crank

-
crank /kr'æŋk/ (cranks cranking cranked)
1 [N-COUNT]
If you call someone a crank, you think their ideas or behaviour are strange. (INFORMAL)
The Prime Minister called Councillor Marshall `a crank'...
2 [N-COUNT]
A crank is a device that you turn in order to make something move.
3 [VERB] V n
If you crank an engine or machine, you make it move or function, especially by turning a handle.
The chauffeur got out to crank the motor.crank up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you crank up a machine or a device, you make it function harder or at a greater level. (BRIT)
Just crank up your hearing aid a peg or two.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you crank up a machine or device, you start it. (AM)
...May's warm weather, which caused Americans to crank up their air conditioners.
= start up
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P adj, also V n P
If you crank up the volume of something, you turn it up until it is very loud.
Someone cranked up the volume of the public address system...
By about six, they're cranking the music up loud again.
= turn up
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
To crank something up means to increase it or make it more intense. (mainly BRIT)
The legal authorities cranked up the investigation.

Popular posts from this blog

abreast

-
abreast / əbr'est / 1 [ADV] ADV after v, num ADV If people or things walk or move abreast , they are next to each other, side by side, and facing in the same direction. The steep pavement was too narrow for them to walk abreast. 2 [PREP-PHRASE] If you are abreast of someone or something, you are level with them or in line with them. As he drew abreast of the man he pretended to stumble. 3 [PREP-PHRASE] If you keep abreast of a subject, you know all the most recent facts about it. He will be keeping abreast of the news...
Read more

ablaze

-
ablaze / əbl'eɪz / 1 [ADJ] v n ADJ, v-link ADJ Something that is ablaze is burning very fiercely. Shops, houses, and vehicles were set ablaze. 2 [ADJ] v-link ADJ, usu ADJ with n If a place is ablaze with lights or colours, it is very bright because of them. The chamber was ablaze with light...
Read more

allowance

-
al|low|ance / əl'aʊəns / (allowances) 1 [N-COUNT] usu with supp, oft N of amount An allowance is money that is given to someone, usually on a regular basis, in order to help them pay for the things that they need. He lives on a single parent's allowance of £70 a week... 2 [N-COUNT] usu poss N A child's allowance is money that is given to him or her every week or every month by his or her parents. (mainly AM; in BRIT, use pocket money ) 3 [N-COUNT] usu with supp Your tax allowance is the amount of money that you are allowed to earn before you have to start paying income tax. (BRIT; in AM, use personal exemption ) ...those earning less than the basic tax allowance. 4 [N-COUNT] with supp A particular type of allowance is an amount of something that you are allowed in particular circumstances. Most of our flights have a baggage allowance of 44lbs per passenger. 5 [PHRASE] V and N inflect, oft PHR for n If you make allowances for something, y...
Read more