We had to SET OFF at 4am, it was horrible. – start a journey
The rotting fruit was GIVING ____ a nasty smell.
The rotting fruit was GIVING OFF a nasty smell. (a smell) – produce and send into the air
Have you heard? Charlie is GOING ____ WITH Kathy.
Have you heard? Charlie is GOING OUT WITH Kathy. – have a romantic relationship with someone
I’m just going to HANG ____ with my friends tonight.
I’m just going to HANG OUT with my friends tonight. – spend time relaxing (informal)
Mum, it’s raining really hard, can you come and PICK me ____ from the train station? – meet / collect someone (e.g. at the station / from school)
Mum, it’s raining really hard, can you come and PICK me UP from the train station? – meet / collect someone (e.g. at the station / from school)
On a full moon he TURNS _____ a werewolf! They’ve TURNED my favourite restaurant ____ a Burger King!
On a full moon he TURNS INTO a werewolf! They’ve TURNED my favourite restaurant INTO a Burger King! – to transform
The teacher TOLD us _____ for being late.
The teacher TOLD us OFF for being late. – speak angrily to someone who has done something wrong
I GET ______ really well with all my teachers.
I GET ALONG / ON really well with all my teachers. – have a good relationship with
My New Year’s resolution is to CUT ______ ON fast food.
My New Year’s resolution is to CUT DOWN ON fast food.– reduce the amount you consume
Go down this street and then HEAD ____ the big church, your hotel is right next door to it.
Go down this street and then HEAD FOR the big church, your hotel is right next door to it. – go towards
The topic of a pay rise CAME ____ in my meeting with the boss.
The topic of a pay rise CAME UP in my meeting with the boss. – be mentioned, arise or appear (in class / an exam / a meeting)
I WORK ____ 3 times a week at the gym. The students struggled to WORK ____ the complicated equations.
I WORK OUT 3 times a week at the gym. The students struggled to WORK OUT the complicated equations. calculate / do exercise
They fell out over something stupid but now they’ve MADE ____.
They fell out over something stupid but now they’ve MADE UP. – become friends again
I BUMPED / RAN ______ an old friend from uni in the street.
I BUMPED / RAN INTO an old friend from uni in the street. – to meet someone unexpectedly
I PUT ____ quite a lot of weight during lockdown. (weight)
I PUT ON quite a lot of weight during lockdown. (weight) – increase (weight)
We need to SORT _____ accommodation for our trip to Paris.
We need to SORT OUT accommodation for our trip to Paris. – arrange or order by classes or categories; find a solution
The firefighters were finally able to PUT the fire ____.
The firefighters were finally able to PUT the fire OUT. – extinguish (e.g. fire)
The sudoku puzzle was too difficult so I GAVE ___ and read a book instead.
The sudoku puzzle was too difficult so I GAVE UP and read a book instead. – to stop trying to do something (often because it is too difficult)
The receptionist GAVE ____ all the most important information to the guests.
The receptionist GAVE OUT all the most important information to the guests. – announce or broadcast information
They’ve finally managed to PAY _____ the mortgage on the house. She got into Oxford University, all of her hard work has PAID ____! – finish paying for something;
They’ve finally managed to PAY OFF the mortgage on the house. She got into Oxford University, all of her hard work has PAID OFF! – finish paying for something;
PUT your coat ____, it’s cold outside. (clothes /make up) – place something on your body
PUT your coat ON, it’s cold outside. (clothes /make up) – place something on your body
We all DRESSED ___ as monsters for Halloween.
We all DRESSED UP as monsters for Halloween.– put on different clothes in order to disguise yourself
Don’t forget to GIVE / HAND ____ your essays at the end of the class. – submit (homework, etc.)
Don’t forget to GIVE / HAND IN your essays at the end of the class. – submit (homework, etc.)
When I GROW UP, I want to be a firefighter.
