Phrasal Verbs

Question 1

back [x] up

• When the class was making fun of me, only the teacher backed me up.

Answer 1

-> Support or defend someone

Question 2

break down

• The ice cream machine at McDonalds is always breaking down.

Answer 2

-> stop working, especially when referring to machines

Question 3

call around

• Roy called around to find a nearby mechanic.

Answer 3

-> contact multiple people

Question 4

calm down

• I need a few minutes to calm down after that match.

Answer 4

-> relax after an energetic or irritated state

Question 5

call [x] off

• We called the party off. / We called off the party.

Answer 5

-> is synonymous of cancel

Question 6

stay out

• Our cat usually stays out at night.
• My mum won’t let me stay out late.

Answer 6

• to not come home at night, or to go home late

Question 7

go on

• The speech seemed to go on forever.
• What’s going on?
• We can’t go on living like this.

Answer 7

• to last for a particular period of time
• to happen
• to continue doing something

Question 8

shake [x] off

- I hope I can shake off this cold before the weekend.

Answer 8

• to get rid of an illness

Question 9

beat

• • Simon always beats me at tennis.
• • Taking the bus sure beats walking.
• • I always do my shopping early to beat the rush.
• • Beat the drum.
• • To make an omelette you first beat the eggs.

Answer 9

• to defeat or do better than (B1)
• to be better or more enjoyable than another activity or experience (B2)
• To beat something that is going to happen is to take action before the thing happens
• to hit repeatedly (B2)
• to mix something repeatedly using a utensil such as a spoon or whisk

Question 10

move up -

• Share prices move up and down depending on market conditions.
• He gave his first interview since moving up to the role of chairman.

Answer 10

• to increase in value, number, or amount

- to get a more important job in a company or organization.

Question 11

grooving

• I won’t stop grooving
• • The window slides along a deep metal groove to open and close.

Answer 11

• used for music, like when you are enjoining the beats or the sound
• a long, narrow, hollow space cut into a surface

Question 12

Heartbreakers

• At the time I met him he was a heartbreaker; he looked like James Dean.
• Knowing that I can’t see my grandchildren, that’s a heartbreaker for me.

Answer 12

• an attractive person who is likely to make other people fall in love with them and make them feel sad.
• something that makes someone very sad.

Question 13

get down -

• • He’s getting down from the ladder.
• • Incoming fire! Everybody get down!
• • Getting down in gambling means making a bet.
• • Doing the same thing everyday can get you down.
• • I need to get down to pass this test.
• • He couldn’t get the meal down.

Answer 13

• Get down as moving from sth high to the bottom.
• When you have to lie or be in your knees on the floor.
• The act of make a bet.
• When you lose your hope or feel sad.
• The act of focus or concentrate in something
• When you let the food or sth pass throw your throat.

Question 14

look after

- We look after the neighbours’ cat while they’re away.

Answer 14

to take care of someone or something

Question 15

find out

• How did you find out about the party?
• I just found out that he was cheating on the test.

Answer 15

to obtain knowledge of something, or to obtain knowledge of someone’s activities, esp. dishonest ones