verbs linked with other words for different meaning

In English, there are many verbs linked with other words

for example:

sign up, sign in, sign out

come in, go out,

There are others which are more difficult to understand because the two words making them mean different things:

take = to take

heart = heart

take heart = buck up, get courage, cheer up

butter up

butter =butter

up = up

butter up = excessively praise or flatter someone

fight = to fight

flab = unwanted fat

fight flab = to slim/to diet

So, when you read English, look for context so you know when you are reading a small saying

I went to my friend's house last week. I didn't try to butter him up. I just told him to take heart and fight some flab! He weighs too much!

So be careful to read looking for these types of verb phrases.

There are many of these in English and the difference can be very big:

example:

see through a window = look through a window (very litteral - easy)

see through somebody =to understand someone's hidden intentions without them knowing that you know (complex)

Bye for now

Alan