When I GROW UP, I want to be a firefighter. – slowly become an adult
She FELL ____ WITH her younger sister over who was going to look after grandma at Christmas.
She FELL OUT WITH her younger sister over who was going to look after grandma at Christmas. – argue and stop being friendly with someone
I hate it when people LOOK ______ ON those who are less fortunate than them.
I hate it when people LOOK DOWN ON those who are less fortunate than them. – feel superior to
Hey! That’s my bag! GIVE it _____.
Hey! That’s my bag! GIVE it BACK – return
I’ve COME ____ WITH a great idea for our Halloween costumes.
I’ve COME UP WITH a great idea for our Halloween costumes. – think of and suggest an idea
I first TOOK ____ volleyball when I was in secondary school.
I first TOOK UP volleyball when I was in secondary school.
Where were you on Saturday? I really needed your help and you LET me _____.
Where were you on Saturday? I really needed your help and you LET me DOWN. – disappoint
Don’t leave your shirts on the floor, you need to HANG them ____. She finished the call and then HUNG ___.
Don’t leave your shirts on the floor, you need to HANG them UP. She finished the call and then HUNG UP. – to hang clothes or an object on a hook or line; to end
I kept dropping hints about what I wanted for my birthday but my wife didn’t CATCH ____.
I kept dropping hints about what I wanted for my birthday but my wife didn’t CATCH ON. - to understand/realise after a long time
They broke/split up last year but then they got BACK ________.
They broke/split up last year but then they got BACK TOGETHER. – to end; to separate (a marriage / a relationship / etc.)
I’m still GETTING ______ a nasty cold but I should be fine in a couple of days.
I’m still GETTING OVER a nasty cold but I should be fine in a couple of days. – recover from
PUT your hand ____ if you have any questions.
PUT your hand UP if you have any questions. (your hand) – lift into the air
I’ve completely WORN ____ my old football boots, I need to get some new ones.
I’ve completely WORN OUT my old football boots, I need to get some new ones. - to use something until it becomes unusable
I’m cleaning out my garage this weekend, I’m going to GET RID ____ so much old stuff.
I’m cleaning out my garage this weekend, I’m going to GET RID OF so much old stuff. – eliminate/discard
I had never heard of my Dad’s favorite footballer, I had to LOOK him ____ on wikipedia.
I had never heard of my Dad’s favorite footballer, I had to LOOK him UP on wikipedia. – find information about (e.g. a word in a dictionary)
I’d say I TAKE ______ my Dad in my looks and my Mum in my personality.
I’d say I TAKE AFTER my Dad in my looks and my Mum in my personality. (someone) – resemble a member of your family in appearance, behaviour or character
The kids wouldn’t stop asking for an ice cream so I finally GAVE ___ and let them have one. – agree to something you do not want to
The kids wouldn’t stop asking for an ice cream so I finally GAVE IN and let them have one. – agree to something you do not want to
They’ve had to SHUT ______ 5 stores in the area because sales have dropped.
They’ve had to SHUT DOWN 5 stores in the area because sales have dropped. – to close
We HUNG _______ outside the concert hall for 2 hours after the show trying to get an autograph.
We HUNG AROUND outside the concert hall for 2 hours after the show trying to get an autograph. – to wait or spend time somewhere, doing nothing
We just want to GET _____ for the weekend and have some peace and quiet.
We just want to GET AWAY for the weekend and have some peace and quiet. – go on a short holiday/break
He SWITCHED / TURNED ___ the TV and sat down to watch the match.
He SWITCHED / TURNED ON the TV and sat down to watch the match. – to connect (e.g. the TV)
COME _______ after school and we’ll work on the science project together.
COME ROUND after school and we’ll work on the science project together. – come to your house
She’s TAKEN ____ a lot of extra responsibilities in her new job.
