UNDERCONSTRUCTION- BACK UP: 1 to support or help someone: My family backed me up throughout the court case; 2 to say that someone is telling the truth: Honestly, that's exactly what happened - Claire will back me up.
- back sth up (PROVE) phrasal verb [M often passive] to prove something is true:His claims are backed up by recent research.
- back sth up (COMPUTERS) phrasal verb [M]to make an extra copy of computer information: Make sure you back up your files.
- back (sth) up (DRIVE) phrasal verb [M] to drive backwards
- be/get fed up adjective [after verb] INFORMALbored, annoyed or disappointed, especially by something that you have experienced for too long: I'm fed up with my job.He got fed up with all the travelling he had to do.
- be into:
- blow (sb/sth) up (DESTROY) phrasal verb [M]to destroy something or kill someone with a bomb, or to be destroyed or killed by a bomb:They threatened to blow up the plane if their demands were not met.He drove over a landmine and his jeep blew up.
- blow sth up (FILL WITH AIR) phrasal verb [M]to fill something with air: Would you help me blow up these balloons?
- blow sth up (PHOTO) phrasal verb [M]to print a photograph or picture in a larger size
- blow up (STORM) phrasal verb When a storm blows up, it begins.
- blow up (ANGER) phrasal verb INFORMAL to suddenly become very angry: My dad blew up (at me) when he saw the phone bill.
- break down (MACHINE) phrasal verbIf a machine or vehicle breaks down, it stops working: Our car broke down and we had to push it off the road.
- break down (COMMUNICATION) phrasal verbIf a system, relationship or discussion breaks down, it fails because there is a problem or disagreement.
- break down (CRY) phrasal verb to be unable to control your feelings and to start to cry: When we gave her the bad news, she broke down and cried.
- break in/break into sth (BUILDING) phrasal verbto get into a building or car using force, usually to steal something: The burglars broke in through the kitchen window.My car's been broken into twice this month.
- bring sb up (CARE FOR) phrasal verb [M]to care for a child until it is an adult, often giving it particular beliefs: She was brought up by her grandmother. They brought her up (as/to be) a Catholic.[+ to infinitive] David was brought up to respect authority.
- bring sth up (TALK) phrasal verb [M]to start to talk about a particular subject: She's always bringing up her health problems.
- bring sth up (VOMIT) phrasal verb [M] UK INFORMALto vomit something: She was crying so much I thought she'd bring up her breakfast.
- build (sb/sth) up (INCREASE) phrasal verb [M]to increase or become larger or stronger, or to cause someone or something to do this: Tension is building up between the two communities. They gave him soup to build up his strength/build him up.It took her ten years to build up her publishing business.
- build sth/sb up (PRAISE) phrasal verb [M]to praise something or someone in a way which will influence people's opinions: For weeks the media has been building up the national basketball team.
- call on sb (ASK) phrasal verb [+ to infinitive]to ask someone in a formal way to do something: They're calling on all men and boys over the age of 14 to join the army.FORMAL I now call on everyone to raise a glass to the happy couple.
- call on sth (USE) phrasal verb FORMALto use something, especially a quality that you have, in order to achieve something: She would have to call on all her strength if she was to survive the next few months.
- call out:
- carry (sth) on (CONTINUE) phrasal verb [M]to continue doing something, or to cause something to continue:Let's carry on this discussion at some other time.Carry on the good work!Sorry to interrupt, do carry on (with what you were saying).You just have to carry on as if nothing's happened.[+ ing form of verb] Steve just carried on playing on his computer.Daphne is carrying on the family tradition by becoming a lawyer.
- carry on (BEHAVE) phrasal verb INFORMALto behave in an uncontrolled, excited or anxious way:The children have been carrying on all day.
- carry on (HAVE SEX) phrasal verb OLD-FASHIONED INFORMALto have a sexual relationship:Is it true that Rachel and Marcus have been carrying on (with each other) ?
- check in (AIRPORT) phrasal verbto show your ticket at an airport so that you can be told where you will be sitting and so that your bags can be put on the aircraft:Passengers are requested to check in two hours before the flight.
- check in/check into sth (HOTEL) phrasal verbto say who you are when you arrive at a hotel so that you can be given a key for your room:Please would you check in at the reception desk and sign your name in the book.
- come across sth (FIND) phrasal verbto find something by chance:He came across some of his old love letters in his wife's drawer.
- come across (BEHAVE) phrasal verbto behave in a way which makes people believe that you have a particular characteristic:She comes across really well (= creates a positive image) on television.He comes across as a bit of a bore in interview.
