PHRASAL VERBS LIST

Phrasal verbs are usually two-word phrases consisting of verb + adverb or verb + preposition. Think of them as you would any other English vocabulary. Study them as you come across them, rather than trying to memorize many at once. Use the list below as a reference guide when you find an expression that you don't recognize. The examples will help you understand the meanings. If you think of each phrasal verb as a separate verb with a specific meaning, you will be able to remember it more easily. Like many other verbs, phrasal verbs often have more than one meaning. As well as learning their meanings, you need to learn how to use phrasal verbs properly. Some phrasal verbs require a direct object (someone/something), while others do not. Some phrasal verbs can be separated by the object, while others cannot. Review this phrasal verbs grammar from time to time so that you don't forget the rules! Verb ask someone out Meaning invite on a date ask many people the same question equal reverse support explode add air stop functioning (vehicle, machine) get upset Example Brian asked Judy out to dinner and a movie. I asked around but nobody has seen my wallet. Your purchases add up to $205.32. You'll have to back up your car so that I can get out. My wife backed me up over my decision to quit my job. The racing car blew up after it crashed into the fence. We have to blow 50 balloons up for the party. Our car broke down at the side of the highway in the snowstorm. The woman broke down when the police told her that her son had died. Our teacher broke the final project down into three separate parts. Somebody broke in last night and stole our stereo.

ask around add up to something back something up back someone up

blow up blow something up

break down

break down

break something down break in

divide into smaller parts force entry to a building

break into something break something in

enter forcibly wear something a few times so that it doesn't look/feel new interrupt end a relationship start laughing (informal) escape develop a skin condition make unhappy raise a child start talking about a subject vomit phone many different places/people return a phone call

The firemen had to break into the room to rescue the children. I need to break these shoes in before we run next week. The TV station broke in to report the news of the president's death. My boyfriend and I broke up before I moved to America. The kids just broke up as soon as the clown started talking. The prisoners broke out of jail when the guards weren't looking. I broke out in a rash after our camping trip. This sad music is bringing me down. My grandparents brought me up after my parents died. My mother walks out of the room when my father brings up sports. He drank so much that he brought his dinner up in the toilet. We called around but we weren't able to find the car part we needed. I called the company back but the offices were closed for the weekend. Jason called the wedding off because he wasn't in love with his fianc. The professor called on me for question 1. We called on you last night but you weren't home. Give me your phone number and I

break in break up break up break out break out in something bring someone down bring someone up bring something up bring something up call around

call someone back

call something off

cancel

call on someone call on someone call someone up

ask for an answer or opinion visit someone phone

will call you up when we are in town. relax after being angry You are still mad. You need to calm down before you drive the car. I don't care for his behaviour. You'll have to run faster than that if you want to catch up with Marty. We will get the hotel keys when we check in. You have to check out of the hotel before 11:00 AM. The company checks out all new employees. Check out the crazy hair on that guy! She cheered up when she heard the good news. I brought you some flowers to cheer you up. If everyone chips in we can get the kitchen painted by noon. Please clean up your bedroom before you go outside. I came across these old photos when I was tidying the closet. The top and bottom come apart if you pull hard enough. My nephew came down with chicken pox this weekend. The woman came forward with her husband's finger prints. The art of origami comes from Asia.

calm down not care for someone/something catch up check in check out check someone/something out check out someone/something cheer up cheer someone up

not like (formal) get to the same point as someone else arrive and register at a hotel or airport leave a hotel look at carefully, investigate look at (informal) become happier make happier help tidy, clean find unexpectedly separate become sick volunteer for a task or to give evidence originate in

chip in clean something up come across something come apart come down with something come forward come from somewhere

count on someone/something cross something out cut back on something cut something down

rely on draw a line through consume less make something fall to the ground interrupt pull in too closely in front of another vehicle start operating (of an engine or electrical device) remove with something sharp

