The train was held up so we didn't GET BACK home until midnight.
Return something.
Don't lend him any money; you'll never GET it BACK.
Revenge.
He was rude and embarrassed me, but I'll GET him BACK.
Move away.
The police told the crowd to GET BACK to allow the ambulance through.
Take revenge.
I'll GET BACK AT her for landing me in trouble.
Start doing something after stopping for some time.
I am GETTING BACK INTO my Khmer lessons after the summer break.
Find a new enthusiasm for something.
I lost interest for a while, but I'm GETTING BACK INTO it.
Respond to a contact.
I'll GET BACK TO you as soon as I hear any news.
Respond when you know the answer.
I don't know at the moment, but I will GET BACK TO you as soon as I have the information.
Start doing something again after an interruption.
It took me ages to GET BACK TO sleep after the phone rang.
Restart a relationship.
We split up a few months ago but GOT BACK TOGETHER last week.
Support.
All the students GOT BEHIND the teacher.
Be late paying instalments for something.
If you GET BEHIND WITH mortgage payments, you might lose your home.
Have just enough money to live on.
They're finding it increasingly difficult to GET BY since their daughter was born.
Not be noticed (problems, errors, etc).
I had checked it, but there still were a few mistakes that didn't GET BY the editor.
Manage on a certain amount of money.
It's hard to GET BY ON my salary.
Have enough of something to do the job.
We should be able to GET BY WITH three PCs, but four would be better.
Make someone depressed, unhappy, exhausted, etc.
The miserable weather in winter really GETS me DOWN.
Write, record.
I couldn't GET DOWN everything he said.
Manage to swallow.
The medicine tasted horrible and it was difficult to GET it DOWN.
Descend, leave a vehicle.
The trained pulled in and we GOT DOWN.
Leave the table after eating.
When they had finished dinner, the children asked if they could GET DOWN.
Reduce.
The doctor says I my GET my cholesterol levels DOWN.
Have an affair or s*x*al relations.
They GOT DOWN at the party last week.
Criticise.
My mother used to GET DOWN ON us for not doing enough homework.
Start working seriously.
I find it extremely difficult to GET DOWN TO doing any revision for examinations.
Enjoy something a lot.
People were GETTING DOWN TO the concert.
Arrange for someone to do a job in your home, workplace, etc.
The air conditioning has broken down; we'll have to GET a technician IN to fix it.
Arrive (train, plane, etc.).
Her plane GETS IN at 2am our time.
Arrive home.
She didn't GET IN till well after twelve o'clock because she'd been out for a few drinks with her mates.
Enter a car or taxi.
The taxi pulled up and we GOT IN.
Buy or obtain supplies, like food.
We need to GET some coffee IN; we're completely out.
Arrive at work, school, home.
I GOT IN late today because the train broke down.
Enter a building or place.
I borrowed her pass to GET IN.
Be elected.
The government GOT IN with a very small majority.
Manage to say or do.
I couldn't GET a word IN throughout the meeting.
Be admitted to a university, club, etc.
He did badly in the entrance exam and didn't GET IN.
Bring inside a place.
It's raining; I'd better GET the washing IN.
Submit, apply.
We have to GET the forms IN by the end of this week.
Pay for drinks.
He GOT the drinks IN.
Become involved.
The company tried to GET IN ON our market.
Become friendly with, ingratiate with.
I tried to GET IN WITH them as I thought it would help me at work.
Become involved or interested.
She's been GETTING INTO dance music recently.
Become involved in something bad or criminal.
He GOT INTO dr*gs when he was at university.
Be accepted or admitted.
She did well and GOT INTO Cambridge University.
Become or be accepted as a member.
He GOT INTO the first team for football.
Start a habit or way of acting or behaving.
It took me ages to GET INTO driving on the left.
Be small enough to wear something.
I couldn't GET INTO the boots; they were too tight.
Criticise.
He GOT INTO me for doing it badly.
Be punished or scolded.
If you don't stop that right now, you'll really GET IT!
Have s*x.
They GOT IT OFF at the party.
Have s*x with.
She GOT IT OFF WITH her friend's husband.
Become interested or excited.
The talk was dull and nobody GOT IT ON.
Have s*x.
Did you two GET IT ON?.
Have s*x with.
Did you GET IT ON WITH him?.
Control things in your life to achieve your aims.
If I don't GET IT TOGETHER, I will never reach my targets.
Begin a relationship.
They only GET IT TOGETHER at the very end of the film.
Become aroused (of a man).
He couldn't GET IT UP and felt very embarrassed.
Escape punishment.
He GOT OFF on a technicality and left the court a free man.
Leave a bus, train, etc.
We GOT OFF the bus and walked to my house.
Finish, leave work.
I like to GET OFF early on Fridays.
Start a journey.
We need to GET OFF early to avoid the rush hour traffic.
Help a baby or child sleep.
I can't GET the kids OFF because of the noise from next door.
Orgasm, have s*x.
We GOT OFF last night.
Manage to fire a gun.
She GOT OFF a few shots before she was arrested.
Stop talking on the phone.
Let me know when he GETS OFF the phone as I need to make a call.
Write or send letters, messages, etc.
I GOT three emails OFF before the meeting.
Say or write something funny.
She GOT OFF some jokes at the start of her presentation.
A way of expressing disbelief, or telling someone that they're wrong or have an incorrect opinion.
I knew he was lying so I told him to GET OFF IT.
Enjoy a dr*g.
He GETS OFF ON crystal meth every night.
Become excited by.
She GETS OFF ON her power over us.
Have casual s*x with.
He GOT OFF WITH her at the party.
Don't touch, leave alone.
If he bothers you, just tell him where to GET OFF.
Continue doing something.
The teacher asked the pupils to GET ON with some work quietly as she had to leave the classroom.
Enter a bus, train, plane, etc.
We GOT ON the train at Plymouth and went up to London.
Make progress, deal with something with a reasonable degree of success.
How are you GETTING ON with your Spanish lessons?.
Have a good relationship.
We have always GOT ON well.
Become old, age.
He's GETTING ON now and doesn't work so hard.
Be late or near an arranged time.
I must get home now; it's GETTING ON.
Wear, fit.
I have put so much weight on that I couldn't GET my old suits ON.
Leave.
I must be GETTING ON; I have other things to do this evening.
Criticise unfairly.
He's always GETTING ON AT me when I haven't done anything wrong.
Be near a time.
It's GETTING ON FOR midnight.
Start to suspect.
It took the authorities a long time to GET ON TO the gang.
Have a good relationship.
Fortunately, I GET ON WITH my boss.
Continue or start doing something.
She told us to GET ON WITH our work.
Start discussing a topic.
We didn't GET ONTO the third item on the agenda.
Be elected, appointed.
He didn't GET ONTO the committee.
Appear on the radio or TV.
He GOT ONTO every major channel after the accident.
Contact someone because you need or want them to do something.
We'd better GET ONTO someone to fix this.
Enter a plane, train, etc.
She GOT ONTO the plane just before it took off.
Leave the house to visit place and socialise.
She doesn't GET OUT much now she has her baby.
Become known when people want it to remain secret.
The truth GOT OUT despite the injunction on reporting the case.
Leave a place, escape.
The dog GOT OUT because I left the door open.
Remove something from where it is stored to use it.
I GOT the car OUT so that we could load up the suitcases.
Remove dirt or something unwanted.
I spilled some red wine on my carpet and can't GET the stains OUT.
Publish, make available for the public to see or buy.
We have to GET the report OUT by the end of the month.
Say what you want when it is difficult.
He was so upset he couldn't GET the words OUT.
Avoid doing something you dislike.
I said I wasn't feeling well and GOT OUT OF the extra work.
Leave a car, van, etc.
We GOT OUT OF the taxi and paid the driver.
Stop a regular activity or habit.
If you GET OUT OF a routine, it can be hard to start again.
Make someone confess or tell the truth.
The police couldn't GET any information OUT OF him.
Make someone give something to you.
Did you GET a refund OUT OF the travel agency?.
Derive pleasure or benefit from something.
She's GETTING a lot OUT OF her university course.
Help someone avoid doing something.
I GOT him OUT OF having to work at the weekend.
Expression of disbelief.
I got 100% on the test.''Get out!'.
Recover from something, feel better.
It took me ages to GET OVER the bout of flu.
Solve, find a solution.
It took us a long time to GET OVER the problems with the computer system.
Communicate, make people understand.
He makes jokes to help GET his message OVER.
Be shocked or surprised that something if real or true.
I couldn't GET OVER how much weight he had put on.
Get to the other side.
We couldn't GET OVER the river because of the floods.
Come somewhere.
He said he needed help and ask me to GET OVER as soon as I could.
Do something unpleasant that has to be done rather than delaying it any more.
I GOT the test OVER WITH rather than have to worry about it any longer.
Become known.
I don't want this to GET ROUND, so please keep it to yourself.
Find a solution.
We're nearly ready, but there are few little problems we have to GET ROUND before we finish.
Finally manage to do something.
It always takes me ages to GET ROUND to writing letters. (In American English 'around' is used).
Persuade someone.
She didn't want to let me do it, but I succeeded in GETTING ROUND her. (In American English 'around' is used).
Contact.
I tried calling her mobile phone, but I couldn't GET THROUGH.
Consume.
He GETS THROUGH two bottles of wine a day.
Finish.
I'm going to take some work home because I haven't managed to GET THROUGH it all today.
Succeed in an exam or test.
My car didn't GET THROUGH its inspection.
Help someone or something succeed or pass a test or exam.
My teacher GOT me THROUGH the exam.
Endure or deal with a difficult experience.
We will have to be careful with our money to GET THROUGH the month.
Be accepted or passed (laws, proposals, etc).
If the proposal GETS THROUGH, it'll make things much better for us.
Manage to pass.
The water GOT THROUGH the roof and damaged the carpets.
Arrive.
The message didn't GET THROUGH.
Make someone understand.
I explained it carefully, but I just couldn't GET THROUGH TO him.
Contact, especially by phone.
I rang but couldn't GET THROUGH TO her.
Reach a stage in a competition.
If they win, they'll GET THROUGH TO the quarter finals.
Annoy, irritate.
Don't let her GET TO you; she's just in a bad mood.
Arrive.
When I GET TO it, I'll look at the matter carefully.
Start discussing a topic.
We asked him to GET TO the point, but he just waffled away.
Have the opportunity to do something.
Last June I GOT TO visit Stonehenge.
Meet socially.
We GOT TOGETHER in the pub for a drink.
Get out of bed.
