PHRASAL VERBS

1
 PHRASAL VERBS
Phrasal verbs open up a whole new world of possibilities for speaking English. They are used incredibly often in everyday conversations
and informal language, which makes them important to know and understand.

Phrasal verbs are made up of a main verb and one or two prepositions. They are phrases that can give verbs completely different
meanings. They can be transitive or intransitive, separable or inseparable.

Here is an example of what can happen with phrasal verbs:

When your kitten comes across your paper cranes and makes one fall down, you can either shout “Cut it out!” to make him stop, or you
can give in and let your kitten play with the paper crafts.

Note that the list below does not include all the phrasal verbs used in English. So pay attention to what you read and hear in English, you
may stumble upon more phrasal verbs!

PHRASAL VERBS MEANINGS OR SYNONYMS EXAMPLES

If you are about to do something, you are

to be about (to do We have to sit down because the concert is about to
1 going to do it very soon. If something is
something) begin.
about to happen, it will happen very soon.

to be into (something)
2 to like and be interested in something I’m really into hip hop music.
(*spoken)

to be in on (something) to be informed (or to tell someone) about Mary and Jane know a secret, but they won't let me in on
something that is often secret (like a plan it.
3
to let (someone) in on or an idea) and that only very few people
(something) are involved in He seems to be in on everything that happens at work.

to blow (someone) away to impress/surprise; to please someone

4 The ending will blow you away.
(*informal/slang) very much

5 to blow up to explode The barbecue blew up and wrecked the whole house.

2
 PHRASAL VERBS MEANINGS OR SYNONYMS EXAMPLES

to stop functioning (of a machine or Our dishwasher broke down just a month after the
6
vehicle) guarantee had expired.
to break down
to become very upset and unable to When the doctor told her the bad news, she broke down
7
control your feelings and to start to cry and couldn’t stop crying.

It’s easier to handle a long homework assignment if you

break it down into several specific tasks.

When budgeting, you should break down your expenses

to break down (into to separate or to divide into smaller parts; into categories: housing, transportation, food, etc.
8
something) to decompose; to disintegrate
The substance is easily broken down by bacteria.

We don’t use products that break down into high-level

toxic materials.
‘Hilary,’ he broke in gently, ‘I’m just trying to help.’
to break in/ to interrupt
9
into (something) (when someone is talking or an activity) As she was talking, he suddenly broke into the
conversation, saying, "That's a lie!"
The burglars broke in through the kitchen window.
to break in/ to get into a building or car using force,
10
into (a building) usually to steal something They broke into the museum in the night and stole a
painting.

If a marriage breaks up or two people in a

She’s feeling depressed because she's just broken up
11 to break up romantic relationship break up, their
with her boyfriend.
marriage or their relationship ends.

I don’t want to go out; learning that I didn't get the job

12 to bring (someone) down to make someone unhappy or depressed really brought me down.
Who will bring up my children if something happens to
to care for a child until he or she becomes me?
13 to bring up an adult; to teach a child how to behave;
to raise [ passive ] We grew up in a strict household and we were
brought up to respect authority.

3
 PHRASAL VERBS MEANINGS OR SYNONYMS EXAMPLES

Why do you always have to bring that up? I thought we

to mention (or to start talking about) were done talking about it.
14 to bring (something) up someone or something in a conversation;
to start to talk about a particular subject We would like to have a nice evening. Please don’t bring
up her ex-boyfriend.

15 to bump into (someone) To randomly encounter someone You won't believe who I bumped into at the airport.

Tomorrow's match has been called off because of the icy

weather.
16 to call o to cancel (a project, event, or activity)
The police have called off the search for the missing
child until dawn tomorrow.
I’m your friend; you can call me up in the middle of the
17 to call up to call on the phone night.

to learn about recent events;

to talk with someone you know (friends or It was so lovely catching up with you; it's been years
relatives) in order to exchange news or since we were last together!
18 to catch up (with
someone) information about events that have So many things have happened in the last weeks! Call
occurred since the last time you saw each me tonight if you want to catch up.
other

to reach someone or something by

moving faster than the other person (or If we speed up, we might be able to catch up with the
car ahead of us!
19 to catch up (with) thing) so as to be at an equal level, status,
or point of progress, sometimes after I ran after her and managed to catch up with her.
having fallen behind

You need to catch up on all the homework you missed

to spend time doing something you did while you had the flu.
20 to catch up (on)
not have time to do earlier I hope to catch up on some much-needed sleep this
weekend.

