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Archive Language Point 144

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Phrasal verbs - over

Helen in the hallway of her parents' house
Phrasal verbs, or multi-word verbs, are verbs that are combined with one or two particles (a preposition or adverb), for example, 'over' or 'under', to make verbs with new meanings. These new meanings are usually non-literal. For example, to get means to obtain or possess (she's got a new car) but to get over someone means to feel better after someone you were romantically involved with has made you unhappy (Helen's mum said that Helen was getting over Michal).

Phrasal verbs - over

Talk it over: Discuss something
Helen's mum said she'd talk it over with Helen's dad.
Don't just walk out! Let's talk it over first.

Hand something over / Hand over something: Give something to someone
You need to hand over your passport when you talk to the immigration officer.
The robbers told us to hand over our wallets, purses and jewellery.

Hang over / Hang over someone or something: Worry about something that might happen
The threat of unemployment hangs over the country when the economy isn't doing well.
This essay has been hanging over me all weekend. I know I have to finish it but I'd much rather go out with my friend and have some fun.

Paper over (the cracks): Try to hide a problem rather than finding a solution to it
There's no point trying to paper over the issue. We need to face it and deal with it now.
They tried to paper over the cracks but eventually the boss realised there was a problem.

Be doubled over: To be bent over because you are in pain or are laughing
When she told me that joke I was doubled over with laughter.
She was doubled over with the pain.

Chew something over / Chew over something: Think about something carefully or discuss it with other people before deciding what to do
Let me chew it over first. I'll let you know my decision tomorrow.
You should chew over what he said. He had some really good ideas in the meeting.

Blow over: A situation that was possibly dangerous or embarrassing has stopped being a problem
The government hopes the scandal will blow over before the election next month.
She thought the problem was going to drag on for months but it actually blew over very quickly.

Phrasal verbs - under

Go under: Fail financially (of a business or enterprise)
The business went under and they lost everything.
If the economy continues on this downward trend, thousands of companies will go under.

Go under: Sink
The boat took too much water in. It went under and was never seen again.
The ship went under and all the passengers drowned.

Go under: Lose consciousness when you are given an anaesthetic
She went under as soon as she was given the anaesthetic for the operation.
The dentist gave me a jab and I went under.

Be snowed under: Have too much work to do
I'm sorry I won't be able to come to your party. I'm snowed under at the office just now.
I'm snowed under at work but my boss never seems to notice.

Vocabulary

cheerful
happy

pretty
quite

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