Phrasal Verbs in Use / Unit 41 / Feelings

summon up

To gather or call forth a particular quality, especially courage or energy, from within yourself. [neutral]
Collocates: ~ courage, ~ the energy, ~ a memory

• She had to ~ all her courage to face the committee.

• He couldn't ~ the energy to go for a run.

go off

To stop liking something or someone that you liked before. [informal/neutral]
Collocates: ~ someone, ~ the idea, ~ a food

• I used to love that band, but I've really ~ (V3) ~ them lately.

• She ~ (V2) ~ the idea of moving abroad after she visited.

not care for

A polite or formal way of saying you do not like something or someone. [neutral/formal]
Collocates: ~ someone, ~ a particular food, ~ the idea

• I ~ the new design; I prefer the old one.

• He's a nice man, but I ~ his political views.

have sth against

To dislike or disapprove of someone or something for a particular reason. [neutral]
Collocates: ~ someone, ~ a person, ~ a group

• What do you ~ me? Why are you always so critical?

• She has nothing ~ him personally; it's a professional disagreement.

turn against

To stop supporting someone and become opposed to them. [neutral/negative]
Collocates: ~ a friend, ~ the government, public opinion ~s

• His own supporters ~ed (Ved) ~ him after the scandal.

• She tried to ~ his family ~ him.

loosen up

To become more relaxed and less serious. [informal/neutral]
Collocates: ~!, need to ~, ~ a bit

• You should ~ and enjoy the party!

• He ~ed ~ after a couple of drinks.

work into

To gradually enter a particular, usually negative, emotional state. [neutral]
Collocates: ~ a rage, ~ a panic, ~ a frenzy

• He ~ed himself ~ a state over the missing documents.

• Don't ~ yourself ~ a panic; everything will be fine.

snap out of

To force yourself to stop feeling sad or upset. [informal/neutral]
Collocates: ~ it!, ~ a mood, ~ depression

• I wish he would just ~ his self-pity and get on with things.

• She couldn't ~ the feeling of gloom.

give in to

To finally stop opposing and allow yourself to do something you wanted to avoid. [neutral]
Definition: He finally ~ (V2) in ~ her demands.
Collocates: ~ temptation, ~ pressure, ~ despair

• Don't ~ despair; there is always hope.

• I’m trying not to ~ all these negative thought.

hanker after

To have a strong desire for something, especially something you used to have. [informal/neutral]
Collocates: ~ the past, ~ a cigarette, ~ success

• Sometimes I ~ the simplicity of my old life.

• He still ~s ~ a career in acting.

perk up

To become more cheerful, lively, or active. [informal/positive]
Collocates: ~ a person, ~ a room, ~ at the news

• She ~ed ~ considerably when she heard the good news.

• A cup of coffee will ~ you ~.

brim with

To be full of a particular quality, emotion, or thing. [positive]
Collocates: ~ confidence, ~ ideas, ~ tears

• The team was ~ming ~ confidence before the final.

• Her eyes ~med ~ tears of joy.

choke back

To force yourself not to show a strong emotion, especially sadness or anger. [neutral]
Collocates: ~ tears, ~ anger, ~ a sob

• He ~d ~ his anger and tried to speak calmly.

• She had to ~ her disappointment and congratulate the winner.

fight back (fought, fought)

To struggle to control and prevent an emotion or physical reaction. [neutral]
Collocates: ~ tears, ~ anger, ~ fear

• She ~ (V2) ~ the tears as she said goodbye.

• He was ~ing ~ a strong urge to laugh.

bowled over

To be extremely surprised or impressed by something. [informal/positive]
Collocates: ~ by a gift, ~ by kindness, completely ~

• I was ~ ed ~ by the generosity of the donation.

• They were ~ed ~ by the stunning view.

spill out (spilled/spilt, spilled/spilt)

(Of emotions or news) to be expressed or revealed after being kept secret. [neutral]
Collocates: ~ emotions, ~ the story, let it all ~

• After the argument, all his pent-up frustration ~ (V2) ~.

• She let all her feelings ~ in a long, emotional letter.

not feeling up to

To not have the energy, strength, or enthusiasm for something. [informal/neutral]
Collocates: ~ it, ~ going out, ~ the task

• I'm ~ a run today; I'm too tired.

• She wasn't ~ dealing with any more problems.

go out to

(Of thoughts or sympathies) to be extended to someone, especially in a time of difficulty. [formal/positive]
Collocates: sympathies ~, thoughts ~

• Our deepest sympathies  ~ the families of the victims.

• My thoughts  ~ everyone affected by this tragedy.

shake up (shook, shaken)

To upset or shock someone, often causing them to change. [neutral]
Collocates: ~ a person, ~ the system, deeply ~

• The accident really ~ (V2) her ~.

• He was deeply ~ (V3) ~ by the news.

come over

(Of a feeling) to affect someone suddenly. [neutral]
Collocates: a feeling ~s someone, ~ strange, ~ dizzy

• A wave of tiredness ~ (V2) ~ me.

• I don't know what ~ (V2) ~ me; I just started shouting.

run away with

(Of emotions or imagination) to become uncontrollable. [neutral]
Collocates: ~ emotions, ~ imagination, don't let it ~ you

• Don't let your anger ~ you; think before you act.

• Her imagination ~ (V2) ~ with the idea.