Phrases & Expressions

To communicate an idea or feeling successfully to someone.

• He put his ideas across very well.
• It's hard to put across how I feel.

To believe that a situation is the result of a particular thing.

• They put the delay down to bad weather.
• He put his success down to hard work.

To stop a fire, cigarette or flame from burning.

• Firefighters put out the fire quickly.
• Please put out your cigarette before entering the building.

To ask someone to consider a proposal or question.

• Let's put the proposal to the committee.
• He put the question to the audience.

to attach to a wall; to build; to let someone stay at your home

• They put up a new poster on the wall.
• Can you put me up for the night?

To stretch out your hand or arm to touch or take something.

• He reached out to shake my hand.
• She reached out and took the baby's hand.

To find and gather people, animals or things together in one place.

• The town rounded up 200 volunteers to search for the hiker.
• Let's round up some volunteers to help with the event.

To move about quickly and busily, doing many things.

• I've been running around all day making final arrangements for our trip to Costa Rica tomorrow.
• Debbie is exhausted — she ran around town all day today.

To hit and injure or kill someone or something with a vehicle.

• A car ran over the cyclist.
• Be careful not to run over the cat when you reverse.

To keep money little by little over a period of time to buy something.

• I'm saving up for a new computer.
• They saved up enough money for a down payment.