Idiom And Phrasal Verb Oxford (Intermediate)

Front 1

First of all

Back 1

before anything else

Ex: First of all, I’d like to ask you a few questions.

Front 2

Go over/through

Back 2

to examine or look at something in a careful or detailed way

EX: I've gone over the problem several times, but I can't think of a solution.

Front 3

Leave sth out

Back 3

to not include someone or something

I've made a list of names - I hope I haven't left anyone out.

Front 4

Rub sth out

Back 4

to remove writing or a mark from something by rubbing it with a piece of rubber or a cloth

It's in pencil, so you can rub it out if you need to.

Front 5

Take it in turn

Take turn at sth

Back 5

If two or more people take turns to do something, or in British English take it in turns to do something, they do it one after the other several times, rather than doing it together.

We took turns to drive the car.

Ted and I took it in turns to go into hospital and sit with Emma.

Front 6

Swap place (with sb)

Back 6

to move to the place where someone else is sitting or standing, so that they can move to where you were sitting or standing

I can’t see a thing. Do you mind if we swap places?

Front 7

Finish sth off

Back 7

to complete the last part of something that you are doing:I want to finish off this essay before I go to bed.

Front 8

Put sth away

Back 8

to put something in the place or container where it is usually kept

Put your toys away now

Front 9

Call it a day

Back 9

to stop what you are doing because you do not want to do any more or think you have done enough

Example:

I'm getting a bit tired now - let's call it a day.

After 14 years living and working in this country, she thinks it's time to call it a day.

Front 10

Hand sth in

Back 10

to give something to someone in a position of authority

Have you handed in your history essay yet?

Front 11

Hand sth out

Back 11

to give something to each person in a group or place

The teacher asked her to hand out the worksheets.

Front 12

Hand sth round

Back 12

to pass or offer something to all the people in a group:Adam, could you hand around the cookies?

Front 13

Take sth seriously

Back 13

to think that someone/something is important and should be given careful attentionJonathan takes his gardening very seriously.Don’t take everything he says so seriously.

Front 14

In rough

Back 14

if you do a piece of written work in rough, you do it in a form that you will finish or improve at a later time

Front 15

Cross out

Back 15

to draw an X or a line through writing because it is wrong or because you have decided to write something elseJust cross out the old address.

Front 16

It's no good (doing sth)

It's no use (doing sth)

Back 16

used for saying that something is not likely to have a successful resultIt’s no use.

We’ll never get there on time

Front 17

Go back

Back 17

to return to a person, place, subject, or activityIt started to rain, so we decided to go back.

Front 18

Build sth up

Back 18

Increase or develop sth over a pariod of time.

Build up confidence/ strength / areputation

Front 19

The tip of iceberg

Back 19

small part of something (such as a problem) that is seen or known about when there is a much larger part that is not seen or known about.The news is shocking, but we may find out that the stories we've heard so far are just the tip of the iceberg.

Front 20

At home

Back 20

In your own house or flat

Front 21

Dos and don'ts

Back 21

rules about actions and activities that people should or should not perform or take part in:

The teacher spent ten minutes explaining all the dos and don'ts in the classroom..

Front 22

Make yourself understood

Back 22

to communicate effectively:

Since they spoke only Swahili, we used signs and gestures to make ourselves understood.

Front 23

Trial and Error

Back 23

a way of achieving an aim or solving a problem by trying a number of different methods and learning from the mistakes that you make:

There's no instant way of finding a cure - it's just a process of trial and error.

Front 24

Make the most of sth

Back 24

to use or enjoy something as much as possible:

We’re only in Paris for a day, so let’s make the most of it

Front 25

Learn by heart

Back 25

to learn something in such a way that you can say it from memory

Front 26

Say / read sth out loud

Back 26

say or read it so that other people can hear you:

I had to read the essay out loud in front of the whole school.

Front 27

Get behind with sth

Back 27

Not do sth on time , and then have more to do later

Front 28

Catch up with sb

Back 28

to reach the same quality or standard as someone or something else:

Will Western industry ever catch up with Japanese innovations?

He was off school for a while and is finding it hard to catch up.

Front 29

Give up

Back 29

to stop trying to do something before you have finished, usually because it is too difficult:

she has a struggle trying to persuade the board to accept her proposal, but she's determined not to give up.

