Sorting out the shelves B1
A bit of DIY — reaching the top shelf and arguing about knocking a wall through.
Reach it and take it down
get at — reachA: Where’s the sugar?
B: It’s at the back of the cupboard—I can’t get at it.
take down — remove from a high placeA: The party's over. Should we take down the decorations now?
B: Yeah, let's get started before it gets too late.
stick out — to extend outwardA: Why won’t this drawer close?
B: Something’s sticking out at the back.
Hold it up or knock it through
hold up — supportA: How is that shelf not falling?
B: It's held up by brackets screwed into the wall.
knock down — demolish (a building or structure)A: What happened to that house on the corner?
B: Oh, they knocked it down last week.
tear down — demolish (a building or structure)A: What happened to that building on Main Street?
B: Oh, they tore it down last week. They're going to build apartments there.
Top shelf
Ellie: I can't get at the boxes on the top shelf. Pass us the stepladder?
Joe: Here you go. Mind that nail, it's sticking out a bit.
Ellie: Cheers. Can you take down the big one? It's a bit heavy for me.
Joe: Got it. Is this shelf even bolted in properly?
Knocking it through
Ravi: I reckon we knock down this wall and make one big room.
Kate: Hang on — is it holding anything up? You can't just tear it down.
Ravi: Good point. If it's a supporting wall it'll be holding up the floor above.
Kate: Exactly. Let's get a builder to have a look before we do anything daft.