act as

to perform in someone's place temporarily.    Mr. Brown will act as chairman until Mr. Smith returns.    From now on, I will be acting as your supervisor. 

act up

(1) to misbehave.  People who act up in public should stay at home.
(2) to operate or perform badly. My car is acting up; I should have someone look at it. 

add up

make sense:  His reasons don't add up, in my opinion.

agree on s.t.

have the same opinion about s.t.:  We agree on the importance of quality.

agree to s.t.

accept s.t. (suggestions, proposals, prices):  We agree to your price.

agree to do s.t.

promise to do s.t.:   We agree to supply the parts you need. 

agree with s.o.

have the same opinion as s.o.:   I agree with you.  I think you are right.

back down

to weaken one's own position:  They backed down from their original demands.

back out (of s.t.)

to fail to keep (e.g. an agreement):  They backed out of our agreement at the last minute.    They backed out at the last minute. 

back up s.t.

to support s.t.:  We can back up our arguments with hard data.

break down

(1)  to end because of failure:  Negotiations broke down and the strike continued.   
(2)  to divide into parts or categories:  Our product range can be broken down into five categories.

break off

to stop something (conversation, relationship) suddenly:  Our conversation was broken off by the accident outside.  Bob and Mary broke off their engagement.

break up

to end (meeting, relationship):  Our meeting broke up at lunch.  Bob and Mary broke up.  IBM is breaking up into smaller "Baby Blues". 

bring about

to cause:  Their problems were brought about by poor product quality. 

bring down

to lower (e.g., prices):  If we bring down prices, maybe sales will increase. 

bring out

to introduce or show (a product) for the first time:  They are going to bring out a new line of notebooks in the summer. 

bring up

to initiate a discussion about (a topic of conversation):  I would like to bring up the matter of staff reduction.   

build up

to strengthen or increase (e.g., strength, advantage, characteristic, reputation):  We have built up our ability to respond to the market.    

buy out

to purchase controlling interest in (another company):  Sylvania was bought out by Osram. 

call for

to require:  This situation calls for some creative thinking. 

call off

to cancel (e.g., an appointment, a business deal):  The meeting has been called off.

call on

(1)  to visit (e.g., customer, friend):  I called on my most important customer today.
(2)  to ask someone to speak (in a formal setting):  I would now like to call on Dr. Smith, who will tell us about the latest technical developments. 

care about

to have an interest in the wellfare of something of someone:  I care about the environment.

care for

(1)  to supply the needs for something or someone:  Would you please care for my plants while I'm on vacation? 
(2)  to have a hunger or thirst for:  Would you care for more coffee? 

carry on

to continue (an activity):  Sorry I disturbed you.  Please, carry on.    

carry out

(1)  to execute (duties, responsibilities):  He carried out his duties until he retired at the age of seventy-five.
(2)  to perform or conduct (research, experiments, tests):  We don't carry out such research.

catch on

(1)  to learn how (to do something):  It may seem complicated to you now, but you will soon catch on.
(2)  to become popular or fashionable:  I don't think your idea will catch on. 

catch up on

to bring oneself up to date on (events, developments):  After every vacation, I have a mountain of work to catch up on.    

catch up with

to achieve the same position as:  It is hard to catch up with the market leader if you are the fourth company to enter the market.    

check back

to contact again later:  Check back with me after you have read my report. 

come about

to be caused:  How did the misunderstanding come about?    

come across

(1)  to find by chance:  I came across my old skis in the garage yesterday. 
(2)  to be received by other people (e.g., ideas, presentations):  If he spoke better, his ideas might come across better.      also:  come over

come along

to develop:  Work on the construction is coming along nicely. 

come close to

to almost happen:  We came close to going bankrupt in 1985, but now we are in good shape. 

come out

(1)  to reach a final result:  How did the football match come out yesterday? 
(2)  to appear (e.g. in publications):  The International Herald-Tribune comes out six days a week. 

come over

see come across (2)

come to

to total (e.g. a list of numbers):  The bill comes to just over one hundred dollars. 

