Bring about

Bring

about

(cause to happen)

The crisis was brought about by Brenda 's resignation.

Come about

Come

about

(happen)

Let me explain how the situation came about.

Fall about

Fall

about

(show amusement - especially laughing - colloquial)

Every one fell about when Jane told her joke.

Set about

Set

about

(start working)

We must set about re-organising the office.

come across something or someone (inseparable)

come

across

to find (unexpectedly) or meet by chance

A lucky tramp came across a wallet full of money as he was walking down the street. He came across a wallet. He came across it. I've lost my extra car keys. If you come across them while your're cleaning the room, please put them in a safe place.

get across (separable)

get

across

make something understood; communicate something understandably; be understood - especially get an idea across

Alan is really intelligent but sometimes he has problems getting his ideas across. I had the feeling I wasn 't getting across.

Put across

Put

across

(communicate ideas)

Harry is clever but he can't put his ideas across.

Ask after

Ask

after

(inquire about)

Jim was asking after you.

look after someone or something

look

after

to take care of someone or something

Looking after a baby is a full-time job. You have to bath it, dress it and feed it. She looks after the baby. She looks after It.

take after (inseparable)

take

after

resemble; favor (in appearance) Note: used for people

Both my sister and I take after our father.

take after someone

take

after

to look or be like an older relative

Little Christopher takes after his father. He has black hair, big feet and a bad temper just like his dad. Christopher takes alter his father. Christopher takes after him.

jump all over (inseparable)

jump

all

severely scold someone; berate someone

Arthur is really upset. His boss jumped all over him because he's been late for work three times this week.

get along (with) (inseparable)

get

along

have a friendly relationship (with); be friendly (toward)

Why can't you and your sister get along? Everyone else gets along with her just fine!

get around (1. inseparable)

get

around

avoid having to do something

Teresa got around the required math classes by doing well on a math proficiency test.

get around (2. no object)

get

around

move from place to place

She doesn't have a car. She gets around by bicycle, bus, or taxi.

get around to (inseparable)

get

around

do something eventually

I really should wash the dishes, but I don't feel like it. Maybe I'll get around to them tomorrow morning.

turn around (1. usually no object)

turn

around

move so that you are facing the opposite direction

Everyone turned around and stared when I entered the meeting late.

turn around (2. separable)

turn

around

move so that someone / something is facing the opposite direction

I don't want this chair facing the window. Will you help me turn it around?

turn around (3. separable)

turn

around

make changes so that something that was unprofitable is profitable

The company was doing poorly until it hired a new president. He turned it around in about six months and now it's doing quite well.

Get at

Get

at

(imply - about personal matters - colloquial)

What are you getting at exactly ?

Do away with (1)

Do

away

(abolish-colloquial)

Dog licences have been done away with.

Do away with (2)

Do

away

(murder - colloquial)

What if they do away with the old man ?

get away

get

away

to escape

The prisoner got away from his guards and ran into the forest. The prisoner got away from his guards. The prisoner got away from them. The prisoner got away.

get away with

get

away

to do something wrong or illegal without being punished (usually without even being discovered or caught)

Last year Jack robbed a bank and got away with it; the police didn't even find his fingerprints. Nowadays Jack lives a life of luxury on a beautiful tropical island. Jack got away with the bank robbery. Jack got away with robbing the bank. Jack got away w

Give away

Give

away

(betray)

His false identity papers gave him away.

pass away pass on pass over (usually of a person) (no object)

pass

away

to die

Fred Bloggs passed away (passed on/passed over) in 1985afteralong illness. Fred passed away. Fred passed on. Fred passed over. I was very sorry to hear that your grandfather passed away.

put away (separable)

put

away

return something to the proper place

I just took these clothes out of the dryer. Will you help me put them away?

throw away (separable)

throw

away

discard; put in the garbage

You shouldn't throw those newspapers away; they're recyclable.

bring / take back (separable)

bring

back

return something

Yes, you can borrow my pen, don't forget to bring it back to me when you're finished. "This book is due tomorrow. I guess I should take it back to the library."

cut back (on) (often without an object; with an object, cut back on [inseparable])

cut

back

use less of something

You drink too much coffee. You should cut back. "You should cut back on the amount of coffee that you drink."

Fall back on

Fall

back

(use as a last resort)

If the worst comes to the worst, we've got our savings to fall back on.

Go back on

Go

back

(break a promise)

The management has gone back on its promise.

look back on (inseparable)

look

back

to remember and think about the past; reflect on / consider something in the past

When they looked back on their many years together, they realized that their marriage had been a very happy one. The Blacks have been married for many years. They like talking about the past and looking back on old times. At the moment they are looking at

Pay back

Pay

back

(take revenge - colloquial)

She paid him back for all his insults.

put back (separable)

put

back

return something to the proper place

I've finished with these books. Do you want me to put them back on the shelves?

set back (1. separable)

set

back

cause a delay in scheduling

We've had some problems with the project that have set us back at least two days . We'll give you a progress report tomorrow.

set back (2. separable)

set

back

cost

I wonder how much Bill's new car set him back?

take / bring back (separable)

take

back

return

This book is due tomorrow. I guess I should take it back to the library. "Yes, you can borrow my pen, but don't forget to bring it back to me when you're finished."

drop by (inseparable)

drop

by

visit informally (and usually without scheduling a specific time)

If you're in town next month, we'd love to see you. Please try to drop by the house.

get by (no object)

get

by

survive, financially, in a difficult situation

It's going to be hard to pay the rent now that you've lost your job, but somehow we'll get by.

