To become popular or widespread; to understand, to appreciate a joke. This idiom is often used with the preposition "to" for the second definition. Example: Fashion of the past often catch on again among young people. His joke was very funny at the time, but when I told it to the others ...
To sell all items; to arrange for the sale of a company or a business. This idiom is separable. Example: The store is closing its doors for good and is selling out everything this weekend.
To purchase a business or a company; to purchase all of a person's shares or stock. This idiom is separable and similar in meaning to the idiom "to take over". Example: Larger companies often buy out smaller companies that are having financial difficulties.
To buy a complete stock of. This idiom is separable. Example: Before the hurricane struck, resident bought up all the food and water in local stores. The government plans to buy up all the surplus grain in order to stabilize the price.
To desire greatly, to be determined to. Example: She has her heart set on taking a trip abroad. Todd has his heart set on going to medical school and becoming a doctor.
To drive a vehicle out of a parking space; to withdraw the support, to fail to fulfill the promise or obligation. This idiom is separable. Example: The mechanic had to back another car out before he could get to mine. We were all ready to sign the contracts when one of the parties backed out.
To drive or go backwards; to defend, to support; te return to a previous thought. This idiom is separable. Example: I couldn't back my car up because there was a bicycle in a driveway behind me. We will all back you up if you decide to tell the truth.
To exercise, to develop, to devise (a plan). This idiom is separable. Example: Jane works out at the fitness center every other morning before going to school. We agreed to work our plan out at a later date.
