There are three main times of question tag:
1 The sarcastic response or one showing surprise or disbelief where both are postive as in:
A I've worked really hard today
B You have, have you?
2 The response where you hope that the answer will be no from the speaker:
A I have lost all my money at the casino
B You haven't, have you?
3 The response where you hope the answer will be yes from the speaker:
A I think I locked the door
B You did, didn't you?
Friday, July 9, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Phrasal Verbs - 8
blow...out
Don't open the window - the candle will blow out.
The force of the explosion blew all the windows out.
When lightening hit our house, all the telephones were blown out.
Noun: Maria had a blowout and lost control of her car.
give...out
They gave out free hats to the first 5.000 fans to enter the stadium.
give out
The explorers lost their way in the desert and died when their water gave out.
gross...out
Alex hater changing his little brother's diapers-it really grosses him out.
Adjective: I was eating an apple, and I found half a worm in it. I was so grossed out that I almost threw up.
head toward
The escaped convinct must have headed toward Mexico.
run up (to)
If I'd heard the baby crying, I would have run up to this bedroom.
After the explosion, a man ran up to me and asked for help.
run...up
When I was in Australia, I called my family every week and really ran a big phone bill up.
Noun: Bill was lucky to buy 500 shares of stock just before the big run-up.
shut up
Marvin talks non-stop. He never shuts up.
shut...up
I can't hear the TV. Can you please shut those kids up?
stop off
Stopping off in Cairo on our way to India would be fun.
try...on
She must have tried 20 pairs of shoes on before she made her choice.
burn out
We need more wood. The fire's burned out.
These new light bulbs are guaranteed not to burn out for ten years.
Adjective: I replaced the burned-out bulb in my lamp.
After the fire, nothing was left but burned-out buillding.
The burned-out rocket landed in the ocean.
Teaching those awful students for years has left him burned-out.
fall over
I almost fell over when I heard the terrible news.
Mike was felling all over himself trying to impress jane.
fight back
The soldiers fought back bravely, but the situtation was hopeless.
I had to fight back tears when I heard about john's death.
hear of
She asked if I knew Smith but I've never heard of him.
Our daughter wanted to go to Mexico with her boyfriend but we won't hear of it.
pick...out
Have you picked out a dress to wear to the party?
The policeman asked me if I could pick the mugger's picture out of a group of photos.
ring...up
I guess I'll buy this one. Can you ring it up please?
He rang up Nancy and asked her for a date.
tear...down
They've torn so many buildings down that I hardly recognize the neighborhood any more.
work...in
My schedule's pretty tight but I'll try to work the meeting in.
follow up
The doctor told me I'd have to follow up the operation with physical therapy.
Noun: The doctor told me to see him in two months for follow-up.
take...out (of)(to)
I want to take some books out of the library today.
The teacher said my essay would be better if I took the third paragraph out.
Nicole is at the bank taking $1000out.
Jim took his girlfriend out to the movies last week.
The hit man took John out with a shotgun blast to the head.
Noun: I don't feel like cooking tonight. Lets get takeout.
try...out
You can try it out for thirty days without any obligation.
The manager agred to try him out for three months.
Noun: I gave the new diet a tryout, but I actually gained weight.
try out (for)
A lot of guys will try out for the team, but only a few will make it.
Noun: Tryouts for the team will be Friday and Saturday.
wake...up
I woke up at two a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep.
Hey, wake up! Nicole is lying to you. Can't you see that?
Noun: I asked the clerk to give me a wake-up call at 6 a.m.
work out
She said that living with her in-laws wasn't working out very well.
The marriage didn't work out and they were divorced after six months.
The monthly payment on a 6 percent loan works out to $642.
The opposing lawyers worked out a comprise.
Bob works out at the gym every day.
Noun: I 'm really sore from my workout last night.
Driving to Alaska sure gave this old truck a workout.
work...out
I've forgotten how to work math problem out without a calculator.
take...over
Jane's at home sick so I'm going to take some chicken soup over.
The hijackers took the plane over and made the pilot fly to Cuba.
take over
Carlos Ortega will be taking over as sales manager next year.
We work from 4 p.m. until midnight, and then the graveyard shift takes over.
Noun: If the situtaion doesn't stabilize soon, there's a good chance of a military takeover.
