Pag1

Get out of (escape, avoid an obligation, rise in the morning)

1. El ladrón se escapó de la cárcel.

<The robber got out of prison>

2. El ladrón salió de la cárcel

<The robber got out from prison>

3. El estaba malo y no salió de la cama en todo el día

<He was sick and he didn’t get out of bed in the whole day>

4. Fuera de aquí

<Get out of here!>

5. Tuve que salir de mi meeting esta mañana porque tenia una cita con el doctor.

<I had to get out my meeting this afternoon because I have a doctor's appointment.>

Pag2

Run into(collide with / crash into, encounter by chance)

1. Me encontré con Peter cuando iba para casa. Quiere que la llames.

<I ran into Peter on my way home, he wants you to phone him.>

2. Un coche chocó con el metro cerca de la Universidad

<A car ran into the subway near the university>

3. Coincidí con un amigo que no había visto en años

<I ran into a friend I haven’t seen for years>

4. Llegue tarde al trabajo y coincide con mi jefe.

<I was late to my job and I have run into my boss>

If you run into someone, it means that you meet them unexpectedly somewhere. You never

planned to meet with them, so in most cases it is a coincidence that you happen to be in the same

place at the same time.

1. If you’re in a profession that deals with a lot of people each day, you are bound to run into a

client, patient, colleague or acquaintance in any number of public places (outside of work).

2. It’s great to run into a friend that you haven’t seen for a long time.

3. I often run into students of mine at different malls, walking along the beach and especially at the

supermarket.

4. Have you ever run into a person you know in another city or in another country? That’s a once-

in-a-lifetime experience. It’s almost unbelievable when it happens to you. You realize what a “small

world” it is.

5. Are there people that you really don’t want to run into? When you run into someone you don’t

want to talk to it’s kind of awkward (uncomfortable).

6. If you keep running into the same person (like it happens in the movies), it could be one of 5

things: (1) It might be “destiny”, (2) that person may be stalking you (following you), (3) you may

be stalking that person, (4) it could just be a coincidence after all or (5) perhaps you are living in a

really small town.

7. If you run into an “enemy” (or a person you’re not fond of/ dislike), do you at least say “hi” or

wave at them because it’s such a coincidence, or do you try to avoid them or ignore them and keep

walking?

Pag3

Turn up(arrive / be present, be found / increase output /

volumen)

1. No esperaba que aparecieras por mi casa. Creí que estabas en Alemania.

<I didn’t hope you turn up in my house. I believe you were in Germany.>

2. Encendí la tele porque estaba viendo una peli muy interesante

<I turned the TV up because I was watching a very interesting film>

3. Cuando pierdo mis llaves aparecen en sitios insospechados

<When I loose my keys they turn up in unsuspected places>

4. Esta mañana he tenido que subir el volumen de la radio porque hoy estoy sorda.

<This morning I have had to turn up the radio because today I’m deaf>

Pag4

Turn out (conclude (acabar de forma inesperada) / turn out right

(end well).

1. El pronóstico es bueno, pero es demasiado pronto para decir como acabará

<The forecast is good, but it is too son to say how it will turn out.>

2. Annie esperaba que su proyecto acabara/saliera bien, así podría obtener una buena nota.

<Annie hoped her project would turn out right so she’d get a good grade.>

3. Zapatero acabó ganando otra vez

<Zapatero turn out wining again.>

4. Espero que la peli acabe bien porque no me gustan los dramas

<I hope the film turns out right because I don’t like dramas.>

Pag5

Set back(delay / schedule for later, cost a certain sum)

1. En marzo tendremos que retrasar una hora nuestros relojes.

<In March we will have to set back one Hour our watches.>

2. Hoy he tenido que posponer mi desayuno porque tengo que visitar un cliente.

<Today I have to set back my breakfast because I have to visit a costumer.>

3. Tengo que posponer mi viaje porque estoy enfermo

<I have to set back my holiday trip because I'm sick.>

4. La factura del dentista me puede costar más de lo que esperaba

<The dentist's bill can set me back more than I expected.>

Pag6

Look up someone(admire and respect), look something (up find

meaning)

If you look up to someone, you respect them. They may be your role model, your inspiration, your hero, a mentor.

1. “Doctor House” is one of my favourite TV series. He is very entertaining, but I definitely

don’t look up to him as someone to imitate. I look up to Chuck Norris instead.

2. Do you look up to your parents? Would you like to follow in their footsteps and be like them?

3. We are supposed to be able to look up to our world leaders, but often we find out that they are

just as imperfect as us. Which leaders do you look up to?

4. My favourite music artist is Bebo Norman. I look up to him because the lyrics to his songs are

inspirational. He talks about real life situations.

5. Millions of soccer fans look up to the Brazilian player, Kaká - not only for his ability on the field,

but also for his humanitarian efforts with the World Food Programme and his life as a devoted

Christian.

