English phrases with multiple meanings

act up2 meanings

misbehavenot work properly

add up2 meanings

make sensecalculate the total

back up4 meanings

support someonereverse a vehiclemake a copy

block out2 meanings

prevent light or soundavoid remembering

blow up3 meanings

explodebecome very angryescalate rapidly

break down4 meanings

stop workinglose emotional controlexplain in parts

break in2 meanings

enter illegallyinterrupt

break into2 meanings

enter illegallystart suddenly

break off2 meanings

end a relationship or talksbecome detached

break out2 meanings

start suddenlyescape

break up3 meanings

end a romantic relationshipseparate into smaller piecesdisrupt a gathering

brighten up2 meanings

become brighter or happiermake brighter or happier

bring back2 meanings

return somethingmake someone remember

bring down2 meanings

reduce the level or amount of somethingcause someone in power to lose their position

bring forward2 meanings

move to an earlier timesuggest for discussion

bring in3 meanings

introduce or implementearn or generate moneyinvolve for expertise

bring out3 meanings

release a productmake a quality noticeableelicit response

bring up2 meanings

mention a topicraise a child

brush off2 meanings

refuse to listen to someone or accept somethingdismiss as unimportant

build up4 meanings

increase graduallydevelop strength or confidencepraise or promote

burn out3 meanings

become exhaustedstop burning or workinglose passion

call back2 meanings

return a phone callask someone to return

call for2 meanings

requirepublicly ask for

call in2 meanings

visit brieflyrequest help

call on3 meanings

ask someone to speak or actvisit brieflydraw upon (resources, qualities, or skills)

calm down2 meanings

become calmmake someone calm

carry on2 meanings

continuebehave emotionally

carry out2 meanings

perform a taskexecute formally

carry over2 meanings

continue into another timetransfer influence

catch on2 meanings

become popularunderstand

catch up2 meanings

reach the same leveltalk about recent news

charge up2 meanings

recharge a batteryfill the battery

check in3 meanings

register on arrivalcontact someone brieflyself-reflect

check out3 meanings

leave a hotelexamine or look atdie (slang)

cheer up2 meanings

feel happiermake someone happier

clamp down on2 meanings

take strict action againstsuppress expression

clean up3 meanings

make cleanmake a large profitremove corruption

close down2 meanings

stop operating (business, shop, etc.)end discussion

come across2 meanings

find by chanceseem or give an impression

come along2 meanings

go somewhere with someonemake progress

come apart2 meanings

break into pieceslose emotional control

come around3 meanings

visit (someone's home)change opinionregain consciousness

come back2 meanings

returnbecome popular again

come down2 meanings

move from a higher to a lower placedecrease in price or level

come in3 meanings

enter (a place)become available or usefulbe relevant

come off3 meanings

succeedbecome detachedgive impression

come out4 meanings

be released (for books, movies, products, etc.)become known (information, truth, secret)appear (become visible or attend)

come through3 meanings

survive a difficult situationwater seeps throughsucceed in a difficult situation

come up3 meanings

arise (of a problem, opportunity, or situation)be mentioned (in conversation or discussion)approach in status

cut across2 meanings

to go across an area instead of going around the edgeaffect multiple groups

cut in2 meanings

interrupt someone who is speakingsuddenly drive in front of another vehicle

cut off4 meanings

disconnect (phone, electricity, etc.)stop supply (water, money, etc.)isolate (separate from others or from help)

cut off from2 meanings

to be separated from something or someoneemotionally isolated

cut out5 meanings

stop doing or eating something (usually for health reasons)stops working suddenly(sound/video) stop suddenly

deal with2 meanings

handle a problembe about a topic

do the washing-up2 meanings

wash the disheswash the dirty dishes

do up2 meanings

fastenrenovate

draw up2 meanings

prepare a documentcome to a stop

dress down2 meanings

wear casual clothescriticize

dress up3 meanings

wear smart or special clothesmake something look more attractiveexaggerate facts

drive off2 meanings

leave by carforce away

drop off3 meanings

take and leavefall asleepdecrease

drop out2 meanings

leave school or a course early(call) lose connection

fall apart3 meanings

break into piecesbecome emotionally unable to copefail or collapse as a plan

fall for2 meanings

be trickedfall in love with

fall out2 meanings

have an argument and stop being friendlyresult as consequence

fancy2 meanings

feel like eatingfeel like having or doing

figure out2 meanings

understand after thinkingwork out emotionally

fill in2 meanings

complete a formsubstitute for someone

fit in2 meanings

belong sociallyhave enough space or time

follow up2 meanings

to find out more about something or take further actionpursue leads persistently

get along2 meanings

have a good relationshipmanage or progress

get around3 meanings

travel locallyavoid a problemnews spreads

get at2 meanings

suggest or implyreach

get away3 meanings

escapetake a short holidayavoid punishment

get back3 meanings

returnrecover possessionretaliate

get down3 meanings

make someone sadwrite downenjoy oneself (slang)

