A

• at first hand = directly, from one's own experience

• at the eleventh hour = at the last possible moment
• at one's fingertips = easily or conveniently accessed, accomplished, or achieved
• at a time = separately or in small groups on each occasion
• at the double = very quickly
• at length = for a long time / eventually
• at the moment = right now
• at first sight = immediately someone saw sb
• associate with sb = have a relationship and spend one's time with
• attend to sth = focus one's attention on and deal with
• at times = sometimes
• at the moment = now
• at the point of = very close to
• at the end = in the final part of sth
• at heart = used to say what someone is really like
• at the time of = at a particular point in time
• angry at sth
• angry with someone
• at the front of = located at the part or side that is forward, prominent, or most often seen or
used
• at a disadvantage = in worse position
• adhere to sth = follow
• at large = free, uncaptured
• at war = in a conflict
• at closer inspection
• at arm's length = at a distance
• at will = in compliance with your wishes or desire
• at great length = in great detail
• at any rate = anyway
• at short notice = without much warning or time to prepare
• aghast at = filled with strong feelings of shock and horror
• at sb's discretion = in accordance with sth
• account for = explain
• amenable to = willing to accept and agree with
• abashed by = embarrassed or ashamed of
• adjacent to = lie near
• apprehensive of = worried or frightened that sth unpleasant may happen
• apparent from = easy to see or understand
• appreciative of = show grattitude for

B
• be in flames = on fire
• be under impression = holding the assumption
• brush up on = improve your knowledge of sth already learned but partly forgotten
• be in for = be very likely to experience sth, usually sth which will be unpleasant or
undesirable
• be in sb's good books = regarded favourably by sb
• be on one's last legs = close to death
• be out of one's hands = not within one's control
• by word of mouth = orally
• be in great demand = popular, greatly sought after; desired or required by many people
• bring sth about = cause sth to happen
• bring along = bring sb/sth with one
• bring sb/sth round/around = persuade sb to change their opinion / cause/help sb to regain
consciousness / bring sb/sth to sb's home/office / change the direction of sth
• bring sb/sth down = cause sb/sth to fall / reduce price/level of sth
• bring sth forward = arrange for sth to take place earlir than orignally planned
• bring (sth) home to sb = make sb fully aware of sth
• bring in = earn/produce money/profit
• bring on = cause sth unpleasant (e.g. Illness) to happen
• bring sth out = produce/release sth (e.g. New book)
• bring sth/sb up = raise a child / introduce a subject for discussion
• by order of = according to directions given by the prper authority
• by virtue of = due to
• beware of sb/sth = guard against, be cautious and watchful about
• (not) bother with sth = expend one's time and energy on
• back up = support
• before long = soon
• by heart = from memory
• by name = to know a person well enough to know the person's name or to know a person's
name only
• by sight = to recognize someone or sth based solely on appearance (without knowing any
other information, such as a name, etc): know sb/sth by sight
• by mistake = without indending to
• beneath contempt = exceedingly shameful / poniżej wszelkiej krytyki
• by and large = generally; usually / ogólnie rzecz biorąc
• break away = escape from captivity
• break away from = leave and become independent; move away or separate from sb or sth
• break down = go out of order; stop functioning / lose control of one's emotions / fail or
cease / methodically explain sth step by step / give in to pressure; to acquiesce
• break sth down = divide into smaller or simpler parts
• break free = detach from a physical hold
• break in = interrupt when someone else is talking / use an object or item enough that it
begins to feel comfortable or be more easily usable, often said of shoes
• break in/into = enter by force in order to steal sth
• break off = stop abruptly, discontinue, halt / suddenly stop speaking or doing sth
• break out = start suddenly or erupt
• break out of = escape from captivity (prison) / manage to change or escape from a dull
situation or routine
• break through = force away through sth; push through a physical barrier / overcome an
obstacle and achieve success
• break up = (marriage, relationship, partnership); come to an end (meeting, gathering)
bring to an end and make people leave / be inaudible or unreadable, as of a voice on the
telephone or a broadcast of some kind / lose control and begin to laugh or cry / separate
into small pieces
• break with = discontinue sth that has been ongoing or continuous / cease communicating
 with a person or group; separate from
• baffled by = extremely confused or puzzled
C
• concerned about
• confused by
• commited to
• comply with sth = follow/stick to
• consent to sth = agree to
• convince sb of sth = make oneself believe in
• cut back on = reduce or decrease sth
• count against = be at a disadventage because of
• confine sb/sth to = restrict sb to a particular place or area
• contribute to sth = play a part in
• convert to sth = change and adopt
• cut back = reduce
• chat up = talk seductively to
• come about = happen as a result (usu. By chance)
• cut down on = reduce use/consumption of sth
• call off = cancel/suspend sth
• concentrate on = fix one's attention on sth
