VERBS, WITH DEFINITIONS EXAMPLES

Account for - to give an explanation How can you account for your absence at the meeting?
Account to - to provide a report on money
You will account to the financial director for the money you spend.
spending to someone
Accuse of - to charge someone with something He was accused of murder. They accused him of murder. He was accused of
wrong (e.g., a crime, an offense) stealing money. She accused him of lying.
Act on - to act in accordance with some advice or
He acted on the tip received from an insider and made a lot of money.
information
Act out - to illustrate or play out by actions or by Let's act out the second episode of the play. He acted out his meeting with the
gestures and words boss in a very funny way.
Her little son often acts up in public. I can't go to your party because my back
Act up - to behave badly or in a strange manner
is acting up again. The coffee machine is acting up again.
Add to - to put something together with
She added a little milk to coffee. Add two to three. How much do you get?
something else
Add up - to give a reasonable result It doesn't make sense; the facts don't add up. These figures don't add up.
Agree about / on - to have the same opinion as They agree about everything. They don't always agree on the way children
someone else should be raised.
They agreed on selling the house.
Agree on - to decide on doing something
They agreed on a plan how to make Mr. Smith pay right away.
Agree to - to consent to something She will never agree to your plan.
Agree with - 1. To have the same opinion as
1. I don't agree with you about it. I don't agree with your plan. 2. Your report
someone else; 2. To be in accordance with
doesn't agree with these facts. Fried meat doesn't agree with my stomach.
something
Answer for - 1. To answer in the name of
1. I'll answer for my mother. 2. He will have to answer for what he has done.
someone; 2. To be responsible for one's own or
Parents answer for their children's behavior.
someone else's actions
Answer to - 1. To account to, report to someone; 1. You will answer to the financial director for the money you spend. 2. The
2. To respond to (a name) dog answers to the name Spotty.
Apply for - to make an application or request for He applied for the position of tour guide. I would like to apply for a job in
something engineering.
Apply to - 1. To make an application or request to
1. Apply to the boss and ask for a pay raise. 2. Does this rule apply to all
someone; 2. To be applicable to something; 3. To
cases? 3. Apply this ointment to the swollen knee three times a day.
place in contact with something
Approve of - to speak favorably of someone, Her father doesn't approve of her boyfriend. Her mother doesn't approve of
something smoking.
Argue about - to disagree or quarrel about
What are they arguing about? He is always arguing about something.
something
Argue with - to disagree or quarrel with someone Stop arguing with me!
Arrive at - 1. To come to some place in a city; 2. 1. He arrived at the airport two hours before the flight. 2. I arrived at a
To come to some decision, conclusion different conclusion. How did she arrive at this strange decision?
Arrive in - to come to some city; reach one's
They arrived in London yesterday. We arrive in Rome at 6:30 in the morning.
destination
Ask about - to ask for information about
He asked me about my relatives. He asked me about my future plans.
someone, something
Ask for - to request something He asked for a cup of coffee. He asked for help.
If you come to work late every day, you're asking for it / you're asking for
Ask for it - to ask for trouble
trouble.
Ask out - to invite someone for a date John asked Liz out yesterday. They went to a French restaurant.
Assist in / with - to help someone with something He assisted me in my work. He assisted me with my report.
Back down - to give in He never backs down in an argument.
Back into - to enter or hit by moving backwards The car backed into a driveway. A truck backed into John's new car.

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 1. The dog barked, and we backed off in a hurry. Back off, we need space!
Back off - 1. To move back; 2. To back down
2. Back off, Tom, it's my job!
Back out - 1. To move out backwards; 2. To fail 1. There was not enough space to turn the car around, so I backed out.
to keep a promise 2. It is too late to back out now. If you back out, you'll have to pay a fine.
Back out of - 1. To exit some place by moving 1. The car backed out of the driveway.
backwards; 2. To fail to keep a promise 2. It is too late to back out of the agreement now.
Back up - 1. To block the passage; 2. To support 1. That accident backed up the traffic for hours.
someone, something 2. She always backs him up. I have a lot of facts to back up my theory.
Be above - 1. To be at a higher level than 1. The painting is above the mantelpiece. 2. The financial director is above
something; 2. To be superior (in rank, quantity, the financial manager. The weight of this box is above 100 kilograms. He is
quality, moral standard) above suspicion. He is above such trifles.
Be after - 1. To be later than the specified time; 2.
1. It was after eleven at night. It is ten minutes after five. 2. He doesn't love
To try to get something; 3. To criticize someone
her. He is after her money. 3. His mother is after him to get a haircut.
and keep asking to do something
Be against - to oppose something I am against your plan.
Be ahead of - to be in front of the others; to be The leader of the car race is two miles ahead of the other cars. He is ahead of
more advanced than the others everyone in his math class. Her thinking was ahead of her time in many ways.
Be around - 1. To be nearby; 2. To be still living, 1. Let's find her. She is around somewhere. 2. Is his old Uncle Peter still
active, popular around? This singer has been around since I was a schoolgirl.
Be away - to be out of town Tom is away on vacation.
Be back - to return He'll be back in two hours.
1. The yard is behind the house. 2. He is behind the other students in his
Be behind - 1. To be located behind; 2. To lag
group. 3. I wonder who is behind this plan. I wonder what is behind his
behind; 3. Figuratively: to lie behind something
suggestion.
Be in - 1. To be present; 2. To be fashionable 1. Tom isn't in. Can you call back later? 2. High heels are in again.
Be in for - to expect trouble, punishment If you come to work late every day, you are in for trouble.
Be into - to be interested in something He is into computers. She is into jazz.
Be off - 1. To be disconnected; 2. To leave 1. Yesterday electricity was off, and water was off too. 2. I must be off now.
Be on - 1. To be switched on; 2. To be shown on 1. The light is on. She must be at home.
screen 2. Let's watch TV. What's on?
Be out - 1. To be not in; 2. To be out of fashion 1. He is out right now. He'll be back soon. 2. Miniskirts are out this year.
1. Be out of - not to have; 2. Be out of town - to 1. We are out of time. We are out of sugar. 2. He is out of town now. He'll be
be away back in three days.
Be over - to end The day is not over yet. The war is over.
Be through - to finish No more food, thank you. I'm through.
Be through - to go through something She's been through a lot of suffering.
Be through with - to finish doing something I'm through with this work. I'm through with this book.
1. She is not up yet. The prices are up again. 2. Your time is up. Hand in your
Be up - 1. To rise; 2. To end (about time)
exam papers, please.
Be up against - to be opposed by serious
Our company is up against serious attempts of hostile takeover.
problems
Would you like to go to the park or to the zoo? - It's up to you. I have to ask
Be up to someone - to be someone's decision or
my father. It's up to him to decide. It's up to you to close the office every day
responsibility
at six.
Be up to something - 1. To reach some level,
1. I'm up to my ears in work right now. Your report is not up to your usual
degree; 2. To be able to do something; 3. To
standard. 2. I'm not up to doing this work right now. 3. What are you up to?
think up something tricky; to be engaged in
What have you been up to lately?
something interesting
Be with - 1. To be on the same side with
1. We are with you. We will help you. 2. Are you still with me? I'm afraid I'm
someone; 2. To listen to and understand
not with you. Can you explain it again?
someone's explanations

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 Be within - to be inside or part of something This park is within city limits. I'll help you if it is within my power.
Beat at / on - to knock loudly on something Why are you beating on the door?
The drummer beat out the rhythm of the song. I'm beating my brains out over
Beat out - to hit repeatedly
this problem!
Beat into - to put in by beating Beat the eggs into the mixture. You can't beat anything good into his head.
Beat to - to get ahead of someone in something I wanted to say it, but he beat me to it. He beat me to the finish line.
Beat up - to beat Beat up the eggs. Those guys beat him up, and he is in the hospital now.
Become of - to happen to someone What will become of him?
Beg for - to ask for something He begged for money. He begged for mercy.
Begin with - to start with something Let me begin our party with a drink to Tom's health. Begin with Chapter 3.
Believe in - to have faith in someone, something He believes in you. She believes in justice for all.
Belong to - to be property of someone This house belongs to his son. This bag belongs to me.
Bend down / over - to stoop down She bent down to pick up a penny.
Bend over backwards - to make a great effort to She bends over backwards to please him in everything, but he doesn't
do something appreciate it.
You will benefit from a good rest at the seaside resort. As a future doctor, she
Benefit from / by - to do good to someone; to
benefited a lot from her hospital experience. He benefited greatly from his
gain advantage or profit from something
move to Rome.
Bet on - to make a bet on something Don't bet on this horse. He will do it, you can bet on it. No, I won't bet on it.
Bet with - to have a bet with someone I won't bet with you. You always win.
Beware of - to be cautious of someone,
Beware of the dog! Beware of what you wish.
something
Bite into - to begin to eat She bit into the sandwich hungrily.
He bit off a piece of bread and began to chew. The boss will bite my head off
Bite off - to separate part of something by biting
if I don't finish this report today.
Bite on - to bite The dog bit him on the leg.
Black out - 1. To make dark so that nothing can 1. The lights and windows were blacked out before the air raids. He blacked
be seen; 2. To faint, to lose consciousness out the names in that text. 2. She blacked out, fell down, and hurt her knee.
Blame for - to say that someone is responsible for She blamed him for the loss of her bag. She blamed him for losing her bag.
something wrong Who is to blame for this terrible mistake?
Blame on - to place the responsibility for She blamed everything on him. He blames it on her, of course. The police
something wrong on someone blamed the accident on him.
Blast off - 1. To blow up; 2. To launch (a 1. The explosion blasted off several houses.
spaceship) 2. The spaceship blasted off early in the morning.
Bleed for - to sympathize with someone; to feel
My heart bleeds for her.
for someone
Bleed to death - to lose a lot of blood He almost bled to death.
Blow away - to be taken away by the wind I dropped the newspaper, and the wind blew it away.
Blow off - to let the steam escape; to reduce Open the lid a little to let the steam blow off. He is quite hot-tempered and
tension needs to blow off steam.
Blow out - to stop burning by blowing She blew out the candles one by one.
When will this snowstorm blow over? Wait till his anger blows over, then talk
Blow over - to subside, to end
to him. The rumors, the scandal, and your troubles will blow over soon.
The gas pipe blew up, and several people were hurt. The criminals threatened
Blow up - to explode to blow up the building. When her father learned that she had dropped out of
school, he blew up.
Boast of / about - to brag about something He boasted of owning the largest collection of jazz records in town.
Borrow from - to take something from someone
I borrowed fifty dollars from Tom. I borrowed a bicycle from Kate.
with a promise to give it back

