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PHRASALVERBFUN

PeterGray

SecondEdition,EnlargedandRevised

Telegram:@IELTSMatters Instagram:@IELTS_Matters

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https://tlgrm.in/ieltsmatters

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Nopartofthisbookmaybereproduced,scanned,ordistributedinanyprintedorelectronicformwithoutpermission.Pleasedonotparticipateinorencouragepiracyofcopyrightedmaterialsinviolationoftheauthor'srights.Thisbookischeap.Ifyoustealit,whatdoesthatmakeyou?Copyright2014©PeterGrayForthesecondedition,Iwanttothankthreepeopleinparticularwhohelpedme.NoniLu,maytherebenoendtoourfriendship,JoséSierra,whonowknowswhensomethingisbrokenornotquiteright.andMªJesusSeguraforbeingsuchafantasticfriend.

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HowtoUseThisBookMostpeoplethinkthatphrasalverbs,verbswithmorethanoneword,arehardtolearn.Asstudentswearegivenlistsandlistsofthemtomemorise,andweusuallyfindthewholethingboring,complicated,andreallyhardtoremember.Ihavebeenteachingformanyyearsandthisisthenumberonecomplaintofmystudents.Thisbookisdifferent.Therearenolistsandthereisnothingtomemorise.Instead,thereareover600littlestories,oneforeachverb.Thefactisthatphrasalverbsarenotalogicalsystem,designedbysomemaniacafewcenturiesago.No.Therearesimplysomethingthatgrewupnaturally.Mostnativesdon'tevenknowtheexpressionphrasalverbs.Weneverlearnthematschool.Weknowthedifferencebetweenchoppingdownatreeandthenchoppingitup.Wealsoknowthatwhenabuildingburnsdown,itisthesameaswhenitburnsup.Neitherdoweeverconfuseputupyourcousinwithputupwithhim.WhenIwasthinkingaboutthisbook,Iquicklydiscoveredthattheverbsfellintogroups,andthattheupofdrinkuphadacompletelydifferentmeaningfromtheupofgiveup.SoIgroupedtheseverbstogetherintheparticleindex.Youmightliketogotherefirst.Isuggestthatyoustartanywhereyoulikeinthisbook,andthenjumpaboutatrandomforabouttenminutes.Don'ttrytomemorise,don'ttrytolearn.Justplaywithit.Youmayliketosaythevarioussentencesaloud.Youmayliketopretendtobeastarandspeakinfrontofyourbathroommirrortoanadoringcrowd.Beanactor.Foolaround.Havefunwithit.Thennextday,anothertenminutes.Ifyoudothiseveryday,Imoney-backguaranteethatinabouttendaysyouwillknowmoreaboutphrasalverbsthan99%ofallnon-nativeteacherswhoteachEnglishforaliving.Ialsopromiseyouthatyouwillhavefundoingit..




TableofContentsPhrasalVerbStructureask...back...bang...bank...be...bear...beat...blow...boil...bottle...break...bring...brush...burn...call...calm...carry...catch...chat...check...cheer...close...come...count...

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cross...cut...deal...die...do...dress...drink...dry...end...face...fall...feel...figure...fill...find...fit...fix...follow...get...give...go...grow...hand...hang...have...hold...join...




keep...knock...know...lay...leave...let...lie...live...look...make...mix...move...name...own...pass...pick...play...point...pull...push...put...rule...run...see...sell...send...set...

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settle...show...shut...sign...sink...sit...sort...speak...split...stand...start...stay...step...stick...take...talk...tell...think...throw...try...turn...use...watch...wear...work...ParticleIndex




PhrasalVerbStructurePhrasalverbsareverbswithmorethanoneword.Therearefourcategories-fromthepointofviewofstructure-andyoumustbeclearwhichcategoryeachverbbelongsto.1.Two-wordverbwithoutanobject,sometimescalledintransitiveverbs(becausetheactionisnot'transmitted'toanobject).ForexampleEverymorning,Igetup.(Noobject.Nobodyelseisinvolved.)Noproblem.BacktoTableofContents2a.Inseparabletwo-wordverbThismeansthatnothingcangobetweenthetwowords.Thathorribledogjustturnedonme.(Itsuddenlyattackedme.)Thisisnotaproblemifyoulearnthisverbasturnonme,turnonyou,turnonhim,andsoon.BacktoTableofContents2b.Separabletwo-wordverbThiscanbealittlemoredifficult.Iftheobjectisshort,likeapronoun(youremember,wordslikeI,me,him,us)itMUSTcomebetweenthetwowordsoftheverb.Ifnot,youhaveachoice.ForexampleIturnedonthetelevision.Iturnedthetelevisionon.Iturnediton.(Nowwecanwatchit.)Thiscanbeaproblem.Soyouhavetorememberitasturniton.BacktoTableofContents3.Three-wordverbsarealmostalwaysinseparable.Idon'tknowhowyouputupwithhim.Heissorudeallthetime.Noproblem.Butthereisasmallgroupofthree-wordverbswhichhaveanobjectgetitoverwithputitdowntotakeitupwithBacktoTableofContents

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VerbIndex

askaskaboutaskafteraskaroundaskoutbebeabouttobeforbeinforbeonforbeupforbeintobeoffbeoverberoundbetobeuptobackbackdownbackoffbackoutbackupbang




bangonbangonaboutbangupbankbankonbearbeardownbeardownonbearoutbearupbearupunderbearwithbeatbeatupboilboildowntoblowblowawayblowoutblowoverblowupbottlebottleoutbreak

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breakawaybreakdownbreakin,breakintobreakoffbreakout,breakoutofbreakoutinbreakthroughbreakupbreakupwithbringbringaboutbringdownbringoffbringoutbringroundbringupbrushbrushoffbrushupburnburndownburnoutburnupcallcallafter




callbycallforcalloffcalloutcallout(callsboutonsth)callroundcalltocallupcalmcalmdowncarrygetcarriedawaycarryoffcarryoncarryonwithcarryoutcatchcatchoncatchontocatchoutcatchupcatchupwithchatchatupcheer

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cheerupcheckcheckincheckoutcheckuponcloseclosedowncomecomeaboutcomeacrosscomeacrosssomethingcomeacrosswithcomeaftercomeapartcomeatcomebetweencomebycomebysomethingcomedowntocomedownwithcomeforwardcomeinforcomeintocomeoffcomeoncomeout




comeoutincomeoutwithcomeroundcometo,comeroundtocomeundercomeupagainstcomeuptocomeupwithcountcountdowncountin(countmein)countoncrosscrossoutcutcutbackcutbackoncutdowncutdownoncutincutoffcutoutcutupdealdealin

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dealoutdealwithdiedieawaydiedowndieoffdieoutdodoawaywithdoindoupdowith(Icoulddowiththat)dowithoutdressdressupdrinkdrinkupdropdropbackdropbydropin,dropinondropoffdropoutdroprounddry




dryoutdryupendendupfacefaceuptofallfallaboutfallapartfallawayfallbackfallbackonfallbehindfallbehindwithfalldownfallforfallinfallinwithfallofffallonfallout,falloutwithfalloverfallthroughfallunderfeel

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feeldownfeeluptofigurefigureoutfillfillin,filloutfillupfindfindoutfitfitinfixfixupfollowfollowthroughfollowupgetgetabout,getaroundgetacrossgetaheadgetalonggetaroundgetatgetawaywith




getbackatgetbackintogetbehindgetbygetdowntogetintogetoffgetoffongetoffwithgetongetoutgetoutof(whatdoyougetoutofit?)getovergetoveritgetitovergetitoverwithgetroundgetroundtogetthroughgetthrough,getthroughtogetupgivegiveawaygiveingiveoffgiveout

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giveupgivesomebodyupgivewaygogoaftergoatgoaheadgoawaygobackongodown(well)godownwithgoforgoinforgoinwithgooffgoongoonaboutgoonforgooutgooutwithgoovergothroughgothroughwithgoundergoupagainstgowith




gowithoutgrowgrowapartgrowoutofgrowuphandhanddownhandouthandoverhanghangonhanguphavehaveon(havemeon)holdholdagainstholddown(ajob)holdonholdout,holdoutforholdupjoinjoininjoinupkeep

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keepaheadkeepatkeepinwithkeepoffkeeponkeeponaboutkeepoutkeepup,keepupwithknockknockaboutknockoffknockoutknowknowaboutknowoflaylayofflayoutleaveleaveoutletletdownletofflie




liedownlieinliveliveitdownliveofflivetogetherliveitupliveuptolivewithlooklookaboutlookafterlookaheadlookaroundlookbacklookbackatlookbackonlookbacktolookdownonlookforlookforwardtolookintolookoutlookoutforlookoverlookround

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lookthroughlookuplookuptomakemakeformakeoutmakeupmakeituptoyoumakeupformakeuptomixmixupmovemoveinmoveoffmoveoutmoveovermovetomoveupnamenameafternameforownownuptopass




passawaypassdownpassforpassoffpassonpassoutpassoverpassuppickpickoffpickonpickoutpickuppickuponplayplayatplaybackplaydownplayuppointpointoutpullpullaheadpullawaypullback

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pulloffpullthroughpushpushaheadpusharoundpushforpushoffputputaboutputacrossputasideputawayputbyputdownputitdowntoputforwardputoffputonputoutputoverputthroughputupputupwithputuponruleruleout




runrunacrossrunawayrundownrunforrunintorunoutrunoutofrunoverrunthroughrunupseeseeaboutseeinseeoffseeoutseeitthroughseethroughitseetosellsellbyselloffselloutsellupsend

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sendbacksenddownsendupsetsetaboutsetaftersetagainstsetasidesetbacksetdownsetforwardsetinsetoffsetonsetout(onajourney)setout(thingsonatable)setupsettlesettleforshowshowoffshowupshutshutupsign




signonsignupsinksinkinsitsitdownsitupsortsortoutsplitsplitawaysplitoffsplitupspeakspeakoutspeakupstartstartoutstartupstandstandbystandfor(publicoffice)standfor(somethingwithmeaning)standinfor

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standoutstandupforstanduptostaystayaheadstayoffstayoutstayupstepstepdownstepuptostickstickatstickbysticktostickupforstickuptostickwithtaketakeaftertakeawaytakebacktakedowntakefortakefrom(takeitfromme)




takeintakeofftakeontakeouttakeovertaketotakeuptakeupwith(takeitupwithhim)talktalkaroundtalkbacktalkdowntotalkovertalkroundtalksomebodyroundtelltelloffthinkthinkaboutthinkbackthinkofthinkoverthinkthroughthinkupthrow

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throwawaythrowoutthrowuptrytryfortryontryoutturnturnaboutturnagainstturnaroundturnawayturndownturninturnin(turnhimin)turnintoturnoffturnonturnon(somebody)turnoutturnoverturnroundturntoturnupuseuseup




watchwatchforwatchoutwatchoutforwatchoverwearwearinwearoutworkworkoffworkonworkoutworkroundto

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ParticleIndex

aboutAbouthasseveralmeanings:oneofthemostcommonmeaningsismovingfromheretotheretosomewhereelse.Forexample;'Veronicaranaboutthevillageallmorning.'meansthatshewentfromhousetoshoptochurchtowho-knows-whereallmorning.Sometimesbutnotalwaysaroundandroundhavethesamemeaning.askabout,askaroundfallaboutgetabout,getaround,getroundknockaboutlookabout,lookaround,lookroundputaboutturnabout,turnaround,turnroundAnothermeaningis'nearhere'inspaceor'almostnow'intime.Forexample-beabouttobringaboutcomeabout

aboutWhatwasthatfilmabout?Whatwasitstheme?seeaboutsetabout

afterUsually,thismeanslaterintimecallaftercomeaftergoafternameaftersetaftertakeafter




_____askafterlookafter

againstAgainstalwayshastheideaof'confrontation'.Itisneverfriendly.Tobeagainstsomethingmeansthatyoudon'tlikeit,thatyoudisagreewithit.comeupagainstgoupagainstholdagainstsetagainstturnagainst

aheadInanyrace,theonewhoiswinning,isahead.Itisthedirectionwhereyouaregoing.getaheadgoaheadkeepaheadlookaheadpullaheadpushaheadstayahead

aroundAroundhastwomainmeanings.Themostcommonmeaningisvaguelymovingfromonedirectiontoanother.Whatdomanypeopledoonholiday?Theywalkaroundthetownwheretheyarestaying.Aboutandroundmeanthesame,andseveralverbshaveallthreeformswhichmeanthesame..Thesecondmeaningofaroundandaboutisapproximate.Howmuchisit?Aboutteneuros.Itisaroundteneuros.askaround,askround,askaboutfallaboutgetaround,getround,getaboutknockabout,knockaround

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lookaround,lookround,lookaboutpusharoundputaround,putabouttalkaround,talkroundturnaround,turnround,turnabout

atAtisstatic.Itmeanstwothingstogether,thesametime.Tobeincontact.Wesitatthetable-thenormalpositionforeatingorworking.Wearriveatasmallplacelikearailwaystation(althoughwearriveinabigplacelikeChina).JackandJillworkatthesameplace,andtheybothfinishworkatsixo'clock.AtisfrequentlymoreaggressivethantoForexample,ifyoushoutatpeople,youarebeingabusive.Butifyoushouttosomebodyacrossthestreet,youaresayinghello.Ifyoutalkorspeakatyourfriends,youarebeingveryboring-talking,talking,talking,andnotlistening.Butifyouspeakortalktothem,thatisnormalconversation.Comparecomeatwithcometoandpointtowithpointatgetatgetbackatgoatkeepatstickat

awayAwaymeansyouneverseeitagainblowawaybreakawaydieawayfallawaygetcarriedawaydoawaywithgetawaygetawaywithgiveawaygoaway




passawaypullawayputawayrunawaysplitawaytakeawaythrowawayturnawayAlthough,putawayisnotalwayspermanent

backBack,afteraverb,nearlyalwayshasthesenseof'return'cutbackfallbackongetbackatgetbackintogobackgobackonlookbacklookbackatlookbackonlookbacktoplaybackpullbacksendbacktakebacktalkbackthinkback

backSometimes,backmeanstheoppositeofforwarddropbackfallbacksetback

by

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Inspace,byhasthegeneralideaof'nextto'or'closeto'callbycomebydropbygetbyputbystandbystickby

byByintimemeans'atorbefore'Thecourtcaseison12thJune.Allthepapershavetobesubmittedbythatdate.sellby

downThedirectiontowardstheearthisdown.Byextension,itcanmeanadepressingorsadmood,orevenjusttheendofeuphoria.Itmeanslessintensityandwithaseriesofnumbersitmeansinthedirectionbacktozero.beardownbeardownonbringdownburndowncalmdownclosedowncomedownwithcountdowncutdowndiedownfeeldowngodown(well)godownwithletdownliedownliveitdownplaydown




rundownsetdownsitdowntakedownturndown

downDownalsohasasocialmeaning.Itmeanssomethinglike'sociallyinferior'.Snobs,peoplewhothinktheyaresuperior,areverysensitivetothis.backdownlookdownonputdownsenddownstepdown

downDownisreal,hereandnow.Upistheworldoffantasyandimagination.'Downtoearth'isacommonwayofsayingthis.Theopposite,adreamer,is'upintheclouds'.calmdowncomedowntobreakdowngetdowntoholddown

downOftenweimagineacalendarthathasthepastwrittenatthetopandthenitgoesdowntothepresentday.handdownpassdown

downDownalsohasthemeaningof'reduce'boildownto

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breakitdowncutdown

forForisoftenapurpose.Itisthereasonwhyyoudosomething.beforbeinforbeonforbeupforcallforgoforgoinforlookforlookoutformakeupforpushforrunforstandforstandupfortryforwatchforwatchoutfor

forForcansometimesindicatethatonethingorpersoncanbeinsteadof,orintheplaceof,asecondone.nameforpassforsettleforstandinfortakefor

forIdiditforyou.Ididitforyourbenefit.Theoppositeofagainst.standupforstickupfor




forwardThedirectioninwhichwearegoing(mostofthetime)isforward.comeforwardlookforwardtoputforwardsetforward

inStaticordynamic,inusuallymeanswhatthedictionarysays.Thatmeansyoucan'bein'aroomandyouarenotmoving.Youcanalso'goin'thebathroom.beinforbreakinbreakoutincheckincomeintocount(somebody)incutindealindropindropinonfallinfallinwithfillinfitingiveingoinforgoinwithjoininkeepinwithlieinmoveinseeinsinkintakeinturnin

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turnsbin

inIncanalsomeanaroundhere,now-theoppositeofouttheresetin

offOffoftenhasthesenseofbeingawayfromthetarget,theintention,whatisright,separation.Somethingnotright.beoffbreakoffcalloffcutofffalloffgiveoffgooff(likebadfood)gooff(somebodyorsomething)knockofflayoffletoffliveoffpassoffputoffselloffshowoffsplitofftelloff

offOffcansometimesmean'awayfromhere'backoffbeoff(startingajourney)carryoffgetoffwithgooff(onajourney)moveoff




seeoffsetoff(onajourney)

offOffcanalsomeanachangeofstateorpositionbringoffcomeoffgooff(likeoldmilk)pickoffpulloffpushoffsetoff(afirework)takeoff(fromanairport)

offOffisalsotheoppositeofon,oritcanbeamoveawayfromanonposition.dropoffgetoff,getoffonkeepoffstayoffturnoff(thecomputer)workoff(allthatfatthatwasONyou)

onOn,'ontopof',literallymeansthepositionabovesomethingthattouchesthatthing.Mydinnerisontheplate.Theplateisonthetable.beardownonputonsignontryonTherecanbesomethingsolidandstableabouton.countontakeonworkon

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Andsometimesthiswordimpliessomethingaggressive.fallonpickonsetonturnon(somebody)

onWeoftenuseontomean'continue'bangoncarryoncarryonwithgeton('Howareyougettingon?')goongoonforhangonholdonkeeponkeeponaboutpassontakeon

onOnistheoppositeofoffbeonforturnon(thecomputer)

outOutistheoppositeofin.Itcanalsomean'goingfrominside'outintheworld.askoutbackoutbreakout(disease)breakoutinbringoutcalloutcallsboutonsth




comeoutcomeoutincomeoutwithcutoutdropoutfindoutgetoutgetoutof(Whatdoyougetoutofit?)gooutwithmoveoutpickoutrunout,runoutofsetoutspeakoutstandoutstayoutthrowouttryoutworkout

outOutcanmean'extent','awayfromhere''notherebuteverywhere'bottleoutdryoutfilloutgiveouthandoutlayoutlookoutpassoutpointoutsetoutstartoutwatchoutwatchoutfor

out

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Outcanbethefinalresult,theconclusion,theend.bearoutcarryoutcatchoutdieoutfigureoutknockoutseeoutsortoutturnoutwearoutworkout(aproblem)

outAnothermeaningistoexcludecrossoutdealoutleaveoutruleout

outOutiswhenafirestopsburning.Wefeelcoldthen,justaswedowhenwegooutside.Ithasthesenseof'nomore'.blowoutburnoutcrossoutgooutputoutruleout

outWithyourchestoutinprideholdout

over




Overoftenmeans'fromonesidetotheother'getoverhandovermoveoverpassoverputovertalkoverthinkoverturnover

overOvercanhavethesenseof'finished','complete'or'wedon'thavetothinkaboutitanymore'beoverblowovergetoveritgetitoverwith

overOversometimesmeansseeingthingsfromaboveorfromadistance.Youdealwiththebigpicturebutnotthedetails.Inotherwords,youcanseetheforestbutnotthetrees.Itcanbetheoppositeofunder.gooverlookovertakeoverwatchover

roundRoundmeansthesameasaroundandaboutinthesenseofhereandthereandeverywhere.askround,askaround,askaboutberoundcomerounddroproundgetround,getaround,getaboutgetroundhim

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lookround,lookaround,lookabouttalksomebodyroundturnaround,turnround,turnaboutButnoticethatrounddoesnotmeanapproximate.

throughThroughmeansmovementfromoutsideofsomething,intoit,andthenoutsideitagain.Atraingoesthroughatunnel.Lightgoesthroughthestained-glasswindow.Thepilgrimswentthroughthedark,darkwood.ButWegooverabridge,oracrossariver.breakthroughfallthroughfollowthroughgetthroughitgetthrough,getthroughtogothroughgothroughwithlookthroughpullthroughputthroughrunthroughsee(it)throughseethrough(it)thinkthrough

toToisoftenmorefriendlythanonorat.turntoIfyoushouttosomebodyacrossthestreet,youaresayinghello,butifyoushoutatthem,youarebeingabusive.Ifyouspeakortalktoyourfriends,thatisnormalconversation,butifyoutalkorspeakatthem,youarebeingveryboring-talking,talking,talking,andnotlistening.Noticethatwelistentopeople,whichispolite,butwelookatthemwhich




maynotbepoliteatall.Comparecometowithcomeat,andpointtowithpointat.

underTheoppositeofovercomeunderfallundergounder

upUpoftenhasthesenseofcompletingorfinishingsomething.beatupbreakupbringup(yourchildren)burnupcheckuponcutupdrinkupdryupendupfillupfollowupgrowupmixupsellupshutupsplitupuseupItcanalsohavetherelatedideaofreachingalimit.bangupcatchup,catchupwithcomeupagainstcomeuptogoupagainstmoveupstepupto

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upThedirectionawayfromearthisup.Itcanalsomeanincreasingintensity.beuptobearupblowupbringup(yourfood)faceuptogetuplookuppickuppickuponplayupputupputupwithrunupsetupshowupshow(somebody)upsitupspeakupstandupforstanduptostickupforstickuptotakeupthinkupthrowupturnupturnup(themusic)

upThisupisthedirectionofHeavenandauthority.Thisisnotupinthescientificphysicalsense.callupgiveupgivesomebodyupjoinup




ownuptopassupsignuptakeitupwith

upThisupissocial,andmeanshighsocialclass.lookuptomakeupto

upUpisahigherstandardthanbeforebrushupdoupdressupfixupliveuptomakeupmakeupfor

upUpistheworldoffantasyandimagination,offeelingbetter.Downisreal,hereandnow.chatupcheerupfeeluptoliveitupstartup

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Verbs

ask(ask,asked,asked)Whenyouuseyourvoicetofindoutnewinformation.Youaskquestions.Youaskpeoplequestions.Onceyouaskedyourmother,'Whyistheskyblue?'

askabout,askaroundMaybeyouwanttoknowwhichrestaurantinyourtownisthebestforacelebration,soyouaskallyourfriends.Youaskaroundallyourfriends.Youaskaround.Askabouthasthesamemeaning.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.BUTtoaskaboutsomethingmeanssomethingdifferent.MrsOmicronaskedmeaboutmynewjob.DidIlikeit?

askafterInthemorningIsawJenny.Iaskedher,'Howisyoursister,Jenny?'Iaskedafterhersister.Thisafterissimilartolookafter.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

askoutWhenyouasksomebodyout,itisromantic.Itmeansthatyouhopetogooutwiththem.'Philomena,wouldyouliketocomeandplaybingowithmeonThursdaynight?Wecouldhaveabeerafterwards.'PeregrinehasjustaskedPhilomenaout.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

back(back,backed,backed)




Yourbackisthepartofthebodythatisawayfromthedirectionyounormallymove.It'sthesameforacaroratrain.Itis,ofcourse,themostdangerousplaceanattackcancomefrom.Theverbtobackhastwomainsenses.Tomoveintheoppositedirectionfromnormal,ortohelpprotectsomeoneelsefromanattackfromhisback,toaddyourforcestotheirs.Whenasponsororaninvestorgivesyoumoneysoyoucankeeponwithyourwork,theyarebackingyou.

backdownDownisthesociallybadplacetobe.(Thinkoflookdownonorputdown)Whensomeonebacksdownfromaconfrontation,hehaslost.Hedidnothaveenoughcouragetodominate.Hesubmittedtothestrengthoftheother.NoHollywoodHeroeverbacksdown.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

backoffYouaregoingforawalkinthejunglewhensuddenlyyouseealargesnakeonthepath.Whatdoyoudo?Youbackoff.Yougobackthewayyoucame.Youretreat.Thisoffmeans'awayfromhere'.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

backoutThisoutmeans'comingfrominside'outintheworld.Literally,youcanbackyourcaroutofyourgarage.So,byextension,youcanbackoutofasituation.LongShotCorporationwasabouttomakeagoodofferfortheForgetMeNotCompany,buttheybackedoutatthelastminute.Theydecidednottogoaheadwithit.Noticethatunlikebackdownorbackoffthereisnosenseofdangerorfearhere.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

backupWhenyoubacksomethingorsomebodyup,youarereinforcingthemandmakingthemstronger.Whenyoubackupyourfriend,youarehelpinghim

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againsthisenemies.Whenyoubackupwhathesays,youaregivingmoreevidencethatwhathesaysistrue.Andwhenyoubackupthefilesinyourcomputer,youaremakingextracopiesincaseofdisaster.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

bang(bang,banged,banged)Thisisnotusuallyaverbonitsown.Abangisanyloudsuddennoise.

bangon,bangonaboutThisisanimpolitewayofdescribingsomebodywhoistalking,talking,talkingaboutsomethingsoboringthatyoustoppedlisteningalongago.Thisonmeans'continue'likegoonorcarryon.'Oh,dear,'saidSpoiledSuzy.'Thatwasmydadonthephone.Heisalwaysbangingonaboutmebeinglatehomeatnight.'BANGONTwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblemBANGONABOUTThree-wordverbNoproblem.

bangupIhaven'thadtheexperiencemyself,butIhaveheardthatyouneverforgetthebangoftheprisongatewhenitclosesbehindyouasyougoin.Upoftenmeanstheend.Whenyouarebangedupyouarenotgoinganywhereforalongtime.Usuallythisispassive.CharlietheCokerwasbangedupforfifteenyears.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

bank(bank,banked,banked)Notusuallyaverb,butsometimeswesay,'Youcanbankit.'meaning'Youcanputitinthebank.'

bankonIntheolddays,weusedtothinkthatbanksweresafeplacesforourmoney.'Youcanbankonit.'meansthatsomethingisassecureasyour




moneyinabank.'WillHenriettacometoworktomorrow?''Yes.Youcanbankonit.'It'ssure.Itiscertain.Henriettawilldefinitelybecomingtoworktomorrow.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

bear(bear,bore,born.Liketear,tore,tornandwear,wore,worn)Literallybearmeanstosupport.Aload-bearingwallisawallinabuildingthattakestheweight.Ifyouknockoutaload-bearingwall,thebuildingwillcollapse.Acomponentinamachinecouldbeastress-bearingcomponent.Itisdesignedtobestrongenoughtobearthestress.Sometimeswhenthehorriblemusicgoesontoolong,wesay,'Ican'tbearit.'

beardown,beardownonAloadbearingdownonyoucouldbeagreatweightofworry.Anythingthatfeelsheavythatyoucannotavoid,suchasalargedebt,couldbeardownonyou.Thison,ofcourse,meansontopof.Thedebtisontopofyou.BEARDOWNInseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.BEARDOWNONThree-wordverbNoproblem.

bearoutThefactsdon'tbearoutyourstory.Inotherwords,youstoryisnotsupportedbyanyfacts.Thisoutmeanstheconclusion.Weconcludethattheevidencedoesn'tbearoutyourstory,thereforeyou'relyingtothecourt.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

bearup,bearupunder'Howareyoutoday?''Bearingup.'Thismeansthatourfriendhasproblemsbearingdownonhim,butheisstillstandingtall.Heisbearingup.Heisbearingupunderthestrain.

