Phrases & Expressions

To experience a difficult or unpleasant situation.

• She's going through a difficult time.
• The country went through a long period of change.

To check a text for errors in grammar, punctuation, and style.

• Use the grammar check to find mistakes.
• The software can grammar check your essay.

To give a piece of work, a document or something you have borrowed to a person in authority.

• Hand in your essays by Friday.
• Please hand in your keys at reception.

To spend time in a place without doing anything specific.

• They often hang around the park.
• Teenagers often hang around the shopping centre after school.

To stop yourself from showing a feeling or doing something.

• She held back her tears.
• He wanted to argue, but he held back.

To delay doing something or making a decision.

• Let's hold off on that decision.
• We decided to hold off buying a car until next year.

To delay someone or something.

• Sorry I'm late, I was held up in traffic.
• An accident on the motorway held us up for two hours.

To continue doing something.

• Keep on trying, don't give up.
• He kept on talking for hours.

To start a football or rugby match by kicking the ball; (of a match) to begin.

• The match kicks off at three o'clock.
• Our team kicked off and attacked straight away.

To force someone to leave a place or group.

• They kicked him out of the team.
• The school kicked out the students who cheated.