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 example
sentences 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.

Abbreviations: sby=somebody; sthg=something

PHRASAL VERB MEANING EXAMPLE SENTENCE

ask sby out invite on a date Brian asked Judy out to dinner and a movie.
I asked around but nobody has seen my
ask around ask many people the same question
wallet.
add up to sthg equal Your purchases add up to $205.32.
You'll have to back up your car so that I can
back sthg up reverse
get out.
My wife backed me up over my decision to
back sby up support
quit my job.
The racing car blew up after it crashed into
blow up explode
the fence.
blow sthg up add air We have to blow 50 balloons up for the party.
Our car broke down at the side of the
break down stop functioning (vehicle, machine)
highway in the snowstorm.
The woman broke down when the police told
break down get upset
her that her son had died.
break sthg Our teacher broke the final project down into
divide into smaller parts
down three separate parts.
Somebody broke in last night and stole our
break in force entry to a building
stereo.
The firemen had to break into the room to
break into sthg enter forcibly
rescue the children.
wear sthg a few times so that it I need to break these shoes in before we run
break sthg in
doesn't look/feel new next week.
The TV station broke in to report the news of
break in interrupt
the president's death.
My boyfriend and I broke up before I moved
break up end a relationship
to America.
The kids just broke up as soon as the clown
break up start laughing (informal)
started talking.
 PHRASAL VERB MEANING EXAMPLE SENTENCE
The prisoners broke out of jail when the guards
break out escape
weren't looking.
break out in
develop a skin condition I broke out in a rash after our camping trip.
sthg
bring sby down make unhappy This sad music is bringing me down.
My grandparents brought me up after my
bring sby up raise a child
parents died.
My mother walks out of the room when my
bring sthg up start talking about a subject
father brings up sports.
He drank so much that he brought his dinner
bring sthg up vomit
up in the toilet.
We called around but we weren't able to find
call around phone many different places/people
the car part we needed.
I called the company back but the offices
call sby back return a phone call
were closed for the weekend.
Jason called the wedding off because he
call sthg off cancel
wasn't in love with his fianc.
call on sby ask for an answer or opinion The professor called on me for question 1.
We called on you last night but you weren't
call on sby visit sby
home.
Give me your phone number and I will call
call sby up phone
you up when we are in town.
You are still mad. You need to calm down
calm down relax after being angry
before you drive the car.
not care for
not like (formal) I don't care for his behaviour.
sby/ sthg
You'll have to run faster than that if you want
catch up get to the same point as sby else
to catch up with Marty.
check in arrive and register at a hotel or airport We will get the hotel keys when we check in.
You have to check out of the hotel before
check out leave a hotel
11:00 AM.
check sby/ sthg
look at carefully, investigate The company checks out all new employees.
out
check out sby/
look at (informal) Check out the crazy hair on that guy!
sthg
She cheered up when she heard the good
cheer up become happier
news.
cheer sby up make happier I brought you some flowers to cheer you up.
If everyone chips in we can get the kitchen
chip in help
painted by noon.
Please clean up your bedroom before you go
clean sthg up tidy, clean
outside.
come across I came across these old photos when I was
find unexpectedly
sthg tidying the closet.
come apart separate The top and bottom come apart if you pull
PHRASAL VERB MEANING EXAMPLE SENTENCE
hard enough.
come down My nephew came down with chicken pox this
become sick
with sthg weekend.
volunteer for a task or to give The woman came forward with her husband's
come forward
evidence finger prints.
come from
originate in The art of origami comes from Asia.
some place
count on sby/ I am counting on you to make dinner while I
rely on
sthg am out.
Please cross out your old address and write
cross sthg out draw a line through
your new one.
cut back on My doctor wants me to cut back on sweets
consume less
sthg and fatty foods.
We had to cut the old tree in our yard down
cut sthg down make sthg fall to the ground
after the storm.
Your father cut in while I was dancing with
cut in interrupt
your uncle.
pull in too closely in front of another
cut in The bus driver got angry when that car cut in.
vehicle
start operating (of an engine or The air conditioner cuts in when the
cut in
electrical device) temperature gets to 22C.
The doctors cut off his leg because it was
cut sthg off remove with sthg sharp
severely injured.
The phone company cut off our phone
cut sthg off stop providing
because we didn't pay the bill.
My grandparents cut my father off when he
cut sby off take out of a will
remarried.
remove part of sthg (usually with
