Phrasal Verbs, most used
Abide by
Meaning: Accept or follow a decision or rule Example: We have to ABIDE BY what the court says. Notes: Inseparable International English
Crop up
Meaning: Appear unexpectedly Example: I'm going to be late tonight as something has just CROPPED UP at work. Notes: Intransitive International English
Fall out
Meaning: Argue and be on bad terms with someone Example: They FELL OUT over the decision and hardly speak to each other any more. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Lose hair Example: He's started getting worried about baldness because his hair is FALLING OUT rather quickly. Notes: Intransitive International English
Come in
Meaning: Arrive for flights Example: The plane CAME IN at two-thirty in the morning. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Place or ranking in a competition, etc. Example: I did my best but CAME IN last but one in the race. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Receive news Example: Reports are just COMING IN of an assassination attempt on the President. Notes: Intransitive International English
Call on
Meaning: Ask for help Example: The President CALLED ON the wealthy countries for financial aid after the floods destroyed much of the country's agriculture. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Visit Example: As we were in the area, we CALLED ON my sister-in-law. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Challenge Example: He CALLED the speaker ON several mis-statements of fact. Notes: Separable [obligatory] International English Meaning: Ask someone to do something, especially to speak in public. (Formal) Example: I now CALL ON the other party to give their account of what happened. Notes: Inseparable International English
Get out of
Meaning: Avoid doing something you dislike Example: I said I wasn't feeling well and GOT OUT OF the extra work. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Leave a car, van, etc. Example: We GOT OUT OF the taxi and paid the driver. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Stop a regular activity or habit Example: If you GET OUT OF a routine, it can be hard to start again. Notes: Inseparable International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco Meaning: Make someone confess or tell the truth Example: The police couldn't GET any information OUT OF him. Notes: Separable [obligatory] International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco Meaning: Make someone give something to you Example: Did you GET a refund OUT OF the travel agency? Notes: Separable [obligatory] International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco Meaning: Derive pleasure or benefit from something Example: She's GETTING a lot OUT OF her university course. Notes: Separable [obligatory] International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco Meaning: Help someone avoid doing something Example: I GOT him OUT OF having to work at the weekend. Notes: Separable [obligatory] International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco
Get across to
Meaning: Be convincing or make a good impression Example: How can I GET ACROSS TO my audience? Notes: Inseparable American English
Answer for
Meaning: Be held responsible for a problem Example: The government should be made to ANSWER FOR their failure to sort out the problem. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Speak on behalf of someone or from knowing them Example: I can ANSWER FOR my partner because I know her position on this issue. Notes: Inseparable International English
Be in on
Meaning: Be involved in Example: Susan was the only one who WASN'T IN ON the plan. Notes: Inseparable International English
Belt up
Meaning: Be quiet Example: She told the students to BELT UP because they were making so much noise. Notes: Intransitive British English Meaning: Fasten your seatbelt Example: I told the kids to BELT UP before I started the car. Notes: Intransitive International English
Fall through
Meaning: Be unsuccessful Example: The plans FELL THROUGH when planning permission was refused. Notes: Intransitive International English
Come to
Meaning: Become conscious, wake up from anaesthetic Example: She CAME TO an hour after the operation. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Result in Example: The two men started arguing but they soon CAME TO blows and started fighting in earnest. Notes: Inseparable International English
Die off
Meaning: Become extinct Example: Most of the elm trees in the UK DIED OFF when Dutch elm disease arrived. Notes: Intransitive International English
Catch on
Meaning: Become popular Example: Many critics were shocked when techno CAUGHT ON in the clubs. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Finally understand what is going on Example: Everyone else realised what was happening, but it took Henry ages to CATCH ON. Notes: Intransitive International English
Call off
Meaning: Cancel Example: The concert had to be CALLED OFF because the singer went down with a bad case of flu. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Order someone to stop attacking Example: CALL OFF your lawyers; we can work something out. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Close down
Meaning: Close a shop, branch or business permanently Example: The banks have CLOSED DOWN a lot of branches in villages over the last few years. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Stop an opponent being a challenge Example: He CLOSED the player DOWN and stopped him being a threat. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Get across
