PHRASAL VERB'S LIST

Phrasal Verb
Definition
Example
.
act up
behave or function improperly
I think I need to take my car to the mechanic because it's acting up again.
.
add * up +
calculate a sum
I added up the receipts and it totaled $135.46.
.
add up
make sense
Her story doesn't add up. I think she is lying.
.
add up to +
equal an amount
The total expenses added up to $325.00.
.
ask * out +
invite on a date
I can't believe that Joe finally asked me out on a date!
.
ask * over +
invite to one's home
Why don't we ask the Johnsons over for dinner?
.
back * up +
give support
You need examples to back up your opinion.
.
back down
stop defending your opinion in a debate
Jane never backs down. She always wins arguments.
.
back out
not keep (a promise, agreement,deal)
Sam backed out at the last second.
.
back out of +
not keep (a promise, agreement, deal)
Sam backed out of the agreement at the last second.
.
back up
move backwards, reverse
Could you back up a little so I can open this drawer.
.
bawl * out
criticize, reprimand (inf.)
She bawled him out for arriving late.
.
bear down on +
bite
The soldier had to bear down on the leather strap while the doctor removed a bullet from the soldier's arm.
.
bear down on +
take strong measures against
The U.S.A. is bearing down on drug traffickers.
.
bear on +
have to do with
This information may bear on this case.
.
bear up
withstand
I didn't think he would bear up so well in that situation.
.
bear up under +
withstand
How did he bear up under such extreme pressure.
.
bear with +
be patient
Please bear with me while I fill out the paperwork.
.
blow * up +
make explode;destroy using explosives
The terrorists blew the bridge up.
.
blow in
visit unexpectedly (inf.)
My cousin blew in unexpectedly with his entire family.
.
blow over
pass without creating a problem
All this negative publicity will blow over in a couple of weeks.
.
blow up
explode
The bomb blew up before they could defuse it.
.
blow up
suddenly become very angry
When Joan heard the news, she blew up and rushed out of the room.
.
break * down +
analyze in detail
We need to break this problem down in order to solve.
.
break * in +
wear or use something new until it is comfortable
I need to break these shoes in before I go hiking.
.
break * off +
end something
Sally broke her engagement to John off.
.
break * up +
break into pieces
I broke the cracker up into pieces and put it in the soup.
.
break * up +
disperse (a crowd), stop (a fight)
The police broke the demonstration up before it got out of control.
.
break down
stop working properly
The truck broke down in the desert.
.
break down
become mentally ill
She broke down after her husband died.
.
break in
interrupt
While we were discussing the situation, Terri broke in to give her opinion.
.
break in
enter a place unlawfully
The burglar broke in between midnight and 3 AM.
.
break in on +
interrupt (a conversation)
Jane broke in on the conversation and told us to get back to work.
.
break into +
enter a house unlawfully
The burglar broke into the house between midnight and 3 AM.
.
break into +
interrupt (a conversation)
Jane broke into the conversation and told us what she knew.
.
break out
appear violently
Violent protests broke out in response to the military coup.
.
break out +
use something extravagant for celebration
He broke out the champagne to celebrate his promotion.
.
break out of +
escape
The murderer broke out of the prison.
.
break up
end a relationship
Sam and Diane broke up again. What a rocky relationship.
.
bring * about +
cause to happen
Democracy brought about great change in the lives of the people.
.
bring * along +
bring with
When we go to the forest, bring your wildlife guide along.
.
bring * around
change someone's mind, convince someone
She doesn't want to go, but we'll eventually bring her around.
.
bring * away
learn or gain (from an experience)
My trip across the Sahara was difficult, but I brought a new appreciation for life away from the experience.
.
bring * off +
succeed at something difficult or unexpected
You robbed the bank! I can't believe you brought that off.
.
bring * on +
cause something
I can't believe she got so angry. What brought that on?
.
bring * out +
highlight, stress
Your new shirt brings out the color of your eyes.
.
bring * over +
bring to someone's house
When you visit me, why don't you bring over your son.
.
bring * to
revive consciousness
We used smelling salts to bring her to after she fainted.
.
bring * up +
mention
I didn't want to bring up the fact that she was unemployed.
.
bring * up +
raise ( a child)
Sam was brought up in South Carolina.
.
brush * off +
ignore something or someone (inf.)
Mary brushed her ex-boyfriend off at the party.
.
burn * down +
destroy by setting fire to
The children burned the house down while playing with matches.
.
burn * up +
destroy by fire
He burnt up the files.
.
burn down
burn until completely gone (building)
Two buildings burnt down in the fire.
.
burn up
be hot
I am burning up in here - open the window.
.
burn up
consume by fire
The papers were burned up in the fire.
.
buy * out +
buy the shares of a company or the shares the other person owns of a business
Pacific Inc. was bought out by a company from Oregon.
.
buy * up +
purchase the entire supply of something
We bought up all the beer in the store.
.
call * off +
cancel something
They called the picnic off because of the rain.
.
call * off +
order to stop (an invasion, guard dogs)
He called off the dogs when he saw it was his neighbor.
.
call * up +
telephone
I called Sam up to see if he wanted to go to the movies.
.
call for +
require (as in a recipe)
This recipe calls for milk, not water.
.
call on +
visit
Mark called on Naomi while he was in town.
.
call on +
invite someone to speak in a meeting or a classroom
Professor Tanzer called on Tim to answer the question.
.
calm * down +
make someone relax
You can calm the baby down by rocking her gently.
