Phrasal Verbs Flashcards
Cut in
To interrupt someone when they are speaking.
“I was about to ask that girl on a date, but her friend cut in and I lost the chance.”
Ask somebody out
invite on a date
Brian asked Judy out to dinner and a movie
Ask around
ask many people the same question
I asked around but nobody has seen my wallet
add up to something
equal
Your purchases add up to $205.32
back somebody/something up
1- support
My wife backed me up over my decision to quit my job.
2-to show that an explanation or belief is probably true
All the evidence backs up her story
3- to make a copy of information stored on a computer
Make sure you back up.
4- if traffic backs up, or if it is backed up, the vehicles are in a long line and waiting to continue moving
Traffic is backing up on all out-of-town routes.
Cars were backed up for miles.
5- Reverse
You’ll have to back up your car so that I can get out
6-to make a car go backwards
See if you can back up a bit further.
Blow up
explode
The racing car blew up after it crashed into the fence
add air
We have to blow 50 balloons up for the party.
break down
get upset
The woman broke down when the police told her that her son had died.
stop functioning (vehicle, machine) Our car broke down at the side of the highway in the snowstorm.
divide into smaller parts
Our teacher broke the final project down into three separate parts
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.
interrupt
The TV station broke in to report the news of the president’s death.
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.
break up
end a relationship
My boyfriend and I broke up before I moved to America.
start laughing (informal) The kids just broke up as soon as the clown started talking.
Break out
escape
The prisoners broke out of jail when the guards weren’t looking.
OUT IN
develop a skin condition
I broke OUT IN a rash after our camping trip.
bring somebody down
make unhappy
This sad music is bringing me down.
Bring UP
raise a child
My grandparents brought me up after my parents died.
start talking about a subject
My mother walks out of the room when my father brings up sports.
vomit
He drank so much that he brought his dinner up in the toilet.
call around
phone many different places/people
We called around but we weren’t able to find the car part we needed.
call somebody back
return a phone call
I called the company back but the offices were closed for the weekend.
call something off
cancel
Jason called the wedding off because he wasn’t in love with his fiancé
call on somebody
ask for an answer or opinion
The professor called on me for question 1.
to ask someone to do something:
She called on Americans to be more tolerant of each other.
to come to see someone; visit:
She went to the hospital to call on a sick friend.
call somebody up
Phone
Give me your phone number and I will call you up when we are in town.
Calm down
relax after being angry
You are still mad. You need to calm down before you drive the car.
not care for somebody/ something
not like (formal) I don't care for his behaviour. I don’t much care for chocolate.
catch up
get to the same point as somebody else
You’ll have to run faster than that if you want to catch up with Marty.
to do something that should have been done before
The deadline’s tomorrow.
How are we ever going to catch up in time?
a meeting at which people discuss what has happened since the last time that they met
I’m seeing my boss for a catch-up next week.
Come over tomorrow and we can catch up.
I’ll catch up with you another time, Kevin.
It’ll give them a chance to talk and catch up with all their news.
I just want to go home and catch UP ON some sleep.
check somebody/ something out
Look at carefully, investigate
The company checks out all new employees.
look at (informal)
Check out the crazy hair on that guy!
Check it out!
cheer up
become or make happier
She cheered up when she heard the good news.
I brought you some flowers to cheer you up.
chip in
to interrupt a conversation in order to say something:
I’ll start and you can all chip in with your comments.
contribute something as one’s share of a joint activity, cost, etc.
If everyone chips in we can get the kitchen painted by noon.
clean something up
tidy, clean
Please clean up your bedroom before you go outside.
come across something
find unexpectedly
I came across these old photos when I was tidying the closet.
come apart
separate
The top and bottom come apart if you pull hard enough.
come down with something
become sick
My nephew came down with chicken pox this weekend.
come forward
volunteer for a task or to give evidence
The woman came forward with her husband’s finger prints.
The National Blood Service is anxious for more donors to come forward.
Police said that several people had come forward with information about the attack.
come from someplace
originate in
The art of origami comes from Asia.