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 Bounce off / from - to rebound from something The ball bounced off the wall.
They caught him, but he managed to break away.
Break away (from) - to escape (from someone)
He broke away from the police and escaped.
Break down - 1. To become broken; 1. My car broke down yesterday.
2. To go to pieces 2. When she heard the news, she broke down and cried.
Break in - 1. To enter by force; to get in by 1. The robbers broke in at night. They broke in the door.
breaking the door; 2. To interrupt someone's 2. Please don't break in when I'm speaking with another person.
conversation; 3. To train, to accustom 3. He is breaking in his new horse. I'm breaking in my new shoes.
Break into - 1. To divide into parts by breaking; 1. She broke the chocolate into four pieces. 2. They broke into the house at
2. Enter by force; 3. To interrupt someone's night. 3. Why did you break into their conversation?
conversation; 4. Begin some action suddenly 4. He broke into laughter. She broke into a run.
Break off - to separate by breaking She broke off a piece of chocolate. Their relationship broke off soon.
The war broke out two years ago. The fire broke out in the kitchen. The flu
Break out - to begin suddenly
epidemic broke out suddenly.
Break through - to advance, to achieve success The question was very difficult to solve, but finally we broke through.
Break through something - to get through
They broke through the wall at last.
something
Break up - 1. To break something into pieces; 2. 1. He broke up a bar of chocolate and began to eat the pieces one by one.
To terminate, to put an end; 3. To cease having a 2. The meeting finally broke up at ten o'clock. The police broke up the fight.
relationship 3. Their marriage broke up. Tom and Liz broke up last week.
Break with - to sever relations; to cease one's He broke with his family. He broke with his old friends. He broke with the
connection with someone or something past.
The new reform will bring about a lot of changes. His actions brought on a
Bring about/on - to cause to happen
crisis in the company finances. Rainy weather brought on her backache again.
There is a nice lake there, so bring along your swimsuit. You can bring a
Bring along - to bring (with you) to some place
friend along, if you want.
Bring back - 1. To return; 2. To recall, to 1. Please bring back my book.
remember again 2. This music brings back old memories.
His job doesn't bring in much money, but it's a good place to start, and he
Bring in - to yield (crop, money, profit, income)
likes it.
Bring into - to cause someone to get into some
The seriousness of the situation brought him into action.
state or activity
Bring off - to succeed in something difficult, to Nobody thought that he would be able to bring off his plan, but he managed
achieve to do it.
Bring out - 1. To reveal; 2. To make public, to 1. Her presence brings out the best in him. This light brings out the beauty of
publish this gemstone. 2. He brought out a new book last year.
Bring over - to bring (a guest) to someone's home You can bring over a couple of friends to the party on Friday.
Bring up - 1. Raise children; 2. Introduce a new 1. They brought up their children in Italy.
topic 2. Max brought up this question, not I.
Brush aside / brush off - to refuse to pay attention I told him about that problem, but he brushed aside my warnings. They just
to something; to ignore brushed me off, that's all.
Brush up on - to review; to improve one's She made quite a few mistakes on her test, so she needs to brush up on her
knowledge of something by studying spelling. Brush up on irregular verbs.
Buckle up - to fasten the seatbelt in a car Many people get hurt in a car accident because they forget to buckle up.
This huge field has been built up with new houses. Her hopes to cure the child
Build up - to increase, to make bigger, to were building up. His savings are building up. He needs to build up his
strengthen gradually English vocabulary. Take your umbrella; the clouds are building up. Every
morning a traffic jam builds up on this street.
Bump into - to meet someone by chance I bumped into an old friend today.
Bundle off - to send someone away in a hurry, to His relatives unceremoniously bundled him off back to his hometown because
pack someone off he was not good enough for them.
Bundle up - to dress warmly, to put on more
Bundle up; it's freezing outside. The child was bundled up in warm clothes.
clothes for warmth
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 The camp fire was burning down, so we put more wood into it. Several
Burn down - to burn to the ground
houses were burned down by the fire.
1. Several houses were burned out by the fire. 2. The light bulb in the kitchen
Burn out - 1. To burn completely; 2. To stop
is burned out. Please replace it. After years of hard work he burned himself
functioning
out.
1. We added a couple of dry logs, and soon the fire burned up. 2. The paper
Burn up - 1. To burn brightly and strongly; 2. To
burned up in a second. 3. He gets burned up every time someone mentions his
burn completely; 3. To become very angry
daughter's divorce.
Burn with - to want something very much He's burning with the desire to get rich.
Burst in - to rush in He never just enters the room; he always bursts in.
Burst into - 1. To rush in; 2. To start doing
1. He burst into the room. 2. She burst into tears. He burst into singing.
something suddenly
Burst out - 1. To rush out; 2. To start doing 1. She jumped to her feet and burst out (of the room). 2. He burst out
something suddenly laughing. She burst out crying.
She was bursting with the desire to tell everyone about her success. He is
Burst with - to be extremely full of something
bursting with pride. The room was bursting with people.
Butt in - to interrupt someone's conversation I hate it when he butts in with remarks about everything.
Buy off - to bribe, to pay someone in order not to
He tried to buy off a journalist who was going to expose his illegal activity.
do something
Buy out - 1. To become the sole owner of a
1. He bought out his partner's share and became the sole owner of the
company by buying the whole of it; 2. Buy out of
company. 2. He faced serious criminal charges, but his father bought him out
- to bribe someone in order to be free from
of prison. He also bought him out of military duty.
something
Call at - to dial someone's number and speak Call me at 555-3246.
Call back - to return a call I called him at six, but he wasn't in. He called me back at seven.
Call for - 1. To go and get; 2. To summon, to ask 1. I'll call for you at seven. 2. He called for a waiter. He called for help. 3.
for; 3. To require something This situation calls for quick action. This happy event calls for a celebration.
Call in - to invite a specialist for consultation and
We called in an interior designer to help us with redecorating.
help
He called off his dogs and let me in. The open-air concert was called off
Call off - to cancel something
because of rain. The police decided to call off the search for the missing man.
Call on / upon - 1. To visit someone; 2. To appeal 1. He calls on her when he is in Rome. 2. He called on a technical specialist.
to someone (for an answer, advice, help) He called on God for help.
Call up - to telephone, to call by phone I called up a friend, and we went to a movie. He called me up at six o'clock.
Calm down - to relax, to stop worrying Calm down! Everything will be all right.
Camp out - to go camping, to live in tents They like to camp out in the woods in summer.
Care about - 1. To like someone; 2. To be
1. He cares about his little sister. 2. I don't care about your opinion.
interested in something
Care for - 1. To like someone; 2. To want 1. He cares for his little sister. 2. Do you care for a drink? 3. Will you care for
something; 3. To look after someone my cat while I'm away?
Carp at - to find fault with someone, something Stop carping at me! The teacher always carps at my translation from French.
Carry away - 1. To remove, to take away; 2.
1. The hurricane carried away the boats. 2. He was carried away by the music
(usually passive) to excite someone greatly or
and didn't hear the doorbell.
excessively
Carry on - 1. To continue doing something 1. The lifeguards carried on their search for the missing child in spite of the
without stopping; 2. To behave excitedly, wind and huge waves. Carry on with your work. 2. I hate it when she carries
foolishly on like this.
Carry out - to fulfill, to complete He needs to do a lot of things to carry out his plan.
Carry through - 1. To fulfill, to complete (despite
1. Despite all the obstacles, he carried his plan through. 2. His will power and
difficulties); 2. To support someone through a
his wife's support carried him through in his struggle with cancer.
difficult time

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 1. He casts away his mother's money. She cast away her old friends when she
Cast away - 1. To throw away; to discard; 2.
became rich. 2. Several passengers of the sinking ship were cast away on a
(passive) to be shipwrecked
desert island.
Cast down - (passive) to make someone feel sad or depressed She was really cast down when she learned that he got married.
Cast out - to throw out; to expel Several disloyal employees were cast out (of the company).
Catch on - 1. To become popular; 2. To 1. The tune is very catchy. The song caught on quickly. 2. She is a quick
understand quickly, to grasp mentally learner. She catches on very fast.
Catch up on - to bring up to date, to make up for
I need to catch up on my reading. I need to catch up on sleep.
the lack of something
Catch up with - 1. To reach the same level or 1. She was too fast; I couldn't catch up with her. She is always trying to catch
position as someone ahead; 2. To bring up to up with the richer neighbors. He has to study harder to catch up with the other
date, to make up for the lack of something students. 2. I need to catch up with my studies.
Cave in - to fall inwards The roof caved in during the fire.
Change for - to exchange something for Can I change this bag for that one? Could I change these dollars for euros,
something, to trade for please?
Change into - 1. To put on a different set of
1. I need to change into warmer clothes. 2. The little boy in the fairy tale was
clothes; 2. To turn into, to convert into something
changed into a monster. I'd like to change these dollars into pounds, please.
different
Change to - to make a change to something She changed her name to her husband's name when they got married. Autumn
different changed to winter. I'd like to change these dollars to pounds, please.
Charge at - to attack someone The bull charged at him.
Charge for - to ask as a price for service or goods How much do you charge for a single room?
Charge with - to accuse of something He was charged with murder.
Cheat into - to talk someone into doing
He cheated her into giving him a large sum of money.
something by a trick
Cheat on - to be unfaithful to one's wife (husband) He's been cheating on his wife for years.
Cheat out of - to trick someone out of something He cheated her out of her money.
He reserved a room in advance and checked in quickly. She went to the
Check in - to register (at the hotel at arrival, at the
airport, checked in (for her flight), and went to a cafe for a cup of coffee and a
airport for the flight)
sandwich.
1. We checked into the River Hotel at night. She checked into a hospital two
Check into - 1. To register at a hotel or a hospital
days ago. 2. He checked into the matter and discovered several interesting
at arrival; 2. To analyze, investigate something
things.
Check off - to mark an item on a list (usually with
Check my name off the list.
a check)
Check on / check up on - to check, to inspect, to We need to check on her work regularly. The detective is checking up on her
examine, to investigate former connections. They checked up on him and decided against hiring him.
Check out - 1. To pay the bill and leave (the 1. He checked out at noon. 2. The information that he gave us checks out
hotel); 2. To check, to verify fully.
Check out of - to pay the bill and leave (the hotel) I checked out of the hotel at noon.
Chew on - 1. To chew something; 2. To consider
1. My dog likes to chew on my shoes. 2. He chewed on this issue for a week.
something for a long time
Chew over - to consider something for a long
He chewed over this issue for a week.
time
Choke on - to suffocate because of swallowing
She choked on a fish bone. He choked on a cherry pit.
something
Choke with - to suffocate with (emotions) He was choking with anger.
Chop down - to cut down (a tree) First, they chopped down the tree.
Chop off - to cut off Then they chopped off the branches.
Chop up - to cut up, to cut into pieces Finally, they chopped up the trunk of the tree.

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 Claim from - to demand something from
He claimed $10,000 from her. He claimed damages from the other driver.
someone
Clean of - to remove (stains, dirt) I cleaned your shirt of the stains.
Clean out - 1. To empty and clean (closet, 1. You promised to clean out the closet. 2. The purchase of the new car
drawer); 2. To use up all of one's money cleaned out his savings.
We need to clean up the apartment before the party. Please wait here. I need
Clean up - to clean, to wash, to tidy up; to get rid
just a couple of minutes to clean up. The police are going to clean up the
of unwanted things
slums.
Clear away / off - 1. To remove objects for more
1. After dinner my daughter helped me to clear off the table. 2. The clouds
space; 2. To disappear (about the fog, smoke); 3.
cleared away. The fog is clearing off. 3. The police cleared off the crowds.
To leave some place
Clear out - 1. To empty and clean (closet, 1. You promised to clear out the closet. 2. As soon as her father returned, her
drawer); 2. To leave some place boyfriend cleared out. The police cleared out the building.
Clear up - 1. To become brighter (about the
1. The weather is clearing up. 2. We need to clear up the living room. 3. I
weather); 2. To clean, to tidy up; 3. To make
really want to clear up this mystery. Let me clear it up.
clear, to explain
Click with - to have success with someone This song clicked with me right away.
Close down - to shut down The plant was closed down recently, and the workers lost their jobs.
Close in on - to get closer to someone with the He has a feeling that his enemies are closing in on him. The criminals closed
aim of attacking or capturing in on him.
This road is closed up because of the flood. The summer camp closes up in
Close up - to shut or stop completely
September.
Clutch at - to grab at something The little girl clutched at her mother's arm. He clutched at the opportunity.
Come about - to arise, happen How did this question come about?
The meaning of his message doesn't come across. Did her poem come across
Come across - to be understandable, to get across
to you?
Come across something - to find by chance Yesterday I came across an interesting article on vegetarian cooking.
Come along - to join someone I'm going to the park. Would you like to come along?
Come back - to return We were away on vacation. We came back yesterday.
Come by - to drop in / drop by Come by one of these days.
Come down - 1. To go down; 2. To fall 1. She came down the stairs. 2. The tree came down with a loud crash.
Come down to - 1. To get to the core of the 1. It all comes down to the question of money. 2. I can't believe he came
matter; 2. To go down in status, wealth down to stealing!
Come down with - to become ill I can't come to your party. I'm coming down with a cold.
Come from - to be from some place He comes from a small town in France.
Come in - to enter Please come in and take a seat.
Mary came into the room. He came into fortune when his aunt died. The
Come into - to enter (some place, position, state)
military came into power in 1978. The law came into effect last month.
1. Two buttons came off my coat in a crowded subway car. 2. I don't think
Come off - 1. To become detached; 2. To remove
these coffee stains will come off. 3. His plan didn't come off. Our dinner party
(stains); 3. To end successfully
came off nicely.
Come off it - (slang) stop kidding, lying,
Oh, come off it! Stop telling me tales. Come off it! Give me a break!
behaving in a foolish manner
Come on - (informal; imperative) 1. Hurry up; 2.
1. Come on, let's go. We're already late. 2. Oh, come on! Give me a break!
To express disbelief
Come out - 1. To go out; 2. To be published; 3. 1. The door opened, and Jim came out. 2. His new book came out last month.
To become known (about information, secrets); 3. The truth will come out one day. 4. I was serious, but my words came out
4. To result, to end in some way as a joke. His plan didn't come out well.
Come out of - 1. To go out of (some place); 2. To 1. The door opened, and Jim came out of the room. 2. I don't know what will
result in something come out of this.
Come out with - to confess, to reveal something A year ago he came out with the truth about his role in that scandal.

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 Come over - to visit informally Can you come over for dinner on Friday?
1. His ignorance of these facts came through at the interview. 2. He was
Come through - 1. To be seen; 2. To complete
between life and death for some time, but he came through. 3. He always
successfully; 3. To do what is expected or wanted
comes through for us. Her father came through with a nice check.
Come through something - 1. To be seen through
1. The sun came through the clouds. 2. He was between life and death for
something; 2. To complete something
some time, but he came through the operation successfully.
successfully
She came to Moscow yesterday. The bill comes to $150. The struggle came to
Come to - to reach (some place, result, position, an end in July. The military came to power in 1978. He fainted, but he came
state) to himself quickly. I came to the conclusion that I wanted a different job. It
came to me that I had seen him before.
1. The prices are coming up again. 2. This information came up during the
Come up - 1. To go up; 2. To appear meeting. His name came up during our conversation. I'll tell you if anything
good comes up.
Come up to - to come closer to someone He came up to me and asked my name.
Come up with - to think up and suggest (an idea,
Tom came up with a brilliant idea.
a plan)
Comment on - to give one's opinion about
He commented on the current situation.
something
Compare to - examine to see the similarity This writer is often compared to Leo Tolstoy. He compared her paintings to
between two objects the most interesting paintings of our time.
Compare with - to examine to see the difference Compare this car with that car. This writer is often compared with Leo
or similarity Tolstoy.
She is always complaining about her job. She complained about her noisy
Complain about - be dissatisfied with something
neighbor.
Complain to - to make a complaint to someone Complain to the manager. Complain to the police about his action.
Concentrate in - to gather at some place The majority of the population is concentrated in big cities.
Concentrate on - to give full attention to They concentrated their efforts on getting the contract. I am trying to
something concentrate on my work.
Congratulate on - to express praise (for success, He congratulated me on my new job. She congratulated him on his excellent
achievement) speech at the conference.
I can't connect this wire to the plug. Are you connected to the Internet? Can
Connect to - to join, to connect two objects
you connect me to Mr. Cole?
1. This bank is connected with several big banks. Her work is connected with
Connect with - 1. To have a connection with; 2.
music. 2. This bus connects with a train at Maple street. Can you connect me
To join, to connect two objects
with Mr. Cole?
Consent to - to agree to something Her father consented to her marriage.
Consist of - to be composed of (parts,
Water consists of hydrogen and oxygen. The book consists of five chapters.
ingredients)
Contribute to - to give time, money, energy to
He contributed a lot of money, time, and effort to this research.
something
Cool off - 1. To become less hot; 2. To calm
1. Wait till the engine cools off. 2. Talk to him when hel cools off.
down
Cope with - to be able to handle, to deal with
I hope I can cope with this problem.
something
Correspond to - to match, to agree with
Your information corresponds to the facts I have.
something
Correspond with - to be in correspondence with
He corresponds with some of his old friends.
someone
Count down - to count backward to zero They are ready to launch the rocket. They have already started to count down.
Count in - to include Who wants to go to the lake on Sunday? - I do. Count me in.
Count on - to depend on, to rely on someone You can always count on me for help.