.
care for +
nurse someone or something
He cared for the bird until its wing healed.
.
care for +
like someone or something
I don't care for sour cream on my potato.
.
carry * out +
complete and/or accomplish something
The secret agent carried out his orders exactly as planned.
.
carry * over +
continue on a subsequent day, page, etc.
The meeting carried over into lunch time.
.
carry on +
continue (a conversation, a game)
Please, carry on. I didn't mean to interrupt you.
.
carry on about +
continue in an annoying way
He kept carrying on about how much money he makes.
.
carry on with +
continue
I want you to carry on with the project while I am out of town.
.
catch on
slowly start to understand (inf.)
He caught on after a few minutes.
.
catch up
make up for lost time
I will never catch up. I am too behind in my work.
.
catch up on +
become up-to-date
I need to catch up on world events. I haven't seen the news in ages.
.
catch up with +
speed up to be at the same place as a person or thing in front of you
I had to run to catch up with the others.
.
check * off +
make a mark next to (an item on a list)
Check each name off the list.
.
check * out +
investigate, take a look at
He checked out the new restaurant down the street.
.
check * over +
closely examine the condition of something
He checked over the old car to see if it was worth buying.
.
check * through
send luggage through (to a destination)
Your luggage will be checked through to Paris.
.
check back
return to see if everything is OK
We will check back tomorrow to make sure the project is finished.
.
check by +
go to a place to see if everything is OK
We need to check by the office to see if the documents are ready.
.
check for +
try to find
They checked for termites before they bought the house.
.
check in
enter a hospital, hotel etc.
They need to check in before noon.
.
check into +
enter a hospital, hotel etc.
They checked into the hotel at 11:00 AM.
.
check into +
investigate, look for (often through a service)
We are checking into discount flights to London.
.
check on +
make sure something is OK
Let's check on the baby again before we go to sleep.
.
check out
leave a hotel, hospital
It's already eleven. We need to check out.
.
check out of +
leave a hotel, hospital
We checked out of the hotel before ten.
.
check up on +
investigate someone or something
The police are checking up on the bomb threats.
.
check with +
ask a person for confirmation
He needs to check with his parents before he goes.
.
cheer * up
make someone feel cheerful
The party really cheered me up.
.
cheer up
become cheerful
Cheer up. Everything will be all right.
.
chew * up +
chew into small pieces
The dog chewed up my shoe.
.
chop * down +
fell/cut ( a tree)
The lumberjack chopped the tree down.
.
chop * up +
chop/cut into small bits
He chopped the meat up into little pieces.
.
clean * up +
tidy
Susan cleaned the mess up before she left.
.
clear * up +
tidy
Susan cleared up the mess before she left.
.
clear out
leave ( inf.)
Everybody clear out! We're closed.
.
close * down +
close a place permanently
The corner market closed down because they didn't have many customers.
.
close * up +
close temporarily
They are closing the ski resort up for the summer.
.
close down
close permanently
The bar was closed down because they served alcohol to minors.
.
close in on +
approach and threaten
The rebels were closing in on the capital, so the government called in the army.
.
close up
close temporarily
The ski resort is closing up for the summer.
.
come about
occur / happen
How did you idea for the book come about.
.
come across +
discover by accident
They came across some lost Mayan ruins in the jungle.
.
come across +
initially seem or have the appearance
He comes across as rather rude, but he isn't.
.
come along
accompany someone
If you want, you can come along.
.
come along
progress
How's the research paper coming along.
.
come along with +
accompany
Sam came along with us to the beach.
.
come along with +
progress
How are you coming along with the research paper.
.
come away
leave a place with a particular feeling or impression
I came away from the meeting feeling like the presentation was a success.
.
come back
return
What time are you coming back?
.
come by
visit a person at their house
I'll come by later this afternoon.
.
come by +
get, receive
How did you come by that new Mercedes?
.
come down with +
become sick with
He came down with the flu.
.
come into +
inherit
He came into a large sum of money when his aunt died.
.
come off +
fall off, break off
The handle came off the suitcase when I picked it up.
.
come out
appear
I didn't see the car at first. It came out of nowhere.
.
come out
reveal you are homosexual
Sam finally came out last month.
.
come out
turn out, end up
The pictures came out great.
.
come out with +
produce and distribute a product
Microsoft is coming out with a new video game system next month.
.
come over
visit someone at their house
Why don't you come over after work for dinner.
.
come through
do what is needed or expected
Terry really came through for us in the end.
.
come to
regain consciousness
Don't worry! She faints all the time. She always comes to after a few minutes.
.
come up to +
approach; to equal
The job offer didn't come up to her expectations.
.
come up with +
produce or create (an idea, a plan)
She came up with a great proposal for the new advertising campaign.
.
come with +
include (an accessory)
The computer system doesn't come with a printer.
.
count * in +
include
Did you count expenses in?
.
count * out +
exclude
You can count James out. He hates playing poker.
.
count * up +
add
Count the change up and see how much we have.
.
count on +
depend/rely on
You can really count on Sarah.
.
crack down on +
become tougher on, better enforce laws on
The police have been cracking down on drunk driving.
.
crack up
laugh uncontrollably, laugh a lot
When I told the joke, they all cracked up.
.
crack up at +
laugh uncontrollably about, laugh a lot about
I cracked up at his joke.
.
cross * out +
draw a line through something, eliminate
Why did you cross my name out on the list?
.
cut * off
interrupt someone while they were speaking
She cut him off before he said something he would regret later.