(used for emphasizing)
Coming from him, that’s praise indeed!
count on somebody/ something
rely on
I am counting on you to make dinner while I am out.
The whole team was counting on me, and I let them down.
cross something out
draw a line through
Please cross out your old address and write your new one.
cut back on something
consume less, especially money
(also cut DOWN)
My doctor wants me to cut back on sweets and fatty foods.
It’s time we cut back a little.
cut something down
make something fall to the ground
We had to cut the old tree in our yard down after the storm.
How can you cut down the risk of cancer?
The doctor advised him to cut down his working hours.
cut in
interrupt
Your father cut in while I was dancing with your uncle.
pull in too closely in front of another vehicle
The bus driver got angry when that car cut in.
start operating (of an engine or electrical device) The air conditioner cuts in when the temperature gets to 22°C.
be at odds
to disagree:
They’re at odds over the funding of the project.
Her version of events was at odds with the police report.
An adviser said there was no reason why the two countries should remain at odds.
He was at odds with his Prime Minister
go off
If a light or a machine goes off, it stops working:
The lights went off in several villages because of the storm.
If a bomb goes off, it explodes:
The bomb went off at midday.
If a gun goes off, it fires:
His gun went off accidentally.
If food or drink goes off, it is not good to eat or drink any more because it is too old:
This bacon smells a bit funny - do you think it’s gone off?
These bananas are going off, eat them!
If a warning device goes off, it starts to ring loudly or make a loud noise:
The alarm should go off automatically as soon as smoke is detected.
Didn’t you hear your alarm clock going off this morning?
Name after/for
to give someone or something the same name as another person or thing:
Paul was named after his grandfather.
She told us about his brother, Apollo, born in 1969 and named for the US astronauts’ mission to the moon.
cut something-somebody off
remove with something sharp
The doctors cut off his leg because it was severely injured.
stop providing
The phone company cut off our phone because we didn’t pay the bill.
take out of a will
My grandparents cut my father off when he remarried.
take time out
to stop doing what one is doing in order to do something else for a while usually used with from
She took time out from her career to raise her children
cut something out
remove part of something (usually with scissors and paper)
I cut this ad out of the newspaper.
do somebody/ something over
beat up, ransack (informal)
He’s lucky to be alive. His shop was done over by a street gang.
do again
My teacher wants me to do my essay over because she doesn’t like my topic.
do away with something
discard
It’s time to do away with all of these old tax records.
do something up
fasten, close
Do your coat up before you go outside. It’s snowing!
dress up
wear nice clothing
It’s a fancy restaurant so we have to dress up.
drop back
to move into a lower position in a race or competition
Andrea dropped back to third place when she fell off her bike.
to move more slowly than other people so that you are behind them
Alex dropped back to let me pass.
drop in/ by/ over
come without an appointment
I might drop in/by/over for tea sometime this week.
drop somebody/ something off
take somebody/ something somewhere and leave them/it there
I have to drop my sister off at work before I come over.
drop out
to quit a class, school etc
I dropped out of Science because it was too difficult.
eat out
eat at a restaurant
I don’t feel like cooking tonight. Let’s eat out.
end up
eventually reach/do/decide
We ended up renting a movie instead of going to the theatre.
fall apart
break into pieces
My new dress fell apart in the washing machine.
fall down
fall to the ground
The picture that you hung up last night fell down this morning.
fall out
separate from an interior
The money must have fallen out of my pocket.
(of hair, teeth) become loose and unattached
His hair started to fall out when he was only 35.
figure something out
understand, find the answer
I need to figure out how to fit the piano and the bookshelf in this room.
fill something in/out
to write information in blanks, as on a form (BrE)
Please fill in the form with your name, address, and phone number.
