Phrases & Expressions

To make someone understand an idea or feeling.

• He got his point across clearly.
• We need to get this message across to the public.

To become confused about something.

• I got mixed up with the dates.
• I always get mixed up between the twins.

To stop resisting and accept defeat or pressure.

• Don't give in to temptation.
• He gave in to pressure.

To chase someone or something.

• The police went after the thief.
• The dog went after the ball as soon as I threw it.

To manage or live without something that you need or want.

• We had to go without electricity for two days.
• She can't go without her morning coffee.

To stop an aircraft before entering an active runway, awaiting further instructions.

• Air traffic control instructed the pilot to hold short of the runway.
• Please hold short until the landing aircraft has cleared the runway.

To lift a vehicle or heavy object using a jack.

• Jack up the car to change the tire.
• He jacked up the car and took off the wheel.

To spend time relaxing and doing very little, often in a lazy or idle way.

• On Sundays, I like to just laze around the house.
• He spent the afternoon lazing around by the pool.

To dismiss someone from their job, often as a polite way of saying "fire".

• The investment bank let Chris go after discovering he was stealing office supplies.
• The Xerxes Corporation was doing so poorly that they had to let many workers go earlier this year.

To stop rising or falling and stay at about the same level.

• House prices have started to level off after years of growth.
• Her temperature leveled off during the night.