|
|
Phrasal
Verb
|
Meaning
|
Example
|
|
A
|
abide by
|
respect or obey. (the law, a decision, a rule)
|
If you want to stay at this school, you must abide by the rules.
|
|
|
account for
|
explain, give a reason
|
I hope you can account for the money you spent!
|
|
|
add up
|
make sense, seem reasonable
|
Her story just doesn't add up.
|
|
|
agree with
|
have the same opinion as somebody else.
|
I agree with you. I think she deserves the award too.
|
|
|
allow for
|
take into consideration,
include in a calculation
|
You'd better leave early to allow for traffic jams.
|
|
|
answer back
|
reply rudely
|
Don't answer back your mother!
|
|
|
apply for
|
make a formal request for something
(job, permit, loan etc.)
|
He applied for the job he saw advertised in the newspaper.
|
|
|
avail (oneself) of
|
take advantage of something (an opportunity)
|
When the company is privatized, you should avail yourself of
the opportunity and buy some shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B
|
back away
|
move backwards, in fear or dislike
|
When he saw the dog, he backed away.
|
|
|
back down
|
withdraw, concede defeat
|
Local authorities backed down on their plans to demolish the building.
|
|
|
back up
|
1) give support or encouragement
2) make a copy of (file, program, etc.)
|
1) If I tell the boss we've got too much work, will you back me up?
2) It is recommended to back up all files in a secure location.
|
|
|
bank on
|
base your hopes on someone/something
|
Don't forget the date. I'm banking on your help.
|
|
|
beef up
|
improve, make more substantial
|
He beefed up his presentation with diagrams and statistics.
|
|
|
black out
|
faint, lose consciousness
|
When he fell off the horse he blacked out.
|
|
|
block off
|
Separate using a barrier.
|
The area was blocked off during the demonstration.
|
|
|
blow up
|
1) explode;
2) be destroyed by an explosion
|
1) The terrorists said the bomb would blow up at 9 o'clock.
2) The car blew up but luckily there was nobody in it.
|
|
|
boil down to
|
be summarized as
|
The problem boils down to a lack of money.
|
|
|
boot up
|
start a computer by loading an
operating system or program.
|
Just give my a few minutes to boot up the computer.
|
|
|
break away
|
escape from captivity
|
A few horses broke away from the paddock.
|
|
|
break down
|
1) go out of order, cease to function
2) lose control of one's emotions
|
1) John's car broke down so he had to take the bus.
2) The parents broke down when they heard the bad news.
|
|
|
break into
|
enter by force
|
Burglars broke into the house around midnight.
|
|
|
break out
|
start suddenly
|
Rioting broke out as a result of the strike.
|
|
|
break out of
|
escape from a place by force
|
Three prisoners broke out of jail.
|
|
|
break up
|
come to an end (marriage, relationship)
|
After her marriage broke up, Emma went to live in London.
|
|
|
bring up
|
raise (a child)
|
She stopped working in order to bring up her children.
|
|
|
brush up on
|
improve, refresh one's knowledge of something
|
Mary had to brush up on her Spanish before going to South America.
|
|
|
bump into
|
meet by accident or unexpectedly
|
Pedro bumped into his English teacher at the supermarket.
|
|
|
burn out
|
1) stop (something) working
2) become exhausted from over-working
|
1) The fuse has burnt out.
2) Tom will burn himself out if he doesn't slow down.
|
|
|
butt in (on sthg)
|
interrupt impolitely
|
It's rude to butt in on a conversation like that!
|
|
|
C
|
call back
|
return a phone call
|
I'll call you back as soon as possible.
|
|
|
call off
|
cancel
|
The meeting was called off because of the strike.
|
|
|
call on/upon sby
|
formally invite or request
|
I now call upon the President to address the assembly.
|
|
|
calm down
|
become more relaxed, less angry or upset
|
He was angry at first but he eventually calmed down.
|
|
|
carry on
|
continue
|
He carried on gardening in spite of the rain.
|
|
|
carry out
|
1) do something as specified
(a plan, an order, a threat)
2) perform or conduct (test, experiment)
|
1) The plan was carried out to perfection.
2) Tests are carried out to determine the efficiency of a new drug.
|
|
|
carry over
|
postpone until later
|
As regards holidays, can you carry over any days from one year
to the next?
|
|
|
check in
|
register at a hotel or airport
|
For security reasons you have to check in two hours before your flight.
|
|
|
check out
|
1) pay one's bill and leave (a hotel)
2) investigate
|
1) Is Mr. Blair still at the hotel? No, he checked out this morning.
