Phrasal Verbs
Cut it out
"Stop it." "Hey, ____! I was watching that movie, so stop changing the channel!"
Look out
Look out — To watch out for something. "___, there's a baseball coming your way!"
cheer up
feel happier She was very unhappy last week, but she has ____ now You look sad. What can I do to ___ you ___?
Pay for
to give someone money for a particular purpose "He'll ___ all the problems he caused me by being late today!"
Tell off
to speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong. a) Mum will ___ you ___ for breaking that window. b) Our English teacher ___ us ___ for throwing paper aeroplanes in class.
fall apart
"to break into pieces," "They tried to save their marriage by going to therapy but in the end if _____ anyway."
Look forward to
To expect (something) with pleasure. Example: "William is really ____ going on holiday"
Meet up
to meet someone, or a group of people, in order to do something together. Can we ___ for lunch next week to discuss your plans for the business?
call around
visit someone We ____ yesterday, but you were out
Wait up
1. stay awake and not go to bed because you are waiting for someone. a) I'll be home late tonight. Don't ____ for me. 2. something you say to someone if you want them to stop and wait for you. Mainly American English a) ____! I'll get my coat and come with you.
check in
Please _____ at least one hour before your flight leaves.
Turn up
a When someone that was lost is found unexpectedly. "Anything I lose usually _____ under the couch. It's my cat's favorite hiding place." b- To arrive at a place Example: "As always, Julian _____ late" c- To increase the volume, temperature, etc., of something by pressing a button, moving a switch, etc. Example: "Please ___ the music___, I love this song!"
Put out
extinguish a fire, or to irritate someone by asking them for a favor. To extinguish a fire: "The firefighters managed to ___ the fire before it spread to other houses." To irritate someone: "I'd ask you to make me dinner but I don't want to ___ you ___."
blow up
fill with air, lose temper, explode Can you ____ these balloons ____ for the party, please? I broke her iPad and she ____ at me. We were having a discussion about the accounts and he suddenly _____ and stormed out. Fortunately the plane was empty when the hijackers _____ it _____
break down
hỏng, khóc, suy sụp ốm yếu, fail Our car____ on the way to the airport and we missed our flight. She ____ when she heard the sad news. She _____ and had to take some time off work The talks between the political parties have ____
Bring up
mention something Mark was sick and had to miss the party, so please don't ____ it ____
Grow up
sometimes used to tell someone to stop acting childish. "Some people tell Steve he needs to ____, but he loves acting like a child."
Hang around
spend time there doing very little. a) Will you stop _____ the kitchen and go and do something useful! b) You go on ahead. I'll ___ here and wait for William to arrive.
believe in
tin Do you _________ God? My children still _________ fairies My grandparents __________ working hard and helping others I want to _________ you, but you lied to me about everything
Queue up
to wait in a line (a queue) in order to get something a) They ___ to get their new work contracts. b) We had to ___ for more than an hour to get a taxi home.
Write down
to write something on a piece of paper so that you do not forget it. a) They ___ everything their teacher said about learning phrasal verbs. b) I ___ his telephone number ___
Put up with
To allow (someone or something unpleasant or annoying) to exist or happen. Example: "My mother won't ___ my sisters or I swearing"
get around
To solve a problem by avoiding the main issue. "Some people know all the different ways to _____ tax laws.
come up
To think of an idea, bring a topic, something happens unexpectedly I ______ with this idea for a TV show about a woman living with her best friend and daughter. I was going to meet my friends for dinner, but something ____ so I had to cancel.
Come forward
To volunteer information about something, like a crime. The police are encouraging people to ____ with any information about the kidnapped girl.
Go out with
go on a date with someone. "Sarah was so happy when Peter finally asked her to ____ him!"
Live up to
to be as good as someone hopes or expects. a) Our hotel was amazing and ____ all our expectations.
Join in
to become involved in an activity with other people. Examples of use: a) Your brother is playing football. Why don't you go and ___? b) We're playing cards tomorrow night. Come and ___. Everyone is welcome
Cut off
to interrupt or stop something. That red car just ___ me ___ and I almost crashed into it."
Settle down
to start living in a place where you plan stay for a long time I worked in many different countries when I was younger, but I came back to the UK in 2005 and ____ and got married. When two people settle down together they set up a life together and perhaps get married, buy a house and start a family. Alice and Peter are ___ and buying a house together. They are getting married in June. become calm and quiet. I wish the children would ___ and go to sleep- I'm exhausted!
Wash up
1. to clean the dishes, saucepans and cutlery that you have used for cooking and eating a meal. a) Can you help me ____ these dishes, please? b) I love cooking, but I hate ___ all the saucepans afterwards. 2 to clean your hands with soap and water. American English. a) Dinner is ready - go and ____, please. b) Make sure you ____ before you eat your take-out. 3. When something washes up it is carried to land by the sea or a river, and left there. International English. a) The old boat ____ on the beach in the storm.
