Roll out

Launch or introduce a new product, initiative, etc..

The company ROLLED OUT its takeover plans last week.

Roll up

To appear in large numbers for an event.

Thousands ROLLED UP to see the stars at the film premiere.

Roll up!

An imperative used to attract people to a public event.

Roll up! Come and see the circus tonight.

Romp in

Win easily.

In the first race, the favourite ROMPED IN.

Romp through

Do something easily or quickly.

We ROMPED THROUGH the tasks because they were so simple.

Room in

To keep a mother and baby together after the birth.

Nowadays, most hospitals have a policy of ROOMING IN mothers and their

babies.

Root about

Look in a place to try to find something.

He ROOTED ABOUT in his briefcase, trying to find a pen.

Root around

Look in a place to try to find something.

I ROOTED AROUND my flat trying to find the letter.

Root for

Support.

Everyone was ROOTING FOR Arsenal to win the Champions League.

Root out
Look for and find.

The police ROOTED OUT the informer.

Root out

Find the source of a problem and remove it.

They are trying to ROOT OUT the troublemakers.

Root up

Dig a plant out of the ground.

He ROOTED UP the plants and replanted them.

Rope in

Get somebody to help.

The teacher ROPED her students IN to carry her stuff when she had to
change classroom.

Rope into

Get someone to help or become involved, usually when they don't want to.

I got ROPED INTO helping them set the stall up.

Rope off

Extend ropes or barriers across or around an area.

The celebrity entrance was ROPED OFF from the general public.

Rough up

Assault.

The mugger ROUGHED him UP when he refused to hand his wallet over.

Round off

Finish something in a satisfactory manner.

Winning the FA Cup ROUNDED OFF a wonderful season for Arsenal.

Row back

Retreat from a position.

The prime minister refused to ROW BACK and lost the vote.

Rub along

Have a reasonably good relationship.

They're not friends, but we RUB ALONG.

Rub down

Dry or clean something with a cloth.

She RUBBED the horse DOWN with a towel after riding it.

Rub down

Massage or rub someone to help them relax.

The trainer RUBBED her DOWN after the race.

Rub in

Apply a substance like cream or ointment and rub it until it is absorbed.

He applied the steroid cream and RUBBED it IN.

Rub it in

Emphasise how bad a situation is to make someone feel worse.

Even though the minister had resigned, the press RUBBED IT IN by

publishing more details of the scandal.

Rub off on
Pass a quality or characteristic to people.

His enthusiasm RUBS OFF ON everyone around him.

Rub out

Delete ink or pencil with an eraser.

He RUBBED OUT the figure and wrote the correct one in.

Rub out

Kill.

The gangsters RUBBED him OUT for stealing from them.

Rub up against

Touch someone in a sensual or sexual way.

The cat RUBBED UP AGAINST my leg purring.

Rub up on

Revise.

I need to RUB UP ON my Portuguese before I go to Brazil.

Rule out

Exclude a possibility.

The police have RULED OUT suicide and are treating it as a case of murder.

Run across

Meet or find accidentally.

I RAN ACROSS an old friend in the library.

Run after

Chase, pursue.

The police RAN AFTER the guy who'd stolen it, but he was too fast for them.

Run after

Try to become romantically involved with someone.

He was RUNNING AFTER her for ages never managed to get a date.

Run against

Oppose, make difficulties.

Opinion is RUNNING AGAINST his policies and he has very little support.

Run along

Go away, leave (often as an imperative).

They kept disturbing him, so he told them to RUN ALONG and leave him in
peace.

Run around

Be very busy doing many things.

I'm exhausted- I've been RUNNING AROUND all day.

Run away

Escape from people chasing you.

He RAN AWAY from his attackers.

Run away

Leave home because of problems with other family members or to elope.

She RAN AWAY to avoid a forced marriage.

Run down
Hit a pedestrian with a vehicle.

The minicab RAN him DOWN on the zebra crossing.

Run down

Lose energy or power.

You should only recharge the battery when it has fully RUN DOWN.

Run down

Criticise, disparage.

They're always RUNNING me DOWN and I am sick and tired of it.

Run down

Find the source or origin of something.

The police RAN DOWN all the leads they had and caught them.

Run for

Campaign for a position.

She's thinking about RUNNING FOR the presidency.

Run in

Arrest, take to police station for questioning.

They RAN him IN last night.

Run in

Drive a new car carefully in order not to damage the engine.

She RAN the car IN for a thousand miles.

Run in

Pay a casual visit.

We RAN IN and chatted for an hour.

Run in

Insert.

He RAN a graph IN next to the text.

Run into

Cost.
The project has RUN INTO millions of dollars without any prospect of a return
on this investment.

Run into

Meet by accident.

I RAN INTO James in a bar in the City on Friday.

Run off

Make photocopies.

Could you RUN OFF two hundred copies of this report, please.

Run on

Be powered by.

The van RUNS ON diesel.

Run out of

Have none left.

We've RUN OUT OF sugar; I'm going to the shops for some.

Run over
Explain quickly.

Could you RUN OVER that point again; I'm afraid I didn't quite understand it.

Run over

Hit with a vehicle.

The driver couldn't stop in time and RAN the fox OVER when it ran in front of
his car.

Run over

Exceed a time limit.

The meeting RAN OVER by twenty minutes.

Run through

Practise a dramatic work like a play quickly.

The cast RAN THROUGH the play the day before it opened to the public.

Run through

Stab or wound deeply with a knife, sword, etc..

The musketeer RAN his enemy THROUGH with a sword and killed him.
Run to

Go to someone for help.

Whenever he gets into debt, he RUNS TO his parents for help.

Run to

Include in things you like.

His musical tastes RUN TO the Residents, who are hated by most people.

Run to

Have enough money to buy something, often negative.

Things are a bit tight and won't RUN TO going abroad for a holiday.

Run up

Move quickly to where someone is.

He RAN UP next to me and started shouting.

Run up

Hoist, raise a flag.

They RAN UP the Union Jack.

Run up

Do or make something very quickly.

He RAN UP a few examples for them to look at.

Run up

Spend a lot of money on credit.

He RAN UP a lot of bills at the hotel.

Run up against

Encounter problems, often unexpected.

They RAN UP AGAINST a lot of opposition to the construction.

Run up on

Approach someone without their knowing.

Robert was sitting in his car and a guy RAN UP ON him and shot through the
car but missed.

Run with
Keep company, normally bad.

She RUNS WITH some dodgy characters.

Rush away

Leave a place in a hurry.

They RUSHED AWAY when the police arrived.

Rush into

Do something too quickly.

They don't want to be RUSHED INTO giving an answer and have asked for
more time.

Rush off

Depart in a hurry.

Zac RUSHED OFF to get to his medical appointment.

Rush out

Release or put something on sale quickly.

They RUSHED the single OUT after it started getting airplay.

Rustle up

Make something quickly without much preparation.

We RUSTLED UP dinner from what was in the fridge.

Saddle up

Put a saddle on and prepare an animal to ride.

She SADDLED UP the horse and rode off.

Saddle with

Give someone a task or responsibility that is difficult or hard work.

They SADDLED me WITH preparing the visit.

Sag off

Not go to school or work, or leave early when you shouldn't.

I was bored so I SAGGED OFF work early and went home.

Sail into

Criticise angrily.
He SAILED INTO me for turning up an hour late.

Sail through

Pass easily, succeed.

He SAILED THROUGH the final test.

Sally forth

Leave somewhere safe or comfortable.

The townspeople SALLIED FORTH to fight the invading army.

Sally out

Leave somewhere safe or comfortable.

Though it was pouring with rain, we SALLIED OUT to meet her.

Salt away

Save money.

She's making a lot of money, but SALTS it AWAY rather than spending it.

Save on
Reduce or avoid consumption to cut costs.

I use Skype to SAVE ON my phone bills.

Save up

For money for a particular purpose.

He's SAVING UP to buy a car.

Save up

Collect or store something for future use.

I'm SAVING UP the receipts to claim on them all at once.

Saw off

To remove something by cutting it with a saw.

He SAWED OFF the legs of the chair.

Saw up

Cut into pieces with a saw.

We SAWED the plank UP to make the shelves.

Scale back

Make something smaller than originally planned.

They had to SCALE BACK the project because of the costs.

Scale down

Make something smaller than originally planned.

They have had to SCALE DOWN the project because of the costs.

Scale up

Increase, make bigger.

They are SCALING UP the programme because it has been so successful.

Scare away

Frighten someone some much that they go away.

The cat SCARED the birds AWAY.

Scare off

Make someone so frightened that he or she away.

The vicious Doberman guard-dog SCARED the burglars AWAY.

Scout about

Look in different places for something.

The company is SCOUTING ABOUT for new staff.

Scout around

Look in different places for something.

We SCOUTED AROUND to find the best price.

Scout out

Search for something.

The researcher spent months SCOUTING OUT the answer.

Scout round

Look in different places for something.

I SCOUTED ROUND for a bargain.

Scout up
Try to find someone for a task or requirement.

We'd better SCOUT UP a replacement for her.

Scrape along

Manage with little money.

I've been SCRAPING ALONG on temporary work since I lost my job.

Scrape by

Just manage to pass something.

I thought I was going to fail, but SCRAPED BY with 51%.

Scrape in

Just get enough to succeed, pass or be accepted.

The government SCRAPED IN with 51% of the votes cast.

Scrape into

Be accepted somewhere, but only just.

She got mediocre grades and just SCRAPED INTO university.

Scrape through

Pass a test but only just.

I did no revision and only just SCRAPED THROUGH the final exams.

Scrape together

Manage to collect enough of something you need, usually money.

I had to search my flat for money to SCRAPE TOGETHER what I needed.

Scrape up

Manage to collect enough of something you need, usually money.

It took me ages to SCRAPE UP the money for the tickets.

Screen off

Separate a part of a room with something like a curtain, screen, etc..

We SCREENED OFF the area where we had the discussion from the rest of
the meeting.

Screen out

Exclude.
Applicants without the right qualifications were SCREENED OUT.

Screen out

Block light.

The sun cream SCREENS OUT UV light.

Screen out

Stop noticing something.

There are so many notices and signs that I have started SCREENING them
OUT.

Screw around

Waste time.

He spent the afternoon SCREWING AROUD and got nothing done.

Screw around

Be sexually promiscuous.

He SCREWED AROUND a lot at university.

Screw over
Treat harshly or cheat.

The IRS really SCREWED him OVER.

Screw up

Do badly or fail.

David SCREWED UP his oral exam but still managed to scrape a pass.

See about

Arrange, consider.

I'll SEE ABOUT whether we can manage it.

See into

Accompany someone into an office.

Her secretary SAW me INTO her office.

See off

Chase somebody or something away.

A cat came into the back garden but the dog soon SAW it OFF.
See off

Go to the airport, station, etc., to say goodbye to someone.

I went to the station to SEE them OFF.

See out

Accompany a guest to your front door when they are leaving your house.

Are you sure you're going? I'll get your coats and SEE you OUT.

See through

Continue with something to the end.

They had a lot of difficulties in implementing the project, but the team SAW
it THROUGH successfully.

See through

Realise someone is lying or being deceitful.

The police quickly SAW THROUGH her disguise and arrested her.

See to

Deal with something.

He SAW TO the arrangements and everything ran smoothly and efficiently.

Sell off

Sell a business or part of it.

They SOLD OFF their research subsidiary.

Sell off

Sell something cheaply because you need the money or don't need it.

