Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

To leave a course, school, or program before finishing it.

💡 Often implies a significant life decision; more specific than 'quit' because it’s tied to education/training.

To arrange for a child to be adopted by another family.

💡 Formal, specific collocation used in legal/family contexts; not the same as 'give away' (which can sound harsh).

To develop well or end successfully (often after uncertainty).

💡 Common in reflective storytelling; frequently used with 'trust that' to show optimism under risk.

To attend or visit informally, often without being officially enrolled or invited.

💡 Here it’s academic ('drop in on a class'); different from 'drop by' (social visit).

To slowly start to realize or understand something.

💡 A classic insight phrase used for gradual realization; stronger than 'start to think' because it implies clarity arriving.

To begin again from the beginning after a failure or major change.

💡 Often used after setbacks; emphasizes renewal rather than minor adjustment ('start again').

To gradually disappear or lose importance.

💡 Often used in philosophical writing/speaking; suggests stripping down to essentials.

To make it hard to hear or notice something by being louder/stronger.

💡 Frequently metaphorical (opinions/noise/emotions); stronger than 'ignore' because it highlights overwhelming interference.