Accept or follow a decision or rule.
We have to ABIDE BY what the court says.
To explain.
They had to ACCOUNT FOR all the money that had gone missing.
Want something or someone a lot.
My partner's been away for a fortnight- I am ACHING FOR her.
To take action because of something like information received.
The police were ACTING ON a tip from an informer and caught the gang red handed.
Affect.
The medicine only ACTS ON infected tissue.
Perform something with actions and gestures..
They ACTED OUT the story on stage.
Express an emotion in your behavior.
Their anger is ACTED OUT in their antisocial behavior.
Behave badly or strangely.
My computer's ACTING UP; I think I might have a virus.
To take action because of something like information received.
The police were ACTING UPON a tipoff.
Affect.
The enzyme ACTS UPON certain proteins.
Include in a calculation.
You have to ADD the VAT ON to the price they give.
To make a mathematical total.
We ADDED UP the bill to check it was correct.
Be a satisfactory explanation for something.
She explained why the work wasn't ready, but her story doesn't ADD UP.
Have a certain result.
Trains delays are getting worse and with the high fares, it all ADDS UP TO misery for the commuters.
Come to a certain amount or figure.
The total costs ADD UP TO several million euros.
Affect- usually used in the negative to show that something has had a negative effect, especially is it makes you feel bad.
I feel terrible- that food didn't AGREE WITH my stomach.
To target.
The magazine is AIMED AT teenagers.
Intend to achieve.
They're AIMING AT reducing costs by ten percent.
Include something in a plan or calculation.
You should ALLOW FOR delays when planning a journey.
Make possible, permit.
The rules don't ALLOW OF any exceptions.
Try to get something indirectly, by hinting He's been ANGLING FOR an invitation, or suggesting.
but I don't want him to come.
To reply rudely to someone in authority.
Her mother was shocked when she started ANSWERING her BACK and refusing to help.
Be held responsible for a problem.
The government should be made to ANSWER FOR their failure to sort out the problem.
Speak on behalf of someone or from knowing them.
I can ANSWER FOR my partner because I know her position on this issue.
Beat someone in a debate, discussion or argument.
The teacher tried to ARGUE the girl DOWN, but she couldn't.
Persuade someone to drop the price of something they're selling.
She ARGUED him DOWN ten percent.
Try to persuade people not to accept a proposition, motion, etc.
They tried to ARGUE DOWN the proposal.
Argue about a problem to find a solution.
If we can't ARGUE our differences OUT, we'll have to take them to court.
Ask how someone is doing, especially
He ASKED ABOUT my father.
Enquire about someone's health, how life is going.
Jenny rang earlier and ASKED AFTER you, so I told her you were fine.
Ask a number of people for information of help.
I have no idea, but I'll ASK AROUND at work and see if anyone can help.
Invite someone.
We ASKED them AROUND for dinner.
To provoke a negative reaction.
You're ASKING FOR trouble.
Request to have or be given.
I ASKED FOR the menu.
To invite somebody into your house.
Jon's at the door.' 'ASK him IN.'
To invite someone for a date.
He wanted to ASK her OUT but was too shy.
Invite.
They have ASKED us OVER for drinks on Friday.
Invite someone.
We ASKED John ROUND for diner.
Sell something in an auction.
They AUCTIONED OFF their property as they were heavily in debt.