abolish : do away with sth abolish : call sth off accelerate : speed (sth) up accept : come to terms with sth accept : live with sth accept : face up to sth accept : make the best of sth accept : resign yourself to sth accommodate : take sb in accommodate : put sb up accompany : go with sb accompany : keep sb company achieve : arrive at sth achieve : pull sth off achieve : get there act : do something act : take action act : take steps act : make a, your, etc. move active : in operation active : in force active : in action active : up and running actor : movie/film star affect : take (a) hold affect : leave a mark agree : go along with sb/sth agree : take sth on board agree : hammer sth out agree : thrash sth out agreement : in accord air : the heavens almost : more or less almost : not quite almost : pretty much/well alone : on your own alone : by yourself/yourselves alone : single-handed/single-handedly anger : drive sb mad/crazy anger : piss sb off annoy : get on sb's nerves annoy : wind sb up answer : get back to sb anticipate : beat sb to sth apologize : beg sb's pardon appear : manifest itself apply : put sth into effect apply : put sth into practice apply : relate to sb/sth apply : be about sth apply : have/be to do with sth apply : refer to sb/sth apply : deal with sth appoint : vote sb in appoint : vote sb into/onto sth approach : border on sth approach : verge on sth approach : be getting on for sth approval : thumbs up arrange : set sth out arrange : lay sth out arrange : sort sth out arrange : line sb/sth up arrive : get here/there arrive : get in/into artificial : strained ask : call for sth attack : beat sb up attracted to sb : have a crush on sb attracted to sb : go for sb attracted to sb : be into sb authorities : the establishment authorities : the system authorities : the top brass available : for sale available : on the market available : on sale avoid : steer clear avoid : keep your distance aware : alert to sth base : be situated basics : essentials be : add up to sth be : amount to sth be : run to sth begin : embark on/upon sth begin : take sth up begin : set about sth begin : go about sth behave : conduct yourself bent : twisted bent : deformed bent : gnarled bill : tab black : of colour block : interfere with sth block : hold sb/sth back block : block sth up block : be/get in sb's/the way block : cut sth off block : block sth off boast : pride yourself on sth boast : congratulate yourself bomb : blow sth up bored : sick of sth break : go wrong break : do a u-turn break : take sth back break : go back on sth bring sb up : be born and bred build : set sth up build : put sth up bully : pick on sb bureaucracy : rules and regulations burn : be on fire busy : at work button : lace/shoelace buy : pick sth up buy : snap sth up calculate : work sth out calculate : figure sth out calculate : put a figure on sth call : call sb up call : cry out (sth) calm : calm sb down care : be bothered cash : cash sth in cause : result in sth cause : lead (sth) to sth cause : bring sth about cause : give rise to sth certainty : a foregone conclusion certainty : a sure thing certificate : papers challenge : throw down the gauntlet cheat : take sb in check : look at sth check : go over sth check : look sb/sth over check : check over sb/sth check : check through sth check : make sure check : assure yourself cheerful : in a good mood childhood : teens choose : go for sth choose : single sb/sth out climb : go up (sth) close : neck and neck close : cease trading close : close (sth) down close : go bust close : go bankrupt coat : tuxedo/tux collapse : cave (sth) in collect : rack up sth collect : run sth up come : draw near come up with sth : work sth out come up with sth : hit on/upon sth come up with sth : think sth up come up with sth : dream sth up communication : dealings community : the public community : the country community : the nation compare : balance sth against sth compare : match sth against sth compare : be on a par with sb/sth compensate : cancel (sth) out compensate : make up for sth compete : take sb on compete : pit sb/sth against sb/sth compromise : give and take conclude : read sth into sth conclusion : judgment condition : terms condition : the small print confident : brash confirm : bear witness confirm : testify to sth confirm : back sb/sth up confirm : bear sb/sth out confirm : vouch for sb/sth conflict : be at odds conflict : go against sth confused : at a loss consider : look at sth consider : mull sth over consist of sb/sth : make up sth consist of sb/sth : be composed of sb/sth continue : go on with sth/go on doing sth continue : carry (sth) on continue : keep sth up/keep up with sth continue : press ahead/on continue : stick with sb/sth