Preparing usage notes, please check back later
above the fray
US /əˈbʌv ðə freɪ/
UK /əˈbʌv ðə freɪ/
- other
- Not involved in a conflict or argument; staying calm and neutral.
B2Moreact on
US /ækt ɑn/
UK /ækt ɔn/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To have an effect on something.
- To take formal action or make a decision regarding something.
- Phrasal Verb
- To take action as a result of information received.
- To have an effect on something.
B1Moreanswer to
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To be responsible to someone and have to explain your actions to them.
- To correspond to or match a description or requirement.
A1Morearound the world
US /əˈraʊnd ði wɜrld/
UK /əˈraund ðə wɜː(r)ld/
- Phrase
- In or to many countries.
- In various places throughout the world.
A2Moreas one
US
UK
- Adverb
- Acting or moving together at the same time.
- In complete agreement or unity.
- Phrase
- With a single voice or opinion; unanimously.
- In perfect harmony or unison.
A1Moreas soon as
US /æz sun æz/
UK /æz su:n æz/
- Phrase
- In a short time after (something happens)
- Without any delay; immediately
- Conjunction
- At the moment that, or immediately after.
A1Moreat ease
US /æt iz/
UK /æt i:z/
- Phrase
- Adjective
- Free from constraint, embarrassment, or awkwardness; relaxed.
A2Moreat home
US /æt hom/
UK /æt həum/
- Phrase
- In one's own residence or country.
- Adjective
- Feeling comfortable and relaxed.
at least
US /æt list/
UK /æt li:st/
- Adverb
- As a minimum
- Not less than
- Phrase
- No less than; at the minimum
- Used to indicate that something is positive in a bad situation.
C2Moreat some point
US /æt sʌm pɔɪnt/
UK /æt sʌm pɔint/
- Phrase
- At an unspecified time, usually in the future.
A1Moreat that time
US /æt ðæt taɪm/
UK /æt ðæt taim/
- Phrase
- During a specific point in the past.
A1Moreat times
US /æt taɪmz/
UK /æt taɪmz/
- Phrase
- Sometimes; occasionally.
A1Moreback up
US /bæk ʌp/
UK /bæk ʌp/
- Phrasal Verb
- To save a copy of your computer data
- To confirm the truth of what someone says
A1Morebetween you and me
US /bɪˈtwin ju ənd mi/
UK /bɪˈtwi:n ju: ənd mi:/
- other
- Said to show that the information is private or confidential.
B1Morebook on
US
UK
- Noun
- A book about a particular subject.
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To place a bet on something.
A1Morecall in
US /kɔl ɪn/
UK /kɔ:l in/
- Phrasal Verb
- To ask others for help when in need
- To make a phone call to your office; to contact
A1Morecall on
US /kɔl ɑn/
UK /kɔ:l ɔn/
- Phrasal Verb
- To order or ask someone to do a specific activity
- To visit someone
A1Morecare of
US /kɛr ʌv/
UK /kɛə ɔv/
- Preposition
- Used in an address to indicate the person who will receive the mail for someone else.
A2Morecentered around
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To have (something) as the main subject or focus.
A2Morecome back
US /kʌm bæk/
UK /kʌm bæk/
- Phrasal Verb
- To reply to someone, often forcefully
- To be remembered
A1Morecome before
US /kʌm bɪˈfɔr/
UK /kʌm biˈfɔ:/
- Phrasal Verb
- To happen or exist earlier in time than something else.
- To be considered more important than something else.
A1Morecome from
US /kʌm frʌm/
UK /kʌm frɔm/
- Phrasal Verb
- To have as your native country or city
A1Morecut your losses
US
UK
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To stop doing something that is failing in order to minimize further losses or damage.
A1Moreease with
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To make something less painful, difficult, or troubling; to comfort or relieve.
A1Moreembrace it
US
UK
- Transitive Verb
- To accept something enthusiastically.
C1Moreexcept that
US /ɪkˈsɛpt ðæt/
UK /ikˈsept ðæt/
- Conjunction
- But; with the exception that.
A2Morefeel right
US
UK
- Intransitive Verb
- To seem correct or appropriate; to give a sense of being morally or ethically sound.
