| 1. Account for |
(explain the reason, answer for) I can’t account for his unusual behaviour in this matter. |
| 2. Ask after |
(ask about the welfare, inquire after) I met your brother at the party, he asked after you. |
| 3. Ask for |
(request for) She asked for a glass of water. |
| 4. Back out |
(go back on, withdraw from promise) He agreed to help but backed out at the last moment. |
| 5. Be in for |
[about to take place (unpleasant)] On account of his bad habits he is in for trouble. |
| 6. Bear away |
(win) Suhani bore away the first prize in the dance competition. |
| 7. Bear on/upon |
[relevant, (bearing on)] Your remarks have no bearing on the main problem. |
| 8. Bear out |
(support the argument, corroborate) I am sure .my classmates will bear out my statement. |
| 9. Bear with |
(to show patience, cooperate) In view of the heavy losses suffered by the company, the shareholders were requested to bear with. |
| 10. Blow Out |
(extinguish) The candle blew out as the gust of wind came in. |
| 11. Blow over |
(pass off without harm, come to an end) Don’t worry, the crisis is likely to blow over. |
| 12. Blow up |
(explode, start suddenly) The plan of the enemy to blow up the flyover was foiled by the police. |
| 13. Break down |
(emotional collapse, stop functioning) While giving evidence in the court, she broke down. |
| 14. Break into |
(enter by force) The robbers broke into his house last night. |
| 15. Break off |
(come to an end, unsuccessfully) The talks between India and China broke off. |
| 16. Break out |
[spread (war, epidemic, fire, riots)] The fear that aids has broken out in India is not unfounded. |
| 17. Break through |
(discover a secret, major achievement) There is no hope of break through in the murder case. |
| 18. Break up |
[terminate (meeting, school, session)] The college will break up next week for summer vacation. |
| 19. Break up with |
(quarrel) After long and fruitful friendship the two friends broken up with each other. |
| 20. Bring about |
(cause to happen) The administration helped to bring about a peaceful settlement. |
| 21. Bring out |
(explain the meaning, publish) When asked to explain, she could not bring out the meaning of the poem. |
| 22. Bring round |
(to make one agree, bring to senses) I was able to bring my mother round to my views with great difficulty. |
| 23. Bring up |
(rear, educate) Fathers are beginning to play a bigger role in bringing up their children. |