first-rate: excellent, superb Examples of FIRST-RATE My wife, who can be picky about her desserts, judged her piece to be first-rate. We found a comfortable, airy space with first-rate service and gallons of local wines.

to take on: to employ, to hire; to accept responsibility for, to undertake Examples of TO TAKE ON That factory is taking a lot of new employees on for its new production line. Would you be willing to take on the task of organizing the next company picnic?

to dress up: to wear formal clothes, to dress very nicely Examples of DRESS UP There are whole websites full of people who like to dress up their cats and dogs. On casual Fridays, we don’t need to dress up at my office.

to make out: to do, to succeed, to progress Examples of TO MAKE OUT The bank robbers were hoping to make out with a lot more money than they got. I’m not able to make out exactly what you mean.

to catch up: to work with the purpose of fulfilling a requirement or beingequal to others Examples of TO CATCH UP They still fall behind, only now they lack the energy or enthusiasm to catch up. If pupils fall behind, a second teacher can be sent in to help them to catch up.

give and take: compromise, cooperation between people Examples of GIVE AND TAKE Give and take is an important element of a successful marriage. Most business negotiations involve give and take between the parties involved.