1000 Phrasal Verbs In Context

1000 Phrasal Verbs In Context © Matt Errey 2007

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context C c (5/13)

clear up
It was raining all morning but it’s clearing up now, so we can go for a
walk after lunch if you like.

clear up
clear up sth
clear sth up
Carlos got some cream for
his pimples, and it soon
cleared them up.

✍ ^

cling to
Even though there is no evidence to support it, some people still cling to
the idea that communism offers a better life for the working class.

cling to sth/sb

If a leader becomes
addicted to power, he’ll
do anything to cling to it.

✍ ^ see also:^ hang on (to),^

hold on (to)

clog up
Something has clogged up the pipe under the kitchen sink. Do you
think you could clear it out for us?

clog up
clog up sth
clog sth up
Heart attacks occur when
fatty deposits clog up the
heart’s blood vessels.

✍  see also: block up

close down
The police closed the bar down because it served alcoholic drinks to
teenagers.

close down
close sth down
close down sth
Many factories are closing
down as companies move
production overseas.

✍  see also: shut down

close in
The police pulled out their guns as they closed in on the killer’s hideout. close in^
close in on sth/sb

The soldiers slowly closed
in on the enemy base,
preparing to attack.

✍ ^ see also:^ zero in on^

clown
around

We were laughing at Dan as he danced around. But then our boss came

in and said, ’OK guys. Enough clowning around.’

clown around

Joking and clowning
around is fun, but it won’t
pay the bills.

✍  see also:^ kid around,

mess around, play around

combine
with

If we combined my talent for invention with your marketing skills, we

could form a successful business partnership.

combine with sth

combine sth with sth

Their music combines the
power of rock with the
rhythm of dance music.

✍ 

come about
How did the idea of setting up your own business come about? Was it
something you planned, or did you just see an opportunity and take it?

come about

Their success came about
as a result of hard work
and some good luck.

✍ 

come across
While we were at the baseball game, we came across some old college
friends. It was great to see them again.

come across sth/sb

While clearing out her
cupboards, she came
across some old letters.

✍  see also: bump into, run

across, run into (all these are

for people only)

come
across

He comes across as being a bit too serious when you first meet him, but

when you get to know him he can be really funny.

come across

come across as sth

She comes across well on
TV, so she’d be good as a
company spokesperson.

✍ ^