After the takeover, the new presidenet made a lot of changes.
wipe...out
I wiped the inside of the glasses out so they wouldn't get spots on them.
An entire regiment was wiped out it the battle.
Noun: The battle was a complete wipeout. Not a single soldier survived.
Don't open the window - the candle will blow out.
The force of the explosion blew all the windows out.
When lightening hit our house, all the telephones were blown out.
Noun: Maria had a blowout and lost control of her car.
give...out
They gave out free hats to the first 5.000 fans to enter the stadium.
give out
The explorers lost their way in the desert and died when their water gave out.
gross...out
Alex hater changing his little brother's diapers-it really grosses him out.
Adjective: I was eating an apple, and I found half a worm in it. I was so grossed out that I almost threw up.
head toward
The escaped convinct must have headed toward Mexico.
run up (to)
If I'd heard the baby crying, I would have run up to this bedroom.
After the explosion, a man ran up to me and asked for help.
run...up
When I was in Australia, I called my family every week and really ran a big phone bill up.
Noun: Bill was lucky to buy 500 shares of stock just before the big run-up.
shut up
Marvin talks non-stop. He never shuts up.
shut...up
I can't hear the TV. Can you please shut those kids up?
stop off
Stopping off in Cairo on our way to India would be fun.
try...on
She must have tried 20 pairs of shoes on before she made her choice.
burn out
We need more wood. The fire's burned out.
These new light bulbs are guaranteed not to burn out for ten years.
Adjective: I replaced the burned-out bulb in my lamp.
After the fire, nothing was left but burned-out buillding.
The burned-out rocket landed in the ocean.
Teaching those awful students for years has left him burned-out.
fall over
I almost fell over when I heard the terrible news.
Mike was felling all over himself trying to impress jane.
fight back
The soldiers fought back bravely, but the situtation was hopeless.
I had to fight back tears when I heard about john's death.
hear of
She asked if I knew Smith but I've never heard of him.
Our daughter wanted to go to Mexico with her boyfriend but we won't hear of it.
pick...out
Have you picked out a dress to wear to the party?
The policeman asked me if I could pick the mugger's picture out of a group of photos.
ring...up
I guess I'll buy this one. Can you ring it up please?
He rang up Nancy and asked her for a date.
tear...down
They've torn so many buildings down that I hardly recognize the neighborhood any more.
work...in
My schedule's pretty tight but I'll try to work the meeting in.
follow up
The doctor told me I'd have to follow up the operation with physical therapy.
Noun: The doctor told me to see him in two months for follow-up.
take...out (of)(to)
I want to take some books out of the library today.
The teacher said my essay would be better if I took the third paragraph out.
Nicole is at the bank taking $1000out.
Jim took his girlfriend out to the movies last week.
The hit man took John out with a shotgun blast to the head.
Noun: I don't feel like cooking tonight. Lets get takeout.
try...out
You can try it out for thirty days without any obligation.
The manager agred to try him out for three months.
Noun: I gave the new diet a tryout, but I actually gained weight.
try out (for)
A lot of guys will try out for the team, but only a few will make it.
Noun: Tryouts for the team will be Friday and Saturday.
wake...up
I woke up at two a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep.
Hey, wake up! Nicole is lying to you. Can't you see that?
Noun: I asked the clerk to give me a wake-up call at 6 a.m.
work out
She said that living with her in-laws wasn't working out very well.
The marriage didn't work out and they were divorced after six months.
The monthly payment on a 6 percent loan works out to $642.
The opposing lawyers worked out a comprise.
Bob works out at the gym every day.
Noun: I 'm really sore from my workout last night.
Driving to Alaska sure gave this old truck a workout.
work...out
I've forgotten how to work math problem out without a calculator.
take...over
Jane's at home sick so I'm going to take some chicken soup over.
The hijackers took the plane over and made the pilot fly to Cuba.
take over
Carlos Ortega will be taking over as sales manager next year.
We work from 4 p.m. until midnight, and then the graveyard shift takes over.
Noun: If the situtaion doesn't stabilize soon, there's a good chance of a military takeover.
After the takeover, the new presidenet made a lot of changes.
wipe...out
I wiped the inside of the glasses out so they wouldn't get spots on them.
An entire regiment was wiped out it the battle.
