forget

Universal Words events / facts 1 ~ (about) sth (not usually used in the progressive tenses) to be unable to remember sth that has happened in the past or information that you knew in the past: [V] I'd completely forgotten about the money he owed me. * Before I forget, there was a call from Italy for you. * [VN] I never forget a face. * Who could forget his speech at last year's party? * [V(that)] She keeps forgetting (that) I'm not a child any more. * I was forgetting (= I had forgotten) (that) you've been here before. * [Vwh-] I've forgotten where they live exactly. * I forget how much they paid for it. * [V-ing] I'll never forget hearing this piece of music for the first time. * [VNthat] It should not be forgotten that people used to get much more exercise. [also VN-ing] to do sth 2 ~ (about) sth to not remember to do sth that you ought to do, or to bring or buy sth that you ought to bring or buy: [V] 'Why weren't you at the meeting?' 'Sorry-I forgot.' * [Vtoinf] Take care, and don't forget to write. * I forgot to ask him for his address. * [VN] I forgot my purse (= I did not remember to bring it). * 'Hey, don't forget me (= don't leave without me)!' * Aren't you forgetting something? (= I think you have forgotten to do sth) HELPNOTE You cannot use forget if you want to mention the place where you have left something: I've left my book at home. * _I_'_v_e_ _f_o_r_g_o_t_t_e_n_ _m_y_ _b_o_o_k_ _a_t_ _h_o_m_e_. stop thinking about sth 3 ~ (about) sb/sth to deliberately stop thinking about sb/sth: [V] Try to forget about what happened. * Could you possibly forget about work for five minutes? * [VN] Forget him! * Let's forget our differences and be friends. * [V(that)] Forget (that) I said anything! 4 ~ (about) sth to stop thinking that sth is a possibility: [V] If I lose this job, we can forget about buying a new car. * [VN] 'I was hoping you might be able to lend me the money.' 'You can forget that!' yourself 5 [VN] ~ yourself to behave in a way that is not socially acceptable: I'm forgetting myself. I haven't offered you a drink yet! IDIOMS forget it (spoken) 1 used to tell sb that sth is not important and that they should not worry about it: 'I still owe you for lunch yesterday.' 'Forget it.' 2 used to tell sb that you are not going to repeat what you said: 'Now, what were you saying about John?' 'Forget it, it doesn't matter.' 3 used to emphasize that you are saying 'no' to sth: 'Any chance of you helping out here?' 'Forget it, I've got too much to do.' 4 used to tell sb to stop talking about sth because they are annoying you: Just forget it, will you! not forgetting... (BrE) used to include sth in the list of things that you have just mentioned: I share the house with Jim, Ian and Sam, not forgetting Spike, the dog. moreatFORGIVE