have to GET the forms IN by the
end of this week..
Get in
Pay for drinks.
He GOT the drinks IN..
Get in on Become involved.
The company tried to GET IN ON
our market..
Get in with Become friendly with, ingratiate with. I tried to GET IN WITH them as I
thought it would help me at work..
Get into
Become involved or interested.
She's been GETTING INTO dance
music recently..
Get into
Become involved in something bad or He GOT INTO dr*gs when he was at
criminal.
university..
Get into
Be accepted or admitted.
She did well and GOT INTO
Cambridge University..

Get into

Become or be accepted as a member.

Get into
Get into

Start a habit or way of acting or

behaving.
Be small enough to wear something.

Get into
Get it

Criticise.
Be punished or scolded.

Get it off
Get it off
with
Get it on

Have s*x.
Have s*x with.

Get it on
Get it on
with
Get it
together
Get it
together
Get it up

Have s*x.
Have s*x with.

Get off
Get off
Get off
Get off
Get off
Get off
Get off
Get off
Get off
Get off
Get off it

Become interested or excited.

Control things in your life to achieve

your aims.
Begin a relationship.

He GOT INTO the first team for

football..
It took me ages to GET INTO driving
on the left..
I couldn't GET INTO the boots; they
were too tight..
He GOT INTO me for doing it badly..
If you don't stop that right now, you'll
really GET IT!.
They GOT IT OFF at the party..
She GOT IT OFF WITH her friend's
husband..
The talk was dull and nobody GOT
IT ON..
Did you two GET IT ON?.
Did you GET IT ON WITH him?.

If I don't GET IT TOGETHER, I will

never reach my targets..
They only GET IT TOGETHER at
the very end of the film..
Become aroused (of a man).
He couldn't GET IT UP and felt very
embarrassed..
Escape punishment.
He GOT OFF on a technicality and
left the court a free man..
Leave a bus, train, etc..
We GOT OFF the bus and walked to
my house..
Finish, leave work.
I like to GET OFF early on Fridays..
Start a journey.
We need to GET OFF early to avoid
the rush hour traffic..
Help a baby or child sleep.
I can't GET the kids OFF because of
the noise from next door..
Orgasm, have s*x.
We GOT OFF last night..
Manage to fire a gun.
She GOT OFF a few shots before she
was arrested..
Stop talking on the phone.
Let me know when he GETS OFF the
phone as I need to make a call..
Write or send letters, messages, etc.
I GOT three emails OFF before the
meeting..
Say or write something funny.
She GOT OFF some jokes at the start
of her presentation..
A way of expressing disbelief, or telling I knew he was lying so I told him to
someone that they're wrong or have an GET OFF IT..
incorrect opinion.

Get off on

Enjoy a dr*g.

He GETS OFF ON crystal meth

every night..
Get off on Become excited by.
She GETS OFF ON her power over
us..
Get off with Have casual s*x with.
He GOT OFF WITH her at the party..
Get off!
Don't touch, leave alone.
If he bothers you, just tell him where
to GET OFF..
Get on
Continue doing something.
The teacher asked the pupils to GET
ON with some work quietly as she
had to leave the classroom..
Get on
Enter a bus, train, plane, etc..
We GOT ON the train at Plymouth
and went up to London..
Get on
Make progress, deal with something
How are you GETTING ON with
with a reasonable degree of success.
your Spanish lessons?.
Get on
Have a good relationship.
We have always GOT ON well..
Get on
Become old, age.
He's GETTING ON now and doesn't
work so hard..
Get on
Be late or near an arranged time.
I must get home now; it's GETTING
ON..
Get on
Wear, fit.
I have put so much weight on that I
couldn't GET my old suits ON..
Get on
Leave.
I must be GETTING ON; I have
other things to do this evening..
Get on at Criticise unfairly.
He's always GETTING ON AT me
when I haven't done anything wrong..
Get on for Be near a time.
It's GETTING ON FOR midnight..
Get on to Start to suspect.
It took the authorities a long time to
GET ON TO the gang..
Get on with Have a good relationship.
Fortunately, I GET ON WITH my
boss..
Get on with Continue or start doing something.
She told us to GET ON WITH our
work..
Get onto
Start discussing a topic.
We didn't GET ONTO the third item
on the agenda..
Get onto
Be elected, appointed.
He didn't GET ONTO the
committee..
Get onto
Appear on the radio or TV.
He GOT ONTO every major channel
after the accident..
Get onto
Contact someone because you need or We'd better GET ONTO someone to
want them to do something.
fix this..
Get onto
Enter a plane, train, etc.
She GOT ONTO the plane just before
it took off..
Get out
Leave the house to visit place and
She doesn't GET OUT much now she
socialise.
has her baby..

Get out

Become known when people want it to The truth GOT OUT despite the
remain secret.
injunction on reporting the case..
Get out
Leave a place, escape.
The dog GOT OUT because I left the
door open..
Get out
Remove something from where it is
I GOT the car OUT so that we could
stored to use it.
load up the suitcases..
Get out
Remove dirt or something unwanted. I spilled some red wine on my carpet
and can't GET the stains OUT..
Get out
Publish, make available for the public We have to GET the report OUT by
to see or buy.
the end of the month..
Get out
Say what you want when it is difficult. He was so upset he couldn't GET the
words OUT..
Get out of Avoid doing something you dislike.
I said I wasn't feeling well and GOT
OUT OF the extra work..
Get out of Leave a car, van, etc..
We GOT OUT OF the taxi and paid
the driver..
Get out of Stop a regular activity or habit.
If you GET OUT OF a routine, it can
be hard to start again..
Get out of Make someone confess or tell the truth. The police couldn't GET any
information OUT OF him..
Get out of Make someone give something to you. Did you GET a refund OUT OF the
travel agency?.
Get out of Derive pleasure or benefit from
She's GETTING a lot OUT OF her
something.
university course..
Get out of Help someone avoid doing something. I GOT him OUT OF having to work
at the weekend..
Get out!
Expression of disbelief.
'I got 100% on the test.''Get out!'.
Get over
Recover from something, feel better. It took me ages to GET OVER the
bout of flu..
Get over
Solve, find a solution.
It took us a long time to GET OVER
the problems with the computer
system..
Get over
Communicate, make people
He makes jokes to help GET his
understand.
message OVER..
Get over
Be shocked or surprised that something I couldn't GET OVER how much
if real or true.
weight he had put on..
Get over
Get to the other side.
We couldn't GET OVER the river
because of the floods..
Get over
Come somewhere.
He said he needed help and ask me to
GET OVER as soon as I could..
Get over
Do something unpleasant that has to be I GOT the test OVER WITH rather
with
done rather than delaying it any more. than have to worry about it any
longer..
Get round Become known.
I don't want this to GET ROUND, so

Get round
Get round
(around) to
Get round
(or around)
Get
through
Get
through
Get
through
Get
through
Get
through
Get
through
Get
through
Get
through
Get
through
Get
through to
Get
through to
Get
through to
Get to
Get to
Get to
Get to

please keep it to yourself..

Find a solution.
We're nearly ready, but there are few
little problems we have to GET
ROUND before we finish..
Finally manage to do something.
It always takes me ages to GET
ROUND to writing letters. (In
American English 'around' is used).
Persuade someone.
She didn't want to let me do it, but I
succeeded in GETTING ROUND her.
(In American English 'around' is
used).
Contact.
I tried calling her mobile phone, but I
couldn't GET THROUGH..
Consume.
He GETS THROUGH two bottles of
wine a day..
Finish.
I'm going to take some work home
because I haven't managed to GET
THROUGH it all today..
Succeed in an exam or test.
My car didn't GET THROUGH its
inspection..
Help someone or something succeed or My teacher GOT me THROUGH the
pass a test or exam.
exam..
Endure or deal with a difficult
We will have to be careful with our
experience.
money to GET THROUGH the
month..
Be accepted or passed (laws, proposals, If the proposal GETS THROUGH,
etc).
it'll make things much better for us..
Manage to pass.
The water GOT THROUGH the roof
and damaged the carpets..
Arrive.
The message didn't GET
THROUGH..
Make someone understand.
I explained it carefully, but I just
couldn't GET THROUGH TO him..
Contact, especially by phone.
I rang but couldn't GET THROUGH
TO her..
Reach a stage in a competition.
If they win, they'll GET THROUGH
TO the quarter finals..
Annoy, irritate.
Don't let her GET TO you; she's just
in a bad mood..
Arrive.
When I GET TO it, I'll look at the
matter carefully..
Start discussing a topic.
We asked him to GET TO the point,
but he just waffled away..
Have the opportunity to do something. Last June I GOT TO visit

Stonehenge..
Get
Meet socially.
We GOT TOGETHER in the pub for
together
a drink..
Get up
Get out of bed.
I GET UP at seven o'clock on
weekdays, but lie in till noon at the
weekend..
Get up
Organise.
They GOT UP a list of two hundred
people who were opposed to the local
council's plans..
Get up to Do something wrong or naughty.
The children are always GETTING
UP TO some trouble or other..
Ghost away Remove someone secretly of discreetly. They GHOSTED him AWAY to a
secret location before he could be
arrested..
Gin up
Boost, increase or exaggerate.
The candidates tried to GIN UP
support at the straw poll by
transporting their supporters for free..
Ginger up Make more lively.
They tried to GINGER UP the party
to stop people leaving..
Give away Entrust your daughter to her husband He GAVE his daughter AWAY and
through the marriage ceremony.
told the groom to look after her..
Give away Tell a secret, often unintentionally.
She didn't GIVE anything AWAY
about the party so it came as a
complete surprise to me..
Give away Distribute something for free.
In this issue of the magazine, they are
giving away a free DVD..
Give away Give without asking for or expecting He decided to GIVE his new album
payment.
AWAY in a magazine..
Give away Give an advantage to your opponent in They GAVE AWAY two goals in the
a sport by making a mistake, playing first half..
badly, etc.
Give away Give an unwanted baby to people to
She had to GIVE her baby AWAY as
bring up.
she couldn't afford to bring it up..
Give away Betray, report to authorities.
The gang GAVE him AWAY to the
police..
Give away Give a weight advantage to an
He is GIVING AWAY thirty pounds
opponent in boxing.
to the challenger..
Give back Return something you've borrowed.
I GAVE the money BACK that she'd
lent to me..
Give back Return something that someone has
Nothing could GIVE me BACK the
lost.
way I felt before the scandal..
Give in
Stop doing something because it's too I couldn't finish the crossword puzzle
hard or requires too much energy.
and had to GIVE IN and look at the
answers..

Give in
Give in
Give in
Give in to
Give in to
Give it to
Give it up
for
Give it up
to
Give of
Give off
Give off
Give off
Give off

Give onto
Give out
Give out
Give out
Give out
Give out

Submit homework, etc..

The projects have to be GIVEN IN

three weeks before we break up for
the end of term..
Surrender, accept defeat.
They GAVE IN when the police
surrounded the building..
Offer or submit for judgement,
They GAVE IN their complaint to the
approval.
court..
Agree to something you don't like.
The government says it will not
GIVE IN TO terrorists..
Allow a feeling or desire to control
Eventually, I GAVE IN TO my anger
you.
and screamed at them..
Criticise harshly or punish someone for They really GAVE IT TO me for
something.
forgetting to turn up..
Applaud.
Please GIVE IT UP FOR our next
guest..
Applaud.
Please GIVE IT UP TO our next
guest..
Contribute without expecting anything He GIVE OF his free time to help the
in return, usually time or money.
club..
Emit pollution or something else
The police stopped the van because it
unpleasant.
was GIVING OFF a lot of black
smoke..
Behave in a way that makes people
She GIVES OFF an air of nobility..
think of you in a certain way.
Expand.
The company is GIVING OFF all
over the country..
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
window.
the lawn..
Distribute.
Somebody was GIVING leaflets
OUT in front of the underground
station..
Stop working, through age or overuse. I'd been having trouble with my
laptop and it finally GAVE OUT at
the weekend..
Have no more of a supply.
The water GAVE OUT after a week
in the desert..
Make public.
They GAVE the names of the winners
OUT last night..
Emit.
The factory GIVES OUT a lot of
fumes..

Give out

End or finish somewhere.

The path GIVES OUT halfway

around the lake..
Give out
Make a sound or noise.
She GAVE OUT a moan..
Give out
Read the wordings of a hymn or psalm He GAVE OUT the psalm..
aloud for congregational singing.
Give over Stop doing something bad or annoying. They were making a lot of noise so I
told them to GIVE OVER..
Give over Entrust, pass on responsibility.
We've GIVEN the premises OVER to
the new company..
Give over Stop an activity.
The police told the rioters to GIVE
OVER..
Give over Dedicate, devote.
He GAVE himself OVER TO finding
to
his son..
Give over Transfer responsibility.
After her death, they GAVE control
to
of the estate OVER TO her niece..
Give over! An expression of disbelief.
They've doubled your salary- GIVE
OVER!.
Give up
Stop doing something that has been a I GAVE UP taking sugar in tea and
habit.
coffee to lose weight..
Give up
Stop being friendly, end relationships. She GAVE UP all her school friends
when she went to university..
Give up
Stop doing something.
I have GIVEN UP trying to help
them..
Give up
Surrender, stop trying.
I can't think of the answer; I GIVE
UP..
Give up
Sacrifice or dedicate time, etc, to
I GAVE UP all my free time to the
something.
project..
Give up
Allow someone to sit in your chair, take I GAVE UP my seat to a pregnant
your place, etc.
woman..
Give up
Allow or give away a run while
He has GIVEN UP 14 earned runs in
pitching (baseball).
14 innings..
Give up on Lose faith in or stop believing in
I GAVE UP ON them when I heard
something or someone.
what they were saying about me
behind my back..
Give up on Stop feeling hope.
I have GIVEN UP ON them; they
never do what they promise..
Give up to Denounce, report to authorities.
He GAVE his accomplices UP TO the
police..
Give way Stop to allow vehicles to pass.
You must GIVE WAY at this
junction..
Give way Collapse, break.
The dam GAVE WAY when the
floods rose..
Give way to Yield, surrender, retreat.
Don't GIVE WAY TO your worst
fears about this..

Give way to Relinquish position or ascendancy.

Give way to Be replaced by something better,
cheaper, more modern, etc.
Give way to Allow a vehicle to pass in front.
Give way to Surrender to strong emotions.
Give
yourself up
Give
yourself up
to
Gloss over

Surrender to the police or authorities.

Dedicate time, energy, etc, to
something.
Try to minimise the importance of
something.

Night GIVES WAY TO day..

Cottage industries GAVE WAY TO
the big companies..
You must GIVE WAY TO oncoming
traffic..
He GAVE WAY TO his anger and
started screaming at them..
The gang GAVE THEMSELVES UP
last night..
He GAVE himself UP TO his job..

The Minister tried to GLOSS OVER

the report that was critical of her
department..
Gnaw at
Trouble, worry or annoy someone.
I know it was wrong and guilt has
GNAWED AT me ever since I did it..
Gnaw at
Harm gradually.
The government's dishonesty has
GNAWED AT people's trust in
politicians..
Gnaw away Harm gradually.
Their behaviour GNAWED AWAY
at
AT our trust in them..
Go about Deal with something.
How should I GO ABOUT telling her
the bad news?.
Go about Circulate.
A rumour is GOING ABOUT
involving the Attorney General..
Go across Move to another side or place.
He WENT ACROSS to the
opposition..
Go after
Chase, try to get.
The cat WENT AFTER the pigeon,
but it flew away..
Go against Lose a decision or a verdict of a court. If the decision GOES AGAINST me,
I'll go bankrupt..
Go ahead Proceed.
The construction of the bypass
WENT AHEAD despite the protests
from environmentalists..
Go ahead Proceed.
We now intend to GO AHEAD
with
WITH the final stage of the project..
Go along Accept a decision or suggestion.
I didn't really agree, but I WENT
with
ALONG WITH the decision because
I was in the minority..
Go along Accompany.
I plan to GO ALONG WITH them as
with
far as Los Angeles..
Go around Circulate.
A rumour is GOING AROUND about
the Attorney General..

Go around Be or have enough of something.

There aren't enough jobs to GO

AROUND for the numbers of people
graduating nowadays..
Go around Visit.
I WENT AROUND for dinner at their
house..
Go at
Attack or approach something with
She WENT AT her dinner like she
vigour.
hadn't eaten for days..
Go away
Leave a place or disappear.
This dr*g should make the pain GO
AWAY..
Go back
Have a long history.
He and I GO BACK a long way- we
were at school together..
Go back
Return to, start doing something again. We WENT BACK to work after the
break..
Go back on Break a promise.
The government have GONE BACK
ON their promise not to raise taxes..
Go before Precede.
We cant ignore what has GONE
BEFORE and pretend that everything
has been OK..
Go below Leave the top deck of a ship.
The captain told the passengers to
GO BELOW when the storm started..
Go by
The passing of time.
Ten years WENT BY before we saw
each other again..
Go by
Trust or depend on for correct
Don't GO BY my watch; it's usually a
information.
bit slow..
Go by
Pay a short visit, call.
Nobody was at home when I WENT
BY yesterday..
Go down Decrease, get smaller.
The price of scanners has GONE
DOWN recently..
Go down Sink.
The Titanic WENT DOWN after it hit
an iceberg on its maiden voyage..
Go down Sunset.
The sun WENT DOWN at seven
o'clock..
Go down Be sent to to prison.
He WENT DOWN for ten years for
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..
Go down Fall to the ground.
The boxer WENT DOWN in the
second round..
Go down Happen, take place.
The police thought that a big crime
was GOING DOWN that night..
Go down Stop working, especially computers.
The computer system WENT DOWN
for an hour last night..
Go down Become dimmer.
The lights WENT DOWN and the

audience stopped talking..

Go down Be received by people, in terms of their My joke WENT DOWN very badly..
reaction.
Go down on Perform oral s*x.
He WENT DOWN ON her..
Go down to Be defeated.
Chelsea WENT DOWN TO Arsenal
in a thrilling game..
Go down Fall ill.
She WENT DOWN WITH a virus..
with
Go down Find acceptance.
Do you think the scheme will GO
with
DOWN WITH the farmers in the
area?.
Go for
Attack.
The neighbour's dog WENT FOR the
postman and bit him..
Go for
Be attracted to.
She tends to GO FOR guys like him..
Go for
Choose, select.
I'll GO FOR the soup of the day,
followed by the duck..
Go for
Try to get.
The player WENT FOR the ball but
missed..
Go for
Have something favourable.
The play didn't have much GOING
FOR IT and we left halfway through..
Go for
Pass for or serve as.
It's a couch that also GOES FOR a
bed..
Go for it
Be assertive and ready to initiate action. He was not always successful, but
(Related to the meaning 'attack').
whatever he tried to do he would
always GO FOR IT..
Go forth
Leave a place.
He WENT FORTH and found a wife
in another city..
Go forth
Travel abroad, leave a place.
They WENT FORTH to spread the
word of the new religion..
Go forward Move clocks ahead.
The clocks MOVE FORWARD an
hour on Sunday..
Go forward Progress.
The top three teams GO FORWARD
to the next round..
Go in
Go to hospital for treatment, surgery, He WENT IN for a triple bypass
etc..
operation two days ago..
Go in
Fit.
The cable GOES IN here..
Go in
Disappear, become obscured by a
The sun has GONE IN..
cloud.
Go in
Attack.
The troops WENT IN at dawn..
Go in for Enter a competition or sit an exam.
He WENT IN FOR the photography
prize, but didn't win..
Go in for Support, advocate.
I don't GO IN FOR the claims being
made about blogging..
Go in for Like, have an interest in.
He GOES IN FOR classical music..

Go in for
Go in with
Go in with
Go into
Go into
Go into
Go into
Go into
Go it
Go it
Go it alone
Go off
Go off
Go off
Go off
Go off
Go off
Go off with
Go off with
Go on
Go on
Go on
Go on

Make a career choice.

Have you thought about GOING IN

FOR teaching?.
Form a union or alliance.
They're going to GO IN WITH the
Social Democrats..
Join, enter.
Ask the other to GO IN WITH them
on the plan.
Discuss in some detail.
They refused to GO INTO exactly
what was wrong..
Enter a profession, hospital, trade,
She WENT INTO banking after she'd
market.
finished university..
Begin a speech or description.
He WENT INTO a long attack on the
way press had handled the issue..
Be dedicated or devoted.
A lot of time and effort WENT INTO
this book..
Be contained in a larger number.
Five GOES INTO sixty 12 times.
Behave in a reckless way.
Shouting at the boss like that is
GOING IT..
Move or drive very fast.
After the traffic jam, he really WENT
IT to make up time..
Do something without help.
He prefers to GO IT ALONE rather
then working with the team..
Explode (bomb), start ringing (alarm). The fire alarm WENT OFF because
someone was smoking in the toilets..
Go bad.
The milk WENT OFF because I
forgot to put it in the fridge..
Start to dislike.
I WENT OFF her when she lied to
me..
Leave a place.
Please don't GO OFF until we have
sorted this out..
Take place, follow a plan or pattern.
The party WENT OFF well..
Stop working (electric/electronic
The lights GO OFF automatically
equipment).
when the office is empty..
Elope, run away with someone.
She WENT OFF WITH her friend's
husband..
Steal.
He WENT OFF WITH my credit
cards..
Continue.
He WENT ON and ON talking and I
was so bored..
Happen.
There are loads of people out in the
street; what's GOING ON?.
Start doing or taking something.
She WENT ON the pill when she met
him..
Be guided.
The investigators have no clues to
GO ON..

Go on

Be nearly a certain period of time.

Go on

Progress.

Go on

Spend money.

Go on

Start working (electric/electronic

equipment).
Talk too much.

Go on
about
Go on at
Go on to

Pester, try to make someone do

something by repeatedly asking or
suggesting.
Proceed.

Go on with Continue doing.

Go one
A way of encouraging someone.
Go out
Stop burning, be extinguished.
Go out
Go out

Leave a place.
Go on strike.

Go out

Become infashionable.

Go out
Go out

Move backwards, of a tide.

Be eliminated in a competition.

Go out

Be transmitted.

Go out

Be sent.

Go out
Intend.
Go out for Become a candidate, apply for
something.
Go out to Feel sympathy with someone.
Go out with Have a relationship with.
Go over

Look at something, revise.

Go over

Visit.

Go over

Be approved or accepted.

It's GOING ON ten years since we

met..
They asked me how the project was
GOING ON..
Most of my salary GOES ON my
mortgage repayments..
The alarm GOES ON when you close
the front door..
He's always GOING ON ABOUT his
kids..
He WENT ON AT his parents until
they bought him the game..
We had dinner and WENT ON TO a
few bars..
Please GO ON WITH your work..
GO ON, apply for the job..
The candle WENT OUT and left us in
darkness..
He WENT OUT last night..
The workers WENT OUT for more
money..
That sort of tie WENT OUT last
year..
The tide GOES OUT in the evening..
England WENT OUT in the second
round..
The item WENT OUT on the news
yesterday..
The newsletter WENT OUT last
night..
I didn't GO OUT to offend them..
She WENT OUT FOR a place on the
team..
Our condolences GO OUT TO all the
families who have lost people in this
tragic accident..
He's been GOING OUT WITH his
girlfriend for around six months now..
We WENT OVER our notes before
the exam..
I hadn't seen her for a while, so I
WENT OVER on Friday night..
My plans WENT OVER well..

Go over

Repeat or explain.

Go over

Clean.

Go over to Go on a journey.
Go over to Become converted.
Go over to Change to something different.
Go past

Pass without stopping.

Go round

Be or have enough of something.

Go round

Circulate.

Go round

Visit.

Go through Experience.
Go through Read again.
Go through Examine, search.
Go through Do something in a certain way or
following certain procedures.
Go through Explain.
Go through Be approved formally or sanctioned.
Go through Enter.
Go through Consume or spend.
Go through Perform or carry something out.
Go through Do or complete something you've
with
agreed to.
Go to
Allocate money.
Go together Harmonize or be compatible.

