Phrasal Verbs Challenge:

Day 1 Review & Practice

If you haven’t taken today’s lesson yet, click here to watch the video first!

Review:
Phrasal Verb Definition Example
act up suddenly become - allergies acting up during
troublesome springtime
- an old injury acting up
- a machine acting up (causing
problems, not working)
fool around do casual, fun things - kids fooling around in class
that aren’t productive - co-workers fooling around
instead of doing what they’re
supposed to
- fooling around on social media
instead of cleaning the house
die down become less intense - wind dies down when a hurricane
passes
- noise from a party dies down as it
ends and people leave
hole up hide or take refuge - animals hole up in a tree or in the
ground to hide from predators or to
keep warm
- people hole up in their house or
bedroom when they don’t want to
interact with others
wipe out completely destroy - an exterminator tries to wipe out
insects in your home
 - an invading army could wipe out
the population of an enemy village
be saddled with be burdened with - the oldest child might be saddled
something difficult or with taking care of their siblings
annoying - if my manager doesn’t like me, I
could be saddled with the most
boring tasks in a project
phase out remove or stop - a company phasing out support
something gradually, in for an older version of a product
stages - a country phasing out older ways
of generating energy as it begins to
implement “clean energy”
max out do something up to - max out credit cards by spending
the highest level up to the limit
possible - max out your potential by doing
as much as you possibly can do
hash out discuss in detail - hashing out plans for a party in
which multiple people contribute
- two companies hashing out a
complex legal agreement
dwell on think about something - choosing not to dwell on an
a lot embarrassing past experience
- dwelling on your husband/wife’s
strengths, not their weaknesses
Practice:
Complete each sentence with a phrasal verb from the box. You might need to
change the form of the phrasal verb (ex. act up → acts up, acted up, acting up) to
fit in the sentence.

act up wipe out max out

fool around saddle with hash out
die down phase out dwell on
hole up

1. I haven't done anything for the past two weeks - I had the flu and it
___________________ my energy.
2. It was a very interesting debate - leaders from five different religions met to
_________________ theological and ethical issues.
3. My grandpa knows nothing about computers, so he always calls me to fix it
whenever his computer is ___________________.
4. Salaries for public school teachers ________________ around $60,000, so if
you're hoping to get rich, choose a different profession.
5. She was ____________________ huge medical bills after her emergency
surgery, and had to work three jobs in order to pay them off.
6. The bank robber is ______________ inside the building with several
hostages, and the police are trying to figure out how to get in without
anyone getting hurt.
7. I was finally able to forgive her after some time passed and my anger
eventually ___________________.
8. There hasn't been much interest in our company's internship opportunities,
so we'll ________________ the program over the next couple years.
9. You'll never find a new girlfriend if you keep _________________ your ex -
it's time to move on.
10. The teenagers got into a serious car accident because the driver was
distracted - he was __________________ instead of paying attention to the
road.
Answers:
1. I haven't done anything for the past two weeks - I had the flu and it wiped
out my energy.
2. It was a very interesting debate - leaders from five different religions met to
hash out theological and ethical issues.
3. My grandpa knows nothing about computers, so he always calls me to fix it
whenever his computer is acting up.
4. Salaries for public school teachers max out around $60,000, so if you're
hoping to get rich, choose a different profession.
5. She was saddled with huge medical bills after her emergency surgery, and
had to work three jobs in order to pay them off.
6. The bank robber is holed up inside the building with several hostages, and
the police are trying to figure out how to get in without anyone getting
hurt.
7. I was finally able to forgive her after some time passed and my anger
eventually died down.
8. There hasn't been much interest in our company's internship opportunities,
so we'll phase out the program over the next couple years.
9. You'll never find a new girlfriend if you keep dwelling on your ex - it's time
to move on.
10. The teenagers got into a serious car accident because the driver was
distracted - he was fooling around instead of paying attention to the road.
Phrasal Verbs Challenge:
Day 2 Review & Practice
If you haven’t taken today’s lesson yet, click here to watch the video first!

