Talk down to is a fixed expression meaning to speak to someone as if they were less intelligent or less important, and the small word to is what makes it work. Drop the to and… Read More »Talk Down To in a Sentence: Meaning and Examples
Come through is an intransitive phrasal verb with two everyday jobs: something expected arrives, as in a test result coming through, or somebody delivers when it counts, as in a friend coming through with help.… Read More »Come Through in a Sentence: Meaning and Examples
Buy out means to purchase a partner’s whole share of a business, or to buy all the stock a seller has. To use buy out in a sentence, make the buyer the subject and the… Read More »Buy Out in a Sentence: Meaning, Grammar & Examples
Blow over means to pass, fade or lose force, whether the subject is a storm or a scandal. To use blow over in a sentence, make the weather or the trouble the subject: “The criticism… Read More »Blow Over in a Sentence: Meaning, Grammar & Examples
Veer off means to turn or drift suddenly away from a set course, path or subject. To use veer off in a sentence, name the route or topic being left: “The car veered off the… Read More »Veer Off in a Sentence: Meaning, Uses & Examples
Rat on means to inform on someone, usually to an authority, and it carries a tone of disapproval. To use rat on in a sentence, keep the two words together: “He ratted on his friends.”… Read More »Rat On in a Sentence: Meaning, Grammar & Examples
Raise the bar means to set a higher standard than before, usually for a team, a product or a piece of work. To use raise the bar in a sentence, name who lifts the standard… Read More »Raise the Bar in a Sentence: Meaning and Examples
Feed up means to give a person or animal extra food so they grow stronger, plumper or fatter. To use feed up in a sentence, put the eater after up: “The farmer fed up the… Read More »Feed Up in a Sentence: Meaning, Forms and Practice
Friable describes a solid that crumbles into small pieces or powder under light pressure. To use friable in a sentence, place it directly before the material it describes: “The dry, friable soil broke apart between… Read More »Friable in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice
The yarmulke vs kippah question has a simple answer: kippah is the Hebrew word and yarmulke is the Yiddish word for the same small round head covering. Use kippah in most writing, and choose yarmulke… Read More »Yarmulke vs Kippah: Which Word Should You Use?
The phrasal verb spin out means to make something last longer than expected, and in informal use it also describes a vehicle skidding or a person feeling dizzy. Both senses keep the same shape, because… Read More »Spin Out in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice
Domineer means to behave in an overbearing, bossy way that forces others to submit. To use domineer in a sentence, give it a subject and usually the preposition over: “The older boy domineered over the… Read More »Domineer in a Sentence: Meaning & Examples
Conclave means a private or secret meeting, especially the gathering of cardinals who elect a new pope. To use conclave in a sentence, treat it as a countable noun and name whose meeting it is:… Read More »Conclave in a Sentence: Meaning & Examples
Pass down means to give something to the next generation, or to announce a decision through official channels. To use pass down in a sentence, place the object after the phrase or between its words:… Read More »Pass Down in a Sentence: Meaning, Uses & Examples
Drop by means to visit someone or somewhere briefly and without much planning. To use drop by in a sentence, name the place or person visited after the phrase: “I will drop by the office… Read More »Drop By in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice
Send back means to return something or someone to the place or the person they came from. To use send back in a sentence, put the thing sent as the object: “Please send the form… Read More »Send Back in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice