Phrases & Expressions

To remove something by cutting it from a larger piece.

• Cut out that picture from the magazine.
• The children cut out paper stars for the window.

to eat a meal at home, or inside the restaurant where it was bought

• We're going to dine in tonight.
• Dine in or take away?

To fasten clothes, buttons, a zip or shoelaces.

• Do up your coat; it's cold outside.
• Do up your shoelaces before you trip over them.

To make a short, informal, and often unplanned visit.

• Drop in any time.
• She dropped in for a chat.

To visit someone without arranging a time.

• I'll drop in on you later.
• She dropped in on us.

To move backwards, especially when facing pressure or danger.

• The soldiers fell back to a safer position.
• The crowd fell back when the police arrived.

To move or make progress more slowly than others.

• He fell behind in class.
• The slower runners soon fell behind the group.

To complete a form or a space by writing information in it.

• Please fill in this form.
• Fill in the gaps with the correct words.

To complete a form by writing information on it.

• Fill out the application form, please.
• It took me an hour to fill out all the paperwork.

For light or sound to pass gently through something such as leaves or a wall.

• Sunlight filtered through the leaves of the old oak tree.
• Soft music filtered through the wall from the next apartment.