Review:
Phrasal Verb Definition Example
kick off start an event, process, - beers on Friday night to kick off a
time period long weekend
- an opening ceremony to kick off a
festival
forge ahead continue, proceed - forge ahead and buy an expensive
(despite difficulty / car against advice
opposition) - forge ahead to finish reading a
long novel even though the middle
is rather boring
fit in feel comfortable and - not fitting in among rich kids if
accepted by a group you’re from a poor family
- going to a convention of people
interested in your hobby and
feeling like you really fit in there
be fed up with be completely irritated - be fed up with someone
complaining about a situation
they’re not willing to change
- be fed up with a computer
program that’s super complicated
put (someone) cause someone to - a badly-maintained house can put
off avoid or dislike off potential buyers
something - someone’s bad breath would put
you off on a first date
toy with consider casually - toy with the idea of leaving your
job and starting your own business
- toy with the possibility of moving
to a different city
reach out make contact or try to - a company reaching out to
do so customers to sell them a more
expensive product/plan
- reaching out to friends who you
haven’t spoken to in a long time
blow off ignore or avoid a - a bad boyfriend blowing off an
person or anniversary dinner to go out with
responsibility his friends instead
- a lazy student blowing off their
morning class in order to sleep until
noon
single out choose and focus on - a doctor singling out the disease
someone has from among various
possibilities
- your project being singled out
from many others to receive an
award
tied up be kept busy - be tied up in meetings all day
- be tied up with family obligations
and have no time for hobbies
Practice:
Complete each sentence with a phrasal verb from the box. You might need to
change the form of the phrasal verb (ex. kick off → kicks off, kicked off, kicking off)
to fit in the sentence.

kick off put off blow off

forge ahead toy with single out
fit in reach out tied up
fed up with

1. After waiting over an hour for our food, we got _________________ the
slow service and walked out of the restaurant.
2. Everyone in that company dresses very casually; you won't
________________ if you wear a suit every day.
3. He just kept talking and ___________________ with his argument even
though everyone had stopped listening.
4. I won't be able to go out this weekend because I'll be _____________ at a
conference for work.
5. Last week the teacher _________________ a few students who seemed to
need extra help with the lesson.
6. My roommates always _________________ their chores, and I end up
cleaning the whole place so it doesn't get filthy.
7. One of my co-workers recently lost his home in a fire, and we all
_________________ to see how we could help his family.
8. She doesn't seem like the type of person I'd want to be friends with - I was
really _______________ by her arrogance.
9. The band will _____________ their European tour with several shows in
Berlin.
10. I'm _______________ the idea of getting a dog - yes, it's more work, but
the kids would love it.
Answers:
1. After waiting over an hour for our food, we got fed up with the slow service
and walked out of the restaurant.
2. Everyone in that company dresses very casually; you won't fit in if you wear
a suit every day.
3. He just kept talking and forged ahead with his argument even though
everyone had stopped listening.
4. I won't be able to go out this weekend because I'll be tied up at a
conference for work.
5. Last week the teacher singled out a few students who seemed to need
extra help with the lesson.
6. My roommates always blow off their chores, and I end up cleaning the
whole place so it doesn't get filthy.
7. One of my co-workers recently lost his home in a fire, and we all reached
out to see how we could help his family.
8. She doesn't seem like the type of person I'd want to be friends with - I was
really put off by her arrogance.
9. The band will kick off their European tour with several shows in Berlin.
10. I'm toying with the idea of getting a dog - yes, it's more work, but the kids
would love it.
Phrasal Verbs Challenge:
Day 3 Review & Practice
If you haven’t taken today’s lesson yet, click here to watch the video first!

Review:
Phrasal Verb Definition Example
stumble upon find by chance - a construction company
stumbling upon ancient artifacts
- stumble upon a great job
opportunity when you weren’t
even looking
weigh in give one's - weigh in on a topic in a discussion
opinion/thoughts - weigh in on possible plans
be fired up be excited or - a sports team is fired up for the
passionate championship game
- kids are fired up to go to the
circus
sift through search for something - sift through a pile of papers to
among many objects find some receipts
- sift through a collection of
jewelry looking for a particular
bracelet
be laid off lose one's job - be laid off when the company is
not doing well financially
- be laid off unexpectedly
straighten resolve confusion, - straighten out customers’ orders
something out disorder, or which got mixed up
misunderstanding
 - straighten out a
miscommunication about the date
of a party
mess with touch or play with - a teenager messing with his dad’s
something tools in the garage
- a co-worker messing with the
office thermostat and changing the
temperature
snuff out end suddenly - failing a class snuffed out my
hopes of being a doctor
- young lives snuffed out by gang
violence
gear up getting ready - a country gearing up to host the
Olympics
- families gearing up for the holiday
season
grow on become more liked - a book grew on you when you
someone and appreciated read it again later in life
- the taste of coffee grew on you
the more you drank it
Practice:
Complete each sentence with a phrasal verb from the box. You might need to
change the form of the phrasal verb (ex. gear up → gears up, gearing up, geared
up) to fit in the sentence.

