cram with

Cram with someone or something: to fill something with more than it can reasonably hold or accommodate. Because this room is just totally crammed with people, we're moving everyone into the auditorium. I had crammed my suitcase with so much stuff that I couldn't get it to close.

sit at

Sit at: to be seated in front of something, such as a table. He sat at the table, taking his tea.

shout at

Jeer at someone or something: to poke fun at someone; to make rude sounds at someone. Please stop jeering at my cousin! The others just jeered at my idea. Meow at someone: to make the crying sound of a cat to someone. I looked down to find a little orange cat meowing at me. Preach at someone: to del…

be into

Be into something: to be interested in something. My daughter is into sports all of a sudden and really wants to take tennis lessons. Enter into something: to move into something. Once you enter into the parking garage, turn left. Get into: to use, access, or interfere with something, usually withou…

pose for

Pose for someone or something: to strike and hold a particular pose so that one may be photographed or painted by someone. I've been trying to find a new model to pose for me. I hate posing for pictures.

frown upon

Frown upon: to show one's disapproval of something. I just know my mother frowns upon my decision to go to a state school. Please stop frowning upon my choice and support me!

matter to

Matter to someone: to be of importance, significance, or worth to one. If success really matters to you so much that you would sacrifice your friends to get it, then I don't want to be your friend to begin with.

admit to

Admit someone to: to permit someone to enter; to confess or acknowledge a personal wrongdoing. This ticket will admit you to the art exhibit. She’s admitted to everything. She finally admitted to cheating on the test.

bore into

Bore into someone or something: to drill into or otherwise penetrate a particular thing or surface; to look at someone with interest and intensity. OK, I bore a hole into the wall. Her eyes bored into him once more.

tear between

Tear between: to put someone in the position of having to choose between some equally desirable or undesirable options or loyalties. The soldier was torn between staying on duty or going home. I was torn between wanting to punch her and wanting to hug her.

sit on

Sit on someone or something: to place oneself in a sitting position on someoen or something; to hold someone or something back; to delay someone or something. The enomous woman knocked the crook out and sat on him until the police came. The project cannot be finished because the city council is sitt…

obtain for

Obtain something for someone or something: to manage in gathering or gaining possetion of something on behalf of someone for use with something. Did you obtain the documents for me that I requested? We'll need to obtain a search warrant for the compound.

rebound from

rebound from something: to bounce back from something; to recover quickly from something. The ball rebounded from the wall and hit her hard on the elbow. She rebounded from her illness in less than a week. recover something from someone or something: to retrieve or salvage something from someone, so…

construct from

Construct something from something: to build something from certan materials or items. We constructed our solar system from foam balls and popsicle sticks. Make something from other things: to assemble, concoct, or create something from various other things: Never one to let things go to waiste, he …

agree on

Agree on something: to accept a proposal or idea in accord with others; to reach a consensus. The union and the company have finally agreed on the terms of the new contract. Concur on someone or something: to agree on a particular person or idea.Have you two concurred on a recipient for the scholars…

mention in

Mention someone or something in something: to name someone or something in a particular context; to name someone or something in a will, lecture, story, article, etc. We mentioned you in regard to nomination for the congress. Everyone mentioned your book in the discussions. They mentioned your name …

yield to

Yield to someone or something: to allow someone or something to move in front of or before oneself; to give someone or something the right of way; to submit or give in to someone or something; to relinquish victory to someone or something; to allow oneself to convinced, persuaded, overcome, etc., by…

alternate with

Alternate with someone or something: to share a role or task with another person; to appear repetitively with something else. Because we're co-hosting the talent show together, we're planning to alternate with jokes and introductions. I alternated with him as the lead in the school play. That patter…

collaborate with

Collaborate with someone or something: to work on a task with another person or group. Which department are we collaborating with on this campaign? Help someone or something with someone or something: to give aid to someone or something in dealing with someone or something. Please help your father w…

arbitrate between

Arbitrate between: to mediate between two (or more) parties in conflict. We need someone to arbitrate between these two departments before their in-fighting affects the whole company. Mediate between: to act as an intermediary negotiator between two or more people, groups, companies, countries, etc.…

