get through (to)
Meaning: To reach someone by phone. Examples: “I tried calling, but I couldn’t get through.” “I finally got through to the customer service department.”
put through
Meaning: To connect someone by phone. Examples: “Could you put me through to Mr. Jones, please?” “The operator put the call through.”
cut off
Meaning: To disconnect a phone call. Examples: “We were talking and suddenly we got cut off.” “Please don’t cut me off while I’m speaking.”
speak up
Meaning: To speak louder. Examples: “Could you speak up? I can’t hear you very well.”
go on
Meaning: To continue talking after a pause. Examples: “She paused for a moment and then went on with her story.”
log in/on
Meaning: To enter a computer system. Examples: “You need a password to log in.” “I logged on to check my emails.”
sign up
Meaning: To register for a service or course. Examples: “I signed up for a photography class.” “You can sign up to the newsletter on our website.”
back up
Meaning: To make a copy of computer data. Examples: “Remember to back up your files regularly.” “I lost everything because I didn’t back it up.”
set up
Meaning: To install or configure equipment/software. Examples: “Can you help me set up my new printer?” “The IT department set up the network.”
text back
Meaning: To reply to a text message. Examples: “I texted her but she never texted back.” “Please text me back when you’re free.”
ring back / call back
Meaning: To return a phone call. Examples: “He’s busy; can you ring back later?” “I’ll call you back in five minutes.”
hang up
Meaning: To end a phone call. Examples: “Don’t hang up on me!” “She hung up without saying goodbye.”
get across
Meaning: To successfully communicate an idea. Examples: “I couldn’t get my point across to him.” “The message isn’t getting across clearly.”
put across
Meaning: To express your ideas clearly so people understand. Examples: “He’s good at putting his ideas across.” “She puts herself across very well in meetings.”
ramble on
Meaning: To talk for a long time in a boring or confused way. Examples: “He was rambling on about politics.” “Sorry, I’m rambling on.”
go on about
Meaning: To talk too much about something (annoying). Examples: “She keeps going on about her new boyfriend.” “Don’t go on about it!”
hear from
Meaning: To receive news or a message from someone. Examples: “Have you heard from Jane recently?” “I look forward to hearing from you.”
break into
Meaning: To enter a computer system illegally. Examples: “Hackers broke into the company’s database.” “The system was broken into last night.”
shut down
Meaning: To turn off a computer or machine. Examples: “Remember to shut down your computer before you leave.” “The system automatically shuts down at night.”
scroll through
Meaning: To move through text or images on a screen. Examples: “I scrolled through my social media feed.” “She scrolled down to find the information.”
type up
Meaning: To produce a finished written copy on a computer. Examples: “I need to type up my notes from the meeting.” “She typed up the report and sent it.”
