some common verbs

8/2/2019 Some Common Verbs

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Some common verbs

have do make

have a bathhave a drinkhave a good timehave a haircuthave a holidayhave a problemhave a relationshiphave a resthave lunchhave sympathy

do businessdo nothingdo someone a favourdo the cookingdo the houseworkdo the shoppingdo the washing updo your bestdo your hairdo your homework

make a differencemake a messmake a mistakemake a noisemake an effortmake furnituremake moneymake progressmake roommake trouble

take break catch

take a breaktake a chancetake a looktake a resttake a seattake a taxi

take an examtake notestake someone's placetake someone'stemperature

break a habitbreak a legbreak a promisebreak a recordbreak a windowbreak someone's heartbreak the icebreak the lawbreak the news tosomeone

break the rules

catch a ballcatch a buscatch a chillcatch a coldcatch a thiefcatch firecatch sight ofcatch someone'sattentioncatch someone's eyecatch the flu

pay save keep

pay a fine

pay attentionpay by credit cardpay cashpay interestpay someone acompliment

pay someone a visitpay the bill

pay the pricepay your respects

save electricity

save energysave moneysave one's strengthsave someone a seatsave someone's lifesave something to adisksave space

save timesave yourself the

keep a diary

keep a promisekeep a secretkeep anappointmentkeep calmkeep controlkeep in touchkeep quiet

keep someone'splace


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trouble keep the change

come go get

come close

come complete withcome directcome earlycome firstcome into viewcome lastcome latecome on time

come preparedcome right backcome secondcome to a compromisecome to a decisioncome to an agreementcome to an endcome to a standstill

come to terms withcome to a total ofcome under attack

go abroad

go astraygo badgo baldgo bankruptgo blindgo crazygo darkgo deaf

go fishinggo madgo missinggo on footgo onlinego out of businessgo overseasgo quiet

go sailinggo to wargo yellow

get a job

get a shockget angryget divorcedget drunkget frightenedget homeget lostget married

get nowhereget permissionget pregnantget readyget startedget the impressionget the messageget the sack

get upsetget wetget worried

Miscellaneous

Time Business English Classifiers

bang on timedead on time

early 12th centuryfree timefrom dawn till duskgreat deal of timelate 20th centurymake time fornext few days

past few weeks

right on time

annual turnoverbear in mind

break off negotiationscease tradingchair a meetingclose a dealclose a meetingcome to the pointdismiss an offerdraw a conclusion

draw your attention to

a ball of stringa bar of chocolate

a bottle of watera bunch of carrotsa cube of sugara pack of cardsa pad of paper


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run out of timesave timespare timespend some timetake your timetell someone the timetime goes bytime passeswaste time

launch a new productlay off staffgo bankruptgo into partnershipmake a lossmake a profitmarket forcessales figurestake on staff

Verb Meaning Example

ask someone out invite on a dateBrian asked Judyout to dinner and amovie.

ask aroundask many people thesame question

I asked around butnobody has seen mywallet.

add up to something equalYour purchases addup to $205.32.

back something up reverse

You'll have to back

up your car so that Ican get out.

back someone up supportMy wife backed meup over my decisionto quit my job.

blow up explodeThe racing car blewup after it crashedinto the fence.

blow something up add airWe have to blow 50

balloons up for theparty.

break downstop functioning(vehicle, machine)

Our car broke downat the side of thehighway in thesnowstorm.

break down get upset The woman broke

down when thepolice told her that


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her son had died.

break something downdivide into smaller

parts

Our teacher brokethe final projectdown into threeseparate parts.

break inforce entry to a

building

Somebody broke inlast night and stoleour stereo.

break into something enter forcibly

The firemen had tobreak into the roomto rescue thechildren.

break something inwear something a fewtimes so that it doesn'tlook/feel new

I need to breakthese shoes in

before we run nextweek.

break in interrupt

The TV stationbroke in to reportthe news of the

president's death.

break up end a relationshipMy boyfriend and I

broke up before Imoved to America.

