1 PHRASAL VERBS ask after someone
ask ask abo about ut a per perso son, n, his his hea health lth,, etc. etc.
Lucy Lucy has has ask asked ed after after your your mom. mom.
ask for
request
The sales manager asked for a new extension.
back out of
withdraw from
back up
1) support (a claim or a person), confirm
All of us will back you up at the election.
2) move in reverse, reverse a car
Could you please back up your car a little?
3) make a pr protection copy
Before my computer crashed, I could back my files up.
be far from home, from this place (for at least a night)
I'm afraid Sheila is away for the weekend.
be at home, be here or there in this building
I want to see Mr. Delaware. Is he in?
be be ver very y int inteerest rested ed in so someth methin ing g
Davi David d’s real really ly into into cla classic ssical al music usic..
1) dest destro roy y by by exp explo losi sion on,, exp explo lode de
Sudd Sudden enly ly the the who whole le barr barrel el blew blew up. up.
be away
be in
be into blow up
break down
break in
break off
He had to back out of the deal owing to his recent misfortunes. not keep (a promise, agreement, deal) Sam backed out of the agreement at the last second.
2) fill fill with with air, air, infl inflat ate, e, pump pump up
Laur Laura' a'ss fat fathe herr ble blew w up up all all the the ball balloo oons ns for for the the part party. y.
3) become angry
He blew up when his secretary told him about the mistake.
4) arise, take place in
A storm suddenly blew up in the Caribbean.
1) smash, demolish
The thief broke down the front door.
2) stop stop func functi tion onin ing, g, stop stop work workin ing g
The The eng engin inee has has brok broken en down down..
3) collapse through ill-health or great emotion, lose control
When she heard the news, she broke down and wept.
4) analyse
We need to break this problem down in order to solve.
1) enter by force (also break into)
Two thieves broke in and stole the car.
2) interrupt someone (colloquial)
I was telling Paul about Venice when she broke in..
3) tame, tame, trai train n for use. use. train train to labo labour ur
It took took many many men men to break break in in that that wild hors horse. e.
1) separate by breaking
He took the chocolate and broke off a piece.
2
break out
2) stop, disrupt
2) Before the war some countries broke off diplomatic relations.
1) escape by using force
1) Several prisoners managed to break out of prison.
suddenly suddenly begin begin wars, wars, fires, fires, epidemics epidemics 2) War War broke broke out out in 1939. 1939.
break up
bring about bring back
bring in
bring out bring round
bring up
build up
burst in / into
burst out call for
3) appear suddenly
3) The sun finally broke out and the rain stopped.
4) utter, exclaim
4) Suddenly he broke out into terrible curses.
1) break into pieces
1) The old ship was broken up by the waves
2) stop, finish
2) Classes broke up and students went back home.
3) depart, disperse (separable when transitive)
3) The police managed to break the angry crowd up.
4) break a relationship
4) Mary and James broke up their engagement.
cause to happen
What has brought about all this disaster?
1) recal recalll (not (not separa separated ted with with a noun noun))
1) He alway alwayss brings brings back back his trip to to Paris. Paris.
2) return
2) She brought back her four library books.
1) introduce
1) The foreigners brought in many customs
2) pr produce as profit, yi yield
2) Th The sa sale has brought in in an interesting sum.
3) earn
3) His business brings in a lot of money every month.
4) pronounce a verdict
4) The jury brought in a verdict of not guilty.
publish
When are you bringing out your next novel?
make someone wake up from unconsciousness or an anaesthetic
The doctors brought him round a few hours after the operation.
educate, raise, rear
Bringing up children is never easy
ment mentio ion n as as a topi topicc of of dis discu cuss ssio ion n
We decid decided ed to brin bring g the the matt matter er up at the the nex nextt mee meetin ting. g.
develop a company
She built the business up from nothing into a market leader in less than a decade
Move somewhere suddenly and forcefully
Two thieves burst into the bank and pointed their guns at the cashiers.
suddenly show emotion
He burst out laughing at the end of the speech.
visit a place to collect someone or something
Tom is calling for me at 8 pm.
3 require, demand
This situation calls for tact and a deep analysis.
send for someone to come ask to assist
It was too late to call in an electrician.
1) cancel something scheduled
1) The couple decided to call off the wedding.
2) divert, distract
2) Please, call off your dog at once !!
1) ask someone to do something
1) The president called on his people to make some sacrifices.
2) visit
2) Call on me if you have any problems.
be concerned about
This movie star cares about his reputation.
like, want
1) He doesn't care for films about war
look after, take care of
2) This house looks well cared for.
carry off
win, succeed
. She carried off the first prize in the competition
carry on
1) continue
1) The widow carried on as if nothing had happened.
2) continue with
2) Both brothers carried on with their boring conversation. It is not easy to carry out this task.
call in
call off
call on
care about care for
carry out
perform, put in practice
catch on
become popular (colloquial)
catch up (with)
stop being behind
check in(to) at a hotel, an report one's arrival; register for / at a airport etc. (inseparable) hotel, conference, etc.; let someone know officially that you
He invented an electric car, but it never really caught on. Go on ahead. I'll catch you up. 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.
check out (of) (1. inseparable)
have a follow procedures for leaving (a When Jack left the hotel he checked out. My plane will arrive around 5:00 PM. I should be able to check into hotel, etc.) the hotel by 6:00 Don't forget to take your room key to the front desk when you check out
check over
examine sth carefully to make sure that it is correct or acceptable: make sure that sb is doing what they should be doing make sth empty and clean by removing things or throwing things away 1 (of the weather) to become fine or bright:
Check over your work for mistakes.
2 (of an illness, infection, etc.) to disappear to find (unexpectedly) or meet by chance (be in the end a matter of)
Has your rash cleared up yet?
check up (on sb/sth) clear out clear up
come across Come down to
My parents are always checking up on me. We cleared out all our old clothes I hope it clears up this afternoon
A lucky tramp came across a wallet full of money as he was walking down the street. It all comes down to whether you are prepared to accept less money.
4 come forward
offer your help, services, etc:
Come off
take place successfully Be successful 1 (of an actor) to walk onto the stage 2 (of a player) to join a team during a game Owen came on for Fowler ten minutes before the end 3 to improve or develop in the way you of the game. want: 4 used in orders to tell sb to hurry or to The project is coming on fine. try harder: Come on! We don't have much time. Come on! Try once more.
come on
Several people came forward with information. * Police have asked witnesses of the accident to come forward. I'm afraid that deal didn’t come off after all.