A1Morefigure out
US /ˈfɪɡjɚ aʊt/
UK /ˈfiɡə aut/
- Phrasal Verb
- To understand the behavior of someone
- To think through logically to find a solution
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To understand or find an answer to something.
- To find a solution to a problem or understand something.
A1Morefor a minute
US
UK
- Phrase
- For a short period of time; briefly.
- Used to indicate a sudden realization or thought.
A1Morefor myself
US /fɚ maɪˈsɛlf/
UK /fə maɪˈself/
- other
- Done for one's own benefit or use.
A1Morefor sure
US /fɔr ʃʊr/
UK /fɔ: ʃuə/
- Adverb
- Definitely; certainly; without a doubt.
- Used to emphasize a statement.
- Interjection
- An expression of strong agreement or affirmation.
A2Moreget a sense
US
UK
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To understand or perceive something intuitively.
A1Moreget about
US /ɡɛt əˈbaʊt/
UK /ɡet əˈbaut/
- Phrasal Verb
- To go out a lot; travel widely
A1Moreget out of
US /ɡɛt aʊt ʌv/
UK /ɡet aut ɔv/
- Phrasal Verb
- To leave or escape responsibilities, troubles
- To leave a small, enclosed vehicle
A1Moreget past
US /ɡɛt pæst/
UK /ɡet pɑːst/
- Phrasal Verb
- To overcome an obstacle or difficulty.
- To move beyond someone or something that is blocking your way.
A1Moregive up
US /ɡɪv ʌp/
UK /ɡiv ʌp/
- Phrasal Verb
- To lose hope or admit defeat
- To decide to not start to try solving a problem
A1Morego after
US /ɡo ˈæftɚ/
UK /ɡəu ˈɑ:ftə/
- Phrasal Verb
- To chase or pursue something
A1Morego ahead
US /ɡo əˈhɛd/
UK /ɡəu əˈhed/
- Phrasal Verb
- To start an activity; start doing, working etc.
- To give permission to do something
- Intransitive Verb
- To start or proceed with something
- To proceed despite potential obstacles or doubts.
A1Morego back to
US /ɡo bæk tu/
UK /ɡəu bæk tu:/
- Phrasal Verb
- To return to a starting point
A1Morego out
US /ɡo aʊt/
UK /ɡəu aut/
- Phrase
- To leave a building (e.g. a house)
- Phrasal Verb
- (Of a fire) to burn out; be extinguished
- Go out of fashion to stop being fashionable
A1Moregoes well
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To happen in the way desired
- Intransitive Verb
- To be successful or satisfactory; to turn out favorably.
- To be harmonious or matching; to look good together.
A1Moregoing on
US /ˈɡoɪŋ ɑn/
UK /ˈgəʊɪŋ ɔn/
- Phrasal Verb
- To continue doing something
- To happen (usually negative)
A1Moregot to
US /ɡɑt tu/
UK /gɔt tu:/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To arrive at some place
- To have the opportunity or permission to do something
- Phrasal Verb
- To appeal to the emotions of; move
- To finally begin to start something after a delay
A1Morehave to
US /hæv tu/
UK /ˈhæv tə/
- Auxiliary Verb
- Must do
A1Morehit the jackpot
US /hɪt ði ˈdʒækˌpɑt/
UK /hit ðə ˈdʒækpɔt/
- Intransitive Verb
- To win a large prize or achieve a significant success.
A2Morein business
US /ɪn ˈbɪznɪs/
UK /in ˈbiznis/
- Phrase
- Actively operating as a commercial enterprise.
- Having a commercial partnership or association.
A1Morein mind
US /ɪn maɪnd/
UK /in maind/
- Phrase
- Being aware of or considering something.
- To remember or consider something.
A2Morein school
US /ɪn skul/
UK /ɪn sku:l/
- other
- Attending an educational institution.
A1Morein the first place
US
UK
- Phrase
- To begin with; as the first point or consideration.
- From the beginning; initially.
A1Morein the process of
US /ɪn ði ˈprɑsˌɛs ʌv/
UK /in ðə ˈprəuses ɔv/
- Phrase
- During the course of; while something is happening or being done.
