Unit 7: Fit for Life

Maruca George
XI-D
Phrasal Verbs

Use phrasal verbs with hold and clear to complete the
sentences. Then explain the phrasal verbs in your own words.

1 The recently retired ball player cleared out his locker ad sadly left the
stadium.
2 If that rash hasnt cleared up by next week, well have to put you on stronger
antibiotics.
3 The athlete held out the baton to her team mate who just barely managed to
grab it.
4 After being defeated in the final round, the young tennis player could barely
hold back her tears of disappointment.
5 The man was shot as he attempted to hold up the bank and was rushed to the
hospital.
6 After the nurse had cleared away her lunch tray, May tried to take a nap.
7 Doctors held off telling the patient about their suspected diagnosis until more
tests could be conducted.
hold-up noun [ countable ]
1 a situation that stops something from happening or making progress SYN delay :
traffic hold-ups on the highway
Despite the odd hold-up, we finished on time.
2 informal an attempt to rob a place or person by threatening them with a weapon
SYN robbery : a bank hold-up


clear-out noun [ countable usually singular ] British English informal
a process in which you get rid of unwanted objects or possessions : I had a
clear-out and got rid of a lot of old toys.


hold out phrasal verb
1 hold out something to think or say that something is possible or likely to
happen, especially something good not hold out much hope/hold out little
hope Negotiators arent holding out much hope of a peaceful settlement.
hold out the prospect/promise of something alternative methods which hold
out the promise of improved health
2 if a supply of something holds out, there is still some left : Water supplies
wont hold out much longer.
3 to continue to successfully defend a place that is being attacked : The rebels
held out for another night but then fresh forces arrived.
hold back phrasal verb
1 to stop yourself showing an emotion: He spoke slowly, to hold back
his growing anger.
2 to keep information secret from someone deliberately
3 to stop someone or something developing or doing as well as they should:
She felt that having children would hold her back.
4 If you hold someone or something back, you stop them from coming
or moving forward: Sandbags will hold the flood waters back for a while.
hold off phrasal verb
1 to delay doing something : Buyers have been holding off until the
price falls.

clear away phrasal verb
1 to make a place tidy by removing things from it or putting them where
they should be: I want you to clear all these toys away before bedtime.

clear up phrasal verb
1 If the weather clears up, the cloud and rain disappear : I hope it clears up
in time for the picnic.
2 to make a place tidy by removing things from it or putting them where they
should be: Dad was clearing up in the kitchen .I'm tired of always having
to clear up after you (= tidy your things).
3 If an illness clears up, or if medicine clears an illness up, the illness goes
away: You won't be able to go swimming tomorrow if your cold hasn't cleared up
These pills should clear your rash up.
4 to give or find an explanation for something, or to deal with a problem or
argument: They never cleared up the mystery of the missing money. After
20 years the case has finally been cleared up.

1 After being defeated in the final round, the young tennis player could barely ( )
her tears of disappointment.
2 Doctors ( ) telling the patient about their suspected diagnosis until more tests could
be conducted.
3 The recently retired ball player ( ) his locker and sadly left the stadium.
4 The man was shot as he attempted to ( ) the bank and was rushed to the
hospital.
5 If that rash hasnt ( ) by next week, well lave to put you on stronger
antibiotics.
6 After the nurse had ( ) her lunch tray, she tried to take a nap.
7 The athlete ( ) the baton to her team mate who just barely managed to
grab it.
Answer Key
1. hold back
2. held off
3. cleared out
4. hold up
5. cleared up
6. cleared away
7. held out