Tag: verb

A phrasal verb is a verb made up of a verb plus one or more particles (e.g. of, in, up) that modify or change its meaning. For example, the phrasal verb “give up” means “stop doing”, which is different from Read More …

[+ object] to take (something) away from someone especially as punishment or to enforce the law or rules Guards confiscated knives and other weapons from the prisoners. The police have the authority to confiscate  [=seize]  the drug dealer’s property. The teacher confiscated all cell phones for Read More …

To slake a fire is to pour liquid on it to put it out. And to slake a thirst is to quench or satisfy that thirst in a cool, refreshing, relieving way, as if the thirst is a fire that’s being put out. Pronunciation: Read More …

[no object] to argue about or disagree with something The children quarrel all the time. She and her husband are always quarreling about/over money. I don’t want to quarrel with you. I won’t quarrel  [=disagree]  with your version of what happened.

[+ object] to take away (someone) by force usually in order to keep the person as a prisoner and demand money for returning the person She had been kidnapped (from her home). — kidnapper also US kidnaper noun, plural kidnappers also US kidnapers [count] The kidnapper demanded one million dollars in ransom. Read More …

1 [+ object] : to remove (money) from a bank account She withdrew $200 from her checking account. 2 [+ object] : to take (something) back so that it is no longer available The pills were withdrawn  [=recalled]  from the market because they were unsafe. 3 Read More …

1 : to bring (someone or something) back to a normal, healthy condition after an illness, injury, drug problem, etc. [+ object] The clinic rehabilitates drug addicts. He’s still rehabilitating the knee he injured last summer. They try to rehabilitate horses that have suffered injuries. [no object] Read More …

A student asked me, “Is there a difference between finish and finish up?” The answer is no. There’s no difference in meaning. I’ll be home soon, I just need to finish a few things at the office. I’ll be home soon, I just need to finish Read More …

The word “circumscribe” has Latin roots that mean “written around.” To circumscribe something is to encircle it, to draw a circle around it, or, more figuratively, to limit it in a narrow way, as if you’re drawing a tight, strict circle around it. Read More …

phrasal verb 1 : ring (something) up or ring up (something) : to use a special machine (called a cash register) to calculate the cost of (something, such as goods or services) The cashier rang up our purchases. 2 : to achieve (something) The Read More …