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Family is an integral part of our lives, and it often comes up in our conversations. In English, many phrasal verbs relate to family and are used to describe different family situations. By learning these phrasal verbs, you can communicate more effectively and better express your thoughts and feelings.
Some important family-related phrasal verbs include “bring sb up,” “fall out with sb,” “get along/on with,” and “grow apart.” Each phrase has a specific meaning and can be used in various contexts.
List of Family Phrasal Verbs in English
- Be named after
- Bring sb up
- Fall out with sb
- Get along/on with
- Get together
- Go by
- Grow apart
- Grow up
- Look after
- Look up to
- Take after
- Tell off
- Settle down
- Split up
- Make up
- Break up
- Put up with
- Pass away
Family Phrasal Verbs with Meaning and Examples
Be named after
- Meaning: Receive a name that is the same as or similar to another person’s name, often in honor or memory of that person.
- Example: My son was named after my father.
Bring sb up
- Meaning: Raise and care for a child until they become an adult, providing them with food, shelter, education, and other necessities for their development.
- Example: My parents brought me up in a small town.
Fall out with sb
- Meaning: To have a disagreement or argument with someone and stop being friends with them.
- Example: I fell out with my sister over money.
Get along/on with
- Meaning: To have a good relationship with someone.
- Example: I get along with my brother-in-law very well.
Get together
- Meaning: To meet with someone, usually for a social occasion.
- Example: We’re getting together with my cousins for Thanksgiving.
Go by
- Meaning: Prefer to be called by a particular name
- Example: My grandparents go by “Nana” and “Papa.”
Grow apart
- Meaning: To become less close to someone over time.
- Example: My best friend and I grew apart after college.
Grow up
- Meaning: To become an adult.
- Example: I grew up in a big family.
Look after
- Meaning: To take care of someone or something.
- Example: I have to look after my little sister while my parents are at work.
Look up to
- Meaning: To admire and respect someone.
- Example: I’ve always looked up to my grandfather.
Take after
- Meaning: To resemble a family member in appearance or personality.
- Example: My daughter takes after her father in many ways.
Tell off
- Meaning: To scold or reprimand someone.
- Example: My mom told me off for being late.
Settle down
- Meaning: To start living a more stable and responsible life.
- Example: After years of traveling, my brother finally settled down and got married.
Split up
- Meaning: To end a romantic relationship.
- Example: My aunt and uncle split up after 20 years of marriage.
Make up
- Meaning: To reconcile after an argument or disagreement.
- Example: My sister and I made up after not speaking for months.
Break up
- Meaning: To end a romantic relationship.
- Example: My cousin and his girlfriend broke up last week.
Put up with
- Meaning: To tolerate or endure something unpleasant.
- Example: My parents put up with a lot of noise from our neighbors.
Pass away
- Meaning: To die (often used as a euphemism to avoid using the word ‘die’ which could be considered too direct or upsetting in certain situations.)
- Example: My grandfather passed away last year.
Practical Tips for Learning Family Phrasal Verbs
Learning phrasal verbs can be challenging, but with some practical tips, we can make the process easier and more enjoyable. Here are a few tips to help you learn family phrasal verbs:
1. Focus on Common Phrasal Verbs
Start by learning the most common family phrasal verbs. These are the ones you are most likely to encounter in everyday conversation. Some examples include “look after,” “grow up,” “get along with,” and “take care of.” By focusing on these common phrasal verbs, you will build a solid foundation for learning more complex ones.
2. Use Context to Understand Meaning
Phrasal verbs often have multiple meanings, depending on the context in which they are used. To understand the meaning of a phrasal verb, pay attention to the words and phrases around it. Look for clues in the sentence that can help you figure out the meaning. For example, if someone says “I grew up in a small town,” you can infer that “grow up” means “to spend your childhood in a particular place.”
3. Practice with Real-Life Examples
One of the best ways to learn family phrasal verbs is to practice using them in real-life situations. Look for opportunities to use phrasal verbs in your conversations with family and friends. You can also practice by reading books, watching movies, and listening to music that uses phrasal verbs.
4. Make Flashcards
Flashcards are a great tool for learning family phrasal verbs. Write the phrasal verb on one side of the card and the definition on the other side. Quiz yourself regularly to reinforce your knowledge.
Family Phrasal Verbs | Video
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