LEARN SOME COMMON gae2019

PHRASAL VERBS & COLLOCATIONS

Phrasal verbs are particularly common in normal conversation. Using phrasal verbs in your informal speech makes it sound more
natural, and if you’re a non-native English speaker, using them makes your speech much more like that of a native English
speaker.
But what about phrasal verbs in writing?
You may have read that phrasal verbs should be avoided in formal writing, and that the single verb equivalents should be used
Instead (for example: find out = discover; talk about = discuss; set up = organise; put forward = propose;...).
While to some extent that’s true, the reality is more complicated. There are many phrasal verbs that can and also should be used in
Formal writing. Although phrasal verbs are often thought of as an informal part of language, most of them are neutral, and some
are in fact rather formal (i.e. carry out). Therefore, in general, there’s no reason to specify they shouldn’t be used in formal writing.
Position of the object in transitive phrasal verbs:
Separable Phrasal verbs: Two positions: (1) object after the particle or (2) between the verb and the particle.
But when the object is a pronoun, it always goes between the verb and the particle
Inseparable Phrasal verbs: One position: the object is always after the particle
Verb Meaning Example
sb a question “hacer una pregunta” ask for an explanation
sb for advice “pedir consejo” ask for (sb’s) opinion
To ask sb for help “pedir ayuda” ask for information
sb for permission “pedir permiso”
sb for trouble “buscarse problemas”

invite sb to come with you to a place

To ask sb out Brian asked Judy out to dinner and a movie.
(cinema, restaurant,..) especially as a
To invite sb out way to start a romantic relationship
If you like her, ask her out

To ask sb in Invite sb at home I’ll ask her in for a coffee

1) “APOYAR, RESPALDAR” (sb)

1) My wife backed me up over my decision to….
Support sb, help sb, esp in difficult situations by
2) You need to back up your opinion.
giving them money or using your influence
To back sb up your answers
2) “RESPALDAR, JUSTIFICAR,
a story
CORROBORAR” (sth)
(SYN To support sb,
To stand by sb, A BACKUP:
(OPP to let sb down 1) If one of the players drops out, we can use
to disappoint sb) 1) ”DE RESERVA, DE REPUESTO” As a…
him as a backup (= de reserva)
Always have a backup plan (´un plan B‘)
2) Make a back up of your files
2) (technology) UNA COPIA DE SEGURIDAD
To make a backup

To be into sth/doing.. “GUSTAR”: Like, be interested in I’m into (playing) video games.

1) “CANCELARSE”. Be cancelled > The meeting is off

To be off (vi)
2) “MARCHARSE”. Leave > I’m off. See you later.

To be over (vi) ”TERMINARSE”. Be finished The holidays are over./ The game is over.

1) vi/vtr “SOPLAR” (wind, air, whistle,….)

> To blow one’s nose “sonarse la nariz”
> To blow sb a kiss / a kiss to sb “tirar un beso a sb”
> To blow the horn/ the saxo, clarinet, flute.. “tocar el claxón (coche) /instrumento”
To blow
> To blow out the candles “apagar las velas soplando”
> To blow bubbles “hacer pompas (de jabón, chicle,…)”
 1) “GOLPE, MAZAZO” (fig) Her death was a hard/severe blow
A blow 2) “GOLPE” (lit) a hard hit with hand, tool, weapon Their decision came as a blow
(Informal Eng > a hit / to get hit on) He died from a blow on his head

Explode / destroy sth using (vi) The racing car blew up after it crashed
explosives (a bridge up, a car, a plane,…) into the fence./
To blow up (vt/vi)
(vt) The terrorists tried to blow up the
*To blow oneself up = INMOLARSE airport

To blow up balloons for the party.

To blow sth up “HINCHAR”: add air, inflate
To blow up the inflatables for the beach
(a float, a floating lounger,…), a car tyre,…
OPP. Let sth down OPP “DESHINCHAR”
Some kids had let my tyres down.

“SOLTAR, DECIR …. SIN PENSAR” He blurted out that he loved her.

