Master 120 common phrasal verbs

Course Handbook – Verb Lists

1. Separable phrasal verbs

These verbs require an object (transitive) and can be separated by the object.
Those marked with an asterisk have another common meaning that you will
find in the ‘non-separable’ list.

Blow up = enlarge

*Break down = separate into smaller elements

Bring about = cause

Bring up = mention (subject)

Bring up = raise (children)

Brush up = perfect

Call in = ask (expert) to visit you in order to assist you

Call off = cancel

Calm down = become calm after being angry

Chat up = charm with words

Check in = register (flight desk, hotel reception)

*Check out = have a look at

Cheer up = become happy after being down

*Drop off = take and leave at a destination

Figure out = understand

Fill in= fill out = complete (form, questionnaire etc.)

Fill up = make (it) full

Fit (someone) in = make time for someone

Give up = quit (habit, job)

Hand in = submit

Hold up = delay

Lay off = make redundant

Let down = disappoint

Look up = find (in dictionary, telephone directory)

1
Make up = invent (story, lies)

Mess up = ruin

Pick out = choose

Pick up = go and get

Point out = mention

Put off = postpone

Put on = wear

Put out = extinguish (fire, light)

*Set off = cause to explode, operate (bomb, alarm)

Set up = arrange (meeting), create (company, programme etc.)

Show off = display one’s advantages

Slow down = reduce speed

Sort out = solve (problem), rearrange (things)

Speed up = increase speed

*Split up = divide into parts

Take (someone) through (something) = explain (it) to someone

Take in = absorb (information)

*Take off = remove

Take over = take control

*Take up = accept (offer, invitation)

*Take up = begin (sport, hobby)

Throw out = discard

Try on = wear to see if it fits or suits

Turn down = decrease volume

Turn down = refuse (offer, invitation)

Turn off = stop the operation of

Turn on = start the operation of

*Turn up = increase volume / appear

*Wind down = lower (level, intensity)

2
Wind up = make (someone) angry

*Work out = calculate

*Wrap up = put packaging round (gift, box)

2. Non-separable phrasal verbs

Some of these verbs do not require an object (intransitive).

Those that require an object (transitive) cannot be separated by the object.
Those marked with an asterisk have another common meaning that you will
find in the ‘separable’ list.

Act up = misbehave

Be off = leave

Be up for = feel like doing, be willing to do

Be up to = be busy doing

*Break down = stop working

Break up with = end a relationship

Carry on = continue

Catch up on = do unfinished work

*Check out = leave (hotel)

Come across = find by chance

Come down with = catch (illness)

Come round (around) = regain consciousness

Come up with = find or produce (idea, solution etc.)

Crack down on = get strict with

Crack on with = get (it) done quickly

Cut down on = cut back on = reduce the intake of

Deal with = handle, do something about

End up with / end up doing= have as the final result

Fall in with = meet and join (a group)

Find out = discover

Get into = develop (habit)

3
Get into = enter (enclosed space)

Get off = leave (public transport)

Get on = enter (public transport)

Get on with = have a good relationship

Get on with = progress with (work, project)

Get out of = leave (enclosed space)

Get over = recover from (illness)

Get up = get out of bed

Go ahead = proceed

Go along with = agree with

Go over = review

Go with = match

Grow up = become an adult

Hold on = wait

Hurry up = be quick

Lie in = get up later than usual

Look after = take care of

Look for = search for

Look forward to = be excited about (future event)

Look into = investigate

Make up for = compensate for

Make up one’s mind = make a decision

Mess about = be disruptive

Move in = start living in (house, flat)

Nod off = *drop off = begin to fall asleep

Pass away = pass on = die

Pass out = lose consciousness, faint

Play up = function erratically

Pop in = drop in = come to visit (someone at their place)

4
Put up with = tolerate

Run into = bump into = meet (someone) by chance

Run out of = exhaust (supply)

Run-down = in bad shape (people, buildings)

See to = handle, do something about

*Set off = leave

Settle up = pay a bill

Shop around = look in different shops and compare prices

Sign up for = enrol (course, event)

Split up = get separated

Stay up = not to go to bed

Take after = resemble

*Take off = leave the ground (airplane, balloon)

Take to = become fond of

*Take up = occupy (time, space)

Think of = consider

Tied up = busy (schedule)

Turn in = go to bed

Turn out = transpire

*Turn up = show up = make an appearance (at an event)

*Wind down = relax

*Work out = do physical exercise

*Wrap up = wear warm clothes

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