Phrasal verbs with “peg” in English
The word “peg” [peɡ] in English has several meanings and can function as both a verb and a noun. As a noun, “peg” typically refers to a “small pin” or “stake” used to fasten something in place. For example, pegs can be used to secure a tent to the ground or to hang laundry on a clothesline. As a verb, “peg” can have various meanings, including “to fix” something, “to limit” or “restrict,” “to secure,” or even informally, it can mean “to die.”
Grammatically, “peg” is a regular verb, so its forms are created by adding the suffix “-ed” for the past tense and past participle:
- Present simple: I peg the tent to the ground.
- Past simple: She pegged the washing outside.
- Past participle: They have pegged the prices for next year.
The word “peg” is also frequently found in phrasal verbs, each with its unique meaning that differs from the original sense of the word. In the sections below, we’ll explore some of the most common phrasal verbs with “peg” and their usage examples.
Phrasal Verbs with “Peg”
Peg out
- Meaning: To hang laundry outside to dry, also informally used to mean “to die.”
- Example: She pegged out the washing in the backyard.
- Example: It’s a sunny day, so I’ll peg out the clothes to dry.
- Example: He suddenly pegged out after a long illness.
Peg out (another meaning)
- Meaning: To mark or secure something using pegs.
- Example: They pegged out the area where the tent would go.
- Example: We pegged out the boundaries of the garden.
Peg away
- Meaning: To work persistently or diligently on something.
- Example: I’ll just keep pegging away until the project is done.
- Example: Despite the difficulties, they pegged away at the task.
Peg down (another meaning)
- Meaning: To fix or limit something, such as a price or agreement.
- Example: We need to peg down the exact date for the meeting.
- Example: The government pegged down the price of fuel to avoid inflation.
Peg down
- Meaning: To fasten something to the ground, like with pegs.
- Example: We pegged down the tent before the storm hit.
- Example: Make sure to peg down the tarpaulin so it doesn’t blow away.
Peg back
- Meaning: To reduce or hold something back, such as progress or development.
- Example: The team was pegged back by a series of injuries.
- Example: The opposition pegged back their early lead.
Peg on
- Meaning: To keep going or continue doing something despite challenges.
- Example: Despite the rain, they pegged on with the construction.
- Example: He just pegged on with his studies, even though he was tired.
Peg it
- Meaning: Informally, to die.
- Example: I thought I was going to peg it during that hike!
As we can see, the verb “peg” can have quite diverse meanings depending on the context and its combination with other words. Learning these phrasal verbs will help you better understand the nuances of the English language and expand your vocabulary, which will be useful in both everyday conversation and written texts.
Popular Phrases with “Peg” in English
The word “peg” is not only common in phrasal verbs but also in idiomatic expressions frequently used in conversational English. Here are some popular phrases with “peg”:
- Take someone down a peg (or two)
- Meaning: To put someone in their place, reduce their arrogance or overconfidence.
- Example: He was acting too arrogant, so his friends took him down a peg.
- Off the peg
- Meaning: Ready-made clothing, not made to order.
- Example: She bought an off-the-peg dress for the party.
- Pegged to
- Meaning: Linked to something, often used in an economic context to describe a fixed exchange rate or price.
- Example: The currency is pegged to the dollar.
- To be a square peg in a round hole
- Meaning: A person or thing that does not fit into a particular environment or situation.
- Example: John felt like a square peg in a round hole at the new job.
- To peg someone as something
- Meaning: To perceive or regard someone in a certain way.
- Example: I pegged him as a reliable person.
These phrases will help enrich your English and give you a better understanding of how the word “peg” can be used in various contexts.