Advanced English Collocations in Use | Unit 11

Collocations with Phrasal Verbs

Complete a sentence using a collocation in the correct form.

(formal: accept the decision)

The Justice Minister said he would __ of the High Court to free the prisoner.

abide by the decision

Complete a sentence using a collocation in the correct form.

(formal: start work in an official position)

The new Regional Governor will __ on 1 March.

take up office

Complete a sentence using a collocation in the correct form.

(produce/think of an alternative)

The Education Commission has been asked to __ to the present schools examination system.

come up with an alternative

Complete a sentence using a collocation in the correct form.

(act on a secret warning)

The police, __, arrested the thieves as they left the building.

acting on a tip-off

Complete a sentence using a collocation in the correct form.

(make an official request for a divorce)

Glenda Nixon __. She and her husband have lived apart for six months.

has filed for divorce

Complete a sentence using a collocation in the correct form.

(punish very strongly)

The police intend to … … … … anyone causing trouble.

The police intend to come down heavily on anyone causing trouble.

Complete a sentence using a collocation in the correct form.

(enjoy the feel of a place)

It was nice to sit there __.

soaking up the atmosphere

Complete a sentence using a collocation in the correct form.

(make time available)

I'll try to __ so we can go away together.

free up some time

Complete a sentence using a collocation in the correct form.

(continue practising a language)

I have a similar problem __ my Spanish.

keeping up (a language)

Complete a sentence using a collocation in the correct form.

(become hungry through activity)

All that gardening helps to __.

work up an appetite

Complete a sentence using a collocation in the correct form.

(suit someone’s arrangements)

That would __ perfectly __.

fit in (perfectly) with my plans

Complete a sentence using a collocation in the correct form.

(be as good as expected)

The hotel didn’t __.

live up to expectations

Complete a sentence using a collocation in the correct form.

(suddenly start crying)

She __ when she saw the flood damage.

burst into tears

Complete a sentence using a collocation in the correct form.

(spend part of saved money)

The club had to __ emergency __ to repair the roof.

dip into (emergency) funds/savings

Complete a sentence using a collocation in the correct form.

(write something quickly)

Can I __ your email address?

jot down

Complete a sentence using a collocation in the correct form.

(get rid of or defeat someone)

He __ several intruders trying to break in.

saw off

(see off an intruder/opponent)

Complete a sentence using a collocation in the correct form.

(formal: continue to maintain a belief)

It’s difficult to __ one’s beliefs when constantly attacked.

adhere to (principles/beliefs/ideals)

Complete the collocation with a preposition from the list.

by, down, for, in with, to, up, up to, up with

file ___ divorce

file for divorce

Complete the collocation with a preposition from the list.

by, down, for, in with, to, up, up to, up with

come ___ an alternative

come up with an alternative

Complete the collocation with a preposition from the list.

by, down, for, in with, to, up, up to, up with

take ___ office

take up office

Complete the collocation with a preposition from the list.

by, down, for, in with, to, up, up to, up with

adhere ___ a philosophy

adhere to a philosophy

Complete the collocation with a preposition from the list.

by, down, for, in with, to, up, up to, up with

live ___ expectations

live up to expectations

Complete the collocation with a preposition from the list.

by, down, for, in with, to, up, up to, up with

abide ___ a decision

abide by a decision

Complete the collocation with a preposition from the list.

by, down, for, in with, to, up, up to, up with

jot ___ someone's address

jot down someone's address

Complete the collocation with a preposition from the list.

by, down, for, in with, to, up, up to, up with

fit ___ plans

fit in with plans

Complete the sentence using a collocation in the appropriate form.

I'd been looking forward to the course but unfortunately it ___ my expectations.

didn’t live up to my expectations

Complete the sentence using a collocation in the appropriate form.

Has anyone ___ a good alternative to the petrol- or diesel-fuelled car yet?

come up with

Complete the sentence using a collocation in the appropriate form.

I should ___ your address in case I forget it.

jot down

Complete the sentence using a collocation in the appropriate form.

The new president of our club is due to ___ office next week.

take up

Complete the sentence using a collocation in the appropriate form.

We have to ___ the decision of the committee; we have no choice.

abide by

Complete the sentence using a collocation in the appropriate form.

Most members of the group ___ a common philosophy.

adhere to

Complete the sentence using a collocation in the appropriate form.

I don't have any special arrangements, so can easily ___ your plans.

fit in with

Complete the sentence using a collocation in the appropriate form.

Hilda Bragg has ___ divorce in a New York court.

filed for

Answer the question using a collocation.

What can you do with savings or funds in an emergency?

dip into savings

Answer the question using a collocation.

What can you do with principles or ideals?

adhere to principles

Answer the question using a collocation.

What can you try to do with a language if you don't want to lose it?

keep up a language

Answer the question using a collocation.

What can guard dogs help you do if you have intruders?

see off intruders

Correct the collocation error in this sentence.

Everyone broke into laughter when she told the story.

burst into laughter

Correct the collocation error in this sentence.

We had a run along the beach to work in an appetite.

work up an appetite

Correct the collocation error in this sentence.

The police intend to go down heavily on anyone carrying a weapon.

come down heavily on

Correct the collocation error in this sentence.

Do you think you could free out some time for a meeting?

free up some time

Correct the collocation error in this sentence.

The police acted on a rip-off and averted a disaster.

tip-off

Correct the collocation error in this sentence.

I hope the party will live on to your expectations.

live up to your expectations

Correct the collocation error in this sentence.

We sat on the balcony soaking through the atmosphere.

soaking up the atmosphere

Correct the collocation error in this sentence.

Tanya quickly saw out her opponent in the semi-final.

saw off her opponent

Answer the question. Write full sentences using the word in brackets in a collocation.

What do you plan to do to make sure you don't lose your English? (KEEP)

Answer the question. Write full sentences using the word in brackets in a collocation.

What event have you been to that didn’t meet expectations? (LIVE)

Answer the question. Write full sentences using the word in brackets in a collocation.

What might tempt you to use some of your savings? (DIP)

Answer the question. Write full sentences using the word in brackets in a collocation.

What would you try to do if trains were cancelled before a wedding? (COME)

Answer the question. Write full sentences using the word in brackets in a collocation.

What would you do your best to do when joining friends’ weekend plans? (FIT)

Answer the question. Write full sentences using the word in brackets in a collocation.

How easy do you find it to act according to your principles? (ADHERE)