verb

improve

im‧prove S2 W1 /ɪmˈpruːv/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: verb: ↑improve; noun: ↑improvement; adjective: ↑improved]
[Date: 1500-1600; Origin: emprowe 'to improve' (15-16 centuries), from Anglo-French emprouer 'to make a profit', from Old French prou 'advantage, profit'; probably influenced by approve]
[intransitive and transitive] to make something better, or to become better:
a course for students wishing to improve their English
The doctors say she is improving (=after being ill).
You could use the money for improving your home.
Many wines improve with age (=get better as they get older).
REGISTER
In everyday English, people often say something gets better rather than improves:
▪ Her English is definitely getting better.
▪ I hope things get better soon.
improve on/upon something phrasal verb
to do something better than before or make something better than before:
Bertorelli has scored 165 points, and I don’t think anyone will improve on that.

discount

I.   noun

I. dis‧count1 S3 /ˈdɪskaʊnt/ noun [countable]
  a reduction in the usual price of something
  10% discount/discount of 25% etc
   • Members get a 15% discount.
  at a discount
   • Employees can buy books at a discount.
  discount on
   • The Young Persons Railcard gives you a discount on rail travel.
  offer/give somebody a discount
  discount price/fare
   • discount airfares to Europe
  discount store/shop/warehouse (=a place where you can buy goods cheaply)
     • • •

COLLOCATIONS■ verbs

   ▪ get/receive a discount • You get a discount if you book more than ten tickets.
   ▪ give (somebody) a discount • Many theatres give discounts to students.
   ▪ offer (somebody) a discount • Lenders may offer a discount on larger loans.
   ▪ ask for a discount • I asked for a discount because the vase was slightly damaged.
   ▪ be entitled to a discount (=have the right to get a discount) • Staff are entitled to a 20% discount.

■ adjectives

   ▪ a special discount • Some of the hotels offer special discounts during the winter.
   ▪ a big/small discount • If you spend over £50, you get a big discount.
   ▪ a substantial/good discount (=a fairly big one) • Insurance companies give substantial discounts to mature drivers.
   ▪ a 10%/40% etc discount • The magazine is offering readers a 15% discount on its subscription fees.

■ discount + NOUN

   ▪ a discount price • You can buy books online at discount prices.
   ▪ a discount fare • The bus company offers discount fares to pensioners.
   ▪ a discount scheme (=system for giving discounts to people) • Many stores operate discount schemes for regular customers.
   ▪ a discount card • The discount card entitles customers to 15% off.
   ▪ a discount store/shop (=selling things more cheaply than other shops) • There's a lot of competition from large discount stores.

II.   verb

II. dis‧count2 /dɪsˈkaʊnt $ ˈdɪskaʊnt/ verb [transitive]
 1. to regard something as unlikely to be true or important:
   • Experts discounted the accuracy of the polls.
   • General Hausken had not discounted the possibility of an aerial attack.
 2. to reduce the price of something:
   • Games were discounted to as little as $5.

