Phrasal Verbs

Question 1

Rang up: generally means to record a sale on a cash register or to call someone on the telephone. Here are some details on its use, including collocations and example sentences:

1. To record a sale: To enter the details of a purchase into a cash register or point-of-sale system.
2. To call someone: To make a telephone call to someone (chiefly British usage).

• Common collocations for recording a sale:
  
  • ring up a purchase
  • ring up the sale
  • ring up the items
• Common collocations for making a call:
  
  • ring up someone
  • ring up a friend
  • ring up the office

1. Recording a Sale:
   
   • The cashier rang up my groceries quickly and efficiently.
   • She forgot to ring up the discount, so I had to remind her.
   • Before you leave the store, make sure they ring up all your items correctly.
2. Making a Call (chiefly British):
   
   • I’ll ring you up later to discuss the plans for the weekend.
   • He rang up his friend to ask for some advice.
   • Can you ring up the office and let them know I’ll be late?

Would you like more details or examples?

Answer 1

To record a sale: To enter the details of a purchase into a cash register or point-of-sale system.

ring up a purchase
• ring up the sale
• ring up the items

The cashier rang up my groceries quickly and efficiently.

She forgot to ring up the discount, so I had to remind her.

2. Making a Call (chiefly British):

I’ll ring you up later to discuss the plans for the weekend.

Question 2

Trade off:

Answer 2

To exchange: To give up something in return for something else.

They decided to trade off some of their vacation days for a higher salary.

You often have to trade off short-term pleasures for long-term gains.

2. To balance: To make a compromise between two competing factors.

In this project, we need to trade off speed for quality to ensure the final product meets our standards.

There’s always a trade-off between working quickly and doing a thorough job.

When budgeting, you may need to trade off spending on luxuries to save for future needs.

Question 3

a. break in force entry to a building

b. break into something
enter forcibly

c. break something in
wear something a few times so that it doesn’t look/feel new

d. break in
interrupt

Answer 3

1. break in force entry to a building

Somebody broke in last night and stole our stereo.

The firemen had to break into the room to rescue the children.

2. break something in
   wear something a few times so that it doesn’t look/feel new

I need to break these shoes in before we run next week.

3. break in
   interrup

The TV station broke in to report the news of the president’s death.

Question 4

Rub off:

Answer 4

1. To transfer: To cause something (like a quality, trait, or residue) to be transferred from one person or thing to another.

The ink from the newspaper rubbed off on my hands.

Be careful with that wet paint; it might rub off on your clothes.

2. To have an influence: To cause one’s behavior, qualities, or attitudes to influence someone else, often gradually and unconsciously.

Her enthusiasm for learning has really rubbed off on her classmates.

Spending so much time with him, his sense of humor has started to rub off on me.

Question 5

Cut out:

Answer 5

To remove or eliminate: To stop including something or to remove it entirely: cut out a section .

She decided to cut out sugar from her diet to improve her health.

You need to cut out the unnecessary parts of your essay to make it more concise.

2. To stop working: For machinery or equipment, it means to stop functioning suddenly.

The car engine suddenly cut out in the middle of the highway.

My phone keeps cutting out during calls; I think it needs to be repaired.

3. To be suited for: Often used in the negative to suggest that someone is not suited for something.

I’m not cut out for a desk job; I prefer working outdoors.

She realized she wasn’t cut out to be a lawyer after her first year in law school.

4. To leave quickly: Informally, it can mean to depart quickly.

They had to cut out early to catch their flight.

I need to cut out now if I want to make it to the meeting on time.

Question 6

Tally up

Answer 6

1. To calculate the total: To add up all the individual parts or amounts to get a final total.• tally up the scores
   • tally up the votes
   • tally up the expenses
   • tally up the results
   • tally up the numbers

At the end of the game, we need to tally up the scores to see who won.

•	She tallied up the votes and declared the winner of the election.

•	Before submitting the report, make sure to tally up all the expenses.

Question 7

Nod off: fall asleep, especially briefly or unintentionally.

Answer 7

he nodded off during the sermon
You just nodded off again
You tried to no nod off during the meeting.

Question 8

Go through : perform a series of actions to follow a method or procedure

Certain formalities have to be gone through before you can emigrate

To experience or suffer something

He’s amanzingly cheerfull considering all he’s had to go through

To use up or finish something completely .

