In English, the same phrasal verb can have completely different meanings to describe people and things, such as ‘give away’. You may think its meaning is only to give a freebie to sb, but in fact, it has another meaning. Have you heard it before?
1. Put up
Sb: Temporarily provide accommodation to sb
The hotel is fully booked. Luckily, my friend puts me up for a few days during my traveling period.
Sth: To oppose; To resist
Without enough weapons, it is impossible to put up any resistance to the enemy.
2. Look up
Sb: To visit (whom you have not seen for a long time)
I will look you up when I travel to Sweden.
Sth: To check; To search
I am totally unfamiliar with the essay topic. I believe I must look a lot of information up before I can start.
3. Take in
Sb: To deceive
Although we reminded her to stay vigilant against telephone scams, she was taken in by a scammer.
Sth: To completely understand
This book has a lot of hidden messages. Even though I have read it three times, I could not take it all in.
4. Give away
Sb: To show the secret feelings
She says she’s not angry, but her facial expression has given her away.
Sth: To give without asking for payment
They are having in-store promotions, giving away a sample to every customer who likes their social media page.
5. Go at
Sb: To attack
The thief went at him with a knife suddenly. Therefore, he was hurt as he was unable to react immediately.
Sth: To start working hard
She has gone at her work from 6 am because today is the deadline for handing the report in.