Noun: The battle was a complete wipeout. Not a single soldier survived.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
I shrink to think
You have to imagine that you are talking to someone you know very well and also that you are speaking in a joking way. In that sense you are right because this expression is used informally and really suggests: I haven't the slightest idea and I want you to tell me. Take this exchange:
A Do you know what I did last night?
B I shrink to think what you did! Do tell me. I'd love to hear.
A Do you know what I did last night?
B I shrink to think what you did! Do tell me. I'd love to hear.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Phrasal Verbs - 7
cut...off
He cut off a piece of cheese so I could taste it.
I expect the power company will cut off my electricity because I haven't paid the bill in three months.
I had to slam on my brakes when some jerk cut me off on my way to work this morning.
I was in the middle of an important call when I was cut off.
A flash flood cut us off from the rest of the expedition.
Noun: I got a notice saying that if I don't pay the bill, the cut off date for my electricity is March 10.
Adjective: The bridge was destroyed by the earthquake and now we are completely cut off.
drop...off
Luis dropped his laundry off at the cleaners.
Noun: Luis left his laundry at the drop-off window.
drop off
Attendance at baseball games has been dropping off straight for several years.
The island has no beach at all. The land drops off straight into the sea.
Noun: The drop-off in car sales is due to the recession.
It was hard to see the drop-off because of the dense jungle.
back...up
I put the car in reverse and backed it up.
The IRS asked for some receipts to back up my tax deductions.
Linda said she would back e up if I complained about our boss.
I back my computer up frequently.
The hospital bought a generator to back up the unreliable electricity supply.
An accident backed up traffic for three miles.
back up
You're going too fast. Can you back up and explain you plan again.
Noun: The firefighter entered the burning building without a backup.
I keep a backup of my computer files on floppy disks.
The hospital had to close when the main power and the backup generator both failed.
The amount of mail at Christmas always causes a backup at the post office.
Adjective: The adjective is always backed up.
I accidentally erased your computer file. I hope you had it backed up.
Let's take the train. Traffice is always backed up at this time of day.
back off
I'm not going to help you with that project. Stop bugging me! Just back off.
come across
As soon as Nicole saw me, she came across the room and gave me a hug.
On our hike, we came across some people from Australia. (could also say ran across or ran into)
His American humor didn't come across well in England.
come up
My cousin from Florida came up to visit me last week.
I saw Dan driving a Mercedes. He's really coming up in the world.
We were discussing people who might do that job and your name came up.
I'm sorry I can't come to the party. Something important has come up.
Mother's Day is coming up, so I need to buy my mother a gift.
fall through
The roofer has fallen through a hole in the roof.
The family reunion fell through after my father got sick.
put...up
Put these knives up where the baby can't reach them.
The teacher has put some posters up on the classroom wall.
We need to put up a fence to keep the rabbis out of the garden.
When we went camping, we put up a tent in case it rained. (set it up)
When friends from overseas come to New York, we put them up in our apartment. (let them stay)
My aunt put the string beans up in cans so they will keep for the winder. (cooked and put in a jar, prepare them)
put up
Mr. Taylor put up $3 million towards the new cancer building.
The union put up a fight when the company tried to lay off some workers.
screw...on
If you don't screw the top on tight, the soda will get flat.
Make sure that you screw the nuts on tightly.
Adjective: Once you have turned the bottle top so it is tight, the top is screwed on.
sign...in
All visitors to the consulate are asked to sign in.
sign...out
Jim isn't in the office anymore. He signed out at 5:06.
I signed nice books out of the library. (I put my name down next to these book's name and I took them out.)
He cut off a piece of cheese so I could taste it.
I expect the power company will cut off my electricity because I haven't paid the bill in three months.
I had to slam on my brakes when some jerk cut me off on my way to work this morning.
I was in the middle of an important call when I was cut off.
A flash flood cut us off from the rest of the expedition.
Noun: I got a notice saying that if I don't pay the bill, the cut off date for my electricity is March 10.
Adjective: The bridge was destroyed by the earthquake and now we are completely cut off.
drop...off
Luis dropped his laundry off at the cleaners.
Noun: Luis left his laundry at the drop-off window.
drop off
Attendance at baseball games has been dropping off straight for several years.
The island has no beach at all. The land drops off straight into the sea.
Noun: The drop-off in car sales is due to the recession.
