ANSWERS and further information:
1. to brush up (on sth)
= an informal way of saying that you need to revise or quickly improve a skill that you haven't used in a long time. If you want to explain that you want to improve a specific skill, you can use 'on sth'.
It's been a while since I've spoken French, so I'll need a couple weeks to brush up.
I'll need to brush up on my serve and backhand before we play some tennis.
2. to change out of sth
= to remove the clothes that you are currently wearing and put on something else. Usually, the clothes you are wearing are not suitable anymore (i.e. dirty, wet, too informal/formal etc.) and you need to put on something more appropriate.
It's been pouring and I'm soaked through. Give me a moment to change out of these clothes.
3. to follow up (on sth)
= to do something more to deal with an issue after something has already been done (first example) or to find out more about something after something has happened (i.e. somebody gave you some information or suggested something to you).
I'd like to schedule another appointment with you in 3 weeks to follow up on your progress with the medication.
The detectives followed up by questioning the victim's neighbour again after receiving an anonymous tip.
4. to get off
= to receive no or little punishment after doing something wrong, like committing a crime or misbehaving in class. When you receive a lighter punishment than expected, we can specify this with 'with sth' (second example).
Seriously? Not even a fine? I can't believe you hit the police car and got off so lightly.
Somehow, the man managed to avoid jail time and got off with a small fine.
5. to lash out
= to speak angrily or criticise someone harshly, often in reaction to something that has been said. It can also be used in a physical sense to say that you suddenly try to hit somebody or something in response to something happening to you (second example).
When the reporter claimed that she had only married her husband for his money, she lashed out angrily at all the cameras.
The woman lashed out at the man as he grabbed her from behind and dragged her towards the black van.
6. to opt out (of sth)
= to choose not to do something or take part in something
The fourth stage of the process is not mandatory. You will be given the option to opt out at the end of the third round.
7. to scrape through
= to succeed in doing something but with great difficulty, and that you almost failed. Often used in the context of exams.
Johnny, who was well known for being a rebel, managed to scrape through his final exams with 51%.
8. to waste away
= to describe a person who is becoming physically thin, weak and fragile, as a result of an illness or malnutrition.
After his wife gave consent to remove the respirator, the doctors gave him a week as his body began to waste away.
Comments