Phrases & Expressions

To manage or cope successfully without something.

• I can do without coffee.
• We had to do without electricity for a day.

To use information, experience or money to help you do something.

• She drew on years of teaching experience.
• The novel draws on his childhood in the village.

To become or make something completely dry, often to an undesirable extent.

• My skin dries out in winter.
• The sun dried out the soil.

To argue with someone and stop being friendly with that person.

• They fell out over money.
• My brother and I fell out over something silly.

To defend yourself when someone attacks you or causes you problems.

• The villagers fought back against the invaders.
• If someone bullies you, tell a teacher instead of fighting back.

To push away someone or something that is attacking you.

• He fought off three attackers in the dark.
• The cat fought off the dog that came into the garden.

To argue or struggle to get or keep something.

• The brothers always fight over the remote control.
• Two countries have fought over this border for years.

To start an engine or machine, often with a loud noise or effort.

• Let's fire up the old tractor.
• The crew will fire up the generators.

To draw attention to something so others notice it.

• The report flagged up several safety issues.
• Please flag up any problems you see in the document.

To disapprove of something; to consider it wrong or unacceptable.

• Talking loudly in libraries is frowned upon.
• Society used to frown upon women who travelled alone.