Bring about

Bring

about

(cause to happen)

The crisis was brought about by Brenda 's resignation.

Come about

Come

about

(happen)

Let me explain how the situation came about.

Fall about

Fall

about

(show amusement - especially laughing - colloquial)

Every one fell about when Jane told her joke.

Set about

Set

about

(start working)

We must set about re-organising the office.

come across something or someone (inseparable)

come

across

to find (unexpectedly) or meet by chance

A lucky tramp came across a wallet full of money as he was walking down the street. He came across a wallet. He came across it. I've lost my extra car keys. If you come across them while your're cleaning the room, please put them in a safe place.

get across (separable)

get

across

make something understood; communicate something understandably; be understood - especially get an idea across

Alan is really intelligent but sometimes he has problems getting his ideas across. I had the feeling I wasn 't getting across.

Put across

Put

across

(communicate ideas)

Harry is clever but he can't put his ideas across.

Ask after

Ask

after

(inquire about)

Jim was asking after you.

look after someone or something

look

after

to take care of someone or something

Looking after a baby is a full-time job. You have to bath it, dress it and feed it. She looks after the baby. She looks after It.

take after (inseparable)

take

after

resemble; favor (in appearance) Note: used for people

Both my sister and I take after our father.

take after someone

take

after

to look or be like an older relative

Little Christopher takes after his father. He has black hair, big feet and a bad temper just like his dad. Christopher takes alter his father. Christopher takes after him.

jump all over (inseparable)

jump

all

severely scold someone; berate someone

Arthur is really upset. His boss jumped all over him because he's been late for work three times this week.

get along (with) (inseparable)

get

along

have a friendly relationship (with); be friendly (toward)

Why can't you and your sister get along? Everyone else gets along with her just fine!

get around (1. inseparable)

get

around

avoid having to do something

Teresa got around the required math classes by doing well on a math proficiency test.

get around (2. no object)

get

around

move from place to place

She doesn't have a car. She gets around by bicycle, bus, or taxi.

get around to (inseparable)

get

around

do something eventually

I really should wash the dishes, but I don't feel like it. Maybe I'll get around to them tomorrow morning.

turn around (1. usually no object)

turn

around

move so that you are facing the opposite direction

Everyone turned around and stared when I entered the meeting late.

turn around (2. separable)

turn

around

move so that someone / something is facing the opposite direction

I don't want this chair facing the window. Will you help me turn it around?

turn around (3. separable)

turn

around

make changes so that something that was unprofitable is profitable

The company was doing poorly until it hired a new president. He turned it around in about six months and now it's doing quite well.

Get at

Get

at

(imply - about personal matters - colloquial)

What are you getting at exactly ?

Do away with (1)

Do

away

(abolish-colloquial)

Dog licences have been done away with.

Do away with (2)

Do

away

(murder - colloquial)

What if they do away with the old man ?

get away

get

away

to escape

The prisoner got away from his guards and ran into the forest. The prisoner got away from his guards. The prisoner got away from them. The prisoner got away.

get away with

get

away

to do something wrong or illegal without being punished (usually without even being discovered or caught)

Last year Jack robbed a bank and got away with it; the police didn't even find his fingerprints. Nowadays Jack lives a life of luxury on a beautiful tropical island. Jack got away with the bank robbery. Jack got away with robbing the bank. Jack got away w

Give away

Give

away

(betray)

His false identity papers gave him away.

pass away pass on pass over (usually of a person) (no object)

pass

away

to die

Fred Bloggs passed away (passed on/passed over) in 1985afteralong illness. Fred passed away. Fred passed on. Fred passed over. I was very sorry to hear that your grandfather passed away.

put away (separable)

put

away

return something to the proper place

I just took these clothes out of the dryer. Will you help me put them away?

throw away (separable)

throw

away

discard; put in the garbage

You shouldn't throw those newspapers away; they're recyclable.

bring / take back (separable)

bring

back

return something

Yes, you can borrow my pen, don't forget to bring it back to me when you're finished. "This book is due tomorrow. I guess I should take it back to the library."

cut back (on) (often without an object; with an object, cut back on [inseparable])

cut

back

use less of something

You drink too much coffee. You should cut back. "You should cut back on the amount of coffee that you drink."

Fall back on

Fall

back

(use as a last resort)

If the worst comes to the worst, we've got our savings to fall back on.

Go back on

Go

back

(break a promise)

The management has gone back on its promise.

look back on (inseparable)

look

back

to remember and think about the past; reflect on / consider something in the past

When they looked back on their many years together, they realized that their marriage had been a very happy one. The Blacks have been married for many years. They like talking about the past and looking back on old times. At the moment they are looking at

Pay back

Pay

back

(take revenge - colloquial)

She paid him back for all his insults.

put back (separable)

put

back

return something to the proper place

I've finished with these books. Do you want me to put them back on the shelves?

set back (1. separable)

set

back

cause a delay in scheduling

We've had some problems with the project that have set us back at least two days . We'll give you a progress report tomorrow.

set back (2. separable)

set

back

cost

I wonder how much Bill's new car set him back?

take / bring back (separable)

take

back

return

This book is due tomorrow. I guess I should take it back to the library. "Yes, you can borrow my pen, but don't forget to bring it back to me when you're finished."

drop by (inseparable)

drop

by

visit informally (and usually without scheduling a specific time)

If you're in town next month, we'd love to see you. Please try to drop by the house.

get by (no object)

get

by

survive, financially, in a difficult situation

It's going to be hard to pay the rent now that you've lost your job, but somehow we'll get by.

Stand by

Stand

by

(keep to an agreement)

The company agreed to stand by its original commitment.

take care of (1. inseparable)

take

care

provide care for; watch one's health

Lois has been taking care of her father since he returned home from the hospital. "You've been working too hard lately. You'd better take care of yourself!"

take care of (2. inseparable)

take

care

make arrangements (for something to happen); take responsibility for

Will you take care of making reservations for our flight to Boston?

back down (no object)

back

down

not follow a threat; yield In an argument

Tom was going to call the police when I told him I'd wrecked his car, but he backed down when I said I'd pay for the damages. Shella was right, so Paul had to back down.

break down (1) (of machinery)

break

down

to stop working.

Tom's car broke down on the way to the airport, and he had to get a taxi. I His car broke down.

break down (1. separable)

break

down

separate something into component parts

We spent a lot of money at the supermarket. When we broke the total cost down, we spent more on cleaning supplies than food.

break down (2)

break

down

to lose control emotionally or mentally.

Alec broke down and cried when his mother died. I Alec broke down. David broke down and wept when he heard the news.

break down (2. no object)

break

down

stop working / functioning

Sharon will be late for work today. Her car broke down on the freeway.

burn down (no object)

burn

down

become destroyed / consumed by fire Note: For upright things--trees, buildings, etc.—only

Lightning struck Mr. Kennedy's barn last night. It burned down before the fire fighters arrived.

burn down (usually of buildings)

burn

down

to destroy by burning.

My house burned down last night. In the morning it was just a pile of ashes. My house burned down. Someone burned down my house. Someone burned my house down. Someone burned It down.

calm down a person / a difficult situation etc. (with or without an object; with an object, separable)

calm

down

become calm / less agitated or upset; help someone become calm / less agitated or upset

Why are you so upset? Suzie didn't intend to spill orange juice on you. Calm down! "I know Ralph is upset, but can you calm him down? He's making so much noise that he's irritating everyone in the office." My father was very angry and it took him ten minu

Come down to

Come

down

(be in the end a matter of)

It all comes down to whether you are prepared to accept less money.

come down with _____ (inseparable)

come

down

become ill with _____

George won't be at the office today. He came down with the flu over the weekend.

cut down on smoking / cigarettes / drinking / spending / production etc.

cut

down

to reduce in size or amount.

