100 COMMON PHRASAL VERBS UK ENGLISH

1. You’d better stop arriving late for work. YOU’RE WALKING ON VERY
THIN ICE.
2. You need A THICK SKIN to work in customer service, I can tell you that!
3. I managed to pass my B2 first exam BY THE SKIN OF MY TEETH.
4. The teacher was really angry with me. Telling her to calm down just ADDED
FUEL TO THE FIRE.
5. Sorry TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT, I shouldn’t have asked you who you voted
for.
6. I love teaching English online, but doing it on TV is A DIFFERENT KETTLE
OF FISH.
7. I know he looks like a grumpy old man but he’s a kind man on the inside.
Remember, DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER.
8. The food was good but NOTHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT, to be honest.
9. John was the one who SHOWed me THE ROPES during my first month at the
company.
10. The experiment was a complete failure, that means we’re BACK TO SQUARE
ONE.
11. Don’t worry, your guinea pig is SAFE AND SOUND. I found her in my garage.
12. Is that a real Rolex? It must have COST AN ARM AND A LEG!
13. I know you’re not the best cheff but pancakes are so easy to make! Just mix the
ingredients together and pour the mixture into the pan. IT’S NOT ROCKET
SCIENCE!
14. Sorry, but I’m afraid you MISSED THE BOAT. The inscriptions are already
closed.
15. Please SIT TIGHT (stay there), the teacher will be here soon.
16. Does the name Mary Cartwright RING A BELL?
17. I almost sold my car today but the buyer GOT COLD FEET when he saw the
hole in the back seat.
18. Those electric skateboard are SELLING LIKE HOTCAKES.
19. I know it’s your first attempt at writing a novel, but please DON’T GIVE UP
THE DAY JOB (you better get another hobby).
20. HOLD YOUR HORSES, i haven’t finished my dinner yet.
21. I don’t know where we’re going to go out tonight. We’re just going TO PLAY
IT BY EAR.
22. He’s REALLY INTO collecting stamps, such a strange hobby.
23. When your dad finds out you skipped class, THE SHIT’S GONNA HIT THE
FAN!
24. A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME it was your birthday yesterday.
25. What’s your ID number? I can’t remember OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD
(difficulty to remember something as easy as one would wish)
26. DON’T QUOTE ME on this but i believe broccoli is pretty high in
carbohydrates.
27. I don’t know anything about fashion but I’m going to JUMP IN THE DEEP
END and launch my own clothing brand.
28. They’ll probably give you that loan but DON’T COUNT YOUR CHICKENS
just yet.
29. This pen they gave me is crap, but oh well.. i shouldn’t LOOK A GIFT HORSE
IN THE MOUTH.
30. My personal trainer says I need to work harder, “NO PAIN, NO GAIN” is his
favourite motto!
31. I had to eat with chopsticks when I was in China, it wasn’t easy but WHEN IN
ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO.
32. I’ve had enough! You’ve been yelling at each other for over an hour! PUT A
SOCK IN IT!
33. I’m sorry but we’ve been here for three hours, can you CUT TO THE CHASE?
34. The new intern is a bit slow, don’t you think? – Yes, he’s not exactly THE
SHARPEST TOOL IN THE SHED.
35. I don’t want to sound like I’m BLOWING MY OWN TRUMPET, but my
English is absolutely flawless.
36. I know you don’t want to spend your summer in Albacete, but just GO WITH
THE FLOW and don’t upset your father.
37. Thank you for helping with the move. I OWE YOU ONE.
38. I’m not surprised she slapped him in the face. IT SERVES HIM RIGHT! (you
just deserve such that punch, i.e)
39. When are you thinking of fixing the kitchen tap? Please, CUT ME SOME
SLACK ¨inactivity of avoiding of something specific¨ (gimme a break), I’ve just
arrived home after a 14-hour flight.
40. It took me a while TO GET THE HANG OF (to get the point of something)
driving on the right.
41. Can I ask your sister out? – No way, WHEN PIGS FLY!
42. I really don’t know who stole your packed lunch. You’re BARKING UP THE
WRONG TREE (searching something in the wrong place).
43. Listen to my new song! It’s going TO KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF.
44. Whoever sells the most will get THE LION’S SHARE (the best part) of the
quarterly bonus.
45. I wouldn’t start a career in the fashion industry if I were you, it’s DOG EAT
DOG (like in the jungle) out there.
46. Mary’s ON TOP OF THE WORLD after finding out she got the job.
47. We’re still SITTING ON THE FENCE (to delay something or hesitate about a
choice) about moving to the States (US) or not.
48. I don’t have time to listen to her problems! I’VE GOT BIGGER FISH TO FRY!
49. You love animals, don’t you? I’ve just seen a job offer that IS RIGHT UP
YOUR STREET/ALLEY (what you like to do/floats your boat!)
50. Sorry but I can’t go to your baby shower party. I’m completely SNOWED
UNDER (too busy) at work.
51. I have another meeting in a couple hours, so let’s GET DOWN TO BUSINESS
(let’s do what we are supposed to do)
52. Living next door to a musician was bad enough, but when he took up the
trumpet it was THE LAST STRAW.
53. We don’t like eating out in the touristy areas. We would prefer to go somewhere
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK. (far from crowds)
54. If you don’t want to have a boss, start your own business. Well, that’s EASIER
SAID THAN DONE.
55. It’s quite difficult TO MAKE ENDS MEET when you earn the minimum wage.
56. It’s not easy TO MAKE A LIVING as a musician these days.
57. Everything started to GO PEAR-SHAPED from the moment we hired Richard
(when things go wrong).
58. Don’t go to bed late, we have TO BE ON THE BALL to answer questions from
the police tomorrow. (to pay attention to)
59. I’m OVER THE MOON with my new convertible car.
60. Getting fluent in English doesn’t happen overnight but WHERE THERE’S A
WILL THERE’S A WAY.
61. Have you never made a French omelette? Let me show you, It’s EASY-PEASY.
(easily done)
62. This is where I keep my notes, pens and lots of other BITS AND BOBS.
(different kind of things you put together).
63. THINGS AT STAKE = important things on the spot that are in certain risk.
64. I got my driving licence at 50. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, I suppose!
65. Why don’t you listen to the audiobook while you drive? This way you can KILL
TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE.
66. I shrank my wife’s new chinchilla jumper, I’m in the DOGHOUSE right now.
67. You need TO MAKE UP YOUR MIND sweetheart. If you love him, then marry
him.