CAE PHRASAL VERBS

Most phrasal verbs consist of two words, but a few consist of three words, which always stay together.

Verb Meaning Example

ask someone out invite on a date Brian asked Judy out to dinner and a movie.

ask around ask many people the same question I asked around but nobody has seen my wallet.

add up to something equal Your purchases add up to $205.32.

You'll have to back up your car so that I can get

back something up reverse
out.

My wife backed me up over my decision to quit

back someone up support
my job.

The racing car blew up after it crashed into the

blow up explode
fence.

blow something up add air We have to blow 50 balloons up for the party.

Our car broke down at the side of the highway in

break down stop functioning (vehicle, machine)
the snowstorm.

The woman broke down when the police told her

break down get upset
that her son had died.

Our teacher broke the final project down into three

break something down divide into smaller parts
separate parts.

break in force entry to a building Somebody broke in last night and stole our stereo.

The firemen had to break into the room to rescue

break into something enter forcibly
the children.

wear something a few times so that it doesn't I need to break these shoes in before we run next
break something in
look/feel new week.

The TV station broke in to report the news of the

break in interrupt
president's death.

My boyfriend and I broke up before I moved to

break up end a relationship
America.

The kids just broke up as soon as the clown started

break up start laughing (informal)
talking.

The prisoners broke out of jail when the guards

break out escape
weren't looking.

break out in something develop a skin condition I broke out in a rash after our camping trip.

bring someone down make unhappy This sad music is bringing me down.

My grandparents brought me up after my parents

bring someone up raise a child
died.

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 My mother walks out of the room when my father
bring something up start talking about a subject
brings up sports.

He drank so much that he brought his dinner up in

bring something up vomit
the toilet.

We called around but we weren't able to find the

call around phone many different places/people
car part we needed.

I called the company back but the offices were

call someone back return a phone call
closed for the weekend.

Jason called the wedding off because he wasn't in

call something off cancel
love with his fiancé.

call on someone ask for an answer or opinion The professor called on me for question 1.

call on someone visit someone We called on you last night but you weren't home.

Give me your phone number and I will call you up

call someone up phone
when we are in town.

You are still mad. You need to calm down before

calm down relax after being angry
you drive the car.

not care for

not like (formal) I don't care for his behaviour.
someone/something

You'll have to run faster than that if you want to

catch up get to the same point as someone else
catch up with Marty.

check in arrive and register at a hotel or airport We will get the hotel keys when we check in.

You have to check out of the hotel before 11:00

check out leave a hotel
AM.

check someone/something
look at carefully, investigate The company checks out all new employees.
out

check out
look at (informal) Check out the crazy hair on that guy!
someone/something

cheer up become happier She cheered up when she heard the good news.

cheer someone up make happier I brought you some flowers to cheer you up.

If everyone chips in we can get the kitchen painted

chip in help
by noon.

Please clean up your bedroom before you go

clean something up tidy, clean
outside.

I came across these old photos when I was tidying

come across something find unexpectedly
the closet.

The top and bottom come apart if you pull hard

come apart separate
enough.

come down with something become sick My nephew came down with chicken pox this

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 weekend.

The woman came forward with her husband's

come forward volunteer for a task or to give evidence
finger prints.

come from somewhere originate in The art of origami comes from Asia.

count on I am counting on you to make dinner while I am

rely on
someone/something out.

Please cross out your old address and write your

cross something out draw a line through
new one.

My doctor wants me to cut back on sweets and

cut back on something consume less
fatty foods.

We had to cut the old tree in our yard down after

cut something down make something fall to the ground
the storm.

Your father cut in while I was dancing with your

cut in interrupt
uncle.

cut in pull in too closely in front of another vehicle The bus driver got angry when that car cut in.

start operating (of an engine or electrical The air conditioner cuts in when the temperature
cut in
device) gets to 22°C.

The doctors cut off his leg because it was severely

cut something off remove with something sharp
injured.

The phone company cut off our phone because we

cut something off stop providing
didn't pay the bill.

My grandparents cut my father off when he

cut someone off take out of a will
remarried.

remove part of something (usually with

cut something out I cut this ad out of the newspaper.
scissors and paper)

He's lucky to be alive. His shop was done over by a

do someone/something over beat up, ransack (Br.E., informal)
street gang.

