Phrases & Expressions

To remove something from a place or container.

• Please take out the trash.
• She took a pen out of her bag and wrote down the number.

To get rid of something you no longer want by putting it in the rubbish.

• Don't throw away these papers.
• She threw away her old shoes.

To make a place neat and organized.

• Please tidy up your desk before you leave.
• We need to tidy up the garden.

To do gentle exercise to prepare your body for sport.

• Warm up before you exercise.
• The players warmed up on the pitch before the match.

To move your hand back and forth to greet someone.

• She waved at her friend across the street.
• He waved at the taxi driver to stop.

To spend time improving or producing something.

• I'm working on a new project.
• You need to work on your pronunciation.

To calculate the total of several numbers or amounts.

• Please add up these figures.
• Add up the prices to see how much we spent.

To make copies of your computer files or data, usually for safety in case the originals are lost.

• Back up your files regularly.
• He backed up everything before the trip.

To explode, or to destroy something with an explosion.

• Nobody was hurt when the old factory blew up last night.
• The gas tank blew up just after everyone had left the building.

To stop working because of a mechanical fault.

• The old washing machine broke down again.
• Our car broke down on the motorway.