to slow down: to go, or cause to go, more slowly (also: to slow up) (S)
This idiom can be used both with and without an object.
o The car was going so fast that the motorist couldn't slow it down enough to make the sharp curve.
o You're eating too fast to digest your food well. Slow down!
o Slow up a bit! You're talking so quickly that I can't catch on well.
to dry up: to lose, or cause to lose, all moisture (S); to be depleted
o Every summer the extreme heat in this valley dries the stream up.
o All funds for the project dried up when the local government faced budget crisis.
to dry out: to lose, or cause to lose, moisture gradually (S); to stop drinking alcohol in excess (also: to sober up)
o Martha hung the towel outside on the clothesline in order to dry it out.
o Some people go to alcohol recovery centers in order to dry out.
to be up to (something): to be doing something; to be planning or plotting something, scheming
The first definition usually takes the form of a question.
o Hi, Jake. I haven't seen you in a long time. What have you been up to?
o Those boys hiding behind the building must be up to something bad.
to beat around the bush: to avoid discussing directly, to evade the issue
o Our boss beats around the bush so much that no one in the office knows exactly what he wants us to do.
o Instead of beating around the bush, Melinda explained her objection in very clear terms.
to come to an end: to end, to stop
This idiom is used with finally and never when some activity lasts too long.
o The meeting finally came to an end at ten o'clock in the evening.
o Even though my friend seemed to enjoy the movie, I thought that it would never come to an end.
to put an end to: to cause to end, to terminate in a definite manner (also: to do away with)
o The dictatorial government put an end to organized opposition in the country by making it illegal to form a political party.
o It may never be possible to do away with all forms of prejudice and discrimination in the world.
to get even with: to seek revenge, to retaliate
This idiom is similar in meaning to to have it in for in Lesson 27.
o Bill has had it in for his boss for a long time. He told me he's planning to get even with his boss by giving some company secrets to a competitor.
o I want to get even with Steve for beating me so badly in tennis last time. The scores were 6-1 and 6-2.
to fool around: to waste time (also: to screw around); to joke, not to be serious
o The teacher got angry because her students were fooling around and couldn't finish their work before the end of class.
o Sometimes I wish that Pat would stop fooling around so much and talk about something more interesting to others.
to look out on: to face, to overlook
o We really enjoy our new apartment that looks out on a river.
o Their rear window looks out on a lovely garden.
to stir up: to cause anger (S); to create (trouble or difficulty) (S)
o The senseless murder of a small child stirred up the whole neighborhood.
o The boss is in a bad mood today so don't stir her up with any more customer complaints.
to take in: to visit in order to enjoy (S); to decrease the size of clothes (S); to deceive, to fool (S)
o We decided to take in Toronto on our trip to Canada
o Lois lost so much weight that she had her skirts and slacks taken in by her tailor.
o The fraudulent investment advisor took everyone in with his sincere manner and generous promises. Most investors lost all their money.
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