Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are an interesting aspect of the English language. They consist of a verb combined with one or two words, often changing the meaning of the original verb. These combinations can be tricky, but they are used often in everyday conversations.
Learning phrasal verbs can improve both spoken and written English skills. By understanding their definitions and types, individuals can communicate more effectively and naturally.
What Are Phrasal Verbs? A phrasal verb is the combination of a verb with another word or two from a different grammatical category, such as an adverb preposition
These combinations give the verb a new meaning. For example, phrasal verbs with the verb get include get at , get in , get out , get off , get away , get over , and get back . Each has its own meaning.
Phrasal verbs can also have multiple meanings. For instance, get out can mean:
leave or escape become known (Somehow the secret got out . )say something with difficulty (He could hardly get the words out for the tears. )remove a stain (This detergent will get most household stains out . )spend free time out of the house (You work too hard. You should get out more. )
Phrasal verbs are more common in everyday speech than in formal writing or speaking.
Intransitive Phrasal Verbs
These phrasal verbs do not have a direct object. The particle (adverb/preposition) follows the verb directly.
Example: My car broke down . (broke down is intransitive because it doesn’t take a direct object.)
Nonseparable Transitive
These phrasal verbs take a direct object and cannot have their verb and particle separated.
Example: She came across the pen she had been looking for. (came across answers “what?”)
Optionally Separable Transitive
These phrasal verbs take a direct object and may be separated while still making sense.
Example: Can you hand out the homework? / Can you hand the homework out ?
Obligatorily Separable
These phrasal verbs must be separated when using an object pronoun (it, them, etc.).
Example: I looked it up online. (Not: I looked up it .)
Phrasal verbs are important because they are frequently used in both everyday conversation and writing. Understanding them helps you communicate more naturally and avoid common mistakes.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
act up to misbehave or malfunction
The computer is acting up again.
add up to make sense or calculate
These numbers don’t add up .
back off to move away or stop pressuring someone
You need to back off a bit.
blow up to explode or suddenly become angry
He blew up when he heard the news.
break down to stop working or have an emotional collapse
Her car broke down on the way home.
bring up to mention a topic
He always brings up that issue.
call off to cancel
They called off the meeting.
carry on to continue
They must carry on despite the difficulties.
catch up to reach the same level or make up for lost time
She needed to catch up with her work.
check in to register at a hotel or airport
They checked in at the hotel.
clean up to tidy or clean
They need to clean up the mess.
come across to find or meet by chance
I came across an old photo.
come up with to think of an idea
He came up with a brilliant plan.
cut off to disconnect or stop something
The phone call was cut off .
do over to do again
You might need to do the task over .
drop off to fall asleep or decrease
He dropped off while watching TV.
eat out to dine at a restaurant
They often eat out on weekends.
figure out to understand or solve
I can’t figure out this math problem.
get out to leave, escape, or become known
We should get out before it gets crowded.
give up to stop trying or quit
Don’t give up now.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
act up to behave badly or misbehave
The children always act up when they’re tired.
add up to make sense or be logical
His story just doesn’t add up .
aim at to direct or point something toward a target
He aimed at the bull’s-eye and hit it.
answer back to respond rudely or defiantly
She always answers back when she’s told what to do.
ask around to ask many people the same question
I asked around but nobody knows where he is.
ask out to invite someone to go out with you
He asked her out to dinner.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
back away to move away from something or someone
The dog backed away when it saw the stranger.
bail out to rescue or provide financial help
The government bailed out the company during the recession.
bear out to support or confirm something
The evidence bore out his claims.
bear with to be patient with someone or something
Please bear with me as I try to solve this problem.
bear up to endure something difficult
Despite the tragedy, he managed to bear up and carry on.
beat down to weaken someone’s resistance or confidence
The constant criticism beat down her confidence.
blow up to explode or become angry
The factory blew up , destroying the entire building.
break away to leave or escape from a group/situation
The athletes broke away from the pack.