lead

I. lead1 S1 W1 /liːd/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle led /led/)
[Word Family: noun: lead, ↑leader, ↑leadership; adjective: lead, ↑leading; verb: ↑lead]
[Language: Old English; Origin: lædan]
1. TAKE SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE [intransitive and transitive] to take someone somewhere by going in front of them while they follow, or by pulling them gently
lead somebody to/into etc something
A nurse took her arm and led her to a chair.
The horses were led to safety.
lead somebody away/down etc
She was led away from the courtroom in tears.
The manager led the way through the office.
2. GO IN FRONT [intransitive and transitive] to go in front of a line of people or vehicles:
A firetruck was leading the parade.
3. BE IN CHARGE [intransitive and transitive] to be in charge of an organization, country, or team, or a group of people who are trying to do something:
He has led the party for over twenty years.
Some people say she is too old to lead the country (=be in charge of its government).
Beckham led his team to victory.
lead an investigation/inquiry/campaign
The investigation will be led by Inspector Scarfe.
They are leading a campaign to warn teenagers about the dangers of drug abuse.
lead a revolt/rebellion/coup etc
The rebellion was led by the King’s brother.
lead an attack/assault
Nelson preferred to lead the attack himself from the front.
a man who was born to lead
a communist-led strike
4. CAUSE SOMETHING TO HAPPEN [intransitive and transitive] to cause something to happen or cause someone to do something
lead to
the events that led to the start of the First World War
A degree in English could lead to a career in journalism.
lead somebody into something
Her trusting nature often led her into trouble.
lead somebody to do something
What led him to kill his wife?
lead to somebody doing something
His actions could lead to him losing his job.
5. CAUSE SOMEBODY TO BELIEVE SOMETHING [transitive] to make someone believe something, especially something that is not true
lead somebody to believe/expect/understand something
He had led everyone to believe that his family was very wealthy.
The hotel was terrible, and not at all what we had been led to expect.
Our research led us to the conclusion that the present system is unfair.
6. INFLUENCE [transitive] to influence someone to make them do something that is wrong
lead somebody into something
His brother led him into a life of crime.
He’s not a bad boy. He’s just easily led (=it is easy for other people to persuade him to do things that he should not do).
7. BE MORE SUCCESSFUL [transitive] to be more successful than other people, companies, or countries in a particular activity
lead the world/market/pack/field
US companies lead the world in biotechnology.
lead the way (=be the first to do something, and show other people how to do it)
The Swedes have led the way in data protection. ⇨ ↑leading1(1)
8. BE WINNING [intransitive and transitive] to be winning a game, competition etc OPP lose:
At half-time, Brazil led 1–0.
With 15 laps to go, Schumacher led the race.
The polls showed Clinton leading Bush 55 percent to 34 percent.
lead by ten points/two goals etc
Nadal was leading by two sets.
9. PATH/DOOR ETC [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] used to say where a path, wire etc goes or what place is on the other side of a door
lead to/towards
The path led down to a small lake.
lead from/out of
the major artery leading from the heart
lead into
the door leading into the hallway
lead somebody to/into something
The riverside path leads visitors to a small chapel.
10. LIFE [transitive] if you lead a particular kind of life, that is what your life is like
lead a normal/quiet/busy etc life
If the operation succeeds, Carly will be able to lead a normal life.
He has led a charmed life (=been very fortunate).
lead a life of luxury/poverty etc
lead the life of a ...
She now leads the life of a recluse.
lead a double life (=deceive people by keeping different parts of your life separate and not letting anyone know the whole truth)
Joe had been leading a double life, seeing an ex-model while his wife believed he was on business.
They lead a nomadic existence.
11. DISCUSSION ETC [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to control the way a discussion, conversation etc develops:
I tried to lead the conversation back to the subject of money.
12. lead somebody up the garden path informal to deliberately deceive someone
13. lead somebody astray
a) to encourage someone to do bad or immoral things which they would not normally do
b) to make someone believe something that is not true
14. lead nowhere/not lead anywhere to not produce any useful result:
So far police investigations seem to have led nowhere.
15. lead by example to show the people you are in charge of what you want them to do by doing it yourself:
The best managers lead by example.
16. lead somebody by the nose to influence someone so much that you can completely control everything that they do:
Politicians think they can easily lead people by the nose.
17. this/that leads (me) to something used to introduce a new subject that is connected to the previous one:
That leads me to my final point. Where are we going to get the money?
18. somebody has their own life to lead used to say that someone wants to be able to live their life independently, without having to do things that other people want them to do
19. lead somebody a merry old dance/a right old dance British English to cause a lot of problems or worries for someone
20. market-led/export-led etc most influenced by the market, by ↑exports etc:
an export-led economic recovery
21. lead the eye if a picture, view etc leads the eye in a particular direction, it makes you look in that direction:
marble columns that lead the eye upward
22. CARD GAME [intransitive and transitive] to play a particular card as your first card in one part of a card game
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ lead to take a person or animal somewhere by going in front of them while they follow, or by pulling them gently: Rachel led Jo into the kitchen. | She was leading a horse, which seemed to have a bad leg.
▪ take to take someone somewhere with you when you have the transport, know the way, are paying etc: I took her to see a film. | Matt’s taking me in his car.
▪ guide to take someone through or to a place you know, showing them the way: Ali guided us through the streets to his house on the edge of the town.
▪ show to take someone to a place such as a table in a restaurant or a hotel room and leave them there: A waitress showed us to our table. | We were shown to our seats near the front of the theatre.
▪ point to show someone which direction to go using your hand or a sign: The sign back there pointed this way.
▪ escort to take someone somewhere, protecting them, guarding them, or showing them the way: He was escorted from the court by police. | The President’s car will be escorted by a military convoy.
▪ usher to show someone the way to a room or building nearby, usually as part of your job: His housekeeper ushered us into the living room.
▪ shepherd to carefully take someone somewhere – used especially about a group of people: The police shepherded thousands of people to safety in the cathedral.
▪ direct formal to tell someone where to go or how to get somewhere: He directed us to a cafe a few blocks away. | Can you direct me to the station?
lead off phrasal verb
1. to start a meeting, discussion, performance etc by saying or doing something:
I’d like to lead off by thanking Rick for coming.
lead off with
The French team led off with two quick goals in the first five minutes.
lead something ↔ off
Hal led the evening off with some folk songs.
2. lead off (something) if a road, room etc leads off a place, you can go directly from that place along that road, into that room etc
lead off from something
He pointed down a street leading off from the square.
a large room, with doors leading off it in all directions
3. to be the first player to try to hit the ball in an ↑inning (=period of play) in a game of baseball
lead somebody on phrasal verb
to deceive someone, especially to make them think you love them:
He thought she loved him, but in fact she was just leading him on.
lead on to something (also lead onto something) phrasal verb especially British English
to cause something to develop or become possible at a later time:
Alan Turing’s work led onto the development of modern computers.
lead with something phrasal verb
1. if a newspaper or television programme leads with a particular story, that story is the main one:
The Washington Post leads with the latest news from Israel.
2. to use a particular hand to begin an attack in ↑boxing, or a particular foot to begin a dance:
Adam led with his left and punched his opponent on the jaw.
lead up to something phrasal verb [not in passive]
1. if a series of events or a period of time leads up to an event, it comes before it or causes it:
the weeks that led up to her death
the events leading up to his dismissal
2. to gradually introduce an embarrassing, upsetting, or surprising subject into a conversation:
She had already guessed what he was leading up to.