1. Admiro a mi padre porque es muy inteligente

<I look up to my father because he is really smart>

2. Os admiro a ti y a Mariluz porque sois muy buenos estudiando ingles

<I look up to you and Mariluz because you both are very good studying English>

3. Si no conoces la palabra puedes buscarla en el diccionario.

<If you don’t know the Word, you can look it up in the dictionary.>

Pag7

Stand up (Express your opinion, defent to sb or sth, rise to one's

feet, fail to meet for date)

1. Hoy los estudiantes estan en una huelga defendiendo sus derechos.

<Today, students are in a strike standing up their rights.>

2. Actualmente en muchos países las mujeres tienen que luchar por sus derechos

<Nowadays in many countries women have to stand up for their rights>

3. Debería levantarme e ir a mi trabajo porque es muy tarde

<I should stand up and go to my job because it is too late.>

4. Las personas se levantan cuando la reina entra en la habitación.

<People stand up when Queen comes into the room.>

5. María me dejo plantado y no vino al cine

<Maria stood me up and she didn’t come to the cinema>

Pag8

Figure out(Solve, understand)

If you try to figure something out, you try to find the answer or the solution. You may also be trying to find out the

reason for something or UNDERSTAND it. I suppose: I have no reason to say no

How’s it coming: exactly the same as “how’s it going?”

1. Steven Hawking, a world famous British theoretical physicist, has addressed some of the most complex questions in

modern physics, but cannot figure women out. He says, “They are a complete mystery.”

2. We haven’t been able to figure out how the Pyramid of Cheops (The biggest pyramid in existence) was built. It’s the

size of a 40-storey building made up of (comprising) 2 million stone blocks, each weighing 2-5 tons. Experts reckon

(believe) it took 400,000 men about 20 years to complete.

3. I haven’t figured out how to get rich yet. Those million-dollar ideas seem to be very elusive! For now it’s hard

enough trying to figure out how to get by (survive) from month to month.

4. Have you ever had a problem with your computer that you couldn’t figure out? When I can’t figure out how to do

something very technical, I usually turn to Google.

5. When we figure out something by deduction or through logic, we “put two and two together”. When you put two and

two together, it’s not difficult to figure out when someone is lying to you.

6. Crime scene investigators can figure out who killed someone by doing DNA tests from blood samples they find at a

crime scene… along with other clues that a sloppy (careless) killer leaves. I watch too much TV.

7. Have you figured out the meaning and purpose of life yet? Is it just a matter of survival?

8. Most people figure out how to do things the right way through trial and error. We make mistakes and then we try

and try again until we get it right. Have you figured out English grammar yet?

1. Turing descifro la maquina enigma.

<Turing figured out the machine “enigma”>

2. Hoy he descifrado una apelación muy difícil.

<Today I have figured out a very difficult appeal>

3. ¿Cómo has resuelto este problema de matemáticas?

<¿How have you figured out this math problem?

Pag9

Turn out (conclude (acabar de forma inesperada) / turn out right

(end well).

5. El pronóstico es bueno, pero es demasiado pronto para decir como acabará

<The forecast is good, but it is too son to say how it will turn out.>

6. Annie esperaba que su proyecto acabara/saliera bien, así podría obtener una buena nota.

<Annie hoped her project would turn out right so she’d get a good grade.>

7. Zapatero acabó ganando otra vez

<Zapatero turn out wining again.>

8. Espero que la peli acabe bien porque no me gustan los dramas

<I hope the film turns out right because I don’t like dramas.>

Pag10

Get away with (escape blame. Punishment or undesirable

consequences)

If you get away with something, you don’t get caught, criticized or punished for doing something

wrong or illegal. Calvin believes he can get away with anything if he is invisible.

1. Many people get away with not paying their income tax, especially if they are self-employed

(work for themselves). Do you think this is ethical? Is there a legal way to avoid paying taxes?

2. “Dexter” is a TV series about a serial killer who only kills killers. I wonder (ask myself) if he will

always get away with it, or if in the end he’ll get caught.

3. Many celebrities get away with drug abuse… and sometimes even murder. I’m sure that at any

given time you will be able to see examples of this on the news. Are celebrities above the law?

4. Many people on Wall Street (Financial district of New York) - especially the CEO’s of huge

corporate companies - have gotten away with the mess they caused in the global financial crisis that

started in 2008.

5. For many years dictators and tyrants have gotten away with human rights abuse, but now they are

being brought to justice in the international tribunal in The Hague (A city in the Netherlands).

1. Monedero thought he was going to get away with no paying his taxes

<Monedero thought he was going to get away with not paying his taxes>

2. Las personas siempre tratan de librarse de sus crímenes. Es la naturaleza humana.

<People always try to get away with their crimes. It’s human nature>.

Pag11

Live up to (be as good as)

Live up to: To meet or correspond to someone’s expectations or standards. To live or act in

accordance with. To be good enough.

-> Hype: The excitement and interest caused by advertising or propaganda.

