Idioms and Expressions: Middle School: Idioms and Expressions, List 5

This list focuses primarily on phrasal verbs.
10 words 43 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. home in
    direct onto a target, especially by navigational aids
    A state report released in September made clear that the state was homing in on a site adjacent to the two existing spans. Washington Post (Jan 26, 2021)
  2. get along
    have a smooth or friendly relationship
    Lonna didn’t get along with her son and nagged at him constantly. Hoot
  3. speak out
    express one's opinion openly and without fear or hesitation
    Should I be thankful for the people marching, thankful that they are using their voices to speak up, speak out? Betty Before X
  4. wipe out
    eliminate completely and without a trace
    After a while, the shrubs and trees return, only to be wiped out by a flood. 1491
  5. figure out
    find the solution to or understand the meaning of
    We tried to figure out what the message meant. Walk Two Moons
  6. wind up
    finally be or do something
    “I couldn’t imagine how horrible it would be to wind up stuck in a place like this,” Julia said. 100 Sideways Miles
  7. single out
    select from a group
    There is so much she wants, it is hard to single out one wish. How the García Girls Lost Their Accents
  8. abide by
    act in accordance with rules, commands, or wishes
    Workers who abide by these unwritten rules are treated respectfully; those who disobey are likely to be punished and made an example. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal
  9. chime in
    break into a conversation
    He didn’t say anything, though, so I chimed in. Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
  10. stamp out
    end or extinguish by forceful means
    Imran Khan, who was named prime minister after his party secured victory in July, ran and won on a promise to stamp out corruption. New York Times (Dec 24, 2018)
Created on Tue Jun 03 13:38:53 EDT 2025

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