Last year Peter was very ill and his doctor told him to cut down on the number of cigarettes he smoked. This year Peter smokes much less and feels a lot better. Peter cut down on cigarettes. Peter cut down on them. Peter cut down on smoking.

Get down

Get

down

(make to feel depressed - colloquial)

This cold weather really gets me down.

Get down to

Get

down

(begin to seriously deal with)

It's time we got down to some real work.

go down

go

down

to become less swollen

Phil's cheek became swollen because he had a bad tooth ache. The dentist treated his bad tooth and his swollen cheek soon went down. His swollen cheek went down.

Lay down

Lay

down

(state arule- especially lay down the law)

The company has laid down strict procedures for this kind of situation.

let down (separable)

let

down

to disappoint someone (often by breaking a promise or an agreement)

Sorry to let you down, but I can't give you a lift today. Julia promised to meet Rick outside the cinema at eight o'clock, but she let him down. He waited for two hours and then he went home angrily. Julia let Rick down. Julia let him down. I know I let

Live down Note. used with (not)

Live

down

(suffer a loss of reputation)

If City lose, they'll never live it down.

look down on (inseparable)

look

down

hold in contempt; regard as inferior

It's not surprising that Fred has few friends. He seems to look down on anyone who doesn't like the same things that he does.

look down on someone or something

look

down

to think that someone (or something) is inferior, low or worthless; to disapprove of (someone or something)

Sir Douglas is a very rich aristocrat. Fred is a very poor tramp. Sir Douglas thinks that he is a much better person than Fred-he looks down on Fred. Sir Douglas looks down on Fred. Sir Douglas looks down on him.

mark down (separable)

mark

down

reduce the price (as an incentive to buy)

These shoes were really a bargain! The store marked them down by 40%!

Pin someone down

Pin

down

(force to give a clear statement)

I asked Jim to name a suitable day, but I couldn't pin him down.

Put down to

Put

down

(explain the cause of)

Diane's poor performance was put down to nerves.

Run down (1)

Run

down

(criticise)

She's always running down her husband.

Run down (2)

Run

down

(lose power, allow to decline)

/ think the batteries are running down.

Step down

Step

down

(resign - colloquial)

The Chairman has stepped down after criticism from shareholders.

take down a statement / a telephone number / some information etc.

take

down

to record in writing

When the policeman arrived at the scene of the accident he took down the witness's statement. He took down the statement. He took the statement down. He took it down.

Track down

track

down

trace the whereabouts of

The police tracked down killer and arrested him.

turn down (1. separable)

turn

down

decrease the volume

Your music is giving me a headache! Please turn it down or use your headphones!

turn down (2. separable) a request / an offer / an applicant / an application etc.

turn

down

to refuse or reject (something or someone)

Another company offered me a job but I turned them down. I thought I could borrow some money from Joe, but when I asked, he turned me down. Jeff was interviewed for the job at Bloggs Ltd but they turned him down because he was too young. They turned down

write down (separable)

write

down

record something in writing

Could you tell me your e-mail address again? I want to write it down.

Bargain for

Bargain

for

(take into acount)

We hadn't bargained for there being so much traffic, and we missed the plane.

care for (1. inseparable) Note. used with (not)

care

for

like; want Note: This phrasal verb is usually negative, though it may be used affirmatively in questions

A: "Would you care for something to drink? We have coffee, tea, or orange juice." B: "Could I have water, please? I don't care for coffee, tea, or juice."

care for (2. inseparable)

care

for

take care of; supply care to; attend / watch.

Amy's father got out of the hospital last week. The family is caring for him at home.

Fall for (1)

Fall

for

(be deceived by - colloquial)

It was an unlikely story but h e fell for it.

Fall for (2)

Fall

for

(fall in love with - colloquial)

I fell for you the moment I saw you.

go for

go

for

a person, an animal to attack

The dog went for Joe and hurt his arm. The dog went for Joe. The dog went for him. Note: this verb is not used in the passive.

Have it in for

Have

for

(be deliberately unkind to someone - also as have got)

My teacher has (got) it in for me.

look for something or someone

look

for

to try to find (something or someone), often athing or person that is lost

Fred wanted to open his front door but he couldn't find his key. He looked for it everywhere. It's in one of my pockets,' he thought. He looked for his key. He looked for it.

make for (1. inseparable)

make

for

go to or toward

Her teen-aged children are always hungry. As soon as they arrive home from school, they make for the refrigerator.

make for (2. inseparable)

make

for

result in; cause

Many hands make for light work. (If many people work together, there's less work for everyone.) The power steering makes for easier parking.

mistake for

mistake

for

to think wrongly that (one thing or person) is (another thing or person)

I frightened rpyself last night when I mistook a piece of old rope for a dangerous snake. I mistook a piece of old rope for a dangerous snake. I saw a piece of old rope and I mistook it for a dangerous snake.

stand for (1)

stand

for

to represent or mean; to be a sign or short form of something else; initials

The letters B.B.C. stand for the British Broadcasting Corporation. B.B.C. stands for British Broadcasting Corporation. What do the letters B.B.C. stand tor? e.g. stands for exempli gratia, it's Latin.

stand for (1. no object)

stand

for

represent

These letters seem to be an abbreviation. Do you know what they stand for?

Stand for (2)

Stand

for

(tolerate)

/ will not stand for this kind of behaviour in my house!

stand for (2. inseparable)

stand

for

tolerate; permit (usually negative)

I'm not surprised that Mrs. Johnson rejected your report. She won't stand for shoddy work.

wait for (inseparable)

wait

for

wait until someone / something arrives or is finished with something else

When will Kenny be finished with work? I've been waiting for him for almost an hour! "I'm tired of waiting for the bus. I guess I'll take a taxi instead."

look forward to a future event (inseparable)

look

forward

anticipate pleasantly; to think with pleasure about a future event that you expect to enjoy

I'm really looking forward to vacation. I can't wait for it to begin! Bill Bloggs has been in prison for the last ten years. Next year he'll be released from prison and he'll be a free man. Bill is looking forward to next year. Bill is looking forward to

put forward a proposal / a plan / a suggestion / an idea etc.

put

forward

to offer (a proposal / a plan etc.) for consideration

Mr Smith put forward the idea of introducing traffic lights at the crossroads as a way of preventing traffic jams. The planning committee thought his idea was very good. He put forward the idea. He put the idea forward. He put it forward.

make fun of (inseparable)

make

fun

make jokes about (usually unkindly)

I agree that Bob looks ridiculous since he shaved his head, but don't make fun of him. You'll hurt his feelings.

break in (1. often no object; with an object, break into--inseparable)

break

in

enter by using force (and breaking a lock, window, etc.)

Jane's apartment was burglarized last night. Someone broke in while Jane was at the movies. / "Somebody broke into Jane's apartment while she was at the movies.

break in (2. separable)

break

in

wear something new until it's / they're comfortable

These are nice shoes, but they're too stiff. I hope it doesn't take too long to break them in.

break in (3. separable)

break

in

train; get someone / something accustomed to a new routine

I hope I can learn my new job quickly. The manager hasn't scheduled much time for breaking me in.

butt in (no object)

butt

in

impolitely interrupt (a conversation, an action)

Hey, you! Don't butt in! Wait for your turn!

Cash in

cash

in

obtain cash for

chip in (inseparable)

chip

in

contribute / donate (often money) to something done by a group

We're going to buy a birthday cake for our boss and I'm collecting donations. Do you want to chip in?

Come in for

Come

in

(receive - especially criticism, blame)

The government has come in for a lot of criticism over the decision.

do in (1. separable)

do

in

cause to become very tired

The Ajax and Tip-Top Banks have decided to merge. Their lawyers will draw all the official documents up sometime this month.

do in (2. separable)

do

in

to kill; to murder

The said that the murdered man was done in between 10 and 11 o'clock last night.

drop in

drop

in

to pay a short visit, often without warning.

