1

PHRASAL VERBS

ask after someone ask about a person, his health, etc. Lucy has asked after your mom.

ask for request The sales manager asked for a new extension.

back out of withdraw from He had to back out of the deal owing to his recent
misfortunes.
not keep (a promise, agreement, deal) Sam backed out of the agreement at the last second.

back up 1) support (a claim or a person), All of us will back you up at the election.
confirm

2) move in reverse, reverse a car Could you please back up your car a little?

3) make a protection copy Before my computer crashed, I could back my files up.
be away
be far from home, from this I'm afraid Sheila is away for the weekend.
place (for at least a night)
be in
be at home, be here or there in this I want to see Mr. Delaware. Is he in?
building
be into
be very interested in something David’s really into classical music.
blow up
1) destroy by explosion, explode Suddenly the whole barrel blew up.

2) fill with air, inflate, pump up Laura's father blew up all the balloons for the party.

3) become angry He blew up when his secretary told him about the
mistake.

4) arise, take place in A storm suddenly blew up in the Caribbean.

break down
1) smash, demolish The thief broke down the front door.

2) stop functioning, stop working The engine has broken down.

3) collapse through ill-health When she heard the news, she broke down and wept.
or great emotion, lose control

4) analyse We need to break this problem down in order to solve.

break in
1) enter by force Two thieves broke in and stole the car.
(also break into)

2) interrupt someone I was telling Paul about Venice when she broke in..
(colloquial)

3) tame, train for use. train to labour It took many men to break in that wild horse.
break off
1) separate by breaking He took the chocolate and broke off a piece.
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2) stop, disrupt 2) Before the war some countries broke off diplomatic
relations.
break out
1) escape by using force 1) Several prisoners managed to break out of prison.

suddenly begin wars, fires, epidemics 2) War broke out in 1939.

3) appear suddenly 3) The sun finally broke out and the rain stopped.

4) utter, exclaim 4) Suddenly he broke out into terrible curses.

break up
1) break into pieces 1) The old ship was broken up by the waves

2) stop, finish 2) Classes broke up and students went back home.

3) depart, disperse 3) The police managed to break the angry crowd up.
(separable when transitive)

4) break a relationship 4) Mary and James broke up their engagement.

bring about
cause to happen What has brought about all this disaster?
bring back
1) recall (not separated with a noun) 1) He always brings back his trip to Paris.

2) return 2) She brought back her four library books.

bring in
1) introduce 1) The foreigners brought in many customs

2) produce as profit, yield 2) The sale has brought in an interesting sum.

3) earn 3) His business brings in a lot of money every month.

4) pronounce a verdict 4) The jury brought in a verdict of not guilty.

bring out
publish When are you bringing out your next novel?
bring round
make someone wake up from The doctors brought him round a few hours after the
unconsciousness or an anaesthetic operation.
bring up
educate, raise, rear Bringing up children is never easy

mention as a topic of discussion We decided to bring the matter up at the next meeting.
build up
develop a company She built the business up from nothing into a market
leader in less than a decade
burst in / into
Move somewhere suddenly and Two thieves burst into the bank and pointed their guns
forcefully at the cashiers.
burst out
suddenly show emotion He burst out laughing at the end of the speech.
call for
visit a place to collect Tom is calling for me at 8 pm.
someone or something
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require, demand This situation calls for tact and a deep analysis.
call in
send for someone to come It was too late to call in an electrician.
ask to assist
call off
1) cancel something scheduled 1) The couple decided to call off the wedding.

2) divert, distract 2) Please, call off your dog at once !!

call on
1) ask someone to do 1) The president called on his people to make some
something sacrifices.

2) visit 2) Call on me if you have any problems.

care about
be concerned about This movie star cares about his reputation.
care for
like, want 1) He doesn't care for films about war

look after, take care of 2) This house looks well cared for.
carry off win, succeed . She carried off the first prize in the competition
carry on 1) continue 1) The widow carried on as if nothing had happened.

2) continue with 2) Both brothers carried on with their boring

conversation.
carry out perform, put in practice It is not easy to carry out this task.
catch on become popular (colloquial) He invented an electric car, but it never really caught
on.
catch up (with) stop being behind Go on ahead. I'll catch you up.
check in(to) at a hotel, an report one's arrival; register for / at a Jack took a taxi to the hotel and checked in. Jack
airport etc. (inseparable) hotel, conference, etc.; let someone checked in. Jack checked in at the hotel. Jack checked
know officially that you in to the hotel.

check out (of) (1. have a follow procedures for leaving (a When Jack left the hotel he checked out. My plane will
inseparable) hotel, etc.) arrive around 5:00 PM. I should be able to check into
the hotel by 6:00
Don't forget to take your room key to the front desk
when you check out

check over examine sth carefully to make sure that Check over your work for mistakes.
it is correct or acceptable:
check up (on sb/sth) make sure that sb is doing what they My parents are always checking up on me.
should be doing
clear out make sth empty and clean by removing We cleared out all our old clothes
things or throwing things away
clear up 1 (of the weather) to become fine or I hope it clears up this afternoon
bright:

2 (of an illness, infection, etc.) to Has your rash cleared up yet?

disappear
come across to find (unexpectedly) or meet by A lucky tramp came across a wallet full of money as he
chance was walking down the street.
Come down to (be in the end a matter of) It all comes down to whether you are prepared to
accept less money.
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come forward offer your help, services, etc: Several people came forward with information. *
Police have asked witnesses of the accident to come
forward.
Come off take place successfully I'm afraid that deal didn’t come off after all.
Be successful
come on 1 (of an actor) to walk onto the stage
2 (of a player) to join a team during a
game Owen came on for Fowler ten minutes before the end
3 to improve or develop in the way you of the game.
want:
4 used in orders to tell sb to hurry or to The project is coming on fine.
try harder: Come on! We don't have much time.
Come on! Try once more.

Come out appear All the flowers have come out.