come under

to be placed in a category:  This cost of the seminar will come under "educational expenses".

come up

to be mentioned in a conversation:  Your name came up at the meeting this morning. 

come up against

to meet (problems, obstacles):  When he came into the discussion, we came up against  a brick wall of negativity.

come up with

to invent (e.g., an idea, a suggestion):  She came up with a brilliant idea for saving money.

count on

(1)  to rely on:  Don't worry.  You can count on me.    
(2)  to consider as possible or likely:  We didn't count on him saying yes.               
also:  figure on 

cut back (on)

to reduce (e.g., spending, consumption):  We have to cut back on spending for travel.  
also:  cut down on

cut off

to stop a flow of something (e.g., resources, supplies, communication):   If you don't pay your bills, they will cut off your credit. 

cut out

to eliminate from one's life:  The doctor told me to cut out cigarettes. 

deal with

(1)  to work with or do business with:  We deal with Asian travel agencies.
(2)  to turn your attention to:  After I finish lunch, I will deal with your problem. 

do away with

to eliminate the need of:   When we installed the computer system , we did away with a lot of jobs. 

do over

to do again:  I have to do the letter over because I forgot the most important thing.

do  without

to function without:  You will have to do without a secretary for a while.

draw on

to benefit from or use as a resource (knowledge, experience):  We were able to draw on Bill's knowledge of the problem. 

draw out

(1)  to go longer than planned:  The meeting drew out until five o'clock.
(2)  to withdraw (e.g., from a bank account):  They drew out all their money. 

draw up

to write or formulate (e.g., a contract, an agreement):  We could draw up a contract right away.    

drop by

to pay a casual, spontaneous visit:  If you are ever in my neighborhood, drop by.          also:  drop in 

drop off

to decrease:  Sales have dropped off this quarter.     also: fall off

drop s.o. off

to deliver someone to a location by car:  I can drop you off at the train station. 

drop out of

to quit or withdraw from (e.g. competition, school):  He dropped out of the race.

fall back on

to rely on as safe and familiar:  IBM thought it could always fall back on its mainframe computers. 

fall behind

to lose position relative to a competitor:  We can't afford to fall behind in our domestic market. 

fall for

to be deceived by (e.g., a trick, a lie):  Don't fall for his stories. 

fall off

see drop off

fall through

to fail to materialize (e.g., business deal, agreements):  The deal fell through when he realized he could not get enough investors.

figure on

see count on  

figure s.t. out

to discover the reason for something:  I couldn't figure out why he didn't want to work with us.

fill in

(1)  to take someone's place temporarily:  I am filling in for John this week. 
(2)  to complete (e.g., questionnaires, forms, applications):  Please fill in the application for a visa.   
also:  fill out

fill s.o. in

to give someone the information he needs:  Since you missed the last meeting, John will fill you in on the latest developments. 

fit s.o. in

to schedule an appointment with someone:  I can fit you in on Monday morning.

get across

to succeed in communicating (e.g., an idea or a message):  We want to get our message across to the public. 

get ahead

to be successful or make progress (e.g., in a business or a profession).  If you want to get ahead, you have to be willing to work hard.

get along

(1)  to function at an acceptable level.  I cannot get along without my secretary.
(2)  to be on good terms.  I get along with my colleagues. 

get around to

to finally give something your attention or find time to deal with it.  I hope to get around to finishing that report this week. 

get at

to communicate, especially in an indirect way.  I could not understand what he was getting at. 

get away with

to escape the penalty for doing something wrong.  I can't believe he got away with that lie. 

get back to

to contact later.  I will get back to you after I get the information you need. 

get by

to survive on a limited supply of something (money, resources, etc.) or without someone or something.   I think we can get by without him until he returns.

get off

to go home at the end of the day.  I'll buy you a drink when we get off. 

get over

to recover from a surprise, disappointment, illness, etc.  I can't get over the fact that John won the lottery. 

get (s.t.) over with

to begin and finish something unpleasant.   Okay, let's get this meeting over with. 

