Phrasal Verbs in English

Account for - To explain

Ache for - Want something or someone a lot
Act on - To take action because of something like
information received
Act out - Perform something with actions and gestures.
- Express an emotion in your behavior
Act up - Behave badly or strangely
Add on - nclude in a calculation
Add up - To make a mathematical total - Be a
satisfactory explanation for something
Add up to - !ave a certain result
Aim at - To target
Allow for - nclude something in a plan or calculation
Angle for - Try to get something indirectly" by hinting or
suggesting
Answer back - To reply rudely to someone in authority
Answer for - Be held responsible for a problem - #peak
on behalf of someone or from knowing them
Ask after - En$uire about someone%s health" how life is
going
Ask around - &sk a number of people for information of
help - nvite someone
Ask for - To provoke a negative reaction
Ask in - To invite somebody into your house
Ask out - To invite someone for a date
Ask over - nvite
Ask round - nvite someone
Auction off - #ell something in an auction
Back away - 'etreat or go backwards
Back down - 'etract or withdraw your position or
proposal in an argument
Back off - 'etreat
Back out - (ail to keep an arrangement or promise
Back out of - (ail to keep an agreement" arrangement
Back up - )ake a copy of computer data - #upport
Bag out - *ritici+e
Bail out - #ave" rescue - 'emove water from something
that is flooded - ,ump out of a plane because it is going
to crash
Bail out on - #top supporting someone when they are in
trouble
Bail up - Talk to someone and delay them - 'ob
someone at gunpoint
Bang about - )ove in a place making a lot of noise
Bang around - )ove in a place making a lot of noise
Bang on about - -eep talking about something
Bang out - Play a musical instrument loudly
Bang up - Put someone in prison - .amage badly
Bank on - *ount or rely on
Barge in - Enter a place and interrupt
Barge into - Enter a place and interrupt people rudely
Bash out - Write something $uickly without much
preparation
Bawl out - #cold" shout at someone
Be along - &rrive
Be away - Be elsewhere/ on holiday" etc.
Be cut up - Be upset
Be down - Be depressed - Be reduced or less
Be down with - Be ill
Be fed up - Be bored" upset or sick of something
Be in - Be at home or at work - Be submitted" arrive
Be in on - Be involved in
Be not on - Be unacceptable
Be off - Be bad 0of food1 - .epart" leave
Be on - Be functioning 0of machines1 - Take place
Be on about - )ean" try to say
Be onto - Pursue" be aware of someone%s true nature
Be out - Be absent from a place
Be out of - !ave no more left
Be out to - &ttempt
Be snowed under - !ave too much work
Be taken aback - Be shocked or surprised
Be taken with - 2ike something
Be up - Be out of bed - !ave increased or risen - When
the time for something finishes or expires
Be up to - Be good enough - .oing something naughty
or wrong
Bear down on - )ove towards
Bear on - nfluence" affect
Bear out - *onfirm that something is correct - *onfirm
that something is correct
Bear up - 'esist pressure
Bear with - Be patient
Beat down - #trong sunshine
Beat up - &ttack violently
Bed down - #leep somewhere less comfortable than
normal - Become established or successful over time
Bed out - )ove a plant outside
Beef up - )ake something stronger or more solid
Belt out - #ing something loudly
Belt up - Be $uiet - (asten your seatbelt
Bend down - 2ower the top half of your body
Bend over - 2ower the top part of your body
Bend over backwards - .o a lot to try to help or
please someone
Black out - (all unconscious - 2ose light
Blank out - *ensor text so that words cannot be read -
!ave a temporary memory failure
Blare out - & loud sound or music
Blast off - 2eave the ground- spaceship or rocket
Blaze away - (ire a gun repeatedly
Bliss out - Be extremely relaxed and happy
Block in - Park a car and obstruct another car - #hade
or fill in
Block off - 3bstruct an exit to prevent people from
leaving
Block out - #top light from entering or leaving - Try not
think about or feel something because it is upsetting or
painful
Block up - (ill a space so that nothing can pass
Blow down - When the wind forces something to fall
Blow out - Extinguish candles" matches" etc.
Blow over - When a scandal gets forgotten
Blow up - Explode
Blurt out - #ay something $uickly without thinking"
especially if you shouldn%t
Bog down - #low make progress
Bog in - Eat enthusiastically
Bog into - Eat something enthusiastically
Bog off - 4et lost
Boil down - #implify" reduce to the essentials
Boil down to - &mount to
Boil over - When a hot li$uid spills out of a container -
When people lose their tempers and things get nasty
Boil up - (eel a negative emotion strongly - *ook or
heat something to boiling point
Bone up on - #tudy hard
Book in - )ake a reservation in advance - *heck in at a
hotel
Book into - )ake a reservation in advance - *heck in at
a hotel
Book up - 'eserve
Boot up - #tart a computer
Boss about - 5se excessive authority to control people
Boss around - 5se excessive authority to control people
Bottle away - #tore up
Bottle out - 2ack courage to do something
Bottle up - 6ot express your feelings
Bottom out - Pass the lowest point and start rising
Bounce into - (orce someone
Bounce back - 'ecover
Bounce off - Test ideas
Bowl over - #urprise someone greatly
Box in - Prevent something from moving" especially
vehicles
Box up - Pack things in boxes to move them
Branch out - )ove into a different area of business" etc.
Break away - 2eave an organi+ation" usually to form a
new one
Break down - End negotiations unsuccessfully - #tart
crying - #top working
Break in - 4o into a building to steal something -
nterrupt something - Train a horse to be ridden
Break off - Break a piece from something - End a
relationship
Break out of - Escape
Break through - Pass a barrier or obstacle
Break up - Break into many pieces - *lose an
educational institution for the holidays - (inish a
relationship
Breeze along - )ove easily and $uickly
Breeze in - Enter a place $uickly
Breeze into - Enter a place $uickly
Breeze through - Pass easily" succeed
Bring about - )ake something happen
Bring around - Persuade or convince someone - Bring
something with you when you visit - 4et someone
talking about something
Bring back - *ause someone to remember - 'eturn
Bring down - )ake a government fall - )ake something
cheaper
Bring forth - Produce something" make it known or
visible
Bring forward - )ake something happen earlier than
originally planned
Bring in - Earn
Bring on - *ause something to happen or speed up the
process
Bring out - 'elease or publish
Bring out in - *ause a health problem or reaction
Bring round - )ake someone wake up from
unconsciousness or an anaesthetic
Bring up - )ention - 'aise a child
Brush off - gnore" pay little attention
Brush up - mprove a skill $uickly
Bubble over - Become very excited
Budge up - )ove to make space for someone
Buff up - *lear" clean or make something shine -
mprove
Buff up on - mprove your knowledge $uickly
Build up - .evelop a company - ncrease
Bulk out - )ake something bigger or thicker
Bump into - )eet by chance
Bump off - -ill
Bump up - ncrease
Bundle off - #end someone somewhere
Bundle out - Expel
Bundle up - Put on warm clothing - Wrap or tie things
together
Bunk off - 6ot go to school when you should
Buoy up - )ake someone feel more positive
Burn down - Burn completely
Burn off - 'emove by burning or similar process
Burn out - 2ose enthusiasm and energy to continue in a
demanding 7ob
Burst into - *atch fire very $uickly - 2augh" cry or clap
loudly
Butt in - nterrupt
Butter up - Praise or flatter someone excessively
Buy in - (orce a *. or record into the charts by buying
lots of copies
Buy into - &ccept an idea
Buy off - Pay someone to stop them causing trouble
Buy out - Buy somebody%s share in a company
Buy up - Buy all of something
Buzz around - )ove $uickly around a place
Buzz off - 2eave somewhere
Buzz off! - 4o away 0imperative1
Call after - 6ame someone after somebody else
Call back - 'eturn a phone call
Call for - .emand - 4o to collect something - Telephone
for something - 4o and collect someone to take them out
- 'e$uire
Call forth - )ake something happen
Call in - 4et someone to come and do a 7ob - #top and
visit
Call off - *ancel - 3rder someone to stop attacking
Call on - &sk for help - 8isit - *hallenge - &sk someone
to do something" especially to speak in public. 0(ormal1
Call up - #ummon someone for military service -
Telephone
Calm down - #top being angry or emotionally excited
Cancel out - !ave an opposite effect on something that
has happened" taking things back to the beginning
Care for - 2ike
Carried away - 4et so emotional that you lose control
Carry forward - nclude a figure in a later calculation -
)ake something progress
Carry off - Win" succeed - .ie of a disease
Carry on - *ontinue
Carry on with - !ave an affair
Carry out - Perform a task - (ood bought from a
restaurant to take away
Carry over - *ontinue past a certain point
Carry through - *omplete successfully
Cart off - Take someone away" usually under arrest or to
prison - Take something away" especially if stealing or
without permission
Cash in - *onvert shares" bonds" casino chips" etc" into
money
Cash in on - Benefit or make money on something"
especially if done unfairly
Cash out - llegally access a bank account or credit card
and steal money
Cash up - *ount all the money taken in a shop or
business at the end of the day
Catch on - Become popular - (inally understand what is
going on
Catch up - 4et work" etc" up to date.