She SOLD OFF her furniture before she emigrated.

Sell on

Convince someone.

We managed to SELL him ON the expansion plans.

Sell on

Buy something then sell it to someone else.

We buy them wholesale and SELL them ON to the public.

Sell out
Have no more of something left because it has been bought.

The tickets for the Primal Scream concert at the Brixton Academy SOLD OUT
in a couple of hours.

Sell out

Lose all artistic integrity in return for commercial success.

Most bands SELL OUT when they sign to a major record label, and forget all
their principles when pursuing chart success.

Sell up

Sell a house or business to move somewhere or do something different.

We want to SELL UP and move to the country.

Send back

Return something.

I SENT my food BACK because it was overcooked.

Send for

Ask someone to come and help.

I had to SEND FOR a plumber because the radiator was leaking.

Send in

Order people into a place to handle a problem.

The police were SENT IN to quell the riot as the protesters had started
burning cars and wrecking shops.

Send in

Write to get information.

If you want to enter the competition, you have to SEND IN for an entry form.

Send off

Expel a sports player from a match.

The football striker was SENT OFF for arguing with the referee's decision.

Send off

Post a letter.

I must SEND this letter OFF today otherwise it won't get there in time.

Send off for

Order something by post.

I SENT OFF FOR some jeans that I liked in the catalogue.

Send out

Send something to a lot of people.

They SENT OUT a mailshot to all their existing customers.

Send out for

Order takeaway food by phone.

We couldn't be bothered to cook, so we SENT OUT FOR a pizza.

Send up

Imitate/impersonate for comic effect.

The mischievous schoolboy was standing at the front of the class, SENDING
the teacher UP, when the teacher opened the door behind him.

Set about

Start doing something.

We SET ABOUT the cleaning and got it done before lunchtime.

Set about
Attack.

The gang SET ABOUT her as she left the bank.

Set apart

Distinguish, be better than or different from others.

The quality of their work SETS them APART from their rivals.

Set aside

Overturn a court verdict or decision.

The Appeal Court SET ASIDE the guilty verdict because the evidence was
unsatisfactory and declared her not guilty.

Set back

Cost.

The car repairs SET me BACK eight hundred pounds.

Set back

Delay.

The accident SET the project BACK several months.

Set forth

State or outline an opinion.

He SET FORTH his ideas in his autobiography.

Set forth

Start a journey.

We SET FORTH at daybreak for the summit of the mountain.

Set in

Change season noticeably.

Winter has SET IN; it's started snowing.

Set off

Explode a bomb.

Terrorists SET OFF a car bomb in the city centre last night. Fortunately, no-
one was hurt or killed.

Set off

Ring an alarm.
The smoke SET the fire alarm OFF.

Set off

Start a journey.

We SET OFF for work at seven-thirty.

Set off

Counterbalance a debt.

The company SET OFF its overseas debts against it profits at home.

Set off

Provide a visual contrast that looks good.

The dark frame SETS the pale drawing OFF well.

Set off

Cause, trigger events.

The pay freeze SET OFF a wave of strikes.

Set on
Attack.

He was SET ON when he left the bar.

Set out

Display, show.

The figures are SET OUT in the council's annual report.

Set out

Start a journey.

The explorers SET OUT for the South Pole yesterday morning.

Set out

Arrange, organise.

The contract SETS OUT all the details of the agreement.

Set to

Work hard or enthusiastically.

If we all SET TO, we should be able to finish this in a few hours.

Set up

Prepare equipment, software, etc., for use.

The technician SET UP the computer network perfectly.

Set up

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.

Set up

Provide someone with the money needed to live.

Winning the lottery SET them UP for life.

Set up

Trick, deceive.

The police SET them UP.

Set upon

Attack.
They SET UPON her when she was in the car park.

Settle down

Start living a fixed and routine life.

After years of partying and drinking, she finally got married and SETTLED
DOWN.

Settle for

Accept whatever is available.

We were upset not to win and had to SETTLE FOR the second prize.

Settle in

Get used to.

It took him a while to SETTLE IN when he moved to Japan.

Settle on

Agree.

They couldn't agree at first on a name for their daughter, but finally
SETTLED ON Alice.
Settle up

Pay a debt.

Let's SETTLE UP for the dinner the other night.

Sex up

Change information to make it more attractive to the reader or listener.

The government denied that they had SEXED UP the report to make the
front page.

Shack up

Live with someone when you are in a relationship..

They SHACKED UP a few months after they started going out.

Shack up

Live somewhere temporarily.

We had to SHACK UP with friends while our house was being decorated.

Shade in

Make a part of a picture darker.

She SHADED IN the area under the tree.

Shake down

Search.

The police SHOOK the house DOWN looking for drugs.

Shake down

Extort or cheat money from someone.

He SHOOK the guy DOWN with some story about needing the money for an
operation.

Shake off

Get rid of an illness.

It took me ages to SHAKE OFF the cough.

Shake out

Shake clothes, cloths, etc to remove dirt or creases.

He took the tablecloth outside and SHOOK it OUT after dinner.

Shake up
Upset or shock.

The news of her death really SHOOK me UP.

Shake up

Make major changes to improve or save a company, organisation, etc.

The management are SHAKING things UP and getting rid of a lot of workers.

Shake up

Mix things in a container by shaking hard.

Pour the ingredients into a container and SHAKE them UP.

Shape up

Develop in a positive way.

Things are SHAPING UP at work- everything's going well again.

Shape up

Improve to reach an acceptable standard.

If they don't start SHAPING UP, they're going to lose their jobs.
Shave off

Shave completely.

He has SHAVED OFF his moustache and looks much younger.

Shave off

Reduce by a small amount.

He SHAVED a few thousand OFF the budget for the year.

Shell out

Spend money on something, especially when you think it's too expensive.

I had to SHELL OUT a hundred pounds on the dinner.

Ship off

Send someone away, often because of a problem.

He was causing a lot of trouble, so they SHIPPED him OFF to another branch

Ship out

Send goods to a place.

We SHIPPED the order OUT two days ago.

Ship out

Leave a place.

If you've finished your work, I'm ready to SHIP OUT.

Shoot away

Leave somewhere quickly.

He SHOT AWAY as soon as the bell rang for the end of the lesson.

Shoot back

Return quickly.

I'm SHOOTING BACK home to pick up some things I forgot to bring with me.

Shoot for

Have as a goal.

Im SHOOTING FOR nothing less than the presidency.

Shoot off
Leave promptly and quickly.

I'll have to SHOOT OFF as soon as the lesson finishes, otherwise I'll miss my
train.

Shoot out

Go out for a short time.

I'm SHOOTING OUT to the shops for a paper.

Shoot up

Increase quickly.

The share prices of internet companies have been SHOOTING UP lately.

Shoot up

Take illicit drugs intravenously..

The heroin-user would SHOOT UP in shop doorways.

Shoot up

Damage with gun-shots.

The gangsters SHOT UP the pub.

Shoot up

Increase quickly, grow.

Johnny has SHOT UP since I last saw him

Shop around

Look around for the best price, quality, etc..

If you SHOP AROUND, you can find some real bargains for air tickets.

Short out

Short circuit.

The battery SHORTED OUT when it got wet.

Shout down

Make so much noise to stop someone being heard.

His efforts to raise the issue were SHOUTED DOWN.

Shout out

Say something loudly, often to attract someone's attention.

She SHOUTED OUT my name.

Show around

Take someone to a place to show them certain parts.

The estate agent SHOWED us AROUND the house but we didn't like it much.

Show in

Take someone into an office or other room.

The secretary SHOWED me IN to speak to the manager.

Show off

Behave in a way so as to attract attention.

The children were SHOWING OFF and irritated me.

Show off

Display something you are proud of.

He wanted to SHOW OFF his new sound system.

Show off
Make the qualities of another thing more apparent.

The shirt really SHOWED OFF his new tie.

Show out

Take someone to out of a room or building.

Her secretary SHOWED me OUT after the interview.

Show over

Take someone around a site.

He SHOWED us OVER the scene of the accident

Show round

Take someone to a place to show them certain parts.

The guide SHOWED them ROUND the historic part of the city.

Show through

When a feeling can be seen despite attempts to conceal it.

His anger SHOWED THROUGH despite his smile.

Show up

Attend something or arrive somewhere.

Very few SHOWED UP at the meeting.

Show up

Become clear or apparent.

The downturn in sales SHOWED UP in the company's accounts.

Show up

Make someone feel embarrassed or ashamed.

He SHOWED us UP when he arrived drunk and started arguing.

Shrug off

Disregard something, not consider it important or harmful.

He SHRUGGED OFF the criticism and carried on the same way.

Shut away

Imprison or remove someone's freedom.

Many people have been SHUT AWAY in psychiatric hospitals for disagreeing
with the government.

Shut down

Close a business, shop, etc..

The shop SHUT DOWN when the out-of-town supermarket opened.

Shut down

Turn a computer off.

You should close all programs before you SHUT a computer DOWN.

Shut in

Prevent someone from leaving.

I SHUT the cat IN until it was time to go to the vet.

Shut off

Close, prevent access.

They SHUT the water OFF while they did the repairs.

Shut out
Exclude.

You have to SHUT your feelings OUT to deal with it.

Shut out

Not allow a player or team to score.

The Dodgers SHUT OUT the Giants 3-0.

Shut out of

Exclude someone from an activity, etc.

He's been SHUT OUT OF the discussions.

Shut up

Stop talking or making noise.

He told us to SHUT UP and start working.

Shut up

Close for a period of time.

They SHUT the shop UP for a fortnight while they were on holiday.
Shut yourself away

Withdraw from company.

She's SHUT herself AWAY to revise for her exams.

Shy away from

Avoid doing something because you lack confidence.

Many learners SHY AWAY FROM using phrasal verbs.

Side with

Support someone.

The lecturer SIDED WITH her students and got sacked for her pains.

Sidle up to

Approach someone discreetly.

He SIDLED UP TO me and whispered his name.

Sift through

Examine a lot of things carefully.

We had to SIFT THROUGH thousands of files before we found what we were
looking for.

Sign away

Give away legal or property rights.

He SIGNED AWAY his rights to compensation when he signed the contract.

Sign for

Write a signature on behalf on someone.

My boss was out for the day, so I SIGNED her letters FOR her.

Sign in

Register in a hotel.

We SIGNED IN and went straight to bed.

Sign in

Open a computer program that requires a name and password.

I SIGNED IN and started chatting online.

Sign in
Write your name when entering a place.

You have to SIGN IN before you can enter the club.

Sign into

Open a particular computer program that requires a name and password.

I SIGN INTO MSN Messenger automatically when I boot up.

Sign off

End a message.

I'll SIGN OFF now, but will write again next week.

Sign off

Close a claim for unemployment benefit.

I SIGNED OFF when I got my new job.

Sign off

Stop doing something to leave.

I'm SIGNING OFF now and going home- I'm shattered.

Sign off

Give someone a letter to be away from work.

My doctor SIGNED me OFF for a month with back problems.

Sign off on

Give official approval.

The director SIGNED OFF ON the plans to increase sales.

Sign on

Open a claim for unemployment benefit.

I had to SIGN ON when I lost my job.

Sign on

Agree to participate.

I've SIGNED ON to help at the village fete.

Sign on

Start broadcasting.
He SIGNS ON the same way every show.

Sign on

Employ.

We've SIGNED ON two new teachers.

Sign on with

Sign a document joining or agreeing to something.