• clever at sth/doing sth = having or showing the ability to learn and understand things
quckly and easily
• clever with sth = having or showing the ability to learn and understand things quckly and
skillfully
• care about = to think that sth is important and to be concerned about it
• care for = to like or want (used in polite offers and suggestions)
• come about = happen as a result (usu. By chance)
• come across as = appear/seem/give the impression of being; be seen as sth one is not
• come across = find/encounter sth by chance
• come along = tell sb to hurry / materialise/emerge/appear (e.g. An offer, opportunity) /
improve, develop or make progress / accompany someone; go somewhere with someone
• come around = change one's opinion; finally accept someone's way of thinking
• come by = manage to get, esp. Sth that is difficult to obtain or find
• come back to = be remembered again / return to sth/sb
• come down with = become ill with
• come forward = present oneself; volunteer
• come out = become known
• come to = regain consiousness
• come up against = be faced with or opposed by (a reaction)
• come up to = approach sb/sth / reach a level
• come up = be mentioned in discussion/etc. / (usu. Unexpected problem) arise, occur
• come upon = find or discover
• compete with sb for/on sth = struggle against
• communicate with sb = talk to
• congenial to = friendly and pleasant
• crack someone up = make sb laugh vey hard
• cut across/through = go across to shorten one's route
• cut back = reduce or decrease
 • cut down = strike down, cut at the base / kill or cause to die / insult or disparage someone,
often publicly
• cut down on = reduce in number or size / do sth less (e.g. Drink, eat, smoke)
• cut in = inetrrupt sb speaking
• cut off = discontinue, interrupt / abruptly move in front of another driver, either
intentionally or unintentionally / be separated / stop giving money to someone or sth / stop
a supply (e.g electricity)
• cut out = remove using scissors / be well – suited for success ina particular area / end
unexpectedly or abruptly /stop doing sth (often used as an imperative)
• conversant with = familiar with knowledgeable about
D
• dedicated to
• discouraged by
• disappointed with
• do away with = kill sb / get rid of sth permanently
• do for sth = be suitable /good enough for
• be done for = be ruined / worn out
• do sb in = kill, destroy, or cause sb to fail / exhaust sb / to cheat sb/ take sb in
• do sth over = do sth again, often in an attempt to improve
• do sb out of = prevent sb from doing / having sth = cheat sb out of sth that is rightfully
theirs
• do sth up = fasten (e.g. Buttons) / repair / improve sth / make oneself more beautiful
• do with sth = wish for or ask for; need to use / have sth (usu. After can or could)
• do withot = continue (to live/ etc) despite lacking sth
• disapprove of sth = be opposed to
• die of = a direct cause, e.g. Desease
• die from = an indirect cause, e.g. Injuries, a wound
• divide sth among sb = when there are more than two people
• divide sth between sb = when there are two people
• discourage sb from (doing) sth = persuade sb against
• draw aside = take sb away from a group for a private conversation
• draw back = move back a short distance from sb/sth
• draw down = reduce levels / take money from a reserve or fund
• draw in = become dark earlier or be shorter
• draw on = inhale
• draw on/upon = make use of sth (e.g. Knowledge, experience) for a specific purpose
• draw out = lengthen / take money from your bank account / take a shy person more willing
to speak or participate
• draw (to) = attract/interest sb strongly
• draw (sb's) attention to = make sb aware of sth
• draw up = (vehicle) arrive and stop
• draw *up = prepare/write sth (e.g. Plan/report/etc.) move sth closer
• diligent in = showing care and conscientiousness in
• divisible by = capable of being divided
• detrimental to = harmful, demaging
• diffindent about = modest and shy because of a lack of self – confidence
• desirous of = have a wish for
• descended from = related to those who lived a long time ago
E
• emerge from sth = come out of
• elaborate on = explain in more detail
• eat into = use up a lot of
• enquire into = try to discover the facts about
• engrossed in = involved in, giving all one's attention to
F
• focused on
• frustrated with
• fall behind with = not be as current with some task as one should or ideally would be
• fit in with = harmonize with sth
• from now on = in future
• from time to time = now and then
• for the time being = temporarily
• for fear of = to avoid happening or to prevent sth from happening
• friendly to sth = behaving in a pleasant, kind way
• friendly with someone = having a pleasant relationship with someone; liking someone
• force someone into doing sth = make sb do sth
• flooded with = zawalony czymś
• fraught with = full of unpleasant things (such as problems or dangers) / pełny czegoś
G
• gape at sth/sb = stare at in surprise
• get around to = deal with a task in due course
• go down with = become sick with a particular illness
• gloss over = avoid going into detail about
• go out (to) = travel to a farawayplace
• go into = examine or discuss sth in detail / collide with sb/sth / choose sth as a career
• go without = endure the lack of sth (=do without)
• go out = stop burning or shining (e.g.fire) / be announced/published/broadcast (e.g. Report)
• go along = progress or develop (e.g. Work) / visit/attend a place/meeting
• go along with = agree with/accept sth
• go off = stop, fail (usu. Electrical) / explode/make a sudden noise / start to decay/rot (e.g.
