Phrasal verbs Challenge - 7 _____ 3 word phrasals

Question

This challenge is to find a 3 word phrasal verb.

Phrasal verbs form a major part of the English language.

They really do not exist in Spanish.

They cause learners of Spanish and English problems.

Los verbos compuestos forman una parte importante del idioma Inglés.

La verdad es que no existe en español.

Causan problemas los alumnos de español e Inglés.

A phrasal verb (multi-word verb) is a verb + a preposition (usually) that creates a meaning that is different from the original verb.

The problem is that out of context it can be impossible to know what they mean.

El problema es que fuera de contexto puede ser imposible saber lo que significan.

Example:

Se le ocurrió una gran idea para aprender otro idioma.

She came up with a great idea for learning another language.

This is the previous challenge.

Great comic. - rogspax, Sep 17, 2013

Answer 1

To chock up to - asignar, atribuir.

He seemed to crash a lot, but I just chocked it up to him being a novice.

Parecía que chocaba frecuentemente, pero lo atribuía a su estado como que era novato.

That is a new one on me amigo. - ian-hill, Sep 17, 2013

In Britain we would "to chalk it up to" :) - ian-hill, Sep 17, 2013

About to be a dead one, too. - rac1, Sep 17, 2013

I´ve seen it written both as chock up to and chalk it up to. It may well be that chock it up to is a badly pronounced (and spelled) version used by we hick colonists. In fact, probably. ;) - rogspax, Sep 17, 2013

Well Roger, since you are into 'wheels', 'chock it up' is probably the best version for you! :-) - 0095ca4c, Sep 17, 2013

I am with you, Rogspax. I grew up in the South. We said 'chock it up to', also. We don't need Ls. We just hode/ hold onto it. - 0083f5dc, Sep 17, 2013

Fer sure: ) - Ranman, Sep 18, 2013

Annie. He suffered a horrible open leg fracture a split second late, but is alive and well. "Jlwilso ;) - rogspax, Sep 18, 2013

I'm glad he's ok. That was close. - rac1, Sep 18, 2013

Hi Roger. "Parecía" (accent over the I). Plus I would translate "to him being a novice" into "a que era un novato". - 00483d91, Sep 18, 2013

Thanks Mr. Soprano. I remember missing that accent initially and thought I´d fixed it, but apparently not. Thanks for the improvement too. - rogspax, Sep 18, 2013

Answer 2

He (wrote it off/chalked it up) to bad luck.

Él lo consideré mala suerte.

Both wrote it off and chalked it up in English give the impression of there being an account that is being tallied. How would you express this concept in Spanish. I think considerar works but does a poor job of expressing this concept. Any ideas?

:) - ian-hill, Sep 17, 2013

I was looking for the same, and found a few references and examples that it was one of the ways ´atribuir´ could be used (though not the most common use of that verb) - rogspax, Sep 17, 2013

Yes. Atribuir would work. - gringojrf, Sep 17, 2013

Would descartar work for 'write it off'? - 0095ca4c, Sep 17, 2013

Does this sentence mean: 'I thought that happened because of the bad luck' or 'the bad luck is to blame' ? - 00483d91, Sep 18, 2013

Answer 3

Cash in on = Sacar provecho.

We were told to cash in on the opportunity.

Nos dijeron que sacar provecho de la oportunidad.

:) - ian-hill, Sep 17, 2013

good one. - rogspax, Sep 17, 2013

"Nos dijeron que sacáramos/sacásemos provecho". Conjugation for "nosotros". It's subjunctive. - 00483d91, Sep 18, 2013

Thankyou Mr Soprano. - osas-baby, Sep 19, 2013

Answer 4

talk back to - hablar de nuevo a

The teacher was really upset with the boy who talked back to her.

La profesora estaba muy molesto con el niño que repliques a ella.

:) I am not sure if the "essence" of the English sentenced is conveyed by your Spanish one Ruth. - ian-hill, Sep 17, 2013

Haha, no kidding. What do you suggest, Ian? How can I fix that? - rac1, Sep 17, 2013

Annie...:) - rac1, Sep 17, 2013

If I were a native speaker I might be able to help - but - descarado = cheeky :) - ian-hill, Sep 17, 2013

I did do a bit of digging because I was really curious, and it looks like ¨contestar a una persona¨ could be very close. - rogspax, Sep 18, 2013

I think Ian is probably right here, but I sure don´t have a better idea. That´s the tricky part of these. - rogspax, Sep 18, 2013

Try -Quien siempre contestó con rapidez . - ray76, Sep 18, 2013

O ,Él tiene una boca descarada. - ray76, Sep 18, 2013

Roger is right. In Spain we say "contestar" or "replicar" as in: "Clean up your room! - You do it! - What did you say? Do not talk back to me, little brat". "No me contestes / repliques, mocoso" :) - 00483d91, Sep 18, 2013

Muchas gracias, MrS. :) - rac1, Sep 18, 2013

Answer 5

miss out on - perder la oportunidad (my translation)

If you arrive late, you will miss out on the lecture.

