English Phrasal Verbs

Alphabetical lists of English phrasal verbs with meaning and

examples.
What is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb is a verb followed by a preposition or an adverb; the combination
creates a
meaning different from the original verb alone.
Example :
To get = to obtain
I need to get a new battery for my camera.
To get together = to Why dont we all get together for lunch one
meet
day?
Phrasal verbs are part of a large group of verbs called multi-part or "multiword verbs.
The preposition or adverb that follows the verb is sometimes called a particle.
Phrasal verbs and other multi-word verbs are an important part of the English
language.
However, they are mainly used in spoken English and informal texts. They
should be
avoided in academic writing where it is preferable to use a formal verb such as
to postpone
rather than to put off.
Transitive and intransitive phrasal verbs :
Some phrasal verbs are transitive. (A transitive verb always has an object.)
Example : I made up an excuse. ('Excuse' is the object of the verb.)
Some phrasal verbs are intransitive . (An intransitive verb does not have an object.)
Example : My car broke down.
Separable or inseparable phrasal verbs :
Some transitive phrasal verbs are separable. (The object is between the verb and the
preposition.)

Example : I looked the word up in the dictionary.

Some transitive phrasal verbs are inseparable. (The object is placed after the
preposition.)

Example : I will look into the matter as soon as possible.

Some transitive phrasal verbs can take an object in both places.
Example : I picked up the book.
I picked the book up.
However, if the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the
preposition.
Example : I picked it up.

A phrasal verb is a verb followed by a preposition or an adverb;

the combination creates a meaning different from the original verb.
Below you will find a list of phrasal verbs in alphabetical order
with their meaning and an example of use.

Phrasal verbs - Alphabetical List - A

Phrasal
Verb

Meaning

Respect or obey
abide by (the law, a
decision, a rule)
account Explain; give a
reason
for
Want something
ache for or someone very
much.
Take action as a
result of
act on
something
Demonstrate
something with
act out
gestures
and actions.
Cause pain or
annoyance by
act up
functioning
badly
Make
add up sense; seem
reasonable
Support; follow;
adhere
act in
to
accordance with
advise
against
agree
with
aim at

Example
If you want to stay at this
school, you must abide
by the rules.
I hope you can account
for the money you spent!
He was so lonely he ached
for the sound of a human
voice.
The police acted on the call
they received.
They acted out the scene in
the classroom.

Dad's poor knee is acting

up again.
Her story just doesn't add
up.
All contestants must adhere
to the rules.

The
Recommend not
doctor advised him against
doing something
carrying heavy loads.
Have the same
I agree with you. I think she
opinion as
deserves the award too.
someone else
Direct towards a The policeman aimed his
target
gun at the hijacker.

Take into
consideration;
allow for
Include in a
calculation

You'd better leave early

to allow for heavy traffic.

1) The total cost amounts

to 1200.
amount Reach; be
equivalent to
2) His statement amounted
to
to a confession.
Show from a
The documentary
angle at particular point was angled at young
of view.
viewers.
Try to obtain
I suspect Tom's angling
angle for something by
for a free ticket.
hinting.
Don't answer back your
answer
Reply rudely
mother!
back
1) Be
responsible for 1) Normally parents have
something.
to answer for their
answer
children's behaviour.
for
2) Speak on
2) I agree, but I can't answer
behalf of
for my associate.
someone.
Be responsible
Who do you answer to in
answer
to/be controlled
your job?
to
by (someone)
1)Plead or make
an earnest
1) The organizers appealed
request.
to the crowd to stay calm.
appeal to
2) Camping doesn't appeal
2) Be attractive to me.
or interesting.
Make a formal
request for
He applied for the job
apply for something
advertised.
(job, permit,
loan, etc.)
Reach
It is hoped that they
(an agreement,
will arrive at an agreement
arrive at
a decision, a
at the end of the meeting..
conclusion)
Enquire about
My mother is always asking
ask after someone's wellafter you.
being.

ask
around

Mention it to
people you see
or meet.

I'll ask around and see if

anyone has seen your cat.