Could you GO OVER that point

again, please?.
I WENT OVER the living room with
the vacuum cleaner before they
arrived..
I'm GOING OVER TO Hong Kong
next month..
She WENT OVER TO Islam when
she was living in the Middle East..
I used to drink beer but I have GONE
OVER TO wine..
She WENT PAST me without saying
hello..
There aren't enough jobs to GO
ROUND for the numbers of people
graduating nowadays..
There's a nasty rumour GOING
ROUND about them..
I WENT ROUND last night to see
them..
You wouldn't believe what I WENT
THROUGH when I was ill!.
I WENT THROUGH my notes
before the exam..
I WENT THROUGH my desk
looking for the letter..
You must GO THROUGH the proper
channels to get the approval..
He WENT THROUGH his ideas
twice but I couldn't really understand
them..
My divorce WENT THROUGH last
week..
They said I could GO THROUGH
the exam room..
We WENT THROUGH a fortune on
our holiday..
I WENT THROUGH my work in a
daze after I heard the news..
He did promise, but I doubt that he'll
GO THROUGH WITH it..
About half of my income GOES TO
pay the mortgage..
Drinking and driving don't GO

TOGETHER..
Go towards Contibute.
The money WENT TOWARDS my
university fees..
Go under Go bankrupt.
Many small shops are GOING
UNDER because they cannot
compete with the supermarkets..
Go under Lose consciousness.
She WENT UNDER a few minutes
after they administered the
anaesthetic..
Go under Sink.
The ship WENT UNDER in a heavy
storm..
Go up
Rise or climb.
The price of petrol has GONE UP
sharply because of the increase in
duty in the Government's budget..
Go up
Approach.
We WENT UP and asked them for
some information about the courses..
Go up
Be built.
Skyscrapers are GOING UP
everywhere in the city centre..
Go up
Be heard.
A huge cheer WENT UP when the
president arrived..
Go up
Be promoted.
The top three teams GO UP at the end
of the season..
Go up to
Approach.
She WENT UP TO him and asked
him if he wanted a drink..
Go up to
Attend a university.
She WENT UP TO Cambridge after
she finished secondary school..
Go up to
Reach.
The book only GOES UP TO the 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..
Go with
Accept, agree to.
We're GOING WITH our original
plan in the end..
Go with
Date, have a relationship with.
She's been GOING WITH him since
she was at university..
Go without Not have.
I had to GO WITHOUT lunch today
because I didn't have any time..
Go without Cope without having something.
They're not coming, so we'll have to
GO WITHOUT their help..
Goof
Fool around, not be serious.
We spent the weekend GOOFING
around
AROUND..
Goof off
Avoid or leave work.
We GOOFED OFF for the afternoon
to watch the match..
Goof up
Mess, spoil.
They GOOFED UP our plans..
Grasp at
Try to take hold of something quickly. He GRASPED AT the rail when he

fell..
Grasp at
Take an opportunity without hesitation. They GRASPED AT the chance to
speak to her..
Grass on Report someone to a person in
He GRASSED ON us and got us into
authority.
a lot of trouble..
Grass up Report someone to a person in
She didn't to GRASS them UP, even
authority.
though they'd been bullying her
badly..
Grey out
Disable a function in a computer
They GREYED OUT the print button
program, leaving it visible but not
to stop people using it.(In American
working.
English, 'gray' would be used.).
Grind away Keep working at something.
Although I hated it, I GROUND
AWAY until I had finished..
Grind
Reduce or destroy someone's
Their negativity GRINDS me
down
enthusiasm.
DOWN.
Grind into Press or twist something hard into
She GROUND her cigarette INTO
something else.
the ashtray..
Grind on Proceed relentlessly.
The war GROUND ON for years..
Grind on Talk endlessly.
He was still GRINDING ON about
football when we left..
Grind out Produce something with great
I find it very hard to GRIND OUT an
difficulty.
original essay every week..
Grind up Reduce to small pieces.
She GROUND the beans UP and
made some coffee..
Grow apart Become distant, stop having a close
We used to be good friends at school
relationship because time, distance,
but have since GROWN APART..
interests, etc, have changed.
Grow away Become less friendly with.
I have GROWN AWAY FROM many
from
of the people I grew up with..
Grow back Grow again.
Nails GROW BACK quickly after
you cut them..
Grow from Result from a process.
A lot GREW FROM the peace talks..
Grow into Grow to fit large clothes.
The jacket's a bit big, but she'll
GROW INTO it..
Grow into Mature or change into.
She's has GROWN INTO a lovely
person..
Grow into Develop or change over time to fit
It may seem difficult at first, but you
something.
will GROW INTO the job..
Grow on
Like something that you didn't like at The painting has GROWN ON me; I
first.
used to ate it..
Grow on
Have a greater influence or degree of The plans sounded strange at first, but
acceptance.
they have GROWN ON me..
Grow on
Become gradually more evident.
A feeling of distrust of them GREW
ON me..

Grow out

Let hair, etc, with dyes, perms grow to I'm letting the perm GROW OUT..
get rid of the style.
Grow out of Grow too large for clothes.
He GREW OUT OF those shoes in
no time at all..
Grow out of Lose interest as you grow older or
He was obsessed with computer
become more mature.
games but the he GREW OUT OF
them..
Grow out of Result or develop from.
The idea for the film GREW OUT
OF an accident that happened to the
director..
Grow to
Eventually do something.
We GREW TO like the
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..
Grow up
Develop in a place or for a reason (city, The town GREW UP as a trading
town, etc).
post..
Grow up on Do or have something when you are a We GREW UP ON cartoons..
child.
Grow upon Like something that you didn't like at The book started slowly and was a bit
first.
dull, but it has GROWN UPON me..
Grow upon Have a greater influence or degree of As we got nearer the date of the
acceptance.
meeting, their idea GREW UPON
me..
Grow upon Become gradually more evident.
A feeling of distrust of them GREW
UPON me..
Gun for
Try to destroy an opponent.
He's GUNNING FOR his rivals at
work..
Gussy up Dress smartly or improve the
They spent a fortune GUSSYING UP
appearance of something.
the house..
H
Hack
around

Waste time.

Hack into

Break into a computer system.

Hack off

Annoy.

Hack up

Chop or cut into small pieces.

Hack up

Expel by coughing.

I've been HACKING AROUND all

morning because I can't get down to
doing any revision..
He HACKED INTO the government
database and stole a lot of data..
He HACKS me OFF with his endless
complaining..
They HACKED the table UP and
burnt it..
I HACKED UP a lot of phlegm while
I was ill..

Ham up

Perform or act in an excessive way to

attract attention or amuse people.
Work relentlessly.

He HAMMED the part UP to get the

audience to laugh..
Hammer
She HAMMERED AWAY AT her PC
away at
all night and finished the project..
Hammer Repeat something over a period of time He HAMMERED the rules INTO
into
to make someone remember it.
me..
Hammer Negotiate and reach an agreement.
They HAMMERED OUT their
out
differences and got the contract
signed..
Hand back Return.
The police officer checked my
licence, then HANDED it BACK..
Hand down Pass on to the next generation.
The jewellery has been HANDED
DOWN in my family for
generations..
Hand down Give a formal decision.
The court HANDED DOWN its
ruling yesterday..
Hand in
Submit work for appraisal.
I HANDED my homework IN late as
usual..
Hand on
Give to someone else.
I HANDED the job ON to a
colleague..
Hand on
Transmit knowledge to the next
The secrets have been HANDED ON
generation.
from generation to generation..
Hand out Distribute.
The teacher HANDED OUT the
worksheet to the class..
Hand over Give.
The robbers told the clerk to HAND
OVER all the money..
Hang about Spend time somewhere not doing
They HANG ABOUT the station
much.
most of the day..
Hang
Stop what you're doing and pay
HANG ABOUT! We're not allowed
about!
attention to me.
to do this..
Hang
Stay in a place.
They HANG AROUND the station
around
most of the day..
Hang back Not move forwards to avoid doing
When they raced towards the
something.
entrance, I HUNG BACK till it was
less crowded..
Hang back Delay or avoid doing something.
They were HANGING BACK
from
FROM making the final decision..
Hang in
Persevere, not give up.
Were were doing badly, but we
there
HUNG IN THERE till we finished..
Hang it up Retire, quit.
Im getting too old for this- Im
going to HANG IT UP starting next
month..
Hang on
Wait.
Could you HANG ON for a moment
till she's free..

Hang on

Hold tightly.

The driver told the passengers to

HANG ON as the bus pulled off..
Hang onto Keep.
I HUNG ONTO my old records even
though I never played them..
Hang out Spend time socially.
He HANGS OUT in the pub The
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..
Hang over Worry or trouble.
I have a lot of financial problem
HANGING OVER my head..
Hang
Work together when things are difficult. We have to HANG TOGETHER if
together
we're going to finish this project..
Hang up
End a phone call.
I lost my temper and HUNG UP..
Hang up on End a phone call with someone.
A telesales person called, so I said
something rude and HUNG UP ON
them..
Hang with Spend time with.
He has been HANGING WITH them
for a few months..
Hanker
Want something a lot, especially if you I'm supposed to be on a diet and I
after
shouldn't want it or can't have it.
can't stop HANKERING AFTER
some chocolate..
Hanker for Want something a lot, especially if you I have always HANKERED FOR a
shouldn't want it or can't have it.
soft-top car..
Harp on
Talk repeatedly about something.
I was late twice last week and my
boss keeps HARPING ON about it..
Hate on
Be jealous, abuse or have an active
She HATES ON people who disagree
hatred of someone.
with her ideas..
Have
Dislike, disagree or hold a grudge
I HAVE nothing AGAINST their
against
(Usually negative).
proposals..
Have
Entertain someone in your home.
I HAD the neighbours AROUND for
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 in
Have a supply of something in a
Do we HAVE any beer IN?.
particular place.
Have in
Get someone to do some work.
We HAD the decorators IN last
week..
Have in
Entertain people in your home.
We HAD them IN last night for
dinner..
Have it
Have s*x with someone, especially
She HAD IT AWAY with him last
away
casual s*x.
Friday..
Have it in Hold a grudge.
He has HAD IT IN FOR me since I
for
beat him last year..
Have it off Have s*x.
They HAD IT OFF after the party..

Have it out Discuss or argue an issue to improve a I'd been worried for ages, so I
with
situation.
decided to HAVE IT OUT WITH
them..
Have off
Take time off work.
I HAD a couple of days OFF last
week to relax..
Have on
Be wearing.
What did Jennie HAVE ON at the
party?.
Have on
Have an electronic device switched on. I HAVE my computer ON all the
time..
Have on
Have an arrangement.
I HAVE a lot of meetings ON next
week..
Have on
Tease, deceive.
They said they'd failed, but they were
HAVING me ON..
Have on
Be in possession at a particular time. I HAVEN'T any money ON me, but I
can get some from the ATM..
Have on
Know something about someone that I HAVE a lot ON him because we
could harm them.
used to work together..
Have over Receive a guest.
Shall we HAVE them OVER for
dinner?.
Have round Entertain someone in your home.
I HAD a few friends ROUND
yesterday..
Have up
Make someone appear in court.
They HAD him UP for armed
robbery..
Head for Move or travel towards.
It's getting late- I'm HEADING FOR
home..
Head off
Stop someone or force them to change The sheriff and his men HEADED
direction.
the bandits OFF at the pass..
Head off
Prevent something bad happening.
The company made a better offer to
HEAD OFF the moves for a strike..
Head off
Leave somewhere to go to another
After work, we all HEADED OFF to
place.
the pub..
Head out Go out.
We're HEADING OUT at seven, so
don't be late..
Head up
Be in charge.
He's HEADING UP the steering
committee..
Hear about Get to know some information.
Have you HEARD ABOUT the
company takeover?.
Hear from Receive a phone call, email, letter or
I haven't HEARD FROM them since
other communication from someone. we left university..
Hear of
Know of something or someone's
I've HEARD OF the band, but don't
existence.
know their music..
Hear of
Receive news, updates or information I have HEARD nothing OF them
about someone.
since they moved house..
Hear of
In the negative, this can mean that
I said it would be a positive step, but

Hear out

someone refuse to accept, allow or

acknowledge something.
Listen to everything someone has to
say.
Make food hot.

she wouldn't HEAR OF it..

I HEARD them OUT before I

commented..
Heat up
He HEATED the soup UP in the
microwave..
Help out
Give assistance.
She really HELPED me OUT when I
was going through my divorce..
Hide away Put something in a place where it won't They HID the money AWAY in secret
be found.
bank accounts..
Hide away Go or stay somewhere where you won't I'm renting a cottage where I can
be found or away from people.
HIDE AWAY for the summer..
Hide out
Go or stay somewhere to avoid being The police think he's HIDING OUT
caught or found.
in the woods..
Hinge on Depend very much or completely.
Everything HINGES ON the results
of the negotiations; if they go badly,
we'll be in real trouble..
Hinge on Be an essential point for the
The film HINGES ON his not being
development of a story.
recognised when he's in disguise..
Hinge upon Depend very much or completely.
Everything HINGES UPON the
results of the negotiations; if they go
badly, we'll be in real trouble..
Hit back
Attack or criticise.
The president HIT BACK at her
critics in a speech last night..
Hit for
Get someone to pay or donate money. They HIT the sponsors FOR a lot of
money..
Hit it off
Have a good relationship from the first We HIT IT OFF immediately and
time you meet a person.
became firm friends..
Hit it off
Like someone from the first time you I HIT IT OFF WITH her
with
meet them.
immediately..
Hit on
Have an idea.
I suddenly HIT ON the solution.
Hit on
Talk to someone to try to attract them She HIT ON him at the party and
s*xu*lly.
they went back to her house..
Hit on
Ask for money.
A beggar HIT ON me when I left the
restaurant..
Hit out at Respond angrily to criticism.
The government HIT OUT AT the
media for their negativity..
Hit up
Inject dr*gs.
She's been HITTING UP for years..
Hit up
Ask someone for some money.
He always tries to HIT me UP for
money when we meet..
Hit up on Inject dr*gs.
He's been HITTING UP ON heroin
for years..
Hit upon Have an idea.
It took us ages to HIT UPON a
solution..

Hit upon
Hit with
Hive off
Hold
against
Hold back
Hold back
Hold back
Hold back
from
Hold down
Hold down
Hold forth
Hold off
Hold off
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on to
Hold onto

Hold onto
Hold out

Try to attract someone s*xu*lly.

He tried to HIT UPON her at the

pub..
Surprise someone with some
He HIT me WITH the details of their
information or news.
demands..
Separate part of a company or service, They HIVED OFF the retail
often by selling it.
operations..
Have a grudge against someone, or
He was very rude, but I won't HOLD
little respect.
it AGAINST him..
Not show emotion.
It was really hard to HOLD BACK
the tears..
Prevent something moving forwards or Lack of funding HELD the project
progressing.
BACK..
Not disclose information or make it
The government HELD BACK the
public.
findings of the report for fear of
alienating voters..
Not allow yourself to do something.
I had to HOLD BACK FROM losing
my temper with them..
Keep a job.
He's so unreliable that he can never
HOLD DOWN a job for more than a
couple of months..
Stop someone or something from
It took four of us to HOLD him
moving.
DOWN and stop the fight..
State your opinions about something, The manager HELD FORTH on the
especially when talking for a long time topic for about twenty minutes..
and boringly.
When bad weather doesn't appear.
The rain HELD OFF until we'd got
back home..
Stop someone from attacking or beating Chelsea couldn't HOLD their
you.
opponents OFF and lost the game..
Wait.
Could you HOLD ON for a minute;
she'll be free in a moment..
To hold tightly.
We HELD ON as the bus started to
move..
Hold tightly.
I HELD ON TO my luggage while I
was waiting fr the taxi so that it didn't
get stolen..
Keep as long as possible.
It tried to HOLD ONTO my cash
during the holiday so I could buy
some duty free stuff on the way
back..
Hold tightly.
The mother HELD ONTO her
daughter's hand to keep together in
the crowd..
Resist.
When the enemy attacked, they
HELD OUT for six weeks..

Hold out

Hold in front of you.

I HELD OUT my hand when she

walked in..
Hold out
Try to reject.
The staff are HOLDING OUT
against
AGAINST the plans to reduce the
workforce..
Hold out
Wait for something better or refuse
We are HOLDING OUT FOR a much
for
something now for something better in better deal than the one offered..
the future.
Hold out on Not pay someone or give them
He's been HOLDING OUT ON me
information.
for weeks and I really need the
money..
Hold over Delay.
The meeting has been HELD OVER
till Friday..
Hold over To continue something for longer than It has been so successful that they
planned.
have HELD it OVER for another
fortnight..
Hold
Not break up.
The society managed to HOLD
together
TOGETHER despite the crisis..
Hold up
Delay when travelling.
I was HELD UP by the terrible traffic
and arrived half an hour late for my
appointment..
Hold up
Rob with violence or threats thereof.
Two armed men HELD UP the bank
in High Street this morning and got
away with 75,000..
Hold with Accept (usually negative).
I don't HOLD WITH their plans..
Hole up
Hide to avoid detection or an
They HOLED UP in a remote cottage
unpleasant situation.
while the police were searching for
them..
Home in on Target.
The government is HOMING IN ON
benefit fraud..
Hone in on Target, focus.
The company HONED IN ON its
rival and tried to take it over.(Some
consider this verb to be wrong and
that is confused with 'home in on.).
Hook into Persuade someone to do something
She HOOKED them INTO coming
they don't want to do.
after all..
Hook up
Meet someone.
We HOOKED UP at the conference..
Hook up to Connect to a machine.
He's HOOKED UP TO a ventilator in
the hospital..
Hoon
Act in a dangerous or reckless way,
He was HOONING AROUND in his
around
especially when driving fast.
new car last night and the police
pulled him..
Horse
Not be serious.
The class were HORSING AROUND
around
when the teacher came in and told
them to sit down..

Hose down Use a hose to wet, clean or wash

something.
Hose down Invest heavily in or throw a lot of
money at something.
Hound out Force someone out of a place, job,
position, etc..
Hover
Move about a place.
around
Hunker
Settle in a place as comfortably as
down
possible to stay there.
Hunt down Search for someone to punish or kill
them.
Hunt out Search until you find something.
Hunt up
Hush up

Search for and manage to find

something.
Try to keep something bad from
becoming widely known.

They HOSED the patio DOWN..

They have HOSED DOWN an
obscure start-up up with capital..
The press HOUNDED the minister
OUT after the scandal broke..
She was HOVERING AROUND to
see what we were talking about..
The troops HUNKERED DOWN in
the building..
The police HUNTED the killer
DOWN..
It took me ages to HUNT OUT the
photos..
He HUNTED UP a copy the book in
the British library..
The company tried to HUSH UP the
scandal, but it still got into the
newspapers..

I
Iron out

Remove small problems or

irregularities.

Issue forth Come out of a place.

The management team IRONED

OUT the tax problems before they
gave the project the OK..
New initiatives ISSUE FORTH from
the government on a daily basis..

J
Jabber
away

Talk fast or incomprehensibly.

Jack
around
Jack in

Make trouble for someone, fail to keep

promises.
Quit, give up.

Jack up
Jack up

Raise a car to be able to do mechanical

work.
Increase sharply.

Jam on

Apply or operate something forcefully.

Jaw away

Talk just for the point of talking rather

than having anything to say.

Jazz up

Make something more interesting or

They started JABBERING AWAY

about file systems and lost me
completely..
Don't listen to him- he always
JACKS people AROUND..
I JACKED my job IN because my
boss refused to give me a raise..
We JACKED the car UP and changed
the tyre..
They have JACKED UP the price of
oil this month..
Jack JAMMED ON the brakes when
the rabbit ran in front of his car..
That shows that your interest is not in
helping the student, but in JAWING
AWAY..
The show was getting stale so they

attractive.
Jerk
around
Jerk
around
Jerk off
Joke
around
Jot down
Juice up
Jump at
Jump in
Jump off
Jump on

JAZZED it UP with some new

scenes..
Cause someone trouble, treat someone He was JERKING us AROUND and
badly.
wouldn't give us the facts..
Behave stupidly.
They were JERKING AROUND
during the lecture..
Waste time doing unimportant things. You should get your work done and
stop JERKING OFF..
Be funny, or try to.
He's always JOKING AROUND in
class..
Make a quick note.
I JOTTED DOWN her number on a
scrap of paper and I can't find it now..
Make something more exciting or
I need to buy some memory to JUICE
perform better.
my computer UP..
Accept eagerly.
I'd JUMP AT the chance to go and
live in Japan..
Enter a conversation.
He JUMPED IN and told them
exactly what he thought..
Start quickly, often well.
The IPO JUMPED OFF on the first
day..
Criticize, attack.
Everyone JUMPED ON me when I
raised the issue..

K
Keel over

Turn upside down.

Keel over

Surrender, give in.

Keel over

Fall to the ground.

Keep
around
Keep at

Keep something near you.

Continue with something difficult.

Keep away Don't allow someone near something.

Keep back Maintain a safe distance.
Keep down Not vomit.
Keep from Control yourself, refrain.

The boat KEELED OVER in the

storm and the crew drowned..
He was going to confront his boss,
but KEELED OVER and didn't
mention the matter..
The drunk KEELED OVER when
trying to leave the pub..
I KEEP a dictionary AROUND when
I'm doing my homework..
She found the course hard but she
KEPT AT it and completed it
successfully..
Medicines should always be KEPT
AWAY from children..
The police told the crowd to KEEP
BACK from the fire..
The food was so horrible that I
struggled to KEEP it DOWN..
I couldn't KEEP FROM arguing with
her..

Keep in

Not allow someone out.

Keep off

Not talk about.

Keep off

Not tread on something.

Keep on

Continue.

Keep out

Not allow someone to enter.

Keep to
Keep up

Stay within limits.

Not let someone go to bed.

Keep up

Maintain a continuous action, persist.

Keep up at Continue, not quit.

Keep up
with
Keep up
with

Move at the same rate.

Stay up to date.

Key down Relax, unwind.

Key in
Key in on

Enter numbers or information into a

computer or electronic system.
Focus attention on, single out.

Key on

Target, focus on (sport).

Key to

Plan things to fit or suit people or

situations.
Key up
Make someone excited or nervous.
Kick about Discuss.
Kick
around

Discuss.

The teacher KEPT the students IN

after school because they had
misbehaved..
She KEPT OFF the subject of her
divorce..
KEEP OFF the grass in the park,
please..
He KEPT ON trying and succeeded
in the end..
The police KEPT the demonstrators
OUT of the building..
Please KEEP TO the path..
My neighbours KEPT me UP till after
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 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
you KEEP UP AT it, you'll succeed in
the end..
He walks too fast and it's really hard
to KEEP UP WITH him..
It's hard to KEEP UP WITH all the
latest improvements and
breakthroughs in technology
nowadays..
I need to KEY DOWN before I go to
bed..
It took me ages to KEY IN all the
information into the database..
They KEYED IN ON the person they
believed had done it..
We will KEY ON the opposing team's
lack of skills on defense..
Promotions are KEYED TO people's
abilities..
The noise got us KEYED UP..
We KICKED the idea ABOUT at the
meeting..
We KICKED the idea AROUND..

Kick
Spend time with.
around
with
Kick back Pay someone illegally as part of the
price.

I used to KICK AROUND WITH

them, but haven't seen them for a
while..
I had to KICK ten percent BACK to
the government official to get the
contract..
Kick back Resist.
They KICKED BACK when we
suggested downsizing..
Kick back Relax.
Rather than go out tonight, we plan to
KICK BACK and watch television..
Kick down Break something with your feet.
The police KICKED the door
DOWN..
Kick in
When a dr*g starts to take effect.
Her hayfever didn't feel half as bad
once the antihistamines had KICKED
IN..
Kick in
Break something with your feet.
They KICKED his head IN..
Kick in
Contribute money.
Ill KICK IN for some of the beer if
you will buy the pizza..
Kick in
Start having an effect.
The budget cuts are starting to KICK
IN and people are struggling..
Kick off
Start a game of football.
The match KICKS OFF at three
o'clock..
Kick off
Die.
He KICKED OFF last month when
he had a massive heart attack..
Kick off
When trouble starts.
The fight KICKED OFF when he
insulted the guy's girlfriend..
Kick off
Argue, protest and refuse to co-operate. He started KICKING OFF big time
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..
Kick up
Cause trouble or pain.
My back KICKS UP when it gets
cold..
Kill off
Reduce or exterminate a population by There used to be a lot of wolves
hunting, pollution, development, etc.. around here, but most of them have
been KILLED OFF..
Kip down Sleep away from your home, often
It's too late to get the train, so can I
without planning to.
KIP DOWN here tonight?.
Kip down Sleep on something other than a bed. There were so many of us that we had
on
to KIP DOWN ON the floor..
Kiss off
Used to tell someone to go away.
He was bugging us, so we told him to
KISS OFF..
Kiss off
Consider something to be unimportant He KISSED the criticism OFF..

Kiss up to

or inferior.
Try to get into someone's favour.

He's a creep and is always KISSING

UP TO the director..
Knock
Beat someone.
He KNOCKED his brother ABOUT
about
after they argued..
Knock
Discuss casually.
We KNOCKED the idea AROUND a
around
bit, but decided not to bother..
Knock back Cost someone a lot of money.
Your holiday must have KNOCKED
you BACK a bit..
Knock back Finish a drink quickly, drink a lot of
The pub was closing so we
al*oh*l.
KNOCKED our drinks BACK and
left..
Knock back Shock.
It really KNOCKED me BACK when
I heard they had been killed..
Knock
Demolish.
They KNOCKED DOWN the old
down
church and built a block of flats in its
place..
Knock
Hit and injure someone.
The car KNOCKED her DOWN and
down
she broke her arm..
Knock it
Stop doing something annoying.
The were making too much noise, so
off!
I told them to KNOCK IT OFF..
Knock off Finish work for the day.
We KNOCKED OFF early on Friday
to avoid the rush hour queues..
Knock off Reduce the price of something.
They KNOCKED ten pounds OFF
when I asked for a discount..
Knock off Reduce the time required to do
The new road KNOCKS an hour OFF
something.
the journey..
Knock off Steal.
He KNOCKED it OFF and sold it..
Knock off Produce or create something quickly. I KNOCKED the essay OFF in an
hour..
Knock out Hit and make somebody unconscious. The reigning middleweight champion
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..
Knock
Join houses that had been separate.
They KNOCKED TOGETHER two
together
outbuilding and turned them into a
home..
Knock up Become or get someone pregnant..
She got KNOCKED UP when she
was on holiday..
Knock up Play a bit before a match to get ready. The teams KNOCKED UP for a few
minutes before the final..
Knock up Produce or create something quickly. They KNOCKED a model UP over
the weekend..

