1 (b, c)
to support or defend someone
hint: up
back [x] up
When the class was making fun of me, only the teacher backed me up.
to make someone happy, especially if they were previously sad
hint: up
cheer [x] up
Reading always cheers me up on a rainy day.
to attack or punish someone harshly; to penalize a behavior
hint: down
crack down on [x]
to attack or punish someone harshly; to penalize a behavior
Ever since last month’s accident, police have been cracking down on drunk driving.
to put on nice clothes
hint: up
dress up
Abed dressed up for the award ceremony.
to succeed or progress
hint: ahead
get ahead
You’ll never get ahead at this company unless you follow the rules.
to stop working, especially in reference to machines
hint: down
break down
The ice cream machine at McDonald’s often breaks down.
to be extremely successful in an endeavor such as business, sports, or gambling
hint: up
clean up
to eagerly begin a pursuit or activity
hint: into
dive into [x]
I’ll dive into that new TV show later tonight.
to break into pieces
hint: apart
fall apart
My new dress completely fell apart after just two washes.
to put into a container as much as it can contain
hint: up
fill [x] up
Bruce filled his water bottle up to the brim. / Bruce filled up his water bottle to the brim.
to cancel a planned event
hint: off
call [x] off
We called the party off. / We called off the party.
to arise as a topic of discussion or receive attention
hint: up
come up
Everyone talked about how much they enjoyed the movie, but the run time never came up in the conversation.
to discover or learn something
find out [x]
We didn’t find out the news until we got back from dinner..
to be on harmonious terms with someone
hint: get
get along with [x]
My dog gets along with everyone as long as they’re not a cat.
to travel from place to place
get around
to travel from place to place
In this city, it’s impossible to get around without a car.
to relax after an energetic or irritated state
hint: down
calm down
I need a few minutes to calm down after that match.
to think of an idea, especially as the first person to do so, or to produce a solution (3)
hint: up
come up with [x]
Sahar comes up with her best story ideas at night, so she writes them down before she forgets them.
to successfully communicate or explain something
get [x] across
The professor spoke for hours, but they didn’t get anything across to the students.
to escape or depart
hint: away
get away
Lucio liked to go to the lake every weekend, just to get away.
to survive or manage at a minimum level
hint: by
get by
When Sheila lost her job, the family got by with only their savings.
to examine a person or thing; when used in reference to a person, can connote looking at them with romantic or sexual interest
hint: out
check [x] out
I’ll check the contract out. / I’ll check out the contract.
to rely or depend on someone or something
hint: on
count on [x]
If I’m ever making a mistake, I can count on my friends to warn me.
to take revenge on someone
get back at [x]
Laila promised herself that she would get back at whoever had started the rumor.
to recover from or overcome something
hint: over
get over [x]
Drinking a lot of water helps in getting over an illness.
to gather socially
hint: together
get together
The volleyball team is getting together for dinner after practice.