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BEARUPTwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.BEARUPUNDERThree-wordverbNoproblem.

bearwithIknowIamtalkingtoomuch,butIhavesomethingimportanttosay.Havealittlepatience,bestrong,bearwithme.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

beThemostirregularverbintheEnglishlanguage.InthepresentIamyouareheissheisitisweareyouaretheyareItistheonlyverbwithmorethanoneforminthepastIwasyouwerehewasshewasitwaswewereyouweretheywereThepastparticipleisbeen

beabouttoMrsCornellwasabouttosigntheagreement,whenherlawyerrushedintotheroom,andstoppedherjustintime.Inafewsecondsshewouldhavemadeanexpensivemistake.Abouthasseveralmeanings.Oneofthesemeaningsisnearherein




space,oralmostnowintime.So,ifIamabouttobuyyouadrink,itmeansthatIamgoingtobuyyouthatdrinkintheverynearfuture.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

befor,beinfor,beonfor,beupforOneofthecommonestmeaningsofforisapurpose.Itisthereasonwhyyoudosomething.Imagineanold-fashionedunionmeetingwheredemocracywasalwayswithashowofhands.Therewereonlytwopossiblepositionsforindustrialaction.Youwereforit,oryouwereagainstit.Youwereinfavourofthestrikeornot.Thatmeans,youwanteditoryoudidnot.Likemusic,languagehasvariationsonatheme.Thereisusuallymorethanonewaytoexpressyourself.I'minforit,meansI'minthegroupofpeoplewhoareforthisaction.Forexample,weareabandofthieves.ShallwerobthebigbanknextFridaywhenithasthemostcash?Yes,wedecide,weareinforit.Wecouldalsosay,Yeswe'reonforit.Therobberyison.Ithasnotbeencalledoff.Yes,wemightsay,we'reupforit.Thishasthesuggestionthatwehavethecouragetosayyes.BEFORisanInseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.BEINFOR,BEONFOR,BEUPFORarethree-wordverbs.Noproblems,either.

beintoJulianhatedtheideaofstudyingCanadianinterest-ratepolicy,buthegraduallygotintoit,andnowhehasbecomeanexpert.Nowheisintoit.Quiterecent,Ithink.Ifsomethingisveryveryinteresting,ifittakesallyourattention,youhavethefeelingthatyouareinsideit,thatitisallaroundyou.Tobeintoanideaoraninterest,ortogetintoit,istobeabsorbedbyit,tobefascinatedbyit.Noticesomethingstrangeaboutthisverb.Into,excepthere,alwaysshowsmovement.Wecangointoaroom,orwecangetintoacar.Thesearemovements.Theytaketime.Thenweareintheroomorthecar.Andwecouldstaythereforever.

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ToBEINTOisonlyusedasanenthusiasm,neverasaphysicalfact.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

beoffTheBaronwasaterribleshot.Hewasalwaysoffthetarget.Heneverhitagrouseallday.Thismilk'soff!(It'snotright.Itsmellsbad.Ithasgoneoff)Weoftenuseofftomeanbeingawayfromthetarget,ortheintention.MrHendrickswantedtobeamillionairebeforehewasthirty.Hewasoffbyfouryears.(Hehadtowaituntilhewasthirty-four.)Theshowisoff.Ithasbeencancelled.(Ithasbeencalledoff.)________Wesometimessayofffor'awayfromhere'.Tobeoff,asin'I'moffnow!'(I'mgoingawaynow)Thisisthesameas'I'mgoingoffnow!''I'msettingoffnow!'isverysimilar,buthasthesuggestionofalongerjourney.Youmightsaythisifyouwereleavingtostartanewjobinanothercountry.And'Beoffwithyou!'iswhatwesaytoachildwhenwewantthemtogoaway.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

beover(1)'I'llbeoverinthemorning'meansalmostexactlythesameas'I'llberoundinthemorning'butitisslightlymorebusiness-like.Itsoundsasthoughthespeakerisonbusiness.TheimageisthatIwillhavesucceededingettingoveralltheobstaclesinthestreetonthewaytoyouroffice.(2)'It'sallovernow,BabyBlue,'sangBobDylan.It'sallfinished.Itwillneverhappenagain.Thisovermeanscomplete,finished,theend.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

beround'I'llberoundinthemorning'meansalmostexactlythesameas'I'llbeoverinthemorning'butitisslightlymorecasual.Asinmanyverbs,roundmeans'approximatelyhere'or'here,butnoturgently'.'Cometomy




house'isdirectandbusinesslike,but'comeroundtomyhouse'isfriendlyandmorerelaxed.Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.

betoWeareattheendofabusinessmeeting,andmanythingshavebeendecided.Charlesistowriteareportforthemanagingdirector,Elenaistorecruitthefivenewpeoplethattheprojectneeds,andthemanagingdirector,MrHarare,istomeeteverybodyelseagaininaweek.Thismeansthateverythinghasbeendecided.MaryistogotoLondononTuesday.(Thisisdefinitelyformalandbusiness-like.ItimpliesthatMaryhasacceptedtheresponsibilityofgoingtoLondon.)Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

beupto'Whatareyouupto?'weaskachild.Itmeansthesameas'Whatareyoudoingrightnow?'Whenalittlechildislyingdown,usuallythereisnoproblem.Butifchildrenareup,thereisabigchancethattheyareuptomischief,thattheyaredoingsomethingthattheyshouldnotbedoing,thattheyarebeingnaughty.So-'Whatareyouupto?'means'Whatareyoudoing?Areyoubeingnaughty?Areyoucausingtrouble?'Three-wordverbNoproblem.

beat(beat,beat,beaten)meanstostrike,tohitorexceedincompetition

beatupAlanwasanaggressiveboywholovedbeatinguphisclassmates.Later,hebecameafootballhooligan.Often,uphasthesenseofcompletingorfinishingajob.Rememberfillupabottle,whichmeans'fillittothetop',drinkupandsoon.Beatingupiswhatsomepeopledotootherpeoplewhentheydon'tlikethem.Theybeatthemsomuchthattheirvictimsdon'teverwanttobe

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beatenagain.Thugsparticularlylikethisverb.Theybeatpeopleupforfun.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

blow(blow,blew,blown)Whatthewinddoes.

blowawayWhenthewindblowssomethingaway,weneverseeitagain.Thisisalsowhathappenswhensomebodygetsmurdered.Weneverseethemagain.Filmstellusthatthisishowgangstersrefertotheirvictims.Theygetblownaway.Thatis,theygetmurdered.Theydisappear.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

blowoutWhenafiredies,itgoesout.Maybeitisbecausewefeelthattheheatofthefirehasgoneoutoftheroom.Whenweextinguishafire,weputitout.It'soutnow,andwefeelthecold,asweoftendowhenwegooutdoors.Andwhenweblow,weblowoutthecandleorthematch.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

blowoverNaomiandherfamilyhadaterriblefightabouthernewfiancé,butit'sallblownovernow.Hehasbeenaccepted.Afterthestorm,thewindsstillmayblowalittle,butthestormhasgone.Ithasblownover.Ithasgoneawayfromoverourheads.Italsohasthesameideaasbeover.Thestormhasfinished,it'sover.Byextension,weusethisforanydisturbance.Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.

blowupThisisanexplosiveverb.Whenyoublowsomethingup,ithasatendencytoflyupintheair.Ifterroristsputabigbombintheroad,theexplosioncanmakethevictim'scarflyalongway.Ifyoublowupabridge,bitsofit




willcomedownminuteslater.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

boil(boil,boiled,boiled)Whenyouboilwater,itturnstosteam.

boildowntoWhenyouboilamixture,alotofthewaterescapesassteam.Sowhatisleftisconcentrated.Lotsandlotsofpeoplespeakinthesameway.TheEx-MinisterforPublicAffairsspokeforfivehoursabouthisobligationtothepeoplewhoelectedhim,hisdutytothecountry,andtotheneedtofollowhisconscience.Whatitboileddowntowasthathewasinnocent.Thisdownhasthesenseofreduction.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

bottle(bottle,bottled,bottled)Aglasscontainerthatcancontainwater,wineorCoca-cola.Tobottlesomethingmeanstoputitinabottle.Ifyoubottleyourcropofpeachesthisyear,youputtheminbottlesforthewinter.

bottleoutBottlesoftenhavebeer.Beeroftenmeanscourage.Outmeansawayfromhereornotinthestoryanymore.Soifsomeonebottlesout,itmeanstheyhavelosttheircourage.Damonthoughtthattheblondinthecornerwasstunning,andhewantedtotalktohermorethananythingelseintheworld.Buthebottledout.Heneversaidaword,sohewenthomealoneandsad.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

break(break,broke,broken)

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Thebasicmeaningofbreakistodestroysomethingrigid.Youbreakabranchorapieceofchocolatebybendingituntilitsnapsintotwopieces.Youbreakafridgebydroppingitfivefloors.

breakawayAwaymeansseparate.Imaginealargeflockofbirdsflyingsouthforthewinter.Asmallgroupmaysuddenlychangedirection.Itwillbreakawayfromtheflock.Inseveralcountries,therearesmallerregionsthathavetheirowndistinctiveculture.Sometimestheywanttobreakawayfromthemaincountry.Splitawaymeansalmostexactlythesame.Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.

breakdownThebeeriswarm,Isabel,becausethefridgehasbrokendown.Somethingbigandmechanical,whenitbreaks,oftenjustsitsthereanddoesn'tmove.Acar,forinstance,isdownontheroad,useless.It'sbrokendown.Youmustcallforthebreak-downtrucktocomeandtakeitaway.Byextension;Talksbetweenthepoliticalpartiesoftheprovincehavebrokendown.Theyarenotspeakingtoeachothernow.Wealsousethisphraseforahumanwhentheirmindsbreakunderthestrainofliving.Wesaythattheyarehavinganervousbreakdown.Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.

breakitdown'Salesare€123,456,789fortheyear.Couldyoubreakitdownintodepartments?Whatdideachdepartmentsell?'Tobreaksomethingdownmeans'tobreaksomethingintocomponents'.Usuallyanidea,oranumber.Andreasaysthatshehatesmathsatschool.It'salwaystoocomplicatedandtheteacherdoesn'tbreakitdownintosimplepieces.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

breakin,breakinto,breakout,break




outofAburglar-akindofthiefwhoenters(goesin)buildingsbybreakingwindowsordoors-'earns'hislivingbybreakingin.Hebreaksintopeople'shousesandstealswhathecanfind.InEnglishlawthisisknownas'breakingandentering'.Ifheisunlucky,hewillfindhimselfinaprison.Aprisonisdesignedtobeverydifficulttobreakoutof.Itisvery,very,veryunlikelythathewilleverbreakout.Alfred,whoplayshisguitareverynightinthestreet,istryingtobreakintothemusicbusiness.Armandohaswrittenabrilliantnewscreenplay.HeexpectsthatthiswillhelphimbreakintoHollywood.(TheyfeelasifthemusicbusinessandHollywoodareprotectedplacesorcastles.)PoorPaulisboredstiffwithhislife.Heisboredwithhisjob,withhishome,andwithhisfriends.Hewantstobreakoutofhisroutine.(Hefeelsitasaprison,andhewantstobreakoutofit.)AlsoDiseasesbreakoutwhenthereisasuddenepidemic.(ThediseaseBREAKSOUTOFitshidingplace.)Wealsosaythattherehasbeenan'outbreak'.BREAKIN,BREAKOUTTwo-wordverbswithoutanobject.Noproblem.BREAKINTOisanInseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.BREAKOUTOFisathree-wordverbNoproblemeither.

breakoffDoyoulikechocolatebars?Ido.Couldyoubreakapieceoffforme?Whydon'tyoubreakoffapieceforyourfriend?Nowwecanshareit.Thankyou.Weoftenuseofftomeanseparation.Forexample,cutoff.Byextension-YoungStevewasverysadwhenSuebrokeofftheengagement.Hethoughtthathewasgoingtomarryher.Butshechangedhermind.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

breakoutinImagineyourbodyhasaninfectionorsomeotherkindofillnessinside.

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Soonerorlateritcouldbreakoutofyourbodyinunlovelyspotsorboils.Youhavebrokenoutinboils.Wealsosayofthesamehorror,'Henryhasjustcomeoutinhorribleboils.'Comparethistowhenadiseasecanbreakout.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

breakthroughPresidentdeGaullesaid,'Everygreatmanbecamegreatbybreakingthroughhislimitations.'Breakthroughanimaginedbarriertofreedom.Webreakthroughourfearsorourlaziness.Everyimportantscientificdiscoveryiscalledabreak-through.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

breakupManyyearsago,anoldsailingshipwaswreckedontheserocks.Itbrokeupintotinysplinters.Therewasnopiecelargerthanyourhand.Inaphrasalverb,upoftenmeans'completely'.Firstthewoodcuttercutsdownatree,andthenhecutsitupintologs.'fillupaglass'means'fillittothetop'.Here,breakupmeans'breakcompletely,intopieces'.Byextension;Itwasanuglycrowd,throwingbottlesandstoneseverywhere,butatlastthepolicebrokeitup.(Therewasnocrowdleft.Itceasedtoexist.Thepeopleinitwentawayindifferentdirections.)'It'saterribleline.Ican'thearanythingyousay.Thesignalisallbrokenup.'Whatweallsaysometimesonthephone.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

breakupwithWhenalovingrelationshipisfinished,itisover.Thereisnothingleft.Ithasbrokenup.DerekandRowenahavebrokenup,theirrelationshipisnomore.DerekhasbrokenupwithRowena,hesays.Rowenasaystheopposite.Shebrokeupwithhim.Three-wordverbNoproblem.




bring(bring,brought,brought)Thebasicmeaningofbringis'takeorcarrysomethingtowardsme'.Forexample,youcouldbesittinghappilywatchingtheTV,feelingverylazy,andyoudecidethatyouwantabeerfromthefridge.So,naturally,youshoutatloveofyourlifewhoisinthekitchen,'Darling.Bringmeabeer.'

bringaboutGeorge'scaraccidentbroughtaboutmanydisturbancesinthelifeofhisfamily.Abouthastwoorthreemeanings.Oneofthesemeaningsis'nearhere'inspace,or'almostnow'intime.Tobringsomethingaboutmeanstobringsomething(new)about(here).Itmeanstocreate.Ifyoulikephilosophy,youmightsaythatyoubringsomethingfromtheUnknowntohere.Youbringitabout,whichmeans'makesomethinghappen'.Comparethistocomeaboutwhichmeans'tohappen'.IntheUnitedStates,MartinLutherKingbroughtaboutgreatchangesinhowblackandwhitepeoplesaweachother.ComparethiswithAfterMartinLutherKing,greatchangesinracialpoliticscameabout.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

bringdownThedirectiontowardstheearthisdown.Byextension,itcanmeanadepressingorsadmood.Stevebringsmedown.Stevedepressesme.Hemakesmeunhappy.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

bringoffWefrequentlyuseofftomeanachangeofstateorposition(likegooff,setoff,ortakeoff).Whenyoubringsomethingoff,youbringitaway.Byextension,whenyoubringoffaproject,youalsoleaveit.Whydoyou

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leaveaproject?Becauseyouhavecompletedit.Becauseitisfinished.Whenyoubringoffaproject,itisasuccess.Always.ComparethiswithcarryoffandpulloffAlso,aprojectcancomeoff.Theyallmeanthesame.MaryPoppyusuallyplaysromanticcomedies,buteveryonethoughtshebroughtitoffverywellastheevilmanipulativewifeofapsychopathickiller.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

bringoutTheDeadBeastshavejustbroughtoutanewshow.ThrogmortonUniversityPresshasbroughtoutanewanthologyofMedievalFinnishpoetry.Soldierssaythatbeingunderfirewillbringoutthebestandtheworstqualitiesinaman.IntheMiddleAges,duringtheplagues,thetownundertakerswouldgoaroundthehousesshouting,'Bringoutyourdead!Bringoutyourdead!'Nowthingsarealittlehappier,andbringoutmeanspublish(booksandsoon),release(records,music,filmsandsoftware),orreveal(yourcharacter).Youbringthesethingsoutintotheworld.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

bringroundROUNDinmanyverbsmeans'approximatelyhere'or'here,butnoturgently'Forexample,'gotothepub'isdirect,but'goroundtothepub'ismorerelaxed.I'mcallingafriendwhoiscomingroundtomyhousethisevening.Sheasksme,'ShallIbringroundanicebottleofwine?'ItellherIhaveplentyofwineathome.Butthereisanotherwayweusethisverb.PoorHerbertisshockedbytheviolenceontheTVandhehasfainted.Marybringshimroundwitharagdippedinfloorcleaner.Heisconsciousnow.Inasense,heisherenow.Comparethiswithcomeround.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.




bringupTherearetwocommonmeaningsofBRINGUP.Remember,upoftenhasthemeaningof'complete'or'finished'.Fillupmeans'filluntilfull'andgrowupmeans'finishyourgrowing,orbecomeadult'.Iamgrownup,whichusuallymeansthatmyparentsbroughtmeup.Yourschoolseducateyou,butyourmotherandfatherbringyouup.Theothermeaningisreallyeasytoimagine.Theseawasveryrough,andIvanbroughtuphisbreakfast.Thismeansthatwesawhisbreakfastasecondtime.IfyoutaketheboatfromFrancetoEnglandyouwillseeandhearthisalot.Byextension,itispossibletobringupatopicofconversation,anidea,intothediscussion.Ifyoucancomeupwithanewidea,thishasthesamemeaning.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

brush(brush,brushed,brushed)Whatwedowithabrushtocleansomething.Webrushthefloor,webrushourclothes,andwebrushourteeth.Whenweuseabrushwithpaint,wesaythatwearepainting.

brushoffGeorge'swife,Amethyst,usedtogetveryangrywhenhelosttheirmoneyplayingbingo,buthejustbrusheditoff.Hewasbackplayingthenextday.Whenyoubrushoffabitofdirtfromyourclothes,itisatrivialaction.Itdoesnottakemorethanasecondortwo.Oncedone,itisforgotten.Byextension,tobrushoffanincidentistodismissitastrivial,unimportant.Separabletwo-wordverbCareful.

brushupQuick!Herecomesthemanorwomanofyourdreams!You'veonlygota

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fewseconds!Brushupyourhair,yourclothes!Adjustyourtieifyou'rewearingone.Getmorepresentable!Thisupisahigherstandardthanbefore.Comparethiswithdoup,makeup(yourface).Similarly,ifwearegoingtoFranceinthenextfewdays,wemightwanttobrushupourFrench.Wegetouttheoldphrase-booksandwelistentoafewtracks.Separabletwo-wordverbCareful.

burn(burn,burned/burnt,burned/burnt)Whatfiresdo.

burndownWhenabuildingburnscompletely,itburnsdowntotheground.Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.

burnoutWhenafireisout,ithasstoppedburning.(Theheathasgoneoutfromhere.)Oneday,thesunwillgooutAfireextinguishertriestoputoutafire.Ifyoudon'tputyourcigarettesoutyoucanstartaforestfire.So,whensomethinghasburntout,ithasstoppedburningbecausethereisnofuelleft,thereisnothinglefttoburn.Aburnt-outrocketfallsbacktoearth,usually.Byextension,adynamicmanorwomanwho,afteryearsofhardwork,startstolosetheirambition,issaidtobeburntout.Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.

burnupVerb+upoftenhasthesenseof'completely'.Thinkofgrowup,drinkupandsoon.Sotoburnupmeanstoburncompletely.Confusingly,ifitisabuilding,burnupmeansexactlythesameasburndown.Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.




call(call,called,called)Tocallsomebodyistophonethemortoshoutatthemfromadistance(notnecessarilyangrily)Tocalltosomebodyonlymeansshoutingfromadistance.Tocallsomebodyanameisexactlythesameasnaminghim.

callafterUsually,aftermeanslaterintimePerhapsyouwerecalledafteroneofyourgrandparents.Youhavethesamename,buttheyhaditfirst.Nameafterhasexactlythesamemeaning.Separabletwo-wordverb,butusuallypassive,sonoproblem.

callbyIamtalkingtoMaureenonthephone,andshesays,'Noproblem.I'llcallbyinafewminutesandgiveyoutheplans.'Good.Icanrelax.She'llbeheresoon.Inspace,byhasthegeneralideaof'nextto'or'closeto'.Tocallbymeanstocomebyyourhouseoryouroffice.Tovisityou.comeby,dropby,callround,comeround,anddroproundallmeanthesame.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

callforYoucallforareason.Youcallforsomethingyouwant,youdemandit.WhenIgotoashoptobuygreenpens,theshopownersayshedoesn'thaveany.Whynot?Becausethereisnocallforthem.Thereisnodemand.Ifyousaysomethingalittlerude,andyouoffendsomeone,theymaysay,'There'snocallforthat.'or'Thatwasnotcalledfor.'whichmeansthatyourcontributiontotheconversationwasnotnotappreciated.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

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calloffWeoftenuseofftomeanbeingawayfromtheintention,asinTonight'sshowisoff.(Ithasbeenpostponedorcancelled.)Thetheatre-ownerandthedirectoragreedtocalltheshowoff.(Theypostponedorcancelledit.)Ifyouownanaggressivedog,andhestartstobiteyourbestfriend,youcallitoff.Thatis,youordertheanimaltostopattacking.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

calloutAtapoliticalmeetinginthetownsquare,theleadingcandidatewasveryhappy.Hissupporterswerecallingouthisnameforfifteenminutes.Whenwecalloutintheworld,wecalloutloud.Wemakealotofnoise.Comparethiswithspeakout.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

callsomebodyoutWhenyoucallyourfriendoutonsomething,youarecallingouttotheworldontowhatheorshesaid.Youarechallengingyourfriendtobackuphiswords.Youwantevidence.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

callroundMydaughterisverynervousandhasn'teatenanythingallday,becausehernewboyfriendiscallingroundtoourhousethiseveningtointroducehimself.ROUNDinmanyverbsmeans'approximatelyhere'or'here,butnoturgently'Otherexpressionslikecomeround,dropround,callby,comebyanddropbyhavethesamemeaning.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

calltoIfyoucalltoVladimiracrossthestreet,youarejustshoutingafriendlyhello.




Noticethatonthephonewesaythisdifferently.WecallMatildaonthephone.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

callupIntheolddays,upwasthedirectionofauthority.WhenyouwereCALLEDUP,youwerecalledtodefendtheKingagainsthisenemies.Youjoinedthearmy.Youhadto.Signupandjoinupalsomeanthatyougointhearmy,butsuggestthatyouareavolunteer.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectUsuallypassive.Noproblem.

calm(calm,calmed,calmed)Torelax,totranquilize,tosedate,andsoon.Thisverbisnotoftenusedonitsown.

calmdownTheimagehereisthesea.Acalmseadoesnothavehighwaves,orwindsathighspeed.Thewinddropstoabreeze,andthewavessettleintoalowswell.Theseaiscalm.Withanemotionalperson,whomaybeistooexcitedforhisowngood,itisoftenthetimeforhisfriendstotellhimtocalmdown.Itisalsopossible,ifyouaretherightkindofperson,tocalmsomebodydown.Whenittakesanobject,itisaseparabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

carry(carry,carried,carried)Thebasicideaofcarryistotransportortotakesomethingfromoneplacetoanother.Usuallywecarrysomethingthathassomeweight.Forexample,wecouldtakeapenfromoneroomtoanother,butwewouldcarryasackofwoodthatweighedsomekilos.Sometimes,whatwearecarryingisnotsomuchheavyasimportant.Happymotherscarrybabies.

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Criminalscancarrygunsorillegaldrugs.Thebiggestshipsinthenavyareaircraft-carriers.AbuildingworkermaycarryalotofbricksThegroomcarrieshisbrideintotheirnewhomeforthefirsttime.(Iknowshedoesn'tweighmuch,butthesymbolismdoes.)Byextension,Henryearnsagoodsalaryinhisnewjob,buthehastocarryalotofresponsibility.Lion-tamingisajobthatcarriessomerisks.

getcarriedawayMarystartedcookingalittledinnerforfourpeople,butshegotcarriedaway,sowehadtoinvitethefamilynextdoortohelpuseatitall.Get,youmayremember,oftenhasthesenseofbecome,orforsomethingtohappentoyou.Forexample-gethappy,getstrong,ortogetmarried.Togetcarriedawaymeansthatsomethingorsomeonecarriedyouaway.Intheliteralsense,ofcourse,itwouldmean'kidnapped'or'blownbythewind',butweneveruseitlikethis.Weuseittomean'overcomebyenthusiasmtothepointwhereweloseourjudgement'.Theoriginalidea,centuriesago,wasthatitwasthesoulthatwascarriedaway.NeversendStevetodotheshopping.Healwaysgetscarriedaway,andcomeshomewithlotsofthingswedon'tneed.Fixedexpression.Noproblem.

carryoffOfffrequentlymeansamovementaway(likegooffonajourney,setoff,takeoff).Whenyoucarryoffsomethinglikeaproject,youtakeitaway.Whydoyoutakeitaway?Becauseyouhavecompletedit.Itisfinished.Thereisnothingmoretodo.Itisperfect..Whenyoucarryoffaprojectoraperformance,itisasuccess.Always.LillyLuvveyisacomedian,notaShakespearianactress,butthereviewersallthoughtshecarrieditoffverywellasLadyMcBeth.Comparethiswithbringoffandpulloff.Andalso,ladiesandgentlemen,thisprojectwillcomeoff.Itwillbeasuccess.Theyallmeanthesame.




Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

carryon,carryonwithSergeantHigginscomesintotheroomandallthemenstopeverythinginordertosalutehim.'Carryon!'hesays.Andthemencontinuewiththeirwork.Here,onmeans'continue'(goon,forexample).Youcarryaproject,youtakeresponsibilityforit.Socarryonmeanstocontinuethework.Thedifferencebetweencarryonandgoonisthatcarryonisaninvitationtokeepworking,whilegoonisaninvitationtokeeptalking,ormoving.Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.YoucarryonwithwhatyouweredoingbeforetheinterruptionForexample'Right,men,'saidSergeantHiggins.'Carryonwithyourwork.'Three-wordverbNoproblem.

carryoutMarconisaid.'Anyfoolcanhaveagoodidea,andmanyfoolsdo,buttheartliesincarryingitout.'Thisistheideaofdevelopingsomething,ofproducingsomethingoutintherealworld,outthere.Tocarryoutaprojectmeanstofinishit.Itmeansthatyouhavesomethingtoshow.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

catch(catch,caught,caught)Thebasicideaofcatchistotake,ortocapture,somethingthatismoving.Youcancatchaballflyingthroughtheair.(butnotaballthatislyingontheground)Wewerelate,sowehadtocatchtheafternoontraininsteadofthemorningone.Also,ifweareunluckywecancatchacoldorfluorevensomethingworse.Sometimes,whenwewanttoberudeaboutsomeonewhoisperhapsnotveryquick,wesay,'He'stooslowtocatchacold.'

