2. Focus on: phrasal verbs and do, does, and did

1. come off p.v. When something comes off, it becomes detached from what it was attached or fastened to.

Be careful with this old book. The cover's coming off.

That paint won't come off your hands unless you use turpentine.

2. come off p.v. When an event comes off, it is successful.

The party came off well. Everyone had a lot of fun.

The attack didn't come off the way the general planned it.

3. come off p.v. When you say "Come off it" to people, you are saying that you think something they have said is untrue or foolish.

It's 2:00 a.m., you come home smelling like beer, and you say you were working late at the office? Oh, come off it!

1. doze off p.v. When you fall into a light sleep, you doze off.

I went to a movie last night, but it was so boring I dozed off.

If I have a drink at lunch, I'm sure to doze off at my desk.

1. fall for p.v. When someone successfully tricks or deceives you, you fall for the trick or deception or you fall for it.

I feel like an idiot. The salesman promised me it was a real diamond, not glass, and I fell for it.

Your girlfriend told you that guy she was dancing with at the party was her brother? How could you fall for a story like that?

2. fall for p.v. When you suddenly feel a strong attraction to someone or something, you fall for that person or thing.

Jim met Sam's sister last week, and now he calls her every day. I guess he really fell for her in a big way.

When I saw this house, I fell for it immediately, and I made an offer the same day.

1. give in (to) p.v. When someone pressures or forces you to do something or allow something even though you do not want to, you give in.

My son drove me crazy asking me to buy him a new bicycle, and I finally gave in.

The strike lasted for eight months, but the company never gave in to the workers' demands.

1. hear about p.v. When you hear and learn information about someone or some­thing, you hear about it.

Have you heard about the new Thai restaurant downtown?

I heard about the earthquake on CNN.

1. pull through p.v. When you recover from a serious illness or injury, you pull through.

The doctor didn't think his chances were very good, but he pulled through.

Erik is very sick, but he's young and strong, so I'm sure he'll pull through.

1. stay off p.v. When you stay off something, you don't walk or sit on it.

You kids can play in the living room, but stay off the Persian rug.

What can I do to get my cat to stay off the kitchen counter?

1. throw up p.v. When people throw up, they vomit.

Alex was so sick that he threw up all over my shoes.

I feel like I'm going to throw up.

1. throw... up p.v. When something causes small particles of dirt, dust, or a liquid to rise into the air, it throws them up.

Be careful with that chain saw — It'll throw sawdust up in your eyes.

Don't stand too close to the fire; it's throwing up sparks.

3. FOCUS ON: three-word phrasal verbs

1. feel up to p.v. When you feel up to doing something, you have the confidence or energy to do it.

I'm sorry to cancel, but I just don't feel up to going dancing tonight.

The top of the mountain is only 1,000 feet away — do you feel up to it?

1. get... over with p.v. [always separated] When you want to get something over with, it is because it is something unpleasant that you want to finish so that you can stop worrying about it or dreading it.

Let's fix both cavities today, doctor; I just want to get it over with.

I think it's better to get the exam over with first period than to be nervous about it all day long.

1. go along with p.v. When you agree with people or agree with what they are saying, you go along with them.

I understand your concern, Linda, but I have to go along with Maria on this matter.

What's my opinion? I go along with Omar.

2. go along with p.v. When you obey a rule or follow a decision, you go along with it.

Mrs. Taylor wasn't happy about the committee's decision, but she went along with it anyway.

I don't care what the boss says — I'm not going along with any changes that will mean longer hours for less money.

1. go in for p.v. When you go in for a certain activity, you like it and do it regularly.

Bryan really goes in for any kind of outdoor activity.

When I was a kid I went in for football, but I don't watch it much anymore.

1. look forward to p.v. When you look forward to something or look forward to

doing something, you are excited about something in the future because you enjoy it or because it will benefit you in some way.

It's been four years since my brother went overseas. I'm looking forward to seeing him again.

I look forward to an opportunity to meet with you in person.

1. put up with p.v. When you put up with something you do not like or are not happy about, you accept it and do not try to change it.

Her neighbors have loud parties every night, but she doesn't complain. She just puts up with it.

My husband said, "I've put up with your brother long enough!"

1. screw... out of p.v. [informal] When you get money or something valuable from people in a dishonest way, you screw them out of it.

That con man screwed me out of my life savings.

Their sleazy son-in-law screwed them out of thousands of dollars.

1. talk down to p.v. When you talk down to people, you use a tone of voice or an attitude that shows you think they are less intelligent, less educated, or from a lower level of society than you.

I was furious about the way he talked down to me!

Bob hates Jane because of the way she talks down to him.