Cater for - To provide what is necessary
Cater to - To provide what is needed" often seen
negatively
Cave in - *ollapse - #top resisting or refusing
Chalk out - To cut a line of cocaine
Chalk up - To achieve something good
Chalk up to - Explain the reason for a problem
Chance upon - (ind something by accident
Change over - *hange a system
Charge up - Put electricity into a battery
Charge with - &ccuse somebody of a crime
Chase off - (orce a person to leave or go away
Chase up - Ensure that someone remembers to do
something
Chat up - Talk to someone you are sexually interested in
to get them interested in you
Cheat on - Be sexually unfaithful
Cheat out of - 4et money from someone under false
pretences
Check by - 8isit a place to check something
Check in - 'egister on arriving at a hotel or at the
airport
Check into - 'egister on arriving at a hotel or at the
airport
Check off - )ark something on a list as done
Check out - Pay the bill when leaving a hotel - .ie
Check out of - #ettle up and pay before leaving a hotel
Check over - *heck something very carefully
Cheer on - Encourage
Cheer up - Be less unhappy
Chew on - Thinks about something carefully before
deciding
Chew out - *ritici+e someone angrily
Chew over - Think about an issue
Chew up - *ut into small pieces with your teeth -
.amage something inside a machine
Chicken out - Be too afraid to do something
Chill out - 'elax
Chime in - *ontribute to a discussion
Chip away at - 4radually reduce something to make it
less powerful" effective" etc
Chip in - *ontribute some money - *ontribute to a
discussion
Chop down - (ell or cut down a tree
Chop up - *ut into small pieces
Chuck away - .ispose of something you no longer need
or want
Chuck in - 9uit something - )ake a comment
Chuck out - .ispose of something you no longer need
or want
Chuck up - 8omit" be sick - 9uit something
Churn out - Produce" usually $uickly or in large
amounts without much regard to $uality
Clag up - )ake something sticky
Clam up - Be $uiet" refuse to speak
Clamp down on - 'estrict or try to stop something
Claw back - 4et money back - 'etake possession with
difficulty
Clean out - Tidy up thoroughly and throw away
unwanted things. - *ause someone to spend all their
money
Clean up - Tidy and clean
Clear out - Tidy up thoroughly and throw away
unwanted stuff.
Clear up - *ure or recover from an infection - Tidy up
Click through - 3pen an advertisement on the nternet
Climb down - &ccept that you are wrong and change
your position
Clog up - Block" slow movement right down
Close down - *lose a shop" branch or business
permanently
Cloud over - 4et very cloudy
Clown about - Behave stupidly or waste time
Clown around - Behave stupidly or waste time
Cock up - 'uin or spoil something
Color (Color up - Blush
Come about - !appen" occur
Come across - (ind by accident - &gree to have sex
with someone - The way other people see you
Come apart - Break into pieces
Come before - &ppear in court charged with a crime or
offence
Come by - 8isit - &c$uire
Come down - 'ain - Travel
Come down on - *ritici+e heavily
Come down with - (all ill
Come forth - &ppear
Come forth with - Provide information
Come from - *ountry or town where you were born
Come in - &rrive for flights - Place or ranking in a
competition" etc. - 'eceive news
Come into - Be important or relevant - nherit
Come into use - #tart being used
Come off - When something breaks off - Be successful
Come off it - don%t believe what you%re saying/ used as
an imperative
Come on - Encouragement - #tart an illness - #tart
functioning 0machines" etc1
Come out - & secret is revealed - Be published or
otherwise available to the public - .isappear when
washed - 2et people know that you are lesbian or gay -
When the sun appears
Come out in - !ave a rash or similar skin problem
Come over - (eel strange
Come round - Become conscious" wake up from
anaesthetic - *hange your opinion
Come through - &rrive 0messages and information1 -
*ommunicate an emotion - Produce a result
Come through with - Provide something needed
Come to - Become conscious" wake up from anaesthetic
- 'esult in
Come up - &ppear - 'ise 0the sun1
Come up against - Encounter problems or difficulties
Come up with - Think of a solution" excuse" etc.
Come upon - (ind by chance
Con!ure up - *reate a picture or memory in someone%s
mind - *reate something without many resources
Conk out - (all fast asleep - #uddenly breakdown or
stop working
Cool down - 4et cooler - Become calm
Cop it - 4et into trouble
Cop off - 2eave work or school early - -iss" pet or have
sex with someone
Cop out - *hoose an easy alternative
Cotton on - To work out the truth
Could do with - 6eed or want something
Count in - nclude or involve
Count on - .epend" rely
Count out - Exclude
Count up - &dd
Cozy up - )ake yourself comfortable
Cozy up to - )ake yourself popular with someone
Crack down on - 5se more authority than usual
Crack on - *ontinue doing something with energy
Crack up - !ave a nervous breakdown - !ave bad
reception on a mobile phone - Burst out laughing -
.amage a car badly
Crank out - Produce a lot of something fast
Crank up - n7ect non-medical drugs - #tart a machine"
originally with a handle - ncrease" make something
bigger
Crash out - #leep at someone%s house because you are
too tired" drunk" etc. to leave - (all asleep
Creep out on - To do the same activity for a very long
time
Crop up - &ppear unexpectedly
Cross off - .elete" remove from a list
Cross out - Put as line through some writing to show it
is wrong
Cry off - To cancel an arrangement
Cry out - #hout because you are in pain
Cut back - 'educe
Cut back on - 'educe expenditure
Cut down - *onsume less - #hoot - 'educe a vertical
thing to ground level by cutting - *ut something from a
high position
Cut down on - 'educe
Cut it out - #top your unfair or unreasonable behavior
Cut off - .isconnect - solate or make inaccessible
Cut out - Exclude - When an engine or motor stops -
*ut a picture or similar from a maga+ine" etc
Cut out on - 2et down" snub
Cut up - *ut into smaller pieces - .rive into a
neighboring lane" directly in front of another vehicle
"ash off - 2eave somewhere $uickly - .o something
$uickly" especially writing
"awn on - (inally reali+e or understand something
"ie away - Become $uieter or inaudible 0of a sound1
"ie down - .ecrease or become $uieter
"ie for - Want something a lot
"ie off - Become extinct
"ie out - Become extinct or disappear
"ig in - #tart eating greedily
"ig into - 'each inside to get something
"ig up - (ind something that is supposed to be secret
"ine out - !ave dinner outside your home
"ine out on - Tell a story repeatedly that is well
received
"ip in - Put something in a li$uid for a short time
"ip into - 'ead parts of a book" but not all - Take
money out of your savings
"isagree with - )ake someone feel sick or ill
"ish out - #erve food - 4ive something" usually when
you shouldn%t - *ritici+e" when you can%t take criticism in
return
"ish up - #erve food
"ive in - #tart doing something" usually without
planning - #tart eating
"ive into - 'each inside something $uickly
"ivvy out - .ivide" share
"ivvy up - .ivide" share
"o away with - &bolish" get rid of
"o out of - *heat somebody out of something that is
rightfully theirs
"o up - *lose or fasten clothes" etc. - 'epair and
renovate
"o without - )anage without something
"oss about - #pend time doing very little or being
unproductive
"oss around - #pend time doing very little or being
unproductive
"oss down - #leep somewhere temporarily because you
don%t go home
"oze off - (all asleep
"rag on - Be unnecessarily long
"raw back - 'etreat" move backwards
"raw down - 'educe levels - 4et funding - To deplete
by consumption or heavy spending
"raw in - 4et dark earlier - &rrive at a station 0for
trains1
"raw into - 4et involved in something unpleasant
"raw on - Pass slowly 0time1 - nhale smoke from a
cigarette" cigar" etc
"raw out - )ake something continue longer than
needed - )ake a shy person more outgoing
"raw up - Prepare a contract - When a vehicle stops
"ream of - 6ot think or consider
"ream up - nvent something" have an idea
"redge up - .iscover things about someone%s past
"ress down - .ress casually - #cold
"ress up - .ress very smartly
"rill down - #earch through layers of information on a
computer
"rill down through - 4et to the bottom of something"
get detailed data
"rill into - 'epeat something many times to make
someone learn it
"rink up - (inish a drink
"rive away - (orce an animal or someone to leave a
place
