HUNTERCOLLEGEREADING/WRITINGCENTER

GRAMMARANDMECHANICS
VocabularyandIdiom:PhrasalVerbs
Anidiomisanexpressionpeculiartoalanguageandnot
readilyunderstandablefromitsgrammaticalconstructionorfrom
themeaningofitsparts.Forexample,theAmericanEnglishidiom
"putupwith,"inasentencesuchas"Iputupwithalotfrom
him,"meanstolerateorendure.Idiomstudyisanimportantpart
ofvocabularydevelopmentbecausemuchofthelivinglanguageof
anycountryisidiomatic.
Often,AmericanEnglishidiomsarecreatedbyaddingvarious
prepositionstoabasicverb,changingtheverb'smeaninginmany
differentways.Forexample,theverb"todrop"meanstolet
somethingfall.Buttheidiom"dropin"meansvisitsomeone
withouthavingreceivedaninvitation.Andtheidiom"dropout"
meanstostopdoingwhatoneusuallydoes.Youwillfindthatmany
idiomshavemorethanonemeaning.Forexample,"turnin"meansto
givesomethingtosomeone,asin"Iturnedinmytestpapertothe
instructor,"anditalsomeanstogotosleep,asin"Becauseit
waslate,Idecidedtoturninforthenight."
Sometimesadifferenceinsyntaxorwordorderofanidiom
willresultindifferentmeanings.Themeaningoftheidiom"turn
on,"forexample,dependsalotonhowitiscombinedwithother
words.
Heturnedonme.(Hebetrayedme;heattackedme.)
Heturnedmeon.(Heexcitedme.)
Becauseidiomusage,likeEnglishspelling,isquite
irregular,itcanbelearnedmoreefficientlybymemorizationand
frequentpracticethanbylearningrules.
ThefollowinglistswillhelpyoumasteravarietyofAmerican
Englishidioms.Eachlistpresentsoneverbwithseveralidioms
thathavebeenderivedbyaddingaprepositionorotherwordsto
theverb.

IDIOMSUSING"BREAK"
1.breakdown
Meaning:stopworking
Example:Iwaslatetoschoolbecausemycarbrokedown.
2.breakeven
Meaning:neithergainnorlose
Example:Iwasluckytobreakevenatthecasinolast
weekend.
3.breakin
Meaning:initiate,train
Example:Thecowboyworkedlongandhardtobreakinthenew
horse.
4.breakoff
Meaning:endabruptly
Example:Shebrokeofftheconversationbyhangingupthe
telephone.
5.breakout
Meaning:escape
Example:Threeprisonersbrokeoutofjail.
Meaning:happensuddenly
Example:Ahugefirebrokeoutonthefifthfloor.
6.breakthrough
Meaning:penetrate
Example:Theexplorerbrokethroughtheunderbrushtofind
thetemple.
7.breakup
Meaning:endarelationship
Example:MarybrokeupwithJoemorethanayearago.

IDIOMSUSING"BRING"
1.bringabout
Meaning:cause
Example:Shehopestobringaboutachangeinhisattitude.
2.bringin
Meaning:yield,earn
Example:Hisinvestmentsbringinaprofit,andhiswife
bringsinfiftythousanddollarsayear.
3.bringon
Meaning:cause
Example:Theassassinationbroughtonthefirstworldwar.
Meaning:causetocomeforth,produce
Example:Bringonthewine!
4.bring[something]on[oneself]
Meaning:causeproblemsforoneself
Example:Byrefusingtolistentohisteacher,hebrought
thefailureonhimself.
5.bringout
Meaning:emphasize
Example:Thatblueshirtbringsoutthecolorofyoureyes.
Meaning:inspire
Example:Thatteacherisabletobringoutthebestinher
students.
6.bringtomind
Meaning:remindsomeoneof
Example:Thesmellofbakingbreadbringsmymother's
kitchentomind.

