Daniel B. Smith - English Phrasal Verbs Ultimate Collection

My girlfriend has been away for a fortnight I am aching for her. 4.act on (I) = To take action because of something like information received. e.g. The police were acting on a tip and they finally caught the gang red-handed. 5.act on (II) = To affect. e.g.

The medicine only acts on infected tissue. 6.act out (I) = Perform something with actions and gestures. e.g. They acted out the story on stage, which was beautiful. 7.act out (II) = Express an emotion in your behaviour. e.g.

Their anger is acted out in their antisocial behaviour and you can easily notice this. 8.act up = Behave badly or strangely. e.g. My laptop is acting up; I think I might have a virus. 9.act upon (I) = To take action because of something like information received. e.g.

The army were acting upon a tip-off. 10.act upon (II) = Affect e.g. This enzyme acts upon certain proteins. 11.add on = Include a calculation. e.g. 12.add up (I) = To make a mathematical total. e.g. e.g.

They added up the bill to check if it was correct. 13.add up (II) = Be a satisfactory explanation for something. e.g. He explained why the project wasnt ready, but his story doesnt add up. 14.add up to (I) = Have a certain result. e.g.

Transportation delays are getting worse and with these enormous fares, it all adds up to misery for the commuters. 15.add up to (II) = Come to a certain amount or figure. e.g. The total costs of this project add up to several billion euros. 16.agree with = Affect usually used in the negative to show that something has had a negative effect, especially if it makes you feel bad. e.g.

I feel terrible that food didnt agree with my stomach. 17.aim at (I) = To target. e.g. The magazine is aimed at the retired. 18.aim at (II) = Intend to achieve. e.g.

Were aiming at reducing costs by five percent. 19.allow for = Include something in a plan or calculation. e.g. You should allow for risks when planning a mission. 20.allow of = Make possible, permit. e.g.

The rules dont allow of any exceptions. 21.angle for = Try to get something indirectly, by hinting or suggesting. e.g. He has been angling for an invitation, but I dont want him to come. 22.answer back = To reply rudely to someone in authority. e.g.

Her manager was shocked when she started answering him back. 23.answer for (I) = Be held responsible for a problem. e.g. The government should be made to answer for their mistakes. 24.answer for (II) = Speak on behalf of someone or from knowing them. e.g.

I can answer for my partner because I know his position on this matter. 25.argue down (I) = Beat someone in a debate, discussion or argument. e.g. The teacher tried to argue the girl down, but she couldnt. 26.argue down (II) = Persuade someone to drop the price of something theyre selling. e.g.

She argued him down fifteen percent. 27.argue down (III) = Try to persuade people not to accept a proposition, motion etc. e.g. They tried to argue down the proposal. 28.argue out = Argue about a problem to find a solution. e.g.

If we cant argue our differences out, well have to take them to court. 29.ask about = Ask how someone is doing, especially professionally and in terms of health. e.g. She asked about my father. 30.ask after = Enquire about someones health, how life is going. e.g.

She rang earlier and asked after you, so I told her you were quite fine. 31.ask around (I) = Ask a number of people for information of help. e.g. I have no idea, but Ill ask around at work. 32.ask around (II) = Invite someone. e.g.

I asked them around for dinner. 33.ask for (I) = To provoke a negative reaction. e.g. Youre really asking for trouble. 34.ask for (II) = Request to have or be given. e.g.

I asked for the menu, please. 35.ask in = To invite somebody into your house. e.g. Marry is at the door. Ask her in. e.g. e.g.

He wanted to ask her out but was too shy. 37.ask over = To invite. e.g. They have asked us over for drinks on Saturday. 38.ask round = To invite someone. e.g.

We asked Steve round for dinner. 39.auction off = Sell something in an auction. e.g. We auctioned off our property as we were heavily in debt.