Word: Bone Up
Definition: "Bone up" is a phrasal verb that means to study hard or intensively, especially when you need to learn something quickly, like before an exam or an important meeting.
Usage Instructions: You can use "bone up" when you want to describe the act of preparing for a test or trying to learn something quickly. It is often used in informal contexts.
Example Sentence: - I had to bone up on my Latin verbs before the final exam.
Advanced Usage: - You might say, "I need to bone up on the latest developments in technology for my presentation next week." This shows that you are preparing intensively for a specific purpose.
Word Variants: - There aren't direct variants of "bone up," but you can use other related phrases such as "study hard" or "cram" (which means to study intensively right before an exam).
Different Meaning: - "Bone" can also refer to the hard structures in the body, and "up" can mean to increase. However, in the phrase "bone up," it strictly refers to studying.
Synonyms: - Study hard - Cram - Revise - Brush up (which means to review knowledge you already have)
Idioms and Related Phrasal Verbs: - Brush up on: To review or refresh your knowledge of something. - Example: "I need to brush up on my math skills before the test."