shave

I.   verb

I. shave1 S3 /ʃeɪv/ verb
 [Language: Old English; Origin: scafan]

 1. [intransitive and transitive] to cut off hair very close to the skin, especially from the face, using a razor:
   • He hadn’t shaved for days.
   • Brian had cut himself shaving.
  shave your head/legs/armpits etc
   • She shaved her legs and underarms.
 2. [transitive] to remove very thin pieces from the surface of something:
   • Shave thin strips of cheese over the pasta.
 shave something ↔ off phrasal verb
  1. to remove hair by shaving:
   • I’ve decided to shave off my beard.
  2. (also shave something off something) to remove very thin pieces from the surface of something, using a knife or other cutting tool:
   • I had to shave a few millimetres off the bottom of the door to make it shut.
  3. (also shave something off something) if you shave a small amount off something such as a price or a record, you make the price slightly smaller or the record time slightly shorter:
   • She shaved half a second off the world record.

II. comb2 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
1. to make hair look tidy using a comb:
Melanie ran upstairs to comb her hair.
2. to search a place thoroughly
comb something for somebody/something
Police are still combing the woods for the missing boy.
comb something ↔ out phrasal verb
to use a comb to make untidy hair look smooth and tidy:
She sat combing out her hair in front of the kitchen mirror.
comb through something phrasal verb
to search through a lot of objects or information in order to find a specific thing or piece of information:
We spent weeks combing through huge piles of old documents.

make

I.   verb

I. make1 S1 W1 /meɪk/ verb (past tense and past participle made /meɪd/)
  [Word Family: noun: make, remake, maker, making; verb: make, remake; adjective: unmade]
 [Language: Old English; Origin: macian]
 1. PRODUCE  [transitive] to produce something, for example by putting the different parts of it together:
   • I’m going to show you how to make a box for your tools.
   • A family of mice had made their nest in the roof.
   • She made her own wedding dress.
   • The company has been making quality furniture for over 200 years.
   • They met while they were making a film.
   • Make a list of all the things you need.
  make somebody something
   • He made her a toy horse, using just some straw and bamboo twigs.
  be made from something
   • Paper is made from wood.
  be made (out) of something
   • a shirt made of silk
  make something from/out of something
   • She’s very good at making things from old scraps of material.
  Japanese-made/English-made etc (=produced in Japan etc) ⇨ make the bed at bed1(1)
  GRAMMAR
   Use made from especially when the materials used to make something have been completely changed and cannot be recognized:
   ▪ • a wine made from Chilean grapes
   Use made of when the materials have not been completely changed and can still be recognized:
   ▪ • The wheels were made of wood.
   