.
cut * off +
sever ( with a knife)
His finger was accidentally cut off in an industrial accident.
.
cut * out
stop an action
Cut it out! You're bothering me.
.
cut * out +
remove
He cut the bone out of the steak.
.
cut * up +
cut into small pieces
He cut the beef up and put the pieces in the soup.
.
cut down
decrease the amount of
You eat too much fat. You need to cut down.
.
cut down on +
decrease the amount of
You need to cut down on your fat intake.
.
cut in
interrupt
She suddenly cut in and delivered the news
.
cut in on +
interrupt
She cut in on the conversation and delivered the news.
.
die away
diminish in intensity
The applause died away after 5 minutes.
.
die down
diminish in intensity
The controversy about the president's affair finally died down.
.
die off/out
become extinct
Whales are in danger of dying off.
.
disagree with +
cause to feel sick due to food or drink
Spicy food disagrees with me.
.
do * over +
repeat
You made many mistakes, so I want you to do the report over.
.
do away with +
abolish
Some Americans want to do away with the death penalty.
.
do without +
manage without something one wants or needs
I couldn't do without a car in California.
.
draw * up +
create ( a contract)
Let's draw an agreement up before we go any further with this project.
.
dress * down
reprimand severely
The mother dressed her son down for skipping school.
.
dress * up +
decorate
You could dress this house up with some bright colors
.
dress down
dress casually
I am dressing down because we're going to a barbecue by the beach.
.
dress up
wear elegant clothes
She always dresses up at work.
.
drive * back +
repulse
The invaders were driven back by the army.
.
drop in
visit someone unexpectedly
Meg dropped in yesterday after dinner.
.
drop in on +
visit someone unexpectedly
Let's drop in on Julie since we're driving by her house.
.
drop out
quit an organized activity
Yuri isn't on the team any more. He dropped out.
.
drop out of +
quit an organized activity (school)
It's difficult to get a good job if you drop out of high school.
.
drop over
visit someone casually
Drop over any time you feel like talking.
.
eat * up +
devour
Ken ate the cookies up.
.
eat away
gradually destroy, erode
The heavy rains ate away at the sandstone cliffs.
.
eat in
eat inside the home
We usually eat in instead of going out for dinner.
.
eat out
eat outside the home
They eat out once a week.
.
face up to +
acknowledge something difficult or embarrassing
I'll never be able to face up to my colleagues after getting so drunk last night at the work party.
.
fall back on +
be able to use in case of emergency
Yuki can fall back on her degree in biology if she doesn't succeed in her acting career.
.
fall behind
go slower than scheduled, lag
Hurry up or you will fall behind!
.
fall behind in +
go slower than scheduled, lag
Cheryl has missed several days of school and now she is falling behind in her homework.
.
fall off
decrease
Interest in the project fell off when they realized it wouldn't be profitable.
.
fall out with +
have an argument with
I had a falling out with my sister last month and we haven't talked to each other since.
.
fall through
fail to happen
Unfortunately, my trip to Indonesia fell through because I couldn't save enough money.
.
feel * up +
grope
She sued her boss for sexual harassment after he felt her up.
.
feel up to +
have the energy to do something
I don't feel up to going out tonight because I had a long day at work.
.
fight back
Defend oneself - fight against or resist strongly
The pocice fought back when the criminals started attacking
.
figure * out +
solve something, understand
I finally figured the joke out. Now I understand why everybody was laughing.
.
figure * up +
calculate
I need to figure my expenses up before I give you an estimate.
.
figure on +
expect
Where do you figure on living when you move to the the U.S.A.?
.
fill * in +
complete
Don't forget to fill in all the blanks on the application.
.
fill * out +
complete (an application)
I filled out an application to rent the apartment last week.
.
fill * up +
fill to the top
Fill the car up with unleaded gas, please.
.
fill in
substitute
Who is going to fill in while you're gone?
.
fill in for +
substitute for
Miguel filled in for me at the meeting yesterday because I was sick.
.
fill out
mature, get breasts (preencher um documento)
Now that you're filling out honey, we need to get you a bra.
.
find out
discover
Vicky's parents are going to be so mad when they find out she got a tattoo.
.
find out +
discover
You will never find out all my secrets!
.
fix * up +
repair, renovate, remodel
My neighbors are fixing their house up.
.
get * across +
cause to be understood
It's difficult to get humor across in another language.
.
get * off
remove ( a spider from your shirt)
Can you get this spider off my shirt?
.
get * off +
send (a package)
I finally got my sister's birthday present off yesterday.
.
get * on
put on (clothes)
You should get your jacket on because it's going to be cold.
.
get * up
cause someone to rise (from a sitting position or a lying position)
Ahmed got Abdul up at 5:30 in the morning by turning the music up really loud.
.
get ahead
make progress
I can't get ahead even though I work two jobs.
.
get ahead of +
surpass
You need to work overtime in order to get ahead of schedule.
.
get along
have a good relationship
Do you and your sister get along?
.
get along with +
have a good relationship
Giovanna doesn't get along with her two brothers.
.
get around
go many places
It's easy to get around town with public transportation.
.
get around +
avoid someone or something
Some people get around paying taxes by hiring a good accountant.
.
get away
escape
The bank robbers got away.
.
get away with +
do something against the rules or illegal and not get caught or punished
My sister gets away with everything!
.
get by
survive without having the things you need or want
I lost my job, so I am having a hard time getting by this year.
.
get by on +
survive with minimal resources
It's nearly impossible to get by on making minimum wage.