break down to stop working
The car broke down on the highway.
break into to enter a place illegally/forcefully
Someone broke into our house while we were on vacation.
break out to start suddenly (often something bad)
A fire broke out in the building.
break up to end a relationship/meeting
The couple broke up after years of dating.
bring about to cause something to happen
The new policies brought about significant change.
bring along to bring someone/something with you
Don’t forget to bring along your camera.
bring down to cause the downfall of someone/something
The scandal brought down the politician’s career.
bring up to mention a topic
She brought up the issue at the meeting.
bring in to introduce something new
The company brought in a new policy.
bring out to produce or reveal something
The writer brought out a new book last month.
brush up to improve skills or knowledge
I need to brush up on my Spanish before my trip.
build up to increase gradually
The company is building up its presence in the market.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
call off to cancel something planned
The picnic was called off because of the bad weather.
carry on to continue doing something
She decided to carry on with her studies.
carry out to complete or perform a task
They carried out the experiment successfully.
catch up to reach the same level as someone else
He worked hard to catch up with his colleagues.
check in to register at a hotel or airport
We need to check in at the hotel before 2 pm.
check out to leave a hotel or pay the bill
We checked out early in the morning.
cheer up to make someone feel happier
She brought me flowers to cheer me up .
clean up to make something clean and tidy
They had to clean up the mess after the party.
clear up to make something clear
The teacher cleared up the confusion.
come across to find something by chance
I came across an interesting book in the library.
come along to make progress
The project is coming along nicely.
come around to change one’s opinion
She finally came around to my way of thinking.
come out to be released or become available
The new album is coming out next month.
come up to arise unexpectedly
A problem came up during the meeting.
come into to receive (money/property)
She came into a lot of money.
count on to rely on someone
I know I can count on you.
cross out to delete or mark as incorrect
He crossed out the wrong answer.
cut down to reduce the amount
He decided to cut down on his sugar intake.
cut off to disconnect abruptly
The phone was cut off during the conversation.
cut out to remove or eliminate
She cut out all junk food from her diet.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
deal with to handle a situation
She had to deal with a difficult customer.
die away to become quieter until it disappears
The sound died away .
die down to become less intense
The noise died down in the evening.
dig in to start eating or prepare to work hard
We dug in to the delicious meal.
do over to redo something
He had to do the project over .
double up to share a room or bed
We had to double up in the hotel room.
draw in to become dark earlier
The nights are drawing in .
draw up to prepare a document or plan
The lawyer drew up a contract.
dress down to wear casual clothes
They can dress down on Fridays.
dress up to wear formal clothes
She dressed up for the party.
drive away to cause something to go away
The loud noise drove away the birds.
drive off to leave quickly in a vehicle
The thieves drove off before the police arrived.
drive up to arrive in a vehicle
The delivery truck drove up and dropped off the packages.
drop by to visit without an appointment
I’m going to drop by your office.
drop in to visit briefly
She dropped in for a cup of coffee.
drop off to fall asleep or decrease
I dropped off during the movie.
drop out to quit or withdraw
He dropped out of college.
dry out to become dry after being wet
She hung the clothes outside to dry out .
dry up to become dry
The river dried up during the drought.
dust off to clean something not used for a long time
He dusted off the old bike.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
ease up to relax or become less intense
It’s time to ease up and take a break.
end up to eventually reach a situation
We’ll end up missing the movie.
engage in to take part in
He loves to engage in outdoor activities.
enter into to start a formal agreement
They entered into a partnership.
even out to make something level or equal
She used a roller to even out the paint.
expose to to make someone experience something
We don’t want to expose children to violence.
extend to to include someone
The invitation extends to your family.
eye up to look at with desire or suspicion
He kept eyeing up the phone.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
face up to to accept and deal with
He finally faced up to the truth.
fall apart to break into pieces or fail
The old chair fell apart .
fall back on to rely on as a backup
He fell back on his savings.
figure out to understand or solve
I’m trying to figure out how it works.