Food) / run away (with sb/sth) / stop liking sth/sb
• go on = talk repeatedly about sth / start (usu. Electrical) / be spent on sth (time, money) /
judge according to (e.g. Appearance)
• get away with = escape punishment for sth (e.g. Crime)
• get a word in edgeways = say something / dojść do głosu
• grow apart = stop having a close relationship; become more distant
• grow back = grow again (e.g. Hair, nails)
• grow from = result or develop from sth
• grow into = develop or change over time / change and mature after having had a particular
experience / become big enough to fit larger clothes
• grow out of = become too big for your old clothes / no longer do sth becuse one has aged
or matured
• grow together = gradually become close, united or attached
• grow up = become older and more mature – becme an adult / spend one's childhood
somewhere
H
• hand over to =deliver someone into someone else's authority or jurisdiction
• hail from = were you born and brought up
• hold with = agree or support
• hit on = suddenly find /think of sth (solution, idea)
• harmonise with = fit in with
• heedless of = not paying careful attention to
I
• inspired by
• influenced by
• in disaray = all over the place / w nieładzie
• in the clear = deemed innocent and no longer suspected of the crime
• in dribs and drabs = periodically in very small number/amounts; bit by bit
• in a cold sweat = very frightened
• indulge in = treat oneself to the luxury of
• in vain = without success
• in practise = in reality
• in favour of = support
• improve on = achieve a better result than before
• in revenge for = in retaliation for sth (harm/etc) sb has caused one
• in season = available
• in no time = immediately
• in the end = finally; after considering everything; eventually
• in the meantime = until then
• in progress = going on
• in time = before some deadline or before sth begins or ends
• in time of = in a difficult situation, e.g. During crisis, war, etc.
• in fear of = to be afraid that sth dangerous or undesirable might happen
• in possession of = sb is in possession of sth
• in the possession of = sth is in the possession of sb
• in name = used to say that sth is officially described in a particular way, although that
description is not completely accurate
• in front of = directly before a person, group, or thing
• in favour with = to be highly regarded, widely accepted or enjoyed (by someone)
• in favour of = to support or approve of sth
• in principle = generally, without regard to the specific details
• in the case of = in reference to; in the instance of; concerning sth
• in case of = in the event of (sth); if a problem occurs
• in view of = taking into account sth; considering sth
• in difficulties = having problems
• in command of = completely in control of one's behaviour and emotions
• interfere with sth = have an effect on
• in unison = in exact agreement and harmony / jednogłośnie
• in office = of holding a formal position of employment or appointment
• in haste = in a hurried manner
• in sight = is close to happening or being achieved
• in hindsight = analysing the past with consideration of the present knowledge
• in the nature of = similar to or typical of
 • in play = in action or operation
• in suspense = feeling excited and nervous
• in retrospect = thinking now about the past
• in depth = in thorough and complete detail
• in the end = eventually, ultimately
• in the balance = in an undecided state / w niepewności, nierozstrzygnięty
• isolated from = without much contact with
• inconsistent in = contradictory to / sprzeczny, nie zgodzić się
• inform someone of sth = tell about
• insight into sth = understand / wgląd w coś, wyobrażenie czegoś
• impetus for sth = encouragement, force for energy
• inflict sth on sth = cause serious injuries on / narzucać coś komuś
• impervious to = not affected by or not seeming to notice
• incumbent on = necessary as part of our duties / mieć obowiązek wobec kogoś
• inherent in = innate, permanent, inseparable element
• intend on = be determined to do sth
J
• jump at = not hesitate to take advantage of
K
• keep on at = continue to remind, encourage or nag someone
L
• lecture on sth = talk about
• look around for = examine or investigate in order to locate someone or sth
• live up to = be as good as or have the qualities that someone predicted, expected
• let down = lower sth/sb / cause sb to be disappointed
• let sth down = make clothes longer
• let sth/sb in = allow/enable sb/sth to enter
• let in on = to allow someone to know about sth
• let on = reveal a secret, usually without any intention of doing so
• let off = excuse sb from punishment/duty / allow sb to leave a vehicle / cause sth (e.g.