1. Some people feel that they can’t live up to their parents’ expectations of them. They study the

career their parents want for them… they try everything, but it is not enough. Do you remember the

song, “Perfect” by the group, “Simple plan”? Some of the lyrics say, “I try so hard to make you

proud… Never going to be good enough for you… sorry, can’t be perfect.”

2. Have you ever watched a movie that didn’t live up to the hype? Sometimes there’s a lot of

publicity and hype surrounding a movie, but in the end it’s a letdown (disappointment). An example

for me is the movie “Million Dollar Baby” with Clint Eastwood and Hillary Swank.

3. Do you think that Barack Obama is living up to his peoples’ expectations? Do you think it’s his

job to fix an economy that was broken since before he became president?

4. It is impossible for any women to live up to the image of the models they see in fashion

magazines. The only way to get the “perfect” image is to Photoshop them.

5. The “All Blacks” (New Zealand national rugby team) lived up to their fans’ hopes this year,

beating France narrowly in a hard-fought World Cup final, by eight points to seven (8-7).

1. No estoy a la altura de vuestra pronunciación

<I can’t live up to your pronunciation>

2. ¿Cumple tu nuevo trabajo con tus expectativas?

<Does your new job live up to your expectations?>

3. No puedo estar a la altura de vuestro nivel de inglés.

<I can’t live up to your English level>

Pag12

Break Into (enter By Force, smile, run, song: start suddenly)

1. Los manifestantes irrumpieron en el congreso

< Protesters broke into the congress>

2. Los ladrones asaltaron el banco nacional.

<The thieves broke into The National Bank.>

3. El chico empezó a correr en la calle y nadie pudo cogerlo

<The boy broke into run in the street and nobody could catch him.>

4. La policía ha arrestado hoy a un hombre porque allanó una casa.

<The police have arrested a man today because he has broken into a house.>

Pag13

Get over (recover from)

There are many meanings for this phrasal verb - but in this context it means to recover from

something or feel better. Here the pig is saying that he will not recover from feeling humiliated or

embarrassed.

1. If a friend of yours is having difficulty getting over a relationship that has just ended, you could

give him/ her this advice: "There are plenty of fish in the sea!"

2. Some people just can't get over the death of Michael Jackson, especially his look-a-likes and

extreme fans. It was totally unexpected.

3. When Brazil or Argentina lose a game in the world cup soccer, the players (and the fans) take

weeks to get over the disappointment.

4. If you are the victim of a robbery or assault, it may take a while to get over that fear caused by

the incident.

5. When I got dengue fever (West Nile Virus), it took me a few weeks to get over it and fully

recover.

1. Tengo que recuperarme de mi dolor de cabeza porque me siento muy enferma.

<I need to get over my headache because I’m very ill>

2. Tengo que recuperarme de mi resfriado

<I have to get over my cold>

3. Espero que te recuperes de tu enfermedad pronto.

<I hope you get over your illness soon.>

4. Me llevo solo unos días recuperarme de mi ruptura con Mike.

<It took me only few days to get over Mike after we broke up. >

Pag14

Pick up (Collect in Vehicle, lift something/somebody,

improve, answer a phone call)

1. Tengo que mejorar mi pronunciación

<I have to pick up my pronunciation.>

2. Tengo que mejorar mi ingles

<I have to pick up my English Level>

3. Tengo que recoger a mis hijos de la escuela hoy a las 5:00 P.M

<I have to pick up my children from school today at 5:00 P.M.>

4. He recogido a un hombre que se había caído al suelo.

<I picked up an old man who had fallen onto the floor.>

5. El vendedor tiene que mejorar sus beneficio para mantener su trabajo

<The salesman needs to pick up his profit in order to keep his job.>

6. No puedo contestar al teléfono porque estoy en una reunión

<I can’t pick up my phone because I'm in a meeting.>

Pag15

Get on with(continue with something, specially after an

interruption, do without delay, be friends)

1. Continúe programando después de que un estudiante me interrumpiera para que le configurara la wifi.

<I got on with my developing work after a student interrupted me asking for setup

his wifi.>

2. Soy amigo de mi vecino porque es muy amistoso

<I get on with my new neighbour because he's friendly.>

3. Voy a continuar con mi trabajo

<I’m going to get on with my job.>

Pag16

Do Up(redecorate, fasten[zip, buttons])

1. Estoy reformando mi habitación porque está pasada de moda

<I'm doing up my bedroom because it's old-fashioned. >

2. Por favor, abróchate tu abrigo. Hace mucho frío

<Please do up your coat! It's very cold.>

3. Tengo que redecorar mi oficina porque es incomoda

<I have to do up my office because it's very uncomfortable>

4. Este fin de semana arreglare la mesa de mi hija para hacerla más cómoda para que estudie.

<This weekend I'll do up my daughter's desk to do it more comfortable to study

more.>

Pag17

Sort out (put in order / arrange, organize, plan)

1. Mis niños necesitan ordenar sus habitaciones.

<My children need to sort out their bedrooms.>

2. Tengo que organizar el siguiente fin de semana si quiero hacer muchas cosas.

<I have to sort out next weekend if I want to do a lot of things.>

3. Tengo que organizar el siguiente fin de semana porque mis amigos quieren visitar mi

pueblo.