Meaning: Communicate successfully Example: I just couldn't GET my message ACROSS at the meeting. Notes: Separable [obligatory] International English Meaning: Go from one side to the other Example: It's impossible to GET ACROSS the road with all this traffic. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Move something from one side to the other Example: How are we going to GET these bags ACROSS the river? Notes: Separable [obligatory] International English
Fill out
Meaning: Complete a form Example: I FILLED OUT the application form and mailed it. Notes: Separable [optional] American English
Focus on
Meaning: Concentrate Example: The report FOCUSES ON the company's weak points. Notes: Inseparable International English
Get through
Meaning: Contact Example: I tried calling her mobile phone, but I couldn't GET THROUGH. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Consume Example: He GETS THROUGH two bottles of wine a day. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Finish Example: I'm going to take some work home because I haven't managed to GET THROUGH it all today. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Finish Example: Call me when you GET THROUGH. Notes: Intransitive American English Contributed By: Michael Belasco Meaning: Succeed in an exam or test Example: My car didn't GET THROUGH its inspection. Notes: Inseparable International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco Meaning: Help someone or something succeed or pass a test or exam Example: My teacher GOT me THROUGH the exam. Notes: Separable [obligatory] International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco Meaning: Endure or deal with a difficult experience Example: We will have to be careful with our money to GET THROUGH the month. Notes: Inseparable International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco Meaning: Be accepted or passed (laws, proposals, etc) Example: If the proposal GETS THROUGH, it'll make things much better for us. Notes: Intransitive International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco Meaning: Manage to pass Example: The water GOT THROUGH the roof and damaged the carpets. Notes: Inseparable International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco Meaning: Arrive Example: The message didn't GET THROUGH. Notes: Intransitive International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco
Go on
Meaning: Continue Example: He WENT ON and ON talking and I was so bored. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Happen Example: There are loads of people out in the street; what's GOING ON? Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Start doing or taking something Example: She WENT ON the pill when she met him. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Be guided Example: The investigators have no clues to GO ON. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Be nearly a certain period of time Example: It's GOING ON ten years since we met. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Progress Example: They asked me how the project was GOING ON. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Spend money Example: Most of my salary GOES ON my mortgage repayments. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Start working (electric/electronic equipment) Example: The alarm GOES ON when you close the front door. Notes: Intransitive International English
Get on
Meaning: Continue doing something Example: The teacher asked the pupils to GET ON with some work quietly as she had to leave the classroom. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Enter a bus, train, plane, etc. Example: We GOT ON the train at Plymouth and went up to London. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Make progress, deal with something with a reasonable degree of success Example: How are you GETTING ON with your Spanish lessons? Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Have a good relationship Example: We have always GOT ON well. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Become old, age Example: He's GETTING ON now and doesn't work so hard. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Be late or near an arranged time Example: I must get home now; it's GETTING ON. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Wear, fit Example: I have put so much weight on that I couldn't GET my old suits ON. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Leave Example: I must be GETTING ON; I have other things to do this evening. Notes: Intransitive International English
Give of
Meaning: Contribute without expecting anything in return, usually time or money Example: He GIVE OF his free time to help the club. Notes: Inseparable International English
Get down on
Meaning: Criticise Example: My mother used to GET DOWN ON us for not doing enough homework. Notes: Inseparable International English
Give it to
Meaning: Criticise harshly or punish someone for something Example: They really GAVE IT TO me for forgetting to turn up. Notes: Inseparable International English
Build up
Meaning: Develop a company Example: She BUILT the business UP from nothing into a market leader in less than a decade. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Increase Example: Tension has been BUILDING UP ever since the government passed the unpopular law. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Find out
Meaning: Discover Example: I went to the library to FIND OUT all I could about the life and work of Joe Meek. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Hand out
Meaning: Distribute Example: The teacher HANDED OUT the worksheet to the class. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Do over