    ► Do not use 'made by' when talking about the materials used to make something.
 2. DO  [transitive] used with some nouns to say that someone does something:
   • Anyone can make a mistake.
   • I can’t make a decision just yet.
   • I need to make a quick phone call.
   • You could have made more effort to talk to him.
   • He made no attempt to apologize.
   • Could I make a suggestion?
   • There are a few points I’d like to make.
   • The police were called but no arrests were made.
   • I suppose we should make a start on cleaning this room.
   • Stop making such a fuss!
 3. COOK  [transitive] to cook or prepare food or drink:
   • When was the last time you made a cake?
   • John was making breakfast in the kitchen.
   • Who’s going to make the tea?
  make somebody something
   • I’ll make you some sandwiches.
 4. CAUSE  [transitive] to cause something to happen, or cause a particular state or condition:
   • Its beautiful beaches make this a highly popular area with tourists.
   • It was this movie which made him a star.
   • His attitude made him very unpopular with colleagues.
   • The photo makes her look much older than she really is.
  make somebody/something do something
   • I like him because he makes me laugh.
  make something difficult/easy/possible etc
   • The use of computers has made it possible for more people to work from home.
  make something the best/worst/most expensive etc
   • Over 80,000 people attended, making it the biggest sporting event in the area.
   • The President has made it clear that he is not going to change his mind.
  REGISTER
   In written English, people often use cause somebody to do something rather than make somebody do something, as it sounds more formal:
   ▪ • His attitude caused him to be unpopular with colleagues.
 5. FORCE  [transitive] to force someone to do something
  make somebody do something
   • My parents always make me do my homework before I go out.
  be made to do something
   • I was made to wait four hours before I was examined by a doctor.
 6. MARK/HOLE ETC  [transitive] to cause a mark, hole etc to appear
  make a hole/dent/mark etc
   • Make a hole in the paper.
   • The cup has made a mark on the table.
 7. make it
   a) to succeed in getting somewhere in time for something or when this is difficult:
   • If we run, we should make it.
  make it to
   • With blood pouring from his leg, he made it to a nearby house.
   b) to be successful at something, for example in your job:
   • He came to the US and not only made it but made it big (=was extremely successful).
   • So far, relatively few women have made it to the top in the business world.
  make it as
   • He was told he had no talent and would never make it as a professional singer.
  make it to
   • England look less likely to make it to the finals.
  make it to manager/director etc
   • How did anyone so stupid make it to manager?
   c) spoken to be able to go to an event, meeting etc that has been arranged:
   • I’m really sorry, but I won’t be able to make it on Sunday after all.
   • Nice to see you. I’m glad you could make it.
   d) informal to continue to live after you have been seriously ill or badly injured:
   • Frank was very ill, and the doctors didn’t think he’d make it.
   e) to manage to deal with a difficult experience
  make it through
   • I couldn’t have made it through those times without the support of my boyfriend.
   f) used to say or ask what time it is according to your own or someone else’s watch:
   • What time do you make it?
   • I make it ten past three.
 8. make the meeting/the party/Tuesday etc spoken to be able to go to something that has been arranged for a particular date or time:
   • I’m sorry, I can’t make Friday after all.
   • Will you be able to make the next meeting?
 9. ACHIEVE SOMETHING  [transitive] to succeed in achieving a particular position, rate etc:
   • He was never good enough to make the team.
   • I don’t think we’ll make the deadline.
 10. GET MONEY  [transitive] to earn or get money:
   • The plan could cost you more than you would make.
   • They made a profit of £140 million.
   • His one aim in life was to make money.
   • She hopes to make a living (=earn the money she needs to live) from writing children’s books.
   • He’s made a fortune (=earned a lot of money) selling computers on the Internet.
  make something out of something
   • How easy is it to make money out of gardening?
 11. HAVE A QUALITY  [linking verb] to have the qualities that are necessary for a particular job, use, or purpose
  make noun
   • I’m sure you will make a very good teacher.
   • The hall would make an ideal venue for a wedding reception.
   • An old cardboard box makes a comfortable bed for a kitten.
 12. make it/that something spoken used to correct what you have just said:
   • Can we have two cups of coffee, please? No, make that three.
 13. make do to manage with the things that you have, even though this is not really enough:
   • I hardly had any food in the house so I just had to make do.
  make do with/without
   • I usually make do with a cup of coffee for breakfast.
   • For many people, make do and mend (=when someone manages with the things they have and does not buy anything new) was a harsh reality.
 14. make yourself heard/understood/known etc to succeed in getting someone to hear you, understand you, or know that you are there:
   • I had to shout to make myself heard above the music.
 15. BE A TOTAL  [linking verb] to be a particular amount when added together:
   • Two and two make four.
   • There are nine people coming, plus me, which makes ten.
 16. CALCULATE  [transitive] used to say what you have calculated a number to be:
   • I make that $150 altogether.
 17. SPORTS SCORE  [transitive] to achieve a particular score in a sports game:
   • Surrey had made 92 by lunchtime.
 18. make somebody captain/leader etc to give someone a new job or position in a group, organization etc:
   • She’s now been made a full partner.
   • He was made mayor in 1998.
 19. make believe to pretend or imagine that something is true when it is not:
   • I tried to make believe she was happy, but knew deep down it wasn’t true. ⇨ make-believe
 20. make like informal to behave as if something is true when it is not:
   • He makes like he never met me before.
 21. make as if to do something literary to seem as if you are going to do something but then not do it:
   • She made as if to speak but then stopped.
 22. ARRIVE  [transitive] old-fashioned to arrive at or get to a particular place, especially when it is difficult:
   • I don’t think we’re going to make the town before nightfall.
 23. make the papers/headlines/front page etc to be interesting or important enough to be printed in a newspaper, reported on television etc:
   • News of their divorce made the headlines.
 24. make or break to cause something or someone either to be very successful or to fail completely:
   • Critics can make or break a young performer. ⇨ make-or-break
 25. that makes two of us spoken used to say that you agree with someone or that something that is true of them is true of you too:
   • ‘I haven’t a clue what’s going on.’ ‘That makes two of us.’
 26. MAKE SOMETHING PERFECT  [transitive] informal to make something complete or successful:
   • The hat makes the outfit.
 27. make it with somebody old-fashioned informal to have sex with someone
  ⇨ made, ⇨ make sb’s day at day(19), ⇨ make friends at friend(3), ⇨ make good at good1(35), ⇨ make sense at sense1(5)
     • • •

