Phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb is a verb usually followed by preposition. For example (go/look/be, etc) +(in/out/up/down, etc)

Got in:
Ann opened the door of the car and got it. (= into the car)

Go in:
I waited outside the house. I didn’t go in.

Go out:
The car stopped and a woman got up (= out of the car)

Look out:
I went to the window and looked out.

Get on:
The bus arrived and I got on.

Fall off:
Be careful! Don’t fall off.

Phrasal Verb and their meaning:
ask someone out: invite on a date
ask around: ask many people the same question
add up to something: equal
back something up: reverse
back someone up: support
blow up: explode
blow something up: add air
break down: stop functioning (vehicle, machine)
break down: get upset
break something down: divide into smaller parts
break in: force entry to a building
break into something: enter forcibly
break something in: wear something a few times so that it doesn’t look/feel new
break in: interrupt
break up: end a relationship
break up: start laughing (informal)
break out: escape
break out in something: develop a skin condition
bring something down: make unhappy
bring someone up: raise a child
bring something up: start talking about a subject
bring something up: vomit
call around: phone many different places/people
call someone back: return a phone call
call something off: cancel
call on someone: ask for an answer or opinion
call on someone: visit someone
call someone up: phone
calm down: relax after being angry
not care for someone/something: not like (formal)
catch up: get to the same point as someone else
check in: arrive and register at a hotel or airport
check someone/something out: look at carefully, investigate
check out someone/something: look at (informal)
cheer up: become happier
cheer someone up: make happier
chip in: help
clean something up: tidy, clean
come across something: find unexpectedly
come apart: separate
come down with something: become sick
come forward: volunteer for a task or to give evidence
come from somewhere: originate in
count on someone/something: rely on
cross something out: draw a line through
cut back on something: consume less
cut something down: make something fall to the ground
cut in: interrupt
cut in: pull in too closely in front of another vehicle
cut something off: remove with something sharp
cut something off: stop providing
cut someone off: take out of a will
cut something out: remove part of something (usually with scissors and paper)
do someone/something over: beat up, ransack (Br. E, informal)
do something over: do again (N. Amer.)
do away with something: discard
do something up: fasten, close
dress up: wear nice clothing
drop down: move back in a position/group
drop in/by/over: come without an appointment
drop someone/something off: take someone/something somewhere and leave them/it there
drop out: quit a class, school, etc
eat out: eat at a restaurant
end up: eventually reach/do/decide
fall apart: break into pieces
fall down: fall to the ground
fall out: separate from an interior
figure something out: understand, find the answer
fill something in: to write information in blanks (Br.E)
fill something out: to write information in blanks (N. Amer.)
fill something up: fill of the top
find out: discover
find something out: discover
get communicate across/over: communicate, make understandable
get along/on: like each other
get around: have mobility
get away: go on a vacation
go away with something: do without being noticed or punished
get back: return
get something back: receive something you had before
get back at someone: retaliate, take revenge
get on something: become interested in something again
get on something: step onto a vehicle
get over something: recover from an illness, loss, difficulty
get over something: overcome a problem
get round to something: finally find time to do (N.Amer.: get around to something)
get together: meet (usually for social reasons)
get up: get out of bed
get up: stand
give someone away: reveal hidden information about someone
give someone away: take the bride to the altar
give something away: ruin a secret
give something away: give something to someone for free
give something back: return a borrowed item
give in: reluctantly stop fighting or arguing
give something out: give to many people (usually at no cost)
give something up: quit a habit
give up: stop trying
go after someone: try to achieve something
go against someone: compete, oppose
go ahead: start, proceed
go back: return to a place
go out: leave home to go on a social event
go out with someone: date
go over something: review
go over: visit someone nearby
go without something: suffer lack or deprivation
grow apart: stop being friends over time
grow back: regrow

Exercise 1:
Complete the following sentences with up/off/in, etc:

1. Hurry…………..Pam! The plane takes……..in ten minutes.
2. Jane was asleep on the bus. Suddenly, the bus driver said, ‘Wake……..!’ This is your stop.’ Jane quickly got……………and the bus drove………….
3. A young boy ran out of the sweet shop and rode……….on his bike. Two seconds later, the shop keeper came out and shouted, ‘Come……..! You havn’t paid!’
4. Look…….! There’s an old woman typing to cross the road. I think you’re driving too fast. Slow……..a bit, please.
5. If you’ve finished Exercise 6, turn………..and carry………..Exercises 7 and 8 are on page 5.
6. A: Can I speak to Bob, please?
7. One cold night last winter my car broke………………….I went to a house and asked for help. The

B: Can I speak to Bob, please?
A: Can I speak to Bob, please?
B: Yes, hold………………….a minute. He’s in the kitchen, washing……………. I’ll call him, Bob!
7. One cold night last night my car broke……………..I went to a house and asked for help. The man there was very kind and said, ‘Come………….and keep warm.’

Exercise 2:
Complete the sentences with a verb + on/off/up, etc.

1. You’re in a clothes shop. You want to buy some jeans but first you want to see is they’re the right size. What do you ask the shop assistant?
2. It’s dark in the room. You need some light. What do you ask? Could you………………………………….please?
3. You father can’t read the newspaper because he isn’t wearing his glasses. What do you say?
   ………………………………………………………………..Dad.
4. You borrow some money from a friend. You promise to return it tomorrow. What do you say?
   I’ll…………………………………………………………….tomorrow.
5. Your grandfather has dropped a magazine on the floor and she can’t get it.
   What does she ask you?
   Could you………………………………………………………..a bit, please?