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phrasal-verb

add in

Meaning
to include a small polite comment or detail
Example
If I may, I’d like to add in one more observation.
idiom

tip of the hat

Meaning
a gesture of appreciation or respect
Example
A tip of the hat to everyone who made this event possible.
phrasal-verb

soak up knowledge

Meaning
to absorb and retain new information or skills quickly
Example
Young minds can easily soak up knowledge from their surroundings.
phrasal-verb

move out of

Meaning
to leave a specific place or situation
Example
They decided to move out of the city and live in the countryside.
idiom

forgive and forget

Meaning
to stop being angry and not remember someone’s mistake
Example
Let’s forgive and forget and move on.
idiom

team spirit

Meaning
a feeling of pride and loyalty shared by members of a group
Example
Their team spirit helped them win the championship.
idiom

give someone the shirt off your back

Meaning
to be extremely generous and selfless
Example
He’d give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.
idiom

flash back to

Meaning
to suddenly remember a past event
Example
The photo made her flash back to her first day at work.
idiom

be accountable for

Meaning
to be responsible for something and able to explain it
Example
As the team leader, he is accountable for the project's outcome.
idiom

a party animal

Meaning
someone who loves going to parties
Example
My roommate is a party animal; she goes out every weekend.
idiom

talk over

Meaning
to discuss something thoroughly
Example
Let’s talk over the proposal before we send it.
idiom

take on board

Meaning
to accept or take responsibility for something
Example
The manager had to take on board the new task for the team.
phrasal-verb

look in on

Meaning
to visit briefly to see if someone is fine
Example
I’ll look in on Grandma after work to make sure she’s okay.
idiom

bend someone’s ear

Meaning
to talk to someone for a long time, usually to complain
Example
He bent my ear about his terrible day at work.
phrasal-verb

lift someone up

Meaning
to make someone feel more hopeful or encouraged
Example
Her words always lift me up when I’m feeling low.
idiom

When in Rome, do as the Romans do

Meaning
Adapt to the customs of the place you are visiting
Example
When traveling abroad, it's wise to do as the Romans do.
idiom

behind the times

Meaning
old-fashioned or not keeping up with modern ideas
Example
My uncle still uses a typewriter—he’s behind the times.
idiom

A bundle of nerves

Meaning
To be extremely anxious or tense.
Example
Before the presentation, she was a bundle of nerves.
idiom

trial and error

Meaning
learning through experimenting and correcting mistakes
Example
We developed the product through trial and error.
idiom

step up your game

Meaning
to improve your performance or effort
Example
You need to step up your game if you want to win.
phrasal-verb

come across

Meaning
to find something or someone unexpectedly
Example
We came across a promising distributor during the trade fair.
idiom

green light

Meaning
permission to start or go ahead with something
Example
The manager gave us the green light to launch the project.
phrasal-verb

expand expertise in

Meaning
to increase knowledge or skills in a specific area
Example
He attended workshops to expand his expertise in management.
phrasal-verb

come out in favor of

Meaning
to publicly support or agree with something
Example
The committee came out in favor of the new proposal.
phrasal-verb

use sparingly

Meaning
to use something in small or limited amounts
Example
Please use the office supplies sparingly until the next order arrives.
phrasal-verb

ask for forgiveness

Meaning
to request someone to forgive you
Example
I will ask for forgiveness for what I did.
phrasal-verb

depend upon

Meaning
to rely on someone for support or help
Example
Children depend upon their parents for love and care.
idiom

color outside the lines

Meaning
to think or act creatively and unconventionally
Example
Good designers always color outside the lines.
idiom