.
get by with +
manage with
You don't need a computer. You can get by with the typewriter.
.
get down to +
get serious about a topic
Enough small talk. Let's get down to business.
.
get in
enter
Get in. I will give you a ride to school
.
get in +
enter ( a car, a small boat)
Get in the front seat. You will have more leg room.
.
get off
leave
It's dangerous to sit on the roof. Get off!
.
get off
idiomatic phrase - How does he justify saying that?!
Where does he get off saying that?!
.
get off +
leave (a bus, plane, train, boat)
We need to get off the bus at the next stop.
.
get on
enter (a bus, train), mount (a horse, a bike)
The train is leaving. Quick, get on!
.
get on
have a good relationship
Natasha doesn't get on with her co-workers.
.
get on +
enter (a bus, train), mount ( a horse, a bike)
Get on my bike and I will give you a ride home.
.
get on with +
have a good relationship
Do you get on with your neighbors?
.
get on with +
continue an activity
Now that the police have left, let's get on with the party!
.
get out of +
exit (a small boat, car, an enclosed area)
I fell into the water when I tried to get out of the canoe.
.
get over +
recover (a cold, a disease, an ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriend)
Jennifer still hasn't gotten over her breakup with Peter.
.
get through
penetrate
The door was jammed, so we couldn't get through.
.
get through (with) +
finish
Have you gotten through with your homework yet?
.
get through +
complete
We will never get through all of these boxes by 9:00 PM.
.
get through +
penetrate
We need a stronger drill to get through this wall.
.
get through to +
make contact
It's hard to get through to Janet because her telephone line is always busy.
.
get up
rise (from sitting position or a bed)
What time did you get up this morning?
.
give * away +
give something without asking for anything in exchange
Why did Nancy give all of her furniture away?
.
give * away +
betray (a secret)
We are having a surprise party for Susan next Saturday, so don't give our surprise away by acting suspicious.
.
give * back +
return something you borrowed
When are you going to give that book back to your teacher?
.
give * out +
distribute
I earn extra money by giving out brochures on the street.
.
give * up +
surrender something
The police told the thief to give his gun up.
.
give in
stop trying
Never give in! You can do it!
.
give out
become very tired (inf.)
I hope this car doesn't give out in the middle of the desert.
.
give up
surrender
Never give up learning English!
.
give off +
release (a smell, light)
That white flower gives off a beautiful smell.
.
go away
leave
I yelled at the dogs to make them go away.
.
go back
return
When are you going back to your house?
.
go back on +
not keep (one's word, a promise)
Don't trust him. He always goes back on his promises.
.
go by +
go past, go close to, visit quickly
We go by the coffee shop everyday.
.
go down
decrease
The cost of flight tickets is going down.
.
go for
idiomatic phrase - I am craving pepperoni pizza.
I could go for pepperoni pizza.
.
go for +
try to achieve
Our team is going for the gold medal in the Olympics.
.
go in for +
participate ( inf.)
Are you going to go in for soccer this year at school?
.
go into +
discuss in detail
I really don't want to go into that now.
.
go off
explode
The bomb could go off at any moment.
.
go off
begin, start (used with signals, alarms, warning sounds)
The alarm clock went off at 6:00 AM.
.
go off
stop (said of a machine)
The DVD player goes off automatically if you are not using it.
.
go off
become angry
Maria went off last night after I told her about losing her bike.
.
go on
continue
Please, go on. Don't let me interrupt you.
.
go on
happen
This place is a mess! What went on here last night?
.
go on with +
continue ( a plan, a conversation)
I think we should go on with the meeting and stop wasting time.
.
go out
stop burning ( a fire)
The fire went out after three days.
.
go out
take part in social activities (usually at night)
They love to go out every Saturday night.
.
go over
be well received, succeed
That didn't go over well.
.
go over +
review
Do you usually go over your notes before class?
.
go through +
examine in detail, study carefully
I need to have my lawyer go through this contract before I sign it.
.
go through +
endure; experience challenges, difficulties or traumas
She has gone through so much in her life.
.
go through with +
continue or proceed despite difficulties or fears
I have decided to go through with the operation.
.
go with +
match (clothing)
That shirt doesn't go with those pants.
.
go with +
accompany a person
I am going with Alejandro to the party.
.
go with +
have a boyfriend/girlfriend
I am going with Yuri.
.
go without +
abstain from something you want or need
A person can go without water for three days.
.
grow under
go out of business
The restaurant went under after it lost its liquor license.
.
grow up
mature
Your brother needs to grow up and start thinking about his future.
.
hand * back +
return
Is the teacher going to hand back our tests today?
.
hand * down +
pronounce formally
The president is going to hand his decision down on health care tonight.
.
hand * down +
give as an inheritance
When my clothes got too small for me as a child, I handed them down to my sister.
.
hand * in +
submit
I have to hand in an offer by March 12.
.
hand * out +
distribute
We should hand the concert fliers out at school.
.
hand * over +
relinquish control of
Hand your car keys over. You're too drunk to drive.
.
hang * up +
suspend (clothes on a hanger)
You can hang your jacket up in the front closet.
.
hang around
stay in a place for fun
Those guys just hang around all day.
.
hang around +
stay in a place for fun ( inf.)
Maria and Salvador usually hang around the beach after school.
.
hang out
stay in a place for fun
What are you doing? - - I'm just hanging out.
.
hang out +
stay in a place for fun (inf.)
Let's go hang out at the mall tonight.
