Phrasal verbs with WORK are extremely common in everyday English. They are formed by combining a verb with one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs), and their meanings often differ significantly from the meanings of the individual words. In this lesson, you will learn the most useful phrasal verbs with WORK, their meanings, grammar patterns, and real-life examples. Understanding these expressions will help you sound more natural in both professional settings and casual conversations.
List of Common Phrasal Verbs with WORK
Here are the most essential phrasal verbs with work that appear frequently in everyday English:
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Work on
Work out
Work over
Work someone out
Work something out
Work something off
Work through
Work up
Phrasal Verbs with WORK: Meaning and Examples
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of each phrasal verb with work, organized with clear meanings, real-world examples, and essential grammar rules:
Work on
/wɜːrk ɒn/transitiveinseparable
📖 1To develop, improve, or spend time making something better
He spent hours working on his car.
📖 2To try to influence someone’s opinion or behavior
My mom is working on my dad to let us go on the trip.
🔄 Synonyms:improvedevelopinfluence
Work out
/wɜːrk aʊt/transitive/intransitiveseparable
📖 1To calculate or find an answer through thinking
Can you work out the total cost?
📖 2To understand a situation or problem
I can’t work out how this machine works.
📖 3To find and remove small problems
The developers are working out the bugs in the software.
📖 4To develop successfully or end well
Everything worked out in the end.
📖 5To do physical exercise
She works out at the gym every morning.
🔄 Synonyms:solveexercisesucceedcalculate
Work over
/wɜːrk ˈəʊvər/transitiveseparable
📖 1To examine or review something carefully
The editor worked over the report before publishing.
📖 2To attack someone violently
He was badly worked over during the robbery.
🔄 Synonyms:examinereviewassault
Work someone out
/wɜːrk ˈsʌmwʌn aʊt/transitiveseparable
📖 To understand someone’s personality or behavior
I can’t work him out; he’s very unpredictable.
🔄 Synonyms:understandfigure outcomprehend
Work something out
/wɜːrk ˈsʌmθɪŋ aʊt/transitiveseparable
📖 1To understand an idea or concept
She finally worked out the answer.
📖 2To resolve a problem through discussion
We need to work out a solution together.
🔄 Synonyms:solveresolvefigure out
The first five phrasal verbs demonstrate how “work” expresses development, problem-solving, and understanding. “Work on” emphasizes improvement, while “work out” covers calculation, success, and physical activity.
Work something off
/wɜːrk ɒf/transitiveseparable
📖 To get rid of something through activity
She goes jogging to work off stress.
🔄 Synonyms:reduceburn offeliminate
Work through
/wɜːrk θruː/transitiveinseparable
📖 To deal with a problem step by step
They are working through their differences.
🔄 Synonyms:deal withovercomeprocess
Work up
/wɜːrk ʌp/transitiveseparable
📖 1To build or increase something gradually
He worked up the courage to speak.
📖 2To create or prepare something
She worked up a detailed proposal.
🔄 Synonyms:buildcreatedevelopgenerate
Common Mistakes with Phrasal Verbs with Work
❌ Wrong“I am working the project on.” (Incorrect—word order for inseparable verb)
✅ Correct“I am working on the project.” (Correct—”work on” is inseparable)
❌ Wrong“She worked off a detailed proposal.” (Incorrect phrasal verb)
✅ Correct“She worked up a detailed proposal.” (Correct—”work up” means create)
Dialogue Examples with Phrasal Verbs with WORK
Here are realistic conversations showing how these phrasal verbs are used naturally in professional settings:
💬 Conversation About a Project Deadline
Manager
How’s the project coming along?
Leader
We worked out the first draft yesterday.
Manager
Great! Did you work off most of the delays?
Leader
Mostly, but we’re still working through the timeline.
Manager
Have you worked up a detailed proposal for the client?
Leader
Yes. The client seemed pleased with our revised timeline.
💬 Conversation About Personal Development
A
You seem stressed. How are you doing? Friend
B
I’ve been working on my fitness goals lately. Friend
A
That’s great! Are you working out regularly? Friend
B
Yes, I work off stress at the gym three times a week, and everything is working out well. Friend
