PHRASAL VERBS A abide by account for add up agree with allow for answer back apply for ask out ask around ask over avail (oneself) of B back away back down
respect or obey. (the law, a decision, a rule) explain, give a reason make sense, seem reasonable have the same opinion as somebody else. take into consideration, include in a calculation reply rudely make a formal request for something (job, permit, loan etc.) invite on a date ask many people the same question ask someone to come home take advantage of something (an opportunity)
If you want to stay at this school, you must abide by the rules. I hope you can account for the money you spent! Her story just doesn't add up. I agree with you. I think she deserves the award too. You'd better leave early to allow for traffic jams. Don't answer back your mother! He applied for the job he saw advertised in the newspaper. Brian asked Judy out for dinner. I asked around but nobody has seen my wallet. She asks me over this weekend. When the company is privatized, you should avail yourself of the opportunity and buy some shares.
move backwards, in fear or dislike withdraw, concede defeat 1) give support or encouragement 2) make a copy of (file, program, etc.) base your hopes on someone/something improve, make more substantial faint, lose consciousness Separate using a barrier. 1) explode; 2) be destroyed by an explosion be summarized as start a computer by loading an operating system or program. escape from captivity 1) go out of order, cease to function 2) lose control of one's emotions
When he saw the dog, he backed away. Local authorities backed down on their plans to demolish the building. 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.
break into/in
enter by force
Burglars broke into the house around midnight.
break out break out of
start suddenly escape from a place by force come to an end (marriage, relationship)/ start laughing (informal) 1)Raise (a child) 2) start talking about a subject 3) vomit improve, refresh one's knowledge of something meet by accident or unexpectedly 1) stop (something) working 2) become exhausted from overworking
Rioting broke out as a result of the strike. Three prisoners broke out of jail.
back up bank on beef up black out block off blow up boil down to boot up break away break down
break up bring up brush up on bump into burn out butt in (on sthg) C call back call off call on/upon sby call up calm down Not care for carry on carry out
Don't forget the date. I'm banking on your help. He beefed up his presentation with diagrams and statistics. When he fell off the horse he blacked out. The area was blocked off during the demonstration. 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. The problem boils down to a lack of money. Just give my a few minutes to boot up the computer. A few horses broke away from the paddock. 1) John's car broke down so he had to take the bus. 2) The parents broke down when they heard the bad news.
After her marriage broke up, Emma went to live in London. 1)She stopped working in order to bring up her children. 2) My mother walks out of the room when my father brings up sports. 3) He drank so much that he brought his dinner up in the toilet. Mary had to brush up on her Spanish before going to South America. Pedro bumped into his English teacher at the supermarket. 1) The fuse has burnt out. 2) Tom will burn himself out if he doesn't slow down.
interrupt impolitely
It's rude to butt in on a conversation like that!
return a phone call cancel
I'll call you back as soon as possible. The meeting was called off because of the strike.
formally invite or request
I now call upon the President to address the assembly.
phone become more relaxed, less angry or upset not like (formal) continue 1) do something as specified (a plan, an order, a threat)
She called me up but I was not home. He was angry at first but he eventually calmed down. I don't care for his behavior. He carried on gardening in spite of the rain. 1) The plan was carried out to perfection. 2) Tests are carried out to determine the efficiency of a new drug.
2) perform or conduct (test, experiment) carry over
postpone until later
catch up check in
get to the same point as someone else register at a hotel or airport 1) pay one's bill and leave (a hotel) 2) investigate Make happier refuse to speak
check out cheer up clam up clamp down on clean up close down come across come forward come up against come down come from conk out count on cross out cut down on cut in cut off cut out
D deal with do over do up die down do without drag on draw up dress up drop back drop in/by/over drop off drop out
E ease off eat out end in end up even out F fall through fall apart fall down
As regards holidays, can you carry over any days from one year to the next? You'll have to run faster than that if you want to catch up with Marty. For security reasons you have to check in two hours before your flight. 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. She cheered up when she heard the good news. When the teacher arrived she clammed up.
act strictly to prevent something
The government has decided to clamp down on smoking in public places.
tidy, clean stop operating (company, restaurant, cinema). 1) find by chance 2) appear, seem, make an impression present oneself
Please clean up your bedroom before you go outside.
be faced with or opposed by
The project came up against a lot of criticism.