2) I don't know if the address is still valid. I'll check it out.
|
|
|
clam up
|
refuse to speak
|
When the teacher arrived she clammed up.
|
|
|
clamp down on
|
act strictly to prevent something
|
The government has decided to clamp down on smoking in public places.
|
|
|
close down
|
stop operating (company, restaurant, cinema).
|
When the factory closed down, the employees lost their jobs.
|
|
|
come across
|
1) find by chance
2) appear, seem, make an impression
|
1) Julie came across some photographs of her grandparents in the attic.
2) The candidate came across as a dynamic person during the interview.
|
|
|
come forward
|
present oneself
|
The police have asked any witnesses to come forward.
|
|
|
come up against
|
be faced with or opposed by
|
The project came up against a lot of criticism.
|
|
|
conk out
|
1) stop working
2) stop or fall asleep (from exhaustion)
|
1) The car conked out on the motorway.
2) He was so exhausted, he conked out in front of the TV.
|
|
|
count on
|
rely or depend on (for help)
|
I'm counting on the taxi driver to find the theatre.
|
|
|
cross out
|
remove by drawing a line through
|
In some exercises, you are asked to cross out the incorrect word.
|
|
|
cut down on
|
reduce in number or size
|
The doctor told him to cut down on cigarettes.
|
|
|
cut out
|
1) remove using scissors
2) stop doing something
|
1) She cut out a picture in a magazine.
2) I'm going to cut out eating between meals.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D
|
deal with
|
handle, take care of (problem, situation)
|
The manager is good at dealing with difficult customers.
|
|
|
die down
|
calm down, become less strong
|
When the applause died down, she started to sing.
|
|
|
do without
|
manage without
|
The shops are closed so we'll have to do without sugar.
|
|
|
drag on
|
last longer than expected
|
We expected a short speech but it dragged on and on!
|
|
|
draw up
|
write (contract, agreement, document)
|
An agreement was drawn up and signed by the two parties.
|
|
|
dress up
|
1) wear elegant clothes
2) disguise oneself
|
1) Do people dress up to go to the opera in your country?
2) Children love to dress up at Halloween.
|
|
|
drop in
|
visit, usually on the way somewhere
|
I sometimes drop in to see my grandparents on my way home from school.
|
|
|
drop off
|
1) deliver someone or something
2) fall asleep
|
1) I'll drop you off at the bus stop if you like.
2) Granddad often drops off in front of the TV.
|
|
|
drop out
|
leave school without finishing
|
She decided to go to art school then dropped out after the first term.
|
|
|
|
E
|
ease off
|
reduce, become less severe or slow down
(pain, traffic, work)
|
After Christmas the workload generally eases off.
|
|
|
end in
|
finish in a certain way; result in
|
Their marriage ended in divorce.
|
|
|
end up
|
finally reach a state, place or action
|
If he continues his misconduct he'll end up in prison.
|
|
|
even out
|
1) eliminate differences of opinion.
2) become level or regular
|
1) After a long discussion they managed to even out their differences.
2) The road was evened out to make it safer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F
|
fall through
|
fail; doesn't happen
|
Our planned boat trip fell through because of the storm.
|
|
|
figure out
|
understand, find the answer
|
I'm trying to figure out how to assemble the bookshelves.
|
|
|
fill out
|
complete (a form/an application)
|
Please fill out the enclosed form and return it as soon as possible.
|
|
|
find out
|
discover or obtain information
|
I'm going to call the cinema to find out what time the film starts.
|
|
|
focus on
|
concentrate on something
|
The advertising campaign will focus on the quality of the product.
|
|
|
figure out
|
understand; find a solution
|
We'll have to figure out a way to deliver the goods faster.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G
|
get along (with)
|
be on good terms; work well with
|
I get along (well) with my mother-in-law.
|
|
|
get at
|
imply
|
What exactly are you trying to get at?
|
|
|
get away
|
escape
|
The robbers got away in a black car.
|
|
|
get by
|
manage to cope or to survive
|
It's difficult to get by on a low salary.
|
|
|
get in
|
enter
|
How did the burglar get in?
|
|
|
get into (+noun)
|
enter
|
How did the burglar get into the house?
|
|
|
get off
|
1) leave (bus, train, plane)
2) remove
|
1) You should get off the bus at Trafalgar Square.