Laura was shopping near her friend, Lynn, and decided to drop in and see her. Laura dropped in to see Lynn. Laura dropped in to see her. Laura dropped in on Lynn. Laura dropped in on her. Laura dropped in.

drop in (on) (inseparable)

drop

in

visit informally (and usually usually without scheduling a specific time); pay a visit (colloquial)

If you're in town next month, we'd love to see you. Please try to drop in. (Please try to drop in on us. Drop in any time you 're passing.

fill in (1. separable) a form / a questionnaire etc.

fill

in

add information to a form; to complete (a form)

The office needs to know your home address and phone number. Could you fill them in on this form? It took me an hour to fill in the application form. It took me an hour to fill in the form. It took me an hour to fill the form in, It took me an hour to fil

fill in (on) (2. separable)

fill

in

supply information that someone doesn't know

I wasn't able to attend the meeting yesterday, but I understand that it was important. Could you fill me in? / Could you fill me in on what was discussed?

fill in for (inseparable)

fill

in

temporarily do someone else's work; temporarily substitute for another person

Professor Newton is in the hospital and won't be able to teach for the rest of the term. Do you know who's going to fill in for her?

get in (1. inseparable)

get

in

enter a small, closed vehicle

I don't know where Carole was going. She just got in her car and drove away.

get in (2. no object)

get

in

arrive

Do you know what time Fred's plane gets in?

give in

give

in

to stop resisting; to surrender

The fight between Tom and Dick stopped when Tom hurt his hand and had to give in. Tom gave In.

Go in for (1)

Go

in

(make a habit of)

I don 't go in for that kind of thing.

Go in for (2)

Go

in

(enter a competition)

Are you thinking of going in for the race?

hand in (separable)

hand

in

submit homework, an assignment, etc.

You'd better get started on your report. You know that you have to hand it in at 8:30 tomorrow morning!

Let in on

Let

in

(allow to be part of a secret)

We haven't let Tina in on the plans yet.

look in on (inseparable)

look

in

visit in order to check something's / someone's condition

My father just came home from the hospital. I plan to look in on him today after I finish work.

Pack in

Pack

in

(stop an activity - colloquial)

John has packed in his job.

pitch in (no object)

pitch

in

help; join together to accomplish something

We'll be finished soon if everyone pitches in.

Put in for

Put

in

(apply for a job)

Sue has put in for a teaching job.

run in a motor cycle / a new car / a machine etc.

run

in

to use a new (or reconditioned) engine carefully until it is ready for normal use

George is running in his new car. so he can't drive fast. George is running in his hew car. George is running it in. Running in, please pass. (a notice sometimes seen on new cars)

Set in

Set

in

(establish itself-especially weather)

/ think this ram has set infer the day.

Sink in

Sink

in

(realise slowly - colloquial, Intransitive)

Slowly the realisation that I had won began to sink in.

Stand in for

Stand

in

(take the place of)

Carol has kindly agreed to stand in for Graham at the monthly meeting.

take in (often used in the passive)

take

in

to deceive (someone); to cheat (someone)

Don't be taken in by her apparent shyness. The hungry wolf had a problem: all the sheep in the neighbourhood knew him and ran away when they saw him. After some thought he decided to disguise himself as a sheep. The neighbourhood sheep were taken In by th

turn in (1. separable)

turn

in

give / deliver / submit to someone

I've written my report, but I haven't turned it in.

turn in (2. no object)

turn

in

go to bed

I'm pretty tired. I guess I'll turn in.

turn in (3. separable)

turn

in

report or deliver wrongdoers to the authorities

Two days after the robbery, the thieves turned themselves in.

jack in

jack

in

abandon

Tie in with

tie

in

be in agreement with

I'm afraid your party doesn't quite tie in with aor arrangements.

check in(to) at a hotel, an airport etc. (inseparable)

check

in(to)

to report one's arrival; register for / at a hotel, conference, etc.; let someone know officially that you have arrived

Jack took a taxi to the hotel and checked in. Jack checked in. Jack checked in at the hotel. Jack checked in to the hotel. Note: When Jack left the hotel he checked out. My plane will arrive around 5:00 PM. I should be able to check into the hotel by 6:00

break into a building / a bank / a house etc.

break

into

to enter somewhere (e.g. a house) illegally, especially by force.

Last night a burglar broke into my house and stole my television set. A burglar broke into my house. A burglar broke into it.

come into money / property / a fortune etc

come

into

to receive something (usually money or property) after someone's death.

Peter came into a fortune when his father died. Peter came into a fortune. Peter came into it.

look into a situation / a crime / a problem /a complaint etc. (inseparable)

look

into

investigate / get more details about something; to carefully examine a situation or event and try to discover the reasons for it

The police have promised to look into the problem. Someone said there was a meeting at 9:30 but I haven't heard anything about it. Shall I look into it? The police are looking into the death of Mr James. They want to know how he was murdered. They are loo

run into (inseparable) someone

run

into

meet by chance

Guess who I ran into at the supermarket! Yesterday at the supermarket, Jan ran into her former roommate. Before yesterday, they hadn't seen each other for nearly five years. I was on my way to work when I ran into Jeremy Thomas. It was a lovely surprise b

turn into something or someone

turn

into

to change; to become

The beautiful princess kissed the frog and it turned into a handsome prince. The frog turned into a prince. The kiss turned the frog into a prince,

act like (inseparable)

act

like

behave in a way that's like _____ Note: This phrasal verb is very informal.

What's wrong with Bob? He's acting like an idiot.

look like (inseparable)

look

like

resemble (in appearance)

Does he look like his father or his mother?

back off (no object)

back

off

not follow a threat

Tom was ready to call the police when I told him I'd wrecked his car, but he backed off when I said I'd pay for the damages.

be off (1) usually used in the present tense (of an event / an arrangement etc.)

be

off

to be cancelled

The lead singer of 'The Rolling Beatles' pop group is ill, so tonight's concert is off. The concert is off.

be off (2) (of food)

be

off

to have gone bad

Nick decided to have a fried egg for breakfast, but there was a terrible smell when he cracked the egg. 'This egg is off,' he thought. I can't eat it.' The egg is off.

beg off (no object)

beg

off

decline an invitation; ask to be excused from doing something

At first Lily said she would be at the party. Later she begged off.

break off talks / negotiations / an engagement / a relationship / an agreement etc.

break

off

to end; to interrupt; to discontinue, stop talking

Peace talks between the U.S.S.R. and the U.S.A. have broken off after three days of serious disagreement. Peace talks between the U.S.S.R. and the U.S.A. have broken off. The U.S.A. has broken off peace talks with the U.S.S.R. They have broken off peace t

Bring off

Bring

off

(succeed in doing something)

The team tried few ears to win the competition and they finally brought it off.

bring off (separable)

bring

off

accomplish something difficult; accomplish something people had considered impossible or unlikely

No one thought Chuck could get an A in that course, but he brought it off.

call off an event / an arrangement / an activity etc. often used in the passive (separable)

call

off

cancel something that has been scheduled; to abandon something that has already begun.

The Football Association called off the match between England and Greece because of bad weather. The Football Association called off the match. The Football Association called the match off. The Football Association called it off. The match was called off

Carry off

Carry

off

(complete successfully - perhaps despite a problem)

Jane had a difficult role to play, but she carried it off.

check off (separable)

check

off

make a mark to indicate that something on a list has been completed

Here are the things you need to do. Please check each one off when you've finished it.