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catchon,catchontoMrsBallantyne'steenagesonusedtosmokealot,untilonedaywhenhewasswimming,hecaughtontothefactthatthiswasnotagoodidea.Ideascanmovefast.Inordertounderstandanewideayouhavetocatchontoit.Thismeansthatyouhavetocatchitandholdontoit.Oftenwereversethis,anditistheideathatcatcheson.Whenanidea-speciallyafashion-catcheson,itbecomesfashionableandacceptable.WhenMatildalookedattheParisfashionsthatyear,shesaid,'Miniskirtsandfootballboots!No,it'llnevercatchon.'CATCHONisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.CATCHONTOisathree-wordverbNoproblemeither..

catchoutWhenthebatsmanincricketorbaseballhitstheballandafieldercatchestheballbeforeittouchestheground,thenthebatsmanisoutofthegame.Hehasbeencaughtout.SoifOrlandaistellingusastoryaboutwhatshedidyesterday,andwenoticethatadetailisnotright,thenweknowthatsheislying.Shehasbeencaughtout.Wecaughtheroutinalie.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

catchup,catchupwithCarlLewiswasagreatsprinter.Nootherrunnercouldcatchupwithhim.Hewassofast,thatnobodyelsecouldevercatchhimup.(Thesearetwowaysofsayingexactlythesamething.)Remember,upoftenhasthesenseoffinishingsomething.Ifashoplifter-athiefwhostealsfromshops-runsaway,perhapsthestoredetectivewillrunafterhim.Maybeheorsheisagoodrunnerandcatchesupwiththethief.Sohehasthethiefinhishands.Poorcountriesinourworldarehavingbigproblemsincatchingup.Noticethatcatchupandcatchupwithalwaysimplyarace.Atrapper-ahunterwhosetstraps-orthepolicecatchtheirprey.CATCHUPisaseparabletwo-wordverbbutfrequentlydoesnothaveanobject..CATCHUPWITHisathree-wordverbNoproblem.

chat




(chat,chatted,chatted)Totalkinformally.

chatupMarioseesabeautifulstranger,Maria,sohegoesovertohaveahappychatandtomakeherfeelupandhappier.Whatishedoing?Heischattingherup.Hehopestheeveningwillstarttogetevenbetter.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

check(check,checked,checked)Tochecksomethingmeanstoverifyit,toseethatitisacceptable.

checkin,checkoutInusuallymeanswhatthedictionarysays.Thatmeansyoucan'bein'aroomandnotmove.Youcanalso'goin'thebathroom.Youcheckintoahotelortoanairport.Later,whenyouleavethehotel,youcheckout.Youcheckoutofthehotel.Eachtime,ofcourse,documentsarecheckedorexamined.Checkyourbaggagein/checkyourbaggageoutIfyoutravelwithbaggage,youcheckin-asabove-andyoualsocheckyourbaggagein.Whenithasanobject,itisaseparabletwo-wordverbCareful.

checkuponMrsMurgatroydwasnothappyabouttheyoungmanthatherdaughterhadbroughthome.Shehadaprofessionaltocheckuponhim,andfoundthathersuspicionswerewell-founded.Up,asusual,means'complete'.Tocheckuponsomebodyiswhatadetectivedoeswhenhewantsbackgroundinformationaboutaperson-wherehecomesfrom,howmuchmoneyhehas,howmanycrimeshehascommitted,andsoon.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

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cheer(cheer,cheered,cheered)Bothagoodfeeling,andashouttoexpressthatgoodfeeling.Tocheermeanstoshoutveryloudbecauseyouarehappy.Justthinkofthenoisewhenthereisagoalinfootball.

cheerupIfyouhavebeenfeelingdown,ahappyfriendmightwalkbyandsay,'Cheerup!You'renotdeadyet.'Thisupmeansagoodfeeling,ofcourseThisfriendistryingtocheeryouup..Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

close(close,closed,closed)Whenyoucloseadoor,youcan'tgothroughit.Andwhenashoporafactoryisclosed,youcan'tbuythingsthereorworkthere.

closedownWhenabusinessclosesdown,itmeansthatitisnotgoingtoopenagain.'Businessisbad,'saidMrShopp.'Ihavebeenworkinghardandlosingmoneyforthreeyears.Timetocloseitdown.'Thisdownhasthesenseof'backtozero'.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

come(come,came,come)Comeismovementtowardsthespeaker.'Comehere!'means'Movetowardsme.'Sometimes,onthephone(maybebecausewearesopolite),weimaginethingsfromthelistener'sposition.Wesay,'I'llcometoyourhouseinanhour.'

comeaboutAfterherex-husbandwonthelottery,greatchangescameaboutin




Delia’slife.Oneofthemeaningsof'about'is'nearhere'inspace,or'almostnow'intime.Tocomeaboutmeanssomething(new)comesabout(here).Itmeanstobecreated.Ifyoulikephilosophy,youmightsaythatsomethingcomesfromtheUnknowntohere.Itcomesabout.Ithappens.Socomeaboutmeans'tohappen'.Comparethistobringaboutwhichmeans'makesomethinghappen'.'Thecatisinthefridge!Howdidthatcomeabout?Didyouhaveanythingtodowithit?'Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.

comeacrossAlthoughIdidn'tunderstandawordshewassaying,ournewChineseteachercameacrossasareallynicelady.Comeacrossmeansthatsomeinformation,anewideaperhaps,hascomeacrossanimaginarytable.'Somethingcomesacross'meansthat'somethingissuccessfullycommunicated.'Weoftenuseitforanimpression,oranimage.Albertwasontrial,andhewasinbigtrouble.Hismainwitnesswascomingacrossasacompulsiveliar.Comparethiswithgetacross,getover,putacross,andputover.Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.

comeacrossitIwasfeduplastnight,butthenIcameacrossa€100notethatwasblowingaboutinthestreet.Ifeltmuchbetterafterthat.Whenyoucomeacrosssomething,itislyinginyourpath.Itisperhapsinyourway.Youencounterit.Youdiscoveritbychance,byaccident.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

comeacrosswithIhadtoaskmyfatherseventimes,butfinallyhecameacrosswiththemoney.Theimagehereisdifferentfromcomeacross.Youshouldthinkofcominghereacrossariverfullofcrocodileswithanimportantpackage.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

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comeafterJohnwentafterJaneformonths,andfinallyshesaidyes.aftermeanslaterintime.First,theescapedprisonerwasinthewood,andthenthedogswerethere.Thedogswerethereaftertheprisonerwas.Togoaftersomethingmeanstopursueit,tohuntit,tochaseit.Comeafterhasthesameidea,buttowardsme,thespeaker.Janesaid,'Johncameaftermeformonths,sofinallyIhadtosayyes.'Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

comeapartWilliamwasachildwhowasinterestedineverything,includinghisfather'swatch.'Itcameapartinmyhand,Dad.Sorry.'Dad'swatchisnowinpieces.Weusefallapartsimilarly,butformuchbiggerthingslikebuildings,orempires.Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.

comeatWhentheswordsmancameathim,HarrisonFordhadnochoice.Hehadtoshoot.Athasthegeneralsenseofbeing'thesameplace,thesametime'.Itisoftenmoreaggressivethanto.Soifsomebodycomesatme,hecomesrightintomyface.Itsoundshostile,anditis.Itmeanstophysicallyattacksomebody,oftensuddenly.Thedogsofthehousecameathim,soBennytheBurglarhadtoclimbatreeandwaittoberescuedbypoliceinthemorning.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

comebetweenBetweenusuallymeansapointinthemiddleoftwothings.(Manyteachersandbookswilltellyouthatthatistheonlymeaning,andthatyoushoulduse'among'forthreeormorethings.Butifyoulistenandreadcarefullyyouwillfindthatmanypeoplebreakthisrule.)Betweenthedevilandthedeepbluesea.




(Oldsayingthatmeans'betweentwohorriblechoices')Jackcan'tread.Hewantstogotouniversity.It'salongwaybetweenhereandthere.Socomebetweenissimple.Nothingcomesbetweenmeandmyfamily.Notmywork,notmyhobbies,notthetaxman.Nothing.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

comebyIamtalkingtoHildaonthephone,andshesays,'Noproblem.I'llcomebytomorrowandgiveyouyourChristmaspresent.'Good.That'sanotherproblemsolved.Inspace,byhasthegeneralideaof'nextto'or'closeto'.Tocomebymeanstocomeby(yourhouse)orcomeby(youroffice).callround,comeround,dropround,callby,anddropbyallhavethesamemeaning.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

comebysomethingDavewasbeinginterviewedbythepolice.'So,tellusagain.Howexactlydidyoucomebythisring?'Whenwecomebysomething,itmeansthatwediscoverit.And,byextension,wetakeit.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

comedowntoDownisreal,hereandnow.(Andupisfrequentlytheworldoffantasyandimagination.)Whenwecomedowntosomething,usuallyitmeanstogettotheheartofthematter,leavingourfantasiesbehind.MrsSolaris.I'msorrytotellyou,butwhenwecomedowntoit,yoursonisreallylazy.Wecouldalsosay-Whenwegetdowntoit,yoursonisreallylazy.Themeaningisthesame.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

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comedownwithLiterally,ifweareonthegroundfloor,somebodywholivesonthefifthfloorwillcomedowntoseeus.Thedirectiontowardstheearthisdown.Byextension,itcanmeanadepressingorsadmood.Acome-downiswhenwehavebeenhappy,euphoric,orinahighpositionandthenourmoodorsituationchangesfortheworse.IthoughtIhadwonthelotterybutIhadmadeamistakewiththecoupon.Whatacome-down!MrHendersonusedtobeauniversityteacher,butnowhesweepsthestreets.Whatacome-down!Miriamcouldn'tgotoschooltoday.Shehascomedownwithabadcold.Whenwearehealthyweareusuallyhappy.Whenwehaveanillnesswearenot.Wecomedownwithmeasles,forexample.godownwithmeansthesame.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

comeforwardThedirectioninwhichwearegoingisforward.Sometimestherecangreattroubleinacountry,andanewleaderwillemerge.Hewillcomeforwardfromthemassofthepeopletothepodium.Forwardsometimeshasaratherformalsense.Thinkofputforwardasuggestion.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

comeinforWhen'Mary'sMerryMisadventures'openedinLondon,itcameinforalotofbadreviews.Theplayclosedinaweek.Tocomeinistoarrive.IntheolddaysLondonorParisweretheplacestobe.Whenanewplaycameintotown,fashionablepeoplewerealwaysreadytobecritical.Iftheplaywasconsideredbelowstandard,itwouldcomeinforalotofcriticism.Peoplewouldberudeaboutit.Italwayshasanegativesense,asenseofunpleasantness.WheneverHamishgotbadmarksatschool,hewouldcomeinforalotofshoutingathome.Three-wordverbNoproblem.




comeintoGeorgecameintonearlyamilliondollarswhenhisfather'suncledied.Ifyousuddenlyhavealotofmoneyyouareinaverynewexperience.Youcomeintoalotofmoney.Weonlyusethis,however,foraninheritance,neveralottery.Fixedexpression.Noproblem.

comeoffOfffrequentlymeansachangeofstateorposition(likepushofforgetoff).Whenyoucomeoffsomething,youleaveit.Byextension,whenyoucomeoffaproject,youalsoleaveit.Whydoyouleaveaproject?Becauseitisfinished.Whenaprojectcomesoff,itisasuccess.Always.Comparethiswiththestarwhocanbringofftheshow.Orthecon-man(aclevercriminal)whocouldcarryoff‘selling’theEiffelTower.Ibelievehesolditseveraltimes.Theseallmeanthesame.MaryPoppy'sperformanceasLadyMcBethcameoffverywell.Shebroughtitoffverywell.Shecarrieditoffverywell.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

comeonThisisasimpleexpression,oftenusedwithimpatience.Itmeanscometome,orcomewithmeontheway.Thereareotherwaysofsayingthis.Let'sgo!Hurryup!Wedon'thaveallday!Getmoving!Fixedidiomaticexpression.

comeoutFormany,manyyearsbeinggaywasaheavily-guardedsecret.Now,inmostcountries,itisnolongerillegal,butitisstilloftenacauseforshame.Whenahomosexualgathershiscourageandpubliclydeclareswhatheis,wesaythatheorshehascomeout(ofthecloset-asecrethiding-place).

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Sheorhehascomeoutintheopen.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

comeoutinImagineyourbodyhasaninfectionorsomeotherkindofillnessinside.Soonerorlateritcouldcomeoutofyourbodyinunlovelyscabsorboils.Youhavecomeoutinboils.Wecanalsosay,'TheKinghasjustbrokenoutinhorribleboils.'Three-wordverbNoproblem.

comeoutwith'Kathleenisquitemad,youknow.Youshouldhearsomeofthethingsshecomesoutwith.'Agreatgeniuswasonceaskedhowhehadsomanyideas.Hesaidthathehadonlycomeupwithoneideainhislifetime.Butoncetheideaisexpressed,itisoutintheopenforeveryonetosee.Onedayanangryteacherwantedtoknowwhohadpaintedthedoorhandleswithstickypaint.Heshouted,'Whodidit?Comeoutwithit!'Tocomeoutwithsomethingusuallymeanstoconfessit,ortogivesomeotherinformationunexpectedly.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

comeroundThebosshasjustphonedme.Hewasveryniceandheaskedmetocomeroundtohisoffice.NowI'mworried.Hewastoofriendly.Roundinmanyverbsmeans'approximatelyhere'or'here,butnoturgently'Forexample,'cometomyplace'isdirect,but'comeroundtomyplace'ismorerelaxed.callround,dropround,callby,comebyanddropbyallhavethesamemeaning.Butthereisanotherwayweusethisverb.Jillfaintedatherdaughter'swedding,butafewminuteslatershecameround.Sheisconsciousnow.Inasense,sheisherenow.‘Jill’scomeround.’‘Jill’scometo’Thesemeanthesame.




Comparethiswithbringroundsomebodywithasmellofammonia.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

cometo,comeroundtoPoorHenriettaisshockedbytheviolenceontheTVandshehasfainted.Aliceputsaragdippedinfloorcleanerunderhernose.Shecomesto.Sheisconsciousnow.Shehascometohersenses.Wealsosaycomeroundtomeanthesamething.Anotherwayweusethisverbmeans'toarriveat'MrSalesmanwasveryhappy."Iseeyouhavecometotherightdecision,"hesaid.Ifyouwanttosuggestthatthistookalongtime,youmightwanttosay'comeroundtotherightdecision.'COMETOasin‘regainingconsciousness’isatwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectCOMETOwithanobjectisaninseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblemeither.COMEROUNDTOisathree-wordverbNoproblem.

comeunderWhenweclassifythingswetendtoputthemunderdifferentheadings.Normallyatthetopoftheblackboardortheplanningsheetweputthemostgeneralthingsdowntothemostparticularonesatthebottom.Atschool,physics,chemistryandbiologycomeundertheheadingofthesciences,whileEnglish,Frenchandliteraturecomeunderthearts.Wecansayfallundertosaythesamething.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

comeupagainstOften,uphastheideaofreachingalimit,whileagainstalwayshastheideaof'confrontation'Esmeraldawantedtobeapolicewoman,butshecameupagainstthefactthatshewasnottallenough.Soshehadtogiveupherdream.Comeupagainstabarrier,astrongobstacletowhatyouwant.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

comeuptoCowsusuallycomeuptotheelectricfencetograze,toeattheirgrass,

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evenifthereisahugefieldtochoosefrom.Upoftenmeansreachingalimit.Comeuptomeansreachingthelimitbutnotcrossingit.Thereisnotthesenseoffrustrationthatthereiswithcomeupagainst.Theplansforthenewmotorwayloweredthepricesofallthehousesintheneighbourhood.Therewereprotestseverywhere.Nobodywantedtolivenexttothenoiseandthesmell.‘But,’saidmyfather.‘Ifitcomesuptoit,we’llsellthehouseanyway.We’renotgoingtolivenexttothat.’Three-wordverbNoproblem.

comeupwithEinsteinwasonceaskedhowhehadsomanyideas.Hesaidthathehadonlycomeupwithoneideainhislifetime.Sometimesintheolddayswemusthaveimaginedthatourmindslivedinourstomachs.(Rememberbringupinthesenseofvomit.)Well,youcancertainlybringupanewideaintotheconversation.Also,youcancomeupwithanewidea.Itmeansexactlythesame.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

count(count,counted,counted)Whenyoucount,yousay1,2,3....

countdownWhenyoucountdown,youcountbackwards,5,4,3,2,1,0.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

countin,countsomebodyinImaginethatIamtalkingtoafewpeople,andIsuggestthatwehaveabigbarbecuenextweekend.'Hey,'saysLarry.'Countmein.'Hewantstobeincluded.Heisoneofthepeoplethatyouarecountingtobeinthegroup.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

counton




Sometimesonhasthesolidfeelingofbeingontheground.Iamstandingonhardground.TheEdinburghCastlehasstoodonthatrockforathousandyears.'Hey,Dan.Igotabig,badproblem.''Youcancountonme.'Iamsolid.Iwillsupportyou.Youcantrustme.Youcanrelyonme.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

cross(cross,crossed,crossed)Tocrosssomethingmeanstogofromonesidetoanother.Youcancrosstheroad,crossabridge,orevencrosstheEnglishChannel.

crossoutWhenwedrawalinethroughawordonpaper,wearecrossingthewordoutofourminds.Maybeateacherhasdecidedthatawordiswrong,ormaybethereisalistofnamesinfrontofamanager.Whowillgetthejob?Oh,no!Whoputthatfoolonthelist?I'llcrosshimout.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

cut(cut,cut,cut)Whatyoudowithaknife,scissors,orasabre.

cutback,cutbackonWeedsareplantsyoudon'twantinyourgarden.But,ofcourse,theygrowtherewithenthusiasm.Soyouhavetoregularlycutthembacktotheiroriginalstate,backfromthegarden.Ourexpensesarelikeweeds.Theyarealwaysgrowing.And,likethegardener,weregularlyhavetocutback.Wehavetocutbackonexpenses.CUTBACKusuallyisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobject,sonoproblem.CUTBACKONisathree-wordverbNoproblemeither.

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cutdown,cutdownon'I'vegottocutdownonmysmoking.Ismokeabout100aday.FormyNewYearsResolutionI'llcutdowntoonly60aday.Whatdoyouthink?'Thedirectiontowardstheearthisdown.Brendacutdownononherfriedbreakfasts,andcakes,andchocolate.Andsoonshewasgoingshoppingfornewclotheswithahappysmileonherface.Tocutdownanumberistodramaticallyreduceit.Afterall,cuttingdownatreedramaticallyreducesittoastump.CUTDOWNisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.CUTDOWNONisathree-wordverb.Noproblemeither.

cutinLikecutoffthisisasuddeninterruption.Sometimesintraffic,whenyouarejustabouttomove,somemaniacpusheshiscarrudelyinfrontofyou.Ifheisarealmaniac,thiscansometimesbedangerous.Hecomesinfromtheoutside,hejustcutin.Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem

cutoffSometimesinthewinter,mountainvillagesarecutoff.Theyneedemergencysupportbyhelicopter.Wecanuseofftomeandisconnected.Ifyourelectricity,yourphone,yourwater,or,evenworse,yourInternetconnectioniscutoff,youarecold,silent,dry,andinthedark.Ifapersoniscutoff,itmeansthattheydonotinheritanythingfromthefamily.Mortywasagambler,waitingforthedayhiswealthyfatherwoulddie.Buthelostthebet.Hisfathercuthimoffwithoutapenny..Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

cutoutBillyBlubber,afatmanwhoisgettingfattereveryday,shouldnothavegotthatjobinthechocolatefactory.Heisdefinitelynotcutoutforthejob.Atailorcutsasuitoutfromapieceofcloth.Andthen,wehope,thesuit




fitsperfectly.Byextension,ifsomebodyfeelsthatheisnotsuitableforacertainkindofwork,hemaysaythatheisnotcutoutforit.Mary,aquietstudiousgirl,wasnotcutouttobeabingocaller.Alwayspassive.

cutupIfyouarecut,itispainfulanddamaging.Upheremeanscompletely,sotocutsomethingupistocutitintolittlepieces.'WhereisGeorge?''Didn'tyouhear?Helosthisjob,anddisappeared.''Why?Ithoughthewasgoodatit.''Hewascutupabouthiswiferunningaway.'Whenwesaysomeoneiscutupaboutsomething,itmeansthattheyaredestroyed.Alwayspassive.

deal(deal,dealt,dealt)Oneofthecommonestmeaningsofdealisatthecardtable.Thedealeristheonewhodistributesthecards.

dealin,dealoutSoyoucandealsomeonein,whichmeanstoincludethem,ortheopposite,dealthemout,toexcludethem.Weoftenextendthistodealoutanideaoraproject.'WhatdothinkofgoingtoBournemouththisweekend?''Iwouldn'tdealitout.'(Iwouldn'trejectit.)Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

dealwith'HowdoesAmaryllisdealwithhavingthreechildrenandnohusband?''Alotofhardworkandplentyofpatience.'Whichmeans'HowdoesAmaryllisdowhatisnecessarywiththecardsshehasbeendealt?'Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

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die(die,died,died)Thelastthingwealldo.

dieawayLikediedown,thisreferstosound,butdieawaymeansmusicornoiseslowlydisappearingtosilence.Sometimesinmusictheeffectisofthemusicgoingfar,faraway-nevertoreturn.Itcanbesad.Itcanbebeautiful.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

diedownWesaythatanoisyaudienceinthecinemaisvery'lively'.But,gradually,ifthefilmisanygood,thenoisediesdown.Itsubsidestoonlyafewwhispersandsweetsbeingunwrapped.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

dieoffDieisindividual.Dieoffiscollective,usuallyinhugenumberswhoseindividualsdon'tinterestus,suchasinsectsorplants.Whenthereisanecologicalcatastrophe,suchasanoilspilloraforestfire,wealwaysspeakofanimalsdyingoffinlargequantities.Itisnotasbadasdieout.Itdoesnotmeantheextinctionofaspecies.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

dieoutTodieisindividual.Todieoutiscollective.Itistheendofaspecies.Therearenomoreofthemoutintheworld.Thisistheend.250millionyearsago,95%ofthespeciesonEarthdiedout.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

do(do,did,done)




DOisthemostgeneralactionverbinthelanguage.Ithasthebasicmeaningof'action'or'work'(indistinctiontomake,whichhasthebasicmeaningof'createsomethingnew')Itistheonlyverbinthelanguagethatcanstandforanotherverb(inthesamewayasapronounstandsforanounthatwementionedbefore).Forexample,'IlikeMrDullman.''Idon't.'Itisalsoanauxiliaryverb.Weuseitformakingquestions,andforformingnegativeswithallverbsexceptotherauxiliaryverbs.'Doyousmoke?''No,Idon't.'Wealsouseitoccasionallyforemphasisingapositivesentence.Inthesecases,the'do'isalwaysemphasised.'Idolikeher.'

doawaywithAwaymeansyouneverseethemagainTodoawaywithsomebodyisanoldsinisterexpressionmeaningtokillthemanddisposeof(doawaywith)thebody.Three-wordverb.Noproblem.

doinTodosomebodyinisacheerfuloldexpressionmeaningtokillthem.YouwillfinditinbooksbyDickensandinSherlockHolmesstories.Separabletwo-wordverbCareful.

doupThisisuptoahigherstandardthanbefore.(Likemakeup)Whenyoudoupyourhouseoraflat,yourenovateit.Youaredoingworkonit,totakeituptoahigherstandard.Youcanalsofixupyourhouse.Separabletwo-wordverbCareful.__________Doupyourjacket,yoursuitcase,oryourshoes.Thismeanstofastenthem.Separabletwo-wordverbCareful.

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dowithUsuallyafixedexpression.Icoulddowiththat,meaningIcouldusethat.'Didyouhearaboutthatmandowntheroadwhowonthelottery?''Howmuchdidheget?''Abouttenmillion,theysay.''Icoulddowiththat.'Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

dowithoutWhatdopoorpeopledo?Theydowithoutlotsofthegoodthingsinlife.Theydowithout.'Mum!Iwantamotorbike,andIhaven'tgotthemoney!''Hardluck,son!You'lljusthavetodowithout.'gowithoutmeansexactlythesame.Inseparabletwo-wordverb,usuallywithoutanobject.Noproblem.

dress(dress,dressed,dressed)Todressmeanstoputyourclotheson.Theroomthatactorsusebeforetheygoonstageisthedressingroom.

dressupUpassooftenmeanstoahigherstandard.Soyoudressupwhenyougotoawedding.Youputonyourbestclothes.TherewasasongofmanyyearsagocalledAllDressedUpandNowheretoGo.Inseparabletwo-wordverb,withoutanobject.Noproblem.

drink(drink,drank,drunk)Whatwedotobeer,tea,Coca-cola,andsoon.

drinkup'Time,ladiesandgentlemen,please!Drinkupnow!Haven'tyougothomestogoto?'




YouwillhearthisatclosingtimeinaBritishpub.Here,upmeanstofinish.Sodrinkupmeanstofinishyourdrink.Separabletwo-wordverbbutusuallywithoutanobject.Careful.

drop(drop,dropped,dropped)Todropsomethingistoallowittofall.

dropbackThismeansexactlythesameasfallback.Ifyouareinfrontinarace,butthensomeoneelsefliespastyou,thenyouhavedroppedback,youhavefallenback.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

dropbyIwastalkingtoMrsKitcheneronthephone,andshesaid,'Noproblem.I'lldropbyinafewminutesandgiveyouthepotatoes.'Inspace,byhasthegeneralideaof'nextto'or'closeto'.ToDROPBYmeanstodrop(fromHeaven?)by(yourhouseoryouroffice)callby,comeby,callround,comeround,anddroproundallhavethesamemeaning.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

dropin,dropinonMoralivesupthestreet.She'salwaysdroppinginforacupoftea.Whenangelsvisityouinyourhome,theydropinfromHeaven.You,ofcourse,feelexactlythesamewaywhenafriendcomestovisityou.Nowwe'rehereinEaling,whydon'twedropinonKen?He'dlovetoseeus.DROPINisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.DROPINONisathree-wordverbNoproblemeither.

dropoff,dropsomethingoff'Hello,Clive.Isthatyou?Youleftyourumbrellaatmycarlastnight:Noproblem.I'lldriveroundtoyourhouselater,anddropitoff.'