To blurt sth out to say something suddenly and without thinking, He just blurts out the first thing that comes to
usu because you are excited/nervous mind.

 a record “batir un record”

 the law “violar la ley” > a lawbreaker, a criminal, an offender
 a promise/ one’s word “no cumplir una promesa”
To break
 the ice “romper el hielo”
 sb’s heart “romper el corazón”
 even “ni ganar ni perder ” (when gambling, business,…)

(vi) “AVERIARSE”
Our car broke down at the side of the
Stop functioning (vehicle, machine, .), fail,
highway in the snowstorm.
collapse

(vi) “VENIRSE ABAJO” The woman broke down when the police
get upset, unable to control your feelings and to told her that her son had died./
To break down
start to cry If I go to the funeral, I’ll break down

A BREAKDOWN:
An electrical/mechanical breakdown.
1) “AVERÍA” (maquinaria)
A breakdown in traditional values.
2) “INTERRUPCIÓN” (of service, communication,
in negotiations)

Force entry to a building / a car/ network Somebody broke in last night and stole our
usu to steal sth stereo. / They broke into the school network
To break in (vi)
To break into sth/place A BREAK-IN:
They had a break-in next door
“UN ROBO”

“ROMPER; FINALIZAR”
My boyfriend and I broke up (vi)
End a relationship, a marriage
They broke up their relationship. (vt)
To break up (with sb)
To break up sth A BREAK-UP:
The breakup of their marriage
1) “Ruptura” (relationship) The Soviet Union
2) “Desintegración” (political party, band, country)

“ESTALLAR” Sth dangerous/unpleasant that War broke out in 1914

To break out (vi)
appears violently: Fighting has broken out all over the city
war, fighting, protests, disease, a fire, a virus,… Forest fires broke out during the summer
 An AN OUTBREAK: Outbreaks of violence/protest/ war

1) “ESTALLIDO” (war, hostilities) An outbreak of food poisoning

2) “BROTE” (illness) cholera

“REFRESCAR, REPASAR” Improve your I have to brush up my French before going to

To brush up (on) sth
knowledge of sth you have parly forgotten France

1)“ENTRISTECER, HUNDIR”
This sad music is bringing me down.
Make unhappy (Opp: cheer sb up)
To bring sb down The scandal could bring down the
2)Reduce: the rate of unemployment, the prices,
government.
temperature,…

To bring about sth

(SYN To lead to..,
“TRAER CONSIGO, OCASIONAR” = Democracy brought about a great change, a
To result in..
cause to happen revolution, a reform of…
To trigger (off)
sth

It brings out the best in him/

To bring out sth
“SACAR (A RELUCIR)”, “RESALTAR”
his darker side
= Highlight, stress a quality
the colour of his eyes
the flavour of the meat

“CRIAR, EDUCAR” My grandparents brought me up after my

To bring sb up
Care for a child until s/he’s an adult, parents died.
Teach him/her how to behave, I was brought to be a Catholic
SYN to raise sb often giving him/her particular beliefs It isn’t easy to bring up children

To bring sth up “SACAR EL TEMA DE..”,”MENCIONAR…” My mother walks out of the room when my
Start talking about a subject; one’s father brings up sports/his health problems
To raise a topic problems, …. I hate him. Don’t ever bring his name
up again!

Build up (false) hopes experience

“DESARROLLAR, AUMENTAR”
To build up (sth) relationships success
Develop,create, increase
confidence resistance

1) “CONVOCAR” (reunion, huelga, elecciones) To call a meeting, a strike, an election

To call 2) “LLAMAR a alguien COMO…” To call/name sb after sb (like)
They called her after her grandmother.

A call “LLAMADA” To make a call To have/get a call

To give sb a call To answer a call

To call sth off (call sth off) = Cancel Jason called the wedding off because he
To put sth off (put sth off) = Postpone wasn’t in love with his fiancé.

To calm (sb) down
“TRANQUILIZ AR A ALGUIEN
Calm down, everything is going to be OK.
/TRANQUILIZARSE”
She tried to calm him down by (-ing)
= Relax after being angry

To carry out research/ a project/ a study

To carry out sth “LLEVAR A CABO, REALIZAR”= execute
a protest/ a reform / a robbery /

To catch a cold “Coger un resfriado”

To catch
To catch sb’s eye; sb’s attention; sb’s interest “ Llamar la atención de alguién”

To become fashionable, popular

To catch on (vi) Mobiles have caught on really fast
“PONERSE DE MODA”
To catch up “PONERSE AL DÍA”
to catch up on my homework,
 with sb Get to the same point as someone else-
on one’s sleep
 on sth on one’s emails
(homework,sleep, OPP. “to get behind with sth” (work, payments)
Let’s have a coffee and catch up.
emails) “RETRASARSE, QUEDARSE ATRás”

To cheat “ENGAÑAR”
in the exam A cheat = un tramposo, embustero She found out that he’d been cheating on her.
on sb A crib sheet = una chuleta (en un examen)

“REVISAR EL CORREO” = To check one’s emails

To check
“HACERSE UN CHEQUEO” = To have a check-up (a routine/regular check-up)

To check in We will get the hotel keys when we

Arrive and register at a hotel or airport
a check-in check in.

