Phrasal Verbs

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What are phrasal verbs?

A phrasal verb has two parts: a verb and a particle (a preposition and/or an adverb).

The term phrasal verb is sometimes used to describe all kinds of multi-word verbs (i.e. phrasal verbs, prepositional verbs and phrasal-prepositional verbs).

These are the most common particles used to make phrasal verbs:

about, across, around, at, away, back, down, in, off, on, out, over, round, through, to, up

Examples:

look + up = look up
fill + in = fill in
run + out + of = run out of
get + along + with = get along with

Phrasal verbs are often less formal than the one-word verbs that have the same meaning.

A phrasal verb functions as a verb whose meaning is, in most cases, different from the meaning of the individual words.

One verb may be used with different particles to give different meanings.

turn on (start; switch on)
turn off (switch off)
turn up (increase)
turn down (decrease)

In addition, a phrasal verb may have more than one meaning. So checking the dictionary or any other reliable source is essential in learning phrasal verbs.

Sometimes, it’s easy to guess the meaning of the phrasal verb because the verb and the particle are used literally.

For example, the meaning of the phrasal verb take away (eliminate; remove) can be guessed from the meaning of the verb take and the meaning of the adverb away.

However, the meaning of many phrasal verbs is difficult to guess because the verb and particle are used idiomatically in these phrasal verbs.

For example, when you first learn the phrasal verb let down (disappoint) or put up with (accept), it is unlikely that you can guess the meaning by adding up the meaning of the the individual words. You need to look up the meaning in a dictionary or ask a native speaker.

Example sentences

Here are some examples of phrasal verbs used in sentences. Synonyms of phrasal verbs are given in brackets after each sentence.

His latest book came out last year. (become available)
I couldn’t make out what the child was saying. (hear; understand)
The plane took off two hours ago. (fly into the air)
She took off her hat as soon as she entered the room. (remove clothes)
The speech went on for three hours. (continue)

(At the end of the page, you will find a list of popular phrasal verbs with their meaning.)

Let’s now explore the different types of phrasal verbs in terms of their structure.

Type 1: verb + particle (no object)

The phrasal verbs in the first group are intransitive (i.e. do not take an object).

Stand up, please! (rise to one’s feet)
The fire alarm will go off if it detects smoke. (start ringing)
Their plan didn’t work out. (succeed)

The phrasal verbs in the second group are transitive (i.e. take an object). The object can come after the particle or between the verb and the particle. That’s why this type is called separable phrasal verbs.

Look at these examples. Each sentence is written in two ways: once with the object after the particle and once with the object separating the verb from the particle.

Make sure to put out the fire before you sleep! (stop)
Make sure to put the fire out before you sleep!
He had to call off the meeting. (cancel)
He had to call the meeting off.

If the object is relatively long, it’s more common to place it after the particle. In the following example, the object is underlined.

Do I need to hand out all the copies that we made yesterday?

However, if the object is a pronoun (me, her, him etc.), it has to come between the verb and the particle.

Let’s clean up the mess before they arrive!
Let’s clean the mess up before they arrive!
Let’s clean it up before they arrive!
Incorrect: ~~Let’s clean up it before they arrive!~~

Type 3: verb + particle + object (inseparable)

These phrasal verbs are also transitive (i.e. take an object). But the object in this group cannot come between the verb and the particle. That’s why this type is called inseparable phrasal verbs.

Here are a few examples. The object must always be placed after the particle.

I came across an old friend in the national park. (meet accidentally)
His family counts on him. (depend on)
Please, go over the report before the meeting! (review; examine)

Type 4: verb + particle + particle + object

The verb is followed by two particles.

The object always comes after the second particle. In other words, these phrasal verbs are inseparable phrasal verbs.

Almost always, the meaning is idiomatic: It’s difficult to guess their meaning from their individual parts.

I look forward to the next chapter. (anticipate with pleasure)
She cannot easily get along with people. (have friendly relationships)
I cannot put up with noise. (tolerate; accept)

⇔ Take a quiz on phrasal verbs (Quiz 1)

⇔ Take a quiz on phrasal verbs (Quiz 2)

⇔ Take a quiz on separable and inseparable phrasal verbs

List of phrasal verbs

This is a list of common phrasal verbs with simplified explanation.

