Guess the meaning of ‘LET somebody DOWN’:
‘ When he missed that penalty, he felt that he’d let the team down.’
Yes! You’re right! When somebody lets you down, you feel disappointed because he or she has faliled to help or support you in the way that you hoped or expected.
CUT DOWN
Guess the meaning of the verb ‘CUT DOWN»:
‘Even if you’ve smoked all your life, it’s never too late too cut down or stop.’
Yes! You’re right! The meaning of ‘CUT DOWN’ is to eat, drink or use less of something, usually to improve your health or your situation.
Perhaps it’s not clear enough. Other example:
‘I’ve spent far too much money this month – I really must cut down.‘
Cut back (on something) is also used with this meaning.
BREAK DOWN
Guess the meaning of the verb ‘Break down’:
‘ Why are you late? Did the bus break down?’
Yes! You’re right! The meaning of ‘BREAK DOWN’ is to stop working because of a fault.
CALL BACK; CALL somebody BACK
Can you guess the meaning of the verb ‘CALL BACK? Read the sentence:
‘ I left lots of messages for Sue, but she never called me back.’
Yes! You’re right! The meaning of ‘CALL BACK’ is to telephone somebody who telephoned you earlier.
Similar verbs can be used with this meaning, especially in British English: RING/ PHONE BACK
THROW something AWAY
Read the sentence and guess the meaning of ‘THROW AWAY’:
‘She threw the letter away without reading it.’
Yes! You’re right! ‘THROW AWAY’ means to put something in a bin or trash can because you do NOT want it.
You can use ‘THROW something OUT’ with the same meaning.
PUT something AWAY
Read the sentence and guess the meaning of «put away»:
‘When the bell rang, the students quickly put their books away.’
Yes! You’re right! PUT SOMETHING AWAY means to put something in a box, a drawer, etc. because you have finished using it.
TAKE AFTER somebody
Read the sentence and guess the meaning of «take after somebody»:
‘I take after my mother in look, but people say that I’ve got my father’s character.’
Yes! You’re right! the meaning is ‘to look like or behave like an older member of your family.
Who do you take after, your father or your mother?
LOOK AFTER somebody, something or yourself
Read the sentence and guess the meaning of ‘Look after somebody’.
When he was in hospital, the nurses looked after him very well.
Yes! You’re right! The meaning of ‘LOOK AFTER SOMEBODY’ is TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE SAFE.
Read this sentence now and guess the meaning of ‘Look after something’
This bike is very expensive.You should look after it.
Now the meaning is to make sure that it is in good conditions.
You can also use the verbs CARE OF or TAKE CARE OF with the same meaning as LOOK AFTER.
COME ACROSS something or somebody
Read the sentences and guess the meaning of ‘Come across’:
«While she was cleaning, she CAME ACROSS a pair of gold rings«.
Yes! You are right! The meaning of «COME ACROSS» is TO FIND OR MEET SOMEBODY OR SOMETHING BY CHANCE».
Remember that English is not only another subject. It’s a language which hides a whole world of possibilities.
If you like this picture, why don`t you try to learn about one of its Houses (The House of Lords) doing this reading and comprehension activity? (intermediate)
ELEMENTAL LEVEL
INTERMEDIATE
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Both Sides of English 