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 Count out - to exclude Tom is sick, so count him out.
Count to - to count to some number Close your eyes and count to 20.
Cover for - to substitute for, to replace someone Can you cover for me for an hour? Can you cover for Jim while he is away?
Cover up - to conceal the truth by lying He tried to cover up his crime. She covered up for him.
Crash into - to hit, to run into something His car crashed into a truck. He crashed into a tree and hurt his head.
Cross out / off - to remove (words) from a written He crossed out these words. He crossed out her name. He crossed her name
text off the list.
Cut down - 1. To chop down (a tree); 2. To 1. Why do they cut down so many trees? 2. We need to cut down our
reduce something; 3. To destroy, defeat, kill expenses. 3. Many young lives were cut down in the war.
Cut down on - to reduce something (out of We spend too much. We really need to cut down on our expenses. The doctor
necessity) advised her to cut down on chocolate.
Cut in - to interrupt someone's conversation I hate it when he cuts in with remarks about everything.
Cut into pieces - to cut up She cut the vegetables into pieces.
Cut off - 1. To chop off; 2. To disconnect
1. He cut off the end of the rope. 2. My telephone connection was cut off.
(electricity, water, telephone)
1. He cuts out newspaper articles and sticks them to the wall. 2. The doctor
Cut out - 1. To cut out of (paper); 2. To exclude,
told her to cut out fat food. Cut out the details. Cut out this paragraph; the
to remove
report will be better without it.
Cut it out - (slang) to stop doing something I don't want to talk about it! Cut it out!
Cut up - to cut into pieces Cut up these onions and carrots.
Decide against something - to decide not to do
He decided against selling the house. We decided against your plan.
something
Decide on something - to agree on something, We decided on selling the house. We decided on going to Spain in the
decide in favor of something summer.
Dedicate to - 1. To give one's time, energy, effort
1. This scientist dedicated his whole life to research. 2. He dedicated his latest
to something; 2. To do something in honor of
novel to his daughter.
someone
Depart for (some place) - to leave for (some
The train departs for Paris at 6:30.
place)
Depart from - 1. To leave (some place); 2. To 1. The train departs from Rome at 7:40. 2. The rule departs from the pattern in
deviate from the course, rule this case. He departed from the truth.
Depend on someone or something - 1. To be 1. It depends on the weather. It doesn't depend on me. 2. You can always
conditioned by; 2. To rely on, to count on depend on him.
Devote to - to give one's time, energy, effort to This scientist devoted his whole life to research. He devotes his Sundays to
something or someone children.
Die for - 1. To die for an idea, country, person; 2. 1. He would die for his principles. He died for his country. 2. I'm dying for a
To want something very much cup of coffee.
Die from - to die after something, as a result of die from wounds; die from lack of food; die from hunger; die from cold; die
something from starvation
Die of - 1. To die because of an illness; 2. To die 1. die of cancer; die of pneumonia; die of old age; die of hunger; die of thirst;
because of some strong feeling die of cold; 2. die of grief; be dying of curiosity; be dying of boredom
Die out - to cease to exist Dinosaurs died out millions of years ago.
Disagree about / on something - to have different They disagree about everything. They often disagree on the way children
opinions on something should be raised.
Disagree with - 1. To have a different opinion 1. I disagree with you about it. I disagree with your plan. 2. Your report
from someone else; 2. Not to match or fit disagrees with these facts. Fried meat disagrees with my stomach.
Divide into - to separate into parts Divide this cake into six parts. They divided into three groups.
Do over - to do again Your report isn't good. You have to do it over.
Do without something - to live without
We have to do without chocolate.
something

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 Drag behind someone - to lag behind someone The little boy was dragging behind the older boys.
Drag someone into something - to pull someone
He dragged the dog into the car. Don't try to drag me into their conflict.
into something
Draw something from something - to get He drew a gun from his pocket. I need to draw some money from my bank
something from something account. We draw volunteers from students.
1. They drew him into a fight, and he ended up in a hospital. 2. The bus is
Draw into something - to pull into something
drawing into the station now.
Dress up - put on the best clothes What are you dressed up for?
Drink to someone or something - to drink in
Let's drink to the newly weds! Let's drink to Anna's health.
honor of someone or something
Drive at - 1. To drive at a certain speed; 2. To 1. He was driving at 70 miles per hour when the accident happened. 2. What
mean, to suggest something indirectly are you driving at?
Drop by / in - to visit informally How nice of you to drop by! I've just dropped in to say I'm going away.
Drop someone off at some place - to let someone
He dropped me off at the bank.
out of the car at some place
He doesn't go to school, he dropped out last year. He dropped out of school
Drop out of school - to quit school
when he was 15.
Equip someone or something for something - to The boat is not equipped for cooking, so we'll have to eat sandwiches for two
provide with necessary things for something days. He is not equipped for real life yet.
The kitchen is equipped with modern appliances. They equipped the
Equip someone or something with something - to
expedition with tools and maps. He is not equipped with enough knowledge
provide with necessary things
for this job.
Excuse someone for something - to forgive Please excuse me for being late. Excuse me for interrupting you, but could
someone for something you give me a copy of the report?
Expect something from someone - to expect Don't expect good work from him; he is lazy and careless. I expected more
(good work, results) from someone from her.
Explain something to someone - to make clear Can you explain this task to the students?
Expose to something - 1. To be open to the
1. He was exposed to the cold for too long. The film was exposed to light. 2.
negative effect of something; 2. To reveal to the
His crimes were exposed to the public.
public
My shoes are falling apart. His business is falling apart. Her marriage is
Fall apart - to fall to pieces; to fail; to drift apart
falling apart. Sometimes good friends fall apart.
Fall behind - lag behind The little boy fell behind the older boys.
Fall down - to fall He fell down and hurt his leg.
Fall for someone or something - 1. To fall in love
1. He fell for her as soon as they met. 2. I can't believe I fell for his story!
with someone; 2. To be tricked into believing
Fall from / off something - to fall down from He fell from the ladder and hurt his leg. He fell off the bicycle and hurt his
something leg.
Fall in love (with someone or something) - to They fell in love and got married. He fell in love with Mary. She fell in love
begin to love with jazz music.
Fall out (of something) - 1. To fall out; 2. Fall out 1. She opened her bag, and this letter fell out. This letter fell out of her bag. 2.
of love - to stop loving They fell out of love and divorced.
Fall over something - to trip over something and
He fell over a stair and hurt his knee.
fall
Feel about something - to have an opinion about
How do you feel about his new plan?
something
Feel for someone - to sympathize with someone I sincerely feel for you in your loss.
Feel up to something - feel able to do something I don't feel up to cleaning the house.
Figure out - to solve, to find an answer, to I can't figure out how much I owe them. I can't figure out where all the money
understand has gone. I can't figure him out.
Fill in - to write in Fill in your name and address, please. Fill in this line, please.

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 Fill out - to complete the form Fill out this form, please.
Fill up - to make completely full The gas tank is almost empty. We need to fill it up at the nearest gas station.
Fill with - to make full He filled my glass with water. She was filled with joy.
Find out - to discover I found out that he lied to me. I found out that Maria left town.
Fit in - 1. To find enough space for something or 1. I think we can fit in my computer table here. The dentist can fit you in
time for someone; 2. To match, to suit tomorrow morning. 2. He left because he didn't fit in.
Fit into, fit in (some space) - to have enough
This book won't fit into my bag. But I think it will fit in this box.
space for something
I'll try to change my schedule to fit in with yours. His ideas didn't fit in with
Fit in with something or someone - to match, to
the company's plans. He doesn't have friends because he doesn't fit in with the
suit, to be in harmony with
rest of his class.
Fit out, fit up - to equip with, to provide with Who is going to fit out the expedition? We have to fit him out for school. It's
necessary things expensive to fit up a new office.
Forget about someone or something - to fail to Sorry, I forgot about your request. Don't forget about Tom. He is waiting for
remember your call.
Forgive someone for something - to excuse, to Please forgive me for losing your book. Please forgive me for letting you
pardon someone for something down. I'll never do that again.
Get across - 1. To cross, to get to the other side;
1. How will we get across the river? 2. The meaning of his message doesn't
2. To become understood, to relate the meaning
get across. Did her poem get across to you?
clearly
Get along - to get on, to make progress How are you getting along? Is your book getting along?
Get along with someone - to be on good terms Does Mary get along with her roommate? Jim and Liz don't get along with
with someone each other.
Get at something - 1. To reach something; 2. To 1. Can you get at the top of the shelf? We need to get at the cause of this
hint at something problem. 2. What are you getting at?
Get away - 1. To escape; 2. To have a holiday 1. The guard forgot to lock the door, and the thieves got away. 2. We need
away from home rest. Let's get away just for one day.
Get away from someone - to escape from
The robbers managed to get away from the police.
someone
Get away with something - to escape punishment The police didn't find the thief. He got away with his crime. He got away with
for wrongdoing it. They got away with the stolen diamonds.
Get back - to return We were away on vacation. We got back yesterday. Get back to work.
Get by - to manage to live, to go on in spite of
Don't worry, we'll get by somehow.
difficulties
Get by someone - 1. To manage to go past 1. How did he get by the guards and the dogs? 2. He is very perceptive and
someone; 2. To escape someone's attention attentive. Even small things don't get by him.
Get down - 1. To come down; 2. To depress, to 1. Jimmy, get down from that tree right now! - Mommy, I can't get down! 2.
discourage someone This gloomy weather really gets me down. Nothing can get me down now.
Get down to (work, business) - to concentrate on
Let's get down to business. It's already ten o'clock. Let's get down to work.
(work, business)
Get in - to get inside How did he get in? He got in through the window.
Get into something - to enter (some place, state) Get into the car! She doesn't get into town often. He got into trouble.
Get something off something - to remove
Get your feet off the table! Get your hand off my shoulder!
something from something
Get off the bus, train, plane - to leave the bus,
He got off the train at the River Station.
train, plane
Get on - to get along, to make progress How are you getting on? Is your book getting on?
Get on the bus, train, plane - to take a bus, train,
He got on the bus on Maple Avenue.
plane
She broke the window and got out. Get out of the house! He got out of the car
Get out (of something) - to get outside
and walked to the bank.