.
hang up
put down the telephone receiver
Don't hang up. I'm going to change phones.
.
have * on +
wear
Do you have your hiking boots on?
.
have * over
invite guests to your home
Why don't we have Mr. and Mrs. Jones over for dinner tonight.
.
hear from +
receive news from (a letter, an e-mail)
Have you heard from Steve lately?
.
hear of +
know about something or somebody
Have you heard of chocolate covered ants?
.
hit on +
find on accident
I hit on the idea while watching the Simpsons show.
.
hit on +
flirt with
Jay's friend Marc was trying to hit on my sister last night.
.
hold * back +
restrain
The police held the demonstrators back while the politicians entered the building.
.
hold * off +
restrain
Mr. Johnson held the dog off while we crossed the yard.
.
hold * up +
delay (a flight, traffic);
The accident held traffic up for an hour.
.
hold * up +
rob (a bank, a person) with a weapon
Five men held the bank up yesterday.
.
hold back
not allow to advance in school
The teacher held Frank back a year, so he couldn't enter fifth grade.
.
hold off on +
delay
We should hold off on making dinner until your parents arrive.
.
hold on
grasp tightly
Hold on tight! The roller coaster is about to take off.
.
hold on
tell someone to wait on the telephone
Hold on a minute. I'll get Carol.
.
hold on to +
grasp tightly
Make sure you hold on to the hand rail as you walk down the stairs.
.
hold out
not give in, continue to resist
Stop holding out and tell us where you found all of these old records.
.
hold out against +
not give in, resist
They held out against enemy attack.
.
hook * up +
make the electrical connections required for a machine or information service
Can you hook up the fax machine for me?
.
iron * out
eliminate
We need to have a meeting this week in order to iron out the distribution problems.
.
jack up +
to raise
We need to jack up the car before we change the tire.
.
joke around
to be humorous
Mike is always joking around at work.
.
jump in
enter a conversation
Feel free to jump in at any moment while we are talking.
.
jump to +
make a quick, poorly thought out decision
You shouldn't jump to conclusions.
.
keep * around
have handy, have accessible
I always keep a dictionary around to translate new words.
.
keep * away
prevent access to, hold back
Keep the kids away from the cookies.
.
keep * back
maintain a safe distance, cause to maintain a safe distance
Keep back! The burning building is about to collapse.
.
keep * down
not vomit, not throw up, keep in one's stomach
If I ate that, I down know if I could keep it down.
.
keep * in
keep in a particular place, have something in a specific location
When I am not using it, I keep my passport in this drawer.
.
keep * off
prevent from stepping or climbing on to something
Keep the cat off the couch.
.
keep * out
prevent from entering
Keep the dog out of the garden; he keeps digging up the flowers.
.
keep * over
cover something with, put something above
I keep a tarp over my bicycle at night to prevent it from getting wet.
.
keep * up +
continue
You are doing a great job! Keep it up.
.
keep at +
not give up (an activity), to persevere
You should keep at your studies.
.
keep on
continue
He kept on talking after everybody asked him to stop.
.
keep to +
continue, persist in (an activity)
Everybody said she would never finish the puzzle, but she kept to it until it was done.
.
keep up
stay on the required schedule
You have to keep up if you want to work here.
.
keep up with +
stay on schedule with (a person, the workload, homework)
I have so much reading that I can't keep up with the writing exercises.
.
kick back
sit or lie back (to relax)
After work, I like to kick back in front of the TV and relax.
.
kick in
begin taking effect
The medicine takes one hour to kick in.
.
lay * off +
suspend someone from a job (during a slow period)
The company was losing money, so they had to lay off 100 workers.
.
lay * out +
arrange
Why don't we lay the pieces of the table out before we put it together.
.
lay down +
establish (laws, rules)
Lori lays down the law in her class. English only!
.
lay in on +
scold or criticize severely
My mom really laid in on me when I got home at 4:00 in the morning last night.
.
lay into +
scold or criticize severely
I saw Reto's mom lay into him when he came home late last night.
.
lay away +
save for the future
Why don't you lay away your wedding outfit?
.
leave * out +
not include, omit
Why did your parents leave you out of their vacation plans?
.
let * down
disappoint
I felt let down when I didn't receive a birthday card from my sister.
.
let * down
lengthen (pants in sewing)
My uncle is a tailor, so he can let your pants down.
.
let * out
release
I am happy my brother was let out of prison early.
.
let * out
make bigger (in sewing)
I need to let out this skirt because I have gained weight.
.
let up
weaken in intensity
I told her NO a thousand times, but she won't let up.
.
lie down
rest, recline
I need to lie down before we go out tonight.
.
lie down on +
rest, recline ( on a couch, bed)
I'm going to lie down on the sofa for a while.
.
lie with +
be decided by
Whether or not you can go to the party lies with your father.
.
light * up +
illuminate
Let's get some candles to light this room up.
.
light up +
to smoke
Do you have to light up another cigarette? I thought you were trying to cut down.
.
live * down +
live in a way that a shameful or embarrassing event is forgotten
Jose will never live down singing that song at the karaoke bar.
.
live on +
survive from
I could live on bread and cheese.
.
live up to +
keep a standard
It would be hard to live up to her parent's expectations. They are so demanding.
.
look * over +
examine, review
When I'm camping, I look my shoes over before I put them on.
.
look * up +
search for (in a dictionary)
I takes time to look up new vocabulary words.
.
look * up +
locate and visit
If you ever travel to California, you should look me up.