Come off

Come

off

(take place successfully)

I'm afraid that deal didn 't come off after all.

cut off (often used in the passive)

cut

off

This verb can refer to either: a) the service or supply that is cut off e.g. water, electricity, etc. or b) the person who is cut off to disconnect, interrupt or discontinue something or someone.

Paul was talking to Anna on the telephone. Suddenly they couldn't hear each other. Paul phoned Anna again immediately. 'What happened?' Anna asked him. 'We were cut off,' replied Paul. The operator cut them off. The operator cut off their call. They were

drop off (1) something or someone

drop

off

to stop a vehicle and let someone get out; to take something (or someone) to a place and leave it there.

David drove his wife, Sue, into town and dropped her off in the cinema. David dropped oft his wife. David dropped his wife off. David dropped her off.

drop off (2)

drop

off

to fall asleep (often unintentionally).

The baby has just dropped off. John sat in his favourite armchair and dropped off. Five minutes later, his young son came into the room and woke him. He dropped off.

drop off (separable)

drop

off

deliver something; deliver someone (by giving him/her a ride)

Yes, I can take those letters to the post office. I'll drop them off as I go home from work. "You don't have to take a taxi. You live fairly close to me, so I'll be happy to drop you off."

get off (1. inseparable)

get

off

leave a large, closed vehicle

When you get off the bus, cross the street, turn right on Oak Street, and keep going until you're at the corner of Oak and Lincoln Boulevard.

get off (2. separable)

get

off

be excused (for a period of time) from work, class, or other regularly scheduled activities

Some schools got President's Day off but ours didn't. We had classes as usual.

get off (3. separable)

get

off

make it possible for someone to avoid punishment

Everyone knew he was guilty, but his lawyer was clever and got him off.

Get off with

Get

off

(avoid punishment)

They were lucky to get off with such light sentences.

Give off

Give

off

(send off a smell - liquid or gas)

The cheese had begun to give off a strange smell.

Go off

Go

off

(become bad - food)

This milk has gone off.

go off (of explosive devices e.g. bombs, guns etc.)

go

off

to explode or fire; (of alarms or alarm clocks) to ring suddenly

Many people were killed when the bomb went off. The bomb went off.

goof off (no object)

goof

off

be lazy; do nothing in particular

A: "Do you have any special plans for your vacation?" B: "No. I'm just going to stay home and goof off."

Hit it off

Hit

off

(get on well with - colloquial)

Mark and Sarah really hit it off at the party.

lay off (separable; often passive)

lay

off

to stop employing (a worker), often for a short time because there is not enough work (not because of poor performance)

Last year the manager of Bloggs Ltd laid off a hundred workers because business was very bad. He laid off a hundred workers. He laid a hundred workers off. He laid them off. They were laid off. I feel really sorry Sally's family. Her father was laid off y

let off

let

off

to excuse (someone) from (a punishment, a duty, or doing something)

As Dave was young, the judge let him off with a fine. Bill should have been sent to prison for six months, but the judge decided to let him off so that he could stay out of prison and take care of his family. The judge let Bill off going to prison. The ju

Make off with

Make

off

(run away with)

The thief made off with a valuable necklace.

nod off (no object)

nod

off

fall sleep (usually unintentionally)

The speech was so boring that several people in the audience nodded off before it was finished.

Pull off

Pull

off

(manage to succeed)

It was a tricky plan, but we pulled it off.

Put off (1) an event / doing something etc.

Put

off

to delay doing something until a late date; to delay an event or arrangement until a later date

Martin v/as very unhappy when he saw the huge pile of dirty dishes in the kitchen. He felt a little happier after deciding to put off the washing-up until the next day. Martin put off the washing-up until the next day. Martin put the washing-up off till t

put off (1. separable)

put

off

postpone; delay; avoid

I can't put this work off any longer. If I don't do it soon, it'll be impossible to finish it in time. "When will Mr. Smith agree to a meeting? I keep asking for an appointment, but he keeps putting me off."

put off (2) / put (someone) off (2)

put

off

to discourage, or distract, (someone) from doing doing, upset

The crowd put the gymnast off, and be fell. Ron was trying to read, but the noise from the television put him off and he had to stop. The noise from the TV put Ron off his book. The noise from the TV put him off his bOOK. The noise from the TV put Ron oft

rip off (separable)

rip

off

cheat; take advantage of; charge too much; charge too much (colloquial)

Don't even think about buying a car there. They'll rip you off. You paid £50? They really ripped you off!

round off (separable)

round

off

change from a fraction to the nearest whole number

Round all prices off to the closest whole-dollar amounts. For example, round $33.73 off to $34.00.

see someone off

see

off

to say goodbye to someone who is going on a journey at the place (e.g. airport, station etc.) where the journey begins; go to station, airport, etc to say goodbye to someone

Bill arranged to go to Scotland to stay with his grandmother for a few days. His father, Frank, drove him to the railway station and saw him off. Frank saw Bill off. Frank saw him off. I went to the station to see them off.

set off

set

off

to start a journey

Barry set off on his camping holiday at six o'clock in the morning and reached the campsite, in France, at midday. Barry set off. Barry set off at six o'clock. Barry set off on a camping holiday. Barry set off for France.

take off (1) (of an aeroplane)

take

off

to rise from the ground

At the beginning of a journey an aeroplane takes off. At the end of a journey an aeroplane lands. The aeroplane took off.

take off (1. separable)

take

off

remove (something you're wearing)

Please take your hat off when you go inside a building.

take off (2)

take

off

to remove anything that is worn on the body (especially clothes)

Nick took off his jacket because he was feeling very hot. Nick took off his jacket. Nick took his jacket off. Nick took it off.

take off (2. no object)

take

off

leave; depart (often suddenly or quickly)

Was something wrong with Jill? She took off without saying goodbye. "When does your plane take off?"

take off (3. separable)

take

off

make arrangements to be absent from work

Susan isn't here today. She's taking today and tomorrow off.

Take off (4)

Take

off

(imitate - colloquial)

Dave takes off the Prime Minister really well.

tell (someone) off (separable)

tell

off

speak to someone bluntly and negatively, saying exactly what she/he did wrong; to speak angrily to someone who has done something wrong; to find fault with someone

Our teacher told us off for being late. Julie was really angry at Bob; she told him off in front of all of us. Howard told his son oH for breaking a window with his football. Howard told oil his son. Howard told his son off. Howard told him off. Howard to

tick off (1. separable)

tick

off

irritate someone; make someone upset or angry

It really ticks her off when someone is late for an appointment.

tick off (2. separable)

tick

off

show that something has been completed by putting a tick (check) beside it

Here are the things you need to do. Tick each one off when you finish it.

turn off (1. separable)

turn

off

stop by turning a handle or switch

I'm cold. Do you mind if I turn the air conditioner off?

turn off (2. separable)

turn

off

bore; repel (very informal)

That music turns me off. Please play something else!

wear off (1)

wear

off

to disappear gradually

The pain in Jim's foot wore off after he took some painkiller. The pain wore off.

wear off (2)

wear

off

loose effect - especially a drug

These painkillers wear off after about two hours.

Bring on (1)

Bring

on

(cause the onset of an illness)

Sitting in the damp brought on his rheumatism.

Bring on (2)

Bring

on

(cause trouble to happen to) oneself

You have brought this on/upon yourself.

call on (inseparable)

call

on

ask someone for an answer in class

I don't know why the teacher never calls on you. You always know the answer.

catch on

catch

on

to become popular (colloquial)

David's strange new hair-style is really catching on; all the young boys in the neighbourhood are copying it. I David's new hai r-style is catching on. This new hair style is beginning to catch on.

catch on (no object)

catch

on

develop understanding or knowledge of something

Bill had never used a computer until he took this class, but he caught on very quickly and is now one of the best students.

count on (inseparable)

count

on

depend on; rely on; trust that something will happen or that someone will do as expected

I'm counting on you to wake me up tomorrow. I know I won't hear the alarm. Don't worry, you can count on me.

drag on (no object)

drag

on

last much longer than expected or is necessary

I thought the meeting would be a short one, but it dragged on for more than three hours.

egg on (separable)

egg

on

urge / encourage greatly toward doing something (usually something negative)

At first Bob and Chuck were just having a mild argument, but Bob's friends egged them on until they started fighting.