I couldn't leave her standing

outside in the cold so
I asked her in.
Invite someone John
ask out to lunch, dinner, has asked Mary out several
the cinema ...
times.
When the company is
Take advantage
avail
privatized, you should avail
(oneself) of something
yourself of the opportunity
of
(an opportunity)
and buy some shares.
Result in an
The price of lunch averages
average
average
out at 10 per person.
out at
(amount)
ask in

Invite someone
to come inside.

Phrasal verbs - Alphabetical List - B

Phrasal
Verb

Meaning

back away

Move backwards,
in fear or dislike

back down

Withdraw;
concede defeat.

back off

Retreat, abandon
an intention.

back out

Withdraw from an
agreement.
1) Give support or
encouragement

back up

bail out

2) make a copy of
(file, program...)
1) Pay money to
secure someone's
release
2) Rescue from
financial

Example
When he saw the dog,
he backed away.
Local
authorities backed
down on their plans to
demolish the cinema.
The thugs backed
of when they saw the
police.
We made a deal. You
can't back out now!
1) If I tell the boss we've
got too much work,
will you back me up?
2) It is recommended
to back up all files.
1) When he was
arrested, his family
refused
to bail him out.
2) The
government bailed

band
together

difficulties

out the bank.

Unite in a group.

Consumers banded
together to protest
against the measures.

Base your hopes

Don't forget the date.
on
I'm banking on your
bank on
something/someon
help.
e.
The interview was more
Expect; be
difficult than he had
bargain for
prepared for.
bargained for.
The other witnesses
Confirm
will bear out my
bear out
testimony.
Please bear with me
please while I finish my
bear with Be patient.
explanation.
He beefed up his
Improve or make
presentation with
beef up
more substantial
diagrams and statistics.
Faint; lose
When he fell off the
black out
consciousness
horse, he blacked out.
The area was blocked
Separate using a
of during the
block off
barrier.
demonstration.
1) The terrorists said the
1) Explode.
bomb would blow
up at 9 o'clock.
blow up
2) Be destroyed by 2) The car blew up but
an explosion.
luckily there was
nobody in it.
The problem boils
boil down
Be summarized as down to a lack of
to
money.
Start a computer
Just give me a few
by loading an
minutes to boot up the
boot up
operating system
computer.
or program.
Escape from
A few horses broke
break
captivity.
away from the paddock.
away
1) Go out of order, 1) John's car broke
break
down
cease to function. down on the way to the
airport.

break into

break off

break out
break out
of
break up

bring off

bring up

brush up
on

bump into
burn out

2) The parents broke

2) Lose control of
down when they
one's emotions.
heard the bad news.
The burglars broke
Enter by force.
into the house around
midnight.
1) It was decided
1) Stop,
to break of diplomatic
discontinue
relations with that
country.
2) Stop speaking 2) She broke of in the
middle of a sentence.
Rioting broke out as a
Start suddenly.
result of the strike.
Escape from a
Three prisoners broke
place by force.
out of jail.
After her
Come to an end
marriage broke up,
(marriage,
Emma went to live in
relationship...)
London.
You pretended to be a
journalist and he
Succeed in doing
believed you?
something difficult
I never thought
you'd bring that of!
1) She stopped working
in order to bring up
1) Raise (a child).
her children.
2) His friends knew he
2) Mention
had lost his job but
something.
they decided not
to bring up the subject.
Mary decided to brush
Improve, refresh
up on her Spanish
one's knowledge
before going to Southof something.
America.
Pedro bumped into his
Meet by accident
English teacher at the
or unexpectedly.
supermarket.
1) Stop
1) The fuse has burnt
(something)
out.
working
2) Tom
will burn himself out if
2) Become
he doesn't

exhausted from
overworking
Interrupt
butt in (on)
impolitely.

slow down.
It's rude to butt in on a
conversation.