It was hard to see the drop-off because of the dense jungle.
back...up
I put the car in reverse and backed it up.
The IRS asked for some receipts to back up my tax deductions.
Linda said she would back e up if I complained about our boss.
I back my computer up frequently.
The hospital bought a generator to back up the unreliable electricity supply.
An accident backed up traffic for three miles.
back up
You're going too fast. Can you back up and explain you plan again.
Noun: The firefighter entered the burning building without a backup.
I keep a backup of my computer files on floppy disks.
The hospital had to close when the main power and the backup generator both failed.
The amount of mail at Christmas always causes a backup at the post office.
Adjective: The adjective is always backed up.
I accidentally erased your computer file. I hope you had it backed up.
Let's take the train. Traffice is always backed up at this time of day.
back off
I'm not going to help you with that project. Stop bugging me! Just back off.
come across
As soon as Nicole saw me, she came across the room and gave me a hug.
On our hike, we came across some people from Australia. (could also say ran across or ran into)
His American humor didn't come across well in England.
come up
My cousin from Florida came up to visit me last week.
I saw Dan driving a Mercedes. He's really coming up in the world.
We were discussing people who might do that job and your name came up.
I'm sorry I can't come to the party. Something important has come up.
Mother's Day is coming up, so I need to buy my mother a gift.
fall through
The roofer has fallen through a hole in the roof.
The family reunion fell through after my father got sick.
put...up
Put these knives up where the baby can't reach them.
The teacher has put some posters up on the classroom wall.
We need to put up a fence to keep the rabbis out of the garden.
When we went camping, we put up a tent in case it rained. (set it up)
When friends from overseas come to New York, we put them up in our apartment. (let them stay)
My aunt put the string beans up in cans so they will keep for the winder. (cooked and put in a jar, prepare them)
put up
Mr. Taylor put up $3 million towards the new cancer building.
The union put up a fight when the company tried to lay off some workers.
screw...on
If you don't screw the top on tight, the soda will get flat.
Make sure that you screw the nuts on tightly.
Adjective: Once you have turned the bottle top so it is tight, the top is screwed on.
sign...in
All visitors to the consulate are asked to sign in.
sign...out
Jim isn't in the office anymore. He signed out at 5:06.
I signed nice books out of the library. (I put my name down next to these book's name and I took them out.)
Saturday, May 29, 2010
confusing words
(ABILITY / CAPACITY)
Ability (noun) = The actual power or skill to do something.
Capacity (noun) = The potential power or skill to do something.
__________________________________________________ ____________
(ACCEPT / EXCEPT)
Accept (verb) = To recieve; agree with.
Except (verb) = To leave out or exclude.
Except (preposition) = With the exclusion of, other than; but.
Accept (preposition) = If it were not for the fact that; only.
__________________________________________________ _____________
(ADVISE / ADVICE)
Advice (noun) = Opinion; information.
Advise (verb) = To give advice; to counsel.
__________________________________________________ _____________
(EFFECT / AFFECT)
Affect (verb) = To have an influence upon; to put on a false show.
Effect (verb) = To bring about; to accomplish.
Effect (noun) = Result.
__________________________________________________ _____________
(ALL READY / ALREADY)
All ready (adjectival phraze) = To have everything prepared.
Already (adverb) = By this or a specifit time; before; so soon.
__________________________________________________ _____________
(AMONG / BETWEEN)
Among (preposition) = In the midst of; surrounded by; talkin about a group havin more than 2 members.
Between (preposition) = Talking about 2 members; or between more than 2 members or entities when they are considered individuals.
__________________________________________________ _____________
(COMPARE TO / COMPARE WITH)
Compare to (verb and preposition) = Used when compared two unlike things or people.
Compare with (verb and preposition) = Used when comparein 2 like things.
__________________________________________________ _____________
(COMPLEMENT / COMPLIMENT)
Complement (noun) = Something that completes, makes up a whole or brings to perfection.
Compliment (noun) = An expression of praise, admiration or congratulations.
Complement (verb) = To serve as a complement to.
Compliment (verb) = To pay a compliment.
__________________________________________________ _______________
(BOUGHT / BROUGHT)
Bought (past tense and the participle of the verb 'to buy') = To purchase.
Brought (past tense and the participle of the verb 'to bring') = To carry with one.
