Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and one or more particles (usually a preposition or an adverb) that, when combined, create a new meaning often very different from the original verb or particle alone.
Let's dive into a detailed list, explaining the meaning and providing examples. This list will focus on common phrasal verbs, as there are thousands of them!
Detailed List of Common Phrasal Verbs
1. Verb: BREAK
break down
Meaning 1: (of a machine/system) stop working.
Example: My car broke down on the highway.
Meaning 2: (of a person) lose control of one's emotions; cry.
Example: She broke down and cried when she heard the news.
Meaning 3: analyze or explain something in simpler parts.
Example: Let's break down the report into smaller sections.
break in
Meaning 1: enter a building illegally, usually by force.
Example: Someone broke in and stole the jewelry.
Meaning 2: interrupt (a conversation or activity).
Example: I hated to break in on their discussion.
break off
Meaning: suddenly end a relationship, agreement, or discussion.
Example: They decided to break off their engagement.
break out
Meaning 1: (of a war, fire, disease) begin suddenly.
Example: A fire broke out in the abandoned building.
Meaning 2: escape (from prison).
Example: The prisoners broke out last night.
break up
Meaning 1: end a relationship.
Example: My sister broke up with her boyfriend.
Meaning 2: (of a school term, meeting) finish.
Example: School breaks up for the summer next week.
2. Verb: BRING
bring about
Meaning: cause something to happen.
Example: The new policy brought about significant changes.
bring back
Meaning 1: return something.
Example: Don't forget to bring back the library books.
Meaning 2: cause something to be remembered.
Example: This song brings back so many memories.
bring up
Meaning 1: raise a child.
Example: She was brought up by her grandparents.
Meaning 2: introduce a topic for discussion.
Example: He brought up the issue of salaries at the meeting.
3. Verb: CALL
call off
Meaning: cancel an event.
Example: They had to call off the outdoor concert due to rain.
call on
Meaning 1: visit someone (often formal or for a short time).
Example: I'll call on you later this afternoon.
Meaning 2: ask someone to do something or to speak.
Example: The teacher called on him to answer the question.
4. Verb: CARRY
carry on
Meaning: continue doing something.
Example: Please carry on with your work.
carry out
Meaning: perform or complete a task/experiment.
Example: The scientists are carrying out experiments.
5. Verb: COME
come across
Meaning: find or meet by chance.
Example: I came across an old photo album while cleaning.
come in
Meaning: enter.
Example: Please come in and make yourself comfortable.
come up with
Meaning: think of an idea, plan, or solution.
Example: We need to come up with a plan to raise money.
6. Verb: CUT
cut down on
Meaning: reduce the amount or frequency of something.
Example: I need to cut down on sugar.
cut off
Meaning 1: disconnect (phone, electricity).
Example: The phone line was cut off.
Meaning 2: separate by cutting.
Example: They cut off the old branch.
Meaning 3: interrupt someone while they are speaking.
Example: Don't cut me off when I'm talking.
7. Verb: GET
get along (with)
Meaning: have a friendly relationship with.
Example: Do you get along with your siblings?
get away
Meaning: escape.
Example: The thief managed to get away.
get over
Meaning: recover from an illness, shock, or disappointment.
Example: It took her a long time to get over the flu.
get up
Meaning: rise from bed.
Example: I usually get up at 6 AM.
8. Verb: GIVE
give away
Meaning 1: give something for free.
Example: They are giving away free samples.
Meaning 2: reveal a secret.
Example: Don't give away the surprise!
give in
Meaning: surrender; stop resisting.
Example: After arguing for an hour, he finally gave in.
give up
Meaning 1: stop trying; surrender.
Example: Don't give up on your dreams.
Meaning 2: stop doing a habit.
Example: He gave up smoking last year.
9. Verb: GO
go ahead
Meaning: proceed; give permission to start.
Example: "Can I start?" "Yes, go ahead."
go on
Meaning 1: continue.
Example: Please go on with your story.
Meaning 2: happen.
Example: What's going on here?
go over
Meaning: review or examine carefully.
Example: Let's go over the plan one more time.
go with
Meaning: match or suit something.
Example: That shirt doesn't go with your pants.
10. Verb: HOLD
hold on
Meaning 1: wait (often on the phone).
Example: Please hold on a moment.
Meaning 2: grasp firmly.