He's SIGNED ON WITH Manchester United for the next three years.

Sign out

Close a computer program that requires a name and password.

I SIGNED OUT and then shut the computer down.

Sign out

Sign something to show you have borrowed something.

Could you SIGN those books OUT, please?

Sign out of
Close a particular computer program that requires a name and password.

I SIGNED OUT OF MSN Messenger and shut the computer down.

Sign up

Give your name to do something.

I've SIGNED UP as a volunteer.

Sign up

Subscribe.

I SIGNED UP for their newsletter.

Sign with

Make a contract with.

She's SIGNED WITH EMI for the next few years.

Simmer down

Become calmer, make less noise.

He told them to SIMMER DOWN because they were disturbing the class next
door.
Sing along

To sing when a piece of music is being played or performed by someone

else..

I SANG ALONG when they played it on the radio.

Sing out

Reply loudly.

When you hear your name, SING OUT!

Sing out

Sing loudly.

Everyone SANG OUT during the chorus.

Sing up

Sing louder.

We can't hear you- SING UP.

Single out

Select or choose one from a group.

Many people applied for the job but we will SINGLE OUT the best one.

Sink in

Slowly come to be understood.

The truth finally SANK IN about her death when it was broadcast on TV.

Sit about

Sit and do nothing, especially when you should be working.

We spent the afternoon SITTING ABOUT chatting instead of doing any work.

Sit around

Sit idly, doing nothing.

They just SAT AROUND while the others did all the work.

Sit back

Wait for something to happen without making any effort.

We SAT BACK and waited for them to make the first mistake.

Sit back
Relax in a chair.

I SAT BACK and enjoyed the show.

Sit by

Not try to stop something.

I can't SIT BY while they are punished wrongly.

Sit down

Help someone to sit.

The nurse SAT me DOWN in a chair.

Sit for

Pose for an artist or photographer.

The Queen SAT FOR another official portrait.

Sit for

Look after children while their parents are out.

She SITS FOR her neighbors when they go out.

Sit in

Occupy a building to protest about something.

The students SAT IN the Library as a protest against the increase in tuition
fees.

Sit in for

Take on someone's responsibilities while they are absent.

Her deputy's SITTING IN FOR her while she's away.

Sit in on

Attend as an observer.

She SAT IN ON the meeting and took notes but said nothing.

Sit on

Be on a committee.

She's SAT ON the finance committee from the beginning.

Sit on

To handle somebody firmly who behaves impertinently, conceitedly.

If his girlfriend finds out, she'll get mad and SIT ON him.

Sit on

Hold information back or keep it secret.

The government have been SITTING ON the report because it was so critical.

Sit out

Not take part.

I had to SIT the game OUT because I was ill.

Sit over

Eat or drink slowly.

WE SAT OVER dinner discussing the plans.

Sit through

Stay till the end of something dull.

I was bored and wanted to leave halfway through, but we SAT THROUGH the
film.

Sit with
Reconcile different positions.

It's hard to see how their new plan SITS WITH the promises they made.

Size up

Assess a situation or person carefully..

The doorstaff SIZED UP everyone entering the club.

Size up

Make something bigger or produce bigger products.

Soft drinks manufacturers have SIZED UP their products in recent years.

Skin up

Make a cannabis joint.

She SKINNED UP a fat spliff.

Skin up

Make a cannabis joint.

Who's going to SKIN UP?

Skive off

Avoid doing work or other duty.

I pretended I was ill and SKIVED OFF on Monday.

Slack off

Reduce one's effort, perform with less enthusiasm and energy.

Students usually begin the term well, then SLACK OFF near the end of the
semester.

Slacken off

Become less busy or intense.

Work SLACKENS OFF during the holiday period.

Slag off

Criticise heavily.

The concert was terrible and all the papers SLAGGED the band OFF.

Slant toward

Favour one viewpoint, bias.

That travel magazine is totally SLANTED TOWARD the ultra-rich.

Sleep in

Sleep longer than usual.

Lets SLEEP IN tomorrow morning- we wont have another chance for weeks.

Sleep off

Sleep in order to recover from excess alcohol, drugs, etc..

She went to bed TO SLEEP OFF the effects of the tequila.

Sleep on

Think about something.

My boss said she'd have to SLEEP ON it when I asked her for a raise.

Sleep over

Spend the night at someone else's house.

The au pair made tea for the friends who were SLEEPING OVER.

Sleep through
Not wake up.

I SLEPT THROUGH the storm even though the wind blew some slates off the
roof.

Slice off

Cut, remove an amount or part of something.

They CUT 10% OFF the original price.

Slice up

Cut completely into pieces or slices.

I SLICED the cake UP and handed it round to the people there.

Slip away

Lose an opportunity or the chance of winning, succeeding, etc.

Their hopes of getting back into the game SLIPPED AWAY after the second
goal.

Slip away

Pass quickly (time).

The year has SLIPPED AWAY and it is hard to believe it's over.
Slip by

Pass quickly (time).

The years SLIP BY as you get older.

Slip by

Lose an opportunity or the chance of winning, succeeding, etc.

He didn't follow the offer up and let it SLIP BY.

Slip down

Be enjoyable to drink or eat.

The cold beer SLIPPED DOWN a treat after the walk.

Slip in

Try to include something discreetly when speaking.

He SLIPPED IN a mention of his exam results to remind us how well he did.

Slip into

Put clothes on quickly.

I got out of my suit and SLIPPED INTO my pyjamas.

Slip into

Acquire bad habits or fall into a bad or negative state or condition.

The economy SLIPPED INTO recession and shows no signs of recovery.

Slip off

Leave a place discreetly.

It was very boring so we SLIPPED OFF before it finished.

Slip off

Remove clothes.

I SLIPPED my shoes OFF when I entered.

Slip off to

Go somewhere discreetly.

We SLIPPED OFF TO the pub.

Slip on
Put clothes on quickly.

I SLIPPED my coat ON and rushed outside.

Slip out

Leave discreetly.

The party was really dull so we SLIPPED OUT and went to the pub instead.

Slip up

Make an error.

The waitress SLIPPED UP and didn't bring us what we had ordered.

Slob about

Be lazy, do nothing.

I SLOBBED ABOUT all day as I couldn't be bothered to do any work.

Slob around

Be lazy, do nothing.

I spent the day SLOBBING AROUND at home.

Slope off

Leave somewhere without letting others know.

The lecture sounded really boring, so I SLOPED OFF and went to the pub.

Slough off

Get rid of, dispose.

The government is increasing its powers but is SLOUGHING OFF

responsibility for its failures.

Slough off

Lose or shed outer layers of skin.

Snakes SLOUGH OFF their old skin.

Slough off

Ignore or trivialize an injury or insult.

He SLOUGHED OFF the pain and continued running.

Slow down

Reduce speed.
The car SLOWED DOWN when they saw the police.

Slow down

Become less active.

It is important to slow down, rest, and eat sensibly.

Slow up

Slow the progress of something.

The negotiations were SLOWED UP by the arguments.

Slug it out

Fight or argue.

They SLUGGED IT OUT for hours but never came to an agreement.

Smack of

Appear to have a negative quality.

The government's decision SMACKS OF hypocrisy.

Smash down
Demolish or break something down.

The police SMASHED the door DOWN to get into the house.

Smash in

Break something by hitting it repeatedly.

He SMASHED the windscreen IN.

Smash up

Destroy, break into many pieces.

The burglars SMASHED UP the office as there was no money to steal.

Smoke out

Force someone out of a place they're hiding in.

The police SMOKED the gang OUT and arrested them.

Snaffle up

Consume, take, buy something other people may want.

They SNAFFLED UP all the food before we got there.

Snap off

Break a piece off something.

He SNAPPED OFF a bit of chocolate from the bar and gave it to me..

Snap out of

Control negative emotions.

I was feeling depressed and knew I had to SNAP OUT OF it.

Snap to it!

Do something quickly.

He had taken ages so I told him to SNAP TO IT and get it finished.

Snap up

Get, acquire or buy something quickly.

Collectors SNAPPED UP every copy the day it was released.

Snarl up

Entangle.
My line was all SNARLED UP after I caught that last fish.

Sneak out

Depart furtively.

Although the thieves tried to SNEAK OUT after dark, we were ready for
them.

Sneak up on

Approach someone furtively.

Dave tried to SNEAK UP ON the guard, but was seen anyway.

Sniff around

Look around to see how good something is or to try to find something better.

I SNIFFED AROUND to see if I could find a better deal.

Sniff at

Disapprove or be scornful.

A job opportunity like that is not to be SNIFFED AT.

Sniff out
Find something by smell (usually for dogs).

Customs use dogs to SNIFF OUT illegal drugs being smuggled in.

Sniff out

Find out information, especially when people don't want anyone to know.

Our rivals are trying to SNIFF OUT our plans for expansion.

Snitch on

Divulge secrets, inform authorities about someone.

Reggie was caught after someone SNITCHED ON him to the teacher.

Snuff out

Extinguish a small flame by covering it.

I SNUFFED OUT the candles before I went to bed.

Snuff out

Kill.

He got SNUFFED OUT in a gang war.

Snuff out

End something suddenly.

I messed up the first question, which SNUFFED OUT my chances of getting a

good grade.

Sober up

Stop showing the effects of alcohol or drugs.

Keith SOBERED UP a bit when we left the pub and walked home.

Soften up

Weaken.

The bombardment SOFTENED UP their defenses; I think we can move in

tomorrow.

Soften up

Do things to please someone in the hope that they will do what you want.

I paid for everything to SOFTEN them UP before they made the decision.

Soldier on
Continue even when things get difficult.

Life got hard for my dog when he went blind, but he just SOLDIERED ON and
never complained.

Sort out

Resolve a problem.

Has the firm SORTED OUT its tax problems yet?

Sound off

To express your opinions forcefully.

He SOUNDED OFF about the quality of the food.

Sound out

Check what someone thinks about an issue, idea, etc..

You should SOUND her OUT to get her opinion before you go ahead with the
plan.

Spaff away

Waste (money, time, resources, etc).

The council is SPAFFING AWAY our taxes on bonuses and consultants.

Spark off

Cause something, usually unpleasant, to happen.

The riot was SPARKED OFF by the police raid on the club.

Spark up

Light a cigarette or joint.

They SPARKED UP in a no smoking area.

Speak out

Talk openly and freely.

People are afraid to SPEAK OUT in oppressive political regimes.

Speak up

Talk more loudly.

They couldn't hear the speaker and asked him to SPEAK UP a bit.

Spell out

Explain something in great detail.

He won't understand you unless you SPELL everything OUT for him.

Spell out

Write or say the individual letters that make up a word.

I had to SPELL my surname OUT to him as he didn't know how to spell it.

Spew out

Expel, throw out.

The volcano is SPEWING OUT lava and hot gases.

Spew up

Vomit.

He SPEWED UP when he was drunk.

Spill out

When large numbers of people leave a place at the same time.

The crowd SPILLED OUT onto the streets after the match had ended.

Spill out
Come or flow out of a box, container, etc.

The container was cracked and the chemicals SPILLED OUT.

Spill out

Express or display emotions openly.

I let my frustration SPILL OUT.

Spill over

When something bad has a wider impact on other people or situations.

The protests and demonstrations have SPILLED OVER into neighbouring

states.

Spill over

Flow over the edge or top of a container.

I forgot to turn the tap off and the water SPILLED OVER.

Spin off

Produce an unexpected additional benefit.

The research SPUN OFF a number of new products as well as solving the
problem.