A1Morein the streets
US /ɪn ðə strits/
UK /ɪn ðə stri:ts/
- other
- Located or happening outdoors in public roads or areas.
A2Morein the way
US /ɪn ði we/
UK /in ðə wei/
- Phrase
- Obstructing someone or something; hindering progress.
- Stored or placed so as to be available or ready when needed.
A1Morein the world
US /ɪn ði wɜrld/
UK /in ðə wɜː(r)ld/
- Phrase
- Used to emphasize a question expressing surprise, confusion, or disbelief.
- Used to indicate the extent or degree of something, often in a superlative sense.
A1Morein trouble
US /ɪn ˈtrʌbəl/
UK /in ˈtrʌbl/
- Adjective
- Experiencing difficulties, problems, or legal issues.
- other
- In serious trouble or difficulty.
A1Moreinstead of
US /ɪnˈstɛd ʌv/
UK /inˈsted ɔv/
- Preposition
- When one thing is replaced by another
- Adverb
- As a substitute or alternative.
A1Morelean in
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To move closer to someone or something, often by bending forward.
- To actively pursue and engage with opportunities, especially in a professional context.
A1Moreliterally
US /ˈlɪtərəli/
UK
- Adverb
- In a literal manner or sense; exactly as stated.
- Used for emphasis to describe something that is actually true, often to highlight surprise or intensity.
B1Morelive for
US /liv fɔr/
UK /liv fɔ:/
- Phrasal Verb
- To consider something the most important thing in your life; to find purpose or great pleasure in something.
A1Morelive out
US /liv aʊt/
UK /liv aut/
- Phrasal Verb
- To experience something, especially something that you have planned or hoped for.
- To live somewhere that is not the place where you work.
A1Morelook around
US /lʊk əˈraʊnd/
UK /luk əˈraund/
- Phrasal Verb
- To explore a place; search for something.
A1Morelook at
US /lʊk æt/
UK /luk æt/
- Phrasal Verb
- To use your eyes to focus on something
- To focus your eyes on something carefully
A1Moremeasure up
US /ˈmɛʒɚ ʌp/
UK /ˈmeʒə ʌp/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To be good enough; to meet the required standard.
- Phrasal Verb
- To be good enough; to meet expectations or standards.
B2Moremess up
US /mɛs ʌp/
UK /mes ʌp/
- Phrasal Verb
- To make a mistake
- To make something untidy or dirty.
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To make something untidy or dirty.
- To spoil or ruin something.
A2Moremove on
US /muv ɑn/
UK /mu:v ɔn/
- Phrasal Verb
- To decide to change or go to a different place
- To start talking about something different.
A1Moreof yours
US /ʌv jʊɚz/
UK /əv jɔ:z/
- other
- Belonging to you; your possession or property.
A1Moreon earth
US /ɑn ɚθ/
UK /ɔn ə:θ/
- Phrase
- Used to emphasize a question expressing surprise or anger.
- Used to emphasize that something is not possible or will not happen.
A1Moreon tape
US /ɑn teɪp/
UK /ɒn teɪp/
- other
- Recorded on audio or video media.
B2Moreon the ground
US
UK
- Phrase
- Located on the surface of the earth.
- Present and available in a particular place, especially to deal with a situation.
on to
US /ɑn tu/
UK /ɔn tu:/
- Preposition
- Toward something; forward
- Aware of someone's activities.
- Adjective
- Aware of someone's deception or illegal activities.
A1Morepast it
US
UK
- Adjective
- No longer capable or effective due to age or declining condition.
- Beyond the point of being useful or functional.
A1Moreprepare yourself
US
UK
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To get yourself ready for something.
A2Moreprior to
US /ˈpraɪɚ tu/
UK /ˈpraiə tu:/
- Preposition
- Before a particular time or event.
C1Moreread for
US /rid fɚ/
UK /ri:d fə/
- other
- To read aloud on behalf of someone else.
B2Moresecret of
US
UK
- Phrase
- The key or hidden information that explains something.
- Confidential information about something.
A1Moreshift in
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- A change or alteration in something.