Pop quiz

Meaning
a surprise test given without warning
Example
Our teacher gave us a pop quiz today.
idiom

seat of power

Meaning
a place where authority or control is exercised
Example
The prime minister returned to the seat of power after a long illness.
idiom

hardwired to do something

Meaning
to be naturally inclined or programmed to behave a certain way
Example
Humans are hardwired to seek connection and belonging.
phrasal-verb

point away from

Meaning
to direct attention away from something
Example
He tried to point away from the real issue.
phrasal-verb

slide into bed

Meaning
to get into bed smoothly and get ready to sleep
Example
After the long shift he just wants to slide into bed and rest.
idiom

break someone’s heart

Meaning
to make someone very sad
Example
It really broke his heart when she left him.
phrasal-verb

adjust for change

Meaning
to make modifications to deal with new circumstances
Example
The manager asked everyone to adjust for change during the transition.
phrasal-verb

give forth

Meaning
to produce or emit something
Example
The trees gave forth a sweet scent after the rain.
idiom

go back to the drawing board

Meaning
to start over again because the previous plan failed
Example
Our experiment failed, so we have to go back to the drawing board.
idiom

a light at the end of the tunnel

Meaning
a sign that a situation will improve soon; hope in a difficult situation
Example
After months of hard work, she finally saw a light at the end of the tunnel.
phrasal-verb

steer someone toward

Meaning
to guide a person toward a helpful choice
Example
Mentors steer interns toward roles that match their strengths.
phrasal-verb

move down

Meaning
to go to a lower position, level, or rank
Example
He had to move down to a smaller apartment to save money.
phrasal-verb

look back on

Meaning
to reflect on something that happened in the past
Example
Students often look back on their school days with pride.
idiom

a trip down memory lane

Meaning
to remember pleasant events from the past
Example
Looking through old photos was a trip down memory lane.
idiom

put in a nutshell

Meaning
to summarize something briefly
Example
To put it in a nutshell, we need more time to finish.
idiom

a tough cookie

Meaning
someone who is strong and not easily upset
Example
She’s a tough cookie; nothing can discourage her.
idiom

Tell the truth

Meaning
To say what is true instead of lying.
Example
Please tell the truth, even if it hurts.
idiom

build castles in the air

Meaning
to make unrealistic plans or dreams
Example
He’s always building castles in the air instead of acting.
idiom

cut someone down to size

Meaning
to criticize someone to make them feel less important
Example
The manager cut him down to size after he bragged too much.
idiom

call it a night

Meaning
to stop what you are doing and go home, especially after a party
Example
It’s getting late, let’s call it a night.
phrasal-verb

shore up reserves

Meaning
to strengthen or support financial reserves
Example
The central bank moved to shore up reserves by buying foreign currency.
idiom

new lease on life

Meaning
a chance to live or start something again after a period of difficulty
Example
Winning the award gave her a new lease on life.
phrasal-verb

pull ahead of

Meaning
to move in front of someone or something in a race or competition
Example
Our car finally pulled ahead of the others on the highway.
idiom

mend a broken heart

Meaning
to heal from emotional pain after a breakup
Example
It takes time to mend a broken heart.
idiom

make sense of

Meaning
to understand something that is complicated or unclear
Example
I finally made sense of the instructions after reading them twice.
idiom

big picture

Meaning
the overall perspective or situation
Example
Producers always try to see the big picture before making changes.
phrasal-verb

apply for

Meaning
to make a formal request for a job or position
Example
She decided to apply for the marketing manager position at the new company.
idiom

feel at ease

Meaning
to feel relaxed and confident
Example
He finally felt at ease speaking in public.
idiom

work like a charm

Meaning
to function perfectly or very effectively
Example
The new solution worked like a charm.
idiom

get the creative juices flowing

Meaning
to start being creative or imaginative
Example
A walk in nature helps me get the creative juices flowing.
idiom

put a spin on

Meaning
to present information in a way that influences people's perception
Example
The media often puts a spin on stories to attract viewers.
phrasal-verb

look down on

Meaning
to think that you are better than someone
Example
You should never look down on your relatives for their financial situation.
phrasal-verb

set priorities

Meaning
to decide which tasks or goals are most important
Example
You must set priorities to reach your long-term goals.
idiom