Spin off

Form a separate company from part of an existing one.

They SPUN OFF the retail division last year.

Spin off

Create a TV show using characters from a popular show.

They SPUN it OFF from the main show, but it didn't really attract many
viewers.

Spin out

Lose control (vehicle).

The car hit the water and SPUN OUT.

Spin out

Make something last as long as possible.

I SPUN the work OUT to make as much money from the job as I could.

Spirit away
Remove someone secretly from a place.

They SPIRITED her AWAY before the police arrived.

Spirit off

Remove someone secretly from a place.

They SPIRITED him OFF before any trouble started.

Spit it out

An informal way of telling someone to say something they are unwilling to

say.

Hurry up, SPIT IT OUT! I can't wait all day for the truth.

Spit out

Say something angrily.

He SPAT her name OUT when he saw her arrive.

Splash down

Land in the sea (space capsules).

Apollo 13 SPLASHED DOWN after a harrowing flight.

Splash out

Spend a lot of money on something that is not essential.

We went to an expensive restaurant and SPLASHED OUT to celebrate

Splash out on

Spend a lot of money on something.

I SPLASHED OUT ON a new camera.

Split up

Divide into groups.

The teacher SPLIT the class UP into groups of four.

Split up

Finish a relationship.

They are always SPLITTING UP and then getting back together again.

Spoil for

Really want something.

He's been SPOILING FOR an argument all day.

Sponge down

Clean something with a sponge.

I'll SPONGE it DOWN before putting it away.

Sponge off

Accept free food and support without any shame or qualms.

Lets go to New York, we can always SPONGE OFF my brother there.

Sponge on

Accept or get money without doing any work.

A lot of people are SPONGING ON the state by claiming benefits they're not
entitled to.

Spring back

Return to original position after being bent, forced or when pressure is

removed.

The lock SPRINGS BACK when the key is turned.

Spring for

Pay for, often generously.

She is going to SPRING FOR all their medical bills.

Spring from

Appear suddenly and unexpectedly.

He SPRANG FROM the bushes when I walked past.

Spring from

Be the cause of something.

His anger SPRINGS FROM his feelings of insecurity.

Spring on

Surprise someone.

They SPRUNG a birthday party ON me at work.

Spring up

Appear suddenly.
Charity shops are SPRINGING UP in the recession.

Spruce up

To smarten, make something neat and tidy.

We SPRUCED the flat UP before we put it on the market.

Spur on

Encourage someone to continue.

The thought of the bonus SPURRED her ON to complete the work on time.

Square away

Finish or sort something out.

There are few things I have to SQUARE AWAY before I can leave.

Square off

Confront someone or prepare to fight them.

The two drunks SQUARED OFF and the barman had to intervene before a
fight broke out.

Square off against

Confront someone or prepare to fight them.

They SQUARED OFF AGAINST the police when they arrived.

Square up

Pay back a debt.

Can I SQUARE UP with you for last night?

Square up

Confront someone or prepare to fight them.

The companies are SQUARING UP for a fight.

Square up to

Accept responsibility or guilt.

They need to SQUARE UP TO what they did wrong if we are to make any
progress.

Square with

Match, conform to.

What he said doesn't SQUARE WITH what the others said.

Square with

Check with someone that something is OK.

I'll have to CHECK that WITH my boss before I can confirm it.

Squeeze up

Get more people into a space than normal or comfortable.

Four of us had to SQUEEZE UP in the back of the car.

Stack up

Put things in a pile.

I STACKED UP the boxes.

Stack up

Accumulate.

Work STACKED UP while I was away on holiday.

Stack up

Increase, accumulate something.

I've been STACKING UP a lot of air miles.

Stack up

Be logical, make sense.

The budget figures don't STACK UP.

Stack up

Build up the number of planes waiting to land at an airport.

Planes were STACKING UP while the airport was closed after the bomb
threat.

Stack up against

Be as good as something.

The new model doesn't STACK UP AGAINST the old one.

Staff up

Employ someone for something specific.

They haven't STAFFED the project UP yet.

Stamp out
Get rid of something.

The government has started a campaign to STAMP OUT drugs in schools.

Stand about

Spend time in a place waiting or doing nothing or very little.

We STOOD ABOUT drinking coffee before the lecture.

Stand around

Spend time in a place waiting or doing nothing or very little.

We STOOD AROUND for an hour waiting for them to turn up.

Stand aside

Leave a position so that someone else can take it.

The prime minister should STAND ASIDE and let a new leader head the
party.

Stand back

Keep a distance from something.

We STOOD BACK while he lit the firework.

Stand back

Try to understand something by taking a different perspective.

We need to STAND BACK and look at the problem differently.

Stand by

Support someone.

He STOOD BY her throughout the trial as he believed her to be innocent.

Stand by

Be ready and waiting for something to happen.

The emergency services were STANDING BY waiting for the plane to land.

Stand down

Leave a job or position so that someone else can take it.

The minister announced her intention to STAND DOWN at the next election.

Stand down

Finish being asked questions in a court.

The judge told the witness to STAND DOWN after the questioning.

Stand for

Accept or tolerate behaviour.

I'm not going to STAND FOR their rudeness any longer.

Stand for

The words represented by certain initials.

'WHAT do the letters BBC STAND FOR? ' 'British Broadcasting Corporation.'

Stand in for

Substitute someone temporarily.

She had to STAND IN FOR the editor while he was on holiday.

Stand out

Be extraordinary and different.

She STOOD OUT from the crowd in selection and was offered the job.

Stand up
Move from a sitting or lying down to a vertical position.

Everybody STOOD UP when the judge entered the court.

Stand up

Fail to keep an appointment.

He agreed to meet me last night, but he STOOD me UP.

Stand up for

Defend, support.

He's the kind of manager who will always STAND UP FOR his staff.

Stand up to

Keep your principles when challenged by an authority.

She STOOD UP TO the police when they tried to corrupt her.

Stand up to

Resist damage.

This coat will STAND UP TO the roughest weather conditions.

Stare down

Look at someone until they cannot look at you.

He was angry but I STARED him DOWN and he left without saying much.

Start off

Make something start.

They STARTED OFF the meeting with an attack on our performance.

Start off

Begin life, a career or existence.

She STARTED OFF as a receptionist and ended up as the CEO.

Start off

Begin a journey.

We STARTED OFF early because we knew the journey would take all day.

Start off

Make someone laugh.

I was trying to be serious, but their comment STARTED me OFF.

Start off on

Help someone to start a piece or work or activity.

I STARTED her OFF ON the project then left her to finish it.

Start on

Begin to use or consume.

It's time to START ON that bottle of wine.

Start on

Criticise angrily.

The manager was furious and STARTED ON her staff for not trying hard
enough.

Start on at

Criticise or nag.

He STARTED ON AT me for being late.

Start out
Begin a journey.

We STARTED OUT early in the morning.

Start out as

Begin life, existence or a career.

What had STARTED OUT AS a protest quickly turned into a full-blown

rebellion.

Start out to

Intend, plan.

I didn't START OUT TO become the boss- it just happened.

Start over

Begin something again.

It's a mess- I think we should just START OVER.

Start up

Open a business.

The firm STARTED UP on a shoestring budget.

Start up

Begin, especially sounds.

There was a pause, then the noise STARTED UP again.

Start up

When an engine starts working.

The car STARTED UP first time.

Start up

Make an engine work.

I STARTED the car UP.

Start up

Sit or stand upright because someone has surprised you.

He STARTED UP when I entered the room and tried to hide what he was
doing.

Stash away

Store or hide something in a safe place.

I STASHED some money AWAY behind some books.

Stave in

Push or break something inwards.

The police STOVE the front door IN and arrested them.

Stave off

Delay, prevent something from happening.

The medicine STAVED OFF the worst of the disease.

Stay away

Not come.

He said he didn't like them coming and wanted them to STAY AWAY.

Stay away from

Avoid, not come.

He told them to STAY AWAY FROM him.

Stay in
Not go out.

I'm going to STAY IN and chill tonight; I can't be bothered to go out.

Stay on

Remain longer than anticipated.

She STAYED ON after she graduated to do a Master's degree.

Stay out

Not go home.

We STAYED OUT all night.

Stay over

Stay overnight.

I STAYED OVER at a friend's house last night because of the train strike.

Stay up

Not go to bed.

The children STAYED UP until way past their bedtime.

Steal away

Leave a place quietly or secretly.

We didn't want to wake them, so we STOLE AWAY in the middle of the night.

Steal out

Leave in a stealthy or quiet manner.

Not wanting to attract attention, she STOLE OUT early.

Steal over

Be gradually overcome by an emotion or feeling.

A feeling of pride STOLE OVER me as I watched.

Steal up

Approach quietly or secretly.

The lights were off and everything was quiet so we STOLE UP as quietly as
we could.

Steal up on

Approach a place or someone quietly or secretly.

We STOLE UP ON them so that they couldn't sound the alarm.

Steer clear of

Avoid.

He's trying to STEER CLEAR OF his lecturer because he hasn't finished his
assignment yet.

Stem from

Originate, be caused by.

The trouble STEMS FROM their refusal to discuss the matter.

Step aside

Leave a job or position so that someone else can take over.

Everyone thinks that the prime minister should STEP ASIDE so that someone
new can lead the party into the election.

Step back

Look at something from a different perspective.

We should STEP BACK and try to see how our customers will view the
scheme.

Step down
Leave a job or position so that someone can take over.

The CEO STEPPED DOWN after the share price dropped.

Step down

Reduce.

Production is being STEPPED DOWN because demand has dropped.

Step forward

Offer help.

When I had the accident, a lot of people STEPPED FORWARD to help me.

Step in

Get involved by interrupting something.

I had to STEP IN when they started fighting.

Step on it

An imperative used to tell someone to go faster, especially when driving.

I told the taxi driver to STEP ON IT as I was late for the meeting.
Step out

Leave a place for a very short time.

They've STEPPED OUT for a cigarette.

Step to

Confront.

Don't STEP TO those guys; they'll kill you.

Step to

Chat, talk to.

He tried to STEP TO her in the bar.

Step up

Increase.

The police have STEPPED UP the pressure on beggars working the

Underground.

Stick around

Stay in a place for some time.

He's late, but I'll STICK AROUND for another few minutes before I leave.

Stick at

Continue doing something despite difficulties.

She found the course very tough but she STUCK AT it and did well in the
end.

Stick by

Support someone when they are having difficulties.

No one STUCK BY him when the scandal became public.

Stick by

Support a plan, opinion or decision.

They are STICKING BY their claims.

Stick down

Write something quickly or without thinking about it.

I couldn't answer the test so I just STUCK anything DOWN that I could
remember.
Stick down

Join surfaces with glue.

I STUCK the label DOWN.

Stick it to

Criticise someone.

She STUCK IT TO me for turning up half an hour late.

Stick it to

Treat someone badly or unfairly.

My boss always STICKS IT TO me when she's in a bad mood.

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.

I STUCK it OUT even though I hated every minute of it.

Stick out for

Demand a salary raise.

We're STICKING OUT FOR a 5% increase.

Stick to

Not change.

The Prime Minister decided to STICK TO the original plan despite the
criticism in the media.

Stick to

Restrict or limit and not change.

I STUCK TO the path and didn't take the shortcut.

Stick together
Support each other.

If we don't STICK TOGETHER, things will be much worse for all of us- we
need some unity.

Stick up

Stand on end.

The static electricity made my hair STICK UP.