<I have to sort out the next weekend because my friends want to visit my village.>

Pag18

Sort of (kind of)

1. Tengo muchas clases de libros

<I have sort of books>

Pag19

Wear out (get extremely tired, destroy through use)

To wear out something means that it has come/ is coming to the end of its life through repetitive use.

Rugged = tough/ hard.

1. Flip-flops take forever to wear out. The best part is that they are also cheap, so you get really good value for your

money when you use them for many months or years.

2. It isn’t common to see children’s clothes wear out, simply because kids grow out of them so fast… before they have

a chance to wear them out. That’s why in large families, the older kids hand their clothes down to their younger

brothers and sisters.

3. When your brake pads or tires on your car wear out, they need to be replaced as soon as possible. It’s really

dangerous to drive in wet weather with worn out brake pads or worn out tires. In Formula 1 racing, the drivers have to

periodically go into the pit stop to change their tires because they wear out after a number of laps.

4. If someone “wears out their welcome” they stay as a guest for longer than someone expects them to, or they are no

longer welcome. Do you know when it is time to leave someone’s house, or are you oblivious to (have no idea) the

subtle hints that it is time to leave?

5. When you are exhausted mentally or physically we can say that you feel worn out. If you burn the candle at both

ends, you will wear yourself out.

6. Most men continue to use their underwear even after it is completely worn out. Even when they are full of holes and

falling apart, we can’t let go of them because they are sentimental to us. We’ve gone through a lot together.

7. When a knife or a blade “wears out” we say that it goes blunt… then you need to sharpen it.

1. El fin de semana me ha dejado exhausto

<This weekend wore out to me>

2. Durante la mañana he tenido un juicio que me ha agotado.

<During the morning If I have to make a judgement, It makes wear out me>

3. Mi hijo desgastó las rodillas de los vaqueros.

<My child wore out the knees of his jeans>

4. Estas acabando con mi paciencia.

<You're wearing out my patience>

Pag20

point out (show, explain, identify/draw attention to)

1. Te voy a enseñar el Nuevo coche que me he comprado

<I'm going to point out you the new car I've bought>

2. Mariluz nos explicó que pasó con el teléfono de juan

<Mariluz pointed us out what happened with Juan's phone>

3. Ella puntualizó los errores en su explicación

<She pointed out the mistakes in his explanation.>

Pag21

Go for: (journey, ride, take, choose)

1. Vayamos a dar un paseo esta tarde

Let's go for a walk this evening!

2. ¿Por que no vas a por algo de cerveza?

<Why don't you go for some beer?>

3. Iré al cine en lugar del teatro.

<I'll go for the cinema instead of the theatre>

4. Juan, ¿por que no vas al doctor en lugar de ir a trabajar?

<Juan, you must go for a doctors' instead of going to work>

Pag22

Break down(machine: stop working; door, wall: knock down;

burst into tears)

1. El coche de mi hermana se rompió de nuevo.

<My sister’s car broke down again>

2. Esta mañana se rompió mi ordenador, así que no puedo trabajar.

<This morning my computer has broken down, so i can’t work>

3. Para vivir en paz tenemos que romper las barreras que nos separan

<To live in peace we need to break down the walls that divide us>

4. Los policías echaron a bajo la puerta para entrar en el piso de los ladrones.

<The policemen broke down the door to enter in the thief’s flat.>

5. El niño rompió a llorar después de que se cayera.

The child broke down and cried alter he fell down

Pag23

Get in (bring in, enter, arrive)

1. La semana pasada eche una solicitud para un curso. Espero poder entrar.

<Last week, I filled a form for a course. I hope I get in it.>

2. Ayer llegue tarde a casa

<Yesterday I got in late at home.> 3. Mi hermana está muy contenta porque su hijo ha entrado en su Universidad favorita.

<My sister is very happy because her son has gotten in his favourite university.>

Pag24

Keep up(go as fast, stay informed)

To keep up with something or someone means to go at the same speed… so in this comic strip, Calvin says that he can’t speak as fast as

he can think.

1. If you are walking at a normal speed, it would be difficult for a toddler to keep up with you (A toddler is a young child between the age of 1 and 3).

2. If Ayrton Senna was still alive, would he keep up with today’s Formula 1 racecar drivers… or would they be able to keep up with him?

3. It is difficult to keep up with some fast songs if you are singing along,

especially if you are learning that language.

4. If you are walking with a group of friends and some of them are falling

behind (walking too slow), you could call out to them, “Hey guys, keep up with us!”

