120 Most Imp Phrasal Verbs for a SSC CHSL 2019-2020
Introduction to Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are a critical component of the English language section in SSC (CGL, CHSL, CPO) exams.
This document compiles 120 essential previous year's phrasal verbs that have appeared in these exams.
EnglishKendra aims to provide the best study materials tailored for students preparing for SSC and Bank exams.
Common Phrasal Verbs and Their Meanings
Account for
Meaning: To explain the reason for.
Example: "Asking the government to account for its work is a trend now."
Answer for
Meaning: To be answerable for something.
Example: "If one makes a mistake, then one should be ready to answer for it."
Ask after
Meaning: To inquire about someone or something.
Example: "Ravi had to contact the branch office to ask after the delay in the process."
Attend on
Meaning: To serve or take care of someone.
Example: "We should not forget to attend on our grandparents in their old age."
Back out
Meaning: To choose not to do something that was previously agreed upon.
Example: "After his father had refused him, he backed out of the picnic plan."
Back up
Meaning: To support someone or something.
Example: "I couldn’t have solved this issue without your backup."
Bear down
Meaning: To press down heavily.
Example: "The snow bore down on the roof."
Blow over
Meaning: To pass without causing harm.
Example: "My headache finally blew over."
Bound for
Meaning: Going to a specified destination.
Example: "This train is bound for Chennai."
Break down (machinery)
Meaning: To stop working.
Example: "Our car broke down on the way to Udaipur."
Break down (emotionally)
Meaning: To lose control emotionally.
Example: "The old lady broke down when she heard the news of her son’s death."
Break into
Meaning: To enter unlawfully.
Example: "Last night, some thieves broke into our neighbor’s house."
Break up
Meaning: To end a relationship.
Example: "Suman and Sohan broke up after a 5-year-long relationship."
Bring about
Meaning: To cause something to happen.
Example: "This injury on my hand brought about a skin infection to my whole body."
Bring down
Meaning: To reduce.
Example: "Carelessness in studies brings down the performance of a student in exams."
Bring up
Meaning: To raise or rear (children).
Example: "After my parents’ death in an accident, I was brought up by my grandparents."
Call for
Meaning: To demand something.
Example: "The company workers called for extra wages."
Call off
Meaning: To cancel.
Example: "Due to heavy rainfall, we had to call off our picnic plan."
Call on
Meaning: To visit someone.
Example: "The Rural Development Minister calls on rural areas every month."
Call up
Meaning: To recall.
Example: "Although Tina is an atheist, she calls up God when in trouble."
Carry on
Meaning: To continue.
Example: "After the rain had stopped, we carried on our party on the roof."
Carry out
Meaning: To execute a plan or task.
Example: "The Supervisor carried out all the instructions carefully given by the manager."
Catch up (with)
Meaning: To stop being behind others.
Example: "Though Rajan took admission mid-session, he caught up with his classmates in final exams."
Clear someone of
Meaning: To free someone from blame.
Example: "The court has cleared him of all the charges leveled against him."
Come about
Meaning: To happen.
Example: "What came about last night? I had heard something."
Come across
Meaning: To meet by chance.
Example: "Yesterday, while wandering in the market, I came across my old school friend."
Count on
Meaning: To depend on.
Example: "Drishti always counts on her mother for her personal work."
Cut out for
Meaning: To be suitable for something.
Example: "The candidate who will be cut out for the post will be recruited by our HR manager."
Deal in
Meaning: To have a business dealing with.
Example: "Mr. Sinha deals in garments."
Deal out
Meaning: To distribute.
Example: "Our teacher dealt out the exam sheets."
Deal with
Meaning: To treat someone in a manner.
Example: "My aunt deals with everyone in a very kind way."
Do away with
Meaning: To abolish or eliminate.
Example: "Hari was very disturbed with his family issues; he finally did away with them."
Drop in/by
Meaning: To visit informally.
Example: "Yesterday, our Principal madam dropped in class."
Egg on
Meaning: To motivate someone.
Example: "Our parents always egg on us for our better career."
Fall for
Meaning: To fall in love with someone.
Example: "Jack fell for Jill in early school days."
Fall out (with)
Meaning: To have a quarrel with someone.
Example: "Yesterday, our neighbors fell out over a trivial matter."
Figure out
Meaning: To understand something.
Example: "The manager is trying to figure out the concept of the new project."
Fizzle out
Meaning: To weaken gradually.
Example: "We were all excited about festivals in childhood, but the excitement has fizzled out."
Gain on
Meaning: To come close to someone or something.
Example: "Although Rita was an average student at the beginning, she gained on the topper of the class in the annual exams."
Get along (with)
Meaning: To have a friendly relationship with.
Example: "Deepika gets along well with Ranvir."
Get away with
Meaning: To do something illegal without punishment.
Example: "Though Rohan had committed a crime, he got away with it."
Get rid of
Meaning: To dispose of something.
Example: "We were so irritated with the children that we sent them outside to play and got rid of the disturbance."
Give in
Meaning: To surrender.
Example: "However, the king struggled hard, but in the end, he had to give in."
Give up
Meaning: To abandon something.
Example: "After seeing the height of the mountain, we gave up our plan of climbing."
Go about
Meaning: To move from place to place or to conduct oneself.
Example: "Government employees go about in towns and villages for the social campaign."
Go along with
Meaning: To agree with someone.
Example: "My boss went along with me on the idea regarding the upcoming project."
Go down in history
Meaning: To be remembered or recorded in history.
Example: "Gandhiji struggled hard for freedom in India, so his name went down in history."
Go on
Meaning: To continue doing something.
Example: "Even after the exam gets postponed, students should go on preparing."
Hit out
Meaning: To attack verbally.
Example: "Some people are in the habit of hitting out at others."
Hold back
Meaning: To control one's emotions or expressions.
Example: "Sunita was about to say something but suddenly held back."
Knock down
Meaning: To push someone to the ground.
Example: "In the game of Kabbadi, Sushil knocked down his opponent."
Lay down
Meaning: To give up arms or a position.
Example: "Though soldiers struggled hard in battle, in the end, they had to lay down their arms."
Look after
Meaning: To take care of someone or something.
Example: "We should look after our grandparents in their old age."
Look forward to
Meaning: To anticipate something pleasantly.
Example: "As Minal performed well in the interview, she is looking forward to a positive response from the company."
Put down
Meaning: To suppress or criticize.
Example: "The mettle king put down his enemy bravely."
Run into
Meaning: To encounter or meet someone by chance.
Example: "It was really unexpected to run into my old college friend in the market."
Take after
Meaning: To resemble a family member closely.
Example: "He has taken after his father."
Turn down
Meaning: To refuse or reject.
Example: "He turned down my offer."
Weigh down
Meaning: To burden or make anxious.
Example: "Men were weighed down with added responsibilities."
Conclusion
Familiarity with these phrasal verbs will not only help students in exams but also enhance their daily communication in English. Be sure to make use of the examples provided to understand the context in which these phrasal verbs are used.