be fired up mess with straighten something out

be laid off sift through stumble upon
gear up snuff out weigh in
grow on someone

1. During the interview, the senator will _________________ on the issues of

high taxes and unemployment rates.
2. Everyone _________________ for the release of the new movie - it's said
to be the best of the entire series.
3. Her recent knee injury _________________ any possibility of competing in
the martial arts tournament.
4. I moved back in with my parents after I _________________ and couldn't
afford my rent.
5. They bought tons of diapers and baby items when they were
_________________ for the birth of their first child.
6. Someone stole my credit card and also took out a loan in my name - I was
on the phone with the bank for hours trying to _________________
everything _______.
7. The detective is _________________ the mountain of evidence, looking for
clues to the identity of the criminal.
8. We _________________ an amazing waterfall while hiking; we'd had no
idea it was even there.
9. You should stop _________________ your hair while you're talking - it
makes you look nervous and insecure.
10. I used to think the yellow paint in the bedroom was ugly, but it eventually
_________________ me - now I find it cheerful.
Answers:
1. During the interview, the senator will weigh in on the issues of high taxes
and unemployment rates.
2. Everyone is fired up for the release of the new movie - it's said to be the
best of the entire series.
3. Her recent knee injury snuffed out any possibility of competing in the
martial arts tournament.
4. I moved back in with my parents after I was laid off and couldn't afford my
rent.
5. They bought tons of diapers and baby items when they were gearing up for
the birth of their first child.
6. Someone stole my credit card and also took out a loan in my name - I was
on the phone with the bank for hours trying to straighten everything out.
7. The detective is sifting through the mountain of evidence, looking for clues
to the identity of the criminal.
8. We stumbled upon an amazing waterfall while hiking; we'd had no idea it
was even there.
9. You should stop messing with your hair while you're talking - it makes you
look nervous and insecure.
10. I used to think the yellow paint in the bedroom was ugly, but it eventually
grew on me - now I find it cheerful.
Phrasal Verbs Challenge:
Day 4 Review & Practice
If you haven’t taken today’s lesson yet, click here to watch the video first!

Review:
Phrasal Verb Definition Example
drown in be overwhelmed by - drowning in paperwork when
buying a new house
- drowning in homework during a
busy semester
tip someone off give someone secret - someone tips off the police about
information a crime being planned
- someone tips off the media about
a celebrity scandal
strike out failing to get the - striking out in a job search when
desired result unable to get an interview
- trying to bake a cake several
times and striking out; none of the
cakes were good
settle down become calmer - crowded subway begins to settle
down mid-morning
- trying to get kids to settle down
after dinner when bedtime is
coming soon
throw someone confuse or mislead - new road signs threw me off and I
off someone, or cause to took the wrong exit
lose focus - sudden noise throws off your
concentration during a golf game
catch on begin to understand / - needing lots of training in order
be able to do to catch onto a complicated
something software system
- when it comes to languages,
young children catch on very easily
stick with persist, stay - you need to stick with an exercise
committed program to see results long term
- a married couple choosing to stick
with each other despite problems
in the relationship
angle for try to get something - someone angling for a promotion
indirectly by trying to befriend the director
- a politician visiting lots of
churches, angling for votes from
religious people
pan out become successful - a career as a professional
musician didn’t pan out
- putting money in a somewhat
risky investment and hoping it will
pan out
turn up appear - problems turning up with a
product you recently purchased
- inviting 50 people to a party, but
only 5 turn up
Practice:
Complete each sentence with a phrasal verb from the box. You might need to
change the form of the phrasal verb (ex. catch on → catches on, catching on,
caught on) to fit in the sentence.

