Key Words (Natural Grammar)

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all1

determiner, predeterminer, pronoun

all1
S1
W1 /é:l $ ã:l/
1
the whole of an amount, thing, or type of thing:
Have you done all your homework?
all your life/all day/all year etc (=during the whole of your life, a day, a year etc)
He had worked all his life in the mine.
The boys played video games all day.
They were quarrelling all the time (=very often or continuously).
Hannah didn't say a single word
all the way
back home (=during the whole of the
journey).
all of
Almost all of the music was from Italian operas.
I've heard it all before.
She'd given up all hope of having a child.
2
every one of a number of people or things, or every thing or person of a particular
type:
Someone's taken all my books!
Will all the girls please stand over here.
All children should be taught to swim.
16 per cent of all new cars sold in Western Europe these days are diesel-engined.
They all speak excellent English.
all of
important changes that will affect all of us
3
the only thing or things:
All you need is a hammer and some nails.
All I'm asking for is a little respect.
4
formal everything:
I'm doing all I can to help her.
I hope all is well with you.
All was dark and silent down by the harbour wall.
5
used to emphasize that you mean the greatest possible amount of the quality you
are mentioning:
Can any of us say in all honesty that we did everything we could?
6 at all used in negative statements and questions to emphasize what you are saying:
They've done nothing at all to try and put the problem right.
He's not looking at all well.
'Do you mind if I stay a little longer?' 'No, not at all.'
Has the situation improved at all?
7 all sorts/kinds/types of something many different kinds of something:
Social workers have to deal with all kinds of problems.
8 of all people/things/places etc
used to emphasize that your statement is true of one
particular person, thing, or place more than any other:
You shouldn't have done it. You of all people should know that.
She did not want to quarrel with Maria today, of all days.

9 all in all
used to show that you are considering every part of a situation:
All in all, it had been one of the most miserable days of Henry's life.
10 for all something in spite of a particular fact:
For all his faults, he's a kind-hearted old soul.
For all my love of landscape, nothing could persuade me to spend another day in the
Highlands.
11 in all
including every thing or person:
In all, there were 215 candidates.
We received £1550 in cash and promises of another £650, making £2200 in all.
12 and all
a) including the thing or things just mentioned:
They ate the whole fish - head, bones, tail, and all.
b) spoken
informal
used to emphasize a remark that you have just added:
And you can take that smelly old coat out of here, and all!
13 all of 50p/20 minutes etc spoken used to emphasize how large or small an amount
actually is:
The game lasted all of 58 seconds.
The repairs are going to cost all of £15,000.
14 it's all or nothing used to say that unless something is done completely, it is not
acceptable:
Half-heartedness won't do - it's got to be all or nothing.
15 give your all
to make the greatest possible effort in order to achieve something:
The coach expects every player to give their all in every game.
16 it was all I could do to do something
used to say that you only just succeeded in
doing something:
It was all I could do to stop them hitting each other.
17 when all's said and done spoken used to remind someone about an important point
that needs to be considered:
When all's said and done, he's only a kid.

all2

adverb

all2
S1
W1
1 [always + adjective/adverb/preposition] completely:
You shouldn't be sitting here by yourself, all alone.
a strange woman, dressed all in black
If people want more freedom of choice, then I'm
all for it (=I strongly support it).
'It was a dreadful experience.' 'Never mind, it's
all over (=completely finished)
now.'
2 all over (something)
a) everywhere on an object or surface:
There were bits of paper all over the floor.
He has cuts all over his legs.
She ached all over (=her whole body ached).
b) everywhere in a place:
Antique clocks from all over the world are on display.
People came from all over the country.
They're putting up new offices all over the place.
3 all the better/easier/more etc
used to emphasize how much better, easier etc
something is than it would be in a different situation:
Clayton's achievement is all the more remarkable when you consider his poor
performance last season.
The job was made all the easier by having the proper tools.
4 all but
almost completely:
Britain's coal industry has all but disappeared.
His left arm was all but useless.
5 all too
used to mean 'very' when talking about a bad situation:
All too often it's the mother who gets blamed for her children's behaviour.
In these conditions it was all too easy to make mistakes.
6 all along
informal
all the time from the beginning while something was
happening:
Chapman had known all along that the plan wouldn't work.
We had to admit that Dad had been right all along.
7 one all/two all etcDS
used when giving the score of a game in which both players
or teams have scored the same number of points:
The game ended one-all.
8 all told
including everything or everyone:
a project costing £10,000, all told
9 it's all up (with somebody) informal
British English
used to say that
someone's success or happiness has ended:
If someone tells the police, then it'll be all up with me.
10 be not all there
informal
someone who is not all there seems stupid or
slightly crazy
11 be all smiles/innocence/sweetness etc
to be showing a lot of a particular quality or
type of behaviour:

The mayor and mayoress were all smiles and kisses during the grand ceremony.
12 be all over somebody
informal
to be trying to kiss someone and touch them,
especially in a sexual way:
Before I could speak, he was all over me.
13
spoken very:
You're getting me all confused.
14
spoken that's somebody all over
used to say that a particular way of behaving
is typical of someone:
He was late of course, but that's Tim all over!
15
spoken be all in
British English
to be very tired
16
spoken somebody was all ... American English
used to report what someone
said or did, when telling a story:
He drove me home, and he was all, 'I love this car ... it's like a rocket.'
17
spoken not all that
not very:
It doesn't sound all that good, does it?
I don't think it matters all that much.
18
spoken somebody/something is not all that used to say that someone or
something is not very attractive or desirable:
I don't know why you keep chasing her around. She's not all that.

and

conjunction

and
S1
W1 /Ênd, Ên; strong ænd/
1
used to join two words, phrases etc referring to things that are related in some
way:
He's gone to get some fish and chips.
The film starred Jack Lemmon and Shirley Maclaine.
We've dealt with items one, two, and eleven.
He was tall, dark and handsome.
He plays the guitar and sings folk songs.
She didn't speak to anyone and nobody spoke to her.
2
used to say that one action or event follows another:
Sit down and tell me all about it.
She picked up the kitten and put it in the box.
He knocked on the door and went in.
You'll have to wait and see what happens.
3
used to say that something is caused by something else:
I missed supper and I'm starving!
She fell downstairs and broke her leg.
4
used when adding numbers:
Six and four is ten.
5
especially British English
used after verbs such as 'go', 'come', and 'try' to
show what your intention is:
Shall we go and have a cup of coffee?
I'll see if I can try and persuade her to come.
6
spoken used to introduce a statement, remark, question etc:
And now I'd like to introduce our next speaker, Mrs Thompson.
'She's getting married in June.' 'And who's the lucky man?'
7
used between repeated words to emphasize what you are saying:
More and more people are losing their jobs.
We waited for hours and hours!
That was years and years ago.
We ran and ran.
8
a) used before saying the part of a large number which is less than 100:
a hundred and four
five hundred and seventy-six
by the year two thousand and ten
b) used when saying a number which consists of a whole number followed by a
fraction:
three and three-quarters
in about two and a half hours' time
five and a quarter per cent
9
used between repeated plural nouns to say that some things of a particular kind
are much better than others:

'They said this guy was an expert.' 'Yes, but there are experts and experts.'
10 and?
spoken used when you want someone to add something to what they have
just said:
'I'm sorry.' 'And?' 'And I promise it won't happen again.'

any1

determiner, pronoun

an‧y1 S1
W1 /"eni/
1 [usually in questions and negatives]
some or even the smallest amount or
number:
Have you got any money?
Do you need any further information?
any of
Are any of the paintings for sale?
They didn't invite any of us.
Are there
any other
questions?
They haven't shown any
interestat all in my research.
The universities have shown few if any
signs of a willingness to change.
2
used to refer to a person or thing of a particular type when what you are saying is
true of all people or things of that type:
Any child who breaks the rules will be punished.
Always check the details carefully before you sign any written agreement.
I can see you any time on Monday.
If I can help in any way, let me know.
any of
You can choose any of the books on the list.
This excuse was as good as any other.
3
as much as possible:
They're going to need any help they can get.
4 not just any (old) man/woman/job etc
used to say that someone or something is
special:
She's not just any actress, she's one of the best.

any2

adverb

any2 S2 [usually in questions and negatives]
1
used before the comparative form of an adjective to mean 'even a small amount':
I can't run any faster.
Are you feeling any better?
2 not any more/longer if something does not happen any more or any longer, it used to
happen but does not happen now:
Sarah doesn't live here any more.
He was told he wasn't wanted any longer.
3
American English
spoken used with a verb to mean 'at all':
We tried talking to him but that didn't help any.

as1

preposition, adverb

as1
S1
W1 /ëz; strong æz/
1
used when you are comparing two people, things, situations etc
as ... as
Tom's not as old as you, is he?
an old woman with hair as white as snow
Some of the doctors are paid almost twice as much as the nurses.
We work as hard as any other team in England.
Please let me know your decision
as soon as possible (=as soon as you can).
His last album sold half a million copies and we hope this one will be
just as
(=equally)
popular.
2
used to say what job, duty, use, or appearance someone or something has:
As a parent, I feel that more should be done to protect our children.
A flat stone was used as a table.
Dad dressed up as Santa Claus.
3
used to say what someone thinks or says a person or thing is:
The problem is regarded as serious.
The result of last week's election will be seen as a victory for the right-wing government.
He's described as being in his late teens, tall, and of slim build.
4
when someone was in a particular age group:
As a young man, Eliot had studied art in Paris.
I'll take you to all the places I loved as a girl.
➔ such as at such (2) ➔ as one at one2 (16)WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
as, like, as if Use as in comparisons in the expression as ... as, with an adjective or
adverb in between
• Basketball is as popular as football here. • He can't read as well
as his classmates.as is also used in the expressions not so .... as and the same (...) as
• I wouldn't go so far as that. • He is the same age as me. Use like
in
comparisons followed by a noun
• A movie is not like a book (NOT not as a book).
• Like other people (NOT as other people), he values his privacy. Use as if
followed by a clause to compare a real situation with an imaginary situation
• He talked to them as if they were children.!!
Some people use like in this
sort of comparison
• They act like they own the place. It is better not to do this as
many people think it is incorrect.!!as if cannot be followed directly by a noun
• You
treat them as if they were your parents (NOT as if your parents).

as2

conjunction

as2
S1
W1
1
used in comparisons
as ... as
They want peace as much as we do.
Helen comes to visit me as often as she can.
I can't run as fast as I used to.
2XX in the way that someone says or that something happens, or in the condition
something is in:
Do as I say!
We'd better leave things as they are until the police arrive.
The money was repaid, as promised.
He did not need to keep moving house, as his father had.
Roberta was late
as usual (=in the way that she usually was).
3
used to say that what you are saying is already known or has been stated before:
David, as you know, has not been well lately.
As I explained on the phone, your request will be considered at the next meeting.
As Napoleon once said, attack is the best method of defence.
4
while or when:
I saw Peter as I was getting off the bus.
As time passed, things seemed to get worse.
Just as the two men were leaving, a message arrived.
5
used to state why a particular situation exists or why someone does something:
As it was getting late, I turned around to start for home.
We asked Philip to come with us, as he knew the road.
6
though:
Unlikely as it might seem, I'm tired too.
Try as she might, Sue couldn't get the door open.
As popular as he is, the President hasn't always managed to have his own way.
7 as for somebody/something used when you are starting to talk about someone or
something new that is connected with what you were talking about before:
Kitty's got so thin. And as for Carl, he always seems to be ill.
You can ask the others, but as for myself, I'll be busy in the office.
8 as yet [used in negatives] until and including the present time - used to say that
something has not happened although it may happen in the future:
We've had no word from Colin as yet.
9 as if.../as though...
a) in a way that makes it seem that something is true or that something is happening:
It sounds as though she's been really ill.
Gary was behaving as though nothing had happened.
Mrs Crump looked as if she was going to explode.
Beckworth shook his head as if to say 'Don't trust her'.
b) used to emphasize that something is not true or will not happen:
She said she'd never speak to me again. As if I cared (=I do not care at all).

'Don't try any funny business, now.' 'As if I would.'
As if! spoken informal:
He asked if I'd go out with him. As if! (=it is extremely unlikely that I would go out with
him)
➔ see usage note
as1
10 it's not as if used to say that something cannot be the explanation for a situation or
someone's behaviour because it is not true:
Why do they never go on holiday? I mean it's not as if they're poor is it?
I don't know why you're so frightened of her, it's not as if she's got any power over you.
11 as it is
a) because of the situation that actually exists - used when that situation is different from
what you expected or need:
They hoped to finish the kitchen by Friday, but as it is they'll probably have to come back
next week.
b) already:
Just keep quiet - you're in enough trouble as it is.
12 as from/of something
starting from a particular time or date and continuing:
As from today, you are in charge of the office.
As of now, there will be no more paid overtime.
13 as against something
in comparison with something:
Profits this year are $2.5 million as against $4 million last year.
14 as to something
a) concerning:
Frank was very uncertain as to whether it was the right job for him.
advice as to which suppliers to approach
He kept his rivals guessing as to his real intentions.
b) formal
used when you are starting to talk about something new that is connected
with what you were talking about before:
As to our future plans, I think I need only say that the company intends to expand at a
steady rate.
15 as it were used when describing someone or something in a way that is not quite
exact:
Jim Radcliffe became our idol, as it were, the man we all wanted to be.
16 as is/was/does etc formal used to add that what you have said is also true of someone
or something else:
Eve's very tall, as was her mother.
I voted Labour, as did my wife.
17 as you do British English
spoken in the way that people usually do something
or how they normally behave; often used humorously by people after they have
mentioned doing something strange or unusual:
We talked, exchanged email addresses and phone numbers, as you do on planes.
I was driving a Ferrari through town yesterday - as you do - when I saw an old
schoolfriend outside the cinema.

ask1

verb

ask1 S1
W1 /ä:sk $ æsk/
1question [intransitive and transitive]to speak or write to someone in order to get an
answer, information, or a solution:
'What's your name?' she asked.
Don't ask him - he won't know.
That kid's always
asking awkward
questions.
ask who/what/where etc
I asked him where he lived.
ask somebody something
We'll have to ask someone the way to the station.
ask somebody if/whether
Go and ask Tom whether he's coming tonight.
ask (somebody) about something
Visitors usually ask about the history of the castle.
ask around (=ask in a lot of places or ask a lot of people)
I'll ask around, see if I can find you a place to stay.
2for help/advice etc [intransitive and transitive]
to make a request for help, advice,
information etc:
If you need anything, you only have to ask.
ask somebody to do something
Ask John to mail those letters tomorrow.
ask to do something
Karen asked to see the doctor.
ask for
Some people find it difficult to ask for help.
ask somebody for something
He repeatedly asked Bailey for the report.
ask (somebody) if/whether you can do something
Ask your mom if you can come with us.
ask that
Was it too much to ask that he be allowed some privacy?
3price [transitive]
to want a particular amount of money for something you are
selling:
How much is he asking?
ask $50/$1,000 etc for something
He's asking £2,000 for his car.
They're asking a fortune for that house.
4invite [transitive usually + adverb/preposition]
to invite someone to your home, to
go out with you etc
ask somebody to do something
Let's ask them to have dinner with us some time.
ask somebody out (=ask someone, especially someone of the opposite sex, to go to a film,
a restaurant etc with you)

Jerry's too scared to ask her out.
ask somebody in (=invite someone into your house, office etc)
Don't leave them standing on the doorstep - ask them in!
ask somebody over/round (=invite someone to come to your home)
We must ask our new neighbours over for a drink.
5demand [transitive] if you ask something of someone, you want them to do it for you:
It would be better if he cooperated, but perhaps I'm asking too much.
ask something of somebody
You have no right to ask anything of me.
Expecting the children to do an hour's homework after school is asking a lot of them.
6 be asking for trouble
to do something that is very likely to have a bad effect or
result:
Saying that to a feminist is just asking for trouble.
7 ask yourself something
to think carefully and honestly about something:
You have to ask yourself where your responsibilities really lie.
8
spoken if you ask me used to emphasize your own opinion:
He's just plain crazy, if you ask me.
9
spoken don't ask me used to say you do not know the answer to something:
'Where's she gone then?' 'Don't ask me!'
10
spoken don't ask
used to say that something is too embarrassing or strange to
explain:
'What was that woman selling?' 'Don't ask.'
11
spoken be asking for it
used to say that someone deserves something bad
that happens to them:
It's his own fault he got hit - he was asking for it.
12 be somebody's for the asking
informal
if something is yours for the asking,
you can have it if you want it:
The job was hers for the asking.
WORD FOCUS: ask WORD FOCUS: ask
request to officially ask for something
consult to ask someone for advice
demand
to ask for something very forcefully
nag/pester
to keep asking for something many times, in an annoying way
beg/plead
to ask for something in an anxious or urgent way, because you want it very
much
question/interrogate to ask someone questions - used especially about the police or the
army
grill informal
to ask someone a lot of difficult questions
cross-examine to ask someone questions in court - used about lawyers
poll to ask a lot of people for their opinion about something
ask after somebody phrasal verb
if you ask after someone, you want to know whether they are well, what they are doing
etc:
I spoke to James today. He was asking after you.
ask for somebody phrasal verb
if you ask for someone, you want to speak to them:

There's someone at the door asking for Dad.
WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
say, tell, give, askYou use say when you are mentioning someone's exact words •
'Hello,' she said. • Someone said, 'Let's go!'Say
can be followed by 'that'
• He
said that he was tired. In speech people often leave out 'that'• They said there had been a
mistake.Say can be followed by 'something', 'anything', 'nothing', or 'so' • Did you say
something? • Nobody dared to say anything. • You have to come - Dad said so.It can also
be followed by 'goodbye' or 'hello' • I'll just go and say hello to David.Apart from these
uses, say
is not normally followed by an object. For example, it cannot be followed
by 'a story', 'a lie', 'some information', or 'an answer'. You tell
a story, a joke, a lie,
or the truth
• They told a funny story about their trip. You give information, an order,
an instruction, or an answer • He gave no reply.!! You do not say a question. You ask
a question
• Can I ask a question?You can say something to someone
• Has he said something to you?When talking about giving information, it is more
usual to say that you tell someone something
• Clare told us something interesting
(NOT said us something...). • Can anyone tell me what time it is? (NOT say to me
what...) You can tell someone
about something
• Did you tell Lucy about the
party? (NOT say to Lucy about...)You can say to do
something, but it is more
usual to
tell
someone to do something
• The teacher told us to open our
books (NOT said us/said to us to...).

ask2

noun

ask2
a big ask
a situation in a sports competition when someone needs to get a lot of
points or do something very difficult in order to win :
We need to win the next three games. It's a big ask, but I'm confident we can do it.
at

preposition

at
S1
W1 /at; strong æt/
1
used to say exactly where something or someone is, or where something happens:
They live at 18 Victoria Street.
Does this train stop at Preston?
I was waiting at the bus stop.
Liz and her friend sat down at a corner table.
Turn left at the church.
We'll meet at Harry's (=at Harry's house).
I spent an unpleasant hour at the dentist's.
Dad's at work (=in the place where he works).
at the top/bottom/end etc (of something)
At the top of the stairs, she paused.
2
used to say what event or activity someone is taking part in:
I met my wife at a disco.
The matter was discussed at a meeting of the finance committee.
I'm sorry, Pam's at lunch just now.
3
used to say that someone is studying somewhere regularly:
Is Jessica still at school?
Hulme was a student at Oxford in the 1960s.
4
used to say exactly when something happens:
The film starts at 8 o'clock.
5
during a particular period of time:
My husband often works at night.
We go to Midnight Mass at Christmas.
6
used to say which thing or person an action is directed towards or intended for:
He gazed up at the sky.
You don't have to shout at me.
The older girls used to throw stones at me.
The course is aimed at those aged 16 or over.
7XX used to say what or who causes an action or feeling:
The children all laughed at his jokes.
I'm surprised at you!
Dad got really mad at me for scratching the car.
her distress at having to leave