Knuckle
down

Make a great effort.

Knuckle
under

Submit to authority.

I've got my exams next week and I

haven't done much work, so I'd better
KNUCKLE DOWN..
The teacher made the students
KNUCKLE UNDER and hand their
projects in on time..

L
Land in

Get someone into trouble.

Land up in Arrive, end a journey in a place, often

without planning.
Land with Create a problem for someone.
Lap up
Appreciate something.
Large it up Have a good time when intoxicated.
Lark about Behave in a silly way.
Lark
Behave in a silly way.
around
Lark it up Enjoy yourself noisily and exuberantly.
Lash down Fall heavily (rain).
Lash down Secure something with ropes or cords.
Lash into

Criticise someone strongly.

Lash out

Suddenly become violent.

Lash out

React angrily.

Lash out

Spend a lot of money on luxuries.

Lash out
Criticise something strongly.
against
Lash out at Hit someone suddenly, usually without
warning, or try to hit them.
Lash out at Criticise someone or shout at them.
Lash out on Spend a lot of money buying
something.
Latch on Understand, often after a long time.

He LANDED ME IN it when he told

them what I had done wrong..
We set out for Manchester, but
LANDED UP IN Liverpool..
He LANDED ME WITH the job of
proofreading the whole thing..
He LAPPED UP their praise..
They were LARGING IT UP in the
rave..
The children made me angry because
they were LARKING ABOUT..
The students wouldn't stop
LARKING AROUND..
After they won, they went to a bar to
L ARK IT UP..
The rain was LASHING DOWN all
day and the roads were flooded..
We LASHED the tarpaulin DOWN to
stop the wind blowing it away..
He LASHED INTO them for messing
thins up..
He LASHED OUT and broke the
man's nose..
He LASHES OUT when things don't
go his way..
I LASHED OUT in the sales last
week..
The press has LASHED OUT
AGAINST the policy..
He LASHED OUT AT me when I
laughed at him..
She LASHED OUT AT her
colleagues when she was sacked..
I LASHED OUT a lot ON a new car..
They were lying, but it took her ages

Latch on to
Latch onto
Latch onto
Laugh off
Lay down
Lay down
Lay into
Lay off
Lay on
Lay out
Lead on
Lead to
Leak out
Lean on
Leap at
Leap on
Leap out at
Leap upon
Leave on

to LATCH ON..
Understand something, often after a
The police didn't LATCH ON TO
long time.
what the crooks were doing for
years..
Connect to something.
The gecko LATCHED ONTO the
ceiling..
Decide or realise that something is
Oil companies have LATCHED
good or profitable.
ONTO environmental ideas..
Pretend something (an injury, news,
He LAUGHED OFF the sprained
etc.) isnt important.
finger but it obviously affected his
golf game..
Establish rules or procedures.
The rules of the sport were LAID
DOWN early in the nineteenth
century..
Kill, murder.
He got LAID DOWN in a turf war
about supplying dr*gs..
Criticise angrily.
His partner LAID INTO him when he
arrived two hours late...
Make an employee redundant.
The hotel LAID OFF twenty staff
because tourist numbers were down..
Organise, supply.
They LAID ON a buffet lunch at the
conference..
Spend money.
They LAID OUT thousands of
pounds on their wedding reception..
Falsely or cruelly raise hopes.
She LED HIM ON about her desire
to get married..
Result in.
The investigation LED TO the arrest
of a number of suspects..
Become public knowledge.
The company's plans to close the
factory LEAKED OUT and they were
very embarrassed..
Put pressure on someone to get them to The government has denied
do what you want.
LEANING ON the Attorney General
to get his approval of the war..
Take an opportunity enthusiastically. He LEAPED AT the chance to visit..
Show interest in or try to use something They have LEAPT ON the
to your advantage.
bandwagon to increase sales..
Be very noticeable.
Her face LEAPT OUT AT me the
second I saw the photo..
Show interest in or try to use something They have LEAPT UPON a couple of
to your advantage.
errors in the document and want to
invalidate the agreement..
Not turn off.
LEAVE the TV ON; I want to hear
the football results..

Leave out

Not include.

He was LEFT OUT of the side

because he hasn't been playing too
well lately..
Let down Disappoint, fail to keep an
She failed to turn up and I felt badly
arrangement.
LET DOWN..
Let down Make clothes longer.
He's grown so much, we'll have to
LET his trousers DOWN..
Let in
Allow someone to enter.
The doorstaff didn't LET him IN the
nightclub because he was wearing
jeans..
Let off
Not punish.
The judge LET him OFF with a fine
rather than a prison sentence since it
was his first offence..
Let on
Tell a secret.
I didn't mean to LET ON about the
party; I just said it without thinking..
Let out
Allow to leave or go out.
The convict was LET OUT of prison
after serving five years of an eightyear sentence..
Let out
Make a sound.
He LET OUT a huge sigh of relief
when he heard the results..
Let out
Make clothes bigger.
I've put on so much weight that I'm
going to have to LET my suits OUT..
Level off
Stabilize the altitude of an airplane.
The pilot LEVELED OFF at 5,000
meters..
Level out Stabilize the altitude of an airplane.
The pilot LEVELED OUT at 5,000
meters..
Lie around Act in a lazy or unproductive way.
Most days he would usually just LIE
AROUND the house..
Lie down Rest.
I'm going to LIE DOWN for a few
minutes before we have to go out..
Lie with
Have the right to make a decision.
The decision about the contract LIES
WITH the courts..
Lift off
Leave the ground- rocket or spaceship. 5-4-3-2-1- we have LIFT-OFF!.
Light out Leave suddenly.
When Zeke found out they were
coming for him he LIT OUT for the
border..
Light up
Light or start smoking a cigarette.
Asif LIT UP as soon as he got out of
the building..
Light up
Illuminate.
They LIGHT UP the streets at
Christmas time..
Lighten up Be less serious.
I told them to LIGHTEN UP but they
continued complaining about it..
Limber up Do some exercises to warm up before The team LIMBERED UP for a few
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..
Line up
Arrange in a line.
The police got them to LINE UP
against the wall..
Line up
Arrange something in a line.
He LINED the bottles UP against the
wall..
Line up
Arrange events for someone.
We have LINED UP a lot of meetings
for them..
Link up
Connect, join.
The train LINKS UP the cities..
Link up
Connect with someone or contact them. We LINKED UP WITH the firm over
with
the web..
Listen out Listen for a particular noise or sound. They put their coats on and
for
LISTENED OUT FOR the minicab..
Listen up Pay attention (often used as a
LISTEN UP, men! Here are your new
command).
assignments..
Live by
Follow a belief system to guide your
He tries hard to LIVE BY the Bible..
behaviour.
Live down Stop being embarrassed about
If I fail the test and everyone else
something.
passes, I'll never be able to LIVE it
DOWN..
Live for
Believe something is extremely
He LIVES FOR football..
important.
Live in
Live in the place where you work or
The university has a residential halls
study..
where students can LIVE IN..
Live it up Have a good time by spending a lot of She's been LIVING IT UP like crazy
money.
since she won the lottery..
Live off
Use money earned.
They find it hard to LIVE OFF the
money they make..
Live off
Be financially supported.
Hes 40 and he still LIVES OFF his
parents..
Live on
Use money for basic necessities.
They have to LIVE ON $200 a week..
Live on
Not be forgotten.
He's been dead for many years, but
his name LIVES ON..
Live out
Stay somewhere until you die.
She LIVED OUT her final years in a
nursing home..
Live out
Fulfill an ambition or fantasy.
Many parents try to LIVE OUT their
dreams through their children..
Live out
Not live at the place where you study or In my final year at university I
work.
LIVED OUT with some friends in a
flat we rented..
Live
Experience different times.
It was hard to LIVE THROUGH the
through
recession, but we managed it..
Live
Have a relationship and live in the same We LIVED TOGETHER for a few

together
place without marrying.
Live up to Meet expectations or standards.
Live with
Live with
Load down
Load up
Load up
Load up on
Lock away
Lock away
Lock down
Lock in
Lock in
Lock onto
Lock out
Lock out
Lock up
Lock up
Lock up
Lock
yourself
away
Log in
Log into

years before we got married..

The concert didn't LIVE UP TO my
expectations..
Accept something unpleasant.
It's hard to LIVE WITH the pain of a
serious illness..
Have a relationship and live in the same I LIVED WITH her for a couple of
place without marrying.
years before the relationship went
sour..
Burden.
I was LOADED DOWN with all the
stuff I had to take there..
Take illegal dr*gs.
He's been LOADING UP for years..
Fill a machine or vehicle.
We LOADED the car UP and left for
our holiday..
Consume a lot of something for a
The athletes LOADED UP ON
particular purpose.
carbohydrates before the race..
Lock in a safe place.
He LOCKED the gun AWAY in a
drawer..
Put someone in prison or a mental
They LOCKED him AWAY for life
hospital for a very long time.
after the murders..
Make very secure.
If you lock down your computer
properly, it is very difficult for people
to access it..
Lock a place to stop someone leaving. They LOCKED him IN the room
until he had calmed down..
Commit someone in such a way that
They are LOCKED IN now that they
they cannot leave.
have paid their subscription..
Find a target and head for it.
The missile LOCKED ONTO the
plane and blew it out of the sky..
Close a workplace to stop workers
The management LOCKED the staff
entering.
OUT because they had turned down
the pay offer..
Lock a place to stop someone getting I lost my key and LOCKED myself
in.
OUT..
Close all doors, windows, etc..
She LOCKED UP after everyone had
left and went home..
Lock something in a safe place.
I LOCKED my money UP in the
safe..
Put in prison or a mental hospital.
They LOCKED him UP for burglary..
Go somewhere away from people to
I LOCK MYSELF AWAY for a few
study or work.
weeks before exams..
Enter a restricted area on a computer
system.
Enter a restricted area of a computer

I had forgotten my password and

couldn't LOG IN..
I LOGGED INTO the staff intranet to

system.
Exit a computer system.

check my email..
Log off
When she'd finished working on the
spreadsheet, she LOGGED OFF and
left the office..
Log on
Enter a computer system.
He entered his password for the
college intranet and LOGGED ON..
Log out
Exit a computer system.
Danny closed the programs and
LOGGED OUT when it was time to
go home..
Look after Take care.
Their auntie LOOKED AFTER them
while their mother was in hospital..
Look back Think about the past.
Old people often LOOK BACK on
over their lives..
Look down Have a low opinion of.
He LOOKS DOWN ON his
on
colleagues because he thinks he's
better than they are..
Look for
Try to find.
I've been LOOKING FOR all their
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..
Look in on Visit briefly to see if everything's all
I'm going to LOOK IN ON grannie
right.
on the way home tonight as she's
been a bit unwell recently..
Look into Research, investigate.
We'll LOOK INTO the problem and
come back to you when we have the
information..
Look on
Watch something like a crime without The crowd just LOOKED ON as the
helping.
old lady was mugged..
Look on as Consider, regard.
I LOOK ON her AS a close friend..
Look out Be careful.
LOOK OUT; you're going to drop
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 Keep alert and try to see.
We we told to LOOK OUT FOR any
for
suspicious behaviour..
Look over Inspect.
They came to LOOK the house
OVER with a view to buying it..
Look round Inspect a house.
We LOOKED ROUND the house and
decided that we didn't like it enough
to buy it..
Look
Read quickly.
I LOOKED THROUGH the article..
through

Look to

Expect, hope.

The company is LOOKING TO

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 of had to LOOK it UP in the dictionary..
information..
Look up
Improve.
The economy is LOOKING UP..
Look up
Find, trace an old friend.
I LOOKED him UP when I went
back to Cambridge..
Look up to Respect.
She's LOOKS UP TO her mother..
Look upon Consider, regard.
I LOOK UPON him AS a close
as
friend..
Loosen up Become more relaxed or comfortable. He was very shy at first but has
LOOSENED UP and is more
talkative now..
Lord it over Behave in a superior manner.
She loves to LORD IT OVER her
employees..
Lose out
Be at a disadvantage.
Many people LOST OUT when the
new regulations were enforced..
Lose out on Not gain or have something
Because I left the company, I LOST
advantageous.
OUT ON my bonus..
Lose out to Be less successful.
People without IT skills often LOSE
OUT TO those with the skills..
Luck into Get something by chance.
We LUCKED INTO getting the
answer..
Luck out Be very lucky.
I really LUCKED OUT when I met
my partner..
Lust after Be attracted s*xu*lly.
He secretly LUSTS AFTER his
friends wife..
Lust after Want something very much.
He LUSTS AFTER a Rolex..
M
Magic away Make something disappear quickly.
Make after Chase.
Make away
with
Make do
with
Make for

Steal.

Make for

Produce a result or situation.

Accept something less satisfactory

because there's no alternative.
Head in a certain direction.

He MAGICKED the bill AWAY and

paid for us all before I could get my
wallet out..
The police MADE AFTER the stolen
car..
The thieves MADE AWAY WITH the
painting..
There's no coffee, so we'll have to
MAKE DO WITH tea..
We MADE FOR home when it
started raining..
The low quality of the service MADE
FOR a lot of dissatisfaction..

Make into Change something into something else. Many churches have been MADE
INTO flats in recent years..
Make it
Arrive or get a result.
I thought you weren't coming, so I
was really pleased you MADE IT..
Make it up Try to compensate for doing something He tried to MAKE IT UP TO her, but
to
wrong.
she wouldn't speak to him..
Make of
Understand or have an opinion.
What do you MAKE OF your new
boss?.
Make off Leave somewhere in a hurry.
They MADE OFF when they heard
the police siren..
Make off Steal.
Thieves MADE OFF WITH over a
with
million dollars in the robbery..
Make out Make a cheque payable to somebody. Please MAKE the cheque OUT to
RGM Productions Ltd..
Make out Pretend.
He MADE OUT that he was ill so
that he didn't have to go to school..
Make out Progress.
How are your children MAKING
OUT at the new school?.
Make out Kiss and pet.
They were MAKING OUT at the
party last night..
Make out Discern a small detail.
I can just MAKE OUT the outline of
a flying saucer in this photo..
Make out Be able to see or hear something.
Can you MAKE OUT what she's
saying?.
Make out Understand someone's nature or
He's strange; I can't MAKE him
personality.
OUT..
Make over Change appearance.
The beauty salon gave her a
MAKEOVER before the party..
Make over Give money or possessions to someone She MADE OVER her property to
in a legal way.
her children..
Make
Head in the direction.
We MADE TOWARDS the centre..
towards
Make up Stop being angry with someone.
They are always arguing, but they
MAKE UP again very quickly..
Make up Put on cosmetics.
She went to the bathroom to MAKE
her face UP..
Make up Invent a story.
They MADE UP an excuse for being
late..
Make up Compensate.
I sent her a present to try to MAKE
for
UP FOR my appalling behaviour..
Make up to Increase a sum received to a higher
The charity collected 24,517.57,
figure.
and the anonymous donor MADE the
total UP TO 25,000'.
Make with Give (usually used as an imperative). MAKE WITH the money you owe

me..
Man down Behave without courage or conviction. He MANNED DOWN and didn't
come with us..
Man up
Behave with courage or conviction.
She told her anonymous critics to
MAN UP and speak publicly..
Mark down Give a student a lower grade for a
Students who gave obviously
particular reason.
rehearsed answers were MARKED
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..
Mark down Consider someone or something to be I MARKED them DOWN AS
as
of a certain group, type, etc..
conservatives, but they're very
liberal..
Mark off Tick, cross out or otherwise mark
I MARKED OFF the items on the list
something to show that it has been dealt as I finished them..
with.
Mark out Draw lines to enclose an area.
They MARKED OUT the pitch..
Mark out Show promise for the future.
His dedication MARKED him OUT
for
FOR great things..
Mark out Stand out because of certain qualities. Her speed MARKS her OUT FROM
from
the rest of the group..
Mark up Increase the price of something.
They MARK the goods UP by 25%
before they sell them..
Marry in Marry someone of the same ethnicity, Many religions encourage their
religion, etc.
followers to MARRY IN..
Marry out Marry someone of a different ethnicity, Her parents disowned her and refused
religion, etc.
to speak to her when she MARRIED
OUT..
Mash up
Crush something until it becomes a
He MASHED UP some bananas for
paste.
the dessert..
Mash up
Mix sources of audio, video or other
She MASHED UP the songs into a
computer sources..
single track..
Mash up
Break or damage.
He MASHED UP my MP3 player
and lost my files..
Max out
Take something to the limit, reach a
She MAXED OUT her credit cards..
limit.
Measure
Evaluate or judge by comparison.
The work doesn't look good if you
against
MEASURE it AGAINST what our
competitors have done..
Measure off Measure something and mark the point The tailor MEASURED OFF the
where it ends or will be cut.
material for my suit..
Measure off Mark a length on something to cut it. He MEASURED OFF a metre of the
silk..

Measure
Measure or weigh the amount needed.
out
Measure
Weigh or measure an exact amount.
out
Measure up Find the size of something.

He MEASURED OUT the flour for

the bread..
She MEASURED OUT a hundred
grammes of the powder..
The estate agent MEASURED UP all
the rooms..
Measure up Be good enough, meet the required
She didn't MEASURE UP in her
standard.
probationary period, so we didn't
extend her contract..
Measure up Be good enough.
They made her a director, but she
didn't MEASURE UP..
Measure up Find out the size of something.
They MEASURED UP the room..
Measure up Be good enough or worthy of
I hope to MEASURE UP TO the
to
something.
confidence you have in me..
Meet with Have something happen to you.
They MET WITH some problems
they hadn't anticipated..
Melt down Heat something solid, especially metal, They MELTED the gold statue
until it becomes liquid.
DOWN and turned it into gold bars..
Mess about Not be serious, not use something
The children were MESSING
properly.
ABOUT with the TV remote control
and broke it..
Mess about Treat someone badly.
He is always MESSING me ABOUT
and never does what he promises..
Mess about Have a s*x*al relationship outside
He's not faithful- he's been
marriage or a permanent relationship. MESSING ABOUT since they were
married..
Mess about Have a s*x*al relationship outside
She's been MESSING ABOUT
with
marriage or a permanent relationship. WITH another guy she knows from
work..
Mess about Try to improve something, usually
The computer was working fine until
with
making things worse.
he started MESSING ABOUT WITH
it..
Mess
Not be serious, play with something. I was MESSING AROUND on the
around
internet because I couldn't be
bothered to do any work..
Mess
Treat someone badly.
She is always MESSING me
around
AROUND and never does what she
promises..
Mess
Have a s*x*al relationship outside
She's not faithful- she's been
around
marriage or a permanent relationship. MESSING ABOUT since they got
married..
Mess
Have a s*x*al relationship outside
He's been MESSING ABOUT WITH
around
marriage or a permanent relationship. a woman he works with..
with
Mess
Try to improve something, usually
The computer was working fine until

around
making things worse.
with
Mess over Treat someone badly.

they started MESSING ABOUT

WITH it..
They MESSED her OVER when she
applied for the job..
Mess up
Spoil or ruin.
They MESSED UP the discussions
and the contract fell through..
Mess up
Make something untidy or dirty.
They MESSED UP the room and left
stuff all over the place..
Mess up
Cause mental, physical or emotional
He took a lot of LSD and it really
problems.
MESSED him UP..
Mess with Become involved in something
He's been MESSING WITH
damaging or dangerous.
coca*ne..
Mess with Annoy, bother.
Don't MESS WITH me or there will
be trouble..
Mess with Associate (negative).
He's been MESSING WITH some
dangerous people..
Mess with Try to repair or improve, usually
She's been MESSING WITH it for
unsuccessfully.
hours and it still doesn't work..
Mete out Give people harsh punishments or
They METED OUT savage penalties
treatment.
to anyone who broke the law..
Mill around Walk around without going anywhere. There were a lot of people MILLING
AROUND waiting for the bus..
Miss out
Not do something enjoyable or
It'll be great; you'll be MISSING
rewarding.
OUT if you don't come..
Miss out
Not include.
Make sure you don't MISS anyone
OUT when you call their names..
Miss out on Lose a chance, fail to achieve.
Trudy MISSED OUT ON the
promotion..
Mix up
Confuse.
I always MIX those two sisters UP
because they look so like each other..
Mix up
Make something lively.
The DJ MIXED UP the night with
some hard techno..
Mock up Make a model of something to show or They MOCKED UP an example to
test it.
show us what they would look like..
Moggy off Leave ('moggie off' is also used.).
We MOGGIED OFF early..
Monkey
Not be serious.
The police officer told the drunks to
around
stop MONKEYING AROUND and
go home quietly..
Mooch
Spend time doing little or nothing.
I MOOCHED ABOUT the whole
about
afternoon because I didn't feel like
working..
Mooch
Spend time doing little or nothing.
I MOOCHED AROUND the house
around
all day..
Mop up
Resolve a problem.
He was left to MOP UP the mess

after they resigned..

Mop up
Kill or capture the last few enemy
After the battle, it took them a couple
soldiers after a victory..
of weeks to MOP UP the remaining
rebels..
Mop up
Eat a sauce with bread to finish it.
The sauce was so delicious that I
ordered some bread to MOP it UP..
Mop up
Remove a liquid that has been spilt.
I used a cloth to MOP UP the coffee I
had knocked over..
Mope about Move around being miserable.
She didn't get the job and has been
MOPING ABOUT all afternoon..
Mope
Move around being miserable.
He's been MOPING AROUND since
around
his girlfriend left him..
Mount up Increase over time.
My debts MOUNTED UP while I
was at university..
Mouth off Speak angrily about something.
I always get angry and start
MOUTHING OFF when the news is
on TV..
Move
Make progress, often after a pause or The construction can MOVE
ahead
delay.
AHEAD now that permisson has
been granted..
Move along Tell someone to move from a place.
The police told the people watching
to MOVE ALONG..
Move along Develop or progress in a reasonable or The project's MOVING ALONG and
satisfactory manner.
everything should be ready on time..
Move away Leave the area where you have been
I MOVED AWAY when the factory
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..
Move down Move a student to a lower level.
He was finding the course too
difficult so they MOVED him
DOWN..
Move in
Start living in a place.
The house was empty for ages, but
some new tenants MOVED IN a few
weeks ago..
Move in on Approach, often stealthily.
As he watched, the hyenas began to
MOVE IN ON the hapless
wildebeest..
Move into Start living in a place.
They MOVED INTO the house as
soon as it was ready..
Move on
Change the subject or your job.
She MOVED ON to another
company where the salary was
considerably better..
Move on
Make people move from a place.
The police MOVED the crowd ON
because they were holding up the
traffic..

Move out

Leave a place you live or work in.

Move out

Remove.

Move out

Change lane or position to pass a

vehicle.
Make preparations for something.

Move
towards
Move up

Move to make space.

Move up

Move to a higher level.

Muddle
along
Muddle
through

Continue without a clear aim or plan.

Do or achieve something without

knowing what is required or having a
plan.
Muddle up Take things that are ordered or
sequenced and mess them up.
Muddle up Mistake a person or thing for someone
or something else because they look
similar.
Mug up
Study quickly, revise.
Mug up on Study something quickly, revise.

She's tired of living there and is

MOVING OUT..
The president said they would MOVE
the troops OUT next year..
I MOVED OUT to overtake the bus..
The government are MOVING
TOWARDS free elections..
Could you MOVE UP and let me sit
down?.
They MOVED her UP to senior
management..
If you're ambitious, you cannot
MUDDLE ALONG..
We didn't know what to expect and
just MUDDLED THROUGH..
My cleaner MUDDLED UP my
books and I can't find anything..
I MUDDLE her and her sister UP..

I have to MUG UP before the exam..

I need to MUG UP ON my history for
the test..
Mull over Think about an issue or problem.
She said that she'd had to MULL IT
OVER before deciding what was.
Muscle in Become involved in something when We tried to exclude him of the
your involvement is not wanted.
committee, but he MUSCLED IN..
Muscle in Become involved in something despite She MUSCLED IN ON the deal even
on
opposition to your involvement.
though we wanted to do it without
her..
Muscle into Become involved even though there is They are MUSCLING INTO our
opposition to your involvement.
market and there is very little we can
do to stop them..
Muscle out Use power, contacts, etc, to force
They used their contacts in local
someone out.
government to MUSCLE the
competitors OUT..
N
Naff off
Nag at

Get lost, go away (used as imperative). He was making a fuss, so I told him
to NAFF OFF..
Repeatedly criticise someone verbally. My boss is always NAGGING AT me
about my arriving a few minutes late
for work..

