Phrasal verb

Question 1

to be as good as something

Answer 1

live up to sth

The concert was brilliant - it lived up to all our expectations.

Question 2

to start or continue doing something, especially work

Answer 2

get on with sth

Stop talking and get on with it.
I like to be left to get on with the job.
I suppose I could get on with the ironing while I’m waiting.

Question 3

to sink - to (cause something or someone to) go down below the surface or to the bottom of a liquid or soft substance

Answer 3

go under

The Titanic was a passenger ship which sank (to the bottom of the ocean) in 1912.
The legs of the garden chair sank into the soft ground

Question 4

to fasten something or become fastened

Answer 4

do (sth) up

Can you help me to do up my dress?
Do your shoes/laces up before you trip over.
These trousers must have shrunk - I can’t do them up.
These trousers won’t do up.

Question 5

If the weather _____, the cloud and rain disappear

Answer 5

clears up

I hope it clears up in time for the picnic.

Question 6

to happen

Answer 6

go on

I’m sure we never hear about a lot of what goes on in government.
This war has been going on for years.

Question 7

to use something so much or for so long that it is no longer usable

Answer 7

wear out something

I read that book over and over till I wore it out.

Question 8

to increase or improve

Answer 8

pick up

The truck picked up speed slowly.
The wind always picks up in the evening.
The number of applicants will pick up during the autumn.

Question 9

to discuss or manage something

Answer 9

take up something

The school plans to take the matter up with the parents

Question 10

to describe or express the important facts or characteristics about something or someone

Answer 10

to sum sth/sb up

The best way of summing up the situation in our office is to say that it is “absolute chaos”.
I’d just like to sum up by saying that it’s been a tremendous pleasure to work with you.

An action or object that sums something or someone up represents the most typical qualities of that person or thing

For me, her paintings sum up the restless spirit of America.

Question 11

to find someone or obtain something

Answer 11

get hold of

Where can I get hold of some stamps?
How can I get ahold of Chris?

Question 12

to try to do something

Answer 12

have a go

“I can’t get the window open.” “Let me have a go (at it).”

Question 13

to do something which might cause loss, injury etc

Answer 13

take risks / take a risk

One cannot be successful in business unless one is willing to take risks.

Question 14

to forgive someone and be friendly with them again after an argument or disagreement

Answer 14

make up
They kissed and made up, as usual.
UK We often quarrel but we always make it up soon after.

Question 15

to begin to have control of something

Answer 15

take over

Question 16

to repair or decorate a building so that it looks attractive

Answer 16

do (sth) up

I’d like to buy a run-down house and do it up.

Question 17

to wrap something in paper

Answer 17

do (sth) up

She always does her presents up beautifully in gold and silver paper

Question 18

get better - (of an illness or bad weather) to go away, changing into a better condition

Answer 18

clear up

If my cold doesn’t clear up, it will ruin my vacation.
Let’s hope the weather clears up.

Question 19

to continue

Answer 19

go on

Please go on with what you’re doing and don’t let us interrupt you.

Question 20

to move to the next thing or stage

Answer 20

go on

[ + to infinitive ] She admitted her company’s responsibility for the disaster and went on to explain how compensation would be paid to the victims.

Question 21

to answer the phone

Answer 21

pick up

I tried his home number but he didn’t pick up

Question 22

to improve an activity or increase an amount

Answer 22

pick up

Retailers are starting to see sales pick up again.
The truck picked up speed slowly.

Question 23

to fill space or time

Answer 23

take up something

This desk takes up too much room.
My day is completely taken up with meetings.

Question 24

to shorten clothes

Answer 24

take up something

This skirt is too long – I’ll have to take it up.

Question 25

to take control of a company by buying enough shares to do this

Answer 25

take over

to take control of a company by buying enough shares to do this

Question 26

to replace someone or something

Answer 26

take over

Some workers will lose their jobs as machines take over.

Question 27

When a car or someone driving a car _____, the driver stops the car, often for a short time

Answer 27

pulls up

A car pulled up outside my house.

Question 28

If a better situation or an opportunity to do something _____, it happens or becomes available unexpectedly or in a way that was not planned

Answer 28

turns up

Don’t worry about it - something will turn up, you’ll see.
This job turned up just when I needed it.

Question 29

If something that you have been looking for _____, you find it unexpectedly

Answer 29

turns up

The missing letter eventually turned up inside a book.

Question 30

to suddenly begin to do something

Answer 30

break into sth

He felt so happy that he broke into song (= suddenly began to sing).
She walked quickly, occasionally breaking into a run (= starting to run).

Question 31

to start to have success in your career or an area of activity

Answer 31

break into sth

We see the deal with China as a way of breaking into markets in the Far East.
It’s always been his ambition to break into broadcasting.

Question 32

to enter a building by force, especially in order to steal things

Answer 32

break into sth

The thought of a burglar breaking into our house while we sleep is terrifying.

Question 33

to begin to feel more relaxed and less emotional, or to make someone do this

Answer 33

calm down

Calm down and tell us what’s going on.
She managed to calm him down.

Question 34

to take care of someone or something and make certain that they have everything they need

Answer 34

look after someone/something

It’s hard work looking after three children all day.
be well looked after: You could tell that the car had been well looked after.

Question 35

used for saying goodbye to someone you know well

Answer 35

look after yourself

Question 36

to suddenly stop supporting someone

Answer 36

pull the rug (out) from under someone

They want to pull the rug out from under the people who really need health care.