Meaning: Do something again from the beginning, especially because you did it badly the first time Example: OK, we'll DO it OVER, but try to sing the right words this time. Notes: Separable [obligatory] American English
Catch up with
Meaning: Do something that should have been done earlier Example: I'm going home to CATCH UP WITH my sleep. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Meet someone after a period of time and find out what they have been doing Example: I CAUGHT UP WITH her at the conference. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: When something negative starts to have an effect Example: His criminal behaviour is starting to CATCH UP WITH him. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Punish someone after they have been doing something wrong for a long time Example: The tax authorities CAUGHT UP WITH me for not submitting my tax returns. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Learn something new that many people already understand Example: My mother's trying to CATCH UP WITH computers. Notes: Inseparable International English
Dress up
Meaning: Dress very smartly Example: It's an informal party so there's no need to DRESS UP. Notes: Intransitive International English
Chow down
Meaning: Eat Example: Dinner's ready- CHOW DOWN!. Notes: Intransitive American English
Eat out
Meaning: Eat in a restaurant Example: We couldn't be bothered to cook so we ATE OUT last night. Notes: Intransitive International English
Empty out
Meaning: Empty something completely Example: I must EMPTY OUT the rubbish before I leave for work. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Remove some things or everything from a container Example: I EMPTIED some of the coffee OUT so I could pour more milk in. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Hang up
Meaning: End a phone call Example: I lost my temper and HUNG UP. Notes: Intransitive International English
Hang up on
Meaning: End a phone call with someone Example: A telesales person called, so I said something rude and HUNG UP ON them. Notes: Inseparable International English
Break down
Meaning: End negotiations unsuccessfully Example: The talks between management and the unions BROKE DOWN acrimoniously. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Start crying Example: He BROKE DOWN in tears. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Stop working Example: My car's BROKEN DOWN, so I came by taxi. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Remove a barrier or obstacle Example: He had to BREAK DOWN their opposition to his ideas. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Call at
Meaning: Enter a harbour or port Example: The cruise ship CALLED AT Malta. Notes: Inseparable International English
Barge into
Meaning: Enter a place and interrupt people rudely Example: They BARGED INTO my office without knocking and started talking even though I was on the phone. Notes: Inseparable International English
Give away
Meaning: Entrust your daughter to her husband through the marriage ceremony Example: He GAVE his daughter AWAY and told the groom to look after her. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Tell a secret, often unintentionally Example: She didn't GIVE anything AWAY about the party so it came as a complete surprise to me. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Distribute something for free Example: In this issue of the magazine, they are giving away a free DVD. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Give without asking for or expecting payment Example: He decided to GIVE his new album AWAY in a magazine. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco Meaning: Give an advantage to your opponent in a sport by making a mistake, playing badly, etc Example: They GAVE AWAY two goals in the first half. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco Meaning: Give an unwanted baby to people to bring up Example: She had to GIVE her baby AWAY as she couldn't afford to bring it up. Notes: Separable [optional] British English Meaning: Betray, report to authorities Example: The gang GAVE him AWAY to the police. Notes: Inseparable International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco Meaning: Give a weight advantage to an opponent in boxing Example: He is GIVING AWAY thirty pounds to the challenger. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Get away
Meaning: Escape Example: The robbers GOT AWAY in a stolen car, which the police later found abandoned. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Go on holiday or for a short break Example: We love to GET AWAY from everything and relax in the country. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Move, leave somewhere Example: He didn't come because he was stuck at work and couldn't GET AWAY. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: An expression of disbelief Example: I passed. GET AWAY! You couldn't have passed. Notes: Intransitive International English
Break out of
Meaning: Escape Example: Three dangerous Category A prisoners BROKE OUT OF Wandsworth Prison last night. Notes: Inseparable International English
Grow to
Meaning: Eventually do something Example: We GREW TO like the neighbourhood. Notes: Intransitive International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco
Bargain for
Meaning: Expect something to happen (usually negative) Example: I hadn't BARGAINED FOR so many people coming. Notes: Inseparable International English
Go through