Come up
All the flowers have come out. When the news came out, everyone was shocked. My photos didn't come out very well. 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). (occur- usually a problem -colloquial) Look, something has come up, and I can't meet you.
Come up against
(meet a difficulty)
We've come up against a bit of a problem.
count on (inseparable)
depend on; rely on; trust that someone will do as expected add together all the people or things in a group show that something written is wrong or unnecessary by making an X across it use less of something
I'm counting on you to wake me up tomorrow. I know I won't hear the alarm. Count these figures up once more.
Come out
come round or come to
count up sb/sth phrasal verb cross out (separable)
cut back (on)
appear
cut down on smoking / to reduce in size or amount. cigarettes / drinking / spending / production etc cut in pass one car when there isn't room to do it safely
We can't afford to buy everything on your shopping list, so I've crossed all the unnecessary things out. You drink too much coffee. You should cut back. Last year Peter was very ill and his doctor told him to cut down on the number of cigarettes he smoked. Never try to cut in during rush hours. It's really dangerous
cut out
stop
Cut those jokes out, please!
cut up.
cut into pieces
She cut the cake up and gave each of us a piece
deal with
handle successfully
She is really lucky, so she can deal with this situation
Do away with
(abolish-colloquial)
Dog licenses have been done away with.
Do out of do without
Cheat somebody out of something that They lied on the reference and did me out of any is rightfully theirs chance of getting the job. manage in the absence of They did without food and fresh water
Draw in
Get dark earlier
draw out Draw up
prolong something (usually far beyond The speaker could have said everything important in the normal limits) about five minutes, but he drew the speech out ! come to a stop A white sports car drew up outside the door.
drop by
visit informally
drop in
pay a short visit, often without warning.
The nights are drawing in now it's winter.
If you're in town tomorrow. Please try to drop by the house. Laura was shopping near her friend, Lynn, and decided to drop in and see her.
5 drop on
visit informally
drop off something or someone
Fall for
stop a vehicle and let someone get out; David drove his wife, Sue, into town and dropped her to take someone to a place and leave it off in the cinema. there. fall asleep (often unintentionally). The baby has just dropped off. John sat in his favourite armchair and dropped off. deliver something; deliver someone (by I can take those letters to the post office. I'll drop them giving him/her a ride) 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." withdraw from, or stop taking part in Sam dropped out of the race because he felt tired and (a competition, a social group) ill. stop attending / leave school or an Paul isn't at the university. He dropped out. organization have courage to deal with - especially You have to face up to your responsibilities. You'll responsibilities have to face up to the fact that you're failing it. (use as a last resort) If the worst comes to the worst, we've got our savings to fall back on. be deceived by - colloquial It was an unlikely story but h e fell for it.
Fall in with
fall in love with - colloquial
I fell for you the moment I saw you.
fall out
to quarrel
Fall out with
(quarrel with)
George and Sam went out for dinner together. The evening ended badly because they fell out over who should pay the bill. Peter has fallen out with his boss.
Fall through
(fail to come to completion)
The plan fell through at the last minute.
feel like
be willing to, want to
I don't feel like going to the movies tonight.
feel up to
feel strong enough or comfortable enough to do something add information to a form; to complete (a form) complete a form by adding required information learn / get information (about)
Old Mr Smith didn 't feel up to walking all that way. I know the accident was a terrible shock. The office needs to know your address and phone number. Could you fill them in on this form? Of course I completed my application! I filled it out and mailed it over three weeks ago! 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. She doesn't fit in with our group
drop off drop off (separable)
drop out drop out (of) face up to Fall back on
fill in fill out find out (about)
Drop in any time you 're passing.
get around
Get on in a group of people Have enough time or space for something make something understood; communicate something understandably have a friendly relationship (with); be friendly (toward) avoid having to do something
Get at
imply - about personal matters
Why can't you and your sister get along? Everyone else gets along with her just fine! Teresa got around the required math classes by doing well on a math proficiency test. What are you getting at exactly?
Get down
make to feel depressed -
This cold weather really gets me down.
get in
enter a small, closed vehicle
get off
leave a large, closed vehicle
I don't know where Carole was going. She just got in her car and drove away. 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.
Fit in
get across
get along (with)
Alan is really intelligent but sometimes he has problems getting his ideas across.
6 Get on
(make progress - especially in life)
Sue is getting on very well in her new job.
get on
enter a large, closed vehicle
I She got on the plane about 20 minutes ago.
Get on with
I get on well with my flat mate, and you?
get out
Have a good relationship Continue or start doing something leave a small, closed vehicle
get out of
escape having to do something
Get over
be surprised
get round
a problem / a difficulty etc. to solve or Dan couldn't move the wardrobe because it was too avoid a problem heavy. He got round the problem by putting the wardrobe on a trolley and pushing it. find time to do - also around Sorry, but I haven't got round to fixing the tap yet.
Get round to get through
to contact someone (usually by telephone)
get together
meet for a social purpose
Get up to Give away
You have to get out of the car. Lisa had a terrible headache and got out of giving her speech today. I couldn 't get over how well she looked.
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 m orning. Our family used to get together to celebrate Christmas.
do something - usually bad when about The children are getting up to something in the garden. children - colloquial What have you been getting up to lately? betray His false identity papers gave him away.
give in
to stop resisting; to surrender
Give off
send off a smell - liquid or gas
The fight between Tom and Dick stopped when Tom hurt his hand and had to give in. The cheese had begun to give off a strange smell.
Give out
be exhausted
When our money gave out we had to borrow.
give up
stop doing something (usually a habit) He knows smoking isn't good for his health, but he can't give it up. Chase, try to get They went after the thief and caught him.
Go after
go down
use information about something to help you make a decision about the best thing to do to become less swollen
go for
a person, an animal to attack
The dentist treated his bad tooth and his swollen cheek soon went down. The dog went for Joe and hurt his arm.
Go in for
make a habit of
I don’t go in for that kind of thing.
Go off
(become bad - food)
This milk has gone off.
Go by
You can't go by anything she says.
go off (of explosive to explode or fire; (of alarms or alarm Many people were killed when the bomb went off. The bomb went off. devices e.g. bombs, guns clocks) to ring suddenly etc.) Go on happen - usually negative Something funny is going on.