__________________________________________________ _______________
(CONTINUOUS / CONTINUAL)
Continuous (adjective) = Uninterrupted.
Continual (adjective) = Happens regularly; recurring.
__________________________________________________ _______________
(UNINTERESTED / DISINTERESTED)
Uninterested (adjective) = Not having any interest in; bored by.
Disinterested (adjective) = Neutral; unbaised; not personally involved.
Ability (noun) = The actual power or skill to do something.
Capacity (noun) = The potential power or skill to do something.
__________________________________________________ ____________
(ACCEPT / EXCEPT)
Accept (verb) = To recieve; agree with.
Except (verb) = To leave out or exclude.
Except (preposition) = With the exclusion of, other than; but.
Accept (preposition) = If it were not for the fact that; only.
__________________________________________________ _____________
(ADVISE / ADVICE)
Advice (noun) = Opinion; information.
Advise (verb) = To give advice; to counsel.
__________________________________________________ _____________
(EFFECT / AFFECT)
Affect (verb) = To have an influence upon; to put on a false show.
Effect (verb) = To bring about; to accomplish.
Effect (noun) = Result.
__________________________________________________ _____________
(ALL READY / ALREADY)
All ready (adjectival phraze) = To have everything prepared.
Already (adverb) = By this or a specifit time; before; so soon.
__________________________________________________ _____________
(AMONG / BETWEEN)
Among (preposition) = In the midst of; surrounded by; talkin about a group havin more than 2 members.
Between (preposition) = Talking about 2 members; or between more than 2 members or entities when they are considered individuals.
__________________________________________________ _____________
(COMPARE TO / COMPARE WITH)
Compare to (verb and preposition) = Used when compared two unlike things or people.
Compare with (verb and preposition) = Used when comparein 2 like things.
__________________________________________________ _____________
(COMPLEMENT / COMPLIMENT)
Complement (noun) = Something that completes, makes up a whole or brings to perfection.
Compliment (noun) = An expression of praise, admiration or congratulations.
Complement (verb) = To serve as a complement to.
Compliment (verb) = To pay a compliment.
__________________________________________________ _______________
(BOUGHT / BROUGHT)
Bought (past tense and the participle of the verb 'to buy') = To purchase.
Brought (past tense and the participle of the verb 'to bring') = To carry with one.
__________________________________________________ _______________
(CONTINUOUS / CONTINUAL)
Continuous (adjective) = Uninterrupted.
Continual (adjective) = Happens regularly; recurring.
__________________________________________________ _______________
(UNINTERESTED / DISINTERESTED)
Uninterested (adjective) = Not having any interest in; bored by.
Disinterested (adjective) = Neutral; unbaised; not personally involved.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Phrasal Verbs - 6
blow...up
Seven people were killed when the building blew up.
Hank blew the beach ball up and threw it into the pool.
I blew the photograph up and framed it.
Noun: I made a blowup of the photo and framed it.
blow up
Heather blew up when she saw her boyfriend dancing with Linda.
catch on
If his striped suits catch on, the designer will be famous.
When Sally studies, she usually catches on right away.
It took me a while, but I finally caught on to him.
come about
He was the richest man in town, and now he's bankrupt. How did that come about?
fall behind
Al and Tom are walking so fast that I've fallen behind.
Tim was sick last semester, and he fell behind in his studies.
Don't fall behind in your payments or they'll repossess your car.
goof around
Stop goofing around and get to work.
know about
Thanks for telling me, but I already knew all about it.
Knowing about art and being an artist are two different things.
help...out
We had a lot of work to do so Helen helped out.
pull...off
When Jake said he was going to rob the casino, no one believed he could pull it off.
pull off
If I get sleepy when I'm driving, I always pull off the road and take a nap.
call...off
The football game was called off because of the rain.
close...off
The police closed several streets off becaues of the parade.
Adjective: Three rooms in the museum are closed off.
hand...in
The tests must be handed in no later than 11:30.
I was so furious that I handed my letter of resignation in the next day.
The guard was ordered to hand his gun in after he shot the window washer.
hit on
I think I've hit on a way to solve the problem.
Lydie had a terrible time at the party. She was hit on by every guy there.
leave...off
Check to make sure you don't heave anyone off the list.
leave off
We left off at page 92 last week, so open your books to page 93.
let...off
The driver let Ellen off at the corner.
