Phrases & Expressions

To stop something from increasing or getting louder; to keep it low.

• Try to keep your voice down — the baby is asleep.
• We need to keep costs down this month.

To eat a very large amount of food, often too much.

• Ted pigged out on hot dogs and hamburgers at the barbecue and then got a stomachache.
• Nicole, stop pigging out on cookies or you won't be able to eat your dinner!

To put food onto plates to be served.

• Please plate up the food for everyone.
• She plated up the pasta quickly.

To pass steadily, especially of time.

• We watched the years roll on.
• As the evening rolled on, the guests began to leave.

To sleep during a period when something happens, so you miss it.

• He slept through the entire storm.
• I slept through my alarm this morning.

To grab something very quickly, often before someone else can.

• She snatched up the last cookie.
• We need to snatch up this opportunity before it's gone.

In combat sports, to admit defeat by tapping the opponent or the floor.

• He had to tap out in the second round.
• She tapped out after her opponent locked her arm.

To remove something by pulling or tearing it.

• Please tear off the perforated part of the ticket.
• He tore off a piece of bread.

To try to remember something from the past.

• Think back to your childhood.
• He thought back to the day they first met.

To include something extra, often for free, with a purchase or offer.

• The shop will throw in a free gift with every order.
• They threw in some extra snacks.