cram

To study very hard shortly before a test, trying to learn a lot quickly.

• I need to cram tonight.
• She crammed for her final exam.
• Are you still cramming for tomorrow’s test?

How to use it: cram for something (We crammed for the history test all weekend.)

Similar words: swot

Common phrases: cram for exams, cram all night, cram for something

To push things or people into a space that is too small for them.

• Don’t cram everything into one bag.
• We crammed into the last train.
• He was cramming books onto a narrow shelf.

How to use it: cram something into something (She crammed all her clothes into one bag.); cram into something (Twenty people crammed into the tiny lift.)

Similar words: stuff, squeeze, jam

Common phrases: cram something in, cram into something, cram something into, cram something with

To fill yourself or someone else with more food than is needed.

• He crammed himself with cake.
• Don’t cram yourself with biscuits before dinner.
• She had crammed the children with food before their journey.

How to use it: cram oneself with something (The children crammed themselves with sweets.)

Similar words: stuff, overfeed

Common phrases: cram yourself with, cram with food, cram food down