Phrasal Verbs Flashcards
Since
Since the pandemic began, many people have adopted to work remotely, leading to a significant change in work-life balance.
I have been more focused on my health since I started going to the gym.
Since commencing my new position, I have encountered enormous professionals within this network.
Since children are not mature enough to understand/graspe national ideas.
Considering
Considering the current economic climate, many businesses are re-evaluation their strategy to ensure long-term sustainability.
I believe that, considering her extensive experience in the field, she would be an excellent candidate for this position.
Considering the feedback we received from clients, we have decided to implement several improvements to our services.
Concerning
Concerning the recent changes in company policies, we will hold an informational meeting to address any questions.
Concerning the issue of global warming, many countries are changing their international policies to address this problem.
Concerning the average age of the population, which is higher than the standard, the government is providing new incentives for couples to have children.
Due to
Due to heavy rainfall, many areas experienced flooding, which disrupted local transportation services.
The event was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, including a scheduling conflict with a key speaker.
Due to the increasing demand for sustainable products, companies are investing more in environmentally friendly technologies.
Aim at
It is important to never aim at a person when at the gun range.
The training program aims at improving employee productivity.
The company is aiming at expanding its market share in Europe.
Back Down
Don’t back down when he challenges you.
He refused to back down even when everyone else disagreed with him.
They threatened to sue, but upon realizing they had no case, they had to back down.
Beef up
to strengthen, enhance by adding more resources, details
Let’s beef up this resume to help Carter get a job.
The company decided to beef up its security measures after the data breach. (data leakage)
The government is investing more funds to beef up the healthcare system.
Blow off
Blow off:to deliberately ignore
Make sure the napkins don’t blow off the table.
He decided to blow off the meeting and got to the beach instead.
I had plans to study, but I ended up blowing them off to watch a movie.
Blow out
Blow out
I can’t wait to blow out my birthday candles and make a wish.
The car had a tire blow out on the highway, causing them to pull over.
The strong winds blew out the power lines in the neighborhood.
Boil Down To
Phrase: Boil Down To
Meaning:
To simplify or reduce something to its essential or most important part.
The issue boils down to a lack of communication between team members.
To mean or signify the fundamental cause or reason for something.
All the arguments boil down to one main disagreement: trust.
Other Forms:
Verb: Boil Down
Meaning: To reduce a substance (e.g., liquid) by boiling to concentrate its flavor or essence.
The chef boiled down the sauce to make it richer and thicker.
Figurative Meaning: To condense or simplify something into its most important elements.
He boiled down his lengthy presentation into a five-minute summary.
Noun: Boil-Down
Meaning: A summary or condensation of information.
The report provides a boil-down of the entire research project.
Examples of Usage:
Figurative (Essential Cause):
The success of the event boils down to effective planning and teamwork.
Literal (Reducing Liquid):
The recipe requires you to boil down the stock until it’s thick and flavorful.
Simplifying Information:
Her long explanation boiled down to one key point: we need more funding.
Break Down
Phrasal Verb: Break Down
Meanings and Examples:
To stop functioning (mechanical failure):
The car broke down on the highway, leaving us stranded.
The elevator broke down again, so we had to take the stairs.
To become emotionally upset or lose control:
She broke down in tears when she heard the devastating news.
During the trial, the witness broke down while recounting the events.
To divide into smaller parts (analysis or explanation):
Let’s break down the problem into smaller, manageable steps.
The report breaks down the data into several key categories.
To deteriorate or fail (relationships, systems, or negotiations):
The talks broke down due to a lack of agreement on critical issues.
Their relationship broke down after years of unresolved conflicts.
To digest or decompose (biological or chemical process):
Enzymes in the stomach help break down food into nutrients.
Over time, organic waste breaks down into compost.
Other Forms:
Noun: Breakdown
Meaning 1: A failure or collapse (of a system, machinery, or relationship).
The breakdown of the air conditioning system left everyone sweltering.
There was a complete breakdown in communication between the two departments.