THESAURUS

   ▪ make used about things you make yourself, or things that are made in a factory: • Diane makes all her own clothes. | • My camera was made in China.
   ▪ produce to make something in large quantities to be sold, or to make something as the result of a natural process: • The factory produces high-quality steel. | • Japan produces some of the most advanced mobile phones. | • The pancreas is a gland in your body which produces hormones.
   ▪ create to make something new and original: • Tarantino created a whole new style of films. | • Many companies invest a lot of money in creating new products. | • Potter was famous for creating characters such as ‘Peter Rabbit’. | • This technique is used to create images of beautiful forests.
   ▪ manufacture to make machines, cars, equipment etc in factories: • The company manufactures aircraft parts.
   ▪ mass-produce to make very large quantities of something in a factory: • They developed a way to mass-produce the drug.
   ▪ develop to design and make something new over a period of time: • In 1962, Enders developed an effective vaccine against measles. | • The company is developing new anti-virus software.
   ▪ form to make something as the result of a natural process or chemical reaction: • Hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water. | • The research will help us understand how planets are formed.
   ▪ generate to make something such as heat, electricity, or power: • Wind can be used to generate electricity.
 make away with somebody/something phrasal verb
  1. informal to steal something and take it away with you:
   • Thieves made away with the contents of the safe.
  2. old-fashioned to kill someone
 make for something phrasal verb [not in passive]
  1. to go in the direction of a particular place SYN head for:
   • I think it’s time we made for home.
  2. [not in progressive] to cause a particular result or situation:
   • Both teams are on good form, which should make for a great game.
   ⇨ made for each other at made(6)
 make somebody/something into something phrasal verb
  1. to change something so that it has a different form or purpose SYN convert:
   • We can make your room into a study.
  2. to change someone’s character, job, position in society etc:
   • The movie made her into a star overnight.
 make something of somebody/something phrasal verb
  1. to have a particular opinion about or understanding of something or someone:
   • I didn’t know what to make of her.
   • What do you make of the idea?
  2. to use the opportunities that you have in order to become successful:
   • I want to make something of my life.
  make something of yourself
   • She has the ambition and talent to make something of herself.
  3. make the most of something to get as much advantage as you can from a situation while you are able to:
   • We’ve only got one day in Paris, so we’d better make the most of it.
  4. make too much of something to treat something as if it is more important than it really is:
   • It would be a mistake to make too much of these findings. ⇨ make much of somebody/something at much2(17)
  5. make a day/night/evening of it informal to spend a whole day, night etc doing something, because you have chosen to:
   • We decided to take a picnic and make a day of it.
   ⇨ make a go of something at go2(3), ⇨ make the best of something at best3(9), ⇨ see what somebody is made of at made(4)
 make off phrasal verb
   to leave quickly, especially in order to escape:
   • The men made off as the police arrived.
  make off along/across/through etc
   • The getaway car made off towards Horrocks Avenue.
 make off with something phrasal verb [not in passive] informal
   to steal something and take it away with you:
   • Thieves broke into the school and made off with computer equipment worth £40,000.
 make out phrasal verb
  1. SEE/HEAR  make something ↔ out to be just able to see or hear something:
   • He could just make out a dark shape moving towards him.
  make out who/what etc
   • I couldn’t make out what he was saying.
  2. UNDERSTAND SOMETHING  make something ↔ out to understand something, especially the reason why something has happened
  make out what/how/why etc
   • I couldn’t make out what I had done to annoy her.
   • As far as I can make out, he has never been married.
  3. UNDERSTAND SOMEBODY  make somebody ↔ out [usually in questions and negatives] to understand someone’s character and the way they behave:
   • Stuart’s a strange guy – I can’t make him out at all.
  4. WRITE CHEQUE ETC  make something ↔ out to write something such as a bill or cheque:
   • She was making out a list of people to invite.
   • The book gives advice on making out a will.
  make something ↔ out to
   • Make the cheque out to ‘Grays Ltd’.
  5. SAY/PRETEND  make somebody/something ↔ out to say that something is true when it is not:
   • The situation was never as bad as the media made out.
  make out (that)
   • She always tried to make out that I was wrong and she was right.
  make somebody/something out to be something
   • He makes me out to be some sort of idiot.
  6. make out a case (for something) to find good reasons that prove something or show why you need something:
   • We made out a case for hiring another assistant.
