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Phrasal Verb
What is a phrasal verb?
It's the combination of a verb + a particle (preposition or adverb) resulting in a new word. The new unit is different from the two separate words.

Phrasal verbs are usually two-word phrases consisting of verb + adverb or verb + preposition. Think of them as you would any other English vocabulary. Study them as you come across them, rather than trying to memorize many at once. Use the list below as a reference guide when you find an expression that you don't recognize. The examples will help you understand the meanings. If you think of each phrasal verb as a separate verb with a specific meaning, you will be able to remember it more easily. Like many other verbs, phrasal verbs often have more than one meaning.

This list shows about 200 common phrasal verbs, with meanings and examples. Only the most usual meanings are given. Some phrasal verbs may have additional meanings.

As well as learning their meanings, you need to learn how to use phrasal verbs properly. Some phrasal verbs require a direct object (someone/something), while others do not. Some phrasal verbs can be separated by the object, while others cannot. Review this phrasal verbs grammar from time to time so that you don't forget the rules!

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

Meaning

Example

A abide by  respect or obey. (the law, a decision, a rule)  If you want to stay at this school, you must abide by the rules.
  account for  explain, give a reason  I hope you can account for the money you spent!

 
add up  make sense, seem reasonable  Her story just doesn't add up.
  advise against  recommend not doing something  The doctor advised him against carrying heavy loads.
  agree with  have the same opinion as somebody else.  I agree with you. I think she deserves the award too.
  aim at  point something in the direction of
 a target
 The policeman aimed his gun at the hijacker.
  allow for  take into consideration,
 include in a calculation
 You'd better leave early to allow for traffic jams.
  answer back  reply rudely  Don't answer back your mother!
  appeal to  1) plead or make an earnest request
 2) be attractive or interesting
1) The organizers appealed to the crowd to stay calm.
2) A trekking holiday doesn't appeal to me.
  apply for  make a formal request for something
 (job, permit, loan etc.)
 He applied for the job he saw advertised in the newspaper.
  avail (oneself) of  take advantage of something (an opportunity)  When the company is privatized, you should avail yourself of
 
the opportunity and buy some shares.
       
B back away  move backwards, in fear or dislike  When he saw the dog, he backed away.
  back down  withdraw,  concede defeat  Local authorities backed down on their plans to demolish the building.
  back up 1) give support or encouragement
2) make a copy of (file, program, etc.)
 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 in a secure location.
  bail out 1) pay money to secure someone's release
2) rescue from financial difficulties
1) When he was arrested, his family refused to bail him out.
2) The government bailed out the bank.
  bank on  base your hopes on someone/something  Don't forget the date. I'm banking on your help.
  beef up  improve, make more substantial  He beefed up his presentation with diagrams and statistics.
  black out  faint, lose consciousness  When he fell off the horse he blacked out.
  block off  Separate using a barrier.  The area was blocked off during the demonstration.
  blow up 1) explode;
2) be destroyed by an explosion
 1) The terrorists said the bomb would blow up at 9 o'clock.
 2) The car blew up but luckily there was nobody in it.
  boil down to  be summarized as  The problem boils down to a lack of money.
  boot up  start a computer by loading an
 operating system or program.
 Just give my a few minutes to boot up the computer.
  break away  escape from captivity  A few horses broke away from the paddock.
  break down 1) go out of order, cease to function
2) lose control of one's emotions
 1) John's car broke down so he had to take the bus.
 2) The parents broke down when they heard the bad news.

 
break into  enter by force  Burglars broke into the house around midnight.
  break out  start suddenly  Rioting broke out as a result of the strike.
  break out of  escape from a place by force  Three prisoners broke out of jail.
  break up  come to an end (marriage, relationship)  After her marriage broke up, Emma went to live in London.
  bring up  raise (a child)  She stopped working in order to bring up her children.
  brush up on  improve, refresh one's knowledge of something  Mary had to brush up on her Spanish before going to South America.
  bump into  meet by accident or unexpectedly  Pedro bumped into his English teacher at the supermarket.
  burn out 1) stop (something) working
2) become exhausted from over-working
1) The fuse has burnt out.
2) Tom will burn himself out if he doesn't slow down.
  butt in (on sthg)  interrupt impolitely  It's rude to butt in on a conversation like that!
       
