1) His crime was so cruel and inhumane that they threw the book at him.
2) The judge told my lawyer that he is going to throw Leia mais...]]> Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:08:19 -0200 http://englishsucks.zip.net/arch2009-07-12_2009-07-18.html#2009_07-17_14_43_58-8950420-0 Definition: to buy large quantities of something, or all that is available.

E.g.1. Investors buy up stocks and shares when their value is increasing, then sell them when they think the value is at its peak.

E.g.2. Wealthy people moved Leia mais...]]> Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:43:58 -0300 http://englishsucks.zip.net/arch2009-07-12_2009-07-18.html#2009_07-16_10_45_23-8950420-0 Definition: To make or let something become cooler.

Other definitions: To become less angry.

E.g.1. Wait until your dinner has cooled down a bit, it's very hot.

E.g.2. Leave the photocopier Leia mais...]]> Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:45:23 -0300 http://englishsucks.zip.net/arch2009-07-12_2009-07-18.html#2009_07-15_11_41_16-8950420-0 Definition: to remove a vehicle from a place by attaching it to another vehicle and pulling it.

 E.g.1: You can't park your car here. If you do, the police will tow it away.

 E.g.2: A man from the garage came and towed my Leia mais...]]> Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:41:16 -0300 http://englishsucks.zip.net/arch2009-07-12_2009-07-18.html#2009_07-14_18_07_59-8950420-0 Definition: (concerning a rash or sweat) to appear on your body.

E.g.1. When I get nervous I break out in a sweat and my knees tremble.

E.g.2. She broke out in a rash this morning, so I called the doctor.

This phrasal verb Leia mais...]]> Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:07:59 -0300 http://englishsucks.zip.net/arch2009-07-12_2009-07-18.html#2009_07-13_21_15_17-8950420-0 Definition: to spend time and effort trying to improve something.

E.g.1: It's not easy to learn - you have to work at it.

E.g.2: I've been working at understanding this theory for a few days, but it's still not clear to me.

Leia mais...]]> Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:15:17 -0300 http://englishsucks.zip.net/arch2009-07-05_2009-07-11.html#2009_07-10_13_14_04-8950420-0 Definition: to block a hole by putting something in it.

E.g.1. He bunged up the leaking pipe with a sheet of plastic and sticky tape.

E.g.2. Don't put those old tea leaves down the sink - you'll bung it up!

This phrasal Leia mais...]]> Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:14:04 -0300 http://englishsucks.zip.net/arch2009-07-05_2009-07-11.html#2009_07-09_15_14_59-8950420-0 Definition: Not an urgent priority. To put something on the 'back burner' is to put something off until later.

E.g. We worked hard on the project at first, but when a new project came along, we put it on the back burner.

Etymology: Leia mais...]]> Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:14:59 -0300 http://englishsucks.zip.net/arch2009-07-05_2009-07-11.html#2009_07-08_11_18_56-8950420-0 Definition: to become warm again after becoming very cold

E.g.1.  He stood in front of the fire and rubbed his fingers until they thawed out.

E.g.2.  It was so cold that I didn't think my toes would Leia mais...]]> Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:18:56 -0300 http://englishsucks.zip.net/arch2009-07-05_2009-07-11.html#2009_07-07_12_30_15-8950420-0 Definition: to complete a form by writing the required information in the appropriate places. (British English)

E.g.1. When you apply for a passport, you have to fill in a form.

E.g.2. Leia mais...]]> Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:30:15 -0300 http://englishsucks.zip.net/arch2009-07-05_2009-07-11.html#2009_07-06_11_53_34-8950420-0 Definition: to speak to someone cruelly or angrily, criticising or scolding them. Often followed by "at" or "against".

E.g.1: I lashed out at Jenny and called her a "stupid idiot" and a lot of other names.

E.g.2: Leia mais...]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:53:34 -0300 http://englishsucks.zip.net/arch2009-06-28_2009-07-04.html#2009_07-03_12_26_30-8950420-0 Definition:     To collapse or fall over; to die suddenly.

E.g.1)  I just about keeled over when I heard how much it will cost to get my car fixed.

E.g.2) Grandpa keeled over out in the garden.

Etymology:      Leia mais...]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:26:30 -0300 http://englishsucks.zip.net/arch2009-06-28_2009-07-04.html#2009_07-02_11_02_30-8950420-0 Definition: to make something very quickly, using whatever is available [British informal]

E.g.1. There wasn't much food in the cupboard, but I managed to knock up a meal for myself.

E.g.2. They knocked up a shelter out of the driftwood Leia mais...]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:02:30 -0300 http://englishsucks.zip.net/arch2009-06-28_2009-07-04.html#2009_07-01_11_47_03-8950420-0 Definition: to fasten something.

E.g.1. Could you help me do up the top button on my shirt?

E.g.2. She did her coat up and put her hat on.

This phrasal verb can be separated. This verb has more than one meaning Leia mais...]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:47:03 -0300 http://englishsucks.zip.net/arch2009-06-28_2009-07-04.html#2009_06-30_11_55_03-8950420-0 Definition: to leave a place by driving a vehicle.

E.g.1. She drove off quickly, without looking back.

E.g.2. They waved goodbye as their friend drove off.

Leia mais...]]> Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:55:03 -0300