Phrasal verbs - Alphabetical List - C

Phrasal
Verb

Meaning

I'll call you back as soon

as possible.
The meeting was called
Cancel
call off
of because of the strike.
I now call upon the
Formally invite or
call
President to address the
request.
on/upon
assembly.
Become more
He was angry at first, but
he eventually calmed
calm down relaxed or less
angry/upset.
down.
He carried on gardening
Continue.
carry on
in spite of the rain.
1) Do something
as specified
1) The plan was carried
(plan, order,
out to perfection.
2) Tests are carried
carry out threat...)
2) Perform or
out to determine the
conduct (test,
efficiency of a new drug.
experiment ...)
As regards holidays, can
Postpone until
we carry over days from
carry over
later.
one year to the next?
Acquire
I must call by mother
catch up
information you to catch up on the latest
on
have missed.
family events.
I've missed some classes
Reach the same
so I'll have to work hard
catch up
stage as
to catch up with the
with
someone else.
others.
For security reasons, you
Register at a
have to check in two
check in
hotel or airport.
hours before your flight.
check out 1) Pay one's bill 1) Is Mr. Bush still at the
call back

Return a phone
call

Example

and leave (a
hotel)

cheer up

chip in

clam up
clamp
down on
close
down

2) Investigate or
verify.
Put someone in a
better mood.
Contribute to, or
participate in,
something done
by a group.
Refuse to speak.
Act strictly to
prevent
something.
Stop operating
(company,
restaurant,
cinema ...)
1) Find by
chance.

come
across

2) Appear, seem,
make an
impression.

come
down with

Become ill
with ...

come
forward

Present oneself;
volunteer

come up
against
come up
with
conk out

Be faced with or
opposed by.
Produce an idea
or plan.
1) Stop working.
2) Stop or fall
asleep (from

hotel? No, he checked

out this morning.
2) I don't know if the
address is still valid.
I'll check it out.
I told her a joke to try
and cheer her up.
Bob has decided to retire
and we're going to buy
him a present. Do you
want to chip in?
When the teacher arrived,
she clammed up.
The government decided
to clamp down on
smoking in public areas.
When the factory closed
down, the employees
lost their jobs.
1) Julie came
across some
photographs of her
grandparents in the attic.
2) The candidate came
across as a dynamic
person during the
interview.
The architect planned to
attend the inauguration
but unfortunately
he came down with the
flu over the weekend.
The police have asked
any witnesses to come
forward.
The project came up
against a lot of criticism.
Sasha came up with a
great idea for the party.
1) The car conked
out on the motorway.
2) He was so exhausted,
he conked out in front of

exhaustion).
Rely or depend
count on
on.
Remove by
cross out drawing a line
through.
cut down
on

cut out

the TV.
I'm counting on the taxi
driver to find the theatre.
In some exercises you are
asked to cross out the
incorrect word.
The doctor told him
Reduce in
to cut down
number or size.
on cigarettes.
1) Remove using 1) She cut out a picture
scissors.
in a magazine.
2) Stop doing
2) I'm going to cut
something.
out eating sweet food.

Phrasal verbs - Alphabetical List D

Phrasal
Verb

Meaning

deal with

Handle, take
care of
(problem,
situation)

Example
The manager is good
at dealing with difficult
customers.

1) The women were

all decked out in
beautiful
deck
Dress; decorate dresses.
out (in/with)
2) The exhibition hall will
be decked out in the
colours of Europe.
Calm down,
When the applause died
die down become less
down, she started to sing.
strong.
1) He dug into his pocket
1) Try to find
and found a coin.
deep inside
something.
2) It was time to dig
into the work that had
2) Start to do
dig into
accumulated on her desk.
something.
3) Take from
something.

3) Dad had to dig into his

savings to repair the
roof.

1) Break up the
1) He tried to dig up the
soil/remove by
tree by its roots.
digging.
dig up

2) Some newspapers often

2) Discover or
try to dig up
reveal
scandalous information.
information.
Distribute or
He spent the day dishing
dish out
give away a lot. out invitations to tourists.
I'm afraid you'll have to
Decide to do
download it.
dispense
without
They've dispensed
with
something.
with the paper version.
Some people think it's
Get rid of;
do away
time to do away with the
abolish.
with
monarchy.
My parents will need to do
Clean or
over their living-room
do over
redecorate.
soon. The paintwork needs
refreshing.
Good boy Alex! You know
Fasten (a
how to do up your coat
do up
garment)
now!
The shops are closed so
do without Manage without. we'll have to
do without sugar.
We expected a short
Last longer than
speech but it dragged on
drag on
expected.
and on!
1) Make
something
1) Let's decide now and
longer than
not drag out this
necessary.
discussion.
drag out

draw up
dress up

2) Make
someone reveal
or give
information
unwillingly.
Write (contract,
agreement,
document).
1) Wear elegant
clothes.

