Phrasal Verbs

Question 1

Figure out

Answer 1

To finally understand something or someone, or find the solution to a problem after a lot of thought

• I need to figure out how I am going to get there;
• Can you figure out the answer to question 5?

Question 2

Break down

Answer 2

Stop working

• The ice cream machine at McDonald’s is always breaking down

Question 3

Clean up

Answer 3

to make a person or place clean and tidy

• McDonalds cleaned up ice cream machine;
• Clean yourself up a bit before dinner.

Question 4

Comming down with

Answer 4

Become sick

• I am coming down with a nasty cold;
• I came down with a horrible cold last month.

Question 5

Dress up

Answer 5

To put on clothes for a special occasion

• I need to dress up nicely for carnival;
• You don’t need to dress up to go to the mall.

Question 6

Fill up

Answer 6

to become full, or to make something become full

• I need to fill up my bottle of water;
• He filled up the tank with petrol.

Question 7

Fill in

Answer 7

To write or type information on a document in spaces that are provided for it

• I need to fill in my visa documents, in order to get a visa;
• Companies will encourage customers to fill in questionnaires about themselves.

Question 8

Find out

Answer 8

Search/discovery

• I need to find out what city is best to visit in Brazil.

Question 9

On trend

Answer 9

A general development or change in a situation or in the way that people are behaving

• Her long skirt is right on trend this winter;
• I always wear clothes that are on trend.

Question 10

Spot on

Answer 10

Exacly/correct

• “How old do I reckon she is? I’d say 38.” “Spot on.”

Question 11

By the skin of my teeth

Answer 11

If you do something by the skin of your teeth, you only just succeed in doing it

• He escaped from the secret police by the skin of his teeth;
• I passed the exam by the skin of my teeth.

Question 12

Grow up

Answer 12

To gradually become an adult.

• I grew up in Scotland;
• Taking responsibility for yourself is part of the process of growing up.

Question 13

Bear with someone

Answer 13

To be patient and wait while someone does something

• If you’ll just bear with me for a moment, I’ll find you a copy of the drawings.
• Just bear with me while I finish downloading this file.

Question 14

Take up

Answer 14

Start to do something, especially for pleasure

• He’s taken up the position of supervisor.
• Have you ever thought of taking up acting?

Question 15

Be into

Answer 15

Be interested in something

• When I was younger, I was really into happy house music.
• I am into Brazilian rap

Question 16

Make up for something

Answer 16

Compensate for something lacking or missing

• No amount of money can make up for the death of a child
• The energy of her performance made up for her poor singing.

Question 17

Come out

Answer 17

Become known or revealed after being kept secret

• During the investigation, it came out that she had been arrested when she was young.
• He was the first CEO of a major company to come out as gay.

Question 18

Come up

Answer 18

Be happening soon

• My exams are coming up soon.
• There are lots of great sports events coming up this summer.

Question 19

Get in

Answer 19

Arrive at a destination

• the train got in late
• What time did you get in last night?

Question 20

Take off

Answer 20

To remove something, especially clothes

• He took off his clothes and got into the shower.
• Oops - I forgot to take the price label off your present.

Question 21

Take on

Answer 21

To accept a particular job or responsibility

• I am going to take on a new job next month
• She took too much on and made herself sick.

Question 22

Carry on

Answer 22

Persist / Continue doing something, or to cause something to continue

• Carry on the good work
• Sorry to interrupt, please carry on

Question 23

Put up with

Answer 23

Tolerate or endure something

• I’m too tired to put up with any nonsense
• I put up with my boss because I earn a good salary

Question 24

Look after someone/something

Answer 24

To take care of or be in charge of someone or something

• We look after the neighbors’ cat while they’re away.
• Don’t worry about Mia - she can look after herself.

Question 25

Settle in

Answer 25

To become familiar with somewhere new, such as a new house, job, or school, and to feel comfortable and happy there.

• Once we’ve settled in, we’ll have you over for dinner.
• I’ll just settle in when I get in the destination.