Phrases & Expressions

To prepare and write a document, plan, or list.

• Our lawyer will draw up the contract next week.
• Let's draw up a list of guests for the party.

To break into pieces because it is old or badly made.

• My old shoes are falling apart.
• This cheap chair is already falling apart.

To find out more about something or take further action on it.

• I'll follow up on your request and call you tomorrow.
• The police are following up several new leads.

To react in an extreme, irrational way, usually from fear, shock, or anger.

• Her parents freaked out when she quit college.
• Don't freak out, but I lost your laptop.

To avoid punishment or criticism for something wrong that you have done.

• He got away with cheating.
• You can't get away with this!

To fail to make progress at the same rate as others.

• I got behind in payments.
• If you miss a week of classes, you will get behind quickly.

To manage to live or deal with a situation with difficulty, often with just enough resources.

• We get by on very little money.
• He doesn't earn much, but he gets by.

To accept an idea, plan or decision, often without really agreeing with it.

• She decided to go along with the suggestion.
• I don't agree, but I'll go along with it.

To keep something firmly in your hand or attached to something.

• Hold on to the railing.
• She held on to her mother's hand in the crowd.

To connect a piece of equipment to another piece of equipment or to a power supply.

• Can you help me hook up the new printer to my laptop?
• The technician hooked up the washing machine in ten minutes.