It was Jake's first offense, so the judge let him off with a warning.
I'm sorry I shouted at you this morning; I was just letting off stream.
light...up
The police lit the house up with their spotlights.
I have no matches so I can't light up m cigarette.
Adjective: The signs aren't lit up, so it 's hard to see them at night.
track...down
I finally tracked down that book I was looking for.
empty...out
When you go through airport security, you have to empty your pockets out.
empty out
There was trash everywhere after the statium emptied out.
fall out (of) (with) (over)
I found a baby bird that had fallen out of its nest.
Al fell out with his sister after he criticized her husband.
Noun: The manager of the team quit after he had a falling-out with the owner.
go out (to) (with) (for) (of)
I 'm cooking. Go out and play in the backyard.
The campfire went out during the night.
The lights in the barrack go out every night at 10 pm.
Sally and Jim went out for two years before they got married.
Last weekend we went out to Jim's cabin at the lake.
leave out (of)
The director left out several pats of the book when he made the movie.
Adjective: No one talked to Jerry at the party so he felt left out.
stick out
I cut myself on a nail that was stickig out of the wall.
Alan's nearly seven feet tall, so he really sticks out in a crowd.
stick...out (of)
English is hard but if you stick it out, you'll be glad you did.
We all stuck our heads out of th window to get a better look.
clean...out (of)
We clean out our garage every spring.
A con artist cleaned my grandfather out of $50.000.
I got home to find that thieves had cleaned me out.
Adjective: Now that my garage is cleaned out, there's room for my car.
clear...out
After the police threw out tear gas, the crowd cleared out quickly.
Look at how much more room we have now that we've cleared the jund out.
come out (of) (to) (with) (for) (against)
Susie's friend knocked on the door and asked her to come out to play.
The most wonderful arome came out of the kitchen.
Would you like to come out and visit our farm?
It was a tough game, but our team came out on top.
Barron's is coming out with a new TOEFL book soon.
Eveyone was shocked when it came out that the butler was the murderer.
Don't get blood on your shirt - it'll never come out.
Flowers come out in the spring when the weather gets warm.
Wait until the sun comes out; you'll get a better picture.
We were surprised when the mayor came out for gay marriage.
fool around (with)
My boss said he wasn't paying me to fool around and I should get to work
Fooling around with drugs is pretty stupid.
Sally's father caught her fooling around with Jim in the basement.
go by
We watched the parade go by.
Let's go by Ralph's house and pick up the tools so we can work on your car.
I can't believe forty years have gone by since I got married.
Going by the book has always been my policy.
Don't go by the clock on the wall; it's fast; use the clock on the desk.
hold...against
Jane lost her job because of mistakes Rob made but she doesn't hold it against him.
leave...behind
The explorers left the jungle behing and entered the mountains.
Leaving our children behind at the gas station was pretty dumb.
My husband walks so fast, he always leaves me behind.
live with
Living with my in-laws in driving me crazy.
Jake committed suicide rather than live with the shame of what he did.
make of
So what did you make of the president's speech?
narrow...down
The detective narrowed the list of suspects down to the few cook, the butler and the maid.
trick...into
The on artist tricked them into giving him their life savings.
Seven people were killed when the building blew up.
Hank blew the beach ball up and threw it into the pool.
I blew the photograph up and framed it.
Noun: I made a blowup of the photo and framed it.
blow up
Heather blew up when she saw her boyfriend dancing with Linda.
catch on
If his striped suits catch on, the designer will be famous.
When Sally studies, she usually catches on right away.
It took me a while, but I finally caught on to him.
come about
He was the richest man in town, and now he's bankrupt. How did that come about?
fall behind
Al and Tom are walking so fast that I've fallen behind.
Tim was sick last semester, and he fell behind in his studies.
Don't fall behind in your payments or they'll repossess your car.
goof around
Stop goofing around and get to work.
know about
Thanks for telling me, but I already knew all about it.
Knowing about art and being an artist are two different things.
help...out
We had a lot of work to do so Helen helped out.
pull...off
When Jake said he was going to rob the casino, no one believed he could pull it off.
pull off
If I get sleepy when I'm driving, I always pull off the road and take a nap.
call...off
The football game was called off because of the rain.
close...off
The police closed several streets off becaues of the parade.