cut sthg out I cut this ad out of the newspaper.
scissors and paper)
do sby/ sthg He's lucky to be alive. His shop was done over
beat up, ransack (BrE, informal)
over by a street gang.
My teacher wants me to do my essay over
do sthg over do again (AmE)
because she doesn't like my topic.
do away with It's time to do away with all of these old tax
discard
sthg records.
Do your coat up before you go outside. It's
do sthg up fasten, close
snowing!
dress up wear nice clothing It's a fancy restaurant so we have to dress up.
Andrea dropped back to third place when
drop back move back in a position/group
she fell off her bike.
drop in/ by/ I might drop in/by/over for tea sometime this
come without an appointment
over week.
drop sby/ sthg take sby/ sthg somewhere and leave I have to drop my sister off at work before I
off them/it there come over.
I dropped out of Science because it was too
drop out quit a class, school etc
difficult.
 PHRASAL VERB MEANING EXAMPLE SENTENCE
eat out eat at a restaurant I don't feel like cooking tonight. Let's eat out.
We ended up renting a movie instead of
end up eventually reach/do/decide
going to the theatre.
My new dress fell apart in the washing
fall apart break into pieces
machine.
The picture that you hung up last night fell
fall down fall to the ground
down this morning.
fall out separate from an interior The money must have fallen out of my pocket.
(of hair, teeth) become loose and
fall out His hair started to fall out when he was only 35.
unattached
I need to figure out how to fit the piano and
figure sthg out understand, find the answer
the bookshelf in this room.
to write information in blanks, as on a Please fill in the form with your name, address,
fill sthg in
form (BrE) and phone number.
to write information in blanks, as on a
fill sthg out The form must be filled out in capital letters.
form (AmE)
fill sthg up fill to the top I always fill the water jug up when it is empty.
We don't know where he lives. How can we
find out discover
find out?
We tried to keep the time of the party a
find sthg out discover
secret, but Samantha found it out.
get sthg across/ I tried to get my point across/over to the
communicate, make understandable
over judge but she wouldn't listen.
I was surprised how well my new girlfriend and
get along/on like each other
my sister got along/on.
My grandfather can get around fine in his new
get around have mobility
wheelchair.
We worked so hard this year that we had to
get away go on a vacation
get away for a week.
get away with Jason always gets away with cheating in his
do without being noticed or punished
sthg maths tests.
get back return We got back from our vacation last week.
Liz finally got her Science notes back from my
get sthg back receive sthg you had before
room-mate.
My sister got back at me for stealing her shoes.
get back at sby retaliate, take revenge
She stole my favourite hat.
get back into
become interested in sthg again I finally got back into my novel and finished it.
sthg
We're going to freeze out here if you don't let
get on sthg step onto a vehicle
us get on the bus.
get over sthg recover from an illness, loss, difficulty I just got over the flu and now my sister has it.
The company will have to close if it can't get
get over sthg overcome a problem
over the new regulations.
get round to finally find time to do (AmE: get I don't know when I am going to get round to
sthg around to sthg) writing the thank you cards.
PHRASAL VERB MEANING EXAMPLE SENTENCE
get together meet (usually for social reasons) Let's get together for a BBQ this weekend.
get up get out of bed I got up early today to study for my exam.
You should get up and give the elderly man
get up stand
your seat.
give sby away reveal hidden information about sby His wife gave him away to the police.
give sby away take the bride to the altar My father gave me away at my wedding.
My little sister gave the surprise party away by
give sthg away ruin a secret
accident.
The library was giving away old books on
give sthg away give sthg to sby for free
Friday.
I have to give these skates back to Franz
give sthg back return a borrowed item
before his hockey game.
My boyfriend didn't want to go to the ballet,
give in reluctantly stop fighting or arguing
but he finally gave in.
give to many people (usually at no They were giving out free perfume samples at
give sthg out
cost) the department store.
give sthg up quit a habit I am giving up smoking as of January 1st.
My maths homework was too difficult so I
give up stop trying
gave up.
go after sby follow sby My brother tried to go after the thief in his car.
I went after my dream and now I am a
go after sthg try to achieve sthg
published writer.
We are going against the best soccer team in
go against sby compete, oppose
the city tonight.
Please go ahead and eat before the food
go ahead start, proceed
gets cold.
go back return to a place I have to go back home and get my lunch.
go out leave home to go on a social event We're going out for dinner tonight.
Jesse has been going out with Luke since they
