English Phrasel Verbs

abide by

To respect or obey a decision, a law or a rule

add up

To make sense, seem reasonable

back down

To withdraw, concede defeat

blow up

(1) To explode, (2) to get angry

Break down

1) (int) a machine/vehicle that stops working; 2) (tr) divide the total

amount of something into separate parts; 3) (int) to start crying in public

break into

tr) to enter by force

brush up (on)

(tr) To improve, refresh one’s knowledge of something

Cheer (sb) on

(int) shout loudly to encourage somebody

Come across

1) (tr) to meet or find someone or something by chance; (2) (int) to be

understood

Do without

(tr) live or continue without having something or somebody

Drop out

(tr) quit being part of something

Fall for

1) (tr) fall in love with somebody; 2) (tr) be deceived

Fight off

(tr) to resist somebody/something by fighting against them

Fire up

(tr) to make someone become excited or angry

Give up

(tr) stop trying to do something

Go in for

1) (tr) enter a competition/an exam; 2) (tr) have something as a hobby

Hold back

1) (tr) control (tears, laughter); 2) (int) hesitate

Keep up with

1) (tr) continue to be in contact with somebody; 2) (tr) learn about the news or current events

Let (sb) down

(tr) make somebody disappointed

Look up to

(tr) admire and respect somebody

Make up for

(tr) to do something that corrects a bad situation

Put forward

(tr) to state an idea or opinion for other people to consider

Put (sb/sth) off

1) (tr) discourage somebody; 2) (tr) change something to a later time or date

Run out of

(int) to use all of something and not have any more of it left

Run through

1) (tr) use up; 2) (tr) rehearse, check or revise quickly

Sleep in

(int) to sleep until later in the morning than you usually do

Stand by

1) (tr) support somebody, esp in difficulties; 2) (int) be ready for action

Take after

1) (tr) look or behave like an older member of your family, especially your mother or father

Talk (sb) into

(tr) encourage somebody

Turn up

1) (tr) to increase the amount of sound/heat/light produced by an equipment

by moving a switch or pressing a button; 2) (int) to arrive at a place, especially

unexpectedly or without making a firm arrangement