ANSWERS and further information:
1. to build sb/sth up
= to give someone or something a very positive description so that others think positively about them. Sometimes it can be used to say that something is better than it really is (i.e. the first example). Sometimes it can be used to make a person feel more confident (i.e. the second example).
The media has really built him up as some kind of billionaire philanthropist, but he's just a con-artist.
The teacher is very popular as he is well-known for building up his students.
2. to chance upon sb/sth
= a formal and old-fashioned way of saying that you find or meet someone or something by chance
We took a wrong turn down this alley one night and chanced upon a wonderful Italian restaurant.
3. to die out
= to say that something has stopped existing. Used in a continuous form (dying out) shows that something is becoming less and less, and we use the simple form (died out) to say that there are no more.
Many species are starting to die out because of the recent deforestation in the area.
4. to fade away
= to say that something is slowly disappearing, losing importance or becoming weaker. Often, we can omit the 'away', but the 'away' shows that the process is happening slowly and gradually.
It's impossible to read. The writing on the letter has faded away too much.
5. to get through sth
= to say that we either use a large amount of something or to say that we use up all of something
Our 3 boys get through 4 litres of milk and orange juice a week.
6. to mess about (UK) /around (US)
= to say that a person is doing something (or various activities) that is unimportant or irrelevant, probably when they are supposed to be focusing on a specific task
The teacher shouted at Julie to stop messing around and focus on the board.
7. to piece sth together
= to put all the facts and information together so that you are able to understand a story or situation
It may take the detectives months to piece together what happened to the missing child.
8. to shrivel up
= to say that something (often organic material like fruit, vegetables, plants, leaves etc. but not always) has become smaller and smaller, and now does not look healthy or fresh
All the flowers, plants and leaves have shrivelled up because of the recent drought.
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