"rive back - 'epulse" force back
"rive by - .o something out of a car
"rive off - .rive away from a place
"rive out - (orce someone to leave a place
"rive up - )ake something increase
"rone on - Talk boringly for a long time
"rop around - 8isit someone" often without making an
arrangement - .eliver
"rop away - Become smaller- amount" numbers
"rop back - )ove towards the back of a group
"rop by - Pay a brief visit
"rop in - 8isit without having made arrangements
"rop off - Take something or someone to a place and
leave it or them there. - (all asleep - .ecrease in
number or amount
"rop out - 9uit a course
"rop over - 8isit for a short time
"rop round - 8isit someone" often without making an
arrangement - .eliver
"rop someone in it - 4et someone into trouble
"rum into - To make someone learn or believe
something by constant repetition
"rum out - (orce someone out of their 7ob or position
"rum up - ncrease support or interest
"uck out of - &void doing something
"uff up - Beat or hit someone repeatedly
"umb down - 'educe the intellectual level of something
in search of popularity
"well on - #pend a lot of time on something
"well upon - #pend a lot of time on something
#ase off - 'educe pressure
#ase up - 'elax" calm down
#at away - .estroy slowly
#at in - Eat at home
#at into - 5se something valuable when you don%t want
to
#at out - Eat in a restaurant
#at up - Eat all of something - *onsume - *onsume
something you don%t want to be consumed
#bb away - .isappear gradually
#dge out - 4radually push someone or something out of
their position
#dge up - &pproach slowly
#gg on - Encourage
#ke out - )ake something like money last as long as
possible
#mbark on - #tart a pro7ect or venture
#mbark upon - #tart a pro7ect or venture
#mpty out - Empty something completely - 'emove
some things or everything from a container
#nd in - (inish a certain way
#nd up - Become or do something unplanned
#nd up with - 4et as a result of something
#nter for - ,oin or enter a competition
#nter into - Become involved in or accept
#ye up - 2ook carefully at someone
$ace off - *onfront
$ace up to - &ccept an unpleasant truth
$aff about - to waste time doing unnecessary things
$aff around - to waste time doing unnecessary things
$all back - 'etreat
$all back on - Be able to use in an emergency
$all behind - )ake less progress
$all down - (all on the ground - !ave a weak point
$all for - Be attracted to somebody" fall in love - Believe
a lie or a piece of deception
$all in - *ollapse
$all off - .ecrease
$all out - &rgue and be on bad terms with someone -
2ose hair
$all over - (all on the ground
$all through - Be unsuccessful
$arm out - 4ive or contract work to someone else
$art about - Waste time doing silly things
$art around - Waste time doing pointless things
$athom out - 5nderstand something
$atten up - 4ive an animal a lot to eat to make it fat
$awn on - Praise someone in an excessive way to get
their favor or something from them
$awn over - Praise someone in an excessive way to get
their favor or something from them
$eed off - Eat a food as part of an animals diet - 5se
something to your advantage
$eed on - 4row stronger - *onsume in an animal%s diet -
4ive someone a particular food
$eed up - 4ive someone a lot of food to restore their
health" make them bigger" etc
$eel up - Touch sexually" grope
$eel up to - (eel capable of doing something
$end for - Take care of yourself or someone with help
from other people
$end off - 'esist something successfully - Push an
attacker away
$erret out - #earch and discover something
$ess up - *onfess" admit something reluctantly - 4ive
$ess up to - *onfess" admit reluctantly to something
$iddle about - Waste time doing silly things" or doing
things unsuccessfully
$iddle around - Waste time doing silly things" or
unsuccessful things - )ake small movements with your
hands
$iddle away - Waste time
$ight back - .efend yourself" resist an attack - Try to
control and emotion and keep it hidden
$ight it out - #truggle to see who wins" both by arguing
or fighting
$ight off - (ight an attacker and force them back -
'esist an illness or emotion
$igure on - Plan" expect
$igure out - (ind the answer to a problem
$ile away - Put a document in the correct place for
storage in a filing system
$ill in - *omplete a form - #ubstitute someone at work
$ill in for - #ubstitute
$ill in on - 4ive someone information
$ill out - *omplete a form
$ill up - (ill something completely
$ilter in - )ove into a lane of traffic without making
other cars stop
$ilter out - 'emove something unwanted
$ind out - .iscover
$inish off - (inish completely
$ink on - 4ive away secrets about someone
$ink out - (ail to keep a promise" arrangement" etc
$ire away - &sk $uestions
$ire off - #end $uickly" angrily or many 0letter" emails"
etc1 - #hoot" fire a gun 0usually repeatedly1
$ire up - #tart a computer - Excite" become excited
$irm up - )ake things clearer in a negotiation or
discussion
$ish for - Try to get some information or to get
someone to say something
$ish out - 'emove something from a bag" pocket" etc -
'emove from water" such as the sea" rivers" etc
$it in - 4et on in a group of people - !ave enough time
or space for something
$it into - Become part of
$it up - (rame someone- make them look guilty of
something they haven%t done - Provide e$uipment
$ix up - )ake an arrangement
$izzle out - End in an unsuccessful way
$lag down - #ignal at a vehicle to get it to stop
$lag up - 'aise an issue" or highlight its importance
$lake out - (all asleep from exhaustion
$lare out - 4et angry suddenly
$lare up - When trouble suddenly appears
$lesh out - &dd more details or information
$log off - #ell something cheaply to get rid of it
$loor it - .rive a vehicle as fast as possible
$ly about - *irculate 0rumors" etc1
$ly around - *irculate 0rumors" etc1
$ly at - &ttack - *ritici+e or shout angrily
$ly by - When time appears to move $uickly
$ly into - *hange emotion $uickly
$ocus on - *oncentrate
$old up - )ake a sheet of paper smaller
$ool around - 6ot be serious - Be unfaithful
$orge ahead - )ake a lot of progress in a short time -
)ove forwards very $uickly
$reak out - Become very disturbed or angry
$reshen up - Wash $uickly and improve appearance -
&dd more alcohol to a glass before it is empty - 9uickly
improve the appearance of something
$ront for - 'epresent someone" especially when
covering illegal or wrongful activities
$ront off - *onfront someone and let them know you
are prepared to fight
$ront onto - (ace 0of a building1
$ront out - (ace up to someone" withstand criticism
$ront up - &ppear somewhere for a short time -
&dvance cash for something
$rown on - .isapprove
%ag for - Want something a lot
%ang up - (orm a group against something or someone
%ang up on - !arass" bully
%ear up - 4et ready for a busy period
%eek out - Talk at length about computing
%et across - *ommunicate successfully
%et ahead - Progress
%et ahead of - )ove in front of
%et along - !ave a good relationship
%et along with - !ave a good relationship with
someone
%et around - Become known
%et around to - (inally manage to do something
%et at - *ritici+e - )ean
%et away - Escape - 4o on holiday or for a short break
%et away with - 6ot get caught doing something wrong
%et back - 'eturn
%et back at - Take revenge
%et back to - 'espond to a contact
%et behind with - Be late paying installments for
something.
%et by - !ave 7ust enough money to live on
%et down - )ake someone depressed
%et down to - #tart work
%et in - &rrange for someone to do a 7ob - &rrive 0train"
plane" etc.1 - &rrive home - Enter a car or taxi
%et off - Escape punishment - 2eave a bus" train" etc.
%et off with - !ave casual sex with
%et on - *ontinue doing something - Enter a bus" train"
plane" etc. - )ake progress
%et on with - !ave a good relationship
%et out of - &void doing something you dislike - 2eave a
car" van" etc.
%et over - 'ecover
%et over with - .o something unpleasant rather than
delaying it any more
%et round (around to - (inally manage to do
something
%et round (or around - Persuade someone
%et through - *ontact - *onsume - (inish
%et through to - )ake someone understand
%et to - &nnoy" irritate - &rrive
%et together - )eet socially
%et up - 4et out of bed - 3rgani+e
%et up to - .o something wrong or naughty
%ive away - Entrust your daughter to her husband
through the marriage ceremony - Tell a secret
%ive back - 'eturn something you%ve borrowed
%ive in - #top doing something because it%s too hard or
re$uires too much energy - #ubmit homework" etc.
