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Actions and movement
Actions and movement
Down in phrasal verbs about
actions can mean towards the
ground, towards a lower level,
or less intense.
ith down and up
high/intense.
‘example
‘meaning
She fell down and broke her arm.
{all to the ground
Can you reach that book down for me, please?
Youre taller than me.
get something that is above your head by reaching
with your hand
Slow down! There's a police car behind us. drive slower
Up in phrasal verbs about actions can higher/complete
mean towards a higher level, in a ts wa
complete way, or to a greater degree. lower ——_
example ‘meaning
| must wrap up Stell’s birthday present. Do you
have any nice paper?
cover in paper, especially in order to give as a
present
Can you help me to tie up this package? I don't
want it to get damaged in the post.
put string or rope around something so that itis
fastened together
‘Will you help me blow up these balloons for the
pary?
‘il with air
‘Could you pick up that box and follow me, please?
Ichas the exam papers in it.
life using your hands
He felt very angry and tore her letter up.
tear Inco a lot of small pieces
‘Could you move up and let Christine sit next
to you?
‘move slightly so that there is enough space for
someone else
Thave a bad leg. don’t wane to slow you up,s0 go
ahead and don't wait for me.
‘make someone or something slower
Other action and movement verbs
Move over! I need to sit down. [change the place where you are sitting or standing so that
there is space for someone else to sit or stand]
I'm just popping out for a newspaper. Do you want anything from the shop? [informal:
leaving the place where I am to go somewhere for a short time]
T reached out for the light switch but couldn't find it in the dark. [stretched my arm in front
of my body, usually in order to get or touch something]
Can you help me on/off with these boots, please? (help me put on / take off a piece of
clothing]
62. English Phrasal Verbs jn Use30 Destroying and reacting to destruction
el
HEPA (Destroying
Here are some phrasal verbs which relate to the concept of destruction,
phrasal verb
‘meaning
example
fall apart
‘break into pieces because of being
t00 old o too weak
“Take care with this priceless old book.
It’s beginning to fall apart.
pull down sth or
pull sth down
destroy a building or other structure
because ic is not wanted any more
“They are planning to pull down the old
police station and bulld a new one.
‘screw up sth or
screw sth up
‘owist or crush paper o material with
your hands
You can tal he’s nervous — look how
he’s serewing up those scraps of paper,
‘tear apart sth or
tear sth apart
pull something violently so ehat ft
breaks into two or more pieces
“The customs officers tore the bag
apart and found the hidden drugs.
‘tear down sth or
‘tear sth down
Violently destroy a building or other
structure because it is not wanted
I cant bear to watch them tearing
down the school we used to go to.
knock over sthisb or
knock sthisb over
hit oF push someone or something,
usually accidentally, so that they fall to
the ground or onto their side
‘As she was dusting the room she
knocked over 3 vase and spilt water all
over the table.
ut out sth or
put sth out
‘make something that is burning, eg.
a fire or cigarette, stop burning
‘We managed to put the fire out before
the fre brigade arrived.
Foot out sthisb or
root sthisb out
find and get rid of the thing or person
that is causing a problem
‘The government says it will ret out
ccrime and the causes of crime.
‘stamp out sth or
stamp sth out
‘get rid of something chat is
considered wrong or harmful
“The government says is doing ale can
to stamp out the problem of drugs.
[EINE = Reacting to destruction and negative situations
FIGHT TO SAVE VILLAGE HOME E ee ee
MEANBOROUGH LOCAL COUNCIL has
Nyt yall nectar lag
‘Wareholt in order to widen the main road. However,
the villagers are equally determined to fight back’
The authorities want t0 evict an 89-year-old lady,
Doris Jakes, who has lived all her life in the
cottage, and seem to be bem
to persuade her to go and live in a moder old people’s home in the
nearest town,
Doris does not want to move and villagers are doing all they can to
see her through? her difficult time. Doris may seem old and harmless |,
‘but she has turned ont several officers from the council who have tried |
to get her to change her mind. There was a recent sethack® for Doris |
When she was told that she couldn't stay in the cottage because repairs |
quickly saw to it and her roof is now in good repair, so she is still in
we over backwards!
' defend themselves when
something or someone
attacks them
trying extremely hard,
often to help of please
help of support someon
during a difficult period
in thete life
criticised them very
strongly or attacked
| them
roan: problem which
Caused time to be wastel
« id what necded to be
problem
needed to be done to the roof. However, her neighbour, a builder, | done to solve the
the cottage and hopes to win her battle,
64 English Phrasal Verbs in Use
Stas