To check out You have to check out of the hotel before

Leave a hotel
a checkout 11:00 AM. Checkout is at 10h

To cheer (vi/vt) (vi) Give a loud shout of approval or encouragement Everyone cheered when…
(vt) TO CHEER SB ON They cheered him on
(OPP to boo sb) (opp. To boo “abuchear”(vt): They booed him)

Three cheers for the winning team! = “Tres hurras”

A cheer (In a toast) Cheers! = “chin, chin” or “salud!”
Cheers! = “adiós!”

To cheer up (vi) “ANIMARSE” Become happier (vi) She cheered up when she heard the news.
To cheer sb up (vt) “ANIMAR a alguien” Make sb happier (vt) I brought you some flowers to cheer you up.

(At work)
“FICHAR”(al entrar o salir del trabajo)
to clock on/off

To come to a decision “LLEGAR A…, ALCANZAR”

to an agreement
To come
to an end
To come to terms with sth (unpleasant, sad) “ACEPTAR”

To come across sth/sb I came across these old photos when I

“ENCONTRARSE POR CASUALIDAD”
= bump into sb was tidying the closet.
Find unexpectedly sth lost or unexpected
= run into problems I’ve never come across that word…

rely on sb “CONFIAR EN…” I am counting on you to make dinner

To count on sb / sth
trust sb “CONTAR CON…” while I am out.

They tried to cover up the scandal

“ENCUBRIR; TAPAR” = hide
To cover up sth the truth
Keep sth unpleasant/illegal hidden or a secret
each other

1) “CORTAR” (use a knife, scissors, tool..) hair, grass, food, …..

2) “REDUCIR” = reduce (make it shorter, lower, smaller,…): prices/costs/budget
To cut Street crime
(Idiom) To cut a long story short = para abreviar, para resumir

A cut To make a cut A deep/nasty/bad/minor/clean…cut

The cuts (pl) “RECORTES”: reduction in public spending A protest against the education cuts

“REDUCIR, RECORTAR, ECONOMIZAR” to cut down on sugar, food, noise

To cut down on sth Consume less, reduce the amount of… expenses, electricity bills
subsidies, funding,….
 1) “ABROCHAR, ATAR” Fasten, close
>Do your coat up before you go outside.
(buttons, shoelaces,…)
(opp. To undo)
To do sth up
>It’s a beautiful cottage but it needs doing up a
2) “REFORMAR” (old house/room)
bit
redecorate, repair, paint, improve

1 (vt/vi) to dress sb “VESTIR A..”

2. (vi) to dress in a suit for work/ to dress in black
To dress
3 (vt) to dress a salad (=add oil/vinegar) “ALIÑAR”
4 (vt) to dress a wound (=clean+ put covering on it) “CURAR..”

Actresses love dressing up for film

3) “VESTIRSE FORMAL” Wear nice clothing
To dress up premieres.
4) “DISFRAZARSE” Disguise
We dressed up as ghosts for the party.

To play dress-up “JUGAR A DISFRAZARSE” Children like to play dress-up

*Difference DROP-FALL:
Sb drops sth (vt) She dropped her keys A ella se le cayeron las llaves
Sth drops (vi) The book dropped from the shelf El libro se cayó del estante
To drop Sb/Sth falls (vi) She fell (down) / Snow, a bomb, ..fell (down)
 to drop sb a line escribir unas líneas
 to drop a brick meter la pata

A drop of rain/ of paint/… **Eye drops or tears?

A drop
(idiom) That’s a drop in the ocean = Eso no es nada, no tiene importancia

“PERSONA QUE ABANDONA LOS ESTUDIOS”

A dropout
Sb who leaves school/college before completing a qualification

I dropped out of Science because it was too

To drop out (of) Stop studying, quit a class, school etc
difficult.

“PASAR, DEJARSE CAER” I might drop in/by/over for tea sometime

To drop in (vi)
Visit sb without an appointment this week. I just dropped in to see you.

To eat out
Eat at a restaurant
To eat in I don’t feel like cooking tonight. Let’s eat out.
Eat at home rather than at a restaurant

To end up (+-ing) “ACABAR… (HACIENDO ALGO/

We ended up renting a movie
… EN UN LUGAR)”
(+somewhere) eating out/
at the nearest restaurant
Eventually reach/do/decide
SYN To finish up in jail.

 At the end of (the book, the film,…) “Al final de ….”