Front 30

Stick at sth

Back 30

to continue trying hard to do something difficult:

You'll never learn to play the piano if you're not going to stick at it. (Keep sth up)

Front 31

Get there

Back 31

used for saying that someone has achieved​/​is going to achieve success
I wouldn’t say we’re successful yet, but we’re getting there.
‘Have you solved the problem?’ ‘I think I’m nearly there.’

Front 32

Brush up on sth

Brush sth up

Back 32

to improve your knowledge of something already learned but partly forgotten:

You’d better brush up on your French before going to Paris.

Front 33

Rack your brain / brains

Back 33

to think very hard:

I've been racking my brains all day but I can't remember her name.

Front 34

Make sense

Back 34

to be clear and easy to understand:

This last paragraph doesn’t make any sense.

Front 35

Keep up with (sb)

Back 35

to do whatever is necessary to stay level or equal with someone or something:

She walks so fast I can never keep up with her.

Technology changes so fast, it's hard to keep up with it.

Front 36

Come back to sb

Back 36

you start to remember it:

I can't think of her name - it'll come back to me later.

It's all coming back to me!

Front 37

On the tip of my tongue

Back 37

about to be said if you can remember it:

I know her - her name is on the tip of my tongue, but it won't come to me.

Front 38

Sink in ( of information or experiences)

Back 38

Be remembered or understood

Some of new vocabulary wouldn't sink in

Front 39

Go in one ear and out the other

Back 39

If you say that something you hear goes in one ear and out the other, you mean you quickly forget it:
If I have to listen to something I don't understand, it just goes in one ear and out the other.

Front 40

Pick sth up

Back 40

learn sth without making a big effort

Front 41

Keep sth up

Back 41

Continue to do sth as well as you are doing it now

Front 42

Keep your mind on sth

Back 42

To continue thinking about, concentrate on, or remain focused on something.

I tried to keep my mind on my work, but I couldn't stop thinking about what Sarah said to me last night.

The boss told us to keep our minds on the company's goal after he asked us to start working Saturdays.

Front 43

Get on top of sth

Get to grips with sth

Back 43

to begin to understand or deal with (something, such as a problem) in a direct or effective way

The government needs to get to grips with the unemployment problem.

Front 44

Get into habit of doing sth

Back 44

Develop a particular habit

Front 45

Go through sth

Go over sth

Back 45

to examine or search something very carefully

Someone had broken into the office and gone through all the drawers.

Collins went through every legal book she could find.

Front 46

(INF) Get bogged down (in sth) INF

Back 46

to be/become so involved in something difficult or complicated that you cannot do anything else:

Let's not get bogged down with individual complaints

Try not to get too bogged down in the details.

Front 47

Work out

Back 47

to solve by making special efforts.-

The two groups worked out their problems together.

Front 48

Come up

Back 48

information appears there.

Front 49

Keep your finger crossed

cross your fingers

Back 49

to hope that things will happen in the way that you want them to:

She has her exam this morning so cross your fingers.

We're keeping our fingers crossed that the weather stays nice.

Front 50

Do my best

Try your best

Do sth to the best of your ability

Back 50

to try as hard as you canI’m not sure if I can win this race, but I’ll do my best.

Front 51

(INF) It's not the end of the world

Back 51

used for saying that something bad is not really as serious as someone thinks it is

Losing your job is hard, but it’s not the end of the world.

Front 52

Get down to sth

Back 52

(get down to something) to start doing something seriously or with a lot of effort

After lunch we got down to discussing the issue of pay.

Front 53

(the) best of luck

Back 53

To wish someone luck for an exam, you can say

Front 54

Stay up

Back 54

to not go to bed

Josh could stay up all night without getting tired.

Front 55

Steer / stay clear of sb/sth

Back 55

to try to avoid someone or something

Tourists are advised to steer clear of the area.

Front 56

Have / keep one eye on sth

Back 56

to keep looking at or paying attention to someone or something while you are doing something else

I had one eye on the clock the whole time.

Front 57

Run out of sth

Back 57

to use all of something and not have any left

run out of:

Some hospitals are running out of blood supplies.

Front 58

Stick to sth

Keep to sth

Back 58

to continue trying hard to do something difficult:

You'll never learn to play the piano if you're not prepared to stick to it.

Front 59

Get stuck (on sth)

Back 59

Not able to continue with sth becuase it is too hard

I get stuck on a question

Front 60

Miss sth out

Back 60

to lose an opportunity to do or have something

We will be repeating the questions later, so you won’t miss out.