- come into sth (MONEY) phrasal verbIf someone comes into money, property or a title, they receive it as a result of the death of a relative:She came into a bit of money when her grandfather died.
- come into sth (INFLUENCE) phrasal verbIf a particular emotion or quality comes into a situation, it influences that situation:She married for money - love didn't come into it.NOTE: This sense is usually used in negative sentences.
- come out (BE PUBLISHED) phrasal verbIf a book, record, film, etc. comes out, it becomes available for people to buy or see:When does their new album come out?
- come out (APPEAR) phrasal verbWhen the sun, moon or stars come out, they appear in the sky:The clouds finally parted and the sun came out.
- come out (BECOME KNOWN) phrasal verb1 If something comes out, it becomes known publicly after it has been kept secret:After her death, it came out that she'd lied about her age.When the truth came out, there was public outrage.2 If information or results come out, they are given to people:The exam results come out in August.
- come out (SOCIAL EVENT) phrasal verb UKto go somewhere with someone for a social event:Would you like to come out for a drink sometime?
- come out (RESULT) phrasal verb [+ adverb or preposition or adjective]If you describe how something or someone comes out at the end of a process or activity, you say what condition they are in or what they have achieved:She came out of the divorce settlement a rich woman.These figures have come out wrong! I don't understand it.Your painting has come out really well.He hasn't exactly come out of the scandal with his reputation enhanced.
- come out (BE REMOVED) phrasal verbIf dirt or a mark comes out, it disappears from something when it is cleaned:Did the red wine stain come out?
- come out (PHOTO) phrasal verbIf a photo or part of a photo comes out, the picture can be seen clearly:The photos didn't come out because the room was so dark.He's in the picture, but his face hasn't come out very clearly.
- come out (GIVE OPINION) phrasal verb [+ adverb or preposition]to express an opinion:In the survey politicians came out overwhelmingly in favour of capital punishment.Some of the members supported the changes, but the majority came out against.
- come out (BE SAID) phrasal verbIf something you say comes out in a particular way, that is how you say it:I didn't mean to be rude - it just came out like that.When I tried to tell her that I loved her it just came out all wrong.
- come out (HOMOSEXUAL) phrasal verbto tell people that you are homosexual, often after a period of secrecy
- come out (STOP WORKING) phrasal verb UKIf workers come out, they stop working because of a disagreement:The postal workers have come out in support of their pay claim.
- come out (OPEN) phrasal verbWhen flowers come out, they open:Daffodils come out in spring.
come out in sth phrasal verbIf you come out in something, such as spots, they appear on your skin:This heat has made me come out in an itchy red rash.
- come out with sth phrasal verbto say something suddenly and unexpectedly:He comes out with the strangest things!She comes out with some good ideas though.
- come round (CHANGE YOUR MIND) UK phrasal verb (US come around)to change your opinion of something, often influenced by another person's opinion:He'll come round to my point of view, given a bit of time.Do you still dislike your office, or have you come round to thinking it's all right?
- come round (EVENT) UK phrasal verb (MAINLY US come around)If an event that happens regularly comes round/around, it happens at its usual time:Christmas comes round so quickly!
- come round (BECOME CONSCIOUS) UK phrasal verb (US come around)to become conscious again after an accident or operation:She hasn't come round from the anaesthetic yet.
- come up (MOVE TOWARDS) phrasal verbto move towards someone:A young girl came up to me and asked for money.
- come up (BE MENTIONED) phrasal verbto be mentioned or talked about in conversation:What points came up at the meeting?
- come up (OPPORTUNITY) phrasal verbIf a job or opportunity comes up, it becomes available:A position has come up in the accounts department.
- come up (HAPPEN) phrasal verb1 to happen, usually unexpectedly:I've got to go - something has just come up at home and I'm needed there.2 be coming up to be happening soon:My exams are coming up soon.
- come up (RISE) phrasal verbWhen the sun or moon comes up, it rises.
- come up (COMPUTER) phrasal verbIf information comes up on a computer screen, it appears there.
- come up against sth phrasal verbto have to deal with a problem:If you come up against difficulties, let me know and I'll help out.
- come up to sth phrasal verbto reach the usual or necessary standard:The essay didn't come up to his usual standards.The food didn't come up to my expectations.
- come up with sth phrasal verbto suggest or think of an idea or plan:She's come up with some amazing scheme to double her income.
- count on sb (DEPEND) phrasal verbto be confident that you can depend on someone:You can always count on Michael in a crisis.[+ to infinitive] I can count on my parents to help me.