Do something else after other go out with (inseparable) have a date with go through go with
go without
examine (something) to match or suit (something); look pleasing together. (Note: for clothes, furniture, etc.) not have something that you usually have
After shopping I want to go on to have a beer. You went out with Sharon last night, didn't you? When Ben entered this country, a custom's officer went through his suitcase. You should buy that shirt. It will go well with your dark brown suit. They went without food for four days.
7 grow out of
become too big for
My son has grown out of most of his clothes
grow up
become an adult, mature
He wants to be a pilot when he grows up.
hand in
submit homework, an assignment, etc. You know that you have to hand your report in at 8:30 tomorrow morning! distribute The teacher handed list of assignments out on the first day of class. transfer Strange to say, the enemy finally handed over the town to its inhabitants. remain walking in the streets of There are lots of men hanging about at street corners for the pubs to open. continue to do something "Can you hang on while I change my clothes?"
hand out hand over hang about hang on
have sth back
end a phone conversation by replacing I'd like to talk longer, but I'd better hang up. My sister the receiver needs to make a call. receive sth that sb has borrowed You’ll have your files back after we've checked them
Have someone on
deceive (cheat, lie)
I don't believe you. You’re having me on.
hold on
to wait (especially on the telephone)
Hold out
(offer - especially with hope)
George phoned his office because he wanted some information. 'Hold on a minute and I'll get it for you,' said his assistant. We don't hold out much hope that the price will fall.
hang up
raise; lift to a higher-than-normal position (use as an example - i.e. a model of Hold up (2) good behaviour) hold up (2) a person / a to rob, especially using a weapon (e.g. a gun) bank / a vehicle etc. hold up (1. separable)
join in (sth)
join up
join up
The winner of the race proudly held his trophy up for all to see. Jack was always held up as an example to me.
Earlier today a masked robber with a gun held up the bank and escaped with a hundred thousand pounds. A robber held up the bank. A robber held the bank up. A robber held it up. to become involved in an activity with She watches the other kids playing but she never joins other people in.You all seemed to be having such a good time that I thought I'd join in the fun. if two organizations or groups of The two design companies are planning to join up and people join up, they start working create a new range of footwear. together, or they meet in order to go somewhere or do something together We joined up with another couple from the hotel and hired a boat for the day. [often + with] to join the army, navy, or air force He joined up as soon as he'd left school.
to not go near something, or to prevent Barriers were built to keep back the flood water. someone or something from going past a particular place Once a firework is lit, you should keep well back. keep back sth or keep sth to not tell someone everything you I suspected she was keeping something back. back know about a situation or an event that has happened Fry the onions in two-thirds of the butter, keeping back keep back sth or keep sth to not use the whole amount of back something so that there is a small a third for the sauce. amount to use later keep back sth or keep sth (mainly British & Australian) to not Your employers will keep back 7% of your salary to back pay someone all the money you owe pay into your pension. them so that you can use part of the money for another purpose keep (sb/sth) off sth to not go onto an area, or to stop Motorists have been advised to keep off the busy main someone or something going onto an roads. area I wish she'd keep her dog off my lawn. keep back (sb/sth) or keep (sb/sth) back
8 keep off sth or keep sth off (sth/sb)
keep (sb) off sth
keep (sb) off sth
keep on doing sth
to stop something from touching or harming something or someone
She wore a hat to keep the sun off.
He'd put a cloth over the plates to keep flies off the food. to not eat, drink or use something that I'm keeping off cheese and fatty food generally. can harm you, or to stop someone from eating etc. things that can harm them (mainly British & Australian) to not I tried to keep him off politics because once he starts, talk about a particular subject, or to there's no stopping him. stop someone from talking about a particular subject to continue to do something, or to do She kept on asking me questions the whole time. something again and again I keep on thinking I've seen him before somewhere.
keep on sb or keep sb on to continue to employ someone
They got rid of most of the staff but kept one or two people on. keep on sb or keep sb on to continue to employ someone They got rid of most of the staff but kept one or two people on. to go at the same speed as someone or She was walking so fast that I couldn't keep up with keep up something that is moving forward, so her. [often + with] that you stay level with them keep up to increase or to make progress at the Prices have been rising very fast and wages haven't same speed as something or someone kept up. else so that you stay at the same level as them Because I'm new to the job, I have to work twice as hard as everyone else just to keep up. He finds it difficult to keep up with the rest of the class. [often + with] keep up (with)
to be able to understand or deal with something that is happening or changing very fast
knock down sb or knock to hit someone with a vehicle and injure or kill them sb down
We've received so many orders for our products that our staff can't keep up. (= can't deal with the orders fast enough) My Italian friends talk so fast, I simply can't keep up with what they're saying. [often + with] A nine-year-old boy was knocked down while crossing the road in Holbeach. [usually passive]
She got knocked down by a motorbike. knock down sb or knock (mainly American & Australian) to He punched his attacker in the face and knocked him cause someone to fall to the ground by down. sb down pushing or hitting them knock sb out to make someone feel a lot of I've never been so impressed by a performance - it admiration really knocked me out. knock out sb or knock sb to make someone become unconscious Those sleeping tablets knocked me out for 15 hours. out or to make someone fall asleep He was knocked out by a punch in the first round. Leave in Don’t touch the original or don’t take it Wash your hair but leave the conditioner in. out Not turn off LEAVE the TV ON; I want to hear the football results. Leave on Leave out let down sb or let sb down
let down sb/sth or let sb/sth down
Not include
He was LEFT OUT of the side because he hasn't been playing too well lately. to disappoint someone by failing to do I promised to go to the party with Jane, and I can't let what you agreed to do or what you her down. were expected to do Many farmers feel the government has let them down badly in the negotiations. to make someone or something The film has a good script but is let down by poor unsuccessful by failing to achieve a acting. good enough standard Becker said that he had lost the match because his
9 forehand had let him down. let in sb/sth or let sb/sth to allow a person or animal to enter a room or building, usually by opening in the door for them let off sb or let sb off to not punish someone who has committed a crime or done something wrong, or to not punish someone severely
I knocked on the door and Michelle let me in.