Meaning 2: A detailed analysis or division into parts.
The financial breakdown shows how each dollar is being spent.
The document provides a breakdown of the company’s expenses.
Meaning 3: A physical or mental collapse.
She suffered a nervous breakdown due to extreme stress.
Break Through
Phrasal Verb: Break Through
Meanings and Examples:
To make a sudden, dramatic advancement or overcome an obstacle (literal or figurative):
The scientists broke through in their research and developed a new vaccine.
She broke through the challenges of poverty to achieve success.
To forcefully move past or penetrate a barrier (literal):
The protesters broke through the police barricades.
The sunlight broke through the dense forest canopy.
To gain recognition or success after a struggle:
The band finally broke through with their hit single.
After years of hard work, she broke through as an influential writer.
Other Forms:
Noun: Breakthrough
Meaning 1: A significant discovery, advancement, or achievement.
The invention of the internet was a groundbreaking breakthrough in communication.
Her breakthrough role in the film industry brought her international fame.
Meaning 2: An act of penetrating a barrier or overcoming resistance.
The army made a breakthrough in enemy lines, advancing toward their target.
The breakthrough in peace negotiations offers hope for a resolution.
Examples of Usage in Sentences:
Advancement or Achievement:
The company’s breakthrough in AI technology revolutionized the industry.
She broke through the gender barriers in her field to become the CEO.
Penetrating a Barrier (Literal):
Break Up
Phrasal Verb: Break Up
Meanings and Examples:
To end a relationship or partnership:
They decided to break up after five years of dating.
The band broke up due to creative differences.
To disperse or cause to disperse (e.g., a group or gathering):
The police broke up the crowd to prevent further unrest.
The meeting broke up after the announcement was made.
To divide into smaller parts or pieces:
The iceberg broke up as it drifted into warmer waters.
Let’s break up the tasks so that everyone has a manageable workload.
To stop functioning properly (distorted signals):
The signal is breaking up; I can’t hear you clearly.
The video call broke up due to a poor internet connection.
To begin a vacation or holiday, especially at the end of a school term (British English):
The students are excited because school breaks up next week for the holidays.
Other Forms:
Noun: Break-Up
Meaning 1: The ending of a relationship, partnership, or group.
Their break-up was difficult, but they remained friends.
The break-up of the company resulted in several layoffs.
Meaning 2: The division or dispersal of something.
The break-up of the large estate created several smaller properties.
Bring Up
Phrasal Verb: Bring Up
Meanings and Examples:
To raise or mention a topic for discussion:
During the meeting, she brought up the issue of budget constraints.
Why did you bring up that embarrassing story in front of everyone?
To raise or care for a child (nurture):
She was brought up by her grandparents in a small village.
It’s challenging to bring up children in a fast-paced city.
To vomit (less common, informal):
He felt nauseous and brought up his lunch.
The child brought up everything she ate after the long car ride.
To increase or elevate something:
The teacher brought up her grade by giving her extra credit.
The coach brought up a new player from the junior team to play in the match.
Other Forms:
Noun: Upbringing
Meaning: The care and training a child receives while growing up.
His upbringing instilled in him a strong sense of discipline.
Despite a humble upbringing, she became a successful entrepreneur.
Verb: Bring (base verb)
Meaning: To carry or take something to a place.
Can you bring me the book from the shelf?
Brush Off
Phrase: Brush Off
Verb: To dismiss or ignore someone or something casually or rudely.
Example: She tried to talk to him, but he brushed her off without listening.*
Noun: The act of dismissing or ignoring someone.
Example: His comments were met with a quick brush-off.*
Synonyms: Dismiss, ignore, reject.
Brush Up
Phrase: Brush Up
Verb: To improve or refresh your skills or knowledge in something.
Example: I need to brush up on my French before the trip.*
Noun: The act of revising or practicing to improve skills.
Example: She gave her math skills a quick brush-up before the test.*
Synonyms: Refresh, revise, polish.
