Common Phrasal Verbs
Common Phrasal Verbs
Ask
Ask somebody out: Invite someone to a date.
Ask around: Inquire from multiple people.
Add
Add up to something: Be equivalent to some value.
Back
Back something up: Reverse or change direction.
Back somebody up: Provide support.
Blow
Blow up: Explode.
Blow something up: Inflate or exaggerate something.
Break
Break down: Cease functioning or suffer an emotional collapse.
Break something down: Separate into smaller parts.
Break in: Intrude or interrupt.
Break up: End a relationship.
Break out: Escape.
Bring
Bring somebody down: Cause someone to feel sad.
Bring something up: Start a topic or regurgitate something.
Call
Call around: Make multiple calls.
Call somebody back: Return a call.
Call something off: Cancel something.
Call on somebody: Request an opinion or visit someone.
Calm
Calm down: Become less agitated.
Not care for somebody/something: Dislike.
Catch
Catch up: Reach the same level or standard.
Check
Check in: Confirm registration, often at hotels.
Check out: Leave a place, typically a hotel.
Check somebody/something out: Examine closely.
Cheer
Cheer up: Become more cheerful.
Clean
Clean something up: Tidy up.
Come
Come across something: Discover unexpectedly.
Come apart: Break into pieces.
Come down with something: Become ill.
Come forward: Volunteer information.
Count
Count on somebody/something: Rely on.
Cross
Cross something out: Mark something as invalid.
Cut
Cut back on something: Reduce consumption.
Cut something down: Chop something down.
Cut in: Interfere or interrupt.
Cut something off: Remove by cutting; stop providing something.
Do
Do something over: Repeat a task.
Do away with something: Eliminate.
Drop
Drop in/by/over: Visit unexpectedly.
Drop out: Withdraw from school or a course.
Eat
Eat out: Dine at a restaurant.
End
End up: Ultimately do something.
Fall
Fall apart: Break into many pieces.
Fall down: Collapse.
Figure
Figure something out: Solve or understand.
Fill
Fill something in/out: Complete forms or information.
Fill something up: Make full.
Get
Get something across/over: Communicate effectively.
Get along/on: Be friendly.
Get away: Go on a vacation.
Get back: Return.
Get together: Meet.
Give
Give something away: Reveal a secret or donate.
Give up: Surrender or quit.
Go
Go after something: Pursue a goal.
Go ahead: Proceed.
Hang
Hang out: Spend time leisurely.
Keep
Keep on doing something: Continue with an activity.
Let
Let somebody down: Disappoint someone.
Look
Look after somebody/something: Care for.
Look forward to something: Anticipate with excitement.
Look into something: Investigate.
Look out: Be cautious.
Make
Make something up: Invent or fabricate.
Pass
Pass away: Die.
Pass something out: Distribute.
Pick
Pick something out: Choose.
Put
Put something off: Delay.
Put up with somebody/something: Tolerate.
Run
Run into somebody/something: Meet unexpectedly.
Run away: Escape or flee.
Send
Send something back: Return an item.
Set
Set something up: Arrange or establish.
Show
Show off: Display proudly.
Take
Take something back: Return something.
Turn
Turn something down: Decline or lower volume.
Try
Try something on: Fit clothing.
Try something out: Test something for effectiveness.
Wake
Wake up: Become awake.
Work
Work out: Exercise or find a solution.