Si llegas tarde, perderás la oportunidad a escuchar la conferencia.

That's a good one. - rac1, Sep 17, 2013

:) - ian-hill, Sep 17, 2013

That's perfect Margherite but I think "disertación" is not used often. Please see the translations that this site's translation tool suggests. It depends on the context (obviously). Try: "charla", "discurso" or "conferencia". - 00483d91, Sep 18, 2013

cont'd. I chose disertación because we use dissertation at university. I know...bad way to choose a word. - 0095ca4c, Sep 18, 2013

Answer 6

Go out with , - Salir con

.

Quiero salir con Margy , pero ella es muy agresivo.

I want to go out with Margy, but she is very aggressive.

:) - ian-hill, Sep 17, 2013

I thought that aggression is maybe WhY you wanted to go out with her Ray. - rogspax, Sep 17, 2013

You can handle her, Ray. - 0083f5dc, Sep 17, 2013

It would have to be in your next life Rey Ray...Margy has already gone out, and with a bang I might add :-) - 0095ca4c, Sep 17, 2013

It was not my fault Margy , the bang i mean. - ray76, Sep 17, 2013

Ooops i just found out that is not Maggy thatcher , thank god I nearly committed an indiscretion , that would never do , or would it ? - ray76, Sep 17, 2013

Isn't it Meryl Streep playing Maggie Thatcher? I have not seen The Iron Lady, but I think I would like to. - 0095ca4c, Sep 17, 2013

I wasn't blaming you for the bang Rey Ray. I have a friend in Brazil who kept me up to date on all the celebrations, fireworks (bangs) in Argentina when she passed. I understand the feelings, but It was so sad really. - 0095ca4c, Sep 17, 2013

I love Meryl but loathed M T , she destroyed so many lives. - ray76, Sep 18, 2013

Meryl Streep played that part well. It was a good movie. - rac1, Sep 18, 2013

Hi again :) You should say "agresiva" (feminine). - 00483d91, Sep 18, 2013

Thank you MrSoprano, I hope ReyRay changes it...Margaret would be offended if she was described in a masculine way. - 0095ca4c, Sep 18, 2013

Answer 7

put up with - aguantar a

It's difficult to put up with his crazy ways.

Es difícil aguantar a sus formas locas.

We get them here all the time: ) They usually have their wives and kids with them.: )Sometimes they even keep their beards: ) - Ranman, Sep 17, 2013

I love a red hat . - ray76, Sep 17, 2013

I think I recognise "her" :) - ian-hill, Sep 17, 2013

her name must be Antonia - 0095ca4c, Sep 17, 2013

It certainly doesn't do much for his image. - rac1, Sep 17, 2013

yuck. - rogspax, Sep 17, 2013

Yes, Magherite is right, it's Antonio's brother. - rac1, Sep 17, 2013

jajaja, I mean "sister". - rac1, Sep 17, 2013

Answer 8

Walk up to caminar hasta or acercarse de pie

Ella caminó hasta el policía y reportó el crimen.

She walked up to the policeman and reported the crime.

:) - ian-hill, Sep 18, 2013

You can also say "se acercó al policia" (he approached). It's the same (as you mentioned in the definition) but "acercó" sound much more natural to my ears. You should say "se acercó a pie" only if you want to emphasize that he approched 'on foot'. - 00483d91, Sep 18, 2013

Answer 9

to look forward to - tener (muchas) ganas de
I am looking forward to meeting you again.
Tengo muchas ganas de volver a verle (a usted - formal)

I am looking forward to more answers here :) - ian-hill, Sep 17, 2013

I struggled with that one a lot early on. I use ¨looking forward to¨ and lot in English, and early on, ¨tener ganas¨ struck me as being maybe too strong, but now it seems about right. It took a while. - rogspax, Sep 17, 2013

Answer 10

make off with - huir con

¡Ayúdame! ¡Alguien ha huido con mi vestido!