5.If I’m watching a movie with Spanish or Portuguese subtitles, it’s sometimes

a challenge to keep up and read everything before the next set of words appears.

1. Debido a mi trabajo tengo que mantenerme actualizado en tecnologías

<Due to my Job, I have to keep up with technologies.>

2. Debería mantenerme actualizada en leyes y tengo muchas dudas

<I should keep up in laws and legislation and I have a lot of doubt>

3. No hay conexión con el servidor. Por favor, compruébalo y mantennos al día con las

soluciones.

<There is no connection to the server. Please check it and keep us up with the

solutions.>

Pag25

Run out(have none left, use up supplies)

When something runs out, it is finished.

1. I almost always used to run out of time while writing my exams. I always needed just an extra five minutes.

2. Most people start running out of money towards the end of the month, just before they receive their next paycheck.

If you “live from hand to mouth”, you have just enough money to live on and nothing extra.

3. When your money runs out, you can either “beg, borrow or steal”. I think most people end up borrowing - either

from a friend, or the bank. I really don’t like borrowing, so I try to be careful in planning and sticking to a budget so

that my money doesn’t run out in the first place.

4. Do you run out of patience quickly or do you have the patience of a saint?

5. Nobody likes running out of toilet paper. Enough said.

6. When you’ve been doing something risky, dangerous or difficult for a long time, we can say that your “luck will run

out” sooner or later. Sometimes a sports team goes on a winning streak… but it can’t last forever.

7. When we’ve thought of everything we can, we sometimes run out of ideas. Usually when we take a break or sleep on

it, we’re able to come up with some new ideas later.

8. I can’t remember the last time I had a pen that ran out (when the ink finishes). Then I realized it was because I don’t

use pens as much as I used to, because everything is becoming more and more digitalized. These days my printer runs

out of ink or my laptop battery runs out.

9. Have you ever run out of gas/ petrol while you were driving? It happens to the best of us.

10. Our stove ran out of gas while we were roasting a turkey for Christmas Eve. It was not good timing.

1. Mi coche se ha quedado sin gasolina.

<My car has run out of petrol.>

2. Mi móvil se ha quedado sin batería.

<My mobile phone has run out of energy.>

3. Esta semana estoy corriendo sin fuerzas.

<This week I'm running out of energy.>

4. Juan se ha quedado sin memoria.

<Juan has run out of memory.>

5. Ten cuidado de no quedarte sin agua en medio del desierto.

<Take care not to run out of water in the middle of the desert.>

Pag26

sum up (summarize, give a summary)

1. Esta mañana estamos hacienda un resumen de la semana en clase

<This evening we are sum up our week at classroom>

2. Tengo que resumir mis apuntes

<I have to sum up my notes>

3. Cuando vuelva a casa os resumiré mi viaje

<When I come back home I sum up you my trip>

4. Para resumir la situación, el león se comió el servidor y al informático.

<To sum up the situation, the lion ate the server an the It guy>

Pag27

Hang up (end a phone call)

1. Es muy grosero colgar en medio de una conversación telefónica.

<It is very rude to hang up in the middle of a telephone conversation>

2. Los niños colgaron sus abrigos al fondo del aula

<Children hung up their coats at the back of the classroom.>

Pag28

Set off (begin a journey)

1. Tendremos que salir muy temprano para evitar el tráfico de la hora punta.

<We'll have to set off very early to avoid the rush-hour traffic.>

2. Activó la alarma cuando abrió la puerta trasera.

<He set off an alarm when he opened the back door >

Pag29

Set up (open a business)

The “Huns” are a tribe of barbarians who are the enemies

of the imaginary kingdom of Id.

To set up: to construct, to configure (electronics), to assemble, to

establish (create) something, to erect or to organize. 1. When you want to set up (establish) your own business, you will probably need some capital (money) to start

with… at least for advertising your services. You will also need a game plan - and more than that you, will need

persistence.

2. To “set up shop” is an idiomatic expression which means to establish a business or an organization. When a

company of any sort sets up shop in a foreign country because the exchange rate is more favorable (and thus the

labor is cheaper), we call this outsourcing. Do you know of any companies that outsource their manufacturing and

set up shop overseas?

3. It is becoming easier and easier to set up (create) a blog page. Google is making the interface really easy for new

bloggers to figure out exactly what to do step by step.

4. Before any band plays music, they need to set up the drums, microphones, amplifiers etc.

1. Fundaron los nuevos almacenes en la calle mayor

<They set the new store up on Maple Street. >

Pag30

Hand in(to give anything “an exam, essay” to anybody)

If you hand something in, you are giving something to a person of authority. If you hand something out, you are

giving something to a group of people.

Hand in = a group of people giving/ submitting something to one person

Hand out = One person giving something to a group of people.

1. It’s a “madhouse” trying to hand out sweets/ candy to a bunch of kids at any party. They will crowd around and

attack you… so it’s best to throw the sweets into the air and watch!

