Verb Meaning Example

ask someone ou
t
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$205.2.
back something
up
reverse You!ll have
to back upyour
car so that I can
"et out.
back someone u
p
support #y
wi$e backed me u
pover my decision
to quit my %ob.
blow up e&plode 'he racin"
car blew upa$ter
it crashed into the
$ence.
blow something
up
add air (e have
to blow 50
balloons up $or the
party.
break down stop
$unctionin"
)vehicle*
machine+
,ur car broke
down at the side
o$ the hi"hway in
the snowstorm.
break down "et upset 'he woman broke
downwhen the
police told her that
her son had died.
break somethin
gdown
divide into
smaller
parts
,ur
teacher broke the
$inal
pro%ect down into
three separate
parts.
break in $orce entry
to a
buildin"
-omebody broke
in last ni"ht and
stole our stereo.
break
into something
enter
$orcibly
'he $iremen had
to break into the
room to rescue the
children.
break somethin
g in
wear
somethin"
a $ew
times so
that it
doesn!t
look.$eel
new
I need
to break these
shoes in be$ore we
run ne&t week.
break in interrupt 'he '/
station broke into
report the news o$
the president!s
death.
break up end a
relationshi
p
#y boy$riend and
I broke up be$ore
I moved to
0merica.
break up start
lau"hin"
)in$ormal+
'he kids
%ust broke up as
soon as the clown
started talkin".
break out escape 'he
prisoners broke
outo$ %ail when
the "uards weren!t
lookin".
break out
insomething
develop a
skin
condition
I broke out in a
rash a$ter our
campin" trip.
bring someone
down
make
unhappy
'his sad music
is bringingme do
wn.
bring someone
up
raise a
child
#y
"randparents bro
ughtme up a$ter
my parents died.
bring something
up
start
talkin"
about a
sub%ect
#y mother walks
out o$ the room
when my
$atherbrings
up sports.
bring something
up
vomit 1e drank so much
that
hebrought his
dinner up in the
toilet.
call around phone
many
di$$erent
places.peo
ple
(e called
around but we
weren!t able to
$ind the car part
we needed.
call someone ba
ck
return a
phone call
I called the
companyback but
the o$$ices were
closed $or the
weekend.
call something o
ff
cancel Jason called the
weddin"off becaus
e he wasn!t in love
with his $ianc2.
call
on someone
ask $or an
answer or
opinion
'he
pro$essor called
onme $or question
3.
call visit (e called on you
on someone someone last ni"ht but you
weren!t home.
call someone up phone 4ive me your
phone number and
I
will call youup wh
en we are in town.
calm down rela& a$ter
bein"
an"ry
You are still mad.
You need to calm
downbe$ore you
drive the car.
not care
forsomeone/so
mething
not like
)$ormal+
I don!t care
for his behaviour.
catch up "et to the
same point
as
someone
else
You!ll have to run
$aster than that i$
you want tocatch
up with #arty.
check in arrive and
re"ister at
a hotel or
airport
(e will "et the
hotel keys when
we check in.
check out leave a
hotel
You have to check
out o$ the hotel
be$ore 33500 0#.
checksomeone/
somethingout
look at
care$ully*
'he
company checks
investi"ate outall new
employees.
check
outsomeone/so
mething
look at
)in$ormal+
Check out the
cra6y hair on that
"uy7
cheer up become
happier
-he cheered
up when she
heard the "ood
news.
cheer someone
up
make
happier
I brou"ht you
some $lowers
to cheer you up.
chip in help I$ everyone chips
in we can "et the
kitchen painted by
noon.
clean somethin
g up
tidy* clean 8lease clean
up your bedroom
be$ore you "o
outside.
come
acrosssomethin
g
$ind
une&pecte
dly
I came
across these old
photos when I was
tidyin" the closet.
come apart separate 'he top and
bottom come
apart i$ you pull
hard enou"h.
come down
withsomething
become
sick
#y nephew came
down
with chicken po&
this weekend.
come forward volunteer
$or a task
or to "ive
evidence
'he woman came
forward with her
husband!s $in"er
prints.
come
fromsomewhere
ori"inate
in
'he art o$
ori"ami comes
from 0sia.
count
onsomeone/som
ething
rely on I am counting
on you to make
dinner while I am
out.
cross somethin
g out
draw a line
throu"h
8lease cross
out your old
address and write
your new one.
cut back
onsomething
consume
less
#y doctor wants
me tocut back
on sweets and
$atty $oods.
cut something d
own
make
somethin"
$all to the
"round
(e had to cut the
old tree in our
yard down a$ter
the storm.
cut in interrupt Your $ather cut
in while I was
dancin" with your
uncle.
cut in pull in too
closely in
$ront o$
another
vehicle
'he bus driver "ot
an"ry when that
car cut in.
cut in start
operatin"
)o$ an
en"ine or
electrical
device+
'he air
conditioner cuts
in when the
temperature "ets
to 229:.
cut something o
ff
remove
with
somethin"
sharp
'he doctors cut
off his le" because
it was severely
in%ured.
cut something o
ff
stop
providin"
'he phone
company cut
off our phone
because we didn!t
pay the bill.
cut someone off take out o$
a will
#y
"randparents cut
my
$ather off when he
remarried.
cut something o remove I cut this
ut part o$
somethin"
)usually
with
scissors
and paper+
ad out o$ the
newspaper.
dosomeone/som
ethingover
beat up*
ransack
)Br.;.*
in$ormal+
1e!s lucky to be
alive. 1is shop
was done over by
a street "an".
do something o
ver
do a"ain
)<.0mer.+
#y teacher wants
me todo my
essay overbecaus
e she doesn!t like
my topic.
do away
withsomething
discard It!s time to do
away withall o$
these old ta&
records.
do something u
p
$asten*
close
Do your
coat up be$ore you
"o outside. It!s
snowin"7
dress up wear nice
clothin"
It!s a $ancy
restaurant so we
have to dress up.
drop back move back
in a
position."r
0ndrea dropped
back to third
place when she $ell
oup o$$ her bike.
drop
in/by/over
come
without an
appointme
nt
I mi"ht drop
in/by/over$or tea
sometime this
week.
dropsomeone/s
omethingoff
take
someone.s
omethin"
somewher
e and
leave
them.it
there
I have to drop my
sisteroff at work
be$ore I come
over.
drop out quit a
class*
school etc
I dropped out o$
-cience because it
was too di$$icult.
eat out eat at a
restaurant
I don!t $eel like
cookin" toni"ht.
=et!s eat out.
end up eventually
reach.do.d
ecide
(e ended
up rentin" a
movie instead o$
"oin" to the
theatre.
fall apart break into
pieces
#y new dress fell
apart in the
washin" machine.
fall down $all to the 'he picture that
"round you hun" up last
ni"ht fell
downthis
mornin".
fall out separate
$rom an
interior
'he money must
havefallen out o$
my pocket.
fall out )o$ hair*
teeth+
become
loose and
unattache
d
1is hair started
to fall outwhen he
was only 5.
figure somethin
g out
understan
d* $ind the
answer
I need to figure
out how to $it the
piano and the
bookshel$ in this
room.
fill something in to write
in$ormatio
n in blanks
)Br.;.+
8lease fill in the
$orm with your
name* address*
and phone
number.
fill something o
ut
to write
in$ormatio
n in blanks
)<.0mer.+
'he $orm must
be filled out in
capital letters.
fill something u
p
$ill to the
top
I always fill the
water %u"up when
it is empty.
find out discover (e don!t know
where he lives.