%ive of - *ontribute without expecting anything in
return
%ive off - Emit pollution or something else unpleasant
%ive onto - 3pen into a place" for a door or window
%ive out - .istribute - #top working - !ave no more of a
supply
%ive over! - #top doing something bad or annoying
%ive up - #top doing something that had been a habit
%ive up on - 2ose faith in or stop believing in something
or someone
%ive yourself up - #urrender to the police or authorities
%loss over - Try to minimi+e the importance of
something
%o about - .eal with something
%o after - *hase" try to get
%o against - 2ose a decision or a verdict of a court
%o ahead - Proceed
%o along with - &ccept a decision or suggestion
%o back on - Break a promise
%o by - The passing of time - Trust or depend on for
correct information
%o down - .ecrease" get smaller - #ink - #unset - 4o to
prison
%o down with - (all ill
%o for - &ttack - Be attracted to - *hoose" select
%o forth - 2eave a place
%o in - 4o to hospital for treatment" surgery" etc.
%o in for - Enter a competition
%o into - .iscuss in some detail - Enter a profession
%o off - Explode 0bomb1" start ringing 0alarm1 - 4o bad
- #tart to dislike
%o on - *ontinue - !appen
%o on about - Talk too much
%o out - #tops burning
%o out with - !ave a relationship with
%o over - 2ook at something" revise - 8isit
%o through - Experience - 'ead again
%o through with - .o or complete something you%ve
agreed to
%o under - 4o bankrupt
%o up - 'ise
%o up to - &pproach
%o with - *ombine nicely
%o without - 6ot have
%oof around - (ool around" not be serious
%oof off - &void or leave work
%oof up - )ess" spoil
%rass up - 'eport someone to a person in authority
%rey out - .isable a function in a computer program"
leaving it visible but not working
%rind away - -eep working at something
%rind down - 'educe or destroy someone%s enthusiasm
%rind out - Produce something with great difficulty
%row into - 4row to fit large clothes
%row out of - 4row too large for clothes - 2ose interest
as you grow older or become more mature
%row up - )ature" become adult
%un for - Try to destroy an opponent
&ack around - Waste time
&ack into - Break into a computer system
&ack off - &nnoy
&ammer away at - Work relentlessly
&ammer into - 'epeat something over a period of time
to make someone remember it
&ammer out - 6egotiate and reach an agreement
&and back - 'eturn
&and down - Pass on to the next generation - 4ive a
formal decision
&and in - #ubmit work for appraisal
&and on - 4ive to someone else - Transmit knowledge
to the next generation
&and out - .istribute
&and over - 4ive
&ang around - #tay in a place
&ang on - Wait
&ang out - #pend time socially
&ang up - End a phone call
&ang up on - End a phone call with someone
&arp on - Talk repeatedly about something
&ave against - .islike" disagree or hold a grudge
05sually negative1
&ave around - Entertain someone in your home
&ave down as - Think of someone or something in a
particular way
&ave in - !ave a supply of something in a particular
place - 4et someone to do some work - Entertain people
in your home
&ave it away - !ave sex with someone" especially
casual sex
&ave it in for - !old a grudge
&ave it off - !ave sex
&ave it out with - .iscuss or argue an issue to improve
a situation
&ave off - Take time off work
&ave on - Be wearing - !ave an electronic device
switched on - !ave an arrangement - Tease" deceive - Be
in possession at a particular time - -now something
about someone that could harm them
&ave over - 'eceive a guest
&ave round - Entertain someone in your home
&ave up - )ake someone appear in court
&ead for - )ove or travel towards
&ead off - #top someone or force them to change
direction - Prevent something bad happening - 2eave
somewhere to go to another place
&ead out - 4o out
&ead up - Be in charge
&eat up - )ake food hot
&elp out - 4ive assistance
&it back - &ttack or critici+e
&it for - 4et someone to pay or donate money
&it it off - !ave a good relationship from the first time
you meet a person
&it it off with - 2ike someone from the first time you
meet them
&it on - !ave an idea - Talk to someone to try to attract
them sexually - &sk for money
&it out at - 'espond angrily to criticism
&it up - n7ect drugs - &sk someone for some money
&it up on - n7ect drugs
&it upon - !ave an idea
&it with - #urprise someone with some information or
news
&old against - !ave a grudge against someone" or little
respect
&old back - 6ot show emotion - Prevent something
moving forwards or progressing - 6ot disclose
information or make it public
&old back from - 6ot allow yourself to do something
&old down - -eep a 7ob - #top someone or something
from moving
&old forth - #tate your opinions about something"
especially when talking for a long time and boringly
&old off - When bad weather doesn%t appear - #top
someone from attacking or beating you
&old on - Wait - To hold tightly
&old on to - !old tightly
&old onto - -eep as long as possible - !old tightly -
!old tightly
&old out - 'esist - !old in front of you
&old out against - Try to re7ect
&old out for - Wait for something better or refuse
something now for something better in the future
&old out on - 6ot pay someone or give them
information
&old over - .elay - To continue something for longer
than planned
&old together - 6ot break up
&old up - .elay when traveling - 'ob with violence or
threats thereof
&old with - &ccept 0usually negative1
&ome in on - Target
&one in on - Target" focus
&ook up - )eet someone
&ook up to - *onnect to a machine
&orse around - 6ot be serious
&ound out - (orce someone out of a place" 7ob"
position" etc.
&unker down - #ettle in a place as comfortably as
possible to stay there
&unt down - #earch for someone to punish or kill them
&unt out - #earch until you find something
&unt up - #earch for and manage to find something
&ush up - Try to keep something bad from becoming
widely known
'ron out - 'emove small problems or irregularities
'ssue forth - *ome out of a place
(ack around - )ake trouble for someone" fail to keep
promises
(ack in - 9uit" give up
(ack off - )asturbate
(ack up - 'aise a car to be able to do mechanical work -
n7ect illegal drugs - ncrease sharply
(am on - &pply or operate something forcefully
(aw away - Talk 7ust for the point of talking rather than
having anything to say
(azz up - )ake something more interesting or attractive
(oke around - Be funny" or try to
(ot down - )ake a $uick note
(uice up - )ake something more exciting or perform
better
(ump at - &ccept eagerly
(ump in - Enter a conversation
(ump on - *ritici+e" attack
)eel over - Turn upside down - #urrender" give in - (all
to the ground
)eep around - -eep something near you
)eep at - *ontinue with something difficult
)eep away - .on%t allow someone near something
)eep back - )aintain a safe distance
)eep down - 6ot vomit
)eep from - *ontrol yourself" refrain
)eep in - 6ot allow someone out
)eep off - 6ot talk about - 6ot tread on something
)eep on - *ontinue
)eep out - 6ot allow someone to enter
)eep to - #tay within limits
)eep up - 6ot let someone go to bed
)eep up at - *ontinue" not $uit
)eep up with - )ove at the same rate - #tay up to date
)ey in - Enter numbers or information into a computer
or electronic system
)ick about - .iscuss
)ick around - .iscuss
)ick around with - #pend time with
)ick back - Pay someone illegally as part of the price -
'esist
)ick down - Break something with your feet
)ick in - When a drug starts to take effect - Break
something with your feet
)ick off - #tart a game of football - .ie - When trouble
starts - &rgue" protest and refuse to co-operate
)ick out - Expel
)ick up - *ause trouble or pain
)nock about - Beat someone
)nock around - .iscuss casually
)nock down - .emolish - !it and in7ure someone
)nock it off! - #top doing something annoying
)nock off - (inish work for the day
)nock out - !it and make somebody unconscious - #ell"
distribute
)nock up - Become or get someone pregnant. - Play a
bit before a match to get ready
)nuckle down - )ake a great effort
)nuckle under - #ubmit to authority
*ap up - &ppreciate something
*arge it up - !ave a good time when intoxicated
*ark about - Behave in a silly way
*ark around - Behave in a silly way
*ay down - Establish rules or procedures - -ill" murder
*ay into - *ritici+e angrily
*ay off - )ake an employee redundant
*ay on - 3rgani+e" supply
*ay out - #pend money
*ead to - 'esult in
*eak out - Become public knowledge
*ean on - Put pressure on someone to get them to do
what you want
*eave on - 6ot turn off
*eave out - 6ot include
*et down - .isappoint" fail to keep an arrangement -
)ake clothes longer
*et in - &llow someone to enter
*et off - 6ot punish
*et on - Tell a secret
*et out - &llow to leave or go out - )ake a sound - )ake
clothes bigger
*ie down - 'est
*ie with - !ave the right to make a decision
*ift off - 2eave the ground- rocket or spaceship
*ight up - 2ight or start smoking a cigarette - lluminate
*ighten up - Be less serious
*ine up - &rrange in a line - &rrange something in a line
- &rrange events for someone
*ink up - *onnect" 7oin
*ink up with - *onnect with someone or contact them
*isten out for - 2isten for a particular noise or sound
*ive by - (ollow a belief system to guide your behavior
*ive down - #top being embarrassed about something
*ive for - Believe something is extremely important
*ive in - 2ive in the place where you work or study.