2. When you were at school, were you one of the responsible kids who used to help the teacher hand out the

worksheets? In any class, one person can hand out the worksheets or the group itself can just pass them around,

which means that each person takes one and passes the rest on. If you ask someone to hand something out for you,

you can also say, “Could you please pass these out for me?”

3. Have you ever handed out pamphlets or flyers in a public place to promote anything?

4. A handout is something that you give for free/ donate to someone. If someone is too proud to accept financial or

material help, they will say, “Thanks but I don’t need any handouts”.

5. Everyone needs to hand in (submit) their income tax declaration before a certain date.

6. When students at high school or university don’t hand in their assignments or projects on time, usually the

teacher/ professor will take off (deduct) 5% to 10% for each day past the deadline.

7. A couple of weeks ago we handed in our papers for our permanent residence visas for Brazil. There was a lot of

bureaucracy but in the end we were able to submit them on time.

1. Tengo que entregar los deberes mañana y aún no los he hecho

<The students handed in their assignments to the teacher>.

2. Tengo que entregar la solicitud antes de que finalice el plazo

<I have to hand in the application before the deadline.>

3. Entrégalo el viernes

<Hand it in of Friday>

Pag31

Pag32

Look back (to think about something that happened in the past)

1. No mires atrás, lo que te esté persiguiendo puede alcanzarte.

<Don't look back. Whatever's chasing you might be gaining on you. >

Pag33

Cut down(Reduced in scope or length)

When you cut down on something, you reduce it. You have or do less.

1. In the above comic strip the theory as to why dragons are eating less people is that the people are getting fatter

(eating more from the bakery)… and so the dragons are eating less people to cut down on/ reduce their cholesterol

levels.

2. If I cut down on the amount of TV series I watch I would be able to visit the beach more often.

3. During a recession or difficult financial times, most people have to cut down on their spending… maybe by

throwing less extravagant parties, eating out at restaurants less or cutting down on anything related to

entertainment.

4. Some people (myself included) need to cut down on the number of hours they work each week – but it’s not an

easy decision, especially when your income is related to how much you work.

5. Many people I know should cut down on the amount of time they spend on the internet, especially on Facebook,

Twitter, Youtube or a host of other sites. Think of what you could do with your time instead.

1. Cuando el equipo decidió reducir sus listas, todos estuvieron molestos.

<When the team decided to cut down their roster, everyone was upset.>

2. El fuego enemigo mató a muchos soldados.

<Many soldiers were cut down by enemy fire.>

Pag34

Find out(check out, discovery)

If you “find out” something, it is the same as saying to discover

(knowledge). To “break in” is when someone enters a house or building illegally.

1. When did you find out that Santa Claus/ Father Christmas as we know him

does not exist? Was it a shock?

2. When you travel to another country either on vacation or if you immigrate

there, you will find out many new things that you never knew before - about the culture, language, customs etc. You will broaden your horizons (gain more

experience in life).

3. When I found out that “Pluto” is not really a planet, I felt like I had been living a lie - because there are actually only 8 planets in our solar system, not

9 as we previously thought.

4. My life changed forever when I found out how to download music and

movies.

5. Today I found out that pasta did not originate in Italy. Most food historians

believe that Arabs from Libya are to be credited for bringing pasta to the Mediterranean.

1. Me acabo de enterar de que mi hermana está embarazada

<I just found out that my sister is pregnant >

Pag35

Hand back(to return something to the person who gave it to you)

1. Ellos me devolvieron mi bici

<They handed me back my bike>

Pag36

Clear up (make a place tidy by removing things from it)

1. Ellos limpiaron la casa

<They cleared up the home>

Pag37

Hold out (Resist or survive in difficult circumstances)

1. El pueblo remoto de la montaña resistió ante los ataques de las tropas invasoras

<The remote mountain village held out against the foreign armies.>

Pag38

Take risk (Do something dangerous)

1. No logro comprender por qué te arriesgaste de esa manera.

<I can't imagine why you would take the risk>

Pag39

Take off (start flying to, depart for reduce, lose weight,remove)

1. Tras un breve retraso el avión despegó

<The plane took off after a short delay>

Pag40

Take up (when you start a new hobby or activity)

If you take up something, you are starting a new hobby or activity.

1. Millions of people around the world are taking up blogging every year.

2. I decided that at some point this year I'm going to take up Capoeira - it

looks like a lot of fun and it keeps you fit.

3. Everyone should take up a hobby that helps them to relax.

4. I took up playing the harmonica about 14 years ago when I heard Sonny

Terry and Brownie McGee.

5. Why don't you take up an outdoor hobby? I don't think it's good for you to play video games 24/7.

1. Empezó a hacer marquetería cuando heredó las herramientas de su abuelo.

<He took up woodworking after inheriting his grandfather's tools.>

Pag41

Keep a promise(you give your Word in something and you do

it)

1. Mantuvo su promesa y me compro la bici

He kept his promise and bough me a bike

Pag42

Get hold of (Obtain something, come into possession of)

1. ¿Puede decirme dónde puedo conseguir un reloj como el suyo?