Nail down Succeed in getting, achieve.

Nail down
Nail down
Nail down
Name after
Narrow
down
Nerd out
Nerd out
Nip off
Nip out
Nod off
Nod
through
Nose about
Nose
around
Nose out
Nose out
Note down

Nut out

They are having trouble NAILING

DOWN the contract..
Understand fully.
I can't NAIL DOWN what's wrong
with their idea, but I'm sure it won't
work..
Get full information from someone.
I can't NAIL them DOWN about
when they're going to finish the
project..
Succeed or achieve something.
I NAILED the job DOWN in the first
interview..
Give someone a name to remember
I was NAMED AFTER my uncle
another person.
who died in the war..
Remove less important options to make I am not sure which university to
it easier to choose.
apply to, but I have NARROWED
my list DOWN to three..
Play safe and avoid taking a risk.
I'm going to NERD OUT and not go
on the river trip..
Discuss something in great detail.
I had to NERD OUT when they asked
about conditionals and deontic
modality..
Go somewhere quickly.
I'm NIPPING OFF to get some milk..
Go somewhere quickly.
She'll be back in a minute- she's just
NIPPED OUT to the shops..
Fall asleep.
I NODDED OFF during the speech..
Pass a law, regulation, etc, without
Parliament NODDED the bill
considering or debating it seriously.
THROUGH..
Look for something hidden or secret. The police are NOSING ABOUT to
see if they can find anything against
the gang..
Look around for evidence.
The boss keeps NOSING AROUND
our office when we are out at lunch..
Find out, discover- usually information, He NOSED OUT their plans..
secrets, etc.
Narrowly beat someone.
The other candidate NOSED him
OUT by a few votes..
Write something short like a phone
She NOTED DOWN my fax number
number for future reference..
so that she could send me the
documents when she got to the
office..
Find an answer to a problem.
The management and unions had a
meeting to NUT things OUT..

O
Occur to

Enter one's mind.

Didn't it OCCUR TO you to help me

when you saw how much trouble I

Open up

Start to talk freely about something.

Open up

Open a shop or business for the day.

Open up

Allow goods into a market.

Operate on Perform surgery.

Opt for

Choose.

Opt in

Opt out

Choose to be part or a member of

something.
Choose to be a member or part of
something.
Choose not to be part of something.

Owe to

Be the reason for something.

Own up

Confess.

Opt into

was in?.
She hates to OPEN UP and discuss
her feelings..
They OPEN UP at seven in the
morning..
Before they joined the WTO, they
had to OPEN UP their markets..
She was OPERATED ON for eight
hours..
I OPTED FOR an endowment
mortgage and lost a lot of money..
If you want them to notify you of
updates, you have to OPT IN..
I OPTED INTO the scheme..
The UK OPTED OUT of a lot of EU
legislation on working hours and
conditions..
She OWES her success TO hard work
and determination..
Nobody OWNED UP to breaking the
window..

P
Pack away Put something where it belongs.
Pack in
Pack in
Pack in
Pack in
Pack it in
Pack off
Pack out
Pack up
Pack up
Pack up
Pack up

I PACKED AWAY the suitcases in

the loft after we had emptied them..
Stop doing something.
I'm trying to PACK IN smoking..
End a relationship.
She PACKED her boyfriend IN..
Fill a venue.
They really PACK them IN at the
club- it was so crowded it was
impossible to move..
Break down, stop working.
The photocopier has PACKED IN
again..
Stop doing something (used as an
The kids were making a fuss, so I told
imperative).
them to PACK IT IN..
Send someone away.
His boss PACKED him OFF to a
regional office..
Fill a venue.
The stadium was PACKED OUT..
Stop doing something.
You should PACK UP smoking..
Finish work.
We had nothing left to do, so we
PACKED UP early..
Break down, stop working.
My printer PACKED UP last nightI'll have to get a new one..
Collect things and put them where you At the end of the presentation, I

Pad down
Pad out
Pair off
Pair off
Pair off

keep them.
Sleep somewhere for the night.
Make a text longer by including extra
content, often content that isn't
particularly relevant.
Begin a romantic relationship.
Introduce people, hoping they will start
a relationship.
Form pairs.

Pair off
with
Pair up
Pal about

Form a pair with someone.

Palm off

Get someone to accept something that

isn't true.
Pretend something is better than it is in
order to sell it.
The way a situation develops.

Form a pair.
Be friendly and spend time with
someone.
Pal around Be friendly and spend time with
someone.
Pal up
Become friends.

Palm off
Pan out

Paper over Try to conceal a problem without really

fixing it.
Pare back

If you pare something back, you reduce

the size or numbers..

Pare down Reduce, decrease.

Part with

Give something away, especially when

you don't want to.

Pass
around
Pass as

Give out to everybody there.

Be believed to be something.

PACKED UP my laptop..
I'm too tired to come home; can I
PAD DOWN here tonight?.
I couldn't think of much to write, so I
PADDED the essay OUT with a few
lengthy quotes..
They PAIRED OFF shortly after
starting university..
I tried to PAIR him OFF with my
sister..
The class PAIRED OFF to practise
the exam interviews..
I PAIRED OFF WITH Trish for the
test..
We PAIRED UP for the last activity.
We used to PAL ABOUT when we
were at school..
We PALLED AROUND at
university..
We PALLED UP when I started
working with her..
He tried to PALM me OFF with a
pathetic excuse..
He tried to PALM his computer OFF
as the latest model..
I don't know how things will PAN
OUT now the company's been taken
over..
The government tried to PAPER
OVER the problems in the proposal,
but the press were very critical..
They have had to PARE BACK the
services they offer as their funding
was reduced..
They have PARED DOWN the
number of employees as they haven't
been doing well..
I found it very hard to PART WITH
my old CDs when I digitized my
collection..
The teacher PASSED the handout
AROUND..
Although not qualified, he managed
to PASS AS a doctor for years..

Pass away Die.

Sadly, Georgia's uncle PASSED

AWAY yesterday after a short illness..
Pass back Return.
I felt awful when the teacher started
to PASS BACK the exam papers..
Pass by
Go past without stopping.
I was just PASSING BY when I saw
the accident..
Pass by
Visit briefly.
I was PASSING BY her house the
other day when I heard about it..
Pass by
Miss an opportunity.
The chance for promotion PASSED
me BY..
Pass down Transmit information or give property The tales were PASSED DOWN for
to younger generations.
centuries without changing ay of the
words..
Pass for
Be accepted as something, usually
You'd be surprised at what PASSES
when not.
FOR good cooking in many
restaurants..
Pass off
Convince something that something is I managed to PASS OFF the fake
real.
money in the market..
Pass off
Happen in a certain way.
The demonstration PASSED OFF
peacefully..
Pass on
Give a message to someone.
I'll PASS the message ON when she
gets here..
Pass on
Decline an invitation or opportunity.
I think I'll PASS ON dinner tonightI'm not hungry..
Pass on
Die.
Her husband PASSED ON last year..
Pass on to Change topic or subject.
Let's PASS ON TO the next item on
the agenda..
Pass out
Faint, lose consciousness.
He got so drunk that he PASSED
OUT..
Pass out
Distribute.
The protesters PASSED OUT leaflets
to the growing crowd..
Pass over Ignore someone and give a job, reward, They PASSED him OVER and made
etc, to someone more junior.
his assistant the new director..
Pass over Ignore, refuse to discuss.
Let's PASS OVER what they said and
get on..
Pass round Distribute, give to people present.
They PASSED ROUND copies of the
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..
Pass to
Give ownership or responsibility to
The shares PASSED TO his daughter
someone.
when he died..
Pass to
Become owner of or responsible for
The property will PASS TO her when
something.
they die..
Pass up
Decline a chance.
She PASSED UP the opportunity to

Pat down

Search or frisk someone.

Patch
together
Patch up

Create or assemble something quickly

without much planning.
Fix or make things better.

Patch up
Pay back

Give an injured person basic medical

treatment.
Repay money borrowed.

Pay back

Take revenge on.

Pay down

Pay a debt over time.

Pay for

Purchase.

Pay into
Pay off

Deposit money.
Completely repay a debt.

Pay off

Produce a profitable or successful

result.

Peck at

Eat very small amounts.

Peel away

Leave a group by moving in a different

direction.
Leave a group by moving in a different
direction.
Leave a group by moving in a different
direction.

Peel away
from
Peel off
Peel off
from

Leave a group by moving in a different

direction.

Peel out

Accelerate rapidly from stationary.

Peg away

Keep working at something.

Peg down

Fasten something to the ground.

Peg it

Die.

go to university because she'd been

offered a job..
The police PATTED them DOWN for
weapons but found nothing..
They PATCHED TOGETHER a
coalition after the election..
I tried to PATCH things UP after the
argument, but they wouldn't speak to
me..
After the accident, they PATCHED
her UP and sent her to hospital..
I PAID BACK the twenty pounds I'd
borrowed..
I'm going to PAY him BACK for that
insult..
The British government can't PAY
DOWN the national debt..
I PAID twenty pounds FOR the
book..
I PAID the cash INTO my account..
The mortgage will be PAID OFF in
twenty-five years..
Their patience PAID OFF when he
finally showed up and signed the
contract..
The food wasn't very nice, so I
PECKED AT it to look polite..
Some of the crowd PEELED AWAY
to get out of the crush..
They PEELED AWAY FROM the
crowd and went down a side road..
When the police blocked the road, a
few protesters PEELED OFF and left
the march..
They PEELED OFF FROM the
demonstration when the police
arrived..
Fearing the police, he PEELED OUT
in a cloud of tire smoke..
I PEGGED AWAY for weeks before
my exams..
We PEGGED the tent DOWN to stop
the wind blowing it about..
After a long illness, she finally

Peg out

Put washing outside to dry.

Peg out

Die.

Pencil in

Make a provisional appointment.

Pep up
Pep up

Make something more interesting.

Make someone more enthusiastic,
energetic or interested.
Feel better or happier, make someone
feel better or happier.

Perk up
Peter out
Phase in
Phase out

Pick at
Pick at
Pick off
Pick on
Pick out
Pick out
Pick
through
Pick up
Pick up
Pick up

PEGGED IT yesterday..
I PEGGED the washing OUT after it
stopped raining..
He PEGGED OUT last night from a
heart attack..
I'll PENCIL Thursday night IN, but if
anything comes up, give me a ring...
You need to PEP your writing UP..
Her talk PEPPED us UP..

She was ill in bed with flu, but she

PERKED UP a bit when some friends
dropped by..
Lose impetus and stop.
Everyone was keen at first, but the
enthusiasm PETERED OUT when
they saw how long it would take..
Introduce gradually.
They are PHASING IN the reforms
over the next two years..
Remove gradually.
They have introduced a compact
edition of the newspaper and are
PHASING OUT the broadsheet
edition over the next few months..
Eat unwillingly.
I wasn't very hungry so I just
PICKED AT my food..
Criticise.
There were a few problems that could
be PICKED AT, but it was generally
good..
Target individuals to change a group. There were many rebels against the
policy, but the government PICKED
OFF the leaders..
Bother, annoy, criticize or make fun of My friends always PICK ON me
someone.
because I don't sing well..
Choose.
She PICKED OUT the ones she
wanted to take and left the rest..
Identify from a picture.
The victim couldn't PICK OUT her
attacker from the photos the police
showed her..
Search something that is disordered for The police have been PICKING
something.
THROUGH the wreckage for clues..
Improve.
Sales PICKED UP a bit during the
Christmas period..
Learn quickly.
She PICKED UP Spanish in six
months..
Collect.
While you're in town, can you PICK

Pick up
Pick up

Pick up
after
Pick up on
Pick up on
Pick up on
Pick up on
Pick
yourself up
Pig off
Pig out
Pile in
Pile into
Pile on
Pile on
Pile out
Pile up
Pile up
Pin down

UP my trousers from the Dry

Cleaner?.
Receive (a broadcast).
When we rent a holiday cottage in
Cornwall, we can't PICK UP Channel
5..
Collect (a person). This differs from the i) Can you PICK me UP and take me
'collect a thing' meaning - as that means to The George when you go to the
'collect and bring back' whereas this
party?ii) Can you PICK UP some
means either (i) 'collect and drop off on friends of mine on your way to the
your way' or (ii) 'collect and bring to
party? They're going too..
the same destination'..
Tidy a mess someone else has made.
I always have to PICK UP AFTER
him because he leaves things all over
the office..
Correct someone when they say
My teacher PICKS UP ON any
something wrong.
mistake I make and corrects me..
Notice something that most people
He's very quick to PICK UP ON new
don't.
trends..
React to something.
The government has PICKED UP ON
the reports in the media..
Comment on something said earlier in a I'd like to PICK UP ON the point that
conversation.
Jill made..
Recover from a fall or problem.
It took him a long time to PICK
HIMSELF UP after his wife left him..
Used to tell someone to get lost or
He told them to PIG OFF and leave
leave you alone.
him in peace..
Eat a lot.
The food was great, so I really
PIGGED OUT..
Enter a place quickly, in a disorganised The coach stopped and we all PILED
way.
IN..
Enter a place quickly, in a disorganised We PILED INTO the shop when it
way.
opened..
Add or give more or something.
Work's crazy- they keep PILING ON
the pressure..
Exaggerate or talk in a way to affect
It wasn't very serious, but they
someone's feelings.
PILED ON the guilt..
Leave a place quickly, in a disorganised The train eventually arrived and we
way.
all PILED OUT..
Accumulate.
Work just keeps on PILING UP and I
really can't manage to get it all done..
Accumulate in a pile or heap.
The ironing's PILING UP as I hate
doing it..
Get a fixed idea, opinion, etc, from
I've asked him to set a date, but he's a
someone..
hard man to PIN DOWN and won't
give a definite answer..

Pin down
Pin on
Pin up
Pine away
Pipe down
Pipe up
Pit against
Pit out
Pitch for
Pitch in
Pitch into
Plant out
Plate up
Play along
Play
around
Play
around
Play at
Play away
Play back
Play down

Discover exact details about something. The government can't PIN DOWN
where the leak came from..
Attach the blame to someone.
The police tried to PIN the crime ON
him..
Fix something to a wall, or other
I PINNED the notice UP on the
vertical surface, with a pin.
board.
Suffer physically because of grief,
He's been PINING AWAY since his
stress, worry, etc.
wife died and is a shadow of his
former self..
Be quiet (often as an imperative).
The lecturer asked the students to
PIPE DOWN and pay attention..
To speak, raise your voice.
At first, no one answered, then finally
someone PIPED UP..
Compete or force to compete.
The war PITTED neighbour
AGAINST neighbour..
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
work, business, a job, etc.
gave it to someone else..
Work together to help achieve an
We were behind schedule, but the
objective.
others PITCHED IN and we got it
done in time..
Criticise severely or attack someone. The shareholders PITCHED INTO
the management about their pay rises
at the meeting..
Put a young plant that has been grown They need to be PLANTED OUT in
in a pot or greenhouse into the ground. the spring..
Put food onto a plate to serve.
PLATE UP and drizzle with salsa
verde..
Pretend to agree or accept something in I disagreed with the idea but I had to
order to keep someone happy or to get PLAY ALONG because everyone
more information.
else liked it..
Be silly.
The children were PLAYING
AROUND and being annoying..
Be s*xu*lly promiscuous or unfaithful. I PLAYED AROUND a lot at
college..
Pretend to be something.
He just PLAYS AT being a lawyer- he
never wins a case..
Be s*xu*lly unfaithful when away from He travels abroad a lot and his wife
home.
thinks he PLAYS AWAY..
Listen to or watch something you've
We PLAYED the recording BACK to
recorded.
see if it was OK..
Try to make something seem less
The Government has tried to PLAY
important.
DOWN the importance of the

Play off

Play a game to decide who the winner

is.

Play off

Play on

Make people compete against each

other so that you benefit.
Continue playing a sport though there
might be a reason to stop.
Continue playing music.

Play on

Exploit a weakness.

Play on
Play out
Play out
Play out

Pun.
Progress, often till it finishes.
Pretend that something is real and
reduce its effect.
Play something to the end.

Play out

Unwind (e.g., fishing line).

Play up

Behave badly.

Play on

Play up to Flatter someone.

Play up to Behave in a way expected.
Play upon Exploit a weakness.
Play with
Play with

Touch and move something to occupy

your hands.
Not eat much of a meal.

Play with

Consider something, but not seriously.

Plead out

Plead guilty to get a reduced sentence

or fine.
Plough
Re-invest money you have made into a
back
business.
Plough into Collide into at speed.
Plough on Continue doing something you don't
want to.

minister's resignation..
As both teams had the same points,
they PLAYED OFF to decide the
winner..
He PLAYED them OFF against each
other to get the best deal..
It looked like a foul, but the referee
told them to PLAY ON..
The band PLAYED ON for another
hour..
They are just PLAYING ON our fears
to get us to do what they want..
The advert PLAYS ON the slogan.
Let's see how things PLAY OUT..
Computer games allow people to
PLAY OUT their violent urges..
Rain stopped them PLAYING the
game OUT..
When he hooked the swordfish, his
line rapidly PLAYED OUT..
The children PLAYED UP all
evening and drove the babysitter
mad..
I'm PLAYING UP TO my boss at the
moment because I want the
promotion..
He's got a reputation for being trouble
and PLAYS UP TO it..
They are PLAYING UPON people's
concerns to get their way..
He can't stop PLAYING WITH his
beard..
I wasn't hungry, so I just PLAYED
WITH the food..
We PLAYED WITH the idea, but
decided against it..
The CEO PLEADED OUT and
blamed the CFO for the fraud..
We PLOUGHED BACK all the
profits to grow the company..
The bus skidded and PLOUGHED
INTO the bus stop..
It was really boring, but we
PLOUGHED ON..

Plough
through
Plough
through
Plough
through
Plough up

Eat a big meal.

We PLOUGHED THROUGH all

seven courses..
Read something that is difficult or takes It took me ages to PLOUGH
a lot of time.
THROUGH 'Ulysses'..
Move through somewhere where there The boat had to PLOUGH
is little space or there are obstacles.
THROUGH the ice..
Break the surface of soil.
The tractor PLOUGHED UP the field
so they could sow the seed..
Plow back Re-invest money you have made into a We PLOWED BACK all the profits
business.
to grow the company..
Plow into Collide into at speed.
The bus skidded and PLOWED
INTO the bus stop..
Plow on
Continue doing something you don't
It was really boring, but we PLOWD
want to.
ON..
Plow
Eat a big meal.
We PLOWED THROUGH all eight
through
courses..
Plow
Read something that is difficult or takes It takes me ages to PLOW
through
a lot of time.
THROUGH any of Henry James'
novels..
Plow
Move through somewhere where there The police car had to PLOW
through
is little space or there are obstacles.
THROUGH the crowd..
Plow up
Break the surface of soil.
The tractor PLOWED UP the field so
they could sow the crop.
Pluck at
Pull or fiddle with something
He was PLUCKING AT his cuffs
nervously.
during the interview..
Pluck up Muster, acquire, gather.
They PLUCKED UP the courage to
complain..
Plug in
Connect machines to the electricity
He PLUGGED the TV IN and turned
supply.
it on full blast..
Plump
Put something in a place without taking He PLUMPED his bag DOWN and
down
care.
kicked his shoes off..
Plump for Choose.
I PLUMPED FOR the steak frites..
Plump up Make something like a cushion bigger I PLUMPED UP the pillow and lay
and softer by shaking it.
down..
Plump
Sit down heavily.
She PLUMPED HERSELF DOWN
yourself
next to me and started asking me
down
what had happened..
Point out Make someone aware of something.
He POINTED OUT that I only had
two weeks to get the whole thing
finished..
Poke about Move things around or search in a
I POKED ABOUT in my CD
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..

Polish off

Finish, consume.

She POLISHES OFF half a bottle of

gin every night..
Polish up Improve something quickly.
I need to POLISH UP my French
before I go to Paris..
Pony up
Pay for something.
I had to PONY fifty dollars UP for
the meal..
Poop out Get too tired to do something.
I was going to write my essay, but I
POOPED OUT and went to bed
instead..
Poop out on Fail to keep an appointment.
We were supposed to meet yesterday,
but she POOPED OUT ON me at the
last minute..
Pootle
Travel in a leisurely way.
We were POOTLING ALONG at
along
thirty miles an hour..
Pop in
Visit for a short time.
He POPPED IN for a coffee on his
way home..
Pop off
Talk loudly, complain.
He's always POPPING OFF when
things don't suit him..
Pop off
Go out for a short time.
He's just POPPED OFF for a break
but should be back in a few minutes..
Pop out
Go out for a short time.
I'm just POPPING OUT to the shops.
Do you need anything while I'm out?.
Pop up
Appear, like windows and boxes
The dialogue box POPPED UP up
opening on a computer screen..
when I pressed Enter..
Pop up
Appear unexpectedly.
I'm going to have to work late tonight
because something has POPPED UP..
Pore over Read, look at or study carefully.
She PORED OVER the report
looking for mistakes..
Potter
Spend time doing little things for
On Saturday mornings, I POTTER
about
pleasure.
ABOUT the garden if the weather's
fine..
Potter
Spend some time doing little things for I POTTERED AROUND, sorting out
around
pleasure.
my CDS and a few other things..
Pour down Rain hard.
It POURED DOWN all day so we
had to remain indoors..
Pour forth Emerge from a place in large numbers. Useless statistics POUR FORTH
from him..
Power
Cut the electricity supply to a computer I POWERED DOWN my computer
down
or electronic device.
and went for lunch..
Power off Cut the electricity to a computer or
You mustn't POWER it OFF while it
device to turn it off.
is updating..
Power up Turn a computer or electronic device on I POWERED UP my laptop and
so that it is ready to use.
started work..
Prattle on Talk too much.
Geoff just PRATTLED ON instead of

giving a straight answer..

Press ahead Continue with something.
They PRESSED AHEAD with the
elections despite the violence..
Press for
Apply pressure to get permission or to The workers are PRESSING 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
Press into Bring or force into use.
When the line was breached, reserve
troops were PRESSED INTO
service..
Press on
Continue with something.
We PRESSED ON to get to our
destination before night fell..
Press upon Pressure someone to accept something The invitations were PRESSED
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..
Prey upon Exploit or harm.
They PREY UPON people's fears
about immigration..
Price in
Include the affects of possible future
Speculators have PRICED IN the risk
events when assessing the value of
of a war breaking out..
something.
Price up
Charge more for something.
In rural areas where they have a
monopoly, some garages PRICE UP
fuel because there's nowhere else to
buy it..
Print out Make a hard copy of a computer
He PRINTED OUT the letter and
document.
checked through it carefully..
Prop up
Support something, both physically and The council have PROPPED UP the
financially, politically, etc..
museum for years with grants..
Psych out Work out or anticipate someone's
We have to try to PSYCH OUT our
intentions.
rivals..
Psych out Make someone less confident.
Boxers try to PSYCH their opponents
OUT before the fight to gain an
advantage..
Psych up Prepare someone mentally.
I PSYCHED myself UP for the
exam..
Pucker up Move your lips into position to receive She PUCKERED UP when he leant
a kiss.
forwards to kiss her..
Pull ahead Overtake, move in front.
The lorry was going slowly but we
managed to PULL AHEAD..
Pull apart Destroy an argument, theory, etc.
My tutor PULLED my essay
APART..

Pull apart Stop people or animals fighting.

Pull apart
Pull away
Pull back
Pull back
Pull back
Pull back
Pull down
Pull down
Pull down
Pull for
Pull in
Pull in
Pull in
Pull in
Pull off
Pull off
Pull on
Pull out
Pull out
Pull out

A fight broke out in the pub and it

was hard to PULL the people
involved APART..
Make someone unhappy or upset.
It PULLED me APART to see them
arguing so much..
When a vehicle moves from a place.
The car PULLED AWAY from the
lights at high speed..
Score a goal or point when losing.
They were two-nil down until five
minutes before the end, when they
PULLED BACK a goal..
Move away from a place, especially
They have PULLED the troops
when talking about soldiers.
BACK from the front line..
Move away from someone.
She PULLED BACK when he tried
to kiss her..
Decide not to do something or not to be They PULLED BACK from the
involved with it any longer.
deal..
Demolish.
They PULLED the old cinema
DOWN to build a new shopping
mall..
Make someone depressed.
Losing her job PULLED her
DOWN..
Earn.
He's PULLING DOWN a fortune..
Support.
Who will you be PULLING FOR in
the final?.
When a train arrives at a station.
The train PULLED IN and we rushed
to meet her as she got off..
Attract.
Their last tour PULLED IN millions
of fans..
Stop a car by the side of the road.
I PULLED IN to let the passengers
out..
Areest or take someone to a police
The police PULLED them IN after
station for questioning.
the trouble..
Manage to do something difficult or
No-one thought that she would be
tricky.
able to do it, but she PULLED it OFF
in the end..
Start moving (vehicles).
When the lights turned green, the car
PULLED OFF..
Put clothes on.
I PULLED ON a jumper when the
sun went in..
Start moving (train).
The train was PULLING OUT when
I got there..
Move into traffic.
The traffic was so bad that it took me
ages to PULL OUT..
Withdraw.
The project was going badly and they

Pull out
Pull over
Pull over
Pull
through
Pull to
Pull
together
Pull up
Pull up
Pull
yourself
together
Push in

decided to PULL OUT.

