Common Phrasal Verbs for Advanced Learners

give up

To stop trying; to surrender.

look after

To care for; to take charge of.

take off

To remove (something, such as clothing); to depart suddenly.

pick up

To collect; to learn informally.

run out of

To deplete; to exhaust supply.

turn down

To reject; to reduce volume.

make up

To invent (a story); to reconcile.

break down

To stop functioning; to collapse emotionally.

find out

To discover; to ascertain.

give in

To yield; to surrender to something.

put off

To postpone; to discourage.

carry on

To continue; to proceed.

come across

To encounter; to find by chance.

fall apart

To disintegrate; to fail.

get along

To have a good relationship; to be friendly.

set up

To establish; to organize.

bring up

To introduce a topic; to mention.

look forward to

To anticipate eagerly; to await with excitement.

turn up

To appear; to increase (volume).

take up

To begin an activity; to occupy space or time.

show up

To arrive; to appear.

run into

To meet by chance; to encounter unexpectedly.

work out

To resolve; to exercise.

cut down on

To reduce; to lessen.

make out

To distinguish; to understand; to kiss passionately.

go on

To continue; to proceed.

back up

To make a copy; to support.

keep up with

To stay informed; to maintain pace.

put up with

To tolerate; to endure.

bring about

To cause; to produce.

come up with

To devise; to propose.

get over

To recover; to overcome.

look into

To investigate; to examine.

take over

To assume control; to take charge.

give off

To emit; to release.

hold on

To wait; to cling.

go over

To review; to revise.

catch up

To reach someone; to become up to date.

run away

To escape; to flee.

turn out

To result; to prove.

get away with

To evade punishment; to escape consequences.

check out

To examine; to verify.

bring in

To introduce; to invite.

call off

To cancel; to annul.

take in

To absorb; to deceive.

pull out

To withdraw; to extract.

run for

To campaign for an office.

bring down

To reduce something; to demolish.

come down

To descend; to lower.

take back

To retract; to reclaim (a statement).

be taken aback

To be surprised; to be astonished.