8XX used to say which subject or activity you are talking about when you say whether
someone is skilful, successful etc or not:
Barbara's getting on really well at her new job.
good/bad etc at (doing) something
I've always been good at maths.
Matt's bad at handling people.
He's an expert at making things out of junk.
9XX used to say that someone or something is in a particular state:
two nations at war
Many children are still at risk from neglect or abuse.
10XX used to show a price, rate, level, age, speed etc:
old books selling at 10 cents each
You should have more sense at your age.
The Renault was travelling at about 50 mph.
Amanda rode off at a gallop.
11 at your best/worst/most effective etcXX used to say that, at a particular time,
someone or something is as good, bad etc as they can be:
The garden is at its best in June.
This was Sampras at his most powerful.
12
used to say what someone tries to touch, or keeps touching:
I clutched at the rope.
George was just picking at his food.
Sarah took another sip at her wine.
13
used to say what someone tries to do:
the student's first attempt at a piece of research
They were so beautiful that I decided to have a go at growing them.
14
because of what someone has said:
Chapman visited Austria at the invitation of his friend, Hugo Meisl.
At my suggestion, Bernard went to see his former teacher.
15 while I'm/you're etc at it spoken used to suggest that someone should do something
while they are doing something else:
I'm just going for a cup of coffee. Shall I bring you one while I'm at it?
16 be at it again
informal
if you say that someone is at it again, you mean that
they are doing something you disapprove of, which they have done before:
She's at it again. Interfering in other people's business.
17 at that
a) also or besides:
It's a new idea, and a good one, at that.
b) after something is said:
Tess called him a liar and at that he stormed out of the room.
18 be where it's at
old-fashioned informal
used to say that a place or activity is
very popular, exciting, and fashionable
➔ at all at all1 (6)WORD CHOICE WORD CHOICE
at, in, onTalking about time Use at
with clock times
• at one o'clock • at
6.30 with points of time in the day • at midnight • at noon • at dawn • at sunset with

holiday periods, meaning the few days around the holiday • at Easter • at Diwali with
weekend, in British English • See you at the weekend! • At weekends we go out. Use in
with parts of the day • in the morning
• in the evening
• I never
watch TV in the daytime.
with months, seasons, years, centuries
• in May • in
summertime • in 2004 • in the 21st century Use on with dates and specific days • on
29th July • on Tuesday afternoons • on the last day of term
with weekend, in
American English
• We sometimes go there on weekends.Talking about position and
place Use at with particular positions or places • at the end of the corridor • at the
back of the room • at the corner of the street to mean 'next to' or 'beside' • She sat at her
desk. • He stopped me at the door. with words for buildings, for example airport,
university, restaurant, art gallery
• at the airport • at the Lyceum theatre
with
city or place names, when you are talking about stopping during a journey • Does this
train stop at Watford?!!
BUT otherwise use in - see below Use in with a position
or place, when something or someone is inside a larger thing such as a room
• in the
bath • in the kitchen • in the garden • in the doorwaywith cities, counties, states, and
countries
• When will you arrive in Tokyo?
• He lives in Germany. • She's
working in California.with the names of squares, plazas etc • in Times Square
Use on
with a position or place, when one thing is attached to or touching another • a spot
on the end of her nose • a jacket on the back of a chair
with street names
• on
the High Street • on 42nd Street • on Broadway

back1 adverb
back1 S1
W1 /bæk/
1return to place
in, into, or to the place or position where someone or something
was before:
I'll be back in a minute.
Put that book back where you found it!
back in/to/into etc
Rory plugged the cable back into the socket.
I feel like going back to bed.
go/get/head etc back
We ought to try and get back before it gets dark.
He wasback home
by half-past eleven.
It's possible to travel there and back in a day.
2as before
in or into the condition or situation you were in before:
Gary woke at 4am and couldn't get back to sleep.
It took me a long time to get my confidence back.
If you decide to marry him, there will be
no going back (=you will not be able to get
back to your previous situation).
go/get back to (doing) something
There's no way I'm going back to being poor.
It'll take a while for things to get back to normal.
3previous place
in or to a place where you lived or worked before
back in/at
She was the one who had fired him from his first job back in South Africa.
back home (=in the place that you come from and think of as your home)
It reminded me of evenings back home.
4backwards in the opposite direction from the way you are facing [≠ forwards]:
He glanced back at the house.
Kirov stepped back a pace.
She tilted her head back to look at him.
5reply/reaction
if you do something back, you do it as a reply or reaction to what
someone has said or done:
Can I call you back later?
I'll pay you back on Friday.
'No, thanks!' he shouted back.
If he hits you, you just hit him back.
6return something to somebody
if you give something, get something etc back, you
return it to the person who first had it or you have it returned to you:
Can we have our ball back, please?
I want all my books back as soon as you've finished with them.
Give me back that letter! It's none of your business!
7in the past in or towards a time in the past:
a pile of newspapers dating back to the 1970s
A lot of emotional problems can be traced back to childhood.

Looking back on it, I should have known he was unhappy.
At times, I think back to my life in Moscow.
back in
The house was built back in 1235.
three years/two months etc back (=three years ago etc)
His wife died a couple of years back.
He called me a while back.
8again once again:
Go back over your work to check for any mistakes.
Liverpool were back level again two minutes later with a superb goal.
9 sit/lie/lean back
to sit or lie in a comfortable relaxed way:
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
10away
away from a surface, person, or thing:
She pulled the bandage back very carefully.
Her hair was brushed back from her face.
The woman nodded and stood back, allowing Patrick to enter.
11 back and forth
going in one direction and then in the opposite direction, and
repeating this several times:
We travel back and forth all the time between Canada and England.
He was pacing back and forth.
12 towards beginning towards the beginning of a book, tape, document etc:
Turn back to the summaries at the end of section 1.5.
Wind the tape back to the beginning.
Clicking on the icon will take you back to the previous web page.

Language:
Origin:

Old English
bæc

back2 noun
back2 S1
W1 [countable]
1part of your body
a) HBHHBA the part of the body between the neck and legs, on the opposite side to the
stomach and chest:
The cat arched its back and hissed.
My feet were sore and my back was aching.
Keep your head up and your back straight.
To avoid back problems, always bend your knees when you lift heavy objects.
He lay on
his
back and gazed at the ceiling.
Johnny was lying
flat on his
back in the middle of the floor.
Anna stood with her
back tothe window.
on somebody's back (=carried on someone's back)
The girl appeared again, now with a little baby on her back.
b) the bones between your neck and the top of your legs [= spine]:
He broke his back in a motorbike accident.
2not at front [usually singular]
the part of something that is furthest from the front
[≠ front]:
a T-shirt with a picture of a snake
on the back
back of
He kissed her on the back of her head.
Her window faced the backs of the houses.
in the back (of something) (=used especially about the back of a vehicle)
Two men were sitting in the back of the car.
at the back (of something)
a small shop with an office at the back
in back (of something)
American English (=in or at the back of something)
Kids should always wear seatbelts even in back.
out back
American English (=behind a house or other building)
Tom's working on the car out back.
round/out the back
British English (=behind a house or building)
Have you looked round the back?
3less important side [usually singular]
the less important side or surface of
something such as a piece of paper or card [≠ front]:
Paul scribbled his address on the back of an envelope.
The credits are listed on the back of the album.
4DHFpart of seat
the part of a seat that you lean against when you are sitting
back of
He rested his arm on the back of the sofa.

5TCNbook/newspaper [usually singular]
the last pages of a book or newspaper [≠
front]
at the back (of)
The sports pages are usually at the back.
in the back (of)
The answers are in the back of the book.
6 at/in the back of your mind a thought that is at the back of your mind is one you try to
ignore because you do not want it to be true:
At the back of her mind was the thought that he might be with someone else.
put/push something to the back of your mind
He tried to push these uncomfortable thoughts to the back of his mind.
7 back to back
a) with the backs towards each other:
Stand back to back and we'll see who's tallest.
b) happening immediately one after the other:
a couple of back to back wins for the team

back-to-back1
8 back to front British English
a) in an incorrect position so that what should be at the back is at the front:
You've got your sweater on back to front.
b) doing something the wrong way round and starting with the part that should be at the
end:
He got the commands back to front and the program didn't work.
9 behind somebody's back if you do something behind someone's back, you do it
without them knowing:
I don't like the idea of the two of them talking about me behind my back.
I should have realized that he'd
go behind
my
back (=do something without
telling me).
10 when/while somebody's back is turned if something happens when your back is
turned, it happens when you are not able to see or know what someone is doing:
What are your kids are up to when your back is turned?
11 get/put somebody's back up
British English
informal
to annoy
someone:
Simone was the kind of person who was always putting people's backs up.
12 get (somebody) off somebody's back
spoken to stop annoying someone with a lot
of questions, criticisms etc or to make someone stop annoying you in this way:
Maybe the only way to get him off my back is to tell him the truth.
Do me a favour and get off my back!
13 be on somebody's back spoken to be trying to make someone do something they do
not want to do:
Why are you and Dad always on my back?
14 on the back of something as a result of something that already exists or something
you have already done:
The company should be able to generate business on the back of existing contracts.
15 on the backs of somebody using the work of a particular group to achieve something
that they will not get any advantage from:

Economic prosperity was won on the backs of the urban poor.
16DSsports a defending player in a sports team [= defender]
17 the back of beyond informal
a place that is a long way from other places and is
difficult to get to:
It's a nice little cottage but it really is in the back of beyond.
18 be (flat) on your back
a) to be lying on your back - used to emphasize that someone seems unlikely to get up
soon:
He was drunk and flat on his back on the street.
b) to be so ill that you cannot get out of bed:
Their best player was flat on his back in hospital.
c) if a business, country,
economy
etc is on its back, it is not successful:
The UK market was flat on its back.
19 put your back into it
informal
to work extremely hard at something:
If we really put our backs into it, we could finish today.
20 be glad/delighted/pleased etc to see the back of somebody/something to be happy
that someone is leaving or because you no longer have to deal with something:
No, I'm not too upset that he left - in fact, I was glad to see the back of him.
I
can't wait to see the back of this project, I can tell you (=I will be happy when it
ends).
21 have your back to/against the wallinformal
to be in a difficult situation with no
choice about what to do
22 at your back
a) behind you:
They had the wind at their backs as they set off.
b) supporting you:
Caesar marched into Rome with an army at his back.
23 on your back
informal
not polite
if someone achieves something on
their back, they achieve it by having sex with someone
24 high-backed/straight-backed/low-backed etcDHFwith a high, straight, low etc back:
a high-backed chair

back3 verb
back3 S2
W3
1support [transitive usually passive]
a) to support someone or something, especially by giving them money or using your
influence:
The scheme has been backed by several major companies in the region.
Some suspected that the rebellion was backed and financed by the US.
government-backed loans
b) also back up
to support an idea by providing facts, proof etc:
His claims are not backed by any scientific evidence.
2move backwards [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive]
to move
backwards, or make someone or something move backwards
back into/out of/away from etc
She backed into a doorway to let the crowds pass by.
back somebody into/towards/out of etc something
He began to back her towards the open door.
back something into/towards/out of etc something
I backed the car into the garage.
3put something on the back [transitive usually passive]
to put a material or substance
onto the back of something, in order to protect it or make it stronger:
Back the photo with cardboard.
a plastic-backed shower curtain
4be behind something [transitive usually passive] to be at the back of something or
behind it:
The Jandia Peninsula is a stretch of white sands backed by a mountain range.
5music [transitive usually passive]APM
to play or sing the music that supports the
main singer or musician:
They performed all their hits, backed by a 40-piece orchestra.
6risk money [transitive]DGG to risk money on whether a particular horse, dog, team etc
wins something
7 back the wrong horse
to support someone or something that is not successful
back away phrasal verb
1
to move backwards and away from something, especially because you are
frightened
back away from
She backed away from the menacing look on his face.
2
to stop supporting a plan or idea, or stop being involved in something
back away from
The government has backed away from its nuclear weapons strategy.
back down phrasal verb
to admit that you are wrong or that you have lost an argument:
Both sides have refused to back down.
back off phrasal verb
1
to move backwards, away from someone or something:

She backed off and then turned and ran.
2
to stop telling someone what to do, or stop criticizing them, especially so that they
can deal with something themselves:
I think you should back off for a while.
Back off, Marc! Let me run my own life!
3
to stop supporting something, or decide not to do something you were planning to
do:
Jerry backed off when he realized how much work was involved.
back off from
The company has backed off from investing new money.
back onto something phrasal verb
if a building backs onto something, its back faces it:
The hotel backs onto St Mark's Square.
back out phrasal verb
to decide not to do something that you had promised to do:
It's too late to back out now.
After you've signed the contract, it will be impossible to back out.
back out of
The government is trying to back out of its commitment to reduce pollution.
back up phrasal verb
1 back somebody/something ↔ up to say or show that what someone is saying is true:
Jane would back me up if she were here.
There's no evidence to back up his accusations.
These theories have not been backed up by research.
2 back somebody/something ↔ up to provide support or help for someone or
something:
The plan's success depends on how vigorously the UN will back it up with action.
The police officers are backed up by extra teams of people at the weekend.

backup
3TDTD
to make a copy of information stored on a computer:
Make sure you back up.
back something ↔ up
These devices can back up the whole system.
back something ↔ up onto something
Back all your files up onto floppy disks.

backup
4TTC especially American English to make a vehicle move backwards:
The truck stopped and then backed up.
back something ↔ up
I backed the car up a little.
5
to move backwards:
Back up a bit so that everyone can see.

backup
6
if traffic backs up, it forms a long line of vehicles that cannot move:
The traffic was starting to back up in both directions.

7

if a toilet, sink etc backs up, it becomes blocked so that water cannot flow out
of it

back4 adjective
back4 S2
W3 [only before noun]
1
at or in the back of something [≠ front]:
You'll be sleeping in the back bedroom.
Turn to the back page.
I keep my keys in my back pocket.
There was the sound of giggling from the back row.
The rabbit had one of its back legs caught in a trap.

back door
2
behind something, especially a building [≠ front]:
the back garden
We left by the back gate.
3
from the back:
The back view of the hotel was even less appealing than the front.
4 back street/lane/road etcTTR
a street etc that is away from the main streets:
a short cut down a back lane
5 back rent/taxes/pay etc
money that someone owes from an earlier date
6 back issue/copy/numberTCN
a copy of a magazine or newspaper from an earlier
date
7SL technical
a back vowel sound is made by lifting your tongue at the back of
your mouth

be1

auxiliary verb

be1
S1
W1 /bi; strong bi:/ past tense was, were, past participle been, present
participle being
first person singular am second person singular and pluralare
third person singular is
1XX used with a present participle to form the
continuous (4) tenses of verbs:
Don't disturb me while I'm working.
Gemma was reading.
They've been asking a lot of questions.
That guy's always causing trouble.
We'll be starting in about an hour.
He isn't leaving, is he?
2XX used with past participles to form the passive:
Smoking is not permitted.
I was told about it yesterday.
The house is being painted.
She's been invited to a party.
The flames could be seen several miles away.
The police should have been informed about this.
3 be to do something formal
a) used to talk about arrangements for the future:
Audrey and Jimmy are to be married in June.
Two men are to appear in court on charges of armed robbery.
b) used to give an order or to tell someone about a rule:
You are to wait here in this room until I return.
All staff are to wear uniforms.
c) used to say or ask what someone should do or what should happen:
What am I to tell her?
He is not to be blamed.
d) used to ask how something can be done:
How are we to get out of the present mess?
4 be to be seen/found/heard etc
used to say that something can be seen, found, or
heard somewhere:
A large range of species are to be seen in the aquarium.
We searched everywhere but the ring was nowhere to be found (=could not be found).
The only sound to be heard was the twittering of the birds above us.
5 was/were to do somethingXX
used when talking about a time in the past to say
what happened later:
This discovery was to have a major effect on the treatment of heart disease.
6
a) used in
conditional1 (2)
sentences about an imagined situation
were somebody to do something/if somebody were to do something
Even if England were to win the next two matches, Germany would still be three points
ahead.

Were we to offer you the job, would you take it?
b) used in
conditional
sentences to introduce an aim when you are saying what
must be done in order to achieve it
if somebody/something is to do something
If we are to succeed in this enterprise, we shall need to plan everything very carefully.
7
old use used instead of 'have' to form the
perfect3
tense of some verbs:
The hour is come.

Language:
Origin:
be2

Old English
beon

verb

be2
S1
W1
1 [linking verb]
used to say that someone or something is the same as the subject of
the sentence:
My name is Susan.
These are my favourite pictures.
He's my brother.
The problem is finding the time to get things done.
Our aim was to reduce the number of accidents.
2 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] used to say where something or someone is:
Jane's upstairs.
Are my keys in the drawer?
The principal's in his office.
How long has she been here?
3 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] used to say when something happens:
The concert was last night.
The party is on Saturday.
4 [linking verb]
used to describe someone or something, or say what group or type
they belong to:
The sky was grey.
Spiders are not really insects.
Mr Cardew was a tall thin man.
She wants to be a doctor when she leaves school.
Her dress was pure silk.
I'm not ready yet.
5 there is/are used to say that something exists or happens:
There's a hole in your trousers.
There was a loud explosion.
'I thought there was going to be a party.' 'No, there isn't.'
Is there a problem?
6 [linking verb]
to behave in a particular way:
He was just being rude.
Don't be silly.
You'd better be careful.
7 [linking verb]
used to say how old someone is:
His mother died when he was twenty.
Rachel will be three in November.
8 [linking verb]
used to say who something belongs to:
Whose is this bag? It isn't mine and it isn't Sarah's.
9 [linking verb]
used to talk about the price of something:

'How much are the melons?' 'The big ones are £2 each.'
10 [linking verb]
to be equal to a particular number or amount:
32 divided by 8 is 4.
11 be that as it may formal used to say that even though you accept that something is
true, it does not change a situation:
'He was only joking.' 'Be that as it may, silly remarks like that can do a lot of harm.'
12 [intransitive]
formal to exist:
What was once a great and powerful empire has effectively ceased to be.
13 be yourself to behave in a natural way, rather than trying to pretend to be different:
Don't try too hard - just be yourself.
14 not be yourself
to be behaving in a way that is unusual for you, especially because
you are ill or upset:
Sorry - I'm not myself this morning.
15 the be-all and end-all
the most important part of a situation or of someone's life
the be-all and end-all of
For Jim, making money was the be-all and end-all of his job.

Language:
Origin:

Old English
gebeon

been
been /bi:n, bûn $ bûn/
1x-ref the past participle of be
2
a) used to say that someone has gone to a place and come back
been to
I've never been to Japan.
have been to do something
Have you been to see the Van Gogh exhibition yet?
b) British English
used to say that someone has come to a place and left again:
The postman hasn't been yet.
3 been there, seen that, done that
spoken used to say that you are no longer interested
in doing something, because you already have a lot of experience of it
WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
been in, been to, went to
Use been in when you are living or staying in a place
• How long have you been in London? • He had been in hospital for several days.
Use been to when you have visited a place and come back again • Have you

ever been to Kyoto? • She's been to the hospital for a check-up. Use went to
(the
simple past) to talk about a specific trip you made in the past
• Last May I went to a
conference in Montreal.

being1 verb
be‧ing1 /"bi:ûÅ/ [linking verb]
1x-ref the present participle of
be
2
used to give the reason for something:
Being a quiet sort of person, I didn't want to get involved.
You can't expect them to sit still for that long, children being what they are.
3 being as
British English
spoken because [= as]:
You might as well drink it, being as you've paid for it.

being2 noun
being2 S2
W3
1 come into being/be brought into being
to start to exist:
a law that first came into being in 1912
2 [countable]HBH
a living thing, especially a person:
a
human being
intelligent/conscious/rational etc being
a story about alien beings who invade Earth
3 [uncountable]
literary the most important quality or nature of something,
especially of a person
the core/roots/whole of somebody's being
The whole of her being had been taken over by a desire to return to her homeland.

but1

conjunction

but1 S1
W1 /bët; strong
bšt/
1
used to connect two statements or phrases when the second one adds something
different or seems surprising after the first one:
It's an old car, but it's very reliable.
They rushed to the hospital, but they were too late.
We've invited the boss, but she may decide not to come.
an expensive but extremely useful book
'Has he got any experience?' 'No, but he's keen to learn.'
2
used to introduce a statement that explains why the thing you have mentioned did
not happen or is not possible:
I'd like to go but I'm too busy.
They would have married sooner, but they had to wait for her divorce.
3
used after a negative to emphasize that it is the second part of the sentence that is
true:
He lied to the court not just once, but on several occasions.
The purpose of the scheme is not to help the employers but to provide work for young
people.
4
except:
What can we do but sit and wait?
I had no choice but to accept the challenge.
Not a day goes by but I think of dear old Larry (=I think of him every day).
5 but for
a) used when you are saying that something would have happened if something or
someone else had not prevented it:
But for these interruptions, the meeting would have finished earlier.
The score could have been higher but for some excellent goalkeeping by Simon.
I might never have got to university but for you.
b) except for something or someone:
All was silent but for the sound of the wind in the trees.
6 but then (again)
spoken
a) used when you are adding a statement that says almost the opposite of what you have
just said:
John might be ready to help us, but then again, he might not.
You feel really sorry for him. But then again, it's hard to like him.
b) used when you are adding a statement that makes what you have just said seem less
surprising:
Dinah missed the last rehearsal, but then she always was unreliable, wasn't she?
7XX spoken used when you are replying to someone and expressing strong feelings
such as anger, surprise etc:
But that's marvellous news!