Get on

Get

on

(make progress - especially in life)

Sue is getting on very well in her new job.

get on (inseparable)

get

on

enter a large, closed vehicle

I'm sorry, but you're too late to say goodbye to Angela. She got on the plane about 20 minutes ago.

Get on for

Get

on

(approach a certain age/time/number)

He must begetting on for seventy.

Go on

Go

on

(happen - usually negative)

Something funny is going on.

Grow on

Grow

on

(become more liked - colloquial)

This new record is growing on me.

Have someone on

Have

on

(deceive - colloquial)

I don't believe you. You 're having me on.

hold on

hold

on

to wait (especially on the telephone)

George phoned his office because he wanted some information. 'Hold on a minute and I'll get it for you,' said his assistant. His assistant asked him to hold on.

keep on (1. inseparable--followed by an -ing verb)

keep

on

continue

I'm not ready to stop yet. I think I'll keep on working for a while.

keep on (someone) (2. inseparable)

keep

on

continue to remind someone to do something until he/she does it (even if this irritates her/him)

Bill's very forgetful. You'll have to keep on him or he'll never do all the things you want him to do.

Let on

Let

on

(inform about a secret - colloquial)

We're planning a surprise for Helen, but don't let on.

Look on

Look

on

(consider)

We look on this town as our real home.

pick on (inseparable)

pick

on

bully; intentionally try to make someone upset

You should be ashamed of teasing your little brother, Bob! Pick on someone your own size!

Push on

Push

on

(continue with some effort - colloquial)

Let's push on and try to reach the coast by tonight.

put on (1. separable) clothes / glasses I a ring / a necklace etc.

put

on

begin to wear; don; to dress oneself

It's a little bit chilly outside. You'd better put a sweater on. Perry put on his nevi' sweater because he wanted to wear it for work. Perry put on his sweater. Perry put his sweater on. Perry put it on.

put on (2. separable)

put

on

try to make someone believe something that is ridiculous or untrue

Don't believe a word of what Jim was saying. He was just putting us on.

Set on / set (up) on

Set

on

(attack)

We were set upon by a gang of hooligans.

Take on (1)

Take

on

(acquire a new characteristic)

My grandmother has taken on a new lease of life since her operation.

Take on (2)

Take

on

(do something extra)

She has taken on too much with a full-time job as well.

try on (separable)

try

on

wear something briefly to check its fit, how it looks, etc.

I'm not sure that jacket is large enough. May I try it on?

try on a hat / a new pair of shoes / a dress etc.

try

on

to put on an article of clothing to see if it fits and how it looks

Last week I went into a shop and tried on three hats. The first hat was too big; the second one was too small; but the third one fitted me perfectly and looked good, so I bought it. I tried on three hats. I tried three hats on. I tried them on.

turn on (1. separable)

turn

on

start by turning a handle or switch

It's cold in here. I'm going to turn the heater on

turn on (2. separable)

turn

on

interest very much; excite (very informal)

What kind of music turns you on?

wait on (1. inseparable)

wait

on

serve (usually customers in a restaurant, shop, etc.)

I want to make a complaint. The person who just waited on me was very impolite.

Hang onto

Hang

onto

(keep - colloquial)

I think we should hang onto the car until next year.

ask out (separable)

ask

out

ask for a date.

Nancy has a new boy friend. Joe asked her out last night.

Bear out

Bear

out

(confirm the truth)

Helen's alibi was borne out by her sister.

break out (of unpleasant things e.g. wars, epidemics, fires, violence etc.)

break

out

to start, usually suddenly

The Second World War broke out on 3 September, 1939. In 1939 World War Two broke out. World War Two broke out in 1939. World War Two broke out on 3 September, 1939.

Break out in spots / a rash / a cold sweat ('to show signs of great fear)

Breake

out

to become covered by (something).

Cyril broke out in spots this morning. He broke out in spots. He broke out in them.

Carry out

Carry

out

(complete a plan)

The attack was successfully carried out.

carry out instructions / a duty / an order / a threat / a test etc.

carry

out

to fulfill or perform (something).

Sergeant Jones ordered Private Wilson to push the waggon across the field. The waggon was very heavy but Private Wilson carried out his orders without complaining. He carried out his orders. He carried his orders out. He carried them out.

check out (2. separable)

check

out

follow procedures for borrowing something (usually for a limited period of time)

I'm sorry, but you can't take that encyclopedia home. The library won't allow you to check reference books out.

check out (of) (1. inseparable)

check

out

follow procedures for leaving (a hotel, etc.)

Don't forget to take your room key to the front desk when you check out (when you check out of the hotel).

chew out (separable)

chew

out

scold someone severely; berate

Tom's father was really angry when Tom didn't come home until 3:00 AM. He chewed Tom out and then said Tom had to stay at home for two weeks.

chicken out (no object)

chicken

out

lose the courage or confidence to do something--often at the last minute

Sam said he was going to ask Lulu for a date, but he chickened out.

Come out

Come

out

(appear)

All the flowers have come out. When the news came out, everyone was shocked. My photos didn't come out very well.

cross out (separable)

cross

out

show that something written is wrong or unnecessary by making an X across it

We can't afford to buy everything on your shopping list, so I've crossed all the unnecessary things out.

die out

die

out

to disappear completely; to become extinct

The great dinosaurs died out millions of years ago. The dinosaurs died out.

draw out (separable)

draw

out

prolong something (usually far beyond the normal limits)

I thought that speech would never end. The speaker could have said everything important in about five minutes, but he drew the speech out for over an hour!

drop out

drop

out

to withdraw from, or stop taking part in (a competition, a social group, a school, a university, a job etc.)

Sam dropped out of the race because he felt tired and ill. He dropped out of the race. He dropped out.

drop out (of) (inseparable)

drop

out

stop attending / leave school or an organization

No, Paul isn't at the university. He dropped out. / He dropped out of school.

eat out (no object)

eat

out

have a meal in a restaurant

I'm too tired to cook tonight. Why don't we eat out?

fall out

fall

out

to quarrel

George and Sam went out for dinner together. The evening ended badly because they fell out over who should pay the bill. George tell out with' Sam over' ' the bill. George and Sam fell out.. Note. "fall out with a person " fall out over something

Fall out with

Fall

out

(quarrel with)

Peter has fallen out with his boss.

figure out (1. separable)

figure

out

logically find the answer to a problem; solve a problem by thinking about it carefully

For a long time I couldn't understand the last problem, but I finally figured it out.

figure out (2. separable)

figure

out

understand why someone behaves the way she/he does

I can't figure Margie out. Sometimes she's very warm and friendly and sometimes she acts as if she doesn't know me.

fill out (1. separable)

fill

out

complete a form by adding required information

Of course I completed my application! I filled it out and mailed it over three weeks ago!

fill out (2. no object)

fill

out

become less thin; gain weight

Jerry used to be really skinny, but in the last year he's begun to fill out.

find out (about) (inseparable)

find

out

learn / get information (about)

I'm sorry that you didn't know the meeting had been canceled. I didn't find out (find out about it) myself until just a few minutes ago.

find out the truth / a secret / an address / the time i when / what / why / where / who / which etc.

find

out

to make an effort to discover or get to know (something)

Mr Jones wanted to catch the train to London. He was late and he didn't know which platform the London train left from. He found out which platform by asking a ticket collector. He found out which platform the train left from. He didn't know which platfor

get out of (1. inseparable)

get

out

leave a small, closed vehicle

There's something wrong with the garage door opener. You'll have to get out of the car and open it by hand.

get out of (2. inseparable)

get

out

escape having to do something

Lisa said she had a terrible headache and got out of giving her speech today.