When the news came out, everyone was shocked. My
photos didn't come out very well.
come round or come to to regain consciousness James fainted when the air-conditioning stopped
working. Two of his colleagues took care of him until
he came round (came to).
Come up (occur- usually a problem -colloquial) Look, something has come up, and I can't meet you.
Come up against (meet a difficulty) We've come up against a bit of a problem.
count on (inseparable) depend on; rely on; trust that someone I'm counting on you to wake me up tomorrow. I know I
will do as expected won't hear the alarm.
count up sb/sth phrasal add together all the people or things in Count these figures up once more.
verb a group
cross out (separable) show that something written is wrong We can't afford to buy everything on your shopping
or unnecessary by making an X across list, so I've crossed all the unnecessary things out.
it
cut back (on) use less of something You drink too much coffee. You should cut back.
cut down on smoking / to reduce in size or amount. Last year Peter was very ill and his doctor told him to
cigarettes / drinking / cut down on the number of cigarettes he smoked.
spending / production etc
cut in pass one car when there Never try to cut in during rush hours. It's really
isn't room to do it safely dangerous

cut out stop Cut those jokes out, please!

cut up. cut into pieces She cut the cake up and gave each of us a piece
deal with handle successfully She is really lucky, so she can deal with this situation

Do away with (abolish-colloquial) Dog licenses have been done away with.
Do out of Cheat somebody out of something that They lied on the reference and did me out of any
is rightfully theirs chance of getting the job.
do without manage in the absence of They did without food and fresh water
Draw in Get dark earlier The nights are drawing in now it's winter.
draw out prolong something (usually far beyond The speaker could have said everything important in
the normal limits) about five minutes, but he drew the speech out !
Draw up come to a stop A white sports car drew up outside the door.
drop by visit informally If you're in town tomorrow. Please try to drop by the
house.
drop in pay a short visit, often without Laura was shopping near her friend, Lynn, and decided
warning. to drop in and see her.
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drop on visit informally Drop in any time you 're passing.
drop off something or stop a vehicle and let someone get out; David drove his wife, Sue, into town and dropped her
someone to take someone to a place and leave it off in the cinema.
there.
drop off fall asleep (often unintentionally). The baby has just dropped off. John sat in his favourite
armchair and dropped off.
drop off (separable) deliver something; deliver someone (by I can take those letters to the post office. I'll drop them
giving him/her a ride) off as I go home from work. "You don't have to take a
taxi. You live fairly close to me, so I'll be happy to
drop you off."
drop out withdraw from, or stop taking part in Sam dropped out of the race because he felt tired and
(a competition, a social group) ill.
drop out (of) stop attending / leave school or an Paul isn't at the university. He dropped out.
organization
face up to have courage to deal with - especially You have to face up to your responsibilities. You'll
responsibilities have to face up to the fact that you're failing it.
Fall back on (use as a last resort) If the worst comes to the worst, we've got our savings
to fall back on.
Fall for be deceived by - colloquial It was an unlikely story but h e fell for it.
Fall in with fall in love with - colloquial I fell for you the moment I saw you.
fall out to quarrel George and Sam went out for dinner together. The
evening ended badly because they fell out over who
should pay the bill.
Fall out with (quarrel with) Peter has fallen out with his boss.
Fall through (fail to come to completion) The plan fell through at the last minute.
feel like be willing to, want to I don't feel like going to the movies tonight.
feel up to feel strong enough or comfortable Old Mr Smith didn 't feel up to walking all that way. I
enough to do something know the accident was a terrible shock.
fill in add information to a form; to complete The office needs to know your address and phone
(a form) number. Could you fill them in on this form?
fill out complete a form by adding required Of course I completed my application! I filled it out
information and mailed it over three weeks ago!
find out (about) 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.
Fit in Get on in a group of people She doesn't fit in with our group
Have enough time or space for
something
get across make something understood; Alan is really intelligent but sometimes he has
communicate something problems getting his ideas across.
understandably
get along (with) have a friendly relationship (with); be Why can't you and your sister get along? Everyone else
friendly (toward) gets along with her just fine!
get around avoid having to do something Teresa got around the required math classes by doing
well on a math proficiency test.
Get at imply - about personal matters What are you getting at exactly?
Get down make to feel depressed - This cold weather really gets me down.
get in enter a small, closed vehicle I don't know where Carole was going. She just got in
her car and drove away.
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.
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Get on (make progress - especially in life) Sue is getting on very well in her new job.
get on enter a large, closed vehicle I She got on the plane about 20 minutes ago.
Get on with Have a good relationship I get on well with my flat mate, and you?
Continue or start doing something
get out leave a small, closed vehicle You have to get out of the car.
get out of escape having to do something Lisa had a terrible headache and got out of giving her
speech today.
Get over be surprised I couldn 't get over how well she looked.
get round a problem / a difficulty etc. to solve or Dan couldn't move the wardrobe because it was too
avoid a problem heavy. He got round the problem by putting the
wardrobe on a trolley and pushing it.
Get round to find time to do - also around Sorry, but I haven't got round to fixing the tap yet.
get through to contact someone (usually by Jim (phoning his friend Roger): Hello, Roger. I've been
telephone) trying to get through to you for hours! Roger: Sorry,
Jim. I had to make a lot of calls this morning.
get together meet for a social purpose Our family used to get together to celebrate Christmas.
Get up to do something - usually bad when about The children are getting up to something in the garden.
children - colloquial What have you been getting up to lately?
Give away betray His false identity papers gave him away.
give in to stop resisting; to surrender The fight between Tom and Dick stopped when Tom
hurt his hand and had to give in.
Give off send off a smell - liquid or gas The cheese had begun to give off a strange smell.
Give out be exhausted When our money gave out we had to borrow.
give up stop doing something (usually a habit) He knows smoking isn't good for his health, but he
can't give it up.
Go after Chase, try to get They went after the thief and caught him.
Go by use information about something to You can't go by anything she says.
help you make a decision about the
best thing to do
go down to become less swollen The dentist treated his bad tooth and his swollen cheek
soon went down.
go for a person, an animal to attack The dog went for Joe and hurt his arm.
Go in for make a habit of I don’t go in for that kind of thing.
Go off (become bad - food) This milk has gone off.
go off (of explosive to explode or fire; (of alarms or alarm Many people were killed when the bomb went off. The
devices e.g. bombs, guns clocks) to ring suddenly bomb went off.
etc.)
Go on happen - usually negative Something funny is going on.