I GET UP at seven o'clock on weekdays, but lie in till noon at the weekend.
Organise.
They GOT UP a list of two hundred people who were opposed to the local council's plans.
Do something wrong or naughty.
The children are always GETTING UP TO some trouble or other.
Remove someone secretly of discreetly.
They GHOSTED him AWAY to a secret location before he could be arrested.
Boost, increase or exaggerate.
The candidates tried to GIN UP support at the straw poll by transporting their supporters for free.
Make more lively.
They tried to GINGER UP the party to stop people leaving.
Entrust your daughter to her husband through the marriage ceremony.
He GAVE his daughter AWAY and told the groom to look after her.
Tell a secret, often unintentionally.
She didn't GIVE anything AWAY about the party so it came as a complete surprise to me.
Distribute something for free.
In this issue of the magazine, they are giving away a free DVD.
Give without asking for or expecting payment.
He decided to GIVE his new album AWAY in a magazine.
Give an advantage to your opponent in a sport by making a mistake, playing badly, etc.
They GAVE AWAY two goals in the first half.
Give an unwanted baby to people to bring up.
She had to GIVE her baby AWAY as she couldn't afford to bring it up.
Betray, report to authorities.
The gang GAVE him AWAY to the police.
Give a weight advantage to an opponent in boxing.
He is GIVING AWAY thirty pounds to the challenger.
Return something you've borrowed.
I GAVE the money BACK that she'd lent to me.
Return something that someone has lost.
Nothing could GIVE me BACK the way I felt before the scandal.
Stop doing something because it's too hard or requires too much energy.
I couldn't finish the crossword puzzle and had to GIVE IN and look at the answers.
Submit homework, etc.
The projects have to be GIVEN IN three weeks before we break up for the end of term.
Surrender, accept defeat.
They GAVE IN when the police surrounded the building.
Offer or submit for judgement, approval.
They GAVE IN their complaint to the court.
Agree to something you don't like.
The government says it will not GIVE IN TO terrorists.
Allow a feeling or desire to control you.
Eventually, I GAVE IN TO my anger and screamed at them.
Criticise harshly or punish someone for something.
They really GAVE IT TO me for forgetting to turn up.
Applaud.
Please GIVE IT UP FOR our next guest.
Applaud.
Please GIVE IT UP TO our next guest.
Contribute without expecting anything in return, usually time or money.
He GIVE OF his free time to help the club.
Emit pollution or something else unpleasant.
The police stopped the van because it was GIVING OFF a lot of black smoke.
Behave in a way that makes people think of you in a certain way.
She GIVES OFF an air of nobility.
Expand.
The company is GIVING OFF all over the country.
Follow or take one of 2 or more branches (instructions, in machine code) in writing a computer program (using system software for a programming language).
A particular application of a processing code can be GIVEN OFF while requiring minimal run-time support.
Open into a place, for a door or window.
The French windows GIVE ONTO the lawn.
Distribute.
Somebody was GIVING leaflets OUT in front of the underground station.
Stop working, through age or overuse.
I'd been having trouble with my laptop and it finally GAVE OUT at the weekend.
Have no more of a supply.
The water GAVE OUT after a week in the desert.
Make public.
They GAVE the names of the winners OUT last night.
Emit.
The factory GIVES OUT a lot of fumes.
End or finish somewhere.
The path GIVES OUT halfway around the lake.
Make a sound or noise.
She GAVE OUT a moan.
Read the wordings of a hymn or psalm aloud for congregational singing.
He GAVE OUT the psalm.
Stop doing something bad or annoying.
They were making a lot of noise so I told them to GIVE OVER.
Entrust, pass on responsibility.
We've GIVEN the premises OVER to the new company.
Stop an activity.
The police told the rioters to GIVE OVER.
Dedicate, devote.
He GAVE himself OVER TO finding his son.
Transfer responsibility.
After her death, they GAVE control of the estate OVER TO her niece.
An expression of disbelief.
They've doubled your salary- GIVE OVER!
Stop doing something that has been a habit.
I GAVE UP taking sugar in tea and coffee to lose weight.
Stop being friendly, end relationships.
She GAVE UP all her school friends when she went to university.
Stop doing something.
I have GIVEN UP trying to help them.
Surrender, stop trying.
I can't think of the answer; I GIVE UP.
Sacrifice or dedicate time, etc, to something.
I GAVE UP all my free time to the project.
Allow someone to sit in your chair, take your place, etc.
I GAVE UP my seat to a pregnant woman.
Allow or give away a run while pitching (baseball).
He has GIVEN UP 14 earned runs in 14 innings.
Lose faith in or stop believing in something or someone.
I GAVE UP ON them when I heard what they were saying about me behind my back.
Stop feeling hope.
I have GIVEN UP ON them; they never do what they promise.
Denounce, report to authorities.
He GAVE his accomplices UP TO the police.
Stop to allow vehicles to pass.
You must GIVE WAY at this junction.
Collapse, break.
The dam GAVE WAY when the floods rose.
Yield, surrender, retreat.
Don't GIVE WAY TO your worst fears about this.
Relinquish position or ascendancy.
Night GIVES WAY TO day.
Be replaced by something better, cheaper, more modern, etc.
Cottage industries GAVE WAY TO the big companies.
Allow a vehicle to pass in front.
You must GIVE WAY TO oncoming traffic.
Surrender to strong emotions.
He GAVE WAY TO his anger and started screaming at them.
Surrender to the police or authorities.
The gang GAVE THEMSELVES UP last night.
Dedicate time, energy, etc, to something.
He GAVE himself UP TO his job.
Try to minimise the importance of something.
The Minister tried to GLOSS OVER the report that was critical of her department.
Trouble, worry or annoy someone.
I know it was wrong and guilt has GNAWED AT me ever since I did it.
Harm gradually.
The government's dishonesty has GNAWED AT people's trust in politicians.
Harm gradually.
Their behaviour GNAWED AWAY AT our trust in them.
Deal with something.
How should I GO ABOUT telling her the bad news?.
Circulate.
A rumour is GOING ABOUT involving the Attorney General.
Move to another side or place.
He WENT ACROSS to the opposition.
Chase, try to get.
The cat WENT AFTER the pigeon, but it flew away.
Lose a decision or a verdict of a court.
If the decision GOES AGAINST me, I'll go bankrupt.
Proceed.
The construction of the bypass WENT AHEAD despite the protests from environmentalists.
Proceed.
We now intend to GO AHEAD WITH the final stage of the project.
Accept a decision or suggestion.
I didn't really agree, but I WENT ALONG WITH the decision because I was in the minority.
Accompany.
I plan to GO ALONG WITH them as far as Los Angeles.
Circulate.
A rumour is GOING AROUND about the Attorney General.
Be or have enough of something.
There aren't enough jobs to GO AROUND for the numbers of people graduating nowadays.
Visit.
I WENT AROUND for dinner at their house.
Attack or approach something with vigour.
She WENT AT her dinner like she hadn't eaten for days.
Leave a place or disappear.
This dr*g should make the pain GO AWAY.
Have a long history.
He and I GO BACK a long way- we were at school together.
Return to, start doing something again.
We WENT BACK to work after the break.
Break a promise.
The government have GONE BACK ON their promise not to raise taxes.
Precede.
We can't ignore what has GONE BEFORE and pretend that everything has been OK.
Leave the top deck of a ship.
The captain told the passengers to GO BELOW when the storm started.
The passing of time.
Ten years WENT BY before we saw each other again.
Trust or depend on for correct information.
Don't GO BY my watch; it's usually a bit slow.
Pay a short visit, call.
Nobody was at home when I WENT BY yesterday.
Decrease, get smaller.
The price of scanners has GONE DOWN recently.
Sink.
The Titanic WENT DOWN after it hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage.
Sunset.
The sun WENT DOWN at seven o'clock.
Be sent to to prison.
He WENT DOWN for ten years for armed robbery.
Become recorded as or known as.
It WENT DOWN as the worst day in the history of the company.
Be eaten or swallowed.
The medicine WENT DOWN easily.
Fall to the ground.
The boxer WENT DOWN in the second round.
Happen, take place.
The police thought that a big crime was GOING DOWN that night.
Stop working, especially computers.
The computer system WENT DOWN for an hour last night.
Become dimmer.
The lights WENT DOWN and the audience stopped talking.
Be received by people, in terms of their reaction.
My joke WENT DOWN very badly.
Perform oral s*x.
He WENT DOWN ON her.
Be defeated.
Chelsea WENT DOWN TO Arsenal in a thrilling game.
Fall ill.
She WENT DOWN WITH a virus.
Find acceptance.
Do you think the scheme will GO DOWN WITH the farmers in the area?.
Attack.
The neighbour's dog WENT FOR the postman and bit him.
Be attracted to.
She tends to GO FOR guys like him.
Choose, select.
I'll GO FOR the soup of the day, followed by the duck.
Try to get.
The player WENT FOR the ball but missed.
Have something favourable.
The play didn't have much GOING FOR IT and we left halfway through.
Pass for or serve as.
It's a couch that also GOES FOR a bed.
Be assertive and ready to initiate action.(Related to the meaning 'attack').
He was not always successful, but whatever he tried to do he would always GO FOR IT.
Leave a place.
He WENT FORTH and found a wife in another city.
Travel abroad, leave a place.
They WENT FORTH to spread the word of the new religion.
Move clocks ahead.
The clocks MOVE FORWARD an hour on Sunday.
Progress.
The top three teams GO FORWARD to the next round.
Go to hospital for treatment, surgery, etc.
He WENT IN for a triple bypass operation two days ago.
Fit.
The cable GOES IN here.
Disappear, become obscured by a cloud.
The sun has GONE IN.
Attack.
The troops WENT IN at dawn.
Enter a competition or sit an exam.
He WENT IN FOR the photography prize, but didn't win.
Support, advocate.
I don't GO IN FOR the claims being made about blogging.
Like, have an interest in.
He GOES IN FOR classical music.
Make a career choice.
Have you thought about GOING IN FOR teaching?.
Form a union or alliance.
They're going to GO IN WITH the Social Democrats.
Join, enter.
Ask the other to GO IN WITH them on the plan.
Discuss in some detail.
They refused to GO INTO exactly what was wrong.
Enter a profession, hospital, trade, market.
She WENT INTO banking after she'd finished university.
Begin a speech or description.
He WENT INTO a long attack on the way press had handled the issue.
Be dedicated or devoted.
A lot of time and effort WENT INTO this book.
Be contained in a larger number.
Five GOES INTO sixty 12 times.
