English Phrasal Verb A-Z

Abide by
Meaning: Accept or follow a decision or rule Example: We have to ABIDE BY what the court says.

Account for
Meaning: To explain Example: They had to ACCOUNT FOR all the money that had gone missing.

Ache for
Meaning: Want something or someone a lot Example: My partner's been away for a fortnight- I am ACHING FOR her.

Act on
Meaning: To take action because of something like information received Example: The police were ACTING ON a tip from an informer and caught the

gang red-handed.
Meaning: Affect Example: The medicine only ACTS ON infected tissue.

Act out
Meaning: Perform something with actions and gestures. Example: They ACTED OUT the story on stage.

Meaning: Express an emotion in your behaviour Example: Their anger is ACTED OUT in their antisocial behaviour.

Act up
Meaning: Behave badly or strangely Example: My computer's ACTING UP; I think I might have a virus.

Act upon
Meaning: To take action because of something like information received Example: The police were ACTING UPON a tip-off. Meaning: Affect Example: The enzyme ACTS UPON certain proteins.