Track 1 Flashcards
back away
Definition: To retreat.
Use:A person can back away from something.
Structure:
back away from [something] [atsisakyti]
Examples:
Joe backed away from a fight.
The union backed away from their demand for more vacation time.
Practice:
Do you know someone who has backed away from a fight?
back up (1)
Definition:
To reverse the direction of something (pa(si)traukti atgal)
Use:
People back up cars, machines, & furniture.
Structure:
back up [something] or back [something] up
Examples:
I almost hit the lamp post when I backed up my car.
Can you back that desk up a little bit?
Practice:
Do you need to back something up in your house?
back up (2)
Definition:
To support a person, business, project, etc.
Use:
Someone can back up a person emotionally or something
financially.
Structure:
back up [someone] or back [someone] up
Examples:
My parents backed me up when I had trouble in college.
John’s family backed up his new business with a loan.
Practice:
Have you ever backed someone up? Has someone backed you up?
block off
Definition:
To obstruct the passage of something.
Use:
Someone or something can block off a road, walking path, etc…
Structure:
block off [something] or bock [something] off
Examples:
After the storm, a fallen tree blocked off the sidewalk.
The fire department blocked the road off for several hours.
Practice:
When was the last time you saw a road that was blocked off?
break down (1)
Definition:
To stop working.
Use:
Machines and vehicles can break down.
Structure:
[something] breaks down
Examples:
My car broke down so I took the bus to work.
Lori said her laptop broke down so the boss gave her a new one.
Practice:
Do you have something that broke down recently?
break down (2)
Definition:
To analyze.
Use:
Someone can break down things like financial reports or a
formula.
Structure:
break [something] down or break down [something]
Examples:
I have to break down the sales figures for Friday’s meeting.
The boss asked me to break the report down for him.
Practice:
Have you broken down a report or some figures recently?
break in (2)
Definition:
To wear something until it becomes comfortable.
Use:
Someone can break in clothing, shoes, sporting equipment, etc.
Structure:
break in [something] or break [something] in
Examples:
It is a nice leather jacket, but I need to break it in.
It might take a week to break in these tennis shoes.
Practice:
What have you broken in recently?
break into (1)
Definition:
To enter a place illegally or without permission.
Use:
Someone breaks into with the intention of stealing or doing
damage
Structure:
break into [something]
Examples:
I heard someone broke into the coffee shop last night.
Someone broke into my car and stole the stereo.
Practice:
Has anyone ever broken into your car?
break into (2)
Definition:
To successfully enter a business or industry.
Use:
A person can break into the arts or a business field.
Structure:
break into [something]
Examples:
Lori broke into the fashion industry right after graduating university.
Breaking into the music business takes hard work and endurance.
Practice:
Would you like to break into the music business?
break out
Definition:
To escape from somewhere.
Use:
A person or an animal can break out of their confinement.
Structure:
break out of [somewhere]
Examples:
The bank robber broke out of prison last week.
My dog tried to break out of the backyard today.
Practice:
Does your dog, or your neighbor’s dog try to break out of the yard?
What are you up to?
= “What do you intend to do?”
= “What are you willing to do?”
You got screwed
I got cheated or swindled.
“That man tricked me out of my life savings. He made sure I got well and truly screwed.”
“I got screwed by a professional gambler.”
Beware - it also has another adult (and impolite) colloquial meaning, unacceptable to some, with regard to sexual intercourse.
