1. try something out
   Transitive, Separable
   Meaning: to test
   Example: You should try out the new restaurant on Main Street.

   Did you know that the average number of people a person dates before marriage is 24?  How many boyfriends/girlfriends did you try out before you found “the one”?

try out for something
Transitive, Inseparable
Meaning: a test to determine the qualifications of applicants, as for an athletic team or theatrical role.
Example: After much practice, he decided to try out for the high school basketball team.
She decided to try out for the role of Lady Macbeth in the school performance.

1. call something off
   Transitive, Separable
   Meaning: cancel
   Example: He called the wedding off because he was having doubts.

Did you know that 10-15% of weddings are called off annually?  And the bride calls off about 75% of them!

1. bring someone up
   Transitive, Separable (in some cases)
   Meaning: raise a child
   Example: My aunt and uncle brought me up after my parents passed away.

Did you know that 2% of children in the United States are adopted and brought up by parents that don’t share the same genes?

    2.  bring something up
         Transitive, Separable
         Meaning: start talking about a subject
         Example: She always brings up her wedding when I talk to her.

1. sort something out
   Transitive, Separable
   Meaning: to organize, resolve a problem
   Example: We need to sort everything out before we can move forward.

Do you think that men or women are better at sorting things out?

Why Men Should Not Write Advice Columns—something funny I found on the Internet (http://www.bspcn.com/2009/12/11/why-men-should-not-write-advice-columns/)

Dear Mr. Helpful,

I hope you can help me. The other day I left for work leaving my husband in the house watching TV as usual.  I hadn’t gone more than a mile down the road when my car stopped moving.  I walked back home to get my husband’s help. When I got home I couldn’t believe my eyes. He was in the bedroom with the neighbor making love to her.  My husband and I have been married for twelve years. When I confronted him, he admitted that he’d been having an affair for the past six months.  I told him to stop or I would leave him.  I love him very much, but since I said this he has become distant. I don’t feel like I can talk to him anymore.

Can you please help?

Sincerely,
Concerned wife

—

Dear Concerned wife,

A car stopping after being driven a short distance could have been caused by a problem with the engine.  You should have called a mechanic!  Next time this happens, you should start by checking that nothing is caught inside the fuel line.  If it is clear, you should check under the hood of the car.  If this does not solve the problem, it could be that the fuel pump is broken. I hope this helps!

Good luck,
Mr. Helpful

1. drop in/by/over
   Intransitive
   Meaning: come without an appointment
   Example: I might drop in/by/over to chat sometime this week.

Do you like it when people drop by unexpectedly, or would you prefer that they called first?

1. bring someone down
   Transitive
   Meaning: make unhappy / to cause to fail (transitive, separable)
   Example: Sometimes watching the news can bring me down.

2. cheer up
   Transitive, Intransitive, Separable
   Meaning: become happier
   Example: She cheered up when her friend surprised her with ice cream.  Her friend cheered her up with ice cream.

If something is bringing you down, here’s something to cheer you up: http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/moments-that-restored-our-faith-in-humanity-this-y

Give up
Intransitive
Meaning: to quit / to stop trying to achieve a goal
Example: Learning English can be hard, but don’t give up!

1. try something on
   Transitive, Separable
   Meaning: sample clothing
   Example: I’m going to try on these pants before I buy them.

According to statistics, Americans spend an average of $1000 on clothing each year.  Do you think that you spend more or less than that?  Do you always try clothing on before you buy it?

1. get away
   Intransitive
   Meaning: go on a vacation
   Example: I just need to get away and relax for a while.

      2.  get away with something
Transitive / Inseparable
            Meaning: do something bad without being noticed or punished
            Example: Brian always gets away with cheating on his tests.  I don’t know how the  teacher doesn’t notice.

People often say that the youngest child in the family “gets away with murder.”  This expression means that they can do whatever they want without being punished.  I am the youngest child in my family and I agree with this!

1. break down
   Intransitive
   Meaning: stop functioning
   Example: His car broke down on the way to California.

Jack Johnson is one of my favorite musicians.  Listen to his song, “Breakdown.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4O7ufx9D_s

     2. break down
         Intransitive
         Meaning: get upset (intransitive)
         Example: She broke down when she heard the terrible news.

     3. break something down
         Transitive, Separable
         Meaning: divide into smaller parts
         Example: The test is broken down into a speaking, listening and reading portion.   (This sentence is in passive voice).  The teacher broke down the test into three parts.