Example: Hold on tight to the railing.
hold up
Meaning 1: delay.
Example: The traffic held up my arrival.
Meaning 2: rob (a bank, store).
Example: The masked men held up the bank.
11. Verb: LOOK
look after
Meaning: take care of.
Example: Can you look after my cat while I'm away?
look for
Meaning: search for.
Example: I'm looking for my keys.
look forward to
Meaning: anticipate with pleasure.
Example: I'm really looking forward to my holiday.
look into
Meaning: investigate or examine carefully.
Example: The police are looking into the matter.
look out!
Meaning: warning to be careful.
Example: Look out! There's a car coming!
look up
Meaning 1: find information in a reference book or online.
Example: I need to look up this word in the dictionary.
Meaning 2: improve (of a situation or business).
Example: Things are finally looking up.
12. Verb: MAKE
make out
Meaning 1: manage to see, hear, or understand something with difficulty.
Example: I can barely make out the words on this old map.
Meaning 2: write out (a check or document).
Example: Please make out the check to "Cash."
make up
Meaning 1: invent a story, excuse, or lie.
Example: He made up a ridiculous story about why he was late.
Meaning 2: forgive someone and become friends again after an argument.
Example: They argued, but then they made up.
Meaning 3: apply cosmetics.
Example: She likes to make up her face every morning.
Meaning 4: compensate for something missed or lost.
Example: I need to make up for lost time.
13. Verb: PUT
put away
Meaning: return something to its proper place.
Example: Please put away your toys after playing.
put off
Meaning 1: postpone; delay.
Example: Don't put off your homework until the last minute.
Meaning 2: discourage or repel.
Example: His rude behavior really put me off.
put on
Meaning 1: dress oneself in; wear.
Example: Put on your coat; it's cold outside.
Meaning 2: gain (weight).
Example: She has put on a few pounds.
Meaning 3: present a show or performance.
Example: The school is putting on a play.
put out
Meaning: extinguish (a fire, a cigarette).
Example: The firefighters quickly put out the blaze.
put up with
Meaning: tolerate; endure.
Example: I can't put up with his constant complaining anymore.
14. Verb: RUN
run into
Meaning 1: meet someone unexpectedly.
Example: I ran into an old friend at the supermarket.
Meaning 2: collide with.
Example: The car ran into a tree.
run out of
Meaning: finish a supply of something.
Example: We've run out of milk.
15. Verb: SET
set up
Meaning 1: establish; arrange; prepare.
Example: Let's set up the chairs for the meeting.
Meaning 2: start a business.
Example: He wants to set up his own company.
16. Verb: TAKE
take after
Meaning: resemble (a parent or older relative).
Example: She really takes after her mother.
take off
Meaning 1: (of an aircraft) depart; leave the ground.
Example: The plane took off on time.
Meaning 2: remove clothing.
Example: Please take off your shoes before entering.
Meaning 3: (of a business, career) become successful.
Example: Her career really took off after that movie.
take on
Meaning 1: accept a responsibility or challenge.
Example: I can't take on any more work right now.
Meaning 2: employ (a new person).
Example: The company plans to take on more staff.
take out
Meaning 1: remove something from a place.
Example: Please take out the trash.
Meaning 2: invite someone (on a date, to a meal).
Example: He took her out to dinner.
take over
Meaning: assume control of something.
Example: She will take over as manager next month.
17. Verb: TURN
turn down
Meaning 1: refuse an offer or request.
Example: He turned down the job offer.
Meaning 2: reduce the volume or intensity.
Example: Please turn down the music.
turn off
Meaning: switch off (a light, machine, etc.).
Example: Don't forget to turn off the lights.
turn on
Meaning: switch on.
Example: Please turn on the air conditioning.
turn out
Meaning 1: prove to be; happen in a particular way.
Example: It turned out that he was right.
Meaning 2: attend a gathering.
Example: A large crowd turned out for the concert.
turn up
Meaning 1: arrive unexpectedly.
Example: He finally turned up at the party an hour late.
Meaning 2: increase the volume or intensity.
Example: Can you turn up the radio?
Meaning 3: be found unexpectedly (often after being lost).
Example: My keys turned up in my jacket pocket.
This list covers many of the most frequently used phrasal verbs. It's a vast topic, and the best way to learn them is through exposure, practice, and paying attention to their context!
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