PHRASAL VERBS
Vocabulary Notes
Definitions and Phrasal Verbs
Account for:
Definition: To explain or to make up a certain proportion, substantiate.
Allow for:
Definition: To take into consideration or to factor in.
Ask after:
Definition: To inquire about someone's health.
Ask for:
Definition: To request something.
Ask sb in/out:
Definition: To invite someone in or out.
Attend to sth/sb:
Definition: To deal with or pay attention to something or someone.
To be over:
Definition: To indicate that something has ended.
To be up to sb to V:
Definition: To indicate that it is someone's responsibility to do something.
To be down with sth:
Definition: To be suffering from an illness.
To bear up = to confirm:
Definition: To endure or confirm.
To bear out:
Definition: To withstand or endure.
To blow out:
Definition: To extinguish, especially a flame.
Blow down:
Definition: To knock something over with wind.
Blow over:
Definition: To pass by; to cease.
Bounce back:
Definition: To recover in confidence or strength.
Additional Phrasal Verbs
Break away:
Definition: To escape.
Break down:
Definitions:
To fail (as in machinery).
To become emotionally upset.
To demolish.
Break in / into:
Definition: To intrude unlawfully.
Break in / on:
Definition: To interrupt a conversation.
Break up:
Definition: To separate or dissolve a relationship.
Break off:
Definitions:
To sever a part.
To cease abruptly.
Bring about:
Definition: To cause to happen.
Bring down = to land:
Definition: To lower or land.
Bring forth:
Definition: To give birth to or produce.
Bring out:
Definition: To publish or release.
Bring up:
Definition: To raise or nurture (a child).
Bring off:
Definition: To accomplish successfully.
Burn away:
Definition: To gradually extinguish.
Burn out:
Definition: To be completely consumed by fire; also refers to extreme fatigue due to stress.
Butt in:
Definition: To interrupt or interfere.
More Phrasal Verbs
Call for:
Definition: To demand or request.
Call up:
Definitions:
To summon for military service.
To make a telephone call.
To recall memories.
Call on/call in at sb's house:
Definition: To visit someone's house.
Call at:
Definition: To visit.
Call off = put off = cancel:
Definition: To annul or cancel.
Care about:
Definition: To be concerned or interested.
Care for:
Definitions:
To be fond of someone.
To look after.
Carry away:
Definition: To take something to a new location.
Carry on = go on:
Definition: To continue.
Carry out:
Definition: To execute a plan or task.
Carry off = bring off:
Definition: To succeed in something difficult.
Catch on:
Definition: To become popular; to understand.
Catch up with = keep up with = keep pace with:
Definition: To reach the same level or standard as.
Chew over = think over:
Definition: To consider carefully.
Check in/out:
Definition: To register upon arrival or departure.
Check up:
Definition: To examine, often health-related.
Clean out:
Definition: To remove everything completely.
Clean up:
Definition: To tidy or make clean.
Clear away:
Definition: To remove something from a space.
Clear up:
Definition: To clarify or resolve.
Close down:
Definition: To cease operations or shut a business.
Additional Contexts for Previous Verbs
Close in:
Definition: To encroach or approach closely.
Close up:
Definition: To gather together; to shut.
Come over/around/round (to):
Definition: To visit.
Come under sth [no passive]:
Definition: To be subjected to; to belong to.
Come round:
Definition: To regain consciousness.
Come down:
Definitions:
To collapse.
To decrease.
Come down to:
Definition: To be a matter of.
Come up:
Definitions:
To emerge.
To be mentioned.
Come up with:
Definition: To produce an idea or solution.
Come against:
Definition: To confront or tackle.
Come out:
Definition: To publish or release.
Come out with:
Definition: To bring forth a product or idea.
Come about = happen:
Definition: To occur.
Come across sb/sth:
Definition: To find unexpectedly.
Come apart:
Definition: To break into pieces.
Come along/on with:
Definition: To progress or develop.
Come into:
Definition: To inherit.
Come off:
Definition: To succeed.
Count on SB for ST:
Definition: To rely on someone for something.