*ive it up - !ave a good time by spending a lot of
money
*ive off - 5se money earned
*ive on - 5se money for basic necessities - 6ot be
forgotten
*ive out - #tay somewhere until you die - (ulfill an
ambition or fantasy - 6ot live at the place where you
study or work
*ive through - Experience different times
*ive together - !ave a relationship and live in the same
place without marrying
*ive up to - )eet expectations or standards
*ive with - &ccept something unpleasant - !ave a
relationship and live in the same place without marrying
*oad down - Burden
*oad up - Take illegal drugs - (ill a machine or vehicle
*oad up on - *onsume a lot of something for a
particular purpose
*ock up - *lose all doors" windows" etc.
*og in - Enter a restricted area on a computer system
*og into - Enter a restricted area of a computer system
*og off - Exit a computer system
*og on - Enter a computer system
*og out - Exit a computer system
*ook after - Take care
*ook back - Think about the past
*ook down on - !ave a low opinion of
*ook for - Try to find
*ook forward to - Wait for or anticipate something
pleasant
*ook in - )ake a $uick visit
*ook in on - 8isit briefly to see if everything%s all right
*ook into - 'esearch" investigate
*ook on - Watch something like a crime without helping
*ook on as - *onsider" regard
*ook out - Be careful
*ook over - nspect
*ook round - nspect a house
*ook to - Expect" hope
*ook up - *onsult a reference work 0dictionary"
phonebook" etc.1 for a specific piece of information. -
mprove - (ind" trace an old friend
*ook up to - 'espect
*ook upon as - *onsider" regard
*uck out - Be very lucky
+ake do with - &ccept something less satisfactory
because there%s no alternative
+ake for - !ead in a certain direction
+ake into - *hange something into something else
+ake it - &rrive or get a result
+ake it up to - Try to compensate for doing something
wrong
+ake off with - #teal
+ake out - )ake a check payable to somebody -
Pretend - Progress - -iss and pet
+ake over - *hange appearance
+ake up - #top being angry with someone - Put on
cosmetics - nvent a story
+ake up for - *ompensate
+ake up to - ncrease a sum received to a higher figure
+ake with - 4ive 0usually used as an imperative1
+ark down - 4ive a student a lower grade for a
particular reason - 'educe the price of something
+ark down as - *onsider someone or something to be
of a certain group" type" etc.
+ark off - Tick" cross out or otherwise mark something
to show that it has been dealt with
+ark out - .raw lines to enclose an area
+ark out for - #how promise for the future
+ark out from - #tand out because of certain $ualities
+ark up - ncrease the price of something
+arry in - )arry someone of the same ethnicity"
religion" etc
+arry out - )arry someone of a different ethnicity"
religion" etc
+ash up - *rush something until it becomes a paste -
)ix sources of audio" video or other computer sources. -
Break or damage
+eet with - !ave something happen to you
+ess about - 6ot be serious" not use something
properly
+ess around - 6ot be serious" play with something
+ill around - Walk around without going anywhere
+ix up - *onfuse - )ake something lively
+onkey around - 6ot be serious
+ooch about - #pend time doing little or nothing
+ooch around - #pend time doing little or nothing
+op up - 'esolve a problem - -ill or capture the last few
enemy soldiers after a victory. - Eat a sauce with bread
to finish it - 'emove a li$uid that has been spilt
+ope about - )ove around being miserable
+ope around - )ove around being miserable
+ount up - ncrease over time
+outh off - #peak angrily about something
+ove on - *hange the sub7ect or your 7ob - )ake people
move from a place
+ug up - #tudy $uickly" revise
+ug up on - #tudy something $uickly" revise
+ull over - Think about an issue or problem
+uscle in - Become involved in something when your
involvement is not wanted
+uscle in on - Become involved in something despite
opposition to your involvement
+uscle into - Become involved even though there is
opposition to your involvement
+uscle out - 5se power" contacts" etc" to force someone
out
,aff off - 4et lost" go away 0used as imperative1
,ag at - 'epeatedly critici+e someone verbally
,ail down - #ucceed in getting" achieve - 5nderstand
fully - 4et full information from someone
,ame after - 4ive someone a name to remember
another person
,ip off - 4o somewhere $uickly
,ip out - 4o somewhere $uickly
,od off - (all asleep
,ose about - 2ook for something hidden or secret
,ose around - 2ook around for evidence
,ote down - Write something short like a phone
number for future reference.
,ut out - (ind an answer to a problem
-ccur to - Enter one%s mind
-pen up - #tart to talk freely about something - 3pen a
shop or business for the day - &llow goods into a market
-pt for - *hoose
-pt out - *hoose not to be part of something
-we to - Be the reason for something
-wn up - *onfess
.ack away - Put something where it belongs
.ack in - #top doing something - End a relationship - (ill
a venue - Break down" stop working
.ack it in - #top doing something 0used as an
imperative1
.ack off - #end someone away
.ack out - (ill a venue
.ack up - #top doing something - (inish work - Break
down" stop working - *ollect things and put them where
you keep them
.alm off - 4et someone to accept something that isn%t
true - Pretend something is better than it is in order to
sell it
.an out - The way a situation develops
.aper over - Try to conceal a problem without really
fixing it
.ass around - 4ive out to everybody there
.ass as - Be believed to be something
.ass away - .ie
.ass by - 4o past without stopping - 8isit briefly - )iss
an opportunity
.ass for - Be accepted as something" usually when not
.ass off - *onvince something that something is real -
!appen in a certain way
.ass on - 4ive a message to someone - .ecline an
invitation or opportunity - .ie
.ass out - (aint" lose consciousness
.ass over - gnore someone and give a 7ob" reward"
etc" to someone more 7unior
.ass through - 8isit a place without stopping or only
stopping briefly
.ass to - 4ive ownership or responsibility to someone
.ass up - .ecline a chance
.atch up - (ix or make things better
.ay back - 'epay money borrowed - Take revenge on
.ay for - Purchase
.ay into - .eposit money
.ay off - *ompletely repay a debt - Produce a profitable
or successful result
.eck at - Eat very small amounts
.eg away - -eep working at something
.eg down - (asten something to the ground
.eg it - .ie
.eg out - Put washing outside to dry - .ie
.encil in - )ake a provisional appointment
.erk up - (eel better or happier" make someone feel
better or happier
.eter out - 2ose impetus and stop
.hase in - ntroduce gradually
.hase out - 'emove gradually
.ick at - Eat unwillingly
.ick off - Target individuals to change a group
.ick out - *hoose - dentify from a picture
.ick up - mprove - 2earn $uickly
.ig off - 5sed to tell someone to get lost or leave you
alone
.ig out - Eat a lot
.ile up - &ccumulate
.in down - 4et a fixed idea" opinion" etc" from
someone. - .iscover exact details about something
.in on - &ttach the blame to someone
.in up - (ix something to a wall" or other vertical
surface" with a pin
.ine away - #uffer physically because of grief" stress"
worry" etc
.ipe down - Be $uiet 0often as an imperative1
.ipe up - To speak" raise your voice
.itch in - Work together to help achieve an ob7ective
.lay along - Pretend to agree or accept something in
order to keep someone happy or to get more information
.lay around - Be silly
.lay at - Pretend to be something
.lay away - Be sexually unfaithful when away from
home
.lay back - 2isten to or watch something you%ve
recorded
.lay down - Try to make something seem less
important
.lay off - Play a game to decide who the winner is -
)ake people compete against each other so that you
benefit
.lay on - *ontinue playing a sport though there might
be a reason to stop - *ontinue playing music - Exploit a
weakness - Pun
.lay out - Progress" often till it finishes - Pretend that
something is real and reduce its effect - Play something
to the end
.lay up - Behave badly
.lay up to - (latter someone
.lay upon - Exploit a weakness
.lay with - Touch and move something to occupy your
hands - 6ot eat much of a meal - *onsider something"
but not seriously
.lead out - Plead guilty to get a reduced sentence or
fine
.lug in - *onnect machines to the electricity supply
.lump for - *hoose
.oint out - )ake someone aware of something
.olish off - (inish" consume
.olish up - mprove something $uickly
.oop out - 4et too tired to do something
.oop out on - (ail to keep an appointment
.op in - 8isit for a short time
.op off - Talk loudly" complain - 4o out for a short time
.op out - 4o out for a short time
.op up - &ppear" like windows and boxes opening on a
computer screen. - &ppear unexpectedly
.otter about - #pend time doing little things for
pleasure
.otter around - #pend some time doing little things for
pleasure
.our down - 'ain hard
.our forth - Emerge from a place in large numbers
.rattle on - Talk too much
.ress ahead - *ontinue with something
.ress on - *ontinue with something
.rice up - *harge more for something
.rint out - )ake a hard copy of a computer document
.rop up - #upport something" both physically and
financially" politically" etc.
