Figure out
To finally understand something or someone, or find the solution to a problem after a lot of thought
- I need to figure out how I am going to get there;
- Can you figure out the answer to question 5?
Break down
Stop working
- The ice cream machine at McDonald’s is always breaking down
Clean up
to make a person or place clean and tidy
- McDonalds cleaned up ice cream machine;
- Clean yourself up a bit before dinner.
Comming down with
Become sick
- I am coming down with a nasty cold;
- I came down with a horrible cold last month.
Dress up
To put on clothes for a special occasion
- I need to dress up nicely for carnival;
- You don’t need to dress up to go to the mall.
Fill up
to become full, or to make something become full
- I need to fill up my bottle of water;
- He filled up the tank with petrol.
Fill in
To write or type information on a document in spaces that are provided for it
- I need to fill in my visa documents, in order to get a visa;
- Companies will encourage customers to fill in questionnaires about themselves.
Find out
Search/discovery
- I need to find out what city is best to visit in Brazil.
On trend
A general development or change in a situation or in the way that people are behaving
- Her long skirt is right on trend this winter;
- I always wear clothes that are on trend.
Spot on
Exacly/correct
- “How old do I reckon she is? I’d say 38.” “Spot on.”
By the skin of my teeth
If you do something by the skin of your teeth, you only just succeed in doing it
- He escaped from the secret police by the skin of his teeth;
- I passed the exam by the skin of my teeth.
Grow up
To gradually become an adult.
- I grew up in Scotland;
- Taking responsibility for yourself is part of the process of growing up.
Bear with someone
To be patient and wait while someone does something
- If you’ll just bear with me for a moment, I’ll find you a copy of the drawings.
- Just bear with me while I finish downloading this file.
Take up
Start to do something, especially for pleasure
- He’s taken up the position of supervisor.
- Have you ever thought of taking up acting?
Be into
Be interested in something
- When I was younger, I was really into happy house music.
- I am into Brazilian rap
Make up for something
Compensate for something lacking or missing
- No amount of money can make up for the death of a child
- The energy of her performance made up for her poor singing.
Come out
Become known or revealed after being kept secret
- During the investigation, it came out that she had been arrested when she was young.
- He was the first CEO of a major company to come out as gay.
Come up
Be happening soon
- My exams are coming up soon.
- There are lots of great sports events coming up this summer.
Get in
Arrive at a destination
- the train got in late
- What time did you get in last night?
Take off
To remove something, especially clothes
- He took off his clothes and got into the shower.
- Oops - I forgot to take the price label off your present.
Take on
To accept a particular job or responsibility
- I am going to take on a new job next month
- She took too much on and made herself sick.
Carry on
Persist / Continue doing something, or to cause something to continue
- Carry on the good work
- Sorry to interrupt, please carry on
Put up with
Tolerate or endure something
- I’m too tired to put up with any nonsense
- I put up with my boss because I earn a good salary
Look after someone/something
To take care of or be in charge of someone or something
- We look after the neighbors’ cat while they’re away.
- Don’t worry about Mia - she can look after herself.
