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| 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| advise against | recommend not doing something | The doctor advised him against carrying heavy loads. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| agree with | have the same opinion as somebody else. | I agree with you. I think she deserves the award too. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| aim at | point something in the direction of a target | The policeman aimed his gun at the hijacker. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| appeal to | 1) plead or make an earnest request 2) be attractive or interesting | 1) The organizers appealed to the crowd to stay calm. 2) A trekking holiday doesn't appeal to me. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| bail out | 1) pay money to secure someone's release 2) rescue from financial difficulties | 1) When he was arrested, his family refused to bail him out. 2) The government bailed out the bank. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| use up | finish a product (so that there's none left) | The kids have used up all the toothpaste. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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