1ow can we find
out>
find something
out
discover (e tried to keep
the time o$ the
party a secret* but
-amantha found i
t out.
get somethinga
cross/over
communic
ate* make
understan
dable
I tried to get my
pointacross/over
to the %ud"e but
she wouldn!t
listen.
get along/on like each
other
I was surprised
how well my new
"irl$riend and my
sister got
along/on.
get around have
mobility
#y "rand$ather
can get
around $ine in his
new wheelchair.
get away "o on a
vacation
(e worked so
hard this year that
we had to get
away $or a week.
get away
withsomething
do without
bein"
noticed or
punished
Jason always gets
away
with cheatin" in
his maths tests.
get back return (e got back $rom
our vacation last
week.
get something b
ack
receive
somethin"
you had
be$ore
=i6 $inally got her
-cience
notes back $rom
my room?mate.
get back
at someone
retaliate*
take
reven"e
#y sister got
back at me $or
stealin" her shoes.
-he stole my
$avourite hat.
get back
intosomething
become
interested
in
somethin"
a"ain
I $inally got back
into my novel and
$inished it.
get
on something
step onto
a vehicle
(e!re "oin" to
$ree6e out here i$
you don!t let
usget on the bus.
get
over something
recover
$rom an
illness*
loss*
I %ust got
over the $lu and
now my sister has
it.
di$$iculty
get
over something
overcome
a problem
'he company will
have to close i$ it
can!t get overthe
new re"ulations.
get round
tosomething
$inally $ind
time to do
)<.0mer.5
get
around
tosomethi
ng+
I don!t know when
I am "oin" to get
round towritin"
the thank you
cards.
get together meet
)usually
$or social
reasons+
=et!s get
together $or a
BB@ this weekend.
get up "et out o$
bed
I got up early
today to study $or
my e&am.
get up stand You should get
up and "ive the
elderly man your
seat.
give someone a
way
reveal
hidden
in$ormatio
n about
someone
1is
wi$e gave him aw
ayto the police.
give someone a
way
take the
bride to
the altar
#y
$ather gave me a
wayat my
weddin".
give something
away
ruin a
secret
#y little
sister gave the
surprise
party away by
accident.
give something
away
"ive
somethin"
to
someone
$or $ree
'he library
was giving
away old books
on Ariday.
give something
back
return a
borrowed
item
I have
to give these
skates back to
Aran6 be$ore his
hockey "ame.
give in reluctantly
stop
$i"htin" or
ar"uin"
#y boy$riend
didn!t want to "o
to the ballet* but
he $inally gave in.
give something
out
"ive to
many
people
)usually at
no cost+
'hey were giving
out$ree per$ume
samples at the
department store.
give something quit a I am giving
up habit up smokin" as o$
January 3st.
give up stop tryin" #y maths
homework was too
di$$icult so I gave
up.
go
after someone
$ollow
someone
#y brother tried
to go after the
thie$ in his car.
go
after something
try to
achieve
somethin"
I went after my
dream and now I
am a published
writer.
go
against someon
e
compete*
oppose
(e are going
against the best
soccer team in the
city toni"ht.
go ahead start*
proceed
8lease go
ahead and eat
be$ore the $ood
"ets cold.
go back return to a
place
I have to go
back home and
"et my lunch.
go out leave
home to
"o on a
social
(e!re going
out $or dinner
toni"ht.
event
go out
with someone
date Jesse has
been going out
with =uke since
they met last
winter.
go
over something
review 8lease go
over your answers
be$ore you submit
your test.
go over visit
someone
nearby
I haven!t seen
'ina $or a lon"
time. I think I!ll go
over $or an hour
or two.
go
withoutsomethi
ng
su$$er lack
or
deprivation
(hen I was
youn"* wewent
without winter
boots.
grow apart stop bein"
$riends
over time
#y best $riend and
I grew
apart a$ter she
chan"ed schools.
grow back re"row #y roses grew
back this summer.
grow up become an
adult
(hen Jack grows
up he wants to be
a $ireman.
grow out
ofsomething
"et too bi"
$or
;li6abeth needs a
new pair o$ shoes
because she
has grown out
of her old ones.
grow
into something
"row bi"
enou"h to
$it
'his bike is too bi"
$or him now* but
he should grow
into it by ne&t
year.
hand something
down
"ive
somethin"
used to
someone
else
I handed my old
comic
books down to
my little cousin.
hand something
in
submit I have to hand
in my essay by
Ariday.
hand something
out
to
distribute
to a "roup
o$ people
(e will hand
out the invitations
at the door.
hand something
over
"ive
)usually
unwillin"ly
+
'he police asked
the man to hand
over his wallet
and his weapons.
hang in stay
positive
)<.0mer.*
Hang in there.
I!m sure you!ll $ind
a %ob very soon.
in$ormal+
hang on wait a
short time
)in$ormal+
Hang on while I
"rab my coat and
shoes7
hang out spend time
rela&in"
)in$ormal+
Instead o$ "oin" to
the party we are
%ust "oin" tohang
out at my place.
hang up end a
phone call
1e didn!t say
"oodbye be$ore
he hung up.
holdsomeone/so
methingback
prevent
$rom
doin"."oin
"
I had to hold my
do"back because
there was a cat in
the park.
hold something
back
hide an
emotion
Jamie held
back his tears at
his "rand$ather!s
$uneral.
hold on wait a
short time
8lease hold
on while I trans$er
you to the -ales
Bepartment.
hold
ontosomeone/s
omething
hold $irmly
usin" your
hands or
arms
Hold onto your
hat because it!s
very windy
outside.
holdsomeone/so
methingup
rob 0 man in a black
maskheld the
bank up this
mornin".
keep on
doingsomething
continue
doin"
eep on stirrin"
until the liquid
comes to a boil.
keep something
fromsomeone
not tell (e kept our
relationshipfrom o
ur parents $or two
years.
keepsomeone/s
omethingout
stop $rom
enterin"
'ry to keep the
wet do"out o$ the
livin" room.
keep something
up
continue
at the
same rate
I$ you keep those
resultsup you will
"et into a "reat
colle"e.
let someone do
wn
$ail to
support or
help*
disappoint
I need you to be
on time.