Stand by

Stand

by

(keep to an agreement)

The company agreed to stand by its original commitment.

take care of (1. inseparable)

take

care

provide care for; watch one's health

Lois has been taking care of her father since he returned home from the hospital. "You've been working too hard lately. You'd better take care of yourself!"

take care of (2. inseparable)

take

care

make arrangements (for something to happen); take responsibility for

Will you take care of making reservations for our flight to Boston?

back down (no object)

back

down

not follow a threat; yield In an argument

Tom was going to call the police when I told him I'd wrecked his car, but he backed down when I said I'd pay for the damages. Shella was right, so Paul had to back down.

break down (1) (of machinery)

break

down

to stop working.

Tom's car broke down on the way to the airport, and he had to get a taxi. I His car broke down.

break down (1. separable)

break

down

separate something into component parts

We spent a lot of money at the supermarket. When we broke the total cost down, we spent more on cleaning supplies than food.

break down (2)

break

down

to lose control emotionally or mentally.

Alec broke down and cried when his mother died. I Alec broke down. David broke down and wept when he heard the news.

break down (2. no object)

break

down

stop working / functioning

Sharon will be late for work today. Her car broke down on the freeway.

burn down (no object)

burn

down

become destroyed / consumed by fire Note: For upright things--trees, buildings, etc.—only

Lightning struck Mr. Kennedy's barn last night. It burned down before the fire fighters arrived.

burn down (usually of buildings)

burn

down

to destroy by burning.

My house burned down last night. In the morning it was just a pile of ashes. My house burned down. Someone burned down my house. Someone burned my house down. Someone burned It down.

calm down a person / a difficult situation etc. (with or without an object; with an object, separable)

calm

down

become calm / less agitated or upset; help someone become calm / less agitated or upset

Why are you so upset? Suzie didn't intend to spill orange juice on you. Calm down! "I know Ralph is upset, but can you calm him down? He's making so much noise that he's irritating everyone in the office." My father was very angry and it took him ten minu

Come down to

Come

down

(be in the end a matter of)

It all comes down to whether you are prepared to accept less money.

come down with _____ (inseparable)

come

down

become ill with _____

George won't be at the office today. He came down with the flu over the weekend.

cut down on smoking / cigarettes / drinking / spending / production etc.

cut

down

to reduce in size or amount.

Last year Peter was very ill and his doctor told him to cut down on the number of cigarettes he smoked. This year Peter smokes much less and feels a lot better. Peter cut down on cigarettes. Peter cut down on them. Peter cut down on smoking.

Get down

Get

down

(make to feel depressed - colloquial)

This cold weather really gets me down.

Get down to

Get

down

(begin to seriously deal with)

It's time we got down to some real work.

go down

go

down

to become less swollen

Phil's cheek became swollen because he had a bad tooth ache. The dentist treated his bad tooth and his swollen cheek soon went down. His swollen cheek went down.

Lay down

Lay

down

(state arule- especially lay down the law)

The company has laid down strict procedures for this kind of situation.

let down (separable)

let

down

to disappoint someone (often by breaking a promise or an agreement)

Sorry to let you down, but I can't give you a lift today. Julia promised to meet Rick outside the cinema at eight o'clock, but she let him down. He waited for two hours and then he went home angrily. Julia let Rick down. Julia let him down. I know I let

Live down Note. used with (not)

Live

down

(suffer a loss of reputation)

If City lose, they'll never live it down.

look down on (inseparable)

look

down

hold in contempt; regard as inferior

It's not surprising that Fred has few friends. He seems to look down on anyone who doesn't like the same things that he does.

look down on someone or something

look

down

to think that someone (or something) is inferior, low or worthless; to disapprove of (someone or something)

Sir Douglas is a very rich aristocrat. Fred is a very poor tramp. Sir Douglas thinks that he is a much better person than Fred-he looks down on Fred. Sir Douglas looks down on Fred. Sir Douglas looks down on him.

mark down (separable)

mark

down

reduce the price (as an incentive to buy)

These shoes were really a bargain! The store marked them down by 40%!

Pin someone down

Pin

down

(force to give a clear statement)

I asked Jim to name a suitable day, but I couldn't pin him down.

Put down to

Put

down

(explain the cause of)

Diane's poor performance was put down to nerves.

Run down (1)

Run

down

(criticise)

She's always running down her husband.