differentiate between

Differentiate between someone or something: to distinguish between multiple people or things. I have a very hard time differentiating between the Westie and the Cairn Terrier. Discriminate between someone or something: to recognize the difference between people or things. I have a hard time discrimi…

denounce as

Denounce someone as something: to openly disparage someone as something. If you denounce the councilman as a liar, you better have evidence to support your claim. Depict someone as something: to portray someone in a particular way. I'm worried about this biopic will depict me as a total diva. Design…

caution about

Cautuion someone about someone or something: to warn someone about someone or something. My mom always cautions me about the dangers of texting while driving. You need to caution him about her before he falls prey to her usual tricks. Remind someone about something: to cause someone to recollect or …

deliberate about

Deliberate about someone or something: to consider, discuss, or confer about someone or something, often for a lengthy period of time. This is a big decision, so I need some more time to deliberate about it, all right? How long do you intend to deliberate about her? Think about someone or something:…

call about

Call about something: to call someone by phone to discuss a particular person or topic. I’m calling about your appointment. I’m calling about the goods I ordered online from your company. Hear about someone or something: to learn about someone or something. (not necessarily by hearing) Did you hear …

concern about

Concern oneself about something: to become focused on someone or something because one feels partly responsible for dealing with it. Your mother really doesn't need to concern herself about our financial issues. Please don't concern yourself about me. I'll do okay. I’m a bit concerned about the sale…

update about

Update someone about someone or something: to tell someone the latest news about someone or something Please update me about the current situation in France. Please update me about him.

complain about

Complain about someone or something: to voice one's annoyance or displeasure with someone or something: If you hate your job so much, quit complaining about it and look for a new one! Grumble about someone or something: to complain about someone or something. What are you grumbling about now? The st…

multiply by

Multiply something by something: to use the arithmetic process of multiplication to expand numerically a particular number a certain number of times. Multiply the number of dependents you are claiming by one thousand dollars. Multiply by something: to use the arithmetic process of multiplication to …

drop by

Come by some place: to stop some place for a visit. Can you come by our place for a few minutes on the way home? Drop by sometime: to come over and briefly visit or converse with someone at a future period in time. If you still have questions on the material, why don't you drop by my office sometime…

come by

Come by something: to travel by a specific means, such as a plane, a boat, or a car. We came by train. It's more relaxing. Next time, we'll come by plane. It's faster.

call by

Call someone by a name: to address someone by a particular kind of name. They call me by my first name. Don't call me by my nickname!

prop up

Prop someone or something up against someone or something: to stand or lean someone or something against someone or something else. I propped him up against the side of the building until our taxi arrived. He was so tired I had to prop him up against the wall while I looked for the door key. I propp…

keep up with

Come up with something: to devise or produce something. Who came up with the idea for this marketing campaign? Keep up with someone or something: to move or progress at the same rate as others; to stay informed about something or in touch with someone by following the latest developmets or communica…

check with

Check with someone or something: to consult or confer with someone about something. I'm the lead person on this company, so please check with me before making any big decision. Confer with someone: to discuss something with someone. I need to confer with you on the candidates we've interviewed so fa…

agree with

Agree with someone or something: to share the same opinion as another person or group. I agree with the way managemnt is trying to address the problem of employee tardiness. Accord with something: to match or agree with something. The suspect's statement does not accord with the information witnesse…

compare with

Compare someone or something with someone or something: to consider the sameness or difference of sets of things or people. Let's compare the virtue of savings accounts with investing in bonds. Contrast someone or something with someone or something: to highlight the differences between two people o…

combine with

Combine something with something: to add or mix two or more things together. Now, we need to combine the meat with the rest of the ingredients in the stew. Integrate someone with someone: to mix people together; to unify people into one group. The new regional YMCA will help Hispanics integrate with…

be with

Affiliate someone or something with someone or something: to link or connect certain people or things. Please don't affiliate yourself with those other troublemakers in your class. I'm sorry, but our practice isn't affiliated with that program anymore. Be with someone: to be following along with and…

go with

Collide with someone or something: to accidentaly strike or crash into someone or something. There's a major traffic jam because a tractor-trailer collided with a car earlier. Go (out) with someone: to date someone. I'm going with him, so you better stop flirting with him! Interact with someone: to …