go out with sby date
met last winter.
Please go over your answers before you
go over sthg review
submit your test.
I haven't seen Tina for a long time. I think I'll go
go over visit sby nearby
over for an hour or two.
When I was young, we went without winter
go without sthg suffer lack or deprivation
boots.
My best friend and I grew apart after she
grow apart stop being friends over time
changed schools.
grow back regrow My roses grew back this summer.
This bike is too big for him now, but he should
grow into sthg grow big enough to fit
grow into it by next year.
Elizabeth needs a new pair of shoes because
grow out of sthg get too big for
she has grown out of her old ones.
When Jack grows up he wants to be a
grow up become an adult
fireman.
 PHRASAL VERB MEANING EXAMPLE SENTENCE
I handed my old comic books down to my
hand sthg down give sthg used to sby else
little cousin.
hand sthg in submit I have to hand in my essay by Friday.
hand sthg out to distribute to a group of people We will hand out the invitations at the door.
The police asked the man to hand over his
hand sthg over give (usually unwillingly)
wallet and his weapons.
Hang in there. I'm sure you'll find a job very
hang in stay positive (informal)
soon.
hang on wait a short time (informal) Hang on while I grab my coat and shoes!
Instead of going to the party we are just going
hang out spend time relaxing (informal)
to hang out at my place.
hang up end a phone call He didn't say goodbye before he hung up.
hold sby/ sthg I had to hold my dog back because there
prevent from doing/going
back was a cat in the park.
Jamie held back his tears at his grandfather's
hold sthg back hide an emotion
funeral.
Please hold on while I transfer you to the Sales
hold on wait a short time
Department.
hold onto sby/ Hold onto your hat because it's very windy
hold firmly using your hands or arms
sthg outside.
hold sby/ A man in a black mask held the bank up this
rob
sthgup morning.
keep on doing
continue doing Keep on stirring until the liquid comes to a boil.
sthg
keep sthg from We kept our relationship from our parents for
not tell
sby two years.
keep sby/ sthg
stop from entering Try to keep the wet dog out of the living room.
out
If you keep those results up you will get into a
keep sthg up continue at the same rate
great college.
I need you to be on time. Don't let me down
let sby down fail to support or help, disappoint
this time.
Can you let the cat in before you go to
let sby in allow to enter
school?
I can't log in to Facebook because I've
log in (or on) sign in (to a website, database etc)
forgotten my password.
If you don't log off somebody could get into
log out (or off) sign out (of a website, database etc)
your account.
look after sby/
take care of I have to look after my sick grandmother.
sthg
look down on Ever since we stole that chocolate bar your
think less of, consider inferior
sby dad has looked down on me.
look for sby/
try to find I'm looking for a red dress for the wedding.
sthg
look forward to be excited about the future I'm looking forward to the Christmas break.
PHRASAL VERB MEANING EXAMPLE SENTENCE
sthg
We are going to look into the price of
look into sthg investigate
snowboards today.
look out be careful, vigilant, and take notice Look out! That car's going to hit you!
look out for sby/ Don't forget to look out for snakes on the
be especially vigilant for
sthg hiking trail.
Can you look over my essay for spelling
look sthg over check, examine
mistakes?
search and find information in a We can look her phone number up on the
look sthg up
reference book or database Internet.
look up to sby have a lot of respect for My little sister has always looked up to me.
Josie made up a story about why we were
make sthg up invent, lie about sthg
late.
We were angry last night, but we made up at
make up forgive each other
breakfast.
My sisters made me up for my graduation
make sby up apply cosmetics to
party.
mix sthg up confuse two or more things I mixed up the twins' names again!
His uncle passed away last night after a long
pass away die
illness.
It was so hot in the church that an elderly lady
pass out faint
passed out.
The professor passed the textbooks out before
pass sthg out give the same thing to many people
class.
I passed up the job because I am afraid of
pass sthg up decline (usually sthg good)
change.
Thanks for buying my ticket. I'll pay you back
pay sby back return owed money
on Friday.
That bully will pay for being mean to my little
pay for sthg be punished for doing sthg bad
brother.
pick sthg out choose I picked out three sweaters for you to try on.
point sby/ sthg
indicate with your finger I'll point my boyfriend out when he runs by.
out
put what you are holding on a surface You can put the groceries down on the
put sthg down
or floor kitchen counter.
The students put the substitute teacher down
put sby down insult, make sby feel stupid
because his pants were too short.
We are putting off our trip until January
put sthg off postpone
because of the hurricane.
The neighbours put the fire out before the
put sthg out extinguish
