ANSWERS and further information:
1. to wind down
= to gradually relax after a period of work or excitement, or activity that has made your worried or tired.
Synonym: to relax
It's important to find time to wind down after a long day at work.
2. to think sth through
= to think about or consider something (like a problem, plan or solution) in detail and also to think about the possible results of this action.
Synonym: to consider sth
As we are talking about a large sum of money, can you give me some time to think the proposal through?
3. to stand out
= to be easy to see or notice. You can do this by emphasising one or more of the senses. For instance, by being louder, by being more colourful, by having more taste or smell, or by moving a lot.
Despite her short stature, her seemingly loud voice really makes her stand out.
You have really made the logo stand out by contrasting the bright letters on the dark background.
4. to put sth across
= to communicate a message, express a feeling or explain an idea to someone else successfully, or so that they understand it easily.
You really managed to put your solution across to the committee members well.
His shyness makes it really difficult for him to put across his amazing ideas.
5. to open up
= to start to talk about your feelings and yourself more than before (possibly as a result of being shy).
David often finds it very difficult to open up about his troubled past.
6. to lay sb off
= to stop employing someone because there is no more work for them or they are too expensive. This is often used in the passive 'to be laid off'.
Synonym: to make sb redundant
Due to the current economic crisis, many companies have had to lay off their workers.
7. to heat sth up
= to make something hot or warm. This is typically used for food, but it can be used for most things in general that can be made warmer.
Synonym: to warm sth (up)
We don’t have time to use the oven; just heat it up in the microwave.
8. to bump into sb
= to meet someone you know by chance (i.e. you did not plan to meet them)
As I was walking to work, I bumped into an ex-girlfriend that I hadn't seen for decades.
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