Stick up

Rob using weapons.

They STUCK the bank UP and stole tens of thousands.

Stick up for

Support or defend.

You have to STICK UP FOR yourself here, because no one will back you.

Stick with

Not change something.

We'd better STICK WITH our original idea.

Stick with

Stay near someone.

He told the children to STICK WITH him in the station.

Stick with

Not be forgotten.

The details have STUCK WITH me ever since.

Stick with

Continue with something difficult or unpleasant.

I STUCK WITH the job though I found it very stressful.

Stiffen up

Become rigid.

My back STIFFENS UP in cold weather.

Stiffen up

Make something rigid.

They used starch to STIFFEN the collars UP.

Stir up

Make trouble for someone else.

He STIRRED things UP by complaining to senior management about his line

manager.

Stitch up

Sew something so that it is closed.

I STITCHED UP the hole in my sleeve.

Stitch up

Finalise a deal.

We get the contract STITCHED UP this week.

Stitch up

Cheat someone or make them look guilty when they aren't.

The police STITCHED them UP because they couldn't find any evidence
against them.

Stomp off
Leave somewhere angrily.

He lost his temper and STOMPED OFF home.

Stomp on

Treat badly or defeat.

They STOMP ON their competitors.

Stop around

Visit someone for a short time..

Why don't you STOP AROUND my place on your way back?

Stop back

Return somewhere.

I'll STOP BACK this afternoon when you're free.

Stop behind

Stay somewhere when other people leave.

I STOPPED BEHIND at the end of the lecture to ask a couple of questions.

Stop by

Visit somewhere briefly or quickly.

I must STOP BY the supermarket and pick up some things for dinner.

Stop in

Stay at home.

I was feeling tired so I STOPPED IN last night.

Stop in

Visit briefly.

I STOPPED IN at my aunt's after work.

Stop off

Break a journey.

We STOPPED OFF for lunch about halfway there, then carried on driving.

Stop out

Be out late, especially when you are expected home.

Her parents were annoyed because she STOPPED OUT all night.

Stop over

Stay somewhere when on a journey.

I STOPPED OVER in Bangkok for a couple of days on my way back from

Tokyo.

Stop up

Stay up late.

I STOPPED UP last night watching the film.

Stop up

Fill or block something.

I STOPPED UP the bottle with a cork.

Storm off

Leave a place angrily.

They had a row and he STORMED OFF.

Storm out
Leave a place angrily.

He lost his temper and STORMED OUT OF the bar. (If you don't mention the
place, you can just say 'He stormed out')

Stow away

Hide in a vehicle to travel without people knowing.

She STOWED AWAY on the plane but was caught when it landed.

Stow away

Store something in a safe place.

We STOWED it AWAY in the garage to keep it dry.

Straighten out

Make something straight.

I'm always having to STRAIGHTEN OUT the wires connected to my computer.

Straighten out

Deal with a problem.

I had to STRAIGHTEN OUT things after the mess they had made.
Straighten out

Make clear and resolve.

There are a few issues I'd like to STRAIGHTEN OUT first.

Straighten out

Improve someone's behaviour.

Starting work has STRAIGHTENED him OUT and calmed him down.

Straighten up

Stand straight.

She STRAIGHTENED UP when her boss walked in.

Straighten up

Tidy.

I STRAIGHTENED UP the room before they arrived.

Strike back

Attack, take action against someone who has hurt you.

At first, he ignored them, but when things got very serious, he STRUCK
BACK.

Strike down

Kill.

A hitman STRUCK him DOWN as he entered the building.(This verb is often

used in the passive- He was struck down as he entered the building.)

Strike down

Make someone ill.

I was STRUCK DOWN with food poisoning.(This verb is mostly used in the
passive.)

Strike down

Disallow a law, decision, etc.

The Appeal Court STRUCK DOWN the lower court's ruling.

Strike off

Remove someone's professional licence to practise.

The Medical Council STRUCK him OFF for malpractice.

Strike on

Have a good idea.

I STRUCK ON the solution when I was out with my dog.

Strike out

Start doing something new and different.

After doing the same job for five years, I decided to STRIKE OUT and change
careers.

Strike out

Try to hit someone.

When he pushed me, I STRUCK OUT.

Strike out

Start going towards a place.

We got up early and STRUCK OUT for our final destination.

Strike out

Cross writing out.

As they arrived, I STRUCK their names OUT on the list I had.

Strike out

Fail.

I tried to get the government to support us but I STRUCK OUT.

Strike up

Start (conversation, relationship).

He STRUCK UP a conversation with me in the bar.

Strike up

Start performing music.

The band STRUCK UP and everyone turned to listen.

Strike upon

Have a good idea.

It took us a long time to STRIKE UPON a solution.

String along
Deceive someone for a long time.

They kept saying they were interested, but they were just STRINGING me
ALONG

String along

Accompany someone because you haven't got anything better to do.

Is it alright if I STRING ALONG with you tonight?

String out

Make something last as long as possible.

There was half an hour to go, so I STRUNG the questions OUT as long as I
could.

String together

Put words together into a coherent text.

I was so nervous in the interview that I could hardly STRING a sentence

TOGETHER.

String up

Hang somebody.

The rebels STRUNG the soldiers UP after they captured them.

Stub out

Extinguish a cigarette.

He STUBBED his cigarette OUT in a saucer because he couldn't find an

ashtray.

Stuff up

Make a mistake, do badly, spoil.

I STUFFED the exam UP.

Stumble across

Find something accidentally.

You'll never guess what I STUMBLED ACROSS when I was packing my stuff.

Stumble upon

Find something accidentally.

I STUMBLED UPON these photos when I was clearing my room up.

Stump up

Pay for something.

He didn't want to pay me back, but I got him to STUMP UP in the end.

Suck in

Become involved in something unpleasant.

Everyone around her was taking drugs and she got SUCKED IN.

Suck into

Become involved in something unpleasant.

The country got SUCKED INTO the war.

Suck up

Try to ingratiate yourself.

He is always SUCKING UP to try to get the boss's approval.

Suck up to

Ingratiate yourself with someone.

He's always SUCKING UP TO our boss.

Suit up
Get dressed or put on a uniform for an activity or task.

They SUITED UP and went to the interview

Sum up

Summarise.

At the end of the lecture, she SUMMED UP the main points again.

Summon up

Get the energy or courage to do something.

Andrea couldn't SUMMON UP the enthusiasm to apply for the position.

Suss out

Come to understand.

It took her ages to SUSS OUT what was going on.

Swan about

Move in a dramatic or affected manner.

He SWANNED ABOUT at the party.

Swan around

Move in a dramatic or affected manner.

She SWANNED AROUND trying to impress people.

Swan in

Enter in a dramatic or attention-seeking manner.

He SWANNED IN surrounded by photographers.

Swan off

Leave somewhere in a defiant or pompous manner.

He didn't like the way the spoke to him so he SWANNED OFF angrily.

Swear by

Have great confidence in.

I SWEAR BY their products- they're the best on the market.

Swear down

Promise that something is true.

He SWORE DOWN that he hadn't done it.

Sweep through

Pass easily, succeed.

She SWEPT THROUGH the exams.

Sweep through

Move quickly through.

The disease SWEPT THROUGH the population.

Swing around

Change your opinion quickly.

They SWUNG AROUND to our idea after reading the press reports.

Swing around

Turn around quickly.

He SWUNG ROUND to see what had made the noise.

Swing at
Try to hit.

He SWUNG AT me but missed.

Swing by

Visit a person or place on your way somewhere.

I will SWING BY this afternoon and pick you up.

Swing round

Change your opinion quickly.

They were against it at first then SWUNG ROUND and supported it.

Swing round

Turn around quickly.

She SWUNG ROUND and greeted them.

Syphon off

Take business, support or votes from someone.

The candidate SYPHONED OFF a lot of votes because of his anti-war stance.
Syphon off

Divert money illegally.

The minister had been SYPHONING OFF funds from his department for years.

Tack on

Add something that wasn't planned.

They TACKED ON a new ending to the film when they found that test
audiences didn't like the original.

Tack onto

Add or attach something that wasn't planned to something.

I TACKED a quick message ONTO the end of the letter after I'd printed it.

Tag along

Accompany someone, especially if they haven't specifically invited you.

You're off to the cinema; can we TAG ALONG?

Tag on

Add an additional point to something written or spoken.

He TAGGED ON a few comments after reading my report.

Tag onto

Add an additional point to something written or spoken.

He TAGGED his ideas ONTO the end of my report.

Tag with

Add a keyword link or bookmark to a blog entry or webpage.

The post was TAGGED WITH keywords.

Tail away

Become silent or inaudible.

His voice TAILED AWAY when he was speaking about what he'd done wrong.

Tail back

Form a traffic jam.

The traffic TAILED BACK for several miles after the accident.

Tail off
Become silent or inaudible.

The voices TAILED OFF when she entered.

Tail off

Decrease.

Profits TAILED OFF sharply in the last quarter of the year as a result of the
increase in the price of oil.

Take after

Look like, resemble.

He TAKES AFTER his mother.

Take apart

Take something to pieces.

She TOOK the photocopier APART to see what had got stuck in it.

Take aside

Get someone alone to talk to them.

The teacher TOOK her ASIDE and said that she'd failed the exam.
Take away

Remove.

The police TOOK the protestors AWAY.

Take back

Make someone nostalgic.

That song always TAKES me BACK to when I was at university.

Take back

Retract a statement, admit that something was wrong.

I had to TAKE BACK everything bad I'd said about them when I learned how
they'd helped out.

Take down

Make notes or write down in full.

The police TOOK DOWN his answers to their questions.

Take down

Remove.
People TAKE DOWN their Christmas decorations twelve days after Christmas.

Take in

Absorb information.

The lecture was rather boring and I didn't TAKE IN much of what the lecturer
said.

Take in

Deceive.

She TOOK me IN with her story until someone told me the truth.

Take in

Make clothes smaller.

The jacket was far too big around the shoulders, so I had it TAKEN IN so that
I could wear it.

Take in

Assume care or support.

The family TOOK IN the three homeless kittens.

Take it

Accept criticism.

He's good at criticising others, but can't TAKE IT himself.

Take it out on

Abuse someone because you're angry.

Whenever things go wrong, he always shouts and TAKES IT OUT ON me,

even if I had nothing to do with the problem.

Take it upon yourself

Take responsibility, often without consulting other people.

I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF to make sure he got up on time.

Take off

Make great progress.

The software house really TOOK OFF when they produced the latest version
of their DTP package.

Take off

Reduce the price of an item.

They've TAKEN ten percent OFF designer frames for glasses.

Take off

When a plane departs or leaves the ground.

The flight for Dublin TOOK OFF on time.

Take off

Remove.

It was hot, so I TOOK my jacket OFF.

Take on

Allow passengers on a ship or plane.

The plane stopped at Zurich to TAKE ON some passengers.

Take on

Assume a responsibility.

She TOOK ON the task of indexing the book.

Take on
Employ.

The council has had to TAKE ON twenty extra employees to handle their
increased workload.

Take out

Borrow a library book.

I TOOK OUT all the books I needed for my essay from the library.

Take out

Borrow money from a bank or other official lender.

Jackie and Anil TOOK OUT a mortgage to buy a bigger flat.

Take out

Extract or remove.

The dentist TOOK OUT all of my wisdom teeth before they started causing
any problems.

Take out

Go out socially with someone, especially a date.

He TOOK her OUT to a restaurant last Friday night.

