Phrases & Expressions

To stretch out your hand or arm to touch or take something.

• He reached out to shake my hand.
• She reached out and took the baby's hand.

A signal, like a traffic light, that means stop.

• The traffic light turned red.
• The project got the red light.

To sound familiar; to make you remember something you once knew.

• Her name rings a bell but I can't remember where I heard it.
• Does the name "Mr. Davis" ring a bell?

To find and gather people, animals or things together in one place.

• The town rounded up 200 volunteers to search for the hiker.
• Let's round up some volunteers to help with the event.

To move about quickly and busily, doing many things.

• I've been running around all day making final arrangements for our trip to Costa Rica tomorrow.
• Debbie is exhausted — she ran around town all day today.

To hit and injure or kill someone or something with a vehicle.

• A car ran over the cyclist.
• Be careful not to run over the cat when you reverse.

A task or assignment given to students to complete for a school subject.

• The students worked hard on their school project.
• My daughter's school project is about volcanoes.

To choose a specific day for an event or meeting to happen.

• Let's set a date for our next meeting.
• They set a date for the wedding next spring.

To save something for a particular purpose or time.

• Set aside some money for your holiday.
• She sets aside an hour every evening to read.

To write something on paper.

• Please set down your name and address.
• She set down her thoughts in a small notebook every night.