4
f
 PHRASAL VERBS MEANINGS OR SYNONYMS EXAMPLES

to of cially con rm your arrival at a certain

21 to check in place where one is expected, such as a I'll go check in at the front desk and get our room key.
hotel.

to look at or examine (someone or

to check on
22 something) to see if there are any The nurse checked on the patients regularly
(someone or something)
problems

to leave a hotel after paying and returning We have to check out in an hour, so you guys seriously
23 to check out (of a hotel)
your room key need to start packing!

to check out to investigate, inspect, or look at Wow, check this out—someone in the next town over
24
(*informal) something of interest won the lottery last week!

to meet or nd someone/something Look! I was cleaning up and came across some old
25 to come across
without searching for them or it photos of you.

to do something again, often in an

26 to do (something) over Do this homework over, and don’t cheat this time!
attempt to improve

to take something to a particular place, We dropped our luggage off at the hotel and went
to drop someone or
sightseeing.
27 something o often by car; to drive someone to a place
(*informal) and leave them there My parents drop me off at school every morning.
I'm going back to school because I always regretted
to leave an activity or program without dropping out of high school.
28 to drop out (of
something) nishing it He dropped out of the race after two laps because of
mechanical problems.
Why do I always end up doing all the work in group
when you do something or get into a projects?
certain state or situation (or place) due to
29 to end up (verb+ING) I bought her a nice present, but it ended up in the trash
a particular course of action, not because after two weeks.
you originally intended to
He didn’t want to end up like his father.

5
fi
fi
fi
ff
fi
 PHRASAL VERBS MEANINGS OR SYNONYMS EXAMPLES

It took them weeks to figure out how to fix the problem.

As soon as she figures out what happened, you're in

to understand something/to determine/to trouble!
30 to gure out
solve/to decide At first I thought it was weird, but I figured out that it’s
just one of their traditions.

Let’s figure out a way to help.

to write or type information in a document

To sign up, you need to fill out the online application
31 to ll out/in (forms or applications) in spaces that are
form.
provided for it

Too many spam emails are filling up our inboxes.

to ll something/someone
32 to make something full, or to become full That sandwich really filled me up.
up (with)
Fill the bucket up with warm soapy water.

to discover; to learn something, or facts, You know, I'm not sure what his phone number is, but I'll
find out for you.
33 to nd out or someone's sneaky or underhanded
actions I just found out that she cheated on the test.

to give something to someone else for The shop is giving away a sample to every customer.
34 to give away
free You should give away all the clothes you don’t wear.
The letter is supposed to be anonymous, but the
to reveal something secret, often without handwriting gives it away.
35 to give away
intending to You should choose a username that does not give away
your real identity.

to to nally agree to what someone wants, My parents always give in if I keep asking them the same
after refusing for a period of time; to thing over and over again.
36 to give in (to something)
cease ghting or arguing; to yield or It's okay to give in to your sugar cravings once in a while
surrender —just don't give in every day.

6
fi
fi
fi
fi
fi
fi
 PHRASAL VERBS MEANINGS OR SYNONYMS EXAMPLES

Jim gave up drinking 10 years ago.

to stop doing something/to quit a habit;
37 to give up ( + verbING)
to stop trying My English homework was too difficult, so I gave up and
didn’t finish it.
Jason always goes back on his word. He is totally
unreliable.
to go back on to change a decision; to not do something
I hope you're not going back on the decision to hire an
38 (your word, a decision or you said you would do; to fail to keep a assistant. We really need the support.
promise) promise
I can't trust you since you often go back on your
promises.

39 to physically pass by You can watch the trains going by from this window.

40 to be known or called by a certain name Her name is Susan, but she goes by Sue.
to go by
Things will get easier as time goes by.
41 to pass by, as of time
The days seem to go by very slowly.
This war has been going on for years.
to go on
42 to happen
It's hard to know what goes on behind my back.
The show must go on.

Please go on with what you're doing and don't let us

43 to go on ( + verb-ING) to continue (doing something) interrupt you.

We really can't go on living like this - we have to find a

bigger house.
The second chapter goes on to describe his early career.
44 to go on ( + to in nitive) to move to the next thing or stage After working as an engineer for 5 years, he went on to
become a firefighter.

7
fi
 PHRASAL VERBS MEANINGS OR SYNONYMS EXAMPLES

If a light or a machine goes off, it stops As the water came in the windows, all the lights went off.
45
working. The central heating goes off at 9 o’clock.

(of an alarm) I don’t always wake up when my alarm clock goes off.
46 to go o
to start to ring loudly or make a loud noise Sometimes I just don’t hear it!

