English Grammar : Phrasal Word

BOSS ABOUT

Meaning : Use excessive authority to control people.

USE :  She BOSSES everyone ABOUT.

BOSS AROUND

Meaning : Use excessive authority to control people.

USE :  He BOSSES everyone AROUND.

BOTCH UP

Meaning : Ruin or spoil something.

USE :  I BOTCHED UP the whole project and it had to be cancelled.

BOTTLE UP

Meaning : Store up.

USE :  He kept his feelings BOTTLED AWAY

BOTTLE OUT

Meaning : Lack courage to do something

USE :  She was going to tell her boss exactly what she thought, but BOTTLED OUT in the end.

BOTTLE UP

Meaning : Not express your feelings.

USE :  She BOTTLED UP her feelings even though she was furious with them and kept quiet

BOTTOM OUT

Meaning : Pass the lowest point and start rising.

USE :  The recession BOTTOMED OUT and the economy is recovering well.

BOUNCE INTO

Meaning : Force someone.

USE :  They have BOUNCED the government INTO calling an early election.

BOUNCE BACK

Meaning : Recover.

USE :  The economy is BOUNCING BACK from the recession.

BOUNCE OFF

Meaning : Test ideas.

USE :  They BOUNCED ideas OFF each other in a brainstorming session.

BOWL OUT

Meaning : Hit someone's wicket in cricket with the ball.

USE :  He BOWLED the player OUT first ball.

BOWL OVER

Meaning : Surprise someone greatly.

USE :  I was BOWLED OVER by the news.

BOWL OVER

Meaning : Knock someone to the ground.

USE :  He was BOWLED OVER by the crowd rushing out.

BOX IN

Meaning : Prevent something from moving, especially vehicles.

USE :  I was BOXED IN by the bus and couldn't change lane.

BOX UP

Meaning : Pack things in boxes to move them.

USE :  At the end of term, I BOXED my books UP and sent them home.

BRACE UP

Meaning : Feel more confident or optimistic about something.

USE :  You should BRACE UP and stop worrying.

BRANCH OUT

Meaning : Move into a different area of business, etc..

USE :  The supermarkets have BRANCHED OUT into banking.

BREAK AWAY

Meaning : Leave an organisation, usually to form a new one.

USE :  The SDP BROKE AWAY from the Labour Party.

BREAK DOWN

Meaning : End negotiations unsuccessfully.

USE :  The talks between management and the unions BROKE DOWN acrimoniously,

BREAK DOWN

Meaning : Start crying.

USE :  He BROKE DOWN in tears.

BREAK DOWN

Meaning : Stop working.

USE :  My car's BROKEN DOWN, so I came by taxi.

BREAK IN

Meaning : Go into a building to steal something.

USE :  The burglars BROKE IN and stole the TV and video.

BREAK IN

Meaning : Interrupt something.

USE :  I'm sorry to BREAK IN on your conversation, but there's a problem.

BREAK OFF

Break a piece from something.

USE :  She BROKE OFF a square of chocolate and gave it to her dog.

BREAK OFF

Meaning : End a relationship.

USE :  She BROKE OFF Chocolates among her child's

BREAK OUT

Start (war, conflict).

USE :  They're worried that war will BREAK OUT.

BREAK OUT OF

Meaning : Escape.

USE :  Three dangerous Category A prisoners BROKE OUT OF Wandsworth Prison last night.

BREAK THROUGH

Meaning : Pass a barrier or obstacle.

USE :  The crowd BROKE THROUGH the police barriers and attacked the hunters.

BREAK UP

Meaning : Break into many pieces.

USE :  The plate BROKE UP when he dropped it on the floor.

BREAK UP

Meaning : Finish a relationship.

USE :  They had been going out for a couple of years before they BROKE UP.

BREAK UP

Become inaudible over the telephone because of interference.

USE : You're BREAKING UP; I'll call you back in a minute and see if we get a better connection.

BREEZE ALONG

Meaning :  Move easily and quickly.

USE :  The film BREEZES ALONG for the first hour, then becomes rather dull and slow.