reinforce with

Adorn someone or something with something: to embellish or decorate someone or something with some kind of decoration. We always adorn our tree with lights, ornaments and tinsel on Christmas Eve. Decorate something with something: to embellish something by adding adornments to it, often for a partic…

deal with

Comply with something: to follow or adhere to a particular rule or regulation. Please be advised that your construction project needs to comply with all building codes. Come up with something: to devise or produce something: Who came up with the idea for this marketing campaign? Deal with someone or…

help with

Bother with someone or something: to take the time or trouble to deal with someone or something. Please don't bother with her. She can take care of herself. Bother someone with someone or something: to annoy someone with someone or something; to worry someone about someone or something. Don't bother…

detach from

Disconnect someone or something from someone or something: to separate someone or something from someone or something else. My phone disconnected me from my secretary when its battery suddenly died. Detach someone or something from someone or something: to separate someone or something from its conn…

differ from

Differ from someone or something: to be unlike someone or something. Can you explain how this car differs from that one? This proposal barely differs from the original one at all! Differentiate someone or something from someone or something: to distinguish one person or thing from someone or somethi…

get from

Arise from: to stand up from a seated or prone position; to move in an upward direction; to emerge from a bleak situation; to result from something. My teenager son doesn't arise from his bed until one in the afternoon. My heart started beating faster as the helicopter arose from the ground. Thanks …

prevent from

Confiscate something from someone: to take something away from someone, often as a form of punishment. I always confiscate cell phone from students who try to use them in my classroom. Deter someone or something from doing: to cause or encourage someone not to do something; to prevent or discourage …

call off

Call off: to cancel a project, event, or activity. The boss has called off this project! The coach called football practice off because of the rain. Put someone off something: to deter or repel someone from something or from doing something. The sight of the blood put me off my food for the rest of …

pay off

Pay something off: to repay a debt or bill in full; to finish paying for something bought on credit. I should have enough in my account to pay the phone bill off this month. I paid off my mortgage last year. Pay someone off: to pay one money in exchange for special treatment or avoiding punishment; …

be off

Be off: to leave a place or to depart to another one. I'm just off to the bar for a few drinks, I shouldn't be there long. I think I'll be off talk to you soon. Turn off: to disable, disconnect, or stop the function of something. I forgot to turn off my laptop, and now the battery is dead. Please tu…

get off

Get off: to physically climb off of or disembark from something. I was slowly getting off my bed. We're in the last row, so it's going to take us awhile to get off the plane. Give off: to emit, discharge, or radiate something. The heater is giving off a strange smell these days. She really gives off…

consist of

Consist of something: to be made up of something. Your grade consists of several factors, such as homework, projects, and test scores. Make something of something: to produce or construct from. Houses made of brick.

accuse of

Accuse someone of something: to blame someone for a crime or wrongdoing. I can't believe he would accuse me of stealing money out of his wallet.

relieve of

Relieve someone or oneself of something: to remove or lessen a burden on someone or oneself. Simply talking to someone can go a long way toward relieving yourself of stress or anxiety.

inform of

Inform someone of someone or something: to share information about something with someone. Have you informed him of the time change for Saturday's dinner? Notify someone of someone or something: to let someone know about someone or something; to bring someone or something to one's attention. We're n…

know of

Hear of someone or something: to know of someone or something; to learn of someone or something. Last week, I'd never even heard of that actress, and now, I'm seeing her everywhere. Have you ever heard of cloud computing? Know of someone or something: to be aware of someone or something. My car's be…

safeguard against

Guard against: someone or something: to take care to avoid someone or something. Try to guard against getting a cold. Insure against something: to guard or protect against something. You must insure against theft and fire. Protect against someone or something: to guard, defend, or inoculate against …

discriminate against

Discriminate against: to impose limitations on a particular person or group for prejudicial reasons; to single out a type of person or thing for special negative treatment or denial of equal treatment; to act in a prejudicial manner against someone or something. Those who continue to discriminate ag…