continue : return to sth continue : take sth up convey : get sth across convey : pass sth on cool : cool (sb/sth) down correct : put sth right correct : set sb/sth straight cost : set sb back sth costs : expenses costs : overheads cough : clear your throat count : tot sth up courage : nerve courage : guts crash : plough into sth crash : bang into sth crash : write sth off cross : cut across sth cross : cut through sth cry : be in tears cupboard : locker cure : make sb better cut : cut sth back cut : cut sth down cut : scale sth back cut : scale sth down dare : go so/as far as to... dare : stick your neck out dare : pluck up (the) courage dark : mellow darkness : the dark dead : at peace deal with sb/sth : take care of sth deal with sb/sth : look after sth deal with sb/sth : contend with sb/sth deal with sb/sth : see to sth decide : make up your mind deep : from the heart defeat : get the better of sb defraud : rip sb off defraud : fleece delay : put sth off delete : cross sth out delete : strike sth out delete : rub sth out delete : cross sb/sth off demand : a run on sth demand : (no) call for sth demand : press (sb) for sth demand : hold out for sth demolish : tear sth down demolish : knock sth down demolish : cut sth down depend on/upon sth : rest on sth depend on/upon sth : hinge on/upon sth depend on/upon sth : hang on sth desert : the wilds desert : the outback desert : wastes design : be aimed at sth design : be intended for/as/to be/to do sth despair : give up hope despair : lose hope despair : lose heart desperate : in despair desperate : despairing destroy : wipe sb/sth out determined : intent on/upon sth determined : bent on sth develop : gain ground devote : give sth over to sth dictate to sb : push sb around/about dictate to sb : order sb around/about dictate to sb : lay down the law dignity : feelings dignity : sensibilities disable : put sb/sth out of action disagree : be at odds disagree : take issue with sb disagree : not see eye to eye with sb disappoint : let sb down disappoint : leave sb in the lurch disapprove : frown on/upon sth discount : knock sth off (sth) discount : take sth out of sth discount : take sth off sth discourage : talk sb out of sth discourage : warn sb off (sth) discourage : get sb down discrimination : affirmative action disgusting : revolting dismiss : brush sb/sth aside dismiss : shrug sth off/aside dismiss : set sth aside dismiss : laugh sth off disperse : break (sth) up distinguish : set sb/sth apart distribute : hand sth out distribute : give sth out distribute : dole sth out distribute : pass sth out distribute : dish sth out divide : break (sth) up divide : cut sth up divide : split (sb) up divide : separate (sth) out divide : be/become estranged divide : come between sb and sb divorce : break (sth) up divorce : get divorced do : carry sth out do : go through sth do : get on/along document : papers doubt : a question mark over sth doubt : second thoughts do well : be going places drag : pack sb off drama : the performing arts drunk : under the influence early : on time early : on the dot easy : plain sailing easy : at leisure eat : tuck in/tuck into sth election : show of hands elite : the nobility elite : the aristocracy elite : the gentry emerge : present itself employ : take sb on encourage : cheer sb up encourage : lift/raise sb's spirits encourage : put sb up to sth encourage : egg sb on encourage : stir sth up encourage : whip sb/sth up end : wind (sth) up enemy : the opposition enemy : the competition enjoy : revel in sth enjoy : delight in sth enjoy : bask in sth enjoy : wallow in sth enjoy : glory in sth ensure : make sure ensure : see to it that... enter : set foot in/on sth equal : the same equal : tantamount to sth equip : fit sb/sth out equip : kit sb/sth out equivalent : your opposite number eradicate : stamp sth out eradicate : weed sb/sth out eradicate : root sb/sth out essential : of the essence establish : set sth up evacuate : throw sb out evacuate : kick sb out evacuate : chuck sb out evacuate : move sb on evade : get out of sth evade : wriggle out of sth evade : fend sb/sth off event : proceedings examine : go into sth examine : take stock excessive : over the top excessive : a bit much exclude : rule sb/sth out exclude : keep sb/sth out exclude : shut sb/sth out execution : the electric chair execution : the chair executive : businessman/businesswoman/business person exempt : get (sb) off the hook exempt : let sb off the hook exempt : let sb off exhibition : trade show/trade fair expect : look forward to sth expect : look for sth expect : watch for sb/sth expect : bargain for/on sth explain : shed/cast/throw light on sth explain : spell sth out explain : account for sth explain : stand