Help me! Someone has made off with my dress!

Good one amiga :) - ian-hill, Sep 17, 2013

Perfect. Just "ayúdame" and I think that both sentences should be enclosed between exclamation marks individually. But these are advanced-level corrections already :) - 00483d91, Sep 18, 2013

Thank you again MrSoprano...advanced corrections? Ha...I won't need those for years, but I'll make the changes you suggest. - 0095ca4c, Sep 18, 2013

Answer 11

Good as gold,-Muy fiable

Lal oferta para garantizar seguridad es muy fiable .

Tenemos que vivir en esperanza.

The offer to provide security is as good as gold.

We have to live in hope.

:) - ian-hill, Sep 18, 2013

They actually found a guy named, "John Doe" and had to revise. - rac1, Sep 18, 2013

Your joking ? Annie that is amazing. - ray76, Sep 18, 2013

La oferta, feminine. :) - 00483d91, Sep 18, 2013

Gracias señor Soprano. - ray76, Sep 18, 2013

Answer 12

Come down with ,- a ser afectados por

Yo era afectado por un ataque de emoción cuando nos conocimos.

I came down with an attack of excitement when we first met.

I don't blame you. I'm in awe. - 0095ca4c, Sep 18, 2013

Margy, which one do you find awesome? Thanks M, and how are you traveling? - ray76, Sep 18, 2013

Margaret, a no nonsense woman. I'm getting better now Rey Ray, at least starting to function with a bit of normalcy again. :-) - 0095ca4c, Sep 18, 2013

You normal ! I would love to see that , but seriously I am happy for you , why not join me leaving on Saturday for South East Asia, on Margaret I did not like her bit of nonsense on the "Belgrado " .Stay well mate. - ray76, Sep 18, 2013

South East Asia? I haven't been there and it sounds wonderful. I still have work that is calling me though. Happy journeys to you and keep safe. We'll keep the SD fires burning for you. :-) - 0095ca4c, Sep 18, 2013

I think I will pass on the potatoes. - 00483d91, Sep 18, 2013

Answer 13

"to give someone a good talking to"

I am going to give her a good talking to.

Voy a darle una conferencia.

Hi Jennifer - I am not sure the Spanish sentences has the same meaning as the English one. - ian-hill, Sep 17, 2013

or maybe yell at her? - 0083f5dc, Sep 17, 2013

How do you say you are going to give her a lecture? - 0083f5dc, Sep 17, 2013

Same problem with "to give a good dressing down" :) - ian-hill, Sep 17, 2013

I´m pretty sure if I tried to say ¨give her a good dressing down¨ in Spanish, it would somehow end up getting me slapped. - rogspax, Sep 18, 2013

Hahaha, I got that (I think). :D - 00483d91, Sep 18, 2013

To give someone a dressing down = "Regañar a alguien". And to give someone a talking to seems to mean the same: "echar una bronca a alguien". - 00483d91, Sep 18, 2013

Answer 14

Take up on versus Take up with

(these must be maddening for non natives)

Take up on (an offer) -- aceptar una oferta.

Take up with (someone) -- salir con alguien,

convertirse en novios (o por lo menos hacer varias actividades como novios las hacen)

Perfect :) - ian-hill, Sep 17, 2013

I want to take it up with management! - 0083f5dc, Sep 17, 2013

They are...I was just speaking with two of my friends from Columbia. They were sayiny, we can not imagine how difficult it is for them to understand these structures! And that most of them have no logic and must be memorized. - rac1, Sep 17, 2013

I was just having a similar conversation with 2 Mexicans and Peruvian. One said she´s just now starting to get a better feel, but spent years focusing on the verb, but not the preposition and didn´t realize how much she was missing. Just utterly foreign - rogspax, Sep 17, 2013

And even as a native of a language with these phrasals, I struggled with the same in German, because they´re different, and prepositions equally arbitrary. Used to the concept, but NoT the vocab. - rogspax, Sep 17, 2013

And they have local variants - eg I would 'take up' an offer, never 'take up on' - jennysk, Sep 18, 2013

Answer 15

It's about time we do something about global warming.

Es hora de que hagamos algo sobre del calentamiento global.

Yes, the poor lamito. It's getting out of hand. - rac1, Sep 17, 2013

That is so sad. - 0095ca4c, Sep 17, 2013

He will get a frozen digit. - ray76, Sep 17, 2013

:) - ian-hill, Sep 17, 2013