carry a torch for someone

Meaning
to continue loving someone who doesn’t love you back
Example
He’s still carrying a torch for his ex-girlfriend.
phrasal-verb

collaborate on

Meaning
to work jointly on a specific project or task
Example
Both companies agreed to collaborate on the new software product.
phrasal-verb

set out for

Meaning
to begin a journey or an endeavor with a goal in mind
Example
She set out for success with a clear vision and determination.
phrasal-verb

botch up

Meaning
to do a job badly or carelessly
Example
He completely botched up the report.
idiom

let on

Meaning
to reveal something secret unintentionally
Example
Don’t let on that you know about the plan.
idiom

on good terms

Meaning
to have a friendly and peaceful relationship
Example
They are still on good terms even after the breakup.
phrasal-verb

stay back

Meaning
to remain at a safe distance from danger
Example
Everyone, stay back until the area is secure.
phrasal-verb

fill your mind with peace

Meaning
to focus your thoughts on calm and positive feelings
Example
Meditation helps you fill your mind with peace.
phrasal-verb

stay in

Meaning
to remain at home instead of going out
Example
We decided to stay in and watch a movie.
phrasal-verb

rinse off after

Meaning
to quickly wash yourself following an activity
Example
I always rinse off after my evening workout.
idiom

Bide one’s time

Meaning
To wait patiently for the right opportunity.
Example
She decided to bide her time before making a move.
idiom

switch on

Meaning
to turn something on so it operates
Example
Please switch on the lights before the clients arrive.
phrasal-verb

calm oneself down

Meaning
to relax and regain emotional control after being upset or angry
Example
He took a deep breath to calm himself down before speaking.
phrasal-verb

follow up right away

Meaning
to respond immediately after receiving a message
Example
I follow up right away when a client shares new requirements.
phrasal-verb

work hand in hand with

Meaning
to cooperate closely with someone
Example
The design and development teams work hand in hand with each other to deliver quality results.
idiom

laid-back

Meaning
calm, relaxed, and not easily upset
Example
He’s a very laid-back person who rarely gets angry.
idiom

Tech-savvy

Meaning
Having good knowledge of modern technology.
Example
Our tech-savvy team built the prototype in just a week.
idiom

keep your head in the game

Meaning
to stay mentally focused and motivated
Example
Even when things get tough, keep your head in the game.
idiom

Old hat

Meaning
Something that is outdated or no longer interesting
Example
That style is old hat now—no one wears it anymore.
idiom

rob Peter to pay Paul

Meaning
to take money from one part of something in order to pay for something else
Example
They're always robbing Peter to pay Paul, moving money around without making any progress.
idiom

hit the headlines

Meaning
to be reported widely in the news
Example
The company's scandal hit the headlines immediately.
idiom

keep your head up

Meaning
to remain confident and strong during hardships
Example
Keep your head up, better days are coming.
phrasal-verb

migrate to

Meaning
to move data or systems from one environment to another
Example
The IT team is working hard to migrate all databases to the cloud.
idiom

think on one's feet

Meaning
to be able to make quick decisions and act quickly, especially in an emergency
Example
During the meeting, she had to think on her feet and come up with a solution.
phrasal-verb

sign on with

Meaning
to officially agree to work or collaborate with someone
Example
The firm has just signed on with a global distributor.
idiom

betray someone's trust

Meaning
to break someone's confidence in you
Example
She would never betray your trust.
idiom

hang back

Meaning
to remain behind or hesitate to act
Example
If you hang back, you might miss the opportunity.
idiom

take five

Meaning
to take a short break
Example
Let's take five before continuing the meeting.
idiom

strike it rich

Meaning
to suddenly make a lot of money
Example
They struck it rich after investing in that startup.
idiom

bring down

Meaning
to make someone feel sad or to reduce something
Example
Don’t let one rude comment bring down your confidence.
idiom

