Phrases & Expressions

To find someone or something by searching with effort.

• It took weeks to chase down the missing documents.
• The journalist chased down every lead.

To contact someone again to make sure that something promised or needed gets done.

• I need to chase up the supplier about the order.
• She chased up her manager for the report.

To remove impurities or waste from a place or system by cleaning.

• We need to cleanse out the old pipes.
• The body tries to cleanse out harmful substances.

To have to deal with a problem, difficulty or opposition.

• We came up against unexpected problems during the project.
• The plan came up against strong opposition from the community.

To move out of a place by crawling on hands and knees.

• Crawl out quickly if there is smoke.
• They had to crawl out of the building.

To turn around and go back along the same way you came.

• We took a wrong turn and had to double back.
• The thief doubled back to avoid the police.

To bend your body forward suddenly because of pain or laughter.

• He doubled up with laughter at the joke.
• She doubled up in pain and sat down.

To fall into a light sleep, usually without meaning to.

• I dozed off during the movie.
• He dozed off in his chair after lunch.

To think of something new, often something unusual or clever.

• Who dreamed up this strange idea?
• He dreamed up a new way to teach grammar.

To put on clothes that are relaxed rather than formal.

• On Fridays, we can dress down at the office.
• He dressed down in jeans and a t-shirt.