She’s TAKEN ON a lot of extra responsibilities in her new job. – attempt something new; employ
My uncle can PUT us ____ for a couple of nights while we’re in London. (for the night)
My uncle can PUT us UP for a couple of nights while we’re in London. (for the night) – accommodate
We got lost and ENDED ____ in a completely different town. - an end result of something planned or unplanned
We got lost and ENDED UP in a completely different town. - an end result of something planned or unplanned
I’m not going to PUT ____ WITH anymore lateness from those kids.
I’m not going to PUT UP WITH anymore lateness from those kids. – tolerate
I TOOK ____ ice-skating really quickly and now I’ve signed up for weekly classes.
I TOOK TO ice-skating really quickly and now I’ve signed up for weekly classes.– start to like, especially after only a short time
He stole €10 from his mum’s purse and GOT _____ WITH it, she blamed his brother.
He stole €10 from his mum’s purse and GOT AWAY WITH it, she blamed his brother. – not be punished for doing something
My Dad’s threatening to take away my car keys if I don’t tidy my room but I don’t think he will GO ________ WITH it.
My Dad’s threatening to take away my car keys if I don’t tidy my room but I don’t think he will GO THROUGH WITH it. – complete a promise or plan
I’ve been LOOKING _____ a flat for 2 months but haven’t found one I like yet.
I’ve been LOOKING FOR a flat for 2 months but haven’t found one I like yet. – try to find
I’m really LOOKING ________ TO Christmas this year.
I’m really LOOKING FORWARD TO Christmas this year. – feel happy about something that is going to happen
I MOVED _____ of my parents house when I was 18. – stop living in a house or flat
I MOVED OUT of my parents house when I was 18. – stop living in a house or flat
Yesterday she FOUND ____ that she passed her law degree.
Yesterday she FOUND OUT that she passed her law degree. – discover
Ok, thanks for that report Jon, now let’s MOVE ____ to Sarah’s presentation.
Ok, thanks for that report Jon, now let’s MOVE ON to Sarah’s presentation. – change to a different job, activity or place
Dan! Stop SHOWING ____ and pass us the ball, we’re losing 4-0.
Dan! Stop SHOWING OFF and pass us the ball, we’re losing 4-0. – try to impress peopleby telling or showing them what you are capable of
They’ve TURNED _____ our offer for the house, they want more money.
They’ve TURNED DOWN our offer for the house, they want more money. – reject or refuse
His ginger hair really makes him STAND _____ from the rest of the boys in his class.
His ginger hair really makes him STAND OUT from the rest of the boys in his class. - be easy to see because of being different
The milk has GONE ____, we’ll have to buy some more. A bomb WENT ____ outside the airport, luckily nobody was hurt.
The milk has GONE OFF, we’ll have to buy some more. A bomb WENT OFF outside the airport, luckily nobody was hurt. – explode; become bad (food)
Our bus didn’t TURN ____ for 2 hours.
Our bus didn’t TURN UP for 2 hours. – arrive, usually unexpectedly, early or late
They’ve made their demands and they’re not going to BACK ____.
They’ve made their demands and they’re not going to BACK DOWN. – stop demanding something
Don’t worry, my parents are going to PAY ____ dinner. – purchase
Don’t worry, my parents are going to PAY FOR dinner. – purchase
When are you going to PAY ______ the money you owe me?
When are you going to PAY BACK the money you owe me? – return money
My parents died when I was very young so my grandma BROUGHT me _____.
My parents died when I was very young so my grandma BROUGHT me UP. – raise/educate/care for (a child)
They PUT ____ a big show to raise money for charity. (an event/a show) – organize an event
They PUT ON a big show to raise money for charity. (an event/a show) – organize an event
I’m going to the dentist tomorrow, I’ve been PUTTING it ____ for months.
I’m going to the dentist tomorrow, I’ve been PUTTING it OFF for months. – postpone
My car always BREAKS _____ when I don’t have enough money to get it repaired.
