Preparing usage notes, please check back later
against the grain
US
UK
- Phrase
- Contrary to someone's natural inclinations or feelings; in opposition to what is normal or expected.
- In a direction that is perpendicular to the fibers of wood, making it difficult to work with.
A2Moreanswer 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.
A1Moreat 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 that time
US /æt ðæt taɪm/
UK /æt ðæt taim/
- Phrase
- During a specific point in the past.
A1Morebehind the scenes
US
UK
- Phrase
- Secretly or without being known to the public.
- In a position to influence events without any public knowledge.
A1Morebuild in
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To include something as part of a plan, system, or design.
- To create something as a permanent or inherent feature.
A1Moreby the book
US /baɪ ði bʊk/
UK /bai ðə buk/
- Phrase
- According to the rules; strictly
A1Morecall for
US /kɔl fɔr/
UK /kɔ:l fɔ:/
- Phrasal Verb
- To demand, need or require (an action or thing)
- To come to someone's house to take them somewhere
A1Morechill out
US /tʃɪl aʊt/
UK /tʃil aut/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To relax and stop being angry or nervous about something.
- To calm down; to become less excited or agitated.
- Phrasal Verb
- To relax and stop being angry or nervous about something.
B2Morecome on over
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- An invitation to visit someone's home or location.
A1Morecook out
US /kʊk aʊt/
UK /kʊk aʊt/
- other
- To prepare and eat food outdoors, often on a grill.
B2Morecreep up on
US /krip ʌp ɑn/
UK /kri:p ʌp ɒn/
- other
- To approach someone or something quietly and unnoticed.
B2Moreculinary
US /ˈkjuləˌnɛri,ˈkʌlə-/
UK /ˈkʌlɪnəri/
- Adjective
- Concerned with cooking
B2Morecut out
US /kʌt aʊt/
UK /kʌt aut/
- Phrasal Verb
- To leave out of something, e.g. a social event
- To cut something from, e.g. a picture from a book
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To stop doing or using something.
- To be naturally suited or fitted for something.
A1Moredeal with
US /dil wɪð/
UK /di:l wið/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To buy or sell goods or services.
- Phrasal Verb
- To take action to solve a problem or manage a situation.
- To be about; concern.
A1Moredelicious
US /dɪˈlɪʃəs/
UK /dɪˈlɪʃəs/
- Adjective
- Very pleasing to eat; especially pleasing
B1TOEICMorefeel like
US
UK
- Intransitive Verb
- To have a desire or inclination for something.
- To have a particular quality or sensation; resemble.
A1Moreforget about
US /fɚˈɡɛt əˈbaʊt/
UK /fəˈɡet əˈbaut/
- Phrasal Verb
- To stop thinking about something; to ignore something.
A1Moreget through
US /ɡɛt θru/
UK /ɡet θru:/
- Phrasal Verb
- To arrive at the end of or finish something
- To succeed in contacting someone by phone
A1Morehave to
US /hæv tu/
UK /ˈhæv tə/
- Auxiliary Verb
- Must do
A1Morein a while
US /ɪn e hwaɪl/
UK /in ə hwail/
- Phrase
- In a short period of time; soon.
- For a short period of time; soon.
A2Morein general
US /ɪn ˈdʒɛnərəl/
UK /in ˈdʒenərəl/
- Phrase
- Typically; usually; on the whole.
- Not specific or detailed; broadly.
- Adjective
- Not detailed or specific; overall.
C2Morein my book
US /ɪn maɪ bʊk/
UK /ɪn maɪ bʊk/
- other
- According to my personal opinion or belief.
B2Morein the first place
US
UK
- Phrase
- To begin with; as the first point or consideration.
- From the beginning; initially.
A1Morein the middle of
US
UK
- Phrase
- In the central part or point of something.
- Engaged or occupied with something.
A2Moreinside of
US /ɪnˈsaɪd ʌv/
UK /inˈsaid ɔv/
- Preposition
- Within; in the inner part of.
- Within a certain period of time.
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
A1Moreof course
US /ʌv kɔː(r)s/
UK /ɔv kɔː(r)s/
- Adverb
- Sure ; Certainly
- Phrase
- For sure; certainly
A2Moreonce in a while
US //wʌns ɪn ə waɪl//
UK
- Phrase
- Occasionally; not very often.
- Occasionally; not very often.
A2Moreout of it
US /aʊt ʌv ɪt/
UK /aut ɔv it/
- Adjective
- Unconscious or not completely alert; dazed or confused.
- Not able to think clearly or react quickly; not with it.
A1Moreout there
US /aʊt ðɛr/
UK /aut ðɛə/
- Adverb
- In or to a place that is far away
- Existing in the universe
- Adjective
- Unconventional; strange; avant-garde
- Existing or available.
A1Moreover to
US
UK
- Preposition
- Used to hand over to someone else to speak
- The responsibility is now yours
pay off
US /pe ɔf/
UK /pei ɔf/
- Phrasal Verb
- To give money to get person to do something; bribe
- To give money to settle a debt
- Transitive Verb
- To bribe someone.
- To pay a debt in full.
A1Morepick out
US /pɪk aʊt/
UK /pik aut/
- Phrasal Verb
- To choose or select one item from many
- To distinguish or recognize something or someone from a group.
A1Moreput out
US /pʊt aʊt/
UK /put aut/
- Phrasal Verb
- To publish, e.g. a book
- To cause someone to be troubled or inconvenienced
A1Moresense of accomplishment
US
UK
- Uncountable Noun
- A feeling of pride and satisfaction from achieving something.
- The feeling of having done something well, which inspires further action.
C1Moreset out
US /sɛt aʊt/
UK /set aut/
- Phrasal Verb
- To arrange something in an orderly fashion
- To give in detail in writing
A1Moreshut up
US /ʃʌt ʌp/
UK /ʃʌt ʌp/
- Phrasal Verb
- To close something, e.g. a shop
- To (cause someone to) be silent or not speak
- Interjection
- An expression of disbelief or surprise
A2Morespecial gift
US
UK
- Noun
- A particularly thoughtful or unique present.
A2Morestay 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.
taste
US /test/
UK /teɪst/
- Uncountable Noun
- (Good) sense of style in clothes, art, or manners
- Flavor in your mouth from food or drink
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To experience something
- To experience the flavor of food, drink
A2TOEICMorethink 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 taste
US /tu teɪst/
UK /tu teɪst/
- other
- Add an ingredient according to your preference.
A2Moretry out
US /traɪ aʊt/
UK /trai aut/
- Phrasal Verb
- To try to win a place on a team in a group
- To test briefly to determine how well it works
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
A1Morevegan
US /ˈviɡən, ˈvɛdʒən/
UK /ˈvi:gən/
- Noun
- Vegetarian who eats no animal or dairy products
C1Morewanna
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.
A1Morewrap up
US /ræp ʌp/
UK /ræp ʌp/
- Phrasal Verb
- To complete something, such as a film or project
- To finish; bring something to a conclusion
- Transitive Verb
- To enclose (something) in paper or soft material.
B1More