get through to

(1)  to reach someone by telephone.  I couldn't get through to him yesterday. 
(2)  to make your point understood by someone.  I finally got through to him when I told him what it would cost. 

get through with

to finish.    When you get through with that job, come and see me. 

get to

to bother or disturb.  The way he always talks about himself really gets to me. 

give away

to give something without charge.  The prices are so low, they are almost giving them away. 

give in

to yield to someone.  They were so tired after three days of negotiating, they finally just gave in and agreed to everything. 

give up

to stop doing something because it seems impossible.  If they don't buy something soon, I am going to give up. 

go about

to approach or perform a job.    Tell me how you go about acquiring new business.

go against

to conflict with.  His reasoning goes against all logic. 

go ahead

to proceed.  When he asked for permission to hire another person, I told him to go ahead. 

go along with s.o.

to agree with someone's idea or opinion.  I go along with John on this matter. 

go beyond

to exceed.  His performance went beyond my expectations. 

go down

to reduce or be made lower.  Prices will go down soon, I hope.

go down well

to be received with enthusiasm.  My idea for improving production went down well at the meeting. 

go into

to discuss something in detail.  I'll tell you about the meeting later; I don't have time to go into it now. 

go off

(1)  to explode or be fired.  The gun went off just before the bomb went off.
(2)  to ring or sound.  My alarm clock goes off each morning at six. 

go on

(1)  to continue doing something.  Please go on with your work; I don't want to interrupt you. 
(2)  to be in progress.  Something unusual is going on next door. 

go over

see go through (2)

go through

(1)  to be approved in a bureaucratic process.   Your request for a transfer went through. 
(2)  to practice doing something before the real thing.  Let's go through our strategy for tomorrow's negotiation. 
(3)  to inspect the items in a container.  The customs official went through my bags. 
(4)  to live through a bad experience.  I wouldn't want to go through what they went through. 
(5) to exhaust or deplete some resource.  They went through their savings before he got well again. 

go under

to fail (e.g., a business).  Many small farms went under as a result of the drought. 

go up

to increase:  Prices of electronic gear will not go up again.    

go without

see do without

hold down

to keep (prices, costs) at a low level:  We have to hold our costs down. 

hold up

(1)  to be delayed:  John was held up in Chicago; his plane had problems.
(2)  to be robbed:  John was held up in Chicago; he lost all of his credit cards.

hurry up

to go faster:  Hurry up, Bob!  The taxi is waiting outside.

keep on   ...ing

to continue doing something:  Don't worry about the time; just keep on working. 

keep up with

(1)  to go at the same speed (as someone else):  We have to keep up with the competition. 
(2)  to remain informed about (events, developments):  Sometimes it is hard to keep up with all of the new technological advances. 

kick off

to give (a conference or an advertising compaign) an official beginning:  Let's kick off the meeting with a presentation of the new products.    

laugh at

to ridicule someone:  They laughed at Columbus, too.

laugh with

to enjoy something funny with (another person):  I like working with John; he is someone I can laugh with.

lay off

to terminate the job of someone:  They are going to lay off 14,000 workers.

lead off

to be the first person to speak in a formal setting:   John will lead off our discussion with a report on the latest sales figures. 

leave out

(1)  to exclude something (e.g. information):  You left out your address in the letter. 
(2)  to exclude someone:  I believe you left me out of your plan.    

let down

to disappoint someone:  They let us down when they decided not to support our strategy. 

let in on

to allow someone to know about something (e.g., information, a secret):  George will let you in on our plan. 

let out

to cause something (information or a secret) to become known before the proper time:   If we let out our real goal, we will lose the advantage of surprise. 

let up

to put less pressure (or fewer demands) on someone:    If we let up on them now, we will never get a good agreement. 

look after

see take care of

look ahead

to consider the future:  You must look ahead when making investments. 

look at

to watch something:  We looked at television last night.    

look back

to consider the past:  When I look back, I see the mistakes of a lifetime. 

look down on

to consider something (or someone) as inferior:  We mustn't look down on the production floor workers. 