I am counting on you to make dinner while I am out. Please cross out your old address and write your new one. My doctor wants me to cut back on sweets and fatty foods. We had to cut the old tree in our yard down after the storm. Your father cut in while I was dancing with your uncle. The bus driver got angry when that car cut in. The air conditioner cuts in when the temperature gets to 22C. The doctors cut off his leg because it was severely injured. The phone company cut off our phone because we didn't pay the bill. My grandparents cut my father off when he remarried. I cut this ad out of the newspaper. He's lucky to be alive. His shop was done over by a street gang. My teacher wants me to do my essay over because she doesn't like my topic. It's time to do away with all of these old tax records. Do your coat up before you go outside. It's snowing! It's a fancy restaurant so we have to dress up. Andrea dropped back to third

cut in cut in cut in cut something off

cut something off

stop providing

cut someone off cut something out do someone/something over do something over

take out of a will remove part of something (usually with scissors and paper) beat up, ransack (Br.E., informal)

do again (N.Amer.)

do away with something do something up dress up drop back

discard fasten, close wear nice clothing move back in a position/group

place when she fell off her bike. drop in/by/over drop someone/something off drop out eat out end up fall apart fall down fall out fall out come without an appointment take someone/something somewhere and leave them/it there quit a class, school etc eat at a restaurant eventually reach/do/decide break into pieces fall to the ground separate from an interior (of hair, teeth) become loose and unattached understand, find the answer to write information in blanks (Br.E.) to write information in blanks (N.Amer.) fill to the top discover I might drop in/by/over for tea sometime this week. I have to drop my sister off at work before I come over. I dropped out of Science because it was too difficult. I don't feel like cooking tonight. Let's eat out. We ended up renting a movie instead of going to the theatre. My new dress fell apart in the washing machine. The picture that you hung up last night fell down this morning. The money must have fallen out of my pocket. His hair started to fall out when he was only 35. I need to figure out how to fit the piano and the bookshelf in this room. Please fill in the form with your name, address, and phone number. The form must be filled out in capital letters. I always fill the water jug up when it is empty. We don't know where he lives. How can we find out? We tried to keep the time of the party a secret, but Samantha found it out. I tried to get my point across/over

figure something out

fill something in fill something out fill something up

find out

find something out get something

discover communicate, make

across/over get along/on

understandable like each other

to the judge but she wouldn't listen. I was surprised how well my new girlfriend and my sister got along/on. My grandfather can get around fine in his new wheelchair. We worked so hard this year that we had to get away for a week. Jason always gets away with cheating in his maths tests. We got back from our vacation last week. Liz finally got her Science notes back from my room-mate. My sister got back at me for stealing her shoes. She stole my favourite hat. I finally got back into my novel and finished it. We're going to freeze out here if you don't let us get on the bus. I just got over the flu and now my sister has it. The company will have to close if it can't get over the new regulations. I don't know when I am going to get round to writing the thank you cards. Let's get together for a BBQ this weekend. I got up early today to study for my exam. You should get up and give the elderly man your seat.

get around get away get away with something get back get something back

have mobility go on a vacation do without being noticed or punished return receive something you had before retaliate, take revenge become interested in something again step onto a vehicle recover from an illness, loss, difficulty overcome a problem

get back at someone

get back into something get on something get over something

get over something

get round to something

finally find time to do (N.Amer.: get around to something) meet (usually for social reasons) get out of bed stand

get together get up get up

give someone away give someone away give something away give something away give something back give in give something out give something up

reveal hidden information about someone take the bride to the altar ruin a secret give something to someone for free return a borrowed item reluctantly stop fighting or arguing give to many people (usually at no cost) quit a habit stop trying follow someone try to achieve something compete, oppose start, proceed return to a place leave home to go on a social event date review

His wife gave him away to the police. My father gave me away at my wedding. My little sister gave the surprise party away by accident. The library was giving away old books on Friday. I have to give these skates back to Franz before his hockey game. My boyfriend didn't want to go to the ballet, but he finally gave in. They were giving out free perfume samples at the department store. I am giving up smoking as of January 1st. My maths homework was too difficult so I gave up. My brother tried to go after the thief in his car. I went after my dream and now I am a published writer. We are going against the best soccer team in the city tonight. Please go ahead and eat before the food gets cold. I have to go back home and get my lunch. We're going out for dinner tonight. Jesse has been going out with Luke since they met last winter. Please go over your answers before you submit your test.