fill in to provide missing information
Please fill in the form.
find out to discover or learn
I just found out the news.
finish off to complete the last part
She finished off the report.
fix up to repair or improve
He’s fixing up his car.
follow up to take action after initial contact
I’ll follow up with an email.
fool around to waste time or behave playfully
Stop fooling around .
forge ahead to continue despite difficulties
They forged ahead with the plan.
freak out to become very upset
She freaked out when she saw the spider.
free up to make time or resources available
The delay freed up my afternoon.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
get across to communicate an idea clearly
She struggled to get her point across .
get along to have a friendly relationship
They get along well.
get around to move from place to place
It’s easy to get around by metro.
get at to imply or suggest indirectly
What are you getting at ?
get out to leave, escape, or become known
Let’s get out of here.
get over to recover or overcome
It took her a long time to get over it.
give away to donate or reveal
Don’t give away the ending.
give back to return something
Please give back the book.
give in to yield or surrender
They finally gave in .
give off to emit a smell, light, or sound
The flowers give off a sweet fragrance.
give up to stop trying or quit
She gave up smoking.
go ahead to proceed or give permission
Go ahead and start without me.
go over to review carefully
Let’s go over the notes.
go through to experience or examine
Please go through the terms.
grow into to develop into a role
He grew into his new position.
grow out of to stop liking something as you grow older
She grew out of that phase.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
hand in to submit something
She handed in her resume.
hand out to distribute
The teacher handed out the homework.
hang around to stay or loiter
Don’t hang around here too long.
hang out to spend time casually
We used to hang out at the park.
hang up to end a phone call
He hung up without saying goodbye.
head off to prevent something
They headed off a crisis.
help out to assist
Thanks for helping out .
hit on to flirt with someone
He kept hitting on her.
hold back to restrain
He held back his anger.
hold on to wait
Hold on a minute.
hold up to delay
The traffic held us up .
hold over to postpone
The meeting was held over until next week.
hunt down to search for and find
The police hunted down the suspect.
hurry up to move faster
Hurry up or we’ll be late!
hush up to keep quiet, often to hide something
They tried to hush it up .
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
identify with to feel a connection with someone or something
Many people identify with her story.
immerse in to become deeply involved in something
I want to immerse myself in the local culture.
inquire about to ask for information
I called to inquire about the rates.
insist on to demand strongly
She insisted on paying.
invest in to put money or time into something
They invested in new equipment.
invite over to ask someone to come to your home
We invited our neighbors over for dinner.
iron out to resolve a problem or disagreement
We need to iron out these differences.
itch for to strongly want something
I’m itching for a vacation.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
jack up to raise or increase
The company plans to jack up prices next month.
jam out to enjoy music enthusiastically
We were jamming out to our favorite songs.
jazz up to make something more interesting
She jazzed up the room with colorful pillows.
jerk around to treat someone unfairly
I’m tired of being jerked around .
jet off to leave quickly, often by plane
They jetted off to Paris.
jiggle around to move or shake repeatedly
He jiggled the key around in the lock.
join in to participate
Can I join in ?
jot down to write quickly
Please jot down the main points.
jump at to accept eagerly
She jumped at the chance.
jump in to start without hesitation
He jumped in to help.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
keep up to maintain the same level or pace
I need to keep up with my studies.
kick back to relax
I like to kick back and watch TV.
knock out to defeat or overwhelm
The boxer knocked him out .
keep on to continue
Keep on practicing.
key into to focus on or notice
Key into what your customers really need.
keep away to stay at a distance
Keep away from the edge.
knuckle down to work hard and focus
I need to knuckle down and finish this report.
kick up to cause a disturbance
The wind kicked up a lot of dust.
keep to to stick to a rule or plan
We need to keep to the budget.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
lace up to tie shoelaces
He laced up his boots.
lash out to attack or criticize suddenly
He lashed out during the meeting.
lay off to dismiss from a job or stop pressuring
They had to lay off several employees.