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Whenyoudropoffsomething,oryoudropsomethingoff,youaredeliveringit.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.Dropoffalsomeanstodropofffromconsciousness.Insimplerwords,tofallasleep,usuallyrathersuddenly.MrMonotone,theecclesiasticalhistoryteacher,wastalkingandtalking,andIjustdroppedoff.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

dropoutTherat-raceishowweoftendescribetherushforagoodeducation,agoodjob,anicehouseinanicearea,abeautifulhusbandorwife,andeverythingelsewewant.Peoplewhodropoutofthisrace-whoallowthemselvestofalloutofthecompetition-arepeoplewhoabandonschoolearly,giveuptheirchancesforagoodjob,andwhogenerallydon'tliveinanicehouseinanicearea.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

droproundRoundusuallymeans'approximatelyhere'or'here,butnoturgently'Forexample,'cometomyhouse'isverydirect,but'comeroundtomyhouse'isfriendly.I'mcallingafriendwhoisdroppingroundthisevening.Shesays,'Whoelseiscoming?'callround,comeround,callby,comebyanddropbyallmeanthesame.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

dry(dry,dried,dried)Adrydayisadaywhenitdoesnotrain.Adryclothhasnowaterinit.Sotodrysomethingmeanstoremovethewaterfromit.

dryoutThisoutmeans'away'sowhenyoudrysomethingoutitmeansthatyoueliminateallthewaterinit;thewatergoesaway..Imaginethatyouhave




beencaughtintherain(whichhappensalotinEngland)andyourclothesarewetwhenyougethome.Youhavetotakethemoffanddrythemoutbeforeyoucanwearthemagain.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

dryupDrycompletely(whichisthemostcommonmeaningofup)Whenariverdriesupthereisnomorewaterinit.Thesundrieditup.Whenfarminglanddriesupthereistragedyandpeoplehavetomoveaway.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

end,endup(end,ended,ended)Toendmeanstofinish.Upmostoftenmeansthesame.Sotoendupmeansthedefinite,last,final,endresultofsomethingorsomeone.'WhathappenedtoMrsMouse?''Sheendedupinanoldpeople'shome,terrorisingeveryone.'ENDUPTwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

face(face,faced,faced)Yourfaceisthepartinfrontofyourheadwheremostofyourpersonalitylives.Whenyoufacesomethingyouturnyourfacetoit.Sometimesthisisanactofcourage.

faceuptoIfyoufacesomethingthatisbiggerthanyouare,youfaceuptoit.Thisisalwaysbrave.Infact,acowardissomebodywhoneverfacesuptoanything.Itishumannaturetorespectandadmiresomeonewhofacesuptoatragedy,foraexample.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

fall

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(fall,fell,fallen)Whathappenstothingswhennothingholdsthemup.

fallaboutOneofthemeaningsofaboutis'allovertheplace'.Whydidwefallallovertheplace?Becausewewerelaughingsohardthatwecouldn'tstandup.Haveyoueverseenachild-oranadult-falloffachairfromlaughingsomuch?Oneofmyfavouriteverbs.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

fallapartWhensomethingfallsapart,itcollapses.Itscomponentpartsseparate.Imagineabridgeinanearthquake.Forsmallerthings,wesaycomeapart.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

fallawayMusiccanfallawaytonothing.Justlikedieawayitmeansthatthemusicgraduallydisappears.Itfeelsasifitisslowlyfallingtoearth.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

fallbackThismeansthesameasdropback.Whenyoufallbackinaraceyouarelosing.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem

fallbackonWhenthingsbecomedifficultwesometimeshavetofallbackonourreserves,likeafatmaninafamine.Wehavetogobacktoanearlierplace.Oh,dear.Thewashingmachine'sbrokendown.I'monholiday,soyoukidswillhavetofallbackonwashingeverythingbyhand.Three-wordverbNoproblem.




fallbehindThisideaisreallysimilartofallbackanddropbackbutweuseitmorefortheraceoflife.Ifachildfallsbehindatschool,hisparentsarenothappy.Somepeoplegetaheadandothersfallbehind.Infact,thereusedtobeapoliticalsloganintheUnitedStatesabouteducation.Nochildleftbehind.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

fallbehindwithWhyisZoestayingsolateintheofficeeverynight?Becauseshefellbehindwithherwork,andshehastoworklonghourstocatchup.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

falldownAbadly-constructedbuildingcanfalldown.Byanalogy,socanabadly-constructedargument.MrArcher'slawsuitagainstanewspaperfordefamation-forprintingliesabouthim-felldownwhenitwasdiscoveredthathehadpaidbribestotheimportantwitnesses.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

fallforAnemailcameforMrWallytellinghimaboutafortuneinNigeria.HefellforitandpaidseveralthousandeurostohelphisnewfriendbringthemoneytoEurope.PoorMrWally!Whenwefallforsomeonewefallinlovewiththem.Theyarebeautiful,kind,funnyandintelligent.Theyarewonderfulandeverythingtheydoisperfect.Everythingtheysayorthinkisperfect......ButthisisnotParadiseortheGardenofEden.Somepeoplemakemistakes,somepeopletelllies,andsomeotherpeoplebelievethem.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

fallinIleavethistoyourimagination.Whatcansomeonefallinthatisreallyunpleasantanddisagreeable?Itsmellsreallybad,too!'IthoughtWalterwasgoingfine,butthenhefellrightinit.'

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ThismeansthatwecanalllaughatWalter.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

fallinwithUncleTomusedtobesuchaniceman,buthefellinwithabadcrowd.Hestartedchoosingbadpeopleasfriends.Noticethatitiseasiertofallthantorise.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

falloffWeoftenuseofftomeanbeingawayfromthetarget,orthehope.Whenwelookatagraph,weoftenimaginethatthelineshaveweight,thatitiseasiertogodownthantogoup.Thesalesfiguresofacompanycanshowthis.Whenaproductisbecominglesspopular,wesaythatdemandhasfallenoff.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

fallonTheyfellonhimlikeapackofwolves.(Agangofthemtogetherattackedhimuntilhewasontheground)Oncanbeaggressive.Imagineatonofsandfellonyou.Youwouldbeburiedandhelpless.Ifyouareattackedbymanypeopleatonce,youhavethesamesituation.Youcan'tdefendyourself.Theyfellonhimlikeatonofsomethingsmelly.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

fallout,falloutwithWhenyouarewithyourfriends,itisanicefeelinglikebeinginawarmroomwithafireonacolddayinwinter.Butfriendscansometimesfallout(offriendship).Theyarenolongerfriends.Thebondsthatheldthemtogetherarenotthereanymore.Italwaysimpliesbadfeeling.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.Whentwofriendsfallout,theyfalloutwitheachother.'IthoughtBrendaandBelindawerebestfriendsforever.'




'Theywere,butBrendafelloutwithBelindaoversomeboy.'Three-wordverb.Noproblem.

falloverWewalkontheice.Whoops!Wefallover.Ourheadisonthegroundandourfeetareintheair.Wehavefallenandweareallovertheicelikeafool,andourfriendsarelaughingatus.Noticethatweneverusethisverbtotalkaboutfallingfromahigherplacetoalowerone.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

fallthroughReggiewasgoingtomarryRowena,buteverythingfellthrough.ReggiebecameasailorandRowenawenttoaconvent.Imaginethatyourplansarewrittenonpaperandthatyourplansdropthroughaholeinthefloor.(InBritain,manyfloorsaremadeofwoodsothisisnotimpossible.)Yourplanswillhavefallenthroughthegap.Yourplanswillhavefallenthrough.Anyplanthathasfallenthroughhasfailed,orhasnotevenbeenstarted.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

fallunderImagineateacherdrawingadiagramoflifeonearth.Thereareanimals,plants,andfungithatallfallunderthecategoryoflife.Intheanimalcategory,therearereptiles,insects,mammalsandmanyotherthings.Theseallfallunderthecategoryofanimals.Comeundermeansexactlythesame.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

feel(feel,felt,felt)Myfavouritedefinitionistohaveaninwardpersuasionofsomething.

feeldownDownheremeansdepressed,nothappy,andthatisexactlywhatfeeling

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downmeans.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

feeluptoUpishappyandstrong.Feeluptosomethingistofeelstrongenoughtodoit.'Doyouwanttogooutwithmetonight,Molly?''I'mtired,Mikey.Ihavehadalongandhorribleday.Idon'tfeeluptoit.'Three-wordverbNoproblem.

figure(figure,figured,figured)Tofigureisanoldexpressionmeaningtothinkdeliberately.LikereckonitismuchmorecommonintheUnitedStatesthaninBritain.

figureoutWhenyoufigureoutaproblem,youhavesolveditbythinking.Outisoftenaconclusion.Itmeansthesameastoworkoutaproblemorapuzzle.'WhenNorafoundherhusbandveryveryclosetoherbestfriend,shefinallyfiguredoutthathehadmarriedherforhermoney.'Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

fill(fill,filled,filled)Whenyoufillaglass,youput,perhaps,beerintoit.

fillin,filloutYouwanttoregister,youhavetofillinaform.Yougotothetaxoffice,youmustfillintwentyforms.Yougotothebankformoney,itisnecessarytofillinevenmoreforms.Formswithoutyouareemptyanduseless.Youhavetofillthemin.AllthisisBritishEnglish.IntheUnitedStates,youhavetofillouttheseforms.Aformisasheetofpaperoutinfrontofyou.(Thinkoflayoutandsetoutyourgoodsonamarketstall.)Youhavetofillthethingout.Separabletwo-wordverbs.Becareful.




fillup‘IhaveeatentoomuchChristmasdinner.Ican'tmove.I'mfullup.'Upoftenmeans'complete'.Tofillupmeanstofillsomethinguntilitisfull.'Howmuchdoyouwant?saysthemanatthefillingstation.'Fillitup,please.'(Hewantsafulltank.)Separabletwo-wordverbCareful.

find(find,found,found)Whenyoufindsomething,younowknowwhereitis.Youdidnotknowbefore.

findoutWhenyoufindsomethingoutintheopen,youdiscoverit.(Lookattheworddis-cover.Itissayingthesamethinginadifferentway.Somethingwas'covered'or'hidden'andnowitisintheopen.)Somepeoplesaythatjournalists,psychiatrists,andspiesareverysimilar.Theyallspendtheirlivestryingtofindoutthetruthaboutotherpeople.Separabletwo-wordverbCareful.

fit(fit,fit,fit)Adoorfitsthedoorway.Yourcarfitsthegarage,wehope.Howmanybottlesfitinacase?Usuallytwelve.Doyourfeetfityourshoes?Ifnot,youaregoingtobeuncomfortable.Canyoufitintolastyear'sclothes?Timetostopeatingforaweek.Fitmeanstofullyoccupyaspace.Howmanypeoplecanfitintothatroom?

fitinFitinalsohasasocialmeaning.Penelopedoesnotlikehernewschool,becausetheotherkidsdon'tlike

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her.Sheisnotthesameastherest.Shedoesn'tfitin.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

fix(fixed,fixed,fixed)Thecommonestmeaningoffixistorepairsomething.Anothermeaningistoarrangeorprepare.Americansfixbreakfast,forexample.

fixupFixupmeansthesameasdoup.Youfixsomethinguptoahigherstandard.Sometimespeoplebuyanoldhousecheapandfixituptosellforaprofit.Suchahouseisoftencalleda'fixer-upper'Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

follow(follow,followed,followed)Whensomethingmovesandyoumoveafterit,youarefollowingit.Everyleaderhasfollowers(bydefinition).Afolloweroffashionalwayskeepsupwithfashion.Sheisalwaysinfashion.

followthroughYoufollowaprojectthroughtotheend.Youcompleteit.Youfollowitthrough.Thisissimilarinmeaningtogetthroughsomething,butnoticethatthegrammarisdifferent.Youfollowitthrough,butyougetthroughit.Noticeadifferenceinmeaning.WhenwesaythatJimfolloweditthrough,wemeanthatheachievedsomething.Goodman,Jim!Hedidn'tstophalfway.Hehassomethingtoshowforit.Butifwesayhegotthroughit,itmerelymeansthathesurvived.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

followupYouaskacompanyforsomeinformationabouttheirlatestsuperproductyoumusthave,andtheysendyouanicecatalogue.Afewdayslater,theyphoneyouto'seeifyougotthecatalogue'.Thatwasafollow-upcall.Thecompanywasfollowingup.Uphere,assooften,meanscompleting.





get(get,got,got(USgotten))Whatdoesgetmean?Well,get+(noun)means'achieve','receive','obtain'etc.Getanewcar.Getmysalaryeverymonth.Getabadheadache.Andget+(adjective/pastparticiple)means'become'.Getrich.Getevenfatter.Getmarried.Buttheinterestingoneforustodayisget+(preposition)whichmeanssomethinglike'movethebodysomewherewithsomedifficulty'.Getinprison.(Oh,dear)Getoutofprison.(Moredifficult)GetonyourbikeGetunderthetableduringanearthquake.

getabout,getaroundAfterhisaccident,Edwinhadtositinawheelchairforseveralmonths,butitdidn'tstophimgettingabout.Youcouldseehimalloverthetownatdifferentsocialevents.abouthasseveralmeanings:oneofthemostcommonmeaningsis'fromheretotheretosomewhereelse'.Forexample;It'splaytime,and300childrenarescreaming,playingandrunningabouttheplayground.Getaroundhasexactlythesamemeaning.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

getacrossTogetsomethingacrossmeanstogetsomeinformation,anewideaperhaps,acrossanimaginarytable.'Togetsomethingacross'means'tosuccessfullycommunicateit'.Awisemanofthemountainhashiswisdominabag.He'shandingittoyou.Heisawiseman,butyouareperhapsalittleslow.Soittakestimetogetitacross.Ittakestimeforthemessagetogetacross..

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Ittakestimeforthemessagetogetover.Samemeaning.Getacrossisverysimilartoputacrossandputover,butthereistheslightsense-thatyoualwayshavewithget-ofalittledifficulty.GETsomethingACROSSisaseparabletwo-wordverbBecareful.__________Themessage,theinformation,ortheimpressiongetsacross.Also,themessagecancomeacross.Samemeaning.GETACROSSisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

getaheadInanyrace,theperson,horseorcarinfrontoftheothers,theonewhoiswinning,isahead.Manyofusthinkthatlifeisarace.Atthebeginning,alltherunnersaretogether,but,soonerorlater,someofthemstartgettingahead.Theyarewinning,andthecamerasareonthem.(Theothersthatwedon'tnoticestarttogetbehind.orfallbehind)Allambitiouspeople-andusuallytheirparentsaswell-wanttogetahead.Fixedexpression.

getalongJimmiehasaproblematwork.Hedoesn'tgetalongwithhiscolleaguesatall.Whatevertheydo,theyjustdon'tgetalong.Theycan'tworktogether.Whentwopeoplegetalong(weoftensaygeton),itmeansthattheyarecomfortabletogether.Forexample,theycanworktogetherinthesameofficewithouttrouble.Byextension,oneofthetwogetsalongwiththeother.GETALONGismoreAmericanthanBritishEnglish.Theequivalentisgeton.GETALONGisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.GETALONGWITHisathree-wordverb.Noproblemeither.

getatWhydotheyhavebarsinthelions'cagesinthezoo?Isitsothatthelionscan'tgetatthelittleboys,orsothatthelittleboyscan'tgetatthelions?Atisfrequentlymoreconfrontationalandaggressivethanto.(Thinkofcomeat,comparedwithcometome,whichiswelcoming.)




Togetatsomethingmeanstoreachit,tobeabletotouchit.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

getawaywithAwaymeansyouneverseeitagainWhenyourobabank(Remember,youstealthemoneybutyourobtheowner),youhavetogetawayfast.Infact,thereisoftenaget-awaycarwaitingforyou.However,gettingawayisnotmuchuseifyouarenotcarryinglargesacksofmoney.Youhavetogetawaywiththemoney.Byextension,wetalkofsomebodygettingawaywithacrime,whenwemeanhecommitsacrimeandescapespunishment.InVictorianLondon,therewasafamousserialkillercalledJacktheRipper.Hewasnevercaught.Hegotawaywithit.Hegotawaywithmurder.Three-wordverb.Noproblem.

getbackatGetatmeanssomethingaggressive,asatcando,andbacknearlyalwayshasthesenseof'return',sotogetbackatsomeonemeansrevenge.Yougetbackatthe(insultingword)becausehefirstgotatyou.TherewasacaseinEnglandsomeyearsagoaboutaspyworkingforoneofthegovernmentlisteningposts.Hebetrayedhiswifeandhiscountryinsomeway.She'forgave'himandheconfessedtoher,butshegotbackathimbygivinghimup.Shegotadivorceandhegotfourteenyears.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

getbackintoApartfromtheliteralmeaning,ItwasdawnsoDraculagotbackintohiscoffin,thisfollowsfrombeinto.DorisreallylikesSpanishMuslimarchitecture.Shewasreallyintoit,butshehadtoomanythingstodo.Yearslater,whenherchildrencouldlivebythemselves,shegotbackintoit.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

getbehind

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Samantha'sparentsareveryworried.Whentheyreadherreportsfromschool,theyfearthatsheisgettingbehind,sotheyarehiringaspecialteacher.Lifeisoftenarace,wethink.Atthebeginning,alltherunnersaretogether,but,soonerorlater,someofthemstarttogetahead.Theyarewinning,andtheywintheprizes,buttheothersthatwedon'tnoticearegettingbehind.Fallingbehindmeansexactlythesame.Fixedexpression.

getbyInspace,byhasthegeneralideaof'nextto'or'closeto'.Whenyouareinthecinemahappilywaitingforthefilmtostart,thereisalwayssomeonelatewhohastopushpastyourknees.Togetbyanobstaclemeanstogetpasttheobstaclewithalittledifficulty.Byextension,poorpeoplefindthatgettingbytheobstaclesoflifemoredifficult.Sothatgettingbyisnowtheideaof'survivingahardlife'.YoumaywellhaveseensimpleEnglishteachingbookswithtitleslike'GetByinEnglish'.TheideaistosurviveinEnglish.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

getdowntoMrsHiggins.I'msorrytotellyou,butwhenwegetdowntoit,yoursonisalazypudding.Workisnormallyaseriousdown-to-earthactivity.Itispractical,sowhenwegetdowntoit,usuallyitmeanswegetdowntosomethingserious.Sometimes,byextension,itmeanstogettotheheartofthematter.WecouldalsosayWhenwecomedowntoit,yoursondoesn’tlikeworking.Themeaningisthesame.Three-wordverb.Noproblem.

getintoQuiterecent,Ithink.Togetintosomethingistobeabsorbedbyit,tobefascinatedbyit.Julianhatedtheideaofstudyingthehistoryofstatisticalmethods,buthegraduallygotintoit,andnowheisintoitandhasbecomeanexpert.




Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

getoff,getoffonEdwinagetsoffonpartieseveryweekend.Shedoesn'tsleeptillSundaynight.Thousandsofairplanesaretakingoffeveryhourallroundtheworld.Getoffisanon-literalextensionofthisidea.Originally,Ithink,druggieslangfromthe60s,itmeanstogetofffromtheirboringeverydaylivesontheground,andto'fly'intheworldofdruggedfantasy.Now,itmeansanythingthatgetsyoureallyexcited.Getoffonmeansthestimulus.Stevegetsoffonmotorbikes.Hehasalreadyhadseveralaccidents,buthewon'tstop.Bythetimeyoureadthis,thisverbmaybeverydated.Thatistosay,veryold-fashioned.GETOFFisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.GETOFFONisathree-wordverb.Noproblemeither.

getoffwithOffhereisawayfromthisplace.Togetsomeoneawayfromthisplace,agoodmethodistobecharminganddesirable.AndygotoffwithMandyisacasualwayofsayingthatAndy,withhisgoodlooksandhischarm,persuadedMandytoleavethisplaceandgosomewheremoreprivate.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

geton'Ivan!Ihaven'tseenyouforyears.Howareyougettingon?'Wefrequentlyuseoninthesenseofcontinue-asincarryon-andacommonquestionoftwooldfriendswhohaven'tseeneachotherforawhileis'Howareyougettingon?'Howisyourlifeprogressing?Anotherexpressionweusewhenwetalkingaboutsomebodywhoisnotyoung,isthattheyaregettingonabit.'How'syourmum?''Oh,she'sfine.She'sgettingonabit.She'llbeninetynextJune.'Whentwopeoplegeton(sometimesAmericanssaygetalong),itmeansthattheyarecomfortabletogether.Forexample,theycanworktogether

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inthesameofficewithouttrouble.Byextension,oneofthetwogetsonwiththeother.Jeanhasnoproblemsatwork.Shegetsonwithherboss.Theygetonfine.GETONisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.GETONWITHisathree-wordverb.Noproblemeither.

getoutGetout!meansgetoutofherenow.Thisismyhouseandyouarenotwelcome.Fixedexpression.Noproblem.

getoutofGethasthreemainmeanings,dependingonwhatfollowsit.Theliteralmeaningofgetoutofistoleavesomethingwithalittledifficulty,perhaps.Miriamdidn'tlikeherboyfriend'scar.Itwashardtogetoutof.ButthequestionWhatdoyougetoutofit?isaskingwhatthingdoyouget?Thisgetmeansachieveorobtain.So,Whatdoyougetoutofbeingrudetothetaxinspector?meanswhatbenefitdoyouget?Three-wordverbNoproblem.

getoverTogetsomethingovermeanstogetsomeinformation,someteaching,somenewideasperhaps,overanimaginarytable.'Togetsomethingover'means'tosuccessfullycommunicateit'.Agreatmathematicianisteachingthequantummechanicsclass.Thisishard.Theideasarenotgettingovertoday.Ittakespatienceforthemessagetogetacross.SamemeaningGetitoverisverysimilartoputoverandputacross,butthereistheslightsense-thatyoualwayshavewithget-ofalittledifficulty.GETITOVERisaseparabletwo-wordverbBecareful.Themessage,theinformation,ortheimpressiongetsover.Careful.ThishasacompletelydifferentmeaningfromGETOVERIT.ThisGETOVERisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.




getoveritPoorGeorgeneverdidgetoverthedeathofhiswife.Hethoughtabouthereveryhourofeverydayfortherestofhislife.Imagine,dearreader,thatyouarestandingnexttoawallthatistwometreshigh.Normallyyouwouldnoteventhinkofgettingoverit,butsuddenlythereisalarge,horrible,angrybulland.hedoesn'tlikeyou.Noproblem.Youwouldgetoverthatwall.ForEnglishspeakers,abadillness,anemotionalloss,anacutedisappointmentareallwallsthatyouhavetogetover.Thisovermeans'finished'.Marytookmonthstogetoverherflu.NoticethedifferencebetweenGETOVERITandGETITOVER.GETOVERsomethingisanInseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

getitover,getitoverwithHere,overmeans'finished','complete'or'wedon'thavetothinkaboutitanymore'.Likebeoverandblowover.Manypeopledon'tenjoyvisitingthedentistverymuch.Sotheyscheduletheappointmentforasearlyinthedayaspossible.Theywanttogetitoverwith,getitfinished,sotheycanrelaxfortherestoftheday.GETITOVERisaseparabletwo-wordverbGETITOVERWITHisathree-wordverb,butitisseparable.Noticewheretheobjectgoes.CAREFUL

getroundGeorge'slittledaughterGinaisonlyfiveyearsold,butshecangetroundherfatherwhenevershewants.Everythingshewants,shegets.Youwanttogodownaforestpath,andthereisahugetreestandingthere.Ithasbeenthereforseveralhundredyearsanditisnotgoingtomoveforyou.Soyouhavetogetroundit,howeverdifficultitmaybe.Frequentlyinthislife,yourobstaclewillbeanotherperson(whoisasstubbornasatreeandisnotgoingtomoveforyou).Sowhatdoyoudo?Youhavetogetroundhim.Youhavetopersuadehim.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

getroundtoIt'sfunny,butPaulneverseemstogetroundtodoingtheironing.There

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isneverenoughtime.Getalwaysimpliesatleastalittledifficulty.(Goinaroomissimple,getinsuggeststhattherewasaproblem.Maybeyouhadtoenterthroughthewindow.)Goroundthevillageissimple.Thepostmandoesiteveryday.Getroundisharder.Ifyouhavealotofwork,maybeittakestimetogetroundtoeverything.OneofthehardestthingsofmylifeisGETTINGROUNDTOansweringallmye-mails.Three-wordverb.Noproblem.

getthroughMrKowalskispends12hoursadayattheoffice.Hegetsthroughtwiceasmuchworkastherest.Imaginesomething.YouareinaHollywood-stylejungle.Thereareleavesandbrancheseverywhere,andyoumustuseamachetetogetthroughthejungle.Hard,isn'tit?Howwouldyoufeelafter100metresofthat?Togetthroughsomethingyoumustbeinsideitandtryingtogetoutsideatthefarside.Ifyouhavealotofwork,don'tyoufeelasifyouareinsideit?FatGeorgegetsthroughtenhamburgersaday.Gothroughandrunthroughhavesimilar,butnotidenticalmeanings.Today,Igotthroughalotofwork.(SoI'mtired.)Today,Iwentthoughalotofwork.(SoI'mhappy.)Today,Iranthroughalotofwork.(Easy.Doyouwantmetodomore?)Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

getthrough,getthroughtoThroughmeansmovementfromoutsideofsomething,intoit,andthenoutsideitagain.Weimagineacableoraphonelineasapipe.Electricityorinformationgoesthroughthecable.Intheolddayswhenyouphonedsomebodyatwork,youhadtogothroughtheswitchboard.Youhadtospeaktothenicereceptionistandpersuadehertoconnectyoutotherightperson.Youwantedtobeputthrough.Whenthathappenedshewouldsay,'Puttingyouthrough.'Whenthishadhappenedyouhadgotthrough.Youhadgotthroughtothepersonyouwanted.




Sometimesweusethisexpressionwhenwetalkabouttalkingtoslow,stubbornorhystericalpeople.Itcanbeverydifficulttogetthroughtothem.GETTHROUGHisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.GETTHROUGHTOisathree-wordverb.Noproblemeither.

getupWhatdoyoudomostmornings?Yougetup(outofbed).Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

give(give,gave,given)Everybodyknowswhatgivemeans.Childrenprobablylearnitaboutthesametimeastake.Yougivemeapresent,Itakeit.

giveawaySebastianfeltbadaboutbeingrich,sohegaveallhismoneyaway.(Hegaveitalltocharityperhaps.)Awayalwayshasthesenseofgreatdistance.Farawayisfurtherthanjustfar.So,togivesomethingawaymeanstogiveitsoyouwon'tseeitagain.WITHPRICESSOCHEAP,WE'REALMOSTGIVINGITAWAY!!!(Advertisingsloganforasupermarket)Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

giveinGivecansometimeshavethesenseof'yield'.(giveway,forexample)Whentwoboysarepushingeachother,half-playingandhalf-fighting,onewill,soonerorlater,pushintotheothersotheweakeronewillhavetoyield.Thethreatisinhisspace.Hewillhavetosurrender.Hewillhavetogivein.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

giveoffThatcheeseyoubroughtbackfromFrancegaveoffsuchahorrible

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smellthatwehadtothrowoutallthefoodinthefridge.Thanks,Mary.Wesayofffortheidea'awayfromthepoint'or'awayfromhere'.Somechemicals,likeammonia,giveoffareallyinterestingintensesmell.Ifyoudon'tbelieveme,tryitforyourself.Aburningrubbertyredumpgivesoffthickblacksmoke.Separabletwo-wordverbbutwerarelyuseitwithonlyapronoun.Usually,thewordorderis‘GIVEOFFsomething’.Sonoproblem.

giveoutMygrannylivedtillshewas94yearsold,butthenherheartgaveout.Givecansometimeshaveasenseof'yield'asingiveinorgiveup.Giveouthasthesenseofgivingoutyourlastbreath.Youbreathenomore.Youaredead.Sometimes,itislessdramatic,Iusedtoplayfootballeveryday,butthenmykneesgaveout.(SoIshouldneverplayfootballagain.)Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.

giveup,givesomebodyupAmandawenttoseethedoctorandhetoldhertogiveupsmokingimmediately.Soshestoppedthatday.Shehasneversmokedsince.Thedoctorsaid,'Giveitup!Otherwiseitwillkillyou.'Heavenisup.Whenyougivesomethingup,youaregivingittoHeaven.Youarerenouncingit.Youdon'tneeditanylongeronthisearth.It'sasacrifice.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.Byextension,giveupwithoutanobjectmeanstosurrender.Afterbeinghitdozensoftimes,BillytheBadBoxeratlastgaveup.Hesacrificedhisdream.Hestoppedboxing.Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.Butgivesomebodyuphasaslightlydifferentimage,andatotallydifferentmeaning.Here,upisthedirectionofauthority,thelaworjustice.Sotogivesomebodyupmeanstodeliverthemtojustice,tothepolice.YearsagoinBritain,therewassomekindofelectronicspywhoconfessedtohiswifewhathehaddone.Shewantedadivorcesoshegavehimuptothelaw.Shegotherdivorce,andhegotfourteenyears.