Remove soldiers from an area.
People want the government to PULL
the troops OUT..
Stop by the side of the road.
The police PULLED the car OVER.
Make a vehicle stop.
The police PULLED the car OVER
and tested the driver for al*oh*l..
Recover from and illness or problem. At one stage it looked as if she was
going to die, but she PULLED
THROUGH in the end..
Close a door or window that has been Could you PULL the door TO,
left open.
please?.
Work together as a team.
If we all PULL TOGETHER, we'll
have it finished in no time..
Slow and stop a car.
The cab PULLED UP outside my
house and I got out..
Inform someone that they are wrong. He PULLED me UP because I had
got my facts wrong..
Become calm or regain control of your He was so angry that he couldn't
emotions.
PULL HIMSELF TOGETHER..
Get in a queue without waiting.

She just PUSHED IN the queue in

front of me at the supermarket
checkout..
Put across Communicate, convey a message.
He found it difficult to PUT ACROSS
what he wanted to say at the
meeting..
Put away Put something back in the correct place. He PUT the dictionary BACK on the
shelf after he'd finished the
crossword..
Put away Put someone in prison.
The judge PUT him AWAY for ten
years for robbery..
Put back Rearrange something for a later time. The AGM has been PUT BACK until
July the seventeenth..
Put by
Save for the future.
I try to PUT some money BY every
month towards our summer holiday..
Put down Kill an animal because it's old, ill, etc.. He had his dog PUT DOWN because
it was in a lot of pain from its
tumours..
Put down Stop holding (but withdraw support
PUT the gun DOWN slowly and keep
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 to Give as an explanation.
He didn't score many, but we can
PUT that DOWN TO inexperience.

Put in

Install.

Put in for

Make a request.

Put off

Postpone.

Put off

Stop liking something or somebody.

Put on

Get fat.

Put on
Put on

Deceive, lie.
Start wearing.

Put out

Broadcast.

Put out

Disturb or trouble someone.

Put out

Extinguish a cigarette, fire, etc..

Put over

Successfully execute (a scam, trick,

etc.).
Connect someone by phone.

Put
through
Put
towards

Make a financial contribution.

Put up

Allow someone to stay at your house

for a night or a few days..

Put up

Increase prices, taxes, duties, etc..

Put up

Show skill or determination in a

contest, competition, fight, etc.
Encourage someone to do something.

Put up to

Put up with Tolerate.

They had to PUT IN a whole new

central heating system because the
house was so cold..
He PUT IN FOR a transfer to the new
branch..
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
eats with his mouth open..
He's PUT ON a lot of weight since he
gave up smoking..
I am not PUTTING you ON..
I PUT my coat ON before we went
out..
Several charities PUT OUT an appeal
on TV for money for the victims of
the flooding in Mozambique..
Would it be PUTTING you OUT
greatly if I asked to change to another
day..
He PUT OUT his cigarette before
entering the building..
They PUT OVER a clever practical
joke on us..
Could you PUT me THROUGH to
extension 259 please..
She PUT $250 TOWARDS the cost
of the repairs and we had to pay the
rest..
She PUT me UP for the night because
I'd missed the last bus and there were
no night buses running..
The government has PUT tuition fees
for undergraduate students UP again..
They PUT UP a great fight but lost..
His friends PUT him UP TO stealing
it..
I can't PUT UP WITH my
neighbour's noise any longer; it's
driving me mad..

Q
Quarrel out Argue with someone about a specific

The girl's mother was

subject.
Quarrel
with
Queer up
Quieten
down
Quit on
Quit on

QUARRELING OUT with her

daughter about the party..
Dispute or disagree with something.
I am not QUARRELLING WITH
their idea, but I think there are other
possibilities..
Mess up, ruin.
I QUEERED the exam UP..
Fall silent.
The audience QUIETENED 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
friends with someone, especially when got rough..
they need support.
Stop working or functioning.
My phone has QUIT ON me- can I
borrow yours?.

R
Race off

Hurry away, leave somewhere quickly. They RACED OFF when the police
arrived..
Rack off
Used to tell someone to go away
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..
Rack up
Acquire a lot of something.
He's RACKED UP a number of
convictions for speeding..
Rack up
Damage.
They RACKED UP the car in an
accident..
Rain down Fall in large numbers.
Bombs RAINED DOWN ON the city
on
all night..
Rain off
Be postponed or stopped by rain
The match was RAINED OFF..
(usually passive).
Rain out
Be postponed or stopped by rain
The game was RAINED OUT..
(usually passive).
Rake in
Earn, make money easily.
She's RAKING IN thousands a day..
Rake it in Make a lot of money.
It's the only shop in the area and
they're RAKING IT IN..
Rake off
Cheat someone by charging them too They RAKE tourists OFF all the
much.
time..
Rake over Talk, think, etc, about something
They keep RAKING OVER the rows
negative in the past.
we had last year..
Rake up
Bring something back to people's
The press have RAKED UP some
attention.
scandals from her past..
Ramble on Talk at length without getting to the
Quit RAMBLING ON- Im tired of
point.
listening to you..
Ramp up Increase price, speed or power of
The company has RAMPED its

something.
Rap out
Rat on

Say something firmly and loudly.

Inform authorities about someone's
wrongdoings.

Rat on
Rat out
Rat
through
Ratchet up

Fail to keep a promise.

Inform the authorities about someone.
Look for something hurriedly.

Rattle off

Quote figures rapidly.

Increase.

Reach out Stretch your arm to get something.

Reach out Try to achieve something difficult.
for
Reach out Ask for help.
to
Reach out Offer help.
to
Reach out Try to communicate and establish good
to
relations with people.
Read off
Read a list aloud for someone to write
down.
Read out Read aloud rather than silently.
Read up on Research.
Reason out Come to a conclusion or solution after
some thought.
Reckon on The minimum expected.
Reel in
Reel in
Reel off

prices UP because of higher oil

prices..
She RAPPED OUT the command..
She RATTED ON her neighbours to
the police because they were
smuggling al*oh*l from France..
He always RATS ON his promises..
He RATTED me OUT to the police..
I RATTED THROUGH the papers on
my desk but couldn't find the letter..
The media are trying to RATCHET
UP the pressure on the president..
She RATTLED OFF loads of
statistics which nobody could
understand..
I REACHED OUT and caught the
ball..
They are REACHING OUT FOR
major economic reforms..
I REACHED OUT TO you when I
was in trouble and you were a great
help..
Charities are REACHING OUT TO
those who lost their homes in the
floods..
The candidates are REACHING OUT
TO the poor to get their votes..
I READ OFF the figures and she
wrote them down in her notebook..
The teacher READ OUT the names
of the students who'd passed..
I've been READING UP ON Japan as
I'm going to live there next year..
He REASONED OUT the answer to
the math problem..
Jeff says we can RECKON ON there
being at least fifty people there
tonight..
He REELED IN a ten-pound salmon..

Catch a fish on a line and pull the line

to land.
Attract people, especially customers, to They hope the discounts will REEL
get them to do what you want them to. people IN..
Quote statistics or facts rapidly.
The minister REELED OFF a load of
figures to support her position..

Reel off
Reel out

Score a lot of points or win a lot of

games one after the other.
Unwind.

Rein in

Control someone or something to stop

them causing more trouble.

Rent out
Ride off

Let, grant a service or allow usage for a

fee.
Go away on a bike, horse, etc.

Ride on

Depend on.

Ride out

Survive a difficult time.

Ride up

Move higher on the body (of clothes).

Ring back Return a phonecall.

Ring in
Ring off

Telephone to inform or confirm

something.
Finish a phone conversation.

Ring out

Make a sudden loud sound.

Ring round Telephone a number of people, usually

to try to get some information.
Ring up
Telephone.
Ring up
Achieve an amount or number.
Ring up
Enter figures into a till or cash register.
Ring with

When a place is full of a loud sound.

Rip off
Roll back

Charge excessively or obtain money

unfairly.
Retreat.

Roll back

Reduce or remove.

Roll by
Roll in

Pass (time).
Arrive somewhere, especially if late.

Roll in

Arrive in large numbers, for military

They REELED OFF five victories

and became the champions..
I REELED OUT the hose and
watered the lawn..
They had to REIN the minister IN
after her dreadful performance on
TV..
They RENTED their house OUT
while the were abroad..
She got on her motorbike and RODE
OFF..
His reputation is RIDING ON this
deal working out..
They managed to RIDE OUT the
recession..
Her skirt RODE UP when she sat
down..
I phoned and left a message this
morning but she still hasn't RUNG
me BACK..
I RANG IN and told them I would be
late..
Dave RANG OFF guiltily when he
saw his boss coming..
Two shots RANG OUT and then we
heard a scream..
I RANG ROUND to see if anyone
knew where she'd gone..
Helen RANG me UP earlier..
They RANG UP several victories..
They RANG UP the bill for the
groceries..
The room RANG WITH their
laughter..
Tourists get RIPPED OFF a lot when
they don't speak the language..
The army ROLLED BACK when
they came under attack..
The government want to ROLL
BACK the freedom of the press..
The years ROLLED BY..
They ROLLED IN very drunk at
three o'clock in the morning..
The tanks ROLLED IN and took

vehicles.
control of the capital city..
Roll on
When something continues to happen. The competition ROLLED ON
despite the administrative problems..
Roll on!
Said when you can't wait for something Roll on Friday! It's been a dreadful
nice in the future.
week..
Roll out
Launch or introduce a new product,
The company ROLLED OUT its
initiative, etc..
takeover plans last week..
Roll up
To appear in large numbers for an
Thousands ROLLED UP to see the
event.
stars at the film premiere..
Roll up!
An imperative used to attract people to Roll up! Come and see the circus
a public event.
tonight..
Romp in
Win easily.
In the first race, the favourite
ROMPED IN..
Romp
Do something easily or quickly.
We ROMPED THROUGH the tasks
through
because they were so simple..
Room in
To keep a mother and baby together
Nowadays, most hospitals have a
after the birth.
policy of ROOMING IN mothers and
their babies..
Root about Look in a place to try to find
He ROOTED ABOUT in his
something.
briefcase, trying to find a pen..
Root
Look in a place to try to find
I ROOTED AROUND my flat trying
around
something.
to find the letter..
Root for
Support.
Everyone was ROOTING FOR
Arsenal to win the Champions
League..
Root out
Look for and find.
The police ROOTED OUT the
informer..
Root out
Find the source of a problem and
They are trying to ROOT OUT the
remove it.
troublemakers..
Root up
Dig a plant out of the ground.
He ROOTED UP the plants and
replanted them..
Rope in
Get somebody to help.
The teacher ROPED her students IN
to carry her stuff when she had to
change classroom..
Rope into Get someone to help or become
I got ROPED INTO helping them set
involved, usually when they don't want the stall up..
to.
Rope off
Extend ropes or barriers across or
The celebrity entrance was ROPED
around an area.
OFF from the general public..
Rough up Assault.
The mugger ROUGHED him UP
when he refused to hand his wallet
over..
Round off Finish something in a satisfactory
Winning the FA Cup ROUNDED
manner.
OFF a wonderful season for Arsenal..

Row back

Retreat from a position.

The prime minister refused to ROW

BACK and lost the vote..
Rub along Have a reasonably good relationship. They're not friends, but we RUB
ALONG..
Rub down Dry or clean something with a cloth.
She RUBBED the horse DOWN with
a towel after riding it..
Rub down Massage or rub someone to help them The trainer RUBBED her DOWN
relax.
after the race..
Rub in
Apply a substance like cream or
He applied the steroid cream and
ointment and rub it until it is absorbed. RUBBED it IN..
Rub it in
Emphasise how bad a situation is to
Even though the minister had
make someone feel worse.
resigned, the press RUBBED IT IN
by publishing more details of the
scandal..
Rub off on Pass a quality or characteristic to
His enthusiasm RUBS OFF ON
people.
everyone around him..
Rub out
Delete ink or pencil with an eraser.
He RUBBED OUT the figure and
wrote the correct one in..
Rub out
Kill.
The gangsters RUBBED him OUT
for stealing from them..
Rub up
Touch someone in a sensual or s*x*al The cat RUBBED UP AGAINST my
against
way.
leg purring..
Rub up on Revise.
I need to RUB UP ON my Portuguese
before I go to Brazil..
Rule out
Exclude a possibility.
The police have RULED OUT
suicide and are treating it as a case of
murder..
Run across Meet or find accidentally.
I RAN ACROSS an old friend in the
library..
Run after Chase, pursue.
The police RAN AFTER the guy
who'd stolen it, but he was too fast
for them..
Run after Try to become romantically involved He was RUNNING AFTER her for
with someone.
ages never managed to get a date..
Run against Oppose, make difficulties.
Opinion is RUNNING AGAINST his
policies and he has very little
support..
Run along Go away, leave (often as an
They kept disturbing him, so he told
imperative).
them to RUN ALONG and leave him
in peace..
Run
Be very busy doing many things.
I'm exhausted- I've been RUNNING
around
AROUND all day..
Run away Escape from people chasing you.
He RAN AWAY from his attackers..
Run away Leave home because of problems with She RAN AWAY to avoid a forced

other family members or to elope.

Run down Hit a pedestrian with a vehicle.
Run down
Run down
Run down
Run for
Run in
Run in
Run in
Run in
Run into
Run into
Run off
Run on
Run out of
Run over
Run over
Run over
Run
through
Run
through
Run to
Run to

marriage..
The minicab RAN him DOWN on
the zebra crossing..
Lose energy or power.
You should only recharge the battery
when it has fully RUN DOWN..
Criticise, disparage.
They're always RUNNING me
DOWN and I am sick and tired of it..
Find the source or origin of something. The police RAN DOWN all the leads
they had and caught them..
Campaign for a position.
She's thinking about RUNNING FOR
the presidency..
Arrest, take to police station for
They RAN him IN last night..
questioning.
Drive a new car carefully in order not She RAN the car IN for a thousand
to damage the engine.
miles..
Pay a casual visit.
We RAN IN and chatted for an hour..
Insert.
He RAN a graph IN next to the text..
Cost.
The project has RUN INTO millions
of dollars without any prospect of a
return on this investment..
Meet by accident.
I RAN INTO James in a bar in the
City on Friday..
Make photocopies.
Could you RUN OFF two hundred
copies of this report, please..
Be powered by.
The van RUNS ON diesel..
Have none left.
We've RUN OUT OF sugar; I'm
going to the shops for some..
Explain quickly.
Could you RUN OVER that point
again; I'm afraid I didn't quite
understand it..
Hit with a vehicle.
The driver couldn't stop in time and
RAN the fox OVER when it ran in
front of his car..
Exceed a time limit.
The meeting RAN OVER by twenty
minutes..
Practise a dramatic work like a play
The cast RAN THROUGH the play
quickly.
the day before it opened to the
public..
Stab or wound deeply with a knife,
The musketeer RAN his enemy
sword, etc..
THROUGH with a sword and killed
him..
Go to someone for help.
Whenever he gets into debt, he
RUNS TO his parents for help..
Include in things you like.
His musical tastes RUN TO the

Residents, who are hated by most

people..
Run to
Have enough money to buy something, Things are a bit tight and won't RUN
often negative.
TO going abroad for a holiday..
Run up
Move quickly to where someone is.
He RAN UP next to me and started
shouting..
Run up
Hoist, raise a flag.
They RAN UP the Union Jack..
Run up
Do or make something very quickly.
He RAN UP a few examples for them
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 unexpected. They RAN UP AGAINST a lot of
against
opposition to the construction..
Run up on Approach someone without their
Robert was sitting in his car and a
knowing.
guy RAN UP ON him and shot
through the car but missed..
Run with Keep company, normally bad.
She RUNS WITH some dodgy
characters..
Rush away Leave a place in a hurry.
They RUSHED AWAY when the
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..
Rush off
Depart in a hurry.
Zac RUSHED OFF to get to his
medical appointment..
Rush out Release or put something on sale
They RUSHED the single OUT after
quickly.
it started getting airplay..
Rustle up Make something quickly without much We RUSTLED UP dinner from what
preparation.
was in the fridge..
S
Saddle up

Put a saddle on and prepare an animal She SADDLED UP the horse and
to ride.
rode off..
Saddle with Give someone a task or responsibility They SADDLED me WITH
that is difficult or hard work.
preparing the visit..
Sag off
Not go to school or work, or leave early I was bored so I SAGGED OFF work
when you shouldn't.
early and went home..
Sail into
Criticise angrily.
He SAILED INTO me for turning up
an hour late..
Sail
Pass easily, succeed.
He SAILED THROUGH the final
through
test..
Sally forth Leave somewhere safe or comfortable. The townspeople SALLIED FORTH
to fight the invading army..
Sally out
Leave somewhere safe or comfortable. Though it was pouring with rain, we

SALLIED OUT to meet her..

Salt away Save money.
She's making a lot of money, but
SALTS it AWAY rather than spending
it..
Save on
Reduce or avoid consumption to cut
I use Skype to SAVE ON my phone
costs.
bills..
Save up
For money for a particular purpose.
He's SAVING UP to buy a car..
Save up
Collect or store something for future
I'm SAVING UP the receipts to claim
use.
on them all at once..
Saw off
To remove something by cutting it with He SAWED OFF the legs of the
a saw.
chair..
Saw up
Cut into pieces with a saw.
We SAWED the plank UP to make
the shelves..
Scale back Make something smaller than originally They had to SCALE BACK the
planned.
project because of the costs..
Scale down Make something smaller than originally They have had to SCALE DOWN the
planned.
project because of the costs..
Scale up
Increase, make bigger.
They are SCALING UP the
programme because it has been so
successful..
Scare away Frighten someone some much that they The cat SCARED the birds AWAY..
go away.
Scare off
Make someone so frightened that he or The vicious Doberman guard-dog
she away.
SCARED the burglars AWAY..
Scout about Look in different places for something. The company is SCOUTING
ABOUT for new staff..
Scout
Look in different places for something. We SCOUTED AROUND to find the
around
best price..
Scout out Search for something.
The researcher spent months
SCOUTING OUT the answer..
Scout
Look in different places for something. I SCOUTED ROUND for a bargain..
round
Scout up
Try to find someone for a task or
We'd better SCOUT UP a
requirement.
replacement for her..
Scrape
Manage with little money.
I've been SCRAPING ALONG on
along
temporary work since I lost my job..
Scrape by Just manage to pass something.
I thought I was going to fail, but
SCRAPED BY with 51%..
Scrape in Just get enough to succeed, pass or be The government SCRAPED IN with
accepted.
51% of the votes cast..
Scrape into Be accepted somewhere, but only just. She got mediocre grades and just
SCRAPED INTO university..
Scrape
Pass a test but only just.
I did no revision and only just
through
SCRAPED THROUGH the final

exams..
Scrape
Manage to collect enough of something I had to search my flat for money to
together
you need, usually money.
SCRAPE TOGETHER what I
needed..
Scrape up Manage to collect enough of something It took me ages to SCRAPE UP the
you need, usually money.
money for the tickets..
Screen off Separate a part of a room with
We SCREENED OFF the area where
something like a curtain, screen, etc.. we had the discussion from the rest of
the meeting..
Screen out Exclude.
Applicants without the right
qualifications were SCREENED
OUT..
Screen out Block light.
The sun cream SCREENS OUT UV
light..
Screen out Stop noticing something.
There are so many notices and signs
that I have started SCREENING
them OUT..
Screw
Waste time.
He spent the afternoon SCREWING
around
AROUD and got nothing done..
Screw
Be s*xu*lly promiscuous.
He SCREWED AROUND a lot at
around
university..
Screw over Treat harshly or cheat.
The IRS really SCREWED him
OVER..
Screw up Do badly or fail.
David SCREWED UP his oral exam
but still managed to scrape a pass..
See about Arrange, consider.
I'll SEE ABOUT whether we can
manage it..
See into
Accompany someone into an office.
Her secretary SAW me INTO her
office..
See off
Chase somebody or something away. A cat came into the back garden but
the dog soon SAW it OFF..
See off
Go to the airport, station, etc., to say
I went to the station to SEE them
goodbye to someone.
OFF..
See out
Accompany a guest to your front door Are you sure you're going? I'll get
when they are leaving your house.
your coats and SEE you OUT..
See through Continue with something to the end.
They had a lot of difficulties in
implementing the project, but the
team SAW it THROUGH
successfully..
See through Realise someone is lying or being
The police quickly SAW THROUGH
deceitful.
her disguise and arrested her..
See to
Deal with something.
He SAW TO the arrangements and
everything ran smoothly and
efficiently..

Sell off

Sell a business or part of it.

They SOLD OFF their research

subsidiary..
Sell off
Sell something cheaply because you
She SOLD OFF her furniture before
need the money or don't need it.
she emigrated..
Sell on
Convince someone.
We managed to SELL him ON the
expansion plans..
Sell on
Buy something then sell it to someone We buy them wholesale and SELL
else.
them ON to the public..
Sell out
Have no more of something left
The tickets for the Primal Scream
because it has been bought.
concert at the Brixton Academy
SOLD OUT in a couple of hours..
Sell out
Lose all artistic integrity in return for Most bands SELL OUT when they
commercial success.
sign to a major record label, and
forget all their principles when
pursuing chart success..
Sell up
Sell a house or business to move
We want to SELL UP and move to
somewhere or do something different. the country..
Send back Return something.
I SENT my food BACK because it
was overcooked..
Send for
Ask someone to come and help.
I had to SEND FOR a plumber
because the radiator was leaking..
Send in
Order people into a place to handle a The police were SENT IN to quell the
problem.
riot as the protesters had started
burning cars and wrecking shops..
Send in
Write to get information.
If you want to enter the competition,
you have to SEND IN for an entry
form..
Send off
Expel a sports player from a match.
The football striker was SENT OFF
for arguing with the referee's
decision..
Send off
Post a letter.
I must SEND this letter OFF today
otherwise it won't get there in time..
Send off for Order something by post.
I SENT OFF FOR some jeans that I
liked in the catalogue..
Send out
Send something to a lot of people.
They SENT OUT a mailshot to all
their existing customers..
Send out
Order takeaway food by phone.
We couldn't be bothered to cook, so
for
we SENT OUT FOR a pizza..
Send up
Imitate/impersonate for comic effect. The mischievous schoolboy was
standing at the front of the class,
SENDING the teacher UP, when the
teacher opened the door behind him..
Set about Start doing something.
We SET ABOUT the cleaning and
got it done before lunchtime..
Set about Attack.
The gang SET ABOUT her as she left

Set apart
Set aside

Set back
Set back
Set forth
Set forth
Set in
Set off
Set off
Set off
Set off
Set off
Set off
Set on
Set out
Set out
Set out
Set to
Set up
Set up

the bank..
Distinguish, be better than or different The quality of their work SETS them
from others.
APART from their rivals..
Overturn a court verdict or decision.
The Appeal Court SET ASIDE the
guilty verdict because the evidence
was unsatisfactory and declared her
not guilty..
Cost.
The car repairs SET me BACK eight
hundred pounds..
Delay.
The accident SET the project BACK
several months..
State or outline an opinion.
He SET FORTH his ideas in his
autobiography..
Start a journey.
We SET FORTH at daybreak for the
summit of the mountain..
Change season noticeably.
Winter has SET IN; it's started
snowing..
Explode a bomb.
Terrorists SET OFF a car bomb in the
city centre last night. Fortunately, noone was hurt or killed..
Ring an alarm.
The smoke SET the fire alarm OFF..
Start a journey.
We SET OFF for work at seventhirty..
Counterbalance a debt.
The company SET OFF its overseas
debts against it profits at home..
Provide a visual contrast that looks
The dark frame SETS the pale
good.
drawing OFF well..
Cause, trigger events.
The pay freeze SET OFF a wave of
strikes..
Attack.
He was SET ON when he left the
bar..
Display, show.
The figures are SET OUT in the
council's annual report..
Start a journey.
The explorers SET OUT for the
South Pole yesterday morning..
Arrange, organise.
The contract SETS OUT all the
details of the agreement..
Work hard or enthusiastically.
If we all SET TO, we should be able
to finish this in a few hours..
Prepare equipment, software, etc., for The technician SET UP the computer
use.
network perfectly..
Start a company.
They SET UP a dot com company,
floated it a couple of years later on
the Stock Exchange and made an

absolute fortune..
Set up
Provide someone with the money
Winning the lottery SET them UP for
needed to live.
life..
Set up
Trick, deceive.
The police SET them UP..
Set upon
Attack.
They SET UPON her when she was
in the car park..
Settle down Start living a fixed and routine life.
After years of partying and drinking,
she finally got married and
SETTLED DOWN..
Settle for Accept whatever is available.
We were upset not to win and had to
SETTLE FOR the second prize..
Settle in
Get used to.
It took him a while to SETTLE IN
when he moved to Japan..
Settle on
Agree.
They couldn't agree at first on a name
for their daughter, but finally
SETTLED ON Alice..
Settle up
Pay a debt.
Let's SETTLE UP for the dinner the
other night..
Sex up
Change information to make it more
The government denied that they had
attractive to the reader or listener.
SEXED UP the report to make the
front page..
Shack up Live with someone when you are in a They SHACKED UP a few months
relationship..
after they started going out..
Shack up Live somewhere temporarily.
We had to SHACK UP with friends
while our house was being
decorated..
Shade in
Make a part of a picture darker.
She SHADED IN the area under the
tree..
Shake
Search.
The police SHOOK the house
down
DOWN looking for dr*gs..
Shake
Extort or cheat money from someone. He SHOOK the guy DOWN with
down
some story about needing the money
for an operation..
Shake off Get rid of an illness.
It took me ages to SHAKE OFF the
cough..
Shake out Shake clothes, cloths, etc to remove dirt He took the tablecloth outside and
or creases.
SHOOK it OUT after dinner..
Shake up Upset or shock.
The news of her death really SHOOK
me UP..
Shake up Make major changes to improve or
The management are SHAKING
save a company, organisation, etc.
things UP and getting rid of a lot of
workers..
Shake up Mix things in a container by shaking
Pour the ingredients into a container
hard.
and SHAKE them UP..