Do something else after other After shopping I want to go on to have a beer.

go out with (inseparable) have a date with You went out with Sharon last night, didn't you?
go through examine (something) When Ben entered this country, a custom's officer went
through his suitcase.
go with to match or suit (something); look You should buy that shirt. It will go well with your
pleasing together. (Note: for clothes, dark brown suit.
furniture, etc.)
go without not have something that you usually They went without food for four days.
have
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grow out of become too big for My son has grown out of most of his clothes

grow up become an adult, mature He wants to be a pilot when he grows up.

hand in submit homework, an assignment, etc. You know that you have to hand your report in at 8:30
tomorrow morning!
hand out distribute The teacher handed list of assignments out on the first
day of class.
hand over transfer Strange to say, the enemy finally handed over the town
to its inhabitants.
hang about remain walking in the streets of There are lots of men hanging about at street corners
for the pubs to open.
hang on continue to do something "Can you hang on while I change my clothes?"
hang up end a phone conversation by replacing I'd like to talk longer, but I'd better hang up. My sister
the receiver needs to make a call.
have sth back receive sth that sb has borrowed You’ll have your files back after we've checked them
Have someone on deceive (cheat, lie) I don't believe you. You’re having me on.
hold on to wait (especially on the telephone) George phoned his office because he wanted some
information. 'Hold on a minute and I'll get it for you,'
said his assistant.
Hold out (offer - especially with hope) We don't hold out much hope that the price will fall.
hold up (1. separable) raise; lift to a higher-than-normal The winner of the race proudly held his trophy up for
position all to see.
Hold up (2) (use as an example - i.e. a model of Jack was always held up as an example to me.
good behaviour)
hold up (2) a person / a to rob, especially using a weapon (e.g.Earlier today a masked robber with a gun held up the
bank / a vehicle etc. a gun) bank and escaped with a hundred thousand pounds. A
robber held up the bank. A robber held the bank up. A
robber held it up.
join in (sth) to become involved in an activity with She watches the other kids playing but she never joins
other people in.You all seemed to be having such a good time that I
thought I'd join in the fun.
join up if two organizations or groups of The two design companies are planning to join up and
people join up, they start working create a new range of footwear.
together, or they meet in order to go
somewhere or do something together We joined up with another couple from the hotel and
hired a boat for the day. [often + with]
join up to join the army, navy, or air force He joined up as soon as he'd left school.
keep back (sb/sth) or to not go near something, or to prevent Barriers were built to keep back the flood water.
keep (sb/sth) back someone or something from going past
a particular place Once a firework is lit, you should keep well back.
keep back sth or keep sth to not tell someone everything you I suspected she was keeping something back.
back know about a situation or an event that
has happened
keep back sth or keep sth to not use the whole amount of Fry the onions in two-thirds of the butter, keeping back
back something so that there is a small a third for the sauce.
amount to use later
keep back sth or keep sth (mainly British & Australian) to not Your employers will keep back 7% of your salary to
back pay someone all the money you owe pay into your pension.
them so that you can use part of the
money for another purpose
keep (sb/sth) off sth to not go onto an area, or to stop Motorists have been advised to keep off the busy main
someone or something going onto an roads.
area I wish she'd keep her dog off my lawn.
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keep off sth or keep sth to stop something from touching or She wore a hat to keep the sun off.
off (sth/sb) harming something or someone
He'd put a cloth over the plates to keep flies off the
food.
keep (sb) off sth to not eat, drink or use something that I'm keeping off cheese and fatty food generally.
can harm you, or to stop someone from
eating etc. things that can harm them
keep (sb) off sth (mainly British & Australian) to not I tried to keep him off politics because once he starts,
talk about a particular subject, or to there's no stopping him.
stop someone from talking about a
particular subject
keep on doing sth to continue to do something, or to do She kept on asking me questions the whole time.
something again and again I keep on thinking I've seen him before somewhere.

keep on sb or keep sb on to continue to employ someone They got rid of most of the staff but kept one or two
people on.
keep on sb or keep sb on to continue to employ someone They got rid of most of the staff but kept one or two
people on.
keep up to go at the same speed as someone or She was walking so fast that I couldn't keep up with
something that is moving forward, so her. [often + with]
that you stay level with them
keep up to increase or to make progress at the Prices have been rising very fast and wages haven't
same speed as something or someone kept up.
else so that you stay at the same level
as them Because I'm new to the job, I have to work twice as
hard as everyone else just to keep up.
He finds it difficult to keep up with the rest of the
class. [often + with]

keep up (with) to be able to understand or deal with We've received so many orders for our products that
something that is happening or our staff can't keep up. (= can't deal with the orders fast
changing very fast enough)
My Italian friends talk so fast, I simply can't keep up
with what they're saying. [often + with]
knock down sb or knock to hit someone with a vehicle and A nine-year-old boy was knocked down while crossing
sb down injure or kill them the road in Holbeach. [usually passive]

She got knocked down by a motorbike.

knock down sb or knock (mainly American & Australian) to He punched his attacker in the face and knocked him
sb down cause someone to fall to the ground by down.
pushing or hitting them
knock sb out to make someone feel a lot of I've never been so impressed by a performance - it
admiration really knocked me out.
knock out sb or knock sb to make someone become unconscious Those sleeping tablets knocked me out for 15 hours.
out or to make someone fall asleep He was knocked out by a punch in the first round.
Leave in Don’t touch the original or don’t take it Wash your hair but leave the conditioner in.
out
Leave on Not turn off LEAVE the TV ON; I want to hear the football results.
Leave out Not include He was LEFT OUT of the side because he hasn't been
playing too well lately.
let down sb or let sb to disappoint someone by failing to do I promised to go to the party with Jane, and I can't let
down what you agreed to do or what you her down.
were expected to do Many farmers feel the government has let them down
badly in the negotiations.
let down sb/sth or let to make someone or something The film has a good script but is let down by poor
sb/sth down unsuccessful by failing to achieve a acting.
good enough standard Becker said that he had lost the match because his
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forehand had let him down.