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 Get over something - to recover from an illness or You'll get over it soon. I'm glad you got over your illness so quickly. He'll get
bad experience over these difficulties.
The refrigerator won't go through this narrow door. I don't know how he got
Get through something - to go through something
through college. He never studied.
Get to some place - 1. To reach some place; 2.
1. We got to London at night. 2. This music really gets to me.
Get to someone - to affect feelings
Get together - to meet with friends or relatives for We should get together again sometime. Their family usually gets together for
a party Christmas.
Get up - to rise He gets up at eight o'clock.
Give away - 1. To give for free; 2. To reveal (a 1. She gave away a lot of books. 2. Her trembling voice gave away her fear.
secret, feelings); to inform against someone He gave away several gang members to the police.
Give back - to return something He gave back the money that he owed.
Give in - to yield, to surrender Don't give in without a fight.
Give out - 1. To hand out; 2. To come to an end;
1. The teacher gave out the test papers. 2. His strength gave out, and he fell.
to fail, to stop functioning
Give something to someone or something - to
Give the book to Ann. Give my regards to your family. He gives all his time
present, to hand, to pass something to someone /
to work. She often gives to charity.
something
She gave up smoking a year ago. I gave up trying to fix my old car. Don't
Give up - to stop doing or trying to do something
give up! Keep trying!
Go ahead - to go in front; to proceed with You go ahead; I'll join you later. The director allowed him to go ahead with
something; to begin (speaking) his plan of changes. Go ahead, we are listening.
Go along (the road, street) - to go down (the road,
He went along Maple Street to the library.
street)
Go away - to leave Don't go away. Please wait here.
Go back - to return (to some place, state, etc.) He went back to his hometown. Go back three pages. Go back to sleep.
Go back on (one's word, promise) - to fail to
He promised he would help, but then he went back on his word.
fulfill a promise
Go by - 1. To go past; 2. Go by bus, by car, by
1. She went by me without saying hello. I went by the park and the church. 2.
plane, by train - to travel by bus, car, etc.; 3. Go
He always goes to work by car. We went there by plane. Next time we'll go
by the name - to pass by the name, to live under a
there by train. 3. He goes by the name Smith.
certain name
Go by - to pass (about time) Years go by; people get older.
The prices never go down. His temperature is going down. The sun will go
Go down - to become lower, to fall down soon. He went down with pneumonia. Our sales have been going down
for a long time.
Go down (the stairs, road) - 1. To descend; 2. To 1. He went down the stairs to the train platform. 2. Go down this street and
go along the road turn left at the bank.
Go for something - 1. To go and do something; 2. 1. Let's go for a walk. Let's go for a drive. 2. He decided to go for the
To make an attempt at something new; 3. To tournament. Go for it! 3. I don't go for this plan. If I were you, I'd go for
favor someone or something Candidate No. 2.
Go in - to enter, come in The door was open, so he went in.
Go into something - 1. To enter; 2. To examine or 1. He went into that building. 2. I can't go into your report now. There's no
discuss in detail need to go into details now.
Go off - 1. To give a sudden loud sound (about an
1. The alarm clock went off at six o'clock. 2. The power went off again
alarm clock, car alarm); 2. To be switched off
yesterday.
(about light, electricity)
Go on - to continue Go on reading. Please go on.
Go out - 1. To go outside; 2. To go to
1. He went out to get a newspaper. 2. Jim and Mary went out yesterday. They
entertainment places (parties, movies,
went to a French restaurant. They don't go out often.
restaurants)
Go over something - 1. To review, to look over
1. Go over these chapters again. 2. I need time to go over your report.
something; 2. To examine something
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 Go through - to be accepted, approved or The deal went through. His plan will never go through. He will never go
completed through with his plan.
Go through something - 1. To pass through 1. The refrigerator won't go through this narrow door. She went through the
something; 2. To live through something; 3. To park. 2. He's gone through a lot of suffering. 3. Go through these chapters
look through something again.
Go to bed. Go to page 9. He went to the bank yesterday. He went to Rome
Go to (some place) - to reach, visit, attend, travel
last month. Her son goes to law school. I have to go to work now. Does this
to (some place)
bus go to the book fair?
Go together - 1. To match; 2. To accompany; 3. 1. This scarf and this dress don't go together. 2. Kindness and generosity often
To date someone go together. 3. Tom and Liz have been going together for a year.
Go up - 1. To rise; 2. To climb (the stairs, the 1. The prices have gone up again. His temperature is going up. 2. He went up
hill) the stairs to his room. He went up the hill quickly.
Go with something or someone - 1. To match; 2. 1. This scarf doesn't go with this dress. Apples go with cheese. 2. I'll go with
To accompany; 3. To date someone you to the store. 3. Tom went with Gina before he met Liz.
Grab at something - to use eagerly (the
He grabbed at the opportunity to get a job with that company.
opportunity, the chance)
Graduate from school - to finish school He graduated from college in 1997.
Grow apart - to become separate (about friends,
They used to be good friends in the past, but they grew apart with years.
opinions)
Grow into someone - to become someone He grew into a fine young man.
Grow on someone - to begin to like someone or This small town grows on you with every day. First she didn't like Jim, but he
something gradually grew on her as she got to know him better.
Grow out of something - 1. To become too large 1. This boy is growing so fast! He grew out of all his clothes. 2. His latest
for old clothes; 2. To originate from something novel grew out of a brief encounter with a deer hunter.
Grow up - to become a grown-up He grew up in New York. When will you grow up?
Hand in - to submit Your time is up. Please hand in your test papers.
Hand out - to give, to distribute Twice a week she helps to hand out blankets and clothes to homeless people.
Hang in there - to go on in spite of difficulties, to
Hang in there! Help is coming! Hang in there! Don't give up!
persevere
Hang on - 1. To hold fast; 2. To go on in spite of 1. Hang on, we are going to jump. 2. Tell him to hang on for a couple of
difficulties; 3. To wait by the telephone hours, a rescue team is on the way. 3. Hang on, I'll see if he is in.
Hang out - 1. To lean out, stick out of (the
1. It's dangerous to hang out of the window. 2. Where can I find them? - They
window); 2. (slang) to visit frequently and spend
usually hang out in the bar on Oak Street.
a lot of time at some (favorite) place
Hang up - 1. To place something on a hook; 2. To 1. You can hang up your coat on the coat rack in the hall. 2. He thanked her
put down the receiver and hung up.
Hang up on someone - to put down the receiver He hung up on her, and after that they never spoke again. Don't hang up on
in the middle of the conversation me!
Happen to someone What happened to Tom? He looks awful.
Have something against someone - to be against What do you have against my plan? He has a couple of things against you.
Head for (some place) - to go to (some place) They headed for New York last week.
Hear about something - to learn about something Have you heard about the accident at the plant?
Hear from someone - to have news from someone I haven't heard from him in years.
Help someone out - to help someone in a difficult
He helped her out when she lost her job. Thank you for helping me out.
situation
Help someone with something - to assist
What can I help you with? He helped me with my report / with my work.
someone with something
Hint at something - to suggest something
What are you hinting at? He hinted at this possibility.
indirectly
Hint to someone - to suggest something indirectly
He hinted to me that he wanted to buy that house.
to someone

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 Hit upon something - to discover something
They hit upon gold. I hit upon a plan.
valuable
Hold back - to restrain, control, prevent, refrain The barricades will hold back the crowds for some time. She tried to hold
from something back her tears. He held back several important facts.
Hold down - to keep something down Can you hold down the noise? Hold down the Ctrl key and press Home.
Hold on - 1. To continue holding firmly; 2. To go
1. Catch the rope and hold on! 2. How long can they hold on? 3. Hold on, I
on in spite of difficulties; 3. To stop; to wait on
forgot my key. Hold on, I have to check with my calendar.
the telephone
Hold onto something - to hold something firmly Catch the rope and hold onto it! Hold onto my arm.
Hold out - 1. To extend (one's hand); 2. To last, 1. He held out his hand. 2. How long will this weather hold out? How much
to go on in spite of difficulties longer will they hold out without help?
Hold up - 1. To delay someone; 2. To perform 1. I'm sorry I'm late. I was held up in traffic. 2. This bank was held up twice
armed robbery last year. They held him up and almost killed him.
Hurry up - to do something faster Hurry up, we are already late! Please hurry up!
Inform someone about / of something - to tell
He informed the committee about his decision to resign from his post.
someone about something
Inform someone against someone - to tell on
He informed the police against his neighbor.
someone
Insist on something - to demand, to urge someone He insists on selling the house. I insist on my plan. I insist on telling him the
to do something truth.
Introduce someone to someone or something - 1.
1. She introduced him to her friends. 2. He introduced me to the main aspects
To present someone to other people; 2. To make
of this profession.
someone familiar with something
Invest something in something - to put in
He invested a lot of money, time, and effort in this business.
(money, hopes, work, time, etc.)
Invite someone to something - to ask to come as a
They invited me to dinner. She was invited to the wedding.
guest
His friends involved him in criminal activity. Don't involve me in your
Involve someone in something - to make
quarrel. Try to involve him in sports. Many students are involved in this
someone participate in something
project.
Be involved with someone or something -
He is involved with some criminals. He is deeply involved with this problem
(passive) to have a close relationship with
and can't think about anything else.
someone; to be preoccupied with something
Judge by something - to form an opinion on the Judging by the look of the house, nobody lives in it. Don't judge a book by its
basis of something cover.
Keep at it - to persist in doing something You can master English pronunciation if you keep at it.
Keep away (from someone or something) - to An apple a day keeps the doctor away. What has kept you away for so long?
keep at distance; to stay away (from) Keep away from me; I've got the flu.
Keep down - to prevent from rising; keep at a
Can the government keep the prices down? Can you keep the noise down?
lower level
Keep (someone) from (doing) something - to We must keep him from going there alone. I tried to keep bad news from him,
prevent; to avoid but he learned the truth. Try to keep from arguing with him.
Keep off something - to stay away from
Keep off the grass! Please keep off this delicate subject in her presence.
something
Keep on - to go on doing something Keep on working. She kept on thinking about the problem.
Keep out - not to enter Private property! Keep out!
Keep out of something - 1. Not to enter; 2. To 1. Keep out of this building. 2. I'll handle it myself; you should keep out of
stay away from something this. Try to keep her out of trouble.
Keep up - to maintain the high level of something Keep up the good work. Keep it up.
Keep up with someone - to remain at the same She is always trying to keep up with the richer neighbors. She was too fast, I
level as someone richer, faster or more advanced couldn't keep up with her.

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 Knock at/on (the door); knock on wood - to beat Somebody is knocking on the door. Knock on wood to ward off bad luck.
lightly on something (Touch wood to prevent bad luck.)
Knock down/over - to make someone or He accidentally knocked over a vase. He knocked down the man who
something fall down attacked him.
Knock it off - (slang) stop it (e.g. Fight, noise) Knock it off, I said, or I'll call the guards!
Knock out - to cause to stop functioning The blow knocked him out. Her beauty knocked him out.
The little boy lagged behind the older boys. He is lagging behind the other
Lag behind someone - to be behind someone
students.
Laugh at something or someone - to laugh at a We all laughed at his jokes. The boys laughed at the new boy. They laughed
joke; to make fun of someone / something at his accent.
Lay off - 1. To reduce staff or dismiss workers 1. The factory didn't make any profit last year, and many workers were laid
temporarily; 2. (slang) to stop bothering someone off. 2. Lay off, dude, or I'll call the police!
Lay out - 1. To spread out; 2. To arrange, to 1. The town laid out before our eyes. 2. The nurse laid out the instruments
spread before the operation.
Lead on - show the way You know the way, so you lead on, and we will follow.
Lead someone on - make someone believe
They suspect that you are leading them on. You led me on!
something that isn't true
Lead to something - 1. To guide to something; 2. 1. He led us to the director's office. This road leads to a nice lake. 2. His
To result in something carelessness led to a tragic accident.
Leaf through something - to look through
He leafed through the newspaper quickly.
something
Leave for - 1. To go to (some place); 2. To 1. The train leaves for Paris at six o'clock. 2. He left his wife for a younger
abandon one thing and start another woman. He left his job for a sailing expedition.
Leave from (some place) - to depart from (some
The train leaves from Rome at 6:30.
place)
He left out several important facts in his report. Leave out the dirty details,
Leave out - to omit, to exclude
please.
Leave something to someone - to give something
She left the house to her son. Leave it to me, I'll do it. Leave this task to Jim.
to someone (as inheritance or for work)
Lend something to someone - to give something
I lent 50 dollars to a friend of mine till Saturday.
to someone on the condition of returning it
Let someone down - to fail someone You let me down last time, don't fail me again. Don't let me down!
Let someone in - to allow someone to come in Please open the door and let me in. Let her in.
Let someone out - to allow someone to get out Please open the door and let me out. Let her out.
Listen to someone or something - 1. To pay 1. Listen to the teacher. He is listening to music. 2. You should listen to your
attention by listening; 2. To obey someone parents.
Live on something - 1. To live on some street; 2.
1. She lives on Baker Street. 2. She lives on apples, bread, and cheese. 3. She
To live on certain food; 3. To live on certain
lives on 500 dollars a month.
income
Lock in - to be locked inside He locked himself in and can't get out.
Lock out - to prevent someone from entering The boy locked himself out. He had to wait outside till his mother returned.
He forgot to lock up the house before he left. The police caught the robber
Lock up - to close using a lock
and locked him up.
Long for something - to yearn for something, to
He longed for a real friend, but he was always alone.
want it very much
Look after someone or something - to watch, take
A babysitter looks after the children when their mother is at work.
care of someone or something
He came in and looked around. Can I help you? - No, thank you, I'm just
Look around - to see what is around
looking around.