  7. SUCCEED  especially American English to succeed or progress in a particular way SYN get on:
   • How did you make out this morning?
  8. SEX  informal especially American English to kiss and touch someone in a sexual way
  9. make out like a bandit American English informal to get or win a lot of money:
   • The lawyers made out like bandits.
 make something out of somebody/something phrasal verb
   to change a person or thing into something else:
   • The Olympics can make sporting heroes out of previously little-known athletes.
 make something/somebody ↔ over phrasal verb
  1. especially British English to officially and legally give money or property to someone else SYN transfer
  make something/somebody ↔ over to
   • He made over the whole estate to his son.
  2. to change someone or something so that they look different or have a different use:
   • Redgrave has made herself over completely for her movie role.
   ⇨ makeover
 make towards something phrasal verb British English formal
   to start moving towards something:
   • She made towards the door.
 make up phrasal verb
  1. FORM/BE  make up something [not in progressive] to combine together to form something SYN constitute:
   • Women make up only a small proportion of the prison population.
  be made up of something
   • The committee is made up of representatives from every state.
  2. PRETEND SOMETHING IS TRUE  make something ↔ up to pretend that something is true in order to deceive someone:
   • I think they’re making the whole thing up. ⇨ made-up(1)
  3. INVENT  make something ↔ up to produce a new story, song, game etc by thinking:
   • Nick made up a song about them.
   • When you’re the boss you can make up your own rules.
   • I’ve given talks so many times that now I just make them up as I go along (=think of things to say as I am speaking).
  4. PREPARE  make something ↔ up to prepare something by mixing things or putting things together:
   • I could make up a bed for you on the sofa.
   • Can you make up a bottle of milk for the baby?
  5. SB’S FACE  make somebody ↔ up to put make-up (=special coloured substances) on someone’s face in order to make them look better or different:
   • They made him up as an old man for the last act of the play.
   • One lucky winner will have the chance to be made up and photographed.
   ► Do not use the verb 'make up' when you are talking about putting make-up on your own face. Say that you put on (your) make-up. ⇨ made-up(2)
  6. NUMBER/AMOUNT  make something ↔ up especially British English to add to an amount in order to bring it up to the level that is needed:
   • I saved as much as I could, and my parents made up the rest.
   • The company will be forced to pay $6 million to make up the difference.
  7. TIME/WORK  make something ↔ up to work at times when you do not usually work, because you have not done as much work as you should:
   • I’m trying to make up the time I lost while I was sick.
   • Is it OK if I make the work up next week?
  8. FRIENDS  (also make it up) informal to become friendly with someone again after you have had an argument
  make up with
   • Have you made up with Patty yet?
   • Oh come on! Why don’t you just kiss and make up?
  9. FROM CLOTH  make something ↔ up to produce something from cloth by cutting and sewing:
   • The dress had been made up to her exact requirements.
  make something ↔ up into
   • I plan on making that material up into a dress. ⇨ make up your mind at mind1(3)
 make up for something phrasal verb
  1. to make a bad situation better, or replace something that has been lost SYN compensate:
   • The team will be anxious to make up for a disappointing start to the season.
   • I don’t eat breakfast but I make up for it at lunch.
   • The good days more than make up for the bad ones.
  2. to have so much of one quality that it is not important that you do not have much of another one
  make up for something in/with
   • What Jay lacked in experience, he made up for in enthusiasm.
   • Caroline doesn’t have a natural talent for music but she makes up for it with hard work.
  3. to do something to show that you are sorry for doing something that upset or annoyed someone:
   • I’m sorry I was late. To make up for it, let me treat you to a meal.
  4. make up for lost time
   a) to work more quickly, or at times when you do not usually work, because something has prevented you from doing the work before:
   • We rehearsed all day Saturday, to make up for lost time.
   b) to do a lot of something in an eager way because you have not had a chance to do it before:
   • Palin didn’t travel much as a young man but he’s certainly made up for lost time now.
 make up to somebody phrasal verb
  1. make (it) up to somebody to do something to show that you are sorry about the problems you have caused someone:
   • I’ll make it up to you somehow.
   • He was looking for a way to make up to her for what he had done.
  2. British English informal to say nice things to someone or be very friendly to them in order to get an advantage for yourself – used in order to show disapproval
  3. be made up to captain/manager etc to be given a higher position in an organization SYN promote:
   • He was a security guard before he was made up to reception manager.