 In the end (= Finally, eventually) “Al final, Finalmente”
end
(idioms) The end justifies the means “El fin justifica los medios”
To make ends meet “ llegar a final de mes” (fig)

to fall asleep “caer dormido” to fall short “quedarse corto”

To fall to fall ill “caer enfermo” to fall/get pregnant “quedarse embarazada”
to fall unconscious “caer inconsciente” to fall behind “quedarse atrás”
To have a fall = `caerse‘ to fall flat “fracasar” (a plan, a joke, a deal, an effort, communication, a film/book,….)
Prices / Sales / Profits
Temperatures fall
Crime,….
 The picture that you hung up last night fell
To fall down (vi) “CAERSE (AL SUELO)”
down this morning.
Fall to the ground (vi) from its normal position
He stumbled/slipped and fell down.

“DISCUTIR, DEJAR DE HABLARSE” He left home after falling out with his parents.
To fall out with sb to argue with someone and stop being friendly with She’d fallen out with her boyfriend over his ex-
(over sth)
them girlfriend.

1) (Figure out) Understand the cause of a problem, I need to figure out….

To figure sth out find the answer how to do it
Or “I can’t figure it out!” (=no me lo explico) why it isn’t working
To find out? We don’t know where he lives. How can
2) (Find out) we find out?
Discover information, know sth with no effort She’s going to find out sooner or later

Write information in blanks (Br.E.) Please fill in the form with your name,
To fill sth in
(USA = fill out) address, and phone number.

I always fill the water jug up when it is

To fill sth up Fill to the top
empty.

To fit in (vi) Despite her efforts, she never fit in with

“ENCAJAR, INTEGRARSE, ADAPTARSE
To fit in with sb, the other kids.
(EN)”
a group He fits the stereotype of...

To get sth cross/over

I tried to get my point across/over to the
(your ideas, = Communicate, make understandable
judge but she wouldn’t listen.
some points, “HACERSE ENTENDER, EXPLICARSE”
How can I get this across to them?
a message)

How do you get on with him?

To get along/on “LLEVARSE BIEN” = Like each other

To get around
“DESPLAZARSE POR” ( a town, an office,…) I normally get around my city on foot
(+a place)

To get + Adjective: Idioms/Expressions:

better / worse To get (=receive) Get a life!
Dark A present (=vive la vida)
Get sb’s own way
late An e-mail
(=salirse con la suya)
Old An award Get blood out of a
Angry A degree stone
Get sb wrong
Tired A fine (= pedir peras al
(=malinterpretar a sb)
Married The impression olmo)
Divorced
Get up on the wrong
Lost. (Also: Get lost!) To get Get down to
To get side of the bed
Involved (=to buy/obtain) business
/=levantarse con el pie
drunk A computer (= ir al grano)
izquierdo)
A job
To get + a place: Get into trouble
Get on sb’s nerves
Home (=meterse en lios)
(=poner a sb de los
To school/uni
nervios)
To work Get nowhere
To the airport (=no llevar a ningun
There sitio)
To get away “COGERSE UN DESCANSO”, We worked so hard this year that we had
for a few days, “ESCAPARSE..UNOS DIAS” get away for a week.
for the weekend go on a vacation Let’s get away for a few days

A romantic weekend getaway

“UNA ESCAPADA”
A getaway Let’s plan our summer getaway
a short holiday/vacation;

Jason always gets away with

>cheating in his maths tests.
Go without being noticed or punished >stealing a lot of money
To get away (with sth)
> telling lies
> murder
> pranks (=trastadas, travesuras)

To get by on my salary /…..€

To get by “SOBREVIVIR, APAÑARSE”
on very little
(on money on a couple of hours
to be able to live or deal with
(with sth a situation with difficulty, usually by having just
in Japanese
(in English,..) with four computers
enough of something you need, such as money

To get over
>”SUPERAR, RECUPERARSE DE ”
the flu, an illness, a loss, a tragedy, a break up
To get over sth Overcome/ Recover from an illness, loss,
A problem, a difficulty
difficulty, problem
one’s fears

To get together (vi) “JUNTARSE, REUNIRSE”

Let’s get together for a BBQ this weekend.
A get-together Meet (usually for social reasons)

”DONAR”, “REGALAR” The library was giving away old books on

To give sth away
Give something to someone for free Friday.

“CEDER, RENDIRSE” (ante otra persona(s)) My boyfriend didn’t want to go to the

Reluctantly stop fighting or arguing, ballet, but he finally gave in.
To give in (vi)
Cease fighting, arguing; admit defeat After a long pause for thought, he gave in to
= yield the demands.

To give up (vi) “ RENDIRSE” My maths homework was too difficult so

= surrender, stop trying, stop making an effort I gave up.
I give up. What’s the answer?

“DEJAR DE HACER ALGO” I gave up smoking.

