Phrases & Expressions

To listen to or watch a radio or television program.

• Tune in to our show every morning.
• Did you tune in to the news last night?

To return to a place you have left.

• It started raining, so we turned back.
• The pilot decided to turn back because of bad weather.

To type something, especially a document, neatly and correctly.

• Please type up these handwritten notes for the meeting.
• She spent the afternoon typing up her essay.

To stay awake late into the night, often waiting for someone.

• Please don't wait up for me; I'll be back late.
• The children waited up to see the fireworks.

To walk downward on something.

• He walked down the stairs.
• She walked down the hill to the village.

To go up something such as stairs or a hill on foot.

• We had to walk up five floors because the lift was broken.
• It took us an hour to walk up the hill.

To remove something from a surface using water or cleaning liquid.

• Wash the mud off your boots before you come inside.
• The paint will wash off easily.

To clean a surface by wiping it over.

• Wipe down the kitchen counters.
• He wiped down his car after the rain.

To invite someone to go on a date or to a social event.

• He finally asked her out after weeks of hesitation.
• She was too shy to ask him out.

To decide not to do something you had agreed to do.

• He promised to help, but backed out at the last moment.
• Don't back out of our agreement.