'They won't even discuss the problem.' 'But how stupid!'
8 somebody cannot but do somethingformal used to say that someone has to do
something or cannot stop themselves from doing it:
I could not but admire her.
9
spoken used when disagreeing with someone:
'It was a good idea.' 'But it didn't work.'
10
spoken used to emphasize a word or statement:
It'll be a great party - everyone, but everyone, is coming.
They're rich, but I mean rich.
11
spoken used to change the subject of a conversation:
But now to the main question.
But tell me, are you really planning to retire?
12
spoken used after expressions such as 'excuse me' and 'I'm sorry':
Excuse me, but I'm afraid this is a no-smoking area.

but2

preposition

but2 S2
W3
1
apart from [= except]:
I could come any day but Thursday.
There's no one here but me.
I could still see nothing but the spirals of desert dust.
He was unable to swallow anything but liquids.
2 the last but one/the next but two etcespecially British English
the last or next thing
or person except for one, two etc:
Pauline and Derek live in the next house but one (=they live two houses away from us).

but3

adverb

but3

S2

W3

only:
This is but one example of what can happen when things go badly wrong.
It's going to be difficult. Anyway, we can but try.
We have relationships of many different sorts - with our children, our parents, our boss
and our friends, to name but a few.

but4

noun

but4 /bšt/
buts [plural] spoken reasons that someone gives for not doing something or agreeing
with something:
'I don't want to hear any buts,' Jo snapped.
He is the best player - no ifs, ands, or buts about that.

by1

preposition

by1
S1
W1 /baû/
1XXwho/what does something
used especially with a passiveverb to say who or
what does something or makes something happen:
I was attacked by a dog.
a church designed by the famous architect, Sir Christopher Wren
We are all alarmed by the rise in violent crime.
interference by the state in the affairs of the Church
his appointment by the BBC as a producer
2means/method
used to say what means or method someone uses to do something:
You can reserve the tickets by phone.
Send it by airmail.
Some customers prefer to pay by cheque.
by car/train/bus/taxi etc
They travelled to Chicago by train.
by air/sea/land/road/rail etc
All supplies are transported by air.
by doing something
She earns her living by selling insurance.

He was taken from his home by force.
3XXroad/door used to say which road, entrance, door etc someone uses to get to a place:
They came in by the back door.
It's quicker to go by the country route.
4XXtaking hold
used to say which part of an object or of a person's body someone
takes hold of:
He took Elaine by the arm and led her across the road.
She grabbed the hammer by the handle.
5writer/composer etc used to give the name of someone who wrote a book, produced a
film, wrote a piece of music etc:
the 'New World Symphony' by Dvorak
a short story by Charles Dickens
Who's it by?
6beside
beside or near something:
She stood by the window.
Jane went and sat by Patrick.
7past past someone or something without stopping:
He walked right by me without even saying hello.
I pass by the farm every day on my way to work.
8before
before or not later than a particular time:
The documents need to be ready by next Friday.
I reckon the film should be over by 9.30.
By the end of the day we had sold over 2000 tickets.
By the time we got home we were tired and hungry.
9according to according to a particular rule, method, or way of doing things:
You've got to play by the rules.
Profits were £6 million, but by our standards this is low.
10XXchange/difference
used to say how great a change or difference is:
The price of oil fell by a further $2 a barrel.
I was overcharged by £3.
Godard's first film was better by far (=by a large amount or degree).
11measurements
used to give the measurements of a room, container etc:
a room 15 metres by 23 metres
12XXquantity used to show what unit of measurement or quantity is involved in selling,
paying for, producing etc something:
Eggs are sold by the dozen.
We're paid by the hour.
She wanted to tear his hair out by the handful.
13XXgradual change used to say that something happens gradually:
Day by day he grew weaker.
Little by little I was beginning to discover the truth about Garfield.
One by one, the men stepped forward.
14XXquick change used to say that something or someone is quickly becoming worse,
better etc:
The financial crisis was growing more serious by the hour.
15light used to say that something happens in a particular kind of light:

We walked through the palace gardens by moonlight.
16 by day/night
during the day or the night:
a tour of Paris by night
17XXjob/nature etc used when you are giving information about someone's character,
job, origin etc:
George I and George II were Germans by birth.
Cautious by nature, Simpkin was reluctant to interfere.
Robert Key was a teacher by profession.
18visiting
in order to visit a person or place for a short time:
On the way, I stopped by the post office.
19 (all) by yourself
a) completely alone:
Dave spent Christmas all by himself.
b) without help from anyone:
You can't move the furniture all by yourself.
20multiplying/dividing
used between two numbers when talking about multiplying
or dividing:
What's 48 divided by 4?
21XXemphasis
used when expressing strong feelings or making serious promises:
By God, I'll kill that boy when I see him!
22father
if a woman has children by a particular man, that man is the children's
father:
She's got two children by her previous husband.
23 by the by spoken used when mentioning something that may be interesting but is not
particularly important:
By the by, Ian said he might call round tonight.
➔ by the way at way
WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
by, with, inby is used especially in passives, to say who or what does or causes something
• She was hit by a truck.
• a book written by Peter Carey
Use with
or in after verbs which describe a state rather than an action
• The room
was lit with candles. • Her house is always filled with music. • The books were covered in
dust. Use with
to say what tool you use to do something
• I got the stain out
with this brush (NOT by this brush).

by2

adverb

by2
S1
W1
1
past someone or something:
As I was standing on the platform, the Liverpool train went whizzing by.
James walked by without even looking in my direction.
2
used to say that time passes:
As the summer days slipped by, it was easy to forget about the war.
Ten years had gone by since I had last seen Marilyn.
3
beside or near someone or something:
A crowd of people were standing by, waiting for an announcement.
4
in order to visit a person or place for a short time:
Why don't you stop by for a drink after work?
5 by and large used when making a general statement:
By and large, the new arrangements have worked well.
6 by and by old use soon:
She will be better by and by.

can1

modal verb

can1 S1
W1 /kën; strong
kæn/ negative short form can't
1ability
to be able to do something or to know how to do something:
You can swim, can't you?
Even a small personal computer can store vast amounts of information.
Gabriella can speak French fluently.
I'm afraid Mr Harding can't see you now - he's busy.
The police are doing all they can to find her.
2requesting spoken used to ask someone to do something or give you something:
Can I have a cigarette, please?
Can you help me lift this box?
3allowed
to be allowed to do something or to have the right or power to do
something:
You can't park here - it's a no parking zone.
'Can we go home now, please?' 'No you can't.'
Any police officer can insist on seeing a driver's license.
4possibility used to say that something is possible:
I am confident a solution can be found.
There can be no doubt that he is guilty.
The boxes can be stored flat.
Can he still be alive after all this time?

5seeing/hearing etc used with the verbs 'see', 'hear', 'feel', 'taste', and 'smell', and with
verbs connected with thinking, to mean that someone sees something, hears something
etc:
Here they are - I can see their car.
Can you smell something burning?
I can't understand why you're so upset.
He can't remember where he put the tickets.
6not true [in negatives]
used to say that you do not believe that something is true:
This can't be the right road.
It can't be easy caring for a man and a child who are not your own.
7should not [in questions and negatives]
used to say that someone should not or must
not do something:
You can't expect the world to change overnight.
We can't go on like this.
Jill's left her husband, but can you blame her after the way he treated her?
8surprise/anger [usually in questions and negatives] spoken used when you are surprised
or angry:
You can't be serious!
They can't have arrived already, surely!
How can you be so stupid!
9sometimes used to say what sometimes happens or how someone sometimes behaves:
It can be quite cold here at night.
Peter can be really annoying.
10giving orders
spoken used to tell someone in an angry way to do something:
And you can stop that quarrelling, the pair of you.
If you won't keep quiet, you can get out.
WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
can, could, be able to Use can and be able to to say that someone has the ability to do
something. Be able to is more formal • Can you swim? • Young children are not able to
open the bottle.
Use could
to say that someone has the ability to do something,
but does not do it
• He could do a lot better.Could
is also the past form of can.
Use could
or a past form of be able to to say that someone had the ability to do
something in the past • She could ride a bike when she was three. • He was able to walk
with a stick.!! In the following cases, you cannot use
can. You must use
be able
to:
with used to, to say that someone had the ability to do something in the past but
no longer does • I used to be able to play the violin. to talk about future ability. Use will
be able to
• After only a few lessons, you will be able to understand basic Spanish.
after other verbs, for example might, may, would, want, or hope • He might be able to
fix your car. • You should be able to taste the difference.
• I want her to be able to use
a computer.

come1 verb
come1 S1
W1 /kšm/ past tense came /keûm/ past participle come [intransitive]
1move towards somebody/somethingto move towards you or arrive at the place where
you are [≠ go]:
Let me know when they come.
Can you
come here
for a minute?
Come a bit closer and you'll be able to see better.
What time will you becoming home?
come in/into/out of etc
There was a knock on the door and a young woman came into the room.
come to/towards
I could see a figure coming towards me.
come across/down/up etc
As they came down the track, the car skidded.
come to do something
I've come to see Philip.
come and do something
I'll come and help you move the rest of the boxes.
Come and look at this!
come running/flying/speeding etc
Jess came flying round the corner and banged straight into me.
come to dinner/lunch
What day are your folks coming to dinner?
here comes somebody/something
spoken (=used to say that someone or something is
coming towards you)
Ah, here comes the bus at last!
2go with somebody if someone comes with you, they go to a place with you:
We're going for a drink this evening. Would you like to come?
come with
I asked Rosie if she'd like to come with us.
come along
It should be good fun. Why don't you come along?
3travel to a place
to travel to or reach a place:
Which way did you come?
come through/across/by way of etc
They came over the mountains in the north.
come from
Legend has it that the tribe came from across the Pacific Ocean.
come by car/train/bus etc
Will you be coming by train?
Have you
come far (=travelled a long way)
today?

I've
come a long way
to see you.
come 50/100 etc miles/kilometres
Some of the birds have come thousands of miles to winter here.
4post if a letter etc comes, it is delivered to you by post [= arrive]:
A letter came for you this morning.
The phone bill hasn't come yet.
5happen
if a time or an event comes, it arrives or happens:
At last the day came for us to set off.
The moment had come for me to break the news to her.
The time will come when you'll thank me for this.
Christmas seems to come earlier every year.
be/have yet to come (=used when something has not happened yet but will happen)
The most exciting part is yet to come.
I knew he'd be able to take care of himself, come what may (=whatever happens).
6reach a level/place [always + adverb/preposition] to reach a particular level or place
come up/down
She had blonde hair which came down to her waist.
The water came up as far as my chest.
7be produced/sold [always + adverb/preposition] to be produced or sold with
particular features
come in
This particular sofa comes in four different colours.
Cats come in many shapes and sizes.
come with
The computer comes complete with software and games.
8order [always + adverb/preposition] to be in a particular position in an order, a series, or
a list
come before/after
P comes before Q in the alphabet.
come first/second etc
She came first in the 200 metres.
9 come open/undone/loose etc
to become open etc:
His shoelace had come undone.
The rope came loose.
10 come to do something
a) to begin to have a feeling or opinion:
He came to think of Italy as his home.
I came to believe that he was innocent after all.
b) to do something by chance, without planning or intending to do it:
Can you tell me how the body came to be discovered?
come to be doing something
I often wondered how I came to be living in such a place.
11 come and go
a) to be allowed to go into and leave a place whenever you want:
The students can come and go as they please.
b) to keep starting and stopping:

The pain comes and goes.
12 take something as it comes
to accept something as it happens, without trying to
plan for it or change it:
We just take each year as it comes.
He takes life as it comes.
13 have something coming (to you) informal
to deserve to be punished or to have
something bad happen to you:
I do feel sorry for him, but I'm afraid he had it coming.
14 as nice/as stupid etc as they come informal
extremely nice, stupid etc:
My uncle Walter is as obstinate as they come.
15 for years/weeks/days etc to come used to emphasize that something will continue for
a long time into the future:
This is a moment that will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.
16 in years/days to come
in the future:
In years to come, some of the practices we take for granted now will seem quite barbaric.
17 have come a long way
to have made a lot of progress:
Computer technology has come a long way since the 1970s.
18 come as a surprise/relief/blow etc (to somebody) to make someone feel surprised,
pleased, disappointed etc:
The decision came as a great relief to us all.
The news will come as no surprise to his colleagues.
19 come easily/naturally (to somebody)
to be easy for someone to do:
Public speaking does not come easily to most people.
Writing came naturally to her, even as a child.
20 come of age
a) to reach the age when you are legally considered to be an adult:
He'll inherit the money when he comes of age.
b) to develop into an advanced or successful form:
Space technology didn't really come of age until the 1950s.
21 come right out with something/come right out and say something
informal
to say something in a very direct way, often when other people think this is
surprising:
You came right out and told him? I don't know how you dared!
22 come clean informal
to tell the truth about something you have done
come clean about
I think you should come clean about where you were last night.
23 not know whether you are coming or going
informal
to feel very confused
because a lot of different things are happening:
I don't know whether I'm coming or going this week.
24 come good/right British English
informal
to end well, after there have
been a lot of problems:
Don't worry, it'll all come right in the end.
25 come to pass
literary to happen after a period of time:
It came to pass that they had a son.
26sex informal
to have an
orgasm

27
spoken come in!
used to tell someone who has knocked on your door to
enter your room, house etc:
She tapped timidly on the door. 'Come in!' boomed a deep voice from inside.
28
spoken how come? used to ask someone why or how something happened:
How come you've ended up here?
'Last I heard, she was teaching in Mexico.' 'How come?'
29
spoken come to think of it/come to that
used to add something that you have
just realized or remembered:
Come to think of it, George did seem a bit depressed yesterday.
He had never expected to have a wife, or even a girlfriend come to that.
30
spoken come July/next year/the next day etc used to talk about at a particular time
in the future:
Come spring, you'll have plenty of colour in the garden.
31
spoken come again? used to ask someone to repeat what they have just said
32
spoken don't come the innocent/victim/helpless male etc with me British
English
used to tell someone not to pretend that they are something they are not in
order to get sympathy or help from you:
Don't come the poor struggling artist with me. You're just lazy!
33
spoken come (now) old-fashioned used to comfort or gently encourage
someone
34
spoken come, come!/come now
old-fashioned used to tell someone that you
do not accept what they are saying or doing
come about phrasal verb
1
to happen, especially in a way that is not planned:
The opportunity to get into computing came about quite by accident.
How did this situation come about?
2TTW if a ship comes about, it changes direction
come across phrasal verb
1 come across somebody/something to meet, find, or discover someone or something by
chance:
I came across an old diary in her desk.
I've never come across anyone quite like her before.
2
if an idea comes across well, it is easy for people to understand:
Your point really came across at the meeting.
3
if someone comes across in a particular way, they seem to have particular
qualities [= come over]
come across as
He comes across as a very intelligent, sensitive man.
She sometimes comes across as being rather arrogant.
I don't think I came across very well (=seemed to have good qualities)
in the
interview.
come across with something phrasal verb
to provide money or information when it is needed:
I hoped he might come across with a few facts.
come after somebody phrasal verb
to look for someone in order to hurt them, punish them, or get something from them:

She was terrified that Trevor would come after her.
come along phrasal verb
1 be coming along
informal
to be developing or making progress [= progress]:
He opened the oven door to see how the food was coming along.
Your English is coming along really well.
2
to appear or arrive:
A bus should come along any minute now.
Take any job opportunity that comes along.
3
a) to go to a place with someone:
We're going into town - do you want to come along?
b) to go somewhere after someone:
You go on ahead - I'll come along later.
4 come along!
a) used to tell someone to hurry up [= come on]:
Come along! We're all waiting for you!
b) used to encourage someone to try harder [= come on]:
Come along! Don't give up yet!
come apart phrasal verb
1
to split or fall into pieces:
I picked the magazine up and it came apart in my hands.
2
to begin to fail:
The whole basis of the agreement was coming apart.
She felt as if her life was
coming apart at the seams (=failing completely).
come around phrasal verb
1
also come round British English to come to someone's home or the place
where they work in order to visit them [= come over]:
I'll come around later and see how you are.
Why don't you come round for lunch?
2
also come round British English
to change your opinion so that you
now agree with someone or are no longer angry with them
come around to
It took him a while to come around to the idea.
Don't worry - she'll come round eventually.
3
also come round British English
if a regular event comes around, it
happens as usual:
By the time the summer came around, Kelly was feeling much better.
4
American English
to become conscious again after you have been
unconscious [= come round British English]
When she came around her mother was sitting by her bed.
come around from
You might feel a little sick when you come around from the anesthetic.
come at somebody/something phrasal verb
1
to move towards someone in a threatening way:
Suddenly, he came at me with a knife.

2
if images, questions, facts etc come at you, you feel confused because there are
too many of them at the same time:
Questions were coming at me from all directions.
3
informal
to consider or deal with a problem in a particular way [=
approach]:
We need to come at the problem from a different angle.
come away phrasal verb
1
to become separated from the main part of something [= come off]:
One of the wires in the plug had come away.
I turned some of the pages and they came away in my hand.
2
to leave a place with a particular feeling or idea:
We came away thinking that we had done quite well.
come away with
I came away with the impression that the school was very well run.
come back phrasal verb
1
to return to a particular place or person [= return]:
My mother was scared that if I left home I'd never come back.
Ginny's left me, and there's nothing I can do to persuade her to come back.
2
to become fashionable or popular again [↪ comeback]:
Who'd have thought hippy gear would ever come back!
High heels are coming back into fashion.
3
to appear or start to affect someone or something again [= return]:
The pain in her arm came back again.
It took a while for my confidence to come back.
4
if something comes back to you, you remember it or remember how to do it:
As I walked the city streets, the memories came flooding back.
come back to
I can't think of her name at the moment, but it'll come back to me.
5
to reply to someone quickly, often in an angry or unkind way [↪ comeback]
come back at
He came back at me immediately, accusing me of being a liar.
come before somebody/something phrasal verb
to be brought to someone in authority, especially a judge in a law court, to be judged or
discussed by them:
When you come before the judge, it's best to tell the truth.
The case will come before the courts next month.
come between somebody phrasal verb
1
to make people argue and feel angry with each other, when they had been friends
before:
Nothing will ever come between us now.
I didn't want to come between a husband and wife.
2
to prevent someone from giving enough attention to something:
She never let anything come between her and her work.
come by phrasal verb
1 come by something to manage to get something that is rare or difficult to get:
How did you come by these pictures?

