The meaning of a preposition is a sort of schema, which gets extended to ... such
as being used as a phrasal verb particle (PVP), the second component of a ...
Prepositions and phrasal verbs The meaning of a preposition is a sort of schema, which gets extended to other uses, such as being used as a phrasal verb particle (PVP), the second component of a phrasal verb such as get out, get over, get around. The meanings of prepositions and the corresponding PVPs work like this. Each of these words has a basic, core meaning, usually a spatial meaning referring to location or position, such as the original physical meanings of over, around, up, and such. Often, these are extended to temporal meanings, such as time expressions and other references to times and events, e.g., “it’s over” = “it has finished.” Very often, the spatial and temporal meanings get extended to metaphorical meanings. Many phrasal verbs represent metaphorical uses of these words, as do many of their uses as prepositions. [1] spatial: original physical, spatial, locational meaning [2] temporal: meanings and references related to time and events [3] metaphorical extensions of #1 and/or #2 For example, take the meaning of ‘over’ as shown in the diagram below. The original spatial meaning refers to an object (or person) moving over another object (the dot, which serves as the reference point), lead to the completion the movement. An observer can rest in a position over the top, or one can look at the completed action. From point A, we can say, for example, you are looking over something physically; this idea can be extended metaphorically to being over something, such as being in charge or in control (I am over a company of 500 people). From point B, we can speak of something being finished or done, even metaphorically (“I’m over you!” you say to your ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend, meaning that you are emotionally finished with the relationship, the breakup, its consequences, and you no longer have any interest in him/her anymore). Other metaphorical uses of ‘over’ derive from the meanings of ‘over’ for position or movement. With ‘up’ you can view the action from the top level, where something is coming up toward you. You can also look at the action from the bottom of the container, and speak of something going up from that vantage point. From point A, you can speak of something ‘sneaking up’ on you by surprise, or events that ‘come up’ unexpectedly. From point B, you can speak of something growing or rising, such as water boiling up. You can speak of processes growing or finishing, such as ‘finish up, wrap up.’ Just as liquid can boil up and over a container, you can speak of things that metaphorically go somewhere, or go too far, like when you say “I’m fed up” or “what’s up?” Phrasal verbs are a sort of compound verb, and their metaphorical extensions are similar to those of compound verbs in Korean. For example, 버리다 = ‘throw away’ is used metaphorically in compounds like 잊어버리다 and 죽어버리다.
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1. Over Consider the meaning of ‘over’: Indicates movement from one side to another, movement over the top of something, or location on top of something. Here are the common meaning or nuance for each group of expressions below. verb group
meaning / nuance
1
tower over
2
rule over oversee preside over (have) control over to prefer X over Y: They prefer salad over snack foods. over and above (adv.): Over and above the loans, I have to pay hefty interest. be over: I have two supervisors over me, and I, in turn, am over all of you.
master, control over
3
fight over
mourn over
quit over
He quit over a salary dispute.
on account of (result of)
4
freeze over
paint over
cloud over
paper over
covering
5
take over win over
change over be over
swap over
hand over
change in position or status
6
boil over
spill over
brim over
bubble over
overflowing
7
fall over run over
keel over flip over
knock over
kick over
8
pull over
move over
9
ask over
invite over
drop over
pop over
come over
visiting
10 think over
talk over
go over
look over
check over
deliberation , mental process
11 blow over
get over get over with It’s over now. I’m over you.
finishing, completion
12 do (it) over
over and over (adv.)
repetition
13 stay over
hold over
excess, remaining
be over:
stand over
watch over
be in a higher position over, preside over
gloss over
trip over
falling, causing to fall sideways movement
be left over
14 put [something] over [someone] (=to successfully trick, deceive someone) get [an idea] over
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communication
2. Up ‘Up’ indicates motion upwards, raising to a higher level, increase, improvement, and such metaphors that come from our experience with upward motion, or filling containers where the contents go up as they increase. E.g.: 1. We’re going up to Uijeongbu.
2. We’re going from Heidelberg up to Bavaria.
verb group hurry up
push up
talk up speak up play up flare up speed up hurry up store up swell up I’ll wait here up to twenty minutes.
grow up turn up
step up work up
2
look up brighten up
dress up pick up
jazz up
clear up
improving
3
make up think up
come up with rise up build up put up
dream up
conjure up
creating, forming, building
4
match up team up
meet up pile up
stock up join up
stack up save up
pair up
gathering, collecting
5
do up lock up
zip up brick up
bag up tie up
lace up chain up
bandage up
closing a container, fastening
6
Look who’s turned up. We’ll draw up a new contract.
7
back up speak up for
stand up for stick up for
shore up
bolster up
8
end up wind up chop up
turn up sum up cut up
dummy up dry up slice up
use up wake up
9
turn up come up bring up crop up pop up Something else came up, and I have to cancel our previous appointment.
1
go up
meaning / nuance
10 slice up split up
11 come up hit up: pull up:
speed up
cut up break up
turn up
brush up
More problems have cropped up. We’re putting the house up for sale.
divide up
increase; more
come into view or into existence supporting
follow up drink up
chop up
Someone came up to me to hit me up for some money. Pull up a chair. Do 20 pull-ups.
completion, finishing, end result happening, result (unexpectedly) dividing, separating (a type of result) approach
12 nuzzle up
curl up
snuggle up
coming together (for mutual benefit)
13 creep up
steal up
loom up
approach (e.g., secretively)
Also: one-upmanship
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