Phrasal verbs

• Be taken aback ► To surprise or I was taken aback but deep down

shock someone so much that they do not I wasn’t totally surprised.
know how to behave for a short time. The news really took us aback .

• Bring down ► When someone or A bank scandal helped to bring

something brings down a person or down the socialist administration.
government, they cause them to fall or
lose powers.

 Come in for ► Receive, usually The director has come in for a lot
blame or criticism. of criticism over his handling of
. the affair.

• Cut in ► To interrupt someone who I was talking to Jeff when Amy

is talking cut in.

 Get back at ► To do something He’ll probably go out with her

unpleasant to someone because they have just to get back at me.
done something unpleasant to you. Take Part of me wanted to get back at
revenge. him for what he’d done.

• Set out ► To start an activity. My nephew is setting out on a

career in journalism

Set out ► (Not in the book) To start a The band are setting out on a
long journey. European tour in March

• Stir up ► To cause an unpleasant As usual, Harriet is trying to stir

emotion or problem to someone. up trouble.
I thought at first that Jay had
been stirring things up.

• Take to ► Start liking something or Did the children take to him?

someone. The first series was bad but for
some reason the public took to it.
 Take to ► (Not in the book) To start doing She has taken to getting up at 6
something often. and going jogging.

Prepositions

 Under construction  On occasion

(unfinished, being built) (from time to time)

 Without warning  At a guess

(suddenly) (as an estimate or speculation)

 In confidence  To my face
(as a secret) (directly)

 Take my comments out of

context
(mean something different)