Common phrasal verbs

phrasal verb meaning example sentence

ask somebody invite on a date Brian asked Judy out to dinner and a
out movie.
ask around ask many people the I asked around but nobody has seen
same question my wallet.
add up to equal Your purchases add up to $205.32.
something
back something reverse You'll have to back up your car so
up that I can get out.
back somebody support My wife backed me up over my
up decision to quit my job.
blow up explode The racing car blew up after it
crashed into the fence.
blow something add air We have to blow 50 balloons up for
up the party.
break down stop functioning Our car broke down at the side of the
(vehicle, machine) highway in the snowstorm.
break down get upset The woman broke down when the
police told her that her son had died.
break divide into smaller Our teacher broke the final project
something parts down into three separate parts.
down
break in force entry to a Somebody broke in last night and
building stole our stereo.
break into enter forcibly The firemen had to break into the
something room to rescue the children.
break out escape The prisoners broke out of jail when
the guards weren't looking.
break out in develop a skin I broke out in a rash after our
something condition camping trip.
 phrasal verb meaning example sentence
bring make unhappy This sad music is bringing me down.
somebody
down
bring raise a child My grandparents brought me up after
somebody up my parents died.
bring start talking about a My mother walks out of the room
something up subject when my father brings up sports.
pass away die His uncle passed away last night after
a long illness.
pass out faint It was so hot in the church that an
elderly lady passed out.
pass something give the same thing to The professor passed the textbooks
out many people out before class.
pass something decline (usually I passed up the job because I am
up something good) afraid of change.
pay somebody return owed money Thanks for buying my ticket. I'll pay
back you back on Friday.
pay for be punished for doing That bully will pay for being mean to
something something bad my little brother.
pick something choose I picked out three sweaters for you to
out try on.