I'll let you off this time, but I don't ever want to catch you stealing again. She thought she would be sent to prison, but the judge let her off with (= gave her) a £1000 fine. [often + with] The police only gave him a warning - he was let off lightly. (= he was given a less serious punishment than he deserved) let out sb/sth or let sb/sth to allow a person or animal to leave I stopped the car to let Susie out. out somewhere, especially by opening a Rosie lets her hamster out of its cage every night. locked or closed door [often + of] He was let out after serving just two years of his fouryear prison sentence. let me pass "I am a hopeless driver, but the examiner let me let me through. through." live on sth to have a particular amount of money He and his family live on £70 a week. in order to buy the things you need I had to take an evening job because we didn't have enough money to live on. to only eat a particular type of food Martin lived on peanut butter sandwiches while we live on sth were staying in New York. live through sth to experience a difficult situation or My grandparents lived through two world wars. event He had lived through a horrible ordeal with great courage. live up to sth if someone or something lives up to Did the trip live up to your expectations? people's expectations or a particular He's striving to live up to his reputation as a worldstandard, they are as good as they were class athlete. expected to be Close all doors, windows, etc. She LOCKED UP after everyone had left and went Lock up home. Lock up Put in prison or a mental hospital They LOCKED him UP for burglary. look after sb/sth
look at sth look at sth
look at sth
look at sth
Look back on look for sth/sb
to take care of someone or something Do you think you could look after the cat while we're by doing what is needed to keep them away? well or in good condition If you look after your clothes, they last a lot longer. Don't worry about Jenny, she can look after herself. to read something quickly and not very Would you mind looking at my report before I submit carefully it? to consider a subject carefully in order We need to look carefully at the advantages and to make a decision about it disadvantages of the new system. We are looking at all the options. if an expert [e.g. doctor] looks at Did you ask the doctor to look at your knee? something, they examine it and decide We'll have to get a plumber to look at the central how to deal with it heating. to consider something in a particular I suppose if I'd been a mother, I might have looked at way things differently. He's either being very foolish or very brave, depending on the way you look at it. to think about or remember something It wasn't such a bad experience when I look back on it. that happened in the past Old people often look back on over their lives. to try to find something or someone, Have you seen my gloves? I've been looking for them either because you have lost them or all week. because you need them I was looking for Andy. Do you know where he is? How long have you been looking for a job?
10 look forward to sth / doing sth look in
look into sth
look on
look out
to feel pleased and excited about something that is going to happen to visit a person for a short time, usually when you are on your way somewhere else
We're really looking forward to seeing Andy again. I'm not looking forward to Christmas this year. I thought I might look in on Sally when I'm in York. [often + on] Can you look in on the kids before you go to bed and make sure they're alright? to investigate or discover and examine Police are reported to be looking into the case. the facts about a problem or situation We're looking into the possibility of merging the two departments. to watch an activity or event without Demonstrators tore down the statue as police calmly becoming involved in it or watch looked on. something like a crime without helping The crowd looked on in disbelief as the player walked off the pitch. [often + in] The crowd just looked on as the old lady was mugged. Be careful LOOK OUT; you're going to drop that!
look up to sb
to carefully watch the people or things Remember to look out for Anna - she said she'd be around you so that you will notice a there. particular person or thing Can you look out for a present for Ed while you're out shopping? Inspect or to quickly examine They came to LOOK the house OVER with a view to something or someone buying it. I had a few minutes before the meeting to look over what he'd written. to carefully examine the contents of I've looked through her drawers but I can't find the something or a collection of things in letter. order to find something Why don't you look through these files and see if the document's there? to read something quickly and not very Could you look through these figures and see if I've carefully made any obvious errors? if a situation is looking up, it is Things are looking up now you've got your promotion. improving [usually in continuous tenses] Consult a reference work (dictionary, I didn't know the correct spelling so I had to look it up phonebook, etc.) for a specific piece of in the dictionary information to respect and admire someone Kate has always looked up to her father.
make for
Head in a certain direction
look out for sb/sth
look over
look through sth
look through sth look up look up
We made for home when it started raining.
to cause a particular result or situation Poor service does not make for satisfied customers. Ironically, food rationing made for a healthier population. I'd made up some story about having to go home to see make up sth or make sth to say or write something that is not up true [e.g. excuse, report, story] in order my sick mother. to deceive someone Can't you make up an excuse? to invent something [e.g. story, game] Sometimes I'll read her a story from a book and make up sometimes I'll make one up. make up Put on cosmetics She went to the bathroom to make her face up. make for sth
make up for sth
mix up mix up mix up
to replace something that has been lost, This year's good harvest will make up for last year's or to provide something good in order bad one. to make a bad situation better He seems to be making up for an empty childhood by surrounding himself with expensive possessions. Confuse I always mix those two sisters up because they look so like each other. Make something lively The DJ mixed up the night with some hard techno. to combine different substances And the next thing you do is you put the chocolate, together, especially food, so that they butter and egg in a bowl and mix them all up. become one substance
11 move in, move into sth
move in, move into sth
move out move out
move out
own up
pass away
pass away
to begin living in a new house or area They've made a lot of alterations to the house since they moved in. Some friends of mine have just moved into our street. become involved in a particular In 1984, Renault moved into the executive car market. business for the first time The drugs trade increased rapidly during the 1960s and London gangsters soon moved in. stop living in a particular house She wants to move out and find a place on her own. stop being involved in a particular business
The company has decided to move out of the electronics business due to increased competition. [often + of] if a vehicle moves out, it moves to the As I moved out to overtake the truck, I suddenly saw a right or left side of the road, usually in car coming towards me at high speed. order to go past another vehicle confess or admit that you have done Someone obviously broke the machine but no-one will something wrong, especially something own up to it. [often + to] that is not important to Come on, own up! Who's been using my mug? die She passed away peacefully in her sleep. I've lived on my own since my husband passed away five years ago. if a period of time passes away, it stops The great age of coal mining in the region has long existing since passed away.
pass off
Convince something that something is I managed to pass off the fake money in the real market.
pass off
Happen in a certain way
The demonstration passed off peacefully
pass out
become unconscious, faint
pass out
Distribute
pay back
Repay money borrowed
It was so hot in the stadium that I thought I was going to pass out. He came back drunk from Gav's party and passed out on the sofa. The protesters passed out leaflets to the growing crowd I paid back the twenty pounds I'd borrowed.
pay back
Take revenge on
I'm going to pay him back for that insult
pay in sth or pay sth in, pay sth into sth pay off
pay off pay up informal
pay up sth or pay sth up American pick out pick out
Pick up
put money into a bank account
I still haven't paid that cheque in. I've just got to pay some money into my account if something that you have done to I was pleased to hear about your job offer - all that try to achieve something pays off, it hard work has obviously paid off. is successful Completely repay a debt The mortgage will be paid off in twenty-five years. give someone the money that you If he doesn't pay up, I'll throw him out. It's as owe them, especially when you do simple as that. not want to That's fifty bucks you owe me. Come on, pay up! [often an order] to pay all the money that you owe We've finally paid the mortgage up. for something Choose She picked out the ones she wanted to take and left the rest. recognize a person or thing from a A witness picked out the attacker from police group of people or things photos. See if you can pick out the drawing that Joe did. Improve
Sales PICKED UP a bit during the Christmas period.