firemen arrived.
put sthg I have to put the crib together before the
assemble
together baby arrives.
put up with sby/ I don't think I can put up with three small
tolerate
sthg children in the car.
PHRASAL VERB MEANING EXAMPLE SENTENCE
put clothing/ accessories on your Don't forget to put on your new earrings for
put sthg on
body the party.
run into sby/
meet unexpectedly I ran into an old school-friend at the mall.
sthg
run over sby/ I accidentally ran over your bicycle in the
drive a vehicle over a person or thing
sthg driveway.
run over/ Let's run over/through these lines one more
rehearse, review
through sthg time before the show.
The child ran away from home and has been
run away leave unexpectedly, escape
missing for three days.
We ran out of shampoo so I had to wash my
run out have none left
hair with soap.
My letter got sent back to me because I used
send sthg back return (usually by mail)
the wrong stamp.
Our boss set a meeting up with the president
set sthg up arrange, organize
of the company.
The police set up the car thief by using a
set sby up trick, trap
hidden camera.
I want to shop around a little before I decide
shop around compare prices
on these boots.
act extra special for people watching
show off He always shows off on his skateboard
(usually boastfully)
stay somewhere for the night You should sleep over tonight if the weather is
sleep over
(informal) too bad to drive home.
We need to sort the bills out before the first of
sort sthg out organize, resolve a problem
the month.
continue doing sthg, limit yourself to
stick to sthg You will lose weight if you stick to the diet.
one particular thing
switch sthg off stop the energy flow, turn off The light's too bright. Could you switch it off.
We heard the news as soon as we switched
switch sthg on start the energy flow, turn on
on the car radio.
take after sby resemble a family member I take after my mother. We are both impatient.
He took the car brakes apart and found the
take sthg apart purposely break into pieces
problem.
I have to take our new TV back because it
take sthg back return an item
doesn't work.
take off start to fly My plane takes off in five minutes.
Take off your socks and shoes and come in
take sthg off remove sthg (usually clothing)
the lake!
Can you take the garbage out to the street for
take sthg out remove from a place or thing
me?
My grandparents took us out for dinner and a
take sby out pay for sby to go somewhere with you
movie.
I tore up my ex-boyfriend's letters and gave
tear sthg up rip into pieces
them back to him.
 PHRASAL VERB MEANING EXAMPLE SENTENCE
remember (often + to, sometimes + When I think back on my youth, I wish I had
think back
on) studied harder.
I'll have to think this job offer over before I
think sthg over consider
make my final decision.
throw sthg We threw our old furniture away when we won
dispose of
away the lottery.
decrease the volume or strength Please turn the TV down while the guests are
turn sthg down
(heat, light etc) here.
I turned the job down because I don't want to
turn sthg down refuse
move.
Your mother wants you to turn the TV off and
turn sthg off stop the energy flow, switch off
come for dinner.
turn sthg on start the energy, switch on It's too dark in here. Let's turn some lights on.
increase the volume or strength (heat, Can you turn the music up? This is my favourite
turn sthg up
light etc) song.
Our cat turned up after we put posters up all
turn up appear suddenly
over the neighbourhood.
I'm going to try these jeans on, but I don't think
try sthg on sample clothing
they will fit.
I am going to try this new brand of detergent
try sthg out test
out.
The kids used all of the toothpaste up so we
use sthg up finish the supply
need to buy some more.
We have to wake up early for work on
wake up stop sleeping
Monday.
warm sby/ sthg You can warm your feet up in front of the
increase the temperature
up fireplace.
I always warm up by doing sit-ups before I go
warm up prepare body for exercise
for a run.
Most of my make-up wore off before I got to
wear off fade away
the party.
work out exercise I work out at the gym three times a week.
work out be successful Our plan worked out fine.
We have to work out the total cost before we
work sthg out make a calculation
buy the house.
 PHRASAL VERB MEANING EXAMPLE
To respect or obey a decision, a If you want to keep your job here, you must
abide by
law or a rule abide by our rules.
I hope you can account for the time you were
account for To explain, give a reason
out!
add up To make sense, seem reasonable The facts in the case just dont add up.
To recommend not doing I advise against walking alone in this
advise against
something neighborhood.
To have the same opinion as
agree with I agree with you. I think you should go as well.
someone else.
We need to allow for unexpected charges
allow for To take into consideration
along the way.
1. To plead or make a 1. He appealed to the court to change
request its decision.
appeal to 2. To be attractive or 2. A vacation of sunbathing doesnt
interesting appeal to me.