(of an explosive device or gun) Run! The bomb could go off at any moment!
47
to explode; to re His gun went off accidentally. Luckily, no one was hurt.

to get something over to nish something that you don’t want to

with I'm going to get my homework over with so I can watch
48 do so you don’t have to worry/think about
TV tonight and not feel guilty about it.
later

to get along (with to like each other and to be friendly to I don't really get along with my sister's husband.
49
someone) each other; to be on good terms Luckily, my cat and my dog get along very well.
He was lucky to get away with only a warning.
to get away with to commit a crime or wrong action without
50 Some people lie and cheat and always seem to get away
something being punished for it
with it.

to do something bad to somebody who

to get back at (someone) I think he’s trying to get back at her for what she said in
51 has done something bad to you; to get
(*informal) the meeting.
revenge on somebody

to return to your usual state of health, They’re upset that you didn’t call, but they’ll get over it.
52 to get over something happiness, etc. after an illness, a shock, the
end of a relationship, etc. I hope you get over your flu really quickly.

to make yourself free of somebody/

to get rid of something You need to get rid of those pants-you don’t wear them
53 something that is annoying you or that you
(*informal) anymore.
do not want; to throw something away

54 to hang on (*informal) to wait for a short time Hang on, I’ll be there in a minute.

8
fi
f
fi
 PHRASAL VERBS MEANINGS OR SYNONYMS EXAMPLES

to spend a lot of time relaxing in a place, Why don’t you come over to my house and hang out for
55 to hang out (*informal)
usually with someone a while?

56 to hang up (something) to suspend on a hook or hanger. Please hang up your coat. It is your responsibility.

We had to hang up after 5 minutes, so we didn’t really

57 to hang up (on someone) to end a phone call talk much.
He started yelling, so I hung up on him.

to continue doing something in the way Wow, these look great! Keep up the good work, James!
58 to keep up you have been doing it (often used as an Keep up that negative attitude and no one’s going to
imperative) want to be around you.

to do whatever is necessary to maintain My leg was hurt, but I was able to keep up with the rest
to keep up (with of the team during our run.
59 the same rate of speed, activity or
something or someone)
progress as someone or something else It's a fast pace, and you'll have to work hard to keep up.

to care for or be in charge of someone or

60 to look after (someone) Who's going to look after the children while you're away?
something

to look down on to think that you are morally or socially She thinks they look down on her because she doesn't
61
(someone) better than somebody have a job.

62 to look for (something) to try to nd something; to search for Some people look for love on the Internet.

I’m looking forward to my birthday. It’s in two days!

63 to look forward to
to await or anticipate with pleasure
(verb+ING)
He is looking forward to visiting Paris.
to look like (someone or
64 to resemble Jackie looks like her mother.
something)

65 to look like to appear likely to happen It looks like it is going to rain. We should leave now.

66 to look up to (someone) to admire and respect someone I always looked up to my father for he was a great man.

9
fi
 PHRASAL VERBS MEANINGS OR SYNONYMS EXAMPLES

You need to look out for potholes on the road.

to look out (for
67 to watch what is happening and be careful
something) Look out! There’s a car coming!

to reconcile after a con ict or A: Are they still together?

68 to make up
disagreement B: Yes, they broke up and then made up after two weeks.
(*informal)

A: That’s not true! You just made that story up!

B: I didn't make it up! It really happened!
69 to make up something to invent (excuse, story or a lie)
I made up an excuse about having to look after the kids
because I simply didn’t want to go.
Car accident victims make up almost a quarter of the
to make up something to combine together to form something hospital's patients.
70
larger; to constitute, to form
The book is made up of twelve separate short stories.
No excuses can make up for what you said to me.
to do something to compensate for
to make up for Can you believe that he bought me chocolate to make up
71 something bad you did or something you
(something) for forgetting my birthday?!
lost
I’m taking extra lessons to make up for the time I missed.

to go to a new position, especially in order

72 to move along The bus driver asked them to move along.
to make room for other people

Did you hear? Our new neighbors are moving in this

afternoon. I can’t wait to meet them.
73 to move in to begin living in a new home
She just moved in with her new boyfriend.
When are you moving out? We need your office for the
74 to move out to leave your home/of ce for another one new guy.

10
fi
fl
 PHRASAL VERBS MEANINGS OR SYNONYMS EXAMPLES

to die (You can say that someone passed

away to mean that they died, if you want
75 to pass away He passed away in a tragic car accident.
to avoid using the word 'die' because you
think it might upset or offend people.)

He didn’t drink enough water, so he passed out at the

76 to pass out to faint, to lose consciousness end of the race.

If something you do pays off, it brings you Wow, all your hard work really paid off—you aced your
77 to pay o
some bene ts or positive results. last test!

78 to put away to put something into a designated place Kids, please put your toys away before dinner.