up for sb/sth explain : stick up for sb/sth explode : blow (sth) up expose : subject sb/sth to sth expose : put sb through sth expose : lay sb open to sth fact : the truth fact : the real world fact : real life fail : go wrong fail : get/go nowhere fail : come to nothing fall : go down (sth) fall : come down (sth) fall asleep : go to sleep fall asleep : get to sleep family : connections family : roots favourite : of choice fend sb/sth off : ward sb/sth off fight : take up arms fight back : get back at sb fight back : get even fight back : settle a score fill : fill (sth) up fill : top sb/sth up film : movies find : find out (sth) find : come across sb/sth find : turn sth up find : come upon sb/sth find : stumble on/upon/across sb/sth find : track sb/sth down find : search sb/sth out find : sniff sb/sth out fine : in order finish : be done finish : wrap sth up finish : follow (sth) through finish : round sth off finish : round sth out fire : lay sb off fire : make sb redundant fire : let sb go fire : give sb/get the sack flee : run for it flirt : chat sb up flirt : come on to sb flirt : make a pass at sb flood : deluge flood : spill over (sth) flood : burst its banks fly : zoom focus : be aimed at sb follow : stem from sth follow : act on/upon sth follow : adhere to sth follow : abide by sth follow : carry sth out follow : follow suit follow : follow in sb's footsteps follow : model yourself/sth on sb/sth forget : shut sb/sth out forget : blot sth out free : let (sb/sth) go free : at large free : free of charge free : for nothing free : on the house friend : the girls friend : the boys gain : increase in sth gain : put sth on garden : grounds general public : the masses general public : the proletariat general public : the populace general public : the crowd generous : free with sth get : pick sth up get : take sth out get : get hold of sth get : derive sth from sth get : pick sb/sth up get : go by sth give : lavish sth on/upon sb/sth give : hand sb/sth over give : hand sth out give way : bow to sth gloom : the blues go : make your way go : make for sth go away : get out of here go away : be/go on your way good : cut out for/to be sth go on to sth : follow sth up go on to sth : proceed to do sth go on to sth : follow sth with sth go out : be together government : the executive go without : give sth up go without : do without (sb/sth) graduate : get through (sth) graduate : sail through (sth) guilty : to blame guilty : at fault guilty : in the wrong habit : ways hang : put sth up happen : take place hate : can't stand hate : can't bear have : be endowed with sth have : be blessed with sb/sth have : go through sth have : run into sth hear : pay attention hear : tune in/tune in to sb/sth heat : warm (sth) up heat : heat (sth) up help : help (sb) out help : aid and abet help : lend (sb) a hand help : be of service help : clear the way help : open the way hesitate : shy away from sth hesitate : shrink from sth hesitate : think twice hide : lie low hide : hole up/be holed up hit : strike at sb/sth hold sb/sth up : be/get bogged down hold sb/sth up : set sb/sth back hope : set your sights on sth hope : set your heart on sth hot : heated hotel : motel housing : accommodations housing : quarters housing : a place to stay humid : sultry humid : steamy humid : stifling humid : airless hurry : get a move on hurt : break sb's heart hysterical : beside yourself ideal : just right identify : make sb/sth out identify : pick sb/sth out identity : uniqueness ignore : turn a blind eye ignore : take no notice ignore : gloss over sth illusion : false impression illusion : the wrong idea impossible : out of the question impress : take sb's breath away improve : get better include : build sth in(to sth) include : take sth in income : wage/wages inconsistent : at odds inconsistent : mutually exclusive increase : upturn increase : step sth up increase : turn sth up incredible : beyond belief independent : divorced from sth in favour (of sb/sth) : believe in sth in favour (of sb/sth) : subscribe to sth in favour (of sb/sth) : be all for sth inherit : come into sth in love : crazy about sb innocent : in the clear inspire : fire sb up instructions : directions intend : have sb/sth in mind intense : heated introduce : initiate introduce : set/put sth in motion introduce : bring sth in introduce : phase sth in invent : make sth up invent : trump sth up investigate : look into sth investigate : enquire into sth investigate : delve into sth invisible : out of sight irrelevant : beside the point isolate : cut sb/sth off jail : lock sb up/away jail : send sb to prison join : be/get involved join : take part join : engage in sth join : join in (sth) join : have/play a part join : enter into