.sych out - Work out or anticipate someone%s intentions
- )ake someone less confident
.sych up - Prepare someone mentally
.ull ahead - 3vertake" move in front
.ull apart - .estroy an argument" theory" etc - #top
people or animals fighting - )ake someone unhappy or
upset
.ull away - When a vehicle moves from a place
.ull down - .emolish
.ull in - When a train arrives at a station - &ttract - #top
a car by the side of the road
.ull off - )anage to do something difficult or tricky
.ull on - Put clothes on
.ull over - #top by the side of the road
.ull up - #low and stop a car - nform someone that
they are wrong
.ush in - 4et in a $ueue without waiting
.ut away - Put something back in the correct place -
Put someone in prison
.ut back - 'earrange something for a later time
.ut by - #ave for the future
.ut down - -ill an animal because it%s old" ill" etc.
.ut in - nstall
.ut in for - )ake a re$uest
.ut off - Postpone - #top liking something or somebody
.ut on - 4et fat
.ut out - Broadcast - .isturb or trouble someone -
Extinguish a cigarette" fire" etc.
.ut through - *onnect someone by phone
.ut towards - )ake a financial contribution
.ut up - &llow someone to stay at your house for a
night or a few days. - ncrease prices" taxes" duties" etc.
.ut up with - Tolerate
/uieten down - (all silent
0ack up - &c$uire a lot of something
0ain down on - (all in large numbers
0ake it in - )ake a lot of money
0ake up - Bring something back to people%s attention
0amp up - ncrease price" speed or power of something
0at on - nform authorities about someone%s
wrongdoings - (ail to keep a promise
0at through - 2ook for something hurriedly
0atchet up - ncrease
0attle off - 9uote figures rapidly
0ead off - 'ead a list aloud for someone to write down
0ead out - 'ead aloud rather than silently
0ead up on - 'esearch
0eckon on - The minimum expected
0eel in - *atch a fish on a line and pull the line to land -
&ttract people" especially customers" to get them to do
what you want them to
0eel off - 9uote statistics or facts rapidly - #core a lot
of points or win a lot of games one after the other
0eel out - 5nwind
0ein in - *ontrol someone or something to stop them
causing more trouble
0ide off - 4o away on a bike" horse" etc
0ide on - .epend on
0ide out - #urvive a difficult time
0ide up - )ove higher on the body 0of clothes1
0ing back - 'eturn a phone call
0ing off - (inish a phone conversation
0ing up - Telephone
0ip off - *harge excessively or obtain money unfairly
0oll back - 'etreat - 'educe or remove
0oll in - &rrive somewhere" especially if late - &rrive in
large numbers" for military vehicles
0oll on - When something continues to happen
0oll on! - #aid when you can%t wait for something nice in
the future
0oll out - 2aunch or introduce a new product" initiative"
etc.
0oll up - To appear in large numbers for an event
0oll up! - &n imperative used to attract people to a
public event
0omp in - Win easily
0omp through - .o something easily or $uickly
0oom in - To keep a mother and baby together after the
birth
0oot about - 2ook in a place to try to find something
0oot around - 2ook in a place to try to find something
0oot for - #upport
0oot out - 2ook for and find - (ind the source of a
problem and remove it
0oot up - .ig a plant out of the ground
0ope in - 4et somebody to help
0ough up - &ssault
0ound off - (inish something in a satisfactory manner
0ow back - 'etreat from a position
0ub along - !ave a reasonably good relationship
0ub down - .ry or clean something with a cloth -
)assage or rub someone to help them relax
0ub in - &pply a substance like cream or ointment and
rub it until it is absorbed
0ub it in - Emphasi+e how bad a situation is to make
someone feel worse
0ub off on - Pass a $uality or characteristic to people
0ub out - .elete ink or pencil with an eraser - -ill
0ub up against - Touch someone in a sensual or sexual
way
0ub up on - 'evise
0ule out - Exclude a possibility
0un across - )eet or find accidentally
0un away - Escape from people chasing you
0un down - !it a pedestrian with a vehicle - 2ose
energy or power
0un for - *ampaign for a position
0un into - *ost - )eet by accident
0un off - )ake photocopies
0un on - Be powered by
0un out of - !ave none left
0un over - Explain $uickly - !it with a vehicle
0un through - Practice a dramatic work like a play
$uickly - #tab or wound deeply with a knife" sword" etc.
0ush into - .o something too $uickly
1ag off - 6ot go to school or work" or leave early when
you shouldn%t
1ail into - *ritici+e angrily
1ail through - Pass easily" succeed
1ally forth - 2eave somewhere safe or comfortable
1ally out - 2eave somewhere safe or comfortable
1alt away - #ave money
1ave on - 'educe or avoid consumption to cut costs
1ave up - (or money for a particular purpose - *ollect
or store something for future use
1care away - (righten someone some much that they
go away
1care off - )ake someone so frightened that he or she
away
1crape along - )anage with little money
1crape by - ,ust manage to pass something
1crape in - ,ust get enough to succeed" pass or be
accepted
1crape into - Be accepted somewhere" but only 7ust
1crape through - Pass a test but only 7ust
1crape together - )anage to collect enough of
something you need" usually money
1crape up - )anage to collect enough of something you
need" usually money
1crew around - Waste time
1crew up - .o badly or fail
1ee into - &ccompany someone into an office
1ee off - *hase somebody or something away - 4o to
the airport" station" etc." to say goodbye to someone
1ee out - &ccompany a guest to your front door when
they are leaving your house
1ee through - *ontinue with something to the end -
'eali+e someone is lying or being deceitful
1ee to - .eal with something
1ell off - #ell a business or part of it - #ell something
cheaply because you need the money or don%t need it
1ell on - *onvince someone - Buy something then sell it
to someone else
1ell out - !ave no more of something left because it has
been bought - 2ose all artistic integrity in return for
commercial success
1ell up - #ell a house or business to move somewhere
or do something different
1end back - 'eturn something
1end for - &sk someone to come and help
1end in - 3rder people into a place to handle a problem
- Write to get information
1end off - Expel a sports player from a match - Post a
letter
1end off for - 3rder something by post
1end out - #end something to a lot of people
1end out for - 3rder takeaway food by phone
1et about - #tart doing something
1et aside - 3verturn a court verdict or decision
1et back - *ost
1et forth - #tate or outline an opinion - #tart a 7ourney
1et in - *hange season noticeably
1et off - Explode a bomb - 'ing an alarm - #tart a
7ourney - *ounterbalance a debt
1et out - .isplay" show - #tart a 7ourney
1et up - Prepare e$uipment" software" etc." for use -
#tart a company
1ettle down - #tart living a fixed and routine life
1ettle for - &ccept whatever is available
1ettle in - 4et used to
1ettle on - &gree
1ettle up - Pay a debt
1ex up - *hange information to make it more attractive
to the reader or listener
1hack up - 2ive with someone when you are in a
relationship. - 2ive somewhere temporarily
1hake down - #earch - Extort or cheat money from
someone
1hake off - 4et rid of an illness
1hape up - .evelop in a positive way - mprove to
reach an acceptable standard
1hell out - #pend money on something" especially when
you think it%s too expensive
1hip off - #end someone away" often because of a
problem
1hip out - 2eave a place
1hoot back - 'eturn $uickly
1hoot off - 2eave promptly and $uickly
1hoot out - 4o out for a short time
1hoot up - ncrease $uickly
1hop around - 2ook around for the best price" $uality"
etc.