The form must be filled out in capital letters
fill something up
fill to the top
I always fill the water jug up when it is empty.
find out
discover
We tried to keep the time of the party a secret, but Samantha found it out
We don’t know where he lives. How can we find out?
get something across/ over
communicate, make understandable
I tried to get my point across/over to the judge but she wouldn’t listen.
get along/on
like each other
I was surprised how well my new girlfriend and my sister got along/on.
get around
have mobility
My grandfather can get around fine in his new wheelchair.
if news gets around, a lot of people hear it
It didn’t take long for news of his resignation to get around.
get away
go on a vacation
We worked so hard this year that we had to get away for a week.
get away with something
do without being noticed or punished
Jason always gets away with cheating in his maths tests.
get back
return
We got back from our vacation last week.
receive something you had before
Liz finally got her Science notes back from my room-mate.
get back at somebody
retaliate, take revenge
My sister got back at me for stealing her shoes. She stole my favourite hat.
get back into something
become interested in something again
I finally got back into my novel and finished it.
get on something
step onto a vehicle
We’re going to freeze out here if you don’t let us get on the bus.
get over something
recover from an illness, loss, difficulty
I just got over the flu and now my sister has it.
overcome a problem
The company will have to close if it can’t get over the new regulations.
get round to
finally find time to do
I finally got round to reading that book you gave me.
I don’t know when I am going to get round to writing the thank you cards.
get together
meet (usually for social reasons)
Let’s get together for a BBQ this weekend.
get up
get out of bed
I got up early today to study for my exam.
stand
You should get up and give the elderly man your seat.
give somebody away
reveal hidden information about somebody
His wife gave him away to the police.
take the bride to the altar
My father gave me away at my wedding.
give something away
ruin a secret
My little sister gave the surprise party away by accident.
give something to somebody for free
The library was giving away old books on Friday.
give something back
return a borrowed item
I have to give these skates back to Franz before his hockey game.
give in
o stop competing or arguing and accept that you cannot win
The champion refused to give in and went on to win the set.
My boyfriend didn’t want to go to the ballet, but he finally gave in.
give something out
to give to many people (usually at no cost)
They were giving out free perfume samples at the department store.
give something up
to quit a habit
I am giving up smoking as of January 1st.
give up
stop trying
My maths homework was too difficult so I gave up.
go after somebody/something
follow somebody
My brother tried to go after the thief in his car.
try to achieve something
I went after my dream and now I am a published writer.
go against somebody
compete, oppose
We are going against the best soccer team in the city tonight.
go ahead
start, proceed
Please go ahead and eat before the food gets cold.
go back
return to a place
I have to go back home and get my lunch.
go out
leave home to go on a social event
We’re going out for dinner tonight.
go out with somebody
date
Jesse has been going out with Luke since they met last winter.
go over something
review
Please go over your answers before you submit your test
go over
visit somebody nearby
I haven’t seen Tina for a long time. I think I’ll go over for an hour or two.
go without something
to not have something or to manage to live despite not having something:
Many of the workers have gone without paychecks for months
When I was young, we went without winter boots.
grow apart
stop being friends over time
My best friend and I grew apart after she changed schools.
grow back
regrow
My roses grew back this summer.
grow into something
grow big enough to fit
This bike is too big for him now, but he should grow into it by next year.
to become or develop into something different:
If problems are ignored, they often grow into emergencies.
We have grown into an internationally known company.
grow out of something
get too big for
Elizabeth needs a new pair of shoes because she has grown out of her old ones.
grow up
become an adult
When Jack grows up he wants to be a fireman
hand something down
give something used to somebody else
I handed my old comic books down to my little cousin.
hand something in
submit
I have to hand in my essay by Friday.
hand something out
to distribute to a group of people
We will hand out the invitations at the door.
They stood on the street corner handing out leaflets.
hand something over
give (usually unwillingly)
The police asked the man to hand over his wallet and his weapons
to give someone else control of or responsibility for something
The founder handed the company over to his sons.
The day nurse handed over her care to the night staff
hang in
stay positive (informal)
Hang in there. I’m sure you’ll find a job very soon
hang on
wait a short time (informal)
Hang on while I grab my coat and shoes!
hang out
spend time relaxing (informal)
Instead of going to the party we are just going to hang out at my place.
hang up
end a phone call
He didn’t say goodbye before he hung up.
