22 Useful Phrasal Verbs Around the House

House Phrasal Verbs with Meaning and Examples

Here are some common phrasal verbs used around the house with their meanings and examples:

Build on

• Meaning: Add to something that already exists.
• Example: We can build on this foundation to make the house bigger.

Clean up/ tidy up

• Meaning: Put things in order and make them clean.
• Example: Let’s clean up the kitchen before we start cooking.

Dust off

• Meaning: Remove dust from something.
• Example: Can you dust off the shelves before we put the books back?

Fill up 

• Meaning: Add enough of something to make it full.
• Example: Please fill up the water bottle before we go out.

Fix up 

• Meaning: Repair or improve something.
• Example: We need to fix up the roof before the rainy season starts.

Hang up

• Meaning: Put something on a hook or hanger.
• Example: Hang up your coat in the closet, please.

Lock up 

• Meaning: Secure a building or room by locking the doors.
• Example: We need to lock up the house before we leave.

Mop up

• Meaning: Clean a floor using a mop.
• Example: Can you mop up the spill in the kitchen?

Pick up

• Meaning: Collect or tidy up things from the floor or other surfaces.
• Example: Please pick up your toys before you go to bed.

Put away

• Meaning: Return something to its proper place.
• Example: Put away the dishes after you wash them.

Put in 

• Meaning: Insert something into a container or machine.
• Example: Can you put in the laundry detergent before you start the washing machine?

Put on

• Meaning: Wear clothing or accessories.
• Example: Put on your jacket before we go outside.

Put out

• Meaning: Extinguish a fire or a cigarette.
• Example: Please put out your cigarette before you come inside.

Put up

• Meaning: Hang something on a wall or put something in a high place.
• Example: We can put up the picture frame in the living room.

Stock up

• Meaning: Buy or gather a large amount of something for future use.
• Example: Let’s stock up on groceries for the week.

Take down

• Meaning: Remove something from a wall or a high place.
• Example: Can you take down the decorations after the party?

Take out 

• Meaning: Remove something from a container or a place.
• Example: I’ll take out the trash before I leave.

Throw away

• Meaning: Discard something in the trash.
• Example: We need to throw away the old newspapers.

Turn off

• Meaning: Stop the operation of an appliance or a device.
• Example: Don’t forget to turn off the lights before you go to bed.

Turn on

• Meaning: Start the operation of an appliance or a device.
• Example: Can you turn on the TV, please?

Wipe down

• Meaning: Clean something using a cloth or a paper towel.
• Example: Let’s wipe down the counters after we finish cooking.