Front 61

Go blank

Back 61

you are unable to remember something, especially when someone has asked you a question

When he asked me her name, my mind just went blank.

Front 62

Breath in / out

Back 62

Take air into / out to lungs

Front 63

Read through sth

Back 63

to read all of a document, book, etc. in order to check or correct it

Read the contract through carefully before you sign.

Front 64

Make sense of

Back 64

Have a clear meaning or be logical and easy to understand

Front 65

(INF) Not be up to much

Back 65

Not very good

Mike is a nice boy , but his work isn't up to much

Front 66

Go from bad to worse

Back 66

situation was difficult and unpleasant, and is becoming even more so:

Things have gone from bad to worse.

Front 67

Be better off (diong sth)

Back 67

to be in a better situation, if or after something happens:

He'd be better off working for a bigger company.

Front 68

Drop out (of sth)

Back 68

to leave something such as an activity, school, or competition before you have finished what you intended to do

She was injured in the first round and had to drop out.

Front 69

By comparison

Back 69

used for talking about the ways in which two people or things are different

Their lives were exciting and glamorous; ours seemed dull by comparison.

By comparison with the lively teenagers, the adults were a joyless lot.

Front 70

In your element

Back 70

in a situation you know well and enjoy:

Gerard stood up to sing in front of his classmates, and you could see he was in his element.

Front 71

Think on your feet

Back 71

to have good ideas and make decisions quickly in a difficult situation

You have to think on your feet in this job.

Front 72

GO far

Back 72

to be successful in what you try to do

With all her skill and ambition, I’m sure Leah will go far.

Front 73

It's early days

Back 73

said when you think it is too soon to make a judgment about the likely result of something because a lot might still happen or change:

Our progress has been fairly slow so far, but it's early days.

Front 74

Sit back

Back 74

to relax and stop making the effort to do something

We can’t just sit back and let them win.

Front 75

Come up with

Back 75

to suggest or think of an idea or plan, prodouce ideas or solution to sth :
He came up with a great idea for the ad campaign

Front 76

(INF) Know your stuff

Back 76

to have good practical skills and knowledge in a particular activity or subject

Front 77

Don't think much of sb

Back 77

to have a low opinion of someone or something (count on sb) :

I don’t think much of this techno music.

Front 78

Think the world of sb

Back 78

to have a very high opinion of someone or something:

I think the world of my niece - she's a smart, loving girl.

His professors at Columbia think very highly of him.

Front 79

Think a lot of sb

Back 79

to have a very high opinion of someone or something:

she thinks a lot of Patricia

Front 80

Get on

Back 80

Make progress

He is prepared to do anything in order to get on.

Front 81

Thank to sb/sth

Back 81

Used to say that sb/sth is responsible for sth

Front 82

Bring out the best/worst in sb

Back 82

make sb behave in best or worse way that they can

She seems to bring out the best in him.

Performing in front of an audience brings out the best in me.

Front 83

Be out of touch (with sth)

Back 83

Not know or understand recent ideas in a particular subject or area

Front 84

(INF) Get/ start off on the wrong foot

Back 84

to immediately establish a good/bad relationship with someone when you first meet them or first start working with them

I got off on the wrong foot with Patrick.

Front 85

Pull your weight

Back 85

Work as hard as everyone else in a job or activity

The others had complained that Sarah wasn't pulling her weight.

Front 86

Think ahead (to sth)

Back 86

to make plans about things that will or may happen in the future, so that you will be prepared for themthink ahead to:

We’re thinking ahead to the next meeting.

Front 87

Think for yourself

Back 87

to consider facts and make decisions, instead of depending on someone else’s judgment

It’s time she learned to think for herself.

Front 88

Talk it/sth over

Back 88

to discuss a problem or a plan

You both need to talk over what happened that day.

I know you’re still angry; let’s talk it over tonight.

Front 89

Think it/sth over/through

Back 89

to consider an idea or plan carefully before making a decision:

I'll think it over and give you an answer next week

Front 90

On the spur of the moment

Back 90

used to say that a decision, action, etc. is sudden and done without any planning:

We hadn't planned to go away - it was one of those spur-of-the-moment decisions.

We just jumped in a car on the spur of the moment and drove to the seaside.

Front 91

Make up your mind

Back 91

to make a decision

Come on, make up your mind!

make up your mind whether:I can’t make up my mind whether to go or not.

someone’s mind is made up: My mind’s made up. Nothing will make me change it.