Run down (2)

Run

down

(lose power, allow to decline)

/ think the batteries are running down.

Step down

Step

down

(resign - colloquial)

The Chairman has stepped down after criticism from shareholders.

take down a statement / a telephone number / some information etc.

take

down

to record in writing

When the policeman arrived at the scene of the accident he took down the witness's statement. He took down the statement. He took the statement down. He took it down.

Track down

track

down

trace the whereabouts of

The police tracked down killer and arrested him.

turn down (1. separable)

turn

down

decrease the volume

Your music is giving me a headache! Please turn it down or use your headphones!

turn down (2. separable) a request / an offer / an applicant / an application etc.

turn

down

to refuse or reject (something or someone)

Another company offered me a job but I turned them down. I thought I could borrow some money from Joe, but when I asked, he turned me down. Jeff was interviewed for the job at Bloggs Ltd but they turned him down because he was too young. They turned down

write down (separable)

write

down

record something in writing

Could you tell me your e-mail address again? I want to write it down.

Bargain for

Bargain

for

(take into acount)

We hadn't bargained for there being so much traffic, and we missed the plane.

care for (1. inseparable) Note. used with (not)

care

for

like; want Note: This phrasal verb is usually negative, though it may be used affirmatively in questions

A: "Would you care for something to drink? We have coffee, tea, or orange juice." B: "Could I have water, please? I don't care for coffee, tea, or juice."

care for (2. inseparable)

care

for

take care of; supply care to; attend / watch.

Amy's father got out of the hospital last week. The family is caring for him at home.

Fall for (1)

Fall

for

(be deceived by - colloquial)

It was an unlikely story but h e fell for it.

Fall for (2)

Fall

for

(fall in love with - colloquial)

I fell for you the moment I saw you.

go for

go

for

a person, an animal to attack

The dog went for Joe and hurt his arm. The dog went for Joe. The dog went for him. Note: this verb is not used in the passive.

Have it in for

Have

for

(be deliberately unkind to someone - also as have got)

My teacher has (got) it in for me.

look for something or someone

look

for

to try to find (something or someone), often athing or person that is lost

Fred wanted to open his front door but he couldn't find his key. He looked for it everywhere. It's in one of my pockets,' he thought. He looked for his key. He looked for it.

make for (1. inseparable)

make

for

go to or toward

Her teen-aged children are always hungry. As soon as they arrive home from school, they make for the refrigerator.

make for (2. inseparable)

make

for

result in; cause

Many hands make for light work. (If many people work together, there's less work for everyone.) The power steering makes for easier parking.

mistake for

mistake

for

to think wrongly that (one thing or person) is (another thing or person)

I frightened rpyself last night when I mistook a piece of old rope for a dangerous snake. I mistook a piece of old rope for a dangerous snake. I saw a piece of old rope and I mistook it for a dangerous snake.

stand for (1)

stand

for

to represent or mean; to be a sign or short form of something else; initials

The letters B.B.C. stand for the British Broadcasting Corporation. B.B.C. stands for British Broadcasting Corporation. What do the letters B.B.C. stand tor? e.g. stands for exempli gratia, it's Latin.

stand for (1. no object)

stand

for

represent

These letters seem to be an abbreviation. Do you know what they stand for?

Stand for (2)

Stand

for

(tolerate)

/ will not stand for this kind of behaviour in my house!

stand for (2. inseparable)

stand

for

tolerate; permit (usually negative)

I'm not surprised that Mrs. Johnson rejected your report. She won't stand for shoddy work.

wait for (inseparable)

wait

for

wait until someone / something arrives or is finished with something else

When will Kenny be finished with work? I've been waiting for him for almost an hour! "I'm tired of waiting for the bus. I guess I'll take a taxi instead."

look forward to a future event (inseparable)

look

forward

anticipate pleasantly; to think with pleasure about a future event that you expect to enjoy

I'm really looking forward to vacation. I can't wait for it to begin! Bill Bloggs has been in prison for the last ten years. Next year he'll be released from prison and he'll be a free man. Bill is looking forward to next year. Bill is looking forward to

put forward a proposal / a plan / a suggestion / an idea etc.

put

forward

to offer (a proposal / a plan etc.) for consideration

Mr Smith put forward the idea of introducing traffic lights at the crossroads as a way of preventing traffic jams. The planning committee thought his idea was very good. He put forward the idea. He put the idea forward. He put it forward.

make fun of (inseparable)

make

fun

make jokes about (usually unkindly)

I agree that Bob looks ridiculous since he shaved his head, but don't make fun of him. You'll hurt his feelings.

break in (1. often no object; with an object, break into--inseparable)

break

in

enter by using force (and breaking a lock, window, etc.)