- count on sth (EXPECT) phrasal verbto expect something to happen and make plans based on it:[+ ing form of verb] I'm counting on the meeting finishing on time, or I'll miss my train.Sorry I'm late, I didn't count on being held up in the traffic.There's never a taxi when you want one - that's the one thing you can count on!
- cut back/down phrasal verbto do less of something or use something in smaller amounts:The government has announced plans to to cut back on defence spending by 10% next year.I'm trying to cut down on caffeine.
- cut in (TALK) phrasal verbto interrupt what someone is saying by saying something yourself:I was just talking to Jan, when Dave cut in (on us/our conversation).
- cut in (DRIVE) phrasal verbto make a sudden sideways movement to position your car in front of another car, not leaving a safe distance between the two vehicles:Did you see that white car cut in (on us/in front of us)?
- cut in (DANCE) phrasal verbto interrupt two people who are dancing in order to dance with one of them:She was dancing with Jack, when Tom suddenly cut in.
- cut sb in (GAME) phrasal verbto permit someone to take part in something, for example a game or business:Shall we cut you in (on the deal/game)?
- cut off (REMOVE) phrasal verb [M]to remove a part of something to make it smaller or shorter, using a sharp tool such as a knife:Remember to cut off the fat before you fry the steak.
- cut sth off (STOP) phrasal verb [M]to stop providing something such as electricity, supplies, etc:If this bill is not paid within five days, your gas supply will be cut off.The aim was to cut off the enemy's escape route/supplies.
- cut sb off phrasal verb [M] USIf someone serving drinks in a bar cuts you off, they stop serving you alcoholic drinks because they think you have drunk too many:I'm glad the bartender cut Tommy off - he's already had too much to drink.
- cut sb off (PHONE) phrasal verb [usually passive]to stop people from continuing a telephone conversation by breaking the telephone connection:We were cut off before she could give me directions.
- cut sb/sth off (SEPARATE) phrasal verb [M]to cause a person or place to become separate, or cause someone to be or feel alone:When his wife died, he cut himself off from other people.Many villages have been cut off by the heavy snow.
- cut sth out (REMOVE) phrasal verb [M]to remove something or form a shape by cutting, usually from paper or cloth:She cut out his picture from the magazine.
- cut sth out (STOP EATING) phrasal verb [M]to stop eating or drinking something, usually to improve your health:Since my heart attack, I've cut fatty foods out altogether.
- cut sb out (NOT INCLUDE) phrasal verbto not allow someone to share something or be included in something:They cut me out of the conversation.
- cut out (STOP WORKING) phrasal verbIf an engine, machine or piece of equipment cuts out, it suddenly stops working:One of the plane's engines cut out, so they had to land with only one.
- cut out (DRIVE) phrasal verb USto make a sudden sideways movement out of a line of traffic:Don't cut out when everyone is going fast.
- fall back phrasal verb1 LITERARY to move back suddenly from someone or something, often because you are frightened:She fell back in horror/disgust.2 If an army falls back, it moves away from an enemy army in order to avoid fighting them:The infantry fell back in disarray.
-fall back on sth phrasal verbto use something for help because no other choice is available:When the business failed, we had to fall back on our savings.If I lose my job, I'll have nothing to fall back on.
- get sth across phrasal verb [M]to manage to make someone understand or believe something:We tried to get our point across, but he just wouldn't listen.This is the message that we want to get across to the public.
- get ahead phrasal verbto be successful in the work that you do:It's tough for a woman to get ahead in politics.
- get away phrasal verb1 to leave or escape from a person or place, often when it is difficult to do this:We walked to the next beach to get away from the crowds.I'll get away from work as soon as I can.2 to go somewhere to have a holiday, often because you need to rest:I just need to get away for a few days.We've decided to go to Scotland to get away from it all.
- get away with sth (AVOID PUNISHMENT) phrasal verbto succeed in avoiding punishment for something:If I thought I could get away with it, I wouldn't pay any tax at all.
- get away with sth (SUCCEED) phrasal verbto do something successfully although it is not the best way of doing it:Do you think we could get away with just one coat of paint on that wall?
- get back (RETURN) phrasal verbto return to a place after you have been somewhere else:If you get back in time, you can come with us.When we got back to the hotel, Ann had already left.
- get sth back (BE GIVEN) phrasal verb [M]to be given something again that you had before:He went next door to get his ball back.Don't lend him money, you'll never get it back.