Give out

Give

out

(be exhausted)

When our money gave out we had to borrow.

give out books / examination papers / pills etc

give

out

to give(some thing or things) to each person in a group of people; to distribute

The teacher gave out the books, so that the pupils could read the story. The teacher gave out the books. The teacher gave the books out. The teacher gave them out.

go out with (inseparable)

go

out

have a date with

You went out with Sharon last night, didn't you?

hand out (separable)

hand

out

distribute

Why don't you have a course description and list of assignments? The teacher handed them out on the first day of class.

Have it out with

Have

out

(express feelings so as to settle a problem)

I put up with the problem for a while but in the end I had it out with her.

Hold out

Hold

out

(offer - especially with hope)

We don't hold out much hope that the price will fall.

iron out (separable)

iron

out

mutually reach an agreement; mutually resolve difficulties

Yes, I know we disagree on lots of things, Susan, but we can iron them out.

kick out (separable)

kick

out

expel; force someone to leave because of his/her poor performance or unacceptable behavior

Jim's club kicked him out because he didn't pay his dues or come to meetings.

knock oneself out (separable)

knock

out

work much harder than normal or than what is expected

We completed the project on time because of Chuck. He knocked himself out to be sure we didn't miss the deadline.

knock out (separable)

knock

out

make unconscious

The boxing match ended when one boxer knocked the other one out. "That medicine really knocked me out. I slept for 14 hours straight!"

leave out (separable)

leave

out

forget; omit

Oh, no! When I made the list of those who attended the meeting, I left your name out!

let out

let

out

to allow (a person or an animal) to leave (a place); to release

They let Fred out of prison after five years. They let Fred out of prison. They let Fred out. They let him out.

luck out (no object)

luck

out

be unexpectedly lucky

Gloria was worried because she wasn't prepared to give a report at the meeting, but she lucked out because the meeting was postponed.

Make out (1)

Make

out

(pretend)

Tim made out that he hadn 't seen the No Smoking sign.

make out (1) often used in the negative with can't and couldn 't

make

out

manage to see or understand; to see, hear, or understand (something or someone), often with difficulty; see / hear something well enough to understand what it means. (Note: often negative.)

I couldn 't quite make out what the notice said. Bob saw something on the horizon as he was looking through his binoculars. At first he couldn't make out what it was, but after a few minutes he could just make out the shape of a yacht. He couldn't make ou

make out (2) a cheque

make

out

to write (a cheque)

I made out a cheque for ten pounds. I made out a cheque. I made a cheq ue out. I made it out.

Make someone out

Make

out

(understand someone's behaviour)

Janet is really odd. I can't make her out.

Miss out (1)

Miss

out

(fail to include)

You have missed out a word here.

Miss out (2)

Miss

out

(lose a chance - colloquial)

Five people got promoted, but I missed out again.

pan out (no object)

pan

out

succeed; happen as expected (for plans). (Note: almost always negative when in statements.)

I'll be here next week after all. My trip to Chicago didn't pan out.

pass out (1. no object)

pass

out

faint; lose consciousness

When Ella heard that she'd won a million dollars, she was so shocked that she passed out. When the air-conditioning stopped working, James found it difficult to breathe and passed out. He passed out.

pass out (2. separable)

pass

out

distribute

Everyone in the room needs one of these information sheets. Who will help me pass them out?

pick out (separable)

pick

out

choose; select

Billy's grandmother especially liked her birthday card because Billy had picked it out himself.

point out something or someone

point

out

to draw attention to something or someone

I pointed out that I would be on holiday anyway. My uncle showed me the building he used to work in and he pointed out his old office on the sixth floor. He pointed out his office. He pointed his office out. He pointed it out.

put (someone) out (separable)

put

out

inconvenience someone

I hate to put you out, but I need a ride to the train station and hope you can take me.

Put oneself out

Put

out

(take trouble - to help someone)

Please don't put yourself out making a meal. A sandwich will do.

put out a cigarette / a light / a fire etc.

put.

out

to extinguish

Steve put out the light in the lounge before going upstairs to bed. Steve put out the light. Steve put the light out. Steve put it out.

run out of (inseparable) coffee / sugar / money /' patience / time etc.

run

out

to use all of (something) and have no more left

On the way home from work, Art ran out of gas. Howard has run out. of bread, so he can't make himself a sandwich. If he wants a sandwich, he'll have to go to the baker's shop and buy some more bread. Howard has run out of bread. Howard has run out of it.

Set out (1)

Set

out

(give in detail in writing)

This document sets out all the Union demands.

Set out (2)

Set

out

(arrange)

I've set out the refreshments in the hall.

Set out (3)

Set

out

(start an action)

Sue set out to write a biography hut it became a novel.

Sort out

Sort

out

(find a solution - colloquial)

Don't worry, Mary will sort out your problem.

stand out (no object)

stand

out

be noticeably better than other similar people or things

Good job, Ann! Your work really stands out!

Take (it) out on

Take

out

(make someone else suffer because of one's own sufferings)

/ know you are unhappy, but don't take it out on me!

Take out

Take

out

(insurance - sign an insurance agreement)

Ann has taken out life insurance.

Talk out of or into

Talk

out

(dissuade from, persuade into)

Paul talked me into going skiing, against my better judgement.

throw out (1. separable)

throw

out

discard; put in the garbage

This food smells bad. You'd better throw it out.

throw out (2. separable)

throw

out

forcibly make someone leave (usually because of bad behavior)

Those people are drunk and making everyone uncomfortable. The manager should throw them out.

try out (for) (inseparable)

try

out

try to win a place on a team or other organization

I know you want to be on the football team. Are you going to try out? "If you like to sing, you should try out for the choir.

try out (separable)

try

out

test - a machine; use a machine briefly to determine how well it works

I really like the way this car looks. May I try it out? Let's try out the new washing machine.

try out something or someone

try

out

to test something (or someone) by using it

Angela saw an advertisement for a new soap powder called 'Zap'. She decided to try it out because she wanted to see if it was better than her usual soap powder. Angela tried out new 'Zap'. Angela tried new 'Zap' out. Angela tried it out.

turn out

turn

out

happen to be in the end

He turned out to be an old friend of Helen's.

turn out

turn

out

come to a meeting or to form a crowd

Thousands of fans turned out to welcome the team.

watch out for (inseparable)

watch

out

be careful of; beware of

There's a school at the end of this block. Watch out for children crossing the street. "If you take that road, watch out for ice during the winter."

wear out (1)

wear

out

to use (something) until it becomes unfit for further use; to become unusable after excessive use

Paul wore out his favourite jumper after wearing it every day for ten years. Paul wore out his jumper. Paul wore his jumper out. Paul wore it out. The jumper wore out.

wear out (1. separable)

wear

out

wear something / use something until it can no longer be worn / be used

I need a new pencil sharpener. I wore this one out. "I suppose I should get some new shoes. I've almost worn this pair out."

wear out (2) often used in the passive

wear

out

to tire greatly; to exhaust

Carrying the heavy box across the street wore Fred out. When he got home he went straight to bed. Carrying the heavy box wore out Fred. Carrying the heavy box wore Fred out. Carrying the heavy box wore him out. Fred was worn out by carrying the heavy box.

wear out (2. separable)

wear

out

cause to become exhausted; cause to become very tired

I had four different meetings today. They wore me out. "I suppose I should get some new shoes. I've almost worn this pair out."

work out (1. no object)

work

out

exercise (usually in a gym, etc.) to build muscles, body tone, etc

Instead of eating lunch on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Sheila goes to the recreation center to work out.

work out (2. separable) a problem /a plan/a method etc.

work

out

solve a problem / resolve a difficult situation (usually by working together); to produce a way of dealing with a problem or situation by thinking

I know we disagree on many points, but I believe we can work things out. Jimmy is busy doing his homework. At the moment he is working out the answer to a sum. He is working out the answer. He is working the answer out. He is working it out.

work out (3) a sum

work

out

calculate - also work out for a specific ammount; to solve a problem by calculation or study

The hotel bill worked out at over $500.

zonk out (no object)

zonk

out

fall asleep quickly because of exhaustion

I intended to go shopping after work, but I was so tired that I zonked out as soon as I got home.

be over

be

over

to be finished

The storm is over; it has stopped raining and the sun is shining. The storm is over.

do over (separable)

do

over

do something again

Oh, no! I forgot to save my report before I turned the computer off! Now I'll have to do it over!