Jobs were
hard to come by.
2 come by (something)
to make a short visit to a place on your way to somewhere
else:
He said he'd come by later.
I'll come by the house and get my stuff later, OK?
come down phrasal verb
1
a) if a price, level etc comes down, it gets lower:
It looks as if interest rates will come down again this month.
b) to accept a lower price
come down to
He's asking £5000, but he may be willing to come down to £4800.
2
if someone comes down to a place, they travel south to the place where you are:
Why don't you come down for the weekend sometime?
come down to
Are you coming down to Knoxville for Christmas?
3
to fall to the ground:
A lot of trees came down in the storm.
We were still out in the fields when the rain started coming down.
4 come down on the side of somebody/something also come down in favour of
somebody/something to decide to support someone or something:
The committee came down in favour of making the information public.
5
informal
to start to feel normal again after you have been feeling very happy
and excited:
He was on a real high all last week and he's only just come down.
6
informalMDD to stop feeling the effects of a strong drug:
When I came down, I remembered with horror some of the things I'd said.
7
British English
old-fashionedSEC
to leave a university after completing
a period of study
come down on somebody phrasal verb
to punish someone or criticize them severely:
We need to
come down hard on young offenders.
I made the mistake of answering back, and she
came down on me
like a ton of
bricks (=very severely).
come down to somebody/something phrasal verb
1
if a complicated situation or problem comes down to something, that is the single
most important thing:
It all comes down to money in the end.
2
if something old has come down to you, it has been passed between people over a
long period of time until you have it:
The text which has come down to us is only a fragment of the original.
come down with something phrasal verb
to get an illness:
I think I'm coming down with a cold.
come for somebody/something phrasal verb
1
to arrive to collect someone or something:

I'll come for you at about eight o'clock.
2
to arrive at a place in order to take someone away by force:
Members of the secret police came for him in the middle of the night.
come forward phrasal verb
to offer help to someone, or offer to do something:
So far, only one candidate has come forward.
The police appealed for witnesses to come forward with information.
come from somebody/something phrasal verb
1
if you come from a place, you were born there or lived there when you were
young:
I come from London originally.
2
to be obtained from a place, thing, or person, or to start or be made somewhere:
A lot of drugs come from quite common plants.
My information comes from a very reputable source.
The idea came from America.
3
to happen as the result of doing something
come from doing something
Most of her problems come from expecting too much of people.
4 coming from him/her/you etc
spoken used to say that someone should not criticize
another person for doing something, because they have done the same thing themselves:
You think I'm too selfish? That's rich coming from you!
5 where somebody is coming from informal
the basic attitude or opinion someone
has, which influences what they think, say, or do:
I see where you're coming from now.
come in phrasal verb
1
if a train, bus, plane, or ship comes in, it arrives at a place:
What time does your train come in?
come in to
We come in to Heathrow at nine in the morning.
2
if money or information comes in, you receive it:
Reports are coming in of a massive earthquake in Mexico.
We haven't got enough money coming in.
3
to be involved in a plan, deal etc:
We need some financial advice - that's where Kate comes in.
come in on
You had the chance to come in on the deal.
4
to join in a conversation or discussion:
Can I come in here and add something to what you're saying?
5
to become fashionable or popular [≠ go out]:
Trainers really became popular in the 1980s, when casual sportswear came in.
6
to finish a race
come in first/second etc
His horse came in second to last.
7
if the tide
comes in, the sea moves towards the land and covers the edge of it
[≠ go out]
come in for something phrasal verb

come in for criticism/blame/scrutiny to be criticized, blamed etc for something:
The government has come in for fierce criticism over its handling of this affair.
come into something phrasal verb
1
to receive money, land, or property from someone after they have died:
She'll come into quite a lot of money when her father dies.
2
to be involved in something:
Josie doesn't come into the movie until quite near the end.
Where do I come into all this?
3 come into view/sight
if something comes into view, you begin to see it:
The mountains were just coming into view.
4 come into leaf/flower/blossom
to start to produce leaves or flowers:
The roses are just coming into flower.
5 not come into it
spoken used to say that something is not important:
Money doesn't really come into it.
6 come into your own to become very good, useful, or important in a particular situation:
On icy roads, a four-wheel drive vehicle really comes into its own.
come of something phrasal verb
to happen as a result of something:
I did ask a few questions, but nothing came of it.
That's what comes of not practising - you've forgotten everything!
come off phrasal verb
1 come off (something)
to become removed from something:
The label had come off, so there was no way of knowing what was on the disk.
2 come off (something)
British English
to fall off something:
Dyson came off his bike as he rounded the last corner, but wasn't badly hurt.
3
informal
if something that has been planned comes off, it happens:
In the end the trip never came off.
4
informal
to be successful:
It was a good idea, but it didn't quite come off.
The performance on the first night came off
pretty well.
5 come off somethingMDD to stop taking a drug that you have been taking regularly:
It wasn't until I tried to come off the pills that I realized I was addicted.
6 come off best/better/worst etc
British English
to gain or lose the most,
more, the least etc from a situation:
As far as pensions go, it's still women who come off worst.
7 come off it! British English
spoken used to tell someone that you do not believe
what they are saying:
Oh come off it! You can't seriously be saying you knew nothing about this.
come on phrasal verb
1 come on!
spoken
a) used to tell someone to hurry:
Come on, we'll be late!
b) used to encourage someone to do something:
Come on, you can do it!
Come on, cheer up!
c) used to tell someone that you know that what they have just said was not true or right:

Oh come on, don't lie!
d) used to make someone angry enough to want to fight you:
Come on, then, hit me!
2 come on in/over/up etc
spoken used to tell someone to come in, over, up etc,
usually in a friendly way:
Come on in - I've made some coffee.
3
if a light or machine comes on, it starts working:
A dog started barking and lights came on in the house.
4
if an illness comes on, you start to be ill with it:
I can feel a headache coming on.
5
if a television or radio programme comes on, it starts:
Just at that moment, the news came on.
6
if rain or snow comes on, it starts:
The rain came on just before lunchtime.
7
to come onto a stage or sports field:
He scored only two minutes after he'd come on.
8
to improve or make progress:
The children are really coming on now.
Your English is coming on really well.
9 come on somebody/something
to find or discover someone or something by
chance:
We came on a group of students having a picnic.
10 come on strong
informal
to make it very clear to someone that you think they
are sexually attractive
come on to somebody/something phrasal verb
1
to start talking about a new subject:
I'll come on to this question in a few moments.
2
informal
if someone comes on to another person, they make it very clear
that they are sexually interested in them [↪ come-on]:
The way she was coming on to Jack, I'm amazed he managed to get out alive!
come out phrasal verb
1
if something comes out, it is removed from a place:
These stains will never come out!
2
if information comes out, people learn about it, especially after it has been kept
secret:
No doubt the truth will come out one day.
It's come out that several ministers received payments from the company.
3TCP if a photograph comes out, it shows a clear picture:
I took some photographs, but they didn't come out.
The wedding photos have come out really well.
4
if a book, record etc comes out, it becomes publicly available:
When is the new edition coming out?
5
if something comes out in a particular way, that is what it is like after it has been
made or produced:
I've made a cake, but it hasn't come out very well.
The cover has come out a bit too big.

6
if something you say comes out in a particular way, that is how it sounds or how it
is understood:
His words came out as little more than a whisper.
That didn't come out the way I meant it to.
I tried to explain everything to her, but it
came out all wrong (=not in the way I
intended).
7
if someone comes out in a particular way, that is the situation they are in at the
end of an event or series of events:
The more experienced team came out on top.
come out of
She came out of the divorce quite well.
8
to be easy to notice:
His right-wing opinions come out quite strongly in his later writings.
9
to say publicly that you strongly support or oppose a plan, belief etc
come out in favour of
The board of directors has come out in favour of a merger.
come out against
Teachers have come out against the proposed changes.
At least he's got the courage to
come out and say
what he thinks.
10
if the sun, moon, or stars come out, they appear in the sky:
The sky cleared and the sun came out.
11
if a flower comes out, it opens:
The snowdrops were just starting to come out.
12
if someone comes out, they say that they are gay
when this was a secret before
come out to
That summer, I decided to come out to my parents.
13
British English
informal
to refuse to work, as a protest:
Nurses have threatened to come out in support of their pay claim.
We decided to come out on strike.
14SS if a young woman came out in the past, she was formally introduced into upper
class society at a large formal dance
come out at something phrasal verb
if something comes out at a particular amount, that is the amount it adds up to:
The whole trip, including fares, comes out at $900.
come out in something phrasal verb
come out in spots/a rash etc if you come out in spots etc, spots appear on your body:
If I eat eggs, I come out in a rash.
come out of something phrasal verb
1
to no longer be in a bad situation:
There are signs that the country is coming out of recession.
2
to happen as a result of something:
One or two excellent ideas came out of the meeting.
3 come out of yourself
informal
to start to behave in a more confident way:
Penny's really come out of herself since she started that course.
come out with something phrasal verb
to say something, especially something unusual or unexpected:

The things he comes out with are so funny!
come over phrasal verb
1
a) if someone comes over, they visit you at your house:
Do you want to come over on Friday evening?
b) if someone comes over, they come to the country where you are
come over to/from
When did your family first come over to America?
2 come over somebody
if a strong feeling comes over you, you suddenly
experience it:
A wave of sleepiness came over me.
I'm sorry about that - Idon't know what came over me (=I do not know why I behaved
in that way).
3
if an idea comes over well, people can understand it easily:
I thought that the points he was making came over quite clearly.
4
if someone comes over in a particular way, they seem to have particular qualities
[= come across]:
He didn't come over very well (=seem to have good qualities)
in the interview.
come over as
She comes over as a very efficient businesswoman.
5 come over (all) shy/nervous etc
informal
to suddenly become very shy,
nervous etc
come round phrasal verb
to come around
come through phrasal verb
1
if a piece of information, news etc comes through, it arrives somewhere:
We're still waiting for our exam results to come through.
There is news just coming through of an explosion in a chemical factory.
2
to be made official, especially by having the correct documents officially
approved:
I'm still waiting for my divorce to come through.
3 come through (something) to continue to live, be strong, or succeed after a difficult or
dangerous time [= survive]:
If he comes through the operation OK he should be back to normal within a month.
It's been a tough time, but I'm sure you'll come through and be all the wiser for it.
come through with something phrasal verb
to give someone something they need, especially when they have been worried that you
would not produce it in time:
Our representative in Hong Kong finally came through with the figures.
come to phrasal verb
1 come to a decision/conclusion/agreement etc
to decide something, agree on
something etc after considering or discussing a situation [= reach]:
We came to the conclusion that there was no other way back to the camp.
If they don't come to a decision by midnight, the talks will be abandoned.
2 come to a halt/stop
a) to slow down and stop [= stop]:

The train came to a stop just yards from the barrier.
b) to stop operating or continuing:
After the election our funding came to an abrupt halt.
3 come to something to develop so that a particular situation exists, usually a bad one:
I never thought it
would come to this.
We need to be prepared to fight, but hopefully it won't come to that (=that won't be
necessary).
All those years of studying, and in the end it all
came to nothing.
It's come to something when I'm not allowed to express an opinion in my own house!
what is the world/the country etc coming to? (=used to say that the world etc is in a bad
situation)
4 come to something to add up to a total amount:
That comes to £23.50.
The bill came to £48.50.
5 come to somebody if a thought or idea comes to you, you realize or remember
something:
The answer came to me in a flash.
I've forgotten her name, but maybe it'll come to me later.
6
to become conscious again after you have been unconscious:
When he came to, he was lying on the floor with his hands tied behind his back.
7 when it comes to somethinginformal
when you are dealing with something or
talking about something:
He's a bit of an expert when it comes to computers.
come under something phrasal verb
1 come under attack/fire/scrutiny etc to be attacked, shot at etc:
The government has come under attack from opposition leaders over proposals to cut
health spending.
2
to be governed or controlled by a particular organization or person:
The organization comes under the authority of the EU.
3
if a piece of information comes under a particular title, you can find it under that
title:
The proposals come under three main headings.
come up phrasal verb
1
if someone comes up to you, they come close to you, especially in order to speak
to you:
One of the teachers came up and started talking to me.
come up to
A man came up to him and asked for a light.
2
if someone comes up to a place, they travel north to the place where you are
come up to
Why don't you come up to New York for the weekend?
3
if a subject comes up, people mention it and discuss it [= arise]:
His name came up in the conversation.
The subject of salaries didn't come up.
4
if a problem or difficulty comes up, it appears or starts to affect you [= arise]:
I'm afraid I'll have to cancel our date something's come up.

The same problems come up every time.
5
if a job or an opportunity comes up, it becomes available:
A vacancy has come up in the accounts department.
6
to be dealt with in a law court:
Your case comes up next week.
7 be coming up
to be going to happen soon:
With Christmas coming up, few people have much money to spare.
8
if the sun or moon comes up, it moves up into the sky where you can see it [=
rise]:
It was six o'clock, and the sun was just coming up.
9
if a plant comes up, it begins to appear above the ground:
The first spring bulbs are just coming up.
10
if food comes up, it goes back through your mouth from your stomach after being
swallowed [↪ vomit]
11 coming (right) up! spoken used to say that food or drink will be ready very soon:
'Two martinis, please.' 'Coming up!'
come up against something/somebody phrasal verb
to have to deal with problems or difficulties:
We may find we come up against quite a lot of opposition from local people.
You've got no idea of what you're going to come up against.
come up for something phrasal verb
1 come up for discussion/examination/review etc to be discussed, examined etc:
This matter will come up for discussion at next month's meeting.
The regulations come up for review in April.
2 come up for election/re-election/selection etc
to reach the time when people have
to vote about whether you should continue in a political position:
The governors come up for re-election next year.
come upon somebody/something phrasal verb
1
to find or discover something or someone by chance:
We came upon a cottage just on the edge of the wood.
2
literary if a feeling comes upon you, you suddenly feel it:
A wave of tiredness came upon her.
come up to something/somebody phrasal verb
1
to reach a particular standard or to be as good as you expected:
This doesn't come up to the standard of your usual work.
The resort certainly failed to come up to expectations.
2 be (just) coming up to something to be nearly a particular time:
It's just coming up to 11 o'clock.
come up with something phrasal verb
1
to think of an idea, answer etc:
Is that the best excuse you can come up with?
We've been asked to come up with some new ideas.
2
informal
to produce an amount of money:
We wanted to buy the house but we couldn't come up with the cash.
How am I supposed to come up with $10,000?
WORD CHOICE WORD CHOICE

come, goUse come for movement towards the place where the speaker is or will be
Come and see me at my office.
|
I could see them coming down the
hill (=getting nearer to me) .
|
When are you coming home (=to our
home) ?Use go
for movement in other directions
Are you going to Sally's
tonight? |
I wish he would go home (=to his home, away from me).
WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
become, get, go, turn, grow, comebecome can be followed by an adjective or noun, not
a verb • Her husband became jealous. • We soon became friends.The following words
are used with an adjective instead of become, in certain cases:get is very often used
instead of
become, and is more usual in spoken English
• I was getting
hungry. • Things got worse and worse.go is usedto say that something changes colour
• The sky went pink.to say that someone feels a change in their body
• My
fingers have gone numb. with blind and deaf
• He went blind. with mad, insane,
crazy etc
• The crowd went wild.turn is used especially to say that something
changes colour
• The liquid turned green.
• His face turned pale.grow can be
used in fairly literary written English to say that something changes gradually
• It
grew dark as we walked.with a to-infinitive, to say that someone gradually starts doing
something
• We grew to love each other.come is usedwith adjectives like apart,
undone, and unstuck • Your shoelace has come undone. • A few pages came loose.
with true
• Her prediction came true. with a to-infinitive to say that someone starts
doing something
• I eventually came to realize (NOT became to realize) I was
wrong.

could modal verb
could S1
W1 /këd; strong
k|d/
negative short form couldn't
1past ability used as the past tense of 'can' to say what someone was able to do or was
allowed to do in the past:
By the time she was eight, she could read Greek and Latin.
In those days you could buy a box of cigars for a dollar.
Could you hear what I was saying?
I couldn't get tickets after all, they were sold out.
I knew I couldn't afford the rent.
The teacher said we could all go home.

2possibility
a) used to say that something is possible or might happen:
Most accidents in the home could be prevented.
It could be weeks before we get a reply.
If you're not careful, you could get into even worse trouble.
A faulty connection could easily (=would be likely to) cause a fire.
b) used to say that something was a possibility in the past, but did not actually happen:
Somebody could have been killed.
I could have warned you if I had known where you were.
He could have escaped, but he chose to stand and fight.
3emphasizing your feelings spoken used to emphasize how happy, angry etc you are by
saying how you want to express your feelings:
He irritates me so much I could scream.
I was so angry I could have killed her.
I was so relieved I could have kissed them all.
4requesting spoken used to make a polite request:
Could you help me with these boxes?
Could I have a drink of water, please?
How about Sam? Could he come along too?
I wonder if I could just ask you to sign this.
5suggesting used to suggest doing something:
You could ask your doctor for a check-up.
You could always try phoning her at the office.
Maybe we could get together sometime next week?
Couldn't you get one of your friends to help you?
6annoyance spoken used to show that you are annoyed about someone's behaviour:
You could have told me you were going to be late (=you should have told me but you did
not)!
You could at least say that you're sorry.
How could you be so stupid!
7 couldn't be better/worse/more pleased etc used to emphasize how good, bad etc
something is:
Their lifestyles couldn't be more different.
'How are things?' 'Fine! Couldn't be better.'
Ordering on-line couldn't be simpler.
8 I couldn't British English
spoken used to politely say that you do not want any
more food or drink:
'Would you like another piece of pie?' 'Oh, no thanks, I couldn't.'
9 could do with something spoken to need or want something:
I could do with a hot drink.

do2

verb

do2
S1
W1 past tense did, past participle done, third person singular does
1action/activity [transitive] to perform an action or activity:
Have you done your homework yet?
You need to do more exercise.
It's a pleasure doing business with you.
I didn't know what to do.
All he does is sit in front of the television all day.
do something/nothing/anything etc
We should do something to help him.
It all happened so quickly that I couldn't do anything about it.
bored teenagers with nothing to do
do the laundry/ironing/dishes etc
It's your turn to do the dishes.
2succeed [intransitive]
used to ask or talk about how successful someone is at
something
do well/badly
Students are under considerable pressure to do well.
how somebody/something is doing (with/in something)
You should get promoted after about a year, depending on how you're doing.
How's he doing in trying to give up smoking?
3have an effect [transitive] to have a particular effect on something or someone:
The scandal will do serious damage to his reputation.
This will
do nothing for (=will not improve) Jamie's confidence.
The colour
does nothing for
her (=does not improve her appearance).
Getting the job has done a lot for (=had a good effect on)her self-esteem.
A week in the countryside will
do you good (=make you feel better).
Exercise can do wonders for (=have a very good effect on)
body, mind, and spirit.
4jobBO [transitive] to have a particular job:
What do you want to do after you leave school?
What do you do for a living (=as your job)?
She's very good at what she does.
5enough/acceptable [intransitive,transitive not in progressive]
used to say that
something will be enough or be acceptable:
We don't have a lot of wine for the party, but it should just about do.
I can't find my black shoes so these will have to do.
A few sandwiches will
do me for lunch.
It won't do (=it is not acceptable)
to say that the situation couldn't have been avoided.

6 what somebody will do for something
used to talk about what arrangements
someone has made to get something they need:
What will you do for money if you leave your job?
I'm not sure what we'll do for transport yet.
7 what is somebody/something doing?
spoken used to ask why someone or
something is in a particular place or doing a particular thing, especially when you are
surprised or annoyed by this:
What's my coat doing on the floor?
What are you doing walking around at this time of night?
What on earth do you think you're doing?
8DC do your/somebody's hair/nails/make-up etc
to do something that improves your
appearance or someone else's appearance:
It must take her ages to do her make-up in the mornings.
Who does your hair?
9spend time [transitive]
informal
to spend a period of time doing something:
She did a year backpacking around the world.
Oh yes, I certainly
did
my
time in the army (=spent time in the army).
10study [transitive not in passive] British EnglishSE
to study a particular subject
in a school or university:
I did French for five years.
11cook [transitive] to cook a particular type of food:
I was thinking of doing a casserole tonight.
12 do 10 miles/20 kms etcTMCTT to achieve a particular distance, speed etc:
We did 300 kilometres on the first day.
The car can do 120 mph.
13provide a service [transitive]
to provide a particular service or sell a particular
product:
They do interior and exterior design.
We don't do food after two o'clock.
14perform a play [transitive] to perform a particular play, show etc:
We did 'Guys and Dolls' last year.
15decorate [transitive]
to paint or decorate a room, house etc:
How are you going to do your living room?
16behave [intransitive]
to behave in a particular way:
In the evenings students are free to do as they please (=do what they want).
I wish you'd do as you're told (=do what you are told to do)!
17 somebody doesn't do nice/funny/sensible etc
spoken informal
used
humorously to say that someone cannot or does not behave in a particular way:
Sensible? I don't do sensible.
18copy behaviour [transitive] to copy someone's behaviour or the way they talk,
especially in order to entertain people:
He does a brilliant George Bush (=copies him in a very funny way).
19 do lunch/do a movie etc informal
to have lunch, go to see a film etc with
someone:
Let's do lunch next week.
20drugs [transitive] informal
to use an illegal drug:

He says he's never done hard drugs in his life.
21visit [transitive]
to visit a particular place, especially as a tourist:
Let's do the Eiffel Tower today.
22 that'll do! spoken used to tell a child to stop behaving badly
23 that does it!spoken used to say angrily that you will not accept a situation any more:
Right, that does it! I'm not going to listen to any more of this!
24 that should do it also that ought to do it
spoken used to say that you will have
finished doing something if you just do one more thing:
I've just got to prepare the dessert and that should do it.
25 do it
informal
to have sex - used humorously or when you want to avoid
saying the word 'sex'
26 somebody would do well to do something
used to advise someone that they
should do something:
Most people would do well to reduce the amount of salt in their diet.
27punish [transitive] British English
spoken to punish or attack someone ➔ be/get
done at done2 (8)
28deceive [transitive] British English
informal
to deceive or trick someone
➔ be done at done2 (7)
29 what's doing ...? spoken used to ask what is happening:
What's doing at your place tonight?
30 do or die used to say that someone is determined to do something very brave or
dangerous even if they die attempting it
31 how (are) you doing?
spoken used when you meet someone to ask them if they
are well, happy etc:
Hi Bob, how you doing?
32 what can I do you for?
spoken used humorously to ask someone how you can help
them, especially when you are trying to sell them something
33 do well by somebody
to treat someone well:
His relations always did pretty well by him.
34 do one
spoken informal
used to tell someone who is making you feel upset
or angry to go away:
Oh, just go and do one!

doing ➔
done2 ; ➔ do your bit at bit2 (8) ; ➔ how do you do at how (11) ; ➔
nothing doing at nothing1 (14) ; ➔ do somebody proud at proud (5) ; ➔ do something to
death at death (4), can-do
do away with somebody/something phrasal verb
1
to get rid of something or stop using it:
People thought that the use of robots would do away with boring low-paid factory jobs.
2
informal
to kill someone
do somebody ↔ down phrasal verb
to criticize someone, especially in an unfair way:
I know you don't like him, but there's no need to keep doing him down in front of the
boss.
do for somebody/something phrasal verb
British English
informal
to kill someone or harm something or someone very
badly:

Working 100 hours a week nearly did for me.
➔ be done for at done2 (3)
do somebody in phrasal verb
1
to kill someone:
He was planning to do himself in.
2
to make someone feel extremely tired:
That walk really did me in.
➔ done in at done2 (4)
do something ↔ out phrasal verb
1DH to make a room look nice by decorating it:
The room was beautifully done out in pastel colours.
2
informal
to clean a room or cupboard thoroughly
do somebody out of something phrasal verb
to dishonestly stop someone from getting or keeping something, especially something
they have a right to have:
Are you trying to do me out of a job?
do somebody/something over phrasal verb
1 do something ↔ over
especially American EnglishDH
to make a place look
attractive by decorating it:
The whole apartment had been done over in an Art Deco style.
2
American English
to do something again, especially because you did it wrong
the first time:
If you make too many mistakes, you'll have to do it over.
3 do something ↔ over
British English
spoken informalSCC to steal things
from a building
4
British English
spoken informal
to attack and injure someone
do up phrasal verb
1
to fasten something, or to be fastened in a particular way
do something ↔ up
Do up your coat or you'll get cold.
a skirt which does up at the back
2 do something ↔ upDHTTC
to repair an old building or car, or to improve its
appearance:
They did up an old cottage in the Scottish Highlands.
3 do something ↔ up to decorate something in a particular way:
The apartment was done up in Viennese style.
4 do something ↔ up to wrap something in paper
5 do yourself upDCB to make yourself look neat and attractive:
Sue spent ages doing herself up.
do with something phrasal verb
1 could do with something spoken to need or want something:
I could have done with some help this morning.
2 have/be to do with somebody/something to be about something, be related to
something, or be involved with something:
Their conversation had been largely to do with work.

