Category: Verbs

(no object) 1 : to produce flowers The trees have finished blossoming. (=blooming, flowering) 2 : to change, grow, and develop fully Their friendship began to blossom (=bloom, flower, flourish) during the summer. Their friendship blossomed into romance. Their business Read More …

1 : to lift or pull (something) with effort (+ object) We heaved the box (up) onto the table. I tried to heave myself (up) out of the chair. She heaved the door shut. (no object) – usually + on Read More …

1 : (no object) formal : to happen They wouldn’t say what had transpired (=taken place) at the meeting. No one will soon forget the historic events that transpired on that day. 2 : (no object) formal : to become Read More …

(no object) to listen secretly to what other people are saying – usually + on He was eavesdropping (=listening in) on his sister and her friends in the next room. She was accused of eavesdropping on private telephone conversations. – Read More …

Verb > Shoehorn (+ object) to force (something or someone) into a small space, a short period of time, etc. A parking garage has been shoehorned between the buildings. She’s trying to shoehorn a year’s worth of classes into a Read More …

Verb > Forage (no object) 1 : of an animal : to eat growing grass or other plants : GRAZE The cows were foraging in the pasture. 2 : to search for something (such as food or supplies) He had Read More …

Verb > Hem in (+ object) to sew down a folded edge of cloth on (something) : to give (something) a hem hem the dress/skirt/trousers The curtains need to be hemmed. hem in (phrasal verb) hem (someone or something) in Read More …

Verb > Mitigate To mitigate something is to make it less severe, harmful, or painful. One way we can mitigate the impact the construction project will have on residents is to commit to completing the project in the allotted time.

Verb > Nibble 1 : to eat slowly or with small bites (+ object) We nibbled cheese and crackers. (no object) We nibbled on some cheese and crackers before dinner. – often + at She felt a fish nibble at Read More …

Verb > Peruse (+ object) formal 1 : to look at or read (something) in an informal or relaxed way Would you like something to drink while you peruse (=look over) the menu? He perused the newspaper over breakfast. 2 Read More …