Youcouldalsosaythatsheturnedhimin.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

givewayGivecansometimeshavethesenseof'yield'.Ifaladyandagentlemanarriveatthesamedooratthesametime,thegentleman-ifheisagentleman-willgiveway.Hewillgivetheladythewaythroughthedoor.Hewillyield.SometimesinBritain,youwillseeroadsignsthatsayGIVEWAY.Thismeansthatyoumustgivethe'rightofway',yougiveprioritytothecarsontheotherroad.Rarely,abridgewillcollapse.Somewhereinthestructure,ametalbeamgaveway.Itwasnotstrongenough.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

go(go,went,gone)Gogenerallymeans'move',ofteninthedirectionawayfromme.Italsomeans'function'

goafterJohnwentafterJaneformonths,andfinallyshesaidyes.(Anotherversion)JohnwentafterJaneformonths,andshefinallycaughthim.Usually,aftermeanslaterintimeTogoaftersomethingmeanstofollowit.First,theescapedprisonerwasinthewood,andthenthedogswerethere.Thedogswerethereaftertheprisonerwas.Now,togoaftersomethingmeanstopursueit,tohuntit,tochaseit.Stevenwentafterthatjobforalongtime.Idon'tknowifhegotit.Comparethiswithcomeafter.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

goaheadAheadisanoldwordforforward,thedirectioninwhichwearegoing.IaskedmybossaboutwhetherIshouldgotoourotherfactorytolookat

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theproblem.Hetoldmetogoahead.WhenwesayGoahead!wegivingpermissiontogo,justlikeagreentrafficlight.Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.

goat,haveagoatAthasthegeneralideaoftwothings,sameplace,sametime.Goathastwomeaningsthataresimilarbutnotexactlythesame.Goatsomebodymeanstomoverightuptotheirfaces.It'sveryaggressive.Thatrottweilerisdangerous.Itjustwentatme.Andgoatsomethingmeanstoattackajob,forexample,veryaggressively,withlotsofenthusiasm.Steveknownothingaboutcarpentryatfirst,buthewentatit,andnowhehasfinishedallthedoorframesofhisnewhouse.Wealsosaygoforinthesametwosenses.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.Wealsosayhaveagoatsomethingorsomeone.It'ssofter,lessintense,thangoat.Thatchihuahuaisverybad-tempered.Itjusthadagoatme.(Ittriedtobiteme.)IhadagoatlearningChinese,butIdecidedtogiveupafterafewmonths.

goawayWhensomethingorsomeonegoesaway,wedon'tseeitagain.Withsomepeopleandsomeproblems,thisisourdearestwish.Wejustwantthemtogoaway.Sometimesweeventellthem.Thereareother,moreintense,expressionsforthesamedesire,butthisisabookforthewholefamily.Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.

goback,gobackonBackaftermostverbshasthesenseof'return'.Gobackis'returnthere',




comebackis'returnhere',paybackis'returnthemoney'andsoon.Gobackisliteral.Afterhisappointmentatthedentist,Williamwentbacktotheoffice.Butweonlyusegobackoninoneway.Ifsomebodygoesbackonhisword,itmeansthathebreakshisword.Hebreakshispromise.Hedoesnotdowhathesaidhewoulddo.MrMartinezpromisedtopaymeformywork,buthelied.Hewentbackonhisword.Three-wordverb.Noproblem.

godown(well)Veronicatoldherhusbandthatshewantedadivorce.Itdidn'tgodownverywell.Hewasnothappy.Whenweeat,thefoodgoesdowntoourstomach.Ifthefoodisdelicious,itgoesdownwell.Byextension,anythingweconsumeandenjoy,goesdownwell.Aftersomemonthsofdelay,thePresidentraisedtaxesonnearlyeverything.Thatwentdownreallybadlywitheveryone.Fixedexpressions.Noproblem.

godownwithLolacouldn'tgotoschooltoday.Shehasgonedownwithabadcold.Thedirectiontowardstheearthisdown.Byextension,itcanmeanadepressingorsadmood.Whenwearehealthyweareusuallyhappy.Whenwehaveanillnesswearenot.Wegodownwithflu,forexample.comedownwithmeansexactlythesame.Three-wordverb.Noproblem.

goforOneofthecommonestmeaningsofforisthereasonwhyyoudosomething.Helenwasn'tsureifthejobofferwasrightforher,butwetoldhertogoforit.Shedid,andnowshe'sthemanager.'Itwasarisk,'shesaid.'ButIwentforit.'Togoforitmeansto'gointhedirectionofit'.Itcanbeenthusiasticorit

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canbeaggressive.'Idon'tlikethatdogatall.Lastweek,itwentforme.'Goatisverysimilar.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

goinforGoinsimplymeans'toenter'.MrHendricksonrangthedoorbell,andwentin.Georgehabituallygoes'in'foranactivity-anactivitysoabsorbing,soexciting,thatwhenhedoesit,hefeelsasifheisinit.Andoneofthecommonestmeaningsofforisapurpose.Itisthereasonwhyyoudosomething.MrBevisgoesinforstampcollecting.Marygoesinforplayingtheviolin.Thesearetheirpassions,theirhobbies.Three-wordverb.Noproblem.

goinwithGoinwithisbusiness.Yourpartnersarethepeopleyougoinaventureoraprojectwith.Accordingtostatistics,amajorcauseofbusinessfailureisproblemsbetweenpartners.Thismeansthatyoumustalwaysbeverycarefulofwhoyougoinwith.Contrastthiswithgooutwith,whichisromantic.Athree-wordverbbutitisseparable.YouGOIN(abusiness)WITH(somebody).

gooffWhencheesemovesbyitself,ithasgoneoff.Whenbread,oreggs,aregreen,theyhavegoneoff.Theyareoff.Youdon'teverwanttoeatthesethings.Sometimesoffmeans'awayfromthepoint','awayfromwhatwewant'andothertimesweuseofftomeanachangeofstateorposition(likepushoff,setoff,takeoff)Amoredramaticchangeofstateiswhensomethingexplodes.Bombssometimesgooff.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.




Whenwegooffsomething,orsomebody,weloseourenthusiasmforit.IusedtolikeGeorge,butIdon'tanymore.IwentoffhimwhenIfoundoutaboutwhathedidtohiswife.Athirdmeaningofgooff,almostidenticaltobeoff,usesoffinthe'awayfromhere'sense.'I'mgoingoffnow.'means'Goodbye.'Wealsosay,'I'moffnow.'ToGOOFFsomebodyisaninseparabletwo-wordverbOtherwise,itisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoprobleminanycase.

goon,goonabout,goonforSusannaisveryshyandshefoundithardtotalkinfrontoftheclass,butherfriendstoldhertogoon,andshefinishedherspeech.Onoftenmeans'continue'(carryon,getoninyears)andgoonmeansjustthat.Weoftenencouragepeopletocontinuetalkingbysaying,'Goon.'Itmeans,'Don'tstop.'LazyMaisieneverdoesanywork.Hermotherisalwaysgoingonaboutit,butitdoesn'tmakeanydifference.Maisie'sstilllazy.LazyMaisie'smothercontinuedtotalkaboutit.(Sameaskeeponaboutsomething.Foroftenmeasuresduration.SoShySusanna'sspeechwentonfortwentyminutes.GOONisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.GOONABOUTisathree-wordverb.Noproblem.GOONFORisathree-wordverb.Noproblemeither

gooutWhenafiredies,itgoesout.Wecanputoutafirewithabucketofwater.It'soutnow,andwefeelthecold,asweoftendowhenwegooutdoors.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

gooutwithGooutwithisromantic.Itdescribesthesteadyboyfriendorgirlfriend.MarygoesoutwithGeorge.Theyareacouple.Let'shopethattheyloveeachother.GeorgeandMarygoouttogether-outtothepubs,outtothe

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cinema,outtothebingo.Theygoouteverywheretogether.Contrastthiswithgoinwith,whichisbusiness.Three-wordverb.Noproblem.

gooverKennethwasveryslowinthegeneralrelativityclass,andtheteacherhadtogooveritmorethanonce.Overcanhavethesenseofseeingthingsfromaboveorfromadistance.Youcanseethebigpicturebutnotthedetails.Thinkoflookoverandthinkover.Gooveraproblemmeanstothinkaboutitagain,maybeadifferentway,fromafreshangle.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

gothrough,gothroughwithTogothroughsomethingyoumustbeinsideitandtryingtogetoutsideatthefarside.Ifyouhavealotofwork,don'tyoufeelasifyouareinsideit?Thisisverysimilartogetthroughbutwithoutthesenseofstruggle.Wealsosayrunthrough,andthisiseveneasier.Today,Igotthroughalotofwork.(SoI'mtired.)Today,Iwentthroughalotofwork.(SoI'mhappy.)Today,Iranthroughalotofwork.(Easy.Doyouwantmetodomore?)FatFatFreddiewentthroughalotofhamburgers,eventhoughascientistwouldsaythatalotofhamburgerswentthroughFatFatFreddie.GOTHROUGHInseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.Sometimeswehaveajobtodothatwedon'tfeellikedoing,orwehavetovisitthedentist.Wesigh.Andthenwesaysomethinglike,'I'lljusthavetogothroughwithit.'Wewon'tenjoyitbutwe'lldoitanyway.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

gounderThishastwomeanings.Oneisexactlythesameascomeunderorfallunder.Catsanddogsbothgoundertheheadingofmammals.Mammalsgoundertheheadingofvertebrates.




Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.TheothermeaningiswhathappenedtotheTitanic.Itsank.Itwentunder.Sothisiswhatwesayofabankruptbusiness.'Whathappenedtothecardealeronthecorner?''Itwentunder.'Itwentoutofbusiness.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

goupagainstWhileupcanhavetheideaofreachingalimit,againstalwayshastheideaof'confrontation'Goupagainstabarrier,astrongobstacletowhatyouwant.Achallenge.Itisverysimilartocomeupagainst,butitismorewillful,moredeliberate.Hermionewantedtobeapolicewoman,butshecameupagainstthefactthatshewasnottallenough.Theruleswerenotgoingtobechangedforher,soshehadtogiveupherdream.(Itwasnotherintentiontochallengetherules.)ButBigBillytheBadBoxerwentupagainstthebest.(Hediditbychoice.)That'swhyhe'ssoslownow.Three-wordverb.Noproblem.

gowithToGOWITHsomeoneisapoliteexpressionforspendingawholenightwiththem.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

gowithout'Mum!Iwantanewcomputer,andIhaven'tgotthemoney!''Whatapity,dear!You'lljusthavetogowithout.'Whatdopoorpeopledo?Theygothroughlifewithoutlotsofthegoodthingsthattheywouldlike.Theygowithout.dowithoutmeansexactlythesame.Inseparabletwo-wordverb,usuallywithoutanobject.Noproblem.

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grow(grow,grew,grown)Growingisthenaturalprocessofgettingbigger.

growapartTheimageisoftwoplants.Whenpeoplegrowapartitusuallymeansthattheyslowlystoplovingeachother.Theyslowlystopbeingfriendsandbecomeindifferent.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

growoutofLittlegirlsplaywithdolls.Theiroldersistershavegrownoutofdoingthat.Theydon'tplaywithdollsanymore.Three-wordverb.Noproblem.

growup'Whatdoyouwanttobewhenyougrowup,Gerry?''Agangster.'Asnormal,upmeans'tocompletesomething'.Growupmeansto'finishgrowing',tobecomeanadult.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

hand(hand,handed,handed)Wedon'tusehandasaverbonitsown.Likeputitmusthaveaprepositionwithit.Youhandsomethingsomewhere.Youpasssomethingsomewherebyhand.

handdownHanddown,likepassdown,meanstogodownthroughthegenerations.YoulikethatVictorianclock?Itwashandeddowntomebymygrandmother.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.




handoutTypicallyateacherwillhandphotocopiesorexercisesouttotheclass.Shewillmakesurethateveryonegetsone.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

handoverHandingsomethingoverfromonepersontoanotheroftenimpliessomethingofvalue,somethingworthbuying,stealing,orfightingover.Ateightyyearsold,Idecidedtohandoverthefactorytomysons.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

hangWhenwesuspendthingsfromafixedposition,(hang,hung,hung)Whenwekillpeoplewitharope,(hang,hanged,hanged)

hangonHere,onhasthesenseof'continue'(goon,carryonandsoon)IninformalEnglishyouwilloftenhearthecommand'Hangon!'meaning'Don'tgoaway!'Frequentlyweuseitonthephonewhenwewantourvictimtowait.Wedon'twanthimtohangup.Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.

hangupAverylongtimeagotelephoneshadseparatemouthpiecesandearpieces,andwhenyoufinishedyourcallyouhunguptheearpiece.Although,asalways,thetechnologyhaschanged,westillhangupattheendofaphonecall.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

have(have,had,had)

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Oneofthemostimportantverbsinthelanguage.Onitsownitcanmeanpossession,sometimespermanent(IhaveaRolls-Royce,Ihaveredhair)orsometimestemporary(haveashower,haveadrink,haveagoodtime)Italsousedtoformtheperfecttenses,whereithasthebasicsenseofcomplete,done,finished.Ihaveeatenabanana.(Nomorebanana.)BynextJune,wewillhavebeenmarriedfor25years.(Quartercenturydone.)

haveonAfunnyexpression.You'rehavingmeon.ItisasifIamapuppetandyouarepullingmystrings.Youhavemeonastring.Youaredeceivingme.Youarefoolingme,makingafoolofme.DidItellyouofthetimeIwrestledanalligator?Nah!You'rehavingmeon.(Idon'tbelieveyou.)Fixedexpression.

hold(hold,held,held)Holdistohaveinyourhand.Byextension,itistohavesomethinginyourcontrol.BecarefulwithMadMary.She'shearingvoicesandholdingasword.

holdagainstAgainstalwayshastheideaof'confrontation'.Itisneverfriendly.Drusillaisanidiot,butIdon'tholditagainsther.(Idon'tholdthisfactagainsther.Idon'tblameher.)Theideaisthatwhenweblamesomebody,weholdtheblameinourmindslikeaweaponthatwecanuseanytimeagainstthem.Thereisasong-IfItoldyouyouhaveabeautifulbody,Wouldyouholditagainstme?Itisaseparabletwo-wordverbUsuallywesay'Idon'tHOLDitAGAINSThim.'




holddownHoldingdownajobtakesworkandeffort.Ifyouaretoolazyorperhapstoostupid,thejobcouldjustflyaway.Whenwetalkofsomeoneholdingdownajob,alwaysthereisthesenseofachievement.Eitherthejobisveryhardorthepersonismakinganefforttobetterhislife.Forex-prisonersorex-drugaddicts,holdingdownanyjobisanachievement.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

holdonIfyouarehangingfromatree,likeourancestors,itmustgetverytiring.Ifyoudon'tholdontothebranch,youwillfallandpossiblydie.Sometimes,ittakesalotofstrengthtoholdon.MrJohnsonhadaterribletimetryingtokeephisfish-and-chipsdeliverybusinessgoing.Butheheldonandheheldon,andnowheisasuccess.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.Ourancestorsheldontoabranch.Often,weholdontoanidea,abelieforaphilosophy.Corinnewasasthinasalamp-post,butshestillheldontotheideathatshewasfat.Finally,wehadtotakehertoaspecialist.Three-wordverb.Noproblem.

holdout,holdoutforOutisoftentheoppositeofin,andholdingoutistheexactoppositeofgivingin.Whenyougivein,yousurrender,butwhenyouholdout,youresist.Inatoughnegotiation,bothsideswereholdingoutfortopdollar.Neitherwaspreparedtogivein.HOLDOUTTwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblemHOLDOUTFORThree-wordverbNoproblem.

holdup'WhyareyouHOLDINGUPyourhands,MrSheriff?'

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'BecauseBillytheKidispointingagunatme.Thisisaholdup.'Byextension,anyarmedrobberyisaholdup.Inaholdup,youcan'tmove.Byfurtherextension,whenyouarestuckinatrafficjam,youalsocan'tmove.Andwesaythesamething.'Where'sMissBunce?She'susuallyontimeforourmeetings.''Shephonedtosaythatsheishelpupintraffic.'Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

join(joined,joined,joined)Thismeansto'puttogether'or'cometogetherinagroup'.

joininYoujoininagamewhenyoustarttoplayinthegamewithotherpeople.Gordonwasastrangechildwhobecameastrangeadult.Theotherchildrenwouldneverlethimjoinin.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

joinupIntheolddays,upwaswheretheauthoritywas.Whenyoujoinedup,yousignedtodefendtheKingagainsthisenemies.Youjoinedthearmy.Signuphasthesamemeaning,andthecallupmeansthatyouhavebeen'invited'tojointheforces.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

keep,keepon(keep,kept,kept)Tokeepsomethingishaveitinyourpossessionforever.Tokeepdoingsomethingistocontinuetodoit.Anothervariationistoaddon,keepondoingit.Thisissimilartocarryon'Whydidyouhitthedefendant?''Becausehekeptontappinghisdeskallmorning.'

keepaheadInanyrace,theperson,horseorcarinfrontoftheothers,isahead.




Ifyoukeepahead,itmeansthatyouareaheadintherace,andthatyoucontinuetobeahead.Stayaheadmeansexactlythesame.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

keepatKeepmeanscontinueandatmeanstobeincontact.WhenHerbertkeepsatsomethingitmeansthesameaskeepingondoing.Horacekeepsathisstudiesalldayandmostofthenight,becausehewantstobeapsychiatrist.Hekeepsonstudying.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

keepinwithKeepinwiththerightpeopleiseasytounderstand.Itmeanstostayintheircompany,topleasethem.Therightpeoplearethepeoplewhocanhelpyou,whichmeanstherich,theupperclassorthewell-connected.Keepinginwiththerightpeopleiswhatsocialclimbershavebeendoingforever.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

keepoffOffistheoppositeofON,oritcanbeamoveawayfromanONposition.KEEPOFFTHEGRASSYoumightseethissigninapark.Youarenotonthegrass,butdon'tgoonit.Continuenottobeonthegrass.'Stayoffthegrass'meansexactlythesame.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

keeponaboutThis-theonofcontinue-meansthesameasgoingonaboutsomethng,sayingthesamethingoverandoverandoverandoverandoveragain.'Haveyouheard?Kennylostallhismoneyinabusinessopportunity.''Yes,weheard.Wehearitagainandagain.Hekeepsonaboutitallthetime.'Three-wordverbNoproblem.Youwillalsohear'Shekeepsgoingonaboutit.'whenmoreemphasisisneeded.

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keepout,keepoutofThereisasignatanelectricityswitchingroom.Dangerofdeath.KEEPOUTItmeansdonotgoin.Youareoutoftheroom,andyoumustcontinuetobeoutoftheroom.Stayoutmeansexactlythesame.KEEPOUTisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectKEEPOUTOFisathree-wordverb.Noproblem.

keepup,keepupwithDoyouremembercatchup?Ifashoplifter-athiefwhostealsfromshops-runsaway,perhapsthestoredetectivewillrunafterhim.Maybeheorsheisagoodrunnerandcancatchupwiththethief.YouarerunningaracewithanOlympicchampion.Perhapsyouhaveareallyreallygoodday,andyoucatchhimup.Thenyourproblemshavejustbegun,becausenowhewillgetserious.Youhavetokeepup.Youhavetokeepupwithhim.Wehaveaverycommonexpressionforthedesiretohavethesamecarorbetter,orthesameclothesorbetter,thanourneighbour.ThisiscalledKeepingupwiththeJonesesKEEPUPisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.KEEPUPWITHisathree-wordverb.Noproblemeither.

knock(knock,knocked,knocked)Tohitsomethinghardwithsomethingelsehard.Youknockonthedoorwithyourknucklesorwiththeheavymetaldoor-knocker.Unfortunately,knockoftenmeanswoodagainstbone.Knockingyourheadonalowdoorwaycanbepainful.

knockaboutOldTonyknowseverythingyouneedtoknowaboutthiscountry.He'sbeenknockingabouthereforfortyyears.TheideahereisthatOldTonyhashadmanyexperienceshere,notallofthemsoft.Infact,oneofourexpressionsforexperienceistheschoolof




hardknocks.Aboutheremeanshere,thereandeverywhere.Knockaroundmeansexactlythesame.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

knockoffWhenyouknocksomethingofftheshelf,theideaistotakeit.Quickly.Soknockingsomethingoffistostealit.'Wherearemycarpets?''They'vebeenknockedof.'.Byextension,aknock-offisanillegalcopy,likethecounterfeitbrand-nameclothestopiratedfilmsyoucanbuyinthepub.Sometimesitcanbeaninsultforafilmthatyouthinkcopiestooexactlythemainideafromsomeoneelse.IsApocalyseNowaknock-offofConrad'sHeartofDarkness?Iwillletyoudecide.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

knockoutOutcanoftenbetheconclusion,theend,sothat'stheendoftheboxingmatch.WhensomeoneisknockedoutitissimilarbutrathermoreviolentthanwhensomeonepassesoutSeparabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

know(know,knew,known)Knowisafantasticallydifficultphilosophicalwordtodefinewell.Butfortodayletusjustsaythattoknowsomethingistobeinformedofit.Andtoknowsomeonemeansthatyouhavemetthembeforeandyourememberthem.

knowaboutIknowsomethingaboutquantummechanicsbecauseIstudieditfortenyears.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

knowof

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Iknowofquantummechanics.Someonetoldmeinthepub.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

lay(lay,laid,laid)Thebasicmeaningofthiswordisto'putsomethingflatonahorizontalsurface'.Youcanlayabookonthetablebutyouputacuporapenonit.Noticethatthisverbalwayshasanobject.Youalwayslaysomething.Donotconfuseitwithlie(lie,lay,lain/laid),whichneverdoes.Sometimesless-educatednativesmakethismistakeaswell.HappyHarrylaidhismapsonthetableforthegeographyclass.ButLazyLucindaisalwayslyingonthesofa.

layoffSometimesoffjustmeansawayfromhere.Whenyoulaysomethingoff,youlayittooneside.Youstopusingit.Byextension,whenyoulaypeopleoff,youstopemployingthem.Youdonotneedthemanymore.Usually,nowadays,itisnotpersonal.Thatistosay,peoplearenormallylaidoffbecausethebusinessisfailing,orthemanagementhasdecidedtocloseafactoryoranoffice.Thepeoplearelaidoffandtheownerssellofftheequipment,thecapital.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

layoutYoucanlayoutyourplans-literallyornot-onthetable.Anarchitect'splansareoftencalledalay-out.Ifyousellfruit,atthebeginningofthedayyoulayyourfruitoutonthecounter,atthebar.Setoutcanhavethesamemeaning.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

leave(leave,left,left)Togoawayortoabandon.IleftRomelastnight,butIhopetogoback




soon.However,Ileftmyphoneinthehotelroom.Goodbye,phone!

leaveoutThisisabookforthewholefamily,soIhadtoleaveoutafewverbsthataremostdefinitelyphrasal.Ihadtoleavethemoutofthebook.Youwon'tseethemhere.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

let(let,let,let)Itmeans'toallow','topermit'or'toauthorise'.

letdownPenelopethoughtthatEmilewasgoingtomarryher,butheletherdown.Whensomebodybreakstheirpromisetoyou,youfeelletdown.Youhavebeenallowedtofall.Youfeeldeflated,andyourhopeshavecrasheddowntotheground.Thepersonwhodidthisletyoudown.Mary'sauntpromisedherasurpriseforherbirthday.Whenshegotabarofsoap,shefeltveryletdown.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

letoffMrsBarnettwascaughtstealingbaconfromthecornershop,butasitwasonlyherfirstoffence,themagistrateletheroffwithawarning.Youhavebeenallowedoffthehook.(Thinkaboutfishing.)Youweretohavesuffered,tobepunished,orpaythedebt,butyouwereletoff.Youwillnotsufferorbepunished,andthedebtisforgiven.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

lie(lie,lay,lain/laid)(ThedictionarieswilltellyouthatthepastparticipleislainbutIhaveneverheardit.Sohereyougetachoice.)Tostretchyourselfhorizontally.NoticethatthisverbNEVERhasanobject.Donotconfuseitwithlay(lay,laid,lain/laid),whichalwaysdoes.Sometimesless-educatednatives

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makethismistakeaswell.LazyLuluisalwayslyingonthesofa.Yesterdayshelaythereallday.But-HappyHarrylaidhismapsonthetableforhisgeographyclass.Noticethatlie(lie,lied,lied)meansnottotellthetruth.

liedownDownjustmakestheideaofliestronger.'IthinkI'llgoandliedown.'means'I'mgoingtolieonmybedforatime.'Itisaverypopularverbwithinvalidsandoldpeople.Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.

lieinLieinmeanstolieinbedinthemorninglaterthanusual.ManyofourfriendslieinonSundays.Ithelpsmakeitthebestdayoftheweekforbusypeople.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

live(live,lived,lived)Whatwealldo,wellorbadly.Wisepeopletellushowtodoit,butweforget.

liveitdown'DoyourememberwhenNorawasgoingtoTurkeyandshetookthetraintoTorquay?'PoorNora,itwilltakealongtimeforhertoliveitdown.Thatis,shewillhavetolivealongtimebeforeherfamilycalmsdownandstopslaughingather.Ahumiliationoranembarrassmentmakesthebloodrushuptoyourface.Andiftheembarrassmentisacute,yourfamilyandfriendswillhappilyrememberitforever.Separabletwo-wordverbUsuallyitisafixedexpression.




liveoffWesometimesuseoffforthesenseofseparation.Afarmerlivesoffhisland.Thatis,helivesbytakingthewealth,thegoodthingsofftheland.Parasitesliveofftheirhosts.Certainkindsofcriminalsliveoff'immoralearnings',whichistosay,offladies-to-rent.Theownerofablockofflatslivesofftherents.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

livetogetherTolivetogetherisfortwopeopletoliveasiftheyweremarried,butwithoutanyofficialorchurchceremony.Twopeoplewholivetogetheralsolivewitheachother.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

liveitupSometimesupistheworldoffantasyandimagination.Livingitupmeansspendinglotsofmoney,havingpartieseverynight,drivingwonderfulcarstoofast,havingservantstohelpyouwiththeboringthingsoflife,andsoon.Fixedexpression.

liveuptoTheTVpresentersays,'AndIamveryhappytowelcomeheretonightthebest,themosttalented,thefunniestandmostamazingperformerithaseverbeenmypleasuretointroduce...'Andtheperformersays,'HowcanIliveuptothat?'Upisahighstandard.Whenweliveuptoafinereputation,orahighmoralstandard,wemayfinditverydifficult.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

livewithTolivewithsomebodyistolivetogetherasifyouweremarried,butwithoutanyofficialorchurchceremony.Twopeoplewholivewitheachotherlivetogether.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

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look(look,looked,looked)Whatyoudowithyoureyeswithintention.Italsohasasecondmeaningof'appear'.IlookedatMarilynMonroe.Shelookedwonderful.

lookabout,lookaround,lookroundTheseallmeanexactlythesame.Howmanytimesinyourlifehaveyouhadthefollowingconversationinashop?'CanIhelpyou?''Nothanks.I'mjustlookinground.'Oneofthemostcommonmeaningsofaboutis'fromheretotheretosomewhereelse'.Roundinmanyverbsmeans'approximatelyhere'or'here,butnoturgently'So,'lookintheshop'isdirect,but'lookroundtheshop'ismorerelaxed.Inseparabletwo-wordverbs.Noproblem.

lookafterNotlongago,childbirthwasdangerous,andmanymotherslosttheirlives.Ifsomebodylookedatanew-bornbabyafterthemother'sdeath,theyhadtheresponsibilitytocareforthechild.Theypledgedtolookafterit.Tolookafteranybodyistotakecareofthem.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

lookaheadItisverydifficulttosellpensionplanstoteenagers.Theydon'twanttolookaheadtowhentheyareold.Tolookaheadistolookforwardintime.WhenIlookahead,IamtryingtolookinthedirectionIamgoing.Iamtryingtopredictthefuture.Iamtryingtoplan.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.