lead to to result in
Poor communication can lead to conflict.
leak out to become known unintentionally
The news leaked out .
leave out to not include
Don’t leave out important details.
let down to disappoint
I felt let down by the result.
light up to become bright or happy
Her face lit up .
look after to take care of
Can you look after my cat?
look into to investigate
The police are looking into the case.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
make up to invent or reconcile
She made up an excuse.
mix up to confuse
I always mix up their names.
mark down to reduce the price
The store marked down winter coats.
move in to start living somewhere
We’re moving in next month.
mess up to make a mistake
He messed up his presentation.
measure up to meet a standard
Her work really measures up .
meet up to gather
Let’s meet up for lunch.
move out to leave a place you live
I’m moving out next month.
make out to see or understand with difficulty
I can’t make out the writing.
make do to manage with what you have
We’ll make do with public transport.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
narrow down to reduce the number of options
We narrowed down the list.
nod off to fall asleep unintentionally
I nodded off during the lecture.
note down to write something down
Please note down the key points.
nurse along to help something continue weakly
He nursed the car along .
nip in to go somewhere briefly
I’ll nip in to the store.
name after to give someone a name in honor
The baby was named after his grandfather.
nail down to finalize or confirm
We need to nail down the details.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
opt for to choose or prefer
She opted for the chicken.
open up to share feelings
He finally opened up .
own up to admit responsibility
He owned up to the mistake.
opt out to choose not to participate
She opted out of the program.
offer up to provide or suggest
He offered up a solution.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
pass away to die
His grandfather passed away .
pay off to settle a debt
I finally paid off my loans.
pick out to choose
She picked out a dress.
pick up to lift or learn
She picked up French in Paris.
play along to pretend to agree
She decided to play along .
point out to draw attention to
He pointed out the typo.
put away to store properly
We put away the dishes.
put off to postpone
We put off the trip.
put up to accommodate or display
We can put up guests.
pass out to faint or distribute
She passed out from exhaustion.
pull off to succeed
He pulled off the win.
put on to wear or present
She put on her coat.
pick on to bully
They always picked on him.
pass up to decline
I regret passing up the offer.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
queue up (for something) to form a line to wait
We queued up for hours.
quicken up to make something happen more quickly
They quickened up the pace of their work.
quiet down to become quieter
The children finally quieted down .
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
rack up to accumulate
He racked up a lot of points.
raise up to lift or elevate
He raised up his hand to answer the question.
rake in to earn a lot of money
The company is raking in huge profits.
ramp up to increase or intensify
They are ramping up production.
rat out to inform on or betray
He was afraid his friend would rat him out .
read up (on) to study or research
He spent hours reading up on the subject.
rip off to cheat or deceive
The salesman was trying to rip me off .
reason out to think logically and reach a conclusion
He tried to reason out why his plan failed.
rely on to depend on or trust
You can rely on her for support.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
sack out to fall asleep
He sacked out on the couch.
sand down to smooth a surface
She sanded down the old table.
save up to save money over time
She saved up for a vacation.
scale back to reduce size or amount
The company scaled back production.
scatter about to spread out
The papers scattered about the floor.
scramble up to climb quickly
He scrambled up the hill.
screw up to make a mistake
He screwed up the presentation.
settle down to calm down or become stable
The kids settled down after a while.
shape up to improve
He needs to shape up at work.
shell out to pay a lot of money
We had to shell out for repairs.
show up to arrive or appear
He promised to show up , but he didn’t.
shut up to stop talking
Please shut up and listen.
sign in to record arrival
She signed in at the front desk.
sing along to sing with
The audience sang along .
sit back to relax and watch
Just sit back and enjoy the show.
skim off to remove the top layer
She skimmed off the cream.
sleep in to sleep later than usual
I like to sleep in on Sundays.
slip up to make a careless mistake
I slipped up and sent the wrong file.
slow down to reduce speed
Slow down —there’s ice on the road.
sort through to examine and organize
She sorted through old photos.
