20 Useful Health Phrasal Verbs

Last updated on July 1, 2024 by Isabella Claire

Expanding your vocabulary in health can enhance how you communicate in everyday conversations and professional settings. Health phrasal verbs like “pass away,” “run over,” and “fight off” provide specific ways to describe various health scenarios. Understanding and using these verbs effectively can help you express yourself more clearly when talking about health.

Learning health phrasal verbs will help not only in casual talks but also in medical contexts. Whether you’re discussing a minor illness or a serious condition, the right phrasal verb can make your communication more precise and impactful. Familiarize yourself with these terms to improve your language skills significantly.

List of Health Phrasal Verbs

Health Phrasal Verbs
Health Phrasal Verbs – Created by 7ESL
  • Pass away
  • Run over
  • Break out
  • Fight off
  • Come to
  • Pass out
  • Get over
  • Come down with
  • Throw up
  • Come round
  • Work out
  • Warm up
  • Block up
  • Lay (Laid) up
  • Swell up
  • Clog up
  • Dose up (UK)
  • Lay low
  • Let up
  • Shake off

Health Phrasal Verbs with Meaning and Examples

Pass away

  • Meaning: To die
  • Example: His mother passed away last year.

Run over

  • Meaning: To hit and injure someone with a vehicle
  • Example: The pedestrian was run over by a car.

Break out

  • Meaning: Develop skin sores or irritation, often as a result of an allergic reaction or a skin condition.
  • Example:  I broke out in a rash after eating seafood.

Fight off

  • Meaning: To resist or defend against an infection or illness
  • Example: I am trying to fight off this cold with lots of rest and fluids.

Come to

  • Meaning:  To regain consciousness
  • Example: After fainting, she slowly came to and realized where she was.

Pass out

  • Meaning: To lose consciousness
  • Example: The heat was too much for him and he passed out.

Get over

  • Meaning: To recover from an illness or injury
  • Example: It took her a few weeks to get over the flu.

Come down with

  • Meaning: To become ill with something
  • Example: I think I am coming down with a cold.

Throw up

  • Meaning: To vomit
  • Example: I felt so sick that I had to throw up.

Come round

  • Meaning: Regain consciousness after being unconscious
  • Example:  She is slowly coming round after her surgery.

Work out

  • Meaning: To exercise
  • Example: I try to work out at least three times a week.

Warm up

  • Meaning: To prepare the body for exercise by doing gentle exercises
  • Example: Before running, it is important to warm up properly.

Block up

  • Meaning: To become blocked or obstructed
  • Example: My nose is blocked up and I can’t breathe properly.

Lay (Laid) up

  • Meaning: To be confined to bed due to illness or injury
  • Example: He is laid up with a broken leg and can’t walk.

Swell up

  • Meaning: To become swollen
  • Example: Her ankle swelled up after she twisted it.

Clog up

  • Meaning: Become or cause to become obstructed
  • Example: High fat foods can clog up our arteries.

Dose up (UK)

  • Meaning:  To take a large amount of medication
  • Example: The doctor told me to dose up on painkillers.

Lay low

  • Meaning: To rest and avoid activity due to illness or injury
  • Example: I need to lay low for a few days until I feel better.

Let up

  • Meaning: To decrease in intensity
  • Example: A cold continues at its peak for several days, then it gradually let up.

Shake off

  • Meaning: To get rid of an illness or infection
  • Example: I am trying to shake off this cold by drinking lots of fluids and resting.

Application of Health Phrasal Verbs

In Everyday Conversations

Health phrasal verbs are commonly used in everyday conversations, and it is essential to understand their meaning to communicate effectively. Below are some examples of how to use health phrasal verbs in everyday conversations:

  • I picked up a cold from my coworker.
  • I need to shake off this flu before my presentation.
  • I threw up after eating that sushi.
  • I feel like I’m going to keel over after that workout.
  • I’m taking up yoga to improve my flexibility.

In Medical Contexts

Medical professionals use health phrasal verbs to communicate with patients and other healthcare providers. Understanding these phrasal verbs is essential for effective communication in medical contexts. Below are some examples of how to use health phrasal verbs in medical contexts:

  • The doctor dosed up the patient with pain medication after surgery.
  • The nurse monitored the patient’s vitals after the heart attack.
  • The surgeon cut out the tumor during the operation.
  • The patient passed out during the MRI scan.
  • The physical therapist helped the patient build up their strength after the injury.

Health Phrasal Verbs | Video

 

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