Phrasal Verbs Flashcards
We have to ABIDE BY what the court says.
Accept or follow a decision or rule.
My partner’s been away for a fortnight - I am ACHING FOR her.
Want something or someone a lot
The police were ACTING ON a tip from an informer and caught the gaing red-handed.
To take action because of something like information received.
The medicine only ACTS ON infected tissue.
Affect.
They ACTED OUT the story on stage.
Perform something with actions and gestures.
Their anger is ACTED OUT in their antisocial behaviour.
Express an emotion in your behaviour.
My computer’s ACTING UP; I think I might have a virus.
Behave badly or strangely.
We ADDED UP the bill to check it was correct.
To make a mathematical total.
Trains delays are getting worse and with the high fares, it all ADDS UP TO misery for the commuters.
Have a certain result.
I feel terrible - that food didn’t AGREE WITH my stomach.
Affect - usually used in the negative to show that something has had a negative effect, especially is it makes you feel bad.
The magazine is AIMED AT teenagers.
To target.
They’re AIMING AT reducing costs by ten percent.
intend to achieve.
You should ALLOW FOR delay when planning a journey.
Include something in a plan or calculation.
The rules don’t ALLOW OF any exceptions.
Make possible, permit
He’s been ANGLING FOR an invitation, but I don’t want him to come.
Try to get something indirectly, by hiding or suggesting.
Her mother was shocked when she started ANSWERING her BACK and refusing to help.
To reply rudely to someone in authority.
The government should be made to ANSWER FOR their failure to sort out the problem.
Be held responsible for a problem.
I can ANSWER FOR my partner because I know her position on this issue.
Speak on behalf or someone or from knowing them
The teacher tried to ARGUE the girl DOWN, but she couldn’t.
Beat someone in a debate, discussion or argument.
She ARGUED him DOWN ten percent.
Persuade someone to drop the price of something they’re selling.
They tried to ARGUE DOWN the proposal.
Try to persuade people not to accept a proposition, motion, etc.
If we can’t ARGUE our differences OUT, we’ll have to take them to court.
Argue about a problem to find a solution.
He ASKED ABOUT my father.
Ask how someone is doing especially professionally and in terms of health.
Jenny ran earlier and ASKED AFTER you, so I told her you were fine.
Enquire about someone’s health, how life is going.
I have no idea, but I’ll ASK AROUND at work and see if anyone can help.
Ask a number of people for information of help.
We ASKED them AROUND for dinner.
Invite someone.
You’re ASKING FOR trouble.
To provoke a negative reaction.
I ASKED FOR the menu.
Request to have or be given.
He wanted to ASK her OUT but was too shy.
To invite someone for a date.
They have ASKED us OVER for drinks on Friday.
Invite.
We ASKED John ROUND for dinner.
Invite someone.
They AUCTIONED OFF their property as they were heavily in debt.
Sell something in an auction.
The crowd BACKED AWAY when the man pulled a knife.
Retreat or go backwards.