Meaning: Experience Example: You wouldn't believe what I WENT THROUGH when I was ill! Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Read again Example: I WENT THROUGH my notes before the exam. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Examine, search Example: I WENT THROUGH my desk looking for the letter. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Do something in a certain way or following certain procedures Example: You must GO THROUGH the proper channels to get the approval. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Explain Example: He WENT THROUGH his ideas twice but I couldn't really understand them. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Be approved formally or sanctioned Example: My divorce WENT THROUGH last week. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Enter Example: They said I could GO THROUGH the exam room. Notes: Inseparable American English Meaning: Consume or spend Example: We WENT THROUGH a fortune on our holiday. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Perform or carry something out Example: I WENT THROUGH my work in a daze after I heard the news. Notes: Inseparable International English
Blow up
Meaning: Explode Example: The bomb BLEW UP without any warning. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Inflate Example: The pressure was low, so I BLEW the tyre UP. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Enlarge (e.g., photograph). Example: BLOW UP that photo so we can see his face. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: The beginning of a storm Example: A storm BLEW UP while we were out walking. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Lose your temper, become angry Example: They BLEW UP when they heard what I had done wrong. Notes: Intransitive International English
Boil up
Meaning: Feel a negative emotion strongly Example: The anger BOILED UP in me when I saw what they had done. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Cook or heat something to boiling point Example: I BOILED UP some water for a cup of coffee. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Come over
Meaning: Feel strange Example: I CAME OVER all faint and weak because my sugar level was too low. (British) Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Affect mentally in such a way as to change behaviour (possibly related to 'overcome') Example: I'm sorry about last night - I don't know what CAME OVER me. Notes: Inseparable International English Contributed By: BobK
Fill up
Meaning: Fill something completely Example: I stopped at the garage and FILLED UP with petrol. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Cheat out of
Meaning: Get money from someone under false pretences Example: I hate him- he CHEATED me OUT OF £100. Notes: Separable [obligatory] International English
Fit in
Meaning: Get on in a group of people Example: I didn't FIT IN with the other people working there so I left and found another job. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Have enough time or space for something Example: I didn't have time to FIT IN another appointment. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Get up
Meaning: Get out of bed Example: I GET UP at seven o'clock on weekdays, but lie in till noon at the weekend. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Organise Example: They GOT UP a list of two hundred people who were opposed to the local council's plans. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Break in
Meaning: Go into a building to steal something Example: The burglars BROKE IN and stole the TV and video. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Interrupt something Example: I'm sorry to BREAK IN on your conversation, but there's a problem. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Train a horse to be ridden Example: It took ages to BREAK the horse IN. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Carefully use new products until they are fully functional. Example: I must watch my speed until I BREAK IN my new Volvo. Notes: Separable [optional] American English
Get on with
Meaning: Have a good relationship Example: Fortunately, I GET ON WITH my boss. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Continue or start doing something Example: She told us to GET ON WITH our work. Notes: Inseparable International English
Get along
Meaning: Have a good relationship Example: Why don't you two GET ALONG? You're always arguing. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Leave Example: It's late; we must be GETTING ALONG. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Progess Example: How's the homework GETTING ALONG? Notes: Intransitive International English
Get along with
Meaning: Have a good relationship with someone Example: I don't GET ALONG WITH my sister- we have nothing in common. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Deal with, handle Example: How are you GETTING ALONG WITH the training course? Notes: Inseparable International English
Go back
Meaning: Have a long history Example: He and I GO BACK a long way- we were at school together. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Return to, start doing something again Example: We WENT BACK to work after the break. Notes: Inseparable International English
Get by
Meaning: Have just enough money to live on Example: They're finding it increasingly difficult to GET BY since their daughter was born. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Not be noticed (problems, errors, etc) Example: I had checked it, but there still were a few mistakes that didn't GET BY the editor. Notes: Inseparable International English
Get it on with
Meaning: Have sex with Example: Did you GET IT ON WITH him? Notes: Inseparable International English