My teacher wants me to do my essay over because

do something over do again (N.Amer.)
she doesn't like my topic.

It's time to do away with all of these old tax

do away with something discard
records.

Do your coat up before you go outside. It's

do something up fasten, close
snowing!

dress up wear nice clothing It's a fancy restaurant so we have to dress up.

Andrea dropped back to third place when she fell

drop back move back in a position/group
off her bike.

I might drop in/by/over for tea some time this

drop in/by/over come without an appointment
week.

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drop someone/something take someone/something somewhere and I have to drop my sister off at work before I come
off leave them/it there over.

I dropped out of Science because it was too

drop out quit a class, school etc
difficult.

eat out eat at a restaurant I don't feel like cooking tonight. Let's eat out.

We ended up renting a movie instead of going to

end up eventually reach/do/decide
the theatre.

fall apart break into pieces My new dress fell apart in the washing machine.

The picture that you hung up last night fell down

fall down fall to the ground
this morning.

fall out separate from an interior The money must have fallen out of my pocket.

fall out (of hair, teeth) become loose and unattached His hair started to fall out when he was only 35.

I need to figure out how to fit the piano and the

figure something out understand, find the answer
bookshelf in this room.

Please fill in the form with your name, address, and

fill something in to write information in blanks (Br.E.)
phone number.

fill something out to write information in blanks (N.Amer.) The form must be filled out in capital letters.

fill something up fill to the top I always fill the water jug up when it is empty.

We don't know where he lives. How can we find

find out discover
out?

We tried to keep the time of the party a secret, but

find something out discover
Samantha found it out.

I tried to get my point across/over to the judge but

get something across/over communicate, make understandable
she wouldn't listen.

I was surprised how well my new girlfriend and my

get along/on like each other
sister got along/on.

My grandfather can get around fine in his new

get around have mobility
wheelchair.

We worked so hard this year that we had to get

get away go on a vacation
away for a week.

Jason always gets away with cheating in his maths

get away with something do without being noticed or punished
tests.

get back return We got back from our vacation last week.

Liz finally got her Science notes back from my

get something back receive something you had before
room-mate.

My sister got back at me for stealing her shoes. She

get back at someone retaliate, take revenge
stole my favourite hat.

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get back into something become interested in something again I finally got back into my novel and finished it.

We're going to freeze out here if you don't let us get

get on something step onto a vehicle
on the bus.

get over something recover from an illness, loss, difficulty I just got over the flu and now my sister has it.

The company will have to close if it can't get over

get over something overcome a problem
the new regulations.

finally find time to do (N.Amer.: get I don't know when I am going to get round to
get round to something
around to something) writing the thank you cards.

get together meet (usually for social reasons) Let's get together for a BBQ this weekend.

get up get out of bed I got up early today to study for my exam.

You should get up and give the elderly man your

get up stand
seat.

give someone away reveal hidden information about someone His wife gave him away to the police.

give someone away take the bride to the altar My father gave me away at my wedding.

My little sister gave the surprise party away by

give something away ruin a secret
accident.

give something away give something to someone for free The library was giving away old books on Friday.

I have to give these skates back to Franz before his

give something back return a borrowed item
hockey game.

My boyfriend didn't want to go to the ballet, but he

give in reluctantly stop fighting or arguing
finally gave in.

They were giving out free perfume samples at the

give something out give to many people (usually at no cost)
department store.

give something up quit a habit I am giving up smoking as of January 1st.

give up stop trying My maths homework was too difficult so I gave up.

go after someone follow someone My brother tried to go after the thief in his car.

I went after my dream and now I am a published

go after something try to achieve something
writer.

We are going against the best soccer team in the

go against someone compete, oppose
city tonight.

go ahead start, proceed Please go ahead and eat before the food gets cold.

go back return to a place I have to go back home and get my lunch.

go out leave home to go on a social event We're going out for dinner tonight.

Jesse has been going out with Luke since they met
go out with someone date
last winter.

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 Please go over your answers before you submit
go over something review
your test.

I haven't seen Tina for a long time. I think I'll go

go over visit someone nearby
over for an hour or two.

go without something suffer lack or deprivation When I was young, we went without winter boots.