look for

(1)  to search for something that is lost:  I am looking for my keys. 
(2)  to expect something to happen:  I look for the economy to improve soon. 

look forward to

to wait for something with a positive feeling:  I look forward to my new position. 

look into

to investigate (a situation):  The security guards are not happy about something; would you look into it, please? 

look on

to see something in a certain way:  I look on this as a real opportunity.    

look out

to be careful:  Look out!  That dog bites.

look over

to examine something quickly:  Would you look over my letter to see if it is all right? 

look through

see look over 

look to

to rely on someone for something:  They look to me for direction. 

look up

(1)  to find some information in a book:  If you don't know the meaning of a word, look it up in a dictioary.    
(2)  to be in the process of improving:  Business is looking up. 
(3)  to call someone when you are in his town:  If you are ever in Indianapolis, look me up.   

look up to

to admire or respect someone:  I have always looked up to people in positions of authority. 

make of

to interpret (a situation):  What do you make of their decision?   

make out

(1)  to write (a check):  Please make out a check for $100.
(2)  to understand (someone's thinking, someone's writing):   I can't make out what his intentions are.   

make up

(1)  to comprise:  Fifty states make up the USA. 
(2)  to end a conflict and become friendly again:  When I want to make up with my wife, I buy her roses or orchids. 

make up for

to compensate for a negative event:  The success of this venture makes up for the failure of the last venture. 

make up one's

mind

to make a decision or a choice:   There are so many good flavors of ice cream here, I cannot make up my mind. 

pass away

to die:  George's grandfather passed away last week.    

pass on

to give (news or information) to someone else:  Please pass on this information to the right person.

pass out

to lose consciousness:  He has a drinking problem; sometimes he drinks until he passes out. 

pass over

to be excluded from consideration:  George is very upset; he was passed over for a promotion. 

pass up

to ignore (e.g., an opportunity):  We must not pass up the chance to enter their market.    

pay off

to give some benefit:  At last, all of our hard work is paying off. 

pay up

to pay the whole balance owed:  They have waited long enough; it is time to pay up.    

play down

to make something sound less important than it is:   John is very modest; he always plays down his successes. 

play up

to make something sound more important than it is:  Jack is always playing up his achievements.

point out

to draw someone's attention to something:   I would like to point out the advantages of our system over our competitors' systems. 

pull out

to end one's participation in an agreement or a project:  We were planning a joint venture, but they pulled out at the last minute. 

pull over

to stop the car at the side of the road or street:   Just pull over at the corner; I can walk from there. 

pull together

to cooperate (for the same goals):   If we all pull together, we can solve this problem. 

push for

to try to persuade other people to support something:  John is pushing for an earlier launch date for the new product.   

put aside

to forget about (negative feelings or differences):  Let's put aside our difference of opinion and start fresh. 

put down

to make someone (or someone's idea) sound ridiculous:  I don't mind if you disagree with me, but don't put down my ideas.

put forward

(1)  to propose (a suggestion or an idea):  I would like to put forward a suggestion. 
(2)  to reschedule (a meeting or appointment or schedule ) for an earlier time.

put off

to delay or postpone (an appointment or a decision or an event):  They have put off their decision until next month.

put s.o. on

to not be serious with someone:  Don't believe what he said; he was putting you on. 

put out

(1)  to produce:  They put out one million units per year.
(2)  to work hard:   Tom is a good worker; he really puts out. 

put through

connect with the right person by telephone:   Please hold the line; I will put you through to Mr. Smith. 

put together

to assemble something (a coalition, a consortium, data, information):   We need to put together a team for this project. 

put up

(1)  to construct (a building):  They are putting up a skyscraper where the library used to be. 
(2)  to allow someone to sleep at your house:   If you are going to be in town for the Oktoberfest, we can put you up.

put up with

to tolerate something:   I can put up with a lot of noise when I sleep.    

read up on

to inform yourself about a topic:  I like to read up on a country if I plan to visit it.    

round up

to bring (people) together in one place:   Would you round up the staff for a quick meeting in my office? 