It’s not as if
Used to saying that something is not true and therefore it cannot be the explanation for someone’s behavior
I can’t understand why he disapproves of me. It’s not as if I’ve done anything wrong
I am surprised by the fuss she’s making. It’s not as if my personality has changed
toughen someone upo
to make someone stronger:
The hard work certainly toughened those boys up.
Having to deal with complaints toughened up the clerk quickly
She will toughen up after a while
You are going to have to toughen up if you want to play on the team
way back when
A relatively long time ago, especially when recalling something that is not the case now. Primarily heard in US.
Way back when, there were only a few channels on TV
I used to really like this band way back when, but now that I’m older, they just sound silly to me
Way back then
Long ago at THAT time
Ah 1960s! Way back then, the skies were clearer and the people were kinder
Choke (sb) up
To become unable to speak because you are starting to cry
I can’t watch that movie without chocking up
I am all choked up and I can’t find the words
cast doubt on someone/something
to cause people to feel uncertainty about something:
New evidence has cast doubt on the guilty verdict.
The recent downturn in sales casts doubt on the company’s future.
fresh information that casts doubt on his integrity
hold somebody/ something back
prevent from doing/going
I had to hold my dog back because there was a cat in the park
hide an emotion
Jamie held back his tears at his grandfather’s funeral
hold on
wait a short time
Please hold on while I transfer you to the Sales Department
hold onto somebody/ something
hold firmly using your hands or arms
Hold onto your hat because it’s very windy outside.
hold somebody/ something up
rob
They held up the same store twice.
A man in a black mask held the bank up this morning.
hold up
to remain strong or successful:
Will his alibi hold up (= continue to seem true) in court?
I hope the repairs hold up until we can get to a garage.
keep on doing something
continue doing
Keep on stirring until the liquid comes to a boil.
keep something from somebody
not tell
He’s seriously ill, and I don’t think it’s right to keep it from the children
We kept our relationship from our parents for two years.
keep somebody/ something out
stop from entering
Try to keep the wet dog out of the living room.
keep something up
continue at the same rate
If you keep those results up you will get into a great college.
let somebody down
fail to support or help, disappoint
I need you to be on time. Don’t let me down this time.
let somebody in
allow to enter
Can you let the cat in before you go to school?
look after somebody/ something
take care of
I have to look after my sick grandmother.
look down on somebody
think less of, consider inferior
Ever since we stole that chocolate bar your dad has looked down on me.
look into something
investigate
We are going to look into the price of snowboards today.
look out
be careful, vigilant, and take notice
Look out! That car’s going to hit you!
look out for somebody/ something
be especially vigilant for
Don’t forget to look out for snakes on the hiking trail.
look something over
check, examine
Can you look over my essay for spelling mistakes?
look something up
search and find information in a reference book or database
We can look her phone number up on the Internet.
look up
to become better:
I hope things will start to look up in the new year.
Our financial situation is looking up at last.
look up to somebody
have a lot of respect for
My little sister has always looked up to me.
make something up
invent, lie about something
Josie made up a story about why we were late.
make up
forgive each other
We were angry last night, but we made up at breakfast.
make somebody up
apply cosmetics to
My sisters made me up for my graduation party.
mix something up
confuse two or more things
I mixed up the twins’ names again!
pass out
faint
It was so hot in the church that an elderly lady passed out.
pass something out
give the same thing to many people
The professor passed the textbooks out before class.
pass something up
decline (usually something good)
I can’t believe she passed up the chance to go to South America.
He’s never one to pass up a free meal.