Front 92

Think straight (often used in the negative)

Back 92

to be unable to consider things carefully or correctly

‘I just can’t think straight,’ she said, trying not to cry.

Front 93

Think twice

Back 93

to carefully consider whether what you are planning to do is a good idea

I’d think twice before buying that car if I were you.

A visible alarm makes burglars think twice.

Front 94

Think back (to sth)

Back 94

to think about something that happened in the past
I’ve been trying to think back to that last evening.

Front 95

Take sth/it in

Back 95

to completely understand the meaning or importance of something:

I had to read the letter twice before I could take it all in.

Front 96

Be any use/ any good

Back 96

used for saying whether something is at all good, useful, or effective

A boat like this wouldn’t be any good in a storm.

It isn’t any use complaining – they never listen.

Front 97

No good at

Back 97

not able to do something well

I’m no good at chemistry.

Front 98

No good with

Back 98

not able to deal with someone or something well or to use something well:

Ken’s not much good with kids.

Front 99

Good with your hand

Back 99

skilful at making things

• The psychologist had said he was good with his hands.

Front 100

have a (good) head for something

Back 100

to have a natural ability to do something well:

Kim has a head for numbers.

Front 101

slips your mind​/​memory

Back 101

if something slips your mind​/​memory, you forget to do it

How could she have let something so important slip her mind?

Front 102

(INF) know sth like the back of your hand

Back 102

to have very good and detailed knowledge of something:

I know this area like the back of my hand.

Front 103

(INF) Get the hang of something

Back 103

to learn how to do something, esp. when it is not simple or obvious:

I’ll teach you how to use the design program – you’ll get the hang of it after a while.

Front 104

(INF) know what you are doing

Back 104

to have the knowledge or experience that is necessary to do something:

Don’t worry about me – I know what I’m doing!

Front 105

be out of practice

Back 105

to be bad at doing something because you have not been doing it regularly

I tried out his skates, but I was seriously out of practice.

Front 106

give something a try

Back 106

to do something in order to find out what happens or to find out whether something is good, appropriate, effective etc.

Tony’s planning to give skiing a try this winter.

Front 107

break the news

Back 107

to tell someone about some important new information:

The doctor broke the news to the family that my grandmother had cancer.

Front 108

in touch (with someone)

Back 108

to see, speak to, or write to someone

I’ll be in touch next week about our trip to Paris.Are you still in touch with any friends from college?

Front 109

get in touch (with someone)

Back 109

to speak or write to someone, especially after you have not spoken to them for a long time

Why don’t you get in touch with Jerry and tell him the news?

Front 110

keep​/​stay in touch (with someone)

Back 110

to continue to write or speak to someone although you do not see them often

They moved away five years ago, but we still keep in touch.

Front 111

lose touch​/​contact (with someone)

Back 111

to not know where someone is or what they are doing because you have not talked to or communicated with them for a long time

If you’ve lost touch with a friend or neighbor we can help you find them.

Front 112

(INF) get hold of someone

Back 112

to communicate with someone, esp. by telephone:

I haven’t talked to her in years, so I wouldn’t know how to get hold of her anymore.

Can you get hold of Mike and tell him the meeting’s postponed?

Front 113

hear from sb

Back 113

Get a letter, email, or phone call from that person, or that person tells you something:

We haven't heard from her for ages.

Front 114

(INF) give sb a ring

Give sb a call

Back 114

to call someone on the phone:

If we can be of any further assistance please give us a ring.

Front 115

(INF) drop sb a line

Back 115

to write someone a letter, especially a short informal one:

Just drop me a line when you decide on a date.

Front 116

keep quiet about something

Back 116

to not tell anyone about something

Can we trust him to keep quiet about what he’s seen?

We’re going to keep her decision quiet for the moment.

Front 117

Be common knowledge

Back 117

something that everyone knows

It’s common knowledge that smoking and cancer are linked.

Front 118

Keep (someone) in the dark

Back 118

to not tell someone something or give them information they need

I wish my boss would stop keeping me in the dark and be clear about what I need to do for the project.

Front 119

Not breathe a word (about/of sth)

Not say a word (about sth)

Back 119

Don't tell a secret:

Don’t breathe a word of this to anyone.

I promise not to say a word to Dad about it.

Front 120

Talk down to sb

Back 120

to talk to someone as if they are less intelligent than you or not important:

I wish politicians wouldn't talk down to us as if we were idiots.

