This lesson covers 30 C2 phrasal verbs on Problems, Risk & Decision-making. 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.
put sth down to sth
to think that a problem or bad experience is caused by something else
They put the failure down to poor communication.
single out sb/sth or single sb/sth out
to choose one person or thing from a large group in order to criticise or praise them
The report singled out poor communication as the main cause.
be caught up in sth
to become involved in an activity or situation which prevents you from moving or making progress
The project became caught up in a dispute between two departments.
send in sb or send sb in
to send a group of people with special skills [e.g. police, troops] to deal with a difficult situation
The manager sent in a specialist to assess the risk.
grasp at sth
to quickly use or accept an opportunity to do or have something, especially because you are unhappy with the present situation
Do not grasp at the first solution just because you are worried.
play sb off against sb
to encourage one person or group to compete against or argue with another, hoping that you can get some advantage from this situation
The manager tried to play one supplier off against another.
boil down to sth
slightly informal if a situation or problem boils down to a particular thing, that is the main reason for it
The disagreement boils down to a lack of trust.
impact on sth/sb
slightly formal to have a noticeable effect on
The delay had a major impact on the final cost.
ongoing adj
if a problem is ongoing, it continues to be a problem
The delivery delay is an ongoing problem.
move (sb) in/into (swh)
to go to a place to deal with a difficult situation
The manager moved the meeting into a larger room.
stem from sth
if a problem or difficult situation stems from something, it is caused by it
Most of the delay stems from a lack of resources.
hang over sb/sth
if a problem or threat hangs over a person or situation, it exists and makes people worry about what is going to happen
The possibility of a strike hung over the project.
size up sb/sth or size sb/sth up
to carefully examine a situation or person in order to make a judgement
She sized up the situation before responding.
botch up sth or botch sth up
informal to spoil a piece of work by doing it badly
A small error can botch up an otherwise good plan.
do yourself up
to make yourself look more attractive
He did himself up before presenting the proposal to the board.
push through sth or push sth through
to make a plan or suggestion be officially accepted
The committee pushed the new safety rule through quickly.
clear up sth or clear sth up
to give or find an explanation for something, or to deal with a problem or disagreement
We need to clear up the misunderstanding before it grows.
make up for sth
if someone makes up for something bad that they have done, they do something good so that the bad thing does not cause a problem any more
The team worked late to make up for the lost time.
come up against sth/sb
to have to deal with a difficult situation or someone who disagrees with you or tries to stop you doing what you want to do
The team came up against an unexpected legal problem.
bear up
to deal with a very sad or difficult situation in a brave and determined way
Despite the setbacks, the team tried to bear up.
nail down
informal to make a decision about all the details of something
We need to nail down the final details today.
mull over sth or mull sth over
to think carefully about something for a long time, often before making a decision
She mulled over the risks before signing the contract.
contend with sth
to have to deal with a difficult or unpleasant situation
We had to contend with several risks at once.
spill over
if a bad situation or problem spills over, it begins to have an unpleasant effect on another situation or group of people
The conflict spilled over into other departments.
sort out sth or sort sth out
to successfully deal with a problem or difficult situation
We need to sort out the delivery problem before Friday.
thrash out sth or thrash sth out
to discuss a problem, idea, or plan in detail until you find a solution, reach an agreement, or make a decision
The two sides thrashed out a practical agreement.
tie sb down
to stop someone from being free to do what they want to do
A long-term contract could tie the company down.
smooth over sth or smooth sth over
to make a disagreement or problem seem less serious or more easy to deal with, especially by talking to the people involved in it
The mediator tried to smooth over the disagreement.
throw the baby out with the bathwater
to get rid of the good parts of something as well as the bad parts
Do not throw the baby out with the bathwater when changing the system.
fall back on sth
to use something when other things have failed, or when there are no other choices
When the plan failed, they fell back on their emergency procedures.