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Lesson guide & glossary

Experiments & Testing — C1 Phrasal Verbs

This lesson covers 15 C2 phrasal verbs on Experiments & Testing. At Proficiency you must distinguish particles that change meaning subtly and match register across formal and informal contexts. Complete the runner, then use the glossary below to consolidate each verb. Detailed explanations appear in Review mode once you finish the set.

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Lesson glossary (15 phrasal verbs)

  • huddle up

    to move closer to other people, or to hold your arms and legs close to your body, usually because you are cold or frightened

    The team had to _____ together for warmth during the power outage in the remote lab.

  • open up

    to create a new opportunity or possibility

    The discovery could potentially _____ entirely new avenues of research.

  • get across

    to successfully communicate an idea to other people

    The scientist struggled to _____ the complex concept _____ to the general public.

  • jut out

    to stick out from a surface or beyond the edge of something

    The new laboratory wing _____ from the main building in a striking modern design.

  • sketch out

    to roughly plan something

    The architect began to _____ a preliminary design for the new research facility.

  • plug away

    to work hard at something for a long time

    The small research team continued to _____ at the problem for over two years.

  • separate off

    to remove something from a large group of things

    The engineers decided to _____ the most sensitive equipment from the main laboratory.

  • stick out

    to push part of your body forward or out from the rest of your body

    The researcher had to carefully _____ her arm through the narrow opening to reach the sample.

  • move in

    to begin living in a new house or area

    The new research team is scheduled to _____ the renovated laboratory next month.

  • join up

    to join the army, navy, or airforce

    Several young scientists decided to _____ the military research programme.

  • pride yourself on

    to be proud of a quality you have or of something you do

    The laboratory has always _____ the accuracy of its analytical methods.

  • live with

    to accept a difficult or unpleasant situation and continue with your life while it exists

    The research team has learned to _____ the limitations of the current equipment.

  • go up

    if a building or sign goes up, it is built or it is fixed into position

    A new state-of-the-art research facility is going to _____ on the old hospital site.

  • take along

    to take someone or something with you when you go somewhere

    Remember to _____ all the necessary safety equipment when visiting the remote research station.

  • shut down

    if a machine shuts down or someone shuts it down, it stops operating

    The entire laboratory was forced to _____ temporarily for safety reasons.