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 Look at someone or something - 1. To take a look
1. He looked at her for a long time. He looked at the car across the street.
at someone or something; 2. To consider, to
What are you looking at? 2. I'll look at your report tomorrow.
examine something
Look away - to turn one's eyes away from He said hello to her, but she looked away. Don't look away when I'm talking
someone or something to you.
Look back - 1. To turn back and look; 2. To 1. He looked back, but she was gone. 2. Looking back on my youth, I must
review the past say that we were not as career-oriented as young people are today.
Don't look down from the roof. You may feel dizzy. He tried to see her eyes,
Look down - to direct one's eyes down
but she looked down.
Look down on someone - to regard someone with
After she became rich, she began to look down on her former friends.
contempt
Look for someone or something - to search for I'm looking for Tom Brown. What are you looking for? I'm looking for my
someone or something glasses.
Look forward to something - to expect with
I'm looking forward to your letter.
eagerness
Look in (some place) - to see if something is Where are my keys? - Look in the top drawer of the hall stand. Look in the
there kitchen. Look in your bag.
Look into something - to examine, to investigate
The police are looking into the matter. You should look into this problem.
something
Look out - to watch out, to be careful Look out! There's a big dog right behind you! Look out! The bus is coming.
Look out of (the window) - to look outside He looked out of the window.
Look over something - 1. To examine something, 1. Look over your notes before the test. I need time to look over your report.
to go over something; 2. To open onto something 2. My window looks over a large garden.
Look through something - 1. To take a look
1. Look through this glass. Look through this hole. 2. Look through your
through something (glass, hole) 2. To examine,
notes before the test.
look over (notes)
Look to it - to see to something Look to it that all is done as we agreed.
Look up - 1. To direct the eyes upward; 2. To
1. He put aside his newspaper and looked up. 2. Look up this information in
search for and read some information in a
the encyclopedia. Look up the new words in the dictionary. Look them up.
reference book
Look up to someone - to regard someone with A young boy always looks up to his father or older brother. He was a born
admiration or respect leader. We always looked up to him.
Make away / off - to escape in a hurry Her boyfriend made off as soon as her father came home.
Make away / off with something - to escape with
The robbers made away with two million dollars.
stolen goods
Make for (some place) - to head for (some place) After the bell, the students made for the door.
Make something from something - to produce, to
She made a new dress from a cut of silk fabric. Cheese is made from milk.
create something by processing some initial
Paper is made from wood pulp.
material
Make of something - 1. To understand or
1. What do you make of it? I don't know what to make of his letter. 2. This
interpret something unclear; 2. To be made of
ring is made of gold. This house is made of brick. This dress is made of silk.
something - to be made up of some material
Make out - to understand, to see, to decipher I can't make out the number of the house in the dark. I can't make out what he
something unclear wrote.
Make over - to remodel The guest room was made over into a nursery room.
Make up - 1. To compose, to create (a story, 1. Make up a story about your summer vacation. 2. She made up her eyes and
plan); 2. To apply cosmetics; 3. To become lips. Her face was made up heavily. 3. Tom and Liz had a terrible fight, but
friends again they made up yesterday. I'm tired of fighting. Let's make up.
Make up for something - to compensate for a loss The client will make up for the time and money you spend on this project.
Make it up to someone - to compensate someone I'm sorry I lost your Twisted Sister record, but I'll make it up to you by giving
for favors or losses with good actions or things you their album of rare recordings.
Mark down - to reduce the price of something These coats have been marked down by 20%.

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 Mark up - to raise the price (by adding tax,
These items have been marked up because of our growing expenses.
expenses, etc.)
Mark something with something - to make more
Mark mistakes with a red pencil. New words are marked with an asterisk.
visible
Move in - to begin to reside in some place Our new neighbors have just moved in.
Move into (some place) - to begin to reside in
They've just moved into a new house.
some place
Move on - to go on, to go further Life goes on; we need to move on too. Let's move on to the third question.
They moved out; I don't know their new address. They moved out of the
Move out - to leave one's place of residence
house.
Move over - to move in order to give space Can you move over a little?
Move to - 1. To change the place of living; 2. To 1. They moved to another house last year. 2. She was moved to tears by his
affect feelings, to give rise to some emotion story.
Nag at someone - to complain about something She is always nagging at her husband.
Name someone after someone - to name in honor
He was named after his famous uncle. They named their son after his uncle.
of someone
Negotiate (with someone) for something - to
They negotiated for the new contract, but they didn't get it. The employees are
conduct talks in order to reach agreement or get
negotiating with the management for a better benefits package.
something
Nominate someone for something - to name as a
She was nominated for the award, but it was given to another actress.
candidate for a position or award
Notify someone of something - to inform They notified the police of his crime. The tenants were notified of the coming
someone about something reconstruction a month ago.
Object to something - to be against something He objects to going there tonight. He objected to my plan.
Occur to someone - to come to one's mind, to It didn't occur to me to ask you about it. It occurred to me that I didn't see
cross one's mind Tom yesterday. Where was he?
Offer (a certain sum) for something - to intend to
How much do they offer for the house? They offer 50,000 dollars for it.
give for something
Offer something to someone - to intend to give to
They offered 50,000 dollars to her mother.
someone
Open (the door) to someone - to open the door
Don't open the door to anyone!
and let someone in
Open into (some place) - to open inward This door opens into a narrow corridor.
Open on / onto (some place) - to open outward The window opens onto a large garden.
Open something with something - 1. To open 1. He opened the door with a key. 2. The director opened the meeting with a
with a tool; 2. To start with joke.
Owe for something - to have to pay for something How much do I owe for the book? How much do I owe you for the book?
Owe something to someone - 1. To have to pay 1. He owes $15,000 to the law company that represented him. 2. He owes his
back to someone; 2. To feel indebted to someone; language skills to his mother who taught him French and German. I really
to feel that something is the result of something owe it to her. He owes his success in life to hard work.
Pack into something - to press things or people She tried to pack all her clothes into one suitcase. Students packed into the
into one place room.
Pack it in / pack it up (informal) - to stop, to quit
I'm sick and tired of your whining! Pack it in!
doing something
Pack off - to send someone away in a hurry, to His relatives packed him off unceremoniously back to his hometown because
bundle off he was not good enough for them.
Pack up - 1. To pack things into boxes, 1. We are moving next week, so we are packing up now. Pack up your things
containers, suitcases for transportation; 2. To and get out! 2. It's six o'clock; it's time to pack up. You'd better pack up
stop, to quit doing something (informal) smoking. This stuff will kill you.
1. Believe me, all your troubles will pass away. 2. He passed away several
Pass away - 1. To end; 2. To die
years ago.

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 Pass by someone or something - 1. To go past, to
1. She passed by me without saying hello. We passed by the park and the
go by someone or something; 2. Pass by the name
church. 2. He passes by the name Smith.
- to go by the name
Pass by - to go by, to pass Years pass by, people get older.
Pass for someone - to be accepted as someone (by
This actor could pass for a lawyer.
trick)
Pass out - to lose consciousness She passed out. Call the ambulance!
Pass over something - to go over / above some
The new metro line will pass over this road and over the railway tracks.
place
Pass up - to miss or reject (an opportunity) This is a great chance to get a nice job, you shouldn't pass it up.
Pay back - 1. To repay, return a debt; 2. To get 1. He paid back all his debts. He paid back his brother too. 2. You should pay
even with someone him back for what he did to you.
Pay for something - to give money for something How much did you pay for this bag?
Pay off - 1. To pay a debt in full; 2. To get even 1. He paid off all his debts. 2. You should pay him off for what he did to you.
with someone; 3. To bribe; 4. To result in success 3. He was paid off to be silent. 4. The risk he took paid off nicely.
Pay up - to pay fully He must pay up, or we will take him to court. She hasn't paid up her bill.
Pick at something or someone - 1. To touch only 1. She picked at her food, and didn't really eat anything. They didn't solve
the surface of something; 2. To find fault with anything. They just picked at the problem. 2. Why are you always picking at
someone me?
Pick on someone - to choose for some purpose, The teacher always picks on Tom to answer difficult questions. Why doesn't
often for criticism he pick on someone else?
Pick out - to select She picked out two scarfs for her new coat.
1. He bent down and picked up a penny from the ground. 2. I'll pick you up at
Pick up - 1. To lift; 2. To collect someone or
seven o'clock. 3. The car quickly picked up speed. 4. Business is picking up.
something by car; 3. To gain speed; 4. To
5. The telephone is ringing, pick it up! Pick up the phone! 6. You need to pick
improve; 5. To answer the phone; 6. To tidy up
up your room.
Plug in - to connect an electrical device with an
Plug in the coffee machine, please. Does the TV work? Is it plugged in?
outlet
Plug up - to block or fill (a hole) with a plug He plugged up the leak in the pipe under the sink.
Point at / to someone or something - to direct (a Don't point a finger at people! Don't point at people! He pointed a gun at him.
finger, gun, attention) to someone/something; All the facts we have point to his guilt. She pointed at the possibility of
hint at something leaving the company.
Point out - to draw attention to something I'd like to point out several important facts in this report.
Prefer (one) to (another) - to like one thing more
I prefer this song to that one. I prefer tea to coffee.
than another thing
Press for something - 1. To push for something,
to try to achieve; 2. (passive) be pressed for 1. The employees keep pressing for a pay raise and a better benefits package.
(time, money) - not to have enough (time, 2. Let's talk about it later. I'm pressed for time now. I'm pressed for money.
money)
Press on someone - to put someone under His troubles are pressing on him and his family. You shouldn't press your
pressure opinion on other people.
Prevent someone from doing something - to stop How can I prevent him from making this terrible mistake? His illness
someone from doing something prevented him from coming to the meeting.
As a future doctor, she profited a lot from her hospital experience. He profited
Profit from something - to benefit from, to gain
greatly from his move to Rome. The company profited greatly from the
advantage or get profit from something
growing prices.
Provide for someone - to supply the means of
She provided for her son in her will. His children are provided for.
sustenance to someone
Provide someone with something- to give, to
He provided us with information, food, and money for our trip.
supply with something
Pry into (someone's business) - to nose into other
He has a nasty habit of prying into other people's affairs.
people's affairs

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 Pull apart - 1. To take apart; 2. To criticize 1. The dog pulled apart my new slippers. He pulled apart all of the new toys.
sharply 2. She is upset because the critics pulled her book apart.
Pull at something - to tug at (a rope); to draw at He pulled at the rope, and the bell rang. He pulled at his cigarette in silence.
(a cigarette, a drink) She pulled at a drink through a straw.
He wanted to hug her, but she pulled back. I pulled him back before he
Pull back - to draw back, to move back
stepped into the hole.
Pull down - 1. To draw downward; 2. To 1. She pulled down the shades. 2. Several old buildings here were pulled
demolish down last year.
Pull for someone - to support (a team, a
We pulled for our basketball team, but they lost the game anyway.
candidate) actively
Pull in - to arrive and stop (about a train, bus, car) The bus pulled in at three o'clock. The car pulled in at the curb.
Pull into - 1. To drag into; 2. To arrive and stop at 1. They pulled him into a car and drove off. Don't try to pull me into helping
the station, etc. (about a train, bus, car) them. 2. The bus is pulling into the station. The car pulled into the parking lot.
Pull off - 1. To take off (boots, sweater, etc.); 2.
To drive to the side of the road and stop; 3. 1. She pulled off her heavy boots and put on her slippers. 2. They pulled off
(slang) to accomplish, to succeed in something the road to have something to eat. 3. He managed to pull off this trick again.
difficult
Pull oneself together - to regain self-control Stop crying and pull yourself together.
1. He pulled out a knife and threatened to kill them. He pulled a wallet out of
Pull out (of something) - 1. To take out; 2. To
his pocket. 2. The bus for Denver pulled out at 4:30. The train is pulling out
leave (about a train, bus)
of the station now.
Pull over - to drive to the side of the road and
The traffic police officer ordered us to pull over. Pull over at the bank, please.
stop
Pull through - to survive I hope he will pull through.
1. He pulled the rope up. He pulled up and got inside through the window.
Pull up - 1. To lift by pulling; 2. To stop (about a
How many times can you pull up? 2. I was standing at the curb when a car
car)
pulled up in front of me.
Though he was tired and hungry, he pushed ahead through the woods. He is
Push ahead - to advance despite difficulties
stubbornly pushing ahead with his plan.
Push aside - to shove others to get a place for He pushed her aside and got into the car. He pushed everyone aside to get this
oneself job.
Push away - to move something or someone
She pushed away her plate and stood up. His words pushed her away.
away from oneself
Push someone into something - to make someone
They pushed him into the car and drove off.
get in
Push someone out of something - to make
They pushed him out of the car and drove off.
someone get out
1. Put aside your newspaper and listen to me. She put aside her writing career
Put aside - 1. To set aside; 2. To save; 3. To to take care of her son's health. 2. She puts aside a hundred dollars every
disregard something on purpose month for her trip to Rome. 3. Let's put our differences aside and work out a
plan that can save our company.
Put away - to remove, to take away Your clothes are all over this place; can you put them away?
Put back - to return something to its place Put my calculator back after you use it.
Put down - 1. To put something lower; 2. To 1. Put your bag down. He put down his pencil and closed his notebook. 2. I
write down; 3. To depress or hurt someone put down the figures that she dictated. 3. His attitude really puts me down.
Put in - 1. To include or add; 2. To spend time, 1. She put in a paragraph about her trip to Rome. Can I put in a word or two?
effort, or money on something 2. Every week he puts in six hours of volunteer work at the hospital.
1. Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today. Don't put it off. 2. At
Put off - 1. To postpone; 2. To repel someone
first she liked him, but his arrogance soon put her off.
Put on - 1. To dress; 2. To gain weight; 3. To 1. She put on her coat and went out. 2. He put on ten kilograms in half a year.
pretend 3. She likes to put on an act. Don't listen to him; he is just putting you on.
Put out - to extinguish (fire, cigarette, light) Put out the light before you leave. Put out your cigarette, please.