2) She can't get the stain off her sweater.
|
|
|
get on
|
board (bus, train, plane)
|
You can pay when you get on the bus.
|
|
|
get on with (something)
|
continue to do; make progress
|
Be quiet and get on with your homework.
|
|
|
get on (well) with (somebody)
|
have a good relationship with
|
I get on very well with my colleagues.
|
|
|
get out
|
leave
|
How did he get out?
|
|
|
get out of(+noun)
|
leave
|
How did he get out of the house?
|
|
|
get out of
|
avoid doing something
|
Some husbands manage to get out of doing any housework.
|
|
|
get over
|
recover from (illness, disappointment)
|
My grandmother had pneumonia but she got over it.
|
|
|
get rid of
|
eliminate
|
It's difficult to get rid of old habits.
|
|
|
get together
|
meet each other
|
Let's get together for lunch on day.
|
|
|
get up
|
rise, leave bed
|
I usually get up at 7 o'clock.
|
|
|
give up
|
stop doing something
|
Sarah gave up smoking 5 years ago.
|
|
|
go through
|
experience
|
Pete went through a lot of pain after the accident.
|
|
|
grow up
|
spend one's childhood; develop; become an adult
|
He grew up in a small village in the mountains.
|
|
|
|
H
|
hand in
|
submit (report, homework)
|
All application forms must be handed in before the end of the month.
|
|
|
hand out
|
distribute
|
Samples will be handed out at the end of the demonstration.
|
|
|
hang out
|
spend time in a particular place,
or with a group of friends
|
Where does he hang out these days?
Who does he hang out with?
|
|
|
hang up
|
end a phone conversation
|
"Don't hang up. I haven't finished yet."
|
|
|
hit at
|
aim a blow at
|
He hit at the wasp with the newspaper.
|
|
|
hit back
|
retaliate; reply to an attack
|
When he was attacked by the others, the boy hit back.
|
|
|
hit on/upon
|
find unexpectedly or by inspiration
|
She hit upon an idea for her new collection.
|
|
|
hold on
|
-wait
-grip tightly
|
- 'Hold on please. I'll put you through to Mr. Brown."
- She held on to the railing as she crossed the bridge.
|
|
|
hurry up
|
be quick, act speedily
|
Hurry up! We'll miss the bus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I
|
iron out
|
resolve by discussion, eliminate differences
|
The meeting tomorrow will be an opportunity to iron out difficulties.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J
|
join in
|
participate
|
She was too shy to join in the game.
|
|
|
join up
|
-engage in, become a member of
- meet and unite with
|
- John was in the Army and Tom joined up as soon as he left school.
- The two groups of tourists joined up at the hotel.
|
|
|
jot down
|
take quick notes
|
I jotted down the address while watching the programme on TV.
|
|
K
|
keep on
|
continue doing something
|
It told him to be quiet but he kept on making noise.
|
|
|
keep up with
|
stay at the same level as someone or
something
|
Bill walks so fast it's difficult to keep up with him.
|
|
|
kick off
|
begin, start
|
The football match kicked off at 3 o'clock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
L
|
leave out
|
omit, not mention
|
The child's name was left out of the report.
|
|
|
let down
|
disappoint
|
You promised to come to the party, so don't let me down!
|
|
|
look after
|
take care of
|
A babysitter looks after the children when they go out.
|
|
|
look ahead
|
think of the future
|
It's time to forget the past and look ahead.
|
|
|
look down on
|
consider as inferior
|
He tends to look down on anyone who is not successful.
|
|
|
look on
|
be a spectator at an event
|
Billy didn't take part in the fight. He just looked on.
|
|
|
look for
|
try to find something
|
Jane went to the shops to look for a pair of shoes.
|
|
|
look forward to
|
await or anticipate with pleasure
|
I look forward to seeing you soon.
|
|
|
look up to
|
admire
|
He was a wonderful teacher and many students looked up to him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M
|
make fun of
|
laugh at/ make jokes about
|
The old lady dresses so strangely that the kids make fun of her.
|
|
|
make up
|
invent (excuse, story)
|
Some employees make up excuses when they arrive late for work.
|
|
|
mix up
|
mistake one thing or person for another
|
I don't know my neighbours' names yet. I keep mixing them up.