To make a formal request for

apply for He applied for a scholarship for next semester.
something (job, permit, loan etc.)
To move backwards, in fear or When he saw the bear, he backed away in
back away
dislike fright.
Local authorities backed down on their threats
back down To withdraw, concede defeat
to build on that part of the beach.
1. To give support or 1. Im going to be very strict with him. I
encouragement hope youll back me up on this?
back up 2. To make a copy of (file, 2. You should back up all your computer
program, etc.) files in a secure location.

To base your hopes on something Im banking on you to help with the charity
bank on
/ someone event.
black out To faint, lose consciousness Jenna fell in the parking lot and blacked out.
The police blocked off the street after the
block off To separate using a barrier.
explosion.
1. To explode 1. Tommy blew up the red balloon.
blow up 2. To get angry 2. Dont blow up at me. Its not my fault.

boil down to To be summarized as It all boils down to who has more power.
To start a computer by loading an You need to boot up your computer before
boot up
operating system or program you begin to work.
break away To separate from a crowd One of the wolves broke away from his pack.
1. To go out of order, cease 1. The washing machine broke down so
to function we had to call in the repair technician.
break down 2. To lose control of ones 2. John broke down when he heard the
emotions news.

break into To enter by force Burglars broke into my car last night.
break out To start suddenly Rioting broke out after the government raised
 PHRASAL VERB MEANING EXAMPLE
the fuel prices again.
break out of To escape from a place by force Several prisoners broke out of jail.
To come to an end (marriage, She broke up with Daniel after dating him for
break up
relationship) five years.
bring up To raise (a child) Sara is bringing up her children by herself.
To improve, refresh ones I must brush up on my French before going to
brush up on
knowledge of something Paris next month.
To meet by chance or I bumped into Adam at the bank. He says
bump into
unexpectedly hello.
1. The light bulb burnt out. Please change
1. stop (something) working
it.
2. become exhausted from
burn out 2. She needs to work fewer hours.
over-working
Otherwise she will burn out.

call back To return a phone call Could please call back in ten minutes?
The game was called off because of bad
call off To cancel
weather.
To become more relaxed, less It took Kylie several hours to calm down after
calm down
angry or upset she saw the accident.
The soldiers carried on walking in order to get
carry on To continue
to their post before dark.
1. To do something as
1. His orders were carried out to the
specified (a plan, an order,
letter.
a threat)
carry out 2. That company does not carry out tests
2. To perform or conduct
on animals.
(test, experiment)

They said I must check in at least three hours

check in To register at a hotel or airport
before my flight.
1. Donna checked out of the hotel this
1. To pay ones bill and leave
morning.
(a hotel)
check out 2. I dont know if this price is correct. Ill
2. To investigate
check it out online.

When the police started asking questions, the

clam up To refuse to speak
suspect clammed up.
The local authorities have decided to clamp
To act strictly to prevent
clamp down on down on illegal parking in handicapped
something
parking places.
1. I was cleaning up and came across
1. To find by chance
some old photos of you.
2. To appear, seem, make an
come across 2. The politician came across as a
impression
complete fool during the TV interview.

Has the owner of the winning lotto ticket

come forward To present oneself
come forward?
count on To rely or depend on (for help) You can count on me to keep your secret.
 PHRASAL VERB MEANING EXAMPLE
Ive decided to cut down on the amount of
cut down on To reduce in number or size
sweets I eat.
1. She cut out a coupon from the
1. To remove using scissors newspaper.
cut out 2. To stop doing something 2. You need to cut out all red meat from
your diet.

