Phrasal verb list

Phrasal verbs are usually two-word phrases consisting of verb + adverbor verb + preposition. Think of them as you would any other English vocabulary. Study them as you come across them, rather than trying to memorize many at once. Use the list below as a reference guide when you find an expression that you don't recognize. The example sentences will help you understand the meanings. If you think of each phrasal verb as a separate verb with a specific meaning, you will be able to remember it more easily. Like many other verbs, phrasal verbs often have more than one meaning.

You can also listen to this phrasal verbs song and try our phrasal verbs quiz.

Tip:

This list shows about 200 common phrasal verbs, with meanings and examples. Only the most usual meanings are given. Some phrasal verbs may have additional meanings.

As well as learning their meanings, you can study the grammar of phrasal verbs.
phrasal verbmeaningexample sentence
ask someone outinvite on a dateBrian asked Judy outto dinner and a movie.
ask aroundask many people the same questionasked around but nobody has seen my wallet.
add up to somethingequalYour purchases add up to $205.32.
back something upreverseYou'll have to back upyour car so that I can get out.
back someone upsupportMy wife backed me upover my decision to quit my job.
blow upexplodeThe racing car blew upafter it crashed into the fence.
blow something upadd airWe have to blow 50 balloons up for the party.
break downstop functioning (vehicle, machine)Our car broke down at the side of the highway in the snowstorm.
break downget upsetThe woman broke down when the police told her that her son had died.
break somethingdowndivide into smaller partsOur teacher broke the final project down into three separate parts.
break inforce entry to a buildingSomebody broke inlast night and stole our stereo.
break into somethingenter forciblyThe firemen had tobreak into the room to rescue the children.
break something inwear something a few times so that it doesn't look/feel newI need to break these shoes in before we run next week.
break ininterruptThe TV station broke in to report the news of the president's death.
break upend a relationshipMy boyfriend and Ibroke up before I moved to America.
break upstart laughing (informal)The kids just broke upas soon as the clown started talking.
break outescapeThe prisoners broke out of jail when the guards weren't looking.
break out insomethingdevelop a skin conditionbroke out in a rash after our camping trip.
bring someone downmake unhappyThis sad music isbringing me down.
bring someone upraise a childMy grandparentsbrought me up after my parents died.
bring something upstart talking about a subjectMy mother walks out of the room when my father brings upsports.
bring something upvomitHe drank so much that he brought his dinnerup in the toilet.
call aroundphone many different places/peopleWe called around but we weren't able to find the car part we needed.
call someone backreturn a phone callcalled the companyback but the offices were closed for the weekend.
call something offcancelJason called the wedding off because he wasn't in love with his fiancé.
call on someoneask for an answer or opinionThe professor called onme for question 1.
call on someonevisit someoneWe called on you last night but you weren't home.
call someone upphoneGive me your phone number and I will callyou up when we are in town.
calm downrelax after being angryYou are still mad. You need to calm downbefore you drive the car.
not care forsomeone/somethingnot like (formal)I don't care for his behaviour.
catch upget to the same point as someone elseYou'll have to run faster than that if you want to catch up with Marty.
check inarrive and register at a hotel or airportWe will get the hotel keys when we check in.
check outleave a hotelYou have to check outof the hotel before 11:00 AM.
checksomeone/somethingoutlook at carefully, investigateThe company checks out all new employees.
check outsomeone/somethinglook at (informal)Check out the crazy hair on that guy!
cheer upbecome happierShe cheered up when she heard the good news.
cheer someone upmake happierI brought you some flowers to cheer youup.
chip inhelpIf everyone chips in we can get the kitchen painted by noon.
clean something uptidy, cleanPlease clean up your bedroom before you go outside.
come acrosssomethingfind unexpectedlycame across these old photos when I was tidying the closet.
come apartseparateThe top and bottomcome apart if you pull hard enough.
come down withsomethingbecome sickMy nephew came down with chicken pox this weekend.
come forwardvolunteer for a task or to give evidenceThe woman came forward with her husband's finger prints.
come fromsomewhereoriginate inThe art of origamicomes from Asia.
count onsomeone/somethingrely onI am counting on you to make dinner while I am out.
cross something outdraw a line throughPlease cross out your old address and write your new one.
cut back onsomethingconsume lessMy doctor wants me tocut back on sweets and fatty foods.