7.bringup
Meaning:raise,rear
Example:Aftermyparentsdied,Iwasbroughtupbymy
grandmother.
Meaning:introduce
Example:Shebroughtupthesubjectofhavingchildren.
8.bringdown
Meaning:causetofail
Example:Thewarbroughtdownthegovernment.
IDIOMSUSING"CALL"
1.callitaday
Meaning:stopanactivity
Example:Theballetmastertoldthedancersthatitwastime
tocallitaday.
2.call[something]off
Meaning:cancel[something]
Example:Thepicnicwascalledoffbecauseoftherain.
3.callon
Meaning:visit
Example:WeplantocallontheSmithfamilywhenwevisit
Arizona.
Meaning:select
Example:TheteachercalledonJuanforananswertoher
question.
4.callitquits
Meaning:stopanactivity,endarelationship
Example:BrendaandEddiecalleditquitsbeforetheir
secondanniversary.
5.callup
Meaning:telephone
Example:Asalesmancalledmeupthismorning.
Meaning:induct,summon

Example:Thearmycalleduptwentymenfrommyhometown.
6.calltheroll
Meaning:takeattendance
Example:Theprofessorstoppedcallingtherollaftertwo
weeksofclass.
7.callout
Meaning:speakloudly
Example:CalloutyournamewhenIpointatyou.
Meaning:challenge
Example:Hecalledheroutonherracistremark.

IDIOMSUSING"COME"
1.comeabout
Meaning:happen
Example:Theeventyouwerewaitingforhascomeabout.
2.comeacross
Meaning:findunexpectedly
Example:ReadingabookIcameacrossaphotoofmy
hometown.
Meaning:provideservicesondemand
Example:Shepressuredhermanager,buthedidn'tcome
acrosswithherraise.
3.comeacrossas
Meaning:givetheimpressionof
Example:Hecomesacrossasareasonableman,butinfact,
heiscrazy.
4.comedownwith[anillness]
Meaning:get[anillness]
Example:Idon'tfeelwell;IthinkI'mcomingdownwiththe
flu.
5.comeinhandy

Meaning:proveuseful
Example:IkeptbatteriesinmyflashlightbecauseIknowit
couldcomeinhandyinanemergency.
6.comeout
Meaning:bepublished,appear
Example:Thenewissueofthemagazinecameoutlastweek.
Meaning:revealone'shomosexuality
Example:Hisparentswereshockedwhenhecameout.
Meaning:emerge
Example:Fromourdiscussionitcameoutthatweall
disagreedoneverypoint.
7.comethrough
Meaning:survive
Example:Shecamethroughherillnessatlast.
8.comethroughfor
Meaning:supportthroughdifficulty
Example:Hereallycamethroughformewhenmydaughterwas
inthehospital.
9.comeup
Meaning:bementioned
Example:Weweretalkingaboutstudents,andyournamecame
up.
Meaning:happen
Example:Ididn'tknowwhattodobecausethesituationhad
nevercomeupbefore.

IDIOMSUSING"DO"
1.doawaywith
Meaning:disposeof,eliminate,abolish
Example:Todoawaywithsocialinjusticewashergoal.
Meaning:kill
Example:Thevillaindecidedtodoawaywithhismother.
2.doover
Meaning:repeat
Example:Theonlywaytocorrectthemistakeswastodothe
assignmentover.
Meaning:redecorate,refurbish
Example:Itwasveryfrustratingtowaitsixmonthstodomy
apartmentover.

3.dowithout
Meaning:giveup,forego
Example:Whenmyfatherlosthisjob,wehadtodowithout
manyluxuries.
4.havenothingtodowith
Meaning:shun,avoid
Example:Thenewneighborsaresounfriendlythattheywill
havenothingtodowithus.
5.doin
Meaning:tire,exhaust
Example:Afterrunningfivemileswithoutstopping,Iwas
donein.
Meaning:kill
Example:IwassoangrythatIwantedtodohimin,butI
didn't.

IDIOMSUSING"GET"
1.getahead
Meaning:advance,prosper,succeed
Example:Hestudiedhardinordertogetahead.
2.getover
Meaning:overcome,recover
Example:Shegotoverhercoldaftertwoweeks.
3.getaround
Meaning:travelwidely,frequently
Example:Theygetaroundalot.

Meaning:avoid,evade
Example:Theygotaroundthehighpricesatthemarketby
growingtheirownvegetables.
4.getholdof(getaholdof)
Meaning:contact
Example:Igotholdofhimbytelephone.
5.getoutof
Meaning:removefrom
Example:Gethimoutofhere.
6.getup
Meaning:arisefromasittingorlyingposition
Example:Igetupeverydayatseven.
7.getafter
Meaning:criticize
Example:Hewillgetafteryouifyoudon'tdoyourwork
well.
8.getby
Meaning:pass
Example:ShewassopregnantthatIcouldn'tgetbyherin
thehall.
Meaning:survive
Example:Timesarehard,butwewillgetbysomehow.