Bon!t let me dow
n this time.
let someone in allow to
enter
:an you let the
cat inbe$ore you
"o to school>
log in )or on+ si"n in )to
a website*
database
I can!t log in to
Aacebook because
I!ve $or"otten my
etc+ password.
log out )or off+ si"n out
)o$ a
website*
database
etc+
I$ you don!t log
offsomebody
could "et into your
account.
look
aftersomeone/s
omething
take care
o$
I have to look
after my sick
"randmother.
look down
onsomeone
think less
o$*
consider
in$erior
;ver since we
stole that
chocolate bar your
dad has looked
down on me.
look
forsomeone/so
mething
try to $ind I!m looking for a
red dress $or the
weddin".
look forward
tosomething
be e&cited
about the
$uture
I!m looking
forward tothe
:hristmas break.
look
into something
investi"ate (e are "oin"
to look intothe
price o$
snowboards today.
look out be care$ul*
vi"ilant*
and take
notice
=ook out7 'hat
car!s "oin" to hit
you7
look out
forsomeone/so
mething
be
especially
vi"ilant $or
Bon!t $or"et
to look out
for snakes on the
hikin" trail.
look something
over
check*
e&amine
:an you look
over my essay $or
spellin" mistakes>
look something
up
search and
$ind
in$ormatio
n in a
re$erence
book or
database
(e can look her
phone
number up on the
Internet.
look up
to someone
have a lot
o$ respect
$or
#y little sister has
alwayslooked
up to me.
make somethin
g up
invent* lie
about
somethin"
Josie made up a
story about why
we were late.
make up $or"ive
each other
(e were an"ry
last ni"ht* but
we made up at
break$ast.
make someone
up
apply
cosmetics
to
#y
sisters made me
up$or my
"raduation party.
mix something
up
con$use
two or
more
thin"s
I mixed up the
twins! names
a"ain7
pass away die 1is uncle passed
awaylast ni"ht
a$ter a lon" illness.
pass out $aint It was so hot in
the church that an
elderly
ladypassed out.
pass something
out
"ive the
same thin"
to many
people
'he
pro$essor passed
the
te&tbooks out be$
ore class.
pass something
up
decline
)usually
somethin"
"ood+
I passed up the
%ob because I am
a$raid o$ chan"e.
pay someone ba
ck
return
owed
money
'hanks $or buyin"
my ticket.
I!ll pay you backo
n Ariday.
pay
for something
be
punished
$or doin"
somethin"
bad
'hat bully will pay
forbein" mean to
my little brother.
pick something
out
choose I picked
out three
sweaters $or you
to try on.
pointsomeone/s
omethingout
indicate
with your
$in"er
I!ll point my
boy$riendout when
he runs by.
put something d
own
put what
you are
holdin" on
a sur$ace
or $loor
You can put the
"roceriesdown on
the kitchen
counter.
put someone do
wn
insult*
make
someone
$eel stupid
'he
students put the
substitute
teacher downbeca
use his pants were
too short.
put something o
ff
postpone (e are putting
off our trip until
January because
o$ the hurricane.
put something o
ut
e&tin"uish 'he
nei"hbours put th
e $ire out be$ore
the $iremen
arrived.
put somethingto
gether
assemble I have to put the
cribtogether be$o
re the baby
arrives.
put up
withsomeone/s
omething
tolerate I don!t think I
can put up
with three small
children in the car.
put something o
n
put
clothin".ac
cessories
on your
body
Bon!t $or"et to put
onyour new
earrin"s $or the
party.
run
intosomeone/so
mething
meet
une&pecte
dly
I ran into an old
school?$riend at
the mall.
run
oversomeone/s
omething
drive a
vehicle
over a
person or
thin"
I accidentally ran
overyour bicycle
in the driveway.
run
over/throughs
omething
rehearse*
review
=et!s run
over/throughthe
se lines one more
time be$ore the
show.
run away leave
une&pecte
dly* escape
'he child ran
away $rom home
and has been
missin" $or three
days.
run out have none
le$t
(e ran out o$
shampoo so I had
to wash my hair
with soap.
send something
back
return
)usually by
mail+
#y letter "ot sent
back to me
because I used the
wron" stamp.
set something u
p
arran"e*
or"ani6e
,ur boss set a
meetin"up with
the president o$
the company.
set someone up trick* trap 'he police set
up the car thie$ by
usin" a hidden
camera.
shop around compare
prices
I want to shop
around a little
be$ore I decide on
these boots.
show off act e&tra
special $or
people
watchin"
)usually
boast$ully+
1e always shows
off on his
skateboard
sleep over stay
somewher
e $or the
You should sleep
overtoni"ht i$ the
weather is too bad
ni"ht
)in$ormal+
to drive home.
sort something
out
or"ani6e*
resolve a
problem
(e need
to sort the
billsout be$ore the
$irst o$ the month.
stick
to something
continue
doin"
somethin"*
limit
yoursel$ to
one
particular
thin"
You will lose
wei"ht i$ youstick
to the diet.
switch somethi
ng off
stop the
ener"y
$low* turn
o$$
'he li"ht!s too
bri"ht. :ould
you switch it off.
switch somethi
ng on
start the
ener"y
$low* turn
on
(e heard the
news as soon as
we switched
onthe car radio.
take
after someone
resemble a
$amily
member
I take after my
mother. (e are
both impatient.
take something
apart
purposely
break into
pieces
1e took the car
brakesapart and
$ound the
problem.
take something
back
return an
item
I have to take our
new
'/back because it
doesn!t work.
take off start to $ly #y plane takes
off in $ive
minutes.
take something
off
remove
somethin"
)usually
clothin"+
!ake off your
socks and shoes
and come in the
lake7
take something
out
remove
$rom a
place or
thin"
:an you take the
"arba"eout to the
street $or me>
take someone o
ut
pay $or
someone
to "o
somewher
e with you
#y
"randparents took
usout $or dinner
and a movie.
tear something
up
rip into
pieces
I tore up my e&?
boy$riend!s letters
and "ave them
back to him.
think back remember
)o$ten C
to*
sometimes
C on+
(hen I think
back on my
youth* I wish I had
studied harder.
think something
over
consider I!ll have
to think this %ob
o$$er over be$ore I
make my $inal
decision.
throw somethin
gaway
dispose o$ (e threw our old
$urniture away wh
en we won the
lottery.
turn something
down
decrease
the
volume or
stren"th
)heat* li"ht
etc+
8lease turn the
'/ downwhile the
"uests are here.
turn something
down
re$use I turned the
%ob downbecause
I don!t want to
move.
turn something
off
stop the
ener"y
$low*
switch o$$
Your mother wants
you toturn the
'/ off and come
$or dinner.
turn something
on
start the
ener"y*
switch on
It!s too dark in
here.
=et!sturn some
li"hts on.
turn something
up
increase
the
:an you turn the
musicup> 'his is
volume or
stren"th
)heat* li"ht
etc+
my $avourite son".
turn up appear
suddenly
,ur cat turned
up a$ter we put
posters up all over
the
nei"hbourhood.
try something o
n
sample
clothin"
I!m "oin"
to try these
%eans on* but I
don!t think they
will $it.
try something o
ut
test I am "oin"
to try this new
brand o$
deter"ent out.
use something u
p
$inish the
supply
'he kids used all
o$ the
toothpaste up so
we need to buy
some more.
wake up stop
sleepin"
(e have to wake
upearly $or work
on #onday.
warmsomeone/
somethingup
increase
the
temperatu
You
can warm your
$eetup in $ront o$
re the $ireplace.
warm up prepare
body $or
e&ercise
I always warm
up by doin" sit?
ups be$ore I "o $or
a run.
wear off $ade away #ost o$ my make?
up wore
off be$ore I "ot to
the party.
work out e&ercise I work out at the
"ym three times a
week.
work out be
success$ul
,ur plan worked
out$ine.
work something
out
make a
calculation
(e have to work
out the total cost
be$ore we buy the
house.