Fireworks) to explode
• let out = allow sth/sb to leave a room/building / make sth (usu. Clothing) wider / offer sth
(e.g. House) for rent/hire
• let up = stop, become less in intensity/forse
• let yourself in for sth = get yourself involved in an unpleasant situation, usu.
Unintentionally
• to live with sb = share a house
• leave alone = not touch/disturb sb/sth
• leave aside = not make sth into consideration
• leave behind = depart (from some place) without bringing sb/sth / abandon or forsake
sb/sth / cause sth to remain as a result, consequence, or by product of sth else / do
increasingly better (in some field, activity, or situation) than sb/sth else
• leave off = stop doing sth
• leave out = omit sth/not include sth/not mention
• be left over = remain after the rest has been used
• leave to = allow sth to be dealt with by sb else / give sth to sb after one's death
• look after = take care of / assume responsibility for some task or activity / ensure someone
 is provided for fairly or generously
• look ahead = think of the future
• look at = pay attention to sth you see / read in order to give an opinion / examine closely or
study carefully / consider or regard someone or sth
• look away = turn your head away so as not to see
• look back on = think of or remember what has happened in the past
• look down on = consider as inferior
• look for = try to find / expect
• look forward to = await or anticipate with pleasure
• look into = examine or investgate
• look on = be a spectator at an event
• look out = be careful; pay attention
• look over = review
• look through = read sth, usually quickly
• look to sb to do sth = hope that someone will do sth for you
• look up to = admire
• look sth up = search for and find / become better; improve
• lukewarm about = showing little enthusiasm about sth
M
• motivated by
• mingle with sth = circulate among and chat with a group of people in an easy, friendly
manner
• mistaken about = wrong in one's opinion/judgement
• make do with = cope or manage to do sth without all the resources
• make for = move in the direction of; head for /have or produce sth as an effect or result
• make (sth) into = convert or change into / cause sb to successfully because a new or
different type of person
• make of = have an opinion about sth
• make off with sth = steal and hurry away
• make out = be able to hear or read sth / fill in the details / write out a document of some
kind
• make sb/sth out to be sb/sth = characterize sth in a certain way, often one that is not
accurate / portray sth as sth else
• make over = make changes to sth in order to greatly alter or completely change its
appearance or function / alter sb's appearance, esp. By making dramatic changes to their
hair, clothing, makeup / legally make sb the owner of sth
• make up = invent (excuse, story) / get sth ready for someone's use / compose or
constitute / reconcile or resolve differences / do sth at a different time because you cannot
do it at the expected time / put on powder, lipstick, etc.
• make up for = compensate for
• malevolent towards = want to cause harm or evil to
N
• not in a month of Sundays = at no point; under no circumstances
• not by a long chalk = not even near
• not for long = only briefly
• noted for = having an established reputation or degree of fame because of
O
• opposed to
 • on the side of sb/sth = in support of
• once in a blue moon = very rarely
• on a shoestring = within a very tight financial budget
• on the level = honest, straightforward and sincere
• on impulse = on the spur of the moment
• on good terms with = mieć z kimś dobre relacje
• out of pity for = feeling sadness and sympathy about
• out of danger = bez zagrożenia życia
• out of date = no longer fashionable
• on time = at the agreed or expected time; punctually
• on the point of = ready or about to do sth
• on sight = as soon as someone or sth is or can be seen
• on principle = due to or according to a certain set of fixed beliefs
• on condition that = with the proviso
• ot of favour = unpopular
• on target = as predicted, expected, or planned; totally accurate and precise
• on the rampage = behaving violently or destructively causing great disruption or chaos
• on a whim = without careful planning, because of a capricious inclination
• on probation = pod nadzorem sądowym
• on the breadline = extremely poor
• of hand = under control
• on message = true to the official or agreed upon view / prawomyślny
• off limits = restricted
• on guard = careful and aware because a situation might be dangerous
• off guard = unprepared for danger or surprises
• on the face of it = as it seems; from the way it looks
• on closer inspection = looking (at sth) carefully
• on balance = taking everything into consideration / po namyśle
• observant of = adhere to
P
• put sth by = save sth for late use
• put sth/sb down = record sth in writing / kill an animal which is injured/suffering /
criticise sb cruelly
• put sth on = dress oneself in / organise/present sth / place sth on top of sth else
