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Arranging things A
A group of students are organising things for a college open day. Note how they use phrasal verbs to talk about arranging things. Ben
We need something to prop up1 the video camera. Maybe we could use that big box?
Anna
Or we could rest it on the bookcase. That could double up as2 a camera support.
1
make something stay in a particular position by putting something underneath or against it also be used as
2
Tim
Let’s gather up all those brochures and stack them up in one pile over here.
Elodie
OK, then I’ll have to see about3 an extra table; we’ve got too much stuff.
3
deal with something, or arrange for something to be done
Sacha
We need to space out the tables a bit; they’re too close together at the moment.
Lizzie
Yes, and we should line them up a bit better too so that it all looks neat.
Paul
Why don’t we separate off4 all the student work displays and put them all together in the other room?
Jake
Yes, OK. I’ll round up5 some more helpers; it’s going to be quite a big job.
Paul
Yes, and then separate out6 the first-year students’ work, the second-year students’ work and the third- and fourth-year students’ work and make a special display of it. That would be nice.
Jake
OK, but how will I know the first-year stuff from the rest?
Paul
The name and the year are on the back of each piece of work.
4
remove something from a large group of things find and gather together a group of people or animals 6 divide a group of people or things into smaller groups 5
Kelly
Hey everyone, if you could pile up all your rubbish in the corner there, I’ll get someone to take it all away at once.
Paul
OK, but I think we should sift through7 everything before we throw it away in case we’re throwing away things we should keep.
7
examine a large collection of something, especially papers, usually in order to discover something or to decide what is important
B
Other verbs connected with organising and arranging things
We hoarded away dozens of bottles of water as we knew there would be a shortage in the hot weather. [put a supply of something in a safe place so that it can be used in the future] I’ve been trying to fix up a meeting with our local MP so we can get to know her better. [(informal) arrange] He folded up the scarf, wrapped it in gold wrapping paper and did it up with a red bow, ready to give to his grandfather on his birthday. [fasten or tie something] The headteacher geared his speech more towards the parents than the pupils. [designed something so that it was suitable for a particular purpose, situation, or group of people] Norton College ranks among the best in the country. [has a particular position in a list arranged in order of quality]
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English Phrasal Verbs in Use Advanced