Behave in a reckless way.
Shouting at the boss like that is GOING IT.
Move or drive very fast.
After the traffic jam, he really WENT IT to make up time.
Do something without help.
He prefers to GO IT ALONE rather then working with the team.
Explode (bomb), start ringing (alarm).
The fire alarm WENT OFF because someone was smoking in the toilets.
Go bad.
The milk WENT OFF because I forgot to put it in the fridge.
Start to dislike.
I WENT OFF her when she lied to me.
Leave a place.
Please don't GO OFF until we have sorted this out.
Take place, follow a plan or pattern.
The party WENT OFF well.
Stop working (electric/electronic equipment).
The lights GO OFF automatically when the office is empty.
Elope, run away with someone.
She WENT OFF WITH her friend's husband.
Steal.
He WENT OFF WITH my credit cards.
Continue.
He WENT ON and ON talking and I was so bored.
Happen.
There are loads of people out in the street; what's GOING ON?.
Start doing or taking something.
She WENT ON the pill when she met him.
Be guided.
The investigators have no clues to GO ON.
Be nearly a certain period of time.
It's GOING ON ten years since we met.
Progress.
They asked me how the project was GOING ON.
Spend money.
Most of my salary GOES ON my mortgage repayments.
Start working (electric/electronic equipment).
The alarm GOES ON when you close the front door.
Talk too much.
He's always GOING ON ABOUT his kids.
Pester, try to make someone do something by repeatedly asking or suggesting.
He WENT ON AT his parents until they bought him the game.
Proceed.
We had dinner and WENT ON TO a few bars.
Continue doing.
Please GO ON WITH your work.
A way of encouraging someone.
GO ON, apply for the job.
Stop burning, be extinguished.
The candle WENT OUT and left us in darkness.
Leave a place.
He WENT OUT last night.
Go on strike.
The workers WENT OUT for more money.
Become infashionable.
That sort of tie WENT OUT last year.
Move backwards, of a tide.
The tide GOES OUT in the evening.
Be eliminated in a competition.
England WENT OUT in the second round.
Be transmitted.
The item WENT OUT on the news yesterday.
Be sent.
The newsletter WENT OUT last night.
Intend.
I didn't GO OUT to offend them.
Become a candidate, apply for something.
She WENT OUT FOR a place on the team.
Feel sympathy with someone.
Our condolences GO OUT TO all the families who have lost people in this tragic accident.
Have a relationship with.
He's been GOING OUT WITH his girlfriend for around six months now.
Look at something, revise.
We WENT OVER our notes before the exam.
Visit.
I hadn't seen her for a while, so I WENT OVER on Friday night.
Be approved or accepted.
My plans WENT OVER well.
Repeat or explain.
Could you GO OVER that point again, please?.
Clean.
I WENT OVER the living room with the vacuum cleaner before they arrived.
Go on a journey.
I'm GOING OVER TO Hong Kong next month.
Become converted.
She WENT OVER TO Islam when she was living in the Middle East.
Change to something different.
I used to drink beer but I have GONE OVER TO wine.
Pass without stopping.
She WENT PAST me without saying hello.
Be or have enough of something.
There aren't enough jobs to GO ROUND for the numbers of people graduating nowadays.
Circulate.
There's a nasty rumour GOING ROUND about them.
Visit.
I WENT ROUND last night to see them.
Experience.
You wouldn't believe what I WENT THROUGH when I was ill!
Read again.
I WENT THROUGH my notes before the exam.
Examine, search.
I WENT THROUGH my desk looking for the letter.
Do something in a certain way or following certain procedures.
You must GO THROUGH the proper channels to get the approval.
Explain.
He WENT THROUGH his ideas twice but I couldn't really understand them.
Be approved formally or sanctioned.
My divorce WENT THROUGH last week.
Enter.
They said I could GO THROUGH the exam room.
Consume or spend.
We WENT THROUGH a fortune on our holiday.
Perform or carry something out.
I WENT THROUGH my work in a daze after I heard the news.
Do or complete something you've agreed to.
He did promise, but I doubt that he'll GO THROUGH WITH it.
Allocate money.
About half of my income GOES TO pay the mortgage.
Harmonize or be compatible.
Drinking and driving don't GO TOGETHER.
Contibute.
The money WENT TOWARDS my university fees.
Go bankrupt.
Many small shops are GOING UNDER because they cannot compete with the supermarkets.
Lose consciousness.
She WENT UNDER a few minutes after they administered the anaesthetic.
Sink.
The ship WENT UNDER in a heavy storm.
Rise or climb.
The price of petrol has GONE UP sharply because of the increase in duty in the Government's budget.
Approach.
We WENT UP and asked them for some information about the courses.
Be built.
Skyscrapers are GOING UP everywhere in the city centre.
Be heard.
A huge cheer WENT UP when the president arrived.
Be promoted.
The top three teams GO UP at the end of the season.
Approach.
She WENT UP TO him and asked him if he wanted a drink.
Attend a university.
She WENT UP TO Cambridge after she finished secondary school.
Reach.
The book only GOES UP TO the start of the Second World War.
Combine nicely.
Does this tie GO WITH my shirt?.
Accompany.
A lot of benefits GO WITH the job.
Accept, agree to.
We're GOING WITH our original plan in the end.
Date, have a relationship with.
She's been GOING WITH him since she was at university.
Not have.
I had to GO WITHOUT lunch today because I didn't have any time.
Cope without having something.
They're not coming, so we'll have to GO WITHOUT their help.
Fool around, not be serious.
We spent the weekend GOOFING AROUND.
Avoid or leave work.
We GOOFED OFF for the afternoon to watch the match.
Mess, spoil.
They GOOFED UP our plans.
Try to take hold of something quickly.
He GRASPED AT the rail when he fell.
Take an opportunity without hesitation.
They GRASPED AT the chance to speak to her.
Report someone to a person in authority.
He GRASSED ON us and got us into a lot of trouble.
Report someone to a person in authority.
She didn't to GRASS them UP, even though they'd been bullying her badly.
Disable a function in a computer program, leaving it visible but not working.
They GREYED OUT the print button to stop people using it.(In American English, 'gray' would be used.).
Keep working at something.
Although I hated it, I GROUND AWAY until I had finished.
Reduce or destroy someone's enthusiasm.
Their negativity GRINDS me DOWN.
Press or twist something hard into something else.
She GROUND her cigarette INTO the ashtray.
Proceed relentlessly.
The war GROUND ON for years.
Talk endlessly.
He was still GRINDING ON about football when we left.
Produce something with great difficulty.
I find it very hard to GRIND OUT an original essay every week.
Reduce to small pieces.
She GROUND the beans UP and made some coffee.
Become distant, stop having a close relationship because time, distance, interests, etc, have changed.
We used to be good friends at school but have since GROWN APART.
Become less friendly with.
I have GROWN AWAY FROM many of the people I grew up with.
Grow again.
Nails GROW BACK quickly after you cut them.
Result from a process.
A lot GREW FROM the peace talks.
Grow to fit large clothes.
The jacket's a bit big, but she'll GROW INTO it.
Mature or change into.
She's has GROWN INTO a lovely person.
Develop or change over time to fit something.
It may seem difficult at first, but you will GROW INTO the job.
Like something that you didn't like at first.
The painting has GROWN ON me; I used to ate it.
Have a greater influence or degree of acceptance.
The plans sounded strange at first, but they have GROWN ON me.
Become gradually more evident.
A feeling of distrust of them GREW ON me.
Let hair, etc, with dyes, perms grow to get rid of the style.
I'm letting the perm GROW OUT.
Grow too large for clothes.
He GREW OUT OF those shoes in no time at all.
Lose interest as you grow older or become more mature.
He was obsessed with computer games but the he GREW OUT OF them.
Result or develop from.
The idea for the film GREW OUT OF an accident that happened to the director.
Eventually do something.
We GREW TO like the neighbourhood.
Gradually become attached, united or close.
We GREW TOGETHER while we were working on the same project.
Mature, become adult.
He GREW UP in the West Country.
Arise, emerge.
The industry GREW UP very quickly.
Develop in a place or for a reason (city, town, etc).
The town GREW UP as a trading post.
Do or have something when you are a child.
We GREW UP ON cartoons.
Like something that you didn't like at first.
The book started slowly and was a bit dull, but it has GROWN UPON me.
Have a greater influence or degree of acceptance.
As we got nearer the date of the meeting, their idea GREW UPON me.
Become gradually more evident.
A feeling of distrust of them GREW UPON me.
Try to destroy an opponent.
He's GUNNING FOR his rivals at work.
Dress smartly or improve the appearance of something.
They spent a fortune GUSSYING UP the house.
Waste time.
I've been HACKING AROUND all morning because I can't get down to doing any revision.
Break into a computer system.
He HACKED INTO the government database and stole a lot of data.
Annoy.
He HACKS me OFF with his endless complaining.
Chop or cut into small pieces.
They HACKED the table UP and burnt it.
Expel by coughing.
I HACKED UP a lot of phlegm while I was ill.
Perform or act in an excessive way to attract attention or amuse people.
He HAMMED the part UP to get the audience to laugh.
Work relentlessly.
She HAMMERED AWAY AT her PC all night and finished the project.
Repeat something over a period of time to make someone remember it.
He HAMMERED the rules INTO me.
Negotiate and reach an agreement.
They HAMMERED OUT their differences and got the contract signed.
Return.
The police officer checked my licence, then HANDED it BACK.
Pass on to the next generation.
The jewellery has been HANDED DOWN in my family for generations.
Give a formal decision.
The court HANDED DOWN its ruling yesterday.
Submit work for appraisal.
I HANDED my homework IN late as usual.
Give to someone else.
I HANDED the job ON to a colleague.
Transmit knowledge to the next generation.
The secrets have been HANDED ON from generation to generation.
Distribute.
The teacher HANDED OUT the worksheet to the class.
Give.
The robbers told the clerk to HAND OVER all the money.
Spend time somewhere not doing much.
They HANG ABOUT the station most of the day.
Stop what you're doing and pay attention to me.
HANG ABOUT! We're not allowed to do this.
Stay in a place.
They HANG AROUND the station most of the day.
Not move forwards to avoid doing something.
When they raced towards the entrance, I HUNG BACK till it was less crowded.
Delay or avoid doing something.
They were HANGING BACK FROM making the final decision.
Persevere, not give up.
Were were doing badly, but we HUNG IN THERE till we finished.
Retire, quit.
I'm getting too old for this- I'm going to HANG IT UP starting next month.
Wait.