My best friend and I grew apart after she changed

grow apart stop being friends over time
schools.

grow back regrow My roses grew back this summer.

grow up become an adult When Jack grows up he wants to be a fireman.

Elizabeth needs a new pair of shoes because she has

grow out of something get too big for
grown out of her old ones.

This bike is too big for him now, but he should

grow into something grow big enough to fit
grow into it by next year.

I handed my old comic books down to my little

hand something down give something used to someone else
cousin.

hand something in submit I have to hand in my essay by Friday.

hand something out to distribute to a group of people We will hand out the invitations at the door.

The police asked the man to hand over his wallet

hand something over give (usually unwillingly)
and his weapons.

hang in stay positive (N.Amer., informal) Hang in there. I'm sure you'll find a job very soon.

hang on wait a short time (informal) Hang on while I grab my coat and shoes!

Instead of going to the party we are just going to

hang out spend time relaxing (informal)
hang out at my place.

hang up end a phone call He didn't say goodbye before he hung up.

hold someone/something I had to hold my dog back because there was a cat
prevent from doing/going
back in the park.

Jamie held back his tears at his grandfather's

hold something back hide an emotion
funeral.

Please hold on while I transfer you to the Sales

hold on wait a short time
Department.

hold onto
hold firmly using your hands or arms Hold onto your hat because it's very windy outside.
someone/something

A man in a black mask held the bank up this

hold someone/somethingup rob
morning.

keep on doing something continue doing Keep on stirring until the liquid comes to a boil.

keep something from not tell We kept our relationship from our parents for two

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someone years.

keep someone/something
stop from entering Try to keep the wet dog out of the living room.
out

If you keep those results up you will get into a

keep something up continue at the same rate
great college.

I need you to be on time. Don't let me down this

let someone down fail to support or help, disappoint
time.

let someone in allow to enter Can you let the cat in before you go to school?

look after
take care of I have to look after my sick grandmother.
someone/something

Ever since we stole that chocolate bar your dad has

look down on someone think less of, consider inferior
looked down on me.

look for
try to find I'm looking for a red dress for the wedding.
someone/something

look forward to something be excited about the future I'm looking forward to the Christmas break.

We are going to look into the price of snowboards

look into something investigate
today.

look out be careful, vigilant, and take notice Look out! That car's going to hit you!

look out for Don't forget to look out for snakes on the hiking
be especially vigilant for
someone/something trail.

look something over check, examine Can you look over my essay for spelling mistakes?

search and find information in a reference

look something up We can look her phone number up on the Internet.
book or database

look up to someone have a lot of respect for My little sister has always looked up to me.

Josie made up a story about about why we were

make something up invent, lie about something
late.

We were angry last night, but we made up at

make up forgive each other
breakfast.

make someone up apply cosmetics to My sisters made me up for my graduation party.

mix something up confuse two or more things I mixed up the twins' names again!

His uncle passed away last night after a long

pass away die
illness.

It was so hot in the church that an elderly lady

pass out faint
passed out.

The professor passed the textbooks out before

pass something out give the same thing to many people
class.

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pass something up decline (usually something good) I passed up the job because I am afraid of change.

Thanks for buying my ticket. I'll pay you back on

pay someone back return owed money
Friday.

That bully will pay for being mean to my little

pay for something be punished for doing something bad
brother.

pick something out choose I picked out three sweaters for you to try on.

point someone/something
indicate with your finger I'll point my boyfriend out when he runs by.
out

put what you are holding on a surface or You can put the groceries down on the kitchen
put something down
floor counter.

The students put the substitute teacher down

put someone down insult, make someone feel stupid
because his pants were too short.

We are putting off our trip until January because of

put something off postpone
the hurricane.

The neighbours put the fire out before the firemen

put something out extinguish
arrived.

I have to put the crib together before the baby

put something together assemble
arrives.

put up with I don't think I can put up with three small children
tolerate
someone/something in the car.

Don't forget to put on your new earrings for the

put something on put clothing/accessories on your body
party.

run into
meet unexpectedly I ran into an old school-friend at the mall.
someone/something

run over I accidentally ran over your bicycle in the

drive a vehicle over a person or thing
someone/something driveway.

run over/through Let's run over/through these lines one more time
rehearse, review
something before the show.

