Phrases & Expressions

To write the required personal details in the spaces on an official document when applying for something.

• Many older people struggle to fill in application forms for benefits, so the charity offers free help.
• It took me nearly two hours to fill in the application form for the scholarship.

To travel by plane in the more comfortable and expensive section, between first class and economy.

• My company lets me fly business class on flights longer than six hours.
• Senior executives usually fly business class so that they can sleep properly before important meetings.

To arrange the layout and appearance of text so that it looks right on the page or screen.

• Before submitting your dissertation, check that you have formatted the document according to the university's guidelines.
• It took me longer to format the document than to write it, because the tables kept moving around.

To sleep well for a full night.

• She always feels better after a good night's sleep.
• He rarely gets a good night's sleep before an exam.

To be given an official notice ordering you to pay money because you parked in the wrong place.

• I only left my car outside the pharmacy for five minutes, but I still got a parking ticket.
• Visitors to the city centre often get parking tickets because the signs are so confusing.

To receive comments on your work that tell you what is good and what could be improved.

• Asking a friend to read your draft is a quick way to get feedback on your argument before you submit it.
• Before launching the app, the company got feedback on the design from a small group of users.

To pay for a meal or drinks for everyone in a group.

• You paid last time, so I'll get the bill tonight.
• My manager insisted on getting the bill after our team lunch as a thank-you for our hard work.

To gradually learn more about a person as you spend time with them.

• It takes time to really get to know someone.
• They got to know each other during the trip.

To produce a baby from your body.

• In several European countries, women now typically give birth to their first child after the age of thirty.
• She gave birth to twins last spring and went back to university part-time a year later.

To stop smoking cigarettes permanently.

• He decided to give up smoking for his health.
• It's hard to give up smoking after many years.