Phrasal Verbs Flashcards
CRACK DOWN ON sth/sb
= tomar medidas enérgicas contra algo/alguém
= to take action to control or punish someone or something more strictly or harshly, especially compared to the past.
Ex.: After years of leniency, the school is finally cracking down on plagiarism.
HAND OUT
= to pass something (usually papers) out to people.
Ex.: The teacher handed the tests out to the students. Please hand out these papers.
When do you think the boss will hand out a decision on this issue?
The judge was known for handing heavy fines out.
USE UP
= to deplete an entire supply or amount of something.
Exs.: I can’t believe you used up all of my shampoo and just left the empty bottle in the shower!
I used myself up. I’m done. I can’t function anymore.
Use the flour up. I have more in the cupboard.
WIPE OUT
= to destroy something completely; obliterate something
Exs.: The invaders wiped out the entire population of the countryside.
This disease could wipe many of the villagers out.
The large chains are wiping out the independent bookstores.
Species have been wiped out from the planet.
CUT DOWN
1) to chop something down, as of a tree.
Exs.: The loggers cut down trees from the forest. Unfortunately, we’ll have to cut down that old tree because the inspector thinks it could fall on our house in a bad storm.
2) to destroy someone’s argument; to destroy someone’s position or standing.
Ex.: The lawyer cut the testimony down quickly.
The lawyer cut down the witness’s story.
3) to kill sb
The gunman cut down an innocent pedestrian.
COME UP AGAINST
= to face a particular obstacle, problem, difficulty, stress, etc.
Exs.: Each year, more and more families come up against debt going into the holiday season.
Sorry I haven’t been in touch recently, I’ve just really come up against issues at work the last few weeks.
I’ve never come up against anything I can’t handle.
DIE OUT
1) to become extinct gradually, as of a group of people or animals
Exs.: That species of birds will die out if we keep destroying its habitat.
2) To become outdated or obsolete.
Exs.: The prevalence of cell phones today has caused the use of landlines to die out.
AMOUNT TO
1) to be a certain total.
Exs.: My tips this week only amount to $40.
2) to become worthwhile or successful.
Exs.: I hope Charles amounts to something some day.
I doubt that this business will ever amount to anything really profitable
STEP BACK
= to withdraw or remove oneself from something, often in order to consider it from a broader or more objective perspective.
Exs.: You’re too focused on this project. You need to step back and consider the bigger picture of the whole company.
I think everyone needs to step back from this issue for a moment and think about their motivations a bit more critically.
CARRY OUT
= to do or accomplish something;
to establish or implement something;
to complete a task or request ordered by someone else
Exs.: This project has been floundering for a while, but with your shared passion for it, I’m confident that you two can carry it out.
BUY INTO
= to believe in and support an idea, concept, or system.
Ex.: Rod’s a good enough coach, but he just can’t get the players to buy into his system.
SCRAMBLE OVER sth
= to move or climb hastily especially on all fours or using one’s hands
Ex.: He scrambled over the rocks.
GET CAUGHT UP IN sth
= to become involved in a situation, often without wanting to
Ex.: How did the paper get caught up in a legal dispute?
GET one’s TEETH INTO sth
= to start doing or become involved in something with one’s utmost energy, determination, or enthusiasm.
Ex.: I’m always looking for a great book to get my teeth into.
DREDGE UP
= to bring something back into discussion or importance, especially sth unpleasant
Ex.:
I wish you hadn’t dredged up that issue with our boss.
I had been content to forget about the accident until my neighbor dredged it up by asking me questions about it.
