Re: Annoying use of prepositions

In article <47f68912$0$4789$4fafbaef@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
ADPUF  <flyhunter@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> 19:09, venerdì 4 aprile 2008, Bob Cunningham:
> > martin_pentreath@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 said:
> > 
> >> The same with heading "up" a team.
> > 
> > I agree.  "Heading a team" seems to mean exactly the same as
> > "heading up a team".
> > 
> > But why does "slow down" mean the same as "slow up", while
> > "speed up" is heard, but not "speed down"?
> 
> 
> "Stand up" and "sit down" are the first words I learnt attending
> English lessons at school, ages ago in the last century.
> 
> According to my old dictionary there are also "stand down" and
> "sit up".
> 
> Are they really used?

Yes, "stand down" can be used in the sense of releasing someone from
a state of readiness to serve (e.g. military, fire service, etc.).

"Sit up" usually means to move from a slouch or sitting at ease to
being more erect and attentive.

Cheers
Tony
-- 
Tony Mountifield
Work: tony@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 - http://www.softins.co.uk
Play: tony@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 - http://tony.mountifield.org