break upstart laughing(informal)

The kids just brokeup as soon as theclown startedtalking.

break out escapeThe prisoners brokeout of jail when theguards weren'tlooking.

break out in somethingdevelop a skincondition

I broke out in a rashafter our campingtrip.

bring someone down make unhappyThis sad music is

bringing me down.bring someone up raise a child My grandparents


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brought me up aftermy parents died.

bring something upstart talking about asubject

My mother walksout of the roomwhen my father

brings up sports.

bring something up vomit

He drank so muchthat he brought hisdinner up in thetoilet.

call aroundphone many differentplaces/people

We called aroundbut we weren't ableto find the car partwe needed.

call someone back return a phone call

I called thecompany back butthe offices wereclosed for theweekend.

call something off cancelJason called thewedding off

because he wasn't inlove with his fianc.

call on someoneask for an answer oropinion

The professorcalled on me forquestion 1.

call on someone visit someone

We called on you

last night but youweren't home.

call someone up phone

Give me yourphone number and Iwill call you upwhen we are intown.

calm down relax after being angry You are still mad.

You need to calmdown before you


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drive the car.

not care forsomeone/something

not like (formal)I don't care for his

behaviour.

catch upget to the same pointas someone else

You'll have to runfaster than that ifyou want to catchup with Marty.

check inarrive and register at ahotel or airport

We will get thehotel keys when wecheck in.

check out leave a hotel

You have to check

out of the hotelbefore 11:00 AM.

checksomeone/something out

look at carefully,investigate

The companychecks out all newemployees.

check outsomeone/something

look at (informal)Check out the crazyhair on that guy!

cheer up become happier

She cheered up

when she heard thegood news.

cheer someone up make happierI brought you someflowers to cheeryou up.

chip in help

If everyone chips inwe can get thekitchen painted by

noon.

clean something up tidy, clean

Please clean upyour bedroom

before you gooutside.

come across something find unexpectedly

I came across theseold photos when Iwas tidying the

closet.


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come apart separateThe top and bottomcome apart if you

pull hard enough.

come down withsomething

become sickMy nephew camedown with chicken

pox this weekend.

come forwardvolunteer for a task orto give evidence

The woman cameforward with herhusband's finger

prints.

come from somewhere originate inThe art of origamicomes from Asia.

count onsomeone/something

rely onI am counting onyou to make dinnerwhile I am out.

cross something out draw a line through

Please cross outyour old addressand write your newone.

cut back on something consume lessMy doctor wantsme to cut back onsweets and fattyfoods.

cut something downmake something fall tothe ground

We had to cut theold tree in our yarddown after thestorm.

cut in interruptYour father cut inwhile I was dancingwith your uncle.

cut inpull in too closely infront of anothervehicle

The bus driver gotangry when that carcut in.

cut instart operating (of anengine or electricaldevice)

The air conditionercuts in when the

temperature gets to22C.


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cut something offremove withsomething sharp

The doctors cut offhis leg because itwas severelyinjured.

cut something off stop providing

The phonecompany cut off our

phone because wedidn't pay the bill.

cut someone off take out of a willMy grandparentscut my father offwhen he remarried.

cut something out

remove part ofsomething (usuallywith scissors and

paper)

I cut this ad out ofthe newspaper.

do someone/somethingover

beat up, ransack(Br.E., informal)

He's lucky to bealive. His shop wasdone over by astreet gang.

do something over do again (N.Amer.)

