Interacting or Documenting: English Vocabulary List

to suddenly become silent or stop talking

"You should belt up."

"The flight attendant asked all passengers to belt up before the plane began its descent toward the airport."

to compliment someone to gain something in return

"She will butter up him."

"He tried to butter up the hiring manager with flattery, hoping it would improve his chances of getting the job."

to seek something that belongs to one or is needed, often to find more information about it

"Chase up the delivery."

"I need to chase up the delivery company because my package should have arrived three days ago."

to talk with someone in a playful or romantic way to explore a potential connection

"He tried to chat up the bartender."

"He went to the bar to try to chat up an attractive woman who was sitting alone."

to suddenly become silent or refuse to talk, often because of nervousness, fear, or a desire to keep information secret

"He clammed up during the interrogation."

"The shy witness clammed up completely when it was his turn to testify in the crowded courtroom."

to have a conversation with someone

"He will come up to talk."

"The little boy came up to his father and asked for help tying his shoelaces before school."

to inappropriately touch someone for one's sexual pleasure, specifically without their permission

"He will feel up her."

"The celebrity sued the photographer for attempting to feel up her during an unauthorized interview session."

to collaborate with someone else or a group to work together on a shared task or objective

"They will join up together."

"The two armies decided to join up together to fight against the common enemy that threatened both of their kingdoms."

to come together with someone, usually by prior arrangement or plan in order to spend time or do something together

"Let's meet up for coffee."

"The group of friends planned to meet up at their favorite coffee shop on Saturday afternoon."

to confess and take responsibility for one's mistakes

"You must own up."

"You should own up to your mistake instead of blaming someone else for something that you clearly did wrong."

to call someone using a telephone

"Phone up the doctor."

"I will phone up the restaurant to make a reservation for our anniversary dinner tomorrow night."

to make someone like one by being exceptionally kind toward them

"He shines up to the wealthy heiress."

"The young employee tried to shine up to the manager in hopes of getting a promotion before the end of the year."

to stop talking and be quiet

"Please shut up for a minute."

"The teacher told the noisy students to shut up and listen to the important announcement."

to be kind to someone with the intention of increasing the chances of them agreeing to one's request

"Soften up the boss."

"She decided to soften up her boss with compliments before asking for a raise."

to attempt to gain favor or approval from someone in a position of authority by engaging in actions or saying things to please them

"Do not suck up to the teacher."

"The new employee constantly sucks up to the boss hoping to get a promotion soon."

to speak positively or enthusiastically about something or someone to promote or increase its value, importance, or popularity

"They will talk up the movie."

"The coach continued to talk up his team's potential, even after a series of disappointing losses throughout the season."

to display information publicly and clearly

"Write up the notice."

"The journalist will write up a report of the city council meeting for tomorrow morning's newspaper edition."

to call someone on the phone

"I will call up later."

"Could you please call up your aunt to remind her about the upcoming family gathering?"

to exchange information or knowledge that was missed or overlooked

"Let's catch up."

"We haven't seen each other in ages, so let's find time to catch up soon."

to investigate further based on information or suggestions provided by someone

"The doctor follows up with phone calls."

"The doctor will follow up with the patient next week to see how she is responding to the new medication."

to cause someone or something to be quiet

"Hush up the noise."

"The politician tried to hush up the scandal to avoid public scrutiny and damage to his career."

to sign a contract agreeing to do a job

"Sign up for the job."

"You can sign up for the free newsletter on our website to receive weekly updates."

to express thoughts freely and confidently

"Please speak up in class."

"If you have a question please speak up because the other students cannot hear you from the back of the room."

to reach an agreement or manage a dispute, often by coming to terms or resolving differences

"We need to square up."

"After many disagreements, the business partners finally decided to square up their accounts and go separate ways."

to briefly state the most important parts or facts of something

"Let's sum up."

"To sum up, the report highlights the urgent need for systemic changes to address the ongoing environmental crisis."