sth joke : have sb on judge : the bench judge : size sb/sth up jumble : mix sth up keep : hold on to sth keep : carry sth out keep : stand by sth kill : bump sb off kill : take sb/sth out kill : finish sb/sth off king : the crown land : come to rest land : bring sth down language : terms laugh : be/have sb in stitches laugh at sb/sth : make fun of sb/sth laugh at sb/sth : poke fun at sb/sth lawyer : the bar lead : the foreground lead : the forefront lead : the fore lead : the cutting edge lead : the front lead : the upper hand lead : be ahead of sb lead : leave sb/sth behind leaflet : circular learn : pick sth up learn : get the hang of sth learn : learn/know sth by heart leave : be off leave : give in/hand in your notice leave : abandon leave : turn your back on sb/sth leave : refer sb/sth to sb/sth leave : hand sth over leave : turn sth over to sb leave sb/sth out : miss sb/sth out leave sb/sth out : leave sb/sth off (sth) level : proportions life : in sb's day life : way of life light : set fire to sth/set sth on fire light : light (sth) up like : be fond of sth like : be keen on sth like : go for sb/sth limit : rein sth in limit : hold/keep sth in check link : couple sth with sth logo : colours long : be dying for sth/to do sth look : check sth out look : cast about/around for sth look after sb : take care of sb look after sb : care for sb look after sb : attend to sb/sth look like sb/sth : take after sb lose : come off worse lose out : pass sth up lose your temper : get angry lose your temper : get mad lose your temper : go mad lose your temper : lose patience lose your temper : go berserk love : be fond of sb love : be devoted to sb love : care for sb love : dote on/upon sb lucky : in luck mad : out of your mind mad : not in your right mind magic : the supernatural maintain : keep sth up maintain : keep sth going maintain : prop sth up make : bring (sb) in sth make : pull sth in make : rake sth in man : the human race manipulate : pull strings manipulate : turn sth to your advantage manufacture : turn sb/sth out manufacture : churn sth out marry : get married massacre : the holocaust mean : what sb is getting/driving at mediocre : not much of a... meet : meet with sb meet : run into sb meet : bump into sb meet : get to know sb meet : make sb's acquaintance mention : refer to sb/sth mention : allude to sb/sth middle class : the bourgeoisie mind : the/your subconscious mislead : string sb along mislead : lead sb on misunderstand : get sth wrong misunderstand : get sb wrong moderate : tone sth down money : funds monitor : keep an eye on sb/sth monitor : keep track of sb/sth monitor : keep tabs on sb/sth mood : spirits mother : mum/mom mother : mummy/mommy mother : stepfather/stepmother mother : folks move in : set up home naked : in the nude nature : the environment nature : the natural world need : rely on/upon sb/sth need : call for sth negotiate : deal with sb/sth negotiate : hold talks negotiate : do a deal nervous : on edge new : unfamiliar with sth new : unused to sth new : unaccustomed to sth next : the following next : subsequent night : the early hours night : the middle of the night night : the small hours notice : take sth in occasional : the odd... occur to sb : come/spring to mind occur to sb : cross your mind occur to sb : dawn on sb occur to sb : come to sb offer : advances offer : hold out sth offer : hold sth out official : councilman/councilwoman often : a lot open : under sb's nose oppose : go against sb/sth oppose : stand up to sb option : best/good/safe bet organize : sort sth out outline : set sth out outline : lay sth out oven : microwave oven : cooker oven : kiln overall : across the board overcome : get over sth overcome : bring/get/keep sth under control overturn : set sth aside panic : lose your nerve panic : take fright parallel : side by side parallel : simultaneous parallel : concurrent park : gardens partly : in part partly : to some extent partly : up to a point pass sth on : hand sth down past : the old days patient : the dying pattern : rhythm peace : law and order peace : the rule of law persist : keep going persist : keep at sth persuade : win sb over persuade : talk sb into sth persuade : get round/around sb photograph : snapshot/snap picture : painting picture : artwork play : have fun play : enjoy yourself play : have a good/great time play : go in for sth play : put sth on player : sportsman/sportswoman/sportsperson please : make sb's day point sth out : draw attention to sb/sth point sth out : point to sth point sth out : point sth up policeman : pc/wpc politician : congressman/congresswoman popular : in demand pose : pass sb/yourself off as sb/sth potential : prospects potential : possibilities practise : go over