give up go after someone go after something go against someone

go ahead go back go out go out with someone go over something

go over

visit someone nearby

I haven't seen Tina for a long time. I think I'll go over for an hour or two. When I was young, we went without winter boots. My best friend and I grew apart after she changed schools. My roses grew back this summer. When Jack grows up he wants to be a fireman. Elizabeth needs a new pair of shoes because she has grown out of her old ones. This bike is too big for him now, but he should grow into it by next year. I handed my old comic books down to my little cousin. I have to hand in my essay by Friday. We will hand out the invitations at the door. The police asked the man to hand over his wallet and his weapons. Hang in there. I'm sure you'll find a job very soon. Hang on while I grab my coat and shoes! Instead of going to the party we are just going to hang out at my place. He didn't say goodbye before he hung up. I had to hold my dog back because there was a cat in the park. Jamie held back his tears at his

go without something grow apart grow back grow up

suffer lack or deprivation stop being friends over time regrow become an adult

grow out of something

get too big for

grow into something

grow big enough to fit give something used to someone else submit to distribute to a group of people give (usually unwillingly) stay positive (N.Amer., informal) wait a short time (informal) spend time relaxing (informal) end a phone call prevent from doing/going hide an emotion

hand something down hand something in hand something out hand something over

hang in hang on hang out hang up hold someone/something back hold something back

grandfather's funeral. hold on hold onto someone/something hold someone/somethingup keep on doing something keep something from someone keep someone/something out keep something up let someone down let someone in look after someone/something look down on someone look for someone/something look forward to something look into something wait a short time hold firmly using your hands or arms rob continue doing not tell stop from entering continue at the same rate fail to support or help, disappoint allow to enter take care of Please hold on while I transfer you to the Sales Department. Hold onto your hat because it's very windy outside. A man in a black mask held the bank up this morning. Keep on stirring until the liquid comes to a boil. We kept our relationship from our parents for two years. Try to keep the wet dog out of the living room. If you keep those results up you will get into a great college. I need you to be on time. Don't let me down this time. Can you let the cat in before you go to school? I have to look after my sick grandmother. Ever since we stole that chocolate bar your dad has looked down on me. I'm looking for a red dress for the wedding. I'm looking forward to the Christmas break. We are going to look into the price of snowboards today. Look out! That car's going to hit you! Don't forget to look out for snakes on the hiking trail.

think less of, consider inferior

try to find be excited about the future investigate be careful, vigilant, and take notice be especially vigilant for

look out look out for someone/something

look something over look something up look up to someone make something up

check, examine search and find information in a reference book or database have a lot of respect for invent, lie about something forgive each other apply cosmetics to confuse two or more things die faint give the same thing to many people decline (usually something good) return owed money be punished for doing something bad choose indicate with your finger put what you are holding on a surface or floor insult, make someone feel stupid

Can you look over my essay for spelling mistakes? We can look her phone number up on the Internet. My little sister has always looked up to me. Josie made up a story about why we were late. We were angry last night, but we made up at breakfast. My sisters made me up for my graduation party. I mixed up the twins' names again! His uncle passed away last night after a long illness. It was so hot in the church that an elderly lady passed out. The professor passed the textbooks out before class. I passed up the job because I am afraid of change. Thanks for buying my ticket. I'll pay you back on Friday. That bully will pay for being mean to my little brother. I picked out three sweaters for you to try on. I'll point my boyfriend out when he runs by. You can put the groceries down on the kitchen counter. The students put the substitute teacher down because his pants were too short.

make up make someone up mix something up pass away pass out pass something out pass something up pay someone back pay for something pick something out point someone/something out put something down

put someone down

put something off put something out put something together put up with someone/something put something on run into someone/something run over someone/something run over/through something

postpone extinguish assemble tolerate put clothing/accessories on your body meet unexpectedly drive a vehicle over a person or thing rehearse, review

