What Does “Prise sth from sb” Mean?
“Prise sth from sb” means to carefully or forcefully take something away from someone, often with difficulty.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “Prise sth from sb” is commonly used in English to describe the act of extracting or taking something from another person, usually by effort or persuasion. The phrase often implies that the object is not given willingly and may require some force or skill to obtain. Understanding the “Prise sth from sb” meaning helps learners use it correctly in various contexts, such as conversations about retrieving objects, information, or even secrets. This guide will explain how to use this phrasal verb clearly, with examples and common mistakes to avoid.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Prise something from somebody
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To forcefully or carefully take something from someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Prise sth from sb” is a transitive and separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (something) between the verb “prise” and the preposition “from,” or after the preposition.
- Prise something from somebody
- Prise it from somebody
Examples:
- She prised the key from his hand.
- He managed to prise it from the locked drawer.
How to Use Prise sth from sb?
Use “Prise sth from sb” when you want to describe taking something that is held tightly or unwillingly by another person. It often implies some effort or careful action, not just casually receiving something.
It is commonly used with physical objects but can also apply to information or secrets.
Examples
Imagine trying to get a pen from a friend who is holding it tightly. You might say:
- She prised the pen from his fingers after a short struggle.
- They prised the truth from the witness during the interview.
- The child prised the toy from his brother’s grasp.
- He managed to prise the documents from the locked cabinet.
- It took some effort to prise the answer from her.
These examples show how “Prise sth from sb” can be used in sentences.
Common Mistakes
It’s easy to confuse “prise” with “prize” or misuse the structure.
- Incorrect: She prised from him the keys.
- Correct: She prised the keys from him.
- Incorrect: He prised the answer to me.
- Correct: He prised the answer from me.
Remember, the correct pattern is “prise something from somebody.”
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include:
- Take from: More general, does not imply effort or difficulty.
- Wrest from: Suggests a violent or forceful taking.
- Extract from: Often used for information or data, not physical objects.
“Prise sth from sb” specifically suggests careful or forceful removal, often with some skill or effort.
Common Collocations
We often use “prise” with objects that are held tightly or hidden:
- Key – a small object often hard to get
- Information – secrets or facts extracted carefully
- Pen – a small item held tightly
- Truth – something difficult to get from someone
- Documents – papers or files kept secure
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of prise sth from sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “Prise sth from sb”:
Anna: I couldn’t get the phone from Tom. He was holding it so tightly.
Ben: Did you try to prise it from him?
Anna: Yes, finally I prised it from his hand after a little struggle.
Practice
Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of the phrasal verb:
- She managed to __________ the map __________ her brother.
- It was hard to __________ the truth __________ the suspect.
- He tried to __________ the keys __________ the locked drawer.
FAQ
- Q: Is “prise” the same as “prize”?
A: No, “prise” means to forcefully take something, while “prize” is a reward. - Q: Can “prise sth from sb” be used for information?
A: Yes, it can be used to describe obtaining information carefully or with effort. - Q: Is it separable? Can I say “prise it from him”?
A: Yes, the phrasal verb is separable. - Q: What level of English is this phrasal verb?
A: It is generally used at the B2 (upper-intermediate) level. - Q: Can “prise” be used without “from”?
A: No, it always requires “from” to show the source.
