Phrases & Expressions

To empty a place or container and clean the inside thoroughly.

• We need to clean out the fridge before the holiday.
• He spent Saturday cleaning out his old wardrobe.

Extremely easy to understand or see.

• Her guilt was clear as day.
• The instructions were clear as day.

To lock a shop or building at the end of the day.

• We close up the shop at nine in the evening.
• The owner was closing up when we arrived.

To find or meet something or someone by chance.

• I came across an old friend at the market.
• He came across some interesting facts online.

To break into pieces, often because the parts were not joined well.

• The old book came apart in my hands.
• My cheap shoes came apart after only a month.

To receive money or property, usually when a relative dies.

• He came into a fortune when his uncle died.
• She came into some money last year and bought a house.

To become separated from the thing it was attached to.

• A button came off my coat this morning.
• This stain won't come off, no matter how much I wash it.

To not include someone in an activity.

• Count me out; I'm too tired to go dancing tonight.
• If you're planning a long hike, count me out.

To remove someone or something by digging, for example from snow or soil.

• We had to dig the car out of the snow this morning.
• The dog dug out an old bone from the garden.

A polite way to ask someone to do something for you.

• Do you mind closing the window?
• Do you mind waiting a moment?