12 Pick up
Learn quickly
Pick up
Collect
She PICKED UP Spanish in six months.
Pull down
While you're in town, can you PICK UP my trousers from the Dry Cleaner? Receive (a broadcast) When we rent a holiday cottage in Cornwall, we can't PICK UP Channel 5. collect (a person) Can you PICK me UP and take me to The George when you go to the party? Make someone aware of something He POINTED OUT that I only had two weeks to or interested in…. get the whole thing finished. make a person notice someone or If you see her you must point her out to me. [often something, usually by telling them + to] where they are or by holding up one I'd made one or two mistakes that she pointed out of your fingers towards them to me. Demolish They PULLED the old cinema DOWN to build a new shopping mall. Make someone depressed Losing her job PULLED her DOWN.
Pull down
Earn
He's PULLING DOWN a fortune.
pull in
When a train arrives at a station
pull in
Attract
The train PULLED IN and we rushed to meet her as she got off Their last tour PULLED IN millions of fans.
pull in
Stop a car by the side of the road
I PULLED IN to let the passengers out
pull in
arrest or take someone to a police The police PULLED them IN after the trouble. station for questioning Manage to do something difficult or No-one thought that she would be able to do it, but tricky she PULLED it OFF in the end. if a vehicle pulls off, it starts I watched as the car pulled off and sped up the moving road. Start moving (train) The train was PULLING OUT when I got there.
Pick up Pick up point out point out
Pull down
Pull off Pull off Pull out
The traffic was so bad that it took me ages to PULL OUT. Pull out Withdraw (stop being involved in The project was going badly and they decided to an activity or agreement) PULL OUT Pull out Remove soldiers from an area If we pull our troops out now, we are admitting defeat. Pull up Slow and stop a car often for a short A car pulled up next to the church and two men time got out. Pull up Inform someone that they are wrongHe PULLED me UP because I had got my facts wrong. She pulled me up on my use of the term 'mankind' instead of 'humankind'. [often + on] put aside sth or put sth to ignore a problem or a The opposition parties have finally put aside their disagreement so that you can differences and formed an alliance. aside achieve something put aside sth or put sth to keep something so that you can Pour half of the milk into the mixture and put the aside use it later rest aside for the sauce. She puts aside £100 a month for clothes. put aside sth or put sth to save money for a particular purpose aside Put something back in the correct He PUT the dictionary BACK on the shelf after Put away place he'd finished the crossword. Pull out
Move into traffic
13 The judge PUT him AWAY for ten years for robbery. put by sth or put sth save an amount of money in order If you put a little by every week, it soon adds up. to use it later by Put down Kill an animal because it's old, ill, He had his dog PUT DOWN because it was in a etc. lot of pain from its tumours. Put down Stop holding (but withdraw support PUT the gun DOWN slowly and keep your hands gently) where I can see them. put down sb or put sb make someone feel stupid or Why do you have to put me down in front of unimportant by criticizing them everyone like that? down You put yourself down too much. [sometimes reflexive] put down sth or put to pay part of the total cost of Have you got enough money to put a deposit down something on a house? sth down put down sth or put write something If anyone wants to go to the seminar on Friday afternoon, could they put their name down on this sth down list, please? Postpone The concert's been PUT OFF until next month Put off because the singer's got a throat infection Stop liking something or somebody I was really PUT OFF by the way he eats with his Put off mouth open. What put me off him was the way he only talked about himself. Put on Get fat He's PUT ON a lot of weight since he gave up smoking Put on Deceive, lie (pretend to have a I am not PUTTING you ON. particular feeling, or to behave in a I don't think he's really upset - he's just putting it way which is not real or natural for on. you) Anna often puts on a funny voice when she answers the phone. Start wearing I PUT my coat ON before we went out. Put on Put away
Put someone in prison
give someone the telephone so that they can speak to the person who is on it put out sth or put sth to make a light stop shining by out pressing a switch put out sth or put sth to make something that is burning out [e.g. fire, cigarette] stop burning Put on
put out sth or put sth out put out sth or put sth out
put out sth or put sth out put out sth or put sth out put out sth or put sth out
Can you put Wendy on? When she felt herself beginning to cry, she put Laurie on the phone I'm rather tired - shall we put the light out? Could you put that torch out? You'd better put your cigarette out. Ben grabbed the fire extinguisher and put the fire out. to put something in a place where Did you put clean towels out for the guests? people will notice it so that they can I thought I'd put out some food for people to have use it if they want to with their drinks. to produce information [e.g. Earlier in the day the palace had put out a statement, warning, press release] statement denying the rumour. and make it available for everyone Police have put out a warning to people living in to read or hear the area. to put something outside the house, I must remember to put the rubbish out on especially so that it can be collected Wednesday night in time for the collection. Did you put the cat out last night? to produce or publish something for The sort of books that they put out are never likely the public to buy or use to be best-sellers. to broadcast a programme or film Most of the films that they put out on the movie on television or radio channel you wouldn't even want to watch.