To give sth up Quit a habit, stop doing sth tennis
OPP to take up sth one’s studies
OPP To take up sth = start doing sth one’s job

“EXPLOTAR, DISPARARSE” (a bomb, a gun) The gun went off by accident.

“SONAR” (an alarm) The bomb went off in a crowded street.
“IRSE LA LUZ” (light, electricity) To set the alarm clock to go off at….
To go off (vi)
We need to buy more milk, this carton has
“CADUCAR” (food, drink)
gone off

= undergo (experience sth especially To go through a difficult time, a crisis

To go through sth
difficult or unpleasant) “ATRAVESAR” a divorce

Please go over your answers before you

“REPASAR; REVISAR” Review
To go over sth submit your test.
 To go without food (for a few days)
“VIVIR SIN, PRESCINDIR DE” much sleep
To go without sth
Not to have sth that you usually have mobiles
It goes without saying =“no hace falta decir que..”

(vi) - People grow. Children grow very quickly

- Animals, plants grow. Tomatoes grow best in direct sunlight
- Hair, nails, popularity, …grow
To grow (vtr) - “DEJARSE CRECER…”
Sb grows a beard, a moustache, hair…
She wants to grow her hair long
Is he growing a beard?
- “CULTIVAR; PLANTAR” Sb grows vegetables, fruit,..

“DISTANCIARSE”
To grow apart/ Stop being friends or having a close My best friend and I grew apart after she
SYN = drift away relationship over time changed schools.

-When Jack grows up he wants to be a

To grow up (vi) Become an adult “Crecer, hacerse mayor” fireman.
-Alex grew up in France but now he’s here.
-Taking responsibility is a way to grow up.

A grown-up (noun) An adult

I have two grown up children … hijos MAYORES

Grown up (adjective)
He seems too grown up for his age …demasiado MAYOR

To hand sth to sb = pasar (from your hand to sb else’s hand)

To hand sth to sb
To give sb a hand = echar una mano
To be a dab hand at sth = ser manitas, mañoso (UK, informal)
To get out of hand = irse de las manos (out of control)

“ENTREGAR, PRESENTAR” I have to hand in my essay by Friday.

To hand sth in
Submit, give to sb in position of authority Hand in your keys at reception when leaving

To hand sth out “REPARTIR” to distribute to a group of people We will hand out the invitations at the door.

Hang on!/ Hold on! Wait a short time (informal) Hang on while I grab my coat and shoes!

To hang out (with) “PASAR TIEMPO CON” Who do you hang out with?
Spend time relaxing (informal) Her favorite thing to do is hang out with her
friends.

End a phone call “colgar”

To hang up He didn’t say goodbye before he hung up.
Opp.: to answer (the phone)

To hold an election, a race, a sporting event,… = CELEBRAR, LLEVAR A CABO, TENER

A conference, a meeting, talks….

To hold one’s breath = aguantar la respiración

To hold your nose = taparse la nariz
To hold (held,held)
To hold hands = cogerse de la mano
To hold sb’s attention/interest = mantener la atención/interés de…
To hold public office = ocupar un cargo público importante
Who can tell what the future holds? = ..qué nos depara el futuro?
 “CONTENER(SE)” / “ RETENER, OCULTAR”
To hold back sth Hide an emotion (tears, anger,…) /
Jamie held back his tears/ anger/emotions
(an emotion/ some information
vital information
information)
Don’t hold back = no te reprimas, exprésate

Keep alive = mantener(se) vivo

To keep a promise = cumplir una promesa awake despierto
To keep Keep in mind that.. = recuerda que… busy ocupado
= guardar, conservar To keep in touch = mantenerse en calm tranquilo
contacto fit en forma
informed informado

“MANTENER…” Keep up the good work

To keep sth up Continue at the same rate, stay at the the pressure on ….
same level as sb/sth
(idiom) Keep it up! = Sigue así! (idiom) To keep up appearances

“ESTAR AL DIA en…” We need to keep up with the latest

To Keep up with sb/sth
Be aware of current developments,events technology

(=put down, in specially a flat or horizontal position) “ EXTENDER”

 Lay the baby on the bed / a tray on the table/ a blanket over a body / plans on a table
 Lay eggs
 Lay/ set the table =“poner la mesa”/ OPP: Clear the table = “quitar la mesa”
To lay (laid, laid) (vt)
DON’T CONFUSE:
to lie, lied, lied (=mentir) Don’t trust her – she’s lying
to lie, lay, lain (=be in horizontal position) She’s lying on the beach

*(C2) The responsability/ decision lies with sb/the government “.. CORRESPONDE A...”
The problem/solution lies in sth “ RESIDE EN..”