C call back  return a phone call  I'll call you back as soon as possible.
  call off  cancel  The meeting was called off because of the strike.
  call on/upon sby  formally invite or request  I now call upon the President to address the assembly.
  calm down  become more relaxed, less angry or upset  He was angry at first but he eventually calmed down.
  carry on  continue  He carried on gardening in spite of the rain.
  carry out 1) do something as specified
    (a plan, an order, a threat)
2) perform or conduct (test, experiment)
1) The plan was carried out to perfection.
2) Tests are carried out to determine the efficiency of a new drug.
  carry over  postpone until later  As regards holidays, can you carry over any days from one year
 to the next?
  check in  register at a hotel or airport  For security reasons you have to check in two hours before your flight.
  check out 1) pay one's bill and leave (a hotel)
2) investigate
 1) Is Mr. Blair still at the hotel?  No, he checked out this morning.
 2) I don't know if the address is still valid. I'll check it out.
  clam up  refuse to speak  When the teacher arrived she clammed up.
  clamp down on  act strictly to prevent something  The government has decided to clamp down on smoking in public places.
  close down  stop operating (company, restaurant, cinema).  When the factory closed down, the employees lost their jobs.
  come across 1) find by chance
2) appear, seem, make an impression
1) Julie came across some photographs of her grandparents in the attic.
2) The candidate came across as a dynamic person during the interview.
  come forward  present oneself  The police have asked any witnesses to come forward.
  come up against  be faced with or opposed by  The project came up against a lot of criticism.
  conk out 1) stop working
2) stop or fall asleep (from exhaustion)
 1) The car conked out on the motorway.
 2) He was so exhausted, he conked out in front of the TV.
  count on  rely or depend on (for help)  I'm counting on the taxi driver to find the theatre.
  cross out  remove by drawing a line through  In some exercises, you are asked to cross out the incorrect word.
  cut down on  reduce in number or size  The doctor told him to cut down on cigarettes.
  cut out 1) remove using scissors
2) stop doing something
 1) She cut out a picture in a magazine.
 2) I'm going to cut out eating between meals.
       
D deal with  handle, take care of  (problem, situation)  The manager is good at dealing with difficult customers.
  die down  calm down, become less strong  When the applause died down, she started to sing.
  do without  manage without  The shops are closed so we'll have to do without sugar.
  drag on  last longer than expected  We expected a short speech but it dragged on and on!
  draw up  write (contract, agreement, document)  An agreement was drawn up and signed by the two parties.
  dress up 1) wear elegant clothes
2) disguise oneself
 1) Do people dress up to go to the opera in your country?
 2) Children love to dress up at Halloween.
  drop in  visit, usually on the way somewhere  I sometimes drop in to see my grandparents on my way home from school.
  drop off 1) deliver someone or something
2) fall asleep
 1) I'll drop you off at the bus stop if you like.
 2) Granddad often drops off in front of the TV.
  drop out  leave school without finishing  She decided to go to art school then dropped out after the first term.
       
E ease off  reduce, become less severe or slow down
 (pain, traffic, work)
 After Christmas the workload generally eases off.
  end in  finish in a certain way; result in  Their marriage ended in divorce.
  end up  finally reach a state, place or action  If he continues his misconduct he'll end up in prison.
  even out 1) eliminate differences of opinion.
2) become level or regular
 1) After a long discussion they managed to even out their differences.
 2) The road was evened out  to make it safer.
       
F fall through  fail; doesn't happen  Our planned boat trip fell through because of the storm.
  figure out  understand, find the answer  I'm trying to figure out how to assemble the bookshelves.
  fill out  complete (a form/an application)  Please fill out the enclosed form and return it as soon as possible.
  find out  discover or obtain information  I'm going to call the cinema to find out what time the film starts.
  focus on  concentrate on something  The advertising campaign will focus on the quality of the product.
  figure out  understand; find a solution  We'll have to figure out a way to deliver the goods faster.
       
G get along (with)  be on good terms; work well with  I get along (well) with my mother-in-law.
  get at  imply  What exactly are you trying to get at?
  get away  escape  The robbers got away in a black car.
  get by  manage to cope or to survive  It's difficult to get by on a low salary.
  get in  enter  How did the burglar get in?
  get into (+noun) enter  How did the burglar get into the house?
  get off 1) leave (bus, train, plane)
2) remove
 1) You should get off the bus at Trafalgar Square.
 2) She can't get the stain off her sweater.
  get on  board (bus, train, plane)  You can pay when you get on the bus.
  get on with (something)  continue to do; make progress  Be quiet and get on with your homework.
  get on (well) with (somebody)  have a good relationship with  I get on very well with my colleagues.
  get out  leave  How did he get out?
  get out of (+noun)  leave  How did he get out of the house?
  get out of  avoid doing something  Some husbands manage to get out of doing any housework.
  get over  recover from (illness, disappointment)  My grandmother had pneumonia but she got over it.
  get rid of  eliminate  It's difficult to get rid of old habits.
  get together  meet each other  Let's get together for lunch on day.
  get up  rise, leave bed  I usually get up at 7 o'clock.
  give up  stop doing something  Sarah gave up smoking 5 years ago.
  go through  experience  Pete went through a lot of pain after the accident.
  grow up  spend one's childhood; develop; become an adult  He grew up in a small village in the mountains.
       
H hand in  submit (report, homework)  All application forms must be handed in before the end of the month.
  hand out  distribute  Samples will be handed out at the end of the demonstration.
  hang out  spend time in a particular place,
 or with a group of friends
 Where does he hang out these days?
 Who does he hang out with?
  hang up  end a phone conversation  "Don't hang up. I haven't finished yet."
  hit at  aim a blow at  He hit at the wasp with the newspaper.
  hit back  retaliate; reply to an attack  When he was attacked by the others, the boy hit back.
  hit on/upon  find unexpectedly or by inspiration  She hit upon an idea for her new collection.
  hold on  -wait
 -grip tightly
- 'Hold on please.  I'll put you through to Mr. Brown."
- She held on to the railing as she crossed the bridge.
  hurry up  be quick, act speedily  Hurry up! We'll miss the bus.
       