lookback,lookbackat,lookbackon,lookbacktoBack,afteraverb,nearlyalwayshasthesenseof'return'Whenwelookback,wearerememberingthepast,oftenwithaffection.Hilarylookedbacktohertimeinschool.'Oh,'shesaid.'Weremyschooldaysthehappiestdaysofmylife?'LOOKBACKAT,LOOKBACKON,LOOKBACKTOallmeanexactlythesame.LOOKBACKisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.LOOKBACKAT,LOOKBACKON,LOOKBACKTOarethree-wordverbs.Noproblemeither..

lookdownonMany,manyyearsagoinEuropetherewereonlythreekindsofpeople:thosewhofought,thosewhoworked,andthosewhoprayed.Thebestpeople,thelordsandladies,allrodeabouttheirlandonhorseback.Andfrequentlytheywouldseetheirpeasants,onfoot,downinthefields,workinghard.Thebestpeoplethen,likethebestpeoplenow,despisedeveryoneelse.Theyliterallylookeddownonthem.Thepoorpeasants,fullofrespect,(thelordalwayshadhissword)wouldliterallylookuptohim.Bytheway,MohammedAlihastolduswhathewantsonhisgravestoneHENEVERLOOKEDDOWNONTHOSEWHOLOOKEDUPTOHIMThree-wordverbNoproblem.

lookforElizabethislookingforahusband.Shewantstogetmarriedbeforesheisthirty.Oneofthecommonestmeaningsofforisthereasonwhyyoudosomething.Whenyoulookforsomething,youarelookinginordertofindit.Youaresearching.Andthatisexactlywhatitmeans.Itisverydifferentfromwatchfor.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

lookforwardto

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EveryDecemberourchildrenlookforwardtoChristmasverymuch.Lookforwardclearlymeanslookinginthedirectionyouaregoing,butthatisnotthewholestory.Itisneverusedliterally.Weuseitinthesenseofexpectation,anticipation,anditisonlyoptimistic.Weonlylookforwardtopleasure.They'relookingforwardtoopeningtheirpresentsfromSantaClaus.Nobodylooksforwardtogoingtothedentist.GrammarnoteLOOKFORWARDTOSOMETHINGandLOOKFORWARDTODOINGSOMETHING.NoticethatTOfollowedbya-INGformisrareinEnglish.Itwillbeinyournextexam.Three-wordverb.Noproblem.

lookintoItwasapparentlyasadsuicide,butwhenSherlockHolmeslookedintothematter,itwasclearthatitwasacaseofmurder.Whenyoulookintosomething,itmeanstolookcarefullyintoit,toinvestigateit.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

lookout,lookoutforOnashipalongtimeago,beforesatellitesandsoforth,therewasamanhighuponthemainmastwhosejobwastolookoutoverthesea.Hewasthelook-out.Hewaslookingoutforlandandfordanger.Now,whensomeoneshouts,'LOOKOUT!'preparefordangerNOW!'Lookout!We'regoingtohaveanaccident!''Ifyoudon'tlookout,thebosswillfireyou.''MymumsaysifIdon'tlookout,I'llfailmyexams.'Whenyoucrossthisstreet,lookoutforbaddrivers.Watchoutissimilarbutusuallylessurgent.LOOKOUTTwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.LOOKOUTFORThree-wordverbNoproblem.

lookoverYoulookoveralandscapefromahighplacelikeamountainoraballoon.Youcanseethebigpicturebutnotthedetails.Whenyoulookoveraproblem,youaredoingthesamething.Hettyhatedmaths.Everytimeshelookedoverherhomework,shewould




gointoadream.Althoughwatchoverissimilar,lookoveroftenmeanstolookquickly.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

lookthroughApartfromtheobviousideaoflookingthroughatelescope,weusethisforquicklyreadingthrough-inthesenseofbeingintheexperienceof-amagazinewithoutreallyreadingit.It’ssimilartogothrough,butwithlesseffort.Atthehairdresser's,MrsArkwrightusedtolookthroughthesocietymagazines.Shedidn'treadthem,ofcourse.Shejustlookedatthephotosanddiscussedhighsocietygossipwithherfriends.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

lookupIntheolddays,referencebooksandholybookswerebig,heavythingsthatwerereallyvaluable.Therewereoftenchainedonspecialstands,sothatthievescouldn'ttakethem.Youhadtostanduptoconsultthem.Tofindanythinginabooklikethis,youhadtolookuptheinformation.Youhadtolookitup.Nowweusethistomean'searchforinformation'inanyreferencebook,suchasdictionaries,encyclopaedias,phonebooks,bustimetables,andsoon.ItiswhyyouuseGoogle.'What'sthecapitalofBurkinaFaso?''Lookitup.'Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

lookuptoManymanyyearsagotherewereonlythreekindsofpeople:thosewhofought,thosewhoworked,andthosewhoprayed.Thebestpeople,thekingsandlordsandladies,allrodeabouttheirlandonhorseback.Andfrequentlytheywouldseetheirpeasants,onfoot,workinghard.Thepoorpeasantswould,literally,lookuptothem.Uptothelordsandladies.MohammedAlihastolduswhathewantsonhisgravestone-HENEVERLOOKEDDOWNONTHOSEWHOLOOKEDUPTOHIMThree-wordverbNoproblem.

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make(make,made,made)Thebasicmeaningofthiswordis'tocreate'.

makeforItstartstorainhard.Somebodyinthegroupshouts,'Makeforthetrees.'Andweallruntowardsthetrees.Thisisshortfor'make(astraightline)forthetrees.'MAKEFORisaninseparabletwo-wordverbandhastobefollowedbyaplace.MAKEFORsomewhere.Noproblem.

makeout'Someoneleftamessageonmyvoicemail,butIcouldn'tmakeitout.'Iamlookingatshapesinafog.Whatarethey?Ican'tmakeapictureinmymindthatcorrespondstowhatIseeoutthere.Ican'tmakeoutthepeople.It'simpossibletomakethemout.'Juanaisaverystrangewoman.Ican'tmakeherout.'(Idon'tunderstandher.)Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

makeupOneofthemeaningsofupis'toahigherstandard'andso,ofcourse,whenawomanmakesherfaceuptoahigherstandard-tobemorebeautiful-shemakesup.Sheputsonmake-up.Allofthiscanbeagreatmysteryformen.Inthissense,MAKEUPisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.Sometimes,therealworldcanbealittledullandboring,sowehavetoinventsomething.Wehavetomakesomethinguptoahigherstandard,tobeabitmoreexciting.Inotherwords,weinventastory.'Don'tbelieveanythingthatAmaryllissays.She'salwaysmakingthingsup.'ThisMAKEUPisaseparabletwo-wordverbBecareful.Yetanotherwayweusemakeupisthesenseofcompensatingforabad




time.Afteraquarrel,loversoftenmakeup.Iftheydon't,theyarenolongerlovers.Again,upheremeansahigherstandard.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.Acommonexpressionwhensomebodyborrowssomethingfromyouorstealsyourtimeis'Don'tworry.I'llmakeituptoyou.'(Iwillcompensateyou.)Fixedexpression,butnoticethatwiththismeaningitisaseparablethree-wordverb.

makeupfor'Dalmatiaisnotverypretty,butshemakesupforitwithhercharmandherbrains.'Wehavetomakesomethinguptoahigherstandardforareason.Ashypersonwhohasdifficultyinmeetingnewpeoplemightmakeherbehaviouruptoahigherstandardforthereasonofhertimidity.Shecouldbecomeverynoisy,forexample,drinktoomuch,orbetoogenerous.Shemakesupforhershyness.Shecompensatesforhershynessbybeingnoisy.Makeupformeanstocompensateforsomething.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

makeuptoThishasacompletelydifferentmeaningfrommakeituptoyou..Theideaisbeingnicetopeoplewhoarehigherupthanyou.'Heisalwaysmakinguptothepresident'ssecretary.'Anotherwayofsayingthisis'Heisalwayskissinguptothepresident'ssecretary.'Thereareyetotherlesspoliteexpressions,butnotinthisbook.

mix(mix,mixed,mixed)Youputwaterandwineintothesameglassatthesametimeyouaremixingthem.Oncethingsaremixeditisverydifficulttoseparatethemagain.

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mixupTomixcompletely(up)Beextension,wesaythatsomeoneorsomethingismixedupwhentheyareconfused.'Tomasinaisabitmixedup.Shemarriedthewrongman.Twice.'Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

move(move,moved,moved)Theactofgoingfromoneplacetoanother.

movein,moveoutMoveoftenhasthesenseofmovewhereyoulive,tomovehouse.Whensomeonemovesin,theycometolivewithyou,inthesamehouse.Andmoveoutistheopposite.Whentheygooutofthehouseforthelasttime-whentheyleaveyou.movetohasthesamesenseofmovinghouse.Two-wordverbwithoutanobject.Noproblem.

moveoffSometimesoffmeans'awayfromhere'.Suchasgooffonajourney,orsetoffonanotherjourney.Weusemoveofftoemphasisethemovementitself.Forexample,whenashipleavesthedock.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

moveoverSometimesoverhasthesense'fromonesidetotheother'.Suchaspassover(totheworldtocome)orputoveranideafromonemindtoanother.Moveoverismoremundane.Yousitcrowdedonabenchseatonthebusorthemetro.'Moveover,'saysMrFatte.'Ineedmorespace.'moveuphasthesamemeaning.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

movetoMovefrequentlyhasthesenseofmovewhereyoulive,tomovehouse.




'WhathappenedtoGerald?''Didn'tyouhear?HemovedtoBerlin.Hegotthejobhewanted.'moveinandmoveouthavethesamesenseofmovinghome.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

moveupAsincomeuptoafence,ortogoupagainstastrongenemy,upcanhavetheideaofreachingalimitIwassittingonaseatonthemetro.'Moveup,'saidMrFatte.'Ineedspace.'moveoverhasthesamemeaninghere.Asimilarmeaningiswhenanarmymovesitsforcesuptothefront.Separabletwo-wordverbProblem.

name(name,named,named)Tonamesomethingistogiveitaname.

nameafterPerhapsyouwerenamedafteryourgrandmother.Youhavethesamename,butshehaditfirst.Usually,aftermeanslaterintime.FromtimetotimeababyinEnglandgetselevennames.HeisnamedaftertheplayersinhisDad'sfavouritefootballteam.Callaftermeansexactlythesame..Noticethesimilaritywithtakeafter.nameforhasthesamemeaning.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

nameforOnethingorpersoncanbeintheplaceof,asecondone.Thatistosay,onethingforanother.Perhapsyouwerenamedforoneofyourgrandparents.Youhavethesamename,buttheyhaditfirst.nameaftermeansthesame.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

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own(own,owned,owned)Tohave,ortopossess,inalegalsense.Thatcarbelongstome.Iamtheowner.AndIhavethedocumentstoproveit.

ownuptoUpisthedirectionofHeavenandauthority.(Comparegiveup,signup.)Toownsomethingistotakeresponsibilityforit.Whenyouownuptosomething,youtaketheresponsibilityforitbeforeAuthority.Inotherwords,youconfess.'Allright,'saidMissHarmonythemusicteacher.'Ownup!Whoputdetergentinthesaxophones?'Three-wordverbNoproblems.

pass(pass,passed,passed)Tomoveinrelationtosomethingelsethatisnotmoving.Timepasses.MrGeorgepassesthiswayeveryafternoonathalfpastthree.

passaway,passon,passoverAllofthesearepoliteexpressionsmeaning'todie'.Thesoulpassesontoanewlife.Itpassesovertotheotherside.AwaymeansyouneverseethemagainTwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

passdownThingspassdownthroughtime.Mostwallcalendarsgodownfromthepasttothepresentandfurtherdowntothefuture.Valuablethingstendtopassdownthroughthegenerations.Grandadpasseddownhiswatchtome.Heleftittomeinhiswill.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

passforFrantheFanDanceris36,butinalowlightshecanpassfor16.




Somethingthatcanpassthroughlifefor,inthesenseof'insteadof',somethingelse.Thesenewforgeriesareverygood.Theypassforgoodnotesnearlyeverywhere.Separabletwo-wordverbProblem.

passoffTopasssomethingoff,istopasssomethingfalseoffyourhandsasifitwerereal.FitztheForgeriswonderful.Hemakesbeautifulcopiesofbanknotes.Youcanpassthemoffanywhere.ThismeansthesameasFitz'snotescanpassforgenuinenotesinanybank.Separabletwo-wordverbTakecare.

passoutWhenyouloseconsciousness,whenyoufaint,youpassoutoftheeverydayworld.Youpassout.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

passupTopasssomethinguptoHeavenistorenounceit.Itissimilartogiveup,butwithoutthesenseofsacrifice.Youpassupanopportunity,oraninvitationtoadance,thatyoudon'tparticularlycareaboutIoftengetinvitationsintheposttoplaylotteriesofforeigncountries.Ifinditreallyeasytopassupthesechances.Theinvitationsgostraightintothebin.Separabletwo-wordverbCareful.

pick,pickup(pick,picked,picked)Wepickfruitwhenwetakeitfromthetree.Whenwepickapplesfromtheappletree,thereisanideaofselection,and,byextension,pickcanalsomean'select'MaradonawaspickedforArgentina,again.Wealsopickupapencilfromatable,forexample

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SamwenttoChinaforayear,butheonlypickedupafewwordsofChinese.PICKUPisaseparabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

pickoffOffoftenmeansachangeofstateorposition.Milkcangooff,orsomebodycansetoffafirework.Imaginearowoflittlebirdsflyinginalineinavideogame.HarrytheVideoHunterpicksthemoff,onebyone.Thatis,heshootsfirstone,thenanother,thenanother.......(Realbirdsarenotsostupid,ofcourse.)Separabletwo-wordverb.Careful.

pickonHere,pickhasthesenseof'select'.Andonsometimescanbeaggressive.(Whensomebodyisliterallyonsomethingelse,itisinasuperiorposition.Itcandominate.Thinkofwrestling.)Lookatturnonsomebody,andhavingtheguarddogsetonaburglar.Whenhooliganspickonsomebody,theyhaveselectedhimforabadtime.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

pickoutInanormalcrowd,it'sreallyeasytopickoutthebasketballplayers.Theystandheadandshouldersovertherest.(Itissimpletodistinguishthem.Theystandout.)Oneofthemeaningsofpickis'toselect',andpickoutemphasisesthisideafurther.Wepickoutsomethingfromthecrowd.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

pickupNotonlycanyoupickupabookthathasfallenonthefloor,orpickupalanguageafterlivinginacountryforayearortwo,youcanalsopickupadiseasefrombeinginthewrongplace,pickupyourfriendfromthestation,orpickup(thethreadof)ahalf-forgottenconversation.'Let'spickupwhereweleftoff.'Youcanalsopickupanewromanticfriendinabaroraclubwherethereislotsofdancing.





pickuponMyEnglishteacherisalwayspickinguponmymistakes.Ihateher.Byextensionfrompickup,pickuponmeanstodetect.AsDetectiveJoneswastalkingtoMillyMolly,theclubowner,hepickeduponthefactthatsomethingwasnotright.Sheknewmorethanshewassaying.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

play(play,played,played)Playiswhatchildrendowhentheyarenotatschool.Theyplayinthehouse,inthestreet,inthepark.Theyplayeverywhere.Anditisfun.Thisisalwayscontrastedtowork,whichisserious.Musiciansalsoplaytheirinstruments.

playatShewenttotheUnitedStatestolearnEnglishbutafterayearshedidn'tevenknowthepluralof'woman'.Shewasonlyplayingatlearningthelanguage..Playisalwayscontrastedtowork,whichisserious.Sotoplayatsomething,istodoitbutnotseriously.Itisacontemptuousexpression.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

playbackBack,afteraverb,almostalwayshasthesenseof'return'Musiciansplaytheirinstrumentsandso,byextension,dorecordingmachines,CDsystems,andsoon.Oncethemusichasbeenrecorded,youwanttohearitagain,don'tyou?Thenthemachineplaysitbacktoyou.Separabletwo-wordverbCareful.

playdownYvettelostallherhearinginherleftear,butsheplaysitdown.She

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doesn'ttalkaboutit,andyounevernotice.Whenweturndownthemusic,wemakeitlessloud.Wemakeitquieter.Byextension,wecanplayasituationlikeaninstrumentandwhenweplaythesituationdown,wemakeitlessimportant.Wetaketheemphasisawayfromit.Separabletwo-wordverb.Careful.

playupMrWellingtonwasasuccessfulpoliticianwhoalwaysknewhowtoplayupthemistakesofhisenemies.Everytimetheysaidsomethingwrong,heleteveryoneknow.Whenweturnupthemusic,wemakeitlouder.Byextension,wecanplayasituationlikeaninstrumentandwhenweplaythesituationup,wemakeitmoreimportant.Wegiveitmoreemphasis.Separabletwo-wordverb.Careful.

point(point,pointed,pointed)Toindicatewiththepointofyourfinger.Noticethatpointtosomethingisnotquitethesameastopointatit.Atcanbeaggressivesoweusuallysaypointatpeople.'Don'tpointatthestrangeman,Jeremy.It'snothisfault.'Someofusweretoldaschildrenthatitwasrudetopointatsomebody.Thedialonyourcarpointsto100milesanhour(about160km)andyouhearthepolice.Theimportanceofthesituation,saidthebusinessmanagerinthefourthmeeting,pointstoanimmediatesearchforasolutionPOINTAT,POINTTOInseparabletwo-wordverbs.Noproblem..

pointout'Theideainboxing,'saidthechamp,'istohurthimmorethanhehurtsme.Ijustwantedtopointthatout.'(Hejustwantedtoindicateitouttotheworld.)Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.




pull(pull,pulled,pulled)Thisiswhenyoumovesomethingalittleheavyordifficulttowardsyou.Itistheoppositeofpush.

pullaheadInanyrace,theperson,horseorcarinfrontoftheothers,isahead.Thinkofgetaheadorstayahead.Maybethehorseraceisveryclosewithnoclearwinneryet,butnowMightyWonderispullingaheadoftherest.Itisasifhewaspullingthewinningposttowardshim.Thismeansexactlythesameaspushahead.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

pullawayPullawaymeansexactlythesameaspullahead.Ifyouwatchhorseracingyouwillhearthisalot.(Bytheway,listeningtohorseracingisawonderfulideaforimprovingyourlisteningingeneral.Thecommentatorstalkreallyreallyfast.Tenminutesisworthanhourofanactionfilmwithexplosions,forexample.Andifyouputmoneyonit,itwillkeepyourattention.)Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

pullbackBack,afteraverb,almostalwayshasthesenseof'return'Anarmypullsbacktoitspreviousposition.Itretreats.Thegeneralispullinghisarmybacktoitspreviousposition.Usuallyatwo-wordverbwithoutanobject,sonoproblem.Butitcanbeaseparabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

pulloffOfffrequentlymeansachangeofstateorposition(likegooff,takeoff).Whenyoupullsomethingoff,youhavetakenitaway.Byextension,whenyoupulloffaproject,youalsocompleteit.Whendoyoucompleteaproject?Whenitisfinished.

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Whenyoupulloffaproject,itisasuccess.Always.Comparethiswithbringoffandcarryoff.Also,aprojectcancomeoff.Theyallmeanexactlythesame.Daisypullsitoff.Daisysucceedsinsomethingdifficult.Welldone,Daisy!Usuallyafixedexpression.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

pullthroughThedoctorstoldusthatshecoulddie,butshepulledthrough.Throughmeansmovementfromoutsidesomething,intoit,andthenoutsideitagain.Oftenthisisdifficult.Forexample-breakthrough,getthroughsomething,andthinkthroughahardproblem..Pullthroughisacrisis.Ifyoupullthroughanillness,oranordeal,itmeansthatyousurviveit.Itdidn'tkillyou.Wetypicallythinkofthisasamedicaloranemotionaldrama.Something-orSomeone-ispullingyouthroughthiscrisis.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

push(push,pushed,pushed)Thisiswhenyoumovesomethingalittleheavyordifficultawayfromyou.Itistheoppositeofpull.

pushaheadInanyrace,theperson,horseorcarinfrontoftheothers,isahead.Thinkofgetaheadorstayahead.Maybetheraceisveryclosewithnoclearwinneryet,butnowMightyWonderispushingaheadoftherest.ItisasifheismakingaspecialeffortpushingagainstthegroundItmeansexactlythesameaspullahead.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

pusharoundIfyouputbigboysandlittleboystogetherinthesameplayground,thelittleonessoongetpushedaround.Ifyoucanpushsomebodyaroundtheplace,heorsheisweakandeasy




todominate.(Thispersonisalsoknownasa'pushover'.)Separabletwo-wordverbCareful.

pushforOneofthecommonestmeaningsofforisareasontodosomething.Suchasgofor,lookfor,orstandforforParliament.Ifyouworkinabigorganisation,andyouwantsomethingimportanttohappen,youwantsomethingdone,youhavetopushforit.Youhavetopushthroughmuchresistance(alsoknownasyourcolleaguesandyourboss)foryourproject.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

pushoffThisisaninelegantwayoftellingsomebodytogoaway.Thereareother,ruder,waysofsayingthesamethingusingtabooverbsandoff.Butnotinthisbook.Fixedexpression.Noproblem.

put(put,put,put)Putmeans'toplace','toposition'.Itmustalwayshaveaprepositionafterit.Youputsomethingsomewhere.Otherwiseitmakesnosense.

putabout,putaroundAboutoftenmeans'here,there,everywhere'.Toputitaboutistoplacesomethinghere,there,andwhoknowswhereelse.Theitmeansapieceofnews,atastyscandal,somethingthespeakerdisapprovesof.Toputitaboutmeanstospreadgossip.AfterMarythegossipputitaboutthathehadoncebeeninprison,Georgewasnotwelcomeanywhereinthevillage.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

putacrossIusedtohatemaths,untilthenewteacher,MrMarsden,arrived.Heputsitallacrosssowell.Icanunderstanditnow.

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Toputsomethingacrossmeanstoputsomeinformation,anewideaperhaps,acrossanimaginarytable.'Toputsomethingacrosswell'means'tosuccessfullycommunicateit'.Thedefencelawyerputhiscaseacrosssowellthatthejurybelievedhim,soOJSimpsonwentfree.Putoverhasthesamemeaning.Comparethiswithgetacross,andgetover.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

putaway,putaside,putbyAwayisnothere,asidemeans'tooneside'andbymeans'near'or'close'.Tohavesomemoneyputaway,putasideorputbymeanstohavesomemoneysavedinabank,putunderthebed,orinadirtyoldsock.setasidemeansexactlythesame.But,putawayhasanother,lessfriendlymeaning.Jimmy'sunclewasputawayforsevenyears.Itmeansthatheisinprison.TheLawputhimaway.Separabletwo-wordverbs.Becareful.

putdownGeorginawasanintelligentgirlwithnofriends.Shewasalwaysputtingpeopledown.Toputsomebodydownmeanstopubliclyplacesomeonedowninalowerposition.Thereforeitmeanstohumiliatethem,despisethem,orjusttospeakbadlyaboutthem.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

put(thedog)downThisisaeuphemism.Whenyourdogisveryoldorill,anditistimeforhimtogotothedoghouseinthesky,youcantakehimtothevet,andthevetwillkillhim.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

putitdownto




Whenwedon'tunderstandsomething,itfeelsvagueandconfusing,asifitissmokeorvapourthatwecan'tcatch.Butoncewedounderstandit,thatisadifferentstory.Itisnownaileddowntothefloor.It'ssolid.Wehaveanexplanation,anditfeelsfamiliarandsafe.Isn'tittruethatFreudputseverythingdowntochildhoodexperience?MusthaveanobjectbetweenPUTandDOWN.Itisarareseparablethree-wordverb.Becareful.

putforwardAtameetingintheTownHall,theMajorityPartyputseveralproposalsforwarddesignedtowinthenextelection.TheOppositionPartystatedthatthiswasaninsulttothepeople,andputforwardsomecounter-proposalsoftheirown.Sometimesithasaratherformalsense,likecomeforward.Forwardisthedirectioninwhichwenormallygo.Toputsomethingforwardissimilartoputsomethingacrossinthesensethatwhatyouputforwardisinformation,oranidea.Toputanideaforwardistoformallyproposeitinameetingit.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

putoffPenelopehashadninemonthstoprepareforthisexam,butshekeptputtingitoffandputtingitoff,sothatnowsheonlyhasoneweektostudy.Shewilldrinkalotofblackcoffee.Wesayoffwhenwemean'awayfromthissituation'or'awayfromhere'so,byextension,itcanmean'awayfromnow'or,rather,intothefuture.Toputsomethingoffmeans'topostponeit''Whyhavewegotwaterinthekitchen?''Becauseyourdadtoldmehewasgoingtomendtheroof,buthekeptputtingitoff.'Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

putoffVernonthoughtthathewasaladiesman,butheonlytalkedabouthimself.Thisputthegirlsoffcompletely.Assooften,offherehastheideaof'awayfromthissituation'or'awayfromhere'.So,toputsomebodyoffmeanstomakepeopleloseenthusiasmforanidea.

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'Iorderedfriedeggsontoast,buttheeggswerealmostgreen.Thatputmeoff.'Thishappenedtomeand,yes,itdidputmeoff.turnoffcanhavethesamemeaning.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

putonYouputonyourclothesmostmornings(andatnightyoutakethemoff).Whoputsondifferentclothesmostoften?Actors.Inthepast,satiricalactors,aboveall,putonmasks.(Satirecouldbealittledangerousintheolddays.Laughingatthelordwithhisswordhaditsownrisks.)Byextension,whenyouareputtingsomeoneon,youaremockingthem.Youarelaughingatthemwithasatire.WhenyouareinEngland,pleasenotethattheEnglishloveironyandsatire,andmaywellbeputtingyouonwithoutyourknowledge.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

putoutAnotedEnglishwriterdiedinthetrenchesoftheFirstWorldWar.Hisfamouslastwordswere,'Putthat******cigaretteout!'Whenfiresdie,theygoout.Whenweextinguishafire,weputitout.It'soutnow,andwefeelthecold,asweoftendowhenwegooutdoors.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

putoverIusedtohateeconometricsuntilthenewteacher,MrsGladiola,arrived.Sheputsitoversowell.Icanunderstanditnow.Toputsomethingovermeanstoputsomeinformation,somevaluableteaching,overanimaginarytable.'Toputsomethingoverwell'means'tosuccessfullycommunicateit'.Putacrosshasthesamemeaning.Comparethiswithgetacrossandgetover.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.Thereisalsoanexpression.Georgeputoneoveronyou.Hefooledyou.Hemadeafoolofyou.Heliedandyoubelievedit.Hahaha,morefoolyou!