We are putting off our trip until January because of the hurricane. The neighbours put the fire out before the firemen arrived. I have to put the crib together before the baby arrives. I don't think I can put up with three small children in the car. Don't forget to put on your new earrings for the party. I ran into an old school-friend at the mall. I accidentally ran over your bicycle in the driveway. Let's run over/through these lines one more time before the show. The child ran away from home and has been missing for three days. We ran out of shampoo so I had to wash my hair with soap. My letter got sent back to me because I used the wrong stamp. Our boss set a meeting up with the president of the company. The police set up the car thief by using a hidden camera. I want to shop around a little before I decide on these boots. He always shows off on his skateboard You should sleep over tonight if the weather is too bad to drive home. We need to sort the bills out

run away

leave unexpectedly, escape

run out send something back set something up set someone up shop around show off

have none left return (usually by mail) arrange, organize trick, trap compare prices act extra special for people watching (usually boastfully) stay somewhere for the night (informal) organize, resolve a problem

sleep over sort something out

before the first of the month. stick to something switch something off switch something on take after someone take something apart take something back take off take something off take something out take someone out tear something up think back continue doing something, limit yourself to one particular thing stop the energy flow, turn off start the energy flow, turn on resemble a family member purposely break into pieces return an item start to fly remove something (usually clothing) remove from a place or thing pay for someone to go somewhere with you rip into pieces remember (often + to, sometimes + on) consider You will lose weight if you stick to the diet. The light's too bright. Could you switch it off. We heard the news as soon as we switched on the car radio. I take after my mother. We are both impatient. He took the car brakes apart and found the problem. I have to take our new TV back because it doesn't work. My plane takes off in five minutes. Take off your socks and shoes and come in the lake! Can you take the garbage out to the street for me? My grandparents took us out for dinner and a movie. I tore up my ex-boyfriend's letters and gave them back to him. When I think back on my youth, I wish I had studied harder. I'll have to think this job offer over before I make my final decision. We threw our old furniture away when we won the lottery. Please turn the TV down while the guests are here. I turned the job down because I don't want to move. Your mother wants you to turn the

think something over

throw something away turn something down turn something down turn something off

dispose of decrease the volume or strength (heat, light etc) refuse stop the energy flow, switch off

TV off and come for dinner. turn something on turn something up start the energy, switch on increase the volume or strength (heat, light etc) appear suddenly It's too dark in here. Let's turn some lights on. Can you turn the music up? This is my favourite song. Our cat turned up after we put posters up all over the neighbourhood. I'm going to try these jeans on, but I don't think they will fit. I am going to try this new brand of detergent out. The kids used all of the toothpaste up so we need to buy some more. We have to wake up early for work on Monday. You can warm your feet up in front of the fireplace. I always warm up by doing sit-ups before I go for a run. Most of my make-up wore off before I got to the party. I work out at the gym three times a week. Our plan worked out fine. We have to work out the total cost before we buy the house.

turn up

try something on try something out use something up

sample clothing test finish the supply stop sleeping increase the temperature prepare body for exercise fade away exercise be successful make a calculation

wake up warm someone/something up warm up wear off work out work out work something out

Br.E.: British English; N.Amer.: North American

We often use verbs with these words:

on back off over in about out round up forward down through away along

We often use these words (particles) with verbs of movements. For example:
get on drive off came back turn round The bus was full. We couldn't get on. She got into the car and drove off. Tom is leaving tomorrow and coming back on Saturday. When I touched him on the shoulder, he turned round.

But often these words (on / off / up / down etc.) give a special (an idiomatic) meaning to a verb. For example:

Sorry I'm late. The car broke down. Look out! There's car coming. It was my first flight. I was very nervous as the plane took off. It was so tired this morning that I couldn't get up. How did you get on in your examination yesterday?