act on = take action
act out = perform with actions and gestures
add in = include something as part of something else
add up = (mathematics) add
agree with = think that something is right
aim at = target
allow for = include (in a plan or calculation)
allow of = permit; show that something is possible
answer back = reply rudely
ask after = ask about someone’s health
back away = go backward; retreat
back off = retreat
back out of = desert; fail to keep a promise
back up = cause to move backwards; support; make a digital cop
bear down on = lean on; browbeat
bear on = have to do with
bear up under = endure
bear with = be patient
blow up = cause to explode; destroy by explosives; enlarge a photograph
break down = analyze; list the parts of something separately; (car) stop working
break in on = interrupt
break into = interrupt; enter a place by force
break out = (war, fire, fight) begin suddenly
break up = (school) stop for a holiday
bring about = cause something to happen
bring off = accomplish something
bring on = cause something to happen
bring out = publish; emphasize
bring over = bring (something/somebody here)
bring to = revive somebody
bring up = raise; care for a child during childhood; start to talk about a subject
burn down = destroy by burning
bear on = have to do with
burn up = consume by fire
buy out = by the other person’s share of a business
buy up = buy the whole supply of something
call for = come to get; require
call off = cancel (an event or meeting)
call on = visit; ask someone to do something
call up = telephone; summon for military service
calm down = become calm
care for = like; guard; supervise; maintain
carry off = cause the death of; perform successfully
carry on (with) = continue doing something
carry out = fulfill; complete; accomplish; perform (usually orders or instructions)
carry over = carry; financial/numerical – move a value from one period to another
catch on = understand
catch up on = do something you haven’t been able to do recently
catch up with = cover the distance between oneself and
check in = arrive (at a hotel, a hospital, etc.)
check out = leave (a hotel, a hospital, etc.) after paying the bill
check up on = examine; verify
cheer up = cause somebody to become cheerful
chew up = chew thoroughly; to destroy or tear something with the teeth of machinery
chop up = chop into small pieces
clean off = clear the surface of
clean out = clean the inside of
clean up = tidy
clear out = clear the inside of; remove people from a place
clear up = clarify; clear the inside of
close down = shut or close permanently
close up = close temporarily
come across = find/meet accidentally
come along with = accompany; make progress
come around = visit
come back = return
come by = find accidentally
come down with = become ill with
come into = inherit
come out = appear; become known
come out with = say or produce suddenly
come round = visit
come up with = utter; produce
count in = include somebody in something (usually a list of participants)
count on = rely on
count out = exclude something or somebody
count up = calculate; count; add to a total
cross out = eliminate; delete text manually
cut back (on) = spend/do/use less
cut down = reduce in quantity; cut a tree near its bottom
cut in on = interrupt
cut off = interrupt; sever; amputate
cut out = eliminate; delete; stop doing something (as an imperative)
decide upon = choose
die away = disappear; become less strong
disagree with = cause illness or discomfort to
do away with = abolish
do without = deprive oneself of
draw up = write; compose (a formal document)
dress up = put clothes on; adorn; dress for a special occasion
dress down = dress casually
drop by = visit
drop in at/on= visit casually without planning
drop off = begin to sleep; become less; leave something somewhere
drop out of = leave; quit
eat out = eat in a restaurant
eat up = eat completely
face up to = acknowledge
fall behind in = lag; not progress at required pace
fall back on = use for emergency purpose
fall out with = quarrel with
figure out = interpret; understand
fill in = complete; compile (a printed form)
fill in for = substitute for
fill out = complete; compile (a printed form)
fill up = fill completely (a container)
find out = discover
fix up = repair; arrange in a suitable manner
get across – cause to be understood
get ahead of = surpass; beat
get along (with) = be friendly
get around = evade; avoid
get away with = do without being caught or punished
get back = return
get back to = talk to somebody again
get by with = manage with a minimum of effort
get down to = become serious about; consider
get in = enter (a vehicle)
get off = descend from; leave
get on = enter (a vehicle); mount
get on with = proceed with
get over = recover
get through with = terminate, finish
give back = return something
give out = distribute; announce
give up = surrender something
go back on = desert; fail to keep (a promise)
go for = like a great deal
go in for = be interested in; participate in
go off = start ringing
go on with = continue with
go over = review
go with = harmonize with; look pleasing together
go without = manage without
go off = (light) stop working; (alarm) start ringing; (bomb) explode
hand down = deliver; pronounce formally; leave as an inheritance
hand out = give to each member
hand over = surrender control of something
hang around = remain idly in the vicinity of
hang on = wait for a short time
hang up = end a phone call; put clothes on a hanger for storage
have on = be dressed in (clothes)
have over = entertain someone informally at your home
hear from = receive a communication from
hear of = learn about (sometimes accidentally)
hit on = discover accidentally
hold on to = grasp tightly
hold off = delay; restrain
hold out against = resist
hold up = delay; rob; threaten with a weapon
join in = become involved in
keep at = persevere at
keep to = persist in; continue
keep up (with) = maintain the pace of
kick out = dismiss
knock off = stop doing something