Take out

Obtain insurance.

I TOOK OUT some health insurance before I went backpacking around Latin
America.

Take out

Kill, murder.

The gang TOOK him OUT after he spoke to the police.

Take over

Assume control of a company or organisation.

The bank was TAKEN OVER by a Hong Kong bank that needed to buy a bank
to get into the British market.

Take over

Start a job or position that someone had occupied before you.

She TOOK OVER responsibility for the project last month.

Take through
Explain something to someone.

He TOOK me THROUGH the procedures before we started.

Take to

Make a habit of something.

He's TAKEN TO wearing a baseball cap since his hair started thinning more
noticeably.

Take up

Fill or occupy time or space.

An awful lot of my time at work is TAKEN UP with pointless bureaucracy

nowadays.

Take up

Make clothes shorter.

The trousers were too long so I TOOK them UP to make them fit.

Take up

Start a new hobby, pastime, etc..

He TOOK UP squash as he felt he had to lose some weight.

Talk around

Persuade.

He TALKED them AROUND to accepting his point of view.

Talk around

Talk about a problem or issue without really dealing with it.

They TALKED AROUND the issue without reaching a conclusion.

Talk at

Talk to someone and not give them a chance to reply or listen to them.

There's no point trying to convince them- they'll just TALK AT you until you
give up.

Talk back

Respond rudely to a person in authority.

The teacher was cross because the pupil TALKED BACK to her.

Talk down
Try to make something sound less important.

The company CEO TALKED DOWN the recent fall in shares.

Talk down

Persuade someone not to jump off a high place to kill themselves.

A man was threatening to jump off the building but the police TALKED him
DOWN.

Talk down to

Talk in a way to show your superiority not communicate.

She's a dreadful teacher and TALKS DOWN TO her students instead of

teaching them.

Talk into

Persuade someone to do something.

She didn't want to let me go, but I finally managed to TALK her INTO it.

Talk out

Discuss a problem or issue to find a solution.

They had a meeting to TALK OUT how people felt.

Talk out of

Persuade someone not to do something.

He was going to drive home after drinking half a bottle of wine, but his
friends TALKED him OUT OF it.

Talk over

Discuss.

We TALKED OVER the problems in our relationship, but couldn't sort things
out.

Talk round

Persuade.

She TALKED them AROUND to accepting her point of view.

Talk round

Talk about a problem or issue without really dealing with it.

WE TALKED ROUND the issue but didn't reach a conclusion.

Talk through
Guide someone through an issue.

The teacher TALKED me THROUGH the test so I knew what to expect.

Talk up

Make something appear more important or significant than it really is.

The government are trying to TALK UP the effect of their policies.

Talk yourself out

Talk until you have nothing left to say.

He TALKED himself OUT after a couple of hours and calmed down.

Tap for

Get money off someone.

I TAPPED him FOR a loan.

Tap into

Use or exploit a plentiful resource for your benefit.

The company is hoping to TAP INTO the Chinese market.

Tap off with

Have sex with.

He TAPPED OFF WITH someone at the party on Saturday.

Tap out

Play a rhythm quietly.

He TAPPED OUT the tune with his pencil while he was thinking.

Tap out

Use all the money available.

How can we buy a new house without TAPPING OUT our savings account.

Tap up

Approach a footballer illegally to get them to change teams.

Chelsea were accused of TAPPING him UP even though he was under

contract.

Team up

Work with someone or a group to achieve something.

They TEAMED UP to publicise the issue.

Tear apart

Disturb or upset greatly.

People were TORN APART when news of the train crash came through.

Tear at

Pull or try to pull something to pieces.

The fighters TORE AT each other.

Tear away

Stop someone doing something unwillingly.

I had to TEAR him AWAY from the office for dinner.

Tear away

Remove a surface violently.

The roof was TORN AWAY in the hurricane.

Tear down
Demolish.

The estate was TORN DOWN so that they could develop the land into luxury
flats.

Tear into

Criticise strongly or angrily.

She TORE INTO me for losing it.

Tear off

Remove part of a form or letter using your hands, not scissors.

She TORE the slip OFF the bottom of the form and sent it with her cheque.

Tear off

Leave at high speed.

The police TORE OFF in their car after arresting her.

Tear off

Remove with force.

The storm TORE the roof OFF.

Tear out

Depart rapidly.

The sheriff TORE OUT after the escaping criminals.

Tear up

Rip into pieces.

He TORE the fax UP and threw the bits of paper in the bin.

Tear up

Destroy.

They are TEARING UP the old part of town to build a new shopping centre.

Tear up

Have eyes fill with tears.

After hearing the tragic news he TEARED UP and could hardly speak.

Tee off

Start or launch an event.

The new project will TEE OFF next month.

Tee off

Place a golf ball on a short plastic or wooden stick before hitting it at the
start of a hole..

He TEED OFF at the first hole.

Tee off

Annoy someone.

It TEES me OFF when they turn up late.

Tee off on

Criticise.

She TEED OFF ON me about the work I gave her.

Tee up

Place a golf ball on a short plastic or wooden stick before hitting it at the
start of a hole..

She TEED UP two strokes ahead at the last hole.

Tee up
Make preparations before starting or launching something.

They are TEEING UP for the conference tomorrow.

Tell apart

See a difference between two things.

They're identical twins so I cannot TELL them APART.

Tell off

Chide; talk angrily to someone about something they've done wrong..

His fiance TOLD him OFF for arriving nearly an hour late.

Tell on

Report someone to an authority.

The pupil TOLD ON the others for cheating and the teacher failed them.

Text out

Cancel an appointment by sending a text message.

I was feeling too tired to go and TEXTED OUT.

Think over

Consider something carefully.

I've THOUGHT it OVER and have made up my mind; I'm going to take the job
in Leeds.

Think through

Consider all the possibilities and outcomes of a situation.

The plan fell through because they hadn't THOUGHT it THROUGH properly.

Think up

Create or invent something, especially when lying.

I'd better THINK UP a good reason for handing the work in late.

Throw away

Discard something when no longer needed.

I THREW the alarm clock AWAY because it had stopped working.

Throw in

Join, accompany.
May I THROW IN with you? My companions left me behind.

Throw in

Add something to a deal.

They THREW IN a printer so I bought it from them.

Throw off

Remove item of clothing quickly.

I THREW OFF my shoes and flopped on the settee.

Throw off

Get rid of.

It took me ages to THROW OFF the cold.

Throw off

Produce light or heat.

The lamp THROWS OFF a lot of heat.

Throw on
Put clothes on quickly.

I THREW ON a jacket and rushed outside.

Throw out

Get rid of.

I THREW OUT all my old clothes to make some space in my wardrobe.

Throw out

Dislocate.

Edward slipped on the ice and THREW OUT his shoulder.

Throw out

Reject.

The committee THREW the proposal OUT.

Throw out

Produce heat, fumes.

The car THROWS OUT a lot of smoke.

Throw out

Expel.

The school THREW him OUT for smoking.

Throw over

End a relationship with someone.

She THREW me OVER last year.

Throw over

Reject, refuse to accept.

They THREW OVER the agreement.

Throw together

Make or arrange quickly.

I THREW a quick dinner TOGETHER before we left.

Throw up

Vomit.
The prawns she ate at lunch made her THROW UP and she had to go home
early.

Throw up

Produce problems, results, ideas, etc.

The talks THREW UP some interesting possibilities.

Throw up

Leave a job or position suddenly.

She THREW UP her job to go travelling.

Throw up

Create clouds of dust or splash water into the air.

The road was bumpy and the car in front was THROWING UP so much dust
that we could hardly see where we were going.

Throw yourself at

Make it clear you are sexually attracted to someone.

He THREW HIMSELF AT her but she wasn't interested.

Throw yourself into

Do something enthusiastically or energetically.

She THREW herself INTO the project.

Tick along

Make reasonable progress without any serious problems.

Things are TICKING ALONG at work while the director's away.

Tick away

Pass (of time).

The last few seconds TICKED AWAY and the team couldn't come back.

Tick by

Pass (of time).

The seconds TICKED BY and the team failed to score.

Tick off

Annoy.
She really TICKS me OFF when she doesn't reply to my emails.

Tick off

Scold.

He TICKED me OFF for arriving late.

Tick off

Put a mark on an item in a list when it has been dealt with.

She TICKED OFF our names when we arrived.

Tick over

Continue working, but without improving.

The company TICKED OVER while she was away on holiday.

Tick over

Operate but without moving (engines).

The mechanic left the engine TICKING OVER for a while to see if he could
see what was causing the problem.

Tide over
Use something carefully so as not to finish it.

This 50 will have to TIDE me OVER until I get paid.

Tidy up

Put things in the correct place in a room.

I TIDIED UP my bedroom because it was a complete mess.

Tie back

Fasten or secure so that it doesn't obstruct.

She TIED her hair BACK before playing tennis.

Tie down

Secure something to prevent it moving.

They TIED him DOWN to stop him escaping.

Tie down

Remove or restrict freedom.

Marriage TIES you DOWN.

Tie down

Stop people (often police or military) going where they are needed.

The army were TIED DOWN with the rebellion and couldn't help.

Tie in

Agree, be connected or support.

The theory TIES IN with what the police have been saying.

Tie in

Associate with.

He is TIED IN somehow with the crime syndicate.

Tie in with

Occur at the same time.

The publication TIES IN WITH the twentieth anniversary of the incident.

Tie up

Tie or fasten something securely.

They TIED UP the hostages so that they couldn't escape.

Tie up

Stop someone doing something.

Work has TIED me UP all week.

Tie up

Fasten.

I TIED UP my shoelaces.

Tie up

Block a road, etc.

The convoy TIED UP the road for an hour.

Tighten up

Make something more secure or function better.

They're TIGHTENING UP security for the president's visit.

Time out
End or close because of a time limit.

The program TIMED OUT before I could reply.

Time out

End or close something because of a time limit.

The program TIMED me OUT after twenty minutes.

Tip off

Secretly inform the police or authorities.

The police arrested the drug dealer after someone TIPPED them OFF.

Tip over

Spill, make something fall on its side.

I TIPPED my coffee OVER and ruined my keyboard.

Tire of

Get bored of something.

She soon TIRED OF the course and dropped out.

Tire out

Make someone exhausted.

Working so much TIRES me OUT.

Toddle off

Leave, go home.

It's geting late, so I'm going to TODDLE OFF home.

Tone down

Make something sound more moderate.

The Minister tried to TONE DOWN what she had said when the press started
attacking her.

Tool up

Provide equipment.

The company spent a lot on TOOLING the factory UP.

Tool up

Arm yourself or somebody.

The gangsters got TOOLED UP before they went into the club.

Tootle off

Leave, depart.

It's getting late, so we're going to TOOTLE OFF home.

Top off

Finish something in a special way.

He complained for an hour and to TOP it OFF started shouting his head off.

Top out

Stop increasing, reach the highest point.

The temperature TOPPED OUT at forty degrees yesterday.

Top up

Refill something that isn't empty yet.

Shall I TOP UP your drink while I'm pouring myself one?

Toss about
Discuss something freely and openly, but not very seriously.

WE TOSSED ideas ABOUT before the negotiations.

Toss around

Discuss something freely and openly, but not very seriously.

We TOSSED their plan AROUND a bit and then rejected it.

Toss back

Drink quickly.

I TOSSED BACK my beer and left.

Toss down

Drink quickly.

I TOSSED a couple of drinks DOWN before they arrived.

