cram for (something)
To study for a test shortly before it is to happen. You might have gotten a higher grade if you didn't cram for that exam at the last minute. It stresses me out to cram for an exam, so I start studying weeks in advance. You know how people get good grades? Because, unlike you, they don't cram for tests the night before!
cram for a/the test
To study for a test shortly before it is scheduled to take place. You might have gotten a higher grade if you didn't cram for the test at the last minute. It stresses me out to cram for a test, so I start studying weeks in advance. You know how people get good grades? Because, unlike you, they don't cram for tests the night before!
cram for an/the exam
To study for a test shortly before it is scheduled to take place. You might have gotten a higher grade if you didn't cram for the exam at the last minute. It stresses me out to cram for an exam, so I start studying weeks in advance. You know how people get good grades? Because, unlike you, they don't cram for exams the night before!
cram in
1. To shove someone or something into something else (which often cannot contain or accommodate it). A noun or pronoun can be used between "cram" and "in." I tried to cram in another jacket, but it just wouldn't fit in my suitcase. Come on, we can cram you in too—make room, kids! That bookshelf is so stuffed, you couldn't cram in a piece of looseleaf paper—but good luck squeezing in more books!
2. By extension, to force one to retain some information, especially large amount over a short space of time. A noun or pronoun can be used between "cram" and "in." I've been trying to cram this last chapter in for an hour, but my brain is totally fried. Don't just cram in these formulas, or you'll never remember them after the test. You know how people get good grades? Because, unlike you, they don't cram all the information in the night before the exam!
cram into (something)
To shove something into something else (which often cannot contain or accommodate it). A noun or pronoun can be used between "cram" and "into." I tried to cram a jacket into my suitcase, but it just wouldn't fit. We were thrilled to reach our destination after being crammed into a tiny car with each other for hours. You couldn't cram a piece of looseleaf paper into that bookshelf, it's so stuffed—but good luck squeezing in more books!
cram together
1. To put two or more things into something, especially in a forceful or haphazard manner. A noun or pronoun can be used between "cram" and "together." Don't just cram all these things together in the box like that—you'll break something! He crammed together all of the cleaning supplies into a box under the sink. Don't let David pack up the mugs and plates and things—he'll just cram them all together, and they'll reach our new home in a million pieces.
2. To connect, construct, or assemble something very hastily, carelessly, or forcefully. A noun or pronoun can be used between "cram" and "together." No matter how hard I crammed together the two parts, they wouldn't connect the way they were supposed to. She decided to cram the pieces back together with some super glue and hope for the best. Hey, be careful with those delicate pieces! You can't just cram them together like that!
3. To cause or direct two or more people to be very close together inside of something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "cram" and "together." They crammed about 50 of us together in a cramped conference room with no air conditioning for the two-hour-long meeting. We somehow managed to cram together the entire team onto that tiny bus. I don't know how the camp counselors managed to cram together so many people in one van, but, needless to say, we were thrilled to reach our destination.
4. To schedule many things to happen within a relatively short period of time. A noun or pronoun can be used between "cram" and "together." They crammed together 20 different musical acts over the course of the festival. I usually don't like cramming so many activities together like that, but I only had two weeks, and I didn't know when I would have the opportunity to visit Japan again. Wait, she leaves town on Thursday? OK, then we have to cram together a lot of meetings in three days.
cram with (someone or something)
To fill something with more than it can reasonably hold or accommodate. A noun or pronoun can be used between "cram" and "with." Because this room is just totally crammed with people, we're moving everyone into the auditorium. I had crammed my suitcase with so much stuff that I couldn't get it to close. Guys, you can't cram the rack with so many coats or it's gonna fall over.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.