get in3 meanings

enter or arrivebe elected or acceptedsubmit (formally)

get into3 meanings

become interested inenter a place or statebe admitted (institution)

get off4 meanings

leave a bus, train, plane, etc.finish work or leave work for the dayavoid punishment or escape a difficult situation

get on3 meanings

board transportmake progresshave a good relationship

get on with2 meanings

have a good relationshipcontinue doing

get out of3 meanings

avoid doing somethingleave a place or situationgain benefit from

get over2 meanings

recover fromaccept mentally

get through5 meanings

finish a difficult tasksurvive a hard periodmake phone contact

get through to2 meanings

make someone understandmake contact by phone

give away2 meanings

give something for freereveal a secret

give in2 meanings

agree reluctantlysubmit work

give in to2 meanings

agree after refusingyield to temptation

give out3 meanings

distributestop workingannounce

give up3 meanings

stop tryingquit a habitsurrender to authorities

gloss over3 meanings

gloss over (something)avoid addressing (something negative or unpleasant)gloss (a word/term)

go ahead3 meanings

proceedhappen as plannedtake initiative

go along2 meanings

to go to a place or eventagree passively

go around3 meanings

circulatebe enough for everyonebehave habitually

go back2 meanings

returnhave existed since

go by3 meanings

time passesbe guided byuse as identity

go for3 meanings

choose or try to getattackbe sold at (price)

go halves2 meanings

share the cost equallysplit a cost equally

go off5 meanings

alarm rings or bomb explodesfood spoilsleave suddenly

go on3 meanings

continuehappentalk at length (often annoyingly)

go out3 meanings

leave home sociallystop burning or workinghave a romantic relationship

go over3 meanings

review carefullyexplain or examine in detailbe received

go through4 meanings

experience something difficult or unpleasantexamine or check something carefullyuse all of something

grab a bite2 meanings

eat something quicklyget something quick to eat

grow out of3 meanings

become too big forstop a childish habitdevelop from

grow up2 meanings

become an adultstop behaving childishly

hand in2 meanings

submit workresign formally

hand out2 meanings

distributedispense punishment or criticism

hand over2 meanings

give control or possessiontransfer responsibility (abstract)

hang on3 meanings

wait a momentwait for a short timepersist despite difficulty

head off3 meanings

leave or set offleave for a placeprevent something

hold back3 meanings

restrain emotionwithhold informationimpede progress

hold down2 meanings

keep a jobsuppress forcibly

hold on2 meanings

wait brieflypersist despite difficulty

hold on to2 meanings

keep something and not give or sell it to anyone elsecling to beliefs

hold out2 meanings

to last or survive in a difficult situationrefuse to compromise

hold up4 meanings

delaysupportrob

keep off2 meanings

avoid touching or stepping onavoid discussing

keep on2 meanings

continuepersist annoyingly

keep up3 meanings

maintain the same pacestay informedmaintain standards

kick off2 meanings

to begin an event or activitystart a conflict

knock down3 meanings

demolish (a building or structure)hit and make fallreduce price sharply

knock out3 meanings

make someone unconsciouseliminate from a competitionimpress greatly

lay off3 meanings

stop employingstop doing something annoyingstop consuming

lay out3 meanings

arrange or plan somethingspread things out so you can see themspend money

leave out2 meanings

omitexclude someone

let down3 meanings

disappoint someonelower somethingreduce effectiveness

let off2 meanings

not punishrelease or fire

let out2 meanings

allow someone to leave a placemake a sound (e.g. a scream, sigh)

live up to2 meanings

meet expectationsfulfil moral duty

look back on2 meanings

remember the pastevaluate past critically

look out for2 meanings

watch forprotect

look up3 meanings

search for informationimproveadmire someone

make for2 meanings

move towards a placehelp to produce a result

make out3 meanings

see or understand with difficultyclaim or pretendprogress romantically

make up6 meanings

be friends againinvent (a story, excuse, etc.)become friends again after an argument