Could you HANG ON for a moment till she's free.
Hold tightly.
The driver told the passengers to HANG ON as the bus pulled off.
Keep.
I HUNG ONTO my old records even though I never played them.
Spend time socially.
He HANGS OUT in the pub The Monarch; he's there most nights.
Wait or refuse to do something until you get what you want.
She's HANGING OUT FOR a big raise.
Worry or trouble.
I have a lot of financial problem HANGING OVER my head.
Work together when things are difficult.
We have to HANG TOGETHER if we're going to finish this project.
End a phone call.
I lost my temper and HUNG UP.
End a phone call with someone.
A telesales person called, so I said something rude and HUNG UP ON them.
Spend time with.
He has been HANGING WITH them for a few months.
Want something a lot, especially if you shouldn't want it or can't have it.
I'm supposed to be on a diet and I can't stop HANKERING AFTER some chocolate.
Want something a lot, especially if you shouldn't want it or can't have it.
I have always HANKERED FOR a soft-top car.
Talk repeatedly about something.
I was late twice last week and my boss keeps HARPING ON about it.
Be jealous, abuse or have an active hatred of someone.
She HATES ON people who disagree with her ideas.
Dislike, disagree or hold a grudge (Usually negative).
I HAVE nothing AGAINST their proposals.
Entertain someone in your home.
I HAD the neighbours AROUND for dinner last night.
Think of someone or something in a particular way.
I HAD her DOWN AS a liberal, but I was very wrong.
Have a supply of something in a particular place.
Do we HAVE any beer IN?.
Get someone to do some work.
We HAD the decorators IN last week.
Entertain people in your home.
We HAD them IN last night for dinner.
Have s*x with someone, especially casual s*x.
She HAD IT AWAY with him last Friday.
Hold a grudge.
He has HAD IT IN FOR me since I beat him last year.
Have s*x.
They HAD IT OFF after the party.
Discuss or argue an issue to improve a situation.
I'd been worried for ages, so I decided to HAVE IT OUT WITH them.
Take time off work.
I HAD a couple of days OFF last week to relax.
Be wearing.
What did Jennie HAVE ON at the party?.
Have an electronic device switched on.
I HAVE my computer ON all the time.
Have an arrangement.
I HAVE a lot of meetings ON next week.
Tease, deceive.
They said they'd failed, but they were HAVING me ON.
Be in possession at a particular time.
I HAVEN'T any money ON me, but I can get some from the ATM.
Know something about someone that could harm them.
I HAVE a lot ON him because we used to work together.
Receive a guest.
Shall we HAVE them OVER for dinner?.
Entertain someone in your home.
I HAD a few friends ROUND yesterday.
Make someone appear in court.
They HAD him UP for armed robbery.
Move or travel towards.
It's getting late- I'm HEADING FOR home.
Stop someone or force them to change direction.
The sheriff and his men HEADED the bandits OFF at the pass.
Prevent something bad happening.
The company made a better offer to HEAD OFF the moves for a strike.
Leave somewhere to go to another place.
After work, we all HEADED OFF to the pub.
Go out.
We're HEADING OUT at seven, so don't be late.
Be in charge.
He's HEADING UP the steering committee.
Get to know some information.
Have you HEARD ABOUT the company takeover?.
Receive a phone call, email, letter or other communication from someone.
I haven't HEARD FROM them since we left university.
Know of something or someone's existence.
I've HEARD OF the band, but don't know their music.
Receive news, updates or information about someone.
I have HEARD nothing OF them since they moved house.
In the negative, this can mean that someone refuse to accept, allow or acknowledge something.
I said it would be a positive step, but she wouldn't HEAR OF it.
Listen to everything someone has to say.
I HEARD them OUT before I commented.
Make food hot.
He HEATED the soup UP in the microwave.
Give assistance.
She really HELPED me OUT when I was going through my divorce.
Put something in a place where it won't be found.
They HID the money AWAY in secret bank accounts.
Go or stay somewhere where you won't be found or away from people.
I'm renting a cottage where I can HIDE AWAY for the summer.
Go or stay somewhere to avoid being caught or found.
The police think he's HIDING OUT in the woods.
Depend very much or completely.
Everything HINGES ON the results of the negotiations; if they go badly, we'll be in real trouble.
Be an essential point for the development of a story.
The film HINGES ON his not being recognised when he's in disguise.
Depend very much or completely.
Everything HINGES UPON the results of the negotiations; if they go badly, we'll be in real trouble.
Attack or criticise.
The president HIT BACK at her critics in a speech last night.
Get someone to pay or donate money.
They HIT the sponsors FOR a lot of money.
Have a good relationship from the first time you meet a person.
We HIT IT OFF immediately and became firm friends.
Like someone from the first time you meet them.
I HIT IT OFF WITH her immediately.
Have an idea.
I suddenly HIT ON the solution.
Talk to someone to try to attract them s*xu*lly.
She HIT ON him at the party and they went back to her house.
Ask for money.
A beggar HIT ON me when I left the restaurant.
Respond angrily to criticism.
The government HIT OUT AT the media for their negativity.
Inject dr*gs.
She's been HITTING UP for years.
Ask someone for some money.
He always tries to HIT me UP for money when we meet.
Inject dr*gs.
He's been HITTING UP ON heroin for years.
Have an idea.
It took us ages to HIT UPON a solution.
Try to attract someone s*xu*lly.
He tried to HIT UPON her at the pub.
Surprise someone with some information or news.
He HIT me WITH the details of their demands.
Separate part of a company or service, often by selling it.
They HIVED OFF the retail operations.
Have a grudge against someone, or little respect.
He was very rude, but I won't HOLD it AGAINST him.
Not show emotion.
It was really hard to HOLD BACK the tears.
Prevent something moving forwards or progressing.
Lack of funding HELD the project BACK.
Not disclose information or make it public.
The government HELD BACK the findings of the report for fear of alienating voters.
Not allow yourself to do something.
I had to HOLD BACK FROM losing my temper with them.
Keep a job.
He's so unreliable that he can never HOLD DOWN a job for more than a couple of months.
Stop someone or something from moving.
It took four of us to HOLD him DOWN and stop the fight.
State your opinions about something, especially when talking for a long time and boringly.
The manager HELD FORTH on the topic for about twenty minutes.
When bad weather doesn't appear.
The rain HELD OFF until we'd got back home.
Stop someone from attacking or beating you.
Chelsea couldn't HOLD their opponents OFF and lost the game.
Wait.
Could you HOLD ON for a minute; she'll be free in a moment.
To hold tightly.
We HELD ON as the bus started to move.
Hold tightly.
I HELD ON TO my luggage while I was waiting fr the taxi so that it didn't get stolen.
Keep as long as possible.
It tried to HOLD ONTO my cash during the holiday so I could buy some duty free stuff on the way back.
Hold tightly.
The mother HELD ONTO her daughter's hand to keep together in the crowd.
Resist.
When the enemy attacked, they HELD OUT for six weeks.
Hold in front of you.
I HELD OUT my hand when she walked in.
Try to reject.
The staff are HOLDING OUT AGAINST the plans to reduce the workforce.
Wait for something better or refuse something now for something better in the future.
We are HOLDING OUT FOR a much better deal than the one offered.
Not pay someone or give them information.
He's been HOLDING OUT ON me for weeks and I really need the money.
Delay.
The meeting has been HELD OVER till Friday.
To continue something for longer than planned.
It has been so successful that they have HELD it OVER for another fortnight.
Not break up.
The society managed to HOLD TOGETHER despite the crisis.
Delay when travelling.
I was HELD UP by the terrible traffic and arrived half an hour late for my appointment.
Rob with violence or threats thereof.
Two armed men HELD UP the bank in High Street this morning and got away with $75,000.
Accept (usually negative).
I don't HOLD WITH their plans.
Hide to avoid detection or an unpleasant situation.
They HOLED UP in a remote cottage while the police were searching for them.
Target.
The government is HOMING IN ON benefit fraud.
Target, focus.
The company HONED IN ON its rival and tried to take it over.(Some consider this verb to be wrong and that is confused with 'home in on.).
Persuade someone to do something they don't want to do.
She HOOKED them INTO coming after all.
Meet someone.
We HOOKED UP at the conference.
Connect to a machine.
He's HOOKED UP TO a ventilator in the hospital.
Act in a dangerous or reckless way, especially when driving fast.
He was HOONING AROUND in his new car last night and the police pulled him.
Not be serious.
The class were HORSING AROUND when the teacher came in and told them to sit down.
Use a hose to wet, clean or wash something.
They HOSED the patio DOWN.
Invest heavily in or throw a lot of money at something.
They have HOSED DOWN an obscure start-up up with capital.
Force someone out of a place, job, position, etc.
The press HOUNDED the minister OUT after the scandal broke.
Move about a place.
She was HOVERING AROUND to see what we were talking about.
Settle in a place as comfortably as possible to stay there.
The troops HUNKERED DOWN in the building.
Search for someone to punish or kill them.
The police HUNTED the killer DOWN.
Search until you find something.
It took me ages to HUNT OUT the photos.
Search for and manage to find something.
He HUNTED UP a copy the book in the British library.
Try to keep something bad from becoming widely known.
The company tried to HUSH UP the scandal, but it still got into the newspapers.
Remove small problems or irregularities.
The management team IRONED OUT the tax problems before they gave the project the OK.
Come out of a place.
New initiatives ISSUE FORTH from the government on a daily basis.
Talk fast or incomprehensibly.
They started JABBERING AWAY about file systems and lost me completely.
Make trouble for someone, fail to keep promises.
Don't listen to him- he always JACKS people AROUND.
Quit, give up.
I JACKED my job IN because my boss refused to give me a raise.
Raise a car to be able to do mechanical work.
We JACKED the car UP and changed the tyre.
Increase sharply.
They have JACKED UP the price of oil this month.
Apply or operate something forcefully.
Jack JAMMED ON the brakes when the rabbit ran in front of his car.
Talk just for the point of talking rather than having anything to say.
That shows that your interest is not in helping the student, but in JAWING AWAY.
Make something more interesting or attractive.
The show was getting stale so they JAZZED it UP with some new scenes.
Cause someone trouble, treat someone badly.
He was JERKING us AROUND and wouldn't give us the facts.
Behave stupidly.
They were JERKING AROUND during the lecture.
Waste time doing unimportant things.
You should get your work done and stop JERKING OFF.
Be funny, or try to.
He's always JOKING AROUND in class.
Make a quick note.
I JOTTED DOWN her number on a scrap of paper and I can't find it now.