These multi-word verbs (break down / get up / get on etc.) are phrasal verbs. Sometimes a multi-word verb has an object. Usually there are two possible positions for the object (noun or pronoun): before the particle or after the particle. In general there are four types of multi-word verbs:

Type1: Verb + particle (no object) Intransitive Multi-Word Verbs Type2: Verb + particle + object Separable Multi-Word Verbs The object (noun or pronoun) can come between the verb and the particle. But if the object is a pronoun, it always comes between the verb and the particle. Type3: Verb + particle + object Inseparable Multi-Word Verbs (Transitive) The object (noun or pronoun) always comes after the particle. Type4: Verb + particle + particle Three-Word Phrasal Verbs (Transitive) Type 4 multi-word verbs are nearly always idiomatic. The object cannot change position. It cannot come before the particles, or between the particles.

Intransitive Phrasal Verbs

The following phrasal verbs are not followed by an object: "Once you leave home, you can never really go back again."
That old Jeep had a tendency to break down just when I needed it the most. Popular songs seem to catch on in California first and then spread eastward. Father promised that we would never come back to this horrible place. They tried to come in through the back door, but it was locked. He was hit on the head very hard, but after several minutes, he started to come to again. The children promised to come over, but they never do. We used to just drop by, but they were never home, so we stopped doing that. When we visited Paris, we loved eating out in the sidewalk cafes. Uncle Heine didn't have much money, but he always seemed to get by without borrowing money from relatives. Grandmother tried to get up, but the couch was too low, and she couldn't make it on her own. It's hard to imagine that we will ever go back to Lithuania. We would finish one Dickens novel and then just go on to the next. The cops heard all the noise and stopped to see what was going on. Charles grew up to be a lot like his father. The judge warned the stalker to keep away from his victim's home. He tried to keep on singing long after his voice was ruined. He had drunk too much; he passed out on the sidewalk outside the bar. Whenever he sat down at the piano, we knew he was going to show off. Day after day, Efrain showed up for class twenty minutes late.

I woke up when the rooster crowed.

Separable phrasal verbs

The object may come after the following phrasal verbs or it may separate the two parts: I turned off the light. I turned the light off. You have to do this paint job over. When the object of the following phrasal verb is a pronoun (it / them / me / you / him / her / us), the two parts of the phrasal verb must be separated: I turned it off.
The terrorists tried to blow up the railroad station. The matter brought up at the committee. They called off this afternoon's meeting. Do this homework over. Fill out this application form and mail it in. She filled up the grocery cart with free food. My sister found out that her husband had been planning a surprise party for her. The filling station was giving away free gas. My brother borrowed my car. I have a feeling he's not about to give it back. The students handed in their papers and left the room. She hung up the phone before she hung up her clothes. I hate to hold up the meeting, but I have to go to the bathroom. Three masked gunmen held up the Security Bank this afternoon. You left out the part about the police chase down Asylum Avenue. The lawyers looked over the papers carefully before questioning the witness. They looked them over carefully.

You've misspelled this word again. You'd better look it up. She knew she was in trouble, so she made up a story about going to the movies with her friends. He was so far away, we really couldn't make out what he was saying. There were three men in the line-up. She picked out the guy she thought had stolen her purse. The crane picked up the entire house. Watch them pick it up As we drove through Paris, Francoise pointed out the major historical sites. We put away money for our retirement. She put away the cereal boxes. We asked the boss to put off the meeting until tomorrow. (Please put it off for another day.) I put on a sweater and a jacket. (I put them on quickly.) The firefighters put out the house fire before it could spread. (They put it out quickly.) I read over the homework, but couldn't make any sense of it . My wife set up the living room exactly the way she wanted it. She set it up. These are your instructions. Take them down before you forget. It was so hot that I had to take off my shirt. We have serious problems here. Let's talk them over like adults. That's a lot of money! Don't just throw it away. She tried on fifteen dresses before she found one she liked. I tried out four cars before I could find one that pleased me. Your radio is driving me crazy! Please turn itdown. He applied for a promotion twice this year, but he was turned down both times. Grandpa couldn't hear, so he turned up his hearing aid. We turned off the lights before anyone could see us.