Jane's apartment was burglarized last night. Someone broke in while Jane was at the movies. / "Somebody broke into Jane's apartment while she was at the movies.

break in (2. separable)

break

in

wear something new until it's / they're comfortable

These are nice shoes, but they're too stiff. I hope it doesn't take too long to break them in.

break in (3. separable)

break

in

train; get someone / something accustomed to a new routine

I hope I can learn my new job quickly. The manager hasn't scheduled much time for breaking me in.

butt in (no object)

butt

in

impolitely interrupt (a conversation, an action)

Hey, you! Don't butt in! Wait for your turn!

Cash in

cash

in

obtain cash for

chip in (inseparable)

chip

in

contribute / donate (often money) to something done by a group

We're going to buy a birthday cake for our boss and I'm collecting donations. Do you want to chip in?

Come in for

Come

in

(receive - especially criticism, blame)

The government has come in for a lot of criticism over the decision.

do in (1. separable)

do

in

cause to become very tired

The Ajax and Tip-Top Banks have decided to merge. Their lawyers will draw all the official documents up sometime this month.

do in (2. separable)

do

in

to kill; to murder

The said that the murdered man was done in between 10 and 11 o'clock last night.

drop in

drop

in

to pay a short visit, often without warning.

Laura was shopping near her friend, Lynn, and decided to drop in and see her. Laura dropped in to see Lynn. Laura dropped in to see her. Laura dropped in on Lynn. Laura dropped in on her. Laura dropped in.

drop in (on) (inseparable)

drop

in

visit informally (and usually usually without scheduling a specific time); pay a visit (colloquial)

If you're in town next month, we'd love to see you. Please try to drop in. (Please try to drop in on us. Drop in any time you 're passing.

fill in (1. separable) a form / a questionnaire etc.

fill

in

add information to a form; to complete (a form)

The office needs to know your home address and phone number. Could you fill them in on this form? It took me an hour to fill in the application form. It took me an hour to fill in the form. It took me an hour to fill the form in, It took me an hour to fil

fill in (on) (2. separable)

fill

in

supply information that someone doesn't know

I wasn't able to attend the meeting yesterday, but I understand that it was important. Could you fill me in? / Could you fill me in on what was discussed?

fill in for (inseparable)

fill

in

temporarily do someone else's work; temporarily substitute for another person

Professor Newton is in the hospital and won't be able to teach for the rest of the term. Do you know who's going to fill in for her?

get in (1. inseparable)

get

in

enter a small, closed vehicle

I don't know where Carole was going. She just got in her car and drove away.

get in (2. no object)

get

in

arrive

Do you know what time Fred's plane gets in?

give in

give

in

to stop resisting; to surrender

The fight between Tom and Dick stopped when Tom hurt his hand and had to give in. Tom gave In.

Go in for (1)

Go

in

(make a habit of)

I don 't go in for that kind of thing.

Go in for (2)

Go

in

(enter a competition)

Are you thinking of going in for the race?

hand in (separable)

hand

in

submit homework, an assignment, etc.

You'd better get started on your report. You know that you have to hand it in at 8:30 tomorrow morning!

Let in on

Let

in

(allow to be part of a secret)

We haven't let Tina in on the plans yet.

look in on (inseparable)

look

in

visit in order to check something's / someone's condition

My father just came home from the hospital. I plan to look in on him today after I finish work.

Pack in

Pack

in

(stop an activity - colloquial)

John has packed in his job.

pitch in (no object)

pitch

in

help; join together to accomplish something

We'll be finished soon if everyone pitches in.

Put in for

Put

in

(apply for a job)

Sue has put in for a teaching job.

run in a motor cycle / a new car / a machine etc.

run

in

to use a new (or reconditioned) engine carefully until it is ready for normal use

George is running in his new car. so he can't drive fast. George is running in his hew car. George is running it in. Running in, please pass. (a notice sometimes seen on new cars)

Set in

Set

in

(establish itself-especially weather)

/ think this ram has set infer the day.

Sink in

Sink

in

(realise slowly - colloquial, Intransitive)

Slowly the realisation that I had won began to sink in.

Stand in for

Stand

in

(take the place of)

Carol has kindly agreed to stand in for Graham at the monthly meeting.

take in (often used in the passive)

take

in

to deceive (someone); to cheat (someone)

Don't be taken in by her apparent shyness. The hungry wolf had a problem: all the sheep in the neighbourhood knew him and ran away when they saw him. After some thought he decided to disguise himself as a sheep. The neighbourhood sheep were taken In by th

turn in (1. separable)

turn

in

give / deliver / submit to someone

I've written my report, but I haven't turned it in.

turn in (2. no object)

turn

in

go to bed

I'm pretty tired. I guess I'll turn in.

turn in (3. separable)

turn

in

report or deliver wrongdoers to the authorities

Two days after the robbery, the thieves turned themselves in.

jack in

jack

in

abandon

Tie in with

tie

in

be in agreement with

I'm afraid your party doesn't quite tie in with aor arrangements.

check in(to) at a hotel, an airport etc. (inseparable)

check

in(to)

to report one's arrival; register for / at a hotel, conference, etc.; let someone know officially that you have arrived

Jack took a taxi to the hotel and checked in. Jack checked in. Jack checked in at the hotel. Jack checked in to the hotel. Note: When Jack left the hotel he checked out. My plane will arrive around 5:00 PM. I should be able to check into the hotel by 6:00

break into a building / a bank / a house etc.

break

into

to enter somewhere (e.g. a house) illegally, especially by force.