Shape up

Develop in a positive way.

Things are SHAPING UP at workeverything's going well again..

Shape up Improve to reach an acceptable
If they don't start SHAPING UP,
standard.
they're going to lose their jobs..
Shave off Shave completely.
He has SHAVED OFF his moustache
and looks much younger..
Shave off Reduce by a small amount.
He SHAVED a few thousand OFF the
budget for the year..
Shell out
Spend money on something, especially I had to SHELL OUT a hundred
when you think it's too expensive.
pounds on the dinner..
Ship off
Send someone away, often because of a He was causing a lot of trouble, so
problem.
they SHIPPED him OFF to another
branch.
Ship out
Send goods to a place.
We SHIPPED the order OUT two
days ago..
Ship out
Leave a place.
If you've finished your work, I'm
ready to SHIP OUT..
Shoot away Leave somewhere quickly.
He SHOT AWAY as soon as the bell
rang for the end of the lesson..
Shoot back Return quickly.
I'm SHOOTING BACK home to pick
up some things I forgot to bring with
me..
Shoot for Have as a goal.
Im SHOOTING FOR nothing less
than the presidency..
Shoot off Leave promptly and quickly.
I'll have to SHOOT OFF as soon as
the lesson finishes, otherwise I'll miss
my train..
Shoot out Go out for a short time.
I'm SHOOTING OUT to the shops
for a paper..
Shoot up Increase quickly.
The share prices of internet
companies have been SHOOTING
UP lately..
Shoot up Take illicit dr*gs intravenously..
The heroin-user would SHOOT UP in
shop doorways..
Shoot up Damage with gun-shots.
The gangsters SHOT UP the pub..
Shoot up Increase quickly, grow.
Johnny has SHOT UP since I last saw
him.
Shop
Look around for the best price, quality, If you SHOP AROUND, you can find
around
etc..
some real bargains for air tickets..
Short out Short circuit.
The battery SHORTED OUT when it
got wet..
Shout down Make so much noise to stop someone His efforts to raise the issue were
being heard.
SHOUTED DOWN..
Shout out Say something loudly, often to attract She SHOUTED OUT my name..

Show
around
Show in
Show off
Show off
Show off
Show out
Show over
Show
round
Show
through
Show up
Show up
Show up
Shrug off
Shut away
Shut down
Shut down
Shut in
Shut off
Shut out
Shut out
Shut out of

someone's attention.
Take someone to a place to show them The estate agent SHOWED us
certain parts.
AROUND the house but we didn't
like it much..
Take someone into an office or other The secretary SHOWED me IN to
room.
speak to the manager..
Behave in a way so as to attract
The children were SHOWING OFF
attention.
and irritated me..
Display something you are proud of. He wanted to SHOW OFF his new
sound system..
Make the qualities of another thing
The shirt really SHOWED OFF his
more apparent.
new tie..
Take someone to out of a room or
Her secretary SHOWED me OUT
building.
after the interview..
Take someone around a site.
He SHOWED us OVER the scene of
the accident.
Take someone to a place to show them The guide SHOWED them ROUND
certain parts.
the historic part of the city..
When a feeling can be seen despite
His anger SHOWED THROUGH
attempts to conceal it.
despite his smile..
Attend something or arrive somewhere. Very few SHOWED UP at the
meeting..
Become clear or apparent.
The downturn in sales SHOWED UP
in the company's accounts..
Make someone feel embarrassed or
He SHOWED us UP when he arrived
ashamed.
drunk and started arguing..
Disregard something, not consider it
He SHRUGGED OFF the criticism
important or harmful.
and carried on the same way..
Imprison or remove someone's
Many people have been SHUT
freedom.
AWAY in psychiatric hospitals for
disagreeing with the government..
Close a business, shop, etc..
The shop SHUT DOWN when the
out-of-town supermarket opened..
Turn a computer off.
You should close all programs before
you SHUT a computer DOWN..
Prevent someone from leaving.
I SHUT the cat IN until it was time to
go to the vet..
Close, prevent access.
They SHUT the water OFF while
they did the repairs..
Exclude.
You have to SHUT your feelings
OUT to deal with it..
Not allow a player or team to score.
The Dodgers SHUT OUT the Giants
3-0..
Exclude someone from an activity, etc. He's been SHUT OUT OF the

Shut up

Stop talking or making noise.

Shut up

Close for a period of time.

Shut
yourself
away
Shy away
from
Side with

Withdraw from company.

Avoid doing something because you
lack confidence.
Support someone.

discussions..
He told us to SHUT UP and start
working..
They SHUT the shop UP for a
fortnight while they were on holiday..
She's SHUT herself AWAY to revise
for her exams..

Many learners SHY AWAY FROM

using phrasal verbs..
The lecturer SIDED WITH her
students and got sacked for her
pains..
Sidle up to Approach someone discreetly.
He SIDLED UP TO me and
whispered his name..
Sift
Examine a lot of things carefully.
We had to SIFT THROUGH
through
thousands of files before we found
what we were looking for..
Sign away Give away legal or property rights.
He SIGNED AWAY his rights to
compensation when he signed the
contract..
Sign for
Write a signature on behalf on
My boss was out for the day, so I
someone.
SIGNED her letters FOR her..
Sign in
Register in a hotel.
We SIGNED IN and went straight to
bed..
Sign in
Open a computer program that requires I SIGNED IN and started chatting
a name and password.
online..
Sign in
Write your name when entering a place. You have to SIGN IN before you can
enter the club..
Sign into Open a particular computer program
I SIGN INTO MSN Messenger
that requires a name and password.
automatically when I boot up..
Sign off
End a message.
I'll SIGN OFF now, but will write
again next week..
Sign off
Close a claim for unemployment
I SIGNED OFF when I got my new
benefit.
job..
Sign off
Stop doing something to leave.
I'm SIGNING OFF now and going
home- I'm shattered..
Sign off
Give someone a letter to be away from My doctor SIGNED me OFF for a
work.
month with back problems..
Sign off on Give official approval.
The director SIGNED OFF ON the
plans to increase sales..
Sign on
Open a claim for unemployment
I had to SIGN ON when I lost my
benefit.
job..
Sign on
Agree to participate.
I've SIGNED ON to help at the

village fete..
Sign on
Start broadcasting.
He SIGNS ON the same way every
show..
Sign on
Employ.
We've SIGNED ON two new
teachers..
Sign on
Sign a document joining or agreeing to He's SIGNED ON WITH Manchester
with
something.
United for the next three years..
Sign out
Close a computer program that requires I SIGNED OUT and then shut the
a name and password.
computer down..
Sign out
Sign something to show you have
Could you SIGN those books OUT,
borrowed something.
please?.
Sign out of Close a particular computer program I SIGNED OUT OF MSN Messenger
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..
Sign with Make a contract with.
She's SIGNED WITH EMI for the
next few years..
Simmer
Become calmer, make less noise.
He told them to SIMMER DOWN
down
because they were disturbing the
class next door..
Sing along To sing when a piece of music is being I SANG ALONG when they played it
played or performed by someone else.. on the radio..
Sing out
Reply loudly.
When you hear your name, SING
OUT!.
Sing out
Sing loudly.
Everyone SANG OUT during the
chorus..
Sing up
Sing louder.
We can't hear you- SING UP..
Single out Select or choose one from a group.
Many people applied for the job but
we will SINGLE OUT the best one..
Sink in
Slowly come to be understood.
The truth finally SANK IN about her
death when it was broadcast on TV..
Sit about Sit and do nothing, especially when you We spent the afternoon SITTING
should be working.
ABOUT chatting instead of doing
any work..
Sit around Sit idly, doing nothing.
They just SAT AROUND while the
others did all the work..
Sit back
Wait for something to happen without We SAT BACK and waited for them
making any effort.
to make the first mistake..
Sit back
Relax in a chair.
I SAT BACK and enjoyed the show..
Sit by
Not try to stop something.
I can't SIT BY while they are
punished wrongly..
Sit down
Help someone to sit.
The nurse SAT me DOWN in a chair..
Sit for
Pose for an artist or photographer.
The Queen SAT FOR another official
portrait..

Sit for

Look after children while their parents

are out.
Occupy a building to protest about
something.

She SITS FOR her neighbors when

they go out..
Sit in
The students SAT IN the Library as a
protest against the increase in tuition
fees..
Sit in for
Take on someone's responsibilities
Her deputy's SITTING IN FOR her
while they are absent.
while she's away..
Sit in on
Attend as an observer.
She SAT IN ON the meeting and took
notes but said nothing..
Sit on
Be on a committee.
She's SAT ON the finance committee
from the beginning..
Sit on
To handle somebody firmly who
If his girlfriend finds out, she'll get
behaves impertinently, conceitedly.
mad and SIT ON him..
Sit on
Hold information back or keep it secret. The government have been SITTING
ON the report because it was so
critical..
Sit out
Not take part.
I had to SIT the game OUT because I
was ill..
Sit over
Eat or drink slowly.
WE SAT OVER dinner discussing the
plans..
Sit through Stay till the end of something dull.
I was bored and wanted to leave
halfway through, but we SAT
THROUGH the film..
Sit with
Reconcile different positions.
It's hard to see how their new plan
SITS WITH the promises they made..
Size up
Assess a situation or person carefully.. The doorstaff SIZED UP everyone
entering the club..
Size up
Make something bigger or produce
Soft drinks manufacturers have
bigger products.
SIZED UP their products in recent
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?.
Skive off
Avoid doing work or other duty.
I pretended I was ill and SKIVED
OFF on Monday..
Slack off
Reduce one's effort, perform with less Students usually begin the term well,
enthusiasm and energy.
then SLACK OFF near the end of the
semester..
Slacken off Become less busy or intense.
Work SLACKENS OFF during the
holiday period..
Slag off
Criticise heavily.
The concert was terrible and all the
papers SLAGGED the band OFF..
Slant
Favour one viewpoint, bias.
That travel magazine is totally
toward
SLANTED TOWARD the ultra-rich..
Sleep in
Sleep longer than usual.
Lets SLEEP IN tomorrow

morning- we wont have another

chance for weeks..
Sleep off
Sleep in order to recover from excess She went to bed TO SLEEP OFF the
al*oh*l, dr*gs, etc..
effects of the tequila..
Sleep on
Think about something.
My boss said she'd have to SLEEP
ON it when I asked her for a raise..
Sleep over Spend the night at someone else's
The au pair made tea for the friends
house.
who were SLEEPING OVER..
Sleep
Not wake up.
I SLEPT THROUGH the storm even
through
though the wind blew some slates off
the roof..
Slice off
Cut, remove an amount or part of
They CUT 10% OFF the original
something.
price..
Slice up
Cut completely into pieces or slices.
I SLICED the cake UP and handed it
round to the people there..
Slip away Lose an opportunity or the chance of Their hopes of getting back into the
winning, succeeding, etc.
game SLIPPED AWAY after the
second goal..
Slip away Pass quickly (time).
The year has SLIPPED AWAY and it
is hard to believe it's over..
Slip by
Pass quickly (time).
The years SLIP BY as you get older..
Slip by
Lose an opportunity or the chance of He didn't follow the offer up and let it
winning, succeeding, etc.
SLIP BY..
Slip down Be enjoyable to drink or eat.
The cold beer SLIPPED DOWN a
treat after the walk..
Slip in
Try to include something discreetly
He SLIPPED IN a mention of his
when speaking.
exam results to remind us how well
he did..
Slip into
Put clothes on quickly.
I got out of my suit and SLIPPED
INTO my pyjamas..
Slip into
Acquire bad habits or fall into a bad or The economy SLIPPED INTO
negative state or condition.
recession and shows no signs of
recovery..
Slip off
Leave a place discreetly.
It was very boring so we SLIPPED
OFF before it finished..
Slip off
Remove clothes.
I SLIPPED my shoes OFF when I
entered..
Slip off to Go somewhere discreetly.
We SLIPPED OFF TO the pub..
Slip on
Put clothes on quickly.
I SLIPPED my coat ON and rushed
outside..
Slip out
Leave discreetly.
The party was really dull so we
SLIPPED OUT and went to the pub
instead..
Slip up
Make an error.
The waitress SLIPPED UP and didn't

Slob about Be lazy, do nothing.

Slob
around
Slope off

Be lazy, do nothing.

Leave somewhere without letting

others know.
Slough off Get rid of, dispose.
Slough off Lose or shed outer layers of skin.
Slough off Ignore or trivialize an injury or insult.
Slow down Reduce speed.
Slow down Become less active.
Slow up

Slow the progress of something.

Slug it out Fight or argue.

bring us what we had ordered..

I SLOBBED ABOUT all day as I
couldn't be bothered to do any work..
I spent the day SLOBBING
AROUND at home..
The lecture sounded really boring, so
I SLOPED OFF and went to the pub..
The government is increasing its
powers but is SLOUGHING OFF
responsibility for its failures..
Snakes SLOUGH OFF their old
skin..
He SLOUGHED OFF the pain and
continued running..
The car SLOWED DOWN when they
saw the police..
It is important to slow down, rest, and
eat sensibly..
The negotiations were SLOWED UP
by the arguments..
They SLUGGED IT OUT for hours
but never came to an agreement..
The government's decision SMACKS
OF hypocrisy..
The police SMASHED the door
DOWN to get into the house..
He SMASHED the windscreen IN..

Smack of

Appear to have a negative quality.

Smash
down
Smash in

Demolish or break something down.

Smash up

The burglars SMASHED UP the

office as there was no money to
steal..
Force someone out of a place they're The police SMOKED the gang OUT
hiding in.
and arrested them..
Consume, take, buy something other
They SNAFFLED UP all the food
people may want.
before we got there..
Break a piece off something.
He SNAPPED OFF a bit of chocolate
from the bar and gave it to me...
Control negative emotions.
I was feeling depressed and knew I
had to SNAP OUT OF it..
Do something quickly.
He had taken ages so I told him to
SNAP TO IT and get it finished..
Get, acquire or buy something quickly. Collectors SNAPPED UP every copy
the day it was released..
Entangle.
My line was all SNARLED UP after I

Smoke out
Snaffle up
Snap off
Snap out of
Snap to it!
Snap up
Snarl up

Break something by hitting it

repeatedly.
Destroy, break into many pieces.

caught that last fish..

Sneak out Depart furtively.
Although the thieves tried to SNEAK
OUT after dark, we were ready for
them..
Sneak up Approach someone furtively.
Dave tried to SNEAK UP ON the
on
guard, but was seen anyway..
Sniff
Look around to see how good
I SNIFFED AROUND to see if I
around
something is or to try to find something could find a better deal..
better.
Sniff at
Disapprove or be scornful.
A job opportunity like that is not to
be SNIFFED AT..
Sniff out
Find something by smell (usually for Customs use dogs to SNIFF OUT
dogs).
illegal dr*gs being smuggled in..
Sniff out
Find out information, especially when Our rivals are trying to SNIFF OUT
people don't want anyone to know.
our plans for expansion..
Snitch on Divulge secrets, inform authorities
Reggie was caught after someone
about someone.
SNITCHED ON him to the teacher..
Snuff out Extinguish a small flame by covering it. I SNUFFED OUT the candles before
I went to bed..
Snuff out Kill.
He got SNUFFED OUT in a gang
war..
Snuff out End something suddenly.
I messed up the first question, which
SNUFFED OUT my chances of
getting a good grade..
Sober up Stop showing the effects of al*oh*l or Keith SOBERED UP a bit when we
dr*gs.
left the pub and walked home..
Soften up Weaken.
The bombardment SOFTENED UP
their defenses; I think we can move in
tomorrow..
Soften up Do things to please someone in the
I paid for everything to SOFTEN
hope that they will do what you want. them UP before they made the
decision..
Soldier on Continue even when things get
Life got hard for my dog when he
difficult.
went blind, but he just SOLDIERED
ON and never complained..
Sort out
Resolve a problem.
Has the firm SORTED OUT its tax
problems yet?.
Sound off To express your opinions forcefully.
He SOUNDED OFF about the
quality of the food..
Sound out Check what someone thinks about an You should SOUND her OUT to get
issue, idea, etc..
her opinion before you go ahead with
the plan..
Spaff away Waste (money, time, resources, etc).
The council is SPAFFING AWAY our
taxes on bonuses and consultants..

Spark off

Cause something, usually unpleasant,

to happen.
Light a cigarette or joint.

The riot was SPARKED OFF by the

police raid on the club..
Spark up
They SPARKED UP in a no smoking
area..
Speak out Talk openly and freely.
People are afraid to SPEAK OUT in
oppressive political regimes..
Speak up Talk more loudly.
They couldn't hear the speaker and
asked him to SPEAK UP a bit..
Spell out
Explain something in great detail.
He won't understand you unless you
SPELL everything OUT for him..
Spell out
Write or say the individual letters that I had to SPELL my surname OUT to
make up a word.
him as he didn't know how to spell it..
Spew out Expel, throw out.
The volcano is SPEWING OUT lava
and hot gases..
Spew up
Vomit.
He SPEWED UP when he was
drunk..
Spill out
When large numbers of people leave a The crowd SPILLED OUT onto the
place at the same time.
streets after the match had ended..
Spill out
Come or flow out of a box, container, The container was cracked and the
etc.
chemicals SPILLED OUT..
Spill out
Express or display emotions openly.
I let my frustration SPILL OUT..
Spill over When something bad has a wider
The protests and demonstrations have
impact on other people or situations.
SPILLED OVER into neighbouring
states..
Spill over Flow over the edge or top of a
I forgot to turn the tap off and the
container.
water SPILLED OVER..
Spin off
Produce an unexpected additional
The research SPUN OFF a number of
benefit.
new products as well as solving the
problem..
Spin off
Form a separate company from part of They SPUN OFF the retail division
an existing one.
last year..
Spin off
Create a TV show using characters
They SPUN it OFF from the main
from a popular show.
show, but it didn't really attract many
viewers..
Spin out
Lose control (vehicle).
The car hit the water and SPUN
OUT..
Spin out
Make something last as long as
I SPUN the work OUT to make as
possible.
much money from the job as I could..
Spirit away Remove someone secretly from a place. They SPIRITED her AWAY before
the police arrived..
Spirit off Remove someone secretly from a place. They SPIRITED him OFF before any
trouble started..
Spit it out An informal way of telling someone to Hurry up, SPIT IT OUT! I can't wait
say something they are unwilling to
all day for the truth..

Spit out
Splash
down
Splash out
Splash out
on
Split up
Split up
Spoil for
Sponge
down
Sponge off
Sponge on
Spring
back
Spring for
Spring
from
Spring
from
Spring on
Spring up
Spruce up
Spur on
Square
away
Square off

say.
Say something angrily.

He SPAT her name OUT when he

saw her arrive..
Land in the sea (space capsules).
Apollo 13 SPLASHED DOWN after
a harrowing flight..
Spend a lot of money on something that We went to an expensive restaurant
is not essential.
and SPLASHED OUT to celebrate.
Spend a lot of money on something.
I SPLASHED OUT ON a new
camera..
Divide into groups.
The teacher SPLIT the class UP into
groups of four..
Finish a relationship.
They are always SPLITTING UP and
then getting back together again..
Really want something.
He's been SPOILING FOR an
argument all day..
Clean something with a sponge.
I'll SPONGE it DOWN before
putting it away..
Accept free food and support without Lets go to New York, we can
any shame or qualms.
always SPONGE OFF my brother
there..
Accept or get money without doing any A lot of people are SPONGING ON
work.
the state by claiming benefits they're
not entitled to..
Return to original position after being The lock SPRINGS BACK when the
bent, forced or when pressure is
key is turned..
removed.
Pay for, often generously.
She is going to SPRING FOR all
their medical bills..
Appear suddenly and unexpectedly.
He SPRANG FROM the bushes
when I walked past..
Be the cause of something.
His anger SPRINGS FROM his
feelings of insecurity..
Surprise someone.
They SPRUNG a birthday party ON
me at work..
Appear suddenly.
Charity shops are SPRINGING UP in
the recession..
To smarten, make something neat and We SPRUCED the flat UP before we
tidy.
put it on the market..
Encourage someone to continue.
The thought of the bonus SPURRED
her ON to complete the work on
time..
Finish or sort something out.
There are few things I have to
SQUARE AWAY before I can leave..
Confront someone or prepare to fight The two drunks SQUARED OFF and

them.
Square off Confront someone or prepare to fight
against
them.
Square up Pay back a debt.
Square up Confront someone or prepare to fight
them.
Square up Accept responsibility or guilt.
to
Square
with
Square
with
Squeeze up

Match, conform to.

Stack up
Stack up

Check with someone that something is

OK.
Get more people into a space than
normal or comfortable.
Put things in a pile.
Accumulate.

Stack up

Increase, accumulate something.

Stack up
Stack up

Be logical, make sense.

Build up the number of planes waiting
to land at an airport.

Stack up
against
Staff up

Be as good as something.

Stand
about
Stand
around
Stand aside

Spend time in a place waiting or doing

nothing or very little.
Spend time in a place waiting or doing
nothing or very little.
Leave a position so that someone else
can take it.

Employ someone for something

specific.
Stamp out Get rid of something.

Stand back Keep a distance from something.

Stand back Try to understand something by taking
a different perspective.

the barman had to intervene before a

fight broke out..
They SQUARED OFF AGAINST the
police when they arrived..
Can I SQUARE UP with you for last
night?.
The companies are SQUARING UP
for a fight..
They need to SQUARE UP TO what
they did wrong if we are to make any
progress..
What he said doesn't SQUARE
WITH what the others said..
I'll have to CHECK that WITH my
boss before I can confirm it..
Four of us had to SQUEEZE UP in
the back of the car..
I STACKED UP the boxes..
Work STACKED UP while I was
away on holiday..
I've been STACKING UP a lot of air
miles..
The budget figures don't STACK UP..
Planes were STACKING UP while
the airport was closed after the bomb
threat..
The new model doesn't STACK UP
AGAINST the old one..
They haven't STAFFED the project
UP yet..
The government has started a
campaign to STAMP OUT dr*gs in
schools..
We STOOD ABOUT drinking coffee
before the lecture..
We STOOD AROUND for an hour
waiting for them to turn up..
The prime minister should STAND
ASIDE and let a new leader head the
party..
We STOOD BACK while he lit the
firework..
We need to STAND BACK and look
at the problem differently..

Stand by

Support someone.