“FALLAR, DECEPCIONAR (a otra persona)” I need you to be on time. Don’t let me

To let sb down
Fail to support or help, disappoint down this time.

After all I’d heard about the film, it

(informal) a disappointment turned out to be a complete letdown.
A letdown
“decepción, chasco” The bad news was a letdown.

“ARREGLARSELAS,APAÑARSE, He earns enough to live on.

To live on sth (money)
MANTENERSE, VIVIR” He lives on very little.

“VIVIR DE/ ACOSTA DE” (sb/sth)

To get the money you need to live from To live off one’s savings/ pension/income
To live off sth /sb
sb/sth one’s parents/ …

“INICIAR SESION”
I can’t log in to Facebook because I’ve
To log in (or on) Sign in (to a website, database etc)
forgotten my password.

“CERRAR SESIÓN” If you don’t log off somebody could get

To log out (or off)
Sign out (of a website, database etc) into your account.

To look (idioms) Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth “ A caballo regalado, no le mires el diente”

A look  “APARIENCIA, ASPECTO, PINTA” (of sth /sb): They liked the look of the hotel
  Sb’s looks (pl.) = “APARIENCIA, ATRACTIVO” (sb’s appearance, especially how attractive
they are):
Her looks improved as she grew older; I like her looks

 Have a look at…. = ECHA UN VISTAZO, VIGILA A ….

To look ahead (vi) “MIRAR HACIA ADELANTE” We need to look ahead and see what our options
“PENSAR EN EL FUTURO”
(to do sth/ to sth) To think about and plan the future are.

“RECORDAR, MIRAR HACIA ATRÁS” When I look back on my childhood, I realise how
To look back (on sth)
To think about something in the past lucky I was.

To look after sb/sth “CUIDAR DE..” Take care of I have to look after my sick grandmother.

To look for sb/sth “BUSCAR” Try to find, seek I’m looking for a red dress for the party.

Think less of, consider inferior Ever since we stole that chocolate bar your
To look down on sb
“MENOSPRECIAR, MIRAR MAL” dad has looked down on me.

Have a lot of respect for, admire sb My little sister has always looked up to
To look up to sb
“ADMIRAR, RESPETAR” me.

Search and find information in a reference We can look that word up on the Internet
To look sth up
book or database (computer) “BUSCAR” in the dictionary

Be excited about the future

To look forward to I’m looking forward to Christmas.
“TENER MUCHAS GANAS DE, CONTAR
Sth/vb-ing LOS DÍAS QUE FALTAN PARA…”
that trip.

To look into sth Investigate, try to find out about sth We are going to look into the price of it

Look out! Be careful, vigilant, and take notice Look out! That car’s going to hit you!

Check, examine Can you look over my essay for spelling

To look sth over
= go over mistakes?

“OBLIGAR..” = To make sb do sth

To force sb to do sth
To make To compel or oblige sb to do sth (formal)

(idiom) To make a fuss (about sth) = montar un pollo

A make = a brand “Marca” What make is your laptop/car?

To make up sth Josie made up a story about why we were

“INVENTARSE ..” Invent, lie about
(A story/ an excuse/ a late.
something
word,..) Are you making it up?

Forgive each other, “HACER LAS PACES” -We had a spat (a tiff) last night, but we
(idiom) made up at breakfast.
To make up (vi)
Kiss and make up = borrón y cuenta -Shake your hands and make up.
nueva * To have a spat / a tiff = una riña, pelea

To make up for sth Compensate for To …for the days I was absent.

To mix sth/sb up Confuse two or more things/people

I mixed up the twins’ names again!
“CONFUNDIR…”
You’re mixing me up with my sister
“CONFUNDIR A ALGUIEN CON…”
An outcome Result, consequences, effect of a situation It’s too early to predict the outcome of the
(usu. singular) “RESULTADO, CONSECUENCIA” meeting

To pass away (vi) Die (polite expression) His uncle passed away last night .

To pass out (vi) Faint, lose consciousness “DESMAYARSE” (when ill, badly hurt, or drunk)

To pay a compliment = hacer un cumplido

To pay To pay attention to = prestart atención
To pay a visit = hacer una visita

Thanks for buying my ticket. I’ll pay you

To pay sb back Return owed money
back on Friday.

Be punished for doing something bad That bully will pay for being mean to my
To pay for sth
“pagar por” little brother. I’ll make them pay for it.

 “ESCOGER” = to choose sth/sb take sth and leave others

 “COGER, RECOLECTAR” (with your hands) apples/ strawberries/flowers,….
To pick
To pick one’s nose = “hurgarse la nariz”

“FASTIDIAR, MOLESTAR, PINCHAR” When I was young, my brother always

To pick on sb
(repeatedly and unfairly) picked on me.