The poor dog was so badly injured the vet had to put it
79 to put down to euthanize down.

to postpone; to decide or arrange to Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
80 to put o delay an event or activity until a later time
or date I can’t put off going to the dentist any longer.

(clothes) You'd better put your coat on, it's cold outside.
81
to put clothes or shoes onto your body My daughter can put on her boots by herself.
to put on
Many people put on a few pounds during the holiday
82 to gain weight season.
The firefighters were able to put out the fire before too
83 to put out to extinguish ( re) much damage was done to the house.

to accept or continue to accept an I can put up with the house being messy, but I hate
unpleasant situation or experience, or when it's not clean.
84 to put up with
someone who behaves unpleasantly: to I don’t know how you can put up with him — I find him
endure so annoying!

to meet randomly or unexpectedly (also: I’m so glad I ran into you since I needed to ask you
85 to run into
to bump into) something.

11
f
f
fi
fi
 PHRASAL VERBS MEANINGS OR SYNONYMS EXAMPLES

If a machine runs on
86 to run on a particular type or supply of power, it Electric cars run on electricity.
uses that power to work.

We’ve run out of milk. I’ll just pop next door to borrow
some.
87 to run out of (something) to have no more of something
I ran out of time, so I couldn’t finish my exam.

to organize or plan something such as an Our boss set up a meeting with the president of the
88 to set something up
event or system company.

to show up She was sick this morning, so I would be very surprised if

89 to be present at a planned meeting
(*informal) she showed up.
Look at him, showing off his new Mercedes. He is so
90 to show o to brag or want to be admired annoying!

91 to start over to begin something again If you make a mistake, you'll have to start over.

Sticking to a strict diet over a long period is almost

to continue doing something despite impossible.
to stick to something dif culties; to continue to believe in and
92 Let’s stick to the original plan.
(*informal) follow (ideas, principles, plans, etc.)
despite some pressure to abandon them Stick to your principles and don't let those people
influence you.

to resemble a relative from a previous

Angie really takes after her mother — the apple didn’t fall
93 to take after (someone) generation in appearance, in behaviour, or
far from the tree!
in character

When he saw me coming, he took off in the other

94 to take o (*informal) to leave suddenly direction.

(of a plane)
95 to take o The plane will take off as soon as the fog lifts.
to leave the ground and begin to y

12
fi
f
f
f
fl
 PHRASAL VERBS MEANINGS OR SYNONYMS EXAMPLES

(of clothes)
96 to take o Take off your wet boots!
to remove your clothes

My husband has been selected to take over as principal

to take control or responsibility of when Mr. Jones retires at the end of the year.
something (often by force); to become
97 to take over
bigger or more important than something The government was taken over by the rebel forces.
else; to replace something
Try not to let negative thoughts take over.
The star player talked back to the coach, so he was
98 to talk back (to someone) to answer impolitely kicked off the team.

to talk (someone) into to persuade someone to do something, or I tried to talk her into ordering pizza, but she said she
99
(doing something) to decide to do something had no money.

to persuade someone not to do

to talk (someone) out of He wanted to go jogging on his sore ankle, but I talked
100 something, or to decide not to do
(doing something) him out of it.
something

to speak angrily to someone because they The teacher told me off for swearing.
to tell o
101 have done something wrong; to
(*informal)
reprimand The coach told her off for not trying hard enough.

to get rid of something you do not want U.S. consumers throw away around 100 billion plastic
102 to throw away
any more, usually in the garbage bags annually.

He threw up his breakfast all over the backseat of the

103 to throw up (*informal) to vomit car.
I asked her out, but she turned me down flat.
104 to turn down to reject an offer or request He applied for a promotion twice this year, but he was
turned down both times.
Can you turn on the light? I can’t see very well.
105 to turn on/o to start/cease the function of something He turned off the car and waited for her while she was
shopping.
13
ff
f
f
 PHRASAL VERBS MEANINGS OR SYNONYMS EXAMPLES

to increase/decrease the intensity of Can you turn up the radio? I like this song.
106 to turn up/down sound/heat/light/etc. produced by a piece
of equipment by moving its controls Please turn the volume down.

A: How did the recipe turn out?

B: Oh, it wasn’t a great success.

I am sure it will all turn out well in the end.

to be discovered to be/ to prove to be;
The whole thing turned out to be a huge mistake.
107 to turn out to happen in a particular way; to develop
or end in a particular way [ + to infinitive ] The truth turned out to be stranger than
we had expected.

[ + that ] It turns out that she had known him when they
were children.
Don’t use up all the milk — save some for breakfast.
to use all of something so that there is
108 to use up
none left You could have told me that you used up all the
toothpaste! How am I supposed to brush my teeth now?

14