50 // Problems and Solutions Flashcards
happen unexpectedly
COME UP
Sorry, I’ll be home late tonight. Something’s come up.
make something easier to understand by separating it into smaller parts
BREAK DOWN
Writing your thesis is easier if you break it down into small sections.
encounter difficulties
COME UP AGAINST
The proposals for a new highway have come up against a lot of local opposition.
happen differently than expected
TURN OUT
I thought the event was going to be a disaster, but it turned out alright.
be a source of worry
HANG OVER SB
It was very hard for Somrita and her friends to relax with their final exams hanging over them.
manage or solve a problem
DEAL WITH
Owen is great with customers. He deals with their complaints fairly, and never loses his temper.
deal with difficulties or opposition
CONTEND WITH
While climbing the mountain, we had to contend with strong winds and heavy rain.
solve a problem, resolve an argument
CLEAR UP
Ben and I cleared up our disagreement when we realized it was all just a misunderstanding.
happen (often unexpectedly)
CROP UP
A number of problems have cropped up with the new printer. We need to get someone to fix it.
treat a problem as unimportant, refuse to take it seriously
BRUSH ASIDE
Bitna told Danny she was nervous about her presentation, but he just brushed it aside.
find a solution to a problem
SORT OUT
Clare and Wei Ting had to sort out a problem with their experiment.
avoid an obstacle that is stopping you from achieving something
WORK AROUND
Sawad’s computer crashed, but she worked around it by using pen and paper instead.
consider something methodically
THINK THROUGH
Kavitha didn’t know why her question was wrong, so she thought it through carefully.
avoid or solve a problem or obstacle
GET AROUND
Anton had run out of green paint, but he managed to get around it.
Find a solution to a problem
FIGURE OUT
It’s taken me all evening to figure out how to turn on this television.