weigh against

Weigh something against something: to ponder something by balancing it against something. I weighed going to town against staying here and sleeping and I decided to stay here. Weigh against someone or something: to count against someone or something; to work against someone or something. I hope my m…

reserve for

Earmark something for someone or something: to reserve something for someone or something. He earmarked the best of the steaks for his special guests. Prepare someone or something for something: to get someone or something ready for something. I prepared her for her trip by going over her itinerary.…

testify for / against

Testify for: to present evidence or testimony in favor or defense of someone or something as a witness in a trial. The doctor was asked to testify for the plaintiff in the criminal negligence lawsuit against the construction company. Testify against: to present evidence or testimony against someone …

fill in for

Exchange something for something: to return or trade an item for something else. These shoes are way to big. I need to exchange them for a smaller size. Fill in for someone or something: displace, replace; to substitute for someone or something; to take the place of someone or something. I will have…

prescribe for

Prescribe something for someone: to write a prescription of medication for someone. He prescribed a mild pain sedative for a patient to help him sleep.

celebrate for

Celebrate someone for something: to honor and acclaim one for a remarkable action or achievement. We still celebrate him today for his discovery of the drug.

blame for

Blame someone for something: to hold someone responsible for something; to name someone as the cause of something. Please don't blame her for it. She blamed herslef for everything that went wrong. Condemn someone for something: to judge someone or something harshly for a particular action. The other…

pay for

Compensate for something: reduce or counteract (something unwelcome or unpleasant) by exerting an opposite force or effect. The manager is hoping for victory to compensate for the team's dismal league campaign. Compensate someone for something: give (someone) something, typically money, in recogniti…

credit for

Cater for: provide people with food and drink at a social event or other gathering. My mother helped to cater for the party. Commend someone for something: to compliment or praise someone for something that they have done. They commend him for his hard work. I have to commend you for your extraordin…

look for

Aim for: point or direct (a weapon or camera) at a target. Aim for the middle of the target. Advertise for: publicize information about (a vacancy). He advertised for dancers in a trade papers. Look for: attempt to find. He has been looking for you. Search for: try to find something by looking or ot…

ask for

Ask someone for something: say to (someone) that one wants them to do or give something. She asked her father for money. Apologize for something on something: express regret for something that one has done wrong. I apologize for the mistake on your bill. I must apologize for disturbing you like this…

apply for

Apply for: put oneself forward formally as a candidate for a job. She had applied for a number of positions. Prepare for: make (someone) ready or able to do or deal with something. Schools should prepare children for life. She took time off to prepare for her exams. Sign up for: commit oneself to a …

appraise at

Appraise something at: to study something and place a monetary value on it. The building was appraised at $25 million. They appraised the house at twice what it is worth. Appraise at: to be worth (a certain amount of money), as judged by a professional. My grandmother's necklace appraised at a much …

look at

Gaze at: look steadily and intently, especially in admiration, surprise, or thought. He could only gaze at her in astonishment. Look at: direct one's gaze in a specified direction. People were looking at him. Point at: direct someone's attention towards something by extending one's finger or somethi…

forward to

Address something to someone: write the name and address of the intended recipient on (an envelope, letter, or parcel) Find the name of a specific perosn at the company who you can address your resume to. I addressed my letter to him personally. Conform to: comply with rules, sandards, or laws The k…

happen to

Marry to: join in marriage My sister got married to a Welshman. Happen to: be experienced by (someone); befall Something happened to the server this morning. The same thing happened to me.

speak to

Complain to: to voice one's annoyance or displeasure to someone or something If we complain to the school board, I'm sure we can get this decision overturned. Denounce someone to someone: inform against Priests denounced him to the King for heresy. Reply to: say something in response to something so…

contribute to

Cater to (for): provide with what is needed or required The school caters to children with learning difficulties. Be committed to: be dedicated to (something) We are committed to providing tailored holidays. We are committed to innovating home appliances. Contribute to: help to cause or bring about …

object to

Object to: say something to express one's opposition to or disagreement with something The regional managers objected to having to conduct so many appraisals on such short notice. Residents object to the volume of traffic. Be opposed to: anxious to prevent or put an end to; disagreeing with He was o…

get used to

Get used to: inure, naturalize A man can get used to anything in the course of time. Look forward to: to think of (a future event) with pleasurable, eager anticipation I'm looking forward to graduation.