put out sth or put sth to injure a part of your body [e.g. back, shoulder] by making a bone out move from its usual place Connect someone by phone Put through
14 Careful how you lift those boxes or you'll put your back out.
Could you PUT me THROUGH to extension 259 please. We put all new models of car through a rigorous put sth/sb through sth to test something or someone in order to see if they can do what they series of tests. should be able to do Put up Allow someone to stay at your She PUT me UP for the night because I'd missed house for a night or a few days. the last bus and there were no night buses running. Put up Increase prices, taxes, duties, etc. The government has PUT tuition fees for undergraduate students UP again. put up sth or put sth to build a structure [e.g. wall, Most of the old buildings were pulled down so that building, statue] blocks of apartments could be put up. up They're putting up a statue in town in his honour. put up sth or put sth to stick or fasten a piece of paper They put staff notices up on the board near [e.g. notice, poster] to a wall so that reception. up it can be seen This room looks very bare - I might put up one or two posters. put up sth or put sth to fasten a piece of furniture [e.g. I might ask Guy to put some shelves up in the shelves, cupboard] to a wall lounge. up put up sth or put sth to spread something that is folded Are you any good at putting tents up? or rolled up [e.g. tent, umbrella] so I'll just put my umbrella up. up that it is ready to be used Tolerate I can't PUT UP WITH my neighbour's noise any put up with longer; it's driving me mad Finish a phone conversation Dave RANG OFF guiltily when he saw his boss Ring off coming. Telephone Helen RANG me UP earlier. Ring up
Run into
Delete ink or pencil with an eraser He RUBBED OUT the figure and wrote the correct one in Kill The gangsters RUBBED him OUT for stealing from them. secretly leave a place with someone She ran away with him when she was just in order to live with them or marry seventeen them, especially when other people think this is wrong if something [e.g. emotions, It's important when you're making a speech not to imagination, enthusiasm] runs away let your emotions run away with you. with someone, it makes them do or Sometimes my imagination runs away with me think stupid things and I convince myself they're having an affair. Hit a pedestrian with a vehicle The minicab RAN him DOWN on the zebra crossing. Lose energy or power You should only recharge the battery when it has fully RUN DOWN. Criticise, disparage They're always RUNNING me DOWN and I am sick and tired of it. Cost The project has RUN INTO millions of dollars without any prospect of a return on this investment. Meet by accident I RAN INTO James in a bar in the City on Friday.
run out of
Have none left
rub out rub out run away with sb
run away with
Run down Run down Run down Run into
We've RUN OUT OF sugar; I'm going to the
15 shops for some. Run over
Explain quickly
Run over
Hit with a vehicle.
Run over
Exceed a time limit
see about sth
set in
to deal with something, or to It's getting late - I'd better see about dinner. arrange for something to be done You should see about getting your hair cut. Chase somebody or something A cat came into the back garden but the dog soon away SAW it OFF. Go to the airport, station, etc., to say I went to the station to SEE them OFF. goodbye to someone Continue with something to the end Example: They had a lot of difficulties in implementing the project, but the team SAW it THROUGH successfully. Realise someone is lying or being The police quickly SAW THROUGH her disguise deceitful and arrested her. to deal with something that needs The cats need feeding twice a day, but Paula's doing or to help someone who seeing to that. needs your help Please see to it that no one enters without identification. Ask someone to come and help I had to SEND FOR a plumber because the radiator was leaking. to send someone a message asking Do you think we should send for the doctor? them to come to see you I was really worried when my boss sent for me. Ask someone to come and help I had to SEND FOR a plumber because the radiator was leaking. send something to a lot of different How many invitations are you sending out? people at the same time Electricity bills are sent out every three months. produce light, a sound, or a signal The torch sends out a powerful beam of light. The ship's crew sent out a distress call. if a plant sends out something [e.g. This plant sends out long roots and so it needs to roots, shoots], it grows be planted in deep soil. to make something happen more A war would inevitably set back the process of slowly, or to make something reform. happen later than it should happen We've had a couple of staff leave so that's set us back a few months. The completion date for the project has been set back by a few weeks Cost The car repairs SET me BACK eight hundred pounds if something unpleasant sets in, it This rain looks as if it has set in for the rest of the begins and seems likely to continue day. It was when I realised how many people I was speaking to that the panic set in. Change season noticeably Winter has SET IN; it's started snowing
set off
start a journey
set off
Explode a bomb
See off See off See through
See through see to sth/sb
Send for send for sb send for sb send out sth or send sth out send out sth or send sth out send out sth or send sth out set back sb/sth or set sb/sth back
Set back set in
Could you RUN OVER that point again; I'm afraid I didn't quite understand it. The driver couldn't stop in time and RAN the fox OVER when it ran in front of his car. The meeting RAN OVER by twenty minutes.
What time are you setting off tomorrow morning? I'm just about to set off for the station. [often + for] Terrorists SET OFF a car bomb in the city centre last night. Fortunately, no-one was hurt or killed.
16 set off
Ring an alarm
set out
start a journey (synonym of set off) It was quite sunny when we set out. They said they'd set out at about 7 o'clock, so they should be here soon. start an activity, especially when She'd set out with the aim of becoming the you have already decided what you youngest ever winner of the championship. [often want to achieve + with] Like so many young people before them, they set out to change the world. [often + to do sth] Prepare equipment, software, etc., The technician SET UP the computer network for use perfectly. Start a company They SET UP a dot com company, floated it a couple of years later on the Stock Exchange and made an absolute fortune. Behave in a way so as to attract The children were SHOWING OFF and irritated attention me. Display something you are proud of He wanted to SHOW OFF his new sound system.
set out
Set up Set up
Show off Show off Show off show up show up show up stand by stand by Stand for Stand for Stand in for Stand out Stand up for stand up to sth
stand up to sth Stay in stay out stay out
The smoke SET the fire alarm OFF.
Make the qualities of another thing The shirt really SHOWED OFF his new tie. more apparent Attend something or arrive Very few SHOWED UP at the meeting somewhere Become clear or apparent The downturn in sales SHOWED UP in the company's accounts. Make someone feel embarrassed or He SHOWED us UP when he arrived drunk and ashamed started arguing. Support someone He STOOD BY her throughout the trial as he believed her to be innocent. Be ready and waiting for something The emergency services were STANDING BY to happen waiting for the plane to land. Accept or tolerate behaviour I'm not going to STAND FOR their rudeness any longer. The words represented by certain WHAT do the letters BBC STAND FOR? initials 'British Broadcasting Corporation.' Substitute someone temporarily She had to STAND IN FOR the editor while he was on holiday. Be extraordinary and different She STOOD OUT from the crowd in selection and was offered the job. Defend, support He's the kind of manager who will always STAND UP FOR his staff. be strong enough not to be damaged We need a carpet that will stand up to everyday by something use. This type of plant stands up to the most severe winter weather. Keep your principles when Example: She STOOD UP TO the police when challenged by an authority they tried to corrupt her. remain at home, especially in the I think I'm going to stay in tonight and have a evening quiet one. not come home at night, or to come I've got to be up early in the morning so I don't home late want to stay out too late. if workers who are on strike not The miners are prepared to stay out until their working because of an argument demands are met. with their employer stay out, they
17 continue to refuse to work Stick out
Be easily noticed
He's so much better than the others that he STICKS OUT
Stick out
Extend part of your body
He STUCK his tongue OUT at me.