I'm sorry about the accident, but it's nothing to do with
me (=I am not involved in
any way).
This question doesn't have anything to do with
the main topic of the survey.
I'm sure her problems have something to do with what happened when she was a
child.
3 what to do with yourself how to spend your time:
She didn't know what to do with herself after she retired.
4 what somebody should do with something/what to do with something etc
used to
ask or talk about how someone should deal with something:
What shall I do with these papers?
I wouldn't know what to do with a newborn baby.
5 what has somebody done with something? spoken used to ask where someone has put
something:
What have you done with the remote for the TV?
6 what is somebody doing with something? used to ask why someone has something:
What are you doing with my diary?
7 I can't be doing with something
British English
spoken used to say that you
are annoyed by something and do not want to have to think about it:
I can't be doing with all this right now.
do without phrasal verb
1 do without (something)
to live or do something without a particular thing:
I don't have any sugar so you'll have to do without.
You can do without a carpet but you've got to have somewhere to sit.
2 can do without something used to say that something is annoying you or causing you
problems:
You can do without all that hassle.
Those are the type of stupid remarks I can do without.

do3

noun

do3 plural dos or
do's [countable]
1DL informal
a party or other social event:
We're having a do to celebrate his 30th birthday.
2 dos and don'ts
also do's and don'ts things that you should and should not do in a
particular situation:
The booklet lists the dos and don'ts of caring for dogs.
3
American English
informal
a
hairdo

for1

preposition

for1 S1
W1 /fë; strong fé: $ fër; strong
fé:r/
1
used to say who is intended to get or use something, or where something is
intended to be used:
I've got a present for you.
Someone left a message for Vicky.
an English course for foreign students
We need a new battery for the radio.
These chairs are for the office.
2
in order to help someone or something:
I looked after the kids for them.
Let me carry that bag for you.
The doctor knew that there was nothing he could do for her.
Charles died fighting for his country.
What can I do for you (=used to ask a customer if you can help them)?
3
used to say what the purpose of an object, action etc is
for doing something
a knife for cutting bread
What did you do that for?
I've bought him a watch for his birthday.
the documents prepared for his defence
4
in order to have, do, get, or obtain something:
Are you waiting for the bus?
the qualifications necessary for a career in broadcasting
Mother was too ill to get up for dinner.
I paid $3 for a ticket.
For further details, write to this address.
Let's go for a walk.
5
used to say how long an action or situation continues for:
Bake the cake for 40 minutes.
We had been talking for a good half hour.
He's been off work for a while.
! Since, during, or
for? ➔ see usage note since
6
used to talk about distance:
We walked for miles.

Factories stretch for quite a way along the canal.
7
if something is arranged for a particular time, it is planned that it should happen
then:
I've invited them for 9 o'clock.
A meeting was arranged for 18th May.
8
used to say where a person, vehicle etc is going:
I set off for work.
the train for Manchester
A few days later she would be leaving for New York.
9
used to say what the price or value of something is:
a cheque for a hundred pounds
The diamond was insured for two thousand dollars.
10
because of or as a result of something:
If, for any reason, you cannot attend, please inform us.
We could hardly see for the mist.
You'll feel better for a break.
for doing something
a reward for making good progress
Campbell was arrested for dangerous driving.
11
used to say which thing or person your statement or question is related to:
I'm sure she's the ideal person for the job.
The questions on this paper are too difficult for 10-year-olds.
Are you all right for money?
Fortunately for him, he can swim.
12
used to say which person or thing your feelings are directed towards:
I came away feeling sorry for poor old George.
My deep love for him still remains.
They show no respect for authority.
13
used to say at which meal you eat something:
We had pasta for lunch.
14
used to say which company, team etc you belong to:
I've worked for the BBC ever since I left university.
Deborah used to play for the A team.
He writes for a weekly paper.
15
supporting or in agreement with something or someone:
We have studied the arguments for and against nuclear energy.
How many people voted for the proposal?
Three cheers for the captain.
be all for (doing) something (=support something very much)
I'm all for giving people more freedom.
16
used to say what a word or sign means:
What's the French word for 'happy'?
Red is for danger.
17
used to say that a particular quality of someone or something is surprising when
you consider what they are:
She looks young for her age.

It's cold for July.
18
as a representative of other people:
Paisley claims to speak for the majority of local people.
19
used to say what is possible, difficult, necessary, unusual etc
for somebody/something to do something
It's unusual for Donald to be so bad-tempered.
There is an urgent need for someone to tackle this problem.
Here is a chance for everyone to learn new skills.
There's nothing worse than for a parent to ill-treat a child.
It was too far for her to walk in high-heeled shoes.
20 for each/every
used to say that there is a relationship between one amount and
another:
For each mistake, you'll lose half a point.
For every three people who agree, you'll find five who don't.
21 something is not for somebody used to say that something is not the kind of thing
that someone likes or will enjoy:
City life is not for me.
This book is not for everyone.
22 it is (not) for somebody to do something used to say whether it is someone's right or
duty to do something:
It's not for me to tell you what to do.
It will be for you to decide what action you should take.
23 if it wasn't/weren't for somebody/something
also if it hadn't been for
somebody/something used to say who or what prevents or prevented something from
happening:
If it hadn't been for you, I should have drowned.
24 that's/there's somebody/something for you!
spoken
a) used to say that a particular kind of behaviour or situation is typical of someone or
something, especially when you do not expect anything better from that person or thing:
I know it's outrageous, but that's Melissa for you.
b) used when you are annoyed or disappointed to say that something is the opposite of the
quality you are mentioning:
Well, there's gratitude for you! Here am I trying to help and you tell me not to interfere!
25 be (in) for it
spoken to be likely to be blamed or punished:
You'll be in for it if she finds out what you've done!
➔ see usage note
sinceWORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
since, for, during, overUse since to say that something started at a point in time in the
past, and is still continuing • He has been living in Leeds since 1998. • We've known
about it since May. Since
is usually followed by a time expression ('last year', 'this
morning', '4 o'clock' etc) or by the simple past tense. Use the present perfect or the past
perfect in the other clause
• I have loved movies since I first went to the cinema.
• He had been seriously ill since Christmas.!!
Speakers of British English
usually say it is a long time/two weeks etc since..., and speakers of American English it
has been a long time/two weeks etc since..., but both uses are correct
• It's weeks
(BrE)/It's been weeks (AmE) since I saw Grandma.Use
for
when you state the

length of time that something has been happening • We have known each other for ten
years (NOT since ten years). • I had been waiting for hours (NOT since hours). • I
haven't seen him for ages (NOT since ages).During and over
are used when you
state the period of time in which something happens or changes
• During her first year
at college, she had several boyfriends. • Over the last six months, crime has doubled.

for2

conjunction

for2 S2
W1
formal
used to introduce the reason for something [= because]:
I cannot tell whether she is old or young, for I have never seen her.
He found it increasingly difficult to read, for his eyesight was beginning to fail.

get

verb

get
S1
W1 /get/ past tense got, past participle got /gãt $ gä:t/
British
English, gotten /"gãtn $ "gä:tn/
American English present participle getting
1receive [transitive not in passive] to receive something that someone gives you or
sends you:
She got loads of presents.
What did you get for Christmas?
We get a lot of junk mail.
get something from somebody
We got a letter from Pam this morning.
get something off somebody spoken informal:
I got it off my Dad.
I
got
a few games free when I bought my computer.
➔ see usage note
gain1
2obtain [transitive] to obtain something by finding it, asking for it, or paying for it:

We need to get help quickly!
It would be a good idea to get professional advice.
You may be able to get a grant from the local authority.
He cleared his throat to get our attention.
get something for somebody
I want you to get some information for me.
get somebody something
His father managed to get him a job at the local factory.
3bring [transitive]
to bring someone or something back from somewhere:
Run upstairs and get a pillow.
I went back into the office to get a pen.
Shall I go and get
the phone book?
get somebody/something from something
She's just gone to get the kids from school.
get something for somebody
I'll get a towel for you.
get somebody something
I'll get you a chair.
➔ see usage note
bring
4buy [transitive]
a) to buy something:
Where did you get that jacket?
get something for somebody
Joe's going to get tickets for all of us.
get somebody something
While you're out, could you get me some batteries?
get yourself something
He's just got himself a new van.
get something from something
I usually get vegetables from the supermarket.
get something for $20/£100/50p etc
You can get a decent PC for about £500 now.
It's a lovely coat, and I managed to get
it
cheap in the sales.
b) spoken
to pay for something for someone else:
I'll get these drinks.
c) to buy a newspaper regularly:
My parents always used to get the Daily Telegraph.
5money [transitive]BB
a) to receive money for doing work:
Hospital doctors get a minimum of £50,000 a year.
get £2000/$4000 etc for doing something
He gets £4 an hour for stacking shelves.
b) to receive money when you sell something
get £100/$200 etc for something
You should get a couple of hundred pounds for your old car.
Did you
get a good price for it?

➔ see usage note
gain1
6have a feeling/idea [transitive]
to start to have a feeling or an idea:
She began to get an uncomfortable feeling that she was being watched.
I got a terrible shock when I saw how ill he looked.
I got the impression that everyone was fed up with us.
get pleasure from/out of something
She gets a lot of pleasure from her garden.
7have/experience [transitive] to have, do, or experience something:
You don't get enough exercise.
I never get time to read these days.
The west of the country gets quite a lot of rain.
We might get the chance to go to America this year.
8illness [transitive not in passive]MI to catch an illness:
I got flu last winter and was in bed for three weeks.
She was worried she might get food poisoning.
9achieve [transitive] to achieve something:
I got 98% in my last maths test.
the person who gets the highest score
10receive a punishment [transitive] to receive something as a punishment:
He got ten years in prison for his part in the robbery.
11arrive [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to arrive somewhere:
What time will we get there?
We didn't get home until midnight.
get to
We got to Paris that evening.
12reach a point [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to reach a particular point or
stage of something:
I've got as far as chapter 5.
I couldn't wait to get to the end of the book.
Where have you got up to in the story?
It was disappointing to lose, having got this far in the competition.
13 get (somebody) somewhere/anywhere/nowhere if you get somewhere, or if an action
gets you somewhere, you make progress:
I think we're getting somewhere at last.
We didn't seem to be getting anywhere.
I've tried arguing, but it got me nowhere.
14move [intransitive always +adverb/preposition] to move or go somewhere:
Get out of my house!
We managed to get past the guards.
They shouted at us to get back.
Peter got to his
feet (=stood up).
15make something move [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to make something or
someone move to a different place or position, especially with some difficulty:
I couldn't get the disk out of the computer.
Could you help me get the wardrobe up the stairs?
We must get food and emergency aid into the area as quickly as possible.

16TTtravel [transitive]
to travel somewhere on a train, bus etc:
You can get a bus to the station.
I got the 9:15 from London to Edinburgh.
17become [linking verb]
to change to a new feeling, situation, or state [= become]:
Don't get upset.
She soon got bored with the job.
He calmed down as he got older.
Eat your dinner before it gets cold.
This is getting silly.
get to be something informal:
It's getting to be a problem.
➔ see usage note
become
18make somebody/something become something [transitive]
to make someone or
something change to a new feeling, situation, or state:
Sometimes she gets me so angry!
Don't get the children too excited.
He was terrified of getting her pregnant.
It took them fifteen minutes to get the boat ready.
19be hurt/broken etc [linking verb, transitive]
used to say that something,
especially something bad, happens to someone or something
get hurt/broken/stolen etc
You might get hurt if you stand there.
Mind the camera doesn't get broken.
My dad got killed in a car crash.
I knew I would get shouted at if I was late home.
This is a question we very often get asked.
get something caught/stuck etc
She got her foot caught in the wire.
20make something happen to somebody/something [transitive]
a) to accidentally make someone or something experience something:
You're going to get us all killed!
Mind you don't get yourself burned.
b) to do something, or arrange for it to be done:
I need to get the washing machine fixed.
We must get this work finished on time.
21make something do something [transitive not in passive] to make something do a
particular thing
get something to do something
I couldn't get the engine to start.
get something doing something
We got the lawn mower working again eventually.
22make somebody do something [transitive not in passive] to persuade or force someone
to do something
get somebody to do something
I'll get Terry to check the wiring for me.
We couldn't get him to sign the agreement.

get somebody doing something
In the end, we got the children clearing the playground.
23understand [transitive not in passive or progressive]
informal
to understand
something:
I don't think she got the joke.
I don't get it - it doesn't make sense.
get what/how/who etc
I still don't get how she knew about the meeting.
24cook [transitive not in passive]
to prepare food or a meal:
She's just getting lunch.
get somebody something
Shall I get you a sandwich?
25radio/television [transitive not in passive or progressive]TCB
to be able to receive a
particular radio signal, television station etc:
Can you get satellite TV here?
26answer the door/telephone [transitive]
informal
to answer the door or
telephone:
Can you get the phone?
27catch somebody [transitive]
to catch someone:
The police got him in the end.
28hurt/kill somebody [transitive]
informal
to attack, hurt, or kill someone:
The other gang members threatened to get him if he went to the police.
I'll get you for this!
29trick somebody [transitive] informal
to deceive or trick someone:
I got you that time!
30on the telephone [transitive]
if you get someone on the telephone, they answer
the telephone when you have made a call, and so you talk to them:
I tried phoning him at work, but I just got his secretary.
31 get doing something
to begin doing something:
We got talking about the old days.
I think we should get going quite soon.
What are we all waiting for? Let's get moving!
32 get to do something
informal
to have the opportunity to do something:
We got to meet all the stars after the show.
She gets to travel all over the place with her job.
33 get to like/know/understand somebody/something
to gradually begin to like,
know, or understand someone or something:
It'll take a while for you to get to know everyone.
After a while, I got to like him.
34
spoken you get something
used to say that something happens or exists:
I didn't know you got tigers in Europe.
35
spoken you've got me (there) used to say you do not know the answer to
something
36
spoken it/what gets me
used to say that something really annoys you:
It really gets me the way he leaves wet towels on the bathroom floor.
What gets me is their attitude.

37
spoken get this
especially American English used to draw attention to
something surprising or interesting that you are about to mention:
And the whole thing only cost - get this - $12.95.
➔ have got at have2
get about phrasal verb
1
to go or travel to different places:
She's eighty now, and doesn't get about much any more.
He's got an old van which he uses for getting about.
2
if news or information gets about, it is told to a lot of people:
I don't really want this to get about.
get across phrasal verb
to succeed in communicating an idea or piece of information to someone, or to be
communicated successfully
get something ↔ across
It took him ages to get his point across.
We must get across the simple fact that drugs are dangerous.
The message isn't getting across.
get across to
It is important that we get this message across to voters.
get ahead phrasal verb
to be successful and do better than other people in a job or work:
She soon found that it wasn't easy to get ahead in the movie business.
get along phrasal verb
1
if two or more people get along, they have a friendly relationship:
We've always got along quite well.
get along with
They seem to get along with each other.
2
to deal with a job or situation or to make progress:
How's Sam getting along at university?
get along without
Don't worry, we'll get along without you.
3
spoken I must/I'd better be getting along
used to say that it is time for you to
leave, for example because you have something else to do
get around phrasal verb
1 get around (something)
to go or travel to different places:
We had to use public transport to get around.
It's quite easy to get around London.
2
if news or information gets around, it is told to a lot of people:
News of the accident soon got around.
Word got around that the department might be closed.
3 get around something
to avoid something that is difficult or causes problems for
you:
I think we should be able to get around most of these problems.
She was always very clever at getting around the rules.
get around to something phrasal verb
to do something that you have been intending to do for some time:

I meant to phone her yesterday, but I never got around to it.
get around to doing something
We finally got around to clearing out the garage.
get at somebody/something phrasal verb
1criticize
to keep criticizing someone in an unkind way:
Why is he always getting at me?
He felt he was being got at by the other students.
2 be getting at something
to be trying to say something in a way that is difficult for
other people to understand:
What are you getting at, Helen?
Do you see the point I'm getting at?
3reach to be able to reach something:
We had to move the washing machine out to get at the wiring behind it.
4information to discover information, especially the truth about a situation:
I was determined to get at the truth.
5threaten
informal
to use threats to influence the decision of people who are
involved in a court case:
Do you think some of the jury have been got at?
get away phrasal verb
1leave to leave a place, especially when this is not easy:
The meeting dragged on, and I didn't get away until seven.
get away from
I like to get away from London at the weekend.
2on holiday informalDL to take a holiday away from the place you normally live:
Will you manage to get away this summer?
get away to
We're hoping to get away to Scotland for a few days.
3escape
to escape from someone who is chasing you or trying to catch you:
The three men got away in a stolen car.
get away from
We knew it wouldn't be easy to get away from the police.
get away with
The thieves got away with jewellery worth over £50,000.
4 get away! British English
spoken used to say you are very surprised by
something or do not believe it
5 the one that got away
something good that you nearly had or that nearly
happened
get away from somebody/something phrasal verb
1
to avoid something that is difficult or unpleasant for you, or something that limits
what you can do in some way:
I needed to get away from the pressures of work.
She wanted to get away from the traditional ideas of what theatre is about.
There is no getting away from
this fact (=you cannot avoid or deny this fact).
2
to begin to talk about other things rather than the subject you are supposed to be
discussing:
I think we're getting away from the main issue.

