Complex three-part phrasal verbs expressing tolerance, endurance, and attribution
Q1. How do you put ___ with such incompetence?
PUT UP WITH means tolerate the unbearable. Incompetence persists. Patience is heroic.
Q2. She put her success down ___ hard work and persistence
PUT DOWN TO means attribute to. Success has sources. Credit is assigned.
Q3. I cannot keep up ___ all these changes
KEEP UP WITH means maintain pace. Changes accelerate. Exhaustion is acknowledged.
Q4. He talked down ___ everyone in the meeting
TALK DOWN TO means speak condescendingly. Egos exist. Patrons are noticed.
Q5. They caught up ___ old friends at the reunion
CATCH UP WITH means reconnect. Time passes. Friendships endure.