let in sb/sth or let sb/sth to allow a person or animal to enter a I knocked on the door and Michelle let me in.
in room or building, usually by opening
the door for them
let off sb or let sb off to not punish someone who has I'll let you off this time, but I don't ever want to catch
committed a crime or done something you stealing again.
wrong, or to not punish someone She thought she would be sent to prison, but the judge
severely let her off with (= gave her) a £1000 fine. [often +
with]
The police only gave him a warning - he was let off
lightly. (= he was given a less serious punishment than
he deserved)
let out sb/sth or let sb/sth to allow a person or animal to leave I stopped the car to let Susie out.
out somewhere, especially by opening a Rosie lets her hamster out of its cage every night.
locked or closed door [often + of]
He was let out after serving just two years of his four-
year prison sentence.
let me through. let me pass "I am a hopeless driver, but the examiner let me
through."
live on sth to have a particular amount of money He and his family live on £70 a week.
in order to buy the things you need I had to take an evening job because we didn't have
enough money to live on.
live on sth to only eat a particular type of food Martin lived on peanut butter sandwiches while we
were staying in New York.
live through sth to experience a difficult situation or My grandparents lived through two world wars.
event He had lived through a horrible ordeal with great
courage.
live up to sth if someone or something lives up to Did the trip live up to your expectations?
people's expectations or a particular He's striving to live up to his reputation as a world-
standard, they are as good as they were class athlete.
expected to be
Lock up Close all doors, windows, etc. She LOCKED UP after everyone had left and went
home.
Lock up Put in prison or a mental hospital They LOCKED him UP for burglary.
look after sb/sth to take care of someone or something Do you think you could look after the cat while we're
by doing what is needed to keep them away?
well or in good condition If you look after your clothes, they last a lot longer.
Don't worry about Jenny, she can look after herself.
look at sth to read something quickly and not very Would you mind looking at my report before I submit
carefully it?
look at sth to consider a subject carefully in order We need to look carefully at the advantages and
to make a decision about it disadvantages of the new system.
We are looking at all the options.
look at sth if an expert [e.g. doctor] looks at Did you ask the doctor to look at your knee?
something, they examine it and decide We'll have to get a plumber to look at the central
how to deal with it heating.
look at sth to consider something in a particular I suppose if I'd been a mother, I might have looked at
way things differently.
He's either being very foolish or very brave, depending
on the way you look at it.
Look back on to think about or remember something It wasn't such a bad experience when I look back on it.
that happened in the past Old people often look back on over their lives.
look for sth/sb to try to find something or someone, Have you seen my gloves? I've been looking for them
either because you have lost them or all week.
because you need them I was looking for Andy. Do you know where he is?
How long have you been looking for a job?
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look forward to sth / to feel pleased and excited about We're really looking forward to seeing Andy again.
doing sth something that is going to happen I'm not looking forward to Christmas this year.
look in to visit a person for a short time, I thought I might look in on Sally when I'm in York.
usually when you are on your way [often + on]
somewhere else Can you look in on the kids before you go to bed and
make sure they're alright?
look into sth to investigate or discover and examine Police are reported to be looking into the case.
the facts about a problem or situation We're looking into the possibility of merging the two
departments.
look on to watch an activity or event without Demonstrators tore down the statue as police calmly
becoming involved in it or watch looked on.
something like a crime without helping The crowd looked on in disbelief as the player walked
off the pitch. [often + in]
The crowd just looked on as the old lady was mugged.
look out Be careful LOOK OUT; you're going to drop that!
look out for sb/sth to carefully watch the people or things Remember to look out for Anna - she said she'd be
around you so that you will notice a there.
particular person or thing Can you look out for a present for Ed while you're out
shopping?
look over Inspect or to quickly examine They came to LOOK the house OVER with a view to
something or someone buying it.
I had a few minutes before the meeting to look over
what he'd written.
look through sth to carefully examine the contents of I've looked through her drawers but I can't find the
something or a collection of things in letter.
order to find something Why don't you look through these files and see if the
document's there?
look through sth to read something quickly and not very Could you look through these figures and see if I've
carefully made any obvious errors?
look up if a situation is looking up, it is Things are looking up now you've got your promotion.
improving [usually in continuous tenses]
look up Consult a reference work (dictionary, I didn't know the correct spelling so I had to look it up
phonebook, etc.) for a specific piece of in the dictionary
information
look up to sb to respect and admire someone Kate has always looked up to her father.
make for Head in a certain direction We made for home when it started raining.
make for sth to cause a particular result or situation Poor service does not make for satisfied customers.
Ironically, food rationing made for a healthier
population.
make up sth or make sth to say or write something that is not I'd made up some story about having to go home to see
up true [e.g. excuse, report, story] in order my sick mother.
to deceive someone Can't you make up an excuse?
make up to invent something [e.g. story, game] Sometimes I'll read her a story from a book and
sometimes I'll make one up.
make up Put on cosmetics She went to the bathroom to make her face up.
make up for sth to replace something that has been lost, This year's good harvest will make up for last year's
or to provide something good in order bad one.
to make a bad situation better He seems to be making up for an empty childhood by
surrounding himself with expensive possessions.
mix up Confuse I always mix those two sisters up because they look so
like each other.
mix up Make something lively The DJ mixed up the night with some hard techno.
mix up to combine different substances And the next thing you do is you put the chocolate,
together, especially food, so that they butter and egg in a bowl and mix them all up.
become one substance
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move in, move into sth to begin living in a new house or area They've made a lot of alterations to the house since
they moved in.
Some friends of mine have just moved into our street.
move in, move into sth become involved in a particular In 1984, Renault moved into the executive car market.
business for the first time The drugs trade increased rapidly during the 1960s and
London gangsters soon moved in.
move out stop living in a particular house She wants to move out and find a place on her own.
move out stop being involved in a particular The company has decided to move out of the
business electronics business due to increased competition.
[often + of]
move out if a vehicle moves out, it moves to the As I moved out to overtake the truck, I suddenly saw a
right or left side of the road, usually in car coming towards me at high speed.
order to go past another vehicle
own up confess or admit that you have done Someone obviously broke the machine but no-one will
something wrong, especially something own up to it. [often + to]
that is not important to Come on, own up! Who's been using my mug?
pass away die She passed away peacefully in her sleep.
I've lived on my own since my husband passed away
five years ago.
pass away if a period of time passes away, it stops The great age of coal mining in the region has long
existing since passed away.
pass off Convince something that something is I managed to pass off the fake money in the
real market.
pass off Happen in a certain way The demonstration passed off peacefully
pass out become unconscious, faint It was so hot in the stadium that I thought I was
going to pass out.
He came back drunk from Gav's party and passed
out on the sofa.
pass out Distribute The protesters passed out leaflets to the growing
crowd
pay back Repay money borrowed I paid back the twenty pounds I'd borrowed.
pay back Take revenge on I'm going to pay him back for that insult
pay in sth or pay sth put money into a bank account I still haven't paid that cheque in.
in, pay sth into sth I've just got to pay some money into my account
pay off if something that you have done to I was pleased to hear about your job offer - all that
try to achieve something pays off, it hard work has obviously paid off.
is successful
pay off Completely repay a debt The mortgage will be paid off in twenty-five
years.
pay up informal give someone the money that you If he doesn't pay up, I'll throw him out. It's as
owe them, especially when you do simple as that.
not want to That's fifty bucks you owe me. Come on, pay up!
[often an order]
pay up sth or pay sth to pay all the money that you owe We've finally paid the mortgage up.
up American for something
pick out Choose She picked out the ones she wanted to take and left
the rest.
pick out recognize a person or thing from a A witness picked out the attacker from police
group of people or things photos.
See if you can pick out the drawing that Joe did.

