English Money Phrasal Verbs

Check out our page on money idioms, then head over to Rich Reads for an exercise on phrasal verbs for money.

Answers to last week's vocabulary exercise

Verbs associated with passing exams

cram = study something intensely over a period of time: "She's cramming for her A levels at the moment."

learn by heart = learn something so that you know it perfectly: "I've learned the algebra rules by heart."

revise = go over everything you've learned or studied before a test: "I'm busy revising."

study = learn for a future exam: "She's studying English at university."

swot (and swot up) = to study a lot in a short time for an exam: "I hate swotting for exams in this heat!"

Verbs associated with general education

brush up on = to refresh your knowledge or skills: "I want to brush up on my French before I go to Paris on holiday."

have something drummed into you = have some information repeated endlessly: "My parents drummed good manners into us."

learn = discover something new: "The kids are learning all about dinosaurs at school."

train = learn a new skill: "He's training to be a pilot."

Adjectives of intelligence

Adjectives that describe someone who is intelligent:

brainy = very intelligent: "I knew he would do well – he was always brainy at school."

bright = someone who learns quickly and easily: "She's easily the brightest kid in the class."

gifted = someone who has a particular talent: "He's a gifted painter."

sharp = someone who learns quickly: "She's pretty sharp."

Adjectives that describe someone who is not intelligent:

dense = finding it hard to understand: "I tried to tell her, but she's too dense to take it in."

dumb = stupid: "He's so dumb!"

slow = not quick to understand: "She's a bit of a slow learner."

dim-witted = not intelligent: "He can be a little dim-witted at times."

thick = not intelligent: "Don't be so thick! The answer's easy!"