A
break in
force entry to a building/ interrupt
Somebody broke in last night and stole our stereo.
break up
end a relationship
My boyfriend and I broke up before I moved to America.
call something off
cancel
Jason called the wedding off because he wasn't in love with his fiancé.
come across something
find unexpectedly
keep something up
continue at the same rate
If you keep those results up you will get into a great college.
let somebody down
fail to support or help, disappoint
I need you to be on time. Don't let me down this time.
look after somebody/ something
take care of
I have to look after my sick grandmother.
pass away
die
His uncle passed away last night after a long illness.
put up with somebody/ something
tolerate
I don't think I can put up with three small children in the car.
run out
have none left
We ran out of shampoo so I had to wash my hair with soap.
put somebody down
insult,
make somebody feel stupidThe students put the substitute teacher down because his pants were too short.
do away with something
discard
It's time to do away with all of these old tax records.
give something up
quit a habit
I am giving up smoking as of January 1st.
cut in
interrupt
Your father cut in while I was dancing with your uncle.
stick to something
continue doing something,
limit yourself to one particular thingYou will lose weight if you stick to the diet.
turn up
appear suddenly
Our cat turned up after we put posters up all over the neighbourhood.
tear something up
rip into pieces
I tore up my ex-boyfriend's letters and gave them back to him.
hang in
stay positive (informal)
Hang in there. I'm sure you'll find a job very soon.
hang up
end a phone call
He didn't say goodbye before he hung up.
take off
start to fly
My plane takes off in five minutes.
chip in
help
If everyone chips in we can get the kitchen painted by noon.
cut back on something
consume less
My doctor wants me to cut back on sweets and fatty foods.
put something out
extinguish
The neighbours put the fire out before the firemen arrived.
wear off
fade away
Most of my make-up wore off before I got to the party.
take after somebody
resemble a family member
I take after my mother. We are both impatient.