become sick originate 1) stop working 2) stop or fall asleep (from exhaustion) rely or depend on (for help) remove by drawing a line through reduce in number or size 1)interrupt 2) pull in too closely in front of another vehicle 1)remove with something sharp 2) stop providing 3) take out of a will 1) remove using scissors 2) stop doing something
My nephew came down with chicken pox this weekend. The art of origami comes from Asia. 1) The car conked out on the motorway. 2) He was so exhausted, he conked out in front of the TV. I'm counting on the taxi driver to find the theatre. In some exercises, you are asked to cross out the incorrect word. The doctor told him to cut down on cigarettes.
handle, take care of (problem, situation) 1)beat up,ransack (Br.E informal) 2) do again (N.Amer.) fasten, close calm down, become less strong manage without last longer than expected write (contract, agreement, document) 1) wear elegant clothes 2) disguise oneself move back in a position/group visit, usually on the way somewhere 1) deliver someone or something 2) fall asleep leave school without finishing
When the factory closed down, the employees lost their jobs. 1) Julie came across some photographs of her grandparents in the attic. 2) The candidate came across as a dynamic person during the interview. The police have asked any witnesses to come forward.
1) Your father cut in while I was dancing with your uncle. 2) The bus driver got angry when that car cut in. 1) The doctors cut off his leg because it was severely injured. 2) The phone company cut off our phone because we didn't pay the bill. 3) My grandparents cut my father off when he remarried. 1) She cut out a picture in a magazine. 2) I'm going to cut out eating between meals. The manager is good at dealing with difficult customers. 1) He's lucky to be alive. His shop was done over by a street gang 2) His homework was bad, he has to do it over. Do your coat up before you go outside. It's snowing! When the applause died down, she started to sing. The shops are closed so we'll have to do without sugar. We expected a short speech but it dragged on and on! An agreement was drawn up and signed by the two parties. 1) Do people dress up to go to the opera in your country? 2) Children love to dress up at Halloween. Andrea dropped back to third place when she fell off her bike. I sometimes drop in to see my grandparents on my way home from school. 1) I'll drop you off at the bus stop if you like. 2) Granddad often drops off in front of the TV. She decided to go to art school then dropped out after the first term.
reduce, become less severe or slow down (pain, traffic, work) eat at a restaurant finish in a certain way; result in finally reach a state, place or action 1) eliminate differences of opinion. 2) become level or regular
I don't feel like cooking tonight. Let's eat out. Their marriage ended in divorce. If he continues his misconduct he'll end up in prison. 1) After a long discussion they managed to even out their differences. 2) The road was evened out to make it safer.
fail; doesn't happen break into pieces fall to the ground
Our planned boat trip fell through because of the storm. My new dress fell apart in the washing machine. The picture that you hung up last night fell down this morning.
After Christmas the workload generally eases off.
fall out figure out fill out/in fill up find out focus on figure out G
get along (with) get across/over get at get away get by get back get in get into (+noun) get off get on get on with (something) get on (well) with (somebody) get out get out of (+noun) get out of get over get rid of get round get together get up give up give away give back give in give out go through go after go after something go against someone go ahead go back go out go out with someone go over something go over go without something
1)separate from an interior 2) (of hair, teeth) become loose and unattached understand, find the answer complete (a form/an application) Fill to the top discover or obtain information concentrate on something understand; find a solution
1) The money must have fallen out of my pocket. 2) His hair started to fall out when he was only 35. I'm trying to figure out how to assemble the bookshelves. Please fill out the enclosed form and return it as soon as possible. I always fill the water jug up when it is empty. I'm going to call the cinema to find out what time the film starts. The advertising campaign will focus on the quality of the product. We'll have to figure out a way to deliver the goods faster.
be on good terms; work well with
I get along (well) with my mother-in-law.
communicate, make understandable
I tried to get my point across/over to the judge but she wouldn't listen.
imply escape manage to cope or to survive return enter
What exactly are you trying to get at? The robbers got away in a black car. It's difficult to get by on a low salary. We got back from our vacation last week. How did the burglar get in?
enter
How did the burglar get into the house?
1) leave (bus, train, plane) 2) remove board (bus, train, plane)
1) You should get off the bus at Trafalgar Square. 2) She can't get the stain off her sweater. You can pay when you get on the bus.
continue to do; make progress
Be quiet and get on with your homework.
have a good relationship with
I get on very well with my colleagues.
leave
How did he get out?
leave
How did he get out of the house?
avoid doing something recover from (illness, disappointment) eliminate finally find time to do (N.Amer.: get around to something) meet each other rise, leave bed stop doing something 1)reveal hidden information about someone 2) take the bride to the altar 3) ruin a secret 4) give something to someone for free return a borrowed item reluctantly stop fighting or arguing give to many people (usually at no cost) experience follow someone try to achieve something
Some husbands manage to get out of doing any housework. My grandmother had pneumonia but she got over it. It's difficult to get rid of old habits. I don't know when I am going to get round to writing the thank you cards.
compete, oppose
We are going against the best soccer team in the city tonight.
start, proceed return to a place leave home to go on a social event date
Please go ahead and eat before the food gets cold. I have to go back home and get my lunch. We're going out for dinner tonight. Jesse has been going out with Luke since they met last winter.
review
Please go over your answers before you submit your test.
visit someone nearby suffer lack or deprivation
I haven't seen Tina for a long time. I think I'll go over for an hour or two. When I was young, we went without winter boots.