Cut back on/cut down on:
Definition: To reduce expenses or consumption.
Cut in:
Definition: To interrupt.
Cut ST out off ST:
Definition: To detach or separate.
Cut off:
Definition: To isolate.
Cut up:
Definition: To divide into smaller parts.
Important Notes on Contextual Use
Cross out:
Definition: To cancel or erase by drawing a line through.
Die away / die down:
Definition: To gradually become less intense.
Die out / die off:
Definition: To become extinct.
Die for:
Definition: To desire to an extreme degree.
Die of:
Definition: To pass away from a specific illness.
Do away with:
Definition: To eliminate or abolish.
Do over:
Definition: To renovate or redo something entirely.
Do up st/do st up:
Definition: To fasten or repair; also refers to decorating a space.
Do with:
Definition: To be able to manage with.
Do without:
Definition: To manage without something.
Draw back:
Definition: To retract or withdraw.
Drive at:
Definition: To imply or suggest something.
Further Phrasal Verbs Related to Actions
Drop in at SB’s house:
Definition: To visit informally.
Drop off:
Definition: To fall asleep or to deliver someone.
Drop out of school:
Definition: To leave school before completion.
End up:
Definition: To conclude or arrive at a final state.
Eat up:
Definition: To consume all of something.
Eat out:
Definition: To dine at a restaurant rather than at home.
Face up to:
Definition: To confront or deal with an unpleasant situation.
Fall back on:
Definition: To rely on available support.
Fall in with:
Definition: To become infatuated with or join.
Fall behind:
Definition: To lag or not keep pace with.
Fall through:
Definition: To fail to happen.
Fall off:
Definition: To decrease or diminish.
Fall down:
Definition: To fail.
Fell up to:
Definition: To feel capable of.
Fill in:
Definition: To complete information on a form.
Fill out:
Definition: To complete the required details.
Fill up with:
Definition: To fill a container or space completely.
Fill in for:
Definition: To substitute or take someone’s place.
Continued List of Phrasal Verbs
Find out:
Definition: To discover information.
Get through to sb:
Definition: To make contact with someone.
Get through:
Definitions:
To accomplish something.
To overcome a challenge.
Get into:
Definitions:
To enter.
To start a new interest.
Get in/get into:
Definition: To arrive or be accepted into a group or place.
Get off:
Definitions:
To remove, disembark, or escape responsibility.
To change a subject.
Get out of:
Definition: To avoid a task or responsibility.
Get down:
Definition: To lower oneself or to write down.
Get sb down:
Definition: To discourage or make someone feel bad.
Get down to doing:
Definition: To start working on something seriously.
Get to doing:
Definition: To begin to do something.
Get round/around st:
Definition: To find a way to deal with or navigate out of a situation.
Get round/around to st:
Definition: To allocate time to address a task.
Get on:
Definitions:
To continue in a task.
To become successful.
Get along/on with:
Definition: To have a harmonious relationship.
Get st across:
Definition: To communicate effectively.
Get at:
Definition: To imply or to try to make a point.
Get back:
Definition: To return to a previous place or state.
Get by (on/in/with st):
Definition: To manage or survive on limited resources.
Get up:
Definition: To rise from bed or lift oneself.
Get sb up:
Definition: To wake someone.
Get ahead:
Definition: To advance or make progress.
Get away with st:
Definition: To escape without punishment.
Get over:
Definition: To recover from something.
Get on one’s nerves:
Definition: To annoy someone.
Final List of Phrasal Verbs and Actions
Give away:
Definition: To donate or reveal a secret.
Give st back:
Definition: To return something.
Give in:
Definition: To surrender or yield.
Give way to:
Definition: To yield or submit to something.
Give up:
Definition: To stop trying.
Give out:
Definition: To distribute or give something.
Give off:
Definition: To emit or produce.
Go by:
Definition: To pass or elapse.
Go out:
Definition: To exit or become outdated.
Go out with:
Definition: To date someone.
Go through:
Definition: To examine closely or experience.
Go through with:
Definition: To complete something despite obstacles.
