unit 14: phrasal verbs

Add up to

The total expenses add up to exactly $500.

1. To form a total amount.

Add up to

All these small clues add up to a very strange story.

2. To combine to produce a particular result.

Break down

Let’s break down the budget into monthly expenses.

To divide something (e.g., a total) into separate parts. (n): breakdown

Build up

You need to build up your strength after the illness.

1. To increase/develop gradually.

Build up

The agent built up the young actor as the next big star.

2. To talk about something positively to impress others.

Build up (n): build-up

He's eating more to build himself up for the race.

3. To make someone bigger/stronger.

Buy off

He tried to buy off the inspector, but it didn't work.

To pay someone money so they do not act against you.

Buy out

The company was bought out by its rival.

To pay a partner to gain full control of a business. (n): buyout

Buy up

Investors are buying up property in the city.

To buy large amounts or all of something available.

Carry over

You can carry over 5 days of leave to next year.

To take something from one period into the next. (n): carry-over

Clock up

He has clocked up over 1,000 hours of flight time.

To reach a particular number or amount.

Club together

We clubbed together to buy a gift for the teacher.

If people put their money together to buy something.

Drum up

We need to drum up more business this month.

To try to make people support you or buy from you.

Mount up

My medical bills are starting to mount up.

To get much larger (e.g., costs, pressure).

Pay back

I’ll pay you back as soon as I get my salary.

To give back the same amount of money borrowed.

Pay out

1. The court ordered them to pay out $1 million.

1. To spend/pay a large amount of money.

Pay out

The bond pays out a fixed amount every year.

2. To provide money from an investment.

Size up

She paused to size up the situation before acting.

To think carefully and form an opinion about someone/something.

Take away

If you take away the taxes, the profit is small.

To remove one number/quantity from another.

Weigh down

I was weighed down with heavy shopping bags.

1. To make someone heavy/unable to move easily.

Weigh down

The responsibility of the new job is weighing him down.

2. To cause problems or make someone worried.