cut something downmake something fall to the groundWe had to cut the old tree in our yard downafter the storm.
cut ininterruptYour father cut in while I was dancing with your uncle.
cut inpull in too closely in front of another vehicleThe bus driver got angry when that carcut in.
cut instart operating (of an engine or electrical device)The air conditionercuts in when the temperature gets to 22°C.
cut something offremove with something sharpThe doctors cut off his leg because it was severely injured.
cut something offstop providingThe phone companycut off our phone because we didn't pay the bill.
cut someone offtake out of a willMy grandparents cutmy father off when he remarried.
cut something outremove part of something (usually with scissors and paper)cut this ad out of the newspaper.
dosomeone/somethingoverbeat up, ransack (BrE, informal)He's lucky to be alive. His shop was done over by a street gang.
do something overdo again (AmE)My teacher wants me to do my essay overbecause she doesn't like my topic.
do away withsomethingdiscardIt's time to do away with all of these old tax records.
do something upfasten, closeDo your coat up before you go outside. It's snowing!
dress upwear nice clothingIt's a fancy restaurant so we have to dress up.
drop backmove back in a position/groupAndrea dropped backto third place when she fell off her bike.
drop in/by/overcome without an appointmentI might drop in/by/over for tea sometime this week.
dropsomeone/somethingofftake someone/something somewhere and leave them/it thereI have to drop my sister off at work before I come over.
drop outquit a class, school etcdropped out of Science because it was too difficult.
eat outeat at a restaurantI don't feel like cooking tonight. Let's eat out.
end upeventually reach/do/decideWe ended up renting a movie instead of going to the theatre.
fall apartbreak into piecesMy new dress fell apart in the washing machine.
fall downfall to the groundThe picture that you hung up last night fell down this morning.
fall outseparate from an interiorThe money must havefallen out of my pocket.
fall out(of hair, teeth) become loose and unattachedHis hair started to fall out when he was only 35.
figure something outunderstand, find the answerI need to figure outhow to fit the piano and the bookshelf in this room.
fill something into write information in blanks, as on a form (BrE)Please fill in the form with your name, address, and phone number.
fill something outto write information in blanks, as on a form (AmE)The form must be filled out in capital letters.
fill something upfill to the topI always fill the water jug up when it is empty.
find outdiscoverWe don't know where he lives. How can wefind out?
find something outdiscoverWe tried to keep the time of the party a secret, but Samanthafound it out.
get somethingacross/overcommunicate, make understandableI tried to get my pointacross/over to the judge but she wouldn't listen.
get along/onlike each otherI was surprised how well my new girlfriend and my sister got along/on.
get aroundhave mobilityMy grandfather can get around fine in his new wheelchair.
get awaygo on a vacationWe worked so hard this year that we had toget away for a week.
get away withsomethingdo without being noticed or punishedJason always gets away with cheating in his maths tests.
get backreturnWe got back from our vacation last week.
get something backreceive something you had beforeLiz finally got her Science notes backfrom my room-mate.
get back at someoneretaliate, take revengeMy sister got back atme for stealing her shoes. She stole my favourite hat.
get back intosomethingbecome interested in something againI finally got back intomy novel and finished it.
get on somethingstep onto a vehicleWe're going to freeze out here if you don't let us get on the bus.
get over somethingrecover from an illness, loss, difficultyI just got over the flu and now my sister has it.
get over somethingovercome a problemThe company will have to close if it can't get over the new regulations.
get round tosomethingfinally find time to do (AmE: get around tosomething)I don't know when I am going to get round towriting the thank you cards.
get togethermeet (usually for social reasons)Let's get together for a BBQ this weekend.
get upget out of bedgot up early today to study for my exam.
get upstandYou should get up and give the elderly man your seat.
give someone awayreveal hidden information about someoneHis wife gave himaway to the police.
give someone awaytake the bride to the altarMy father gave meaway at my wedding.
give something awayruin a secretMy little sister gavethe surprise partyaway by accident.
give something awaygive something to someone for freeThe library was giving away old books on Friday.
give something backreturn a borrowed itemI have to give these skates back to Franz before his hockey game.
give inreluctantly stop fighting or arguingMy boyfriend didn't want to go to the ballet, but he finallygave in.
give something outgive to many people (usually at no cost)They were giving outfree perfume samples at the department store.