It was a disgusting movie. It really turned me off. Turn on the CD player so we can dance. The gang members used up all the money and went out to rob some more banks.

Inseparable Phrasal Verbs (Transitive)

With the following phrasal verbs, the lexical part of the verb (the part of the phrasal verb that carries the "verb-meaning") cannot be separated from the prepositions (or other parts) that accompany it: "Who will look after my estate when I'm gone?"
The teacher called on students in the back row. The old minister continued to call on his sick parishioners. I got over the flu, but I don't know if I'll ever get over my broken heart. The students went over the material before the exam. They should have gone over it twice. They country went through most of its coal reserves in one year. Did he go through all his money already? My mother promised to look after my dog while I was gone. The police will look into the possibilities of embezzlement. I ran across my old roommate at the college reunion. Carlos ran into his English professor in the hallway. My second son seems to take after his mother. It seemed strange to see my old boss wait on tables.

Three-Word Phrasal Verbs (Transitive)

With the following phrasal verbs, you will find three parts: "My brother dropped out of school before he could graduate."
I was talking to Mom on the phone when the operator broke in on our call.

After our month-long trip, it was time to catch up with the neighbors and the news around town. I was talking to Mom on the phone when the operator broke in on our call. The boys promised to check up on the conditions of the summer house from time to time. After years of giving nothing, the old parishioner was able to come up with a thousand-dollar donation. We tried to cut down on the money we were spending on entertainment. I hope none of my students drop out of school this semester. I found it very hard to get along with my brother when we were young. Janik cheated on the exam and then tried to get away with it. The citizens tried to get rid of their corrupt mayor in the recent election. When will you ever get through with that program? It's hard to keep up with the Joneses when you lose your job! I always look forward to the beginning of a new semester. It's typical of a jingoistic country that the citizens look down on their geographical neighbors. We were going to look in on my brother-in-low, but he wasn't home. Good instructors will look out for early signs of failure in their students. First-graders really look up to their teachers. Make sure of the student's identity before you let him into the classroom. The teacher had to put up with a great deal of nonsense from new students. The runners ran out of energy before the end of the race. My oldest sister took care of us younger children after Mom died. The star player talked back to the coach and was thrown off the team. I often think back on my childhood with great pleasure.

Her husband walked out on her and their three children.

Phrasal Verbs: One Verb After Another (under construction)

Phrasal Verb: Look

Are you still looking [about] for a job? Who will look after the baby. Look at this picture, please. He looks at work in a different way now he's in charge. They look carefully at a problem. Look at Mrs Jones; drink killed her. Something you were looking for, but you can't find it, and you can't remember what it was. So I'll tell you. It's the monitor you're looking for, and it isn't there. I'll look in and see you next week. Look out! There is a car coming. I half-expected Candy to open my door and look out to see what the fracas was, but the door stayed firmly closed. If you don't know the word look it up in the dictionary.

Phrasal Verb: Put

Close the books and put them aside. I'll just put the car away. Take your notebooks and put down all the words that are on the board. Mr. Gough put off his trip to London until next month. She put her hat and coat on.

She put the light [the fire] out. I can't put up with your rudeness anymore; leave the room.

Phrasal Verb: Come

I came across this book in a little store. I want you come along (with us), or you'll miss the bus. Come back here. I want to talk to you. The button has come off my coat. Come on or will be late.

Phrasal Verb: Get

They do get along (well) together. I am getting off at the next station (stop). How do you get on? It was too hard for her to get over that illness. Let's get together. If he gets up early, he'll come on time.

Phrasal Verb: Find

She's unpleasant. She always finds fault with people. He found himself after graduating the University. You can't trust him until you find everything out.

Phrasal Verb: Run

Yesterday I ran into my friend whom I haven't seen since we left school. Why are you so upset? - My kitten was run over by a car. I'll have to go to the baker's as we've run out of bread.