My car always BREAKS DOWN when I don’t have enough money to get it repaired. – stop working
A: We should decorate the kitchen. B: Yeah, I’d GO _____ WITH that.
A: We should decorate the kitchen. B: Yeah, I’d GO ALONG WITH that. – support an idea or agree with someone’s opinion
Our plane TAKES ____ at 9pm.
Our plane TAKES OFF at 9pm. – leave the ground (e.g. a plane)
I’ve decided to THROW _____ my old sofa, unless you want it.
I’ve decided to THROW AWAY my old sofa, unless you want it. – get rid of something you do not need any more
He accidently GAVE ____ the surprise birthday party to the birthday girl, what an idiot!
He accidently GAVE AWAY the surprise birthday party to the birthday girl, what an idiot! – reveal
I GET _______ with my old uni friends every 6 months or so.
I GET TOGETHER with my old uni friends every 6 months or so. – meet (usually for social reasons)
He didn’t enjoy the economics degree course and DROPPED _____ after 6 months.
He didn’t enjoy the economics degree course and DROPPED OUT after 6 months. – stop taking part in (a competition, a university, etc.)
We need to HURRY ___! Our train leaves in five minutes.
We need to HURRY UP! Our train leaves in five minutes. – do something more quickly
The police couldn’t WORK ____ how the burglars got into the house. - find a solution
The police couldn’t WORK OUT how the burglars got into the house. - find a solution
I wrote them an email to FOLLOW ___ my complaint from the previous day. – find out more about something; take further action
I wrote them an email to FOLLOW UP my complaint from the previous day. – find out more about something; take further action
My Dad DROPPED ___ on his way home to work to say hello.
My Dad DROPPED BY on his way home to work to say hello. – to visit informally or unexpectedly
Don’t forget to TURN / SWITCH ____ the lights when you leave.
Don’t forget to TURN / SWITCH OFF the lights when you leave. – to disconnect (e.g. a computer)
We SET ____ the company in 1995 and it’s still going strong to this day.
We SET UP the company in 1995 and it’s still going strong to this day. – establish / start (e.g. a company)
The police decided to LET the kids ____ with a warning because it was their first offence.
The police decided to LET the kids OFF with a warning because it was their first offence. – give someone a lighter punishment than they expected (or not punish
They’re GIVING / HANDING ____ free samples of delicious cheese at the supermarket.
They’re GIVING / HANDING OUT free samples of delicious cheese at the supermarket. – distribute to a group of people
The child was struggling to DO ___ his shoelaces. We’re DOING ___ our house this summer.
The child was struggling to DO UP his shoelaces. We’re DOING UP our house this summer. – fasten, button up clothes; repair, redecorate or modernize a building o
I’ve always LOOKED ____ to my mum, she’s very resilient.
I’ve always LOOKED UP to my mum, she’s very resilient. – admire and respect
He was so dehydrated that he PASSED _____ and woke up in the back of an ambulance.
He was so dehydrated that he PASSED OUT and woke up in the back of an ambulance. – lose consciousness
Stop chatting and GET ____ WITH your work!
Stop chatting and GET ON WITH your work! – start or continue doing something (especially work)
The new hairstyle has really CAUGHT ____ with teenagers in my town.
The new hairstyle has really CAUGHT ON with teenagers in my town. CATCH ON – to become popular (an idea or a style);
We RAN ____ OF petrol in the middle of nowhere, it was terrifying.
We RAN OUT OF petrol in the middle of nowhere, it was terrifying. – use up (e.g. money, petrol, time)
At the end of the presentation our boss POINTED ____ several obvious mistakes we had made. – to draw attention to something or someone
At the end of the presentation our boss POINTED OUT several obvious mistakes we had made. – to draw attention to something or someone
My shyness always HOLDS me _____ in social situations.
My shyness always HOLDS me BACK in social situations. – prevent someone from making progress
Vicky! Come and PUT _____ your toys before you have dinner.