Get over

Get

over

(be surprised)

I couldn 't get over how well she looked.

get over (1. no object)

get

over

finish. (Note: for individual activities, not ones that happen again and again.)

What time do your classes get over?

get over (2. inseparable) an illness /a failure/a difficulty/a shock etc.

get

over

recover from an illness or painful experience

Katy was really upset when she failed the test. She thought she would never get over feeling so stupid. Sam has got over his operation and expects to leave hospital tomorrow. He has got over his operation. He has got over it.

Get over with

Get

over

(come to the end of something, usually unpleasant)

I'll be glad to get this awful business over with.

Give over (1)

Give

over

(abandon, devote)

The rest of the time was given over to playing cards.

Give over (2)

Give

over

(stop - colloquial)

Why don't you give over! You 're getting on my nerves!

hand over

hand

over

look over some work / a car / a house / a document / a suggestion / an applicant etc. (separable)

look

over

check; review; to examine (someone or something) carefully and fully

I think I may have some typos in this report. Could you look it over? Joe wanted to buy a second-hand car. 'That one looks good,' he said to the salesman. 'Give me some time to look it over. If it's in good condition, I'll buy it.' He looked the car over.

pull over (no object)

pull

over

drive a vehicle to the side of the rode

When the policeman indicated that I should pull over, I knew he was going to give me a ticket.

Run over

Run

over

(check - also run through)

Let's run over the plan once more.

take over

take

over

gain control of; to assume responsibility for, or control of, (something or a situation) from someone else

The army tried to take over the country. Simon took over the manager's job from Mr Jones when he retired. Simon took over the manager's job from Mr Jones. Simon took over the manager's job. Simon took the manager's job over. Simon took it over. Simon too

think over a problem / a proposal / a situation etc.

think

over

to consider (something) carefully

Owen is playing chess with a friend. At the moment he is thinking over his next move. He is thinking over his next move. He is thinking his next move over. He is thinking it over.

get rid of (1. inseparable)

get

rid of

dispose of; give away or throw away

That shirt is really ugly. Why don't you get rid of it?

get rid of (2. inseparable)

get

rid of

dismiss someone; fire someone from a job; cause someone to leave

The treasurer of the XYZ company was spending too much money so the company president got rid of him.

Bring round

Bring

round

(influence someone to your point of view)

After much discussion, I brought the committee round to my point of view.

come round or come to

come

round

to regain consciousness

James fainted when the air-conditioning stopped working. Two of his colleagues took care of him until he came round (came to). James came round. James came to.

get round (1)

get

round

a problem / a difficulty etc. to solve or avoid a problem

Brian and Dan couldn't move the wardrobe because it was too heavy. They got round the problem by putting the wardrobe on a trolley and pushing it. They got round the problem. They got round it.

get round (2) someone

get

round

to persuade someone to do what you want; to persuade someone to let you do what you want

Tim wanted some sweets, but his father told him they were bad for his teeth. After five minutes of persuasion, Tim managed to get round his father and they both went into the sweet shop. Tim got round his father. Tim got round him.

Get round to

Get

round

(find time to do - also around)

Sorry, but I haven't got round to fixing the tap yet.

Go round

Go

round

(be enough)

There weren't enough life-jackets to go round.

look round a house / a shop / a town / a factory / an exhibition etc.

look

round

to visit and tour round a place.

Mr and Mrs Smith wanted to buy a house. The estate agent took them to see a house in the centre of town and said, 'Look round the house and see if it's what you want.' They looked round the house. They looked round it. They went into the house and looked

be taken aback used in the passive

be

taken

to be surprised and confused

Jeff was taken aback when he opened the door and discovered an elephant. Jeff was taken aback by the discovery of an elephant. Jeff was taken aback.

Fall through

Fall

through

(fail to come to completion)

The plan fell through at the last minute.

fall through (no object)

fall

through

not happen. (Note: describes something that was planned but didn't happen.)

We had originally intended to go to Mexico for our vacation, but our trip fell through when I got sick.

get through (1)

get

through

to contact someone (usually by telephone)

Jim (phoning his friend Roger): Hello, Roger. I've been trying to get through to you for hours! Roger: Sorry, Jim. I had to make a lot of calls this morning. Jim tried to get through to Roger. Jim tried to get through to him. Jim tried to get through,

get through (2) some work / at ask / a book etc.

get

through

to finish; to complete

Roger had a lot of work to do yesterday, but he got through it all by five o'clock. Roger got through his work. Roger got through it.

go through

go

through

to examine (something)

When Ben entered this country, a custom's officer went through his suitcase. The officer took all of Ben's clothes out of his suitcase and looked at them very carefully. A custom's officer went through Ben's suitcase. A custom's officerwent through it.

Go through with

Go

through

(complete a promise or plan - usually unwillingly)

When it came to actually stealing the money, Nora couldn't go through with it.

put through

put

through

to connect a telephone caller to the number he or she wants

Mr Pratt phoned the offices of Gunn and Company. 'Who would you like to speak to?' asked the switchboard operator. 'Put me through to Mr Guhn please,' Mr Pratt replied. She put Mr Pratt through to Mr Gunn. She put him through to Mr Gunn. She put through M

See through

See

through

(realise the truth about)

I saw through his intentions at once.

tall through

tall

through

to fail to happen or be completed (of plans, arrangements, schemes etc.)

Eric's plan to go on a skiing holiday fell through because he broke his leg. His plan fell through.

come to (1. inseparable)

come

to

total

Your charges come to $124.38. Will you pay by check, in cash, or with a credit card?

come to (2. no object)

come

to

regain consciousness

When I told Gina that she'd won a million dollars, she fainted. When she came to, I told her it was a joke and she almost hit me!

have to do with (inseparable)

have

to

be about

This class has to do with the behavior of people in groups.

Run to

Run

to

(have enough money)

I don't think we can run to a holiday abroad this year.

Take to someone

Take

to

(develop a liking for)

You'll soon take to your new boss, I'm sure.

act up (no object)

act

up

misbehave (for people); not work properly (for machines)

The baby sitter had a difficult time. The children acted up all evening. "I guess I'd better take my car to the garage. It's been acting up lately."

Add up

Add

up

(make sense)

His evidence just doesn 't add up.

add up (1. no object)

add

up

logically fit together Note: This phrasal verb is often negative

His theory is hard to believe, but his research adds up. "His theory seems, at first, to be plausible, but the facts in his research don't add up."

add up (2. separable)

add

up

find the total.

What's the total of those bills? Could you add them up and see?

add up to (inseparable)

add

up

to total.

