Phrasal Verbs

When I set off for work this morning, my car broke down, so
I ended up taking the bus. As soon as I got off, I bumped
into an old schoolmate, Mark. While we were talking,
he brought up something I had already found out from some
mutual friends- that he had come into some money and
had set up his own business. He told me that there was a lot
to sort out, and offered to take me on, but
I turned him down straight away.
When I clocked in, my boss had a go at me, telling me off in
front of everyone. When I got over the initial shock, I told her
I’d make up for being late, but it turned out that she
had blown up over a deal that had fallen through, after a
client of mine had pulled out of a contract. She told me that I
wouldn’t get away with it, that I’d let everybody down, and
just went on and on….
Eventually, I ran out of patience and answered back– I said I
was not going to put up with it anymore, and if she wanted
to lay me off, she should go ahead. Anyway, to cut a long
story short, I stormed out, phoned Mark’s secretary,
who put me through to him. I told Mark I’d like
to take him up on his offer. So, in the end, everything
has worked out perfectly!
set off- begin a journey.

break down- 3. When something is not functioning correctly.

This meaning has an adjective form for describing a situation
where something is in bad condition or is broken. (Break
down can be used in other ways, too)

end up- The end result of something planned or unplanned.

got off- to leave a form of transportation, except a car

bump into- When you meet people by accident or

unexpectedly.

brought up- 2. To introduce or mention a particular topic in a

conversation.

found out- to become aware of something or someone

come into- suddenly receive (money or property), especially

by inheriting it.

set up - To organize or plan for an activity/event to happen.

sort out - To correct a misunderstanding or to solve a
problem.

take on- 1. Employ someone

turn down - 2. To deny a request or proposal from someone.

clock in- register one's arrival at work by means of an

automatic recording clock.

had a go- To tell off (especially unnecessarily or excessively),

to criticise.

tell off- speak to them angrily or seriously because they have

done something wrong

get over- 1. recover from (an ailment or an upsetting or

startling experience).

make up for - compensate for something lost, missed, or

deficient.

turn out- 1. prove to be the case.

blow up- 2. To deny a request or proposal from someone.

fall through- If things do not go as planned, or if a plan, deal

or agreement fails.

pulled out of - 4. When someone wants to cancel an

arrangement or agreement or to stop being involved in
something.

get away with- escape blame, punishment, or undesirable

consequences for (an act that is wrong or mistaken).

let down- To disappoint someone.

went on and on- (go on) - continue without stopping, last for
a long time.

ran out of- 2. When you have nothing left to use, consume,
sell, etc.

answered back- to react to criticism by arguing or explaining

put up with- tolerate; endure.

lay off- When a company or business ends a worker’s
employment.

go ahead- To proceed to do something that you were

hesitant about.

storm out- To leave or exit (some place) in a very angry and

animated manner.

put through to- 2

a
: to make a telephone connection for
b
: to obtain a connection for (a telephone call)

take up on - When you accept an invitation or offer from

someone.

work out- When a situation, event, plan, or idea is

successful.