IDIOMSUSING"GIVE"
1.giveandtake
Meaning:compromise
Example:Wehopetherewillbesomegiveandtakeatthe
conferencetable.
2.givein
Meaning:yield,acceptapositionorviewpointonehad
opposed

Example:Weexpectedtheothersidetogivein.
3.giveout
Meaning:ceasefunctioningbecauseofageordeterioration
Example:Wewereafraidthatourtireswouldgiveoutduring
thetrip.
4.giveway
Meaning:collapse
Example:Thetownwasfloodedwhenthedamgaveway.
Meaning:yield
Example:Thebossrefusedtogivewaytotheworkers.
5.giveup
Meaning:surrender
Example:Thesoldiersgaveupwhentheyknewtheywere
beaten.
Meaning:stop
Example:Thedancerswouldnotgiveuppracticingeven
thoughtheywereexhausted.
6.givento
Meaning:inthehabitof
Example:Becausehewasgiventofastdriving,hislicense
wassoonsuspended.

IDIOMSUSING"KEEP"
1.keephouse
Meaning:manageahome
Example:Hefoundithardtokeephousewhenhiswifeleft
him.

2.keepoutof
Meaning:stayawayfrom
Example:Lastyearhewaswarnedseveraltimestokeepout
oftrouble.
3.keep[one's]word
Meaning:fulfillapromise
Example:JohnhasliedtomesooftenthatIwillnever
trusthimtokeephisword.
4.keeptrackof
Meaning:stayintouchwith,findthewhereaboutsof
Example:Unfortunately,Icanneverkeeptrackofmy
glasses.
5.keepup
Meaning:maintain,preserve
Example:Wecannolongeraffordtokeepupthestablesand
theformalgarden.
6.keepupwith
Meaning:stayabreastof
Example:Thethirdrunnerkeptupwiththesecondone.
7.keepstill
Meaning:bequiet
Example:Hetoldhislittlegirltokeepstillduringthe
performance.

IDIOMSUSING"LET"

1.letalone
Meaning:stopdisturbing
Example:TellCharlestoletthatboyalone.
2.letdown
Meaning:disappoint,fail
Example:Mrs.SmithissoreliablethatIknowshewill
neverletmedown.
3.letgo
Meaning:release
Example:Thepolicetoldtheterroristtoletthehostages
go.
4.letoff
Meaning:permittoleave
Example:AskthebusdrivertoletyouoffatFifthAvenue.
Meaning:toexcuse
Example:Theycaughtmewiththestolenitems,butthejudge
letmeoff.
5.letpass
Meaning:overlook,disregard
Example:Iwillletyourremarkspass.
6.letup
Meaning:pause,decreaseinintensity
Example:Thestormdidnotletupuntilthefollowingday.
7.letout
Meaning:lengthen,expand
Example:Hehadgottentallerandfatter,soIhadtolet
outhispants.

IDIOMSUSING"LOOK"
1.lookafter
Meaning:takecareof
Example:Someonehastolookafterthechildrenwhileweare
away.
2.lookforwardto
Meaning:anticipatewithpleasure
Example:Iamreallylookingforwardtomeetingyou!
3.lookinto
Meaning:investigate
Example:Doyouwanttoaskthepolicetolookintothe
disappearanceofyourjewelry?
4.looklike
Meaning:resemble
Example:MydoglookslikeLassie.
Meaning:seempossibleorprobable
Example:Itlookslikewewon'tbegoingonvacationthis
year.
5.lookoutfor
Meaning:becarefulof
Example:Whenyougoonthehike,lookoutforbears.
Meaning:beresponsiblefor,tend
Example:Herbigbrotherlookedoutforherwhenshestarted
school.
6.lookupto
Meaning:admire
Example:Herstudentsreallylookuptoher.
7.lookover
Meaning:examine,inspect
Example:Lookoverthepapersbeforeyousignthem.

IDIOMSUSING"MAKE"
1.makeup
Meaning:invent
Example:Webelievedhisstory,butitturnedoutthathe
hadmadethewholethingup.
Meaning:reconcile
Example:Aweeklater,hetriedtomakeupwithhis
girlfriendbybuyingherflowers.
2.makealiving
Meaning:earnmoney,supportoneself
Example:WhileIwasastudent,Imadealivingby
babysitting.
3.makeheadway
Meaning:progress
Example:Thereislesstrafficintheevenings,soweshould
makebetterheadwaylater.
4.makeupone'smind
Meaning:decide
Example:Ilikebothchoices,soIcan'tmakeupmymind.
5.makeroomfor
Meaning:clearaspacefor
Example:Bypushingourchairsclosertogether,wewereable
tomakeroomforanotherpersonatourtable.
6.makesure
Meaning:ascertain
Example:Makesureyouhaveyourbookswithyoubeforeyou
leave.