Front 121

(INF)Put your foot in it

Back 121

to say something by accident that embarrasses or upsets someone

I really put my foot in my mouth – I asked her if Jane was her mother, but she said Jane is her sister.

Front 122

Get sth across

Back 122

Succeed in making sb understand sth:

We tried to get our point across, but he just wouldn't listen.

This is the message that we want to get across to the public.

Front 123

Talk sense

opp: Talk nonsense

Back 123

to speak in a reasonable way:

It's good to hear someone finally talking sense on this issue.

Front 124

Speak up

Back 124

to speak in a louder voice so that people can hear you:

Could you speak up? We can't hear at the back.

Front 125

Speak your mind

Back 125

to say what you think about something very directly:

He's certainly not afraid to speak his mind.

Front 126

Behind someone’s back

Opp: To sb's face

Back 126

when someone is not present:

What do they say about me behind my back?

Front 127

Answer (sb) back

Back 127

to speak rudely when answering someone in authority:

Don't you dare answer me back, young lady

Front 128

(INF) Tell sb off (for/ for doing)

Back 128

to speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong:

The teacher told me off for swearing.

Front 129

Not get a word in edgeways

Back 129

to not be able to say anything because someone else is talking all the time:

Rosa was talking so much that nobody else could get a word in edgeways!

Front 130

Get through (to sb)

Back 130

to succeed in talking to someone on the phone:

I tried to call her but couldn't get through.

I got through to the wrong department.

Front 131

Cut sb off

Passive: be/get cut off

Back 131

to stop people from continuing a phone conversation by breaking the phone connection:

We got cut off before she could give me directions.

Front 132

Hang on

Hold on

Hold the line (in phone calls)

Back 132

to wait for a short time:

Sally's on the other phone - would you like to hang on?

Do you need the toilet right now or can you hang on for a while?

Hang on a minute - I'll be with you in a moment!

Front 133

Hang up

Back 133

to end a phone conversation:

He started shouting so I hung up (on him).

Let me speak to Melanie before you hang up

Front 134

(INF) Hang up on sb

Back 134

You end a phone conversation suddenly without saying goodbye

Front 135

Put sb through

Back 135

to connect a person using a phone to the person they want to speak to:

Could you put me through to customer services, please?

Front 136

Get back to sb

Back 136

to talk to someone again, usually on the phone, in order to give them some information or because you were not able to speak to them before:

I'll get back to you later with those figures

Front 137

Charge sth up

Back 137

same as charge

Have you charged up your mobile?

Front 138

Top up (your mobile)

Back 138

an extra amount of something, especially money, that is added to an existing amount to create the total you need:

In addition to his student loan, his parents give him a top-up of £300 a month.

Front 139

(INF) Cost a fortune

(INF) cost the earth

Back 139

Be very expensive

Front 140

Here's to sb/sth

Back 140

said when asking a group of people to hold up their glasses and then drink as an expression of good wishes to someone or hope for the success of something:

Here's to the happy couple!

Front 141

Hurry up

Back 141

do something more quickly:

Hurry up, or we’ll miss the bus!

A: Come on ! Hurry up

B: Ok, I'm coming !

Front 142

(INF) Time's up

Back 142

there are no more minutes, hours, etc. available:

OK, everyone, time's up for this week.

A: Ok, everyone. Time's up

B: Oh no, I haven't finished

Front 143

I know

Back 143

said to show you agree with something someone has just said

"But he's so awful." "I know - he's dreadful."

A: We can't go on like this.

B: I know.

Front 144

Say when

Back 144

said when you are pouring a drink for someone and you want them to tell you when to stop pouring

A: I'll pour your coffee. Say when.

B: That's Fine. Thanks.

Front 145

(INF) Here you are / go

There you are / go

Back 145

used when giving something to someone:

"Could you pass the sugar, please?" "Here you are.

"Here, try some of this - it's delicious!

A: Here you are

B: Thanks a lot

Front 146

(INF) Sort of

Kind of

Back 146

in some way or to some degree:

I was sort of hoping to leave early today.

It's sort of silly, but I'd like a copy of the photograph

A: Did you understand what he said?

B: Sort of

Front 147

Why not...?

Back 147

used to make a suggestion or to express agreement:

Why not use my car? You'll fit more in.

"Let's go out for an Italian tonight." "Yes, why not?"

A: Shall we go there later?

B: Yeah Why not?

Front 148

(INF) What's up?

What's the matter?

Back 148

used to ask someone what the problem is:

A: What's Up?

