phrasals Flashcards
to take part in
to be involved in, to participate in (also: to be in on)
- Martin was sick and could not take part in the meeting yesterday.
at all
to any degree (also: in the least)
Larry isn’t at all shy about expressing his opinions.
to look up:
to locate information in a directory, dictionary, book, etc. (S)
Ellen suggested that we look up Lee’s telephone number in the directory.
to wait on:
to serve in a store or restaurant
A very pleasant young clerk waited on me in that shop
at least:
a minimum of, no fewer (or less) than
I spend at least two hours every night on my studies
so far:
until now, until the present time (also: up to now, as of yet)
Hasta aqui, hasta ahora
This idiom is usually used with the present perfect tense.
So far, this year has been excellent for business. I hope that the good luck continues.
to take a walk, stroll, hike, etc.:
to go for a walk, stroll, hike, etc.
A stroll involves slow, easy walking; a hike involves serious, strenuous walking
Last evening we took a walk around the park.
to take a trip:
to go on a journey, to travel
I’m so busy at work that I have no time to take a trip.
to try on:
to wear clothes to check the style or fit before buying (S)
He tried on several suits before he picked out a blue one
to think over:
to consider carefully before deciding (S)
I’d like to think over your offer first. Then can we talk it over tomorrow?
to take place:
to occur, to happen according to plan
The regular meetings of the committee take place in Constitution Hall.
to put away:
to remove from slight, to put in the proper place (S)
Please put away your papers before you open the test booklet.
to look out:
to be careful or cautious (also: to watch out)
Both of these idioms can occur with the preposition for.
“Look out!” Jeffrey cried as his friend almost stepped in a big hole in the ground.
o Look out for reckless drivers whenever you cross the street.
o Small children should always watch out for strangers offering candy.
to shake hands:
to exchange greetings by clasping hands
When people meet for the first time, they usually shake hands.
to get back: to return (S)
to return (S)
Mr. Harris got back from his business trip to Chicago this morning
to catch cold: to become sick with a cold of the nose for throat
to become sick with a cold of the nose for throat
If you go out in this rain, you will surely catch cold.
to get over:
to recover from an illness; to accept a loss or sorrow
It took me over a month to get over my cold, but I’m finally well now.
to make up one’s mind:
to reach a decision, to decide finally
Sally is considering several colleges to attend, but she hasn’t made up her mind yet
to change one’s mind:
to alter one’s decision or opinion
We have changed our minds and are going to Canada instead of California this summer.
for the time being:
temporarily (also: for now)- de momento, por el momento, por ahora
For the time being, Janet is working as a waitress, but she really hopes to become an actress soon
for good:
permanently, forever
Ruth has returned to Canada for good. She won’t ever live in the United States again.
to call off:
to cancel (S)
The referee called off the soccer game because of the darkness
to put off:
to postpone (S)
Many student’s put off doing their assignments until the last minute.
in a hurry:
hurried, rushed (also: in a rush)
Alex seems in a hurry; he must be late for his train again.
under the weather:
not feeling well, sick
John stayed home from work because he was feeling under the weather.
to hang up:
to place clothes on a hook or hanger (S); to replace the receiver on the phone at the end of a conversation (S)
Would you like me to hang up your coat for you in the closet?
to count on:
to trust someone in time of need (also: to depend on)
I can count on my parents to help me in an emergency
to make friends:
to become friendly with others
Patricia is a shy girl and doesn’t make friends easily
out of order:
not in working condition
The elevator was out or order, so we had to walk to the tenth floor of the building.
to get to:
to be able to do something special; to arrive at a place, such as home, work, etc.
The children got to stay up late and watch a good movie for the family
few and far between:
not frequent, unusual, rare
The times that our children get to stay up late are few and far between.
to look over:
to examine, to inspect closely (also: to go over, to read over, to check over) (S)
Go over is different from the other forms because it is not separable.
I want to look my homework over again before I give it to the teacher
to have (time) off:
to have free time, not to have to work (also: to take time off (S))
The related form (S) to take time off is used when someone makes a decision to have free time, sometimes when others might not agree with the decision.
Every morning the company workers have time off for a coffee break.
to go on:
to happen; to resume, to continue (also: to keep on)
Many people gathered near the accident to see what was going on.
to put out:
extinguish, to cause to stop functioning (S)
To put out has the same meaning as to turn off for a light fixture.
No smoking is allowed in here. Please put out your cigarette.
all of a sudden:
suddenly, without warning (also: all at once)
All of a sudden Ed appeared at the door. We weren’t expecting him to drop by.
to keep my fingers crossed
tomorrow is the big competition I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you
to keep under control
it’s very difficult to keep 30 young children under control in the classroom all-day
to keep your nose clean
to avoid getting into trouble
if you don’t keep your nose clean this time you’ll be in big trouble
to keep you posted
I’ll keep you posted if anything changes in our plans
to keep your mouth shut
to not talk about something
keep your mouth shut about Mauro’s surprise party for Andy I don’t want him to know about it
to let bygones be bygones
dejar lo pasado en el pasado
Brian I’m so sorry about what I said that’s okay let bygones be bygones
to let someone off the hook
para dejar a alguien libre de culpa
I’m going to let you off the hook this time but don’t ever do that again
to live beyond one’s means
vivir por encima de sus posibilidades
Tony never has enough money because he always lives beyond his means
to make yourself at home
sentirse como en casa
if you arrived at my house before I do just make yourself at home
to meet someone halfway
encontrar a alguien a mitad de camino
since we both disagree do you think maybe we could meet halfway
on the spot
poner en aprietos
that girl really put me on the spot when she asked me if I wanted to go to the party with her
once and for all
I’m going to stop smoking once and for all
out of the question
Ni hablar
taking a holiday to France this year is out of the question we don’t have enough money
out-of-date
look at her dress it’s so out of date
out of order
fuera de servicio
this public telephone is out of order
once in a blue moon
De vez en cuando
once in a blue moon my husband buys me flowers
to put practice
we have an idea about how to sell our product but we haven’t put it into practice yet
to save someone’s skin
salvar el pellejo de alguien
thanks for helping me with my homework I almost didn’t finish it you really saved my skin
so far so good
hasta ahora todo va bien
ken how’s your diet so far so good I’ve lost five kilograms
to take a load off your back
quitarse un peso de encima
when my boss hired a secretary for me it took a load off my back
to take something for granted
you shouldn’t take your friends for granted someday they might be there to help you
to be at the end of ones rope
feeling desperate because you are in a difficult situation and do not know how to deal with it.
Brad can I borrow some money I’m really at the end of my rope
to be up to something
estar en algo
why are you two children being so quiet today are you up to something to cheer up
to ease someone out
facilitar la salida de alguien
Jonathan is so shy we really should try to ease him out of his house more often
to face the music
dar la cara
Malee broke her father’s favorite chair now he’s home from work and she’ll have to face the music
to find fault with
encontrar faltas
why do you try to find fault with everything I do
to get on one’s nerves
ponerle a uno de los nervios
Vicky talks so much she gets on everyone’s nerves
to give birth to
dar a luz
when Isaac Newton gave birth to the idea of gravity it changed the world forever
to give one a big hand
the audience gave the musician a big hand after the concert