Phrasal Verb: Give

They gave away their food for free. He has given in to my views. Give out the textbooks. He had to give up studying because of poor health. You should give up smoking.

Phrasal Verb: Go
I don't go in for sport. The light went off and the film began. Go on with your work. You may take this book. I can easily go without it for a month.

Phrasal Verb: Turn

Turn that radio down at once. My umbrella turned inside out. When leaving, don't forgot to turn off the stove. She turns on her charm whenever she wants anything. You'll have to turn up tomorrow. It's very important for us.

Separable Phrasal Verbs

The object may come after the following phrasal verbs or it may separate the two parts: You have to do this paint job over. You have to do over this paint job. When the object of the following phrasal verbs is a pronoun, the two parts of the phrasal verb must be separated: You have to do it over. Verb blow up bring up bring up call off do over fill out fill up find out give away give back hand in hang up hold up Meaning explode mention a topic raise children cancel repeat a job complete a form fill to capacity discover give something to someone else for free return an object submit something (assignment) put something on hook or receiver delay Example The terrorists tried to blow up the railroad station. My mother brought up that little matter of my prison record again. It isn't easy to bring up children nowadays. They called off this afternoon's meeting Do this homework over. Fill out this application form and mail it in. She filled up the grocery cart with free food. My sister found out that her husband had been planning a surprise party for her. The filling station was giving away free gas. My brother borrowed my car. I have a feeling he's not about to give it back. The students handed in their papers and left the room. She hung up the phone before she hung up her clothes. I hate to hold up the meeting, but I have to go to the bathroom.

hold up (2) leave out look over look up make up make out pick out pick up point out put away put off put on put out read over set up take

rob omit

Three masked gunmen held up the Security Bank this afternoon. You left out the part about the police chase down Asylum Avenue. The lawyers looked over the papers carefully before questioning the witness. (They looked them over carefully.) You've misspelled this word again. You'd better look it up. She knew she was in trouble, so she made up a story about going to the movies with her friends. He was so far away, we really couldn't make out what he was saying. There were three men in the line-up. She picked out the guy she thought had stolen her purse. The crane picked up the entire house. (Watch them pick it up.) As we drove through Paris, Francoise pointed out the major historical sites. We put away money for our retirement. She put away the cereal boxes. We asked the boss to put off the meeting until tomorrow. (Please put it off for another day.) I put on a sweater and a jacket. (I put them on quickly.) The firefighters put out the house fire before it could spread. (They put it out quickly.) I read over the homework, but couldn't make any sense of it. My wife set up the living room exactly the way she wanted it. She set it up. These are your instructions. Write them down before

examine, check

search in a list invent a story or lie hear, understand choose lift something off something else call attention to save or store postpone put clothing on the body extinguish peruse to arrange, begin make a written note

down take off talk over throw away try on try out turn down turn down (2) turn up turn off turn off (2) turn on use up remove clothing discuss discard put clothing on to see if it fits test lower volume

you forget. It was so hot that I had to take off my shirt. We have serious problems here. Let's talk them over like adults. That's a lot of money! Don't just throw it away. She tried on fifteen dresses before she found one she liked. I tried out four cars before I could find one that pleased me. Your radio is driving me crazy! Please turn it down. He applied for a promotion twice this year, but he was turned down both times. Grandpa couldn't hear, so he turned up his hearing aid. We turned off the lights before anyone could see us. It was a disgusting movie. It really turned me off. Turn on the CD player so we can dance. The gang members used up all the money and went out to rob some more banks.

reject

raise the volume switch off electricity repulse switch on the electricity exhaust, use completely

Inseparable Phrasal Verbs (Transitive)