Toss for

Make a decision by throwing a coin and seeing which side lands face up.

We TOSSED FOR who would start.

Toss off

Write something quickly and carelessly.

I TOSSED OFF the essay the night before I had to hand it in.

Toss up

Decide something by throwing a coin and seeing which side lands face up..

We TOSSED UP to see who would kick off.

Touch down

Land (planes).

The plane TOUCHED DOWN at Narita airport an hour late.

Touch for

Borrow money.

I TOUCHED him FOR some cash as I'd forgotten my cards.

Touch off

Cause a problem to occur.

The government's decision TOUCHED OFF riots in the capital.

Touch on

Mention.

The talk TOUCHED ON the issue, but didn't give any new information.

Touch up

Improve the appearance of something.

I couldn't be bothered to redecorate, so I just TOUCHED UP the bits that

needed painting the most.

Touch up

Touch someone in a sexual way.

She got angry when he tried to TOUCH her UP in the elevator.

Touch upon

Mention.

They didn't TOUCH UPON the subject because of the controversy.

Tow away
Remove a vehicle, especially if parked illegally.

I parked in a no-parking zone and they TOWED my car AWAY.

Toy at

Pretend to think about or think about in a casual way.

She TOYED AT getting them to help her but then did it alone.

Toy over

Think about something.

I TOYED OVER the idea for a while, but decided not to go ahead with it.

Toy with

Not eat much of a meal.

It was horrible, so I just TOYED WITH the food.

Toy with

Consider something, but not very seriously.

We TOYED WITH the idea of moving to the country, but it isn't really
practical.
Toy with

Move or play with something to occupy your hands.

He TOYED WITH his cup.

Toy with

Treat insincerely.

He thought she loved him but she was just TOYING WITH him.

Track down

Find after a long search.

It took me ages to TRACK them DOWN in the crowd at the football game.

Trade down

Sell something and replace it with something cheaper.

Their house it too large now that their children have left home, so they're
going to TRADE DOWN to something smaller.

Trade in

Exchange something old as part of the price of something new.

She TRADED IN her old car for the new model.

Trade in

Leave your wife or husband to marry someone younger.

He TRADED IN his wife when he became the chairman.

Trade off

Bargain, make a deal or compromise.

A longer working week was TRADED OFF for a pay rise.

Trade off

Accept something you don't really want to get something you do want.

We had to TRADE OFF space for the location when buying the apartment.

Trade on

Exploit, use something to your advantage.

He TRADES ON their insecurity to get his way.

Trade up
Buy larger or more expensive items.

British wine drinkers have TRADED UP over the last few years from cheap
plonk to expensive wines.

Trade up

Leave your wife or husband and marry someone better looking, richer, etc.

She supported him for years while he was struggling, but when he hit the
big time he left her and TRADED UP.

Trade upon

Exploit, use to your advantage.

They TRADE UPON their reputation to scare rivals.

Train up

Teach someone the specific skills they will need to carry out a job or task.

I have been TRAINING my new assistant UP.

Trickle down

Pass benefits from economic expansion through the economy to the less
fortunate.

Despite the economic boom, few benefits have TRICKLED DOWN to the poor.
Trip out

Be under the influence of psychoactive drugs.

After taking the LSD he TRIPPED OUT for hours.

Trip over

Fall.

I TRIPPED OVER and hurt my knee.

Trip over

Fall because you hit an obstacle.

I TRIPPED OVER the kerb and broke my nose.

Trip up

Make a mistake.

I TRIPPED UP in the interview when they asked me about what I could offer
the company.

Trot off

Leave.
The meeting was over so I TROTTED OFF.

Trot off to

Go somewhere.

I TROTTED OFF TO see the dentist.

Trot out

Make a statement (meant negatively).

The spokeswoman TROTTED OUT the same old unconvincing excuses.

Trump up

Charge or accuse someone falsely.

The police TRUMPED UP the charges against him and he ended up in prison
though he hadn't done it.

Try back

Phone back.

I called but they weren't in, so I'll TRY BACK later.

Try for
Make an attempt to get something.

I'm going to TRY FOR the job.

Try it on

Provoke someone by being annoying or behaving badly.

The children were TRYING IT ON all night until I lost my temper.

Try it on

Attempt to get something, usually by deceit, without great hopes of success.

He knew I wasn't got to let him do it- he was just TRYING IT ON.

Try on

Put clothes on to see if they fit.

I TRIED the jacket ON before I bought it.

Try out

Test.

Scientists are TRYING OUT a new drug in the fight against the disease.
Try out

Test something to see if you like it or want to buy it.

I TRIED OUT the program before I bought it.

Try out for

Be tested for a sports team.

He TRIED OUT FOR the baseball team.

Tuck away

Put something in a safe place.

I TUCKED the money AWAY in my drawer.

Tuck away

Eat a lot.

We TUCKED AWAY a huge dinner before we went out.

Tuck in

Tidy the ends of items of clothing by placing them inside something.

I forgot to TUCK my shirt IN.

Tuck in

Start eating enthusiastically.

The dinner smelled so good I couldn't wait to TUCK IN.

Tuck in

Arrange the sheets, duvet or blankets to make someone, usually a child,

comfortable in bed.

He TUCKED her IN and read her a story.

Tuck into

Start eating something.

I was starving and TUCKED INTO the food.

Tuck up

Arrange the sheets, duvet or blankets to make someone, usually a child,

comfortable in bed.

She TUCKED her children UP in bed and switched the lights off.
Tune in

Watch or listen to a TV or radio show.

Be sure to TUNE IN next week for the next episode.

Tune in to

Watch or listen to a TV or radio programme.

Make sure you TUNE IN TO next week's show.

Tune out

Ignore, not pay attention.

I TUNED him OUT because he was talking such rubbish.

Tune up

Improve the performance of a machine or engine.

He's TUNED his car UP for the race.

Tune up

Tune a musical instrument before playing.

The orchestra TUNED UP their instruments before the concert.

Turn against

Stop liking and start disliking.

The public TURNED AGAINST the government when they became arrogant
and ceased to listen.

Turn away

Not allow someone to enter a place.

The doorman TURNED him AWAY from the nightclub because he was
wearing trainers.

Turn down

Reduce volume, temperature, etc..

The room was too hot, so she TURNED the heating DOWN.

Turn down

Reject an offer, invitation, etc..

They offered her the job, but she TURNED it DOWN.

Turn down
Fold the top covers of a bed down to make it ready for someone to go to
sleep.

The hotel staff TURNED DOWN the bed and scattered flower petals on it
while we was having dinner.

Turn in

Go to bed.

I TURNED IN at half past eleven because I had an early start the next
morning.

Turn in

Hand in, submit.

She TURNED IN her paper.

Turn into

Become.

Tadpoles TURN INTO frogs.

Turn off

Stop a machine.
I TURNED the TV OFF and went to bed.

Turn on

Cause someone to feel attraction or pleasure.

He really TURNS me ON.

Turn on

Start a machine.

I TURNED the radio ON to get the weather forecast.

Turn on

Attack.

The neighbour's dog TURNED ON me when I tried to stroke it.

Turn out

Produce.

The factory TURNS OUT three thousand units a day.

Turn out
Produce an unexpected result.

It looked as if we were going to fail, but it TURNED OUT well in the end.

Turn out

Stop a light.

She TURNED OUT the lights and went to bed.

Turn out

Attend.

Thousand TURNED OUT for the demonstration.

Turn over

Give to the authorities.

The court ordered the company to TURN OVER their financial records.

Turn to

Try to get help.

She had nobody to TURN TO when her husband died.

Turn to

Take up a habit.

He TURNED TO drink after he lost his job.

Turn up

Appear.

She didn't TURN UP for class today.

Turn up

Increase volume, temperature, etc..

I TURNED the music UP full blast.

Type in

Enter computer data or text.

He TYPED the text IN and printed it off.

Type out

Write a full or finished version of a text on a computer.

She TYPED her essay OUT and handed it in a the last minute.

Type up

Type a finished version.

She TYPED UP her lecture notes and printed them out.

Urge on

Encourage.

The crowd URGED the players ON.

Urge on

Persuade or pressure to accept something.

They URGED the deal ON the company.

Urge upon

Persuade or pressure to accept something.

They URGED the contract UPON us.

Use up
Finish or consume all of something.

We USED UP all the olive oil.

Usher in

Be at, mark or celebrate an important point in time.

We always give a party USHER IN the NEW YEAR.

Usher in

Make important changes happen.

Her appointment as CEO USHERED IN a whole new phase in the company's

growth.

Vacuum up

Consume.

He VACUUMED UP all of the food.

Vamp up

Make something more exciting, attractive, etc.

The place is dull and you need to VAMP it UP.

Vamp up

Invent, maker up, improvise.

I had to VAMP UP a reason for being so late.

Veg out

Relax, do nothing.

I'm going to VEG OUT in front of the TV tonight.

Venture forth

Leave somewhere safe or comfortable.

If the storm has finished, we could VENTURE FORTH.

Wade in

Start something or get involved, often without thinking or to forcefully.

He just WADED IN without listening to what anyone had to say.

Wade in

Attack.
The hooligans WADED IN when they saw fans from the other team.

Wade into

Become embroiled or involved in a situation, without thinking or planning

usually.

They WADED INTO the negotiations and the deal collapsed.

Wade through

Get to the end of something with difficulty.

It took me ages to WADE THROUGH the book.

Wait about

Wait somewhere doing nothing.

I WAITED ABOUT for an hour, but they didn't come.

Wait around

Wait somewhere doing nothing.

They were just WAITING AROUND to see if anything was going to happen.

Wait behind
Stay somewhere after other people have left.

I WAITED BEHIND to ask the lecturer a question.

Wait in

Stay at home because someone is going to visit.

I WAITED IN for the guy to fix the TV.

Wait on

Serve people in a restaurant.

They have two people WAITING ON each table.

Wait on

Sell goods in a shop.

He WAITS ON customers in an electronics store.

Wait on

Provide someone with everything they need or want.

He has a butler who WAITS ON him.

Wait on

Wait for a result before being able to make a decision.

They're WAITING ON the results of the vote before taking a final decision.

Wait out

Wait till something has finished, usually something unpleasant.

We'll have to WAIT OUT this uncertainty.

Wait up

Not go to bed because you are waiting.

I was worried and WAITED UP until they got home safe and sound.

Wait up!

Stop (imperative).

Wait up! I need to talk to you.

Wait upon

Provide someone with what they require.

They used to have servants WAITING UPON them.

Wait upon

Wait for a result before being able to make a decision.

They must WAIT UPON the outcome of the match before they know who
they'll be playing.

Wake up

Stop sleeping.

I WOKE UP at half past six this morning.

Walk away from

Leave something you don't like.

You can't just WALK AWAY FROM your problems.

Walk away with

Win easily.

She WALKED AWAY WITH the first prize.

Walk back from

Retract a statement.

They declined to WALK BACK FROM their comments despite the controversy.

Walk in on

Enter somewhere unexpectedly and see something.

He WALKED IN ON them planning to sack him.

Walk into

Get work without effort.

He WALKED INTO a great job straight after university.

Walk into

Be unaware of the presence of something and either enter it (a trap) or

bump into it (an obstruction).

You WALKED INTO that one [You became victim to a trap I set]orI WALKED
INTO a door and broke my nose.

Walk off

Go for a walk to reduce the effects of an illness or bad feeling.

I tried to WALK OFF my hangover.

Walk off with

Win easily.