.
look after +
take care of (a child, a house, a pet)
When my sister goes on vacation, I look after her dog.
.
look back on +
to remember nostalgically
When I look back on my childhood, I often feel angry.
.
look down on +
see as inferior
She's so conceited. She looks down on everybody else.
.
look for +
to seek or search for
I'm looking for my keys. Have you seen them?
.
look forward to +
anticipate with pleasure
I am looking forward to traveling to New York next year.
.
look into +
investigate
The police are looking into the murder.
.
look on
observe as a spectator
Everybody just looked on as the two men fought.
.
look out
be careful, pay attention, heed a certain danger
Look out, there's a black widow spider on the wall.
.
look up to +
respect, admire someone
He looks up to his father.
.
make * out
decipher
I can't make out your handwriting. What does this say?
.
make * out +
write a check or other document
Who should I make this check out to?
.
make * over
do again
The teacher made me do my homework over.
.
make * up +
invent ( a story)
Don't believe anything she says. She always makes things up.
.
make * up +
complete what was missed
Fortunately, my professor let me make up the exam I missed yesterday.
.
make * up +
put on cosmetics
I takes me 10 minutes to make my face up.
.
make out
succeed
He really made out in the stock market last year.
.
make out
progress
How is your son making out in his new job?
.
make out
kiss passionately
I saw Benno and Isabelle making out in the movie theater last night!
.
make out with +
kiss someone passionately
Did you make out with Sally?
.
make up
reconcile
You two have been friends for so long that I think you should make up.
.
make up for +
compensate for
Allen made up for being late by getting me flowers.
.
mix * up +
confuse
I sometimes mix the verb tenses up.
.
mix * up +
blend
We need to mix up these different kinds of nuts before we put them in a bowl.
.
mix * up +
make lively (a party)
Let's mix up this party with a little disco music.
.
name * after +
name a child using another family member's name
I was named after my grandfather.
.
nod off
fall asleep
The movie was so boring that I nodded off before it was finished.
.
nose around +
sneak around
I hate it when my mother noses around my room.
.
occur to +
pop into one's mind, come to one's mind
It didn't occur to us that we had left the iron on.
.
open up
share feelings
I'm glad that John feels comfortable enough around me to open up.
.
out to + verb
try to
She is out to get revenge now that her husband left her for another woman.
.
pan out
be successful, turn out well
The trip to Vegas didn't pan out.
.
pass * off +
try to convince someone that something is real
He tried to pass the fake watch off as a real Rolex.
.
pass * on +
transmit
Please pass this message on to your co-workers.
.
pass * out +
distribute
We need to pass out these flyers for the concert tomorrow.
.
pass * up +
not take advantage (of an opportunity)
I can't believe she passed up the opportunity to study in Rome.
.
pass away
die
After battling cancer for several years, he finally passed away at the age of 87.
.
pass on
die
I am afraid Professor Johnson has passed on.
.
pass on +
not accept (an invitation to eat or do something)
Jennifer passed on the invitation to join us for dinner.
.
pass out
become unconscious
He passed out because the room was too hot.
.
pay * back +
repay
If I loan you money, will you pay me back.
.
pay * off +
complete payment on a debt
It took me ten years to pay off my credit card debt.
.
pay * off +
to bribe
Don't try to pay the police officer off if you get pulled over for speeding.
.
pick * out +
choose
Diane picked out a lovely dress for the dance.
.
pick * up +
to lift an object with the hands
Keep your back straight when you lift the TV up.
.
pick * up +
come and get someone in a car
What time are you going to pick me up.
.
pick * up +
learn something without effort
It's possible to pick up enough English in two weeks to get by on your trip to Los Angeles.
.
pick * up +
try to initiate a relationship with someone (often in a bar)
Some weird guy tried to pick Patricia up at the bar.
.
pick on +
to tease, bully
She keeps picking on me! Make her stop.
.
pick up
grow, increase (inf.)
Business is really picking up this quarter.
.
play * down +
make less important (inf.)
The President played down his affair with the intern.
.
play * up
highlight something (inf.)
She played up her part in the new movie, but it was actually a very small role.
.
play up to +
flatter someone for your personal advantage
She has been playing up to the boss because she wants a promotion.
.
point * out +
indicate
I'd like to point out that figures in column two might be outdated.
.
pull down
earn
He pulls down about $300,000 a year.
.
pull in
park (a vehicle)
Mark pulled in too quickly and crashed into the wall.
.
pull out
depart (a vehicle)
Our train pulls out at 8:00, so don't be late.
.
pull through
barely survive
I didn't think she was going to make it, but she pulled through in the end.
.
put * across +
communicate (an idea or suggestion) clearly so that it is understood
I thought Ms. Smith put her ideas across rather clearly in the meeting.
.
put * away +
return to the proper place of storage
I told you kids to put your toys away.
.
put * down +
insult, say bad things about
She always puts down people who don't share her opinions.
.
put * off +
postpone
Don't put off your work - do it now!
.
put * on +
wear
Make sure you put on a sweater before you go outside.
.
put * on +
deceive
I didn't believe a thing he said. I think he was putting me on.
.
put * out +
extinguish (a fire)
Don't use water to put out a grease fire.
.
put * out +
inconvenience someone
I don't want to put you out, but could you pick me up at the airport.
.
put * up
have a guest stay in your house for a short time
Can you put me up while I'm in town.
.
put in +
officially submit a request (in the armed forces or public services)
He put in for a transfer to the division in Los Angeles.
.
put out +
spend (usually used with unreasonably large sums of money)
I can't put out that much money each month.