mess up3 meanings

make a mistakemake untidyemotionally disturb

mix up3 meanings

confuse two thingscombine thingscause confusion

open up3 meanings

talk honestlymake access possibleexpand opportunities

pass by2 meanings

to go past someone or somethingmiss an opportunity

pass on3 meanings

give or communicatedecline an offertransmit genetically

pay back2 meanings

return moneyget revenge

pick up7 meanings

collectlearn casuallyimprove

play up2 meanings

stop working properly(of a device or connection) work badly

pop out2 meanings

go out briefly (for food)leave for a short time

pull out2 meanings

to leave or withdraw from an activity or agreementto drive onto a road from another place

pull through2 meanings

recover from a serious illness or difficult situationovercome adversity

put down3 meanings

to place something on a surfaceto criticize or insult someoneeuthanize an animal

put off2 meanings

postponediscourage or repel

put on2 meanings

weargain weight

put through2 meanings

connect by phonemake someone experience something difficult

put together3 meanings

assembleprepare or organizesynthesize ideas

put up2 meanings

let someone stay in your homeraise or fix something in a place

put up with2 meanings

tolerate something annoyingtolerate

run into3 meanings

meet by chancehit or collide withencounter difficulties

run out of2 meanings

use all of something upuse all of something

run over2 meanings

hit with a vehiclerepeat or explain quickly

run through3 meanings

practice or rehearseuse up or spend quicklypervade or characterize

set aside3 meanings

save for a particular purposeignore or not considerannul legally

set off3 meanings

start a journeytrigger somethinghighlight by contrast

set out2 meanings

to start a journeyto explain or describe something clearly

set up3 meanings

arrange or establishprepare equipmentframe someone

settle down2 meanings

become calmstart a stable life

show off2 meanings

boastdisplay something proudly

show up3 meanings

arrive (especially unexpectedly or after being late)become visible or easy to noticeembarrass by comparison

shut down3 meanings

close a business or systemstop talking or reacting emotionallydismiss an argument

slow down2 meanings

reduce speedbecome less active

sort out4 meanings

deal with or fixorganisesolve a problem

speak for2 meanings

to express the opinions or wishes of someone elseimply self-representation

speak up2 meanings

talk louderexpress an opinion openly

split up2 meanings

end a relationshipdivide into smaller groups

stand by3 meanings

be ready to helpsupport someonedo nothing in crisis

stand out2 meanings

be noticeablebe exceptional

stand up to2 meanings

defend yourself against someone or somethingwithstand scrutiny

stick out3 meanings

to be very noticeableto extend outwardpersist despite difficulty

stick to3 meanings

continue with a planfollow a rule or limitmaintain subject

take back3 meanings

return an itemretract wordsevoke memories

take down2 meanings

remove from a high placewrite down information

take in3 meanings

understand or absorbdeceiveadopt as one's own (idea, viewpoint, etc.)

take off5 meanings

plane leaves the groundbecome successfulremove clothing

take on3 meanings

accept responsibilityhire someoneadopt a quality

take out3 meanings

remove something from a placeinvite someone and pay for themkill or destroy

take over3 meanings

take controlreplace someone in a roledominate discussion

take to2 meanings

to start liking someone or somethingdevelop a habit

take up2 meanings

start an activityuse space or time

tear down2 meanings

demolish (a building or structure)criticize harshly

throw away2 meanings

discardwaste an opportunity

tie up2 meanings

finish the last detailsoccupy resources

touch on2 meanings

mention brieflyallude indirectly

turn down2 meanings

rejectreduce volume or heat

turn out3 meanings

prove to beattend an eventassemble for protest

turn over3 meanings

to turn something so the other side is facing upto give control or responsibility to someonegenerate revenue

turn to2 meanings

to go to someone for help or adviceresort to (negative)

turn up3 meanings

arrive unexpectedlyincrease volume or heatbe found unexpectedly

wake up2 meanings

stop sleepingmake someone aware

warm up3 meanings

reheat foodprepare the bodybecome friendlier

wear out2 meanings

become unusablemake someone exhausted

whip up2 meanings

make food quicklywhip up (emotion/feeling)

wind up4 meanings

make tense or annoyedfinish somethingend up in a situation (often unintentionally)

work on2 meanings

to spend time improving or trying to achieve somethingto try to influence or persuade someone gradually

work out3 meanings

exercisesolve or understanddevelop successfully

write up2 meanings

to write a report or article using notes you made earlierevaluate formally