True friends stab you in the front

Meaning
A true friend tells you harsh truths to your face.
Example
She’s not afraid to tell me the truth, because true friends stab you in the front.
phrasal-verb

tune inward

Meaning
to focus attention on your inner feelings or thoughts
Example
She took a few minutes each day to tune inward and reflect on her emotions.
phrasal-verb

build up to

Meaning
to prepare for something gradually
Example
You should build up to running long distances slowly.
idiom

raining cats and dogs

Meaning
raining very heavily
Example
It's raining cats and dogs outside!
phrasal-verb

share in

Meaning
to participate in someone’s emotions, especially happiness or sadness
Example
We all shared in their joy when they got engaged.
phrasal-verb

draw up a budget

Meaning
to prepare or plan a financial outline for a period
Example
The finance team will draw up a budget for the next fiscal year.
phrasal-verb

walk along

Meaning
to move on foot beside something for some distance
Example
Walk along the river until you reach the bridge.
idiom

old buddy old pal

Meaning
An affectionate way to refer to a longtime friend.
Example
Hey old buddy old pal, long time no see!
phrasal-verb

stay positive

Meaning
to keep an optimistic attitude
Example
Even in hard times, she always tries to stay positive.
idiom

dream big

Meaning
to have ambitious goals and aspirations
Example
If you want to achieve greatness, you must dream big.
idiom

kick in

Meaning
to begin to take effect
Example
The backup generator should kick in within seconds.
phrasal-verb

keep your head high

Meaning
to stay confident and proud even after facing criticism or failure
Example
No matter what happens, always keep your head high.
idiom

in the red

Meaning
to be in debt; losing money
Example
After the pandemic, many small businesses were in the red.
idiom

dog days

Meaning
the hottest days of summer
Example
During the dog days of summer, everyone stays indoors.
idiom

drop someone a line

Meaning
to contact someone by writing or message
Example
Please drop me a line when you arrive.
phrasal-verb

hold emotions in check

Meaning
to keep your emotions under control
Example
He tried to hold his emotions in check during the speech.
idiom

in stitches

Meaning
laughing uncontrollably
Example
His joke had everyone in stitches.
phrasal-verb

fit around

Meaning
to organize work or tasks to accommodate other activities or people
Example
She managed to fit her schedule around her team’s needs to ensure smooth collaboration.
phrasal-verb

lay things out for

Meaning
to explain or arrange information clearly for a purpose
Example
She laid things out for the team so everyone knew their tasks.
idiom

There’s always hope

Meaning
No matter how bad things look, you can still hope.
Example
Don’t lose heart — there’s always hope.
idiom

see stars

Meaning
to feel dizzy or stunned, often after being hit
Example
He bumped his head and started to see stars.
phrasal-verb

find into

Meaning
to enter or get involved in something gradually
Example
He slowly found into the rhythm of city life.
idiom

I couldn’t agree more

Meaning
To completely agree with someone
Example
That’s exactly what I was thinking — I couldn’t agree more.
idiom

iron out the kinks

Meaning
to resolve small problems or imperfections
Example
We’ll iron out the kinks before launch day.
idiom

white lie

Meaning
a harmless or small lie told to avoid hurting someone
Example
I told a white lie to avoid upsetting her.
phrasal-verb

keep pushing forward

Meaning
to continue moving toward your goals despite challenges
Example
Even when it’s tough, always keep pushing forward.
idiom

lose your mind

Meaning
to become mentally unstable or extremely upset
Example
He nearly lost his mind after the breakup.
idiom

driven by passion

Meaning
to be motivated by strong enthusiasm or love for something
Example
He is driven by passion to help others succeed.
phrasal-verb

adapt culturally

Meaning
to adjust behavior or mindset to fit into another culture
Example
When moving abroad, it’s important to adapt culturally to the new environment.
phrasal-verb

take off economically

Meaning
to start growing or improving rapidly
Example
After years of reform, the country's economy finally took off economically.