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 Put through - 1. To put into effect, to accomplish; 1. He wasn't able to put through the reorganization that he started. 2. Can you
2. To connect by telephone put me through to 555-3247?
Put up with something - to tolerate something I'm not going to put up with his rudeness.
Quote from (some book) - to give the exact words He quoted (several lines) from his favorite poem. He often quotes from
from a book, text, etc. Shakespeare.
Reach for something - to stretch one's hand to get
He reached for the vase on the shelf above. She reached for her bag.
something
Rely on someone / something - to count on,
You can always rely on him. You can always rely on his help.
depend on someone / something
Remember someone to someone - to send a
Remember me to your family.
greeting to someone
Remind someone of something or someone - 1. 1. This town reminds me of my hometown. You remind me of your mother
To cause someone to remember something or when she was young. 2. She reminded me of my promise. Thank you for
someone; 2. To tell someone not to forget reminding me of the meeting.
Remind someone about something - to tell She reminded me about my promise. Thank you for reminding me about the
someone not to forget about something meeting.
Remove something from (some place) - to take Please remove your books from the table. I removed the stains from your
away from (some place) shirt.
Replace someone / something by/with someone / Coal was replaced by electricity. Tom is sick, so we will have to replace him
something - to change one thing for another with Jim. He replaced the old pipe with a new one.
Report on something - to give information on
He reported on the current situation.
something
Report to someone - 1. To inform someone about
1. He reported her absence to the boss. He'll report you to the police. 2. Please
something; 2. To inform someone about arrival;
report to the registrar immediately. 3. She reports to the Head Office.
3. To answer to someone
Result from something - to have as a result
The accident resulted from his carelessness.
because of something
Result in something - to have as a result My efforts resulted in nothing. His carelessness resulted in a tragic accident.
Rip someone off - (slang) to steal from someone That sleazy hotel manager ripped us off for 200 dollars. The car mechanic
by charging him too much ripped you off!
Roll out - to spread out, to unroll He rolled out the carpet / the map.
Run across someone / something - to meet or find
I ran across an old friend yesterday. I ran across her old photo in that book.
by chance
His dog ran away. When he was 15, he ran away from home. The little boy
Run away (from someone, with someone) - to
ran away from his cruel father. When she was 17, she ran away with a
escape, to go away
traveling musician.
Run for something - 1. To run to get something;
1. Run for help! Run for cover! 2. He is going to run for President.
2. To try to get a position by election
Run into someone / something - to meet by
I ran into an old friend yesterday. He ran into a tree in the dark and hurt his
chance, collide with, encounter someone /
knee. My project ran into difficulty.
something
Run on something - to use as power or fuel This car runs on electricity. This engine runs on diesel fuel.
1. The doors opened, and people ran out. My coffee ran out, and I had to
Run out - 1. To get out; 2. To end (about time,
make new coffee. 2. His contract runs out next year. Please hurry, our time is
supplies)
running out. Your time has run out. Now it's my turn.
Run out of something - 1. To run outside; 2. To 1. He ran out of the house. 2. We've run out of sugar. We are running out of
end (about supplies) time.
Run over - 1. To knock down with a car; 2. To 1. The poor dog was run over by a speeding car. 2. The water in the sink is
overflow running over, the pipe is clogged again.
Run to - 1. To go to someone for help or advice; 1. She always runs to him for help. 2. The bill ran to $300. The book runs to
2. To come to the amount 500 pages.
Save (something) for someone / something - to Save this wine for next week. We have to save money for John's education.
preserve, put aside for future use He's saving for a new computer.

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 Save on something - to economize on something She saves on chocolate and cake. We can't save on food!
Save someone from something - to rescue The man saved the boy from drowning. We can't save him from his own
someone from danger, harm, failure, loss, etc. foolishness.
Say for someone - to say in support of someone There's not much I can say for him.
Say something about - to express an opinion What can you say about his new book? Please say something about my new
about something hair style.
Search for someone / something - to look for He is searching for eternal beauty. The police are searching the city for the
someone / something missing boy.
See about something - to see to something, to
I have to see about our airplane tickets. Did you see about the car repair?
take care of something
See you around - to see, to meet with someone Bye! See you around!
See someone off - to go to the place of departure
I saw him off to the airport. I went to the airport to see him off.
and say goodbye
See through something - to see what is behind
I can't see through this glass. We saw through his clever plan.
something
See to something - to take care of something, to I have to see to the car repair. See to it that all is done as we agreed. Don't
look to it worry, I'll see to it.
Set apart - 1. To reserve (money) for future use; 1. He set apart some money for his trip to Australia. 2. Her great sense of
2. To be different from other things or people humor and quick wit set her apart from many other girls of her age.
1. Set aside your newspaper and listen to me. She set aside her writing career
Set aside - 1. To put aside; 2. To reserve for to take care of her son's health. 2. I asked the salesclerk to set aside the
someone; 3. To disregard something on purpose diamond ring for me. 3. Let's set our differences aside and work out a plan
that can save our company.
Set back - 1. To impede; 2. To set the time to an 1. The flood set back the development of the region. 2. When he arrived in
earlier time New York, he set his watch back eight hours.
Set forward - to set the time to a later time When she arrived in Moscow, she set her watch forward two hours.
Set in - to arrive, to begin and continue (about Hot summer set in. Darkness sets in early in winter. Dark thoughts set in
conditions, weather, etc.) making her worried and depressed.
Set off - 1. To begin a journey; 2. To cause to 1. We set off early in the morning. 2. His words set off a lot of speculation
begin something; 3. To cause to explode; 4. To about the future of the company. 3. They set off bombs in several districts. 4.
intensify by contrast The black frame sets off the blue color inside.
1. We set out early in the morning. 2. The salesgirl set out the goods before
Set out - 1. To begin a journey; 2. To arrange, to
the sale. He set out his ideas and arguments clearly. 3. It is difficult to set out
design; 3. To begin professional activity
as a lawyer these days.
Set up - 1. To establish, arrange, organize, 1. He set up his own company five years ago. A fund for the blind was set up
construct (a business, a company, an by his company. He set up an interview for her. He set up a tent in the woods
appointment, a record, etc.); 2. To maneuver and and lived there in summer. He set up a record in marathon running. 2. He is
trick someone innocent, he was set up by his competitors.
Set up with something - to provide with He set them up with maps, water, food, money, and detailed instructions for
necessary things the trip.
Settle down - 1. To begin to live in a regular way 1. He did a lot of traveling before he got married and settled down in
(with family, home, permanent job); 2. To calm Wisconsin. 2. The town is shaken up by the news, and their excitement will
down not settle down soon.
Settle on something - to decide, to agree on
They argued for hours, but finally they settled on Peter's plan of action.
something
Shake down - 1. To make something fall by 1. He didn't climb the apple tree, he shook the apples down for us. 2. The
shaking; 2. (slang) to search (a place, a person) police shook down the apartment, but they didn't find any weapons.
Shake off - 1. To make something fall by 1. She took the rug out and shook off the dust. 2. Shake off that stupid friend
shaking; 2. (slang) to get rid of someone / of yours and come to my place alone. She's got a bad cold and can't shake it
something off.
Shake up - 1. To mix by shaking; 2. To agitate, to 1. Shake up the liquid before drinking it. 2. The crimes shook up the whole
upset town.
Shout at someone - to yell at someone Don't shout at children.

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 Show off - to show to an advantage; to try to The bluish light shows off the beauty of this precious stone. I think he invited
impress someone, to boast us to show off his new house. He always shows off before the girls.
Show up - to appear, arrive He showed up after ten o'clock. I waited for an hour, but he didn't show up.
Shut down - 1. To close down; 2. To switch off 1. The plant was shut down recently, and the workers lost their jobs. 2. They
electricity shut down the power again.
Shut up - 1. To lock, to be locked; 2. (rude) to
1. The store was shut up for three days. 2. Now shut up and listen.
close one's mouth
Sit down - to take a seat Please come in and sit down.
Sit in for someone - to replace someone Can you sit in for me for an hour?
Sit in on something - to be present as a spectator She was allowed to sit in on classes and exams as a visiting teacher.
Sit up - 1. To rise to a sitting position (from 1. She helped the old man to sit up in his bed. 2. I sat up late yesterday
lying); 2. To stay up; 3. To sit upright because I had to finish my report. 3. Sit up, don't slouch.
Size up - evaluate someone It took her five minutes to size up that man.
She slipped away quietly because she didn't like the show. Time slips away
Slip away - to go away quickly or unnoticed
quickly.
Slip by - to go by quickly or unnoticed Time slips by quickly. Don't let this chance slip by!
Slip by/past someone - to go unnoticed by
He quietly slipped past the guard. But how did he manage to slip by the dogs?
someone
The note probably slipped out when I dropped my bag. It was dark in the
Slip out - to slip outside (about objects, people,
house, and the robbers slipped out quietly. He didn't tell anyone about the
facts, secrets, etc.)
accident, but the facts slipped out somehow.
Slip out of something (bag, hand, place, clothes) - The letter slipped out of her hand and fell to the floor. Nobody saw him slip
to get out of something out of the house. She slipped out of her dress.
Slip up - to make a mistake He slipped up and sent the letter to the wrong person.
The car slowed down before the turn. You live like there's no tomorrow, you
Slow down - to reduce the speed of something
have to slow down.
Smell of something - to have a certain smell The tea smelled of mint. This room smells of roses.
Smile at someone / something She smiled at me. She smiled at his joke.
1. Sort out the verbs alphabetically. Sort out the books according to the date
Sort out - 1. To arrange according to type, sort,
of release. 2. I need some time to sort out my thoughts. They should sort out
class; 2. To put things in order, to make clear
their affairs themselves, without your help.
Speak about someone / something - to talk about
He spoke about the necessity of reforms. He can speak about her for hours.
someone / something
Speak for - 1. To say in support of someone /
1. He spoke for the new project, but no one else liked it. 2. Speak for yourself,
something; 2. To speak as someone's
I liked the project. He spoke for the whole group.
representative
Speak on something - to deliver a speech, talk on
He spoke on the necessity of reforms. He spoke on the future of the company.
something
Speak to/with someone - to talk to/with someone She is speaking with / to her friend right now. Who do you want to speak to?
Speak up/out - 1. To speak louder; 2. To express 1. Please speak up, I can't hear you. 2. Many people are against it, but not
one's opinion openly many of them are ready to speak up.
How much time did you spend on this report? How much money do you
Spend (money, time) on something
spend on food?
Stand back, people, this thing may be dangerous! You should stand back and
Stand back - to move back; to step back
let him do this work his own way.
Stand behind someone / something - 1. To be
1. Tom is standing behind Ann. Do you see him? 2. She stands behind him in
located behind someone / something; 2. To
everything he does.
support someone
Stand by - 1. To stand near some place; 2. To 1. I asked the man who stood by what happened. 2. Please stand by, our
wait, to be ready for some action operator will speak with you in a moment.

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 Stand by someone / something - to support, be She stood by him in everything he did. He stood by his decision despite her
loyal to someone / something protest. You promised to help, now stand by your word!
Stand for something - 1. To symbolize, mean; 2. 1. What does the letter Q in IQ stand for? 2. They claim that they stand for
To advocate, support; 3. To tolerate peace and democracy. 3. I won't stand for it!
Stand out - to be noticeable (about people, The black letters stood out clearly on the light-blue background. He is the
objects) kind of man who stands out in any group of people.
Stand up - 1. To rise; 2. To remain strong; 3. To 1. He stood up to shake her hand. 2. How long will the power generator stand
fail to keep an appointment with someone up? 3. He asked me for a date and then stood me up!
Stand up for someone / something - to support or She stood up for him in everything he did. Many people stand up for animals'
defend someone / something rights. He is able to stand up for himself.
Start from some place - to begin something at
Start from the very beginning. They started the race from the school building.
some place
Start out - to begin a journey We started out early in the morning.
Start with something - to begin with something Let me start our party with a drink to Tom's health. Start with Chapter 3.
Stay at (some place) - to live at some place for a
We stayed at the Sheraton Hotel. I stayed at my sister's for two weeks.
while
Stay away from someone / something - to avoid, She always tries to stay away from the crowds. Stay away from that guy, he is
to keep away from someone / something dangerous. Stay away from the river!
Stay out of something - not to enter; to keep out Stay out of this building. I can handle it, you should stay out of this. Try to
of something stay out of trouble.
Stay over - to stay at some place for the night We stayed over at a hotel and moved on in the morning.
Stay up - not to go to bed till very late I stayed up late yesterday because I had to finish my report.
Stay with someone - to be with someone, to visit
Stay with me for an hour. He stayed with us for Christmas.
with someone
Step aside - to move to one side in order to let
Step aside, please, let the doctor get to the injured man.
someone pass
Step back, don't touch it! You should step back and let him do it in his own
Step back - to move back; to stand back
way.
Step forward - 1. To make a step forward; 2. To 1. He stepped forward and waved his hand. 2. Three people stepped forward
move forward as a volunteer to offer their help.
Step on it - (slang) to hurry up, to speed up We'd better step on it, the show begins in ten minutes.
Step out - to leave some place, especially for a
I'm sorry, he has just stepped out. Can you call a little later?
short time
Stick around - (slang) to remain, to wait in the
Stick around a little longer, they may appear soon.
same place
Stick by someone - to be loyal to someone, to The boys decided to stick by each other no matter what happens. She always
stand by someone sticks by him.
Stick it out - to stay to the end, to endure, to go This work is boring and tedious, but you have to stick it out. It was a very
on in spite of difficulties hard time for him, but he managed to stick it out.
Stick out - to protrude, to poke out, to be The girl stuck out her tongue at me. His ears stick out. He doesn't like to stick
noticeable out in a crowd.
Stick to something - 1. To attach to; 2. To cling 1. Stick this note to the door. 2. Wet hair sticks to everything. 3. Stick to your
to; 3. To keep to plan.
Stick together - to be united Families and friends should stick together in times of trouble.
They stuck up a small shop on Maple Street. Then they tried to stick up a
Stick up - (slang) to rob, especially at gunpoint
passerby, but he ran away and called the police.
He stopped at the red traffic light. He will stop at nothing! We stopped at my
Stop at something - to stop at a certain place
sister's.
Stop by - to come by, drop by Can you stop by on your way home, I have something to tell you.