Let's get together for lunch on day. I usually get up at 7 o'clock. Sarah gave up smoking 5 years ago. 1) His wife gave him away to the police. 2) My father gave me away at my wedding. 3) My little sister gave the surprise party away by accident. 4) The library was giving away old books on Friday. I have to give these skates back to Franz before his hockey game. My boyfriend didn't want to go to the ballet, but he finally gave in. They were giving out free perfume samples at the department store. Pete went through a lot of pain after the accident. My brother tried to go after the thief in his car. I went after my dream and now I am a published writer.
grow apart grow up grow out of something H hand in hang in hand down hand out hand over hang on hang out hang up hit at hit back hit on/upon hold back hold back hold on hold up hurry up I
iron out
J
join in join up jot down
K keep on keep from keep up with keep out keep up kick off L leave out let down let s-one in look after look ahead look down on look out for look on look for look forward to look up to look over look up look up to M make fun of make up make up mix up move in
stop being friends over time spend one's childhood; develop; become an adult get too big for
My best friend and I grew apart after she changed schools.
submit (report, homework) stay positive (N.Amer., informal) give something used to someone else distribute give (usually unwillingly) wait a short time (informal) spend time in a particular place, or with a group of friends end a phone conversation aim a blow at retaliate; reply to an attack find unexpectedly or by inspiration prevent from doing/going hide an emotion -wait -grip tightly rob be quick, act speedily
All application forms must be handed in before the end of the month. Hang in there. I'm sure you'll find a job very soon. I handed my old comic books down to my little cousin. Samples will be handed out at the end of the demonstration. The police asked the man to hand over his wallet and his weapons. Hang on while I grab my coat and shoes! Where does he hang out these days? Who does he hang out with? "Don't hang up. I haven't finished yet." He hit at the wasp with the newspaper. When he was attacked by the others, the boy hit back. She hit upon an idea for her new collection. I had to hold my dog back because there was a cat in the park. Jamie held back his tears at his grandfather's funeral. - 'Hold on please. I'll put you through to Mr. Brown." - She held on to the railing as she crossed the bridge. A man in a black mask held the bank up this morning. Hurry up! We'll miss the bus.
resolve by discussion, eliminate differences
The meeting tomorrow will be an opportunity to iron out difficulties.
participate -engage in, become a member of - meet and unite with take quick notes
She was too shy to join in the game. - 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. I jotted down the address while watching the programme on TV.
continue doing something not tell stay at the same level as someone or something stop from entering continue at the same rate begin, start
It told him to be quiet but he kept on making noise. We kept our relationship from our parents for two years.
omit, not mention disappoint allow to enter take care of think of the future consider as inferior be especially vigilant for be a spectator at an event try to find something await or anticipate with pleasure admire check, examine search and find information in a reference book or database have a lot of respect for
The child's name was left out of the report. You promised to come to the party, so don't let me down! Can you let the cat in before you go to school? A babysitter looks after the children when they go out. It's time to forget the past and look ahead. He tends to look down on anyone who is not successful. Don't forget to look out for snakes on the hiking trail. Billy didn't take part in the fight. He just looked on. Jane went to the shops to look for a pair of shoes. I look forward to seeing you soon. He was a wonderful teacher and many students looked up to him. Can you look over my essay for spelling mistakes? We can look her phone number up on the Internet.
laugh at/ make jokes about apply cosmetics to
The old lady dresses so strangely that the kids make fun of her. My sisters made me up for my graduation party.
1)invent (excuse, story) 2)forgive each other
1) Some employees make up excuses when they arrive late for work. 2) We were angry last night, but we made up at breakfast.
mistake one thing or person for another arrive in a new home or office
He grew up in a small village in the mountains. Elizabeth needs a new pair of shoes because she has grown out of her old ones.
Bill walks so fast it's difficult to keep up with him. Try to keep the wet dog out of the living room. If you keep those results up you will get into a great college. The football match kicked off at 3 o'clock.
My little sister has always looked up to me.
