Phrases & Expressions

To apply for a job or a position.

• She put in for the manager's job.
• He put in for a raise.

To make a special effort to do something for someone else.

• Please don't put yourself out for me.
• He put himself out to help us.

To fold a sleeve or trouser leg upwards several times to make it shorter.

• He rolled up his sleeves and started washing the dishes.
• Roll up your trousers before you walk into the sea.

To change a number to the nearest lower whole number or simpler value.

• If you round down 7.8, you get 7.
• The calculation should be rounded down.

To finish something in a satisfactory way.

• Let's round off the meeting with a summary.
• We rounded off the evening with a walk by the sea.

To explain, read or practise something quickly from beginning to end.

• Let's run through the plan again.
• The actors ran through the last scene one more time.

To ask someone to come, or ask for something to be brought to you.

• They had to send for more supplies.
• Send for the doctor immediately.

To improve something, or to become better, quicker or more careful.

• The team will need to sharpen up before the final.
• She took a course to sharpen up her presentation skills.

To work less hard or less carefully than usual; to be lazy.

• Amanda doesn't get much done at the office — she's too busy slacking off.
• I'd better stop slacking off — my essay is due in two hours.

To enter a place secretly or without being noticed.

• The cat managed to sneak in through the open window.
• He tried to sneak in after curfew.