Go for:
Definition: To strive for something.
Go in for st = take part in:
Definition: To participate in.
Go with:
Definition: To match or harmonize with.
Go without:
Definition: To manage or cope without something.
Go off:
Definition: To explode or to spoil (food).
Go off with = give away with:
Definition: To take something away wrongfully.
Go ahead:
Definition: To commence or proceed.
Go back on one’s word:
Definition: To break a promise.
Health and Wellbeing Related Terms
Go down with:
Definition: To contract an illness.
Go over:
Definition: To review or check thoroughly.
Go up:
Definition: To increase or ascend.
Go into ST:
Definition: To ram into or deeply engage in something.
Go away:
Definition: To depart from a place.
Go around / round:
Definition: To be sufficient for distribution or to circulate.
Go on:
Definition: To continue.
Grow out of:
Definition: To become too large for something.
Grow up:
Definition: To mature or develop.
Hand down to = pass on to:
Definition: To bequeath or transmit to the next generation.
Hand in:
Definition: To submit something officially.
Hand back:
Definition: To return something to its rightful owner.
Hand over:
Definition: To transfer or relinquish.
Hand out:
Definition: To distribute.
Hang round:
Definition: To loiter casually.
Calling and Communication Related Vocabulary
Hang on = hold on = hold off:
Definition: To wait or grip tightly.
Hang up (off):
Definition: To terminate a call.
Hang out:
Definition: To socialize or spend time together.
Hold off:
Definition: To delay or postpone.
Hold on:
Definition: To keep holding; also means to wait.
Hold back:
Definition: To restrain.
Hold up:
Definition: To delay or stop.
Jump at a chance/an opportunity:
Definition: To eagerly seize an opportunity.
Jump at a conclusion:
Definition: To hastily form an opinion.
Jump at an order:
Definition: To accept or respond to a command eagerly.
Jump for joy:
Definition: To express extreme happiness.
Jump into (out of):
Definition: To leap into or out of something.
Keep away from = keep off:
Definition: To avoid or stay at a distance from something.
Keep out of:
Definition: To prevent access.
Keep sb back from:
Definition: To deter someone from action.
Keep sb from = stop sb from:
Definition: To prevent someone from doing something.
Collaboration and Support Related Verbs
Keep sb together:
Definition: To maintain unity or cohesion.
Keep up:
Definition: To retain or maintain a pace.
Keep up with:
Definition: To stay informed and maintain visibility.
Keep on:
Definition: To continue doing something.
Knock down = pull down:
Definition: To demolish or collapse.
Knock out:
Definition: To render unconscious or defeated.
Lay down:
Definition: To proclaim a rule or to disarm.
Lay out:
Definition: To arrange or organize.
Leave sb off = to dismiss sb:
Definition: To relieve someone from duty.
Leave out:
Definition: To exclude.
Let sb down:
Definition: To disappoint.
Let sb in/out:
Definition: To allow entry or exit.
Let sb off:
Definition: To forgive or excuse.
Lie down:
Definition: To assume a horizontal position.
Living and Sustainability Related Terms
Live up to:
Definition: To meet expectations.
Live off sth:
Definition: To survive on a specific food or resource.
Live on:
Definition: To subsist or survive.
Lock up:
Definition: To secure or confine.
Look after:
Definition: To take care of.
Look at:
Definition: To observe or examine.
Look back on:
Definition: To reminisce.
Look round:
Definition: To turn one's head or body to see around.
Look for:
Definition: To search for.
Look forward to V-ing:
Definition: To anticipate with pleasure.
Look in on:
Definition: To visit briefly.
Look up:
Definition: To search for information.
Look into:
Definition: To investigate or examine closely.
Look on:
Definition: To observe without active involvement.
Look out:
Definition: To be watchful or cautious.
Look out for:
Definition: To be on the lookout for something or someone.
Look over:
Definition: To examine or inspect.
Look up to:
Definition: To regard with respect.
Look down on:
Definition: To regard as inferior.
Concluding Vocabulary Insights
Make a point of doing sth:
Definition: To make a dedicated effort to ensure something is accomplished.