The child ran away from home and has been

run away leave unexpectedly, escape
missing for three days.

We ran out of shampoo so I had to wash my hair

run out have none left
with soap.

My letter got sent back to me because I used the

send something back return (usually by mail)
wrong stamp.

Our boss set a meeting up with the president of the

set something up arrange, organize
company.

The police set up the car thief by using a hidden

set someone up trick, trap
camera.

shop around compare prices I want to shop around a little before I decide on

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 these boots.

act extra special for people watching

show off He always shows off on his skateboard
(usually boastfully)

You should sleep over tonight if the weather is too

sleep over stay somewhere for the night (informal)
bad to drive home.

We need to sort the bills out before the first of the

sort something out organize, resolve a problem
month.

continue doing something, limit yourself to

stick to something You will lose weight if you stick to the diet.
one particular thing

switch something off stop the energy flow, turn off The light's too bright. Could you switch it off.

We heard the news as soon as we switched on the

switch something on start the energy flow, turn on
car radio.

take after someone resemble a family member I take after my mother. We are both impatient.

He took the car brakes apart and found the

take something apart purposely break into pieces
problem.

I have to take our new TV back because it doesn't

take something back return an item
work.

take off start to fly My plane takes off in five minutes.

Take off your socks and shoes and come in the

take something off remove something (usually clothing)
lake!

take something out remove from a place or thing Can you take the garbage out to the street for me?

My grandparents took us out for dinner and a

take someone out pay for someone to go somewhere with you
movie.

I tore up my ex-boyfriend's letters and gave them

tear something up rip into pieces
back to him.

When I think back on my youth, I wish I had

think back remember (often + to, sometimes + on)
studied harder.

I'll have to think this job offer over before I make

think something over consider
my final decision.

We threw our old furniture away when we won the

throw something away dispose of
lottery.

decrease the volume or strength (heat, light

turn something down Please turn the TV down while the guests are here.
etc)

I turned the job down because I don't want to

turn something down refuse
move.

Your mother wants you to turn the TV off and

turn something off stop the energy flow, switch off
come for dinner.

turn something on start the energy, switch on It's too dark in here. Let's turn some lights on.

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 increase the volume or strength (heat, light Can you turn the music up? This is my favourite
turn something up
etc) song.

Our cat turned up after we put posters up all over

turn up appear suddenly
the neighbourhood.

I'm going to try these jeans on, but I don't think

try something on sample clothing
they will fit.

try something out test I am going to try this new brand of detergent out.

The kids used all of the toothpaste up so we need to

use something up finish the supply
buy some more.

wake up stop sleeping We have to wake up early for work on Monday.

warm someone/something You can warm your feet up in front of the

increase the temperature
up fireplace.

I always warm up by doing sit-ups before I go for a

warm up prepare body for exercise
run.

Most of my make-up wore off before I got to the

wear off fade away
party.

work out exercise I work out at the gym three times a week.

work out be successful Our plan worked out fine.

We have to work out the total cost before we buy

work something out make a calculation
the house.

Phrasal
Meaning Example
Verb
respect or obey. (the law, a decision, a If you want to stay at this school, you must
A abide by
rule) abide by the rules.
I hope you can account for the money you
account for explain, give a reason
spent!

add up make sense, seem reasonable Her story just doesn't add up.

The doctor advised him against carrying heavy

advise against recommend not doing something
loads.
have the same opinion as somebody I agree with you. I think she deserves the
agree with
else. award too.
point something in the direction of
aim at The policeman aimed his gun at the hijacker.
a target
take into consideration,
allow for You'd better leave early to allow for traffic jams.
include in a calculation

answer back reply rudely Don't answer back your mother!

1) The organizers appealed to the crowd to stay

1) plead or make an earnest request
appeal to calm.
2) be attractive or interesting
2) A trekking holiday doesn't appeal to me.
make a formal request for something He applied for the job he saw advertised in the
apply for
(job, permit, loan etc.) newspaper.

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 When the company is privatized, you should
take advantage of something (an
avail (oneself) of avail yourself of
opportunity)
the opportunity and buy some shares.

