Abide by
Meaning: Accept or follow a decision or rule
Example: They have to abide by the house rules, including a strict curfew.
Account for
Meaning: Give a reason or an explanation
Example: I hope you can account for all the money you spent!
Ache for
Meaning: Want something or someone a lot
Example: My partner’s been away for a fortnight- I am Aching for her.
Add on
Meaning: Include in a calculation
Example: Many loan application forms automatically add on insurance.
Add up
Meaning: to add two or more numbers in order to find the total amount
Example: The various building programs add up to several thousand new homes.
Add up to
Meaning: If two or more numbers add up to another number, this is the total you get if you add them together.
Example: The numbers add up to exactly 100.
Advise against
Meaning: recommend not doing something
Example: The doctor advised him against carrying heavy loads.
Agree with
Meaning: Have the same opinion as some else
Example: I agree with you to a certain degree.
Aim at
Meaning: point something in the direction of a target
Example: Our products aim at improving your English skills.
Allow for
Meaning: Include something in a plan or calculation
Example: The existing rules allow for some flexibility.
Allow of
Meaning: Make possible, permit
Example: The facts allow of only one explanation.
Amount to
Meaning: Reach; be equivalent to
Example: The total sales of the company didn’t amount to more than a few million dollars.
Amp up
Meaning: Increase the power, excite, arouse
Example: The people are amped up about the referendum.
Angle for
Meaning: Try to get something indirectly, by hinting or suggesting
Example: There are no big fish left to angle for.
Argue down
Meaning: Beat someone in a debate, discussion, or argument
Example: She argued him down ten percent.
Argue out
Meaning: Argue about a problem to find a solution
Example: If we can’t argue our differences out, we’ll have to take them to court.
Appeal to
Meaning: Be attractive or interesting
Example: The party needs to broaden its appeal to voters.
Apply for
Meaning: make a formal request for something
Example: Students apply for admission to a particular college.
Avail (oneself) of
Meaning: Take advantage of something (an opportunity)
Example: When the sales begin you should avail yourself of the opportunity and buy that coat.
Auction off
Meaning: Sell something in an auction
Example: The Army is auctioning off a lot of old equipment.
Average out at
Meaning: Result in an average(amount)
Example: The price of lunch averages out at 10€ per person.
