Phrasal verbs

Question 1

run for +

Answer 1

campaign for a government position

Gore is running for president of the U.S.A.

Question 2

run into +

Answer 2

meet unexpectedly

I ran into my English teacher at the movies last night. She’s so nice!

Question 3

run * off +

run * off

run off

Answer 3

run * off + = make leave

The new government is trying to run the drug traffickers off.

run * off = reproduce (photocopies)

Would you mind running off 10 copies of this document for me?

run off = leave quickly

Why did you run off after the party?

waste water

You shouldn’t swim where the sewage runs off into the ocean.

Question 4

run out of +

Answer 4

not have any more of something

We ran out of milk this morning, so we need to go to the store.

Question 5

save * up +

Answer 5

accumulate (money)

I hope I will be able to save up enough money to go to school.

Question 6

see about +

Answer 6

arrange or consider something

My dad said he was going to see about buying me a car.

Question 7

see * off

Answer 7

say good-bye to someone at the beginning of their trip (at the airport, train station)

Did you see your sister off at the train station?

Question 8

see to +

Answer 8

make sure something happens, arrange

I’ll see to it that Mr. Ramirez gets your message.

Question 9

see * through

Answer 9

finish something despite difficulties

Are you going to be able to see your studies through now that you have a baby?

Question 10

sell * out

Answer 10

tell on someone

My partner in crime sold me out for a reduced jail sentence.

Question 11

set * up

Answer 11

arrange a relationship
My mom set me up with her friend’s son.

falsely incriminate a person
I don’t think he killed those men. Somebody set him up.

arrange (an appointment, a meeting,etc.)
I set up an appointment with my doctor at 3:30 this afternoon.

Question 12

settle on +

Answer 12

make a decision after a period of time

I settled on the job at the oil company.

Question 13

settle up

Answer 13

pay one’s debts

We need to settle up before you move.

Question 14

show * off +

Answer 14

show to everybody with a lot of pride
He always shows off his new things.

boast, draw attention to oneself
Young boys show off in order to impress girls.

Question 15

show * up

Answer 15

make someone seem inferior
He’s always trying to show up his co-workers in order to get ahead.

arrive without previous notice
I hadn’t seen my cousin for years, and all of a sudden, he showed up at my workplace yesterday!

Question 16

shut * off

Answer 16

stop from functioning

If you don’t pay your electric bill, your power is going to get shut off.

Question 17

shut * up

Answer 17

make quiet

Would someone shut him up! He’s talking so loudly that we’re going to get in trouble.

Question 18

slow * down +

Answer 18

make move more slowly

Because Mary’s level in English is lower than the rest of the students, she slows the class down.

Question 19

slow * up +

Answer 19

make move more slowly

Because Mary’s level in English is lower than the rest of the students, she slows the class up.

Question 20

spell * out +

Answer 20

to explain something in a detailed way so that the meaning is clearly understood

He’s so stupid that you have to spell everything our for him.

Question 21

stand by

Answer 21

wait

I need you to stand by and answer the phone when my broker calls.

Question 22

stand for +

Answer 22

represent

SCUBA stands for “self contained underwater breathing apparatus.”

Question 23

stand for +

Answer 23

represent

SCUBA stands for “self contained underwater breathing apparatus.”

tolerate

I won’t stand for people criticizing me.

Question 24

stand out

Answer 24

be very noticeable

Soledad is so beautiful! She really stands out in a crowd.

Question 25

stand up for +

Answer 25

defend (something one believes in)

Every individual must stand up for what they believe in.

Question 26

stand up to +

Answer 26

defend oneself against someone or something ]

I think you should stand up to your older brother and tell him to stop pushing you around.

Question 27

stay over

Answer 27

spend the night at a person’s house

It takes you so long to take the bus home, so why don’t you just stay over?

Question 28

stick it to +

Answer 28

severely criticize a person (inf.)

My boss really stuck it to me when I arrived late to work for the third time this week.

Question 29

stick to +

Answer 29

persevere, keep trying

Even though English is a hard language to master, you must stick to it!

Question 30

stick up for +

Answer 30

defend oneself or opinions

Joseph joined the army because he believes he must stick up for his country.