Alphabetical List - A
Phrasal
Verb
Meaning Example
abide by
Respect or obey
(the law, a decision, a rule)
If you want to stay at this
school, you mustabide by the
rules.
account for Explain; give a reason
I hope you can account
for the money you spent!
ache for Want something or someone very much.
He was so lonely he ached
for the sound of a human
voice.
act on Tae action as a result o! something
The police acted on the call
they received.
act up "ause pain or annoyance by !unctioning badly
Dad's poor knee is acting
up again.
add up #ae sense; seem reasonable Her story just doesn't add up.
adhere to $upport; !ollow; act in accordance with
ll contestants must adhere
to the rules.
advise
against
Recommend not doing something
The
doctor advised him against c
arrying heavy loads.
agree with %ave the same opinion as someone else
I agree with you. I think she
deserves the award too.
aim at &irect towards a target
The policeman aimed his
gun at the hijacker.
allow for
Tae into consideration;
'nclude in a calculation
!ou'd "etter leave early
to allow for heavy tra#c.
amount to Reach; be e(uivalent to
$% The total cost amounts
to $&''(.
&% His statement amounted
to a confession.
angle at $how !rom a particular point o! view.
The documentary was angled
at young viewers.
angle for Try to obtain something by hinting.
I suspect Tom's angling for a
free ticket.
answer
back
Reply rudely
Don't answer back your
mother!
answer for
)) *e responsible !or something.
+) $pea on behal! o! someone.
$% )ormally parents have
to answer for their children's
"ehaviour.
&% I agree, "ut I can't answer
for my associate.
answer to *e responsible to,be controlled by (someone)
*ho do you answer to in your
jo"+
appeal to
))-lead or mae an earnest re(uest.
+) *e attractive or interesting.
$% The organi,ers appealed
to the crowd to stay calm.
&% -amping doesn't appeal
to me.
apply for
#ae a !ormal re(uest !or something
(.ob, permit, loan, etc.)
He applied for the jo"
advertised.
arrive at
Reach
(an agreement, a decision, a conclusion)
It is hoped that they
will arrive at an agreement at
the end of the meeting..
ask after En(uire about someone/s well0being.
.y mother is always asking
after you.
ask around #ention it to people you see or meet.
I'll ask around and see if
anyone has seen your cat.
ask in 'nvite someone to come inside. I couldn't leave her standing
outside in the cold so
I asked her in.
ask out 'nvite someone to lunch, dinner, the cinema ...
/ohn
has asked .ary out several
times.
avail
(oneself) of
Tae advantage o! something
(an opportunity)
*hen the company is
privati,ed, you shouldavail
yourself of the opportunity
and "uy some shares.
average out
at
Result in an average (amount)
The price of lunch averages
out at $'( per person.

Phrasal
Verb
Meaning Example
back away
#ove bacwards, in
!ear or dislie
*hen he saw the dog,
he backed away.
back down
Withdraw; concede
de!eat.
0ocal authorities backed
down on their plans to
demolish the cinema.
back off
Retreat, abandon an
intention.
The thugs backed of when
they saw the police.
back out
Withdraw !rom an
agreement.
*e made a deal. !ou
can't back out now!
back up
)) 1ive support or
encouragement
+) mae a copy o!
(!ile, program...)
$% If I tell the "oss we've got
too much work,
will you back me up+
&% It is recommended
to back up all 1les.
bail out
)) -ay money to
secure someone/s
release
+) Rescue !rom
!inancial di!!iculties
$% *hen he was arrested, his
family refused
to bail him out.
&% The government bailed
out the "ank.
band
together
2nite in a group.
-onsumers banded
together to protest against
the measures.
bank on
*ase your hopes on
something,someone.
Don't forget the date.
I'm banking on your help.
bargain for
Expect; be prepared
!or.
The interview was more
di#cult than he
hadbargained for.
bear out "on!irm
The other witnesses will bear
out my testimony.
bear with *e patient.
2lease "ear with me please
while I 1nish my e3planation.
beef up 'mprove or mae He beefed up his
more substantial
presentation with diagrams
and statistics.
black out
3aint; lose
consciousness
*hen he fell o4 the horse,
he blacked out.
block off
$eparate using a
barrier.
The area was blocked
of during the
demonstration.
blow up
)) Explode.
+) *e destroyed by
an explosion.
$% The terrorists said the
"om" would blow
up at 5 o'clock.
&% The car blew up "ut
luckily there was
no"ody in it.
boil down
to
*e summari4ed as
The pro"lem boils down to
a lack of money.
boot up
$tart a computer by
loading an operating
system or program.
/ust give me a few minutes
to boot up the computer.
break away
Escape !rom
captivity.
few horses broke
away from the paddock.
break down
)) 1o out o! order,
cease to !unction.
+) 5ose control o!
one/s emotions.
$% /ohn's car broke down on
the way to the
airport.
&% The parents broke
down when they
heard the "ad news.
break into Enter by !orce.
The "urglars broke into the
house around midnight.
break off
)) $top, discontinue
+) $top speaing
$% It was decided to break
of diplomatic
relations with that country.
&% 6he broke of in the
middle of a sentence.
break out $tart suddenly.
7ioting broke out as a result
of the strike.
break out of
Escape !rom a place
by !orce.
Three prisoners broke out
of jail.
break up
"ome to an end
(marriage,
relationship...)
fter her marriage broke up,
8mma went to live in 0ondon.
bring off
$ucceed in doing
something di!!icult
!ou pretended to "e a
journalist and he "elieved
you+
I never thought
you'd bring that of!
bring up )) Raise (a child). $% 6he stopped working in
order to bring up
+) #ention
something.
her children.
&% His friends knew he had
lost his jo" "ut
they decided not to bring
up the su"ject.
brush up on
'mprove, re!resh
one/s nowledge o!
something.
.ary decided to brush up
on her 6panish "efore going
to 6outh9merica.
bump into
#eet by accident or
unexpectedly.
2edro bumped into his
8nglish teacher at the
supermarket.
burn out
)) $top (something)
woring
+) *ecome
exhausted !rom
overworing
$% The fuse has burnt out.
&% Tom
will burn himself out if he
doesn't
slow down.
butt in (on) 'nterrupt impolitely.
It's rude to butt in on a
conversation.
Phrasal Verb #eaning 83ample
call back Return a phone call
I'll call you back as soon as
possi"le.
call off "ancel
The meeting was called
of "ecause of the strike.
call
on/upon
3ormally invite or
re(uest.
I now call upon the
2resident to address the
assem"ly.
calm down
*ecome more
relaxed or less
angry,upset.
He was angry at 1rst, "ut he
eventually calmed down.
carry on "ontinue.
He carried on gardening in
spite of the rain.
carry out
)) &o something as
speci!ied (plan, order,
threat...)
+) -er!orm or
conduct (test,
experiment ...)
$% The plan was carried
out to perfection.
&% Tests are carried out to
determine the e#ciency of a
new drug.
carry over -ostpone until later.
s regards holidays, can
we carry over days from
one year to the ne3t+
catch up on
6c(uire in!ormation
you have missed.