run across

to find something by chance:   I ran across an interesting story in the newspaper today.

run into

to meet someone by chance:   I ran into an old friend of yours downtown yesterday. 

run out

to use the last of any supply (money, gasoline, food, paper):  We have run out of toner. 

run up against

to meet a problem or obstacle unexpectedly:  Anyone trying to do business in Japan will run up against many barriers. 

scale down

to do less of an activity:   They are scaling down their European operations.    

scale up

to do more of an activity:   We are scaling up our R&D. 

see off

to be present when someone leaves on a trip:   We will go with you to the airport to see you off. 

see to s.t.

to take care of (a problem):  There is someone with a complaint outside; will you see to it, please?  see take care of (1) 

see through

(1)  to help someone come out of a difficult time:  My brother saw me through a period when I needed money. 
(2)  to stay with something until it is finished:   I promise that we will see this project through no matter what it costs or how long it takes. 

see through s.o.

to understand someone's real intentions:   He wanted me to invest in some land, but I saw through him. 

send away for

to order something by mail:  Nowadays, you can send away for almost anything. 

send out

to mail printed matter (invitations, brochures, etc.) to a number of people:  When are we going to send out our new brochure?

set up

(1)  to establish (e.g., a school or a business):   He set up a shoe business. 
(2)  to help someone in some way to get started in a business:    His uncle set him up in business. 
(3)  to assemble (equipment) and get it ready for use: 
(4)  to make the necessary arrangements (e.g., for a meeting):  I want to meet your boss; can you set it up?

settle down

to stop being upset or excited:   Settle down; we haven't won the game yet.    

settle for

to accept less than you wanted originally:   We will not settle for second-rate quality.

settle in

to become accustomed to something (e.g., a new job or a new environment):   I need a few weeks to settle in to my new position. 

show off

to display one's abilities or possessions in a way that is immodest:   Some of the richest people don't show off their wealth. 

show up

to appear at a scheduled event:   I had an appointment with Ralph, but he didn't show up.

shut down

to stop functioning (e.g., a factory or business):   They shut down the only factory in town. 

sit in for

to take someone's position temporarily:   Hello, I'm sitting in for Mrs. Brown while she is on vacation. 

sit in on

to attend (e.g., a meeting or a class) as an observer:   May I sit in on your meeting? 

size up

to evaluate (someone or a situation):   Dave, how do you size up the problem here? 

skip over

to ignore something and go on to the next thing:  Let's skip over item number 3 and look at item number 4. 

sleep on

to wait until tomorrow before making a decision or forming an opinion:   If you don't mind, I'd like to sleep on it and give you my decision tomorrow. 

speak for

(1)  to speak on behalf of someone else:   I believe I speak for everyone on the team when I say thank you for your support. 
(2)  to be an argument in favor of something:   The results of our customer poll speaks for changing the color of the product. 

speak out

to make one's opinion known:   We must speak out against this policy. 

speak up

to talk more loudly:   I can't hear you very well; please speak up. 

stand by

to be alert for something to happen:  Please stand by for more information concerning this important news event. 

stand for

(1)  to represent (letters):  IBM stands for International Business Machines.
(2)  to believe in or support (qualities, policies):   Our company stands for quality. 

stand in for

see sit in for  

stand out

to be noticable or different in a special way:  He is the kind of person who stands out in a crowd. 

start up

to cause to begin to function (e.g. a motor, a conversation):  I am shy about starting up a conversation with a stranger in a foreign language. 

step down

to retire or leave a position:   The Prime Minister will not step down. 

step out

to leave one's desk for a short time:  He has just stepped out; should he call you back? 

straighten out

to solve (a problem) or clarify (a misunderstanding):   Someone should go to the customer and straighten everything out. 

straighten up

to put (a room or a desk) in order:   I want to straighten up my desk before I leave.

strike out

to fail at something:   We tried to change their minds, but we struck out. 

sum up

to review or summarize what has been said or done:   So, I can sum up by saying we are in a good position to get to market before them.