Stick out
Continue doing something difficult or unpleasant visit a place for a short time when you are going somewhere else
Take in
I STUCK it OUT even though I hated every minute of it. We could stop off in Paris for a couple of days before heading south. [often + in] I'll stop off at the supermarket on the way home and get some wine. [often + at] stop somewhere for a period of time We stopped over in Los Angeles for two nights on when you are on a long journey the way to New Zealand. turn on an electrical device [e.g. He switched on the bedside lamp and sat up. light, radio] or an engine by using a The heating switches on automatically at 6 am. switch Could you switch the TV on? turn off an electrical device [e.g. Could you switch that light off? light, radio] or an engine by using a The heating switches off automatically at 9 pm. switch Don't forget to switch off before you leave. stop giving your attention to When he starts going on about his emotional something or someone problems I just switch off. Most people in stressful jobs find it difficult to switch off when they come home. Remove The police TOOK the protestors AWAY. A waiter came to take our plates away. he report claims that large supermarkets are taking business away from small shops. Make someone nostalgic That song always TAKES me BACK to when I was at university. Retract a statement, admit that I had to TAKE BACK everything bad I'd said something was wrong about them when I learned how they'd helped out. Absorb information : The lecture was rather boring and I didn't TAKE IN much of what the lecturer said. Deceive She TOOK me IN with her story until someone told me the truth. Make clothes smaller The jacket was far too big around the shoulders, so I had it TAKEN IN so that I could wear it. Assume care or support The family TOOK IN the three homeless kittens
Take off
Make great progress
stop off
stop over switch on (sth) or switch (sth) on switch off (sth) or switch (sth) off switch off
take away
Take back Take back Take in Take in Take in
Take off
The software house really TOOK OFF when they produced the latest version of their DTP package Reduce the price of an item They've TAKEN ten percent OFF designer frames for glasses When a plane departs or leaves the The flight for Dublin TOOK OFF on time. ground Remove clothes you are wearing It was hot, so I TOOK my jacket OFF.
Take off
spend time away from your work
Take off Take off
Take on Take on
I'm taking Friday off to get one or two things done around the house. He needs to take some time off and get some rest. Allow passengers on a ship or plane The plane stopped at Zurich to TAKE ON some passengers. Assume a responsibility She TOOK ON the task of indexing the book
18 Take on Employ The council has had to TAKE ON twenty extra employees to handle their increased workload take on sth begin to have a particular quality Her voice took on a troubled tone. Words take on new meanings all the time. take on sb or take sb compete against someone or fight I might take you on at tennis some time. someone The government took on the unions and won. on Take over Assume control of a company or The bank was TAKEN OVER by a Hong Kong organization bank that needed to buy a bank to get into the British market. become more successful or France has taken over from Spain as Europe's Take over powerful than something or favourite holiday destination. [usually + from] someone else that is involved in the same type of activity start to like someone or something I really took to him - I thought he was lovely. take to sb/sth I tried cycling to work for a while but I didn't take to it. Make a habit of something He's TAKEN TO wearing a baseball cap since his Take to hair started thinning more noticeably. He's taken up golf in his spare time. take up sth or take sth start doing a particular job or up activity Have you ever thought of taking up acting? This desk takes up too much room. take up sth or take sth use a particular amount of time, up space or effort I'll be quick, I don't want to take up too much of your time. take up sth or take sth remove something that is fixed to a We're going to take up these carpets and lay some surface [e.g. carpet] different ones. up take up sth or take sth (literary) to lift something and hold Charlotte took up her pen and began to write. or carry it up take up sth or take sth discuss something, or to deal with A leading law firm took up his case. something I can't give you an answer, you'll have to take the up matter up with your supervisor. [often + with] take up sth or take sth accept an offer or opportunity to do I think I'll take up Ann's offer to baby-sit. up something I'm not sure I'm ready to take up the challenge of motherhood just yet. take up sth or take sth move to a particular position so that As the crowd grew, riot police took up their you are ready to do something positions. up take up sth or take sth continue with an activity that has Ian took up the story where Sue had left off. been interrupted up take up sth or take sth shorten a piece of clothing [e.g. Her dress was too long for me so I had to take it skirt, trousers] up a couple of inches. up Talk over Discuss :We TALKED OVER the problems in our relationship, but couldn't sort things out. Think about have on one's mind, think about "I'm thinking about my friends abroad" actively Think of remember: keep in mind for Think of the starving children in India! attention or consideration Think of calling your mother every day think out/through sth think carefully about something you He obviously hadn't thought it out properly. are planning to do and to consider It sounds like a good idea but we need to spend or think sth out/through the possible results of it some time thinking it through. Consider something carefully I've THOUGHT it OVER and have made up my think over mind; I'm going to take the job in Leeds. get rid of something because you do I'm going to throw away those magazines if you've throw away sth or throw sth away not want or need it any more finished reading them.
Throw out Throw out Try on
19 Discard something when no longer These potatoes are past their best - I'd better throw needed them away. Get rid of I THREW OUT all my old clothes to make some space in my wardrobe. Dislocate Edward slipped on the ice and THREW OUT his shoulder. Put clothes on to see if they fit I TRIED the jacket ON before I bought it.