I passed up the job because I am afraid of change.
pay somebody back
return owed money
Thanks for buying my ticket. I’ll pay you back on Friday.
pay for something
be punished for doing something bad
That bully will pay for being mean to my little brother.
pick something out
choose
I picked out three sweaters for you to try on.
point somebody/ something out
indicate with your finger
I’ll point my boyfriend out when he runs by.
put something down
put what you are holding on a surface or floor
You can put the groceries down on the kitchen counter.
put somebody down
insult, make somebody feel stupid
The students put the substitute teacher down because his pants were too short.
put something off
postpone
We are putting off our trip until January because of the hurricane.
put something out
extinguish
The neighbours put the fire out before the firemen arrived
to make a light stop shining by pressing or moving a switch:
Did you put the lights out downstairs?
Put that torch out!
put something together
assemble
I have to put the crib together before the baby arrives.
put up with somebody/ something
tolerate
I don’t think I can put up with three small children in the car.
put something on
put clothing/ accessories on your body
Don’t forget to put on your new earrings for the party.
run into somebody/ something
meet unexpectedly
I ran into an old school-friend at the mall.
run over somebody/ something
drive a vehicle over a person or thing
I accidentally ran over your bicycle in the driveway.
run over/ through something
rehearse, review
Let’s run over/through these lines one more time before the show.
run away
leave unexpectedly, escape
The child ran away from home and has been missing for three days.
run out
have none left
We ran out of shampoo so I had to wash my hair with soap
set something up
arrange, organize
Our boss set a meeting up with the president of the company.
set somebody up
trick, trap
The police set up the car thief by using a hidden camera.
to establish someone or yourself in a business or position:
After he left college, his father set him up in the family business.
She set herself up as an interior designer.
shop around
compare prices
I want to shop around a little before I decide on these boots
show off
act extra special for people watching (usually boastfully)
He always shows off on his skateboard
sleep over
stay somewhere for the night (informal)
You should sleep over tonight if the weather is too bad to drive home.
sort something out
organize, resolve a problem
We need to sort the bills out before the first of the month.
stick to something
continue doing something, limit yourself to one particular thing
You will lose weight if you stick to the diet.
switch something off/on
stop the energy flow, turn off
The light’s too bright. Could you switch it off.
start the energy flow, turn on
We heard the news as soon as we switched on the car radio.
take after somebody
resemble a family member
I take after my mother. We are both impatient
take something apart
purposely break into pieces
He took the car brakes apart and found the problem.
take something back
return an item
I have to take our new TV back because it doesn’t work.
take off
start to fly
My plane takes off in five minutes.
take something off
remove something (usually clothing)
Take off your socks and shoes and come in the lake!
take something out
remove from a place or thing
Can you take the garbage out to the street for me?
take somebody out
pay for somebody to go somewhere with you
My grandparents took us out for dinner and a movie.
tear something up
rip into pieces
I tore up my ex-boyfriend’s letters and gave them back to him.
think back
remember (often + to, sometimes + on)
When I think back on my youth, I wish I had studied harder.
think something over
consider
I’ll have to think this job offer over before I make my final decision.
I’ll think it over and give you an answer next week.
I need some time to think over his proposal
I’ve thought over your offer, and I’d like to accept.
turn something down
decrease the volume or strength (heat, light etc)
Please turn the TV down while the guests are here.
refuse
I turned the job down because I don’t want to move.
throw something away
dispose of
We threw our old furniture away when we won the lottery.
turn something up
increase the volume or strength (heat, light etc)
Can you turn the music up? This is my favourite song.
appear suddenly
Our cat turned up after we put posters up all over the neighbourhood.
try something on
sample clothing
I’m going to try these jeans on, but I don’t think they will fit.
try something out
test
I am going to try this new brand of detergent out.
use something up
finish the supply
The kids used all of the toothpaste up so we need to buy some more
warm somebody/ something up
increase the temperature
You can warm your feet up in front of the fireplace.
warm up
prepare body for exercise
I always warm up by doing sit-ups before I go for a run
wear off
fade away
Most patients find that the numbness from the injection wears off after about an hour.
Most of my make-up wore off before I got to the party.
work out
be successful
Our plan worked out fine.
exercise
I work out at the gym three times a week.
work something out
make a calculation
We have to work out the total cost before we buy the house.