B back away move backwards, in fear or dislike When he saw the dog, he backed away.

Local authorities backed down on their plans to

back down withdraw, concede defeat
1) give support or encouragement
back up
2) make a copy of (file, program, etc.)
1) pay money to secure someone's
bail out release
2) rescue from financial difficulties
demolish the building.
1) If I tell the boss we've got too much work, will
you back me up?
2) It is recommended to back up all files in a
secure location.
1) When he was arrested, his family refused to
bail him out.
2) The government bailed out the bank.

bank on base your hopes on someone/something Don't forget the date. I'm banking on your help.

He beefed up his presentation with diagrams

beef up improve, make more substantial
and statistics.

black out faint, lose consciousness When he fell off the horse he blacked out.

The area was blocked off during the

block off Separate using a barrier.
demonstration.
1) The terrorists said the bomb would blow up
1) explode; at 9 o'clock.
blow up
2) be destroyed by an explosion 2) The car blew up but luckily there was nobody
in it.

boil down to be summarized as The problem boils down to a lack of money.

start a computer by loading an Just give my a few minutes to boot up the

boot up
operating system or program. computer.

break away escape from captivity A few horses broke away from the paddock.

1) John's car broke down so he had to take the

1) go out of order, cease to function bus.
break down
2) lose control of one's emotions 2) The parents broke down when they heard
the bad news.

break into enter by force Burglars broke into the house around midnight.

break out start suddenly Rioting broke out as a result of the strike.

break out of escape from a place by force Three prisoners broke out of jail.

After her marriage broke up, Emma went to live

break up come to an end (marriage, relationship)
in London.
She stopped working in order to bring up her
bring up raise (a child)
children.
improve, refresh one's knowledge of Mary had to brush up on her Spanish before
brush up on
something going to South America.
Pedro bumped into his English teacher at the
bump into meet by accident or unexpectedly
supermarket.
1) The fuse has burnt out.
1) stop (something) working
burn out 2) Tom will burn himself out if he doesn't slow
2) become exhausted from over-working
down.
butt in (on sthg) interrupt impolitely It's rude to butt in on a conversation like that!

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C call back return a phone call I'll call you back as soon as possible.

The meeting was called off because of the

call off cancel
strike.
I now call upon the President to address the
call on/upon sby formally invite or request
assembly.
become more relaxed, less angry or He was angry at first but he eventually calmed
calm down
upset down.

carry on continue He carried on gardening in spite of the rain.

1) do something as specified 1) The plan was carried out to perfection.

carry out (a plan, an order, a threat) 2) Tests are carried out to determine the
2) perform or conduct (test, experiment) efficiency of a new drug.
As regards holidays, can you carry over any
carry over postpone until later days from one year
to the next?
For security reasons you have to check in two
check in register at a hotel or airport
hours before your flight.
1) Is Mr. Blair still at the hotel? No, he checked
1) pay one's bill and leave (a hotel) out this morning.
check out
2) investigate 2) I don't know if the address is still valid. I'll
check it out.

clam up refuse to speak When the teacher arrived she clammed up.

The government has decided to clamp down

clamp down on act strictly to prevent something
on smoking in public places.
stop operating (company, restaurant, When the factory closed down, the employees
close down
cinema). lost their jobs.
1) Julie came across some photographs of her
1) find by chance grandparents in the attic.
come across
2) appear, seem, make an impression 2) The candidate came across as a dynamic
person during the interview.
The police have asked any witnesses to come
come forward present oneself
forward.

come up against be faced with or opposed by The project came up against a lot of criticism.

1) The car conked out on the motorway.

1) stop working
conk out 2) He was so exhausted, he conked out in front
2) stop or fall asleep (from exhaustion)
of the TV.
I'm counting on the taxi driver to find the
count on rely or depend on (for help)
theatre.
In some exercises, you are asked to cross out
cross out remove by drawing a line through
the incorrect word.

cut down on reduce in number or size The doctor told him to cut down on cigarettes.

1) remove using scissors 1) She cut out a picture in a magazine.

cut out
2) stop doing something 2) I'm going to cut out eating between meals.

The manager is good at dealing with difficult

D deal with handle, take care of (problem, situation)
customers.
When the applause died down, she started to
die down calm down, become less strong
sing.