speak out to express opinions openly
She spoke out against the decision.
spin off to create something new from an existing one
The show spun off a new series.
stand up to rise to your feet
He stood up and stretched.
stay out to remain away from home
They stayed out late.
stick around to remain in a place
Stick around —we’re not finished yet.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
take after to resemble someone
She takes after her mother.
take apart to dismantle
He took the engine apart .
take back to retract
I take back what I said.
take down to write down or remove
Please take down the address.
take in to understand
It took me a while to take it in .
take off to remove (clothing) or depart (plane)
The plane took off on time.
take on to accept a task or responsibility
She took on the challenge.
take out to remove
I need to take out the trash.
take over to assume control
The new CEO will take over next month.
tear apart to criticize harshly
The critics tore the film apart .
tear up to rip into pieces
She tore up the letter.
think over to consider carefully
I need to think it over .
throw away to discard
He threw away the old clothes.
throw up to vomit
She felt sick and threw up .
try on to test clothing for fit
She tried on several dresses.
talk down to to speak condescendingly
He talks down to everyone.
talk over to discuss
Let’s talk it over .
tear down to demolish
They plan to tear down the old factory.
tie up to fasten securely
Tie up the boat.
think up to invent an idea
She thought up a clever plan.
throw out to discard
I need to throw out these magazines.
try out to test something
I want to try out this recipe.
turn down to reject or refuse
He turned down the offer.
turn into to transform
The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.
turn off to switch off
Turn off the TV, please.
turn on to switch on
She turned on the computer.
turn out to result
The party turned out great.
turn up to appear unexpectedly
My old friend turned up at my door.
take up to begin a hobby or activity
She took up painting.
tune in to watch or listen to a broadcast
Don’t forget to tune in tonight.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
use up to exhaust completely
I’ve used up all the milk.
urge on to encourage someone to do something
His friends urged him on .
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
vary from to be different from
Prices can vary from store to store.
vie for to compete for
Two teams are vying for the title.
visit with to spend time talking with someone
I visited with my grandmother.
vote down to reject a proposal by voting
The bill was voted down .
vote in to elect someone by voting
The voters voted in a new president.
vote out to remove someone by voting
The mayor was voted out .
vouch for to guarantee or support someone
I can vouch for her honesty.
venture out to go out, often bravely or into unfamiliar places
We ventured out despite the storm.
vamp up to improve or make something more exciting
They vamped up the presentation.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
wake up to stop sleeping and become alert
I usually wake up at 6:00 am.
walk away to leave a situation deliberately
I walked away before it got worse.
watch out to be careful or vigilant
Watch out for that icy patch!
wash up to clean with water and soap
Wash up before dinner.
wear out to make someone/something exhausted or used up
That hike wore me out .
weigh down to burden or make heavy
The bags weighed him down .
whip up to make quickly
She whipped up dinner in 30 minutes.
wind up to end up or finish
We wound up the meeting early.
work out to exercise or find a solution
I work out three times a week.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
x out to cross out something
Please x out the wrong answer.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
yield to to give way or surrender
He yielded to the pressure.
yearn for to strongly desire
She yearned for her childhood home.
yell out to shout loudly
He yelled out for help.
yank off to pull off forcefully
He yanked off the sticker.
yield up to surrender or give up something
They yielded up control of the company.
yap at to bark repeatedly at
The dog yapped at the postman.
Phrasal Verb
Meaning
Example
zip up to close with a zipper
Zip up your jacket.
zone out to stop paying attention
I zoned out during the meeting.
zero in (on) to focus attention on something
The detective zeroed in on the suspect.
zoom in (on) to focus closely or magnify
The photographer zoomed in on the details.
Phrasal verbs do not simply come under one huge umbrella. While they are a subject to learn in their own right, they can also be split into subcategories such as business phrasal verbs animal phrasal verbs travel phrasal verbs
English Phrasal Verbs with Pictures Download 7ESL Phrasal Verbs PDF Book for free
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