<Can you tell me where I can get hold of a watch like yours?>

Pag43

Make up (tell a story that’s not true/make an excuse)

1. Deberías ser escritor, inventas historias muy interesantes.

<You should be a writer, you make up such interesting stories>

Pag44

Have a go (Try to do something)

1. Había pensado en intentar esquiar desde hace algún tiempo y finalmente decidí darle

una oportunidad este invierno.

<I’d thought about skiing for some time and finally decided to give it a go this

winter. >

Pag45

Take after (Resemble, look like)

1. Muchos dicen que María se parece a su abuela.

<Many people say that Maria takes after her grandmother. Sam really takes after

his father.>

Pag46

Take over (take control, charge of sth)

1. Encárgate de la reunión por mí, volveré en un momento.

<Take over the meeting for me, I'll be back in a moment.>

Pag47

Set down (write something on a paper or place something on

the surface of something)

1. Ella dejó el libro sobre una mesa cercana

<She set down the book on a nearby table.>

2. Anotar tus pensamientos te ayuda a pensar las cosas con más claridad.

<If you set your thoughts down on paper first, it helps you to think about things more

clearly.>

Pag48

Get used to (We use “get used to” to say that an action or

situation becomes less strange)

1. Pronto te acostumbrarás a hacer el turno de noche.

<You will soon get used to working the night shift >

Pag49

Come up(be raised, mentioned, rise, problem: “occur, appear”, approach

[sb])

1. El Senador sabía que esa pregunta sobre su campaña iba a salir.

<The senator knew that questions about his campaign would come up.>

2. Nos sentamos en la playa a ver al sol levantarse sobre el agua.

<We sat on the beach and watched the sun come up over the water. >

3. cómo llegar a buenos temas de conversación

<how to come up with good conversation topics. >

Pag50

Come up against (have to deal with a problem)

1. Si tienes dificultades házmelo saber y te ayudaré

If you come up against difficulties, let me know and I'll help out.

Pag51

Come up with(Suggest or think an idea or plan)

Bug = irritate Sharp = intelligent retort = answer/ response

When you “come up with” something, you think of

something original; you find a creative solution/ plan. A synonym is “to think up”.

1. People who work in the advertising industry need to come up with original and

dynamic marketing ideas. Do you need to come up with new ideas or plans in your

line of work?

2. Often people come up with the best ideas when there is a necessity. There is an

expression: “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Can you think of any inventions

that were born out of need?

3. Do you know who came up with the idea of the Leap Year? Leap years are years

with 366 days, instead of the usual 365. Leap years are necessary because the actual

length of a year is 365.242 days, not 365 days. Julius Caesar was behind the origin of

leap year in 45 BC.

4. Can you come up with new ideas under pressure, or do you get inspiration when

you are relaxing? Some people come up with ideas when they are in the shower,

driving, exercising or walking on the beach.

1. Tendré que inventarme un plan

I'll have to come up with a plan.

Pag52

Turn into (change or develop into something

different; become.)

“Turn into” is a phrasal verb which means to “become” or “transform

into”.

1. At midnight, Cinderella’s carriage turned back into a pumpkin and her horses turned back into mice. Here’s the full story:

http://www.ivyjoy.com/fables/cinderella.html

2. When Bruce Banner gets angry or frustrated he turns into an enormous green monster, otherwise known as “The Incredible Hulk”.

3. Some people turn into a totally different person when they are driving.

They will become aggressive and may shout verbal insults at other drivers, make rude gestures or drive recklessly (dangerously). This is called “road

rage”.

4. North Korea threatened more than once to turn Seoul (South Korean

Capital) into a “sea of flames” if they did not turn down the music they were

blasting across the border.

5. With the revolution sweeping across the Middle East and Northern Africa, several countries in the region are turning into democracies.

1. Un gusanito podrá transformarse en una mariposa .

A caterpillar will eventually turn into a butterfly.

Pag53

Pass away (Die)

1. Steve Jobs falleció en 2011

<Steve Jobs pass away in 2011>

Pag54

Read on (continue to read)

1. Ella continúo leyendo su libro favorito.

<She got on hers favourite book.>

Pag55

Put out (place in a certain position or situation)

1. Sacó al gato a que pasara la noche

<he put the cat out for the night >

Pag56

Go on (continue)

1. Sigue con tu historia.

<Go on with your story!>

Pag57

Keep on (continue doing something)

1. Y sigues hablando, ¿no te pedí que te callaras hace un rato?

<Why do you keep on talking after I've asked you to be quiet?>

Pag58

Have a clue (have any idea or knowledge)

1. No tengo ni idea de por dónde empezar a buscar María

<I don't have a clue about where to start looking for María>

Pag59

Put off (postpone, delay)