Pick up Improve Sales PICKED UP a bit during the Christmas

period.
 12
Pick up Learn quickly She PICKED UP Spanish in six months.

Pick up Collect While you're in town, can you PICK UP my

trousers from the Dry Cleaner?
Pick up Receive (a broadcast) When we rent a holiday cottage in Cornwall, we
can't PICK UP Channel 5.
Pick up collect (a person) Can you PICK me UP and take me to The George
when you go to the party?
point out Make someone aware of something He POINTED OUT that I only had two weeks to
or interested in…. get the whole thing finished.
point out make a person notice someone or If you see her you must point her out to me. [often
something, usually by telling them + to]
where they are or by holding up one I'd made one or two mistakes that she pointed out
of your fingers towards them to me.
Pull down Demolish They PULLED the old cinema DOWN to build a
new shopping mall.
Pull down Make someone depressed Losing her job PULLED her DOWN.
Pull down Earn He's PULLING DOWN a fortune.
pull in When a train arrives at a station The train PULLED IN and we rushed to meet her
as she got off
pull in Attract Their last tour PULLED IN millions of fans.
pull in Stop a car by the side of the road I PULLED IN to let the passengers out
pull in arrest or take someone to a police The police PULLED them IN after the trouble.
station for questioning
Pull off Manage to do something difficult or No-one thought that she would be able to do it, but
tricky she PULLED it OFF in the end.
Pull off if a vehicle pulls off, it starts I watched as the car pulled off and sped up the
moving road.
Pull out Start moving (train) The train was PULLING OUT when I got there.
Pull out Move into traffic The traffic was so bad that it took me ages to
PULL OUT.
Pull out Withdraw (stop being involved in The project was going badly and they decided to
an activity or agreement) PULL OUT
Pull out Remove soldiers from an area If we pull our troops out now, we are admitting
defeat.
Pull up Slow and stop a car often for a short A car pulled up next to the church and two men
time got out.
Pull up Inform someone that they are wrongHe PULLED me UP because I had got my facts
wrong.
She pulled me up on my use of the term 'mankind'
instead of 'humankind'. [often + on]
put aside sth or put sth to ignore a problem or a The opposition parties have finally put aside their
aside disagreement so that you can differences and formed an alliance.
achieve something
put aside sth or put sth to keep something so that you can Pour half of the milk into the mixture and put the
aside use it later rest aside for the sauce.
put aside sth or put sth to save money for a particular She puts aside £100 a month for clothes.
aside purpose
Put away Put something back in the correct He PUT the dictionary BACK on the shelf after
place he'd finished the crossword.
 13
Put away Put someone in prison The judge PUT him AWAY for ten years for
robbery.
put by sth or put sth save an amount of money in order If you put a little by every week, it soon adds up.
by to use it later
Put down Kill an animal because it's old, ill, He had his dog PUT DOWN because it was in a
etc. lot of pain from its tumours.
Put down Stop holding (but withdraw support PUT the gun DOWN slowly and keep your hands
gently) where I can see them.
put down sb or put sb make someone feel stupid or Why do you have to put me down in front of
down unimportant by criticizing them everyone like that?
You put yourself down too much. [sometimes
reflexive]
put down sth or put to pay part of the total cost of Have you got enough money to put a deposit down
sth down something on a house?
put down sth or put write something If anyone wants to go to the seminar on Friday
sth down afternoon, could they put their name down on this
list, please?
Put off Postpone The concert's been PUT OFF until next month
because the singer's got a throat infection
Put off Stop liking something or somebody I was really PUT OFF by the way he eats with his
mouth open.
What put me off him was the way he only talked
about himself.
Put on Get fat He's PUT ON a lot of weight since he gave up
smoking
Put on Deceive, lie (pretend to have a I am not PUTTING you ON.
particular feeling, or to behave in a I don't think he's really upset - he's just putting it
way which is not real or natural for on.
you) Anna often puts on a funny voice when she
answers the phone.
Put on Start wearing I PUT my coat ON before we went out.
Put on give someone the telephone so that Can you put Wendy on?
they can speak to the person who is When she felt herself beginning to cry, she put
on it Laurie on the phone
put out sth or put sth to make a light stop shining by I'm rather tired - shall we put the light out?
out pressing a switch Could you put that torch out?
put out sth or put sth to make something that is burning You'd better put your cigarette out.
out [e.g. fire, cigarette] stop burning Ben grabbed the fire extinguisher and put the fire
out.
put out sth or put sth to put something in a place where Did you put clean towels out for the guests?
out people will notice it so that they can I thought I'd put out some food for people to have
use it if they want to with their drinks.
put out sth or put sth to produce information [e.g. Earlier in the day the palace had put out a
out statement, warning, press release] statement denying the rumour.
and make it available for everyone Police have put out a warning to people living in
to read or hear the area.
put out sth or put sth to put something outside the house, I must remember to put the rubbish out on
out especially so that it can be collected Wednesday night in time for the collection.
Did you put the cat out last night?
put out sth or put sth to produce or publish something for The sort of books that they put out are never likely
out the public to buy or use to be best-sellers.
put out sth or put sth to broadcast a programme or film Most of the films that they put out on the movie
out on television or radio channel you wouldn't even want to watch.
 14
put out sth or put sth to injure a part of your body [e.g. Careful how you lift those boxes or you'll put your
out back, shoulder] by making a bone back out.
move from its usual place
Put through Connect someone by phone Could you PUT me THROUGH to extension 259
please.
put sth/sb through sth to test something or someone in We put all new models of car through a rigorous
order to see if they can do what they series of tests.
should be able to do
Put up Allow someone to stay at your She PUT me UP for the night because I'd missed
house for a night or a few days. the last bus and there were no night buses running.
Put up Increase prices, taxes, duties, etc. The government has PUT tuition fees for
undergraduate students UP again.
put up sth or put sth to build a structure [e.g. wall, Most of the old buildings were pulled down so that
up building, statue] blocks of apartments could be put up.
They're putting up a statue in town in his honour.
put up sth or put sth to stick or fasten a piece of paper They put staff notices up on the board near
up [e.g. notice, poster] to a wall so that reception.
it can be seen This room looks very bare - I might put up one or
two posters.
put up sth or put sth to fasten a piece of furniture [e.g. I might ask Guy to put some shelves up in the
up shelves, cupboard] to a wall lounge.
put up sth or put sth to spread something that is folded Are you any good at putting tents up?