Fixedexpression.

putthroughThroughmeans'outside,theninside,thenoutsideagain'.Lightcomesthroughthewindow.Itisoutsidethewindow,then(forapicosecond)itisinsidetheglass,andthenitisoutsidetheglassagain.TrainsgofromEnglandtoFrancethroughatunnel.Likeputacrossandputforward,itisinformationthatismoved.Weimagineacableoraphonelineasapipe.Electricityorinformationgoesthroughthecable.Intheolddayswhenyouphonedsomebodyinacompanyyouhadtogothroughtheswitchboard.Youhadtospeaktotheladyandpersuadehertoconnectyoutothepersonyouwanted.Whenthathappenedshewouldsay,'Puttingyouthrough.'Whenthishadhappenedyouhadgotthrough.Youhadgotthroughtothepersonyouwanted.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

putupWhengoodfriendsofyourscometostayforalongweekend,youdon'tsendthemofftoahotel.Thatisnowaytokeepyourfriends.No,youputupatemporarybed-maybeacampbed.Byextension,wesaythatyouputupyourfriendsfortheweekend.Itmeans'toprovidefreeaccommodation'Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

putupwithKate'shusbandissorudeandabusiveallthetime.Idon'thowsheputsupwithit.Putsomethinguponyourshouldermeanstocarryit,toacceptresponsibilityforit,totolerateit.Itisaburden,butyoushoulderit.Youputupwithit.No,Idon'tlikepayingmymortgageeverymonth.Butwhatcanyoudo?Iputupwithit.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

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putuponUponisanolderversionofon.(Lookatit.Originallyitwasupon.)Youputsomethingonsomethingelse.SometimeshisbossputsagreatloaduponpoorMaurice'sshoulders.Hefeelslikeavictim.Hefeelsveryputupon.Nearlyalwaysweusethisverbinthepassive.

rule(rule,ruled,ruled)Therearetwomeaningsofrule.Oneisthatwhatthetraditionalkingdoes,whatthebossdoes.Althoughinmodernmonarchies,itisalittlemoresubtle.Thekingorqueenreigns,butparliamentrules.Butfortoday,let'sthesaythekingrules.Theotherrulerisadevicewithstraightedgesthatweallknowformakingstraightlinesonpaper.Youruleastraightlinewithit.

ruleoutWhenyourule(becauseyouaretheruler),youcanrulesomethingout.Youcanexcludeit.Itisoutofhere.Or...Withyourruleronthedeskyoucandrawalinethroughsomewords.Yourulethemout,whichisthesameascrossingthemout.Youchoose.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

run(run,ran,run)Howyoumovefastwithouttechnology.Itcanalsomean'flow'.Ariverruns.Athirdmeaningiswhenwerunsomething.Wemakeitflow,asitwere.Amanagerrunsacompany,orashop,orafactory.Civilservantsrunthecountry,perhaps.

runacross




Whenyourunacrosssomebody,youcollidewiththembyaccident,usuallynotliterally.Expressedmorepolitely,youmeetthatpersonbychance.runintohasthesamemeaning.IranacrossMrSebastiantodayinthesupermarket.Helookedveryhappybecausesomeoneboughthishouseatlast.Runintomeansexactlythesame.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

runawayWhenyourunaway,yourunawayfromsomewhere,usuallyquickly.Thisisbecausethereissomethinghorriblethere.Peoplewhorunawayfromsituationstooeasilyareneverrespected.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

rundownIntheolddays,mostclocksranbymechanisms-calledclockwork-thatneededwindingup.Ifyouweretoolazyorforgetfultowindtheclockup,itrandown.Byextension,ifsomebodylookslikeheistiredandalittleill,wesaythathe,too,isrundown.Usuallyweusethisverbinthepassive.Noproblem.

runfor,standforIntheUnitedStates,whenanambitiouspersonwantstobeapolitician,heorsherunsforelection.InBritain,awould-bepoliticianstandsforelection.Whatdoesthattellyouaboutthetwodifferentcountries?Oneofthecommonestmeaningsofforisthereasonwhyyoudosomething.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

runintoWhenyourunintosomebody,youcrashintothembyaccident,usuallynotliterally.Expressedmorepolitely,youmeetthatpersonbychance.runacrossmeansthesame.IranintoMrsArmandtodayinthepost-office.Shetoldmethatherlifewasfullofstressthesedays.Runacrossmeansexactlythesame.

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Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

runout,runoutofSugarrunsoutofthebag.Waterrunsoutofthejug.Andbeerrunsoutofthebarrel.Whentheyareallempty,thesugar,thewater,andthebeerhaverunout.Byextension,wehaverunoutofsugar,water,andbeer.Thereisnoneleft.DesmondthePoliticianliesallthetime,sonobodybelieveshimanymore.He'srunoutofcredibility.RUNOUTisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.RUNOUTOFisathree-wordverb.Noproblemeither.

runoverThisisviolent.Whenyourunoversomeone,youdoitwithyourcar.This,ofcourse,canbefatal.OnceIheardachildscream,'I'llgetmyDadtorunoveryourhead.'Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

runthroughTorunthroughsomethingyoumustbeinsideitandtryingtogetoutsidetothefarside.Trainsgothroughatunnel,andplanesflythroughtheair.Ifyouhavealotofwork,don'tyoufeelasifyouareinsideit?Thisisverysimilartogetthroughandgothroughbutwithoutthesenseofstruggle.Today,Igotthroughalotofwork.(SoI'mtired.)Today,Iwentthroughalotofwork.(SoI'mhappy.)Today,Iranthroughalotofwork.(Easy.Dowantmetodomore?)Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

runupRunningthroughalotofworkiseasy.So,unfortunatelyforlotsofus,isrunningupabigbill.Invitealltheprettyladiestobottlesofchampagne.Noproblem,justputitonthebill.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.




see(see,saw,seen)Whatwedowithoureyesandmuchofourbrains.

seeaboutToseeaboutsomethingmeanstoseethatsomethinggetsdone,thataproblemissolved.Itisverysimilartoseetobutthereislessdetermination.'IwillseeabouttheproblemofrecruitmentinourBirminghamoffice.'means'Iwillgivethisproblemmyattentionforabouttenminutesaday.'Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

seeinTherearetwocommonexpressions.Oneiswhateverygirl'sgirlfriendshavesaidabouthernewboyfriend.'Idon'tknowwhatsheseesinhim.'Theycan'tseehisgoodqualities,whatisinhim.Inseparabletwo-wordverbwiththismeaning.Noproblem.Theothermeaningissimilartoseeoutandseeitthrough.EveryyearweseeintheNewYearwithacelebration.Separabletwo-wordverbwiththismeaning.LikeSEEOUT.Becareful.

seeoffYouseeyourfriendoff(fromhisvisit,perhaps)whenyouescorthimtothestation.'Goodbye,friend.Comebacksoon.'Thereisalsoasimilarbutlessfriendlymeaning.Imaginethatyouownanicepieceofland.Youalsohavealargedog-calledUglyMug-thatneverhasenoughtoeat.Oneday,somestrangevisitorsarrive,andtheytrytointerestyouintheirphilosophy.Youpolitelyaskthemtoleave,buttheydon't.'Hey,UglyMug,'yousaytothedog.'Seethemoff.'AndUglyMugseesthemofftheland.Heseesthattheunwelcomevisitorsareoffhisland.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

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seeoutOutheremeanstheend.Magdacameintoalotofmoneyandshedecidedtobuysomegoodfurnitureforachange.WhenIwenttoseeher,Ihadtoadmirehernewsoliddiningtable.'Itwilllastforcenturies,'shesaid.'Itwillseemeout.'Thetablewill'see'heroutofthislife.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

seethrough,seeitthroughWhenyouseethroughaproject,itislikegoingthroughit,butoftenwiththesenseofsupervisingit,guidingit,ormanagingit.Whenyouhaveseenitthrough,youhavefinishedit.'We'relateontheBirminghamproject.''Iknowthere'sbeensomeproblems,butI'mseeingitthrough.'Itakeresponsibilityforfinishingit.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

seethrough,seethroughitNormallywecanseethroughawindowbecauseitistransparent.Andifyoulietomeandyouarebadatlying,Icanseethroughyourstory.Youhavenotdeceivedme,notfooledme.Youhavenotmadeafoolofme.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

seetoSeetosomethingmeanstoseethatsomethinggetsdone,thataproblemissolved.'IwillseetotheproblemoffallingsalesinourInvernessbranch.'means'Iwillgivethisproblemmyfullattention.'DonFerrarihasaproblemwithacompetitor.Hisassistantsays,'Don'tworry,boss.I'llseetoit.'Andthebosshasacompetitorless.seeaboutissimilar,butwithlesscommitment.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

sell(sell,sold,sold.Liketell,told,told.)Whatyoudowhenyouexchangesomethingyouhave,orsomethingyou




do,formoney.

sellbyIntime,bymeans'atorbefore'Itisadeadline.So'sellbyJanuary2020'meansthattheitemmustbesoldonorbeforeJanuary2020.Separabletwo-wordverbCareful.

selloffSometimesoffitjustmeansawayfromhere.Whenyoulaysomethingoff,youlayittooneside.Youstopusingit.Ownersnormallylayoffemployeesbecausethebusinessisfailing,orbecausethemanagementhasdecidedtocloseafactoryoranoffice.Whenthishappens,thecapitalequipmentofthefactory,thefactoryitself,issoldoff.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

selloutSOLDOUTmeansthatthereisnothingleft.YougotobuyacoupleofticketsforthenewHollyWoodfilm,buttheyhavesoldout.Soyouhavetodosomethingelsethatnight.Comparethiswithrunout.Whenwesaysomebodyhassoldout,italsomeansthatthereisnothingleft.Thatistosay,thathehassoldhistrust,hisintegrity,hishonour,outformoneyorforfame.Inotherwords,hehasbeencorrupted.Fixedexpression.Noproblem.Byextension,tosellsomebodyoutistobetraythem.ThinkofJudasandthethirtypiecesofsilver.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

sellupVeryoftenuphasthesenseof'complete'or'finish'sowhenyousellup,youselleverythingyouhaveintocashandstartagain,ofteninanewtown,orevenanewcountry.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

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send(send,sent,sent)Tosendistotransmit.Itcanbeathing,itcanbeamessage,oritcanbeinformation.Yousendsomethingfromoneplacetoanother.

sendbackBackmeansreturnasnearlyalways.Iamatarestaurantwithmyfavouriteperson.Shelooksatwhatthewaiterhasbroughtandsaystome,'That'snotwhatIordered.''Fine,'Isay.'Let'ssenditback.'Andbacktothekitchenitgoes.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

senddownLiterally,yousendsomebodydownfromahighplacetoalowerone.TherearetwocommonusesthatIknow,where'high'and'low'haveasocialmeaning,notaphysicalone.StudentsatOxfordorCambridge-thetwomostprestigiousuniversitiesinBritain-couldbesentdowniftheywerenogood.Theywereexpelled,ejected,kickedout,askedtoleave.Also,'WhathappenedtoHarry?''Sentdownfortenyears.'Hewillbeinprisonfortenyears.Usuallypassive.TOBESENTDOWN.

sendupOntelevisionthereisaprogramme*ofplasticpuppetsthatsendupthepoliticiansofthecountry.Theprogrammeismuchmorepopularthanthepoliticiansthemselves.*'programme'isBritishEnglish.TheAmericanswrite'program'.BeforetheWrightbrothersitwasverydifficulttosendupanything.Youcouldonlysendupaballoon,whichisaridiculous,inflated,pompousthing.Infact,eventhethoughtofitwassodifficultthatitwasridiculous.Andthatistheideathathascontinuedwithus.Tosendsomebodyupistoimitatetheminaridiculous,funny,orsarcastic




way.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

set(set,set,set)First,youhavetohavesomeideawhatsetmeans.Itmeans,approximately,movingorchangingsomethinginsuchawaythatitisdifficulttomoveorchangeitback.Itissomethingthatisdifficulttoundo.Whenlovelywet,stickyconcreteisleft,itdriesandbecomeshard,andnoamountofwaterwillturnhardconcretesoft.Theconcretesets.OldHarryissetinhisways.Hedoesn'twanttolearnanythinganymore.Hesays,'Youcan'tteachanolddognewtricks.'Whenyouchangeyourclocksatthebeginningortheendofsummer,yousetyourclocks.Yousetthemforwardinthespring,andintheautumnyousetthemback.

setaboutJoe'scarpetbusinesswasgoingdownhill,untilhiswifetookchargeandsetaboutimprovingit.Shehadtoworkveryhardbutnowit'sdoingfine.Tosetaboutataskoraprojectistostartdoingitseriously.Theideaofset,asalways,hasasenseofpermanence.Inseparabletwo-wordverbYouSETABOUTajob,oryouSETABOUTdoingajob.Noproblem.

setafterHey,Wally'sgonetotheairport,buthe'sforgottenhispassport.Ifyousetafterhimnow,youshouldgettotheairportontime.Setoutandsetoffbothmeantostartajourney.Andaftermeanslaterintimeorinasequence,likegoafterornameafter.Whenyousetaftersomebody,itmeanstosetoutorsetoffonajourneyaftertheperson.Youhopethatyoucancatchupwithhim.Setafterislessaggressivethangoafter.Itdoesnotsuggesthuntingorkilling.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

setagainstAgathawantedtogotouniversitybutherfatherwassetagainstit,soshe

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startedworkasahairdresser.Againstalwayshastheideaof'confrontation'Nearlyalwaysusedinthepassive,tobesetagainstsomethingmeanstobedeterminedagainstit.Rememberthatsetmeans'difficulttoundo'.Fixedexpression.Noproblem.Tosetsomeoneagainstsomebodyelsemeanstopersuadethemthattheyhaveanenemy.Itwasasadandfamiliarstory.HisparentsdivorcedwhenOrlandowasyoungandhehadtospendpartofeachweekwithhismother,andtheweekendswithhisfather.Theyeachtriedtosethimagainsttheother.ThisverbalwayshastheformSETonepersonAGAINSTanother.

setasideAlbertsettenpercentofhissalaryasideeverymonth.Hewassavingtogetmarried.Asidemeans'tooneside'.Tohavesomemoneysetasidemeanstohavesomemoneysavedinabank,putunderthebed,orinadirtyoldsockputaway,putaside,putbymeanexactlythesame.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

setbackWhenwechangeourclocksatthebeginningortheendofsummer,wesetourclocks.Wesetthemforwardinthespring,andintheautumnwesetthemback.Separabletwo-wordverbFixedexpression.

setdownLikeallphrasalverbswithset,setdownhastheideaofdoingsomethingthatisinconvenient,difficult,orimpossibletoundo.Yousetsomethingdownwhenyoudon'texpectittogetbackupagain.Whenyousetdownwineinyourcellar,youdon'texpecttodrinkitforafewyears.Ataxidriverwillsetdownhispassengersattheairport.Hedoesn'texpecttoseethemagain.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.




setforwardWhenwechangeourclocksatthebeginningortheendofsummer,wesetourclocks.Thedirectioninwhichtimeisgoingisforward.Sowesetthemforwardinthespring,andintheautumnwesetthemback.Separabletwo-wordverbs.Fixedexpression.

setinSometimes,inhasarathervaguemeaningof'aroundhere,now'asopposedtooutwhichcanhavethemeaningof'extension,awayfromhere''Therainhassetinfortheday.'ThisiscommoninEngland.Thismeansthatitisrainingnow,anditisgoingtoberainingallday.TherewillbelittlechangeTwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

setoffHere,offmeans'fromhere',or'fromthesituationhere',likegetoffortakeoffSet,asalways,isdifficulttoreverse.TheRobertsonsgetinthecarandsetoff(fromthehouse)onholiday.Theyexpectnottocomebackforquitealongtime.Setoutmeansexactlythesame.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

setoffThisisanexplosiveverb,achangeofstateoff.Whenyousetoffabomb,allthecomponentsandchemicalsflydramaticallyawayfromhere.Anditisdefinitelyirreversible.Nobodyhaseverputabombbacktogetheragain.Separabletwo-wordverb.Bevery,verycareful.

setonRememberthatsetmeans,approximately,movingorchangingsomethinginsuchawaythatitisdifficulttomoveorchangeitback.Well,Brian,whydidthedogturnonyou?(Onbeingaggressivehere.)Probablythatdoghadamaster,andthatmasterdidnotlikeyouatall.He

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setthedogonyou.Heorderedthedogtoattackyou.Separabletwo-wordverb.Fixedexpression.

setoutHere,outmeans'extension,awayfromhere'asopposedtoinwhichcanhavethemeaning'aroundhere,aboutnow'Set,asalways,isdifficulttoreverse.MrandMrsGrantandalltheirchildrengetinthecarandsetout(ofthehouse)onholiday.Theyexpectnottocomebackinaweekorlonger.Wesaysetoffinexactlythesameway.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

setoutIfyousellfish,atthebeginningofthedayyousetoutyourfishonthecounter,atthebar.Yousetyourfishoutonthecounter.layoutmeansthesamehere.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful

setupIhavejustreadaboutaveryunusualnineteen-year-old.Hehasalreadysetupfivecompanies.Heisamillionaire.Whenyousetsomethingup,youerectit.Youerectitinsuchawaythatyouhopethatitdoesn'tfallover.Byextensionyousetupabusiness.Youstartabusiness.Criminalsoccasionallysetsomebodyup,whichmeanstheyarrangeitsothatthevictimissetupasatarget,eitherforthepoliceorforothercriminals.Reggiespenttenyearsinprisonforsomethinghedidn'tdo.Hewassetupbytherestofhisgang.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

settle(settle,settled,settled)Whenwesettle,wehavefoundtheplacewewanttoliveinfortherestofourlives.Wehavestoppedtravellingtheworld.Settlerswerevisitorstoalandwhointendedtostaythereandtofarmtheland.Settlingis




permanent.

settleforForcanmean'inplaceof',or'insteadof'.Takeforisagoodexample.Takeonethinginplaceofanother.Igorwantedtobeanastronaut,buthesettledforflyingbusinessjets.Sowhenyousettleforsomething,youhavedecidedtoacceptsomethingthatislessthanyourdreams.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

show(show,showed,shown)Todisplayortodemonstratesomething,oftenasopposedtoonlytalkingaboutit.

showoffOffoftenhasthesenseofnotbeingquiteright.Forexample,beoffandgooff.Showoffmeanstodisplaysomething,oryourself,inawaythatisnotreallyacceptable.Oftenitmeansavulgardisplay.Once,IsawaRolls-Roycewithallthemetalpartscoveredingold.Wasthisshowingoff?Edwinawasshowingoffhernewcar,sothatwecouldadmireit.Weusethisverbwithandwithoutanobject.'DoyoulikeEddie'snewcar?''No.Sheisjustshowingoff.'Withanobject,thisisaseparabletwo-wordverbCareful.

showupWewentoutasafamilyforaneveningmeal,butValerieandherhusbanddidn'tshowup.Wewereworriedbecausetheydidn'tphone.(Thatis,theydidn'tappear.)Withoutanobject,thisisverysimilartoturnup.WoodyAllensaysthatanimportantpartofsuccessisshowingup.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.Whenyoushowsomebodyup,however,themeaningisverydifferent.It

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meansthatyouareshowingthatperson-youaredisplayingorrevealinghim-uptothelightoftruth,uptothesightoftheaudience.Youarerevealinghimtobeahypocrite.Youareshowingupthedistancebetweenhiswordsandthetruth.Hewasafamouspolitician,amanofthepeople,wholivedsimply.ButthenareporterfoundhisSwissbankaccounts,andshowedhimup.Separabletwo-wordverb.Careful.

shut(shut,shut,shut)Whenyoushutthedoor,youcannotgointheroom.Closethedoormeansexactlythesame.Itistheoppositeofopen

shutupUpiscomplete.Shutcompletely.Usuallyitmeansshut(yourmouth)completely.Itisarudewayofsaying,'Please,sirormadam,wehaveheardmanyofyourwordsrecently,andwewerewonderingifyoucoulddousthefavourofnotspeakingforalittlewhile.'Donotsaythistoanyonemuchlargerorcrazierthanyou.Fixedexpression.

sign(sign,signed,signed)Tosignaletteroranyotherdocumentis,ofcourse,toputyournameonitinyourownhandwriting.Itmeansacceptingresponsibilityforwhatiswrittenthere.

signonTosignon,inBritishEnglish,meanstoacceptthedole,thestatemoneyyougetwhenyouhavenojob.Inthegoodolddays,unfortunatepeoplehadtosignonacardboardformtoreceivetheirmoney.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

signupUpisthedirectionofauthority.Whenyousignedup,yousignedtodefend




theKingagainsthisenemies.Youjoinedthearmy.Joinuphasthesamemeaning,andtobecalledupmeansthatyouhavebeen'invited'tojointheforces.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

sink(sink,sank,sunk)Whathappenstoashipontheseawhenithasabighole.ThinkoftheTitanic.

sinkinWhenyoupaintadrywall,ittakestimeforthepainttosinkintothesurface.Ittakestimetosinkin.Wesaythissometimesfornewknowledgeornewinformation.Itcantakealotoftimetosinkin.'Theworldhaschanged.Theoldwayswillnevercomeback.''Iknow.Butit'shardtoaccept.Ithasn'tsunkinyet.'Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

sit(sit,sat,sat)Whatmostpeopledoonachair.

sitdownDownreinforcestheideaofsit.Whenweinvitesomeonetoachair,wesay,'Sitdown,please.'Weonlysay,'Sit.'toadog.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

situpOncesomebodyhassatdown,wemaysuggest-especiallyifwearetraditionalteachersorinthearmy-thattheysitup.Thatis,theysitwiththeirbacksstraight,andthatthepersonisconcentratingandreadytolisten.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

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sort(sort,sorted,sorted)Toclassify,whichissomethingallpeopledoallthetime.

sortoutOuthereistheend,theresult.Whenyouhavesortedsomethingout,youhavefinishedthesorting,theproblemissolved,andtheannoyancehasgone.Obviouslywesortthegoodfromthebad,thedeliciousfromthepoisonous,andsoon.Butthefeelingofgettingridofsomethingannoyingmeansthatwecansay'sortout'whennosortinghashappened.'Martha,didn'tyoutellmeyouhadratsinyourbarn?''Yep,butthedogsortedthemout.'Therearenomorerats.Theproblemhasgone.Gooddog.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

speak(speak,spoke,spoken)Whatwehumansdowhenwehavesomethingtosay.

speakoutWhenwespeakoutintheworld,wespeakpublicly.Ifweprotestthelatestcorruptionscandalinourpoliticians,wespeakout.Thereisalwaysasenseofcouragewhensomeonespeaksout,becauseitisalwaysmorecomfortable-orevensafer-nottosayanything.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

speakup'Don'teverbeshyinanEnglishclass,'saidagoodteacher.'Speakupwheneveryoucan.'Ifyoutellmesomethinginaquietvoice,maybeIcan'thearyou.Iwouldthensaytoyou,'Speakup!Ican'thearyou.'Itmeanstospeaklouder,toraiseyourvoice,tomakeyourselfheard.Comparethiswithturnuptheradio.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.




split(split,split,split)Toseparate.Usuallyonlyintotwoparts.Yousplitalogwithanaxe.Afamilycansplitintotwoadultswholiveapart,withchildrentravellingtoandfro.

splitawaySplitawaymeansthesameasbreakaway.Agroupofunhappypoliticiansmightsplitawayfromapoliticalparty.(Youcanalsosaythatthegroupsplitoff)Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

splitoffWhereasbreakoffisalwayshard(Youcanbreaksomethingoffwithahammer,perhaps.)splitoffcanbesoftlikeacakemixture.Youcansplitoffhalfthestickymixturetomakeadifferentkindofcake.Thesofttentaclesofsomeanimalscansplitoff.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

splitupUpmeanscompletely.Whenacouplesplitsup,theyarenolongeracouple.Theycannotsplitanymore.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

stand(stand,stood,stood)Whatwedoonourfeetwhenwedonotmove.

standbyInspace,byhasthegeneralideaof'nextto'or'closeto'Whenyoustandbysomeone,youstandnexttothem,youarereadytofightattheirside.Youaretheirally.Andtherearetimeswhenyouhavetostandbyyourwords.'Areyousayingthatthemembersofthiscommitteeareincompetent?'

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'Yes.Istandbymywords.'Inthemilitary,yousometimeshavetostandbyyourweapons.Thatmeansthattheweaponsarereadytouseinafewseconds.Byextension,whenyouareondutybuthavenothingtodoexcepttowait,youareonstand-by.Thisiswhymodernmachineswithremotecontrolsdon'thaveonandoffanymore.Theyhaveonandstandby,whichmeanstheyarereadytobeturnedon.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

standfor,runforInBritain,whenanambitiouspersonwantstobeapolitician,heorshestandsforelection.IntheUnitedStates,awould-bepoliticianrunsforelection,whichtellsyousomethingaboutthetwodifferentcountries.Foriswhytheyarestandingorrunning.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

standfor,standupforOneofthecommonestmeaningsofforisapurpose.Eton,themostfamousschoolinEngland,standsforaqualityeducation.Thatisitspurpose.TheredflagstoodforCommunism.Thatwasasymbol.NATOstandsforNorthAtlanticTreatyOrganisation.Anacronym.Itcanbemoralaswell.Belindaresignedfromtheboardofthecompany.Shewouldn'tstandforthedeceptionbeingplannedontheshareholders.Notethatinthissense,andonlyinthissense,youcanusestandupfortoaddemphasis.Youstandup,youarenotonyourknees.Belindawouldn'tstandupforthedeceptionbeingplannedontheshareholders.BobMarley,theReggiemaster,usedtosingaboutstandingupforyourrights.Youcanalsostandupforotherpeople.Whenyoudothis,youaresupportingthemwhentheyareattacked.Whenyoustandupforsomebodyyoualsostickupforthem.STANDFORisaninseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.STANDUPFORisathree-wordverb.Noproblemeither.




standinforSometimesinthetheatrethestarisill.Buttheshowmustgoon,sosomebodyelsehastostandintheshowforthestar.Sheisthesubstitute.Shestandsinforthestar.Infact,sheisknownasthestand-in.Three-wordverb.Noproblem.

standoutSomethingorsomeonewhostandsoutiseasytosee,easytopickout.Usually,withaperson,weusethisverbtomeanthatthepersonwearetalkingaboutstandsout(fromthecrowd)becauseofexcellence.(Infact'outstanding'means'trulyexcellent'.)Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

standuptoYouarenotonyourknees,youarestandingupWhenyoustanduptosomebody,youhavecourage,youarenotrunningaway.Youarestandingandfacingtheenemy.Three-wordverb.Noproblem.

start(start,started,started)Tobegin(begin,began,begun).Whenyoustartaprojectitistheveryfirstthingyoudointhatproject.Ifyourprojectistorunamarathon,thenyoustartbyrunningtenmetres.Ifyoucandothat,doanotherten.Andsoon.

startoutSimilartosetoutinthesenseofbeginningajourney,butweusuallymeanonlife'sjourney.Wesaythiswhenwetalkofayoungmanorwoman,leavingschoolorhome,settingoutforthefirsttime.Theyarestartingout.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

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startupUpcanmeanimaginationandthecouragetodosomethingnew.Eveninhardtimes,therearealwayspeoplewhowanttostartupabusiness.SiliconValleyisfullofstart-ups.Thesearecompaniesthatfamouslystartedupinagarage.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

stay(stay,stayed,stayed)Tostaysomewheremeanstobesomewhereforaconsiderabletime.

stayaheadInanyrace,theperson,horseorcarinfrontoftheothers,isahead.Ifyoustayahead,itmeansthatyouareaheadintherace,andthatyoucontinuetobeahead.Keepaheadmeansexactlythesame.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

stayoffOffistheoppositeofon,oritcanbeamoveawayfromanonposition.'STAYOFFTHEGRASS'Youmightseethissigninapark.Youarenotonthegrass,butdon'tgoonit.Continuenottobeonthegrass.'Keepoffthegrass'meansexactlythesame.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

stayout,stayoutofThereisasignatanelectricityswitchingroom.'Dangerofdeath.STAYOUT'Itmeansdonotgoin.Youareoutoftheroom,andyoumustcontinuetobeoutoftheroom.Keepoutmeansexactlythesame.STAYOUTisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.STAYOUTOFisathree-wordverb




stayup'Don'tstayupforme,Mum.Iwon'tbebacktilltwo.''Twointhemorning?You'reright.That'sfartoolateformetostayup.Ineedmysleep.'Stayuplateiswhatwedowhenwedon'twantto-orcan't-gotobed.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

step(step,stepped,stepped)Thehorizontalpartsofastaircase.Youtakeasteponeachstepwhenyougoupordown.

stepdownWhenyoustepdown,youtakeastepdown.Ifyouareinahighposition,andyouarecaught'borrowing'publicmoney(dependinginwhichcountryyouare)youmayhavetostepdown.Youmighthavetoleaveyourjob.Onedayinthe1970saBritishPrimeMinistersuddenlysteppeddown.We,thepublic,neverfoundoutwhy.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

stepuptoThisisuptothelimit.Whenyoustepuptothemark,youstepsothatyourfootisexactlyonthemarkatthebeginningofarace.Youarereadytorun,readytocompete,readytowin.Youstepuptothechallenge,totheresponsibility.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

stick(stick,stuck,stuck)Whentwothingscometogetheranditishardtoseparatethemagain,wesaythattheyhavestucktogether.Intheolddayspeoplestuckstampstoletters.Whenyoudropyourfavouriteceramicteapotontheflooranditbreaksintopieces,youcanstickittogetheragain.

