CAE/CPE Phrases, Collocations, Expressions

Phrasal Verbs
Carry out (do/perform)
tests/experiments/studies/orders.
End up We ended up sleeping in a doorway.
Run out (none left) Weve run out of milk.
Run short/low on (not have much left) were
running short on milk.
Lead to (cause) The accident led to huge traffic
jams on the main road.
Meet up with (people) We always meet up at
the same caf on Sunday afternoon.
Take up space/time We threw our old sofa out
because it took up too much space. I cant do
yoga anymore; it takes up too much of my time.
Stand out (be obviously different) Alan is
185cm at 14 so he really stands out in his class.
Take after (a parent) (inherit their
traits/characteristics) Neil really takes after his
Dad, their mannerisms are exactly the same.
Call for (require) This job calls for a good head
for numbers.
Meet with (encounter) problems/reactions
Joes plans for the company met with angry
reactions from the employees.
To wear out (to be damaged with use/tired)
The two kids wear me out so much at the
weekend. My tires are completely worn out; I
need to buy new ones.
Put in (effort/time) I put a lot of time and
effort into the project.
Cut down on (consume less) Im going to cut
down on cigarettes.

Collocations
A head for figures/numbers (talent) Raw materials
On an annual/daily basis (every year/day) Disposal of waste/waste disposal
An error of judgement The state of the environment
Loose clothes, a loose tooth, the animals got A pressing problem
loose (escaped) Confront/face a problem/be confronted/faced
Run a business (manage) with a problem
A spot of rain, a spot for a picnic, To spot Life support systems
something (see) Set fire to st
Put something to use A risk of fire
Make use of something It soon became clear
Have a vast impact on st Keep an area clear
A fall/drop/rise in the number of Short space of time
River bank parking space
Sea shore release a film/CD/album
Clearly distinguishable Release fumes into the atmosphere
Come to light A great deal of + uncountable noun (a lot of)
Animal behaviour Snow-capped mountains
Herds of dinosaurs/cows A point of interest
Operate machinery Pursue a hobby/leisure activity
Operate on a person A small/large sum of money
Expressions
A metre/day/etc. or so (approx.)
I think of him as a father figure
As much (noun) as possible
Upside-down
Back-to-front
Inside-out
Run into trouble (encounter problems)
Take somebody on a tour
will be followed by
It follows that (therefore/so)
Even the (superlative) bravest person would be
scared.
Contrary to popular belief
Behind/ahead of schedule
What do you make of this? (think about)
Common Key Word Transformation Expressions and Grammar
Would rather (not) do something (no to)
Would prefer (not) to do something
Deny + gerund She denied having
stolen/stealing the money
Accuse sb of + gerund
Spend time doing st
It took me (10 mins) to do .
In spite of/Despite never having done st.
In spite of/Despite + noun
Get something done I need to get my passport
renewed
Were to + inf in conditionals. If I were to win the
lottery, I would
In the process of doing st the house is in the
process of being rebuilt
We wasted little time (in) starting the game.
To make (quite) a name for oneself
Id be grateful if you could
This belongs to me
is nowhere near
isnt anywhere near
proved to be (turned out)
Well over + number (there were well over 100
people at the event)
is/are considered to be
would make an excellent/terrible
(doctor/parent etc.)
Its hard to believe that
Prevent something from happening
At the height of his fame/success
In (his/its etc.) heyday
At its height (the height of its success/fame)
There wasnt a single left.
Have great difficulty (in) doing st he had great
difficulty opening the box.
I cant make it (come) to the meeting.
On no account/under no circumstances +
should/must/to be On no account should this
door be opened. Under no circumstances am I to
be disturbed.
As far as Is concerned is - As far as
computers are concerned, John is a real expert.
It was only when . That . It was only when I
arrived home that I realised I had been robbed.
Just about to do st
To be on the point of doing st I was just about
to open the door when the phone rang.
The lack/absence of caused