- get sb back (ACT UNPLEASANTLY) phrasal verb (ALSO get back at sb) INFORMALto do something unpleasant to someone because they have done something unpleasant to you:I'll get you back for this, just you wait!I think he's trying to get back at her for those remarks she made in the meeting.
- get back to sth phrasal verbto start doing or talking about something again:Anyway, I'd better get back to work.
- get back to sb phrasal verbto talk to someone again, usually on the telephone, in order to give them some information or because you were not able to speak to them before:I'll get back to you later with those figures.
- get sb down (MAKE UNHAPPY) phrasal verbIf something gets you down, it makes you feel unhappy and dissatisfied:The chaos in his house was starting to get him down.I know it's frustrating, but don't let it get you down.
- get sth down (WRITE) phrasal verb [M]to write something, especially something that someone has said:I didn't manage to get down that last bit she said, about the meeting.
- get sth down (sb) (SWALLOW) phrasal verb [M]to succeed in swallowing something although it is difficult:Her throat was so swollen that she couldn't get the tablets down.INFORMAL HUMOROUS Your dinner is on the table and you've got ten minutes to get it down (you).
- get down to sth phrasal verbto start to direct your efforts and attention towards something:I've got a lot of work to do, but I can't seem to get down to it.[+ ing form of verb] I must get down to booking our holiday.
- get out (VISIT PLACES) phrasal verbto go out to different places and socialize:We don't get out much since we had the children.
- get out (BECOME KNOWN) phrasal verbIf news or information gets out, people hear about it although someone is trying to keep it secret:I don't want it to get out that I'm leaving before I've had a chance to tell Anthony.
- get out of sth (AVOID) phrasal verbto avoid doing something that you do not want to do, especially by giving an excuse:I reckon her backache was just a way of getting out of the housework.[+ ing form of verb] If I can get out of going to the meeting tonight I will.
- get out of sth (STOP) phrasal verbto give up or stop a habit or a regular activity:I must get out of the habit of finishing off people's sentences for them.If you get out of a routine, it's very hard to get back into it.
- get sth out of sth (ENJOY) phrasal verbto enjoy something or think something is useful:It was a really boring course and I don't think I got much out of it.
- get sth out of sb (PERSUADE) phrasal verbto persuade or force someone to tell or give you something:He was determined to get the truth out of her.
- get round (somewhere) (NEWS) UK phrasal verb (US get around (somewhere))If news or information gets round, a lot of people hear about it:News of her pregnancy soon got round (the office).
- get round sb (PERSUADE) phrasal verb UKto persuade someone to allow you something by charming them:[+ to infinitive] See if you can get round your father to give you a lift to the cinema.
- get round sth (AVOID) UK phrasal verb (US get around sth)to succeed in avoiding or solving a problem:We can get round the problem of space by building an extension.
- get round to sth phrasal verb UKto do something that you have intended to do for a long time:I still haven't got round to fixing that tap.
- get together (MEET) phrasal verbIf two or more people get together, they meet each other, having arranged it before:Shall we get together on Friday and go for a drink or something?
- get together (START) phrasal verb INFORMALto start a romantic relationship:She got together with Paul two years ago.They finally get it together right at the end of the film.
- give sth back phrasal verb [M]to return something to the person who gave it to you:Has she given you those books back yet?
- give up (NOT TRY) phrasal verbto stop trying to guess:You'll never guess the answer - do you give up?I give up - how many were there?
- give sth up (NOT DO) phrasal verb [M]to stop doing a regular activity or job:[+ ing form of verb] He's given up driving since his illness.We're going to give up our sports club membership after this year.
- give up (sth) phrasal verbto stop doing something before you have completed it, usually because it is too difficult:[+ ing form of verb] I've given up trying to help her.
- give (sth) up phrasal verb [M]If you give up a habit, such as smoking, or something such as alcohol, you stop doing it or using it:[+ ing form of verb] I gave up smoking two years ago.Don't offer him a cigarette, he's trying to give up.
- give up sth (NOT HAVE) phrasal verbto stop owning and using something:They were forced to give up their home because they couldn't pay the mortgage.
- give sb up phrasal verb [M]to stop having a friendship with someone:She seems to have given up all her old friends.
- give sb up (NOT EXPECT) phrasal verb (ALSO give up on sb)to stop expecting that someone will arrive:I've been waiting half-an-hour - I'd almost given you up.
- give yourself up (BECOME PRISONER) phrasal verb [R]to allow the police or an enemy to take you as a prisoner:The gunman gave himself up to the police.