Last night a burglar broke into my house and stole my television set. A burglar broke into my house. A burglar broke into it.

come into money / property / a fortune etc

come

into

to receive something (usually money or property) after someone's death.

Peter came into a fortune when his father died. Peter came into a fortune. Peter came into it.

look into a situation / a crime / a problem /a complaint etc. (inseparable)

look

into

investigate / get more details about something; to carefully examine a situation or event and try to discover the reasons for it

The police have promised to look into the problem. Someone said there was a meeting at 9:30 but I haven't heard anything about it. Shall I look into it? The police are looking into the death of Mr James. They want to know how he was murdered. They are loo

run into (inseparable) someone

run

into

meet by chance

Guess who I ran into at the supermarket! Yesterday at the supermarket, Jan ran into her former roommate. Before yesterday, they hadn't seen each other for nearly five years. I was on my way to work when I ran into Jeremy Thomas. It was a lovely surprise b

turn into something or someone

turn

into

to change; to become

The beautiful princess kissed the frog and it turned into a handsome prince. The frog turned into a prince. The kiss turned the frog into a prince,

act like (inseparable)

act

like

behave in a way that's like _____ Note: This phrasal verb is very informal.

What's wrong with Bob? He's acting like an idiot.

look like (inseparable)

look

like

resemble (in appearance)

Does he look like his father or his mother?

back off (no object)

back

off

not follow a threat

Tom was ready to call the police when I told him I'd wrecked his car, but he backed off when I said I'd pay for the damages.

be off (1) usually used in the present tense (of an event / an arrangement etc.)

be

off

to be cancelled

The lead singer of 'The Rolling Beatles' pop group is ill, so tonight's concert is off. The concert is off.

be off (2) (of food)

be

off

to have gone bad

Nick decided to have a fried egg for breakfast, but there was a terrible smell when he cracked the egg. 'This egg is off,' he thought. I can't eat it.' The egg is off.

beg off (no object)

beg

off

decline an invitation; ask to be excused from doing something

At first Lily said she would be at the party. Later she begged off.

break off talks / negotiations / an engagement / a relationship / an agreement etc.

break

off

to end; to interrupt; to discontinue, stop talking

Peace talks between the U.S.S.R. and the U.S.A. have broken off after three days of serious disagreement. Peace talks between the U.S.S.R. and the U.S.A. have broken off. The U.S.A. has broken off peace talks with the U.S.S.R. They have broken off peace t

Bring off

Bring

off

(succeed in doing something)

The team tried few ears to win the competition and they finally brought it off.

bring off (separable)

bring

off

accomplish something difficult; accomplish something people had considered impossible or unlikely

No one thought Chuck could get an A in that course, but he brought it off.

call off an event / an arrangement / an activity etc. often used in the passive (separable)

call

off

cancel something that has been scheduled; to abandon something that has already begun.

The Football Association called off the match between England and Greece because of bad weather. The Football Association called off the match. The Football Association called the match off. The Football Association called it off. The match was called off

Carry off

Carry

off

(complete successfully - perhaps despite a problem)

Jane had a difficult role to play, but she carried it off.

check off (separable)

check

off

make a mark to indicate that something on a list has been completed

Here are the things you need to do. Please check each one off when you've finished it.

Come off

Come

off

(take place successfully)

I'm afraid that deal didn 't come off after all.

cut off (often used in the passive)

cut

off

This verb can refer to either: a) the service or supply that is cut off e.g. water, electricity, etc. or b) the person who is cut off to disconnect, interrupt or discontinue something or someone.

Paul was talking to Anna on the telephone. Suddenly they couldn't hear each other. Paul phoned Anna again immediately. 'What happened?' Anna asked him. 'We were cut off,' replied Paul. The operator cut them off. The operator cut off their call. They were

drop off (1) something or someone

drop

off

to stop a vehicle and let someone get out; to take something (or someone) to a place and leave it there.

David drove his wife, Sue, into town and dropped her off in the cinema. David dropped oft his wife. David dropped his wife off. David dropped her off.

drop off (2)

drop

off

to fall asleep (often unintentionally).

The baby has just dropped off. John sat in his favourite armchair and dropped off. Five minutes later, his young son came into the room and woke him. He dropped off.

drop off (separable)

drop

off

deliver something; deliver someone (by giving him/her a ride)

Yes, I can take those letters to the post office. I'll drop them off as I go home from work. "You don't have to take a taxi. You live fairly close to me, so I'll be happy to drop you off."

get off (1. inseparable)

get

off

leave a large, closed vehicle

When you get off the bus, cross the street, turn right on Oak Street, and keep going until you're at the corner of Oak and Lincoln Boulevard.

get off (2. separable)

get

off

be excused (for a period of time) from work, class, or other regularly scheduled activities

Some schools got President's Day off but ours didn't. We had classes as usual.

get off (3. separable)

get

off

make it possible for someone to avoid punishment

Everyone knew he was guilty, but his lawyer was clever and got him off.