My teacher wantsme to do my essayover because shedoesn't like mytopic.

do away withsomething

discardIt's time to do awaywith all of these oldtax records.

do something up fasten, closeDo your coat upbefore you gooutside. It'ssnowing!

dress up wear nice clothingIt's a fancyrestaurant so wehave to dress up.

drop back move back in a

position/group

Andrea dropped

back to third placewhen she fell off


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her bike.

drop in/by/overcome without anappointment

I might dropin/by/over for teasometime thisweek.

dropsomeone/something off

takesomeone/somethingsomewhere and leavethem/it there

I have to drop mysister off at work

before I come over.

drop out quit a class, school etcI dropped out ofScience because itwas too difficult.

eat out eat at a restaurantI don't feel likecooking tonight.Let's eat out.

end upeventuallyreach/do/decide

We ended uprenting a movieinstead of going tothe theatre.

fall apart break into pieces My new dress fellapart in the washingmachine.

fall down fall to the ground

The picture that youhung up last nightfell down thismorning.

fall out

separate from an

interior

The money must

have fallen out ofmy pocket.

fall out(of hair, teeth) becomeloose and unattached

His hair started tofall out when hewas only 35.

figure something outunderstand, find theanswer

I need to figure outhow to fit the pianoand the bookshelf in

this room.fill something in to write information in Please fill in the


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blanks (Br.E.)form with yourname, address, and

phone number.

fill something out to write information inblanks (N.Amer.)

The form must befilled out in capitalletters.

fill something up fill to the topI always fill thewater jug up whenit is empty.

find out discover

We don't knowwhere he lives.How can we findout?

find something out discover

We tried to keep thetime of the party asecret, butSamantha found itout.

get somethingacross/over communicate, makeunderstandable

I tried to get my

point across/over tothe judge but shewouldn't listen.

get along/on like each other

I was surprised howwell my newgirlfriend and mysister got along/on.

get around have mobility

My grandfather can

get around fine inhis new wheelchair.

get away go on a vacation

We worked so hardthis year that wehad to get away fora week.

get away withsomething

do without beingnoticed or punished

Jason always getsaway with cheating

in his maths tests.get back return We got back from


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our vacation lastweek.

get something backreceive something youhad before

Liz finally got herScience notes backfrom my room-mate.

get back at someone retaliate, take revenge

My sister got backat me for stealingher shoes. She stolemy favourite hat.

get back into

something

become interested in

something again

I finally got backinto my novel andfinished it.

get on something step onto a vehicle

We're going tofreeze out here ifyou don't let us geton the bus.

get over somethingrecover from anillness, loss, difficulty

I just got over theflu and now my

sister has it.

get over something overcome a problem

The company willhave to close if itcan't get over thenew regulations.

get round to somethingfinally find time to do(N.Amer.: get aroundto something)

I don't know when Iam going to getround to writing the

thank you cards.

get togethermeet (usually forsocial reasons)

Let's get togetherfor a BBQ thisweekend.

get up get out of bedI got up early todayto study for myexam.

get up stand

You should get up

and give the elderlyman your seat.


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give someone awayreveal hiddeninformation aboutsomeone

His wife gave himaway to the police.

give someone away take the bride to thealtar

My father gave meaway at mywedding.

give something away ruin a secretMy little sister gavethe surprise partyaway by accident.

give something awaygive something tosomeone for free

The library wasgiving away old

books on Friday.

give something back return a borrowed item

I have to give theseskates back to Franz

before his hockeygame.

give inreluctantly stopfighting or arguing

My boyfriend didn'twant to go to the

ballet, but he finally

gave in.

give something outgive to many people(usually at no cost)

They were givingout free perfumesamples at thedepartment store.

give something up quit a habitI am giving upsmoking as ofJanuary 1st.

give up stop tryingMy mathshomework was toodifficult so I gaveup.

go after someone follow someoneMy brother tried togo after the thief inhis car.

go after something try to achieve

something

I went after my

dream and now Iam a published


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writer.

go against someone compete, oppose

We are goingagainst the bestsoccer team in thecity tonight.

go ahead start, proceedPlease go ahead andeat before the foodgets cold.

go back return to a placeI have to go backhome and get mylunch.

go out leave home to go on asocial event We're going out fordinner tonight.

go out with someone date

Jesse has beengoing out with Lukesince they met lastwinter.

go over something reviewPlease go over youranswers before you

submit your test.

go over visit someone nearby

I haven't seen Tinafor a long time. Ithink I'll go over foran hour or two.

go without somethingsuffer lack ordeprivation

When I was young,we went withoutwinter boots.

grow apartstop being friends overtime

My best friend andI grew apart aftershe changedschools.

grow back regrowMy roses grew backthis summer.

grow up become an adultWhen Jack growsup he wants to be a

fireman.