He WALKED OFF WITH the award.

Walk off with

Take something without permission or steal.

Someone WALKED OFF WITH my umbrella so I got soaked.

Walk on

Continue walking.

I saw the accident but just WALKED ON as I didn't want to have to give a
statement.

Walk out

Leave work because of a dispute with the management.

The workers WALKED OUT because the felt that safety wasn't being handled
correctly.

Walk out
Leave a place angrily or because you are not satisfied.

The film was a bore so I WALKED OUT halfway through.

Walk out on

Leave somebody angrily.

He WALKED OUT ON his wife last year.

Walk through

Explain or demonstrate something carefully to someone.

He WALKED me THROUGH the procedures.

Walk up

Go to someone.

A man WALKED UP and asked me the time.

Waltz through

Pass or succeed easily.

She WALTZED THROUGH the tests and got the highest score.
Wander off

Leave a place, usually without telling other people.

She WANDERED OFF and got lost in the crowd.

Wander off

Stop paying attention.

The lecture was boring and my mind WANDERED OFF after ten minutes.

Want out

Want to leave a relationship or arrangement.

Jackie wasn't happy with her marriage and WANTED OUT.

Warm up

Do exercises before a sport.

The team WARMED UP half an hour before the volleyball match.

Wash away

When floods or waves completely remove a structure, building, etc..

The ice cream stall on the beach was WASHED AWAY in the storm last night.

Wash down

Drink in order to swallow something solid.

I WASHED the antibiotics DOWN with a glass of water.

Wash out

Rain so heavily that an event has to be cancelled.

The rain WASHED OUT the championship final.

Wash over

Suddenly experience a strong emotion.

He felt numb as grief WASHED OVER him.

Wash up

Clean everything used to prepare food and eat it.

The children WASHED UP after lunch.

Wash up
When something in the sea or river is left on the shore or bank.

After the crash, several bodies WASHED UP on the beach.

Wash up

Wash face and hands.

Be sure you and the kids WASH UP before dinner.

Waste away

Become very thin and weak, usually due to illness.

He WASTED AWAY as the cancer got worse.

Watch out

Be careful (imperative).

Watch out- there's ice on the road.

Watch out for

Be careful of something.

WATCH OUT FOR bats in the caves; many have rabies.

Watch over

Keep an eye on something or someone to check that there's no trouble.

The lecturer WATCHED OVER the students as they did the experiment.

Water down

Make something weaker and less effective.

The Freedom of Information Act was WATERED DOWN by the Government

and didn't give ordinary people much access to official data files

Wave aside

Ignore or refuse to consider what someone says.

They WAVED ASIDE our objections and carried on with the plan.

Wave down

Make a hand signal to stop a vehicle.

They WAVED the van DOWN and got a lift after the accident.

Wave off

Go to a place where someone is leaving to wave goodbye.

We WAVED her OFF at the station.

Wave on

Make a hand signal to tell someone to keep moving.

The accident was bad, but the police WAVED us ON.

Wean off

Slowly stop a dependency on something.

We will have to WEAN him OFF his obsession.

Wear away

Erode, remove gradually.

The lawn has been WORN AWAY by people walking across it and it's just
bare soil now with hardly a blade of grass.

Wear down

Make something weaker.

The stress of my job is WEARING me DOWN.

Wear off
Stop having an effect.

The anaesthetic WORE OFF and my tooth started hurting.

Wear out

Use something until it stops working.

She played the video so many times that she WORE the tape OUT.

Weed out

Remove, get rid of.

The company WEEDED OUT the unsuccessful sales reps.

Weigh down on

Burden with responsibilities, duties, etc.

The requirements of her new job WEIGHED DOWN ON her.

Weigh in

Have a certain weight (in sports like boxing).

The champion WEIGHED IN at 120 kilos.

Weigh in

Enter an argument forcefully.

He disliked the plan and WEIGHED IN with some heavy criticism.

Weigh in on

Enter an argument or discussion to express a strongly felt idea.

She WEIGHED IN ON their immigration policies.

Weigh on

Make someone consider carefully.

The issues raised WEIGHED ON her mind.

Weigh out

Measure a certain amount of something by weight.

Could you WEIGH OUT 200 grammes of that for me?

Weigh up

Assess.
They WEIGHED the pros and cons UP carefully before deciding.

Weird out

Disturb, cause concern or worry.

The way he spoke was WEIRDING me OUT.

Well up

Feel tears starting.

I felt tears WELLING UP when I heard the news.

Well up

Feel an emotion strongly.

Anger WELLED UP inside us when we saw what they had done.

Well up

Experience an emotion or feeling, start to cry.

Tears WELLED UP when I heard they had died.

Wheel around
Turn quickly and face in the opposite direction.

When he heard the whistle, he WHEELED AROUND to see what was

happening.

Wheel out

Use something like an explanation that has been used many times before
and has lost its impact.

They WHEELED OUT the same old excuses last time this happened.

Wheel round

Turn quickly and face in the opposite direction.

She WHEELED ROUND when he told her to stop.

While away

Spend time doing something because you have nothing better to do.

We WHILED a couple of hours AWAY playing computer games.

Whip into

Enter rapidly (as for a brief errand).

Ben WHIPPED INTO the convenience store for a bag of crisps.

Whip out

Remove quickly.

The police officer WHIPPED OUT her radio and called for back-up.

Whip out of

Exit rapidly.

Lola WHIPPED OUT OF a side street without looking and broadsided a police
car.

Whip through

Do something quickly.

She WHIPPED THROUGH the task.

Whip up

Make food quickly.

We got back late and WHIPPED UP dinner.

Whip up

Mix liquid food quickly to make it thick and creamy.

I WHIPPED UP the egg whites.

Whip up

Make people feel more strongly about something.

The boss tried to WHIP UP some support for her new policies.

Whisk away

Take to another place quickly.

The police WHISKED the minister AWAY when the trouble started.

White out

Use correction fluid to cover a mistake in a written text.

Could you pass the Tippex? I need to WHITE this mistake OUT.

Wig out

Become excited and lose control.

He WIGGED OUT when he heard that he had failed.

Wiggle out
Avoid doing.

He was supposed to be in charge but tried to WIGGLE OUT.

Wiggle out of

Avoid doing something.

I WIGGLED OUT OF having to work late.

Wimp out

Not be brave enough to do something.

I was going to have the hottest curry on the menu, but I WIMPED OUT and
had a mild lamb Korma instead.

Wind down

Relax.

I'm going to WIND DOWN in the country this weekend and do nothing.

Wind down

Slowly close a business or organisation.

They WOUND the committee DOWN after the inquiry.

Wind on

Forward a film or tape to a certain point.

He WOUND the video ON to show us the scene.

Wind up

Close a company because it's unprofitable.

The company was WOUND UP when the creditors demanded payment.

Wind up

Tighten the spring in a watch or clock to make it work.

I forgot to WIND UP my alarm clock and overslept.

Wind up

Irritate someone or increase their stress level, especially if done deliberately.

The children are really WINDING me UP

Winkle out

Find or get something that takes a great deal of effort.

It took me a while to WINKLE the truth OUT of him.

Wipe out

Make someone very tired.

Revising for the exam last night WIPED me OUT.

Wipe out

Kill all of a population, make extinct.

A meteor crashing into the planet WIPED the dinosaurs OUT.

Wire up

Make electrical connections.

She WIRED her new stereo system UP as soon as she got home.

Wise up

Stop being stupid.

His supervisor told him to WISE UP and start following the rules or else he'd
lose his job.

Word up
Give someone information, advice.

The solicitor WORDED her UP client before the police interview, so they go
very little out of him.

Word up!

A phrase that was used a greeting.

'Word up! You OK?'

Work off

Exercise to remove stress or weight.

She goes to the gym to WORK OFF her anger.

Work on

Improve or develop.

Scientists are WORKING ON genetically modified crops and foods.

Work out

End nicely.
Things were going wrong for them but fortunately it all WORKED OUT in the
end.

Work out

Find the answer or solution.

I couldn't WORK OUT all the answers to the crossword puzzle.

Work over

Assault, beat up.

They WORKED him OVER and robbed him.

Work over

Repeat, do again.

They WORKED it OVER until they had got it right.

Work over

Examine carefully.

They WORKED OVER the market looking for bargains.

Work through
Deal with, resolve a problem, often emotional.

It took him a long time to WORK THROUGH his anger after he lost his job.

Wrap around

Cover with clothing, usually to keep warm.

She WRAPPED a scarf AROUND her head because it was so cold.

Wrap around

Cover or encircle with part of your body.

He WRAPPED his arms AROUND her.

Wrap round

Cover with clothing, usually to keep warm.

He WRAPPED the cloth ROUND his fingers to keep warm.

Wrap round

Cover or encircle with part of your body.

She WRAPPED her arms ROUND him.

Wrap up

Cover in paper.

They WRAPPED UP the presents then put a ribbon around them.

Wrap up

Dress warmly.

WRAP UP carefully or you'll catch your death of cold outside in that rain.

Wrap up

Finish.

That WRAPS things UP, so we'll end this meeting.

Wriggle out of

Avoid doing something in a way other people don't like.

He always manages to WRIGGLE OUT OF any extra work we get.

Write down

Make notes.
I WROTE her mobile number DOWN on a scrap of paper and I've lost it.

Write in

Send a letter to a TV station, etc..

They asked viewers to WRITE IN with their opinions and suggestions.

Write off

Destroy a car in an accident.

He WROTE the car OFF in an accident on the motorway.

Write out

Write something completely.

I WROTE OUT my notes in full to help me remember them.

Write up

Make complete written version.

I WROTE UP the report and submitted it.

Yack on
Talk continuously, especially if it is an annoying way.

He YACKED ON for an hour.

Yammer on

Talk continuously, especially if it is an annoying way.

She YAMMERED ON for ages.

Yield to

Surrender.

I tried hard to resist, but in the end I YIELDED TO temptation and ate it all.

Zero in on

Direct or focus attention on.

The police have ZEROED IN ON the man they believe to be responsible for
the murder.

Zero in on

Head for, move towards.

The hurricane is ZEROING IN ON Florida.

Zero out

Cut off funding for a project.

The debt was ZEROED OUT by the department.

Zero out

Reduce to zero, cancel, remove.

The entry was ZEROED OUT of the database.

Zip around

Move quickly.

We ZIPPED AROUND the supermarket to get the shopping done.

Zip by

Pass quickly.

The motorbike ZIPPED BY the cars stuck in the traffic jam.

Zip it

Keep quiet, say nothing.

He told me to ZIP IT, so I said nothing.

Zip up

Keep quiet.

He was being stupid in the meeting, so we told him to ZIP UP.

Zone in

Pay attention after not doing so.

I was bored at first but then ZONED IN when things started getting more
interesting.

Zone in on

Pay attention after not doing so.

I ZONED IN ON what they were saying when they started gossiping.

Zone out

Not pay attention.

She ZONED OUT during the lecture because it was so boring.

Zone out
Dissociate yourself from a situation.

I put some ambient music on and ZONED OUT.

Zonk out

Fall asleep.

I ZONKED OUT during the film and missed most of it.

Zoom in

Focus more closely.

The camera ZOOMED IN to show people's faces.

Zoom in on

Focus more closely.

The camera ZOOMED IN ON his face.

Zoom off

Go somewhere quickly.

He rushed out of the building and ZOOMED OFF in his car.

Zoom out

Focus less closely.

The camera ZOOMED OUT to show all the crowd.