Get off with

Get

off

(avoid punishment)

They were lucky to get off with such light sentences.

Give off

Give

off

(send off a smell - liquid or gas)

The cheese had begun to give off a strange smell.

Go off

Go

off

(become bad - food)

This milk has gone off.

go off (of explosive devices e.g. bombs, guns etc.)

go

off

to explode or fire; (of alarms or alarm clocks) to ring suddenly

Many people were killed when the bomb went off. The bomb went off.

goof off (no object)

goof

off

be lazy; do nothing in particular

A: "Do you have any special plans for your vacation?" B: "No. I'm just going to stay home and goof off."

Hit it off

Hit

off

(get on well with - colloquial)

Mark and Sarah really hit it off at the party.

lay off (separable; often passive)

lay

off

to stop employing (a worker), often for a short time because there is not enough work (not because of poor performance)

Last year the manager of Bloggs Ltd laid off a hundred workers because business was very bad. He laid off a hundred workers. He laid a hundred workers off. He laid them off. They were laid off. I feel really sorry Sally's family. Her father was laid off y

let off

let

off

to excuse (someone) from (a punishment, a duty, or doing something)

As Dave was young, the judge let him off with a fine. Bill should have been sent to prison for six months, but the judge decided to let him off so that he could stay out of prison and take care of his family. The judge let Bill off going to prison. The ju

Make off with

Make

off

(run away with)

The thief made off with a valuable necklace.

nod off (no object)

nod

off

fall sleep (usually unintentionally)

The speech was so boring that several people in the audience nodded off before it was finished.

Pull off

Pull

off

(manage to succeed)

It was a tricky plan, but we pulled it off.

Put off (1) an event / doing something etc.

Put

off

to delay doing something until a late date; to delay an event or arrangement until a later date

Martin v/as very unhappy when he saw the huge pile of dirty dishes in the kitchen. He felt a little happier after deciding to put off the washing-up until the next day. Martin put off the washing-up until the next day. Martin put the washing-up off till t

put off (1. separable)

put

off

postpone; delay; avoid

I can't put this work off any longer. If I don't do it soon, it'll be impossible to finish it in time. "When will Mr. Smith agree to a meeting? I keep asking for an appointment, but he keeps putting me off."

put off (2) / put (someone) off (2)

put

off

to discourage, or distract, (someone) from doing doing, upset

The crowd put the gymnast off, and be fell. Ron was trying to read, but the noise from the television put him off and he had to stop. The noise from the TV put Ron off his book. The noise from the TV put him off his bOOK. The noise from the TV put Ron oft

rip off (separable)

rip

off

cheat; take advantage of; charge too much; charge too much (colloquial)

Don't even think about buying a car there. They'll rip you off. You paid £50? They really ripped you off!

round off (separable)

round

off

change from a fraction to the nearest whole number

Round all prices off to the closest whole-dollar amounts. For example, round $33.73 off to $34.00.

see someone off

see

off

to say goodbye to someone who is going on a journey at the place (e.g. airport, station etc.) where the journey begins; go to station, airport, etc to say goodbye to someone

Bill arranged to go to Scotland to stay with his grandmother for a few days. His father, Frank, drove him to the railway station and saw him off. Frank saw Bill off. Frank saw him off. I went to the station to see them off.

set off

set

off

to start a journey

Barry set off on his camping holiday at six o'clock in the morning and reached the campsite, in France, at midday. Barry set off. Barry set off at six o'clock. Barry set off on a camping holiday. Barry set off for France.

take off (1) (of an aeroplane)

take

off

to rise from the ground

At the beginning of a journey an aeroplane takes off. At the end of a journey an aeroplane lands. The aeroplane took off.

take off (1. separable)

take

off

remove (something you're wearing)

Please take your hat off when you go inside a building.

take off (2)

take

off

to remove anything that is worn on the body (especially clothes)

Nick took off his jacket because he was feeling very hot. Nick took off his jacket. Nick took his jacket off. Nick took it off.

take off (2. no object)

take

off

leave; depart (often suddenly or quickly)

Was something wrong with Jill? She took off without saying goodbye. "When does your plane take off?"

take off (3. separable)

take

off

make arrangements to be absent from work

Susan isn't here today. She's taking today and tomorrow off.