3 get away from it all to have a relaxing holiday:
You need to get away from it all for a couple of weeks.
get away with something phrasal verb
1
to not be caught or punished when you have done something wrong:
Watch Frank - he'll cheat if he thinks he can get away with it.
No one insults my family and gets away with it!
2 get away with murder
informal
to not be punished for doing something
wrong:
Some of those children get away with murder!
3
to receive only a small punishment for something:
The charge was reduced to manslaughter, and she got away with three years in prison.
4
to do something without experiencing any problems or difficulties, even though it
is not the best thing to do:
At school he had always got away with doing the bare minimum amount of work.
The colour's not quite right, but I think you'll get away with it.
get back phrasal verb
1return to return to a place:
I'll talk to you when I get back.
get back to
He got back to the office just before lunchtime.
2do something again to start doing something again or talking about something again
get back to
Let's get back to the main point of the discussion.
Well, I must get back to work.
get back into
Have you ever thought about getting back into teaching?
3be in state again
to change to a previous state or condition again
get back to
Life was beginning to get back to normal.
I couldn't
get back to sleep.
get back together
Do you think they'll get back together (=start having a relationship again)?
4get something again get something ↔ back to get something again after you have lost it
or someone else has taken it:
Did you get your books back?
5punish somebody get somebody back
informal
to do something to hurt or
harm someone who has hurt or harmed you
get somebody back for
I'll get you back for this!
get back at somebody phrasal verb
to do something to hurt or harm someone who has hurt or harmed you:
He'll probably go out with her just to get back at me.
get back to somebody phrasal verb
to talk to someone or telephone them later in order to answer a question or give them
information:
I'll find out the prices and get back to you.

get behind phrasal verb
1
if you get behind with a job, payments, rent etc, you do not do or pay as much of
it as you should have by a particular time
get behind with
I don't want to get behind with my work.
You can always catch up later if you get behind.
2 get behind somebody
informal
to support someone:
The crowd really got behind them and cheered them on.
get by phrasal verb
to have enough money to buy the things you need, but no more:
I don't earn a huge salary, but we get by.
get by on
Sometimes they had to get by on very little.
get down phrasal verb
1make somebody sad get somebody down to make someone feel unhappy and tired:
His lack of social life was beginning to get him down.
2write something down get something ↔ down
to write something, especially
something that someone is saying:
He was followed by a group of reporters trying to get down every word he said.
It's important to get things down on paper.
3eat/drink get something down (somebody) to eat or drink something, or persuade
someone else to eat or drink something:
I knew I'd feel better once I'd got some food down.
Get that tea down you.
He still says he's not hungry, and I can't get anything down him.
4after a meal British EnglishDF
to leave the table after a meal - used by children or
when you are talking to children:
Please may I get down?
get down to something phrasal verb
to start doing something that is difficult or needs a lot of time or energy:
It's time we got down to work.
We need to get down to some serious talking.
get down to doing something
I always find it hard to get down to revising.
get in phrasal verb
1enter to enter a place, especially when this is difficult:
We managed to get in through a window.
The theatre was already full, and we couldn't get in.
2arrive if a train, plane etc gets in at a particular time, it arrives at that time:
What time does the bus get in?
get in to
We get in to Heathrow at ten o'clock.
3get home
to arrive home:
We didn't get in until late.
What time do the boys get in from school?
4PPbe elected to be elected to a position of political power:

The Conservatives have promised to increase spending on health and education if they
get in.
5college/university to be allowed to be a student at a university, college etc:
I applied to Bristol University, but I didn't get in.
6buy a supply get something ↔ in to buy a supply of something:
I must remember to get some food in for the weekend.
7crops get something ↔ inTADF
to gather a crop and bring it to a sheltered place:
The whole village was involved with getting the harvest in.
8ask for worker get somebody ↔ in to ask someone to come to your home to do a job,
especially to repair something:
We'll have to get a plumber in.
9give something to somebody get something in
to send something to a particular
place or give it to a particular person:
Please can you get your essays in by Thursday.
It's best to get your insurance claim in as quickly as possible.
10do something get something ↔ in to manage to do something even though you do not
have much time:
We're hoping to get in a game of golf over the weekend.
get in on something phrasal verb
to become involved in something that other people are doing or planning:
Quite a few companies would like to get in on the project.
The scheme has proved very successful, and now other local authorities are keen to
get in on the act (=become involved in something exciting or interesting).
get in with somebody phrasal verb
to become friendly with someone:
He got in with a bad crowd and started getting into trouble.
get into something
1enter to enter a place, especially when this is difficult:
The door was locked and we couldn't get into the house.
2arrive to arrive at a place:
What time do we get into New York?
3be elected to be elected to a parliament:
He first got into parliament in 1982.
4college/university to be allowed to be a student at a university, college etc:
She got into UCLA.
5team to be made a member of a team:
Do you think you might get into the Olympic team this year?
6start doing something
to start doing or feeling something, or being in a particular
situation:
He's started getting into trouble at school.
My parents were always terrified of getting into debt.
She got into the habit of going for long walks by herself.
He got into a terrible temper and started throwing things around.
7become involved
to begin to be involved in doing something:
How did you first get into script writing?
She was starting to get into politics.

8enjoy informal
to begin to enjoy something or be interested in it:
I first got into jazz when I was at college.
9clothing
informal
to put on a piece of clothing, especially when this is
difficult because the piece of clothing is too small for you:
I don't know how she managed to get into those trousers.
10 what's got into somebody? spoken used to express surprise that someone is behaving
very differently from the way they usually behave:
I don't know what's got into Sally recently.
get off phrasal verb
1leave to leave a place, or to help someone to leave a place:
We'll try and get off straight after lunch.
get off something
Get off my land!
get somebody off
I'll phone you as soon as I've got the children off to school.
2finish work get off (something)
to finish work and leave the place where you work
at the end of the day:
I usually get off at six o'clock.
What time do you
get off work?
3send something get something offTCM
to send a letter or package by post:
I'll have to get this letter off by tonight.
get something off to
I'll get the forms off to you today.
4clothing get something off to remove a piece of clothing:
Why don't you get those wet clothes off?
5SCnot be punished if someone gets off, they are not punished for doing something
wrong, or they receive only a small punishment:
In the end he got off because there wasn't enough evidence against him.
The police felt he had got off very lightly.
get off with
If you're lucky, you'll get off with a fine.
6help somebody not be punished get somebody off to help someone avoid being
punished for a crime:
Her lawyers were confident that they could get her off.
7sleep get (somebody) off
to go to sleep, or to help a child go to sleep:
I went to bed but couldn't
get off to sleep.
It took us ages to get the baby off.
8 get off to a good/bad etc start
to start in a particular way:
The day had got off to a bad start.
9stop talking about something get off something
to stop talking about a subject:
Can we get off the subject of death, please?
10stop touching something get off (something/somebody) informal
used to tell
someone to stop touching something or someone:
Get off me!
Get off those cakes, or there'll be trouble.
Get off (=stop touching me)!

11 tell somebody where to get off
informal
to tell someone that they are asking
you for too much or are behaving in a way you will not accept:
He wanted £50, but I told him where to get off.
12 get off your butt/ass
American English
spoken not polite
used to tell
someone that they should stop being lazy and start doing something useful
get off on something phrasal verb
to become excited by something, especially sexually excited
get off with somebody phrasal verb
to start a sexual relationship with someone:
She spent the whole evening trying to get off with Phil.
get on phrasal verb
1like somebody
especially British English
if people get on, they like each other
and have a friendly relationship with each other
get on with
I've always got on well with Henry.
The two boys get on well most of the time.
2progress
to deal with a job or situation or to make progress:
How is George getting on at school?
get on with
How are you getting on with your essay?
get on without
I don't know how we'll get on without Michael.
3continue doing something to continue doing something
get on with
Be quiet and get on with your work!
4be successful to be successful in your job:
You'll have to work hard if you want to get on.
5clothing get something on to put a piece of clothing on:
I can't get my boots on!
6 be getting on
a) if time is getting on, it is quite late:
Come on, it's getting on and we ought to go home.
I realized that time was getting on and we would have to hurry.
b) informal if someone is getting on, they are quite old
7 getting on for 90/10 o'clock/2000 etc
almost a particular age, time, number etc:
Mrs McIntyre must be getting on for 90 by now.
The total cost was getting on for $100,000.
8 get it on
American English
informal
to have sex
9 get on with it!
spoken used to tell someone to hurry:
Will you lot stop messing around and get on with it!
10 let somebody get on with it
informal
to let someone do something on their
own, and not help them or tell them what to do:
She wanted to decorate her room, so I just let her get on with it.
get onto somebody/something phrasal verb
1TCspeak/write to somebody informal
to speak or write to someone:
I'll get onto my lawyer about this.

2learn about somebody
informal
to find out about someone who has been
doing something wrong:
How did the police get onto him?
3be elected to be elected as a member of a committee, a political organization etc:
She was quite keen to get onto the management committee.
4talk about something to begin to talk about a subject after you have been discussing
something else:
After a few minutes they got onto the subject of the election.
5do somethinginformal
to start dealing with something:
Right, I'll get onto it straight away.
get out phrasal verb
1leave to leave a room or building:
You ought to get out into the fresh air.
Mary screamed at me to get out.
get out of
Get out of the kitchen!
2escape
to escape from a place:
Some of the animals had got out.
get out of
He was determined to get out of prison.
3help somebody escape get somebody out to help someone leave a place or escape
from a place:
It's important to get these people out as soon as possible.
get somebody out of
We knew it was going to be difficult to get him out of the country.
4take something from a place get something ↔ out to take something from the place
where it is kept:
She got out her violin and started to play.
5information if information gets out, a lot of people then know it although it is meant to
be secret:
We have to make absolutely certain that none of this gets out.
It's bound to get out that he's retiring soon.
6produce something get something ↔ outTCN
to produce a book or other product
that can be sold to people:
We're hoping to get the new catalogue out next week.
7say something get something ↔ outto succeed in saying something, especially when
this is very difficult:
I wanted to tell him I loved him, but couldn't get the words out.
get out of something phrasal verb
1avoid doing something
to avoid doing something you have promised to do or are
supposed to do:
See if you can get out of that meeting tomorrow.
get out of doing something
He's trying to get out of tidying his room.
2stop doing something
to stop doing something or being involved in something:
I wanted to get out of teaching.

3make somebody give/tell you something get something out of somebody to force or
persuade someone to tell you something or give you something:
I was determined to get the truth out of her.
4enjoy something get something out of something to enjoy something you do or
experience, or to learn something as a result:
I hope he got something out of his visit.
get something out of doing something
Children can get a lot out of being involved in community projects.
get over
1illness get over something to become well again after an illness:
It's taken me ages to get over the flu.
2unpleasant experience get over something to begin to feel better after a very upsetting
experience:
She never got over the death of her son.
3ideas/information get something ↔ over to succeed in communicating ideas or
information to other people
get something ↔ over to
It's important that we get this message over to young people.
4finish something get something over
also get something over with
to do
and finish something difficult that you have to do:
I'll be in touch once I've got my exams over.
I can't wait to get the interview over with.
5problem/difficulty get over something
to successfully deal with a problem or
difficulty:
I don't know how we're going to get over this problem.
Once we've got over the first few months, we should be making a reasonable profit.
6 can't/couldn't get over something spoken used to say that you are very surprised,
shocked, or amused by something:
I can't get over how well you look.
get round phrasal verb
1
if news or information gets round, it is told to a lot of people:
News like this soon gets round.
2 get round somethingto avoid something that is difficult or causes problems for you:
Most companies manage to get round the restrictions.
3 get round somebodyto gently persuade someone to do what you want by being nice to
them:
I know how to get round Chris.
get round to something phrasal verb
to do something that you have been intending to do for some time:
I keep meaning to put a lock on it, but I never get round to it.
get round to doing something
I haven't got round to unpacking from my holiday yet.
get through phrasal verb
1do work get through something
to do an amount of work:
We got through half the application forms this morning.
We've got a lot of work to get through.

2use something get through something
informal
to use a lot of something:
You wouldn't believe the amount of food children can get through in a week!
3spend money get through something
informal
to spend a lot of money:
He can get through £100 in one evening.
4difficult time get (somebody) through something to come successfully to the end of an
unpleasant experience or period of time, or to help someone do this:
I don't know how we're going to get through the winter.
It was their love that got me through those first difficult months.
5test/competition get (somebody/something) through (something) to be successful in a
test or competition, or to make sure that someone or something is successful:
I finally managed to get through my driving test.
I knew it was going to be difficult to get the car through its MOT test.
get (somebody/something) through (something) to
Liverpool have got through to the final of the FA Cup.
6reach a person/place to reach a place or person that is difficult to reach
get through to
Aid agencies have been unable to get through to the thousands of refugees stranded on
the border.
7by telephone to succeed in speaking to someone on the telephone:
I tried phoning her office, but I couldn't get through.
get through to
At last I managed to get through to one of the managers.
8new lawSCL get (something) through (something) if a new law gets through parliament,
or if someone gets it through, it is officially approved:
Anti-hunting legislation will never get through the House of Lords.
Once again we failed to get the Bill through Parliament.
get (something) through to somebody phrasal verb
to succeed in making someone understand something, especially when this is difficult:
I couldn't seem to get through to her.
How can I
get it through to
him that
this is really important?
get to somebody/something phrasal verb
1
to make someone feel annoyed or upset:
I'm under a lot of pressure at work, and sometimes it gets to me a bit.
Don't let things get to you.
2 get to thinking/wondering something
informal
to start thinking something:
He got to thinking how disappointed his parents would be.
get together phrasal verb
1
if people get together, they meet in order to spend time with each other:
We must get together for a drink.
2
if two people get together, they start a romantic or sexual relationship
3 get something ↔ together to collect things together:
I need to get some paperwork together for the meeting.
4 get somebody ↔ together to bring people together to make a group:
He got together a group of local businessmen to discuss the problem.
5 get something ↔ together to succeed in getting enough money to do or buy
something:

We're trying to get together enough money to buy a flat.
6 get something together
informal
to change your life so that it is organized
and you are in control of it:
He's just trying to get his life together at the moment.
get yourself together
I'm staying with my parents for a while, until I've got myself together a bit.
7 get it together
spoken to be organized and successful in your life, job etc:
The government can't seem to get it together on the environment.
get up phrasal verb
1 get (somebody) up to get out of your bed after sleeping, or to make someone get out of
their bed:
We didn't get up until lunch time.
Get me up at seven, would you?
2
to stand up:
He got up and walked over to the window.
3
if a wind or storm gets up, it starts and gets stronger
4 be got up as/in something British English
informal
to be dressed in
particular clothes:
He arrived at the party got up as Count Dracula.
The men were all got up in suits.
5 get it up
informal
to get an
erection (1)
get up to something phrasal verb
to do something, especially something slightly bad:
Go upstairs and see what the kids are getting up to.
What did you get up to at the weekend?
WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
gain, earn, getDo not use gainto mean 'get money for work you do'. Use earn

people earning less than £10,000 per year • How much does he earn?Gain means to get
something useful or necessary, whether or not you deserve it
• I have gained a lot
of useful experience. • Her problems seem to have gained her more support from the
public.Use earn
rather than gain
to say that you get something because you
deserve it
• Through hard work you will earn the respect of your colleagues.Get can
be used as a less formal way of saying gain or earn • I get $20 an hour. • He has started
to get a reputation for being awkward. ➔ See also gainWORD CHOICE: WORD
CHOICE:
become, get, go, turn, grow, comebecome can be followed by an adjective or noun, not
a verb • Her husband became jealous. • We soon became friends.The following words
are used with an adjective instead of become, in certain cases:get is very often used
instead of
become, and is more usual in spoken English
• I was getting
hungry. • Things got worse and worse.go is usedto say that something changes colour
• The sky went pink.to say that someone feels a change in their body
• My
fingers have gone numb. with blind and deaf
• He went blind. with mad, insane,
crazy etc
• The crowd went wild.turn is used especially to say that something
changes colour
• The liquid turned green.
• His face turned pale.grow can be

used in fairly literary written English to say that something changes gradually
• It
grew dark as we walked.with a to-infinitive, to say that someone gradually starts doing
something
• We grew to love each other.come is usedwith adjectives like apart,
undone, and unstuck • Your shoelace has come undone. • A few pages came loose.
with true
• Her prediction came true. with a to-infinitive to say that someone starts
doing something
• I eventually came to realize (NOT became to realize) I was
wrong. ➔ See also
becomeWORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
bring, take, get, fetchbring means to carry something or come with someone to the
place where you are or to the place where you are talking about
• Would you like me
to bring anything to the party? • She brought her Spanish friend into class.take
means
to carry something or go with someone to another place, away from where you are or
where you are talking about • Don't forget to take your umbrella. • I'll take you
home.get
means to go to another place and come back with something or someone
• I went upstairs to get my jacket.In British English, you can also use fetch • Will
you fetch Susan from the airport?In American English, you only use fetch to talk about a
dog getting something.

from the get-go
American English
informal
From the get-go, I knew these tapes were special.

from the beginning:

give1 verb
give1 S1
W1 /gûv/ past tense gave /geûv/ past participle given /"gûvÊn/
1present or money [intransitive and transitive]
to let someone have something as a
present, or to provide something for someone
give somebody something
What did Bob give you for your birthday?
Researchers were given a £10,000 grant to continue their work.
I've got some old diaries that my grandmother gave me years ago.
give something to somebody
a ring which was given to him by his mother
I didn't steal it! Maria gave it to me!

Most people are willing to give to charity.
The situation is now desperate, so please give generously.
! Do not say 'give to somebody something': He gave me a card (NOT gave to me a
card).They gave a prize to the best chef (NOT They gave to the best chef a prize).
2put something in somebody's hand [transitive]
to put something in someone's hand
give somebody something
Give me the letter, please.
give something to somebody
He poured some wine into a glass and gave it to her.
3let somebody do something [transitive]
to allow or make it possible for someone to
do something
give somebody something
He finally gave
us permission to leave.
These meetings give everyone a chance to express their opinions.
Students are given the freedom to choose their own topics.
Language gives us the ability to communicate at a much higher level than any other
animal.
Women were given the vote in the early 1900's.
give somebody control/authority/responsibility etc
She was given absolute control over all recruitment decisions.
give something to somebody
This bill will give more power to local authorities.
4tell somebody something [transitive]
to tell someone information or details about
something, or to tell someone what they should do:
She gave me some information on university courses.
My secretary will be able to give you more details.
Let me give you some advice.
give orders/instructions
She certainly likes giving orders.
They were given strict instructions not to tell anyone.
Can you give me directions to the station? (=tell me how to go there)
He gave
the following example.
You may have to give evidence in court (=tell a court about what you have seen or know
to be true).
give an account/description
He gave a disturbing account of the murder.
5make a movement/do an action [transitive] to do something by making a movement
with your hand, face, body etc
give a smile/laugh/grin/frown/yawn etc
She gave a little frown.
Joel gave me a smile as I walked in.
He gave her a big hug.
give a wave/movement/signal
He gave a wave of his hand.
Don't move until I give the signal.
give something a shake/rattle/tug etc

She picked up the envelope and gave it a shake.
6speech/talk/performance [transitive]AP
to make a speech, perform a piece of music
etc for a group of people
give a talk/speech/lecture
He's giving a talk on early Roman pottery.
give a performance/display
They gave one of their best performances to date.
7make somebody have a feeling [transitive] to make someone have a feeling
give somebody something
He gave us
quite a shock.
The course has given me a lot more confidence.
His job did not give him much sense of fulfilment.
give something to somebody
Their music has given pleasure to a lot of people over the years.
give somebody a headache/hangover
Keep the noise down - you're giving me a headache!
8make somebody have problems [transitive]SCL to make someone have problems
give somebody problems/trouble/difficulties
The new software has given us quite a few problems.
9make somebody ill [transitive]
to infect someone with the same illness that you
have
give somebody something
Don't come too close - I don't want you to give me your cold!
give something to somebody
It's very unlikely a doctor could give HIV to a patient.
10organize a social event [transitive] to organize a social event such as a party [= hold,
put on]:
We're giving a small party for dad's birthday next week.
11make somebody do something [transitive] to tell someone to do a job or piece of work
give somebody work/homework etc
How much homework are you given in a week?
He's always giving us chores to do around the house.
12make somebody/something have a quality [transitive]
to make someone or
something have a particular quality [= lend]
give somebody/something sth
The ginger gives the dish a wonderful spicy flavour.
His grey hair gave him an air of distinction.
Its association with the movie industry has given the place a certain glamor.
13pay for [transitive] to pay a particular amount of money for something:
They say they're not willing to give any more than they've already offered.
give somebody something for something
They gave us £700 for our old car.
How much will you give me for these two games?
14behave towards [transitive] to behave towards someone in a way that shows you have a
particular attitude or feeling towards them
give somebody loyalty/obedience/respect