give something upquit a habitI am giving upsmoking as of January 1st.
give upstop tryingMy maths homework was too difficult so Igave up.
go after someonefollow someoneMy brother tried to go after the thief in his car.
go after somethingtry to achieve somethingwent after my dream and now I am a published writer.
go against someonecompete, opposeWe are going againstthe best soccer team in the city tonight.
go aheadstart, proceedPlease go ahead and eat before the food gets cold.
go backreturn to a placeI have to go backhome and get my lunch.
go outleave home to go on a social eventWe're going out for dinner tonight.
go out with someonedateJesse has been going out with Luke since they met last winter.
go over somethingreviewPlease go over your answers before you submit your test.
go overvisit someone nearbyI haven't seen Tina for a long time. I think I'llgo over for an hour or two.
go without somethingsuffer lack or deprivationWhen I was young, wewent without winter boots.
grow apartstop being friends over timeMy best friend and Igrew apart after she changed schools.
grow backregrowMy roses grew backthis summer.
grow upbecome an adultWhen Jack grows uphe wants to be a fireman.
grow out ofsomethingget too big forElizabeth needs a new pair of shoes because she has grown out ofher old ones.
grow into somethinggrow big enough to fitThis bike is too big for him now, but he shouldgrow into it by next year.
hand somethingdowngive something used to someone elsehanded my old comic books down to my little cousin.
hand something insubmitI have to hand in my essay by Friday.
hand something outto distribute to a group of peopleWe will hand out the invitations at the door.
hand something overgive (usually unwillingly)The police asked the man to hand over his wallet and his weapons.
hang instay positive (informal)Hang in there. I'm sure you'll find a job very soon.
hang onwait a short time (informal)Hang on while I grab my coat and shoes!
hang outspend time relaxing (informal)Instead of going to the party we are just going to hang out at my place.
hang upend a phone callHe didn't say goodbye before he hung up.
holdsomeone/somethingbackprevent from doing/goingI had to hold my dogback because there was a cat in the park.
hold something backhide an emotionJamie held back his tears at his grandfather's funeral.
hold onwait a short timePlease hold on while I transfer you to the Sales Department.
hold ontosomeone/somethinghold firmly using your hands or armsHold onto your hat because it's very windy outside.
holdsomeone/somethinguprobA man in a black maskheld the bank up this morning.
keep on doingsomethingcontinue doingKeep on stirring until the liquid comes to a boil.
keep something fromsomeonenot tellWe kept our relationship from our parents for two years.
keepsomeone/somethingoutstop from enteringTry to keep the wet dog out of the living room.
keep something upcontinue at the same rateIf you keep those results up you will get into a great college.
let someone downfail to support or help, disappointI need you to be on time. Don't let medown this time.
let someone inallow to enterCan you let the cat inbefore you go to school?
log in (or on)sign in (to a website, database etc)I can't log in to Facebook because I've forgotten my password.
log out (or off)sign out (of a website, database etc)If you don't log offsomebody could get into your account.
look aftersomeone/somethingtake care ofI have to look aftermy sick grandmother.
look down onsomeonethink less of, consider inferiorEver since we stole that chocolate bar your dad has looked down on me.
look forsomeone/somethingtry to findI'm looking for a red dress for the wedding.
look forward tosomethingbe excited about the futureI'm looking forward tothe Christmas break.
look into somethinginvestigateWe are going to look into the price of snowboards today.
look outbe careful, vigilant, and take noticeLook out! That car's going to hit you!
look out forsomeone/somethingbe especially vigilant forDon't forget to look out for snakes on the hiking trail.
look something overcheck, examineCan you look over my essay for spelling mistakes?
look something upsearch and find information in a reference book or databaseWe can look her phone number up on the Internet.
look up to someonehave a lot of respect forMy little sister has always looked up to me.
make something upinvent, lie about somethingJosie made up a story about why we were late.
make upforgive each otherWe were angry last night, but we made upat breakfast.
make someone upapply cosmetics toMy sisters made meup for my graduation party.
mix something upconfuse two or more thingsmixed up the twins' names again!
pass awaydieHis uncle passed away last night after a long illness.
pass outfaintIt was so hot in the church that an elderly lady passed out.
pass something outgive the same thing to many peopleThe professor passedthe textbooks outbefore class.
pass something updecline (usually something good)passed up the job because I am afraid of change.
