Phrases & Expressions

To prepare for an activity or event, or to get someone ready for it.

• The team is gearing up for the final match next week.
• Shops are gearing up for the busy holiday season.

To have sexual relationships with many different people.

• He was known for sleeping around.
• She decided she didn't want to sleep around anymore.

To kill someone, especially in a planned or secret way.

• In the film, the gang try to bump off the main witness.
• He claimed someone was trying to bump him off.

To move downwards from a higher place, especially in an aircraft.

• The plane began to descend to the runway.
• The pilot was told to descend to five thousand feet.

To force someone to leave an organisation, often in a way that involves shame.

• He was drummed out of the army for his actions.
• Members can be drummed out of the club for breaking the rules.

To write a formal report or record about an event or problem.

• Please write up a report about the incident.
• The mechanic will write up the maintenance details.

To move slowly downwards through the air or water.

• Snowflakes drifted down from the grey sky.
• A leaf drifted down and landed on the water.

To release or remove unwanted air or gas from a system.

• Bleed off the excess pressure from the tank.
• The mechanic will bleed off the air from the brakes.

To finish something completely, such as a project, a season or an account.

• We need to close out the project before the end of the month.
• The team closed out the season with a win.

To tilt the nose of an aircraft upward, causing it to climb.

• The plane began to pitch up sharply after takeoff.
• The pilot pitched up to climb over the storm.