keep

I. keep1 S1 W1 /kiːp/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle kept /kept/)
[Word Family: noun: ↑keep, ↑keeper, ↑keeping; verb: ↑keep; adjective: kept]
[Language: Old English; Origin: cepan]
1. NOT CHANGE [linking verb, transitive] to stay in a particular state, condition, or position, or to make someone or something do this
keep (somebody/something) warm/safe/dry etc
We huddled around the fire to keep warm.
keep calm/awake/sane etc
I was struggling to keep awake.
keep something clean/tidy
Keep your room tidy.
keep somebody busy/amused/occupied
some toys to keep the kids amused
You won’t be able to keep it secret for ever.
Peter cycles to work to keep fit.
Don’t keep us in suspense any longer!
keep (somebody/something) away/back/off/out etc
The police put up barriers to keep the crowds back.
If I were you, I’d keep away from that area at night.
a sign saying ‘Danger: Keep Out’
The little boy kept close to his mother.
keep (somebody) out of something
Keep him out of trouble.
You keep out of this, Mother (=do not get involved). It’s no concern of yours.
How can I cut your hair if you won’t keep still!
keep left/right (=stay to the left or right of a path or road as you move)
keep somebody/something doing something
Jane kept the engine running.
2. CONTINUE DOING SOMETHING [intransitive] (also keep on) to continue doing something or to do the same thing many times
keep (on) doing something
I keep thinking about Joe, all alone in that place.
I keep telling you, but you won’t listen!
She pretended not to hear, and kept on walking.
► Do not say ‘keep up doing something'. Say keep doing something or keep on doing something.
3. NOT GIVE BACK [transitive] to have something and not give it back to the person who had it before:
You can keep it. I don’t need it anymore.
4. NOT LOSE [transitive] to continue to have something and not lose it or get rid of it:
We decided to keep our old car instead of selling it.
I kept his letters for years.
In spite of everything, Robyn’s managed to keep her sense of humor.
5. STORE SOMETHING [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to leave something in one particular place so that you can find it easily:
Where do you keep your teabags?
George kept a bottle of whiskey under his bed.
6. MAKE SOMEBODY STAY IN A PLACE [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to make someone stay in a place, especially a prison or hospital:
He was kept in prison for a week without charge.
7. DELAY SOMEBODY [transitive] to delay someone:
He should be here by now. What’s keeping him?
8. DO WHAT YOU PROMISED [transitive] to do what you have promised or agreed to do
keep your word/promise
How do I know you’ll keep your word?
patients who fail to keep their appointments
9. keep a secret to not tell anyone about a secret that you know:
Can I trust you to keep a secret?
10. keep something quiet/keep quiet (about something) to not say anything in order to avoid telling a secret or causing problems
11. keep a record/account/diary etc to regularly record written information somewhere
12. keep going
a) keep (somebody) going to have or to give someone enough hope and emotional strength to continue living and doing things in a bad situation:
That woman’s been through such a lot – I don’t know how she keeps going.
Her letters were the only thing that kept me going while I was in prison.
b) keep (something) going if you keep a business, institution, regular event etc going, you keep it open or make it continue to happen:
The library costs £5 million a year to run, and the council can’t afford to keep it going.
c) keep going to continue doing something difficult:
Persevere and keep going until you reach your ideal weight.
d) keep somebody going if something keeps you going, it is enough to satisfy your need while you are waiting to get something bigger or better:
I’ll have a biscuit to keep me going until dinner time.
13. FOOD [intransitive] if food keeps, it stays fresh enough to be eaten:
Eat the salmon because it won’t keep till tomorrow.
14. ANIMALS [transitive] to own and look after animals:
We keep chickens and a couple of pigs.
15. STOP OTHER PEOPLE FROM USING SOMETHING [transitive] to stop other people from using something, so that it is available for someone SYN save:
Will you keep a seat for me?
16. keep somebody waiting to make someone wait before you meet them or see them:
Sorry to keep you waiting – I got stuck in a meeting.
17. keep guard/watch to guard a place or watch around you all the time
18. SHOP [transitive] British English old-fashioned to own a small business and work in it
19. PROVIDE SOMEBODY WITH THINGS [transitive] to provide someone with money, food etc:
He did not earn enough to keep a wife and children.
keep somebody in something
There’s enough money there to keep you in champagne for a year!
20. PROTECT [transitive] formal to guard or protect someone:
The Lord bless you and keep you.
His only thought was to keep the child from harm.
21. keep goal/wicket to be the player in a team whose job is to protect the ↑goal or ↑wicket ⇨ ↑goalkeeper, ↑wicket keeper
• • •
SPOKEN PHRASES
22. keep quiet used to tell someone not to say anything or make any noise:
Keep quiet! I’m trying to watch the game.
23. how are you keeping? used to ask if someone is well:
‘Hi, Mark! How are you keeping?’ ‘Oh, not so bad.’
24. keep your hair/shirt on! used to tell someone to be more calm, patient etc
25. somebody can keep something used to say that you do not want or are not interested in something:
She can keep her wild parties and posh friends – I like the quiet life.
26. it’ll keep used to say that you can tell someone something or do something later:
‘I don’t have time to listen now.’ ‘Don’t worry, it’ll keep.’
• • •
THESAURUS (for Meaning 5)
▪ keep to leave something in one particular place so that you can find it easily: Where do you keep the scissors? | The keys are kept in my office.
▪ store to put things away and keep them until you need them: Villagers have begun storing wood for the winter.
▪ save to keep something so that you can use or enjoy it in the future: He had been saving the bottle of champagne for a special occasion. | We can save the rest of the pie for later.
▪ file to store papers or information in a particular order or a particular place: All the contracts are filed alphabetically.
▪ collect to get and keep objects of the same type because you think they are attractive or interesting: Kate collects old postcards.
▪ hold to keep something to be used when it is needed, especially something that many different people may need to use: Medical records are now usually held on computers.
▪ reserve formal to keep part of something for use at a later time during a process such as cooking: Reserve some of the chocolate so that you can use it for decorating the cake.