I must call "y mother
to catch up on the latest
family events.
catch up
with
Reach the same
stage as someone
else.
I've missed some classes so
I'll have to work hard
to catch up with the others.
check in
Register at a hotel or
airport.
:or security reasons, you
have to check in two hours
"efore your ;ight.
check out
)) -ay one/s bill and
leave (a hotel)
+) 'nvestigate or
veri!y.
$% Is .r. <ush still at the
hotel+ )o, he checked
out this morning.
&% I don't know if the address
is still valid.
I'll check it out.
cheer up
-ut someone in a
better mood.
I told her a joke to try
and cheer her up.
chip in
"ontribute to, or
participate in,
something done by a
group.
<o" has decided to retire and
we're going to "uy him a
present. Do you want
to chip in+
clam up Re!use to spea.
*hen the teacher arrived,
she clammed up.
clamp down
on
6ct strictly to prevent
something.
The government decided
to clamp down onsmoking
in pu"lic areas.
close down
$top operating
(company,
restaurant,
cinema ...)
*hen the factory closed
down, the employees lost
their jo"s.
come
across
)) 3ind by chance.
+) 6ppear, seem,
mae an impression.
$% /ulie came across some
photographs of her
grandparents in the attic.
&% The candidate came
across as a dynamic person
during the interview.
come down
with
*ecome ill with ...
The architect planned to
attend the inauguration "ut
unfortunately he came
down with the ;u over the
weekend.
come
forward
-resent onesel!.
The police have asked any
witnesses to come forward.
come up
against
*e !aced with or
opposed by.
The project came up
against a lot of criticism.
come up
with
-roduce an idea or
plan.
6acha came up with a great
idea for the party.
conk out
)) $top woring.
+) $top or !all asleep
(!rom exhaustion).
$% The car conked out on
the motorway.
&% He was so e3hausted,
he conked out in front of
the T=.
count on Rely or depend on. I'm counting on the ta3i
driver to 1nd the theatre.
cross out
Remove by drawing
a line through.
In some e3ercises you are
asked to cross out the
incorrect word.
cut down
on
Reduce in number or
si4e.
The doctor told him to cut
down on cigarettes.
cut out
)) Remove using
scissors.
+) $top doing
something.
$% 6he cut out a picture in a
maga,ine.
&% I'm going to cut
out eating sweet food.
deal with
%andle, tae care o!
(problem, situation)
The manager is good
at dealing with di#cult
customers.
deck
out (in/with)
&ress; decorate
$% The women were
all decked out in "eautiful
dresses.
&% The e3hi"ition hall will
"e decked out in the
colours of 8urope.
die down
"alm down, become
less strong.
*hen the applause died
down, she started to sing.
dig into
)) Try to !ind deep
inside something.
+) $tart to do
something.
7) Tae !rom
something.
$% He dug into his pocket
and found a coin.
&% It was time to dig into the
work that had
accumulated on her desk.
>% Dad had to dig into his
savings to repair the
roof.
dig up
)) *rea up the
soil,remove by
digging.
+) &iscover or reveal
in!ormation.
$% He tried to dig up the tree
"y its roots.
&% 6ome newspapers often
try to dig up
scandalous information.
dish out
&istribute or give
away a lot.
He spent the day dishing
out invitations to tourists.
dispense
with
&ecide to do without
something.
I'm afraid you'll have to
download it.
They've dispensed with the
paper version.
do away
with
1et rid o!; abolish.
6ome people think it's time
to do away with the
monarchy.
do over "lean or redecorate. .y parents will need to do
over their living9room soon.
The paintwork needs
refreshing.
do up 3asten (a garment)
?ood "oy le3! !ou know
how to do up your coat now!
do without #anage without.
The shops are closed so we'll
have to
do without sugar.
drag on
5ast longer than
expected.
*e e3pected a short speech
"ut it dragged onand on!
drag out
)) #ae something
longer than
necessary.
+) #ae someone
reveal or give
in!ormation
unwillingly.
$% 0et's decide now and
not drag out this
discussion.
&% The police 1nally dragged
out a confession
from the suspect.
draw up
Write (contract,
agreement,
document).
n agreement as drawn
up and signed "y the two
parties.
dress up
)) Wear elegant
clothes.
+) &isguise onesel!.
$% Do people dress up to go
to the opera in your
country+
&% -hildren love to dress
up at Halloween.
drift apart
*ecome less and
less close.
*e were childhood friends
"ut we drifted apartover
the years.
drift off 1radually !all asleep.
He sat "ack, closed his eyes
and drifted of.
drive at
'nsinuate; be trying
to say.
*hat e3actly are
you driving at+
drop behind
3all into a position
behind others.
@ur sales have dropped
behind those of our
competitors.
drop in
8isit, usually on the
way somewhere.
I sometimes drop in to see
my grandparents on my way
home from school.
drop off
)) &eliver someone
or something.
+) 3all asleep.
$% I'll drop you of at the "us
stop if you like.
&% ?randdad often drops
of in front of the T=.
drop out
5eave school without
!inishing.
6he decided to go to art
school, then dropped
out after the 1rst term.
drown out
*e louder in order to
cover another sound.
6he turned up the music
to drown out the noise of
the children outside.
ease off/up
Reduce, become
less severe or slow
down
(pain, tra!!ic, wor ...)
fter -hristmas, the
workload generally eases
of.
egg on Encourage
Egged on "y his friends, the
"oy clim"ed over the wall.
embark
on/upon
$tart or engage in
6he embarked on a career
that lead her to fame.
end in
3inish in a certain
way , result in
Their marriage ended
in divorce.
end up
3inally reach a state,
place or action
If he continues his
misconduct, he'll end up in
prison.
even out
)) Eliminate
di!!erences o!
opinion.
+) *ecome level or
regular
$% fter a long discussion
they managed toeven
out their di4erences.
&% The road was evened
out to make it safer.
explain
away
3ind an excuse or
plausible explanation
How are you going
to explain away the missing
money+

face up (to)
6ccept ad deal with
something
unpleasant.
6am will have to face up to the
fact that /enny is not in love with
him.
fall behind
3ail to maintain a
certain level
6he fell behind at school and
had to study harder.
fall through
3ail , does not
happen
@ur planned "oat trip fell
through "ecause of the storm.
figure out
2nderstand , !ind the
answer
I'm trying to fgure out how to
assem"le the wardro"e.
fill in for
Temporarily
substitute !or
another person
8va is a"sent this morning and
/ulie is going to fll in for her.
fill out
"omplete (a
!orm,application)
2lease fll out the enclosed form
and send it "ack as soon as
possi"le.
find out
&iscover or obtain
in!ormation
I'm going to call the cinema
to fnd out what time the 1lm
starts.
fit in (with)
3eel com!ortable or
be in harmony with
He just doesn't 1t in with the
others.
fix up Repair or renovate They're going to fx up the
house "efore moving in.
file out 1radually end
@ver the years their
friendship fzzled out.
focus on
"oncentrate on
something
The advertising campaign will
focus on the Auality of the
product.
fold in
#ix one ingredient
with another.