up or rolled up [e.g. tent, umbrella] so I'll just put my umbrella up.
that it is ready to be used
put up with Tolerate I can't PUT UP WITH my neighbour's noise any
longer; it's driving me mad
Ring off Finish a phone conversation Dave RANG OFF guiltily when he saw his boss
coming.
Ring up Telephone Helen RANG me UP earlier.
rub out Delete ink or pencil with an eraser He RUBBED OUT the figure and wrote the
correct one in
rub out Kill The gangsters RUBBED him OUT for stealing
from them.
run away with sb secretly leave a place with someone She ran away with him when she was just
in order to live with them or marry seventeen
them, especially when other people
think this is wrong
run away with if something [e.g. emotions, It's important when you're making a speech not to
imagination, enthusiasm] runs away let your emotions run away with you.
with someone, it makes them do or Sometimes my imagination runs away with me
think stupid things and I convince myself they're having an affair.
Run down Hit a pedestrian with a vehicle The minicab RAN him DOWN on the zebra
crossing.
Run down Lose energy or power You should only recharge the battery when it has
fully RUN DOWN.
Run down Criticise, disparage They're always RUNNING me DOWN and I am
sick and tired of it.
Run into Cost The project has RUN INTO millions of dollars
without any prospect of a return on this
investment.
Run into Meet by accident I RAN INTO James in a bar in the City on Friday.
run out of Have none left We've RUN OUT OF sugar; I'm going to the
 15
shops for some.
Run over Explain quickly Could you RUN OVER that point again; I'm afraid
I didn't quite understand it.
Run over Hit with a vehicle. The driver couldn't stop in time and RAN the fox
OVER when it ran in front of his car.
Run over Exceed a time limit The meeting RAN OVER by twenty minutes.
see about sth to deal with something, or to It's getting late - I'd better see about dinner.
arrange for something to be done You should see about getting your hair cut.
See off Chase somebody or something A cat came into the back garden but the dog soon
away SAW it OFF.
See off Go to the airport, station, etc., to sayI went to the station to SEE them OFF.
goodbye to someone
See through Continue with something to the end Example: They had a lot of difficulties in
implementing the project, but the team SAW it
THROUGH successfully.
See through Realise someone is lying or being The police quickly SAW THROUGH her disguise
deceitful and arrested her.
see to sth/sb to deal with something that needs The cats need feeding twice a day, but Paula's
doing or to help someone who seeing to that.
needs your help Please see to it that no one enters without
identification.
Send for Ask someone to come and help I had to SEND FOR a plumber because the
radiator was leaking.
send for sb to send someone a message asking Do you think we should send for the doctor?
them to come to see you I was really worried when my boss sent for me.
send for sb Ask someone to come and help I had to SEND FOR a plumber because the
radiator was leaking.
send out sth or send send something to a lot of different How many invitations are you sending out?
sth out people at the same time Electricity bills are sent out every three months.
send out sth or send produce light, a sound, or a signal The torch sends out a powerful beam of light.
sth out The ship's crew sent out a distress call.
send out sth or send if a plant sends out something [e.g. This plant sends out long roots and so it needs to
sth out roots, shoots], it grows be planted in deep soil.
set back sb/sth or set to make something happen more A war would inevitably set back the process of
sb/sth back slowly, or to make something reform.
happen later than it should happen We've had a couple of staff leave so that's set us
back a few months.
The completion date for the project has been set
back by a few weeks
Set back Cost The car repairs SET me BACK eight hundred
pounds
set in if something unpleasant sets in, it This rain looks as if it has set in for the rest of the
begins and seems likely to continue day.
It was when I realised how many people I was
speaking to that the panic set in.
set in Change season noticeably Winter has SET IN; it's started snowing
set off start a journey What time are you setting off tomorrow morning?
I'm just about to set off for the station. [often +
for]
set off Explode a bomb Terrorists SET OFF a car bomb in the city centre
last night. Fortunately, no-one was hurt or killed.
 16
set off Ring an alarm The smoke SET the fire alarm OFF.
set out start a journey (synonym of set off) It was quite sunny when we set out.
They said they'd set out at about 7 o'clock, so they
should be here soon.
set out start an activity, especially when She'd set out with the aim of becoming the
you have already decided what you youngest ever winner of the championship. [often
want to achieve + with]
Like so many young people before them, they set
out to change the world. [often + to do sth]
Set up Prepare equipment, software, etc., The technician SET UP the computer network
for use perfectly.
Set up Start a company They SET UP a dot com company, floated it a
couple of years later on the Stock Exchange and
made an absolute fortune.
Show off Behave in a way so as to attract The children were SHOWING OFF and irritated
attention me.
Show off Display something you are proud of He wanted to SHOW OFF his new sound system.
Show off Make the qualities of another thing The shirt really SHOWED OFF his new tie.
more apparent
show up Attend something or arrive Very few SHOWED UP at the meeting
somewhere
show up Become clear or apparent The downturn in sales SHOWED UP in the
company's accounts.
show up Make someone feel embarrassed or He SHOWED us UP when he arrived drunk and
ashamed started arguing.
stand by Support someone He STOOD BY her throughout the trial as he
believed her to be innocent.
stand by Be ready and waiting for something The emergency services were STANDING BY
to happen waiting for the plane to land.
Stand for Accept or tolerate behaviour I'm not going to STAND FOR their rudeness any
longer.
Stand for The words represented by certain WHAT do the letters BBC STAND FOR?
initials 'British Broadcasting Corporation.'
Stand in for Substitute someone temporarily She had to STAND IN FOR the editor while he
was on holiday.
Stand out Be extraordinary and different She STOOD OUT from the crowd in selection and
was offered the job.
Stand up for Defend, support He's the kind of manager who will always STAND
UP FOR his staff.
stand up to sth be strong enough not to be damaged We need a carpet that will stand up to everyday
by something use.
This type of plant stands up to the most severe
winter weather.
stand up to sth Keep your principles when Example: She STOOD UP TO the police when
challenged by an authority they tried to corrupt her.
Stay in remain at home, especially in the I think I'm going to stay in tonight and have a
evening quiet one.
stay out not come home at night, or to come I've got to be up early in the morning so I don't
home late want to stay out too late.
stay out if workers who are on strike not The miners are prepared to stay out until their
working because of an argument demands are met.
with their employer stay out, they
 17
continue to refuse to work
Stick out Be easily noticed He's so much better than the others that he
STICKS OUT
Stick out Extend part of your body He STUCK his tongue OUT at me.