1how around - Take someone to a place to show them
certain parts
1how in - Take someone into an office or other room
1how off - Behave in a way so as to attract attention -
.isplay something you are proud of - )ake the $ualities
of another thing more apparent
1how out - Take someone to out of a room or building
1how over - Take someone around a site
1how round - Take someone to a place to show them
certain parts
1how through - When a feeling can be seen despite
attempts to conceal it
1how up - &ttend something or arrive somewhere -
Become clear or apparent - )ake someone feel
embarrassed or ashamed
1hut away - mprison or remove someone%s freedom
1hut down - *lose a business" shop" etc. - Turn a
computer off
1hut in - Prevent someone from leaving
1hut off - *lose" prevent access
1hut out - Exclude
1hut out of - Exclude someone from an activity" etc
1hut up - #top talking or making noise - *lose for a
period of time
1hut yourself away - Withdraw from company
1hy away from - &void doing something because you
lack confidence
1ide with - #upport someone
1ift through - Examine a lot of things carefully
1ign away - 4ive away legal or property rights
1ign for - Write a signature on behalf on someone
1ign in - 'egister in a hotel - 3pen a computer program
that re$uires a name and password - Write your name
when entering a place
1ign into - 3pen a particular computer program that
re$uires a name and password
1ign off - End a message - *lose a claim for
unemployment benefit - #top doing something to leave -
4ive someone a letter to be away from work
1ign on - 3pen a claim for unemployment benefit -
&gree to participate - #tart broadcasting - Employ
1ign on with - #ign a document 7oining or agreeing to
something
1ign out - *lose a computer program that re$uires a
name and password - #ign something to show you have
borrowed something
1ign out of - *lose a particular computer program that
re$uires a name and password
1ign up - 4ive your name to do something - #ubscribe
1ign with - )ake a contract with
1ink in - #lowly come to be understood
1it about - #it and do nothing" especially when you
should be working
1it around - #it idly" doing nothing
1it back - Wait for something to happen without making
any effort - 'elax in a chair
1it by - 6ot try to stop something
1it down - !elp someone to sit
1it for - Pose for an artist or photographer - 2ook after
children while their parents are out
1it in - 3ccupy a building to protest about something
1it in for - Take on someone%s responsibilities while they
are absent
1it in on - &ttend as an observer
1it on - Be on a committee - To handle somebody firmly
who behaves impertinently" conceitedly - !old
information back or keep it secret
1it out - 6ot take part
1it over - Eat or drink slowly
1it through - #tay till the end of something dull
1it with - 'econcile different positions
1ize up - &ssess a situation or person carefully. - )ake
something bigger or produce bigger products
1kive off - &void doing work or other duty
1lag off - *ritici+e heavily
1leep off - #leep in order to recover from excess
alcohol" drugs" etc.
1leep on - Think about something
1leep over - #pend the night at someone else%s house
1leep through - 6ot wake up
1lip out - 2eave discreetly
1lip up - )ake an error
1lope off - 2eave somewhere without letting others
know
1low down - 'educed speed
1low up - #low the progress of something
1mack of - &ppear to have a negative $uality
1mash down - .emolish or break something down
1mash in - Break something by hitting it repeatedly
1mash up - .estroy" break into many pieces
1nap off - Break a piece off something
1nap up - 4et" ac$uire or buy something $uickly
1niff around - 2ook around to see how good something
is or to try to find something better
1niff at - .isapprove or be scornful
1niff out - (ind something be smell 0usually for dogs1 -
(ind out information" especially when people don%t want
anyone to know
1ober up - #top showing the effects of alcohol or drugs
1oldier on - *ontinue even when things get difficult
1ort out - 'esolve a problem
1ound off - To express your opinions forcefully
1ound out - *heck what someone thinks about an
issue" idea" etc.
1park off - *ause something" usually unpleasant" to
happen
1park up - 2ight a cigarette or 7oint
1peak out - Talk openly and freely
1peak up - Talk more loudly
1pell out - Explain something in great detail
1pit it out - &n informal way of telling someone to say
something they are unwilling to say
1pit out - #ay something angrily
1plit up - .ivide into groups - (inish a relationship
1pur on - Encourage someone to continue
12ueeze up - 4et more people into a space than normal
or comfortable
1tamp out - 4et rid of something
1tand about - #pend time in a place waiting or doing
nothing or very little
1tand around - #pend time in a place waiting or doing
nothing or very little
1tand aside - 2eave a position so that someone else
can take it
1tand back - -eep a distance from something - Try to
understand something by taking a different perspective
1tand by - #upport someone - Be ready and waiting for
something to happen
1tand down - 2eave a 7ob or position so that someone
else can take it - (inish being asked $uestions in a court
1tand for - &ccept or tolerate behavior - The words
represented by certain initials
1tand in for - #ubstitute someone temporarily
1tand out - Be extraordinary and different
1tand up - )ove from a sitting or lying down to a
vertical position
1tand up for - .efend" support
1tand up to - -eep your principles when challenged by
an authority - 'esist damage
1tart off - )ake something start - Begin life" a career or
existence - Begin a 7ourney - )ake someone laugh
1tart off on - !elp someone to start a piece or work or
activity
1tart on - Begin to use or consume - *ritici+e angrily
1tart on at - *ritici+e or nag
1tart out - Begin a 7ourney
1tart out as - Begin life" existence or a career
1tart out to - ntend" plan
1tart over - Begin something again
1tart up - 3pen a business - Begin" especially sounds -
When an engine starts working - )ake an engine work -
#it or stand upright because someone has surprised you
1tay in - 6ot go out
1tay on - 'emain longer than anticipated
1tay out - 6ot go home
1tay over - #tay overnight
1tay up - 6ot go to bed
1teer clear of - &void
1tep aside - 2eave a 7ob or position so that someone
else can take over
1tep back - 2ook at something from a different
perspective
1tep down - 2eave a 7ob or position so that someone
can take over
1tep forward - 3ffer help
1tep in - 4et involved by interrupting something
1tep on it - &n imperative used to tell someone to go
faster" especially when driving
1tep out - 2eave a place for a very short time
1tep up - ncrease
1tick it to - *ritici+e someone
1tick to - 6ot change
1tick up for - #upport or defend
1tir up - )ake trouble for someone else
1titch up - #ew something so that it is closed - (inali+e
a deal - *heat someone or make them look guilty when
they aren%t
1top around (round - 8isit someone for a short time.
1top back - 'eturn somewhere
1top behind - #tay somewhere when other people leave
1top by - 8isit somewhere briefly or $uickly
1top in - #tay at home - 8isit briefly
1top off - Break a 7ourney
1top out - Be out late" especially when you are
expected home
1top over - #tay somewhere when on a 7ourney
1top up - #tay up late - (ill or block something
1torm off - 2eave a place angrily
1torm out - 2eave a place angrily
1tring along - .eceive someone for a long time -
&ccompany someone because you haven%t got anything
better to do
1tring out - )ake something last as long as possible
1tring together - Put words together into a coherent
text
1tring up - !ang somebody
1tub out - Extinguish a cigarette
1tumble across - (ind something accidentally
1tumble upon - (ind something accidentally
1tump up - Pay for something
1uck in - Become involved in something unpleasant
1uck into - Become involved in something unpleasant
1uck up to - ngratiate yourself with someone
1um up - #ummari+e
1ummon up - 4et the energy or courage to do
something
1uss out - *ome to understand
1wear by - !ave great confidence in
1weep through - Pass easily" succeed - )ove $uickly
through
1iphon off - Take business" support or votes from
someone - .ivert money illegally
3ack on - &dd something that wasn%t planned
3ack onto - &dd or attach something that wasn%t
planned to something
3ag along - &ccompany someone" especially if they
haven%t specifically invited you
3ag on - &dd an additional point to something written or
spoken
3ag onto - &dd an additional point to something written
or spoken
3ag with - &dd a keyword link or bookmark to a blog
entry or webpage
3ail away - Become silent or inaudible
3ail back - (orm a traffic 7am
3ail off - Become silent or inaudible - .ecrease
3ake after - 2ook like" resemble
3ake apart - Take something to pieces
3ake aside - 4et someone alone to talk to them
3ake away - 'emove
3ake back - )ake someone nostalgic - 'etract a
statement" admit that something was wrong
3ake down - )ake notes or write down in full - 'emove
3ake in - &bsorb information - .eceive - )ake clothes
smaller
3ake it - &ccept criticism
3ake it out on - &buse someone because you%re angry
3ake off - )ake great progress - 'educe the price of an
item - When a plane departs or leaves the ground
3ake on - &llow passengers on a ship or plane - &ssume
a responsibility - Employ
3ake out - Borrow a library book - Borrow money from
a bank or other official lender - Extract or remove - 4o
out socially with someone" especially a date - 3btain
insurance - -ill" murder
3ake over - &ssume control of a company or
organi+ation
3ake to - )ake a habit of something
3ake up - (ill or occupy time or space - )ake clothes
shorter - #tart a new hobby" pastime" etc.