take care of

(1)  to solve (a problem) or fulfill (a need):   We can take care of all your I.T. needs.   
(2)  to take responsibility (for something that belongs to someone else):   Would you take care of my plants while I am gone? 

take off

(1)  to begin flying (airplanes, birds):  My plane takes off in an hour.
(2)  to leave:   He was here for a minute and then he suddenly took off.   
(3)  to take time away from work:   I'm going to take three days off next week. 

take on

to accept new duties or extra work:   My boss asked me to take on another project. 

take over

(1)  to assume a leadership position:  Mr. Jones took over as CEO on May 1st. 
(2)  to take control of an organization by force:  Their company is trying to take over our company. 

take up

(1)  to occupy (space):  My new Notebook takes up much less space than my old PC. 
(2)  to consume (time):  I hate to take up your time, but I have to ask you some questions. 

talk back

to answer disrespectfully to someone in authority:   If you talk back to some bosses, you could lose your job. 

talk down to

to talks to someone as if he were inferior:  I hate it when someone talks down to me. 

talk over

to discuss:   I want to come by your office tomorrow and talk over some ideas of mine.

team up

to unite for a common purpose:   I think we should team up with Smith Co. in order to get the Brown contract. 

tear down

to destroy (a building):  They are going to tear down the old high school. 

tear up

to pull (paper) into pieces:   I am so frustrated, I could tear up the contract. 

think about

to consider something:  I need time to think about your proposal. 

think of

(1)  to enter one's mind:   I did not think of calling him until it was too late. 
(2)  to have an opinion about (something):   What do you think of my idea?

think over

see think about 

think up

to invent in one's mind:  We need to think up a new strategy. 

throw away

to put in the trash:  I never throw away used medicine bottles. 

throw in

to add something extra at no additional cost:   And if you buy today, we will throw in these software programs. 

throw out

(1)  to offer (an idea or suggestion) for consideration:  Does anyone have any good ideas to throw out? 
(2)  see throw away

touch off

to cause (an explosion, an argument):   One wrong word can sometimes touch off a violent disagreement. 

touch on

to discuss a topic superficially, without going into details:   We only touched on the topic at the meeting. 

turn down

to refuse (an offer, invitation):   Because my schedule was so tight, I had to turn down their invitation for dinner. 

turn in

to go to bed:  I am very tired, so I will turn in now. 

turn out

(1)  to finish ultimately (e.g., a story, meeting):  How did the meeting turn out after I left yesterday? 
(2)  see put out (1)

turn over

(1)  to receive money for goods or services:  Our department turned over $ 8 million last quarter. 
(2)  to transfer the control of something to someone else:   Mr. Jones will turn over the company to his son next year. 
(3)  to start (automobile engine):   If your car won't turn over, the problem might be the battery. 

turn to

(1)  to approach someone for help:   When I have a problem, I turn to an expert. 
(2)  to shift your attention to something:   Let's turn to the next item on the agenda. 

turn up

(1)  to appear (after being lost or missing):   My car keys still haven't turned up.
(2)  to appear (at a party or a gathering):   A lot of people turned up at the party. 

use up

to completely consume (e.g. resources, supplies):   We have used up all the matches.

wear out

(1)  to lose the ability to function properly (e.g. machinery, clothing):  These shoes have worn out. 
(2)  to make very tired:   Going shopping always wears me out.

wind down

to reduce (an organization's) activity gradually to zero:   They are winding down their production. 

wind up

(1)  to make (a mechanical watch) run:   I like quartz watches because I don't have to wind them up. 
(2)  to finish (meeting, speech, film):  The meeting should wind up at five o'clock. 

wipe out

(1)  to completely erase or destroy:  The surge in electricity wiped out all my data. 
(2)  to cancel (a debt):  After selling the company, all debts were wiped out.

wise up

to become smart (in a situation):  Wise up; you cannot win in that market. 

work out

to be successful:  Their strategy worked out to perfection.

write down

to record something on paper:  Please write down your telephone number.

write off

to deduct (an expense) from your taxes:  You can write this trip off.