With the following phrasal verbs, the lexical part of the verb (the part of the phrasal verb that carries the "verb-meaning") cannot be separated from the prepositions (or other parts) that accompany it: "Who will look after my estate when I'm gone?" Verb Meaning Example

call on call on (2) get over go over go through look after look into run across run into take after wait on

ask to recite in class visit recover from sickness or disappointment review

The teacher called on students in the back row. The old minister continued to call on his sick parishioners. I got over the flu, but I don't know if I'll ever get over my broken heart. The students went over the material before the exam. They should have gone over it twice. They country went through most of its coal reserves in one year. Did he go through all his money already? My mother promised to look after my dog while I was gone. The police will look into the possibilities of embezzlement. I ran across my old roommate at the college reunion. Carlos ran into his English professor in the hallway. My second son seems to take after his mother. It seemed strange to see my old boss wait on tables.

use up; consume

take care of investigate find by chance meet resemble serve

Three-Word Phrasal Verbs (Transitive)

With the following phrasal verbs, you will find three parts: "My brother dropped out of school before he could graduate." Verb break in on catch up with Meaning interrupt (a conversation) keep abreast Example I was talking to Mom on the phone when the operator broke in on our call. After our month-long trip, it was time to catch up with the neighbors and the news around town.

check up on come up with cut down on drop out of get along with get away with get rid of get through with keep up with look forward to look down on look in on look out for look up to make sure of put up with

examine, investigate to contribute (suggestion, money) curtail (expenses) leave school have a good relationship with escape blame eliminate finish maintain pace with anticipate with pleasure despise visit (somebody) be careful, anticipate respect verify tolerate

The boys promised to check up on the condition of the summer house from time to time. After years of giving nothing, the old parishioner was able to come up with a thousand-dollar donation. We tried to cut down on the money we were spending on entertainment. I hope none of my students drop out of school this semester. I found it very hard to get along with my brother when we were young. Janik cheated on the exam and then tried to get away with it. The citizens tried to get rid of their corrupt mayor in the recent election. When will you ever get through with that program? It's hard to keep up with the Joneses when you lose your job! I always look forward to the beginning of a new semester. It's typical of a jingoistic country that the citizens look down on their geographical neighbors. We were going to look in on my brother-in-law, but he wasn't home. Good instructors will look out for early signs of failure in their students First-graders really look up to their teachers. Make sure of the student's identity before you let him into the classroom. The teacher had to put up with a great deal of nonsense from the new students.

run out of take care of talk back to think back on walk out on

exhaust supply be responsible for answer impolitely recall abandon

The runners ran out of energy before the end of the race. My oldest sister took care of us younger children after Mom died. The star player talked back to the coach and was thrown off the team. I often think back on my childhood with great pleasure. Her husband walked out on her and their three children.

Intransitive Phrasal Verbs

The following phrasal verbs are not followed by an object: "Once you leave home, you can never really go back again." Verb break down catch on come back come in come to come over drop by eat out Meaning stop functioning become popular return to a place enter regain consciousness to visit visit without appointment dine in a restaurant Example That old Jeep had a tendency to break down just when I needed it the most. Popular songs seem to catch on in California first and then spread eastward. Father promised that we would never come back to this horrible place. They tried to come in through the back door, but it was locked. He was hit on the head very hard, but after several minutes, he started to come to again. The children promised to come over, but they never do. We used to just drop by, but they were never home, so we stopped doing that. When we visited Paris, we loved eating out in the sidewalk cafes.

get by

survive

Uncle Heine didn't have much money, but he always seemed to get by without borrowing money from relatives. Grandmother tried to get up, but the couch was too low, and she couldn't make it on her own. It's hard to imagine that we will ever go back to Lithuania. He would finish one Dickens novel and then just go on to the next. The cops heard all the noise and stopped to see what was going on. Charles grew up to be a lot like his father. The judge warned the stalker to keep away from his victim's home. He tried to keep on singing long after his voice was ruined. He had drunk too much; he passed out on the sidewalk outside the bar. Whenever he sat down at the piano, we knew he was going to show off. Day after day, Efrain showed up for class twenty minutes late. I woke up when the rooster crowed

get up go back go on go on (2) grow up keep away keep on (with gerund) pass out

arise return to a place continue happen get older remain at a distance continue with the same lose consciousness, faint demonstrate haughtily arrive arouse from sleep

show off show up wake up