I iron out  resolve by discussion, eliminate differences  The meeting tomorrow will be an opportunity to iron out difficulties.
       
J join in  participate  She was too shy to join in the game.
  join up  -engage in, become a member of
- meet and unite with
- John was in the Army and  Tom joined up as soon as he left school.
- The two groups of tourists joined up at the hotel.
  jot down  take quick notes  I jotted down the address while watching the programme on TV.
       
K keep on  continue doing something  It told him to be quiet but he kept on making noise.
  keep up with  stay at the same level as someone or
 something
 Bill walks so fast it's difficult to keep up with him.
  kick off  begin, start  The football match kicked off at 3 o'clock.
       
L leave out  omit, not mention  The child's name was left out of the report.
  let down  disappoint  You promised to come to the party, so don't let me down!
  look after  take care of  A babysitter looks after the children when they go out.
  look ahead  think of the future  It's time to forget the past and look ahead.
  look down on  consider as inferior  He tends to look down on anyone who is not successful.
  look on  be a spectator at an event  Billy didn't take part in the fight.  He just looked on.
  look for  try to find something  Jane went to the shops to look for a pair of shoes.
  look forward to  await or anticipate with pleasure  I look forward to seeing you soon.
  look up to  admire  He was a wonderful teacher and many students looked up to him.
       
M make fun of  laugh at/ make jokes about  The old lady dresses so strangely that the kids make fun of her.

 

make up  invent (excuse, story)  Some employees make up excuses when they arrive late for work.
  mix up  mistake one thing or person for another  I don't know my neighbours' names yet.  I keep mixing them up.
  move in  arrive in a new home or office  You've bought a new house? When are you moving in?.
  move out  leave your home/office for another one.  My neighbour is leaving.  He's moving out next Saturday.
       

N

nod off  fall asleep  My grandfather often nods off in front of the television.
  note down  write something  I'll call the station and note down the departure times.
       

O

opt out  leave a system or decide not to participate  I enjoy tennis but I'm so busy I had to opt out of the tournament.
  own up  admit or confess something  The boy owned up.  He said he kicked the ball through the window.
       

P

pass away  die  The old lady passed away peacefully.
  pass out  faint  She passed out when she heard the bad news.
  pay back  reimburse  I'll lend you 20€ provided you pay me back before the end of the week.
  put off  postpone, arrange a later date  The meeting was put off because of the strike.
  put on  turn on, switch on  Could you put on the light please?
  put out  extinguish  It took a long time to put out the fire.
  put up  accommodate, give somebody a bed  We can put you up if you'd like to come for a week-end.
  pick up  collect somebody  I'll pick you up at the station when you arrive.
  point out  indicate/direct attention to something  She pointed out the mistake.
       

R

rely on  count on, depend on, trust  Don't worry.  You can rely on me.  I can keep a secret.
  rule out  eliminate  The police ruled out political motives.
  run away  escape from a place or suddenly leave  He ran away from home at the age of fourteen.
  run into  meet by accident or unexpectedly (also: bump into)  Sophie ran into Maria at the shopping centre.
  run out of  have no more of something.  What a nuisance!  We've run out of coffee.
       

S

set off  start a journey;  Early Saturday morning we set off for the ski slopes .
  set up  start a business  She set up her own company 10 years ago.
  shop around  compare prices  It's always wise to shop around before buying anything.
  show off  brag or want to be admired  There's David showing off in his new sports car!
  show up  appear/arrive  We expected David to come but he didn't show up.
  shut up
 (impolite)              
 be silent, stop talking  Oh shut up, you idiot!
  sit down  take a seat  Please come in and sit down.
  stand up  rise from a sitting position  The pupils stood up when the headmaster arrived.
  stick up for  defend  It's important to stick up for one's principles.
       

T

take after  resemble, in appearance or character  Jamie really takes after his dad.
  take care of  look after  I'll take care of your plants while you're away.
  take off  leave the ground  The plane took off at 6 a.m.
  take on  hire or engage staff  Business is good so the company is taking on extra staff.
  take out  remove; extract  She took out a pen to note the address.
  tell off  reprimand/criticize severely  The teacher told her off for not doing her homework.
  think over  consider  I'll have to think over the proposal before I decide.
  try on  wear something to see if it suits or fits  I'm not sure about the size.  Can I try it on?
  turn down  refuse  I couldn't turn down an offer like that!
       

U

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

V

vouch for  express confidence in, or guarantee something   You can give the keys to Andy.  I can vouch for him.
       
W watch out  be careful  Watch out! There's a car coming.
  wear out  1) become unusable
 2) become very tired
 1) Julie wore out her shoes visiting the city.
 2) At the end of the day Julie was worn out.
  work out  1) do physical exercise
 2) find a solution or calculate something
 1) I work out twice a week at the gym club.
 2) It's expensive but I haven't worked out the exact cost yet.
  wipe off  clean (board, table).  The teacher asked Lee to wipe off the board.
Last Updated: September 1, 2018