The bills add up to $734.96. That's more than I expected!

back up (1. no object)

back

up

move backward; move in reverse

You missed the lines in the parking space. You'll have to back up and try again. "The people waiting in line are too close to the door. We won't be able to open it unless they back up."

back up (2. separable)

back

up

drive a vehicle backwards (in reverse)

You're too close! Back your car up so I can open the garage door.

back up (3. separable)

back

up

confirm a story, facts, or information

If you don't believe me, talk to Dave. He'll back me up.

back up (4. separable)

back

up

make a "protection" copy to use if there are problems with the original

When my computer crashed, I lost many of my files. It's a good thing I backed them up.

beat up

beat

up

to hurt someone badly by hitting and punching

Two men beat Fred up and left him lying unconscious on the pavement. They beat up Fred. They beat Fred up. They beat him up.

blow up (1)

blow

up

to destroy (something or someone) by explosion; to explode

Mr Trent hated his house, so he blew it up with dynamite and built a new one instead. Mr Trent blew up his house. Mr Trent blew his house up. Mr Trent blew it up. The house blew up.

blow up (1. separable)

blow

up

inflate

We needs lots of balloons for the party. Will you blow them up?

blow up (2)

blow

up

a balloon/a tyre /a football etc. to fill with air; to inflate

Uncle Joe blew up the balloons for the Christmas party. Uncle Joe blew up the balloons. Uncle Joe blew the balloons up. Uncle Joe blew them up.

blow up (2. separable)

blow

up

explode; destroy by exploding

A: "That old building really came down quickly!" B: "That's because the construction company used dynamite to blow it up."

blow up (3. no object)

blow

up

suddenly become very angry

Whe I told Jerry that I'd had an accident with his car, he blew up.

bone up on (inseparable)

bone

up

review / study thoroughly for a short time

If you're going to travel to Peru, you'd better bone up on your Spanish.

break up (1. no object)

break

up

disperse; scatter; come to an end

What time did the party break up last night? The party finally broke up at 3.00 am.

Break up (2) (of a marriage / a family / a relationship etc.)

Break up

up

to end; to separate.

The Greens' marriage broke up in 1985 after only two years. Their marriage broke up. They broke up. Money trouble broke up their marriage. Money trouble broke it up.

Break up (2) an activity

Breake

up

to stop.

The headmaster broke up the fight between Roger and Clive. The headmaster broke up the fight. The headmaster broke the fight up. The headmaster broke it up. The fight broke up.

break up (2. usually no object; with an object, break up with [inseparable)])

break

up

end a personal relationship

Tim and Julie aren't going steady any more. They got really angry with each other and broke up. "Have you heard the news? Julie broke up with Tim!" "I'm sorry to hear that their marriage broke up. I'm sure the divorce will be difficult for the children."

bring up (1. separable)

bring

up

mention (as a topic of discussion)

We planned to discuss overtime pay in the meeting. Why didn't someone bring that topic up? I feel I ought to bring up another small matter.

bring up (2. separable)

bring

up

raise; rear; to take care of a child until it is fully grown and able to care for itself; to train and prepare a child for adult life. Note: Children are educated at school.

Lucy's parents died when she was a baby. Her grandparents brought her up. Joe's mother brought him up well. She loved him, cared for him and taught him how to behave himself. Now he is a polite young man and his mother is proud of him. She brought up Joe.

brush up

brush

up

to improve your knowledge, skill, or memory of (something you used to know, or do, but have now partly forgotten).

Frank's visit to the international business conference in Paris was a disaster because his French was so bad. His boss said, 'When you get back to England you must brush up your French by enrolling in an evening class.' Frank must brush up his French. Fra

brush up on (inseparable)

brush

up

review / study thoroughly for a short time

If you're going to travel to Peru, you'd better brush up on your Spanish.

burn up (1. no object)

burn

up

become destroyed / consumed by fire Note: For people and non-upright things only

All of Mr. Kennedy's hay burned up when his barn burned down.

burn up (2. separable)

burn

up

cause someone to become very angry

Did you hear how rudely Fred talked to me? That really burned me up!

butter up (separable)

butter

up

praise someone excessively with the hope of getting some benefit

I guess Martin really wants to be promoted. He's been buttering his boss up all week.

Call up

Call

up

(mobilise for military service)

Mark was called up when the war broke out.

catch up (with) (often without an object; with an object, inseparable)

catch

up

stop being behind

Terry stopped to rest for a few minutes. He'll catch up / catch up with us later.

cheer up (separable)

cheer

up

to become happier; help someone feel less worried / depressed / sad

Jack was feeling unhappy, but he cheered up when he heard that he had passed his exam. Jack cheered up. The good news cheered Jack up. The good news cheered up Jack. The good news cheered him up. Suzie's brother was depressed about not getting a promotion

clam up (inseparable)

clam

up

suddenly become quiet / refuse to talk about something

Lila wouldn't talk about the accident. When I asked her what happened, she clammed up.

Come up

Come

up

(occur- usually a problem -colloquial)

Look, something has come up, and I can't meet you.

Come up against

Come

up

(meet a difficulty)

We've come up against a bit of a problem.

Come up to

Come

up

(equal - especially expectations, standard)

The play didn't come up to expectations.

come up with an idea/a plan/a suggestion etc.

come

up

to think of; to produce; think of-especially an answer, a plan, a solution

Arnold and his girifriend were separated by a deep ravine. Eventually, Arnold came up with the idea of cutting down a tree and using it as a bridge. He came up with the idea. He came up with it. We still haven't come up with a solution to the problem.

Crop up

Crop

up

(happen unexpectedly - colloquial)

I can't come to your party, something has cropped up.

do up (1) a house / a room /a flat/an old car etc.

do

up

to repair; to improve the condition and appearance of something; decorate (colloquial)

We are having our living room done up. When Bob and Sally bought their house it was in a bad state, so they spent six months doing it up. The house looked beautiful by the time they finished. They did the house up. They did up the house. They did it up.

do up (2) a shoelace / a zip / a dress / a coat etc.

do

up

to fasten; to button; to zip; to tie.

It was a very cold day, so Brian did up all the buttons on his overcoat. He did up the buttons. He did the buttons up. He did them up.

Draw up (1)

draw

up

(come to a stop)

A white sports car drew up outside the door.

draw up (2. separable)

draw

up

organise — especially a document; create a formal document

The contract is being drawn up at the moment. The Ajax and Tip-Top Banks have decided to merge. Their lawyers will draw all the official documents up sometime this month.

end up (1. no object)

end

up

finish in a certain way, or place; finally arrive at; arrive at an unexpected place

We got lost last night and ended up in the next town. We ended up staying there for lunch. The car ended up in a ditch.

end up (2. no object)

end

up

arrive somewhere as a result or consequence

You're working too hard. If you don't take it easy, you'll end up in the hospital!

face up to (inseparable)

face

up

have courage to deal with - especially responsibilities; admit to; take responsibility for

You have to face up to your responsibilities. You can't pretend that you're doing OK in this course, Joe. Sooner or later, you'll have to face up to the fact that you're failing it.

feel up to (inseparable)

feel

up

feel strong enough or comfortable enough to do something

Old Mr Smith didn 'tfeel up to walking all that way. I know the accident was a terrible shock. Do you feel up to talking about it?

Follow up (1)

Follow

up

(act upon a suggestion)

Thanks for the information about that book. I'll follow it up.

Follow up (2)

Follow

up

(take more action)

We'll follow up this lesson next week.

get up (usually no object; with an object, separable)

get

up

leave bed after sleeping and begin your daily activities

You'll have to get up much earlier than usual tomorrow. We have to leave by no later than 6:00 AM. "I know I won't hear the alarm tomorrow morning. Can you get me up at 6:00 AM?"

Get up to

Get

up

(do something - usually bad when about children - colloquial)

The children are getting up to something in the garden. What have you been getting up to lately?