Xeric vs mesic comes down to moisture: use xeric for places and plants that survive on very little water, and mesic for habitats with a moderate, steady supply. Choose the dry word for deserts, cactus… Read More »Xeric vs Mesic: Which Word Should You Use?
Water down means to make a drink weaker by adding water, or to make a plan, rule or criticism less forceful. To use water down in a sentence, put a pronoun between the two words:… Read More »Water Down in a Sentence: Meaning & Examples
Entente means a friendly understanding or informal agreement between countries, groups or people. To use entente in a sentence, treat it as a countable noun with an article: “The two states reached an entente over… Read More »Entente in a Sentence: Meaning & Examples
Face down means to confront an opponent, a challenge or an accusation and defeat it. To use face down in a sentence as a verb, put the thing being overcome after the particle or between… Read More »Face Down in a Sentence: Meaning & Examples
Thumb through means to turn the pages of a book, magazine or document quickly, looking briefly at what is there. To use thumb through in a sentence, put the thing you are scanning straight after… Read More »Thumb Through in a Sentence: Meaning & Examples
Xylophone vs marimba comes down to one distinction: choose the xylophone for a bright, high, percussive sound that cuts through an ensemble, and the marimba for a warm, low, resonant tone that blends. Both are… Read More »Xylophone vs Marimba: Which One to Use and When
Draw out is a separable phrasal verb meaning to make something last longer or to coax a person into speaking. To use draw out in a sentence, put a pronoun before the particle and a… Read More »Draw Out in a Sentence: Meaning, Forms & Examples
Knock up means to wake someone by knocking on their door in British English, or to make something quickly. To use knock up in a sentence, name the person or the object: “Knock me up… Read More »Knock Up in a Sentence: Meanings & Regional Uses
Brassy describes a person who is boldly impudent, or a sound that is loud and harsh like brass. To use brassy in a sentence, decide which sense you mean: “a brassy young reporter” praises nerve,… Read More »Brassy in a Sentence: Meaning, Uses & Examples
Opportune means suitable or well-timed, describing a moment that fits what you need to do. To use opportune in a sentence, place it before a noun such as moment or time, or after the verb… Read More »Opportune in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice
Requite means to return something to somebody, whether a kindness, a favour or a wrong. To use requite in a sentence, name what is returned and who receives it: “She requited his help with a… Read More »Requite in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice
Top up means to add more of something until a container, account or supply is full again. To use top up in a sentence, name what is being refilled and, if you like, what it… Read More »Top Up in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Grammar
Size up means to examine someone or something carefully and form a judgement about them. To use size up in a sentence, name the person or situation first and keep the object close: “She sized… Read More »Size Up in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Grammar
Clock out means to record the end of a period of work, usually by pressing a time clock or tapping an app as you leave. To use clock out in a sentence, keep it intransitive:… Read More »Clock Out in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Grammar
Fill up means to make something full or to become full, and it works both with an object and without one. To use fill up in a sentence, give the verb a container when something… Read More »Fill Up in a Sentence: Meaning & Examples
Sole vs soul is a simple choice once the meanings are clear: sole means only or single and also names the under-side of a foot or shoe, while soul means the spirit, the essence of… Read More »Sole vs Soul: When to Use Each Word