B2Moreshow up
US /ʃo ʌp/
UK /ʃəu ʌp/
- Phrasal Verb
- To arrive or be seen at a place, e.g. a party
- To be noticeably better than (someone else)
A1Moresit down
US /sit daʊn/
UK /sit daun/
- Phrasal Verb
- To take a seat
A1Morespeak to
US /spik tu/
UK /spi:k tu:/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To address or communicate with someone.
- To indicate or suggest something; to be relevant to.
A1Morestand up for
US /stænd ʌp fɔr/
UK /stænd ʌp fɔ:/
- Phrasal Verb
- To support someone or an idea, e.g. human rights
A1Morestay in
US /ste ɪn/
UK /stei in/
- Phrasal Verb
- To remain inside one's home.
- Intransitive Verb
- To remain as an inpatient in a hospital.
step into
US /stɛp ˈɪntu/
UK /step ˈɪntuː/
- Phrasal Verb
- To enter a place or situation.
- To become involved in something, especially a job or role.
A1Morestep out
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To go outside for a short time
- To begin a romantic relationship with someone.
A1Moretake with
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To bring something or someone along when you go somewhere.
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To accept or endure something, especially something unpleasant, as a necessary part of an experience.
A1Moretalk about it
US /tɔk əˈbaʊt ɪt/
UK /tɔ:k əˈbaut it/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To discuss a particular subject.
A1Moretalking about
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To discuss a particular topic.
- To be constantly mentioning or bringing up a subject.
A1Morethink about
US /θɪŋk əˈbaʊt/
UK /θiŋk əˈbaut/
- Phrasal Verb
- To consider something carefully.
- To remember or call to mind.
A1Morethink of
US /θɪŋk ʌv/
UK /θiŋk ɔv/
- Phrasal Verb
- To look on as (being something specific); consider
- To consider or remember something.
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To imagine or call something to mind
A1Moreto do with
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To be about something; concern
A1Moreto let
US /tu lɛt/
UK /tu let/
- Preposition
- Indicates that a property is available for rent.
A2Moretorn between
US
UK
- Phrase
- Unable to decide between two conflicting choices or desires.
- Experiencing conflicting loyalties or obligations.
B1Moreturn around
US /tɚn əˈraʊnd/
UK /tə:n əˈraund/
- Phrasal Verb
- To change your body to the opposite direction
- To make something running badly into a success
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To change direction so as to face the opposite way.
- To improve or cause to improve.
A1Moreturn into
US /tɚn ˈɪntu/
UK /tə:n ˈɪntuː/
- Phrasal Verb
- To change to become something else
- To change your direction to go into a place
A1Moreup against
US /ʌp əˈɡenst/
UK /ʌp əˈɡenst/
- Phrase
- Facing or contending with something difficult or challenging.
- In close proximity or contact with something.
up there
US /ʌp ðɛr/
UK /ʌp ðɛə/
- Adverb
- In or to a higher place or position; far away.
- In heaven.
A1Moreused to
US /juzd tu/
UK /ˈju:st tə/
- Adjective
- Did regularly before, but don't do now
- Auxiliary Verb
- Have done before, but do not do now
A1Morewait for
US /wet fɔr/
UK /weit fɔ:/
- Phrasal Verb
- To wait until someone comes, or something happens
A1Morewake up
US /wek ʌp/
UK /weik ʌp/
- Phrasal Verb
- To stop sleeping
- To become fully aware and alert to a situation.
A1Morewanna
US /ˈwɑnə/
UK /'wɒnə/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- Shortened form of 'want to'. Used only in speaking
B2Morewith it
US /wɪð ɪt/
UK /wið it/
- Adjective
- Intelligent, alert, and up-to-date.
- Understanding and knowledgeable about current trends or information.
A1Morework at
US /wɚk æt/
UK /wə:k æt/
- Phrasal Verb
- To have a job at a particular place or organization.
- To make an effort to improve something.
A1Morework in
US /wɚk ɪn/
UK /wə:k in/
- Phrasal Verb
- To make an opening for something in your schedule
- To fit person/thing into a schedule or sequence
A1Morework on
US /wɚk ɑn/
UK /wə:k ɔn/
- Phrasal Verb
- To devote effort to improve or develop something
- To try to persuade or influence someone.
A1More