Take off (4)

Take

off

(imitate - colloquial)

Dave takes off the Prime Minister really well.

tell (someone) off (separable)

tell

off

speak to someone bluntly and negatively, saying exactly what she/he did wrong; to speak angrily to someone who has done something wrong; to find fault with someone

Our teacher told us off for being late. Julie was really angry at Bob; she told him off in front of all of us. Howard told his son oH for breaking a window with his football. Howard told oil his son. Howard told his son off. Howard told him off. Howard to

tick off (1. separable)

tick

off

irritate someone; make someone upset or angry

It really ticks her off when someone is late for an appointment.

tick off (2. separable)

tick

off

show that something has been completed by putting a tick (check) beside it

Here are the things you need to do. Tick each one off when you finish it.

turn off (1. separable)

turn

off

stop by turning a handle or switch

I'm cold. Do you mind if I turn the air conditioner off?

turn off (2. separable)

turn

off

bore; repel (very informal)

That music turns me off. Please play something else!

wear off (1)

wear

off

to disappear gradually

The pain in Jim's foot wore off after he took some painkiller. The pain wore off.

wear off (2)

wear

off

loose effect - especially a drug

These painkillers wear off after about two hours.

Bring on (1)

Bring

on

(cause the onset of an illness)

Sitting in the damp brought on his rheumatism.

Bring on (2)

Bring

on

(cause trouble to happen to) oneself

You have brought this on/upon yourself.

call on (inseparable)

call

on

ask someone for an answer in class

I don't know why the teacher never calls on you. You always know the answer.

catch on

catch

on

to become popular (colloquial)

David's strange new hair-style is really catching on; all the young boys in the neighbourhood are copying it. I David's new hai r-style is catching on. This new hair style is beginning to catch on.

catch on (no object)

catch

on

develop understanding or knowledge of something

Bill had never used a computer until he took this class, but he caught on very quickly and is now one of the best students.

count on (inseparable)

count

on

depend on; rely on; trust that something will happen or that someone will do as expected

I'm counting on you to wake me up tomorrow. I know I won't hear the alarm. Don't worry, you can count on me.

drag on (no object)

drag

on

last much longer than expected or is necessary

I thought the meeting would be a short one, but it dragged on for more than three hours.

egg on (separable)

egg

on

urge / encourage greatly toward doing something (usually something negative)

At first Bob and Chuck were just having a mild argument, but Bob's friends egged them on until they started fighting.

Get on

Get

on

(make progress - especially in life)

Sue is getting on very well in her new job.

get on (inseparable)

get

on

enter a large, closed vehicle

I'm sorry, but you're too late to say goodbye to Angela. She got on the plane about 20 minutes ago.

Get on for

Get

on

(approach a certain age/time/number)

He must begetting on for seventy.

Go on

Go

on

(happen - usually negative)

Something funny is going on.

Grow on

Grow

on

(become more liked - colloquial)

This new record is growing on me.

Have someone on

Have

on

(deceive - colloquial)

I don't believe you. You 're having me on.

hold on

hold

on

to wait (especially on the telephone)

George phoned his office because he wanted some information. 'Hold on a minute and I'll get it for you,' said his assistant. His assistant asked him to hold on.

keep on (1. inseparable--followed by an -ing verb)

keep

on

continue

I'm not ready to stop yet. I think I'll keep on working for a while.

keep on (someone) (2. inseparable)

keep

on

continue to remind someone to do something until he/she does it (even if this irritates her/him)

Bill's very forgetful. You'll have to keep on him or he'll never do all the things you want him to do.

Let on

Let

on

(inform about a secret - colloquial)

We're planning a surprise for Helen, but don't let on.

Look on

Look

on

(consider)

We look on this town as our real home.

pick on (inseparable)

pick

on

bully; intentionally try to make someone upset

You should be ashamed of teasing your little brother, Bob! Pick on someone your own size!

Push on

Push

on

(continue with some effort - colloquial)

Let's push on and try to reach the coast by tonight.

put on (1. separable) clothes / glasses I a ring / a necklace etc.

put

on

begin to wear; don; to dress oneself

It's a little bit chilly outside. You'd better put a sweater on. Perry put on his nevi' sweater because he wanted to wear it for work. Perry put on his sweater. Perry put his sweater on. Perry put it on.

put on (2. separable)

put

on

try to make someone believe something that is ridiculous or untrue

Don't believe a word of what Jim was saying. He was just putting us on.

Set on / set (up) on

Set

on

(attack)

We were set upon by a gang of hooligans.

Take on (1)

Take

on

(acquire a new characteristic)

My grandmother has taken on a new lease of life since her operation.

Take on (2)

Take

on

(do something extra)

She has taken on too much with a full-time job as well.

try on (separable)

try

on

wear something briefly to check its fit, how it looks, etc.

I'm not sure that jacket is large enough. May I try it on?

try on a hat / a new pair of shoes / a dress etc.

try

on

to put on an article of clothing to see if it fits and how it looks

Last week I went into a shop and tried on three hats. The first hat was too big; the second one was too small; but the third one fitted me perfectly and looked good, so I bought it. I tried on three hats. I tried three hats on. I tried them on.

turn on (1. separable)

turn

on

start by turning a handle or switch

It's cold in here. I'm going to turn the heater on

turn on (2. separable)

turn

on

interest very much; excite (very informal)

What kind of music turns you on?

wait on (1. inseparable)

wait

on

serve (usually customers in a restaurant, shop, etc.)