Buzz off
Meaning: Leave somewhere Example: I'm BUZZING OFF now- I have to meet some people. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Go away (imperative) Example: He told them to BUZZ OFF because they were annoying him. Notes: Intransitive International English
Be into
Meaning: Like Example: I AM INTO classical music. Notes: Inseparable International English
Go over
Meaning: Look at something, revise Example: We WENT OVER our notes before the exam. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Visit Example: I hadn't seen her for a while, so I WENT OVER on Friday night. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Be approved or accepted Example: My plans WENT OVER well. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Repeat or explain Example: Could you GO OVER that point again, please? Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Clean Example: I WENT OVER the living room with the vacuum cleaner before they arrived. Notes: Inseparable International English
Forge ahead
Meaning: Make a lot of progress in a short time Example: We've been FORGING AHEAD with the work and should be finished well before the deadline. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Move forwards very quickly Example: She FORGED AHEAD of the other runners and won. Notes: Intransitive International English
Bring forward
Meaning: Make something happen earlier than originally planned Example: The meeting has been BROUGHT FORWARD to this Friday instead of next week because some people couldn't make it then. Notes: Separable [obligatory] International English
Beef up
Meaning: Make something stronger or more solid Example: The company BEEFED UP their case when they saw that the public wouldn't accept their first explanation of the accident. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Grow up
Meaning: Mature, become adult Example: He GREW UP in the West Country. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Arise, emerge Example: The industry GREW UP very quickly. Notes: Intransitive International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco Meaning: Develop in a place or for a reason (city, town, etc) Example: The town GREW UP as a trading post. Notes: Intransitive International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco
Bring up
Meaning: Mention Example: They didn't BRING the subject UP at the meeting. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Raise a child Example: My parents BROUGHT me UP strictly. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Be officially charged with a crime Example: He was BROUGHT UP on charges of public intoxication. Notes: Separable [optional] American English
Goof up
Meaning: Mess, spoil Example: They GOOFED UP our plans. Notes: Separable [optional] American English
Fool around
Meaning: Not be serious Example: The teacher was angry because the class were FOOLING AROUND. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Be unfaithful Example: She suspects her husband is FOOLING AROUND with one of her friends. Notes: Intransitive International English
Get away with
Meaning: Not get caught, criticised or punished for doing something wrong Example: Thieves GOT AWAY WITH two Picassos, which were never found. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Achieve something, despite not doing it correctly or properly Example: Do you think we could GET AWAY WITH using the cheaper product? Notes: Inseparable International English
Hold back
Meaning: Not show emotion Example: It was really hard to HOLD BACK the tears. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Prevent something moving forwards or progressing Example: Lack of funding HELD the project BACK. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Not disclose information or make it public Example: The government HELD BACK the findings of the report for fear of alienating voters. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Drop by
Meaning: Pay a brief visit Example: He DROPPED BY on his way home from work. Notes: Intransitive International English
Fawn on
Meaning: Praise someone in an excessive way to get their favour or something from them Example: He's always FAWNING ON his boss to try to get promoted. Notes: Inseparable International English
Drop out
Meaning: Quit a course Example: She DROPPED OUT of college and went straight into a good job. Notes: Intransitive International English
Dig into
Meaning: Reach inside to get something Example: She DUG INTO her handbag and pulled out a bunch of keys. Notes: Inseparable International English
Dip into
Meaning: Read parts of a book, but not all Example: I've been DIPPING INTO the book, but haven't read it properly. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Take money out of your savings Example: I've had to DIP INTO my savings account to pay for the works on my house. Notes: Inseparable International English
Get over
Meaning: Recover from something, feel better Example: It took me ages to GET OVER the bout of flu. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Solve, find a solution Example: It took us a long time to GET OVER the problems with the computer system. Notes: Inseparable International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco Meaning: Communicate, make people understand Example: He makes jokes to help GET his message OVER. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco Meaning: Be shocked or surprised that something if real or true Example: I couldn't GET OVER how much weight he had put on. Notes: Inseparable International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco Meaning: Get to the other side Example: We couldn't GET OVER the river because of the floods. Notes: Inseparable International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco Meaning: Come somewhere Example: He said he needed help and ask me to GET OVER as soon as I could. Notes: Intransitive International English Contributed By: Michael Belasco