Stick out Continue doing something difficult I STUCK it OUT even though I hated every
or unpleasant minute of it.
stop off visit a place for a short time when We could stop off in Paris for a couple of days
you are going somewhere else before heading south. [often + in]
I'll stop off at the supermarket on the way home
and get some wine. [often + at]
stop over stop somewhere for a period of time We stopped over in Los Angeles for two nights on
when you are on a long journey the way to New Zealand.
switch on (sth) or turn on an electrical device [e.g. He switched on the bedside lamp and sat up.
switch (sth) on light, radio] or an engine by using a The heating switches on automatically at 6 am.
switch Could you switch the TV on?
switch off (sth) or turn off an electrical device [e.g. Could you switch that light off?
switch (sth) off light, radio] or an engine by using a The heating switches off automatically at 9 pm.
switch Don't forget to switch off before you leave.
switch off stop giving your attention to When he starts going on about his emotional
something or someone problems I just switch off.
Most people in stressful jobs find it difficult to
switch off when they come home.
take away Remove The police TOOK the protestors AWAY.
A waiter came to take our plates away.
he report claims that large supermarkets are taking
business away from small shops.
Take back Make someone nostalgic That song always TAKES me BACK to when I
was at university.
Take back Retract a statement, admit that I had to TAKE BACK everything bad I'd said
something was wrong about them when I learned how they'd helped out.
Take in Absorb information : The lecture was rather boring and I didn't TAKE
IN much of what the lecturer said.
Take in Deceive She TOOK me IN with her story until someone
told me the truth.
Take in Make clothes smaller The jacket was far too big around the shoulders, so
I had it TAKEN IN so that I could wear it.
Take in Assume care or support The family TOOK IN the three homeless kittens
Take off Make great progress The software house really TOOK OFF when they
produced the latest version of their DTP package
Take off Reduce the price of an item They've TAKEN ten percent OFF designer frames
for glasses
Take off When a plane departs or leaves the The flight for Dublin TOOK OFF on time.
ground
Take off Remove clothes you are wearing It was hot, so I TOOK my jacket OFF.
Take off spend time away from your work I'm taking Friday off to get one or two things done
around the house.
He needs to take some time off and get some rest.
Take on Allow passengers on a ship or plane The plane stopped at Zurich to TAKE ON some
passengers.
Take on Assume a responsibility She TOOK ON the task of indexing the book
 18
Take on Employ The council has had to TAKE ON twenty extra
employees to handle their increased workload
take on sth begin to have a particular quality Her voice took on a troubled tone.
Words take on new meanings all the time.
take on sb or take sb compete against someone or fight I might take you on at tennis some time.
on someone The government took on the unions and won.
Take over Assume control of a company or The bank was TAKEN OVER by a Hong Kong
organization bank that needed to buy a bank to get into the
British market.
Take over become more successful or France has taken over from Spain as Europe's
powerful than something or favourite holiday destination. [usually + from]
someone else that is involved in the
same type of activity
take to sb/sth start to like someone or something I really took to him - I thought he was lovely.
I tried cycling to work for a while but I didn't take
to it.
Take to Make a habit of something He's TAKEN TO wearing a baseball cap since his
hair started thinning more noticeably.
take up sth or take sth start doing a particular job or He's taken up golf in his spare time.
up activity Have you ever thought of taking up acting?
take up sth or take sth use a particular amount of time, This desk takes up too much room.
up space or effort I'll be quick, I don't want to take up too much of
your time.
take up sth or take sth remove something that is fixed to a We're going to take up these carpets and lay some
up surface [e.g. carpet] different ones.
take up sth or take sth (literary) to lift something and hold Charlotte took up her pen and began to write.
up or carry it
take up sth or take sth discuss something, or to deal with A leading law firm took up his case.
up something I can't give you an answer, you'll have to take the
matter up with your supervisor. [often + with]
take up sth or take sth accept an offer or opportunity to do I think I'll take up Ann's offer to baby-sit.
up something I'm not sure I'm ready to take up the challenge of
motherhood just yet.
take up sth or take sth move to a particular position so that As the crowd grew, riot police took up their
up you are ready to do something positions.
take up sth or take sth continue with an activity that has Ian took up the story where Sue had left off.
up been interrupted
take up sth or take sth shorten a piece of clothing [e.g. Her dress was too long for me so I had to take it
up skirt, trousers] up a couple of inches.
Talk over Discuss :We TALKED OVER the problems in our
relationship, but couldn't sort things out.
Think about have on one's mind, think about "I'm thinking about my friends abroad"
actively
Think of remember: keep in mind for Think of the starving children in India!
attention or consideration Think of calling your mother every day