.
put up with +
tolerate
Sandy will not put up with smoking in her house.
.
quiet * down +
be quiet, or cause to be quiet
The neighbors told us to quiet down last night or they would call the police.
.
read up on +
research a topic for a reason
I need to read up on the company before I go on the job interview.
.
ring * up
telephone
Jack rung me up last night at 3:00 in the morning.
.
rule * out +
eliminate
I wouldn't rule out the possibility of moving to another country if I get a good job offer.
.
run * down
trace
Have you run down those phone numbers I asked for last week?
.
run * down
criticize
My boss runs everyone down.
.
run * down
hit with a car
My dog was run down by a bus.
.
run * off
reproduce (photocopies)
Would you mind running off 10 copies of this document for me?
.
run * off +
make leave
The new government is trying to run the drug traffickers off.
.
run across +
find or meet unexpectedly
I ran across some old photos while I was cleaning my house.
.
run against +
compete in an election
Gore ran against Bush in the 2000 elections in the U.S.A.
.
run away
leave home permanently before you are a legal adult
The child ran away because her parents beat her.
.
run away from +
escape from
The child ran away from its parents.
.
run down
loose power, be very tired
You need to wind your watch so it doesn't run down.
.
run for +
campaign for a government position
Gore is running for president of the U.S.A.
.
run into +
meet unexpectedly
I ran into my English teacher at the movies last night. She's so nice!
.
run off
leave quickly
Why did you run off after the party?
.
run off
waste water
You shouldn't swim where the sewage runs off into the ocean.
.
run out of +
not have any more of something
We ran out of milk this morning, so we need to go to the store.
.
save * up +
accumulate (money)
I hope I will be able to save up enough money to go to school.
.
see * off
say good-bye to someone at the beginning of their trip (at the airport, train station)
Did you see your sister off at the train station?
.
see * through
finish something despite difficulties
Are you going to be able to see your studies through now that you have a baby?
.
see about +
arrange or consider something
My dad said he was going to see about buying me a car.
.
see to +
make sure something happens, arrange
I'll see to it that Mr. Ramirez gets your message.
.
sell * out
tell on someone
My partner in crime sold me out for a reduced jail sentence.
.
set * up
falsely incriminate a person
I don't think he killed those men. Somebody set him up.
.
set * up
arrange a relationship
My mom set me up with her friend's son.
.
set up +
arrange (an appointment, a meeting,etc.)
I set up an appointment with my doctor at 3:30 this afternoon.
.
settle on +
make a decision after a period of time
I settled on the job at the oil company.
.
settle up
pay one's debts
We need to settle up before you move.
.
show * off +
show to everybody with a lot of pride
He always shows off his new things.
.
show * up
make someone seem inferior
He's always trying to show up his co-workers in order to get ahead.
.
show off
boast, draw attention to oneself
Young boys show off in order to impress girls.
.
show up
arrive without previous notice
I hadn't seen my cousin for years, and all of a sudden, he showed up at my workplace yesterday!
.
shut * off
stop from functioning
If you don't pay your electric bill, your power is going to get shut off.
.
shut * up
make quiet
Would someone shut him up! He's talking so loudly that we're going to get in trouble.
.
slow * down +
make move more slowly
Because Mary's level in English is lower than the rest of the students, she slows the class down.
.
slow * up +
make move more slowly
Because Mary's level in English is lower than the rest of the students, she slows the class up.
.
spell * out +
to explain something in a detailed way so that the meaning is clearly understood
He's so stupid that you have to spell everything our for him.
.
stand * up
not arrive to a date or an appointment (inf.)
I arranged to meet Joe at the library at 8:00, but he stood me up. I hope he has a good excuse.
.
stand by
wait
I need you to stand by and answer the phone when my broker calls.
.
stand for +
represent
SCUBA stands for "self contained underwater breathing apparatus."
.
stand for +
tolerate
I won't stand for people criticizing me.
.
stand out
be very noticeable
Soledad is so beautiful! She really stands out in a crowd.
.
stand up for +
defend (something one believes in)
Every individual must stand up for what they believe in.
.
stand up to +
defend oneself against someone or something
I think you should stand up to your older brother and tell him to stop pushing you around.
.
stay over
spend the night at a person's house
It takes you so long to take the bus home, so why don't you just stay over?
.
stick it to +
severely criticize a person (inf.)
My boss really stuck it to me when I arrived late to work for the third time this week.
.
stick to +
persevere, keep trying
Even though English is a hard language to master, you must stick to it!
.
stick up for +
defend oneself or opinions
Joseph joined the army because he believes he must stick up for his country.
.
take * away +
remove, seize or capture
The soldiers took the captives away.
.
take * back +
retract something you said
I demand that you take back what you said.
.
take * back +
return an item to a store
The dress my grandmother bought for me didn't fit, so I took it back and exchanged it for a pair of pants.
.
take * down +
write down what is said
Would you mind taking down my messages while I am on vacation?
.
take * down +
remove (from a high place)
The city government made the shop take down their bright, neon sign.
.
take * for
consider, view as
Do you take me for an idiot?
.
take * in +
learning
Are you taking in all of these phrasal verbs?
.
take * in +
deceive a person
He was taken in by the con artist.
.
take * in +
make smaller when sewing
I lost weight, so I need to take some of my skirts to the tailor to have them taken in.
.
take * off
when a plane or rocket leaves the ground
My stomach felt funny when the plane took off.
