Episode #7 of the course “Common English phrasal verbs: Part 2” by Angela Boothroyd
run out (of)
1. To run out of something is to use all of it so that there is nothing left.
Examples of use:
a) I’ve run out of
b) We can’t have coffee this morning because we’ve run out of
c) I ran out of petrol on my way to work this morning.
d) News headline: Fresh water supplies are going to run out
e) We’re running out of orange juice. I’ll buy some more today.
Run out has other meanings.
save up
To save up something (or save something up) is to keep money so that you have enough to buy something in the future.
Examples of use:
a) We are saving up for a house.
b) You will have to save up if you want to buy that expensive car.
c) He saved up for a year for a new motorbike.
d) She saved her allowance up to buy a ticket to see her favourite band.
sell out
To sell out of something is to sell all of it and have no more left for people to buy.
Examples of use:
a) Their designer shoes are beautiful, but they have sold out in my size.
b) We’re selling out of iPhones very fast. We must order some more.
c) I’m sorry. We have sold out of tickets for the show.
d) He sells out of his homemade cakes every day.
When all the tickets to a play, film, concert, or other public performance have been sold the event is sold-out (adjective)
Example of use: We tried to buy tickets for their concert but it’s sold-out.
sell-out (noun) – when all the tickets to an event have been sold it is a sell-out.
Example of use: Take That start their sell-out tour on Monday.
When all the items for sale in a shop have been sold they are sold-out (adjective)
Example of use:
Q. Could I buy one of your chocolate cakes, please?
A. I’m sorry. They’re sold-out.
Recommended book
“Essential Idioms in English: Phrasal Verbs and Collocations” by Robert J. Dixson
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