Throw away
1. to dispose of something you don't want by putting in a rubbish bin, waste-paper basket, waste-disposal unit etc. a) I ___ my old coat ___. b) Why don't you ___ those smelly old shoes? 2. to ruin or lose something valuable or important, by doing something reckless or foolish. a) She went out with her friends every night instead of studying, and ____ her chance of a place at university.
Sort out
1. to organize or arrange things which are untidy. a) My bookcase is in a mess. I need to ____ my books. 2. to resolve a problem or misunderstanding. a) I had a problem with my car brakes but my brother ____them ___. 3. to discuss it with someone and make a decision about what to do. a) We need to ____ the arrangements for our holiday. b) Let's sit down and ___ the guest list for the wedding.
Take up
1. to start doing a particular, activity, job or hobby etc. Examples of use: a) My grandmother has ____ knitting. b) I've recently ____ photography. c) You're good at writing stories. Why don't you ___ it____ as a career? 2. to shorten a piece of clothing, such as a dress or trousers. a) My new trousers are too long - I need to ___ them ___
Show off
1. to try and make people notice and admire you in a way which is annoying. He's always __in the classroom and getting into trouble. 2. to display it proudly. John ____ his new toy to his grandparents.
Eat out
Eat away from home, at a cafe or restaurant. Examples of use: I don't feel like cooking tonight so let's ____
call back
Mr Evans telephoned while you were out: he wants you to ____ him ____
Set off
1. start a journey. a) What time are we ___? b) They ___ for home. 2. cause something to start or happen. a) The loud music ____ the baby's crying. 3 cause something to explode or start to ring loudly. a) The smoke from the fire ___ the smoke alarm. b) They ___ a bomb ___ outside the building.
Bring it on
To accept a challenge with confidence. You want to have a race?____! I can beat you!
Watch out
To be aware of something dangerous. Example: "___ in the mountain, there are bears there!"
fill up
To become completely full. "The little girl ____ on candy before dinner, and didn't want to eat any of the chicken."
call off
To cancel something, give a command The picnic was ____ because of the rain ____your dogs.
Bring on
To cause something to happen, (negative) His lung cancer was ____ by years of smoking
Look up
To check the meaning of something. "If you don't know the meaning of a word, you should ___ it___ in the dictionary." ___ the meaning of new English words in your dictionary. I ____her telephone number in the telephone directory.
fall down
To drop to the ground, usually by accident. "My friend slipped on a banana peel and ___. I thought that only happened in cartoons!"
Hang up
To end a call on the phone, especially if it's before the other person is ready. "I was in the middle of a sentence, and he ___ on me! How rude.
get away
To escape. "Carmen's neighbor tried to show her pictures of all her cats, but Carmen managed to ______."
Work out
To exercise. "I try to ___ every morning, by repeatedly lifting a heavy donut to my mouth." Work (something) out — To come up with a solution or a compromise with someone. "Don't worry, I'm sure we can ___ something ___ so that everyone is happy."
get back at
To get revenge on someone. "Her ex-husband took her house so she ____ him by taking his dogs."
Put on
To get your clothes or makeup on. "Every morning she ___ her dress, lipstick, shoes and hat—in that order."
Pay back
To give someone back money that you owe them. "Thanks for getting me lunch when I forgot my wallet at home! I'll ___ you ___ tomorrow."
fill sb in
To give someone the details about something. "Quickly, let's go! There's no time to explain, I'll fill you in on the way."
give away
To hand things out for free. "When Linda's cat had kittens, she ____ them ____ away to good homes."
Get along with
To have a friendly relationship with someone. "Some people are surprised that I _____ my mother-in-law really well!"
Cut in
To interrupt someone when they are speaking. "I was about to ask that girl on a date, but her friend ___ and I lost the chance."
Hang on
To keep something. "When everyone else was getting fired, Paul managed to ___ to his job."
Drop off
To leave something or someone in their destination. "I can give you a ride and ___ you ___ at work."
Come across
To meet or find by chance. I was cleaning the attic and I _____ my high school uniform. Can you believe it still fits?
Pull over
To move a vehicle to the side of the road and stop. Example: "That looks like a lovely restaurant, can you ___ the car ____ and park?"
Turn around
To move so that you're facing the opposite direction. "Sally was about to get on the plane, but she ____ when someone called her name."
Take out
To remove something: "The children sat at their desks and ____ their pens and paper." To take someone on a date: "He ___ her ___ to the most expensive restaurant in the city."
get back to
To return to someone or something. "Derek's coworker wasn't sure what time the meeting was, so he said he'd ____ him with the time."