The boys went through two whole loaves of bread

Answer 8

1. To Experience or Endure:
   • She went through a lot of stress during the final exams.
   • They had to go through a rigorous training program before starting the job.
   2. To Examine or Review:
      • Please go through these documents and make sure everything is correct.
      • He went through the contract carefully before signing it.
   3. To Be Approved or Completed:
      • The new policy needs to go through several stages of approval before it can be implemented.
      • Their application finally went through after several months of waiting.
   4. To Use Up or Consume:
      • We go through a lot of paper in this office.
      • They went through all their savings to pay for the medical bills.

Question 9

Go around

Answer 9

1. To be sufficient: To be enough for everyone.

There wasn’t enough cake to go around, so some people didn’t get any.
• Make sure there’s enough food to go around at the party.

2. To circulate or spread: To move from person to person or place to place, often referring to information, illness, or rumors.

There’s a rumor going around that the company is going to be sold.
• A nasty flu virus is going around the office.

3. To bypass or avoid: To move around something rather than going through it.

We had to go around the construction site to get to the office.
• If there’s a traffic jam, we can go around by taking a different route.

4. To behave in a certain way: Often used with a negative connotation to describe someone’s behavior.

• You can’t go around accusing people without any evidence.
• She goes around acting like she’s the boss of everyone.

Question 10

Go off

Answer 10

1. To explode or make a loud noise: Used when referring to something that suddenly makes a loud sound, such as a bomb or an alarm.

• The fireworks went off at midnight to celebrate the New Year.
• The alarm went off in the middle of the night, waking everyone up.

2. To stop functioning: Used when referring to something that ceases to work or operate, like an appliance or light.

• The light bulb went off, and I had to replace it with a new one.
• The power went off during the storm, so we had to use candles.

3. To begin or take place: Used to describe when an event starts.

• The meeting will go off at 10 AM sharp.
• The concert went off without any problems.

4. To become less fresh or spoil: Used for food that goes bad or becomes unappetizing.

• Be careful not to eat that cheese; it’s starting to go off.
• The milk went off before its expiration date.

5. To React or Change in a Particular Way:
   • She went off on him when he missed the deadline for the project.
   • He went off about the new policy, complaining loudly.

Phrase

You’re gonna have things that go off the rail

Question 11

Call off: means to cancel or postpone an event, activity, or arrangement that was previously planned.

Answer 11

1. Call off a meeting

Due to a sudden emergency, they had to call off the meeting.

2. Call off a game

The referee decided to call off the game because of heavy rain.

3. Call off a strike

The union agreed to call off the strike after reaching an agreement with management

4. Call off an event

They had to call off the event due to unforeseen circumstances

5. Call off a search

After days of searching, they called off the search for the missing hiker

6. Call off a trip

We had to call off our trip to the beach because of the storm.

Question 12

Take On:

Answer 12

1. Assume responsibility: To accept a task, job, or role. Take on a task
   Take on a project
   Take on a role
   Take on responsibilities

She decided to take on the project despite her busy schedule.

2. Challenge or compete: To face a challenge or opponent.

Take on an opponent
Take on a challenge
Take on a competitor
Take on a new problem

We need to take on this challenge if we want to succeed.

3. Employ: To hire someone for a job.

Take on staff
Take on new employees
Take on interns

The company plans to take on more staff next year.

4. Acquire a characteristic: To start to have a particular quality or appearance.

Acquire a Characteristic:
Take on a new appearance
Take on a different meaning
Take on a new dimension

The story took on a new meaning after the latest developments.

Question 13

Live up: To meet expectations or standards: To perform or behave in a way that matches or exceeds what is expected or promised.

Answer 13

1. To Meet Expectations:
   • The movie did not live up to the high expectations set by the critics.
   • She felt pressured to live up to her parents’ expectations for her academic performance.
2. To Fulfill Promises:
   • The company has struggled to live up to its promises regarding customer service.
   • He tried hard to live up to the commitments he made during the campaign.
3. To Adhere to Standards:
   • The new product needs to live up to the quality standards set by the company.
   • They worked hard to ensure that the project lived up to industry standards.
4. To Maintain Reputation:
   • The athlete has been working to live up to his reputation as one of the best players in the league.
   • The restaurant strives to live up to its reputation for excellent cuisine.

Question 14

Carry out: To perform or execute: To carry out a task, plan, or order effectively and completely.