I’ll pick up the kids from school today

To pick sb/sth up “RECOGER( a alguien/algo)” = collect Can you pick up my medicines on your way
home?

. “APRENDER, ADQUIRIR” At that school, he picked up some bad hàbits.

To pick up sth (a language, habits, skills) by chance He’s so good at languages that he picked up
rather than by making a deliberate effort French in a week!

 To put all your eggs in one basket = “Jugárselo todo a una carta”
To put
 To put sth at stake = “Poner en juego”

We are putting off our trip until January

because of the hurricane.
To put sth off “POSTPONER” = Postpone
They put off the football match due to the bad
weather

“ECHAR ATRÁS, DISUADIR, DESANIMAR”
Make sb dislike sb/sth
To put sb/sth off
or Discourage sb from doing sth
The smell of hospitals always puts me off.
You have to work long hours and that puts
off a lot of people.
His attitude puts me off him.

“APAGAR (FUEGO, LUZ)”

The neighbours put the fire out before the
To put sth out Extinguish sth burning (a fire, cigarette) and
firemen arrived.
also a light

I don’t think I can put up with three small

children in the car.
To put up with sb/sth “TOLERAR, AGUANTAR” = Tolerate
I find it hard to put up with his lies; he never
stops

“PONERSE (ropa)”
Don’t forget to put on your new earrings
To put sth on Put clothing/accessories on your body
for the party.
(opp. Take off)

To rule out sth/sb,

“DESCARTAR”, exclude a possibility We shouldn’t rule out the possibility of..
the possibility of…
 “Circular” = The train/bus/taxis run everyday
“Dirigir” = to run a business, company, hotel, school, course, country
To run “Funcionar” = (MACHINES/TRANSPORT: on petrol/electricity/gas/….)
= (COMPUTER PROGRAMME: (Vi) It runs on all computers (vtr) You run a programme)

To run into sb/sth
= come across sb/sth
Unexpectedly: Meet sb or
I ran into an old school-friend at the mall.
Have a negative experience
(to run into trouble)
The bank ran into financial trouble

To run over sb/sth “ATROPELLAR” = drive over a sb/sth I accidentally ran over your bicycle .

To run away Leave unexpectedly, escape

The child ran away from home and has
(from sb/place) been missing for three days.

We ran out of shampoo / petrol / ….

To run out of sth “QUEDARSE SIN” =have none left
Patience / time / money

To To set an example = dar ejemplo

To set a precedent = sentar un precedente /ˈpres.ɪ.dənt/
To set fire (to sth) = prender fuego
To set sb free = liberar (a alguien/ animals)

To set
To set a date for…
To set the alarm clock
To set the price of
To set limits
To set conditions
To set standards
To set a target
To set the table
To set a trap
To set your heart on sth
= poner fecha para…
= poner la alarma
= poner el precio a
= poner limites
= poner condiciones
= fijar, establecer los estándares
= ponerse/ marcarse un objetivo
= poner la mesa
= tender una trampa (to catch an animal or sb doing sth wrong)
= estar decidido a (hacer) algo

*A setback = CONTRATIEMPO, REVÉS,

Sth that delays or prevents a process from developing

“ORGANIZAR” = arrange, organize:

To set sth up a meeting, a commission (to do sth), Our boss set a meeting up with the president of
an event, a festival, the company.
“CONCERTAR” una cita (an appointment) We need to set up a meeting with our partner.

To set up I´m going to set up a new company to provide

“MONTAR (UN NEGOCIO)”
(a business, a shop,.., ) computer equipment to larger businesses

“ESTABLECERSE COMO…” = start your John decided to set up as a graphic designer.

To set up (vi)
Own business She took out a bank loan and set up on her own.

“PARTIR, SALIR, EMPEZAR UN VIAJE” = We set off very early.

To set off (vi)
Begin a journey What time should we set off tomorrow?

“APUNTARSE (A)” = put your name on

To sign up for sth
a list for something because you want to take I’m thinking of signing up for a yoga course.
to do sth part in it

“REGISTRARSE, FIRMAR”
To sign in
To record your arrival at a place

I want to shop around a little before I

To shop around (vi) Compare prices
decide on these boots.
 “PRESUMIR; ALARDEAR” “POSTUREO”
He always shows off on his skateboard/
Act extra special for people watching
To show off (vt/vi) The child showed off his presents/ his
(usually boastfully)
knowledge/ his (body, loss of weight)

A show-off “Presumido/vanidoso” (disapproving) She’s a real show-off

(at work) (in relationships) :

1) organize, “PONER EN ORDEN” (Work) I have to sort out all the paperwork
To sort sth out
2) solve a problem, find a solution (Relationships) Let’s talk and sort it out
“SOLUCIONAR”

To speak To speak freely = hablar libremente, sin reservas

To speak highly of sb = hablar muy bien de alguien
To speak ill of sb = hablar mal de alguien

To speak one’s mind = decir lo que uno piensa, ser sincero

To speak on behalf of sb = hablar de parte de…/ en representación de..