2) The police
finally dragged out a
confession
from the suspect.
An agreement as drawn
up and signed by the two
parties.
1) Do people dress up to
go to the opera in your

country?
2) Children love to dress
up at Halloween.
We were childhood friends
Become less and
but we drifted apart over
drift apart
less close.
the years.
Gradually fall
He sat back, closed his
drift off
asleep.
eyes and drifted of.
Insinuate; be
What exactly are
drive at
trying to say.
you driving at?
Fall into a
Our sales have dropped
drop
position behind behind those of our
behind
others.
competitors.
Visit, usually on I sometimes drop in to
the way
see my grandparents on
drop in
somewhere.
my way home from school.
1) Deliver
1) I'll drop you of at the
someone or
bus stop if you like.
something.
drop off
2) Granddad often drops
2) Fall asleep.
of in front of the TV.
Leave school
She decided to go to art
school, then dropped out
drop out without
finishing.
after the first term.
Be louder in
She turned up the music
to drown out the noise of
drown out order to cover
another sound. the children outside.
2) Disguise
oneself.

Phrasal verbs - Alphabetical List - E-F

Phrasal
Verb

Meaning

Reduce, become
less severe or
ease off/up slow down
(pain, traffic,
work ...)
egg on
embark
on/upon

Example
After Christmas, the
workload
generally eases of.

Egged on by his friends,

Encourage
the boy climbed over the
wall.
Start or engage in She embarked on a
career that leads her to

end in
end up

even out

explain
away

fame.
Finish in a certain Their marriage ended
way / result in
in divorce.
Finally reach a
If he continues his
state, place or
misconduct, he'll end
action
up in prison.
1) Eliminate
1) After a long discussion
differences of
they managed toeven
opinion.
out their differences.
2) The road was evened
2) Become level
out to make it safer.
or regular
Find an excuse or How are you going
plausible
to explain away the
explanation
missing money?

Sam will have to face

up to the fact that Jenny
is not in love with him.
1) My car is so old it's
Disintegrate;
falling apart.
2) Their marriage fell
fall apart break; fall into
pieces.
apart after they both
lost their jobs.
Be able to use
We were lucky to have
fall back
something in an some tinned food to fall
on
emergency
back on.
She fell behind at
Fail to maintain a
school and had to study
fall behind
certain level
harder.
Our planned boat
Fail / does not
trip fell
fall
happen
through because of the
through
storm.
I'm trying to figure
Understand / find
out how to assemble the
figure out
the answer
wardrobe.
Temporarily
Eva is absent this
substitute for
morning and Julie is
fill in for
another person
going to fill in for her.
Complete (a
Please fill out the
fill out
form/application) enclosed form and send
it back as soon as
face up
(to)

Accept ad deal
with something
unpleasant.

possible.
I'm going to call the
Discover or obtain
cinema to find out what
find out
information
time the film starts.
May we ask some
Ask questions in
questions?
fire away
quick succession.
Sure, fire away!
The policemen fired
fire back Shoot back
back at the robbers.
Feel comfortable
He just doesn't fit in with
fit in (with) or be in harmony
the others.
with
They're going to fix
Repair or
up the house before
fix up
renovate
moving in.
Over the years their
fizzle out Gradually end
friendship fizzled out.
The advertising
Concentrate on
campaign will focus on
focus on
something
the quality of the
product.
Mix one
Fold in the eggs with
ingredient with
fold in
the sugar.
another.
She nearly freaked
out when she saw the
freak out Panic or go crazy
colour of her hair. It was
a disaster!
My parents
frown
Disapprove
always frowned
on/upon
on smoking.
Pay excessive
She's always fussing
fuss over
attention to
over her grandson.