B: Steve's late, as usual

Front 149

As usual

As always

Back 149

in a way that often happens and is expected:

As usual, she was wearing jeans.

Dan got there late, as usual.

A: What's Up?

B: Steve's late, as usual

Front 150

(INF) Here goes!

Back 150

said just before you do something brave or something that you have never done before:

Well, I've never ridden a motorbike before, so here goes!

A: Ok, Here goes. Wish me luck

B: Don't worry , you'll be fine.

Front 151

(INF) How come?

Back 151

used to ask about the reason for something:

So how come you got an invitation and not me?

"I don't think I'll be able to go swimming tomorrow." "How come?"

A: How come the shop's closed?

B: I don't know. It should be open

Front 152

It's up to someone

Back 152

1. if something is up to you, you are the person who makes a decision about it

Do you want to stay or go? It’s up to you.

2.if something is up to you, you are responsible for doing it

It’s up to all of us to try to solve the problems in our neighbourhoods.

A: Do I pay weekly or monthly?

B: It's up to you

Front 153

(INF) All the best

1- Tack care

2- Good luck

Back 153

used to 1- say goodbye, or to end a letter to someone you know well, or 2- to send good wishes to someone:

All the best to your parents!

A: Well, see you soon.

B: Yes, all the best

Front 154

(INF) Guess what?

Back 154

used before telling someone something interesting or surprising:

Guess what? We won the game 4–0.

A: Guess what? we won

B: Oh, that's brilliant

Front 155

I'd rather not say

Back 155

Is polite way to say you don't want to give sb some information

A: Are you planning to leave your job?

B: I'd rather not say

Front 156

(INF) I wouldn't say no

Back 156

used for admitting that you would like something, especially something that has been offered to you

I wouldn’t say no to another piece of cake.

Front 157

(INF) You can say that again

Back 157

used for expressing strong agreement with what someone has said

‘This is so boring!’ ‘You can say that again!’

Front 158

(INF) I must say (that)

I have to say (that)

Back 158

Used for emphasizing an opinion

A: Did you speak to Mr Ellis?

B: Yes. I have to say, he was very rude

Front 159

Whatever you say​/​whatever you think

Back 159

used for telling someone that you are ready to accept their decision, especially when you do not really agree with them but you do not want to argue

‘I think we should deal with this matter ourselves.’ ‘Oh, all right. Whatever you say.’

Front 160

(INF) Tell me

Back 160

used when you are going to ask a question

Tell me, what’s she really like?

Front 161

To say the least

Back 161

used for saying that you could have expressed something in a much stronger way

I found the flight rather uncomfortable, to say the least.

Front 162

(INF) That would be telling

Back 162

used for saying that you cannot give someone a piece of information because it is a secret

‘How old is he?’ ‘That would be telling.’

Front 163

(INF) I couldn’t tell you

Back 163

used for saying that you do not know the answer to a question, especially when you do not want to be helpful

‘What time will he be back?’ – ‘I couldn’t tell you.’

Front 164

(INF) I told you (so)

Back 164

used for saying that you warned someone that something bad would happen and you have now been proved right

I told you it wouldn’t work.

See, it broke! I told you so.

Front 165

(INF) To tell (you) the truth

Back 165

used for saying what you really think or feel

To tell you the truth, I’m completely bored.

Front 166

I'll see what I can do

Back 166

to try to help

Bring the car over tomorrow and I’ll see what I can do.

Front 167

See you later/tomorrow

See you !

See around

See you soon

Back 167

used for saying goodbye to someone who you know when you expect to see them again soon, especially later the same day

Front 168

(INF) You see

Back 168

used when you are explaining something

You see, Harry’s coming this afternoon, so I can’t come.

Front 169

(INF) I don’t see why not

Back 169

used for saying yes when someone asks for your permission

‘Can Jason come too, Dad?’ ‘I don’t see why not.’

Front 170

(INF) let’s see

(INF) let me see

Back 170

used for saying that you need a moment to think about something

Let’s see – where was I?

Front 171

(INF) See how it goes​/​things go

Back 171

used for saying that a decision about a situation will be made after allowing it to develop for a period of time

You may need extra help with this – we’ll see how it goes.

Front 172

(INF) You’ll see

Back 172

used for telling someone that they will find out that you are right about something

It will be wonderful, you’ll see.

Front 173

See for yourself

Back 173

to check what someone has told you by looking at it

It’s all gone – see for yourself.