7.makegood
Meaning:succeed
Example:Whenthemoviestarwasstillalittlegirl,she
toldherparentsthatshewouldmakegoodsomeday.
8.makegoodtime
Meaning:getsomewherequickly
Example:Thetriponlytookusanhourbecausewemadegood
time.
9.makeout
Meaning:succeed
Example:Imadeoutprettywellonthattest.
Meaning:perceive,read
Example:Ican'tmakeoutthesignatureonthisdocument.
Meaning:engageinkissingandcaressing
Example:Theteenagersweremakingoutinthebushesduring
theparty.
10.makedowith[something]
Meaning:acceptasubstitute
Example:Iwantedsteak,butIhadtomakedowithpeanut
butter.

IDIOMSUSING"PUT"
1.putoff
Meaning:postpone,delay
Example:Georgeputoffwritinghispaperforclassuntil
thenightbeforeitwasdue.
2.puton
Meaning:dressoneselfin
Example:Putonyourraincoatfortheweatherlooksbad.
Meaning:fool[someone]
Example:Hesaidhewasafamousactor,buthewasjust
puttinguson.
3.putout
Meaning:annoyed,irritated
Example:Becausehelosttheelection,thecandidatewasput
outbathisstaff.

Meaning:havesexwithsomeone
Example:Shethoughtshewouldbemorepopularifsheput
outonthefirstdate.
4.putsomethingoveron[someone]
Meaning:trick[someone]
Example:Thedishonestmerchanttriedtoputsomethingover
onus,butwedidn'tbuyhisgoods.

5.putupafight
Meaning:resist
Example:Theymayforcemetoleavethisschool,butIwill
putupafightbeforeIgo.
6.putacross
Meaning:presentordeliverconvincingly
Example:Jennifergotthejobbecauseshewasabletoput
herideasacrosssoconvincingly.
7.putdown
Meaning:insult,degrade
Example:Edwardwasangrybecausehisbosscontinuedtoput
himdown.
8.putaway
Meaning:storeintheproperplace
Example:Adrienne'sfathertoldhertoputhertoysaway.
IDIOMSUSING"RUN"
1.runup
Meaning:accumulate
Example:Alexranupalargebillatthebar.
2.runacross
Meaning:encounter,meetbychance
Example:InLondon,weunexpectedlyranacrossourfriends
BethandHugh.
3.runoutof
Meaning:useentirely
Example:Shecamehomebecausesheranoutofmoney.
4.runanerrand
Meaning:performataskinvolvingmovementortravel
Example:IwaslatebecauseIhadtorunerrands.
5.runlow
Meaning:becomescarceinquantityorsupply
Example:Aswecrossedthedesert,ourwaterbegantorun
low.

6.runupagainst
Meaning:encounterunfavorably
Example:Weranupagainstaproblemwiththetelephone
company.
7.runfor
Meaning:campaignfor
Example:BillClintonranforgovernorsuccessfullybefore
heranforPresident.
8.runalong
Meaning:go
Example:I'vegottorunalongnow.

IDIOMSUSING"TAKE"
1.takeabreak
Meaning:stopanactivitybriefly,rest
Example:Ineedtotakeabreakbetweenclasses.
2.takecareof
Meaning:beresponsiblefor,handle
Example:Doesthisofficetakecareoffinancialproblems?
Meaning:nurse,tend
Example:MymotheralwaystookcareofmewhenIwassick.
3.takechargeof
Meaning:beresponsiblefor,direct
Example:Sandradecidedtotakechargeofthecampaign.
4.take[somethingorsomeone]forgranted
Meaning:assume
Example:HetookitforgrantedthatIwouldhaveenough

moneytopaythebill.
5.takeiteasy
Meaning:rest,relax
Example:Peterhasdecidedtotakeiteasybynotworking
fortherestofthesummer.
6.take[something]outof
Meaning:removefrom
Example:Mysupervisoraskedmetotakealltheoldfiles
outofthefilecabinet.
7.take[someone]out
Meaning:date[someone]
Example:ThehandsomestrangerwantstotakeJudyouton
Saturdaynight.
8.takeup
Meaning:beginanactivity
Example:Wouldyouliketotakeupanewhobby?
Meaning:use,consume
Example:I'msorrytotakeupsomuchofyourtime.

9.takeover
Meaning:gaincontrolof
Example:Theangryworkerstookovertheboss'soffice.
10.take[something]back
Meaning:retract
Example:ItakebackallthenastythingsIhaveeversaid
aboutyou.