let in = allow to participate; involve
lie down on = evade; fail to do
line up = arrange
live on = support or sustain oneself by means of
live up to = maintain the standard demanded of
look after = take care of
look back on = remember nostalgically
look down on= feel superior to
look for = try to find; search for
look forward to = anticipate
look up = try to find a word, etc. in a dictionary, book
look up to = respect; admire
leave out = omit somebody or something
let down = disappoint somebody
let out = release from confinement; make larger (in sewing)
light up = light; illuminate thoroughly
live down = live in such a way as to cause something to be forgotten
make for = make possible
make off = leave quickly (to escape)
make out = hear; understand; pretend
make up for = compensate for
mix up = confuse
move in = go to a different place to live or work there
move out = stop living in a particular home
nail down = achieve; finalize
name after = give someone or something the same name as another
note down = write something so that you don’t forget it
opt out = choose not to be part of something
pass away = die
pass out = become unconscious; distribute
pass up = not take advantage of (as an opportunity)
pass on = transmit
pay back = repay
pay off = be successful; give someone his final pay
pick on = tease; bully
pick up = collect somebody from a place; lift with hands or fingers; learn a skill by practicing
play up to = flatter for personal advantage
play down = minimize the importance of something
play up = emphasize the importance of something
point out = indicate something
polish off = finish quickly and easily
pop in/into = visit briefly
pop off = say something quickly (because of anger); die
pull down = pull in a downward direction; demolish something
pull out = (vehicle) start moving onto a road
put off = postpone an event or meeting
put on = dress in
put out = stop a fire
put up = erect; construct; (somebody) provide with a place to live
put up with = tolerate
read up on = search out information on
ring up = call somebody on the telephone
rule out = eliminate something from consideration
run after = chase
run against= compete against in an election
run away = leave secretly or suddenly
run away with = leave; escape from
run down = trace; disparage somebody; hit with a vehicle
run for = campaign for
run off = reproduce something mechanically (often in printed media or manufacturing)
run out = finish
run out of = have no more of
run over = hit with a vehicle
save up = accumulate money
see about = consider; arrange
see off = accompany someone to the beginning of a trip
see through – continue with a task until completion (often in spite of difficulties)
see to = arrange; supervise
send back = send to a place where formerly located
send over = send something or somebody to the place where someone else is
set off = start on a trip; cause a signal to start
set up = arrange something; cause the police to incorrectly believe somebody is guilty of a crime
settle down = become familiar with a place
settle on = decide on; choose
show off = behave in a way to attract attention
shut down = stop operating; turn off (a computer)
shut off = cause to cease functioning
sleep in = sleep more than usual in the morning
slow up – cause to move more slowly
sort out = solve; resolve
spell out = state something in detail or simple terms
stand for = represent; permit
stand up = (idea) prove to be true
stand up for = support; demand
stand up to = resist
stick around = stay somewhere for a period of time
stick at = continue trying to do something hard
stick up for = support; defend
sweep out = sweep the inside of
take after = look like
take back = return; retract a statement
take down= remove from a high position; write from dictation
take in = understood; fool; deceive; make smaller (in sewing
take off = (plane) fly; (clothes) remove
take over = take control
take up = begin something new (a hobby, a sport, etc.)
talk back to = answer impolitely
talk over = discuss
tear down = destroy something
tear up = tear into small pieces
tell off = scold; reprimand
tell on = report misbehavior to authority
think over = consider something
think through = consider something from beginning to end
think up= create; invent
throw away = discard
tie up = tie securely or tight
tire out = cause somebody to be exhausted
touch on = mention briefly
touch up = repair something (usually a minor repair)
try on = put on a garment to see if it is the correct size and appearance
try out = test something
turn down = refuse an offer; lower the volume of something (TV, radio, music)
turn into = change; become
turn off = switch off
turn on = switch on
turn out = produce; extinguish (a light)
turn up = arrive; increase, happen unexpectedly
wait on = serve
wait up for = not go to bed while waiting for
wake up = stop sleeping
watch out for = be careful for; be careful to notice
watch over = make sure someone is safe
wear out = use until no longer usable; become tired through an activity
wind up = finish, tighten a spring (of a watch), make a person angry (sometimes as a joke)
wipe out = eliminate completely
work out = solve a puzzle; succeed
write down = record something in writing
write up = compose; prepare (a formal document)