limit to

Limit to: set or serve as a limit to Class sizes are limited to a maximum of 10. Restrict someone to: limit someone to only doing or having (a particular thing) or staying in (a particular place) I shall restrict myself to a single example. Restrict something to: limit something to (a particular pla…

attach to

Add something to something: join (something) to something else so as to increase the size, number, or amount A new wing was added to the building. Ally something to (with): combine or unite a resource or commodity with (another) for mutual benefit He allied his racing experience to his father's busi…

compare to

Compare something to something: point out or describe the resemblances with; like to Her novel was compared to the work of Ernest Hemingway. Prefer something to something: like (one thing or person) better than another or others; tend to choose I prefer Venice to Rome.

subscribe to

Apply to something: make a formal application or request You need to apply to the local authority for a grant. Subscribe to: arrange to receive something, typically a publication, regularly by paying in advance I have just subscribed to the magazine for twelve months.

assign to

Allocate something to someone: distribute (resources or duties) for a particular purpose In past years we didn't allocate enough funds to infrastructure maintenance. Allot something to someone: give or apportion (something) to someone Equal time was alloted to each. Assign something to someone: allo…

adjust to

Adapt to something: to become adjusted to new conditions A large organization can be slow to adapt to change. I tried to adapt to a new environment. Adjust to something: permit small alterations or movements so as to achive a desired fit, appearance, or result A harness that adjusts to the correct f…

divide into

Diversify into: make or become more diverse or varied The trilobites diversified into a great number of species. Divide into: separate or be separated into parts Consumer magazines can be divided into a number of categories. Segment into: divide (something) into separate parts or sections The unempl…

look into

Enquire (inquire) into: invenstigate; look into The task of political sociology is to enquire into the causes of political events. Go into: investigate or enquire into (something) There's no need to go into it now. Look into: investigate The police looked into his business dealings.

crash into

Crash into: collide violently with an obstacle of another vehicle The stolen car she was riding in crashed into a tree. Inject something into someone: introduce (a new or different element) into something She tried to inject scorn into her tone.

turn into

Turn into: become (a particular kind of thing or person); be transformed into The slight drizzle turned into a downpour. Transform something into something: make a marked change in the form, nature, or appearance of He wanted to transform himself into a successful businessman.

originate in

Bring something in: introduce a new law or product Congress brought in reforms to prevent abuse of presidential power. Consist in: have as an essential feature His poetry consisted in the use of emotive language. Lie in: originate (in) Originate in some place or something: to begin in or stem from s…

result in

Culminate in: reach a climax or point of highest development Weeks of violence culminated in the brutal murder of a magistrate. End in: have as its final part or results The match ended in a draw. Result in: have (a specified outcome) Talks in July had resulted in stalemate.

live in

Dwell, Live, and Reside all mean "inhabit" in somewhere. In addition to those, Dwell in: to remain for a time He dwelled in the hallway. Persist in: do something repeatedly and showing no intention to stop The landlord persists in asking us to move. Prevail in: to be frequent The west winds that pre…

abound in

Abound in: have in large numbers or amounts This area abounds with caravan sites.

surpass in

Excel in: to be distinguishable by superiority; surpass others He excels in sports. Rival someone in something: to have a quality or status that is emparable to that of someone else I would say that she rivals him in the ability to find the essential elements of a problem. Surpass someone in somethi…

come in

Come in: join or become involved in an enterprise That's where he comes in. I agreed to come in on the project. Deposit money in somewhere: pay (a sum of money) into a bank The money had been deposited in a Singapore bank account. Dip something in something: put or let something down quickly or brie…

turn in

Turn something in: give something to someone in authority I've turned in my resignation. Hand something in: give something to a person in authority for their attention We handed in a letter of protest.

participate in

Cut in: interrupt someone while they are speakig "It's urgent," he cut in. Engage in: participate or become involved in Some are actively engaged in crime. Get involved in: become occupied or engrossed in something Her husband got involved in his work. Go in for: like or habitually take part in I do…