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grow out of something get too big for

Elizabeth needs anew pair of shoes

because she hasgrown out of herold ones.

grow into something grow big enough to fit

This bike is too bigfor him now, but heshould grow into it

by next year.

hand something downgive something used tosomeone else

I handed my oldcomic books downto my little cousin.

hand something in submitI have to hand inmy essay by Friday.

hand something outto distribute to a groupof people

We will hand outthe invitations at thedoor.

hand something overgive (usually

unwillingly)

The police askedthe man to hand

over his wallet andhis weapons.

hang instay positive (N.Amer.,informal)

Hang in there. I'msure you'll find a

job very soon.

hang onwait a short time(informal)

Hang on while Igrab my coat andshoes!

hang outspend time relaxing(informal)

Instead of going tothe party we are justgoing to hang out atmy place.

hang up end a phone callHe didn't saygoodbye before hehung up.

hold

someone/somethingback

prevent from

doing/going

I had to hold my

dog back becausethere was a cat in


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the park.

hold something back hide an emotion

Jamie held back histears at hisgrandfather'sfuneral.

hold on wait a short time

Please hold onwhile I transfer youto the SalesDepartment.

hold ontosomeone/something

hold firmly using yourhands or arms

Hold onto your hatbecause it's verywindy outside.

holdsomeone/somethingup

robA man in a blackmask held the bankup this morning.

keep on doingsomething

continue doingKeep on stirringuntil the liquidcomes to a boil.

keep something fromsomeone not tell

We kept our

relationship fromour parents for twoyears.

keepsomeone/something out

stop from enteringTry to keep the wetdog out of theliving room.

keep something upcontinue at the same

rate

If you keep thoseresults up you will

get into a greatcollege.

let someone downfail to support or help,disappoint

I need you to be ontime. Don't let medown this time.

let someone in allow to enter Can you let the catin before you go toschool?

look aftersomeone/something

take care of I have to look after my sick


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grandmother.

look down on someonethink less of, considerinferior

Ever since we stolethat chocolate baryour dad has lookeddown on me.

look forsomeone/something

try to findI'm looking for ared dress for thewedding.

look forward tosomething

be excited about thefuture

I'm looking forwardto the Christmas

break.

look into something investigateWe are going tolook into the priceof snowboardstoday.

look outbe careful, vigilant,and take notice

Look out! That car'sgoing to hit you!

look out forsomeone/something

be especially vigilantfor

Don't forget to lookout for snakes on

the hiking trail.

look something over check, examineCan you look overmy essay forspelling mistakes?

look something up

search and findinformation in areference book ordatabase

We can look herphone number upon the Internet.

look up to someonehave a lot of respectfor

My little sister hasalways looked up tome.

make something upinvent, lie aboutsomething

Josie made up astory about why wewere late.

make up forgive each other We were angry lastnight, but we made

up at breakfast.


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make someone up apply cosmetics toMy sisters made meup for mygraduation party.

mix something upconfuse two or morethings

I mixed up thetwins' names again!

pass away dieHis uncle passedaway last night aftera long illness.

pass out faint

It was so hot in thechurch that anelderly lady passedout.

pass something outgive the same thing tomany people

The professorpassed thetextbooks out

before class.

pass something updecline (usuallysomething good)

I passed up the jobbecause I am afraidof change.

pay someone back return owed money Thanks for buyingmy ticket. I'll payyou back on Friday.

pay for somethingbe punished for doingsomething bad

That bully will payfor being mean tomy little brother.

pick something out chooseI picked out threesweaters for you to

try on.pointsomeone/something out

indicate with yourfinger

I'll point myboyfriend out whenhe runs by.

put something downput what you areholding on a surface orfloor

You can put thegroceries down onthe kitchen counter.