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 The shops are closed so we'll have to do
do without manage without
without sugar.
We expected a short speech but it dragged on
drag on last longer than expected
and on!
An agreement was drawn up and signed by the
draw up write (contract, agreement, document)
two parties.
1) Do people dress up to go to the opera in
1) wear elegant clothes
dress up your country?
2) disguise oneself
2) Children love to dress up at Halloween.
I sometimes drop in to see my grandparents on
drop in visit, usually on the way somewhere
my way home from school.
1) deliver someone or something 1) I'll drop you off at the bus stop if you like.
drop off
2) fall asleep 2) Granddad often drops off in front of the TV.
She decided to go to art school then dropped
drop out leave school without finishing
out after the first term.

reduce, become less severe or slow

After Christmas the workload generally eases
E ease off down
off.
(pain, traffic, work)

end in finish in a certain way; result in Their marriage ended in divorce.

If he continues his misconduct he'll end up in

end up finally reach a state, place or action
prison.
1) After a long discussion they managed to
1) eliminate differences of opinion.
even out even out their differences.
2) become level or regular
2) The road was evened out to make it safer.

Our planned boat trip fell through because of

F fall through fail; doesn't happen
the storm.
I'm trying to figure out how to assemble the
figure out understand, find the answer
bookshelves.
Please fill out the enclosed form and return it
fill out complete (a form/an application)
as soon as possible.
I'm going to call the cinema to find out what
find out discover or obtain information
time the film starts.
The advertising campaign will focus on the
focus on concentrate on something
quality of the product.
We'll have to figure out a way to deliver the
figure out understand; find a solution
goods faster.

G get along (with) be on good terms; work well with I get along (well) with my mother-in-law.

get at imply What exactly are you trying to get at?

get away escape The robbers got away in a black car.

get by manage to cope or to survive It's difficult to get by on a low salary.

get in enter How did the burglar get in?

get into (+noun) enter How did the burglar get into the house?

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 1) You should get off the bus at Trafalgar
1) leave (bus, train, plane)
get off Square.
2) remove
2) She can't get the stain off her sweater.

get on board (bus, train, plane) You can pay when you get on the bus.

get on with
continue to do; make progress Be quiet and get on with your homework.
(something)
get on (well) with
have a good relationship with I get on very well with my colleagues.
(somebody)

get out leave How did he get out?

get out of (+noun) leave How did he get out of the house?

Some husbands manage to get out of doing

get out of avoid doing something
any housework.
My grandmother had pneumonia but she got
get over recover from (illness, disappointment)
over it.

get rid of eliminate It's difficult to get rid of old habits.

get together meet each other Let's get together for lunch on day.

get up rise, leave bed I usually get up at 7 o'clock.

give up stop doing something Sarah gave up smoking 5 years ago.

Pete went through a lot of pain after the

go through experience
accident.
spend one's childhood; develop; become
grow up He grew up in a small village in the mountains.
an adult

All application forms must be handed in before

H hand in submit (report, homework)
the end of the month.
Samples will be handed out at the end of the
hand out distribute
demonstration.
spend time in a particular place, Where does he hang out these days?
hang out
or with a group of friends Who does he hang out with?

hang up end a phone conversation "Don't hang up. I haven't finished yet."

hit at aim a blow at He hit at the wasp with the newspaper.

When he was attacked by the others, the boy

hit back retaliate; reply to an attack
hit back.

hit on/upon find unexpectedly or by inspiration She hit upon an idea for her new collection.

- 'Hold on please. I'll put you through to Mr.

-wait Brown."
hold on
-grip tightly - She held on to the railing as she crossed the
bridge.

hurry up be quick, act speedily Hurry up! We'll miss the bus.

resolve by discussion, eliminate The meeting tomorrow will be an opportunity to

I iron out
differences iron out difficulties.

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J join in participate She was too shy to join in the game.

- John was in the Army and Tom joined up as

-engage in, become a member of soon as he left school.
join up
- meet and unite with - The two groups of tourists joined up at the
hotel.
I jotted down the address while watching the
jot down take quick notes
programme on TV.

