to burn out: to stop functioning because of overuse; to make tired from toomuck work Examples of TO BURN OUT Nissan says the clutch has burned out after just 1,290 miles and my driving is to blame. The housing market has burned out like a spent comet.

to keep in touch with: to maintain contact with (also: to stay in touch with) Examples of TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH Good managers are people you keep in touch with even after you leave a position. Once the Thanksgiving holiday passes, I promise to get in touch with all of you.

to leave (someone or something) alone: not to disturb, to stay away from (also: to let alone) Examples of TO LEAVE ALONE Leave the baby alone for a while and she may go to sleep. After the cat had scratched Peter twice, he let it alone.

to take for granted: not to appreciate fully; to assume to be true withoutgiving much thoughtA noun or pronoun often follows the verb take. Examples of TO TAKE FOR GRANTED Most citizens in Africa do not have these luxuries we take for granted. These people are being careless and taking for granted the lives that…

to wake up: to arise from sleep, to awaken Examples of TO WAKE UP I hit my snooze alarm over and over again, because I didn’t want to wake up. The voters of this district need to wake up and realize that Governor Stevens isn’t doing a good job.

to sit down: to be seated (also: take a seat) Examples of SIT DOWN “I need to sit down,” the exhausted runner managed to stammer. When I hurt my back, it was hard to sit down and put on my socks.