Comprehensive Guide to Common English Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal Verbs: Break down to Catch up with

The phrasal verb Break down translates to French as "tomber en panne" or "se décomposer." It is frequently used when describing mechanical failures or the process of decay. For example, one might say: "My car broke down on the highway yesterday."

Break up or split up means "se séparer." This term specifically refers to the termination of a romantic relationship between individuals. The transcript provides the following sentence: "They decided to break up after years of being together."

Bring up has two distinct meanings in French: "évoquer" or "soulever (un sujet)" (to mention a topic) and "élever (un enfant)" (to raise a child). A provided example of the former usage is: "She brought up an interesting point during the discussion."

Call back translates to "rappeler." It is used when one intends to return a telephone call at a later time. For instance: "I'll call you back after the meeting."

Call off corresponds to the French "annuler." This phrasal verb is used when an event or a scheduled meeting is cancelled. An example of this is: "They had to call off the meeting because of the bad weather."

Carry on means "continuer." It implies persistence in an activity despite difficulties. The transcript illustrates this with: "Even though it's tough, you have to carry on with your work."

Carry out translates to "effectuer" or "réaliser (une tâche, une mission)." It describes the execution of a specific task or scientific work. For example: "The scientists are carrying out an important experiment."

Catch up with means "rattraper (du temps, une personne, une activité)." This is used when someone wants to reach the same level as another or reconnect after an absence. For instance: "I need to catch up with my friends, it’s been a while since we last met."

Phrasal Verbs: Cheer up to Find out

Cheer up means "remonter le moral" or "se réjouir." It is an expression used to encourage someone to feel happier. An example provided is: "Cheer up! Everything will get better soon."

Come up translates to "surgir" or "apparaître (une situation ou un problème inattendu)." It designates the sudden appearance of a situation or obstacle. For example: "An unexpected problem came up, so I had to stay late at work."

Come up with means "trouver, imaginer, inventer." It refers to the mental process of creating a solution or an idea. The transcript states: "She managed to come up with a brilliant solution to the problem."

Cut down on means "réduire (la consommation de)." It is often used in the context of health or budgeting to describe decreasing intake. For instance: "I’m trying to cut down on sugar to improve my health."

Cut out means "éliminer" or "supprimer." This phrased verb implies completely removing something from one's habits. For example: "You should cut out junk food if you want to lose weight."

Drop off translates to "déposer." This refers to the act of delivering someone or something to a specific location while en route elsewhere. For instance: "Can you drop off the kids at school on your way to work?"

Eat out means "manger à l'extérieur." It refers to dining at a restaurant rather than at home. Use case: "We decided to eat out instead of cooking at home."

End up means "finir par (se trouver qq part, dans une situation)." This describes arriving at a final result or destination, often unexpectedly. For example: "After searching everywhere, we ended up at a nice little café."

Fight out translates as "se battre jusqu'au bout." This refers to seeing a competition or conflict through to its conclusion. The transcript provides: "The two players will fight out the championship in the final match."

Fill in means "compléter" or "remplir." This is used in the context of paperwork or forms. For instance: "Could you fill in this form before the appointment?"

Find out means "découvrir." It refers to the act of learning new information or the truth about a matter. Example: "I was shocked when I found out the truth about the situation."

Phrasal Verbs: Get along/on with to Look up

Get along/on with translates to "bien s'entendre avec." It describes having a harmonious relationship with others. For example: "Do you get along with your coworkers?"

Get back to means "revenir vers" or "recontacter." This is used when promising to provide more information or contact someone later. For instance: "I'll get back to you with more details tomorrow."

Get on / off means "monter à bord" or "descendre de." These are used for public transportation like buses and trains. Examples: "We need to get on the bus now or we’ll be late. / Don’t forget to get off at the next stop."

Get over means "se remettre." It refers to the process of recovering from an illness or emotional distress such as a breakup. Example: "It took him a long time to get over his breakup."

Give away corresponds to "donner (généralement gratuitement, à qqun ou à une organisation)." This involves donating items to others. For instance: "She’s going to give away all her old clothes to a charity."

Give up means "abandonner." It is often used in the context of quitting a habit or stopping an effort. For example: "I’ve decided to give up smoking for good."

Keep away from means "rester à l'écart de" or "éviter." It is a cautionary phrase. For example: "You should keep away from that dog, it's not friendly."

Lie down means "se coucher" or "s’allonger." This describes the physical act of reclining to rest. For instance: "I feel tired, I think I'll lie down for a bit."

Live on means "vivre de." This refers to the financial source used to support oneself. Example: "After his retirement, he lives on his pension."

