Phrases & Expressions

To pass very quickly, especially used about time or vehicles.

• The weeks just fly past when you are busy.
• A motorbike flew past us at high speed.

To waste time by doing unimportant things or behaving in a silly way.

• Stop fooling about and finish your homework.
• The children were fooling about in the garden.

To prepare for an activity or event that needs effort or planning.

• The team is gearing up for the championship game.
• Businesses are gearing up for the holiday shopping season.

To start doing something, especially something that requires effort or concentration.

• Let's stop talking and get down to work.
• It's time we got down to planning the event.

To read parts of a text quickly to get the main ideas.

• I glanced through the report on the way to work.
• She glanced through the article during her break.

To start doing something that has been planned or allowed.

• Go ahead and start without me, I'll be there soon.
• The council decided to go ahead with the new park.

To participate in or enter a competition or activity.

• She decided to go in for the race.
• He doesn't go in for that kind of music.

To give something to someone else, or to let them have control.

• The thief handed over the wallet to the police.
• She will hand over her role to a new manager next month.

To press or keep something in place so that it cannot move or rise.

• Hold down the power button for five seconds to restart the phone.
• Can you hold down the map so the wind doesn't blow it away?

To get off a bus, train, bicycle, etc. quickly and easily.

• Hop off at the next stop.
• He decided to hop off the train early.