Phrasal verbs - Alphabetical List - G

Phrasal
Verb

Meaning

Example

1) It's not easy to get

around the city without
a map.
2) News of their
separation soon got
about.
I get
Be on good terms
get along
along (well) with my
/ work well with.
(with)
mother-in-law.
What exactly are you
Imply
get at
trying to get at?
The robbers got
Escape
get away
away in a black car.
Manage to cope It's difficult to get
get by (on)
or to survive.
by on a low salary.
Start to actually It's time to get down
get down to
do something.
to some serious work!
How did the burglar get
Enter
get in
in?
How did the burglar get
get into (+
Enter
into the house?
noun)
1) Leave (bus,
1) Get of the bus at
train, plane).
Trafalgar Square.
get off
2) Remove from 2) She's trying to get
something.
of the stain.
Board (bus, train, You can pay when
get on
plane)
you get on the bus.
Continue to do
Be quiet and get on
get on with something / make
with your homework.
progress
I get on very
get on (well) Have a good
well with my
relationship with
with
colleagues.
Leave
How did he get out?
get out
How did he get out
get out of
Leave
of the house?
(+noun)
Some husbands
Avoid doing
get out of
manage to get out of
something
(+verb)
doing any housework.
Recover from
Charlie had the 'flu but
(illness,
get over
he got over it.
disappointment)
It's difficult to get rid
Eliminate
get rid of
of old habits.
Find the
I finally got round
get round
necessary time to to making the list that I
(to)
do something.
promised.
Let's get together for
get together Meet each other
lunch one day.
I usually get up at 7
1) Move from
place to place
get
about/around 2) Spread,
circulate

Phrasal verbs - Alphabetical List - H

Phrasal
Verb

Meaning

Example

She read the article and

then handed it back.
Pass on (by
My clothes were handed
down to me by my older
hand down tradition,
inheritance...)
sister.
All application forms must
Submit (report,
be handed in before the
hand in
homework)
end of the month.
Samples will be handed
out at the end
hand out Distribute
of the demonstration.
The boy was forced
Give to someone
to hand over the mobile
hand over
in authority.
phone he had stolen.
All the children rushed
Be reluctant to
towards the clown except
hang back
do something
one boy who hung back.
Hang on a minute. I'm
Wait
hang on
early ready.
Keep a hold on
Hang on to that rope and
hang on
something
you'll be ok.
(to)
Spend time in a Where does he hang
particular place out these days?
hang out
or with a group Who does he hang
of friends
out with?
End a telephone Don't hang up. I haven't
hang up
conversation
finished yet.
Start to go
He headed of to the
head off
somewhere.
train station.
Go/move in a
The boat was heading
head for
certain direction. for the rocks.
Aim a blow at
He hit at the wasp with a
hit at
something.
newspaper.
Retaliate / reply When he was attacked,
hit back
to an attack
the boy hit back.
Find
She hit upon an idea for
hit
unexpectedly or
her new collection.
on/upon
by inspiration
1) Hold on please. I'll put
1) Wait
you through to Mr. Brown.
2) She held on to the
hold on
2) Grip tightly
railing as she crossed the
bridge.
Show as a
She held up the diagram
hold up
example
for all to see.
Fasten (a
I need help to hook
hook up
garment)
up my dress.
Link
Many networks
hook up
broadcasting
are hooked up by
(with)
facilities
satellite.
Be quick / act
Hurry up! We'll miss the
hand back Return

Phrasal verbs - Alphabetical List I-J-K

Phrasal
Verb
idle away

iron out

Meaning
Waste time
doing nothing
much.
Resolve by
discussion/
eliminate
differences

Example
He idles away hours
every day watching
television.
The meeting tomorrow will
be an opportunity to iron
out difficulties.

