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Cotton on
To work out the truth
“It took me ages to COTTON ON to what they were planning.”
Cotton up to
Ingratiate
“He tried to COTTON UP TO the CEO.”
Cough up
Lose possession of a ball, etc. in a contact sport
“He was checked so hard he COUGHED UP the puck in front of his own goal.”
Could do with
Need or want something
“I COULD really DO WITH a cup of tea.”
Count against
Affect negatively, make less likely to succeed
“Not having a university degree will COUNT AGAINST her.”
Count among
Include someone or something in a group, category, etc
“I COUNT her AMONG my closest friends.”
Count down
Wait impatiently or excitedly for something to happen
“I'm COUNTING DOWN the days till they leave.”
Count for
Be recognised as important, worthwhile or valuable
“Experience COUNTS FOR a lot in decision making.”
Count in
Include or involve
“If you're going on that skiing holiday, you can COUNT me IN; I'd love to go.”
Count off
Say numbers aloud in a sequence
“They COUNTED the students OFF as they arrived.”
Count on
Depend, rely
“You can COUNT ON them; if they have promised to do something, they'll do it.”
Count out
Exclude
“I don't want to go- you can COUNT me OUT.”
Count towards
Be a part needed to complete something
“The coursework COUNTS TOWARDS the final grade.”
Count up
Add
“COUNT UP the number of tickets sold, please.”
Count upon
Expect something to happen and base plans on it
“I was COUNTING UPON their support and lost because they didn't vote my way.”
Cover for
Provide an excuse or alibi
“She asked me to COVER FOR her if anyone asked where she'd gone.”
Cover up
Conceal, try to stop people finding out
“They tried to COVER UP the incident but it got into the newspapers.”
Cowboy up
Not give in when things get difficult
“We have to COWBOY UP and get this job done.”
Cozy up
Make yourself comfortable
“It was cold and I COZIED UP by the fire.”
Cozy up to
Make yourself popular with someone
“He's been COZYING UP TO our boss because he wants a pay rise.”
Crack down on
Use more authority than usual
“The police always CRACK DOWN ON drink-driving offences over the Christmas period.”
Crack on
Continue doing something with energy
“We had to CRACK ON to get everything finished on time.”
Crack up
Have a nervous breakdown
“He CRACKED UP after his son died and had to take a couple of months off work.”
Crank out
Produce a lot of something fast
“My boss keeps CRANKING OUT stupid memos.”
Crank up
Inject non-medical drugs
“He's been CRANKING UP heroin for years.”
Crash out
Sleep at someone's house because you are too tired, drunk, etc. to leave
“Dave CRASHED OUT at a friend's flat after the end-of-term party.”
Cream off
Separate the best or most talented people so that they can receive special or different treatment
“The private schools CREAM OFF many of the best pupils.”
Creep in
Start to be noticeable
“He tried to stay calm, but you could hear the anger CREEPING IN.”
Creep into
Become noticeable in something
“An angry tone CREPT INTO her voice.”
Creep out
make someone feel worried or uneasy
“He CREEPS me OUT when he gets drunk.”
Creep out on
To do the same activity for a very long time
“He's been CREEPING OUT ON that computer game all day.”
Creep over
Start to have a negative feeling
“Fear CREPT OVER me as I walked through the graveyard.”
Creep up on
Approach without someone realising
“They CREPT UP ON their rivals and overtook them.”
Crop up
Appear unexpectedly
“I'm going to be late tonight as something has just CROPPED UP at work.”
Cross off
Delete, remove from a list
“She CROSSED him OFF her Christmas card list after they argued.”
Cross out
Draw a line through some writing to show it is wrong
“She CROSSED OUT her mistakes and wrote the correct answers above them.”
Cross up
Confuse, deceive
“The treasure map was deliberately drawn to CROSS us UP.”
Cruise through
Pass or succeed easily
“He CRUISED THROUGH the exam.”
Crumb down
Clear a table in a restaurant
“The waiter CRUMBED DOWN before the coffee was served.”
Cry off
To cancel an arrangement
“I've got to work tonight; can I CRY OFF going out for dinner?”
Cry out
Shout because you are in pain
“He CRIED OUT when he dropped the box on his toes.”
Cuddle up
Position your body very closely
“We CUDDLED UP to keep warm.”
Cuddle up to
Position your body very close to someone
“The child CUDDLED UP TO its father.”
Cut across
Go across a place rather than around it to make the journey quicker
“The issue CUTS ACROSS social backgrounds as it affects us all equally.”
Cut back
Reduce
“The firm CUT BACK production because sales were sluggish.”
Cut back on
Reduce expenditure
“The government has decided to CUT BACK ON spending on the armed forces.”
Cut down
To reduce the amount of something.
“I'm trying to CUT DOWN the amount of coffee I drink during the day.”
Cut down on
Reduce
“Doctors advised her to CUT DOWN ON the amount of saturated fats in her diet.”
Cut in
Start functioning
“The fans CUT IN when the engine starts getting too hot.”
Cut it out
Stop your unfair or unreasonable behaviour
“Will you two idiots CUT IT OUT and keep quiet.”