• put off = dissuade sb from doing/liking sth / postpone sth / distract sb who is trying to
concentrate
• put sth out = extinguish sth (e.g. Fire) / place sth on display for use / cause sb with
inconvenience
• put sb/sth up = erect/construct sth (e.g. Tent) / supply/provide sth (e.g. Money) / increase
the level/price of sth / provide sb with accommodation
• put up with = tolerate sth unpleasant/inconvenient
• be put out = feel annoyed/upset/insulted
• plead with sb = beg sb
• plough through = examine
• put towards = secure to obtain
• prey on sth/sb = catch and eat / żerować na kimś/czymś
• plump for sth = select
• plead with someone = to beg
Q
• qualify for sth = entitled to
R
• respected for
• revert to (doing) sth = go back to
• refrain from (doing) sth = powstrzymawać się od zrobienia czegoś
• run away with = treat sth as being definitely true or destined to happen
• rave about = give wildly enthusiastic praise for
• resort to sth = have to use
• responsible for = accountable for
• repugnant to = extremely unpleasant or offensive
• reckon on = rely on
• resort to sth = uciekać się do czegoś
• reminiscent of = call to mind and similar to / przypominający coś
• reticent about = reserved and unwilling to reveal one's thoughts and feelings
S
• satisfied with
• settle up with = pay someone what you owe
• stumble across = hapen to accidently find
• stick by = remain loyal to, committed to and supportive of
• succumb to sth = allow yourself to be overcome or overpowered by
• sign up for = register to do
• sit on = delay further action concerning sth
• set aside = keep sth for a future purpose / discontinue sth for a period of time
• set back = delay or obstruct
• set off = begin a journey
• set sth off = cause sth to start / cause sth to explode
• set on = encourage someone, or an animal, to attack someone
• set sth out = arrange or display sth
• set out for = leave one place to go to another
• set out on = leave at the start of a journey
• set out to = intend to do sth
• set sth up = start sth (e.g. Organisation) / deceive someone so that they do or fail victim to
sth / frame someone / make sth ready to use
• sit about = be idle, do nothing
• sit back = take no part in sth, wait for sth to happen without making any effort; offer no
help / relax in a chair
• sit by = not try to stop sth
• sit for = pose for: an artist/photographer
• sit in for = act as a temporary replacement for sth; take someone's work/responsibility
• sit in = wait inside
• sit in on = attend a meeting/etc. As an observer
• sit on = delay dealing with sth / be a member of a commitee/etc.
• Sit out = not participate in sth; to not do an activity such as a game or dance because you
are tired or have an injury
• sit up = pull oneself up into a sitting position / suddenly begin to pay attention
• sit through = endure sth boring: stay until the end of a meeting, performance, etc. that is
very long or boring
 • suffer from sth = undergo
• secede from of = split off from
• strict with someone = harsh, severe
• strict about = rigorous
• stick around = remain or linger in one location
• stick out = come out / protrude or project outward from sth / become noticeable
• stick (sth) out = endure sth; to stay with sth; tolerate, accept to continue
• stick to = continue without changing anything / remain loyal to, committed to, or
supportive of sth / persist in doing sth, believing, or using sth
• stick together = remain in close company or contact / remain committed, loyal, or united
and support each other
• stick with = continue using or doing sth
• susceptible to = likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by
T
• terrified of
• talk down to = speak in an insultingly condescending manner to someone
• take to = immediately start to like
• to the accompaniment of = while the music is playing
• turn sb down = refuse sb
• thrive on = be stimulated/inspired by sth
• to this day = even now
• tell at a glance = see with a single look
• to hand = immadiately available or easily accessible
U
• up to one's eyes in work = extremely busy
• under the counter = illegally
• under review = pod ocenę, być analizowanym
• under way = in progress; being done or carried out
• under investigation = objęty śledztwem
• under duress = because they were forced or threatened / pod przymusem
• up in arms = very upset and angry about
V
• vouch for = confirm
• versed in = experienced, skilled in knowledgeable about / doświadczony
W
• worried about
• watch out for = be careful, aware, or watchful of someone or sth that may cause harm
• write away for = send a typed or handwritten request by mail
• weed out = eliminate
• without delay = right away
• with a view to = having the intention, purpose, or desire of doing sth in the future
• without a hitch = according to plan; smoothly, easily and successfully / gładko jak po
maśle
• within reason = on the condition that it is sensible or reasonable
• weigh up = considered or anticipated
X
Y
Z