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 Stop for - 1. To stop (the car) and let someone
1. You should always stop for animals crossing the road. 2. He stopped for
pass before it; 2. To stop for dinner - to visit and
dinner yesterday and told us about his plans.
have dinner
Stop someone from doing something - to prevent
How can I stop him from making this terrible mistake?
someone from doing something
He stood up and straightened out his back. I straightened out my room. I need
Straighten out - to make straight, to put in order to straighten out my thoughts. They should straighten out their affairs
themselves, without your help.
He stood up and straightened up his back. Wait here, please, I need a couple
Straighten up - to make straight, to put in order
of minutes to straighten up.
Subscribe to - 1. To pay and receive (newspapers,
1. I subscribe to several newspapers. 2. I won't subscribe to your opinion. He
services, etc.); 2. To agree with, to write one's
refused to subscribe to their plan.
signature to show approval of something
Substitute for someone / something - to replace Will you substitute for Tom while he is away? Many people substitute milk
someone / something with someone / something for cream in coffee.
Succeed in something - to be successful in Everyone wants to succeed in life. He succeeded in his efforts to get a
something promotion.
All his earnings and savings summed up to two hundred dollars. To sum it up,
Sum up - to combine into a total, to summarize
it was a terrible day. She summed him up in a minute: a loser.
Switch off - 1. To turn off (water, light); 2. To 1. He washed his face and switched off the water. Switch off the light, please.
stop listening because of losing interest, to tune 2. His speech was so boring that I soon switched off and began to think about
out my Sunday plans.
1. He switched on the water and washed his face. Switch on the light, please.
Switch on - 1. To turn on (water, light); 2. To
2. As soon as the boss mentioned the prizes, everyone's interest was switched
become interested
on.
Switch over (to something) - 1. To exchange 1. Let's switch over, I want to sit by the window. 2. When will the U.S. switch
places; 2. To make a complete change to over to the metric system? First, the company produced paper, then they
something else switched over to the production of children's toys.
Switch to something - to replace one thing with He played basketball for a while; then he switched to swimming. This is
another boring, let's switch to a more interesting subject.
Sympathize with someone - to feel for someone I sincerely sympathize with you.
Take aback - (often passive) to surprise or I was taken aback by her rudeness. We were taken aback by his sudden
confuse greatly refusal to help.
Take after someone - to resemble one's parents in He takes after his father in appearance. She takes after her mother in
character or looks character.
Take apart - 1. To separate the parts of some 1. He took apart all of the new toys. 2. She is very upset because the critics
mechanism; 2. To criticize sharply took her book apart.
Take away - to remove She took away the food. Only time can take away her pain.
1. He took back his bicycle. I need to take this coat back to the store, it's torn
Take back - 1. To take, return, accept; 2. To
inside. She will never take him back after what he did. He took back his
remind of, to cause to remember the past
words and apologized. 2. This music takes me back to my youth.
Take down - to tear down That building was taken down last year.
Take someone for someone - to confuse with
Sorry, I took you for your sister. Who do you take me for?
somebody else, mistake for someone
Take in - 1. To accept as tenants; 2. To make 1. Mr. Bates takes in students. 2. The skirt is too wide at the waist, you need
narrower to take it in.
Take off - 1. To remove (clothes); 2. To lift off
1. He took off his coat. 2. The plane took off at 7:00.
(about a plane)
Take on - 1. To hire; 2. To undertake, to assume
1. The plant is taking on new workers. 2. He took on several new tasks. 3.
(responsibility, duties); 3. To acquire (another
After his explanation, the situation took on a different light.
quality, look, etc.)
She took out her wallet. Please take out the garbage. I'd like pizza with
Take out - to take outside
mushrooms to take out.

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 Take it out on (someone) - to make someone else He comes home tired and angry and takes it out on his wife and children.
suffer because you are angry or dissatisfied Don't take it out on me!
Take over - to assume control, responsibility or
When the boss is away, James takes over the company.
management
Take to something / someone - to develop a habit; He took to fishing. He took to drinking. She took to him as soon as she met
to begin to like something / someone him.
Take up - 1. To begin doing something new; 2. 1. She took up painting last year. 2. Gardening takes up a lot of time. This
To use (time, space) huge wardrobe takes up a lot of space.
Talk about someone / something - to speak about
What are you talking about? We talked about Tom and his family.
someone / something
Talk back to someone - to answer rudely Don't talk back to the teacher!
Talk someone into (doing) something - to He talked her into selling the house. He talked her into giving him all her
persuade someone into (doing) something money.
Talk on something - to deliver a speech, speak on He talked on the necessity of reforms. He talked on the future of the
something company.
Talk someone out of (doing) something - to
He talked her out of selling the house. He talked her out of getting a dog.
persuade someone out of doing something
Talk over - to discuss I talked it over with my family.
Talk to/with someone - speak to/with someone She is talking with / to her friend right now.
Tear down - to take down, to demolish That building was torn down last year.
He tore off his jacket and jumped into the water. He tore off a piece of paper
Tear off - to tear from, to rip from
and wrote his telephone on it.
I wonder why he tore out page 5. He tore out a piece of paper and wrote his
Tear out - to tear from, to rip from
telephone on it.
Tear up - to destroy by tearing into pieces She tore up his letter angrily.
Tell someone about something - to inform
He told me about your plans. Tell me about your family, please.
someone about something
Tell apart - to see the difference Can you tell the twins apart?
Tell by something - to judge by something I could tell by his voice that he was scared.
Tell one from another - to see the difference
Can you tell this brand of tea from the one we used before?
between two things
Tell on someone - 1. To have a bad effect on
1. Hard work is beginning to tell on his health. 2. Promise not to tell on me!
someone; 2. To inform of bad behavior
Thank someone for something - to say thank you She thanked him for his help. Thank you for telling me about it.
Think about someone / something - to have I often think about him. I have never thought about this opportunity before.
thoughts, to consider What are you thinking about? I'll think about it.
Think of someone / something - to have thoughts, I often think of him. I have never thought of this opportunity before. What do
to consider; to have an opinion; to remember you think of her cooking? I can't think of his name.
Think over - to consider carefully I thought over your plan. I thought it over.
Think up - to make up (a plan, idea, etc.) He thought up a clever plan how to become rich, but it didn't work.
Throw away / out - to discard something Throw out the garbage, please. Why don't you throw out this junk?
He had a fever, a runny nose, and a sore throat. And he threw up several
Throw up - to vomit
times.
Tie up - 1. To tie someone (with a rope); 2. To be 1. They tied him up and robbed the house. 2. I'm pretty tied up at the moment.
busy Can you call back later?
Touch on something - 1. To mention as a subject;
1. We touched on many questions briefly. 2. His honesty touches on rudeness.
2. To border on, be close to
Track down - to pursue, to search until found or The detective tracked down the killer. They are trying to track down the cause
caught of this strange disease.
Translate from (another language) The letter was translated from German.

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 Translate into (another language) Translate this passage into English.
Treat someone to something - to give something
He treated me to a nice dinner. She treated them to a great vacation in Italy.
nice to someone
Treat someone with something - 1. To give
1. The doctor treated her with a new medicine. 2. Treat this man with respect.
medicine; 2. To behave toward someone in some
He treats everyone with kindness.
way
Trust in someone / something - to depend on,
I trust in him. I trust in his good judgment.
believe in someone / something
Try on - to put on new clothes to see if they fit She tried on a black coat, but it didn't fit. Try it on, maybe you'll like it.
Try out - to test I tried out the washing machine you recommended, and I decided to buy it.
Tune in - 1. To choose a radio station and listen
1. His radio is tuned in to his favorite rock music station. 2. He is surprisingly
to it; 2. To be perceptive of other people's ideas
tuned in to other people / to other people's wishes.
or wishes
Tune out - 1. To stop listening to a radio station, 1. There was nothing interesting to listen to on the radio, so I tuned out. 2. His
to switch off; 2. To stop listening because of speech was so boring that I soon tuned out and began to think about my
losing interest, to switch off Sunday plans.
Tune up - to check, to bring in good working The musicians are tuning up their instruments, they will begin to play soon.
condition The car engine was tuned up last month.
Turn around - 1. To turn and face what's behind; 1. He turned around and faced the man who was running after him. 2. If you
2. To change (the situation) for the better have your mind set on it, you can always turn the situation around.
Turn away - to look away He said hello to her, but she turned away as if she hadn't heard him.
I turned back because I left my wallet. Everything is set, you can't turn back
Turn back - to turn and go back
now.
Turn down - to decline, to refuse She turned down his invitation to visit his house. He turned down their offer.
Turn in - 1. To submit, to hand in (a paper); 2. To 1. He turned in his resignation yesterday. 2. The neighbors turned him in to
inform on or give someone to the police; 3. (not the police as soon as he appeared in the house. 3. He turned in early
formal) to go to bed yesterday.
Turn into - 1. Turn into (a street); 2. Turn into 1. The car turned into a narrow side street. 2. She is turning into a good
someone / something - to change into someone / doctor. He has turned into a monster. He was turned into a mouse in that fairy
something tale. They turned the barn into a playroom for children.
Turn off - 1. To switch off (water, light); 2. To 1. He washed his face and turned off the water. Turn off the light. 2. His
put someone off arrogant behavior turned her off.
Turn on - 1. To switch on (water, light); 2. To 1. He turned on the water and washed his face. Turn on the light. 2. Is there
interest, excite or stimulate someone anything that can turn on his interest? This music really turns them on.
Turn on / upon someone - to become hostile to I don't know why she suddenly turned on me and began to shout. Her cat
someone suddenly turned on her and scratched her face.
Turn out - 1. To switch off (the light); 2. To 1. Turn out the lights, please. 2. The plant turns out 300 cars a year. 3. He
produce; 3. To appear to be turned out to be a friendly young man. He turned out to be a good actor.
Turn over - 1. To move from one side to another,
1. The nurse turned the patient over. The car hit the guardrail and turned over.
to overturn; 2. (business) to invest and recover
2. The company turns over about five million dollars a year.
capital
Turn to - 1. To move and face someone or
1. Turn to me, please. He turned to the window. 2. She always turns to him
something; 2. To go to someone for something; 3.
for help. 3. Turn to page 20. 4. He turned to stone. The rain turned to snow.
To go to some page; 4. To turn into something
Turn up - to appear Don't worry, some opportunity will turn up sooner or later.
Vote against something - to oppose something One member voted against the resolution.
Vote for someone / something - to vote in favor Ten members voted for the candidate. Did you vote for the new plan or
of someone / something against it?
Vote on something - to express an opinion on
We voted on the question of money spending yesterday.
something
Vouch for someone - to express belief in
I'll vouch for him. I'll vouch for his honesty.
someone
Wait for someone / something I waited for the bus for twenty minutes.
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 Wait on someone - to serve someone (usually in a Can you wait on us? Does she work? - Yes, she waits on tables in a small
restaurant) restaurant.
Wake up - to awake He wakes up at seven o'clock. Why did you wake me up so early?
Walk away (from someone / something) - 1. To 1. I wanted to talk to her, but she just walked away. She walked away from
leave some place on foot; 2. To leave unhurt after me in a hurry. 2. He fell off the roof, but he walked away with just a couple of
a serious accident bruises!
Walk into something - 1. To encounter trouble 1. He was reading a newspaper and walked into a tree. It was a trap and he
because of one's own carelessness; 2. To get a walked into it. 2. Her uncle is on the board of directors, so she just walked
good job easily into the job that other candidates were competing for.
Walk off/away with something - 1. To get away 1. The robbers walked off with precious stones and cash, and nobody saw
with stolen goods; 2. To win the prize easily anything! 2. He walked away with the top prize.
Several members of the committee walked out when they heard about his
Walk out (of something) - to leave in protest
nomination. They walked out of the meeting.
Walk out on someone - to desert someone She walked out on him because of his drinking.
Ward off - to prevent, to avert (danger, evil, This talisman can ward off bad luck. They were able to ward off the first two
harm, attack, blow, etc.) attacks. The boxer warded off several blows.
Warm to someone - to become friendlier to
She warmed to him after she saw him help a stray dog to get out of the river.
someone
Warm up - 1. To make warmer; 2. To do some
1. The fire in the fireplace quickly warmed up the room. 2. Sportsmen always
exercises in preparation for sports and other
warm up before a game. 3. She warmed up to him after she saw him save a
activities; 3. To become friendlier to someone /
drowning stray dog. He will never warm up to your ideas.
something
Warn someone about something - to advise about He warned me about the danger there. He warned you about the boss's
(risk, danger, etc.) temper.
Warn someone against someone / something - to He warned me against that unscrupulous man. He warned me against going
advise avoiding someone / something there alone.
1. The flood washed away several bridges and roads. Heavy rains washed
Wash away - 1. To destroy by water; 2. To
away the paint. 2. Alcohol and rich presents soon washed away his feeling of
remove the feelings of guilt, sin, etc.
guilt.
Wash down - to help swallow (medicine, food)
He swallowed the pills and washed them down with several gulps of water.
with liquid
Wash out - 1. To remove (stains, dirt) by water;
1. These stains are hard to wash out. 2. The embankment was washed out by
2. To destroy by water; 3. Be washed out - to feel
the flood. 3. He felt completely washed out.
very tired or ill
Watch for something - to look and expect
Watch for the signal from the boat.
something
Watch out! There's a big dog right behind you! Watch out! The bus is
Watch out - to look out, be careful
coming.
Wear away - to reduce, to weaken gradually; to Water wore away the embankment. His pain is wearing away gradually. We
pass (the time) slowly wore away the evening playing cards.
The smell wore off soon. The feeling of despair will wear off. The effect of
Wear off - to diminish or disappear gradually
the medicine began to wear off, and she was in pain again.
Wear out - 1. To become useless because of long 1. The equipment is old and worn out. His clothes are worn out. 2. I am worn
use; 2. To be very tired or exhausted out. His behavior has worn out my patience.
Welcome back - to greet someone's return After two years of absence, we are happy to welcome back Lena Brown!
Welcome someone in - to be glad to let someone
Please welcome in our guest from Australia!
in
Welcome someone to something - to be glad to We welcomed him to our club. I'm glad to welcome you to our school.
let someone in or accept as a member Welcome to our city!
Welcome someone with something - to greet We welcomed him with a glass of champagne and a song in his honor. They
someone with something welcomed him with angry shouts and hisses.
Well up - to rise (about water, feelings) Tears welled up in her eyes. The feeling of anger welled up in him.

