Phrasal verbs

Question 1

to let up

Answer 1

If the rain doesn’t let up soon, we won’t be able to have our picnic

Question 2

to lay off

Answer 2

If business continues to be slow, we will have to lay off some workers

Question 3

To bring out

Answer 3

Most automobile companies bring out new models each year

Question 4

to wait up for

Answer 4

We waited up for our son until 11:45 P.M, before we called the police

Question 5

To let alone

Answer 5

He was incapable of leading a bowling team, let alone a country

Question 6

To break off

Answer 6

After war began, the two countries broke off diplomatic relationships

Question 7

To wear off

Answer 7

My headache isn’t serious. It will wear off after an hour or so.

Question 8

To wear down

Answer 8

If you drag your feet while you walk, you’ll wear down your shoes quickly

Question 9

on the whole

Answer 9

He is, on the whole, a good student

Question 10

Touch and go

Answer 10

The outcome of the soccer final was touch and go for the entire match.

Question 11

To back up

Answer 11

She askef her friends to back her up when she went to court to fight her speeding ticket.

Question 12

To back out

Answer 12

We were all ready to sign the contracts when one of the parties to the agreement backed out.

Question 13

To buy up

Answer 13

The goverment plans to buy up all, surplus grain in order to stabilize the price.

Question 14

To buy out

Answer 14

Larger companies often buy ourt smaller companies that are having financial difficulties.

Question 15

To sell out

Answer 15

That store is closing its doors for good and is selling out everything this weekend.

Question 16

To catch on

Answer 16

Fashions of the past often catch on anain among young people.

Question 17

To be cut out for

Answer 17

not everyone is cut out for dealing with customers

Question 18

To throw out

Answer 18

the charges were thrown out by the magistrate

Question 19

To clear up

Answer 19

The teacher tried to clear up our confussion about the meaning of the dfifficult paragraph in the reading.

Question 20

To be up to something

Answer 20

Hi Jake, I haven’t seen you in a long time. What have you up to?

Question 21

To beat around the bush

Answer 21

Our boss beats around the bush so much that no one in the office knows exacly what he wants us to do.

Question 22

To put an end to

Answer 22

An injury put an end to his career

Question 23

To stand out

Answer 23

I worked hard to stand out from the crowd of competitors

Question 24

To Stick up

Answer 24

Thanks for sticking up for me.

Question 25

Cling on

Answer 25

He clung on to power for another ten years.

Question 26

To look out

Answer 26

The police have warned shopkeepers to look out for forged notes.

Question 27

Trickle out

Answer 27

to flow or fall by drops, or in a small, gentle stream: Tears trickled down her cheeks. to come, go, or pass bit by bit, slowly, or irregularly: The guests trickled out of the room