He STOOD BY her throughout the

trial as he believed her to be
innocent..
Stand by Be ready and waiting for something to The emergency services were
happen.
STANDING BY waiting for the plane
to land..
Stand down Leave a job or position so that someone The minister announced her intention
else can take it.
to STAND DOWN at the next
election..
Stand down Finish being asked questions in a court. The judge told the witness to STAND
DOWN after the questioning..
Stand for Accept or tolerate behaviour.
I'm not going to STAND FOR their
rudeness any longer..
Stand for The words represented by certain
'WHAT do the letters BBC STAND
initials.
FOR? ' 'British Broadcasting
Corporation.'.
Stand in for Substitute someone temporarily.
She had to STAND IN FOR the
editor while he was on holiday..
Stand out Be extraordinary and different.
She STOOD OUT from the crowd in
selection and was offered the job..
Stand up Move from a sitting or lying down to a Everybody STOOD UP when the
vertical position.
judge entered the court..
Stand up Fail to keep an appointment.
He agreed to meet me last night, but
he STOOD me UP..
Stand up Defend, support.
He's the kind of manager who will
for
always STAND UP FOR his staff..
Stand up to Keep your principles when challenged She STOOD UP TO the police when
by an authority.
they tried to corrupt her..
Stand up to Resist damage.
This coat will STAND UP TO the
roughest weather conditions..
Stare down Look at someone until they cannot look He was angry but I STARED him
at you.
DOWN and he left without saying
much..
Start off
Make something start.
They STARTED OFF the meeting
with an attack on our performance..
Start off
Begin life, a career or existence.
She STARTED OFF as a receptionist
and ended up as the CEO..
Start off
Begin a journey.
We STARTED OFF early because we
knew the journey would take all day..
Start off
Make someone laugh.
I was trying to be serious, but their
comment STARTED me OFF..
Start off on Help someone to start a piece or work I STARTED her OFF ON the project
or activity.
then left her to finish it..
Start on
Begin to use or consume.
It's time to START ON that bottle of

Start on
Start on at
Start out
Start out as
Start out to
Start over
Start up
Start up
Start up
Start up
Start up
Stash away
Stave in
Stave off
Stay away
Stay away
from
Stay in
Stay on
Stay out
Stay over
Stay up
Steal away

wine..
Criticise angrily.
The manager was furious and
STARTED ON her staff for not trying
hard enough..
Criticise or nag.
He STARTED ON AT me for being
late..
Begin a journey.
We STARTED OUT early in the
morning..
Begin life, existence or a career.
What had STARTED OUT AS a
protest quickly turned into a fullblown rebellion..
Intend, plan.
I didn't START OUT TO become the
boss- it just happened..
Begin something again.
It's a mess- I think we should just
START OVER..
Open a business.
The firm STARTED UP on a
shoestring budget..
Begin, especially sounds.
There was a pause, then the noise
STARTED UP again..
When an engine starts working.
The car STARTED UP first time..
Make an engine work.
I STARTED the car UP..
Sit or stand upright because someone He STARTED UP when I entered the
has surprised you.
room and tried to hide what he was
doing..
Store or hide something in a safe place. I STASHED some money AWAY
behind some books..
Push or break something inwards.
The police STOVE the front door IN
and arrested them..
Delay, prevent something from
The medicine STAVED OFF the
happening.
worst of the disease..
Not come.
He said he didn't like them coming
and wanted them to STAY AWAY..
Avoid, not come.
He told them to STAY AWAY FROM
him..
Not go out.
I'm going to STAY IN and chill
tonight; I can't be bothered to go out..
Remain longer than anticipated.
She STAYED ON after she graduated
to do a Master's degree..
Not go home.
We STAYED OUT all night..
Stay overnight.
I STAYED OVER at a friend's house
last night because of the train strike..
Not go to bed.
The children STAYED UP until way
past their bedtime..
Leave a place quietly or secretly.
We didn't want to wake them, so we

Steal out
Steal over
Steal up
Steal up on
Steer clear
of
Stem from
Step aside

Step back
Step down
Step down
Step
forward
Step in
Step on it
Step out
Step to
Step to
Step up
Stick
around

STOLE AWAY in the middle of the

night..
Leave in a stealthy or quiet manner.
Not wanting to attract attention, she
STOLE OUT early..
Be gradually overcome by an emotion A feeling of pride STOLE OVER me
or feeling.
as I watched..
Approach quietly or secretly.
The lights were off and everything
was quiet so we STOLE UP as
quietly as we could..
Approach a place or someone quietly or We STOLE UP ON them so that they
secretly.
couldn't sound the alarm..
Avoid.
He's trying to STEER CLEAR OF his
lecturer because he hasn't finished his
assignment yet..
Originate, be caused by.
The trouble STEMS FROM their
refusal to discuss the matter..
Leave a job or position so that someone Everyone thinks that the prime
else can take over.
minister should STEP ASIDE so that
someone new can lead the party into
the election..
Look at something from a different
We should STEP BACK and try to
perspective.
see how our customers will view the
scheme..
Leave a job or position so that someone The CEO STEPPED DOWN after the
can take over.
share price dropped..
Reduce.
Production is being STEPPED
DOWN because demand has
dropped..
Offer help.
When I had the accident, a lot of
people STEPPED FORWARD to help
me..
Get involved by interrupting
I had to STEP IN when they started
something.
fighting..
An imperative used to tell someone to I told the taxi driver to STEP ON IT
go faster, especially when driving.
as I was late for the meeting..
Leave a place for a very short time.
They've STEPPED OUT for a
cigarette..
Confront.
Don't STEP TO those guys; they'll
kill you..
Chat, talk to.
He tried to STEP TO her in the bar..
Increase.
The police have STEPPED UP the
pressure on beggars working the
Underground..
Stay in a place for some time.
He's late, but I'll STICK AROUND
for another few minutes before I

leave..
Stick at
Continue doing something despite
She found the course very tough but
difficulties.
she STUCK AT it and did well in the
end..
Stick by
Support someone when they are having No one STUCK BY him when the
difficulties.
scandal became public..
Stick by
Support a plan, opinion or decision.
They are STICKING BY their
claims..
Stick down Write something quickly or without
I couldn't answer the test so I just
thinking about it.
STUCK anything DOWN that I could
remember..
Stick down Join surfaces with glue.
I STUCK the label DOWN..
Stick it to Criticise someone.
She STUCK IT TO me for turning up
half an hour late..
Stick it to Treat someone badly or unfairly.
My boss always STICKS IT TO me
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..
Stick out Continue doing something difficult or I STUCK it OUT even though I hated
unpleasant.
every minute of it..
Stick out Demand a salary raise.
We're STICKING OUT FOR a 5%
for
increase..
Stick to
Not change.
The Prime Minister decided to
STICK TO the original plan despite
the criticism in the media..
Stick to
Restrict or limit and not change.
I STUCK TO the path and didn't take
the shortcut..
Stick
Support each other.
If we don't STICK TOGETHER,
together
things will be much worse for all of
us- we need some unity..
Stick up
Stand on end.
The static electricity made my hair
STICK UP..
Stick up
Rob using weapons.
They STUCK the bank UP and stole
tens of thousands..
Stick up for Support or defend.
You have to STICK UP FOR yourself
here, because no one will back you..
Stick with Not change something.
We'd better STICK WITH our
original idea..
Stick with Stay near someone.
He told the children to STICK WITH
him in the station..
Stick with Not be forgotten.
The details have STUCK WITH me
ever since..
Stick with Continue with something difficult or
I STUCK WITH the job though I

Stiffen up

unpleasant.
Become rigid.

Stiffen up

Make something rigid.

Stir up

Make trouble for someone else.

Stitch up

Sew something so that it is closed.

Stitch up

Finalise a deal.

Stitch up

Cheat someone or make them look

guilty when they aren't.

Stomp off

Leave somewhere angrily.

Stomp on
Stop
around
Stop back

Treat badly or defeat.

Visit someone for a short time..
Return somewhere.

Stop behind Stay somewhere when other people

leave.
Stop by

Visit somewhere briefly or quickly.

Stop in

Stay at home.

Stop in

Visit briefly.

Stop off

Break a journey.

Stop out
Stop over

Be out late, especially when you are

expected home.
Stay somewhere when on a journey.

Stop up

Stay up late.

Stop up

Fill or block something.

Storm off

Leave a place angrily.

found it very stressful..

My back STIFFENS UP in cold
weather..
They used starch to STIFFEN the
collars UP..
He STIRRED things UP by
complaining to senior management
about his line manager..
I STITCHED UP the hole in my
sleeve..
We get the contract STITCHED UP
this week..
The police STITCHED them UP
because they couldn't find any
evidence against them..
He lost his temper and STOMPED
OFF home..
They STOMP ON their competitors..
Why don't you STOP AROUND my
place on your way back?.
I'll STOP BACK this afternoon when
you're free..
I STOPPED BEHIND at the end of
the lecture to ask a couple of
questions..
I must STOP BY the supermarket and
pick up some things for dinner..
I was feeling tired so I STOPPED IN
last night..
I STOPPED IN at my aunt's after
work..
We STOPPED OFF for lunch about
halfway there, then carried on
driving..
Her parents were annoyed because
she STOPPED OUT all night..
I STOPPED OVER in Bangkok for a
couple of days on my way back from
Tokyo..
I STOPPED UP last night watching
the film..
I STOPPED UP the bottle with a
cork..
They had a row and he STORMED

Storm out

Stow away
Stow away
Straighten
out
Straighten
out
Straighten
out
Straighten
out
Straighten
up
Straighten
up
Strike back
Strike
down

Strike
down
Strike
down
Strike off
Strike on
Strike out
Strike out
Strike out

OFF..
Leave a place angrily.
He lost his temper and STORMED
OUT OF the bar. (If you don't
mention the place, you can just say
'He stormed out').
Hide in a vehicle to travel without
She STOWED AWAY on the plane
people knowing.
but was caught when it landed..
Store something in a safe place.
We STOWED it AWAY in the garage
to keep it dry..
Make something straight.
I'm always having to STRAIGHTEN
OUT the wires connected to my
computer..
Deal with a problem.
I had to STRAIGHTEN OUT things
after the mess they had made..
Make clear and resolve.
There are a few issues I'd like to
STRAIGHTEN OUT first..
Improve someone's behaviour.
Starting work has STRAIGHTENED
him OUT and calmed him down..
Stand straight.
She STRAIGHTENED UP when her
boss walked in..
Tidy.
I STRAIGHTENED UP the room
before they arrived..
Attack, take action against someone
At first, he ignored them, but when
who has hurt you.
things got very serious, he STRUCK
BACK..
Kill.
A hitman STRUCK him DOWN as
he entered the building.(This verb is
often used in the passive- He was
struck down as he entered the
building.).
Make someone ill.
I was STRUCK DOWN with food
poisoning.(This verb is mostly used
in the passive.).
Disallow a law, decision, etc.
The Appeal Court STRUCK DOWN
the lower court's ruling..
Remove someone's professional licence The Medical Council STRUCK him
to practise.
OFF for malpractice..
Have a good idea.
I STRUCK ON the solution when I
was out with my dog..
Start doing something new and
After doing the same job for five
different.
years, I decided to STRIKE OUT and
change careers..
Try to hit someone.
When he pushed me, I STRUCK
OUT..
Start going towards a place.
We got up early and STRUCK OUT

for our final destination..

Strike out Cross writing out.
As they arrived, I STRUCK their
names OUT on the list I had..
Strike out Fail.
I tried to get the government to
support us but I STRUCK OUT..
Strike up Start (conversation, relationship).
He STRUCK UP a conversation with
me in the bar..
Strike up Start performing music.
The band STRUCK UP and everyone
turned to listen..
Strike upon Have a good idea.
It took us a long time to STRIKE
UPON a solution..
String
Deceive someone for a long time.
They kept saying they were
along
interested, but they were just
STRINGING me ALONG.
String
Accompany someone because you
Is it alright if I STRING ALONG
along
haven't got anything better to do.
with you tonight?.
String out Make something last as long as
There was half an hour to go, so I
possible.
STRUNG the questions OUT as long
as I could..
String
Put words together into a coherent text. I was so nervous in the interview that
together
I could hardly STRING a sentence
TOGETHER..
String up Hang somebody.
The rebels STRUNG the soldiers UP
after they captured them..
Stub out
Extinguish a cigarette.
He STUBBED his cigarette OUT in a
saucer because he couldn't find an
ashtray..
Stuff up
Make a mistake, do badly, spoil.
I STUFFED the exam UP..
Stumble
Find something accidentally.
You'll never guess what I
across
STUMBLED ACROSS when I was
packing my stuff..
Stumble
Find something accidentally.
I STUMBLED UPON these photos
upon
when I was clearing my room up..
Stump up Pay for something.
He didn't want to pay me back, but I
got him to STUMP UP in the end..
Suck in
Become involved in something
Everyone around her was taking
unpleasant.
dr*gs and she got SUCKED IN..
Suck into Become involved in something
The country got SUCKED INTO the
unpleasant.
war..
Suck up
Try to ingratiate yourself.
He is always SUCKING UP to try to
get the boss's approval..
Suck up to Ingratiate yourself with someone.
He's always SUCKING UP TO our
boss..
Suit up
Get dressed or put on a uniform for an They SUITED UP and went to the

activity or task.
Summarise.

interview.
Sum up
At the end of the lecture, she
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..
Suss out
Come to understand.
It took her ages to SUSS OUT what
was going on..
Swan about Move in a dramatic or affected manner. He SWANNED ABOUT at the party..
Swan
Move in a dramatic or affected manner. She SWANNED AROUND trying to
around
impress people..
Swan in
Enter in a dramatic or attention-seeking He SWANNED IN surrounded by
manner.
photographers..
Swan off
Leave somewhere in a defiant or
He didn't like the way the spoke to
pompous manner.
him so he SWANNED OFF angrily..
Swear by Have great confidence in.
I SWEAR BY their products- they're
the best on the market..
Swear
Promise that something is true.
He SWORE DOWN that he hadn't
down
done it..
Sweep
Pass easily, succeed.
She SWEPT THROUGH the exams..
through
Sweep
Move quickly through.
The disease SWEPT THROUGH the
through
population..
Swing
Change your opinion quickly.
They SWUNG AROUND to our idea
around
after reading the press reports..
Swing
Turn around quickly.
He SWUNG ROUND to see what
around
had made the noise..
Swing at
Try to hit.
He SWUNG AT me but missed..
Swing by Visit a person or place on your way
I will SWING BY this afternoon and
somewhere.
pick you up..
Swing
Change your opinion quickly.
They were against it at first then
round
SWUNG ROUND and supported it..
Swing
Turn around quickly.
She SWUNG ROUND and greeted
round
them..
Syphon off Take business, support or votes from The candidate SYPHONED OFF a
someone.
lot of votes because of his anti-war
stance..
Syphon off Divert money illegally.
The minister had been SYPHONING
OFF funds from his department for
years..
T
Tack on

Add something that wasn't planned.

They TACKED ON a new ending to

the film when they found that test
audiences didn't like the original..

Tack onto
Tag along
Tag on
Tag onto
Tag with
Tail away
Tail back
Tail off
Tail off
Take after
Take apart
Take aside
Take away
Take back
Take back
Take down
Take down
Take in
Take in
Take in

Add or attach something that wasn't

planned to something.

I TACKED a quick message ONTO

the end of the letter after I'd printed
it..
Accompany someone, especially if they You're off to the cinema; can we TAG
haven't specifically invited you.
ALONG?.
Add an additional point to something He TAGGED ON a few comments
written or spoken.
after reading my report..
Add an additional point to something He TAGGED his ideas ONTO the
written or spoken.
end of my report..
Add a keyword link or bookmark to a The post was TAGGED WITH
blog entry or webpage.
keywords..
Become silent or inaudible.
His voice TAILED AWAY when he
was speaking about what he'd done
wrong..
Form a traffic jam.
The traffic TAILED BACK for
several miles after the accident..
Become silent or inaudible.
The voices TAILED OFF when she
entered..
Decrease.
Profits TAILED OFF sharply in the
last quarter of the year as a result of
the increase in the price of oil..
Look like, resemble.
He TAKES AFTER his mother..
Take something to pieces.
She TOOK the photocopier APART
to see what had got stuck in it..
Get someone alone to talk to them.
The teacher TOOK her ASIDE and
said that she'd failed the exam..
Remove.
The police TOOK the protestors
AWAY..
Make someone nostalgic.
That song always TAKES me BACK
to when I was at university..
Retract a statement, admit that
I had to TAKE BACK everything bad
something was wrong.
I'd said about them when I learned
how they'd helped out..
Make notes or write down in full.
The police TOOK DOWN his
answers to their questions..
Remove.
People TAKE DOWN their
Christmas decorations twelve days
after Christmas..
Absorb information.
The lecture was rather boring and I
didn't TAKE IN much of what the
lecturer said..
Deceive.
She TOOK me IN with her story until
someone told me the truth..
Make clothes smaller.
The jacket was far too big around the

shoulders, so I had it TAKEN IN so

that I could wear it..
Take in
Assume care or support.
The family TOOK IN the three
homeless kittens..
Take it
Accept criticism.
He's good at criticising others, but
can't TAKE IT himself..
Take it out Abuse someone because you're angry. Whenever things go wrong, he
on
always shouts and TAKES IT OUT
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
Take off
Make great progress.
The software house really TOOK
OFF when they produced the latest
version of their DTP package..
Take off
Reduce the price of an item.
They've TAKEN ten percent OFF
designer frames for glasses..
Take off
When a plane departs or leaves the
The flight for Dublin TOOK OFF on
ground.
time..
Take off
Remove.
It was hot, so I TOOK my jacket
OFF..
Take on
Allow passengers on a ship or plane. The plane stopped at Zurich to TAKE
ON some passengers..
Take on
Assume a responsibility.
She TOOK ON the task of indexing
the book..
Take on
Employ.
The council has had to TAKE ON
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..
Take out
Borrow money from a bank or other
Jackie and Anil TOOK OUT a
official lender.
mortgage to buy a bigger flat..
Take out
Extract or remove.
The dentist TOOK OUT all of my
wisdom teeth before they started
causing any problems..
Take out
Go out socially with someone,
He TOOK her OUT to a restaurant
especially a date.
last Friday night..
Take out
Obtain insurance.
I TOOK OUT some health insurance
before I went backpacking around
Latin America..
Take out
Kill, murder.
The gang TOOK him OUT after he
spoke to the police..
Take over Assume control of a company or
The bank was TAKEN OVER by a
organisation.
Hong Kong bank that needed to buy a

Take over
Take
through
Take to
Take up
Take up
Take up
Talk
around
Talk
around
Talk at
Talk back
Talk down
Talk down
Talk down
to
Talk into
Talk out
Talk out of
Talk over
Talk round

bank to get into the British market..

Start a job or position that someone had She TOOK OVER responsibility for
occupied before you.
the project last month..
Explain something to someone.
He TOOK me THROUGH the
procedures before we started..
Make a habit of something.
He's TAKEN TO wearing a baseball
cap since his hair started thinning
more noticeably..
Fill or occupy time or space.
An awful lot of my time at work is
TAKEN UP with pointless
bureaucracy nowadays..
Make clothes shorter.
The trousers were too long so I
TOOK them UP to make them fit..
Start a new hobby, pastime, etc..
He TOOK UP squash as he felt he
had to lose some weight..
Persuade.
He TALKED them AROUND to
accepting his point of view..
Talk about a problem or issue without They TALKED AROUND the issue
really dealing with it.
without reaching a conclusion..
Talk to someone and not give them a There's no point trying to convince
chance to reply or listen to them.
them- they'll just TALK AT you until
you give up..
Respond rudely to a person in authority. The teacher was cross because the
pupil TALKED BACK to her..
Try to make something sound less
The company CEO TALKED DOWN
important.
the recent fall in shares..
Persuade someone not to jump off a
A man was threatening to jump off
high place to kill themselves.
the building but the police TALKED
him DOWN..
Talk in a way to show your superiority She's a dreadful teacher and TALKS
not communicate.
DOWN TO her students instead of
teaching them..
Persuade someone to do something.
She didn't want to let me go, but I
finally managed to TALK her INTO
it..
Discuss a problem or issue to find a
They had a meeting to TALK OUT
solution.
how people felt..
Persuade someone not to do something. He was going to drive home after
drinking half a bottle of wine, but his
friends TALKED him OUT OF it..
Discuss.
We TALKED OVER the problems in
our relationship, but couldn't sort
things out..
Persuade.
She TALKED them AROUND to
accepting her point of view..

Talk round Talk about a problem or issue without

really dealing with it.
Talk
Guide someone through an issue.
through

WE TALKED ROUND the issue but

didn't reach a conclusion..
The teacher TALKED me
THROUGH the test so I knew what
to expect..
Talk up
Make something appear more
The government are trying to TALK
important or significant than it really is. UP the effect of their policies..
Talk
Talk until you have nothing left to say. He TALKED himself OUT after a
yourself out
couple of hours and calmed down..
Tap for
Get money off someone.
I TAPPED him FOR a loan..
Tap into
Use or exploit a plentiful resource for The company is hoping to TAP INTO
your benefit.
the Chinese market..
Tap off
Have s*x with.
He TAPPED OFF WITH someone at
with
the party on Saturday..
Tap out
Play a rhythm quietly.
He TAPPED OUT the tune with his
pencil while he was thinking..
Tap out
Use all the money available.
How can we buy a new house without
TAPPING OUT our savings account..
Tap up
Approach a footballer illegally to get Chelsea were accused of TAPPING
them to change teams.
him UP even though he was under
contract..
Team up
Work with someone or a group to
They TEAMED UP to publicise the
achieve something.
issue..
Tear apart Disturb or upset greatly.
People were TORN APART when
news of the train crash came
through..
Tear at
Pull or try to pull something to pieces. The fighters TORE AT each other..
Tear away Stop someone doing something
I had to TEAR him AWAY from the
unwillingly.
office for dinner..
Tear away Remove a surface violently.
The roof was TORN AWAY in the
hurricane..
Tear down Demolish.
The estate was TORN DOWN so that
they could develop the land into
luxury flats..
Tear into Criticise strongly or angrily.
She TORE INTO me for losing it..
Tear off
Remove part of a form or letter using She TORE the slip OFF the bottom of
your hands, not scissors.
the form and sent it with her cheque..
Tear off
Leave at high speed.
The police TORE OFF in their car
after arresting her..
Tear off
Remove with force.
The storm TORE the roof OFF..
Tear out
Depart rapidly.
The sheriff TORE OUT after the
escaping criminals..
Tear up
Rip into pieces.
He TORE the fax UP and threw the
bits of paper in the bin..

Tear up

Destroy.

Tear up

Have eyes fill with tears.

Tee off

Start or launch an event.

Tee off
Tee off

Place a golf ball on a short plastic or

wooden stick before hitting it at the
start of a hole..
Annoy someone.

Tee off on

Criticise.

Tee up

Place a golf ball on a short plastic or

wooden stick before hitting it at the
start of a hole..
Make preparations before starting or
launching something.
See a difference between two things.

Tee up

They are TEARING UP the old part

of town to build a new shopping
centre..
After hearing the tragic news he
TEARED UP and could hardly
speak..
The new project will TEE OFF next
month..
He TEED OFF at the first hole..
It TEES me OFF when they turn up
late..
She TEED OFF ON me about the
work I gave her..
She TEED UP two strokes ahead at
the last hole..

They are TEEING UP for the

conference tomorrow..
Tell apart
They're identical twins so I cannot
TELL them APART..
Tell off
Chide; talk angrily to someone about His fiance TOLD him OFF for
something they've done wrong..
arriving nearly an hour late..
Tell on
Report someone to an authority.
The pupil TOLD ON the others for
cheating and the teacher failed them..
Text out
Cancel an appointment by sending a
I was feeling too tired to go and
text message.
TEXTED OUT..
Think over Consider something carefully.
I've THOUGHT it OVER and have
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
through
outcomes of a situation.
hadn't THOUGHT it THROUGH
properly..
Think up Create or invent something, especially I'd better THINK UP a good reason
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..
Throw in Join, accompany.
May I THROW IN with you? My
companions left me behind..
Throw in Add something to a deal.
They THREW IN a printer so I
bought it from them..
Throw off Remove item of clothing quickly.
I THREW OFF my shoes and flopped
on the settee..

Throw off

Get rid of.

It took me ages to THROW OFF the

cold..
Throw off Produce light or heat.
The lamp THROWS OFF a lot of
heat..
Throw on Put clothes on quickly.
I THREW ON a jacket and rushed
outside..
Throw out Get rid of.
I THREW OUT all my old clothes to
make some space in my wardrobe..
Throw out Dislocate.
Edward slipped on the ice and
THREW OUT his shoulder..
Throw out Reject.
The committee THREW the proposal
OUT..
Throw out Produce heat, fumes.
The car THROWS OUT a lot of
smoke..
Throw out Expel.
The school THREW him OUT for
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
Make or arrange quickly.
I THREW a quick dinner
together
TOGETHER before we left..
Throw up Vomit.
The prawns she ate at lunch made her
THROW UP and she had to go home
early..
Throw up Produce problems, results, ideas, etc. The talks THREW UP some
interesting possibilities..
Throw up Leave a job or position suddenly.
She THREW UP her job to go
travelling..
Throw up Create clouds of dust or splash water The road was bumpy and the car in
into the air.
front was THROWING UP so much
dust that we could hardly see where
we were going..
Throw
Make it clear you are s*xu*lly attracted He THREW HIMSELF AT her but
yourself at to someone.
she wasn't interested..
Throw
Do something enthusiastically or
She THREW herself INTO the
yourself
energetically.
project..
into
Tick along Make reasonable progress without any Things are TICKING ALONG at
serious problems.
work while the director's away..
Tick away Pass (of time).
The last few seconds TICKED
AWAY and the team couldn't come
back..
Tick by
Pass (of time).
The seconds TICKED BY and the
team failed to score..
Tick off
Annoy.
She really TICKS me OFF when she

doesn't reply to my emails..