pay someone backreturn owed moneyThanks for buying my ticket. I'll pay youback on Friday.
pay for somethingbe punished for doing something badThat bully will pay forbeing mean to my little brother.
pick something outchoosepicked out three sweaters for you to try on.
pointsomeone/somethingoutindicate with your fingerI'll point my boyfriendout when he runs by.
put something downput what you are holding on a surface or floorYou can put the groceries down on the kitchen counter.
put someone downinsult, make someone feel stupidThe students put the substitute teacherdown because his pants were too short.
put something offpostponeWe are putting off our trip until January because of the hurricane.
put something outextinguishThe neighbours put the fire out before the firemen arrived.
put somethingtogetherassembleI have to put the cribtogether before the baby arrives.
put up withsomeone/somethingtolerateI don't think I can put up with three small children in the car.
put something onput clothing/accessories on your bodyDon't forget to put onyour new earrings for the party.
run intosomeone/somethingmeet unexpectedlyran into an old school-friend at the mall.
run oversomeone/somethingdrive a vehicle over a person or thingI accidentally ran overyour bicycle in the driveway.
run over/throughsomethingrehearse, reviewLet's run over/through these lines one more time before the show.
run awayleave unexpectedly, escapeThe child ran awayfrom home and has been missing for three days.
run outhave none leftWe ran out of shampoo so I had to wash my hair with soap.
send something backreturn (usually by mail)My letter got sent back to me because I used the wrong stamp.
set something uparrange, organizeOur boss set a meetingup with the president of the company.
set someone uptrick, trapThe police set up the car thief by using a hidden camera.
shop aroundcompare pricesI want to shop arounda little before I decide on these boots.
show offact extra special for people watching (usually boastfully)He always shows offon his skateboard
sleep overstay somewhere for the night (informal)You should sleep overtonight if the weather is too bad to drive home.
sort something outorganize, resolve a problemWe need to sort the bills out before the first of the month.
stick to somethingcontinue doing something, limit yourself to one particular thingYou will lose weight if you stick to the diet.
switch something offstop the energy flow, turn offThe light's too bright. Could you switch itoff.
switch something onstart the energy flow, turn onWe heard the news as soon as we switched on the car radio.
take after someoneresemble a family membertake after my mother. We are both impatient.
take something apartpurposely break into piecesHe took the car brakesapart and found the problem.
take something backreturn an itemI have to take our new TV back because it doesn't work.
take offstart to flyMy plane takes off in five minutes.
take something offremove something (usually clothing)Take off your socks and shoes and come in the lake!
take something outremove from a place or thingCan you take the garbage out to the street for me?
take someone outpay for someone to go somewhere with youMy grandparents tookus out for dinner and a movie.
tear something uprip into piecestore up my ex-boyfriend's letters and gave them back to him.
think backremember (often + to, sometimes + on)When I think back on my youth, I wish I had studied harder.
think something overconsiderI'll have to think this job offer over before I make my final decision.
throw somethingawaydispose ofWe threw our old furniture away when we won the lottery.
turn something downdecrease the volume or strength (heat, light etc)Please turn the TVdown while the guests are here.
turn something downrefuseturned the job downbecause I don't want to move.
turn something offstop the energy flow, switch offYour mother wants you to turn the TV off and come for dinner.
turn something onstart the energy, switch onIt's too dark in here. Let's turn some lightson.
turn something upincrease the volume or strength (heat, light etc)Can you turn the musicup? This is my favourite song.
turn upappear suddenlyOur cat turned upafter we put posters up all over the neighbourhood.
try something onsample clothingI'm going to try these jeans on, but I don't think they will fit.
try something outtestI am going to try this new brand of detergentout.
use something upfinish the supplyThe kids used all of the toothpaste up so we need to buy some more.
wake upstop sleepingWe have to wake upearly for work on Monday.
warmsomeone/somethingupincrease the temperatureYou can warm your feet up in front of the fireplace.
warm upprepare body for exerciseI always warm up by doing sit-ups before I go for a run.
wear offfade awayMost of my make-upwore off before I got to the party.
work outexercisework out at the gym three times a week.
work outbe successfulOur plan worked outfine.
work something outmake a calculationWe have to work outthe total cost before we buy the house.
See also our pages with 1000+ Phrasal Verbs, with definitions, synonyms, explanations, sample sentences, collocations and quizzes.

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