Make something more exciting or perform better.
I need to buy some memory to JUICE my computer UP.
Accept eagerly.
I'd JUMP AT the chance to go and live in Japan.
Enter a conversation.
He JUMPED IN and told them exactly what he thought.
Start quickly, often well.
The IPO JUMPED OFF on the first day.
Criticize, attack.
Everyone JUMPED ON me when I raised the issue.
Turn upside down.
The boat KEELED OVER in the storm and the crew drowned.
Surrender, give in.
He was going to confront his boss, but KEELED OVER and didn't mention the matter.
Fall to the ground.
The drunk KEELED OVER when trying to leave the pub.
Keep something near you.
I KEEP a dictionary AROUND when I'm doing my homework.
Continue with something difficult.
She found the course hard but she KEPT AT it and completed it successfully.
Don't allow someone near something.
Medicines should always be KEPT AWAY from children.
Maintain a safe distance.
The police told the crowd to KEEP BACK from the fire.
Not vomit.
The food was so horrible that I struggled to KEEP it DOWN.
Control yourself, refrain.
I couldn't KEEP FROM arguing with her.
Not allow someone out.
The teacher KEPT the students IN after school because they had misbehaved.
Not talk about.
She KEPT OFF the subject of her divorce.
Not tread on something.
KEEP OFF the grass in the park, please.
Continue.
He KEPT ON trying and succeeded in the end.
Not allow someone to enter.
The police KEPT the demonstrators OUT of the building.
Stay within limits.
Please KEEP TO the path.
Not let someone go to bed.
My neighbours KEPT me UP till after 4 am with their loud music last night.
Maintain a continuous action, persist.
First I phoned you and left a message that you should phone me; then you phoned and I was out, so you left a message; then..! How long can we KEEP this UP without ever speaking to each other directly?.
Continue, not quit.
Learning a language is difficult, but if you KEEP UP AT it, you'll succeed in the end.
Move at the same rate.
He walks too fast and it's really hard to KEEP UP WITH him.
Stay up to date.
It's hard to KEEP UP WITH all the latest improvements and breakthroughs in technology nowadays.
Relax, unwind.
I need to KEY DOWN before I go to bed.
Enter numbers or information into a computer or electronic system.
It took me ages to KEY IN all the information into the database.
Focus attention on, single out.
They KEYED IN ON the person they believed had done it.
Target, focus on (sport).
We will KEY ON the opposing team's lack of skills on defense.
Plan things to fit or suit people or situations.
Promotions are KEYED TO people's abilities.
Make someone excited or nervous.
The noise got us KEYED UP.
Discuss.
We KICKED the idea ABOUT at the meeting.
Discuss.
We KICKED the idea AROUND.
Spend time with.
I used to KICK AROUND WITH them, but haven't seen them for a while.
Pay someone illegally as part of the price.
I had to KICK ten percent BACK to the government official to get the contract.
Resist.
They KICKED BACK when we suggested downsizing.
Relax.
Rather than go out tonight, we plan to KICK BACK and watch television.
Break something with your feet.
The police KICKED the door DOWN.
When a dr*g starts to take effect.
Her hayfever didn't feel half as bad once the antihistamines had KICKED IN.
Break something with your feet.
They KICKED his head IN.
Contribute money.
I'll KICK IN for some of the beer if you will buy the pizza.
Start having an effect.
The budget cuts are starting to KICK IN and people are struggling.
Start a game of football.
The match KICKS OFF at three o'clock.
Die.
He KICKED OFF last month when he had a massive heart attack.
When trouble starts.
The fight KICKED OFF when he insulted the guy's girlfriend.
Argue, protest and refuse to co-operate.
He started KICKING OFF big time when the police tried to arrest him.
Expel.
The family KICKED the au pair OUT when they found out that she was planning to move to work for another household.
Cause trouble or pain.
My back KICKS UP when it gets cold.
Reduce or exterminate a population by hunting, pollution, development, etc.
There used to be a lot of wolves around here, but most of them have been KILLED OFF.
Sleep away from your home, often without planning to.
It's too late to get the train, so can I KIP DOWN here tonight?.
Sleep on something other than a bed.
There were so many of us that we had to KIP DOWN ON the floor.
Used to tell someone to go away.
He was bugging us, so we told him to KISS OFF.
Consider something to be unimportant or inferior.
He KISSED the criticism OFF.
Try to get into someone's favour.
He's a creep and is always KISSING UP TO the director.
Beat someone.
He KNOCKED his brother ABOUT after they argued.
Discuss casually.
We KNOCKED the idea AROUND a bit, but decided not to bother.
Cost someone a lot of money.
Your holiday must have KNOCKED you BACK a bit.
Finish a drink quickly, drink a lot of al*oh*l.
The pub was closing so we KNOCKED our drinks BACK and left.
Shock.
It really KNOCKED me BACK when I heard they had been killed.
Demolish.
They KNOCKED DOWN the old church and built a block of flats in its place.
Hit and injure someone.
The car KNOCKED her DOWN and she broke her arm.
Stop doing something annoying.
The were making too much noise, so I told them to KNOCK IT OFF.
Finish work for the day.
We KNOCKED OFF early on Friday to avoid the rush hour queues.
Reduce the price of something.
They KNOCKED ten pounds OFF when I asked for a discount.
Reduce the time required to do something.
The new road KNOCKS an hour OFF the journey.
Steal.
He KNOCKED it OFF and sold it.
Produce or create something quickly.
I KNOCKED the essay OFF in an hour.
Hit and make somebody unconscious.
The reigning middleweight champion KNOCKED OUT the challenger in the fourth round of the fight.
Sell, distribute.
They're KNOCKING hundreds OUT a day in the sales.
Join houses that had been separate.
They KNOCKED TOGETHER two outbuilding and turned them into a home.
Become or get someone pregnant.
She got KNOCKED UP when she was on holiday.
Play a bit before a match to get ready.
The teams KNOCKED UP for a few minutes before the final.
Produce or create something quickly.
They KNOCKED a model UP over the weekend.
Make a great effort.
I've got my exams next week and I haven't done much work, so I'd better KNUCKLE DOWN.
Submit to authority.
The teacher made the students KNUCKLE UNDER and hand their projects in on time.
Get someone into trouble.
He LANDED ME IN it when he told them what I had done wrong.
Arrive, end a journey in a place, often without planning.
We set out for Manchester, but LANDED UP IN Liverpool.
Create a problem for someone.
He LANDED ME WITH the job of proofreading the whole thing.
Appreciate something.
He LAPPED UP their praise.
Have a good time when intoxicated.
They were LARGING IT UP in the rave.
Behave in a silly way.
The children made me angry because they were LARKING ABOUT.
Behave in a silly way.
The students wouldn't stop LARKING AROUND.
Enjoy yourself noisily and exuberantly.
After they won, they went to a bar to L ARK IT UP.
Fall heavily (rain).
The rain was LASHING DOWN all day and the roads were flooded.
Secure something with ropes or cords.
We LASHED the tarpaulin DOWN to stop the wind blowing it away.
Criticise someone strongly.
He LASHED INTO them for messing thins up.
Suddenly become violent.
He LASHED OUT and broke the man's nose.
React angrily.
He LASHES OUT when things don't go his way.
Spend a lot of money on luxuries.
I LASHED OUT in the sales last week.
Criticise something strongly.
The press has LASHED OUT AGAINST the policy.
Hit someone suddenly, usually without warning, or try to hit them.
He LASHED OUT AT me when I laughed at him.
Criticise someone or shout at them.
She LASHED OUT AT her colleagues when she was sacked.
Spend a lot of money buying something.
I LASHED OUT a lot ON a new car.
Understand, often after a long time.
They were lying, but it took her ages to LATCH ON.
Understand something, often after a long time.
The police didn't LATCH ON TO what the crooks were doing for years.
Connect to something.
The gecko LATCHED ONTO the ceiling.
Decide or realise that something is good or profitable.
Oil companies have LATCHED ONTO environmental ideas.
He LAUGHED OFF the sprained finger but it obviously affected his golf game.
Establish rules or procedures.
The rules of the sport were LAID DOWN early in the nineteenth century.
Kill, murder.
He got LAID DOWN in a turf war about supplying dr*gs.
Criticise angrily.
His partner LAID INTO him when he arrived two hours late..
Make an employee redundant.
The hotel LAID OFF twenty staff because tourist numbers were down.
Organise, supply.
They LAID ON a buffet lunch at the conference.
Spend money.
They LAID OUT thousands of pounds on their wedding reception.
Falsely or cruelly raise hopes.
She LED HIM ON about her desire to get married.
Result in.
The investigation LED TO the arrest of a number of suspects.
Become public knowledge.
The company's plans to close the factory LEAKED OUT and they were very embarrassed.
Put pressure on someone to get them to do what you want.
The government has denied LEANING ON the Attorney General to get his approval of the war.
Take an opportunity enthusiastically.
He LEAPED AT the chance to visit.
Show interest in or try to use something to your advantage.
They have LEAPT ON the bandwagon to increase sales.
Be very noticeable.
Her face LEAPT OUT AT me the second I saw the photo.
Show interest in or try to use something to your advantage.
They have LEAPT UPON a couple of errors in the document and want to invalidate the agreement.
Not turn off.
LEAVE the TV ON; I want to hear the football results.
Not include.
He was LEFT OUT of the side because he hasn't been playing too well lately.
Disappoint, fail to keep an arrangement.
She failed to turn up and I felt badly LET DOWN.
Make clothes longer.
He's grown so much, we'll have to LET his trousers DOWN.
Allow someone to enter.
The doorstaff didn't LET him IN the nightclub because he was wearing jeans.
Not punish.
The judge LET him OFF with a fine rather than a prison sentence since it was his first offence.
Tell a secret.
I didn't mean to LET ON about the party; I just said it without thinking.
Allow to leave or go out.
The convict was LET OUT of prison after serving five years of an eight-year sentence.
Make a sound.
He LET OUT a huge sigh of relief when he heard the results.
Make clothes bigger.
I've put on so much weight that I'm going to have to LET my suits OUT.
Stabilize the altitude of an airplane.
The pilot LEVELED OFF at 5,000 meters.
Stabilize the altitude of an airplane.
The pilot LEVELED OUT at 5,000 meters.
Act in a lazy or unproductive way.
Most days he would usually just LIE AROUND the house.
Rest.
I'm going to LIE DOWN for a few minutes before we have to go out.
Have the right to make a decision.
The decision about the contract LIES WITH the courts.
Leave the ground- rocket or spaceship.