Vicky! Come and PUT AWAY your toys before you have dinner. – put something back in the correct place
He always USES ____ all the toilet roll and doesn’t replace it.
He always USES UP all the toilet roll and doesn’t replace it. – finish a supply of something
BBC STANDS ____ the British Broadcasting Corporation.
BBC STANDS FOR the British Broadcasting Corporation. – to represent
He CAME _____ quite a lot of money when his grandparents passed away. come into (money) – inherit
He CAME INTO quite a lot of money when his grandparents passed away. come into (money) – inherit
Sorry, the call got CUT ______ when we went through a tunnel.
Sorry, the call got CUT OFF when we went through a tunnel. – separate / isolate / interrupt
Just KEEP ____ walking this way and you’ll get to the station in no time.
Just KEEP ON walking this way and you’ll get to the station in no time. – to continue
My doctor has told me I need to CUT _____ all processed meats from my diet.
My doctor has told me I need to CUT OUT all processed meats from my diet. – stop doing / eating something
The situation CALLS ____ calm negotiations and cool heads from everyone involved.
The situation CALLS FOR calm negotiations and cool heads from everyone involved. – demand / request
She FELL ____ him the moment she met him.
She FELL FOR him the moment she met him. – fall in love with
I can’t come out, I need to LOOK _____ my baby brother.
I can’t come out, I need to LOOK AFTER my baby brother. – take care of
The weather on the mountain got really bad so we had to TURN ____.
The weather on the mountain got really bad so we had to TURN BACK. – return towards the place you started from
They gave us free tickets to a different show to MAKE ____ FOR the cancellation.
They gave us free tickets to a different show to MAKE UP FOR the cancellation. – compensate for
My best friend from primary school and I GREW ______ over the years and now we hardly speak.
My best friend from primary school and I GREW APART over the years and now we hardly speak. – get distant from someone, like a friend
A new manager has TAKEN ____ the department.
A new manager has TAKEN OVER the department. – take control of
Don’t be late! Everyone is COUNTING ____ you.
Don’t be late! Everyone is COUNTING ON you. – to rely on
They’ve had to CALL _____ the match due to bad weather.
They’ve had to CALL OFF the match due to bad weather. – cancel (an event)
I’m just going to CARRY ____ working on my presentation, but let me know if you need anything.
I’m just going to CARRY ON working on my presentation, but let me know if you need anything. – continue
Please TAKE your feet _____ the seat, your shoes are very dirty.
Please TAKE your feet OFF the seat, your shoes are very dirty. – to remove from a surface or your body (clothes)
The police are LOOKING _____ the case of the missing dog.
The police are LOOKING INTO the case of the missing dog. – investigate
It took him a long time to GET _____ her, I think he still loves her.
It took him a long time to GET OVER her, I think he still loves her. – recover after the end of a relationship with someone
I CAME _______ my old school books while I was cleaing out the attic.
I CAME ACROSS my old school books while I was cleaing out the attic. – find by chance
The poker game WENT ___ for hours and hours.
The poker game WENT ON for hours and hours. – to continue
I bought him a pint to try to CHEER him ____.
I bought him a pint to try to CHEER him UP – make happier
He also came to DROP ____ my Christmas presents. The taxi DROPPED us ___ outside the airport.
He also came to DROP OFF my Christmas presents. The taxi DROPPED us OFF outside the airport. – to take something (or someone) to a place and leave it there
He’s always MAKING ____ ridiculous stories and excuses for why he’s late.
He’s always MAKING UP ridiculous stories and excuses for why he’s late. (something) – invent (stories, excuses)
The car rental company tried to RIP us _____ but I was having none of it. – charge someone too much for something
The car rental company tried to RIP us OFF but I was having none of it. – charge someone too much for something
I don’t earn much but it’s enough to GET ____.
I don’t earn much but it’s enough to GET BY. – manage to survive / live
Your experience on this site will be improved by allowing cookies.