I don't know my neighbours' names yet. I keep mixing them up. You've bought a new house? When are you moving in?.
N
O
P
R
move out
leave your home/office for another one.
My neighbor 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 pay back pay for pass up put down
She passed out when she heard the bad news. I'll lend you 20â‚Ź provided you pay me back before the end of the week. That bully will pay for being mean to my little brother. I passed up the job because I am afraid of change. You can put the groceries down on the kitchen counter.
put down
faint reimburse be punished for doing something bad decline (usually something good) put what you are holding on a surface or floor insult, make someone feel stupid
put off put on put out put up pick up pick out point out
postpone, arrange a later date turn on, switch on extinguish accommodate, give somebody a bed collect somebody choose indicate/direct attention to something
The students put the substitute teacher down because his pants were too short. The meeting was put off because of the strike. Could you put on the light please? It took a long time to put out the fire. We can put you up if you'd like to come for a week-end. I'll pick you up at the station when you arrive. I picked out three sweaters for you to try on. 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 run away
eliminate escape from a place or suddenly leave meet by accident or unexpectedly (also: bump into) rehearse, review
The police ruled out political motives. He ran away from home at the age of fourteen.
Let's run over/through these lines one more time before the show.
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 something up set someone up shop around show off show up shut up (impolite)
arrange, organize
Our boss set a meeting up with the president of the company.
trick, trap
The police set up the car thief by using a hidden camera.
compare prices brag or want to be admired appear/arrive
It's always wise to shop around before buying anything. There's David showing off in his new sports car! We expected David to come but he didn't show up.
be silent, stop talking
Oh shut up, you idiot!
sit down stand up stick up for sleep over sort something out stick to something switch something off switch something on
take a seat rise from a sitting position defend stay somewhere for the night (informal) organize, resolve a problem
Please come in and sit down. The pupils stood up when the headmaster arrived. It's important to stick up for one's principles. You should sleep over tonight if the weather is too bad to drive home. We need to sort the bills out before the first of the month.
continue doing something, limit yourself to one particular thing stop the energy flow, turn off
You will lose weight if you stick to the diet.
start the energy flow, turn on
We heard the news as soon as we switched on the car radio.
run into run over/through run out of S
Sophie ran into Maria at the shopping center.
The light's too bright. Could you switch it off.
T
take after
resemble, in appearance or character
Jamie really takes after his dad.
take care of take something apart take back take off take on take out tell off tear up/apart think over think back try on throw away turn down turn down
look after purposely break into pieces
I'll take care of your plants while you're away. He took the car brakes apart and found the problem.
return an item leave the ground hire or engage staff remove; extract reprimand/criticize severely rip into pieces consider remember (often + to, sometimes + on) wear something to see if it suits or fits dispose of refuse decrease the volume or strength (heat, light etc) stop the energy flow, switch off start the energy, switch on increase the volume or strength (heat, light etc) appear suddenly sample clothing test
I have to take our new TV back because it doesn't work. The plane took off at 6 a.m. Business is good so the company is taking on extra staff. She took out a pen to note the address. The teacher told her off for not doing her homework. I tore up my ex-boyfriend's letters and gave them back to him. I'll have to think over the proposal before I decide. When I think back on my youth, I wish I had studied harder. I'm not sure about the size. Can I try it on? We threw our old furniture away when we won the lottery. I couldn't turn down an offer like that! Please turn the TV down while the guests are here.
turn off turn son turn up turn up try on try out U
V
Your mother wants you to turn the TV off and come for dinner. It's too dark in here. Let's turn some lights on. Can you turn the music up? This is my favourite song. Our cat turned up after we put posters up all over the neighbourhood. I'm going to try these jeans on, but I don't think they will fit. I am going to try this new brand of detergent out.
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 wear out work out wipe off wake up warm someone/somet hing up warm up Walk along Walk off wear off work out work out work out
be careful 1) become unusable 2) become very tired 1) do physical exercise 2) find a solution or calculate something clean (board, table). stop sleeping increase the temperature
Watch out! There's a car coming. 1) Julie wore out her shoes visiting the city. 2) At the end of the day Julie was worn out.
The teacher asked Lee to wipe off the board We have to wake up early for work on Monday. You can warm your feet up in front of the fireplace.
prepare body for exercise Andar por Marcharse fade away exercise be successful make a calculation
I always warm up by doing sit-ups before I go for a run. Every night, He walks along the streets. She told him to walk off. Most of my make-up wore off before I got to the party. I work out at the gym three times a week. Our plan worked out fine. We have to work out the total cost before we buy the house
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.