5-4-3-2-1- we have LIFT-OFF!
Leave suddenly.
When Zeke found out they were coming for him he LIT OUT for the border.
Light or start smoking a cigarette.
Asif LIT UP as soon as he got out of the building.
Illuminate.
They LIGHT UP the streets at Christmas time.
Be less serious.
I told them to LIGHTEN UP but they continued complaining about it.
Do some exercises to warm up before playing a sport or other physical activity.
The team LIMBERED UP for a few minutes before the game started.
Prepare for something that will require a great effort.
They are LIMBERING UP FOR the end of the financial year.
Arrange in a line.
The police got them to LINE UP against the wall.
Arrange something in a line.
He LINED the bottles UP against the wall.
Arrange events for someone.
We have LINED UP a lot of meetings for them.
Connect, join.
The train LINKS UP the cities.
Connect with someone or contact them.
We LINKED UP WITH the firm over the web.
Listen for a particular noise or sound.
They put their coats on and LISTENED OUT FOR the minicab.
Pay attention (often used as a command).
LISTEN UP, men! Here are your new assignments.
Follow a belief system to guide your behaviour.
He tries hard to LIVE BY the Bible.
Stop being embarrassed about something.
If I fail the test and everyone else passes, I'll never be able to LIVE it DOWN.
Believe something is extremely important.
He LIVES FOR football.
Live in the place where you work or study.
The university has a residential halls where students can LIVE IN.
Have a good time by spending a lot of money.
She's been LIVING IT UP like crazy since she won the lottery.
Use money earned.
They find it hard to LIVE OFF the money they make.
Be financially supported.
He's 40 and he still LIVES OFF his parents.
Use money for basic necessities.
They have to LIVE ON $200 a week.
Not be forgotten.
He's been dead for many years, but his name LIVES ON.
Stay somewhere until you die.
She LIVED OUT her final years in a nursing home.
Fulfill an ambition or fantasy.
Many parents try to LIVE OUT their dreams through their children.
Not live at the place where you study or work.
In my final year at university I LIVED OUT with some friends in a flat we rented.
Experience different times.
It was hard to LIVE THROUGH the recession, but we managed it.
Have a relationship and live in the same place without marrying.
We LIVED TOGETHER for a few years before we got married.
Meet expectations or standards.
The concert didn't LIVE UP TO my expectations.
Accept something unpleasant.
It's hard to LIVE WITH the pain of a serious illness.
Have a relationship and live in the same place without marrying.
I LIVED WITH her for a couple of years before the relationship went sour.
Burden.
I was LOADED DOWN with all the stuff I had to take there.
Take illegal dr*gs.
He's been LOADING UP for years.
Fill a machine or vehicle.
We LOADED the car UP and left for our holiday.
Consume a lot of something for a particular purpose.
The athletes LOADED UP ON carbohydrates before the race.
Lock in a safe place.
He LOCKED the gun AWAY in a drawer.
Put someone in prison or a mental hospital for a very long time.
They LOCKED him AWAY for life after the murders.
Make very secure.
If you lock down your computer properly, it is very difficult for people to access it.
Lock a place to stop someone leaving.
They LOCKED him IN the room until he had calmed down.
Commit someone in such a way that they cannot leave.
They are LOCKED IN now that they have paid their subscription.
Find a target and head for it.
The missile LOCKED ONTO the plane and blew it out of the sky.
Close a workplace to stop workers entering.
The management LOCKED the staff OUT because they had turned down the pay offer.
Lock a place to stop someone getting in.
I lost my key and LOCKED myself OUT.
Close all doors, windows, etc.
She LOCKED UP after everyone had left and went home.
Lock something in a safe place.
I LOCKED my money UP in the safe.
Put in prison or a mental hospital.
They LOCKED him UP for burglary.
Go somewhere away from people to study or work.
I LOCK MYSELF AWAY for a few weeks before exams.
Enter a restricted area on a computer system.
I had forgotten my password and couldn't LOG IN.
Enter a restricted area of a computer system.
I LOGGED INTO the staff intranet to check my email.
Exit a computer system.
When she'd finished working on the spreadsheet, she LOGGED OFF and left the office.
Enter a computer system.
He entered his password for the college intranet and LOGGED ON.
Exit a computer system.
Danny closed the programs and LOGGED OUT when it was time to go home.
Take care.
Their auntie LOOKED AFTER them while their mother was in hospital.
Think about the past.
Old people often LOOK BACK on over their lives.
Have a low opinion of.
He LOOKS DOWN ON his colleagues because he thinks he's better than they are.
Try to find.
I've been LOOKING FOR all their hidden files, but I can't find them anywhere.
Wait for or anticipate something pleasant.
I'm LOOKING FORWARD TO meeting you.
Make a quick visit.
I'll LOOK IN on my way home.
Visit briefly to see if everything's all right.
I'm going to LOOK IN ON grannie on the way home tonight as she's been a bit unwell recently.
Research, investigate.
We'll LOOK INTO the problem and come back to you when we have the information.
Watch something like a crime without helping.
The crowd just LOOKED ON as the old lady was mugged.
Consider, regard.
I LOOK ON her AS a close friend.
Be careful.
LOOK OUT; you're going to drop that!
Take care of someone, make sure someone is cared for.
She LOOKED OUT FOR her sister when she started school.
Keep alert and try to see.
We we told to LOOK OUT FOR any suspicious behaviour.
Inspect.
They came to LOOK the house OVER with a view to buying it.
Inspect a house.
We LOOKED ROUND the house and decided that we didn't like it enough to buy it.
Read quickly.
I LOOKED THROUGH the article.
Expect, hope.
The company is LOOKING TO increase its sales in Asia.
Consult a reference work (dictionary, phonebook, etc.) for a specific piece of information.
I didn't know the correct spelling so I had to LOOK it UP in the dictionary.
Improve.
The economy is LOOKING UP.
Find, trace an old friend.
I LOOKED him UP when I went back to Cambridge.
Respect.
She's LOOKS UP TO her mother.
Consider, regard.
I LOOK UPON him AS a close friend.
Become more relaxed or comfortable.
He was very shy at first but has LOOSENED UP and is more talkative now.
Behave in a superior manner.
She loves to LORD IT OVER her employees.
Be at a disadvantage.
Many people LOST OUT when the new regulations were enforced.
Not gain or have something advantageous.
Because I left the company, I LOST OUT ON my bonus.
Be less successful.
People without IT skills often LOSE OUT TO those with the skills.
Get something by chance.
We LUCKED INTO getting the answer.
Be very lucky.
I really LUCKED OUT when I met my partner.
Be attracted s*xu*lly.
He secretly LUSTS AFTER his friend's wife.
Want something very much.
He LUSTS AFTER a Rolex.
Make something disappear quickly.
He MAGICKED the bill AWAY and paid for us all before I could get my wallet out.
Chase.
The police MADE AFTER the stolen car.
Steal.
The thieves MADE AWAY WITH the painting.
Accept something less satisfactory because there's no alternative.
There's no coffee, so we'll have to MAKE DO WITH tea.
Head in a certain direction.
We MADE FOR home when it started raining.
Produce a result or situation.
The low quality of the service MADE FOR a lot of dissatisfaction.
Change something into something else.
Many churches have been MADE INTO flats in recent years.
Arrive or get a result.
I thought you weren't coming, so I was really pleased you MADE IT.
Try to compensate for doing something wrong.
He tried to MAKE IT UP TO her, but she wouldn't speak to him.
Understand or have an opinion.
What do you MAKE OF your new boss?.
Leave somewhere in a hurry.
They MADE OFF when they heard the police siren.
Steal.
Thieves MADE OFF WITH over a million dollars in the robbery.
Make a cheque payable to somebody.
Please MAKE the cheque OUT to RGM Productions Ltd.
Pretend.
He MADE OUT that he was ill so that he didn't have to go to school.
Progress.
How are your children MAKING OUT at the new school?.
Kiss and pet.
They were MAKING OUT at the party last night.
Discern a small detail.
I can just MAKE OUT the outline of a flying saucer in this photo.
Be able to see or hear something.
Can you MAKE OUT what she's saying?.
Understand someone's nature or personality.
He's strange; I can't MAKE him OUT.
Change appearance.
The beauty salon gave her a MAKEOVER before the party.
Give money or possessions to someone in a legal way.
She MADE OVER her property to her children.
Head in the direction.
We MADE TOWARDS the centre.
Stop being angry with someone.
They are always arguing, but they MAKE UP again very quickly.
Put on cosmetics.
She went to the bathroom to MAKE her face UP.
Invent a story.
They MADE UP an excuse for being late.
Compensate.
I sent her a present to try to MAKE UP FOR my appalling behaviour.
Increase a sum received to a higher figure.
The charity collected $24,517.57, and the anonymous donor MADE the total UP TO $25,000'.
Give (usually used as an imperative).
MAKE WITH the money you owe me.
Behave without courage or conviction.
He MANNED DOWN and didn't come with us.
Behave with courage or conviction.
She told her anonymous critics to MAN UP and speak publicly.
Give a student a lower grade for a particular reason.
Students who gave obviously rehearsed answers were MARKED DOWN, while those who spoke naturally were rewarded accordingly.
Reduce the price of something.
I'll buy a lot more if you MARK them DOWN a bit.
Consider someone or something to be of a certain group, type, etc.
I MARKED them DOWN AS conservatives, but they're very liberal.
Tick, cross out or otherwise mark something to show that it has been dealt with.
I MARKED OFF the items on the list as I finished them.
Draw lines to enclose an area.
They MARKED OUT the pitch.
Show promise for the future.
His dedication MARKED him OUT FOR great things.
Stand out because of certain qualities.
Her speed MARKS her OUT FROM the rest of the group.
Increase the price of something.
They MARK the goods UP by 25% before they sell them.
Marry someone of the same ethnicity, religion, etc.
Many religions encourage their followers to MARRY IN.
Marry someone of a different ethnicity, religion, etc.
Her parents disowned her and refused to speak to her when she MARRIED OUT.
Crush something until it becomes a paste.
He MASHED UP some bananas for the dessert.
Mix sources of audio, video or other computer sources.
She MASHED UP the songs into a single track.
Break or damage.
He MASHED UP my MP3 player and lost my files.
Take something to the limit, reach a limit.
She MAXED OUT her credit cards.
Evaluate or judge by comparison.
The work doesn't look good if you MEASURE it AGAINST what our competitors have done.
Measure something and mark the point where it ends or will be cut.
The tailor MEASURED OFF the material for my suit.