put someone down insult, make someone

feel stupid

The students put the

substitute teacherdown because his


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pants were tooshort.

put something off postpone

We are putting offour trip untilJanuary because ofthe hurricane.

put something out extinguishThe neighbours putthe fire out beforethe firemen arrived.

put something together assembleI have to put thecrib together beforethe baby arrives.

put up withsomeone/something

tolerate

I don't think I canput up with threesmall children inthe car.

put something onputclothing/accessories onyour body

Don't forget to puton your newearrings for the

party.run intosomeone/something

meet unexpectedlyI ran into an oldschool-friend at themall.

run oversomeone/something

drive a vehicle over aperson or thing

I accidentally ranover your bicycle inthe driveway.

run over/throughsomething

rehearse, review

Let's run

over/through theselines one more time

before the show.

run awayleave unexpectedly,escape

The child ran awayfrom home and has

been missing forthree days.

run out have none left We ran out of

shampoo so I had towash my hair with


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soap.

send something backreturn (usually bymail)

My letter got sentback to me becauseI used the wrongstamp.

set something up arrange, organize

Our boss set ameeting up with the

president of thecompany.

set someone up trick, trap

The police set upthe car thief byusing a hiddencamera.

shop around compare prices

I want to shoparound a little

before I decide onthese boots.

show offact extra special for

people watching

(usually boastfully)

He always showsoff on his

skateboard

sleep overstay somewhere for thenight (informal)

You should sleepover tonight if theweather is too badto drive home.

sort something outorganize, resolve a

problem

We need to sort thebills out before thefirst of the month.

stick to somethingcontinue doingsomething, limityourself to one

particular thing

You will loseweight if you stickto the diet.

switch something offstop the energy flow,turn off

The light's toobright. Could youswitch it off.

switch something on start the energy flow,

turn on

We heard the news

as soon as weswitched on the car


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radio.

take after someoneresemble a familymember

I take after mymother. We are

both impatient.

take something apartpurposely break intopieces

He took the carbrakes apart andfound the problem.

take something back return an item

I have to take ournew TV back

because it doesn'twork.

take off start to fly My plane takes offin five minutes.

take something offremove something(usually clothing)

Take off your socksand shoes and comein the lake!

take something outremove from a place orthing

Can you take thegarbage out to thestreet for me?

take someone outpay for someone to gosomewhere with you

My grandparentstook us out fordinner and a movie.

tear something up rip into pieces

I tore up my ex-boyfriend's lettersand gave them backto him.

think back remember (often + to,sometimes + on)

When I think back

on my youth, I wishI had studiedharder.

think something over consider

I'll have to thinkthis job offer over

before I make myfinal decision.

throw something away dispose of We threw our old

furniture awaywhen we won the


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lottery.

turn something downdecrease the volume orstrength (heat, lightetc)

Please turn the TVdown while theguests are here.

turn something down refuseI turned the jobdown because Idon't want to move.

turn something offstop the energy flow,switch off

Your mother wantsyou to turn the TVoff and come fordinner.

turn something on start the energy, switchon

It's too dark in here.Let's turn somelights on.

turn something upincrease the volume orstrength (heat, lightetc)

Can you turn themusic up? This ismy favourite song.

turn up appear suddenly

Our cat turned upafter we put posters

up all over theneighbourhood.

try something on sample clothing

I'm going to trythese jeans on, but Idon't think they willfit.

try something out testI am going to trythis new brand of

detergent out.

use something up finish the supply

The kids used all ofthe toothpaste up sowe need to buysome more.

wake up stop sleepingWe have to wakeup early for workon Monday.

warmsomeone/something up

increase thetemperature

You can warm yourfeet up in front of


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the fireplace.

warm upprepare body forexercise

I always warm upby doing sit-upsbefore I go for arun.

wear off fade awayMost of my make-up wore off before Igot to the party.

work out exerciseI work out at thegym three times aweek.

work out be successful Our plan workedout fine.

work something out make a calculation

We have to workout the total cost

before we buy thehouse.

some common verbs

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