September 28, 2011 By Angela Boothroyd
If something leaps out at you, it is very noticeable and you notice it immediately. Examples of use: 1. As I walked into the garden, the bright colours of the flowers leapt out at me. 2. His amazing resemblance to his father leaps out at everyone who meets them. 3. She walked into the room […]
September 27, 2011 By Angela Boothroyd
To leap at something is to eagerly accept the opportunity or chance to do or have something Examples of use: 1. When my friend offered me a free holiday by the beach, I leapt at it. 2. When the manager offered her a job in China, she leapt at the chance. 3. I would leap […]
September 18, 2011 By Angela Boothroyd
1. To mess up something (or mess something up) is to make something dirty, untidy or disorganized. Informal English. Examples of use: a) You can look at my books but don’t mess up my shelves, please. b) I hate the wind. It messes up my hair. c) She tidied the children’s bedrooms and five […]
September 10, 2011 By Angela Boothroyd
1. To deck out somewhere or something (or deck somewhere or something out) is to decorate a thing or a place, usually for a special occasion. Usually passive + “with” Examples of use: 1. The houses were all decked out with christmas decorations and lights. 2. The street was decked out with flags and […]
September 8, 2011 By Angela Boothroyd
1. To run off with something is to take or steal something that does not belong to you. Informal English. Examples of use: 1. That dog has run off with my shoe! 2. OK, who has run off with my pen? 3. The builder who was working on our house has run off with […]
September 7, 2011 By Angela Boothroyd
To scrape into (or scrape in) is to be accepted somewhere, or to achieve a position, but with a lot of difficulty or by a very small number of points or votes. Examples of use: 1. The marathon runner beat his rival by one second, and scraped into first place. 2. Her exam results […]
September 6, 2011 By Angela Boothroyd
To show somebody around (or show somebody round) somewhere is to take them to a place that they have not visited before, and show them the useful, important or interesting parts of that place. Examples of use: 1. The tour guide showed them around the old churchyard.. 2. Seattle is a great place to […]