The people were expected to give their leader absolute obedience and loyalty.
15punishment [transitive]
to officially say that someone must have a particular
punishment
give somebody a fine/a sentence
If you don't pay on time, you could be given a fine of up to $1000.
give somebody 6 months/3 years etc (=in prison)
The judge gave her two years in prison.
16 give (somebody) an impression/a sense/an idea to make someone think about
something in a particular way:
I didn't want to give him the wrong idea about the job.
The report gives us a very accurate picture of life in the inner cities.
17 give something thought/attention/consideration etc
also give
thought/attention/consideration etc to something
to spend some time thinking about
something carefully:
Congress has been giving the crime bill serious consideration.
I'll give the matter some thought and let you know my decision next week.
18 give (somebody) a hand spoken to help someone do something:
Can you give me a hand?
give (somebody) a hand with
Shall I give you a hand with that bag?
19 give somebody a call/buzz informal
also give somebody a ring/bell
British
English
to telephone someone:
I'll give you a call about seven, okay?
20 give something a try/shot/whirl informal
also give something a go British
English
to try to do something, especially something you have not done before:
I'm not usually much good at this sort of game, but I'll give it a go.
21 give somebody time/a few weeks/all day etc
to allow time for someone to do
something, or for something to happen:
I've asked him to give me a couple more days to finish my essay.
Flexible working hours could give working parents more time to spend with their
children.
22 I give it six weeks/a month etc
spoken used to say that you do not think something
will continue successfully for very long:
I give the project six months at the most before it all falls apart.
23 not give something a second thought/another thought to not think or worry about
something at all:
The matter didn't seem important, and I hardly gave it a second thought.
24be less strict [intransitive] to be willing to change what you think or do according to
what else happens:
I think that both sides need to give a little.
25state a decision [transitive] British EnglishDS
to state what your official decision or
judgement is, for example in a game:
The referee has given a penalty.
The jury will be
giving its
verdict within the next couple of days.
26give a mark/score [transitive]
to decide that someone should have a particular
score or mark for something that they have done:

She only gave me a B for my last essay.
The judges have given him top marks for this performance.
27bend/stretch [intransitive] if a material gives, it bends or stretches when you put
pressure on it:
New shoes often feel tight, but the leather should give a little after a few days.
28break/move [intransitive] if something gives, it breaks or moves away suddenly
because of weight or pressure on it:
The branch suddenly gave beneath him.
I pushed against the door with all my might, but it still wouldn't give.
29 give me something (any day/time)spoken used to say that you like something much
more than something else:
Give me good old-fashioned rock 'n' roll any day!
30 would give anything/a lot/your right arm etc for something
spoken used when you
would like something very much:
I'd give my right arm for a figure like that.
31 not give a damn/shit etc spoken not polite
used to say that you do not care at all
about something:
• I don't give a damn what you think.
32 don't give me that spoken used to say that you do not believe someone's excuse or
explanation:
Don't give me that! I know exactly where you've been!
33 give somebody what for spoken to tell someone angrily that you are annoyed with
them:
I'll give that boy what for when I see him!
34 give as good as you get to fight or argue with someone using the same amount of
skill or force that they are using:
I don't worry about Emma because I know she can give as good as she gets.
35 give and take
informal
to help other people and do things for them as well
as expecting them to do things for you:
You have to learn to give and take in any relationship.
36 give or take a few minutes/a penny/a mile etc
spoken used to say that the amount or
figure that you have just mentioned is nearly correct, but not exactly:
It'll be a thousand pounds, give or take fifty or so.
37 I'll give you that spoken used to admit that someone is right about something:
I was wrong to trust him, I'll give you that.
38 give somebody to understand/think/believe something formal to make someone
think that a particular thing is true:
I was given to understand that I would be offered a permanent job.
39 give it to somebody straight
informal
to tell someone something in a clear
direct way:
There's no point in beating about the bush, so I'll give it to you straight.
40 I give you the chairman/prime minister/groom etc
British English
spoken
used at the end of a formal speech to invite people to welcome a special guest
41sex [transitive]
old-fashioned if a woman gives herself to a man, she has sex with
him
WORD FOCUS: give WORD FOCUS: give

put something in someone's hand: hand, pass
officially give something to someone:
award, present, grant, confer, allocate
give something to people in a group: hand out, pass around, distribute
give to a charity:
donate
give something to people after you die:
leave, pass on, bequeath
give somebody/something away phrasal verb
1
to give something to someone because you do not want or need it for yourself:
I gave most of my books away when I left college.
give somebody/something away to
Give your old clothes away to a thrift shop.
2
to give something to someone without asking for any money, rather than selling it
to them:
We're giving away a free diary with tomorrow's newspaper.
give somebody/something away to
We have 1,000 CDs to give away to our readers.
3
to show where someone is or what they are doing or thinking when they are trying
to keep this a secret:
Don't worry, I won't give you away.
Sue tried to smile, but her voice gave her away.
give yourself away
I knew that if I moved I would give myself away.
The look on his face gave the game away (=showed something that he was trying to
keep secret).
4
to tell someone something that you should keep secret:
He gave away as little information as possible.
I don't want to give away exactly how the system works.
I don't want to give the game away (=give information that should be secret)
by
saying too much.
5
to lose in a game or competition by doing something badly or making mistakes:
We gave away two goals in the first half.
The Democrats are now in danger of giving the whole election away.
6
to give formal permission for a woman to marry a man as part of a traditional
wedding ceremony
give something ↔ back phrasal verb
1
to give something to the person it belongs to or the person who gave it to you:
This isn't your money and you must give it back.
Of course you can have a look at it, as long as you give it back.
give something back to somebody
I'll give the keys back to you tomorrow morning.
give somebody something ↔ back
Her ex-husband refused to give her back any of her old photos and letters.
2
to make it possible for someone to have or do something again [= restore]
give somebody something ↔ back
He underwent an expensive operation to give him back his sight.
The company finally agreed to give the women their old jobs back.
give something back to somebody

This legislation will give more power back to local authorities.
give in phrasal verb
1
to finally agree to do or accept something that you had at first opposed, especially
because someone has forced or persuaded you to:
Eventually I gave in and accepted the job on their terms.
Bob's wife went on at him so much that eventually he gave in.
give in to
The government refused to give in to their demands.
2
to accept that you are defeated in a game, fight, competition etc [↪ surrender]:
The rebels were eventually forced to give in.
We will carry on fighting to the end. We will never give in.
3 give something ↔ in
British English
to give a piece of work or something
you have written to someone in authority [= hand in]:
You were supposed to give this work in four days ago.
Rose decided to
give in her
notice (=officially say she was going to leave her
job).
give something ↔ in to
All assignments must be given in to your teacher by Friday.
give in to something phrasal verb
to no longer try to stop yourself from doing something you want to do:
Don't give in to the temptation to argue back.
If you feel the urge for a cigarette, try not to give in to it.
give of something phrasal verb
if you give of yourself, your time, your money etc, you do things for other people without
expecting anything in return:
Retired people are often willing to give of their time to help with community projects.
give off something phrasal verb
to produce a smell, light, heat, a sound etc:
The wood gave off a sweet, perfumed smell as it burned.
give onto something phrasal verb
if a window, door, or building gives onto a particular place, it leads to that place or you
can see that place from it:
the garden gate that gives onto the main road
a small balcony giving onto fields
give out phrasal verb
1 give something ↔ out
to give something to each person in a group [= hand out]:
Can you give the drinks out, please?
give something ↔ out to
Students were giving out leaflets to everyone on the street.
2
if part of your body gives out, it stops working properly or becomes much
weaker:
Just as I approached the town, my legs finally gave out.
3
if a supply of something gives out, there is none left:
My money was beginning to give out and there were no jobs to be found.
After two hours her patience gave out.
4 give out something to produce something such as light, heat, or a signal [= emit]:

A gas lamp gave out a pale yellowish light.
5 give something ↔ out
British English
formal to announce something,
especially officially:
It was given out that the government was to enter into negotiations with the rebels.
give over phrasal verb
to stop doing or saying something that is annoying other people:
I wish you lot would just give over!
give over doing something
Oh, give over complaining, we're nearly there.
give something over to somebody/something phrasal verb
1 be given over to something to be used for a particular purpose:
The land surrounding the village was given over to vineyards.
The whole day was given over to cooking and preparing for the celebrations.
2 give yourself over to something
to spend all your time doing something:
In his youth he had given himself over to pleasure.
3
to give responsibility for or control over something to a particular person,
organization etc:
The running of internal affairs was given over to the Chancellor.
give up phrasal verb
1 give something ↔ up
to stop doing something, especially something that you do
regularly:
Darren has decided to give up football at the end of this season.
She gave up her job and started writing poetry.
give up doing something
I gave up going to the theatre when I moved out of London.
Why don't you give up smoking?
2
to stop trying to do something:
We spent half an hour looking for the keys, but eventually gave up and went home.
I give up. What's the answer?
You shouldn't give upso
easily.
give up doing something
I gave up trying to persuade him to continue with his studies.
give something ↔ up
She has still not given up the search.
3 give yourself/somebody up to allow yourself or someone else to be caught by the
police or enemy soldiers:
The siege ended peacefully after the gunman gave himself up.
give yourself/somebody up to
In the end, his family gave him up to the police.
4 give up something to use some of your time to do a particular thing:
I don't mind giving up a couple of hours a week to deal with correspondence.
5 give something/somebody ↔ up to give something that is yours to someone else:
The family refused to give up any of their land.
She was put under tremendous pressure to give the baby up.
give something/somebody ↔ up to
I would always give my seat up to an elderly person on the bus.

6 give somebody ↔ up
to end a romantic relationship with someone, even though
you do not really want to:
I knew deep down that I should give him up.
7 give somebody up for dead/lost etc to believe that someone is dead and stop looking for
them:
The ship sank and the crew were given up for dead.
➔ give up the ghost at ghost1 (5)
give up on somebody/something phrasal verb
to stop hoping that someone or something will change or improve:
He'd been in a coma for six months, and doctors had almost given up on him.
At that point, I hadn't completely given up on the marriage.
give yourself up to something phrasal verb
to allow yourself to feel an emotion completely, without trying to control it:
He gave himself up to despair.
WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
say, tell, give, askYou use say when you are mentioning someone's exact words •
'Hello,' she said. • Someone said, 'Let's go!'Say
can be followed by 'that'
• He
said that he was tired. In speech people often leave out 'that'• They said there had been a
mistake.Say can be followed by 'something', 'anything', 'nothing', or 'so' • Did you say
something? • Nobody dared to say anything. • You have to come - Dad said so.It can also
be followed by 'goodbye' or 'hello' • I'll just go and say hello to David.Apart from these
uses, say
is not normally followed by an object. For example, it cannot be followed
by 'a story', 'a lie', 'some information', or 'an answer'. You tell
a story, a joke, a lie,
or the truth
• They told a funny story about their trip. You give information, an order,
an instruction, or an answer • He gave no reply.!! You do not say a question. You ask
a question
• Can I ask a question?You can say something to someone
• Has he said something to you?When talking about giving information, it is more
usual to say that you tell someone something
• Clare told us something interesting
(NOT said us something...). • Can anyone tell me what time it is? (NOT say to me
what...) You can tell someone
about something
• Did you tell Lucy about the
party? (NOT say to Lucy about...)You can say to do
something, but it is more
usual to
tell
someone to do something
• The teacher told us to open our
books (NOT said us/said to us to...).

give2 noun

give2 [uncountable]
the ability of a material or substance to bend or stretch when put under pressure:
The rope
has
quite a bit of give in it.

go1

verb

go1
S1
W1 /gë| $ go|/ past tense went /went/ past participle gone /gãn $ gã:n/ third
person singular goes /gë|z $ go|z/
1move/travel
a) [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] also been to travel or move to a place
that is away from where you are or where you live [↪ come]:
There's nothing more we can do here. Let's go home.
Have you ever been to (=have you ever travelled to) Japan?
I
have been to (=have travelled to)
Germany several times.
Where are you going?
We're going to Canada in the summer.
Dinah went into the kitchen.
She went over and put her arm around him.
I'm going round to her house to find out what's wrong.
I'll just go up (=go upstairs) and ask him what he wants.
b) [intransitive and transitive] to move or travel in a particular way or for a particular
distance:
It took us over an hour to go ten miles.
The car was going much too fast.
We went a different way from usual that day.
go by bus/train/car etc
It'll be quicker to go by train.
c) go and do something
also go do something
American English [not in past
tenses] to move to a particular place in order to do something:
Go wash your hands.
I went and spoke to the manager.
! Comeor
go? ➔ see usage note been ➔ see usage notecome1
2 go flying/laughing/rushing etc
to move in a particular way, or to do something as
you are moving:
The plate went crashing to the floor.
The bullet went flying over my head.
John went rushing off down the corridor.
3attend

a) [intransitive]
to be at a concert, party, meeting etc
go to
Are you going to Manuela's party?
I first went to a rock concert when I was 15.
b) go to school/church/work etc
to regularly attend school, a church etc:
He doesn't go to the synagogue these days.
4leave [intransitive] to leave a place:
What time does the last train go?
Right, let's go!
She turned to go.
be/get going
It's late! I must get going.
5do particular activity [intransitive and transitive] to leave the place where you are, in
order to do something
go for a walk/swim etc
Let's go for a walk.
go shopping/swimming/skiing etc
I need to go shopping this afternoon.
go on a trip/tour/cruise etc
My parents are going on a cruise.
6 be going to do something
a) to intend to do something:
I'm going to tell Dad what you said.
b) used to talk about what will happen in the future:
He looked as if he was going to cry.
It's going to rain later.

gonna
7reach [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, not in progressive]
to reach as far
as a particular place or to lead to a particular place:
The road goes through the middle of the forest.
The belt won't go around my waist.
8change [linking verb]
to change in some way, especially by becoming worse than
before:
The company went bankrupt last year.
go bad/sour etc
The bread's gone mouldy.
go grey/white etc
Her hair is starting to go grey.
go mad/deaf/bald etc
He went crazy and tried to kill her.
go wild/mad/white etc with something
The crowd was going wild with excitement.
➔ see usage note
become
9happen [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to happen or develop in a particular
way:
How did your French test go?

go well/smoothly/fine etc
The party went well.
Everything's going fine at the moment.
I feel very encouraged by
the way things are going.
Many industries have been forced to cut jobs and it looks like the electronics industry is
going the same way.
10 how are things going?/how's it going?/how goes it?
spoken used to ask someone
what is happening in their life, especially used as a greeting:
'Hi Jane. How's it going?' 'Fine, thanks.'
11usual position [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, not in progressive]
if
something goes somewhere, that is its usual position:
Where do the plates go?
The book goes on the top shelf.
12fit [intransitive not in progressive] to be the right size, shape, or amount for a particular
space
go in/under/inside etc
I don't think all that will go in the suitcase.
13be sent [intransitive]
to be sent or passed on
go by/through/to etc
The email went to everyone in the company.
That letter should go by special delivery.
Complaints must go through the proper channels.
14be in a particular state/condition [linking verb] to be in a particular state or
condition, especially a bad one:
Many families are forced to go hungry.
15 go unanswered/unnoticed/unrewarded etcto not be answered, noticed etc:
All my letters went unanswered.
He hoped that his nervousness would go unnoticed.
16start [intransitive] to start doing something:
The preparations have been completed and we're ready to go.
Generally the action doesn't get going (=start)
until after midnight.
I'm going to get going on (=start doing) the decorating next week.
17work well [intransitive]
if a clock, watch, or machine goes, it moves and works as it
should do:
My watch isn't going.
I couldn't
get
the pump
going (=make it work).
18make movement [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]
used when you are
telling someone about what movement someone or something made:
She went like this with her hand.
19say [transitive]
spoken informal
to say something:
I asked her what she meant and she just went, 'Don't ask!'
20make a sound [transitive] to make a particular sound:
The balloon suddenly went bang.
21 don't go doing something spoken used to tell someone not to do something, especially
something that is wrong or bad:
It's a secret, so don't go telling everyone.

22 have gone and done something spoken used when you are surprised or annoyed by
what someone has done:
Kay's gone and lost the car keys!
23 to go
a) still remaining before something happens:
Only ten days to go to Christmas!
b) still having to be done or dealt with before you have finished:
Laura's sat six exams and has two more to go.
c) still to travel before you reach the place you are going to:
only another five miles left to go
d) used for saying that you want to take food away from a restaurant and eat it
somewhere else:
Two chicken dinners with corn to go.
24 don't go there
spoken informal
used to say that you do not want to think or
talk about something:
'John and Clare having children?' ' Don't go there!'
'What if the two of them...' Don't even go there!
25story/discussion/song etc [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive not in
progressive]XX
used to talk about what something such as a story or song consists
of:
The argument goes like this.
We need to 'spread a little happiness', as the song goes.
The story goes that my grandfather saved his captain's life in battle.
26whistle/bell etc [intransitive]
to make a noise as a warning or signal:
A bell goes to mark the end of each class.
27 here/there somebody goes again spoken used when someone has annoyed you by
doing something they know you do not like:
There you go again, jumping to conclusions.
28disappear [intransitive]
to no longer exist or no longer be in the same place [=
disappear]:
Has your headache gone yet?
The door was open and all his things had gone.
29get into worse condition [intransitive]
if one of your senses such as sight, hearing
etc is going, it is getting worse:
Dad's eyesight is starting to go.
I'd forgotten that. My mind must be going.
30to be obeyed [intransitive] if what someone says goes, that person is in authority and
what they say should be obeyed:
Phil's in charge, and what he says goes.
31be damaged [intransitive] to become weak, damaged etc, or stop working properly:
The bulb's gone in the bathroom.
My jeans are starting to go at the knee.
32die [intransitive] to die - use this when you want to avoid saying the word 'die':
Now that his wife's gone, he's all on his own.
When I go, I'd like to have my ashes scattered at sea.
➔ dead and gone at dead1 (1)

33be spent [intransitive]
to be spent:
I don't know where all my money goes!
go on
Half her salary goes on the rent.
34be sold [intransitive]
to be sold
go for/at
A house like this would go for £250,000.
go to
The jewels will go to the highest bidder.
He bought me some CDs which
were going cheap (=were being sold at a low price).
35pay money [intransitive] to offer a particular amount of money for something:
I'll give you $500 for it but I can't go any higher than that.
go to
I think we could probably go to £15,000.
36 going, going, gone!
spoken used to say that something has been sold at an
auction
37time [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] used to say how quickly or slowly
time passes:
The day seemed to go so slowly.
38 there/bang goes somethingspoken used to say that you are disappointed because
something has stopped you doing or getting what you wanted:
Well, there goes my chance of fame!
39 go to show/prove/indicate etc something to help to prove something:
It just goes to show how much people judge each other by appearances.
40 be going informal
to be available:
Are there any jobs going at the café?
I'll take that if it's
going spare.
41colours/styles/tastes [intransitive] if colours, tastes, styles etc go, they look, taste etc
good together:
I don't think pink and yellow really go.
go with
Do you think this shirt will go with the skirt I bought?
go together
Pork and apple go especially well together.
42 as somebody/something goes
used for comparing someone or something with the
average person or thing of that type:
As marriages go, it certainly wasn't dull.
43 go all out to try very hard to do or get something
go all out for
We're going all out for victory in this afternoon's game.
go all out to do something
The company will be going all out to improve on last year's sales.
44 have nothing/not much/a lot etc going for somebody/something used to talk about
how many advantages and good qualities someone or something has:
It's a town that's got a lot going for it.

45 where does somebody/something go from here? spoken used to ask what should be
done next, especially when there is a problem:
So where do you think we should go from here?
46leave a job [intransitive] to leave your job, especially because you are forced to:
He was becoming an embarrassment to the government and had to go.
If Jill goes, who will take her place?
47get rid of something [intransitive] if something goes, someone gets rid of it:
The policies will have to go if the party is to win the next election.
A hundred jobs are expected to go following the merger.
48toilet [intransitive] informal
to make waste come out of your body
go about phrasal verb
1 go about something to start to do something:
I want to learn German but I don't know the best way to go about it.
go about doing something
The leaflet tells you how to go about making a will.
2 go about something to do something in the way that you usually do:
The villagers were
going about their business
as usual.
She went about her preparations in a quiet businesslike way.
3
British EnglishTTW if a ship goes about, it turns to go in the opposite direction
go after something/somebody phrasal verb
1
to follow or chase someone or something because you want to catch them:
Joe went after her to make sure she was unhurt.
2
to try to get something:
I can't decide whether to go after the job or not.
go against somebody/something phrasal verb
1
if something goes against your beliefs, principles etc, it is opposite to them:
This goes against everything I've been brought up to believe in.
I often have to make decisions that go against the grain (=are not what I would
normally choose to do).
2
to do the opposite of what someone wants or advises you to do:
She was scared to go against her father's wishes.
3
if a decision, judgment etc goes against you, you do not get the result you want:
His lawyer hinted that the case might go against him.
The vote went against the government.
go ahead phrasal verb
1
to start to do something, especially after planning it or asking permission to do it
go ahead with
They've decided to go ahead with plans to build 50 new houses on the site.
go ahead and do something
I went ahead and arranged the trip anyway.
2
if an event or process goes ahead, it happens:
A judge has ruled that the music festival can go ahead.
3
spoken used to give someone permission to do something, or let them speak
before you:
'Do you mind if I open the window?' 'No, go ahead.'
If you want to leave, go right ahead.