Is it alright if I stay?
Ask too much of
I don't want to impose
someone.
upon your hospitality.
The runner improved
improve
Make better
on his previous
on/upon
performance.
Allow yourself
Ive been dieting all week
but today I'm going to
indulge in to enjoy
something
indulge in a dessert.
Guarantee
The house is insured
insure
compensation
against fire.
against
for damage etc.
Ask someone to
join you for
Harry invited her out for
invite out
lunch, dinner,
dinner.
etc.
impose
on/upon

join in

join up

jot down

She was too shy to join

in the game.
1) Engage in,
1) John was in the army
become a
and Tom joined up as
member of
soon as he left school.
2) The two groups of
2) Meet and
tourists joined up at the
unite with
hotel.
I jotted down the address
Take quick notes while watching the
programme on TV.
Participate

His father encouraged him

to keep at his studies.
Retain / force to A barrier was installed
keep back
stay back
to keep back the fans.
Continue doing I told him to be quiet but
keep on
something
he kept on making noise.
Stay at the
Bill walks so fast it's
same level as
keep up
difficult to keep
someone or
with
up with him.
something
Go down on
Most people kneel
kneel down
your knees
down to pray.
The football match kicked
Begin, start
kick off
of at 3 p.m.
Drink quickly
He knocked back a pint
keep at

Persevere.

Phrasal verbs - Alphabetical List - L

Phrasal
Verb

Meaning

He laughed of the
unflattering review of his
latest book.
Many factories have had
lay off
to lay of workers.
She leafed through a
Turn over
leaf
magazine in the waiting
pages quickly
through
room.
Become known News of the planned
leak out
(information)
merger leaked out.
Omit / not
Tom's name was left out of
leave out
mention
the report.
1) You promised to come to
1) Disappoint
the party, so don't let
me down!
let down
2) Lengthen
2) The skirt is too short?
(skirt, pants)
I'll let it down for you.
1) 1 watched the
floodlights light up the
castle.
2) Her face always lights
Illuminate
up when she sees her
light up
grandson.
3) The screen lights
up when you turn on a
computer.
The books were lined
Stand in a row.
line up
up neatly on the shelves.
Experience
My grandparents lived
live
something and
through two wars.
through
survive
Make
something
We need to liven up the
liven up
livelier or more presentation somehow.
attractive.
Access a
You need to log in to your
program or
account before you use the
log in/on
database using
services.
a password.
End access to a Log of the system and
log off
database.
then turn off the computer.
A baby sitter looks
after the children when
look after Take care of
their parents go out.
Think of the
It's time to forget the past
look ahead
future
and look ahead.
My parents and their friends
look back Remember the
like to look back on "the
past
on
good old days".
He tends to look down
look down Consider as
on anyone who is not
inferior
on
laugh off

Make light of
something /
minimize
Fire, dismiss,
let go

Example

Phrasal verbs - Alphabetical List - M-N

Phrasal
Verb

Meaning

Example

The old lady dresses so

Laugh at / make strangely that the
make fun of
jokes about
children make fun
of her.
He made of with my
Steal and hurry
make off
briefcase while I was
away
with
checking the timetable.
Some employees make
Invent (excuse,
up excuses when they
make up
story)
arrive late for work.
It's time to shake hands
make up
End a quarrel
and make up.
(with)
With hard work I
can make up for the
make up for Compensate for
days
I was absent.
The coat was marked
Reduce the
down by 40% mark down
price.
a real bargain!
Lose an
If you leave before
miss out
opportunity to
Saturday you'll miss
(on)
do something.
out on the party.
Mistake one
I don't know the
thing or person members' names yet.
mix up
for another
I tend to mix them up
You've bought a new
Arrive in a new
house? When are you
move in
home or office
moving in?
Leave your
My neighbour is leaving.
home/office for He's moving out next
move out
another one.
Saturday.
Make someone
He promised to come
say something
but we'll have to nail
precisely
him down to a date.
Give the same
William was named after
name after name as another
his grandfather.
person
Reduce a list or a The list of suspects has
narrow
number of
been narrowed down
down
options.
to three people.
My grandfather
Fall asleep
often nods of in front
nod off
of the television.
I don't like
Try to discover
nose
people nosing
about/around by searching.
around my desk.
I'll call the station
Write something
and note down the
note down
down
departure times.
nail down