Try it on (Br & Aust.) if someone tries it on, they behave The kids often try it on with a new babysitter. badly, especially in order to find out informal how badly they can behave before other people become angry Test Scientists are TRYING OUT a new drug in the Try out fight against the disease. Test something to see if you like it I TRIED OUT the program before I bought it. Try out or want to buy it to compete for a position in a sports Luke's trying out for the college football team. try out American & Australian team or a part in a play by playing [usually + for] or performing in front of other She once tried out for the lead role in a television people series. turn back sth or turn to fold a part of something which She'd turned the sheet back neatly over the sth back bends easily [esp. pages, sheets] so blanket, like they do in hotels. that it covers another part turn back (sb) or turn to return to the place that you came We ran out of money halfway across America and from, or to make someone do this had to turn back. (sb) back Boatloads of refugees are being turned back before they reach the port. to change your plans Once we've committed ourselves to this, there's no turn back turning back. [usually negative] Reduce volume, temperature, etc. The room was too hot, so she TURNED the Turn down heating DOWN. Reject an offer, invitation, etc. They offered her the job, but she TURNED it Turn down DOWN. Look, I'm offering you a free meal - you're surely not going to turn me down? to change and become something or There are fears that this minor conflict could turn turn (sth/sb) into sth/sb someone different, or to make into a full-scale war. something or someone do this They're going to turn the old warehouse into a nightclub. Tadpoles TURN INTO frogs. leave the road you are travelling on You need to turn off at the next exit. turn off (sth) and travel along another one We turned off the motorway and drove to a nearby garage turn off sth or turn sth touch a switch so that a machine or Turn off all the lights before you leave. a piece of electrical equipment stopsWe turned the water off at the mains when the off working, or to stop the flow or pipes burst. supply of something Can you turn the TV off before you go to bed? turn off sb or turn sb make someone decide that they are Bad teaching can turn children off poetry for life. not interested in something The title of the lecture was enough to turn most off (sth) people off. Cause someone to feel attraction or He really TURNS me ON. Turn on pleasure / make someone feel sexually excited Aftershave really turns me on.
20 Turn on
Start a machine
Turn on
Attack
Turn out
Produce
Turn out
Produce an unexpected result
Turn out
Stop a light
I TURNED the radio ON to get the weather forecast. The neighbour's dog TURNED ON me when I tried to stroke it. The factory TURNS OUT three thousand units a day. It looked as if we were going to fail, but it TURNED OUT well in the end. She TURNED OUT the lights and went to bed.
Turn out
Attend
Thousand TURNED OUT for the demonstration.
move so that you are facing in a Surely you're not going to just turn over and go to different direction, especially when sleep? you are lying down, or or to move Turn the postcard over and read what it says on the someone or something in this way back. turn over sb or turn sb take a criminal to the police or other A convicted terrorist was eventually turned over to over authority the police, twelve hours after he had taken refuge in the Swiss Embassy. [usually + to] turn over sth or turn give something to someone, All documents are to be turned over to the court. especially someone in authority, or [usually + to] sth over to make someone responsible for He had intended to turn the business over to his something son when he retired. Appear She didn't TURN UP for class today. Turn up turn over (sb/sth) or turn (sb/sth) over
Turn up
Increase volume, temperature, etc. I TURNED the music UP full blast.
Turn up
Wash up
discover something, especially information, after a lot of searching shorten a piece of clothing [esp. trousers], by folding back and sewing the bottom edge of the material Clean everything used to prepare food and eat it When something in the sea or river is left on the shore or bank Wash face and hands
After the crash, several bodies WASHED UP on the beach Be sure you and the kids WASH UP before dinner.
Watch out
Be careful (imperative)
Watch out- there's ice on the road.
Turn up
Wash up Wash up
The children WASHED UP after lunch.
Drivers were told to watch out for black ice on the road. Vegetarians should watch out for animal fat in biscuits. Stop having an effect The anaesthetic WORE OFF and my tooth started Wear off hurting Use something until it stops She played the video so many times that she Wear out working WORE the tape OUT. Looking after six small children is enough to wear wear out sb or wear sb make someone very tired out anyone out. wipe off sth or wipe sth reduce the value of something [e.g. The news has wiped nearly a third off the value of off (sth) British & shares, prices] by a particular the company's shares. amount Australian Wipe out Make someone very tired Revising for the exam last night WIPED me OUT. watch out for sth
be careful to notice something, especially something that might cause you problems
Police have failed to turn up any new evidence about the murder. My legs are so short I've had to take up every pair of trousers I've ever bought.
21 Kill all of a population, make extinct Wipe out remove information stored on part of a computer [esp. memory, hard disk] wipe up sth or wipe sth remove a substance, usually a liquid, with a cloth up wipe up (sth) or wipe dry washed plates and dishes with a (sth) up British & cloth Australian work out sth or work do a calculation to get an answer to a mathematical question sth out work out sth or work understand something or to find the answer to something by thinking sth out about it Wipe out
work out sth or work sth out
work out sth or work sth out work up sth or work sth up
work up sth or work sth up
work up sth or work sth up write down sth or write sth down
write in Write off sth or write sth off Write off sth or write sth off Write up
A meteor crashing into the planet WIPED the dinosaurs OUT. A sudden power cut wiped out my hard disk.
Can you wipe up that mess on the kitchen floor? If you wash, I'll wipe up. Could you wipe up the dishes? Can you work out the total cost of the trip?
We couldn't work out why they looked so guilty. [often + question word] I couldn't WORK OUT all the answers to the crossword puzzle. think carefully about how you are We need to work out how we can fix it to the wall. going to do something and to make [often + question word] a plan or decision Negotiators are trying to work out a peace settlement. continue to do your job until the end He has a three month notice period to work out. of a fixed period of time gradually produce something I can't work up much enthusiasm for this trip. With the wind behind us we managed to work up some speed Let's go for a walk to work up an appetite. (= to make ourselves hungry) produce or improve a piece of The commission has promised to work up writing proposals by the end of the year. I'm hoping to work these notes up into a longer article. [often + into] develop an area of activity, I'm hoping to work up the language teaching side especially part of a business of our business. write something on a piece of paper I wrote down his phone number on a scrap of so that you do not forget it paper. He told me his address but I forgot to write it down. write a letter to an organization The presenter invited students to write in with ideas for raising money accept that an amount of money The World Bank is being urged to write off debts [esp. debt, investment] has been lost from developing countries. or will never be paid damage a vehicle so badly that it That's the second car he's written off since he's cannot be repaired been driving. Make complete written version I WROTE UP the report and submitted it
Get at Meaning: Criticise Example: His boss is always GETTING AT him for arriving late. Notes: - Inseparable - International English
22
Phrasal Verb: Get at Meaning: Mean Example: What do you think she's GETTING AT? I've no idea what she wants. Notes: - Inseparable - International English
Phrasal Verb: Get at Meaning: Be able to reach, find, access Example: It's on the top shelf and I can't GET AT it. Notes: - Inseparable - International English
Phrasal Verb: Get at Meaning: Use threats, payments, bribes, etc, to affect someone's testimony or decision Example: The gangsters GOT AT the jury, who found them not guilty of all charges despite the evidence presented in court. Notes: thttp://www.usingenglish.com/reference/phrasal-verbs/g.html
http://dictionaries.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=look.for*1+0&dict=P
