to break down: to stop functioning Examples of TO BREAK DOWN The clunky old car is about to break down. The fall of the Berlin Wall helped break down old prejudices and barriers to economic development.

to take a trip: to go on a journey, to travel Examples of TAKE A TRIP Never having been there before, he decided on a whim to take a trip to New Orleans. When Steven lost his job, he wasn’t able to take a trip because he didn’t have the money.

to clear up: to make understandable (also: to straighten out); to become sunny Examples of TO CLEAR UP – The teacher tried to clear up our confusion about the meaning of the difficult paragraph in the reading.– It’s rather cloudy this morning. Do you think that it will clear up later?

to get along: to make progress; to manage to live in a certain state of health Examples of TO GET ALONG Everyone is getting along pretty great and getting to know each other. She speaks little English, but Christa Nichols says they are getting along well.

to stay up: to remain awake, not to go to bed Examples of TO STAY UP  She tried to stay up to watch the Tigers earlier this week, but she fell asleep. We’d stay up all night and then wake up and go to some diner and eat fried food.

quite a few: many Examples of QUITE A FEW The journalist was about to tell quite a few secrets about the politician. There are quite a few problems with the presentation, and it’ll take a lot of time to fix.