Phrasal verbs



Read the article an check the meanings of the highlighted words.



Read the article

I had left my office early as I was dead keen to see the big match live. It was the best match at this ground for ages. I was waiting for my friend John at the "One Eyed Rat" when I suddenly realised that I had left my coat hanging up side down by the radiator in my office with my match ticket in the pocket. Things weren't going well for me. I had to come up with something pretty fast if I didn't want to miss a great game. I kept thinking what a pity I didn't keep my ticket with me all the time. I decided there's nothing for it but to borrow a few pounds from my friend John and buy another ticket. I said to John "I was wondering if you could lend me ten pounds". He said that he was afraid he didn't have that much money on him. He was dashing about getting ready to go. He kept saying "come on then !" I thought this was a bit odd. probably he had loads of money but didn't want to lend it to me. I felt disappointed with him but on the other hand I understood how he felt. After a while I bumped into my boss from the office. He had my coat with him and gave it to me. I thanked him and rushed off to see the match.

Forms

  1. was dead keen = be + dead keen + to + infinitive. Eg. I was dead keen to see the match last night.
  2. for ages = expression
  3. upside down = expression
  4. going well = expression
  5. Come up with = expression
  6. pretty Fast = pretty + adjective (synonym for: very + adjective)
  7. Kept thinking = keep + verb+ing
  8. What a pity = expression
  9. There's nothing for it = expression
  10. I was wondering = substitute verb: instead of to think use to wonder
  11. I was afraid = be afraid substitute verb: instead of sorry to say use

    to be afraid

    as a lead into a statement.
  12. on him = expression
  13. dashing about = verb

    to dash

    meaning to move quickly
  14. Come on then = expression
  15. a bit odd = expression
  16. loads of = expression. using an analogy from 'Lorry loads' or 'Cart loads'. The meaning is exaggerated so that loads of is NOT literally as much as a 'cart load'.
  17. on the other hand = expression
  18. after a while = expression
  19. bumped into = substitute verb. Exchange

    to meet

    for to bump into
  20. rushed off = expression