Phrases & Expressions

To telephone someone.

• I'll call you up tomorrow.
• Please call me up when you arrive.

To create the first row of stitches on a knitting needle.

• Cast on 20 stitches for the scarf.
• How do you cast on stitches?

To reach someone who is ahead of you by going faster.

• Go ahead, and I'll catch up with you later.
• He ran fast to catch up with the others.

To meet someone you have not seen for a while and talk about recent news.

• It was great to catch up with my old classmates last weekend.
• Let's catch up with John over lunch next week.

To pay your bill and leave a hotel.

• We have to check out by 11.
• Guests must check out before noon on Sunday.

To make someone feel happier or less sad.

• Susan called her friend in the hospital to cheer her up.
• My father has been depressed for weeks — I don't know what to do to cheer him up.

To contribute money or effort to a group or cause.

• Everyone chipped in a few dollars for the present.
• We all chipped in to pay for the meal.

To empty a place by removing things you no longer want.

• We cleared out the garage last weekend.
• I need to clear out my wardrobe and give away old clothes.

To stop operating permanently, or to make a business stop operating.

• The old factory closed down after fifty years.
• They closed down the shop because of high rent.

To become conscious again after fainting or an operation.

• He finally came round after fainting.
• It took him an hour to come round after the operation.