3alk back - 'espond rudely to a person in authority
3alk down - Try to make something sound less
important
3alk down to - Talk in a way to show your superiority
not communicate
3alk into - Persuade someone to do something
3alk out of - Persuade someone not to do something
3alk over - .iscuss
3alk through - 4uide someone through an issue
3alk up - )ake something appear more important or
significant than it really is
3ap for - 4et money off someone
3ap into - 5se or exploit a plentiful resource for your
benefit
3ap off with - !ave sex
3ap out - Play a rhythm $uietly
3ap up - &pproach a footballer illegally to get them to
change teams
3ear apart - .isturb or upset greatly
3ear at - Pull or try to pull something to pieces
3ear away - #top someone doing something unwillingly
- 'emove a surface violently
3ear down - .emolish
3ear into - *ritici+e strongly or angrily
3ear off - 'emove part of a form or letter using your
hands" not scissors - 2eave at high speed - 'emove with
force
3ear up - 'ip into pieces - .estroy
3ee off - #tart or launch an event - Place a golf ball on a
short plastic or wooden stick before hitting it at the start
of a hole. - &nnoy someone
3ee off on - *ritici+e
3ee up - Place a golf ball on a short plastic or wooden
stick before hitting it at the start of a hole. - )ake
preparations before starting or launching something
3ell apart - #ee a difference between two things
3ell off - *hide/ talk angrily to someone about
something they%ve done wrong.
3ell on - 'eport someone to an authority
3hink over - *onsider something carefully
3hink through - *onsider all the possibilities and
outcomes of a situation
3hink up - *reate or invent something" especially when
lying
3hrow away - .iscard something when no longer
needed
3hrow out - 4et rid of
3hrow up - 8omit
3ick away - Pass 0of time1
3ick by - Pass 0of time1
3ick off - &nnoy - #cold
3ick over - *ontinue working" but without improving -
3perate but without moving 0engines1
3ide over - 5se something carefully so as not to finish it
3idy up - Put things in the correct place in a room
3ie up - Tie or fasten something securely
3ighten up - )ake something more secure or function
better
3ip off - #ecretly inform the police or authorities
3ip over - #pill" make something fall on its side
3ire of - 4et bored of something
3ire out - )ake someone exhausted
3oddle off - 2eave" go home
3one down - )ake something sound more moderate
3ool up - Provide e$uipment - &rm yourself or
somebody
3op off - (inish something in a special way
3op out - #top increasing" reach the highest point
3op up - 'efill something that isn%t empty yet
3ouch down - 2and 0planes1
3ouch for - Borrow money
3ouch off - *ause a problem to occur
3ouch on - )ention
3ouch up - mprove the appearance of something -
Touch someone in a sexual way
3ouch upon - )ention
3oy at - Pretend to think about or think about in a
casual way
3oy over - Think about something
3oy with - 6ot eat much of a meal - *onsider
something" but not very seriously - )ove or play with
something to occupy your hands
3rack down - (ind after a long search
3rade down - #ell something and replace it with
something cheaper
3rade in - Exchange something old as part of the price
of something new - 2eave your wife or husband to marry
someone younger
3rade off - Bargain" make a deal or compromise -
&ccept something you don%t really want to get something
you do want
3rade on - Exploit" use something to your advantage
3rade up - Buy larger or more expensive items - 2eave
your wife or husband and marry someone better looking"
richer" etc
3rade upon - Exploit" use to your advantage
3rickle down - Pass benefits from economic expansion
through the economy to the less fortunate
3rot out - )ake a statement 0meant negatively1
3rump up - *harge or accuse someone falsely
3ry back - Phone back
3ry for - )ake an attempt to get something
3ry it on - Provoke someone by being annoying or
behaving badly - &ttempt to get something" usually by
deceit" without great hopes of success
3ry on - Put clothes on to see if they fit
3ry out - Test - Test something to see if you like it or
want to buy it
3ry out for - Be tested for a sports team
3une in - Watch or listen to a T8 or radio show
3une in to - Watch or listen to a T8 or radio program
3une out - gnore" not pay attention
3une up - mprove the performance of a machine or
engine - Tune a musical instrument before playing
3urn against - #top liking and start disliking
3urn away - 6ot allow someone to enter a place
3urn down - 'educe volume" temperature" etc. - 'e7ect
an offer" invitation" etc.
3urn in - 4o to bed
3urn into - Become
3urn off - #top a machine
3urn on - *ause someone to feel attraction or pleasure -
#tart a machine - &ttack
3urn out - Produce - Produce an unexpected result -
#top a light - &ttend
3urn over - 4ive to the authorities
3urn to - Try to get help - Take up a habit
3urn up - &ppear - ncrease volume" temperature" etc.
3ype up - Type a finished version
4se up - (inish or consume all of something
5eg out - 'elax" do nothing
5enture forth - 2eave somewhere safe or comfortable
6ade in - #tart something or get involved" often
without thinking or to forcefully - &ttack
6ade into - Become embroiled or involved in a
situation" without thinking or planning usually
6ade through - 4et to the end of something with
difficulty
6ait about - Wait somewhere doing nothing
6ait around - Wait somewhere doing nothing
6ait behind - #tay somewhere after other people have
left
6ait in - #tay at home because someone is going to
visit
6ait on - #erve people in a restaurant - #ell goods in a
shop - Provide someone with everything they need or
want - Wait for a result before being able to make a
decision
6ait out - Wait till something has finished" usually
something unpleasant
6ait up - 6ot go to bed because you are waiting
6ait up! - #top 0imperative1
6ait upon - Provide someone with what they re$uire -
Wait for a result before being able to make a decision
6ake up - #top sleeping
6alk away from - 2eave something you don%t like
6alk away with - Win easily
6alk in on - Enter somewhere unexpectedly and see
something
6alk into - 4et work without effort - Be unaware of the
presence of something and either enter it 0a trap1 or
bump into it 0an obstruction1
6alk off - 4o for a walk to reduce the effects of an
illness or bad feeling
6alk off with - Win easily - Take something without
permission or steal
6alk on - *ontinue walking
6alk out - 2eave work because of a dispute with the
management - 2eave a place angrily or because you are
not satisfied
6alk out on - 2eave somebody angrily
6alk up - 4o to someone
6ant out - Want to leave a relationship or arrangement
6arm up - .o exercises before a sport
6ash away - When floods or waves completely remove
a structure" building" etc.
6ash down - .rink in order to swallow something solid
6ash out - 'ain so heavily that an event has to be
cancelled
6ash over - #uddenly experience a strong emotion
6ash up - *lean everything used to prepare food and
eat it - When something in the sea or river is left on the
shore or bank
6atch out - Be careful 0imperative1
6atch out for - Be careful of something
6atch over - -eep an eye on something or someone to
check that there%s no trouble
6ater down - )ake something weaker and less
effective
6ear away - Erode" remove gradually
6ear down - )ake something weaker
6ear off - #top having an effect
6ear out - 5se something until it stops working
6eed out - 'emove" get rid of
6eigh in - !ave a certain weight 0in sports like boxing1
- Enter an argument forcefully
6eigh up - &ssess
6hile away - #pend time doing something because you
have nothing better to do
6hip out - 'emove $uickly
6hip through - .o something $uickly
6hip up - )ake food $uickly - )ix li$uid food $uickly to
make it thick and creamy - )ake people feel more
strongly about something
6hisk away - Take to another place $uickly
6hite out - 5se correction fluid to cover a mistake in a
written text
6imp out - 6ot be brave enough to do something
6ind down - 'elax - #lowly close a business or
organisation
6ind on - (orward a film or tape to a certain point
6ind up - *lose a company because it%s unprofitable -
Tighten the spring in a watch or clock to make it work -
rritate someone or increase their stress level" especially
if done deliberately
6inkle out - (ind or get something that takes a great
deal of effort
6ipe out - )ake someone very tired - -ill all of a
population" make extinct
6ire up - )ake electrical connections
6ise up - #top being stupid
6ord up - 4ive someone information" advice
6ord up! - & phrase that was used a greeting
6ork off - Exercise to remove stress or weight
6ork on - mprove or develop
6ork out - End nicely - (ind the answer or solution
6rap up - *over in paper - .ress warmly - (inish
6riggle out of - &void doing something in a way other
people don%t like
6rite down - )ake notes
6rite in - #end a letter to a T8 station" etc.
6rite off - .estroy a car in an accident
6rite out - Write something completely
6rite up - )ake complete written version
7ield to - #urrender
8ero in on - .irect or focus attention on - !ead for"
move towards
8ero out - *ut off funding for a pro7ect - 'educe to +ero"
cancel" remove
8ip around - )ove $uickly
8ip by - Pass $uickly
8ip up - -eep $uiet
8one out - 6ot pay attention - .issociate yourself from
a situation
8onk out - (all asleep
8oom in - (ocus more closely
8oom in on - (ocus more closely
8oom off - 4o somewhere $uickly
8oom out - (ocus less closely