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Conflict and violence A
Particles in phrasal verbs connected with conflict and violence
Some of the phrasal verbs in this unit have the particle up (smash up, flare up) where up suggests extreme or complete. In come at and fly at at indicates the direction of the violent action. Off suggests remove in bump off [(informal), kill] and fight off, and out suggests remove completely in wipe out [completely destroy]. Thinking about the meaning the particle adds will help you learn the verbs in groups and remember them better.
B
Talking about conflict and violence Faisal Why couldn’t you buy a ticket? Emma The ticket office was closed and vandals had smashed up the machine on the platform. Fatima What happened to you? Are you hurt? Alex
A man pushed me over and tried to steal my bag. He came at me from behind.
Fatima Oh, that’s dreadful! Did he take your bag? Alex
No, I managed to fight him off, then some people came and he ran off.
Camille What did the boss say when you all complained? Albert Well, he just flew at1 me and said I was irresponsible, then he rounded on2 the others and ordered them to get back to work. I’ve never seen him flare up3 like that before, you know, he just flew into 4 a rage as soon as I opened my mouth. Camille So relations are not good now? Albert No. It’s the biggest bust-up5 we’ve ever had with him. But we’re not going to let him push us around6. 1
4 suddenly spoke to me very angrily if someone flies into a particular state (e.g. rage, suddenly turned and attacked them panic), they are suddenly in that state 5 (informal) an angry argument or shouted at them angrily 3 6 suddenly become very angry tell someone what to do in a rude or threatening way 2
Jade
I hear your neighbours have been fighting one another!
Ben Yes, Luke said Arthur had stolen some plants from his garden, so he set his dog on7 him. Arthur kicked the dog, then punched Joss and almost knocked him out. The police had to come and break it up! 7
attack someone, or make a person or animal attack someone
Eloise What happened at the end of the film? Maisie Well, they caught the man who’d been bumping everyone off, of course.
C
44
Metaphorical uses of phrasal verbs to suggest conflict or violence
The verbs in this group are particularly typical of newspaper language because they have metaphorical meanings, which is good for word play. The government promised to wipe out poverty. [make it disappear completely] The minister is fighting off calls for her resignation. Some newspapers are trying to drag the prime minister into the scandal. [talk about or bring someone or something into a difficult or unpleasant situation, especially when that person or thing is not seen as being connected with the situation] He published an article in a national newspaper as a way of striking back at his critics. [attacking someone who has attacked you (the literal meaning of striking is hitting)] English Phrasal Verbs in Use Advanced