Look after means "s'occuper de." This refers to the act of caring for a person, animal, or object. For instance: "Can you look after my dog while I’m away?"

Look back on sthg translates to "repenser à qqch" or "se remémorer." It refers to reflecting on past events. Example: "When I look back on my school years, I remember all the good times."

Look for means "chercher." It denotes the act of trying to find something that is lost or needed. For instance: "I’ve been looking for my keys all morning."

Look forward to means "attendre avec impatience" or "avoir hâte de." It describes a feeling of excitement about a future event. Example: "I’m really looking forward to the holidays!"

Look up translates to "chercher dans un dictionnaire." It refers specifically to checking the meaning of a word or finding information in a reference book. For example: "If you don’t know that word, you can look it up in the dictionary."

Phrasal Verbs: Make up to Run out of

Make up means "imaginer" or "inventer." It refers to the creation of a story or lie. For instance: "This story is not true, he made it up."

Pass out means "tomber dans les pommes." This describes a sudden loss of consciousness, often due to physical strain. Example: "He suddenly passed out during the meeting from exhaustion."

Pay back translates to "rembourser." This refers to returning money that was previously borrowed. For instance: "I’ll pay you back the money I owe next week."

Pick up means "ramasser" or "aller chercher." This is used both for physical objects on the ground and for stopping to get items or people. Example: "I need to pick up some groceries on my way home."

Plug in translates to "brancher." This involves connecting an electronic device to a power source. For instance: "Don’t forget to plug in the charger, your phone is almost dead."

Put off means "remettre à plus tard." This denotes the postponement of an event or action. Example: "We had to put off our trip because of the bad weather."

Put on signifies "mettre un vêtement." It is the act of dressing oneself. For instance: "I’m going to put on my coat, it’s cold outside."

Put up with means "supporter (tolérer une situation désagréable)." It refers to enduring something bothersome. For example: "I don’t know how you put up with that constant noise."

Run out of translates to "manquer de." This is used when the supply of a particular item is exhausted. For instance: "We’ve run out of milk, can you buy some more?"

Phrasal Verbs: Sent off to Work out

Sent off means "expédier, envoyer, expulser." In sports, it specifically refers to a referee removing a player from the game. Example: "The referee sent off two players for aggressive behavior."

Set up means "installer" or "mettre en place." It describes the preparation or arrangement of a physical space or equipment. For instance: "We need to set up the meeting room before the presentation."

Sort out means "résoudre" or "régler (un problème)." It involves finding a solution to a complication. Example: "We need to sort out this issue before the deadline."

Switch on/off means "allumer / éteindre." This is used for electronic devices and lighting. Examples: "Can you switch on the light, please? Don't forget to switch off the TV before you leave."

Take advantage of translates to "profiter de." It describes making the most of an opportunity. For example: "She always takes advantage of every opportunity she gets."

Take after means "ressembler à (quelqu'un)." It refers to inheriting traits or characteristics from a relative. For instance: "John really takes after his father in terms of personality."

Take off translates to "décoller" (for an aircraft) or "enlever (vêtements)." Example: "The plane is going to take off in 20 minutes."

Take out means "sortir (quelque chose)" or "retirer." For instance: "I’ll take out the trash before dinner."

Take part in means "prendre part à." This involves participating in an event or group activity. Example: "Are you going to take part in the competition this year?"

Take up means "se mettre à (une activité)." It refers to starting a new hobby or discipline. For instance: "She’s decided to take up yoga to reduce stress."

Throw up means "vomir." This describes the act of being physically sick. Example: "He felt sick and threw up after the meal."

Try on signifies "essayer un vêtement." This is done to check if a piece of clothing fits correctly. For instance: "I’d like to try on this dress to see if it fits."

Turn on/off means "allumer" or "éteindre." This is synonymous with switch on/off. Example: "Shall I leave the lights on or turn them off?"

Turn up (Sense 1) means "arriver, apparaître, se présenter." This describes people attending an event. Example: "I didn't expect so many people to turn up at the event."

Turn up (Sense 2) is also defined as "arriver, apparaître." The provided example is: "He didn't turn up for the meeting, and we don't know why."

Warm up means "s'échauffer." This refers to the physical preparation required before exercise. Example: "It’s important to warm up before doing any intense exercise."

Watch out translates to "faire attention." It is a warning used to alert someone to a potential danger. For example: "Watch out for the wet floor, you might slip!"

Work out means "s'entraîner" or "résoudre." It applies both to physical exercise and to solving problems. The example provided is: "If you want to stay healthy, you need to work out regularly."