Phrasal Nouns
Meaning: When there is more of something than is needed
Sentence: More television coverage of the election would be _______.
Overkill
Meaning: weak, damaged through much use
Sentence: Like every toy, wooden toys get _____.
worn out
Meaning: to spend time with someone
I usually ________ with my best friend on the weekends
hang around
meaning: to use or take away a large part of something valuable (savings, profit, time)
Going on vacation every month really ___________ his savings.
eats into
meaning: something which is not as good as you thought it would be
I was excited to see that new movie, but it was a huge _________.
let down
Meaning: Support
Sentence: We have an extra radio as a _____in case this one doesn't work.
back-up
Meaning: friendly; energetic and find it easy to be with others
Sentence: His friendly, ______ personality enables him to fit in comfortably with any crowd.
outgoing
Meaning: Criticize strongly
I told her my ideas but she _____ them _____.
shoot down / shot down
meaning: to start doing something suddenly without thinking about it
I don't want to ________ a new relationship so quickly.
dive into
meaning: to behave stupidly in a way that is likely to cause problems for you.
She's really __________ trouble by going out late every night
asking for
Meaning: The moment at which something unpleasant starts.
Sentence: The drug must be taken from the _____ of the infection.
Onset
meaning: sad and depressed
Sentence: He looked so ______ I took pity on him.
downcast
meaning: to do something very badly
I had a very important business meeting yesterday, but I really ________ it _____.
muck up
meaning: to continue past the expected finish time
My business meeting _________ so I will be late for dinner
run over/ ran over
Meaning: to become popular again
The actor is trying to make a ________.
comeback
Meaning: When two groups fail to reach an agreement in talks.
Sentence: During the police _____, the fugitive refused to surrender even though he was surrounded
stand-off
meaning: slightly unpleasant or worrying so that you are discouraged from getting involved.
Sentence: his scar is somewhat ______.
off-putting
meaning: to make it more likely that something will happen
Smoking can _________ you ___ lung cancer or mouth cancer.
predispose to
meaning: to increase really quickly
The price of gasoline has _________ this year
shot up / shoot up
Meaning: made so that it fits into part of a wall or room.
My new house has a _______ refrigerator
built-in
Meaning: A situation in which two people or things seem equally likely to be chosen or two possible results seem equally likely to happen.
Sentence: It's a _____ whether oil prices will go up or down over the days ahead.
Toss-up
meaning: happening or becoming available soon
sentence: They promised that the money would be _______.
forthcoming
Meaning: to believe or say that something is caused by something else
He _______ his success ____ hard work.
ascribe to
meaning: to refuse to think about something or let it affect your performance
You should _________ all your worries and just enjoy your vacation
sweep aside
meaning: to refuse to listen to what someone says or refuse to think about something seriously
I was really worried about him but he just _________ me ___ when I told him he may have a problem.
brush off