ANSWERS and further information:
1. to speak out (against sth)
= to speak publicly, often against something that you disagree with or believe is wrong.
Our organisation will continue to speak out against corporations who destroy our beautiful forests and oceans.
2. to take sth apart
= to separate something (like a machine, furniture or equipment) into the parts that it is made of.
Synonym: to dismantle sth, to pull sth apart, to disassemble sth
I'll need to take the computer apart if I am to find the cause of the problems you're describing.
I don't think the wardrobe will fit in the lift. We may have to take it apart first.
3. to test sth out
= to test or try something (like a theory or a prototype) to see how it works and how people react to it (if it's a commercial product), before committing to producing, manufacturing or buying something.
Don't confuse this with 'to test sth', which means to try something to see if it works, or works according to its specifications.
Synonym: to try sth out, to test drive sth (especially before buying a vehicle)
We'll have to test out the new protocols before we can send the model off to manufacturing.
4. to board sth up
= to cover a window or door with wooden boards or planks. This is often done if you know a strong storm is coming that may potentially break your glass windows, or other loose parts of your home. In other cases, it is seen on abandoned homes.
Honey, I think there's quite a storm coming. It's time to board up the windows.
I don't think the hotel is in operation anymore. All the windows and doors have been boarded up.
5. to cordon sth off
= when the police or military close a specific area (like a crime scene) with tape, barricades or temporary fencing or actual people so that other people cannot enter the area.
The police cordoned off the crime scene so that bystanders wouldn't contaminate the evidence.
6. to face up to sb/sth
= to accept and deal with something difficult or unpleasant. The focus here is that you have chosen to do something about the situation and not run away from it. The focus is NOT on whether you have successfully solved the problem or not.
Instead of running away as usual, why don't you face up to those who continue to talk down to you.
7. to hang out (with sb)
= to spend a lot of time in a specific place. You can do this alone, or you can specify 'with sb'. This is a very informal, spoken phrase.
You see that place down there under the bridge. Me and my friends used to hang out there when we were teens.
8. to grow on sb
= to say you are starting to like someone or something gradually as time goes on
Give it a little time and you'll find that the new boss, despite his stern face, will really grow on you.
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