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Phrasal verbs: nuance and consequences

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1 of 10Phrase

clean up

the process of organizing, tidying up, or removing clutter from an area or space. It can also mean eliminating or correcting problems or mistakes, or improving something by removing unwanted elements.

Example

After the party, we need to clean up the living room and get rid of all the leftover food and bottles.

Vocabulary in this set

Use common phrasal verbs flexibly when describing indirect effects and changing situations.

  1. clean up

    Phrase

    the process of organizing, tidying up, or removing clutter from an area or space. It can also mean eliminating or correcting problems or mistakes, or improving something by removing unwanted elements.

    After the party, we need to clean up the living room and get rid of all the leftover food and bottles.

  2. go around

    Phrase

    To move from place to place; to circulate or spread.

    Rumors started to go around about the upcoming changes in the company.

  3. hang on

    Phrase

    to hold on tightly or endure, or to wait briefly

    Can you please wait for a moment? I need to finish this task.

  4. hang out

    Phrase

    to spending time with friends or acquaintances, usually in an informal and casual setting such as a park, mall, or coffee shop. It implies socializing and enjoying each other's company.

    I'm going to hang out with my friends at the beach this weekend.

  5. settle down

    Phrase

    to establish a stable life or routine

    After traveling the world, she decided to settle down in a peaceful countryside town.

  6. come down with

    Phrase

    to become ill with a sickness

    I think I'm coming down with a cold; I have a sore throat and a runny nose.

  7. run out of

    Phrase

    to exhaust the supply of something

    We ran out of milk, so I need to buy some more.

  8. run into

    Phrase

    to encounter someone unexpectedly

    Guess who I ran into at the grocery store? Our old neighbor!

  9. head off

    Phrase

    to intercept or prevent something from happening

    The police officer tried to head off the protesters before they reached the city hall.

  10. give away

    Phrase

    to reveal or unintentionally disclose a secret

    She accidentally gave away the surprise party by mentioning it in front of him.

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