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stickat,stickto,stickwithTheseallmeanthesame.Tostickatsomethingisastrongerwayofsayingkeepatit.Oh,Esmeralda.Iknowthatyouwouldrathergoandoutplaywithyourfriends,butyouhavetostickatyourstudies.'Kidstoday!Theycan'tsticktoanythingformorethantenminutes.'However,stickwithsometimeshasanothernuance.Thisispassiveandisalwaysunpleasant.Noreensignedthecontractwithoutherlawyerthere.Nowshe'sstuckwithit.Shecan'tescapefromthecontract.Shecan'tgetaway.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

stickbySimilartostandbybutwithoutthesenseofstrengthorpride.Yourfaithfuldog,FidotheMutt,sticksbyyouallday.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

stickupforVerysimilartostandupforbutlessdramatic.'You'realwaysstickingupforMilly.Why?''She'smyfriend,andyouallhavethewrongideaabouther.'Three-wordverbNoproblem.

stickuptoVerysimilartostanduptobutnotasstrong.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

take(take,took,taken)Everybodyknowswhattakemeans.Itisprobablyoneofthefirsttwentywordsthatachildlearns.Afterno,andmama.




takeafter'Maryhasabadtemper.Sheisalwaysangry.Shetakesafterheruncle.'Usually,aftermeanslaterintimeManyyearsago,perhaps,youtooksomethingaftersomebodyelsehadthem.Youtookyourredhairafteryourgrandfather.Youinheritacertaincharacteristicfromarelative.TheSmithboysareallslowatschool.Theytakeaftertheirdad.(Hewasslowatschoolaswell.)Takeafteralwaysistodowithinheritance.Youcancomparethiswithnameafter.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

takeawayWhenyougotoaChineserestaurantsometimes,insteadofsittingdownatatable,youcantakethefoodbackhomewithyou.Youcantakeitaway.Away,asalways,meansthattherestaurantwillneverseeitagain.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

takebackApartfromtheliteralsenseoftakingadefectivecomputerbacktotheshop,thereistheideathatsometimesyouhavetotakebackyourwords.Weallremembertimeswhenwehavesaidsomethingandfoundoutthatitwasamistake.'Andherearethephotosofmyfamily.''Who'sthisman?''Mywife.'Don'tlaughtoomuch.Iknowamanthishappenedto.Somewordsareveryhardtotakeback.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

takedownWhenaninterestingteachertalks,youtaketheinformationdownontopaper.Youtakenotes.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

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takeforWhenyoutakeonethingforanother,youmistakeonefortheother,youconfusetwothings.Ifyoutaketoadstoolsformushroomsandfrythemforyourdinnerthenthatisthelastmistakeyouwillmake.Separabletwo-wordverbAlwaysintheformTAKEXFORY.

takefrom,takeitfrommeIt'safixedexpression.'Takeitfromme'.ItmeansthatthisismyopinionandIknowwhatIamtalkingabout.

takein'SuethoughtthatHenrylovedher,butshewastakenin.Heonlywantedherforhermoney.'Ifyoutellareallygoodstory,theaudienceistakenintothesituationcompletely.Wehaveallhadtheexperienceofbeingintheplacethatyoucanseeinafilm.Tellingastoryisvery,verysimilartotellinglies.Whenyoutakesomeonein,youarelyingandtheybelieveyou.Youaredeceivingthemsuccessfully.NoticethatinEnglishwehaveto'tellsomebodysomething'.Thepersonyouaretalkingtomustbementioned,exceptintheexpressions'tellastory','telllies',and'tellthetruth'.Separabletwo-wordverbbutusuallyweusethisverbinthepassive.

takeoffBeforethetwentiethcenturyitwasincrediblydifficultforhumanstotakethemselvesoffthegroundandintotheair.ButtwoAmericangeniuses,calledtheWrightbrothers,changedallthat.In1903theymadeamachinethattookitselfoffthegroundwithoneofthebrothersinit.Thatmachine,theworld'sfirstsuccessfulairplane,tookoffandlaterlandedsafely.Andnow,thousandsofairplanesaretakingoffeveryhourallroundtheworld.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.




takeonWhenDon'smotherdied,hisfatherdidn'twanttotakeonthecareofhisthreechildren.Sotheyallwenttodifferenthomes.Assooften,onheremeans‘continuity’-thinkofcarryonandgoon-soifyoutakesomethingon,itcouldbeforalongtime.Maybeitisagreatresponsibility,aheavyobligation.Youtakeonaresponsibility,aduty,anobligation.Anothercommonmeaningistotakeonsomebodywhichmeans'toemploythem'.Thisisalsoaresponsibility.MrNightingaleopenedhisnewbarandsohetookontenpeople.Noticethedifferencewithtakeup,whichislight.Youtakeupahobby,whichyoucandropanytime.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

takeoutLiterally,totakesomethingoutimplies'takeitoutofthisroom'forexample.Youtaketherubbishoutforthedustmantocollect.But,inthe60sinVietnam,Ithink,thisverb'smeaninggotasinisternewextension.Totakesomeoneoutmeanttotakethemoutoftheway,tokillthem.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

takeoverWhenhisfatherretired,MrArbuthnotJrtookoverthefamilybusiness.Inanyorganisation,thepeopleoveryouarethepeopleinchargeofyou.Totakechargemeanstotaketheresponsibility.Takeovermeansexactlythesamething.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

taketoItooktoBeatricethefirsttimewemet.Wearereallygoodfriendsnow.Whenwetaketosomebody,wetakealikingtothem.Welikethem,easilyandquickly.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

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takeupDon'swifeisdelighted.Sincehetookupgardening,hehasnotonlylosttenkilos,butthegardenislookingmuchbetter.Wheretakeonisheavy,Takeupislight.It’seasytotakethingsup.Youcanalwaysputthemdownagain.Youtakeupanewhobby,anewinterest.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

takeitupwithThisupistalkingtoauthority.Youhaveaproblemwithworkingtenhoursaweekfornoextra?Takeitupwithyourboss.Separablethree-wordverb.Unusual.Takenote.

talk(talk,talked,talked)Whatwehumansdowhenwehavesomethingtosay.Talkisverysimilartospeak,butthereisthesenseofmorewords.Inmanyexpressionsyoucanusebothwords.Gemma'stalkingonthephone.Gemma'sspeakingonthephone.Thesemeanexactlythesame.Gemmatalksalot.Lotsofwords.Themaintimeweusespeakandnottalkisalanguage.CharliespeaksgoodRussian.

talkaround,talkroundTotalkaroundthesubject,totalkroundthesubjectmeanstobeindirect.CorneliuswantedtomarryCornelia,buteverydayhefoundhimselfjusttalkingaroundit.Henevergottothequestion,andCorneliamarriedsomeoneelse.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

talkback




Afteraverb,backalmostalwayshasthesenseof'return'.Forexample,goback,thinkback,andsoon.Whenachildtalksbacktohiselders,itmeansthatheisshowingdisrespect.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

talkdowntoSomepeopledonothaveasmucheducation,intelligence,money,beauty,orevenexperienceoflifeaswehave.Whichmeans,inouropinion,thatwearehigherinsomewaythantheyare,sothatwhenwetalktothem,wehavetotalkdowntothem,ortheywillnotunderstand.Snobs,andpeoplewholovemirrors,dothisallthetime.Whensomebodytalksdowntoyou,howdoyoufeel?Metoo.Three-wordverb.Noproblem.

talkoverItwasanimportantfamilymeetingandthewholefamilyhadtodecidewhattodowiththefarm.Theytalkeditoverforseveraldays.Weoftenuseoverinthesenseof'fromonesidetotheother'.Forexample,youturnoveranomelette-turnitfromonesidetotheother-whenyouarecookingit.Thereforetalkovermeans'totalkcarefullyaboutsomethingfromeverydirection'beforecomingtoadecision.GeorgeaskedGeorginatomarryhimShesaidtheyshouldtalkitover.Comparethiswiththinkover.Separabletwo-wordverb.Careful.

talksomeoneroundTalksomeoneroundhasacompletelydifferentmeaningfromtalkaroundsomething.Whenyouwanttopersuadesomebody,usuallyitisbettertobeindirect.Perhapsyoufeelyouhavetotalkaroundthesubjectfirstuntilyourfriendcomesroundtoyourwayofthinking.Congratulations!Youhavetalkedhimround.Henowagreeswithyou.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

tell(tell,told,told.Likesell,sold,sold.)Tellhasatleastthreecommonmeanings;

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(1)Itmeans'say'inthesenseof'relate'.Wesaysomething(tosomebody),butwetellsomebodysomething.Marysaysitisherbirthdaytomorrow.Marytellsusitisherbirthdaytomorrow.(Thesesentencesmeanexactlythesame.)Withfewexceptionstell,inthissense,mustbefollowedbyaperson,andthenthecontent.Theexceptionsare-tellstoriestellliestellthetruthwhich,ifyouthinkaboutit,areallverysimilar.(2)Whenyoutellsomebodytodosomething,youaregivingthemanorder,acommand.Mybosstoldmetoworkharder.(Noticehowsimilarthisisto'Mybosstoldme,"Workharder".')(3)Tellthedifferencetomean'todistinguish'.BillandBenareidentical.Evenpeoplewhoknowthemcan'ttellthedifference.

telloffWeoftenuseofftomeanbeingawayfromthetarget,ortheintention,orwhatisright.Whenyoutellsomebodyoff,youaretellingthemwhattheyaredoingthatisnotright.Inotherwords,youareexpressingdispleasureintheiractions.Teachers,parents,wivesandhusbandshavebeenknowntodothis.Separabletwo-wordverb.Careful

think(think,thought,thought)Whatwedowithourbrains.

thinkaboutToconsidersomething.'Whatareyouthinkingabout?''WhattobuymyfatherforChristmas.'




Ortohaveanopinion'WhatdoyouthinkaboutJulioIglesias?'Ithinkhe'swonderful.'Grammarnote.Thinkaboutinthesenseof'haveanopinion'canneverbeinacontinuoustense.Wehavethebestgovernmentthatmoneycanbuy.Thinkaboutit.Thinkofissimilartothinkabout,butnotexactlythesame.Ifwewanttotalkaboutthinkingthattakestime,wehavetosaythinkabout.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

thinkback'Thinkbacktowhenyouweresixyearsold,'saidthepsychiatrist.'Whatdoyouremember?'Deliberatelyremember.Afteraverb,backalmostalwayshasthesenseof'return'Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

thinkof'EverytimeIhearthatsong,Ithinkofmyfirstboyfriend.''Thatisaveryselfishman.Heneverthinksofotherpeople."Whenweusethinkofwecanalsousethinkabout,butnottheotherwayround.Thinkaboutisthinkingcarefully.Ittakestime.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

thinkoverItwasLeapDay,February29th,andGeorginaaskedGeorgetomarryherHesaidhewouldthinkitover..Thistime,overmeans'fromonesidetotheother'.Thinkitovermeans'tothinkcarefullyaboutsomethingfromeverydirection'beforecomingtoadecision.Comparethiswithtalkover.Thinkthroughhasasimilarmeaning.Separabletwo-wordverbCareful.

thinkthrough

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'Isthistherightsolutiontoyourlegalproblems,MrBowen?''Idon'tknow.I'llhavetothinkitthrough.'Whenyouhaveaseriousproblem,iffeelsasifyouareinit.Andsomeproblemswejusthavetothinkthrough.Wehavetothinkthroughtheproblem,andcomeupwithasolution.Itisasimilarideawhenwegetthroughalotofwork.Thismeanssomethingmuchmoredeliberatethanthinkaboutorthinkof.Thinkoverhasasimilarmeaning,butmoreaboutthethinking.Thinkingthroughmeansarrivingataconclusion.ThinkofSherlockHolmesandhisthree-pipeproblems.Separabletwo-wordverb.Careful.

thinkupMrO'Connorlovednewtechnologies.Heenjoyedseeingwhatdesignerscouldthinkup.Sometimesintheolddayswemusthaveimaginedthatourmindslivedinourstomachs.(Rememberbringupinthesenseofvomit.)Well,youcancertainlybringupanewideaintotheconversation.Also,youcanthinkupanidea.Itmeansexactlythesameascomeupwith.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

throw(throw,threw,thrown)Whatwedotostones,spears,balls,andsoonwhenwewantthemalongwayfromus.

throwawayIlikepapertissues.Usethemandthenthrowthemaway.Awaymeansyouneverseeitagain.Tothrowitawayistothrowitintotherubbish,todiscardit.MrScharfsteinwenttoLasVegas,andthrewallhismoneyaway.Noticethatifwearetalkingaboutthrowingrubbishawayfromthehouse,wecanalsosaythrowout.Separabletwo-wordverb.Careful.




throwoutWhenyouthrowsomebodyout,youask,ortell,(orforce)thatpersontoleaveyourhouse.Normallywedonotliterallythrowthemoutofthedoor.Sometimesweusethisverbforthingsinsteadofpeople.Thenitmeansthesameasthrowaway.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

throwupSometimes,unfortunately,thebodyhastothrowunwantedfoodupoutofthestomach.Tothrowupmeans'tovomit'Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

try(try,tried,tried)Tryhastwosimilarmeaningsthatarenotquitethesame.(1)Thefirstmeaningis'tointend'or'toattempt'.Whenwetrytodosomething,weattempttodoit.Arnoldtriedtogettoschoolontimeeveryday,butalwaystherewasaproblemwiththebusesortheweatherorsomethingelse.(2)Thesecondmeaningisclosertotheideaof'test'.Beatricetrieddrinkingwhisky,butshehatedit.Shewon'ttouchitagain.Noticethegrammar.Trytodosomething=attempttodoitTrydoingsomethingortrysomething=testingit

tryforForisusuallythereasonwedosomething.'Doyouthinkyouwillpassthatexam?''Idon'tknow,butI'mgoingtotryforit.'(Iwillmakeagoodattempt.)Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

tryonTry,here,hasthesecondmeaningof'test'.(Trysomething=testit)Whenwebuyclothes,wetrythemon.Dotheyfitwellornot?Doesthe

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boyfriendorgirlfriendapproveornot?Byextension,whenanaughtychildwantstoseehowfarhecangobeforebeingpunished,she(or,moreusually,he)willtry,ortest,hisparents'patience.Hewilldosomethingasbadashedaressohecanfindoutwhatwillhappen.Hewilltryingiton.'WhyisMarciascreamingsomuch?Ididn'ttouchher.''Don'tworryaboutit.She'sjusttryingiton.Shedoesthisallthetime.'Suchachildisknownasaverytryingchild.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

tryoutPatriciafromtheMarketingDepartmenthasnineortennewideaseveryday.Butwhenwetrythemout,itisalwaysadisaster.Try,here,hasthesecondmeaningof'test'.(Trysomething=testit)Usually,weusethisverbinthesenseoftestinganideaoutintherealworldtodiscoverthefinalresult.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

turn(turn,turned,turned)Thebasicideaofturnisrotate,revolve,goroundinacircle.Byextension,itcanalsomeanachangeofstate.Forexample,whenitisveryhot,waterturnstosteam.Witches,theysay,canturnprincesintofrogs.

turnabout,turnaround,turnroundTheseallmeanthesame.Abigshipisverydifficulttoturnabout.Andabigcompanyisalsoverydifficult.Youwilloftenseethisexpressioninthebusinesspress.HooBoyCo.waslosingmoneyeveryyearfortenyears,untilthenewboss,HenryMakit,turnedthecompanyround.Separabletwo-wordverbs.Becareful.

turnagainstStephanielikedherlocalrestaurantverymuchbutsheturnedagainstitwhenshefoundoutthatthehealthdepartmenthaddiscoveredcockroachesinthekitchen.Sheneverwentthereagain.




Againstalwayshastheideaof'confrontation'WhenPascualwasastudent,hewasanardentradical.Laterinlife,heturnedagainstallhisoldbeliefs.Hisfriendsaccusedhimofsellingout.Toturnagainstapersonoranideameanstorejectthem,afterfirstacceptingthem.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

turnawayWhenyouturnsomebodyawayfromyourdoor,youdonotlettheminyourhouse.Youdonotfeedthem,orentertainthem.Byextension,foolishpeoplehavebeenknowntoturnawayopportunitywhenitarrives.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

turndownHarryproposedtoHarriet,butsheturnedhimdown.(Sohewon'tgetmarriedtoher.)Along,longtimeagotheRomansusedtoentertainthemselveswithwatchingfightstothedeathinthecircuses.Traditionally,whenagladiatorhadwon,heappealedtothecrowd.Thecrowdwouldthendecidewhethertokillthedefeatedoneornotbysignallingwiththeirthumbs.Iftheyturnedtheirthumbsdown,hewaskilled.Toturnsomethingdownistorejectit.Whenweturnthemusicdown,wemakeitlessloud.Wemakeitquieter.Comparethiswithturnon,turnoff.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

turninGotobed,gotosleep.Thinkofrollingintobed.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

turnsomebodyinTurnyourenemyintothepolice.Onceyouhaveturnedhimin,itcouldbealongtimebeforeheisoutagain.Thismeansthesameasgivehimup.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

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turnintoThebasicideaofturnisrotate,revolve,goroundinacircle.YouarehappilydrivingyourRolls-Roycedownthehighstreetwhensuddenlyyouwanttoturnintoasidestreetbecauseyouhavejustseenaplacetopark.Niceandsimple.Firstyouwereinthebusyhighstreet,andnowyouareinaquietroad.Youareinadifferentroad,adifferentsituation,perhaps,adifferentstate.Byextension,whenitisverycold,waterturnsintoice.It'sadifferentsituation,adifferentstate.Whencertainfootballsupportersdrinklotsofbeer,theycanturnintohooligans.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

turnon,turnoffYearsago,radioswerelargebrownthingsthatusuallyhadknobs,orrotatingcontrols,thatyouhadtoturn.So,naturally,whenyouwantedtohearthenewsatsixo'clockyouturnedontheradio.Andwhenyoufinishedtheprogramme(US,program),youturneditoff.Thetechnologyhaschanged,ofcourse,asitalwaysdoes.ButwestillturnonorturnofftheTV,thecomputer,oranythingelse.Byextension,weuseittodescribeenthusiasm.Ifsomebodyseriouslyexcitesyou,youcouldsaythatheorsheturnsyouon.Theoppositeisalsotrue.Amanwhopickshisnoseinpublicwillturnoffmostpeople.Putoffcanhavethesamemeaning.WecanalsosayinthissituationthatMrNosepickerwillputpeopleoff.BECAREFULwithturnon.Toturnsomeoneonmeanstoseriouslyexcitethem,togetthementhusiastic,buttoturnonsomebodymeanstoattackthem.Thereisadifference.Separabletwo-wordverbs.Becareful.

turnon(somebody)Adogcouldbelookingsomewhereelse,andsuddenlyitturnsonyou.Itturnsandattacksyou.Postmenanddoor-to-doorsalesmenknowthiswell.BECAREFULwiththisverb.ItdoesnotmeanthesameasturnsomebodyonInseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.




turnoutMary'shusbandseemedtobeaniceman,butitturnsoutthathestolealotofmoneyfromhislastjob.Thatwasthetruth,theendresult.Turn,asinturninto,canmeanchangetoadifferentsituation,perhaps,adifferentstate,andoutisthefinalresult.Forexample,tryout,carryout,dieout.Thepetalsofabudturnoutintoaflower.Thatisthefinalresult.Whateverturnsoutistheend,theresult,thefinaltruth.Edmund'snewbusinessturnedoutfine.He'sonly38,buthe'sgoingtoretire.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

turnoverLiterally,toturnovermeanswhatyoudotoapancake,anomeletteorasteakwhenyouarecookingit.Youturnitoverfromonesidetotheother.Inbusiness,itdescribestheflowofmoneythroughacompany.Themoneythatcomesinistheturnover,whilethemoneyleftafteralltheexpenses,istheprofit.(Ifyouneedtoknowmore,goandreadanaccountancybook.)Abigcompany,bydefinition,turnsoverlotsandlotsofmoney.WeusethenounTURNOVERmoreoftenthantheverb.

turntoWhenyouturntosomeone,youaskthemforhelp,asopposedtoturnonthem.Toisoftenamorefriendlyprepositionthanonorat.Comparecometoandcomeat.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

turnupYearsago,peoplehadfarfewerformsofentertainmentthannow,andatnight,incandlelight,oneofthemostpopulardiversionswascards.Whenyouturnupacard,itisalwaysasurprise.'Oh!Lookwhatturnedup.It'stheAceofHearts.'

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Therefore,whenanythingoranybodywhoturnsupappearsbychance,itisasurprise.You'llneverguesswhoturnedupintheoffice.GeorgieBender.Yourememberhim?It'sbeensevenyearssincewelastsawhim.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

turn(themusic)upWhenweturnthemusicup,wemakeitlouder.Weincreasethevolume.Separabletwo-wordverb.Careful.

use(use,used,used)Whatyoudowithatool(usually)inyourhands.Iamusingacomputertowritethis.EarlierImadesomenotesusingawhiteboardandafewboardpens.Andteachersarealwaystellingustouseourbrains.

useupThisupmeanscomplete.Whenyouuseitup,thereisnoneleft.Wehaveusedupallthewoodforthebarbecue,sowehavetogohomesoon.Dorisliedsooftenthatshehasuseduphercredibility.Nobodynowbelievesawordshesays.Separabletwo-wordverbBecareful.

watch(watch,watched,watched)Tolookclosely,toobserve.Ifamansaystohisfriendinthestreet,'Hey,lookatthatlady.'hisfriendwilllookforasecondortwoandmaywellsaysomething.Butifthemantellshisfriendtowatchthelady,hisfriendwillspendsometimetoobserveher.Hewilltrytofindoutwhatsheisdoing.

watchfor,watchoutforWatchfordoesnotmeanthesameaslookfor.ThegallantknightSirJuliandeFlorwentintotheforesttolookfortreasure,buthehadtowatchfordragons.




Watchfor,watchoutformeanstostayalertandobservant.Therearedangerseverywhere.Butnoticethatwatchoutforisthesameaslookoutfor.WATCHOUTFORThree-wordverbNoproblem.

watchoutWatchoutmeansalmostthesameaslookout,butwhereaslookoutcanbeascreammeaningdangerNOW!watchoutisnormallyawarningofapossibledangerinthefuture.'You'regoingtoSlumCitytonight?I'dwatchoutifIwereyou.'Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

watchoverThisiswatchingfromhighupoverwhatyousee.Whenyouwatchoversomethingyoulookcarefullyoverit,youobserveitcontinuously.Soyouareguardingit.Mamawatchesoverthebaby,andtheforemanwatchesoverthefactoryfloor.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.

wear(wear,wore,worn)Wewearjackets,skirts,trousers,andshoes.Wealsowearglasses,rings,andwatches,butwecarrysuitcasesandshoppingbags.Inotherwords,ifitisattachedtoourbodies,wewearit.

wearinCertainpopstarsusedtopayassistantstowearintheirnewshoesforthemNewclothes-newshoesinparticular-canbeverystiffanduncomfortable.Theyhavetobewornforsometimebeforewearehappywiththem.Theyhavetobeinuseforawhile.Theyhavetobewornin.Separabletwo-wordverb.Careful.

wearoutWhenwehavewornclothesforalongtime,theygooutofshape,holes

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appear,thecoloursfade,andsoon.Theybecomewornoutandwethrowawayouroldshirtsorgivethemtocharity.Theygooutofuse.Theyarefinished.'Ineverbuycheapclothes,'saidSteve.'Theywearouttoofast.'Byextension,wealsosaythisofmachines,andthenwethrowthemawayaswell.Sammywouldhavetobuyanewbikeeverycoupleofyears.Hewasalwayswearingthemout.Wealsosaywhensomeoneisreallytired,thattheyarewornout.ShoesWEAROUT.Two-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.WeWEARthemOUT.Separabletwo-wordverb.Careful.AndwhensomeoneisWORNOUTitisafixedexpression.

work(work,worked,worked)WorkmeanswhatyoudoeverydaytogetfoodonthetableandanewMercedesinthegarage.Italsomeans'tofunction'asin'mynewMercedesworksverywell.'

workoffToworkoffadebtmeansthatyoumustworktopaythedebt,andtoworkoffafewkilosmeansthatyoufeeltoofatandyouaregoingtothegymtosuffer.Youcan'taffordtopayforthatlovelymealyouhavejusteatenintherestaurant?Noproblem.Youcanworkitoff.Weneedsomebodytowashthedishesinthekitchen.You'llonlyhavetoworkforseventeenhours.EveryNewYear,AnnagoestothegymtoworkofftheextraweightofChristmas.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.

workonDoradoesn'twanttogooutforthenextfewweeks.Sheisworkingonherthesis.Youworkonaproject.Inseparabletwo-wordverbNoproblem.




workoutYouhaveaprobleminyourmind,anditisworryingyou.Youcannotgettosleep,andyourdailylifehasbecomemoredifficult.Theproblemisinyourmind.Then,suddenly,AHA!Youhavethesolution.Youcannowdosomethingoutintherealworld.Theproblemhasbeenworkedout.Ithasbeensolved.Grandpasaysthathedidn'thavecalculatorswhenhewasachild.Hehadtoworkeverythingoutinhishead.Separabletwo-wordverb.Becareful.Outcanbethefinalresult,suchastryoutordieout.'Hi,Jim.Whathappenedtothatlegalcasewithyouruncle'swill?''Fine,Harry.Itworkedoutfine.Wantsomechampagne?'ThefinalresultwasfineforJim.Inthissense,itisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.Workoutisanewerexpression.Work(yourstress,yourproblems,orevenyourfat)out(ofyourbody).Itmeans'toexercisealotinagymuntilyoucanhardlywalkhome.'Afteraweekinthetaxoffice,Peterlovesworkingoutinthegym.HesleepsverywellonFridaynights.Inthissenseaswell,thisisatwo-wordverbwithoutanobjectNoproblem.

workroundtoIfyouhavealotofwork,maybeittakestimetoworkroundtoeverything.Wemoreoftenusegetroundtowiththesamemeaning.Three-wordverbNoproblem.

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