To handle, take care of (problem,

deal with Catherine is not good at dealing with stress.
situation)
To calm down, become less After the storm died down, we went outside to
die down
strong see the damage it had caused.
She didnt get a salary this month, so shell
do without To manage without
have to do without extra treats.
The suspects trial dragged on longer than we
drag on To last longer than expected
had expected!
To write (contract, agreement,
draw up They drew up a contract and had me sign it.
document)
Their wedding gave us a chance to dress up
dress up wear elegant clothes
and get out of the house.
To visit, usually on the way Why dont you drop in to see us on your way
drop in
somewhere home?
1. To deliver someone or
1. Ill drop off the papers later today.
something
drop off 2. I often drop off in front of the TV.
2. To fall asleep

Zack dropped out of college and joined the

drop out To leave school without finishing
army.
To reduce, become less severe or
ease off Traffic usually eases off about 7pm
slow down (pain, traffic, work)
end in To finish in a certain way; result in Her marriage ended in divorce.
To finally reach a state, place or If you dont improve your work habits, youll
end up
action end up being fired.
His plans to trek through South America fell
fall through To fail; doesnt happen
through when he got sick.
Hes trying to figure out how to earn enough
figure out To understand, find the answer
money to go on the trip to Spain.
To complete (a form/an Please fill out the enclosed form and return it
fill out
application) as soon as possible.
Im going to to find out whos responsible for
find out To discover or obtain information
the power cut.
Tom had difficultty focusing on work the day
focus on To concentrate on something
before his holiday started.
To be on good terms; work well Its important to get along with your team
get along (with)
with supervisor.
What are you getting at? Do you think Im to
get at To imply
blame?
 PHRASAL VERB MEANING EXAMPLE
get away To escape I think we should get away for the weekend.
Students without jobs have a hard time
get by To manage to cope or to survive
getting by.
get in To enter When did you get in last night?
How did you get into your car without the
get into (+noun) To enter
keys?
1. You should get off the train in Kings
1. To leave (bus, train, plane)
Heath.
get off 2. To remove
2. I cant get the ink stain off my shirt.

get on To board (bus, train, plane) Im trying to get on the flight to Brussels.
get on with After they split up, she had a hard time getting
To continue to do; make progress
(something) on with her life.
get on (well) with He doesnt get on very well with the other
To have a good relationship with
(somebody) members of the committee.
He had a hard time getting out of Newark
get out To leave
because of the snow?
Ednas trying to get out of working the night
get out of To avoid doing something
shift.
To recover from (illness,
get over Has she gotten over the flu?
disappointment)
To recover from (illness, Mary had the chickenpox last week but she
get over
disappointment) got over it.
get rid of To eliminate Please get rid of that old t-shirt. Its so ragged.
Lets get together for your birthday on
get together To meet each other
Saturday.
Will you please get up? Youve got a class in
get up To rise, leave bed
20 minutes.
1. We will never give in to the terrorists
1. To cease opposition; yield
demands.
give in 2. To To hand in; submit
2. Ill give in my paper tomorrow.

give up To stop doing something Morris gave up drinking 10 years ago.

Andy went through a lot of pain after his
go through To experience
mother died.
To spend ones childhood; Hes like Peter Pan. He never really grew up at
grow up
develop; become an adult all.
hand in To submit (report, homework) Please hand in your papers before Friday.
Susan volunteered at the shelter where she
hand out To distribute
handed out warm clothes.
To spend time in a particular Which pub does the team hang out at after
hang out
place or with a group of friends the game?
If you hang up now, Ill never speak to you
hang up To end a phone conversation
again.
hold on 1. To wait 1. Please hold on and a representative
 PHRASAL VERB MEANING EXAMPLE
2. To grip tightly will answer your call.
2. She was so scared on the rollercoaster
ride that she held on for dear life.

Hurry up and finish your lunch or well miss the

hurry up To be quick, act speedily
train.
To resolve by discussion, eliminate The two countries met at the conference to
iron out
differences iron out their differences.
Yes David, you can join in the discussion any
join in To participate
time you like.
1. There was a war on, so some kids were
1. To engage in, become a
only sixteen when they joined up.
member of
join up 2. Lets separate now and join up later at
2. To meet and unite with
the restaurant.

