| Actions and movement Actions and movement Down in phrasal verbs about actions can mean towards the ground, towards a lower level, or less intense. ith down and up high/intense. ‘example ‘meaning She fell down and broke her arm. {all to the ground Can you reach that book down for me, please? Youre taller than me. get something that is above your head by reaching with your hand Slow down! There's a police car behind us. drive slower Up in phrasal verbs about actions can higher/complete mean towards a higher level, in a ts wa complete way, or to a greater degree. lower ——_ example ‘meaning | must wrap up Stell’s birthday present. Do you have any nice paper? cover in paper, especially in order to give as a present Can you help me to tie up this package? I don't want it to get damaged in the post. put string or rope around something so that itis fastened together ‘Will you help me blow up these balloons for the pary? ‘il with air ‘Could you pick up that box and follow me, please? Ichas the exam papers in it. life using your hands He felt very angry and tore her letter up. tear Inco a lot of small pieces ‘Could you move up and let Christine sit next to you? ‘move slightly so that there is enough space for someone else Thave a bad leg. don’t wane to slow you up,s0 go ahead and don't wait for me. ‘make someone or something slower Other action and movement verbs Move over! I need to sit down. [change the place where you are sitting or standing so that there is space for someone else to sit or stand] I'm just popping out for a newspaper. Do you want anything from the shop? [informal: leaving the place where I am to go somewhere for a short time] T reached out for the light switch but couldn't find it in the dark. [stretched my arm in front of my body, usually in order to get or touch something] Can you help me on/off with these boots, please? (help me put on / take off a piece of clothing] 62. English Phrasal Verbs jn Use30 Destroying and reacting to destruction el HEPA (Destroying Here are some phrasal verbs which relate to the concept of destruction, phrasal verb ‘meaning example fall apart ‘break into pieces because of being t00 old o too weak “Take care with this priceless old book. It’s beginning to fall apart. pull down sth or pull sth down destroy a building or other structure because ic is not wanted any more “They are planning to pull down the old police station and bulld a new one. ‘screw up sth or screw sth up ‘owist or crush paper o material with your hands You can tal he’s nervous — look how he’s serewing up those scraps of paper, ‘tear apart sth or tear sth apart pull something violently so ehat ft breaks into two or more pieces “The customs officers tore the bag apart and found the hidden drugs. ‘tear down sth or ‘tear sth down Violently destroy a building or other structure because it is not wanted I cant bear to watch them tearing down the school we used to go to. knock over sthisb or knock sthisb over hit oF push someone or something, usually accidentally, so that they fall to the ground or onto their side ‘As she was dusting the room she knocked over 3 vase and spilt water all over the table. ut out sth or put sth out ‘make something that is burning, eg. a fire or cigarette, stop burning ‘We managed to put the fire out before the fre brigade arrived. Foot out sthisb or root sthisb out find and get rid of the thing or person that is causing a problem ‘The government says it will ret out ccrime and the causes of crime. ‘stamp out sth or stamp sth out ‘get rid of something chat is considered wrong or harmful “The government says is doing ale can to stamp out the problem of drugs. [EINE = Reacting to destruction and negative situations FIGHT TO SAVE VILLAGE HOME E ee ee MEANBOROUGH LOCAL COUNCIL has Nyt yall nectar lag ‘Wareholt in order to widen the main road. However, the villagers are equally determined to fight back’ The authorities want t0 evict an 89-year-old lady, Doris Jakes, who has lived all her life in the cottage, and seem to be bem to persuade her to go and live in a moder old people’s home in the nearest town, Doris does not want to move and villagers are doing all they can to see her through? her difficult time. Doris may seem old and harmless |, ‘but she has turned ont several officers from the council who have tried | to get her to change her mind. There was a recent sethack® for Doris | When she was told that she couldn't stay in the cottage because repairs | quickly saw to it and her roof is now in good repair, so she is still in we over backwards! ' defend themselves when something or someone attacks them trying extremely hard, often to help of please help of support someon during a difficult period in thete life criticised them very strongly or attacked | them roan: problem which Caused time to be wastel « id what necded to be problem needed to be done to the roof. However, her neighbour, a builder, | done to solve the the cottage and hopes to win her battle, 64 English Phrasal Verbs in Use Stas