.
take * off +
remove
In many cultures, it is appropriate to take off your shoes when entering a house.
.
take * off +
leave work or school for a period of time
I was sick last week, so I took a few days off of work.
.
take * out +
accompany a person on a date (for dinner, the movies)
I can't meet you tonight because I am taking Fernanda out to dinner.
.
take * over +
take control of
Who is going to take over the family business when Aretha's father dies?
.
take * up +
begin a new hobby
Have you taken up any new hobbies since you moved here?
.
take * up +
discuss (at a later date)
We should take this issue up in the meeting tomorrow.
.
take * up +
shorten a garment when sewing
This dress is too long, I am going to take it up.
.
take after +
resemble a parent or relative
I take after my father. Who do you take after?
.
take off
leave
We took off after dinner.
.
take on +
accept (responsibilities, work)
She has taken on too much responsibility in this project.
.
take over
take control of
If the President is assassinated, the Vice-president will take over.
.
take up +
occupy space
This couch takes up too much space in the living room.
.
talk * over +
discuss
I hope my parents talk their relationship problems over before they get divorced.
.
talk back
respond in an impolite way to an adult
Don't talk back!
.
talk back to +
respond in an impolite way to an adult
Children should not talk back to their parents.
.
tear * down +
destroy
The county decided to tear down the dilapidated school and build a new one.
.
tear * up +
tear or rip into small pieces
I always tear up my personal papers before I throw them out.
.
tell * off +
criticize a person severely, reprimand (inf.)
Carolina told me off when she found out I was gossiping about her date with Martin.
.
tell on +
report a crime to the police or bad behavior to a parent
Every time I did something wrong when I was a child, my sister would tell on me.
.
think * over +
consider
Think over the offer before you sign the contract.
.
think * through +
consider carefully
You need to think this through carefully before you make a decision.
.
think * up +
create or invent a false story
I need to think up an excuse for not going to her party.
.
throw * away +
discard
Don't throw away those bottles; we can recycle them.
.
throw * out +
discard
I asked him not to throw out the Sunday newspaper because I wanted to save an article.
.
throw * out +
remove by force from (a room, school, a house, etc.)
Mary threw out her roommate because she stopped paying rent.
.
throw up
vomit
If you drink too much alcohol, you might throw up.
.
tie * up +
tie securely
When we dock, make sure you tie the boat up.
.
tire * out
cause someone to be very tired
Speaking English all day tires me out.
.
touch * up
make the final improvements
We didn't paint the whole kitchen, we just touched up the cabinets.
.
touch on +
talk about for a short time
The presidential candidates touched on the subject of health care during the debates.
.
try * on +
put on to make sure a piece of clothing fits
Try on the pants before you buy them.
.
try * out
test
Try out this massage chair - it feels great!
.
turn * around
change or reverse direction
Turn the car around and go back home.
.
turn * away
refuse to deal with or give service
They turned us away at the border because we didn't have visas.
.
turn * down +
refuse an offer; reject an application
She turned down the new job in New York, because she didn't want to move.
.
turn * down +
lower the volume or intensity of a TV, radio, or other machine
I'm studying! Please turn down the TV.
.
turn * in
submit
You need to turn your essays in next week.
.
turn * off +
stop the function of (a stove, a water faucet, a car, etc.)
Don't forget to turn off the iron before you leave the house.
.
turn * on
cause to be excited sexually
Scientists have discovered that the smell of cinnamon turns many people on.
.
turn * on +
start the function of a TV, a radio, a machine
Turn on the TV. The baseball game starts in a few minutes.
.
turn * out
produce
The weavers can turn out two or three rugs a month.
.
turn * out
switch off a light
Turn out the light before you go to bed.
.
turn * over
give to authorities (said of evidence or stolen / lost property)
They turned the wallet over to the police.
.
turn * up +
increase the volume or intensity of a TV, radio, or other machine
Turn up the TV. I can't hear what they're saying.
.
turn in
go to bed (inf.)
It's getting late. I think it is about time to turn in.
.
turn into +
become something different, transform
When she kissed the frog, it turned into a handsome prince.
.
turn on +
attack unexpectedly
The pit bull suddenly turned on the small child.
.
turn out
audience members to a function
Over 100,000 people turned out for the concert.
.
turn out
end up being
She turned out to be the murderer after all.
.
turn up
find unexpectedly
My keys turned up in the bedroom.
.
use * up
use all of something
I used up all of the soap, so we need to buy some more.
.
veer away from +
stay away from, avoid
I veer away from the same old summer blockbuster films
.
yak on
to continue talking in an annoying way ("on" can be repeated for emphasis)
He just yakked on and on and on.
.
yak on about +
to continue talking in an annoying way about something ("on" can be repeated for emphasis)
She just yakked on and on about her husband's new job.
.
yammer on
to talk in an annoying way or complain ("on" can be repeated for emphasis)
They yammered on and on and on.
.
yammer on about +
to talk in an annoying way about something or complain about ("on" can be repeated for emphasis)
He just yammered on and on about how horrible the waiter was.
.
zero in on +
discover, pinpoint
I think I have zeroed in on what has been causing the problem.
.
zip around +
move quickly from place to place
I zipped around town after work today.
.
zone out
stop paying attention
He zoned out during class.
.
zonk out
fall asleep
Jill was so exhausted after taking the TOEFL test that she zonked out before dinner.
.
zoom in
focus
You need a telephoto lens to zoom in.
.
zoom in on +
focus on something, pinpoint
She zoomed in on his face while taking the picture.