clear-cut: clearly stated, definite, apparent Examples of CLEAR-CUT Zettel recently visited Michigan and said that school is his clear-cut favorite. Such success made him a clear-cut selection but tells a thin slice of the story.

to get in touch with: to communicate with, to contact Examples of TO GET IN TOUCH WITH It was nice signing up for Facebook because it helped me to get in touch with a lot of my old friends from grade school. I’ve tried calling you five times and you never answer – it’s impossible…

to hold up: to delay, to make late; to remain high in quality Examples of TO HOLD UP The incident also prompted a pushing match and play was held up for six minutes. We didn’t score like 130 points, 140 points, but we really held up our opponent.

to take apart: to disassemble, to separate the parts of something Examples of TO TAKE APART He’d have to take it apart each winter and put it back together again by spring. As a child, Gary used to take doorknobs apart and put them back together.

to wear out: to use something until it has no value or worth anymore, tomake useless through wear Examples of TO WEAR OUT I was the first one to leave the party, because I didn’t want to wear out my welcome. I had to have my shoes fixed; the hike caused me to wear out…

to come from: to originate from Examples of TO COME FROM He says he comes from the Midlands, where his Pakistani parents settled in 1960. The information comes from national, in-home surveys in 1988-1994 and 2003-2008.