Cut down on
Meaning: Reduce Example: Doctors advised her to CUT DOWN ON the amount of saturated fats in her diet. Notes: Inseparable International English
Cut back
Meaning: Reduce Example: The firm CUT BACK production because sales were sluggish. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Remove branches from a plant or tree to encourage future growth Example: We CUT the tree BACK every winter. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Cut back on
Meaning: Reduce expenditure Example: The government has decided to CUT BACK ON spending on the armed forces. Notes: Inseparable International English
Get back to
Meaning: Respond to a contact Example: I'll GET BACK TO you as soon as I hear any news. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Respond when you know the answer Example: I don't know at the moment, but I will GET BACK TO you as soon as I have the information. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Start doing something again after an interruption Example: It took me ages to GET BACK TO sleep after the phone rang. Notes: Inseparable International English
Back down
Meaning: Retract or withdraw your position or proposal in an argument Example: She refused to BACK DOWN and was fired. Notes: Intransitive International English
Come back
Meaning: Return Example: I left work and CAME BACK home early. Notes: Intransitive International English
Get back
Meaning: Return Example: The train was held up so we didn't GET BACK home until midnight. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Return something Example: Don't lend him any money; you'll never GET it BACK. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Revenge Example: He was rude and embarrassed me, but I'll GET him BACK. Notes: Separable [obligatory] International English Meaning: Move away Example: The police told the crowd to GET BACK to allow the ambulance through. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: Move away Example: The police told the crowd to GET BACK to allow the ambulance through. Notes: Intransitive International English
Give back
Meaning: Return something you've borrowed Example: I GAVE the money BACK that she'd lent to me. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Return something that someone has lost Example: Nothing could GIVE me BACK the way I felt before the scandal. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Check up on
Meaning: See if someone is OK or doing what they should be doing Example: I CHECKED UP ON them to see if they were revising for the test. Notes: Inseparable International English
Bog down
Meaning: Slow make progress Example: Yasini got BOGGED DOWN in his research and didn't finish the project in time. Notes: Intransitive International English
Dwell upon
Meaning: Spend a lot of time on something Example: She DWELT UPON the economic situation in her speech. Notes: Inseparable International English
Boot up
Meaning: Start a computer Example: He BOOTED UP the computer and started work. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Drift off
Meaning: Start to fall asleep Example: I was DRIFTING OFF when the noise disturbed me. Notes: Intransitive International English
Hand in
Meaning: Submit work for appraisal Example: I HANDED my homework IN late as usual. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Cart off
Meaning: Take someone away, usually under arrest or to prison Example: The police CARTED them OFF to question them. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Take something away, especially if stealing or without permission Example: The thieves CARTED OFF all the ticket receipts. Notes: Separable [optional] International English
Come up with
Meaning: Think of a solution, excuse, etc. Example: Nobody could COME UP WITH a satisfactory explanation for the accident. Notes: Inseparable International English
Account for
Meaning: To explain Example: They had to ACCOUNT FOR all the money that had gone missing. Notes: Inseparable International English
Add up
Meaning: To make a mathematical total Example: We ADDED UP the bill to check it was correct. Notes: Separable [optional] International English Meaning: Be a satisfactory explanantion for something Example: She explained why the work wasn't ready, but her story doesn't ADD UP. Notes: Intransitive International English
Aim at
Meaning: To target Example: The magazine is AIMED AT teenagers. Notes: Inseparable International English Meaning: Intend to achieve Example: They're AIMING AT reducing costs by ten percent. Notes: Inseparable International English
Call round
Meaning: Visit Example: I CALLED ROUND on my way home but no one was in. Notes: Intransitive International English
Hold on
Meaning: Wait Example: Could you HOLD ON for a minute; she'll be free in a moment. Notes: Intransitive International English Meaning: To hold tightly Example: We HELD ON as the bus started to move. Notes: Intransitive International English
Damp off
Meaning: When there is too much moisture and a plant is affected by fungal parasites Example: The seedlings DAMP OFF in the spring if it's very wet. Notes: Intransitive International English
Hammer away at
Meaning: Work relentlessly Example: She HAMMERED AWAY AT her PC all night and finished the project. Notes: Inseparable International English