Fold in the eggs with the sugar.
freak out -anic or go cra4y
6he nearly freaked out when
she saw the colour of her hair. It
was a disaster!
frown
on/upon
&isapprove
.y parents always frowned
on smoking.
fuss over
-ay excessive
attention to
6he's always fussing over her
grandson.
get
about/around
)) #ove !rom place
to place
+) $pread, circulate
$% It's not easy to get around the
city without
a map.
&% )ews of their separation soon
got a"out.
get along
(with)
*e on good terms ,
wor well with.
I get along Bwell% with my
mother9in9law.
get at 'mply
*hat e3actly are you trying
to get at+
get away Escape
The ro""ers got away in a "lack
car.
get by (on)
#anage to cope or
to survive.
It's di#cult to get by on a low
salary.
get down to
$tart to actually do
something.
It's time to get down to some
serious work!
get in Enter How did the "urglar get in+
get into (!
noun)
Enter
How did the "urglar get into the
house+
get off
)) 5eave (bus, train,
plane).
+) Remove !rom
something.
$% Get of the "us at Trafalgar
6Auare.
&% 6he's trying to get of the
stain.
get on
*oard (bus, train,
plane)
!ou can pay when you get
on the "us.
get on with
"ontinue to do
something , mae
progress
<e Auiet and get on with your
homework.
get on (well)
with
%ave a good
relationship with
I get on very well with my
colleagues.
get out 5eave How did he get out+
get out of
(!noun)
5eave
How did he get out of the
house+
get out of
(!verb)
6void doing
something
6ome hus"ands manage to get
out of
doing any housework.
get over
Recover !rom
(illness,
disappointment)
-harlie had the ';u "ut he got
over it.
get rid of Eliminate
It's di#cult to get rid of old
ha"its.
get round
(to)
3ind the necessary
time to do
something.
I 1nally got round to making
the list that I promised.
get together #eet each other
0et's get together for lunch one
day.
get up Rise , leave bed I usually get up at C o'clock.
give away
)) 1ive something
!ree o! charge.
+) Reveal
something.
$% He gave away most of his
paintings.
&% The names of the witnesses
will not "egiven away.
give back
Return something to
its owner.
He promised to give back the
money he "orrowed..
give up $top ing something.
6arah gave up smoking 1ve
years ago.
gloss over
Treat something
brie!ly so as to avoid
embarrassing
details.
The director glossed over the
recent drop in sales.
go along
(with)
6gree with; accept.
le3 tends to go along
with anything his wife says.
go back Return
-hildren go back to school after
the holidays.
go away
)) 5eave a place
+) &isappear , !ade
$% *e decided to go away for a
few days.
&% The stain still hasn't gone
away.
go in Enter
There's a "akery. 0et's go
in and "uy some "read.
go into (!
noun)
1o inside
Go into the "akery and see if
they sell croissants.
go into (!
noun)
9oin or enter a
pro!ession or
organi4ation.
He decided to go into the army
when he left school.
go in for
%ave something as
an interest or hobby.
6he doesn't really go in
for sports.
go out 5eave one/s home to .any young people go out a lot.
attend a social
event.
go (out) with
%ave someone as a
boy!riend,girl!riend.
Is /ulie going out! with Tom+
go with
5oo good with
something else.
These shoes don't go with my
skirt.
go through Experience.
2ete went through a lot of pain
after the accident.
go
with/together
#atch; harmoni4e
(with)
The curtains don't go with the
carpet.
The curtains and carpet don't go
together.
grow up
$pend one/s
childhood , become
an adult
He grew up in a small village in
the mountains.
hand back Return
6he read the article and
then handed it back.
hand down
-ass on (by
tradition,
inheritance...)
.y clothes were handed
down to me "y my older sister.
hand in
$ubmit (report,
homewor)
ll application forms must
"e handed in "efore the end of
the month.
hand out &istribute
6amples will "e handed out at
the end
of the demonstration.
hand over
1ive to someone in
authority.
The "oy was forced to hand
over the mo"ile phone he had
stolen.
hang back
*e reluctant to do
something
ll the children rushed towards
the clown e3cept one "oy
who hung back.
hang on Wait
"ang on a minute. I'm early
ready.
hang on (to)
:eep a hold on
something
"ang on to that rope and you'll
"e ok.
hang out
$pend time in a
particular place or
with a group o!
!riends
*here does he hang out these
days+
*ho does he hang out with+
hang up
End a telephone
conversation
Don't hang up. I haven't
1nished yet.
head off
$tart to go
somewhere.
He headed of to the train
station.
head for
1o,move in a certain
direction.
The "oat was heading for the
rocks.
hit at 6im a blow at He hit at the wasp with a
something. newspaper.
hit back
Retaliate , reply to
an attac
*hen he was attacked, the
"oy hit back.
hit on/upon
3ind unexpectedly or
by inspiration
6he hit upon an idea for her
new collection.
hold on
)) Wait
+) 1rip tightly
$% "old on please. I'll put you
through to .r. <rown.
&% 6he held on to the railing as
she crossed the "ridge.
hold up $how as a example
6he held up the diagram for all
to see.
hook up 3asten (a garment)
I need help to hook up my
dress.
hook up
(with)
5in broadcasting
!acilities
.any networks are hooked
up "y satellite.
hurry up
*e (uic , act
speedily
"urry up! *e'll miss the "us!
Phrasal Verb #eaning Example
idle away
Waste time doing
nothing much.
"e idles away hours every
day watching television.
iron out
Resolve by
discussion, eliminate
di!!erences
#he meeting tomorrow will
be an opportunity toiron
out di$culties.
impose
on/upon
6s too much o!
someone.
%s it alright if % stay&
% don't want to impose
upon your hospitabity.
improve
on/upon
#ae better
#he runner improved on his
previous performance.
indulge in
6llow yoursel! to
en.oy something
%ve been dieting all week but
today %'m going toindulge in
a dessert.
insure
against
1uarantee
compensation !or
damage etc.
#he house is insured
against fre.
invite out
6s someone to .oin
you !or lunch, dinner,
etc.
"arry invited her out for
dinner.

"oin in -articipate
6he was too shy
to (oin in the game.
"oin up )) Engage in, become a member o!
+) #eet and unite with
$% /ohn was in the
army and
Tom (oined up as
soon as he left
school.
&% The two groups of
tourists (oined up at
the hotel.
"ot down Tae (uic notes
I (otted down the
address while
watching the
programme on T=.

keep at -ersevere.
His father
encouraged him
to keep at his
studies.
keep back Retain , !orce to stay bac
"arrier was
installed to keep
back the fans.
keep on "ontinue doing something
I told him to "e Auiet
"ut he kept
on making noise.
keep up with
$tay at the same level as someone or
something
<ill walks so fast it's
di#cult to keep
up with him.
kneel down 1o down on your nees
.ost people kneel
down to pray.
kick off *egin, start
The foot"all
match kicked of at
> p.m.
knock back &rin (uicly (usually alcohol)
He knocked back a
pint of "eer and left.
knock down
$trie someone or something to the
ground.
The child
was knocked
down "y a car.
The tree
was knocked
down during the
storm
knock out "ause someone to !all unconscious.