Page | 27
 They managed to win back their city occupied by the enemy. He is trying to
Win back - to regain, to get back
win back her love.
Wind up - 1. To roll into a ball; 2. To wind (a 1. He wound up the rope into a ball. 2. He likes the toys that he can wind up.
clock); 3. To end, to finish; 4. To make someone 3. It's nine o'clock. Let's wind up the meeting. 4. He's wound up and
tense and excited extremely touchy.
Wipe off - to remove by wiping She wiped the dust off the table. He wiped the sweat off his forehead.
Wipe out - to destroy completely The whole city was wiped out in minutes.
Wise up (to something) - (slang) to learn (the He finally wised up to the fact that they were using him as a scapegoat. You
truth, secret, etc.); to open one's eyes; to use should wise him up to the nature of business there. Wise up, he is not going to
common sense help you!
Wish for something - to desire, to long for He has everything one can wish for. He wished for a new car, but he knew
something that he couldn't buy it.
Wish on something - to make a wish on
She wished on a falling star. Some people wish on a penny that they find.
something (a star, a penny)
Wonder about something - to think about I am still wondering about his behavior at the meeting. I wonder about the
something with curiosity or trying to understand origin of this problem.
Wonder at something - to admire, marvel at or be
I wondered at his strength and composure in such a difficult situation.
surprised by something
Work at - 1. To have a job at some place; 2. To 1. He works at a bank. She works at IBM. 2. Work at your pronunciation. He
work (hard) on something is still working at his new novel.
Work for - 1. To work for some employer; 2. To 1. He works for IBM. He works for a newspaper. 2. He agreed to work for
get a certain pay for work $2,000 a month. He works for free.
Work in some place - to have a job at some place He works in a bank. She works in a restaurant.
Work on it / work at it - to go on trying to get The boss will fire us if he learns that we've lost this opportunity! - Calm
better results or to change something down, I'm working on it. / I'm working at it.
Work on something - to work (hard) at something Work on your pronunciation. He is still working on his new novel.
Work out - 1. To devise, invent (a plan, an idea); 1. We need to work out a plan how to save our friend. 2. Don't worry,
2. To fix, result, succeed (about a difficult everything will work out. Our plan worked out nicely. 3. He often works out
situation); 3. To train at the gym at the gym.
Worry about someone / something - to feel She worries about her son. She is worried about her son. What are you
concerned about someone / something worrying about? Don't worry about money.
Write (a book, etc.) On (some topic) - to write
He wrote a book on fishing. He wrote an essay on Spanish traditions.
about something
Write about something or someone - to describe He is writing a book about fishing. He wrote an article about his trip to Spain.
in writing In his letter, he writes about an old friend of his who lives in our city.
Write down - to put something in writing Write down your task for tomorrow. Write it down.
Write in - to add something into a written text Write in your name and address, please. Write in the latest data.
Write off - to cancel, to annul, to disregard They wrote off his debt as unpayable. The old equipment was written off last
something / someone as useless or unnecessary year. They wrote him off as a loser.
Write out - 1. To complete (a check, a bill); 2. To 1. He wrote out a check for two hundred dollars. 2. Write out the names, don't
write something in full form; 3. To choose and abbreviate them. First, write the sum in figures, then write out the number (in
copy (words, etc.) From one place to another words). 3. Write out the new words.
Write to someone - to address letters to someone She wrote a letter to the manager.
Yearn for something - to long for, to want very much He is yearning for freedom. I am yearning for a vacation.
Yield to someone / something - to give in to He finally yielded to his wife's demands. You must yield the right of way to
someone / something the ambulance. Don't yield to temptation.
Zoom by - to speed by with a loud buzzing sound The cars zoomed by in an endless rapid flow.
Zoom in - to magnify an image You can zoom in this picture.
Zoom out - to reduce an image Zoom out the image now.
Zoom up - to fly upward quickly (about a plane, prices) The plane zoomed up and disappeared in the clouds.

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Ex. 1: Verbs with Prepositions and Nouns

Choose the most appropriate answer.

1. He is trustworthy and reliable. You can depend him.
of on in
2. Do you believe ghosts?
of on in
3. Her parents didn't approve her marriage to that man.
of on in
4. They arrived London early in the morning.
to for in
5. You could tell her voice that she was scared.
about by on
6. Don't worry it. Everything will be OK.
about of by
7. Like his mother, he has brown eyes and dark hair. But he takes his father in
personality.
from after on
8. They objected his plan at first but accepted it later.
against about to
9. Who looks the children when you are away?
at for after
10. He has to work his pronunciation.
about for at

Ex. 2: Verbs with Prepositions and Nouns

Choose the most appropriate answer.

1. They accused him murder.
of for in
2. He was sentenced ten years for his crime.
for to on
3. He talked her selling her car.
about on into
4. The police are searching the woods the missing child.
about for after
5. His wife stood him in everything he did.
for by with
6. I ran an old friend yesterday whom I hadn't seen for a year.
into for by
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7. It might be dangerous. Can you prevent him doing it?
from by for
8. The tea that she served smelled mint.
with about of
9. You shouldn't shout children.
at to by
10. He opened the door a key.
by with

Ex. 3: Verbs with Prepositions and Nouns

Choose the most appropriate answer.

1. He applied the position of sales manager.
to for at
2. His books have been translated many languages.
by for into
3. I looked the magazine, but I didn't find anything interesting.
by on through
4. Could you change these dollars euros, please?
with by into
5. He insisted telling the manager about the incident.
for on at
6. Let's drink Mike's health!
to for in
7. Can I help you? - Yes, please. I'm looking a good book of English idioms.
at for to
8. We hope that she will get her illness soon.
over out of by
9. He is lagging the other students in his mathematics class.
from behind by
10. I sympathize her, of course, but there's nothing I can do for her.
for with to

Ex. 4: Verbs with Postpositions

Choose the most appropriate answer.

1. Look ! There is a big dog behind you!
out over up
2. Can you come for dinner tomorrow?
on over up

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3. Don't put it till tomorrow. Do it today!
away off over
4. She turned to be a nice clever girl.
around back out
5. I went there by bus because my car broke yesterday.
off down up
6. Hold , I'll see if Mr. Smith is in.
on out up
7. He finally gave to their demands and found a job.
in off out
8. He dropped me at the bank on Fifth Street.
by off out
9. She wants to move to another apartment because she doesn't get with her
roommate.
along through away
10. The English teacher asked the students to make a story with the new words.
off out up

Ex. 5: Verbs with Postpositions

Choose the most appropriate answer.

1. Why did he turn such a nice job offer?
back down off
2. If you don't know these words, look them .
out over up
3. The criminals broke at night, killed the guard, and robbed the store.
in down up
4. I can't give you an answer now. I have to talk it with my family.
about on over
5. The police never found the robber. He got with his crime.
away out over
6. He doesn't go to college. He dropped last year.
away off out
7. The alarm clock went at 7:00 a.m.
off on through
8. Speak , please. I can't hear you.
back on up
9. Her younger son takes his new toys because he wants to see what is inside.
along apart away
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10. Many workers were laid during the recession.
back down off

Ex. 6: Verbs with Postpositions

Choose the most appropriate answer.

1. Turn the light before you leave.
away down off
2. The bank was held last month.
off out up
3. Can you make what is written on the building across the street?
on out up
4. Stay from those boys. They are bad company.
away back over
5. I'm looking to your letter.
forward up ahead
6. Tom and Mary seemed to be in love. Why did they break ?
off out up
7. Her little son is with a cold. She has to stay home and look after him.
in down out
8. When the director is away, Tom takes the office.
in out over
9. Time is running . We need to make a decision quickly.
off on out
10. She put five kilograms during the winter and has to go on a diet.
back in on

Ex. 6: Verbs with Postpositions

Choose the most appropriate answer.

1. Turn the light before you leave.
away down off
2. The bank was held last month.
off out up
3. Can you make what is written on the building across the street?
on out up
4. Stay from those boys. They are bad company.
away back over
5. I'm looking to your letter.
forward up ahead

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6. Tom and Mary seemed to be in love. Why did they break ?
off out up
7. Her little son is with a cold. She has to stay home and look after him.
in down out
8. When the director is away, Tom takes the office.
in out over
9. Time is running . We need to make a decision quickly.
off on out
10. She put five kilograms during the winter and has to go on a diet.
back in on

Ex. 7: Verbs with Postpositions

Choose the most appropriate answer.

1. Please stand . Our operators are busy at the moment.
aside back by
2. He was the leader of our group. We always looked to him.
down up out
3. I watched the plane take and disappear into the clouds.
off out up
4. They used to be friends, but they fell several years ago.
apart away off
5. I don't think that he will be able to carry his plan.
away out over
6. I waited for him for an hour, but he didn't show .
around through up
7. He pulled at the bank and got out of the car.
off over through
8. You smoke too much. You have to cut on smoking.
down in up
9. I'll pick you at seven o'clock.
on out up
10. The rescue teams called the search temporarily because of the storm.
back off out

Ex. 8: Phrasal Verb BE

Choose the most appropriate answer.

1. Maria is town. She will be back next Monday.
away off out out of

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2. The lights in their apartment are . Mike and Anna must be at home.
in off on out
3. It's you. Whatever you choose is all right with me.
on by up to with
4. What are you interested in? Are you computers?
at into up to with
5. Call me as soon as you are this report.
off out of over through with
6. We are bread, milk, cheese, and sugar. We need to go to the supermarket.
off out of down on up to
7. The rain is almost . Let's go for a walk.
off over through up
8. I couldn't type the report yesterday because electricity was all day.
off on up
9. Your time is . Hand in your papers, please.
down off up
10. I wonder what is his offer.
behind below beside beyond

Ex. 9: Phrasal Verb GET

Choose the most appropriate answer.

1. She went to bed at ten, got at seven, took a shower, went to the kitchen, and
made breakfast.
down in out up
2. We went there by bus. We got on the bus on Fifth Street and got at the park.
down off out of through
3. Her sad story really got me. We must do something to help her.
by down to with
4. We were on vacation in Greece. We got yesterday.
back out over through
5. I don't understand you. What are you getting ? Be more specific, please.
about at on up
6. It was a great party. We should get again sometime.
around by together with
7. He pulled up at the bank and got the car.
back to into off out of
8. How did he get the robbers?
across from away from out of through
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9. She is a little under the weather now, but she will get it soon.
by into off over
10. His work on his new project is getting quite well.
along away out over

Ex. 10: Phrasal Verb GO

Choose the most appropriate answer.

1. Prices are going , as usual.
ahead down over up
2. The alarm clock went at 5:30.
off on out through
3. This bag doesn't go these shoes.
by to together with
4. I don't trust him. He promised to help, but he may go on his word.
back in out up
5. I don't go this idea. Actually, I have a better idea.
along for towards under
6. Last week he went with a bad cold.
down forward into up
7. He goes the name of Richard Brown.
along by for to
8. I'm sorry I interrupted you. Please go .
away back on out
9. Review the material before the test. Go Chapters 5 and 6.
for from over under
10. His proposal will never go . Everyone will vote against it.
in into past through

Ex. 10: Phrasal Verb GO

Choose the most appropriate answer.

1. Prices are going , as usual.
ahead down over up
2. The alarm clock went at 5:30.
off on out through
3. This bag doesn't go these shoes.
by to together with
4. I don't trust him. He promised to help, but he may go on his word.
back in out up

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5. I don't go this idea. Actually, I have a better idea.
along for towards under
6. Last week he went with a bad cold.
down forward into up
7. He goes the name of Richard Brown.
along by for to
8. I'm sorry I interrupted you. Please go .
away back on out
9. Review the material before the test. Go Chapters 5 and 6.
for from over under
10. His proposal will never go . Everyone will vote against it.
in into past through

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