Tick off
Scold.
He TICKED me OFF for arriving
late..
Tick off
Put a mark on an item in a list when it She TICKED OFF our names when
has been dealt with.
we arrived..
Tick over Continue working, but without
The company TICKED OVER while
improving.
she was away on holiday..
Tick over Operate but without moving (engines). The mechanic left the engine
TICKING OVER for a while to see if
he could see what was causing the
problem..
Tide over Use something carefully so as not to
This 50 will have to TIDE me
finish it.
OVER until I get paid..
Tidy up
Put things in the correct place in a
I TIDIED UP my bedroom because it
room.
was a complete mess..
Tie back
Fasten or secure so that it doesn't
She TIED her hair BACK before
obstruct.
playing tennis..
Tie down Secure something to prevent it moving. They TIED him DOWN to stop him
escaping..
Tie down Remove or restrict freedom.
Marriage TIES you DOWN..
Tie down Stop people (often police or military) The army were TIED DOWN with
going where they are needed.
the rebellion and couldn't help..
Tie in
Agree, be connected or support.
The theory TIES IN with what the
police have been saying..
Tie in
Associate with.
He is TIED IN somehow with the
crime syndicate..
Tie in with Occur at the same time.
The publication TIES IN WITH the
twentieth anniversary of the incident..
Tie up
Tie or fasten something securely.
They TIED UP the hostages so that
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..
Tie up
Block a road, etc.
The convoy TIED UP the road for an
hour..
Tighten up Make something more secure or
They're TIGHTENING UP security
function better.
for the president's visit..
Time out End or close because of a time limit.
The program TIMED OUT before I
could reply..
Time out End or close something because of a
The program TIMED me OUT after
time limit.
twenty minutes..
Tip off
Secretly inform the police or
The police arrested the dr*g dealer
authorities.
after someone TIPPED them OFF..
Tip over
Spill, make something fall on its side. I TIPPED my coffee OVER and
ruined my keyboard..

Tire of
Tire out
Toddle off
Tone down
Tool up
Tool up
Tootle off
Top off
Top out
Top up
Toss about
Toss
around
Toss back
Toss down
Toss for
Toss off
Toss up
Touch
down
Touch for
Touch off
Touch on
Touch up

Get bored of something.

She soon TIRED OF the course and

dropped out..
Make someone exhausted.
Working so much TIRES me OUT..
Leave, go home.
It's geting late, so I'm going to
TODDLE OFF home..
Make something sound more moderate. The Minister tried to TONE DOWN
what she had said when the press
started attacking her..
Provide equipment.
The company spent a lot on
TOOLING the factory UP..
Arm yourself or somebody.
The gangsters got TOOLED UP
before they went into the club..
Leave, depart.
It's getting late, so we're going to
TOOTLE OFF home..
Finish something in a special way.
He complained for an hour and to
TOP it OFF started shouting his head
off..
Stop increasing, reach the highest point. The temperature TOPPED OUT at
forty degrees yesterday..
Refill something that isn't empty yet. Shall I TOP UP your drink while I'm
pouring myself one?.
Discuss something freely and openly, WE TOSSED ideas ABOUT before
but not very seriously.
the negotiations..
Discuss something freely and openly, We TOSSED their plan AROUND a
but not very seriously.
bit and then rejected it..
Drink quickly.
I TOSSED BACK my beer and left..
Drink quickly.
I TOSSED a couple of drinks DOWN
before they arrived..
Make a decision by throwing a coin and We TOSSED FOR who would start..
seeing which side lands face up.
Write something quickly and carelessly. I TOSSED OFF the essay the night
before I had to hand it in..
Decide something by throwing a coin We TOSSED UP to see who would
and seeing which side lands face up.. kick off..
Land (planes).
The plane TOUCHED DOWN at
Narita airport an hour late..
Borrow money.
I TOUCHED him FOR some cash as
I'd forgotten my cards..
Cause a problem to occur.
The government's decision
TOUCHED OFF riots in the capital..
Mention.
The talk TOUCHED ON the issue,
but didn't give any new information..
Improve the appearance of something. I couldn't be bothered to redecorate,
so I just TOUCHED UP the bits that

needed painting the most..

Touch up Touch someone in a s*x*al way.
She got angry when he tried to
TOUCH her UP in the elevator..
Touch upon Mention.
They didn't TOUCH UPON the
subject because of the controversy..
Tow away Remove a vehicle, especially if parked I parked in a no-parking zone and
illegally.
they TOWED my car AWAY..
Toy at
Pretend to think about or think about in She TOYED AT getting them to help
a casual way.
her but then did it alone..
Toy over
Think about something.
I TOYED OVER the idea for a while,
but decided not to go ahead with it..
Toy with
Not eat much of a meal.
It was horrible, so I just TOYED
WITH the food..
Toy with
Consider something, but not very
We TOYED WITH the idea of
seriously.
moving to the country, but it isn't
really practical..
Toy with
Move or play with something to occupy He TOYED WITH his cup..
your hands.
Toy with
Treat insincerely.
He thought she loved him but she
was just TOYING WITH him..
Track down Find after a long search.
It took me ages to TRACK them
DOWN in the crowd at the football
game..
Trade down Sell something and replace it with
Their house it too large now that their
something cheaper.
children have left home, so they're
going to TRADE DOWN to
something smaller..
Trade in
Exchange something old as part of the She TRADED IN her old car for the
price of something new.
new model..
Trade in
Leave your wife or husband to marry He TRADED IN his wife when he
someone younger.
became the chairman..
Trade off Bargain, make a deal or compromise. A longer working week was
TRADED OFF for a pay rise..
Trade off Accept something you don't really want We had to TRADE OFF space for the
to get something you do want.
location when buying the apartment..
Trade on Exploit, use something to your
He TRADES ON their insecurity to
advantage.
get his way..
Trade up Buy larger or more expensive items.
British wine drinkers have TRADED
UP over the last few years from
cheap plonk to expensive wines..
Trade up Leave your wife or husband and marry She supported him for years while he
someone better looking, richer, etc.
was struggling, but when he hit the
big time he left her and TRADED
UP..

Trade upon Exploit, use to your advantage.

Train up
Trickle
down
Trip out
Trip over
Trip over
Trip up
Trot off
Trot off to
Trot out
Trump up
Try back
Try for
Try it on
Try it on
Try on
Try out
Try out
Try out for
Tuck away
Tuck away
Tuck in

They TRADE UPON their reputation

to scare rivals..
Teach someone the specific skills they I have been TRAINING my new
will need to carry out a job or task.
assistant UP..
Pass benefits from economic expansion Despite the economic boom, few
through the economy to the less
benefits have TRICKLED DOWN to
fortunate.
the poor..
Be under the influence of psychoactive After taking the LSD he TRIPPED
dr*gs.
OUT for hours..
Fall.
I TRIPPED OVER and hurt my
knee..
Fall because you hit an obstacle.
I TRIPPED OVER the kerb and
broke my nose..
Make a mistake.
I TRIPPED UP in the interview when
they asked me about what I could
offer the company..
Leave.
The meeting was over so I
TROTTED OFF..
Go somewhere.
I TROTTED OFF TO see the dentist..
Make a statement (meant negatively). The spokeswoman TROTTED OUT
the same old unconvincing excuses..
Charge or accuse someone falsely.
The police TRUMPED UP the
charges against him and he ended up
in prison though he hadn't done it..
Phone back.
I called but they weren't in, so I'll
TRY BACK later..
Make an attempt to get something.
I'm going to TRY FOR the job..
Provoke someone by being annoying or The children were TRYING IT ON
behaving badly.
all night until I lost my temper..
Attempt to get something, usually by He knew I wasn't got to let him do itdeceit, without great hopes of success. he was just TRYING IT ON..
Put clothes on to see if they fit.
I TRIED the jacket ON before I
bought it..
Test.
Scientists are TRYING OUT a new
dr*g in the fight against the disease..
Test something to see if you like it or I TRIED OUT the program before I
want to buy it.
bought it..
Be tested for a sports team.
He TRIED OUT FOR the baseball
team..
Put something in a safe place.
I TUCKED the money AWAY in my
drawer..
Eat a lot.
We TUCKED AWAY a huge dinner
before we went out..
Tidy the ends of items of clothing by I forgot to TUCK my shirt IN..

Tuck in
Tuck in
Tuck into
Tuck up
Tune in
Tune in to
Tune out
Tune up
Tune up
Turn
against
Turn away
Turn down
Turn down
Turn down
Turn in
Turn in
Turn into
Turn off
Turn on
Turn on

placing them inside something.

Start eating enthusiastically.

The dinner smelled so good I couldn't

wait to TUCK IN..
Arrange the sheets, duvet or blankets to He TUCKED her IN and read her a
make someone, usually a child,
story..
comfortable in bed.
Start eating something.
I was starving and TUCKED INTO
the food..
Arrange the sheets, duvet or blankets to She TUCKED her children UP in bed
make someone, usually a child,
and switched the lights off..
comfortable in bed.
Watch or listen to a TV or radio show. Be sure to TUNE IN next week for
the next episode..
Watch or listen to a TV or radio
Make sure you TUNE IN TO next
programme.
week's show..
Ignore, not pay attention.
I TUNED him OUT because he was
talking such rubbish..
Improve the performance of a machine He's TUNED his car UP for the race..
or engine.
Tune a musical instrument before
The orchestra TUNED UP their
playing.
instruments before the concert..
Stop liking and start disliking.
The public TURNED AGAINST the
government when they became
arrogant and ceased to listen..
Not allow someone to enter a place.
The doorman TURNED him AWAY
from the nightclub because he was
wearing trainers..
Reduce volume, temperature, etc..
The room was too hot, so she
TURNED the heating DOWN..
Reject an offer, invitation, etc..
They offered her the job, but she
TURNED it DOWN..
Fold the top covers of a bed down to The hotel staff TURNED DOWN the
make it ready for someone to go to
bed and scattered flower petals on it
sleep.
while we was having dinner..
Go to bed.
I TURNED IN at half past eleven
because I had an early start the next
morning..
Hand in, submit.
She TURNED IN her paper..
Become.
Tadpoles TURN INTO frogs..
Stop a machine.
I TURNED the TV OFF and went to
bed..
Cause someone to feel attraction or
He really TURNS me ON..
pleasure.
Start a machine.
I TURNED the radio ON to get the

Turn on
Turn out
Turn out
Turn out
Turn out
Turn over
Turn to
Turn to
Turn up
Turn up
Type in
Type out
Type up

weather forecast..
Attack.
The neighbour's dog TURNED ON
me when I tried to stroke it..
Produce.
The factory TURNS OUT three
thousand units a day..
Produce an unexpected result.
It looked as if we were going to fail,
but it TURNED OUT well in the
end..
Stop a light.
She TURNED OUT the lights and
went to bed..
Attend.
Thousand TURNED OUT for the
demonstration..
Give to the authorities.
The court ordered the company to
TURN OVER their financial records..
Try to get help.
She had nobody to TURN TO when
her husband died..
Take up a habit.
He TURNED TO drink after he lost
his job..
Appear.
She didn't TURN UP for class today..
Increase volume, temperature, etc..
I TURNED the music UP full blast..
Enter computer data or text.
He TYPED the text IN and printed it
off..
Write a full or finished version of a text She TYPED her essay OUT and
on a computer.
handed it in a the last minute..
Type a finished version.
She TYPED UP her lecture notes and
printed them out..

U
Urge on
Urge on

Encourage.
Persuade or pressure to accept
something.
Urge upon Persuade or pressure to accept
something.
Use up
Finish or consume all of something.
Usher in
Be at, mark or celebrate an important
point in time.
Usher in
Make important changes happen.

The crowd URGED the players ON..

They URGED the deal ON the
company..
They URGED the contract UPON
us..
We USED UP all the olive oil..
We always give a party USHER IN
the NEW YEAR..
Her appointment as CEO USHERED
IN a whole new phase in the
company's growth..

V
Vacuum up Consume.
Vamp up Make something more exciting,
attractive, etc.

He VACUUMED UP all of the food..

The place is dull and you need to
VAMP it UP..

Vamp up
Veg out
Venture
forth

Invent, maker up, improvise.

I had to VAMP UP a reason for being

so late..
Relax, do nothing.
I'm going to VEG OUT in front of the
TV tonight..
Leave somewhere safe or comfortable. If the storm has finished, we could
VENTURE FORTH..

W
Wade in
Wade in
Wade into
Wade
through
Wait about
Wait
around
Wait
behind
Wait in
Wait on
Wait on
Wait on
Wait on
Wait out
Wait up
Wait up!
Wait upon
Wait upon

Start something or get involved, often

without thinking or to forcefully.
Attack.

He just WADED IN without listening

to what anyone had to say..
The hooligans WADED IN when they
saw fans from the other team..
Become embroiled or involved in a
They WADED INTO the negotiations
situation, without thinking or planning and the deal collapsed..
usually.
Get to the end of something with
It took me ages to WADE
difficulty.
THROUGH the book..
Wait somewhere doing nothing.
I WAITED ABOUT for an hour, but
they didn't come..
Wait somewhere doing nothing.
They were just WAITING AROUND
to see if anything was going to
happen..
Stay somewhere after other people have I WAITED BEHIND to ask the
left.
lecturer a question..
Stay at home because someone is going I WAITED IN for the guy to fix the
to visit.
TV..
Serve people in a restaurant.
They have two people WAITING ON
each table..
Sell goods in a shop.
He WAITS ON customers in an
electronics store..
Provide someone with everything they He has a butler who WAITS ON
need or want.
him..
Wait for a result before being able to
They're WAITING ON the results of
make a decision.
the vote before taking a final
decision..
Wait till something has finished,
We'll have to WAIT OUT this
usually something unpleasant.
uncertainty..
Not go to bed because you are waiting. I was worried and WAITED UP until
they got home safe and sound..
Stop (imperative).
Wait up! I need to talk to you..
Provide someone with what they
They used to have servants
require.
WAITING UPON them..
Wait for a result before being able to
They must WAIT UPON the outcome
make a decision.
of the match before they know who
they'll be playing..

Wake up
Walk away
from
Walk away
with
Walk back
from
Walk in on
Walk into
Walk into

Walk off
Walk off
with
Walk off
with
Walk on

Stop sleeping.

I WOKE UP at half past six this

morning..
Leave something you don't like.
You can't just WALK AWAY FROM
your problems..
Win easily.
She WALKED AWAY WITH the first
prize..
Retract a statement.
They declined to WALK BACK
FROM their comments despite the
controversy..
Enter somewhere unexpectedly and see He WALKED IN ON them planning
something.
to sack him..
Get work without effort.
He WALKED INTO a great job
straight after university..
Be unaware of the presence of
You WALKED INTO that one [You
something and either enter it (a trap) or became victim to a trap I set]orI
bump into it (an obstruction).
WALKED INTO a door and broke
my nose..
Go for a walk to reduce the effects of I tried to WALK OFF my hangover..
an illness or bad feeling.
Win easily.
He WALKED OFF WITH the award..

Take something without permission or Someone WALKED OFF WITH my

steal.
umbrella so I got soaked..
Continue walking.
I saw the accident but just WALKED
ON as I didn't want to have to give a
statement..
Walk out Leave work because of a dispute with The workers WALKED OUT because
the management.
the felt that safety wasn't being
handled correctly..
Walk out Leave a place angrily or because you The film was a bore so I WALKED
are not satisfied.
OUT halfway through..
Walk out Leave somebody angrily.
He WALKED OUT ON his wife last
on
year..
Walk
Explain or demonstrate something
He WALKED me THROUGH the
through
carefully to someone.
procedures..
Walk up
Go to someone.
A man WALKED UP and asked me
the time..
Waltz
Pass or succeed easily.
She WALTZED THROUGH the tests
through
and got the highest score..
Wander off Leave a place, usually without telling She WANDERED OFF and got lost
other people.
in the crowd..
Wander off Stop paying attention.
The lecture was boring and my mind
WANDERED OFF after ten minutes..
Want out Want to leave a relationship or
Jackie wasn't happy with her

arrangement.
Do exercises before a sport.

marriage and WANTED OUT..

Warm up
The team WARMED UP half an hour
before the volleyball match..
Wash away When floods or waves completely
The ice cream stall on the beach was
remove a structure, building, etc..
WASHED AWAY in the storm last
night..
Wash down Drink in order to swallow something I WASHED the antibiotics DOWN
solid.
with a glass of water..
Wash out Rain so heavily that an event has to be The rain WASHED OUT the
cancelled.
championship final..
Wash over Suddenly experience a strong emotion. He felt numb as grief WASHED
OVER him..
Wash up
Clean everything used to prepare food The children WASHED UP after
and eat it.
lunch..
Wash up
When something in the sea or river is After the crash, several bodies
left on the shore or bank.
WASHED UP on the beach..
Wash up
Wash face and hands.
Be sure you and the kids WASH UP
before dinner..
Waste away Become very thin and weak, usually
He WASTED AWAY as the cancer
due to illness.
got worse..
Watch out Be careful (imperative).
Watch out- there's ice on the road..
Watch out Be careful of something.
WATCH OUT FOR bats in the caves;
for
many have rabies..
Watch over Keep an eye on something or someone The lecturer WATCHED OVER the
to check that there's no trouble.
students as they did the experiment..
Water
Make something weaker and less
The Freedom of Information Act was
down
effective.
WATERED DOWN by the
Government and didn't give ordinary
people much access to official data
files.
Wave aside Ignore or refuse to consider what
They WAVED ASIDE our objections
someone says.
and carried on with the plan..
Wave down Make a hand signal to stop a vehicle. They WAVED the van DOWN and
got a lift after the accident..
Wave off Go to a place where someone is leaving We WAVED her OFF at the station..
to wave goodbye.
Wave on
Make a hand signal to tell someone to The accident was bad, but the police
keep moving.
WAVED us ON..
Wean off Slowly stop a dependency on
We will have to WEAN him OFF his
something.
obsession..
Wear away Erode, remove gradually.
The lawn has been WORN AWAY by
people walking across it and it's just
bare soil now with hardly a blade of
grass..

Wear down Make something weaker.

The stress of my job is WEARING

me DOWN..
Wear off
Stop having an effect.
The anaesthetic WORE OFF and my
tooth started hurting..
Wear out Use something until it stops working. She played the video so many times
that she WORE the tape OUT..
Weed out Remove, get rid of.
The company WEEDED OUT the
unsuccessful sales reps..
Weigh
Burden with responsibilities, duties,
The requirements of her new job
down on
etc.
WEIGHED DOWN ON her..
Weigh in Have a certain weight (in sports like
The champion WEIGHED IN at 120
boxing).
kilos..
Weigh in Enter an argument forcefully.
He disliked the plan and WEIGHED
IN with some heavy criticism..
Weigh in on Enter an argument or discussion to
She WEIGHED IN ON their
express a strongly felt idea.
immigration policies..
Weigh on Make someone consider carefully.
The issues raised WEIGHED ON her
mind..
Weigh out Measure a certain amount of something Could you WEIGH OUT 200
by weight.
grammes of that for me?.
Weigh up Assess.
They WEIGHED the pros and cons
UP carefully before deciding..
Weird out Disturb, cause concern or worry.
The way he spoke was WEIRDING
me OUT..
Well up
Feel tears starting.
I felt tears WELLING UP when I
heard the news..
Well up
Feel an emotion strongly.
Anger WELLED UP inside us when
we saw what they had done..
Well up
Experience an emotion or feeling, start Tears WELLED UP when I heard
to cry.
they had died..
Wheel
Turn quickly and face in the opposite When he heard the whistle, he
around
direction.
WHEELED AROUND to see what
was happening..
Wheel out Use something like an explanation that They WHEELED OUT the same old
has been used many times before and excuses last time this happened..
has lost its impact.
Wheel
Turn quickly and face in the opposite She WHEELED ROUND when he
round
direction.
told her to stop..
While away Spend time doing something because We WHILED a couple of hours
you have nothing better to do.
AWAY playing computer games..
Whip into Enter rapidly (as for a brief errand).
Ben WHIPPED INTO the
convenience store for a bag of crisps..
Whip out Remove quickly.
The police officer WHIPPED OUT
her radio and called for back-up..

Whip out of Exit rapidly.

Lola WHIPPED OUT OF a side

street without looking and broadsided
a police car..
She WHIPPED THROUGH the task..

Whip
through
Whip up

Do something quickly.

Whip up

Mix liquid food quickly to make it

thick and creamy.
Make people feel more strongly about The boss tried to WHIP UP some
something.
support for her new policies..
Take to another place quickly.
The police WHISKED the minister
AWAY when the trouble started..
Use correction fluid to cover a mistake Could you pass the Tippex? I need to
in a written text.
WHITE this mistake OUT..
Become excited and lose control.
He WIGGED OUT when he heard
that he had failed..
Avoid doing.
He was supposed to be in charge but
tried to WIGGLE OUT..
Avoid doing something.
I WIGGLED OUT OF having to
work late..
Not be brave enough to do something. I was going to have the hottest curry
on the menu, but I WIMPED OUT
and had a mild lamb Korma instead..
Relax.
I'm going to WIND DOWN in the
country this weekend and do
nothing..
Slowly close a business or organisation. They WOUND the committee
DOWN after the inquiry..
Forward a film or tape to a certain
He WOUND the video ON to show
point.
us the scene..
Close a company because it's
The company was WOUND UP when
unprofitable.
the creditors demanded payment..
Tighten the spring in a watch or clock I forgot to WIND UP my alarm clock
to make it work.
and overslept..
Irritate someone or increase their stress The children are really WINDING
level, especially if done deliberately. me UP.
Find or get something that takes a great It took me a while to WINKLE the
deal of effort.
truth OUT of him..
Make someone very tired.
Revising for the exam last night
WIPED me OUT..
Kill all of a population, make extinct. A meteor crashing into the planet
WIPED the dinosaurs OUT..
Make electrical connections.
She WIRED her new stereo system

Whip up
Whisk
away
White out
Wig out
Wiggle out
Wiggle out
of
Wimp out
Wind down
Wind down
Wind on
Wind up
Wind up
Wind up
Winkle out
Wipe out
Wipe out
Wire up

Make food quickly.

We got back late and WHIPPED UP

dinner..
I WHIPPED UP the egg whites..

UP as soon as she got home..

Wise up
Stop being stupid.
His supervisor told him to WISE UP
and start following the rules or else
he'd lose his job..
Word up Give someone information, advice.
The solicitor WORDED her UP client
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?'.
Work off Exercise to remove stress or weight.
She goes to the gym to WORK OFF
her anger..
Work on
Improve or develop.
Scientists are WORKING ON
genetically modified crops and
foods..
Work out End nicely.
Things were going wrong for them
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..
Work over Assault, beat up.
They WORKED him OVER and
robbed him..
Work over Repeat, do again.
They WORKED it OVER until they
had got it right..
Work over Examine carefully.
They WORKED OVER the market
looking for bargains..
Work
Deal with, resolve a problem, often
It took him a long time to WORK
through
emotional.
THROUGH his anger after he lost his
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..
Wrap up Cover in paper.
They WRAPPED UP the presents
then put a ribbon around them..
Wrap up Dress warmly.
WRAP UP carefully or you'll catch
your death of cold outside in that
rain..
Wrap up Finish.
That WRAPS things UP, so we'll end
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..

Write down Make notes.

Write in

Send a letter to a TV station, etc..

Write off

Destroy a car in an accident.

Write out

Write something completely.

Write up

Make complete written version.

I WROTE her mobile number

DOWN on a scrap of paper and I've
lost it..
They asked viewers to WRITE IN
with their opinions and suggestions..
He WROTE the car OFF in an
accident on the motorway..
I WROTE OUT my notes in full to
help me remember them..
I WROTE UP the report and
submitted it..

Y
Yack on

Talk continuously, especially if it is an He YACKED ON for an hour..

annoying way.
Yammer on Talk continuously, especially if it is an She YAMMERED ON for ages..
annoying way.
Yield to
Surrender.
I tried hard to resist, but in the end I
YIELDED TO temptation and ate it
all..
Z
Zero in on Direct or focus attention on.
Zero in on Head for, move towards.
Zero out

Cut off funding for a project.

Zero out

Reduce to zero, cancel, remove.

Zip around Move quickly.

Zip by

Pass quickly.

Zip it

Keep quiet, say nothing.

Zip up

Keep quiet.

Zone in

Pay attention after not doing so.

Zone in on Pay attention after not doing so.

The police have ZEROED IN ON the

man they believe to be responsible
for the murder..
The hurricane is ZEROING IN ON
Florida..
The debt was ZEROED OUT by the
department..
The entry was ZEROED OUT of the
database..
We ZIPPED AROUND the
supermarket to get the shopping
done..
The motorbike ZIPPED BY the cars
stuck in the traffic jam..
He told me to ZIP IT, so I said
nothing..
He was being stupid in the meeting,
so we told him to ZIP UP..
I was bored at first but then ZONED
IN when things started getting more
interesting..
I ZONED IN ON what they were
saying when they started gossiping..

Zone out

Not pay attention.

Zone out

Dissociate yourself from a situation.

Zonk out

Fall asleep.

Zoom in

Focus more closely.

Zoom in on Focus more closely.

Zoom off

Go somewhere quickly.

Zoom out

Focus less closely.

She ZONED OUT during the lecture

because it was so boring..
I put some ambient music on and
ZONED OUT..
I ZONKED OUT during the film and
missed most of it..
The camera ZOOMED IN to show
people's faces..
The camera ZOOMED IN ON his
face..
He rushed out of the building and
ZOOMED OFF in his car..
The camera ZOOMED OUT to show
all the crowd..