B2

Phrasal verbs with multiple meanings

back up
1) make a copy of a data 2) give moral support 3) move in reverse 4) do somebody’s job in
file their absence
You should Thank you for Can you back Who will
back up all backing me your car up back you up
the files on up at the so that I can while you
your conference. get through? are on
computer. holiday?

break down
1) stop working 2) start crying

My car broke down on my way home. She broke down when she heard the
news.

break in
1) interrupt 2) enter by force

Please, don’t break in again. Let me The robbers planned to break in and
finish what I’m saying. steal everything.

bring up
1) raise children 2) mention

They want to bring up their children in It is not a good idea to bring up politics
the catholic faith. with my family.

check out
1) leave a hotel 2) borrow from a library 3) try to verify 4) look at / examine
At this I’ve checked The police are Check out
hotel, you out two checking out this new
must check books from the suspect’s website, it’s
out by noon. the library. alibi. great!

give up
1) surrender 2) stop guessing 3) quit (usually a habit)

The army gave up OK, I give up. What’s You should give up
before the battle. the answer? smoking, it’s a
disgusting habit.

go off
1) explode 2) sound / ring 3) go away / leave 4) food: go bad or spoil
The bomb My alarm
went off in a didn’t go He went Put the milk in
crowded off and I off to get a the fridge or
street. was late. drink. it’ll go off.

go out
1) exit, go outdoors 2) have a romantic relationship 3) stop burning or producing light

When I was younger, I She is going out with a There is a light that
used to go out every guitar player. never goes out.
weekend.
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look up
1) try to contact 2) seek information 3) improve

Look me up the next Look up the opening Because of Covid,

time you’re in hours on the website. things don’t seem to
Barcelona. look up any time soon.

make out
1) address to 2) see or perceive with difficulty 3) kiss and/or touch sexually

Make the cheque out I can’t make out the I saw them making out
to “Jose Buleo”. road sign from here. at the pub.

make up
1) invent or imagine 2) be reconciled 3) comprise / constitute 4) compensate for something
You didn’t Why don’t Asians You’ll have to
study! Don’t you make make up be good to
make up up with 31% of the make up for
excuses! your ex? students. you behaviour!

pick up
1) learn something 2) collect in a vehicle 3) improve or increase

Where did you pick up My dad will pick us up I hope that sales will
that trick? after school. pick up next month.

put down
1) write 2) criticise or insult 3) stop holding

Put down that When people put you “Put down the gun!”,
information in your down, it’s easy to lose said the police officer.
notebook. confidence.

put off
1) delay until later 2) discourage 3) cause to dislike

We should put off the I don’t want to put I’ve always been put
meeting until you off, but being a off of seafood.
tomorrow. doctor is a hard job.

set up
1) establish 2) arrange 3) incriminate falsely

They set up the new Helen set up the chairs They set her up to
shop in San Francisco. make her look guilty.
in a semi-circle.

take off
1) remove clothes 2) leave the ground

As soon as he got home, he took off his The plane took off at exactly 7:05 am.
coat.

take up
1) accept an offer 2) start a hobby 3) occupy time, space or resources

I think I’ll take up A lot of people take That chaise longue

your offer about up golf when they takes up a lot of space
helping me move. retire. in the living room.

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