Burst Out
Phrase: Burst Out
Verb: To suddenly express strong emotion or action.
Example (emotion): She burst out laughing at the joke.*
Example (action): He burst out of the room in frustration.*
Synonyms: Erupt, explode, exclaim.
Butt In
Phrase: Butt In
Verb: To interrupt or interfere in someone else’s conversation or activity.
Example: Stop butting in when we’re talking!
Synonyms: Interrupt, interject, intrude.
Call Back
Phrase: Call Back
Verb: To return a phone call.
Example: I missed her call, so I’ll call her back later.*
Verb: To summon someone to return.
Example: The manager called back the employee for further instructions.*
Synonyms: Return a call, recall, summon.
Call In
Phrase: Call In
Verb: To request someone to come for assistance or advice.
Example: We need to call in an expert to fix this issue.*
Verb: To make a phone call, usually to a place of work or organization.
Example: She called in sick this morning and won’t be at work.*
Synonyms: Summon, consult, notify.
Care For
Phrase: Care For
Verb: To look after or provide for someone or something.
Example: She cares for her elderly parents at home.*
Verb: To like or feel affection for someone or something.
Example: He deeply cares for his childhood friend.*
Synonyms: Look after, nurture, cherish.
Come About
Phrase: Come About
Verb: To happen or take place, especially unexpectedly.
Example: How did this strange situation come about?*
Verb: To change direction, especially in sailing.
Example: The ship came about to avoid the storm.*
Synonyms: Happen, occur, transpir
Close Off
Phrase: Close Off
Verb: To block access to a place or restrict entry.
Example: The police closed off the area for investigation.*
Verb: To detach emotionally or stop engaging with others.
Example: After the argument, he closed himself off from his friends.*
Synonyms: Block, isolate, seal.
Clog Up
Phrase: Clog Up
Verb: To block or obstruct something, making it unusable or less effective.
Example: The drain clogged up because of hair and soap residue.*
Synonyms: Block, obstruct, jam.
Clear Up
Phrase: Clear Up
Verb: To resolve or explain something.
Example: She cleared up the misunderstanding between them.*
Verb: To improve or become better (weather or health).
Example: The weather cleared up just in time for the picnic.*
Synonyms: Resolve, explain, improve.
Chicken Out
Phrase: Chicken Out
Verb: To decide not to do something because of fear or nervousness.
Example: He wanted to try skydiving but chickened out at the last moment.*
Synonyms: Back out, lose nerve, withdraw.
Catch Up
Phrase: Catch Up
Verb: To reach the same level or standard as others.
Example: He worked hard to catch up with his classmates after missing school.*
Verb: To update someone or get updated on recent events.
Example: Let’s meet for coffee and catch up on what’s new.*
Synonyms: Keep up, update, overtake.
Catch On
hrase: Catch On
Verb: To understand or grasp something, often after some time.
Example: It took him a while to catch on to the new system.*
Verb: To become popular or trendy.
Example: The new fashion style is starting to catch on among teenagers.*
Synonyms: Understand, realize, become popular.
Carry Out
Phrase: Carry Out
Verb: To perform or complete a task, plan, or order.
Example: The team carried out the experiment successfully.*
Verb: To fulfill or accomplish something.
Example: She carried out her promise to help the community.*
Synonyms: Execute, implement, accomplish.
Carry On
Phrase: Carry On
Verb: To continue doing something, especially in difficult circumstances.
Example: Despite the setback, they decided to carry on with the project.*
Verb: To behave in an emotional or exaggerated manner (informal).
Example: Stop carrying on like a child; it’s just a small mistake.*
Synonyms: Continue, persist, proceed.
Carry Away
Phrase: Carry Away
Verb: To lose self-control or become overly excited or emotional.
Example: She got carried away during the argument and said things she regretted.*
Verb: To physically remove or transport something.
Example: The floodwaters carried away several cars.*
Synonyms: Overexcite, transport, overwhelm.