Hang out
To spend time with someone, casually. "My friends and I used to ___ in the park after school."
Warm up
To start liking someone or something more as you spend more time with them, especially if you didn't really like them in the beginning. "The new puppy was scared of my husband when we first got him, but he ____ to him pretty quickly."
drop by/in
To stop by for a visit, for a short time. "I was about to ask that girl on a date, but her friend cut in and I lost the chance."
give up
To stop trying, surrender. "After two weeks of trying to build my own table, I ____ and just bought one
give out
To stop working: "The city had to rebuild the bridge completely, because it was about to ____ and fall down." To distribute: "He has a lot of contacts because he ____ his business card to everyone he meets
Hold back
To stop yourself from doing or saying something. "Amy has a great voice but whenever she's singing in public she feels shy and ___."
cheer on
To support someone by giving them words of encouragement. Even though Samantha was in the last place, her brother ___ her ___ through the entire race
give in
To surrender, especially in a fight or argument. "Ben's mother _____ and let him stay out late with his friends."
Turn on/off
To switch a machine or light on or off. "___ the light, I'm trying to sleep!"
Look after
To take care of (someone or something). Example: "The nurse ___ the patient for months, until he was better"
Hold on
a way of asking someone to wait for a moment. "You'd better ___to your hat, it's windy out there!"
Go on
a- To continue. Example: "They landed in Paris and then ____ to Montpellier" b- To go or travel to a place before another person or group that is with you. Example: "You ___ to the restaurant, I'll come in 10 minutes" c- To happen Example: "What's going on? What's happening?" d- Used in speech to urge someone to do something Example: "Go on! Try it, it's delicious"
Pass out
a- To fall asleep or become unconscious. Example: "Lisa was so tired, she got home and ____ on the sofa" b- to give (something) to several or many people. Example: "I ___ leaflets with information on our course"
Put down
a- To place (someone or something that you have been holding or carrying) on a table, on the floor, etc. Example: "You can ___ the suitcases ___ in the bedroom" b- To write (something) : to record (something) in writing Example: "He ___ his memories to write a book when he was older" c- To give (an amount of money) as a first payment when you are buying something that costs a lot of money Example: "My husband and I are going to ___ some money to buy that house in the centre of town"
Make out
a- To write down the required information Example: "Who shall I ___ the check ___ to?" b- To hear and understand (something) Example: "I can't ____ what you're saying, can you speak louder?" c- To kiss and touch for a long time in a sexual way. Example: "We ___ in the back of his car"
Grow apart
get distant from someone, like a friend. "When my friend moved to a different country I tried to stay close with her, but we slowly ____."
fall out
to become upset or angry with them, and stop being friendly with them. Examples of use: a) We ____ over something very small. b) I ____ with my sister because she broke my necklace. keen to do it Chris fell over himself trying to impress his new wife.
Make up
to invent a story or excuse. a) He ____ lies about me. b) The politician said that the newspaper reporter ____the information about her expenses claim.
Save up
to keep money so that you have enough to buy something in the future. a) We are___saving up for a house. b) He ___for a year for a new motorbike.
move out
to leave a place and take all your furniture and other possessions with you. Examples of use: a) We're ___ on Sunday. b) The lease on my flat expires at the end of the month and I have to ___
Try on
to put an item of clothing on to find out whether it fits you or whether you like it, especially before buying it. a) I like these shoes. I think I'll ___ them___. b) I hate ____ new clothes.
Read out
to read the words and say them so that people can hear you. a) Simon, can you ___ the instructions ___ for me, please? b) She ___ the names of the winners.
Take off
to remove clothing, or to leave for a journey "She was very happy when she finally got home and ____ her shoes. They had been hurting her feet all day!"
Rut out
to remove writing from a surface by rubbing or wiping it with an eraser or a piece of cloth. a) I made a mistake so I ___ it ___
Sell out
to sell all of it and have no more left for people to buy. a) Their designer shoes are beautiful, but they have ___in my size. b) We're ____ of iPhones very fast. We must order some more.
Move in
to start living in a new place, and to put all your furniture and personal possessions into your new home. Examples of use: a) Question. When are you moving house? Answer. I moved in last week. Here's my new address.
Rely on
to trust someone or something to do what you need or expect them to do. Often + to do something. a) I'm ___ you not to drop me! b) Can I ___ you to keep my secret?
Run out of
to use all of it so that there is nothing left. Examples of use: a) I've ____ bread. b) We can't have coffee this morning because we've ___ milk.
call on
to visit someone, or to use someone's or something's knowledge. I'll ____ you this evening to see how you're feeling. I may need to ____ the university's excellent professors in order to answer your question.
get up
wake up and get out of bed. Examples of use: a) It's 8 o'clock: time to ____