Phrasal verbs - Alphabetical List - O-P-Q

Phrasal Verb
opt out

own up

Meaning

I enjoy tennis but I'm

Leave a system or
so busy I had to opt
decide not to
out of the
participate
tournament.
The boy owned
Admit or confess up. He said he kicked
something
the ball through the
window.

pass away

Die

pass on

Transmit

pass out

Faint / lose
consciousness

pay back

Reimburse

pick on

Choose someone
to blame, punish,
bully, etc.

pick out

Select; choose

pick up

Learn

pick up

Collect; give
someone a lift

play up

Cause pain or
discomfort.

play up

Emphasize or
make something
seem more
important.

play down
pop
across/over/
down/out
pop in
pop up

Example

The old lady passed

away peacefully.
Don't forget to pass
on the information.
She passed
out when she heard
the bad news.
I will lend you 20
provided you pay me
back before the end
of the week.
The other children
were always picking
on Charlie because of
his red hair.
Will you help me pick
out a handbag to go
with my outfit?
Children are quick
to pick up a new
language.
James is coming
to pick me up at 8
o'clock.
My stomach is
starting to play
up again after all that
heavy food.
He always plays
up his achievements.

The
Minimize or make
government played
something appear
down the gravity of
less important
the situation.
Come or go
She popped over to
quickly in the
visit her mother after
direction specified lunch.
He sometimes pops
Make a brief visit
in for a cup of coffee.
The question popped
Arise, occur
up during the

Phrasal verbs - Alphabetical List - R-S

Phrasal
Verb

Meaning

reel off

Recite without
effort or pause

rely on

Count on /
depend on /
trust

rig out

Dress or equip

rig-out

Outfit

ring back

Return a phone
call
(Also: callback)

ring off

End a phone call

rub out

Erase

rule out

Eliminate

Escape from a
place or
suddenly leave
Meet by
accident or
unexpectedly
run into
(also : bump int
o)
Have no more of
run out of
something
run away

Make something
smaller than
scale
back/down originally
intended.
Manage to find
scrape
together
or collect
scrape up enough of

Example
She amazed everyone
by reeling of all the
phrasal verbs she had
learned.
Don't worry. You can rely
on me. I can keep
a secret.
The old lady arrived
all rigged out in her best
clothes.
Stella arrived in the most
extraordinary rig-out!
John rang and asked if you
could ring him back.
He gave his name and
then rang of.
Write it in pencil so that
you can rub it out.
The police ruled
out political motives.
He ran away from home
at the age of fourteen.

Sophie ran into Maria at

the shopping centre.
What a nuisance! I've run
out of coffee.
Due to the crisis the
company had to scale
down the size of the plant.
We finally scraped
together enough money
to buy an old car.

something you
need, usually
money
How I scraped
through the exam is a
mystery!
Early Saturday morning
Start a journey we set of for the ski
set off
slopes.
She set up her own
Start a business
set up
company 10 years ago.
Accept
I was hoping for a better
something not
proposal but I'll settle
settle for
quite
for the amount you offer.
satisfactory.
It's always wise to shop
shop
Compare prices around before buying
around
anything.
Brag or want to There's David showing
show off
be admired
of in his new sports car!
We expected William to
show up Appear / arrive come but he didn't show
up.
Be silent, stop
shut
Oh shut up you idiot!
up (impolite) talking
Give up one's
He signed away his
property and joined a
sign away rights or
ownership
religious community.
Register (e.g. at Let's go and eat as soon
sign in
a hotel)
as we've signed in.
Pay your bill and
He signed out and left for
leave (e.g. a
sign out
the airport.
hotel)
Transfer
He signed over the
sign over
ownership of
house to his two children.
(to)
something
Enroll in an
Emma signed up for a
sign up
activity
computer course.
(for)
Sign an
agreement to
Paul has signed up with a
sign up
work for
news agency.
(with)
somebody
Two boys were singled
single out Select for
scrape
through

Succeed with
difficulty

special attention out for extra coaching.