The "o3er
was knocked out in
the 1rst round.
know of have heard o! , have nowledge about
Do you know
of anyone else
attending the
conference+
laugh off #ae light o! something , minimi4e
He laughed of the
un;attering review
of his latest "ook.
lay off 3ire, dismiss, let go
.any factories have
had to lay
of workers.
leaf through Turn over pages (uicly 6he leafed
through a maga,ine
in the waiting room.
leak out *ecome nown (in!ormation)
)ews of the planned
merger leaked out.
leave out ;mit , not mention
Tom's name was left
out of the report.
let down
)) &isappoint
+) 5engthen (sirt, pants)
$% !ou promised to
come to the party, so
don't let
me down!
&% The skirt is too
short+
I'll let it down for
you.
light up 'lluminate
$% $ watched the
;oodlights light
up the castle.
&% Her face
always lights
up when she sees
her grandson.
>% The screen lights
up when you turn on
a computer.
line up $tand in a row.
The "ooks
were lined up neatly
on the shelves.
live through Experience something and survive
.y
grandparents lived
through two wars.
liven up
#ae something livelier or more
attractive.
*e need to liven
up the presentation
somehow.
log in/on
6ccess a program or database using a
password.
!ou need to log in to
your account "efore
you use the services.
log off End access to a database.
)og of the system
and then turn o4 the
computer.
look after Tae care o!
"a"y sitter looks
after the children
when their parents
go out.
look ahead Thin o! the !uture
It's time to forget the
past and look
ahead.
look back on Remember the past .y parents and their
friends like to look
"ack on Dthe good
old daysD.
look down on "onsider as in!erior
He tends to look
down on anyone
who is not
successful.
look into Examine or investigate.
I'll look into the
matter and call you
"ack.
look on *e a spectator at an event
<illy didn't take part
in the 1ght. He
just looked on.
look for Try to !ind something
/ane went shopping
to look for a pair of
shoes.
look forward to6wait or anticipate with pleasure
I look forward
to seeing you soon.
look up to 6dmire
He was a wonderful
teacher and many
studentslooked up
to him.
lose out on/to *e unsuccess!ul , su!!er a loss
I'm the one
who'll lose out if our
plan goes wrong.
make fun of 5augh at , mae .oes about
The old lady dresses
so strangely that the
children make fun
of her.
make off with $teal and hurry away
He made of
with my "riefcase
while I was checking
the timeta"le.
make up 'nvent (excuse, story)
6ome
employees make
up e3cuses when
they arrive late for
work.
make up (with) End a (uarrel
It's time to shake
hands and make up.
make up for "ompensate !or
*ith hard work I
can make up
for the days
I was a"sent.
mark down Reduce the price. The coat
was marked
down "y E'F 9
a real "argain!
miss out (on) 5ose an opportunity to do something.
If you leave "efore
6aturday you'll miss
outon the party.
mix up #istae one thing or person !or another
I don't know the
mem"ers' names
yet.
I tend
to mix them up
move in 6rrive in a new home or o!!ice
!ou've "ought a new
house+ *hen are
youmoving in+
move out
5eave your home,o!!ice !or another
one.
.y neigh"our is
leaving.
He's moving
outne3t 6aturday.

nail down
#ae someone say something
precisely
He promised to come
"ut we'll have
to nailhim down to a
date.
name after
1ive the same name as another
person
*illiam was named
after his grandfather.
narrow down Reduce a list or a number o! options.
The list of suspects has
"een narrowed
downto three people.
nod off 3all asleep
.y grandfather
often nods of in front
of the television.
nose
about/around
Try to discover by searching.
I don't like
people nosing
around my desk.
note down Write something down
I'll call the station
and note down the
departure times.
opt out
5eave a system or decide not to
participate
I enjoy tennis "ut I'm so
"usy I had to opt out of
the tournament.
own up 6dmit or con!ess something
The "oy owned up. He
said he kicked the "all
through the window.

pass away &ie
The old lady passed
away peacefully.
pass on Transmit
Don't forget to pass
on the information.
pass out 3aint , lose consciousness 6he passed
out when she heard
the "ad news.
pay back Reimburse
I will lend you &'(
provided
you pay meback "ef
ore the end of the
week.
pick on
"hoose someone to blame, punish, bully,
etc.
The other children
were always picking
on -harlie "ecause
of his red hair.
pick out $elect; choose
*ill you help
me pick out a
hand"ag to go with
my out1t+
pick up 5earn
-hildren are Auick
to pick up a new
language.
pick up "ollect; give someone a li!t
/ames is coming
to pick me up at G
o'clock.
play up "ause pain or discom!ort.
.y stomach is
starting to play
up again after all
that heavy food.
play up
Emphasi4e or mae something seem more
important.
He always plays
up his
achievements.
play down
#inimi4e or mae something appear less
important
The
government played
down the gravity of
the situation.
pop across/over/
down/out
"ome or go (uicly in the direction speci!ied
6he popped over to
visit her mother
after lunch.
pop in #ae a brie! visit
He sometimes pops
in for a cup of
co4ee.
pop up 6rise, occur
The
Auestion popped
up during the
meeting.
pull through ;vercome di!!iculties or illness
.y grandmother
caught pneumonia
"ut she pulled
through.
put away Return something to its normal place a!ter 2lease put away the
using it.
dictionary when
you've 1nished using
it.
put off -ostpone , arrange a later date
The meeting
was put of "ecause
of the strike.
put on Turn on , switch on
-ould you put
on the light please+
put on Wear a garment or piece o! clothing.
*ut on your coat 9
it's getting cold.
put out Extinguish
It took a long time
to put out the 1re.
put (yourself) out 1o to a lot o! trouble , be inconvenienced.
2lease don't put
yourself out for us.
put (something)
out
5eave,place someting outside the house.
Don't forget to put
out the dust"in.
put through "onnect two people (on the telephone)
I'll put you through
to .r. <rown.
put up 6ccommodate , give someone a bed
*e
can put you up if
you'd like to come
for the week9end.
put up with Tolerate
I don't know how you
can put up with all
the noise.
pick up "ollect somebody
I'll pick you up at
the station.
point out 'ndicate , direct attention to something
The teacher pointed
out the mistake.
reel off Recite without e!!ort or pause
6he ama,ed
everyone "y reeling
of all the phrasal
ver"s she had
learned.
rely on "ount on , depend on , trust
Don't worry. !ou
can rely on me. I
can keep
a secret.
rig out &ress or e(uip
The old lady arrived
all rigged out in her
"est clothes.
rig#out ;ut!it
6tella arrived in the
most
e3traordinary rig+
out,
ring back Return a phone call (6lso< call bac) /ohn rang and asked
if you
could ring him back
.
ring off End a phone call
He gave his name
and then rang of.
rub out Erase
*rite it in pencil so
that you
can rub it out.
rule out Eliminate
The police ruled
out political
motives.
run away Escape !rom a place or suddenly leave
He ran away from
home at the age of
fourteen.
run into
#eet by accident or unexpectedly
(also < bump into)
6ophie ran
into .aria at the
shopping centre.
run out of %ave no more o! something
*hat a nuisance!
I've run out
of co4ee.

scale
back/down
#ae something smaller than originally
intended.