Mark a length on something to cut it.
He MEASURED OFF a metre of the silk.
Measure or weigh the amount needed.
He MEASURED OUT the flour for the bread.
Weigh or measure an exact amount.
She MEASURED OUT a hundred grammes of the powder.
Find the size of something.
The estate agent MEASURED UP all the rooms.
Be good enough, meet the required standard.
She didn't MEASURE UP in her probationary period, so we didn't extend her contract.
Be good enough.
They made her a director, but she didn't MEASURE UP.
Find out the size of something.
They MEASURED UP the room.
Be good enough or worthy of something.
I hope to MEASURE UP TO the confidence you have in me.
Have something happen to you.
They MET WITH some problems they hadn't anticipated.
Heat something solid, especially metal, until it becomes liquid.
They MELTED the gold statue DOWN and turned it into gold bars.
Not be serious, not use something properly.
The children were MESSING ABOUT with the TV remote control and broke it.
Treat someone badly.
He is always MESSING me ABOUT and never does what he promises.
Have a s*x*al relationship outside marriage or a permanent relationship.
He's not faithful- he's been MESSING ABOUT since they were married.
Have a s*x*al relationship outside marriage or a permanent relationship.
She's been MESSING ABOUT WITH another guy she knows from work.
Try to improve something, usually making things worse.
The computer was working fine until he started MESSING ABOUT WITH it.
Not be serious, play with something.
I was MESSING AROUND on the internet because I couldn't be bothered to do any work.
Treat someone badly.
She is always MESSING me AROUND and never does what she promises.
Have a s*x*al relationship outside marriage or a permanent relationship.
She's not faithful- she's been MESSING ABOUT since they got married.
Have a s*x*al relationship outside marriage or a permanent relationship.
He's been MESSING ABOUT WITH a woman he works with.
Try to improve something, usually making things worse.
The computer was working fine until they started MESSING ABOUT WITH it.
Treat someone badly.
They MESSED her OVER when she applied for the job.
Spoil or ruin.
They MESSED UP the discussions and the contract fell through.
Make something untidy or dirty.
They MESSED UP the room and left stuff all over the place.
Cause mental, physical or emotional problems.
He took a lot of LSD and it really MESSED him UP.
Become involved in something damaging or dangerous.
He's been MESSING WITH coca*ne.
Annoy, bother.
Don't MESS WITH me or there will be trouble.
Associate (negative).
He's been MESSING WITH some dangerous people.
Try to repair or improve, usually unsuccessfully.
She's been MESSING WITH it for hours and it still doesn't work.
Give people harsh punishments or treatment.
They METED OUT savage penalties to anyone who broke the law.
Walk around without going anywhere.
There were a lot of people MILLING AROUND waiting for the bus.
Not do something enjoyable or rewarding.
It'll be great; you'll be MISSING OUT if you don't come.
Not include.
Make sure you don't MISS anyone OUT when you call their names.
Lose a chance, fail to achieve.
Trudy MISSED OUT ON the promotion.
Confuse.
I always MIX those two sisters UP because they look so like each other.
Make something lively.
The DJ MIXED UP the night with some hard techno.
Make a model of something to show or test it.
They MOCKED UP an example to show us what they would look like.
Leave ('moggie off' is also used.).
We MOGGIED OFF early.
Not be serious.
The police officer told the drunks to stop MONKEYING AROUND and go home quietly.
Spend time doing little or nothing.
I MOOCHED ABOUT the whole afternoon because I didn't feel like working.
Spend time doing little or nothing.
I MOOCHED AROUND the house all day.
Resolve a problem.
He was left to MOP UP the mess after they resigned.
Kill or capture the last few enemy soldiers after a victory.
After the battle, it took them a couple of weeks to MOP UP the remaining rebels.
Eat a sauce with bread to finish it.
The sauce was so delicious that I ordered some bread to MOP it UP.
Remove a liquid that has been spilt.
I used a cloth to MOP UP the coffee I had knocked over.
Move around being miserable.
She didn't get the job and has been MOPING ABOUT all afternoon.
Move around being miserable.
He's been MOPING AROUND since his girlfriend left him.
Increase over time.
My debts MOUNTED UP while I was at university.
Speak angrily about something.
I always get angry and start MOUTHING OFF when the news is on TV.
Make progress, often after a pause or delay.
The construction can MOVE AHEAD now that permisson has been granted.
Tell someone to move from a place.
The police told the people watching to MOVE ALONG.
Develop or progress in a reasonable or satisfactory manner.
The project's MOVING ALONG and everything should be ready on time.
Leave the area where you have been living.
I MOVED AWAY when the factory shut down.
Stop doing or using something to change to something different.
They're MOVING AWAY FROM Windows and are using Linux.
Move a student to a lower level.
He was finding the course too difficult so they MOVED him DOWN.
Start living in a place.
The house was empty for ages, but some new tenants MOVED IN a few weeks ago.
Approach, often stealthily.
As he watched, the hyenas began to MOVE IN ON the hapless wildebeest.
Start living in a place.
They MOVED INTO the house as soon as it was ready.
Change the subject or your job.
She MOVED ON to another company where the salary was considerably better.
Make people move from a place.
The police MOVED the crowd ON because they were holding up the traffic.
Leave a place you live or work in.
She's tired of living there and is MOVING OUT.
Remove.
The president said they would MOVE the troops OUT next year.
Change lane or position to pass a vehicle.
I MOVED OUT to overtake the bus.
Make preparations for something.
The government are MOVING TOWARDS free elections.
Move to make space.
Could you MOVE UP and let me sit down?.
Move to a higher level.
They MOVED her UP to senior management.
Continue without a clear aim or plan.
If you're ambitious, you cannot MUDDLE ALONG.
Do or achieve something without knowing what is required or having a plan.
We didn't know what to expect and just MUDDLED THROUGH.
Take things that are ordered or sequenced and mess them up.
My cleaner MUDDLED UP my books and I can't find anything.
Mistake a person or thing for someone or something else because they look similar.
I MUDDLE her and her sister UP.
Study quickly, revise.
I have to MUG UP before the exam.
Study something quickly, revise.
I need to MUG UP ON my history for the test.
Think about an issue or problem.
She said that she'd had to MULL IT OVER before deciding what was.
Become involved in something when your involvement is not wanted.
We tried to exclude him of the committee, but he MUSCLED IN.
Become involved in something despite opposition to your involvement.
She MUSCLED IN ON the deal even though we wanted to do it without her.
Become involved even though there is opposition to your involvement.
They are MUSCLING INTO our market and there is very little we can do to stop them.
Use power, contacts, etc, to force someone out.
They used their contacts in local government to MUSCLE the competitors OUT.
Get lost, go away (used as imperative).
He was making a fuss, so I told him to NAFF OFF.
Repeatedly criticise someone verbally.
My boss is always NAGGING AT me about my arriving a few minutes late for work.
Succeed in getting, achieve.
They are having trouble NAILING DOWN the contract.
Understand fully.
I can't NAIL DOWN what's wrong with their idea, but I'm sure it won't work.
Get full information from someone.
I can't NAIL them DOWN about when they're going to finish the project.
Succeed or achieve something.
I NAILED the job DOWN in the first interview.
Give someone a name to remember another person.
I was NAMED AFTER my uncle who died in the war.
Remove less important options to make it easier to choose.
I am not sure which university to apply to, but I have NARROWED my list DOWN to three.
Play safe and avoid taking a risk.
I'm going to NERD OUT and not go on the river trip.
Discuss something in great detail.
I had to NERD OUT when they asked about conditionals and deontic modality.
Go somewhere quickly.
I'm NIPPING OFF to get some milk.
Go somewhere quickly.
She'll be back in a minute- she's just NIPPED OUT to the shops.
Fall asleep.
I NODDED OFF during the speech.
Pass a law, regulation, etc, without considering or debating it seriously.
Parliament NODDED the bill THROUGH.
Look for something hidden or secret.
The police are NOSING ABOUT to see if they can find anything against the gang.
Look around for evidence.
The boss keeps NOSING AROUND our office when we are out at lunch.
Find out, discover- usually information, secrets, etc.
He NOSED OUT their plans.
Narrowly beat someone.
The other candidate NOSED him OUT by a few votes.
Write something short like a phone number for future reference.
She NOTED DOWN my fax number so that she could send me the documents when she got to the office.
Find an answer to a problem.
The management and unions had a meeting to NUT things OUT.
Enter one's mind.
Didn't it OCCUR TO you to help me when you saw how much trouble I was in?.
Start to talk freely about something.
She hates to OPEN UP and discuss her feelings.
Open a shop or business for the day.
They OPEN UP at seven in the morning.
Allow goods into a market.
Before they joined the WTO, they had to OPEN UP their markets.
Perform surgery.
She was OPERATED ON for eight hours.
Choose.
I OPTED FOR an endowment mortgage and lost a lot of money.
Choose to be part or a member of something.
If you want them to notify you of updates, you have to OPT IN.
Choose to be a member or part of something.
I OPTED INTO the scheme.
Choose not to be part of something.
The UK OPTED OUT of a lot of EU legislation on working hours and conditions.
Be the reason for something.
She OWES her success TO hard work and determination.
Confess.
Nobody OWNED UP to breaking the window.
Put something where it belongs.
I PACKED AWAY the suitcases in the loft after we had emptied them.
Stop doing something.
I'm trying to PACK IN smoking.
End a relationship.
She PACKED her boyfriend IN.
Fill a venue.
They really PACK them IN at the club- it was so crowded it was impossible to move.
Break down, stop working.
The photocopier has PACKED IN again.
Stop doing something (used as an imperative).
The kids were making a fuss, so I told them to PACK IT IN.
Send someone away.
His boss PACKED him OFF to a regional office.
Fill a venue.
The stadium was PACKED OUT.
Stop doing something.
You should PACK UP smoking.
Finish work.
We had nothing left to do, so we PACKED UP early.
Break down, stop working.
My printer PACKED UP last night- I'll have to get a new one.
Collect things and put them where you keep them.
At the end of the presentation, I PACKED UP my laptop.
Sleep somewhere for the night.
I'm too tired to come home; can I PAD DOWN here tonight?.
Make a text longer by including extra content, often content that isn't particularly relevant.
I couldn't think of much to write, so I PADDED the essay OUT with a few lengthy quotes.
Begin a romantic relationship.
They PAIRED OFF shortly after starting university.
Introduce people, hoping they will start a relationship.
I tried to PAIR him OFF with my sister.
Form pairs.
The class PAIRED OFF to practise the exam interviews.