I want to make a complaint. The person who just waited on me was very impolite.

Hang onto

Hang

onto

(keep - colloquial)

I think we should hang onto the car until next year.

ask out (separable)

ask

out

ask for a date.

Nancy has a new boy friend. Joe asked her out last night.

Bear out

Bear

out

(confirm the truth)

Helen's alibi was borne out by her sister.

break out (of unpleasant things e.g. wars, epidemics, fires, violence etc.)

break

out

to start, usually suddenly

The Second World War broke out on 3 September, 1939. In 1939 World War Two broke out. World War Two broke out in 1939. World War Two broke out on 3 September, 1939.

Break out in spots / a rash / a cold sweat ('to show signs of great fear)

Breake

out

to become covered by (something).

Cyril broke out in spots this morning. He broke out in spots. He broke out in them.

Carry out

Carry

out

(complete a plan)

The attack was successfully carried out.

carry out instructions / a duty / an order / a threat / a test etc.

carry

out

to fulfill or perform (something).

Sergeant Jones ordered Private Wilson to push the waggon across the field. The waggon was very heavy but Private Wilson carried out his orders without complaining. He carried out his orders. He carried his orders out. He carried them out.

check out (2. separable)

check

out

follow procedures for borrowing something (usually for a limited period of time)

I'm sorry, but you can't take that encyclopedia home. The library won't allow you to check reference books out.

check out (of) (1. inseparable)

check

out

follow procedures for leaving (a hotel, etc.)

Don't forget to take your room key to the front desk when you check out (when you check out of the hotel).

chew out (separable)

chew

out

scold someone severely; berate

Tom's father was really angry when Tom didn't come home until 3:00 AM. He chewed Tom out and then said Tom had to stay at home for two weeks.

chicken out (no object)

chicken

out

lose the courage or confidence to do something--often at the last minute

Sam said he was going to ask Lulu for a date, but he chickened out.

Come out

Come

out

(appear)

All the flowers have come out. When the news came out, everyone was shocked. My photos didn't come out very well.

cross out (separable)

cross

out

show that something written is wrong or unnecessary by making an X across it

We can't afford to buy everything on your shopping list, so I've crossed all the unnecessary things out.

die out

die

out

to disappear completely; to become extinct

The great dinosaurs died out millions of years ago. The dinosaurs died out.

draw out (separable)

draw

out

prolong something (usually far beyond the normal limits)

I thought that speech would never end. The speaker could have said everything important in about five minutes, but he drew the speech out for over an hour!

drop out

drop

out

to withdraw from, or stop taking part in (a competition, a social group, a school, a university, a job etc.)

Sam dropped out of the race because he felt tired and ill. He dropped out of the race. He dropped out.

drop out (of) (inseparable)

drop

out

stop attending / leave school or an organization

No, Paul isn't at the university. He dropped out. / He dropped out of school.

eat out (no object)

eat

out

have a meal in a restaurant

I'm too tired to cook tonight. Why don't we eat out?

fall out

fall

out

to quarrel

George and Sam went out for dinner together. The evening ended badly because they fell out over who should pay the bill. George tell out with' Sam over' ' the bill. George and Sam fell out.. Note. "fall out with a person " fall out over something

Fall out with

Fall

out

(quarrel with)

Peter has fallen out with his boss.

figure out (1. separable)

figure

out

logically find the answer to a problem; solve a problem by thinking about it carefully

For a long time I couldn't understand the last problem, but I finally figured it out.

figure out (2. separable)

figure

out

understand why someone behaves the way she/he does

I can't figure Margie out. Sometimes she's very warm and friendly and sometimes she acts as if she doesn't know me.

fill out (1. separable)

fill

out

complete a form by adding required information

Of course I completed my application! I filled it out and mailed it over three weeks ago!

fill out (2. no object)

fill

out

become less thin; gain weight

Jerry used to be really skinny, but in the last year he's begun to fill out.

find out (about) (inseparable)

find

out

learn / get information (about)

I'm sorry that you didn't know the meeting had been canceled. I didn't find out (find out about it) myself until just a few minutes ago.

find out the truth / a secret / an address / the time i when / what / why / where / who / which etc.

find

out

to make an effort to discover or get to know (something)

Mr Jones wanted to catch the train to London. He was late and he didn't know which platform the London train left from. He found out which platform by asking a ticket collector. He found out which platform the train left from. He didn't know which platfor

get out of (1. inseparable)

get

out

leave a small, closed vehicle

There's something wrong with the garage door opener. You'll have to get out of the car and open it by hand.

get out of (2. inseparable)

get

out

escape having to do something

Lisa said she had a terrible headache and got out of giving her speech today.

Give out

Give

out

(be exhausted)

When our money gave out we had to borrow.

give out books / examination papers / pills etc

give

out