Archive for December, 2009
Phrasal Verb: key in
To key in something (or key something in) is to use a keyboard to type information into a computer or into an electronic system.
Example of use:
I’m making a new online English word search and the first thing I have to do is key in all the words.
infinitive – key in
present simple – key in and keys in
-ing form – keying in
past simple – keyed in
past participle – keyed in
Image by Tibocut
Phrasal Verb: veg out
To veg out (informal) is to spend time relaxing and doing very little, or be engaged in a mindless activity that does not require one to think much.
Example of use:
I have a day off at the weekend and I think I might veg out in front of the television all day.
Image by mckaysavage
Idiom: I’ll eat my hat
I’ll eat my hat is something you say to let someone know you are absolutely certain you are correct about something; when you think there is no chance you are wrong, and you will be very surprised if you are.
Examples of use:
1. I’ll eat my hat if my father doesn’t like his birthday present.
2. It’s very cold today and the weather forecast is for snow, but I’ll eat my hat if we get any here.
Image by Mara 1
Phrasal verb: step up
To step up something (or step something up) is to do more of an activity, work harder at it, or increase the level or strength of something in order to improve a situation.
Examples of use:
1. We’re going to sell out of Christmas puddings long before Christmas if we don’t step up production.
2. With the exam date getting closer the English teacher stepped up the pressure on her students to do their homework.
infinitive – step up
present simple – step up and steps up
-ing form – stepping up
past simple – stepped up
past participle – stepped up
Image by Andy Hay
Phrasal Verb: measure up
To measure up is to be good enough; to have the necessary abilities, skills or qualities.
Examples of use:
1. Our office manager has lost her job because her work didn’t measure up.
2. My brother is meeting his girlfriend’s parents today. I hope he measures up to their expectations!
infinitive – measure up
present simple – measure up and measures up
-ing form – measuring up
past simple – measured up
past participle – measured up
Image by takomabibelot
Phrasal Verb: push in
To push in (informal) is to rudely move in front of other people in a queue instead of waiting in line.
Example of use:
In the UK people get very annoyed if others push in at the bus stop or in a shop.
infinitive – push in
present simple – push in and pushes in
-ing form – pushing in
past simple – pushed in
past participle – pushed in
Image by malias
Phrasal Verb: phone back
If you phone somebody back you telephone someone who rang you earlier, or you telephone someone for a second time.
Examples of use:
1. Your English teacher rang while you were out – he asked if you could phone him back.
2. He forgot to tell the travel company to book a double room for him, so he had to phone them back.
infinitive – phone back
present simple – phone back and phones back
-ing form – phoning back
past simple – phoned back
past participle – phoned back
Image of falling phone boxes by doug88888
Phrasal Verb: rope in
To rope in somebody (or rope somebody in) means to persuade them to do something to help you – especially when it is something they might not want to do.
Examples of use:
1. I need to sweep up the leaves in the garden so I’ll rope in the children to help.
2. Let’s rope local businesses in to help us deal with the litter problem.
infinitive – rope in
present simple – rope in and ropes in
-ing form – roping in
past simple – roped in
past participle – roped in
Image by shelley_ginger
Phrasal Verb: write off
To write off a vehicle is to damage it so badly that it cannot be repaired. A write-off (noun) is a vehicle that is so badly damaged it cannot be repaired.
Examples of use:
1. I crashed my car at the weekend and it’s a write-off.
2. If he continues to drive that fast he’ll write off his car, and might injure someone.
If you write off a sum of money you accept that you have lost it or that it will not be repaid.
Examples of use:
1. I lent my sister some money last year but I don’t think she can repay me so I’ve written it off.
2. Why don’t you speak to your bank manager and ask if he will write off your overdraft.
infinitive – write off
present simple – write off and writes off
-ing form – writing off
past simple – wrote off
past participle – written off
Image by estoril
Phrasal Verb: tied up
To be tied up (informal) is to be so busy that you are unable to do anything else.
Example of use:
I’m sorry, I’m tied up with meetings all day so I won’t be able to meet you for lunch later.
Image by .:Siddhartha:.