Form a pair with someone.
I PAIRED OFF WITH Trish for the test.
Form a pair.
We PAIRED UP for the last activity.
Be friendly and spend time with someone.
We used to PAL ABOUT when we were at school.
Be friendly and spend time with someone.
We PALLED AROUND at university.
Become friends.
We PALLED UP when I started working with her.
Get someone to accept something that isn't true.
He tried to PALM me OFF with a pathetic excuse.
Pretend something is better than it is in order to sell it.
He tried to PALM his computer OFF as the latest model.
The way a situation develops.
I don't know how things will PAN OUT now the company's been taken over.
Try to conceal a problem without really fixing it.
The government tried to PAPER OVER the problems in the proposal, but the press were very critical.
If you pare something back, you reduce the size or numbers.
They have had to PARE BACK the services they offer as their funding was reduced.
Reduce, decrease.
They have PARED DOWN the number of employees as they haven't been doing well.
Give something away, especially when you don't want to.
I found it very hard to PART WITH my old CDs when I digitized my collection.
Give out to everybody there.
The teacher PASSED the handout AROUND.
Be believed to be something.
Although not qualified, he managed to PASS AS a doctor for years.
Die.
Sadly, Georgia's uncle PASSED AWAY yesterday after a short illness.
Return.
I felt awful when the teacher started to PASS BACK the exam papers.
Go past without stopping.
I was just PASSING BY when I saw the accident.
Visit briefly.
I was PASSING BY her house the other day when I heard about it.
Miss an opportunity.
The chance for promotion PASSED me BY.
Transmit information or give property to younger generations.
The tales were PASSED DOWN for centuries without changing ay of the words.
Be accepted as something, usually when not.
You'd be surprised at what PASSES FOR good cooking in many restaurants.
Convince something that something is real.
I managed to PASS OFF the fake money in the market.
Happen in a certain way.
The demonstration PASSED OFF peacefully.
Give a message to someone.
I'll PASS the message ON when she gets here.
Decline an invitation or opportunity.
I think I'll PASS ON dinner tonight- I'm not hungry.
Die.
Her husband PASSED ON last year.
Change topic or subject.
Let's PASS ON TO the next item on the agenda.
Faint, lose consciousness.
He got so drunk that he PASSED OUT.
Distribute.
The protesters PASSED OUT leaflets to the growing crowd.
Ignore someone and give a job, reward, etc, to someone more junior.
They PASSED him OVER and made his assistant the new director.
Ignore, refuse to discuss.
Let's PASS OVER what they said and get on.
Distribute, give to people present.
They PASSED ROUND copies of the handbook.
Visit a place without stopping or only stopping briefly.
I didn't see much as I was only PASSING THROUGH the town.
Give ownership or responsibility to someone.
The shares PASSED TO his daughter when he died.
Become owner of or responsible for something.
The property will PASS TO her when they die.
Decline a chance.
She PASSED UP the opportunity to go to university because she'd been offered a job.
Search or frisk someone.
The police PATTED them DOWN for weapons but found nothing.
Create or assemble something quickly without much planning.
They PATCHED TOGETHER a coalition after the election.
Fix or make things better.
I tried to PATCH things UP after the argument, but they wouldn't speak to me.
Give an injured person basic medical treatment.
After the accident, they PATCHED her UP and sent her to hospital.
Repay money borrowed.
I PAID BACK the twenty pounds I'd borrowed.
Take revenge on.
I'm going to PAY him BACK for that insult.
Pay a debt over time.
The British government can't PAY DOWN the national debt.
Purchase.
I PAID twenty pounds FOR the book.
Deposit money.
I PAID the cash INTO my account.
Completely repay a debt.
The mortgage will be PAID OFF in twenty-five years.
Produce a profitable or successful result.
Their patience PAID OFF when he finally showed up and signed the contract.
Eat very small amounts.
The food wasn't very nice, so I PECKED AT it to look polite.
Leave a group by moving in a different direction.
Some of the crowd PEELED AWAY to get out of the crush.
Leave a group by moving in a different direction.
They PEELED AWAY FROM the crowd and went down a side road.
Leave a group by moving in a different direction.
When the police blocked the road, a few protesters PEELED OFF and left the march.
Leave a group by moving in a different direction.
They PEELED OFF FROM the demonstration when the police arrived.
Accelerate rapidly from stationary.
Fearing the police, he PEELED OUT in a cloud of tire smoke.
Keep working at something.
I PEGGED AWAY for weeks before my exams.
Fasten something to the ground.
We PEGGED the tent DOWN to stop the wind blowing it about.
Die.
After a long illness, she finally PEGGED IT yesterday.
Put washing outside to dry.
I PEGGED the washing OUT after it stopped raining.
Die.
He PEGGED OUT last night from a heart attack.
Make a provisional appointment.
I'll PENCIL Thursday night IN, but if anything comes up, give me a ring..
Make something more interesting.
You need to PEP your writing UP.
Make someone more enthusiastic, energetic or interested.
Her talk PEPPED us UP.
Feel better or happier, make someone feel better or happier.
She was ill in bed with flu, but she PERKED UP a bit when some friends dropped by.
Lose impetus and stop.
Everyone was keen at first, but the enthusiasm PETERED OUT when they saw how long it would take.
Introduce gradually.
They are PHASING IN the reforms over the next two years.
Remove gradually.
They have introduced a compact edition of the newspaper and are PHASING OUT the broadsheet edition over the next few months.
Eat unwillingly.
I wasn't very hungry so I just PICKED AT my food.
Criticise.
There were a few problems that could be PICKED AT, but it was generally good.
Target individuals to change a group.
There were many rebels against the policy, but the government PICKED OFF the leaders.
Bother, annoy, criticize or make fun of someone.
My friends always PICK ON me because I don't sing well.
Choose.
She PICKED OUT the ones she wanted to take and left the rest.
Identify from a picture.
The victim couldn't PICK OUT her attacker from the photos the police showed her.
Search something that is disordered for something.
The police have been PICKING THROUGH the wreckage for clues.
Improve.
Sales PICKED UP a bit during the Christmas period.
Learn quickly.
She PICKED UP Spanish in six months.
Collect.
While you're in town, can you PICK UP my trousers from the Dry Cleaner?.
Receive (a broadcast).
When we rent a holiday cottage in Cornwall, we can't PICK UP Channel 5.
Collect (a person). This differs from the 'collect a thing' meaning - as that means 'collect and bring back' whereas this means either (i) 'collect and drop off on your way' or (ii) 'collect and bring to the same destination'.
i) Can you PICK me UP and take me to The George when you go to the party?ii) Can you PICK UP some friends of mine on your way to the party? They're going too.
Tidy a mess someone else has made.
I always have to PICK UP AFTER him because he leaves things all over the office.
Correct someone when they say something wrong.
My teacher PICKS UP ON any mistake I make and corrects me.
Notice something that most people don't.
He's very quick to PICK UP ON new trends.
React to something.
The government has PICKED UP ON the reports in the media.
Comment on something said earlier in a conversation.
I'd like to PICK UP ON the point that Jill made.
Recover from a fall or problem.
It took him a long time to PICK HIMSELF UP after his wife left him.
Used to tell someone to get lost or leave you alone.
He told them to PIG OFF and leave him in peace.
Eat a lot.
The food was great, so I really PIGGED OUT.
Enter a place quickly, in a disorganised way.
The coach stopped and we all PILED IN.
Enter a place quickly, in a disorganised way.
We PILED INTO the shop when it opened.
Add or give more or something.
Work's crazy- they keep PILING ON the pressure.
Exaggerate or talk in a way to affect someone's feelings.
It wasn't very serious, but they PILED ON the guilt.
Leave a place quickly, in a disorganised way.
The train eventually arrived and we all PILED OUT.
Accumulate.
Work just keeps on PILING UP and I really can't manage to get it all done.
Accumulate in a pile or heap.
The ironing's PILING UP as I hate doing it.
Get a fixed idea, opinion, etc, from someone.
I've asked him to set a date, but he's a hard man to PIN DOWN and won't give a definite answer.
Discover exact details about something.
The government can't PIN DOWN where the leak came from.
Attach the blame to someone.
The police tried to PIN the crime ON him.
Fix something to a wall, or other vertical surface, with a pin.
I PINNED the notice UP on the board.
Suffer physically because of grief, stress, worry, etc.
He's been PINING AWAY since his wife died and is a shadow of his former self.
Be quiet (often as an imperative).
The lecturer asked the students to PIPE DOWN and pay attention.
To speak, raise your voice.
At first, no one answered, then finally someone PIPED UP.
Compete or force to compete.
The war PITTED neighbour AGAINST neighbour.
Go into the pits (car racing).
He PITTED OUT in the twentieth lap.
Try to persuade someone to give your work, business, a job, etc.
He PITCHED FOR the job, but they gave it to someone else.
Work together to help achieve an objective.
We were behind schedule, but the others PITCHED IN and we got it done in time.
Criticise severely or attack someone.
The shareholders PITCHED INTO the management about their pay rises at the meeting.
Put a young plant that has been grown in a pot or greenhouse into the ground.
They need to be PLANTED OUT in the spring.
Put food onto a plate to serve.
PLATE UP and drizzle with salsa verde.
Pretend to agree or accept something in order to keep someone happy or to get more information.
I disagreed with the idea but I had to PLAY ALONG because everyone else liked it.
Be silly.
The children were PLAYING AROUND and being annoying.
Be s*xu*lly promiscuous or unfaithful.
I PLAYED AROUND a lot at college.
Pretend to be something.
He just PLAYS AT being a lawyer- he never wins a case.
Be s*xu*lly unfaithful when away from home.
He travels abroad a lot and his wife thinks he PLAYS AWAY.
Listen to or watch something you've recorded.
We PLAYED the recording BACK to see if it was OK.
Try to make something seem less important.
The Government has tried to PLAY DOWN the importance of the minister's resignation.
Play a game to decide who the winner is.
As both teams had the same points, they PLAYED OFF to decide the winner.
Make people compete against each other so that you benefit.
He PLAYED them OFF against each other to get the best deal.
Continue playing a sport though there might be a reason to stop.
It looked like a foul, but the referee told them to PLAY ON.
Continue playing music.
The band PLAYED ON for another hour.
Exploit a weakness.
They are just PLAYING ON our fears to get us to do what they want.
Pun.
The advert PLAYS ON the slogan.
Progress, often till it finishes.
Let's see how things PLAY OUT.
Pretend that something is real and reduce its effect.
Computer games allow people to PLAY OUT their violent urges.