Answer 14

1. To Perform or Execute:
   • The team will carry out the project according to the specified guidelines.
   • She was responsible for carrying out the tasks assigned by her manager.
2. To Implement a Plan:
   • The company is ready to carry out its new marketing strategy next quarter.
   • They need to carry out the plan to improve the city’s public transportation system.
3. To Conduct Research or Investigation:
   • The scientists carried out experiments to test their hypothesis.
   • The police carried out a thorough investigation into the matter.
4. To Follow a Procedure:
   • The technician carried out the maintenance procedures as outlined in the manual.
   • The procedures must be carefully carried out to ensure safety.

Question 15

note down: To write down: To make a written record of something to remember or refer to later.

Answer 15

1. To Write Down Information:
   • Please note down your contact information so we can reach you later.
   • She noted down the address of the restaurant before leaving.
   2. To Record Details:
      • I’ll note down the details of our meeting and send them to you by email.
      • Make sure to note down the important points from the presentation.
   3. To Write Down a Number or Message:
      • He asked me to note down his phone number so I wouldn’t forget it.
      • Could you note down the message and give it to John when he returns?
   4. To Record Ideas or Instructions:
      • She noted down her ideas for the new project in a notebook.
      • The teacher asked the students to note down the instructions for the assignment.

Question 16

Come together

Answer 16

1.To unite or gather: To meet or come into a collective group or agreement.

• The community came together to support the local charity event.
• We need everyone to come together for the meeting to discuss the new project.

2. To combine or collaborate: To work together towards a common goal or to merge different elements.

• The two companies decided to come together to develop a new product.
• Different departments came together to solve the complex problem.

3. To Form or Assemble:
   • The band members came together after years of separation for a reunion tour.
   • The team came together quickly to finish the project on time.

Question 17

Take away

Answer 17

To remove: To move something from its place or take it away from a location.

• Please take away the empty plates from the table.

2. To subtract: To remove or deduct a part of something.

If you take away 5 from 20, you get 15.
• She took away the discount amount from the total bill.

3. To understand or learn something: To gain a lesson or piece of information from an experience or situation.

• What did you take away from the workshop?
• The main takeaway from the meeting was the need for better communication.

4. To carry out (food): To order food to be eaten elsewhere, often referred to as takeout or takeaway.

• We decided to get take away from our favorite restaurant tonight.
• The restaurant offers both dine-in and take-away options.

Question 18

Bring up

Answer 18

1. To introduce or raise a topic: To start discussing or mention something.

• During the meeting, she decided to bring up the issue of budget cuts.
• He brought up an interesting point about improving team collaboration.

2. To rear or raise (a child): To nurture and care for a child as they grow up.

They worked hard to bring up their children with good values.
• She was brought up in a small town and values simplicity.

3. To Mention:
   • I didn’t mean to bring up the sensitive topic, but it seemed relevant to the discussion.
   • Could you bring up the new policy changes in tomorrow’s meeting?

Question 19

Draw on

Answer 19

1. To make use of: To use a resource, experience, or knowledge for a specific purpose.

The author drew on her personal experiences to write the novel.
• We need to draw on all available resources to complete the project successfully.

2. To rely on: To depend on something for help or support.

• The team will draw on their previous research to guide the new study.
• She drew on her expertise in marketing to develop the campaign strategy.

3. To Utilize:
   • He drew on his extensive network to find new business opportunities.
   • The plan draws on various strategies to address the problem effectively.

Question 20

Scratch off

Answer 20

1. To remove by rubbing or scraping: To get rid of a surface layer by scratching it.

• He scratched off the old paint from the door before applying a new coat.
• To reveal the code, scratch off the silver panel on the back of the card.

2. To cancel or eliminate: To remove an item from a list or plan, often because it is no longer relevant or needed.

• We need to scratch off the outdated items from the inventory list.
• She scratched off the task from her to-do list once it was completed.

3. To Remove from a Plan:
   • Due to unforeseen circumstances, they had to scratch off the planned trip from their schedule.
   • The event was scratched off the calendar because of a scheduling conflict.

Question 21

Wind up

Answer 21

1. To bring to a conclusion or finish: To end or conclude an activity, process, or event.

• We need to wind up the meeting by 4 PM so everyone can get back to their work.
• They decided to wind up the project after completing the final review.

2. To prepare or adjust: To make ready or adjust something, often by turning or tightening.

• He wound up the old clock to make sure it kept accurate time.
• Before starting the experiment, they had to wind up the apparatus.

3. To become emotional or agitated: To become worked up or excited about something.

• She tends to wind up quickly if she feels that she’s not being listened to.
• The excitement of the event really wound up the crowd.