think out/through sth think carefully about something you He obviously hadn't thought it out properly.
or think sth are planning to do and to consider It sounds like a good idea but we need to spend
out/through the possible results of it some time thinking it through.
think over Consider something carefully I've THOUGHT it OVER and have made up my
mind; I'm going to take the job in Leeds.
throw away sth or get rid of something because you do I'm going to throw away those magazines if you've
throw sth away not want or need it any more finished reading them.
 19
Discard something when no longer These potatoes are past their best - I'd better throw
needed them away.
Throw out Get rid of I THREW OUT all my old clothes to make some
space in my wardrobe.
Throw out Dislocate Edward slipped on the ice and THREW OUT his
shoulder.
Try on Put clothes on to see if they fit I TRIED the jacket ON before I bought it.
Try it on (Br & Aust.) if someone tries it on, they behave The kids often try it on with a new babysitter.
informal badly, especially in order to find out
how badly they can behave before
other people become angry
Try out Test Scientists are TRYING OUT a new drug in the
fight against the disease.
Try out Test something to see if you like it I TRIED OUT the program before I bought it.
or want to buy it
try out American & to compete for a position in a sports Luke's trying out for the college football team.
Australian team or a part in a play by playing [usually + for]
or performing in front of other She once tried out for the lead role in a television
people series.
turn back sth or turn to fold a part of something which She'd turned the sheet back neatly over the
sth back bends easily [esp. pages, sheets] so blanket, like they do in hotels.
that it covers another part
turn back (sb) or turn to return to the place that you came We ran out of money halfway across America and
(sb) back from, or to make someone do this had to turn back.
Boatloads of refugees are being turned back before
they reach the port.
turn back to change your plans Once we've committed ourselves to this, there's no
turning back. [usually negative]
Turn down Reduce volume, temperature, etc. The room was too hot, so she TURNED the
heating DOWN.
Turn down Reject an offer, invitation, etc. They offered her the job, but she TURNED it
DOWN.
Look, I'm offering you a free meal - you're surely
not going to turn me down?
turn (sth/sb) into to change and become something or There are fears that this minor conflict could turn
sth/sb someone different, or to make into a full-scale war.
something or someone do this They're going to turn the old warehouse into a
nightclub.
Tadpoles TURN INTO frogs.
turn off (sth) leave the road you are travelling on You need to turn off at the next exit.
and travel along another one We turned off the motorway and drove to a nearby
garage
turn off sth or turn sth touch a switch so that a machine or Turn off all the lights before you leave.
off a piece of electrical equipment stops We turned the water off at the mains when the
working, or to stop the flow or pipes burst.
supply of something Can you turn the TV off before you go to bed?
turn off sb or turn sb make someone decide that they are Bad teaching can turn children off poetry for life.
off (sth) not interested in something The title of the lecture was enough to turn most
people off.
Turn on Cause someone to feel attraction or He really TURNS me ON.
pleasure / make someone feel
sexually excited Aftershave really turns me on.
 20
Turn on Start a machine I TURNED the radio ON to get the weather
forecast.
Turn on Attack The neighbour's dog TURNED ON me when I
tried to stroke it.
Turn out Produce The factory TURNS OUT three thousand units a
day.
Turn out Produce an unexpected result It looked as if we were going to fail, but it
TURNED OUT well in the end.
Turn out Stop a light She TURNED OUT the lights and went to bed.
Turn out Attend Thousand TURNED OUT for the demonstration.
turn over (sb/sth) or move so that you are facing in a Surely you're not going to just turn over and go to
turn (sb/sth) over different direction, especially when sleep?
you are lying down, or or to move Turn the postcard over and read what it says on the
someone or something in this way back.
turn over sb or turn sb take a criminal to the police or other A convicted terrorist was eventually turned over to
over authority the police, twelve hours after he had taken refuge
in the Swiss Embassy. [usually + to]
turn over sth or turn give something to someone, All documents are to be turned over to the court.
sth over especially someone in authority, or [usually + to]
to make someone responsible for He had intended to turn the business over to his
something son when he retired.
Turn up Appear She didn't TURN UP for class today.
Turn up Increase volume, temperature, etc. I TURNED the music UP full blast.
Turn up discover something, especially Police have failed to turn up any new evidence
information, after a lot of searching about the murder.
Turn up shorten a piece of clothing [esp. My legs are so short I've had to take up every pair
trousers], by folding back and of trousers I've ever bought.
sewing the bottom edge of the
material
Wash up Clean everything used to prepare The children WASHED UP after lunch.
food and eat it
Wash up When something in the sea or river After the crash, several bodies WASHED UP on
is left on the shore or bank the beach
Wash up Wash face and hands Be sure you and the kids WASH UP before dinner.
Watch out Be careful (imperative) Watch out- there's ice on the road.
watch out for sth be careful to notice something, Drivers were told to watch out for black ice on the
especially something that might road.
cause you problems Vegetarians should watch out for animal fat in
biscuits.
Wear off Stop having an effect The anaesthetic WORE OFF and my tooth started
hurting
Wear out Use something until it stops She played the video so many times that she
working WORE the tape OUT.
wear out sb or wear sb make someone very tired Looking after six small children is enough to wear
out anyone out.
wipe off sth or wipe sth reduce the value of something [e.g. The news has wiped nearly a third off the value of
off (sth) British & shares, prices] by a particular the company's shares.
Australian amount
Wipe out Make someone very tired Revising for the exam last night WIPED me OUT.
 21
Wipe out Kill all of a population, make A meteor crashing into the planet WIPED the
extinct dinosaurs OUT.
Wipe out remove information stored on part A sudden power cut wiped out my hard disk.
of a computer [esp. memory, hard
disk]
wipe up sth or wipe sth remove a substance, usually a Can you wipe up that mess on the kitchen floor?
up liquid, with a cloth
wipe up (sth) or wipe dry washed plates and dishes with a If you wash, I'll wipe up.
(sth) up British & cloth Could you wipe up the dishes?
Australian
work out sth or work do a calculation to get an answer to Can you work out the total cost of the trip?
sth out a mathematical question
work out sth or work understand something or to find the We couldn't work out why they looked so guilty.
sth out answer to something by thinking [often + question word]
about it I couldn't WORK OUT all the answers to the
crossword puzzle.
work out sth or work think carefully about how you are We need to work out how we can fix it to the wall.
sth out going to do something and to make [often + question word]
a plan or decision Negotiators are trying to work out a peace
settlement.
work out sth or work continue to do your job until the endHe has a three month notice period to work out.
sth out of a fixed period of time
work up sth or work gradually produce something I can't work up much enthusiasm for this trip.
sth up With the wind behind us we managed to work up
some speed
Let's go for a walk to work up an appetite. (= to
make ourselves hungry)
work up sth or work produce or improve a piece of The commission has promised to work up
sth up writing proposals by the end of the year.
I'm hoping to work these notes up into a longer
article. [often + into]
work up sth or work develop an area of activity, I'm hoping to work up the language teaching side
sth up especially part of a business of our business.
write down sth or write something on a piece of paper I wrote down his phone number on a scrap of
write sth down so that you do not forget it paper.
He told me his address but I forgot to write it
down.
write in write a letter to an organization The presenter invited students to write in with
ideas for raising money
Write off sth or write accept that an amount of money The World Bank is being urged to write off debts
sth off [esp. debt, investment] has been lost from developing countries.
or will never be paid
Write off sth or write damage a vehicle so badly that it That's the second car he's written off since he's
sth off cannot be repaired been driving.
Write up Make complete written version I WROTE UP the report and submitted it

Get at
Meaning: Criticise
Example: His boss is always GETTING AT him for arriving late.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
 22
Phrasal Verb: Get at
Meaning: Mean
Example: What do you think she's GETTING AT? I've no idea what she wants.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
Phrasal Verb: Get at
Meaning: Be able to reach, find, access
Example: It's on the top shelf and I can't GET AT it.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
Phrasal Verb: Get at
Meaning: Use threats, payments, bribes, etc, to affect someone's testimony or
decision
Example: The gangsters GOT AT the jury, who found them not guilty of all charges
despite the evidence presented in court.
Notes:

thttp://www.usingenglish.com/reference/phrasal-verbs/g.html

http://dictionaries.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=look.for*1+0&dict=P