Due to the crisis the
company had to scale down
the si,e of the plant.
scrape
together
scrape up
#anage to !ind or collect enough o!
something you need, usually money
*e 1nally scraped
together enough money to
"uy an old car.
scrape through $ucceed with di!!iculty
How I scraped
through the e3am is a
mystery!
set off $tart a .ourney
8arly 6aturday morning
we set of for the ski
slopes.
set up $tart a business
6he set up her own
company $' years ago.
settle for 6ccept something not (uite satis!actory.
I was hoping for a "etter
proposal "ut
I'll settlefor the amount
you o4er.
shop around "ompare prices
It's always wise to shop
around "efore "uying
anything.
show off *rag or want to be admired
There's David showing
of in his new sports car!
show up 6ppear , arrive
*e e3pected *illiam to
come "ut he didn't show
up.
shut *e silent, stop taling @h shut up you idiot!
up (impolite)
sign away 1ive up one/s rights or ownership
He signed away his
property and joined a
religious community.
sign in Register (e.g. at a hotel)
0et's go and eat as soon as
we've signed in.
sign out -ay your bill and leave (e.g. a hotel)
He signed out and left for
the airport.
sign over (to) Trans!er ownership o! something
He signed over the house
to his two children.
sign up (for) Enroll in an activity
8mma signed up for a
computer course.
sign up (with) $ign an agreement to wor !or somebody
2aul has signed up with a
news agency.
single out $elect !or special attention
Two "oys were singled
out for e3tra coaching.
sink in To be !ully understood
It took a while for the scale
of the disaster to sink in.
sit down Tae a seat
2lease come in and sit
down.
sleep in $leep later than usual
Tomorrow's 6aturday, so I
can sleep in!
sleep over $tay overnight at someone else/s home.
!ou're welcome to sleep
over if you don't want to
drive in this weather.
slip up #ae a mistae
!ou slipped up there! His
name is le3, not lan!
sober up 1et rid o! the e!!ects o! too much alcohol
/ack went for a long walk
to sober up.
sort out ;rgani4e, resolve a problem
6tudents should sort
out their "ooks at the end
of the school year.
stand for
)) Represent, mean
+) Tolerate
$% =Tstands for value
added ta3.
&% I'm not going to stand
for such "ehaviour!
stand up Rise !rom a sitting position
The pupils stood up when
the headmaster arrived.
stick to "ontinue without changing anything
*e must decide on a plan
of action and stick toit.
stick up for &e!end
It's important to stick up
for one's principles.
take after Resemble in appearance or character
/amie really takes after his
dad.
take apart &ismantle or separate the components The technician has
to take the
machine apartin order to
repair it.
take away
*uy !ood at a restaurant and carry it
elsewhere to eat it.
Two "eef curries to take
away please.
take away "ause something to disappear
The doctor gave me ta"lets
to take away the pain.
take back 6gree to receive bac, be returned.
*e will take back goods
only if you can produce the
receipt.
take back Retract or withdraw something said
I take back what I said
a"out cheating.
take care of 5oo a!ter
I'll take care of your plants
while you're away.
take off 5eave the ground
The plane took of at C
o'clock.
take in 6llow to stay in one/s home
6he's always taking
in stray cats and dogs!
take in =ote with your eyes and register.
6he took in every detail of
her rival's out1t.
take in
2nderstand what one sees, hears or reads ,
reali4e what is happening.
The man immediately took
in the scene and called the
police.
take on %ire or engage sta!!
<usiness is good so the
company is taking one3tra
sta4.
take out Remove , extract
6he took out a pen to note
the address.
take out
'nvite someone to dinner, the theatre,
cinema, etc.
He took her out for a meal
on her "irthday.
talk into -ersuade someone to do something
I talked /ohn into "uying a
new car.
talk out of -ersuade someone not to do something
I tried to talk my out
of leaving her jo".
tell off Reprimand , critici4e severely
The teacher told her of for
not doing her homework.
test out "arry out an experiment
The theory hasn't
"een tested out yet.
think over "onsider
I'll have to think over the
proposal "efore I decide.
throw away &iscard as useless or unwanted.
!ou can throw away that
"ook 9 it's a load of ru""ish!
throw up 8omit , be sic
I nearly threw up when I
saw the injured passengers.
tire out Exhaust completely
The children tired out their
grandmother.
touch down 5and on the runway The plane touched
down e3actly on time.
toy with Thin about, without serious intent
I've "een toying with the
idea of starting to walk to
work.
track down 3ind by searching
The police 1nally tracked
down the main suspect.
trade in 1ive as part payment !or a new article.
I traded in my car for a
new model.
try on
-ut on or wear something to see i! it suits
or !its
I'm not sure a"out the si,e.
-an I try it on+
turn away Re!use entrance to someone
Hundreds of fans
were turned away from
the foot"all stadium.
turn down
))5ower the volume.
+)Re!use
$%2lease turn down the
musicH it's too
loud.
&% I couldn't turn down an
o4er like that!
turn off $top by turning a switch, tap or nob.
#urn of the lights please
"efore you leave.
turn up
)) 6rrive, appear
+) Raise the volume
$% 6he turned up an hour
late.
&% -ould you turn up the
radio please+
use up 3inish a product ( so that there/s none le!t)
The kids have used up all
the toothpaste.

veer away from 6void, stay away !rom
I veer away from hypochondriacs if I
can.
vie with "ompete or rival with someone
The athletes vied with each other
for 1rst place.
vouch for
Express con!idence in, or guarantee
something
!ou can give the keys to ndy. I
can vouch forhim.

ward off
:eep away or repel (something
dangerous or unpleasant).
I take plenty of vitamin - to ward
of colds.
warm up
)) Reheat something.
+) #ae more lively or more relaxed.
$% 6he warmed up some left9over
soup.
&% He told a few jokes to warm
up the
atmosphere.
wash up Wash the dishes a!ter a meal. *ho's going to help me wash up+
watch out *e care!ul -atch out! There's a car coming.
water down )) &ilute or mae weaer by adding
water
$% If you water down the medicine
it will "e
+) #ae less severe
easier to take.
&% He watered down his remarks
so as not
to o4end anyone.
wear out
)) *ecome unusable
+) *ecome very tired
$% /ulie wore out her shoes
sightseeing.
&% t the end of the day /ulie
was worn out.
whip up -repare (uicly.
I can whip up something to eat if
you're hungry.
wolf down Eat greedily and (uicly.
The "oys wolfed down the whole
cake in no time!
work out
)) &o physical exercise
+) 3ind a solution or calculate
something
$% I work out twice a week at the
gym clu".
&% It's e3pensive "ut I
haven't worked out
the e3act cost yet.
wind up
3inish or put an end to something
9 <efore winding up his speech he
thanked
everyone for their presence.
9 He decided to wind up his
"usiness and
retire.
wind up 6rrive !inally in a place.
*e 1nally wound up in a village
with a spectacular view.
wipe off "lean (board, table)
The teacher asked 0ee to wipe
of the "oard.
wrap up "over; enclose
6he's "usy wrapping up her
-hristmas presents.
wrap up "omplete (a tas, a discussion)
The salesman hoped to wrap up a
few deals.