Question 22

Shut down

Answer 22

To cease operation: To stop running or functioning, typically used for machines, systems, or businesses.

• The factory had to shut down temporarily for maintenance.
• The company decided to shut down operations due to financial difficulties.

2. To turn off: To switch off a device or system.

• Make sure to shut down your computer properly before leaving the office.
• He accidentally shut down the system while trying to fix the error.

3. To close: To close a business or operation, often temporarily or permanently.• The local diner was shut down after the health inspection revealed serious violations.
   • The organization had to shut down its branch due to a lack of funding.

Question 23

Pick out

Answer 23

1. To select or choose: To make a choice from various options.

• She picked out a beautiful dress for the party.

2. To identify or recognize: To distinguish or spot something among others.

• Can you pick out your name on the list?
• She was able to pick out the familiar face in the crowd.

3. To Choose From Options:
   • The committee needs to pick out the best candidate for the job.
   • They spent a long time picking out colors for the new room.

Question 24

Shout out

Answer 24

To call out loudly: To yell or speak loudly, often to get someone’s attention or make a statement.

•	She shouted out the answer to the question before anyone else could respond.
•	He shouted out for help when he saw the car accident.

2. To give recognition or acknowledge: To publicly mention or give thanks to someone, often in a positive context.

• I want to shout out to everyone who helped with the event—your support was invaluable!
• The teacher gave a shout out to the students who excelled in the recent exam.

3. To Publicly Mention:
   • The host shouted out the names of the winners during the awards ceremony.
   • He shouted out a special thanks to his family during his acceptance speech.

Question 25

Rely on

Answer 25

To depend on: To need or expect something to be present or available, often for help or support.

• You can always rely on Jane to help you out in a crisis.
• The team relies on accurate data to make informed decisions.

2. To trust in: To have confidence in the reliability or effectiveness of someone or something.

• I rely on this software to manage all my financial records.
• We rely on the weather forecast to plan our outdoor events.

3. To Count On for Support:
   • In difficult times, it’s important to have friends you can rely on.
   • The company relies on its loyal customers to drive business growth.

Question 26

Come along

Answer 26

1. To make progress or develop: To improve or advance in a particular situation or task.

• The project is coming along nicely and should be completed by the end of the month.
• Her skills in playing the piano are coming along well with regular practice

2. To arrive or appear: To reach a location or come into view.

• We waited for hours until the train finally came along.
• A great opportunity came along just when I needed it.

3. To join or accompany: To go with someone or participate in an activity.

• Do you want to come along with us to the concert this weekend?
• She decided to come along on the trip even though she wasn’t sure if she could make it.

Question 27

Kick off : means to begin or start something. It originates from sports, particularly football (soccer), where a game begins with a kick-off.

Answer 27

Kick off a meeting: “We will kick off the meeting with a brief introduction from the CEO.”

Kick off an event: “The concert will kick off at 7 PM with an opening act.”

Kick off a project: “The team will kick off the new project next Monday.”

Kick off a campaign: “They plan to kick off their marketing campaign with a series of online ads.”
5. Kick off the season: “The football league will kick off the season with a match between the top two teams.”

Question 28

Screw up

Answer 28

1. If you screw up your eyes or your face, you tighten your eye or face muscles, for example because you are in pain or because the light is too bright.

She had screwed up her eyes, as if she found the sunshine too bright

2. If you screw up a piece of paper, you squeeze it tightly so that it becomes very creased and no longer flat, usually when you are throwing it away.

He would start writing to his family and would screw the letter up in frustration.

3. To screw something up, or to screw up, means to cause something to fail or be spoiled

You can’t open the window because it screws up the air conditioning.

Question 29

Scotch down

Question 30

Lay down: put something down in a flat position. It can also mean to establish or set something, such as rules or principles.

Answer 30

Lay down rules: “The teacher laid down strict rules for the classroom.”
2. Lay down the law: “As the new manager, she laid down the law on punctuality.”
3. Lay down one’s life: “Many soldiers have laid down their lives for their country.”
4. Lay down a carpet: “We decided to lay down a new carpet in the living room.”
5. Lay down arms: “The rebels were forced to lay down their arms and surrender.”

Question 31

Come down

Answer 31

1.If the cost, level, or amount of something comes down, it becomes less than it was before

If you buy three bottles, the bottle price comes down to £2.42.

2. If something comes down, it falls to the ground.

The cold rain came down.

Question 32

Set up

Answer 32

1. If you set something up, you create or arrange it.

The two sides agreed to set up a commission to investigate claims.