Make sb/st into sb/st:
Definition: To transform or cause a change in form.
Make up:
Definitions:
To fabricate a story.
To reconcile.
To constitute a proportion.
Make out:
Definitions:
To discern or perceive.
To claim or assert.
To complete a formal document.
Make up for:
Definition: To compensate for a deficiency.
Make up (with sb):
Definition: To settle differences with someone.
Make the way to:
Definition: To direct oneself to a destination.
Mistake sb for sb else:
Definition: To confuse one person for another.
Mix st up/mix up st:
Definition: To confuse or combine dissimilar elements.
Mix sb/st up (with sb/sth):
Definition: To confuse one entity with another.
Miss out (on st):
Definition: To fail to take advantage of or to overlook.
Moving On and Leaving
Move out:
Definition: To vacate a residence.
Move in:
Definition: To take residence in a new place.
Instructions and Legislation
Order SB about ST:
Definition: To instruct someone to do something.
Owe st to sb:
Definition: To attribute a benefit to someone.
Pass around:
Definition: To distribute to a group.
Pass away:
Definition: To die, often in a more gentle context.
Pass by = to go past:
Definition: To go alongside someone or something.
Pass on to = hand down to:
Definition: To convey authority or knowledge to another.
Pass out = to faint:
Definition: To lose consciousness.
Pay sb back:
Definition: To return money owed to someone.
Pay up the debt:
Definition: To fully settle outstanding financial obligations.
Pick sth up/pick up sth:
Definition: To incidentally acquire or to collect something.
Point out:
Definition: To indicate or draw attention to something.
Pull back:
Definition: To retreat or withdraw.
Pull down = to knock down:
Definition: To demolish or flatten.
Pull in to:
Definition: To arrive at a destination.
Pull st out:
Definition: To extract.
Pull over at:
Definition: To bring a vehicle to a stop at the side of the road.
Put st aside:
Definition: To place something to ignore temporarily.
Put st away:
Definition: To return something to its original place.
Put through to sb:
Definition: To connect a caller to the intended person.
Put down:
Definition: To place something on a surface; also can mean to suppress a rebellion.
Put down to:
Definition: To attribute something to a cause.
Put on:
Definition: To don clothing or increase in weight.
Put up:
Definition: To erect or increase.
Put up with:
Definition: To tolerate or endure.
Put up for:
Definition: To seek accommodation from someone.
Put out:
Definition: To extinguish.
Put st/sb out:
Definition: To remove something or someone from a location.
Put off:
Definition: To procrastinate or delay a task.
Travel and Adventure Related Terms
Run after:
Definition: To chase something.
Run away/off from:
Definition: To flee from a location.
Run out (of):
Definition: To exhaust a supply.
Run over:
Definition: To collide with or to exceed a limit of time.
Run back:
Definition: To retrace one’s steps to a previous location.
Run down:
Definition: To reduce resources or operations.
Run into:
Definition: To unexpectedly meet someone.
Ring after:
Definition: To make a return phone call.
Ring off:
Definition: To terminate a phone call.
Save up:
Definition: To accumulate resources.
See about = see to:
Definition: To attend to a matter.
See sb off:
Definition: To bid farewell to someone at their departure.
See sb though:
Definition: To support or help someone during a tough time.
See over = go over:
Definition: To inspect or review thoroughly.
Send for:
Definition: To request someone's presence or assistance.
Send to:
Definition: To direct a person or thing to a specific location.
Send back:
Definition: To return something to its original location or owner.
Set out/off:
Definition: To begin a journey or an endeavor.
Set st off/set off st:
Definition: To activate something or initiate an event.
Set in:
Definition: To start (commonly used in weather contexts).
Set up:
Definition: To establish or arrange.
Set sb back:
Definition: To hinder progress.
Settle down:
Definition: To establish a stable lifestyle.
Show off:
Definition: To demonstrate one's abilities or possessions for admiration.
Show up:
Definition: To appear or arrive.
Shop round:
Definition: To look for goods, often with the intention to purchase.