▪ hoard to keep large amounts of food, money etc because you think you may not be able to get them in the future – used when you do not approve of people doing this because it is not necessary or not fair to other people: People have been hoarding food and fuel in case there is another attack. | Rationing of basic food products was introduced to prevent hoarding.
keep at something phrasal verb
1. keep at it spoken to continue to do something, although it is difficult or hard work:
I know it’s hard, but keep at it! Don’t give up!
2. keep somebody at something to force someone to continue to work hard and not let them stop
keep back phrasal verb
1. keep something ↔ back to deliberately not tell someone all that you know about something:
I got the feeling he was keeping something back.
2. keep something ↔ back to not show your feelings, even though you want to very much:
She was struggling to keep back the tears.
3. keep somebody ↔ back to prevent someone from being as successful as they could be SYN hold back:
Fear and stereotypes have kept women back for centuries.
4. keep something ↔ back especially British English to not give or pay something that you were going to give:
They kept back some of his wages to pay for the damage.
keep somebody/something ↔ down phrasal verb
1. to prevent the size, cost, or quantity of something from increasing or being too great:
We need to keep costs down.
2. to succeed in keeping food in your stomach, instead of bringing it up again out of your mouth, when you are ill:
I could hardly keep anything down for about three days.
3. used to ask someone to make less noise:
Keep your voice down – she’ll hear you!
Can you keep it down – I’m trying to work.
4. to prevent a group of people from becoming as successful and powerful as the other people in a society:
Plantation owners kept slaves down by refusing them an education.
keep from phrasal verb
1. keep (somebody/something) from something to prevent someone from doing something or prevent something from happening
keep somebody from (doing) something
His ex-wife had kept him from seeing his children.
I hope I haven’t kept you from your work.
keep something from doing something
Put the pizza in the bottom of the oven to keep the cheese from burning.
keep (yourself) from doing something
The play was so boring I could hardly keep myself from falling asleep.
2. keep something from somebody to prevent someone from knowing something, by deliberately not telling them about it SYN withhold:
The government had wanted to keep this information from the public.
keep somebody in phrasal verb
1. to make someone stay in hospital because they are too ill to go home:
They kept her in overnight for observation.
2. British English to force someone to stay inside, especially as a punishment in school
keep in with somebody phrasal verb British English
to try to stay friendly with someone, especially because this helps you:
It’s a good idea to keep in with the boss.
keep off phrasal verb
1. keep something ↔ off to prevent something from touching or harming something:
She held an old piece of cloth over them both to keep the rain off.
keep something off something
How are we going to keep the flies off this food?
2. keep your hands off somebody/something used to tell someone not to touch someone or something:
Keep your hands off me!
3. keep (somebody) off something to not eat, drink, or take something that is bad for you, or to stop someone else from eating, drinking, or taking it:
Keep off fatty foods.
a programme aimed at keeping teenagers off drugs
4. keep off something especially British English to avoid talking about a particular subject, especially so that you do not upset someone SYN avoid, stay off
5. keep something ↔ off if you keep weight off, you do not get heavier again after you have lost weight
6. British English if rain keeps off, it does not fall
keep on phrasal verb
1. to continue doing something, or to do something many times
keep on doing something
You just have to keep on trying.
2. keep somebody ↔ on to continue to employ someone, especially for longer than you had planned:
If you’re good, they might keep you on after Christmas.
3. British English informal to talk continuously about something or repeat something many times, in a way that is annoying SYN go on
keep on about
There’s no need to keep on and on about it!
keep on at
If I didn’t keep on at the children, they’d never do their homework.
keep to something phrasal verb
1. to stay on a particular road, course, piece of ground etc:
It’s best to keep to the paths.
2. to do what has been decided in an agreement or plan, or what is demanded by law:
Keep to the speed limits.
3. keep to the point/subject etc to talk or write only about the subject you are supposed to be talking about
4. keep something to something to prevent an amount, degree, or level from becoming higher than it should:
Costs must be kept to a minimum.
5. keep something to yourself to not tell anyone about something:
I’d appreciate it if you kept it to yourself.
6. keep to yourself (also keep yourself to yourself British English) to live a very quiet private life and not do many things that involve other people
keep up phrasal verb
1. keep something ↔ up to continue doing something:
I don’t think I can keep this up any longer.
keep up the good work! (=continue to work hard and well)
2. if a situation keeps up, it continues without stopping or changing SYN continue:
How long can the economic boom keep up?
3. to go as quickly as someone else
keep up with
I had to walk fast to keep up with him.
4. to manage to do as much or as well as other people OPP fall behind
keep up with
Jack’s having trouble keeping up with the rest of the class.
keep up with the Joneses (=try to have the same new impressive possessions that other people have)
5. to continue to read and learn about a particular subject, so that you always know about the most recent facts, products etc
keep up with
Employees need to keep up with the latest technical developments.
6. keep something ↔ up to make something continue at its present level or amount, instead of letting it decrease:
NATO kept up the pressure on the Serbs to get out of Kosovo.
7. if one process keeps up with another, it increases at the same speed and by the same amount
keep up with
Food production is not keeping up with population growth.
8. keep something ↔ up to continue to practise a skill so that you do not lose it:
I used to speak French, but I haven’t kept it up.
9. keep somebody up informal to prevent someone from going to bed:
I hope I’m not keeping you up.
10. keep your spirits/strength/morale etc up to stay happy, strong, confident etc by making an effort:
We sang as we marched, to keep our spirits up.
11. keep up appearances to pretend that everything in your life is normal and happy even though you are in trouble, especially financial trouble
keep up with somebody phrasal verb
to write to, telephone, or meet a friend regularly, so that you do not forget each other