Lesson 26

Come about... bring about... build up…. die down…. fade away… die out…. make out…. live up to… stick to…. stick it to… stand up for… cut corners…
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To come about: to happen
Ø I didn’t find any explanation in the newspaper about how the political coup came about.
Ø The food came about as a result of the heavy winter rains.
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To bring about: to cause to happen
This idiom is used to indicate who or what caused something to come about.
Ø John brought about the accident because of his carelessness.
Ø The heavy rains we have each spring bring about serious flooding.
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To build up: to increase slowly, to make stronger gradually (S)
Ø They built up their savings account so that they could buy a new house.
Ø The professional athlete exercises regularly to build her strength up.
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To die down: to decrease, to lessen in strength
Ø The hurricane became a less serious tropical storm when its winds died down.
Ø We let the fire in the fireplace die down and enjoyed watching the embers as they glowed in the dark.
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To fade away: to diminish gradually in time or distance
Ø The memory of that unpleasant experience has slowly faded away.
Ø The music of the band gradually faded away as the parade passed down the street.
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To die out: not to exist anymore, to be in the process of disappearing
Ø Scientist still are not sure exactly why the dinosaurs died out.
Ø That strange, new style of dancing is slowly dying out.
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To make out: to read or see clearly (S), to prepare a legal document, such as a will, a check, etc. (S)
Ø The letter was so poorly handwritten that I couldn’t make out many of the words.
Ø Harold, please make the check out to Acme Piano Company.
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To live up to: to fulfill (a standard or promise)
Ø It was clear that the lazy student would never live up to his family’s expectations.
Ø It surprised us that the car salesperson lived up to all the promises he made.
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To stick to: to adhere to (a promise), to follow or obey (a set of rules, procedures, etc.)
Ø He made a promise to his wife to quit smoking and drinking, and so far he has stuck to it.
Ø All organizations expect their employees to stick to established work rules and procedures.
Ø If you try hard to stick to your principles, then you’ll be able to live up to them.
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To stick it to: to cheat, to take unfair advantage of (also: to rip off, the ripoff)
Ø Be careful in doing business with that salesperson. He’ll stick it to you at the first opportunity.
Ø The car dealership certainly ripped me off when I bought this car. It has caused me trouble constantly.
Ø You paid over $400 for that jacket? What a ripoff!
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To stand up for: to insist on, to demand, to defend, to support
Ø If you don’t stand up for your rights in court, the lawyers will try to stick it to you.
Ø Frank stood up for his friend, who was being put down by other teenagers nearby.
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To cut corners: to economize, to save money
Ø Most students live on limited budgets and have to cut corners whenever possible.
Ø The Livingstons have nine children, so it is essential that they cut corners at all times.
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E X E R C I S E S
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Choose the appropriate idiomatic expression to substitute for the italicized word or words in each sentence below. Idioms from previous lessons are indicated by number.
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1. The other workers defended their co-worker who was accused of stealing from
the factory warehouse.
a. stuck to
b. stood up for
c. built up
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2. It is sensible to check at several dealerships for the best price for a new car
model.
a. makes it clear (lesson 13)
b. makes out
c. makes sense (lesson 24)
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3. The army fulfilled the expectations of its commanders by defeating the enemy
forces.
a. lived up to
b. stuck it to
c. counted on (lesson 6)
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4. Memories of my youth gradually diminish, as I grow older.
a. fade away
b. build up
c. come about
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5. Some species of animals will not exist anymore unless human beings act to
save them.
a. die down
b. die out
c. tire out
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6. After a long illness, Mr. Felson needed time to slowly increase his strength
again.
a. to get better (lesson 7)
b. to bring about
c. to build up
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7. You can profit from the knowledge of an experienced artisan like Tony in
improving your own skills.
a. take advantage of (lesson 15)
b. make out
c. look into (lesson 11)
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8. When Mrs. Tieg lost her job, the Tieg family had to economize in order to
survive financially.
a. to rip off
b. to cut corners
c. to tear up (lesson 18)
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9. How did your marketing trip to Asia result?
a. come about
b. turn out (lesson 13)
c. bring about
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10. The elderly woman couldn’t renew her driver’s license because she couldn’t
read clearly the letters on the sign during the vision test.
a. come about
b. look after
c. make out
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Answer these questions orally by making use of the idiomatic expressions studied in this lesson.
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1. How did it come about that you are using this book to study idioms?
2. How could someone bring about a serious car accident? Has this ever happened to you?
3. Why is it important to build up your knowledge of idiomatic expressions?
4. What could cause your love for someone to die down?
5. What is an interesting memory of your childhood that has not faded away?
6. Should people be concerned about animal and plant species that are dying out? Why or why not?
7. How can people correct their vision if they have trouble making out things at a far distance?
8. What is the difference between sticking to a promise and living up to it?
9. How do citizens stand up for their country?
10. How might you cut corners if you had to do so?