To be fully
It took a while for the scale
sink in
understood
of the disaster to sink in.
Please come in and sit
sit down Take a seat
down.
Sleep later than Tomorrow's Saturday, so I
sleep in
usual
can sleep in!
Stay overnight You're welcome to sleep
over if you don't want to
sleep over at someone
else's home.
drive in this weather.
You slipped up there! His
Make a mistake
slip up
name is Alex, not Alan!
Get rid of the
Jack went for a long walk
sober up effects of too
to sober up.
much alcohol
Organize,
Students should sort
resolve a
out their books at the end
sort out
problem
of the school year.
1) VAT stands for value
1) Represent,
added tax.
stand for mean
2) I'm not going to stand
2) Tolerate
for such behaviour!
Rise from a
The pupils stood up when
stand up
sitting position the headmaster arrived.
Continue
without
We must decide on a plan
stick to
changing
of action and stick to it.
anything
It's important to stick up
stick up
Defend
for one's principles.
for

Phrasal verbs - Alphabetical List - T

Phrasal
Verb
take after

Meaning
Resemble in
appearance or
character

Dismantle or
take apart separate the
components

Example
Jamie really takes
after his dad.
The technician has
to take the
machine apart in order
to repair it.

Buy food at a
restaurant and
Two beef curries to take
take away carry it
away please.
elsewhere to eat
it.
The doctor gave me
Cause something
tablets to take away the
take away
to disappear
pain.
Agree to receive We will take back goods
only if you can produce
take back back/ be
returned.
the receipt.
Retract or
I take back what I said
take back withdraw
about cheating.
something said
I'll take care of your
take care
Look after
plants while you're away.
of
The plane took of at 7
Leave the ground
take off
o'clock.
Allow to stay in
She's always taking
take in
one's home
in stray cats and dogs!
Note with your
She took in every detail
take in
eyes and register. of her rival's outfit.
Understand what
The man
one sees, hears
immediately took in the
or reads / realize
take in
scene and called the
what is
police.
happening.
Business is good so the
Hire or engage
company is taking on
take on
staff
extra staff.
She took out a pen to
Remove / extract
take out
note the address.
Invite someone to
dinner, the
He took her out for a
take out
theatre, cinema, meal on her birthday.
etc.
Persuade
I talked John into buying
someone to do
talk into
a new car.
something
Persuade
I tried to talk Amy out
talk out of someone not to
of leaving her job.
do something
Tear up the boxes before
Rip into pieces
tear up
you put them in the bin.

Phrasal verbs - Alphabetical List - U-Z

Phrasal
Verb
use up

Meaning

Example

Finish a product
The kids have used up all
( so that there's
the toothpaste.
none left)

veer away Avoid, stay away I veer away from

from
hypochondriacs if I can.
from
The athletes vied
Compete or rival
with each other for first
vie with
with someone
place.
Express
You can give the keys to
confidence in, or
Andy. I can vouch for
vouch for
guarantee
him.
something

ward off

warm up

wash up

Keep away or
repel (something
dangerous or
unpleasant).
1) Reheat
something.
2) Make more
lively or more
relaxed.
Wash the dishes
after a meal.

watch out Be careful

I take plenty of vitamin C

to ward of colds.
1) She warmed up some
left-over soup.
2) He told a few jokes
to warm up the
atmosphere.
Who's going to help
me wash up?
Watch out! There's a car
coming.

1) Dilute or make
1) If you water down the
weaker by
medicine it will be
adding
easier to take.
water
water
2) He watered down his
down
remarks so as not
2) Make less
to offend anyone.
severe
1) Become
1) Julie wore out her
unusable
shoes sightseeing.
wear out
2) Become very 2) At the end of the day
tired
Julie was worn out.
I can whip up something
Prepare quickly.
whip up
to eat if you're hungry.
The boys wolfed
Eat greedily and
down the whole cake in
wolf down
quickly.
no time!
1) Do physical
1) I work out twice a
exercise
week at the gym club.
work out 2) Find a solution 2) It's expensive but I
or calculate
haven't worked out
something
the exact cost yet.
- Before winding up his
speech he thanked
everyone for their
Finish or put an