It told him to be quiet but he kept on making

K keep on continue doing something
noise.
stay at the same level as someone or Bill walks so fast it's difficult to keep up with
keep up with
something him.

kick off begin, start The football match kicked off at 3 o'clock.

L leave out omit, not mention The child's name was left out of the report.

You promised to come to the party, so don't let

let down disappoint
me down!
A babysitter looks after the children when they
look after take care of
go out.

look ahead think of the future It's time to forget the past and look ahead.

He tends to look down on anyone who is not

look down on consider as inferior
successful.
Billy didn't take part in the fight. He just looked
look on be a spectator at an event
on.
Jane went to the shops to look for a pair of
look for try to find something
shoes.

look forward to await or anticipate with pleasure I look forward to seeing you soon.

He was a wonderful teacher and many students

look up to admire
looked up to him.

The old lady dresses so strangely that the kids

M make fun of laugh at/ make jokes about
make fun of her.
Some employees make up excuses when they
make up invent (excuse, story)
arrive late for work.
I don't know my neighbours' names yet. I keep
mix up mistake one thing or person for another
mixing them up.
You've bought a new house? When are you
move in arrive in a new home or office
moving in?.
My neighbour is leaving. He's moving out next
move out leave your home/office for another one.
Saturday.

My grandfather often nods off in front of the

N nod off fall asleep
television.

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 I'll call the station and note down the departure
note down write something
times.

leave a system or decide not to I enjoy tennis but I'm so busy I had to opt out of
O opt out
participate the tournament.
The boy owned up. He said he kicked the ball
own up admit or confess something
through the window.

P pass away die The old lady passed away peacefully.

pass out faint She passed out when she heard the bad news.

I'll lend you 20€ provided you pay me back

pay back reimburse
before the end of the week.

put off postpone, arrange a later date The meeting was put off because of the strike.

put on turn on, switch on Could you put on the light please?

put out extinguish It took a long time to put out the fire.

We can put you up if you'd like to come for a

put up accommodate, give somebody a bed
week-end.

pick up collect somebody I'll pick you up at the station when you arrive.

point out indicate/direct attention to something She pointed out the mistake.

Don't worry. You can rely on me. I can keep a

R rely on count on, depend on, trust
secret.

rule out eliminate The police ruled out political motives.

run away escape from a place or suddenly leave He ran away from home at the age of fourteen.

meet by accident or unexpectedly (also:

run into Sophie ran into Maria at the shopping centre.
bump into)

run out of have no more of something. What a nuisance! We've run out of coffee.

Early Saturday morning we set off for the ski

S set off start a journey;
slopes .

set up start a business She set up her own company 10 years ago.

It's always wise to shop around before buying

shop around compare prices
anything.
There's David showing off in his new sports
show off brag or want to be admired
car!
We expected David to come but he didn't show
show up appear/arrive
up.
shut up
be silent, stop talking Oh shut up, you idiot!
(impolite)

16
 sit down take a seat Please come in and sit down.

The pupils stood up when the headmaster

stand up rise from a sitting position
arrived.

stick up for defend It's important to stick up for one's principles.

T take after resemble, in appearance or character Jamie really takes after his dad.

take care of look after I'll take care of your plants while you're away.

take off leave the ground The plane took off at 6 a.m.

Business is good so the company is taking on

take on hire or engage staff
extra staff.

take out remove; extract She took out a pen to note the address.

The teacher told her off for not doing her

tell off reprimand/criticize severely
homework.
I'll have to think over the proposal before I
think over consider
decide.

try on wear something to see if it suits or fits I'm not sure about the size. Can I try it on?

turn down refuse I couldn't turn down an offer like that!

U use up finish a product (so that there's none left) The kids have used up all the toothpaste.

express confidence in, or guarantee You can give the keys to Andy. I can vouch
V vouch for
something for him.

W watch out be careful Watch out! There's a car coming.

1) become unusable 1) Julie wore out her shoes visiting the city.
wear out
2) become very tired 2) At the end of the day Julie was worn out.
1) I work out twice a week at the gym club.
1) do physical exercise
work out 2) It's expensive but I haven't worked out the
2) find a solution or calculate something
exact cost yet.

wipe off clean (board, table). The teacher asked Lee to wipe off the board.

17