If you keep on making that noise I will get

keep on To continue doing something
annoyed.
To stay at the same level as I read the paper every day to keep up with
keep up with
someone or something the news.
kick off To begin, start The rugby match kicked off at 3 oclock.
Please check your form again and make sure
leave out To omit, not mention
nothing is left out.
I feel so let down because they promised me
let down To disappoint
a puppy but all I got was a doll.
Andy can you look after your sister until I get
look after To take care of
back?
Shes such a snob. She always looks down on
look down on To consider as inferior
anyone who is poor.
If you dont want to take part in the game you
look on To be a spectator at an event
can look on for now.
Harry went to the shop to look for a new
look for To try to find something
computer.
To await or anticipate with Im looking forward to my birthday. Its in two
look forward to
pleasure days time.
I always looked up to my father. He was a
look up to To admire
great man.
Its not nice to make fun of people in
make fun of To laugh at/ make jokes about
wheelchairs.
Thats a good excuse. Did you make up it up
make up To invent (excuse, story)
yourself?
To mistake one thing or person for She had so many cats that she kept mixing up
mix up
another their names.
Did you hear? Our new neighbors are moving
move in To arrive in a new home or office
in this afternoon.
To leave your home/office for When are you moving out? We need your
move out
another one. office for the new guy.
 PHRASAL VERB MEANING EXAMPLE
You were so tired after the game that you
nod off To fall asleep
nodded off on the couch.
own up To admit or confess something Come on. Own up. We know you did it!
Your grandfather passed away peacefully in
pass away To die
his sleep last night.
He didnt drink enough water so he passed
pass out To faint
out at the end of the race.
pay back To reimburse Ill pay you back as soon as I get the loan.
Dont put off until tomorrow, what you can do
put off To postpone, arrange a later date
today.
Its very dark in here. Please put on the light
put on To turn on, switch on
on.
The fire fighters were able to put out fire in ten
put out To extinguish
minutes.
To accommodate, give I can put you up until the weekend but then
put up
somebody a bed Im going away.
Ill pick you up at around 7:00 to take you to
pick up To collect somebody
the airport.
To indicate/direct attention to As I already pointed out, there was a mistake
point out
something in your calculation.
rely on To count on, depend on, trust You can rely on me. I always arrive on time.
Since he had a sound alibi, the police ruled
rule out To eliminate
him out as a suspect.
To escape from a place or
run away He ran away from home and joined the circus.
suddenly leave
To meet by accident or Im so glad I ran into you. I need to ask you
run into
unexpectedly (also: bump into) something.
Weve run out of milk. Ill just pop next door to
run out of To have no more of something.
borrow some.
set off To start a journey; Lets set off early to miss the rush hour traffic.
They set up their own company when they
set up To start a business
were still in high school.
Dont buy that. Lets shop around and see if
shop around To compare prices
we can find something cheaper.
Hes such a show off. He has to tell everybody
show off To brag or want to be admired
about his new computer.
I dont think shell show up tonight. Her
show up To appear/arrive
daughter is sick.
shut up (impolite) To be silent, stop talking Shut up, youre spoiling the movie!
sit down To take a seat I think you should sit down. Its bad news.
The whole stadium stood up for the national
stand up To rise from a sitting position
anthem.
My big brother always stuck up for me when I
stick up for To defend
got into a fight.
take after To resemble, in appearance or Angie really takes after her grandmother.
 PHRASAL VERB MEANING EXAMPLE
character
take care of To look after Please take care of my cat when Im away.
take off To leave the ground The plane will take off as soon as the fog lifts.
I hear theyre taking on extra staff for this
take on To hire or engage staff
event.
Please take out your mobile phones and turn
take out To remove; extract
them off.
The coach told her off for not trying hard
tell off To reprimand/criticize severely
enough.
Take your time and think it over before you
think over To consider
decide.
To wear something to see if it suits
try on Go ahead, try it on and see if it fits?
or fits
turn down To refuse I asked her out but she turned me down flat.
To finish a product (so that theres
use up Your parents used up all the coffee!
none left)
watch out To be careful Watch out! Theres a dog in the road.
1. Julie wore out her shoes running the
1. To become unusable marathons.
wear out 2. To become very tired 2. Julie was worn out after all that
running.

1. You should work out twice a week at

1. To do physical exercise
the gym.
2. To find a solution or
work out 2. Can you work this out? Im no good at
calculate something
math.

wipe off To clean (board, table). Ill wash up if you wipe off the table.