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Exclamations and warnings The exclamations on this page are all informal. Be careful with the ones marked * as you risk insulting the person you are speaking to.
A
Encouraging others Take it away!
Eat up!
Can I look at your paper?
1
Drink up! Sure, go ahead!
Go on then!
Go for it!
Keep it up!
1
a command used in musical contexts, meaning ‘Start playing/singing!’
B
Expressing impatience expression
possible context
you say this in order to …
Roll on (Friday)!
You are in the middle of a very busy week at work.
show that you are looking forward to a time or event
Dream on!
A not very musical friend is telling you about their plans to become a famous rock star.
tell someone that what they hope for is not possible and will not happen
Grow up!*
A member of your family refuses to speak to you.
tell an older child or an adult to stop acting like a small child
Hang on!
A friend is telling you about a problem when you suddenly think of something that might solve their problem.
tell someone to stop doing or saying something, to wait a minute
Go on!
A friend has just told you that he’s been invited to appear in a Hollywood film.
tell someone that you do not believe what they just said (Note: spoken with a falling intonation)
Come on!
A friend is claiming he plays better chess than you – and you pride yourself on your play.
tell someone you don’t believe them or disagree or are angry with them
Wake up!
You are telling someone how to do something but they are clearly daydreaming.
tell someone not paying attention to listen to what you say
Shut up!*
Your two brothers are arguing when you are trying to concentrate.
tell someone to stop talking
Hang about!
Come off it!
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English Phrasal Verbs in Use Advanced