Adjective: Three rooms in the museum are closed off.
hand...in
The tests must be handed in no later than 11:30.
I was so furious that I handed my letter of resignation in the next day.
The guard was ordered to hand his gun in after he shot the window washer.
hit on
I think I've hit on a way to solve the problem.
Lydie had a terrible time at the party. She was hit on by every guy there.
leave...off
Check to make sure you don't heave anyone off the list.
leave off
We left off at page 92 last week, so open your books to page 93.
let...off
The driver let Ellen off at the corner.
It was Jake's first offense, so the judge let him off with a warning.
I'm sorry I shouted at you this morning; I was just letting off stream.
light...up
The police lit the house up with their spotlights.
I have no matches so I can't light up m cigarette.
Adjective: The signs aren't lit up, so it 's hard to see them at night.
track...down
I finally tracked down that book I was looking for.
empty...out
When you go through airport security, you have to empty your pockets out.
empty out
There was trash everywhere after the statium emptied out.
fall out (of) (with) (over)
I found a baby bird that had fallen out of its nest.
Al fell out with his sister after he criticized her husband.
Noun: The manager of the team quit after he had a falling-out with the owner.
go out (to) (with) (for) (of)
I 'm cooking. Go out and play in the backyard.
The campfire went out during the night.
The lights in the barrack go out every night at 10 pm.
Sally and Jim went out for two years before they got married.
Last weekend we went out to Jim's cabin at the lake.
leave out (of)
The director left out several pats of the book when he made the movie.
Adjective: No one talked to Jerry at the party so he felt left out.
stick out
I cut myself on a nail that was stickig out of the wall.
Alan's nearly seven feet tall, so he really sticks out in a crowd.
stick...out (of)
English is hard but if you stick it out, you'll be glad you did.
We all stuck our heads out of th window to get a better look.
clean...out (of)
We clean out our garage every spring.
A con artist cleaned my grandfather out of $50.000.
I got home to find that thieves had cleaned me out.
Adjective: Now that my garage is cleaned out, there's room for my car.
clear...out
After the police threw out tear gas, the crowd cleared out quickly.
Look at how much more room we have now that we've cleared the jund out.
come out (of) (to) (with) (for) (against)
Susie's friend knocked on the door and asked her to come out to play.
The most wonderful arome came out of the kitchen.
Would you like to come out and visit our farm?
It was a tough game, but our team came out on top.
Barron's is coming out with a new TOEFL book soon.
Eveyone was shocked when it came out that the butler was the murderer.
Don't get blood on your shirt - it'll never come out.
Flowers come out in the spring when the weather gets warm.
Wait until the sun comes out; you'll get a better picture.
We were surprised when the mayor came out for gay marriage.
fool around (with)
My boss said he wasn't paying me to fool around and I should get to work
Fooling around with drugs is pretty stupid.
Sally's father caught her fooling around with Jim in the basement.
go by
We watched the parade go by.
Let's go by Ralph's house and pick up the tools so we can work on your car.
I can't believe forty years have gone by since I got married.
Going by the book has always been my policy.
Don't go by the clock on the wall; it's fast; use the clock on the desk.
hold...against
Jane lost her job because of mistakes Rob made but she doesn't hold it against him.
leave...behind
The explorers left the jungle behing and entered the mountains.
Leaving our children behind at the gas station was pretty dumb.
My husband walks so fast, he always leaves me behind.
live with
Living with my in-laws in driving me crazy.
Jake committed suicide rather than live with the shame of what he did.
make of
So what did you make of the president's speech?
narrow...down
The detective narrowed the list of suspects down to the few cook, the butler and the maid.
trick...into
The on artist tricked them into giving him their life savings.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
clichè
"Keep me on my toes" is a clichè that means "keep me alert, aware, and prepared" so you will not get caught off-guard (off-guard is yet another clichè).
Hardly, barely, scarcely imply a narrow margin by which performance was, is, or will be achieved.
Hardly, though often interchangeable with scarcely and barely, usually emphasizes the idea of the difficulty involved: We could hardly endure the winter.
Barely emphasizes the narrowness of the margin of safety, “only just and no more”: We barely succeeded.
Scarcely implies a very narrow margin, below satisfactory performance: He can scarcely read.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)