Shut down:
Definition: To close permanently or cease operations.
Shut up:
Definition: To close or silence.
Sit round:
Definition: To remain idle.
Sit up for:
Definition: To stay awake waiting for someone’s return.
Slow down:
Definition: To reduce speed or pace.
Stand by:
Definition: To support or be ready.
Stand out:
Definition: To be noticeable or prominent.
Stand for:
Definition: To represent or symbolize.
Stand in for:
Definition: To substitute for someone.
Stay away from:
Definition: To avoid.
Stay behind:
Definition: To remain in a place after others have left.
Stay up:
Definition: To remain awake.
Stay on at:
Definition: To continue attending school or some activity.
Strike out (for/towards sth):
Definition: To proceed confidently toward a goal.
Take away st/take st away:
Definitions:
To remove something.
To buy food for consumption elsewhere (BrE).
Take st out/take out st:
Definition: To remove something from its place or prepare food for takeaway (NAmE).
Take away from:
Definition: To diminish or detract.
Take after:
Definition: To resemble a relative.
Take sb/st back to:
Definition: To return someone or something to a prior location.
Take down:
Definition: To remove or record information.
Take sb in/take in sb:
Definition: To deceive someone or to permit entry.
Take st in/take in st:
Definition: To absorb or understand new information.
Take on:
Definition: To accept responsibility or burden.
Take off:
Definition: To ascend in a vehicle or to remove clothing.
Take over:
Definition: To assume control or management.
Take up:
Definition: To occupy space or to embark on a new activity.
Take to:
Definition: To develop a liking for.
Talk down to sb:
Definition: To speak condescendingly to someone.
Talk sb into st:
Definition: To persuade someone to see things your way.
Talk sb out of:
Definition: To dissuade someone from doing something.
Talk st over/talk over st (with sb):
Definition: To discuss thoroughly.
Talk sb through st:
Definition: To provide detailed guidance during a process.
Talk through:
Definition: To explain in detail.
Throw away:
Definition: To discard.
Throw out:
Definition: To expel or reject.
Tie down:
Definition: To restrict or restrain.
Tie in with:
Definition: To connect or correspond.
Tie up:
Definition: To secure tightly or restrict movement.
Tell off:
Definition: To reprimand strongly.
Try on:
Definition: To test for fit, typically clothing.
Try out:
Definition: To test or experiment.
Turn away = turn down:
Definition: To refuse or decline.
Turn into:
Definition: To transform or change into something else.
Turn out:
Definition: To result or conclude as.
Turn on/off:
Definition: To activate or deactivate a device or light.
Turn up/down:
Definition: To increase/decrease the volume; to arrive or appear.
Turn up:
Definition: To arrive or emerge.
Turn in:
Definition: To retire for the night or submit work.
Use up:
Definition: To exhaust or deplete resources.
Strategy and Encouragements
Urge sb into/out of:
Definition: To advise someone to engage or not engage in an activity.
Urge on:
Definition: To encourage someone to proceed.
Wait for:
Definition: To remain in expectation.
Wait up:
Definition: To stay awake while anticipating.
Wait up for:
Definition: To wait for someone’s return home before sleeping.
Watch out/over = look out:
Definition: To be cautious or vigilant.
Watch out for st = look out for st:
Definition: To be alert for or attentive to something.
Wear off:
Definition: To diminish in effect.
Wear sb out = exhaust sb:
Definition: To tire someone.
Work off:
Definition: To eliminate excess or negative factors.
Work out:
Definitions:
To resolve satisfactorily.
To exercise.
To calculate a solution.
Work up:
Definition: To increase intensity, especially in excitement or anxiety.
Wipe sb/st out:
Definition: To eradicate or completely destroy.
Write down:
Definition: To record in written form.
Summary and Use Cases
These phrasal verbs are fundamental tools in the English language for communication. Understanding their context and nuanced meanings can greatly aid in effective dialogue, both written and spoken. Engaging with these verbs can enrich a learner's vocabulary and enhance their ability to convey complex ideas succinctly in everyday scenarios and professional settings.