sth practise : run through sth praise : a pat on the back predictable : to be expected prefer : would rather... prepare : draw sth up prepare : put sth together prepare : get sb/sth ready prepare : get ready prepare : provide for sth prepare : gear (yourself) up present : hand sth in present : send sth in present : put sth in presenter : anchor/anchorman/anchorwoman press : twist sb's arm pressure : demands pretend : put sth on pretension : airs prevent : keep sb from sth prevent : rule sb/sth out price : put a price on sth principle : ethics principle : standards probably : no doubt probably : (the) chances are... probably : most likely probably : in all probability... problem : the matter produce : give birth prompt : set sth off prone to sth : inclined to do sth prone to sth : liable to sth prone to sth : subject to sth propose : put sth forward provide : put sth up punish : come down on sb put sth out : blow sth out rarely : hardly ever rate : terms rate : dues read : flick through sth read : look through sth read : leaf through sth read : dip into sth read : plough through sth ready : be waiting reason : grounds reassure : put/set sb's mind at rest record : minutes recover : get better recover : get well recover : shake sth off recover : get sth back recover : recoup reduce : bring sth down reduce : turn sth down refer to sth : look sth up refuse : turn sb/sth down refuse : throw sth out regard : look at sth reject : wash your hands of sb/sth relationship : relations relax : pull yourself together release : let sb go release : set sb/sth free release : let sb/sth loose relevant : to the point remain : be left remains : scraps remember : bear sb/sth in mind remind sb of sb/sth : conjure sth up remind sb of sb/sth : take sb back remove : get rid of sb/sth remove : dispose of sb/sth remove : throw sth away/out remove : dispense with sb/sth remove : bring sb/sth down reorganize : shake sth up repay : pay sb back replace : stand in for sb/sth replace : fill in for sb/sth replace : substitute for sb/sth replace : cover for sb represent : amount to sth represent : come down to sth represent : add up to sth resent : take exception to sth resist : hold/keep sb/sth at bay resist : hold/stand your ground resist : hold out against sb/sth resolve : patch sth up respect : be/stand in awe of sb/sth respect : look up to sb respect : manners respond : meet sth with sth rest : the remainder rest : take it/things easy rest : put your feet up restrain : tie sb up restrain : hold sb down result : the fruit/fruits of sth return : put sth back return : give sth back return : take sth back return : hand sth back reveal : divulge reveal : give sb/sth away reveal : bring sth to light revolution : a change of heart rob : break into sth rob : hold up sb/sth roll : turn (sth) over roll : tip (sth) over rule : be in power rule : lay sth down run : be responsible for sb/sth run : be in charge safe : in one piece safe : out of harm's way safe : alive and well sane : in your right mind save : bail sb out save : economize save : tighten your belt save : put/set sth aside scale : the rankings scarce : in short supply scarce : few and far between schedule : line sb/sth up schedule : set sth up scold : tell sb off seek : go after sth sell : sell sth off sell : auction sth off sell : do business sell : deal in sth send : send sth on sensitive : emotive separate : filter sth out separate : sort sth out separate : seal sth off separate : cordon sth off separate : mark sth off separate : fence sth off serve : dish (sth) up serve : cater for sb/sth serve : cater to sb/sth set off : set sail share : carve sth up shoot : open fire shout : raise your voice sick : not (very) well similarity : there's no comparison sit : be seated sit : take a seat situation : conditions situation : things situation : the case smash : break (sth) up snack : something to eat snack : refreshments soldier : serviceman/servicewoman solve : sort sb/sth out solve : straighten sb/sth out solve : work sth out solve : figure sb/sth out solve : clear sth up sometimes : at times sometimes : from time to time sometimes : now and again/then sometimes : on occasion(s) sometimes : once in a while sometimes : every so often sometimes : off and on/on and off sorry : i'm afraid sorry for sb : feel for sb source : beginnings space : the cosmos spend : take up sth spend : devote sth to sth spend : while sth away spin : go around/round (sth) spokesman : envoy spread : lay sth out stand : get to your feet stand : be on your feet stand : pick yourself up stand : put up with sb/sth stay : stay put still : at a standstill stop : give sth up stop : abandon stop : knock off (sth) stop : pack sth in stop : pull (sb/sth) over stop : put a stop