1. Aplazó el escribir la carta

<he put off writing the letter >

Pag60

pull in (Attract)

1. El Nuevo centro comercial atrae a mucha gente

<The new Shopping centre pulls in many people.>

Pag61

Pop into (go into a place or visit for a short time)

1. Estoy en un momento. Hago una parada rápida en la farmacia, y recojo mi receta.

<I'll be just a moment. I just need to pop into the pharmacy to pick up my prescription >

Pag62

Cater for (provide what is wanted or needed by someone or something)

1. Mi madre sirve catering para bodas.

<My mother used to cater for weddings >

Pag63

Hang around with (spend time with somebody)

1. Ellos siempre van juntos

They always hang around together

Pag64

Be up to (Be doing something)

In this context, if you are up to something it simply means that you are doing something... you could also be scheming (secret plan).

1. - Hey Frank what are you up to? - Nothing much... I'm just surfing the internet.

2. - What have you been up to these days?

- I'm on vacation so I've been watching a lot of my favorite TV series.

3. I wonder (I'm curious about) what Steven is up to these days. I haven't heard from him in a while (long time).

4. I don't know what you're up to, but you've got some explaining to do.

Another meaning (it doesn't apply to this comic strip) is if you are up

to something then you feel like doing something... it expresses that

you want to do something.

- What are you doing this weekend? Are you up to having a barbeque? - I'm definitely up to it!

Pag65

Chill out (Relax completely)

1. Me gusta relajarme en la playa

I like to chill out on the beach

Pag66

Head out (Leave, start a journey)

1. Henry estaba impaciente por marcharse por su cuenta

<Henry was getting impatient to head out on his own.>

Pag67

Let off (allow to go without punishment)

1. hoy han dejado salir a los niños antes de la hora

they let the children off early today

Pag68

Pull out (extract, remove)

1. El sacó a María del río

<He pull María out of a river >

Pag69

Show off (behave boastfully)

If someone shows off, they try to make a good impression. They want

people to admire them. If you show off, you exhibit your abilities or what you have.

1. When you buy something new, do you like to show it off to everyone? If you send emails from

your iPad, iPhone or Blackberry, do you include the email signature, “Sent from my iPad”? It is the

default (automatic) setting, but it is possible to turn it off. Personally it doesn’t bother me, but many

people say that the owner of the device is just showing off. I should end all my emails with, “Sent

from my Windows netbook”.

2. The title of an article on nervousbreakdown.com states, “Adults Have Ruined Facebook with

Juvenile Showing Off.” It continues, “Facebook has become a tool for one-upping others, or

keeping up with the Joneses… I do not think that Facebook should be used to gloat, brag, show off

or try to make other people feel like losers compared to you.”

3. Often when people show off they have accidents. Take a look at this video of someone falling off a motorbike while doing a “wheelie”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxAPobrzZqE

4. If you are good at something, do you like to show it off? Perhaps you play a musical instrument or maybe you have a good knowledge in some particular

area?

1. Cuando su madre famosa fue a la escuela, él la mostró con orgullo a todos sus

amigos.

<When his famous mother came to school, he showed her off to all his friends >

Pag70

Spill out (overflow)

1. Se cayó y todo lo que tenía en la cartera se desparramó en el suelo.

<She fell over and everything spilled out of her purse.>

Pag71

Start off (Begin, set off)

1. Empezaron la cena con unas deliciosas tarteletas como aperitivo.

<They started off the meal with lovely baby quiche appetizers.>

Pag72

Try out (Sample, experience, test)

1. No digas que no te gusta si ni siquiera lo has probado.

<Don't say you don't like it if you haven't even tried it out >

Pag73

Turn away (Reject, refuse, deny)

1. No debemos rechazar los botes llenos de refugiados como hemos hecho en el

pasado.

We must not turn away boats full of refugees as we have done in the past.

Pag74

Turn down (decline, refuse)

1. El banco rechazó mi solicitud de un préstamo

<The bank turned down my application for a loan.>

Pag75

Walk off (go away on foot)

1. dimos un paseo para bajar la comida

<We walked off our lunch >

Pag76

coming soon

Pag77

Pag78

Make up for

If you try to make up for something, you are trying to compensate for missed opportunities or mistakes that you have made, especially

neglecting someone or forgetting what is important to the other person.

1. If you’re late for work, do you try to make up for it and act extra friendly to your boss and coworkers... or maybe work a little harder or faster?

2. Do you think there’s any way for a person to make up for killing someone or something equally as extreme?

3. It is the same story the world over: Parents who are not present while their

children are growing up (because they are too busy focusing on their career or social life) try to make up for it by giving their children expensive things.

There is no substitute for a parent’s time. Steve Jobs gave his family

everything except his time. Does all that money make up for him not being there?

4. If you’ve forgotten your wife’s/ husband’s/ partner’s birthday or your

wedding anniversary, etc., how could you make up for it without having to suffer the consequences?