angle for settle down throw someone off

catch on stick with tip someone off
drown in strike out turn up
pan out

1. As a teenager, my sister was usually mean to me - she was only nice when
she was _____________________ a favor.
2. I don't particularly like to try new foods; I've _____________________ the
same diet for years.
3. The last question on the exam _____________ me _____ because it didn't
seem related to anything we studied.
4. It's a little hard to remember how to use each of these different tools, but
with more practice you'll _____________________.
5. Let's adopt a small animal like a rabbit, and see how that
_____________________ before we get any more pets.
6. She found out her boyfriend was cheating on her - a flirty text message
from another woman was what _____________ her __________.
7. The company was _____________________ bills it couldn't pay, and
eventually it went bankrupt.
8. It's a crazy and stressful month at work so I don't have much free time, but I
hope to get back to my hobbies once things _____________________.
9. We didn't inspect the house carefully before we moved in, and over time,
all sorts of things _____________________ needing repairs.
10. The last few women he's been interested in have all rejected him and he
says he's tired of _____________________.
Answers:
1. As a teenager, my sister was usually mean to me - she was only nice when
she was angling for a favor.
2. I don't particularly like to try new foods; I've stuck with the same diet for
years.
3. The last question on the exam threw me off because it didn't seem related
to anything we studied.
4. It's a little hard to remember how to use each of these different tools, but
with more practice you'll catch on.
5. Let's adopt a small animal like a rabbit, and see how that pans out before
we get any more pets.
6. She found out her boyfriend was cheating on her - a flirty text message
from another woman was what tipped her off.
7. The company was drowning in bills it couldn't pay, and eventually it went
bankrupt.
8. It's a crazy and stressful month at work so I don't have much free time, but I
hope to get back to my hobbies once things settle down.
9. We didn't inspect the house carefully before we moved in, and over time,
all sorts of things turned up needing repairs.
10.The last few women he's been interested in have all rejected him and he
says he's tired of striking out.
Phrasal Verbs Challenge:
Day 5 Review & Practice
If you haven’t taken today’s lesson yet, click here to watch the video first!

Review:
Phrasal Verb Definition Example
carry out perform a task; obey - manager trusting you to carry out
instructions important tasks
- soldiers carrying out their
commander’s orders
hold out for wait for something - holding out for a good price
better during an upcoming holiday sale
- not accepting a job because
you’re holding out for a better
opportunity
bargain on expect, anticipate; - not bargaining on such long lines
depend on at the airport
- bargaining on party guests to
bring drinks
drive away cause to go away - making noise to drive a bear away
from a campground
- an unfriendly person driving away
everyone else with their attitude
keep up continue - keep up the good work in
practicing your English
- a fitness instructor encouraging
students to “keep it up” (continue
the exercise without stopping)
let someone disappoint someone - dad promising to be at his son’s
down sports game, but letting him down
- letting down your boss when you
are late with an assignment
luck out be very fortunate - lucking out by getting the last two
tickets to a popular show
- escaping from a car accident with
no injuries – you lucked out
mope around be depressed / in a bad - a boy moping around because an
mood injury means he can’t play baseball
- moping around at home after
having a bad day at work
shake off free yourself of - shake off anxiety before a
something annoying performance
- shake off a minor injury by
ignoring it
sign off on give approval - an editor signing off on an article
for publication
- the governor signing off on a new
law
Practice:
Complete each sentence with a phrasal verb from the box. You might need to
change the form of the phrasal verb (ex. bargain on → bargains on, bargaining
on, bargained on) to fit in the sentence.

bargain on keep it up mope around

carry out let someone down shake off
drive away luck out sign off on
hold out for

1. He has big plans for his business, but doesn't have enough money to
______________ them _________.
2. I can't believe what a great price they got on a nice house in a quiet
neighborhood - they definitely _______________________.
3. My parents had very high expectations for me, and I felt a ton of pressure
not to ______________ them __________.
4. If a student wants to be switched to a different classroom, both teachers
have to _______________________ it.
5. My dog always _______________________ when the weather is rainy and
he can't go outside.
6. I don't want to take just any job... I'm _______________________ one that
has good benefits and career opportunities.
7. The strong smell of these candles will _______________________
mosquitos and other insects.
8. We always _______________________ her being late, so we tell her to
meet us at 3:30 if the event starts at 4.
9. You should really stop being sarcastic to your parents. If you
_______________________, you'll probably be punished.
10. I couldn't _______________________ my suspicions that the man was not
to be trusted - and I turned out to be right.
Answers:
11. He has big plans for his business, but doesn't have enough money to carry
them out.
12. I can't believe what a great price they got on a nice house in a quiet
neighborhood - they definitely lucked out.
13. My parents had very high expectations for me, and I felt a ton of pressure
not to let them down.
14. If a student wants to be switched to a different classroom, both teachers
have to sign off on it.
15. My dog always mopes around when the weather is rainy and he can't go
outside.
16. I don't want to take just any job... I'm holding out for one that has good
benefits and career opportunities.
17. The strong smell of these candles will drive away mosquitos and other
insects.
18. We always bargain on her being late, so we tell her to meet us at 3:30 if the
event starts at 4.
19. You should really stop being sarcastic to your parents. If you keep it up,
you'll probably be punished.
20.I couldn't shake off my suspicions that the man was not to be trusted - and
I turned out to be right.