to sth strengthen : shore sth up stressful : strained student : schoolboy/schoolgirl succeed : make your/a mark succeed : make a name for yourself successive : in a row suffer from sth : come down with sth summarize : sum (sth) up supplies : stores supplies : rations supplies : provisions support : stand for sth support : side with sb support : hold sb/sth up support : prop sth up suppose : take it suppose : i dare say suppress : put sth down suppress : keep from sth suppress : hold sth back surgery : doctor's surprise : take sb aback surprise : bowl sb over survive : live on sth survive : live through sth survive : come through (sth) sweet : dear old/little... swell : blow sth up switch : change (sth) over tackle : get/come to grips with sth take : take sb/sth on take : take sth up take : seize on/upon sth take : jump at sth take : mistake sb/sth for sb/sth take : mix sb/sth up take advantage of sb/sth : put sb out take care of yourself : look after yourself take care of yourself : fend for yourself take care of yourself : stand on your own (two) feet take sth off : get undressed take your time : drag your feet take your time : buy time tax : customs tax : rates tear : pull sth apart tell : alert sb to sth tell : fill sb in tell : stab sb in the back tell : blow the whistle on sb/sth tell : turn king's/queen's/state's evidence tell : inform on sb tempt : lure tense : strained tense : under pressure test : try sb/sth out test : put sb/sth to the test texture : the feel think : make sth of sb/sth think : be under the impression threaten : warn sb off (sth) threaten : scare sb into (doing) sth threaten : bode well/ill thwart : dash sb's hopes tidy : clean (sth) up tidy : clear (sth) up tidy : sort sth out tie : do (sth) up tighten : grit your teeth tighten : screw your eyes/face up tire : wear sb/yourself out tire : tire sb/yourself out tolerant : permissive tradition : norms train : keep fit trap : confine trap : lock sb/yourself in (sth) trap : shut sb/yourself in (sth) trap : coop sb/sth up trip : travels trust : depend on/upon sb/sth trust : rely on/upon sb/sth trust : take sb/sth for granted trust : count on sb/sth trust : believe in sb trust : pin your hopes on sb/sth trust : have confidence in sb/sth try : have a go try : go for sth turn : turn (sb/sth) around/round turn out : come to light turn sth off : switch sth off turn sth off : shut sth off turn sth off : turn sth out turn sth on : switch sth on turn sth on : plug sth in/into sth turn sth on : set sth off turn sth on : start (sth) up turn sth on : put sth on unacceptable : too much unacceptable : out of line unacceptable : out of order unaware : in the dark unclear : in doubt unclear : in the balance undermine : wear sb/sth down understand : take sth in understand : relate to sb/sth understand : identify with sb/sth understate : play sth down understate : make light of sth unemployed : out of work unemployed : on the dole unemployed : on welfare unfortunate : out of luck unfortunate : a shame unfortunate : too bad unofficial : off the record unsure : in doubt untidy : all over the place untidy : out of place unusual : out of the ordinary upright : on end use : draw on/upon sth use : make use of sb/sth use : resort to sth use : fall back on sb/sth use : use sth up use : get through sth used to sth : familiar with sth used to sth : accustomed to sth useful : great for sth useful : of use useless : in vain usually : most of the time usually : in general usually : as a rule usually : more often than not/as often as not value : a snip value : a steal vandalize : smash sth up victim : soft touch villain : (taboo) bastard villain : (taboo) bitch villain : (taboo) son of a bitch villain : (taboo) bugger visible : on display visible : in evidence visible : in view visit : go to sth visit : drop in/round/by visit : stop by sth visit : look in on sb visit : look sb up vomit : throw (sth) up vomit : be sick vulnerable : at risk vulnerable : open to sth wait : sit tight wake up : get out of bed want : would like sth want : feel like sth war : hostilities warn : tip sb off wash : bath/bathe wash : freshen (yourself) up wash : clean yourself up waste : throw sth away weaken : make sth worse weaken : add to sth weapon : the bomb wear : put sth on wear : get dressed wear : have (got) sth on weather : the elements win : win the day win : come out on top witch : sorcerer/sorceress withdraw : pull sb/sth out withstand : stand up to sth work : results work : writings work : be employed work : have a job work : earn a/your living work : be in work world : the globe world : the planet worsen : get worse worsen : relapse write : write sth down write : put sth down write : dash sth off years : hours years : an eternity