Phrases & Expressions

To get on a vehicle quickly, or to join a call or game.

• Just hop on the next bus and come over.
• Can you hop on the video call?

To join an organization, especially the armed forces.

• He decided to join up when he turned eighteen.
• Her grandfather joined up straight after leaving school.

To not tell someone everything you know.

• I felt he was keeping something back from me.
• The police kept back some details of the case.

To arrange people or objects in a straight row.

• Line up the chairs along the wall.
• The coach lined up the players for a team photo.

To search someone by passing your hands over that person's clothes.

• Security staff patted down every fan at the stadium entrance.
• He patted down his pockets to check for his keys.

To eat only small amounts of food, often because you are not hungry or do not like the food.

• She just picked at her food all evening.
• He picked at his salad but didn't eat much.

To go out somewhere for a short time.

• I'm just popping out to buy some milk.
• She popped out for a coffee during the break.

(Of a vehicle or its driver) to stop, often for a short time, especially next to something.

• The taxi pulled up right in front of the hotel.
• A police car pulled up beside us and stopped.

To move something to a higher position by pulling it.

• She pulled up the heavy rope.
• Can you pull up the blinds?

To save something for a future time or purpose.

• Put aside some money for a holiday.
• I try to put aside an hour every day for reading.