4
also go on ahead to go somewhere before the other people in your group:
You go ahead and we'll catch you up later.
go ahead of
He stood back to let Sue go ahead of him.
5
to start to be winning a game or competition:
Dulwich went ahead after 22 minutes.

go-ahead1
go along phrasal verb
1
if you do something as you go along, you do it without planning or preparing it:
He wasmaking
the story
up as he
went along.
I never had formal training, I just learned the job as I went along.
2
to go to an event or a place where something is happening
go along to
I might go along to the meeting tonight.
3
to happen or develop in a particular way:
Things seem to be going along nicely.
go along with somebody/something phrasal verb
1
to agree with or support someone or something:
I would be happy to go along with the idea.
Often it was easier to go along with her rather than risk an argument.
2 go along with you! British English
spoken old-fashioned used to tell someone
that you do not believe what they are saying
go around phrasal verb
1dress/behave also go about
British English
to behave or dress in a
particular way
go around doing something
You can't go around accusing people like that.
He goes around in a T-shirt even in winter.
2illness go around (something)
also go about (something) British English
if an illness is going around, a lot of people get it:
He had a bad dose of the flu virus that was going around.
There are a lot of nasty bugs going around the school.
3news/story go around (something) also go about (something) British English
if news, a story, a joke etc is going around, a lot of people hear it and are talking
about it:
A rumour was going around that I was having an affair with my boss.
There was a lot of gossip going around the village.
4 go around with somebody/go around together
also go about with somebody
British English
to meet someone often and spend a lot of time with them:
I used to go around with a bad crowd.
5 enough/plenty to go around enough for each person:
Is there enough ice-cream to go around?
There were never enough textbooks to go around.
6 what goes around comes around used to say that if someone does bad things now,
bad things will happen to them in the future

7 go around in your head
if words, sounds etc go around in your head, you keep
remembering them for a long time:
That stupid song kept going around in my head.
➔ go around/round in circles at circle1 (5)
go at something/somebody phrasal verb
1
to attack someone or argue with someone in a noisy way:
The two dogs went at each other.
2
to do something, or start to do something, with a lot of energy:
Mary went at the task with great enthusiasm.
go away phrasal verb
1
to leave a place or person:
Go away and leave me alone!
I went away wondering if I'd said the wrong thing.
2
to travel to a place and spend some time there, for example for a holiday:
Are you going away this year?
go away for
We're going away for the weekend.
go away to
He's going away to college next year.
go away on
I'm going away on a business trip next week.
3
if a problem, unpleasant feeling etc goes away, it disappears:
Ignoring the crime problem won't make it go away.
go back phrasal verb
1
to return to a place that you have just come from:
I think we ought to go back now.
go back to/into/inside etc
I felt so sick I just wanted to go back to bed.
go back for
I had to go back for my passport (=to get my passport).
2 there's no going back
spoken used to say that you cannot make a situation the
same as it was before:
I realized that once the baby was born there would be no going back.
3 [ always + adverb/preposition]
to have been made, built, or started at some time in
the past:
It's a tradition that goes back at least 100 years.
go back to
The building goes back to Roman times.
4
if people go back a particular length of time, they have known each other for that
length of time:
Peter and I go back 25 years.
We
go back a long way (=we have been friends for a long time).
5
to think about a particular time in the past or something that someone said before:
If you go back 20 years, most people didn't own a computer.
go back to
I'd like to go back to the point that was made earlier.

go back on something phrasal verb
to not do something that you promised or agreed to do
go back on your word/promise/decision
Delors claimed that the President had gone back on his word.
go back to something phrasal verb
to start doing something again after you have stopped for a period of time:
He went back to sleep.
go back to doing something
She went back to watching TV.
go before phrasal verb
1
to happen or exist before something else:
In some ways this program improves on what has gone before.
2 go before somebody/something
if something goes before a judge, group of people in
authority etc, they consider it before making a decision:
The case will go before the court.
The proposal is likely to go before the committee.
go beyond something phrasal verb
to be much better, worse, more serious etc than something else:
Their relationship had gone beyond friendship.
This goes beyond all limits of acceptable behaviour.
go by phrasal verb
1
if time goes by, it passes:
Things will get easier as time goes by.
as the days/weeks/years go by
As the weeks went by, I became more and more worried.
hardly a day/week/month etc goes by
Hardly a week goes by without some food scare being reported in the media.
in days/times/years etc gone by (=in the past)
These herbs would have been grown for medicinal purposes in days gone by.
2 go by something
to form an opinion about someone or something from the
information or experience that you have:
You can't always go by appearances.
If
his past plays are anything to go by, this should be a play worth watching.
3 go by something
to do things according to a set of rules or laws:
Only a fool goes by the rules all the time.
There was no doubt that the referee had gone by the book (=had obeyed all the rules).
➔ go by the board at board1 (8) ; ➔ go by the name of something at name1 (1)
go down phrasal verb
1get lower
to become lower in level, amount etc:
His income went down last year.
Computers have gone down in price.
go down by 10%/250/$900 etc
Spending has gone down by 2%.
2standard
if something goes down, its quality or standard gets worse:
This neighbourhood has really gone down in the last few years.
3 go down well/badly/a treat etc

a) to get a particular reaction from someone:
His suggestion did not go down very well.
The movie went down very well in America.
The speech went down a treat
with members (=members liked it very much).
The idea
went down like a lead balloon (=was not popular or successful).
b) if food or drink goes down well, you enjoy it:
I'm not that hungry so a salad would go down nicely.
4go from one place to another
to go from one place to another, especially to a
place that is further south
go down to
We're going down to Bournemouth for the weekend.
He's gone down to the store to get some milk.
5 go down the shops/club/park etc British English
spoken informal
to go
to the shops, a club etc:
Does anyone want to go down the pub tonight?
6ship if a ship goes down, it sinks:
Ten men died when the ship went down.
7plane if a plane goes down, it suddenly falls to the ground:
An emergency call was received shortly before the plane went down.
8become less swollen to become less swollen:
The swelling will go down if you rest your foot.
9lose air
if something that is filled with air goes down, air comes out and it
becomes smaller and softer:
Your tyre's gone down.
10be remembered [always + adverb/preposition]
to be recorded or remembered in a
particular way
go down as
The talks went down as a landmark in the peace process.
The carnival will
go down in history (=be remembered for many years)
as one
of the best ever.
11competition/sport
a) to lose a game, competition, or election:
The Hawkers went down 5-9.
go down by
The government went down by 71 votes.
go down to
Liverpool went down to Juventus.
b) to move down to a lower position in an official list of teams or players
go down to
United went down to the second division.
12TDcomputerTD
if a computer goes down, it stops working for a short time:
If one of the file servers goes down, you lose the whole network.
13lights
if lights go down, they become less bright:
The lights went down and the curtain rose on an empty stage.
14sun when the sun goes down, it appears to move down until you cannot see it any
more

15wind
if the wind goes down, it becomes less strong:
The wind had gone down but the night had turned chilly.
16prison
informalSCJ to be sent to prison:
He went down for five years.
17happen
spoken informal
to happen:
the type of guy who knows what's going down
What's going down?
18leave university British English formal old-fashionedSEC
to leave Oxford or
Cambridge University at the end of a period of study
go down on somebody phrasal verb
to touch someone's sexual organs with the lips and tongue in order to give them sexual
pleasure
go down with something phrasal verb
to become ill, especially with an infectious disease:
Half the team had gone down with flu.
go for somebody/something phrasal verb
1attack British English
to attack or criticize someone:
The dog suddenly went for me.
2try to get something to try to get or win something:
Jackson is going for his second gold medal here.
go for it
spoken (=used to encourage someone to try to achieve something)
If you really want the job, go for it!
➔ go for broke at broke2 (3)
3choose
British English
to choose something:
I think I'll go for the chocolate cake.
4 I could/would go for something
spoken used to say that you would like to do or have
something:
A full meal for less than five bucks! I could go for that!
5like informal
to like a particular type of person or thing:
Annie tends to go for older men.
6 the same goes for somebody/something also that goes for somebody/something
too
spoken used to say that a statement you have just made is true about someone or
something else too:
Close all doors and lock them when you go out. The same goes for windows.
go in phrasal verb
when the sun or the moon goes in, cloud moves in front of it so that it cannot be seen
go in for something phrasal verb
1
to do an examination or take part in a competition:
I go in for all the competitions.
2
to do or use something often because you enjoy it or like it:
I never really went in for sports.
3
to choose something as your job:
I suppose I could go in for advertising.
go in with somebody phrasal verb
to join with someone else to start a business or organization:
Ellie's going in with a friend who's just started a café.

go into something phrasal verb
1job [not in passive] to start to do a particular type of job:
I always wanted to go into nursing.
She's thinking of
going into business (=starting a business).
2time/money/effort [not in passive] to be spent or used to get, make, or do something:
Years of research have gone into this book.
go into doing something
A great deal of time and effort has gone into ensuring that the event runs smoothly.
3explain
to explain, describe, or examine something in detail:
I don't want to go into the matter now.
I don't want to go into details now.
4TDcomputer [not in passive]
to open a particular computer program,
window, or
file:
Go into your D drive.
5be in a particular state [not in passive]
to start to be in a particular state or
condition:
She went into labour at midnight and the baby was born at 8 am.
The company went into liquidation.
6hit [not in passive] if a vehicle goes into a tree, wall, or another vehicle, it hits it:
His car went into a lamppost in the high street.
7divide [not in passive]
if a number goes into another number, the second number
can be divided by the first:
12 goes into 60 five times.
8begin to move in particular way [not in passive] if a vehicle goes into a particular
movement, it starts to do it:
The plane had gone into a steep descent.
go off phrasal verb
1leave to leave a place, especially in order to do something:
John decided to go off on his own.
go off to
He went off to work as usual.
go off to do something
Geoff went off to play golf.
2explode
to explode or fire:
The bomb went off at 6.30 this morning.
Fireworks were going off all over the city.
The gun went off and the bullet went flying over his head.
3make a noise if an alarm goes off, it makes a noise to warn you about something:
The thieves ran away when the alarm went off.
I've set the alarm clock to go off at 7 am.
4stop liking go off somebody/something
British English
informal
to stop
liking something or someone:
Many women go off coffee during pregnancy.
go off doing something
I've gone off cooking lately.
5stop working if a machine or piece of equipment goes off, it stops working:

The central heating goes off at 9 o'clock.
Suddenly, all the lights went off.
6 go off well/badly etc
to happen in a particular way:
The party went off very well.
7happen
British English
spoken informal
to happen [= go on]:
There was a blazing row going off next door.
8decay British English
if food goes off, it becomes too bad to eat:
The milk's gone off.
9sleep to go to sleep:
I'd just gone off to sleep
when the phone rang.
10get worse British English
informal
to get worse:
He's a singer whose talent has gone off in recent years.
go off on somebody phrasal verb
to criticize or speak to someone in a very angry way
go off with something/somebody phrasal verb
1
to leave your usual sexual partner in order to have a relationship with someone
else:
She's gone off with her husband's best friend.
2
to take something away from a place without having permission:
Who's gone off with my pen?
go on phrasal verb
1continue
a) to continue doing something or being in a situation
go on doing something
He went on working until he was 91.
go on with
One of the actors was unwell and couldn't go on with the performance.
I
can't go on like this for much longer.
b) to continue without stopping:
The noise goes on 24 hours a day.
The screaming went on and on (=continued for a long time).

ongoing
2happen
to happen:
I don't know what's going on.
What were the children doing while all this was going on?
Like all good resorts, there is plenty going on.

goings-on
3do something next to do something after you have finished doing something else
go on to do something
She went on to become a successful surgeon.
go on to
Go on to the next question when you've finished.
4continue talking
to continue talking, especially after stopping or changing to a
different subject:
Go on, I'm listening.
'But,' he went on, 'we have to deal with the problems we're facing.'

go on with
After a short pause Maria went on with her story.
5 go on
spoken
a) used to encourage someone to do something:
Go on, have another piece of cake.
b) used when you are agreeing to do something or giving permission for something:
'Are you sure you won't have another drink?' 'Oh, go on then.'
'Can I go outside, Dad?' 'Yeah, go on then.'
c) also go on with you
British English
old-fashioned used to tell someone
that you do not believe them
6use as proof go on something
to base an opinion or judgment on something:
Police haven't much to go on in their hunt for the killer.
7start to work if a machine or piece of equipment goes on, it starts to work:
The heat goes on automatically at 6 o'clock.
8time to pass:
As time went on, I grew fond of him.
9behave
British English
informal
the way someone goes on is the way
they behave:
The way she's going on, she'll have a nervous breakdown.
10 be going on (for) 5 o'clock/60/25 etc
to be nearly a particular time, age, number
etc:
Nancy must be going on for 60.
She's one of those wise teenagers who's 16 going on 70 (=she behaves as though she is
older than she is).
11go in front also go on ahead to go somewhere before the other people you are
with:
Bill went on in the car and I followed on foot.
12talk too much
informal
to talk too much:
I really like Clare but she does go on.
go on about
I got tired of him going on about all his problems.
He just went on and on about his new girlfriend.
13criticize
British English
informal
to continue to criticize someone or
ask them to do something in a way that annoys them:
The way she went on, you would have thought it was all my fault.
go on at
Stop going on at me!
go on at somebody to do something
My wife's always going on at me to dress better.
go on at somebody about something
He's always going on at me about fixing the door.
14develop
British English
spoken informal
to develop or make progress
15 to be going on with/to go on with British English
informal
if you have
enough of something to be going on with, you have enough for now:
Have you got enough money to be going on with?
go out phrasal verb

1leave your house
to leave your house, especially in order to enjoy yourself:
Are you going out tonight?
go out for
We went out for a meal and then on to a movie.
go out doing something
Liam goes out drinking every Friday.
go out to do something
Can I go out to play now?
go out and do something
You should go out and get some fresh air.
2relationship to have a romantic relationship with someone:
They've been going out for two years now.
go out with
Tina used to go out with my brother.
go out together
How long have you been going out together?
3fire/light
to stop burning or shining:
Suddenly the candle went out.
4tv/radio
British English
to be broadcast on television or radio:
The programme goes out live at 5 o'clock on Mondays.
5be sent
to be sent:
A copy of the instructions should go out with the equipment.
The magazine goes out to all members at the end of the month.
6game/sport to stop playing in a competition because you have lost a game:
He went out in the first round.
7move abroad to travel to another country in order to live and work there
go out to
They are looking for nurses to go out to Saudi Arabia.
8no longer fashionable
to stop being fashionable or used:
Hats like that went out years ago.
This kind of entertainment went out with the ark (=is very old-fashioned).
9sea when the
tide
goes out, the sea moves away from the land [≠ come in]
10make publicif news or a message goes out, it is officially announced to everyone:
The appeal went out for food and medicines.
11 your heart/thoughts go out to somebody used to say that you feel sympathy for
someone and are thinking about them:
Our hearts go out to the victim's family.
12time [always + adverb/preposition]
literary to end:
March went out with high winds and rain.
go over phrasal verb
1think about go over something
to think very carefully about something:
I had gone over and over what happened in my mind.
2examine go over something to search or examine something very carefully:
In the competition, the judge goes over each dog and assesses it.
3repeat go over something to repeat something in order to explain it or make sure it is
correct:

Once again I went over exactly what I needed to say.
4clean go over something
to clean something
5 go over well also go over big American Englishif something goes over well, people
like it:
That kind of salesman talk doesn't go over very well with the scientists.
go over to something phrasal verb
1
to change to a different place or person for the next part of a television or radio
programme:
We're going over to the White House for an important announcement.
2
to change to a different way of doing things:
They went over to a computerized records system.
3
to change to a different political party or religion:
the Labour MP who went over to the Conservatives last year
go round phrasal verb

go around
go through phrasal verb
1difficult/unpleasant situation go through somethingto experience a difficult or
unpleasant situation, feeling etc:
When you're going through a crisis, it often helps to talk to someone.
He's going through a divorce at the moment.
It is devastating for a parent to watch a child go through misery.
2process go through something
to experience a particular process:
Candidates must go through a process of selection.
Caterpillars go through several stages of growth.
3use go through something to use up money or a supply of something:
We went through five pints of milk last week.
4law go through (something) if a law goes through, or goes through Parliament, it is
officially accepted
5deal/agreementBBBF
if a deal or agreement goes through, it is officially accepted
and agreed:
He accepted the offer and the deal went through.
The sale of the land went through.
6practise go through something
to practise something, for example a performance:
Let's go through the whole thing again, from the beginning.
7search go through something
to search something in order to find something in
particular:
Dave went through his pockets looking for the keys.
Customs officers went through all my bags.
8read/discuss go through something to read or discuss something in order to make sure it
is correct:
We'll go through the details later on.
Do you want me to go through this and check your spellings?
go through with something phrasal verb
to do something you had promised or planned to do, even though it causes problems or
you are no longer sure you want to do it:
He bravely went through with the wedding ceremony even though he was in a lot of pain.

I had no choice but to go through with it.
go to somebody/something phrasal verb
1
to begin to experience or do something, or begin to be in a particular state:
I lay down and went to sleep.
Britain and Germany went to war in 1939.
2
to be given to someone or something:
All the money raised will go to local charities.
go together phrasal verb
1 [not in progressive] if two things go together, they exist together or are connected in
some way:
Alcohol abuse and eating disorders often go together.
2
old-fashioned if two people are going together, they are having a romantic
relationship
go towards something phrasal verb
if money goes towards something, it is used to pay part of the cost of that thing:
The money will go towards a new hospice.
go towards doing something
All money raised will go towards renovating the building.
go under phrasal verb
1
if a business goes under, it has to stop operating because of financial problems:
More than 7000 businesses have gone under in the last three months.
2
to sink beneath the surface of water:
The Titanic finally went under.
She went under, coughing and spluttering.
go up phrasal verb
1increase
to increase in price, amount, level etc:
Train fares have gone up.
Blood-sugar levels go up as you digest food.
go up by 10%/250/£900 etc
Unemployment in the country has gone up by a million.
go up from something to something
Spending on research went up from $426 million to $461 million.
2building/sign if a building or sign goes up, it is built or fixed into place:
It was a lovely place before all these new houses went up.
3explode/burn to explode, or be destroyed in a fire:
He had left the gas on and the whole kitchen went up.
The whole building went up in flames.
➔ go up in smoke at smoke1 (3)
4shout if a shout or a cheer goes up, people start to shout or
cheer
go up from
A great cheer went up from the audience.
5to another place
British English
to go from one place to another, especially
to a place that is further north, or to a town or city from a smaller place
go up to
We're going up to Scotland next weekend.
He went up to the farm to get some eggs.

6lights if lights go up, they become brighter:
when the lights went up at the end of the performance
7university
British English
formal old-fashionedSEC
to begin studying at a
university, especially Oxford or Cambridge University
go with somebody/something phrasal verb
1be part of
to be included as part of something:
The house goes with the job.
He had fame, money, and everything that goes with it.
go with doing something
Responsibility goes with becoming a father.
2exist togetherto often exist with something else or be related to something else:
Ill-health often goes with poverty.
3relationship old-fashioned to have a romantic relationship with someone
4have sex
informal
to have sex with someone
5agree to accept someone's idea or plan:
Let's go with John's original proposal.
go without phrasal verb
1 go without (something)
to not have something that you usually have:
I like to give the children what they want even if I have to go without.
It is possible to go without food for a few days.
2 it goes without saying (that)used to say that something is so clearly true that it does not
need to be said:
The Internet, too, it goes without saying, is a good source of information.
WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
become, get, go, turn, grow, comebecome can be followed by an adjective or noun, not
a verb • Her husband became jealous. • We soon became friends.The following words
are used with an adjective instead of become, in certain cases:get is very often used
instead of
become, and is more usual in spoken English
• I was getting
hungry. • Things got worse and worse.go is usedto say that something changes colour
• The sky went pink.to say that someone feels a change in their body
• My
fingers have gone numb. with blind and deaf
• He went blind. with mad, insane,
crazy etc
• The crowd went wild.turn is used especially to say that something
changes colour
• The liquid turned green.
• His face turned pale.grow can be
used in fairly literary written English to say that something changes gradually
• It
grew dark as we walked.with a to-infinitive, to say that someone gradually starts doing
something
• We grew to love each other.come is usedwith adjectives like apart,
undone, and unstuck • Your shoelace has come undone. • A few pages came loose.
with true
• Her prediction came true. with a to-infinitive to say that someone starts
doing something
• I eventually came to realize (NOT became to realize) I was
wrong. ➔ See also
becomeWORD CHOICE WORD CHOICE
come, goUse come for movement towards the place where the speaker is or will be
Come and see me at my office.
|
I could see them coming down the
hill (=getting nearer to me) .
|
When are you coming home (=to our

home) ?Use go
for movement in other directions
Are you going to Sally's
tonight? |
I wish he would go home (=to his home, away from me).

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