2. If you set up a temporary structure, you place it or build it somewhere.

They took to the streets, setting up roadblocks of burning tyres.

3. If you set up a device or piece of machinery, you do the things that are necessary for it to be able to start working.

Setting up the camera can be tricky.

4. If you set up somewhere or set yourself up somewhere, you establish yourself in a new business or new area.

He set himself up in business and became a successful agent.

5. If you set up home or set up shop, you buy a house or business of your own and start living or working there.

They married, and set up home in Ramsgate.

6. If something sets up something such as a process, it creates it or causes it to begin.

The secondary current sets up a magnetic field inside the tube.

7. If something sets you up for something, it puts you in a good condition or position to deal with it, for example by making you feel healthy and energetic.

I have my cornflakes and smell the fresh air and the grass and it sets me up for the day

8. If you are set up by someone, they make it seem that you have done something wrong when you have not.

Both men deny any involvement and claim they were set up by the British secret service

Question 33

Count down

Answer 33

to count backward, usually by ones, from a given integer to zero

Question 34

Burnt out

Answer 34

1. If a fire burns itself out, it stops burning because there is nothing left to burn.

Fire officials let the fire burn itself out.

2. If you burn yourself out, you make yourself exhausted or ill by working too hard.

He might burn himself out and go to an early grave.

Question 35

Follow through

Answer 35

1. If you follow through an action, plan, or idea or follow through with it, you continue doing or thinking about it until you have done everything possible.

The leadership has been unwilling to follow through the implications of these ideas.

2. uncountable noun
   A follow-through is something that completes an action or a planned series of actions.
   The reality is that people’s intentions are rarely matched by their follow-through.

Question 36

Take up

Answer 36

1. If you take up an activity or a subject, you become interested in it and spend time doing it, either as a hobby or as a career.

He did not particularly want to take up a competitive sport.

2. If you take up a question, problem, or cause, you act on it or discuss how you are going to act on it.

Scientists present evidence of an environmental threat and a pressure group will take up the issue.

3. If you take up a job, you begin to work at it.

He will take up his post as the head of the civil courts at the end of next month.

4. If you take up an offer or a challenge, you accept it.

Increasingly, more farmers are taking up the challenge of growing asparagus.

5. If something takes up a particular amount of time, space, or effort, it uses that amount.

I know how busy you must be and naturally I wouldn’t want to take up too much of your time

6. If you take up a particular position, you get into a particular place in relation to something else.

He had taken up a position in the centre of the room

7. If you take up something such as a task or a story, you begin doing it after it has been interrupted or after someone else has begun it.
   Gerry’s partner Jo takes up the story.

Question 37

Bounce back

Answer 37

If you bounce back after a bad experience, you return very quickly to your previous level of success, enthusiasm, or activity

We lost two or three early games in the World Cup, but we bounced back.

Question 38

Catch up

Answer 38

1. If you catch up with someone who is in front of you, you reach them by walking faster than they are walking.

I stopped and waited for her to catch up.

We caught up with the others.

2. To catch up with someone means to reach the same standard, stage, or level that they have reached.

John began the season better than me but I have fought to catch up

3. If you catch up on an activity that you have not had much time to do recently, you spend time doing it.

I was catching up on a bit of reading.

4. If you catch up on friends who you have not seen for some time or on their lives, you talk to them and find out what has happened in their lives since you last talked together.

The women spent some time catching up on each other’s work and families.

She plans to return to Dublin to catch up with the relatives she has not seen since she married.

5. If you are caught up in something, you are involved in it, usually unwillingly.

The people themselves weren’t part of the conflict; they were just caught up in it.

Question 39

Act up

Answer 39

If something is acting up, it is not working properly.

She was messing with the coffee pot, which was acting up again.

2. If a child is acting up, they are behaving badly.

I could hear Jonathan acting up downstairs.

Question 40

Work out

Answer 40

1. If you work out a solution to a problem or mystery, you manage to find the solution by thinking or talking about it.

Negotiators are due to meet later today to work out a compromise.

It took me some time to work out what was causing this.

2. If a process works itself out, it reaches a conclusion or satisfactory end.

People involved in it think it’s a nightmare, but I’m sure it will work itself out.

Question 41

Better off

Question 42

Hook up

Question 43

Fall through

Question 44

Stood up
Meet up

Question 45

Ticked off

Question 46

Blew off

Answer 46

I tried but you blew me off