To speak up Can you speak up , please?

To speak louder speak louder
“HABLAR MÁS ALTO, FUERTE”
Opp: lower your voice
To talk quietly talk quietly

A start-up A company that is just beginning to operate To start up a business (/ a machine)

To stand out (as a…) He stands out in all aspects at school / in Maths
“DESTACAR SOBRESALIR” = be much
as a lawyer
better than other similar people or things
among the rest

“QUEDARSE LEVANTADO” = We shouldn´t stay up so late at night, we are

To stay up (vi)
not to go to bed too tired in the morning

(idiom) to take sth with a pinch of salt = COGER ALGO CON PINZAS
Take a sick day = cogerse un dia de baja por enfermedad

Take a break = hacer un descanso Take sides = tomar partido

Take a risk = arriesgarse Take pity on sb = feel sorry for…
To take Take action (on sth) = tomar medidas Take pleasure in sth = enjoy doing
Take one’s life = quitarse la vida Take pride in sth/sb = feel proud of..
Take (sb) by surprise = coger por sorpresa Take advantage of sth/sb = aprovecharse de.
Take sth for granted = dar por hecho Take no notice of sth/sb = ignore
Take sth seriously = tomarse..en serio Be taken aback by sb/sth = very surprised
Take sth in one’s stride= “ a su ritmo (quedarse atónito, coger por sorpresa)

To take after sb “PARECERSE A…” Resemble a family

member in appearance or character I take after my mother. We are both
impatient.
To look like sb BUT: Look like (only appearance)

“CONTRATAR” = hire, employ, We took on 4 new accountants last year

To take sb on Opp: to fire, to sack, to dismiss sb We’re taking on 50 new staff this year.

To take off (vi) “DESPEGAR” Start to fly My plane takes off in five minutes.

To take sth off Remove something (usu clothing) Take off your socks and shoes

To take sth out Remove from a place or thing Can you take the garbage out to the street ?
 1) Start doing a hobby, a sport He took up acting when he went abroad
To take up
2) “OCUPAR” space/time This desk takes up too much room

The teacher is always telling off the same two

To tell sb off “ECHAR LA BRONCA, REÑIR (a alguien)”
boys in the class./ Mummy told him off for
(for doing sth) saying it when I was there.

When I think back on my youth,

To think back (on ...) Remember
on the days when….

I’ll have to think this job offer over before

To think sth over Consider
I make my final decision.

We threw our old furniture away when we

To throw sth away Dispose of
won the lottery.

>Decrease the volume or strength (heat,

Please turn the TV down
Light,..)
To turn sth down
“RECHAZAR (algo)”= Reject, refuse I turned the job down because I don’t want
(a job, an offer, an invitation, a request…) to move.

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

To turn up (vi) Appear suddenly/ arrive at a place As usual, he turned up late.

To turn a blind eye Ignore sth that you know is wrong

Turn a blind eye to bullying/ a problem
(to sth) “MIRAR PARA OTRO LADO”

I’m going to try these jeans on,

To try sth on Sample clothing
but I don’t think they will fit.

Try out the equipment before buying it

To try sth out To test sth/sb before deciding to use it

Prepare body for exercise I always warm up by doing sit-ups

To warm up (vi)
“HACER PRECALENTAMIENTO” before I go for a run.

To warm sth up
“CALENTAR” (food) I can warm up the leftover soup for lunch.
To heat sth up

Watch out!
Be careful of sth dangerous Watch out! There’s a car coming!
Mind out! / Look out!

To wear sth out vt/vi)

“DESGASTAR”: to use sth so much that it Shoes, clothes, contact lenses ,.. wear out
Is no longer usable Sb wears out his/her shoes,clothes,…

To weigh up the pros and the cons

To weigh sth up “SOPESAR”
one’s options before doing sth

To wipe out natural habitats

To wipe out sth “ANIQUILAR; DESTRUIR” Humankind
An entire population/ town

(Sport) “HACER EJERCICIO, ENTRENAR”
A workout = ´sesión de entrenamiento‘
To work out (vt)
“SALIR BIEN” end happily
I work out at the gym three times a week.
I do a 20-minute workout every morning
I was worried about the play I
directed, but it all worked out in the end.