TOEFL PREPARATION

A verbal idiom is a group of words, containing a verb, that has a meaning

different from the meaning of any individual word within it. The following list of twoand three-word verbal idioms should be learned. Because they are idiomatic, you are
less likely to find them in the grammar section of the TOEFL. Many of them,
however, may appear in the listening comprehension section.

Idiom

Meaning

BREAK OFF

end

BRING UP

raise, initiate

CALL ON

ask
visit

CARE FOR

like
look after

CHECK OUT

borrow
books, etc.,
from library
investigate

CHECK OUT
OF

leave

CHEK (UP)
ON
CLOSE IN
ON
COME
ALONG
WITH
COME
DOWN WITH
COUNT ON

investigate

DO AWAY
WITH
DRAW UP

draw nearer,
approach
accompany
become ill with
depend on, rely
on
eliminate, get
rid of
write, draft
(such as plans
or contracts)

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Examples
As a result of the recent, unprovoked attack, the
two countries broke off their diplomatic relations.
The county commissioner brought up the heated
issue of restricting on-street parking.
The teacher called on James to write the
equation on the blackboard.
The new minister called on each of the families
of his church in order to become better
acquainted with them.
Because Marita doesnt care for dark colors,
she buys only brightly colored clothes.
My neighbors asked me to care for their
children after school.
I went to the library and checked out thirty
books last night for my research paper.
This photocopy machine is not working
properly. Could you check out the problem?
We were told that we had to check out of the hotel
before one oclock, or else we would have to pay
for another day.
The insurance company decided to check up on
his driving record before insuring him.
In his hallucinatory state, the addict felt that the
walls were closing in on him.
June came along with her supervisor to the budget
meeting.

During the summer, many people come down

with intestinal disorders.
Maria was counting on the grant money to pay
her way through graduate school.
Because of the increasing number of problems
created after the football games, the director has
decided to do away with all sports activities.
A new advertising contract was drawn up after
the terms had been decided.

Verbal Idioms 1

TOEFL PREPARATION

Idiom

Meaning

Examples

DROP OUT
OF
FIGURE OUT

quit, withdraw
from
solve, decipher,
interpret,
understand
discover

This organization has done a great deal to prevent

young people from dropping out of school.
After failing to figure out his income tax return,
Hal decided to see an accountant.

FIND OUT
GET BY
GET
THROUGH

manage to
survive
finish
manage to
communicate
arise

GET UP

GIVE UP

organise

stop, cease

GO ALONG
agree
WITH
HOLD ON TO grasp, maintain
HOLD UP

rob at
gunpoint
endure or
withstand
pressure or
use
stop

KEEP ON

continue

LOOK
AFTER
LOOK INTO

care for

PASS OUT/
HAND OUT
PASS OUT

distribute

PICK OUT

select, choose

POINT OUT

indicate

investigate

faint

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Erin just found out that her ancestors had come

from Scotland, not Ireland.
Despite the high cost of living, we will get by on
my salary.
Jerry called for an earlier appointment because
he got through with his project sooner than he
had expected.
It is difficult to get through to someone who
doesnt understand your language.
Pete usually gets up early in the morning, but
this morning her overslept.
Paul is trying to get up a group of square
dancers to go to Switzerland.
Helen gave up working for the company because
she felt that the employees were not treated fairly.
Mr. Robbins always goes along with anything his
employer wants to do.
Despite moving to the Western world, Mariko
held on to her Oriental ways.
The convenience store was held up last night

Mrs. Jones held up very well after her

husbands death.

Last nights freeway traffic held up rush hour

traffic for two hours.
I keep on urging Rita to practice the violin, but
she doesnt heed my advice.
After my aunt had died, her lawyer looked after
my uncles financial affairs.
Lynnette is looking into the possibility of opening
a drugstore in Dallas as well as in Fort Worth.
The political candidate passed out campaign
literature to her coworkers.
The intense heat in the garden caused Maria to
pass out.
The judges were asked to pick out the essays that
showed the most originality.
Being a professional writer, James helped us by
pointing out problems in our style.

Verbal Idioms 2

TOEFL PREPARATION

Idiom

Meaning

PUT OFF

postpone

RUN
ACROSS

discover

RUN INTO

meet
by accident
consider,
attend to
leave the
ground to fly
substitute for

SEE ABOUT
TAKE OFF
TAKE OVER
FOR
TALK OVER
TRY OUT

discuss

test

audition for a
play
submit

TURN IN

WATCH OUT
FOR

Idiom
LOOK OVER

OVERLOOK

go to bed

be cautious or
alert

Examples
Because Brian was a poor correspondent, he put
off answering his letters.
While rummaging through some old boxes in the
attic, I ran across my grandmothers wedding
dress.
When Jack was in New York, he ran intoan old
friend at the theater.
My neighbor is going to see about getting tickets
for next Saturdays football game.
Our flight to Toronto took off on schedule.
Marie had a class this afternoon, so Janet took
over for her.
The committee is talking over the plans for the
homecoming dance and banquet.
General Mills asked us to try out their new
product.
Marguerite plans to try out for the lead in the
new musical.
The students turned in their term papers on
Monday.
After a long hard day, we decided to turn in
early.
While driving through that development, we had
to watch out for the little children playing in the
street.

Meaning
inspect
critically, read
again, revise
quickly
fail to notice,
disregard,
forgive

OUTBREAK
(noun)
BREAK-OUT

emergence

HOLD-UP

robbery, raise
hand

UPHOLD

support/approve

escape

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Examples (Verb-particle v.v.)

Look over what youve written before handing
it to the examiner.
Im going to look over a house that Im
thinking of buying.
Weve afraid that your order has been
overlooked. We appologize for this oversight
and will deal with this matter directly.
Overlook an offense (forgive it)
At the outbreak of the war in 1939 the children
were evacuated to the country.
There has been another prison break-out. Five
men got away and are still at large
Hold-ups quite often take place in daylight in a
crowded street, but everything is done so quickly
that the thieves get away before the passers-by
brealize what has happened.
The magistrate sentenced him to a years
imprisonment. He appealed, but the court of
appeal upheld the magistrates verdict.

Verbal Idioms 3

TOEFL PREPARATION

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Verbal Idioms 4