|
|
|
move in
|
arrive in a new home or office
|
You've bought a new house? When are you moving in?.
|
|
|
move out
|
leave your home/office for another one.
|
My neighbour is leaving. He's moving out next Saturday.
|
|
|
|
N
|
nod off
|
fall asleep
|
My grandfather often nods off in front of the television.
|
|
|
note down
|
write something
|
I'll call the station and note down the departure times.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
O
|
opt out
|
leave a system or decide not to participate
|
I enjoy tennis but I'm so busy I had to opt out of the tournament.
|
|
|
own up
|
admit or confess something
|
The boy owned up. He said he kicked the ball through the window.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P
|
pass away
|
die
|
The old lady passed away peacefully.
|
|
|
pass out
|
faint
|
She passed out when she heard the bad news.
|
|
|
pay back
|
reimburse
|
I'll lend you 20€ provided you pay me back before the end of the week.
|
|
|
put off
|
postpone, arrange a later date
|
The meeting was put off because of the strike.
|
|
|
put on
|
turn on, switch on
|
Could you put on the light please?
|
|
|
put out
|
extinguish
|
It took a long time to put out the fire.
|
|
|
put up
|
accommodate, give somebody a bed
|
We can put you up if you'd like to come for a week-end.
|
|
|
pick up
|
collect somebody
|
I'll pick you up at the station when you arrive.
|
|
|
point out
|
indicate/direct attention to something
|
She pointed out the mistake.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R
|
rely on
|
count on, depend on, trust
|
Don't worry. You can rely on me. I can keep a secret.
|
|
|
rule out
|
eliminate
|
The police ruled out political motives.
|
|
|
run away
|
escape from a place or suddenly leave
|
He ran away from home at the age of fourteen.
|
|
|
run into
|
meet by accident or unexpectedly (also: bump into)
|
Sophie ran into Maria at the shopping centre.
|
|
|
run out of
|
have no more of something.
|
What a nuisance! We've run out of coffee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S
|
set off
|
start a journey;
|
Early Saturday morning we set off for the ski slopes .
|
|
|
set up
|
start a business
|
She set up her own company 10 years ago.
|
|
|
shop around
|
compare prices
|
It's always wise to shop around before buying anything.
|
|
|
show off
|
brag or want to be admired
|
There's David showing off in his new sports car!
|
|
|
show up
|
appear/arrive
|
We expected David to come but he didn't show up.
|
|
|
shut up
(impolite)
|
be silent, stop talking
|
Oh shut up, you idiot!
|
|
|
sit down
|
take a seat
|
Please come in and sit down.
|
|
|
stand up
|
rise from a sitting position
|
The pupils stood up when the headmaster arrived.
|
|
|
stick up for
|
defend
|
It's important to stick up for one's principles.
|
|
|
|
T
|
take after
|
resemble, in appearance or character
|
Jamie really takes after his dad.
|
|
|
take care of
|
look after
|
I'll take care of your plants while you're away.
|
|
|
take off
|
leave the ground
|
The plane took off at 6 a.m.
|
|
|
take on
|
hire or engage staff
|
Business is good so the company is taking on extra staff.
|
|
|
take out
|
remove; extract
|
She took out a pen to note the address.
|
|
|
tell off
|
reprimand/criticize severely
|
The teacher told her off for not doing her homework.
|
|
|
think over
|
consider
|
I'll have to think over the proposal before I decide.
|
|
|
try on
|
wear something to see if it suits or fits
|
I'm not sure about the size. Can I try it on?
|
|
|
turn down
|
refuse
|
I couldn't turn down an offer like that!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U
|
use up
|
finish a product (so that there's none left)
|
The kids have used up all the toothpaste.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
V
|
vouch for
|
express confidence in, or guarantee something
|
You can give the keys to Andy. I can vouch for him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
W
|
watch out
|
be careful
|
Watch out! There's a car coming.
|
|
|
wear out
|
1) become unusable
2) become very tired
|
1) Julie wore out her shoes visiting the city.
2) At the end of the day Julie was worn out.
|
|
|
work out
|
1) do physical exercise
2) find a solution or calculate something
|
1) I work out twice a week at the gym club.
2) It's expensive but I haven't worked out the exact cost yet.
|
|
|
wipe off
|
clean (board, table).
|
The teacher asked Lee to wipe off the board.
|
