Phrasal verb Meaning Example

miss out If you miss out, you fail to get All the rest of the children went to
(perder un evento) something that maybe you deserved summer camp, but I missed out,
or at least had a chance of getting. because my parents couldn't afford
it.

apologise for (BtE) If you say sorry, you are apologising I'd like to apologise for my bad
apologize for (AmE) for something you have said or done. behaviour last week.

I'd like to apologize for my bad

behavior last week.

cut down on If you smoke too many cigarettes, I had to cut down on my sugar
(reduce or stop) your doctor will ask you to cut down intake when my doctor said I was
on your smoking. becoming diabetic.

give up If you try to do something difficult I tried to move the bed on my

again and again without success, in own, but it was too heavy so I
the end you give up. gave up and waited for you to get
home.

get through to If you try to get through to someone, I tried to get through to him about
(alertar, avisar, hacer you try to make them understand the dangers of taking drugs but he
con que alguien something that is important. wouldn't listen.
entienda algo
importante)

pass by If you walk along the street, you I passed by the travel agent's on
might pass by lots of places that you my way to work. They've got
don't go into. holidays to New Zealand.

cut back (on) If your company is in decline, you We'll have to cut back on staff if
(reduce costs) may have to cut back on staff and this economic crisis persists.
services, which means make people
redundant and offer a narrower and
cheaper range of services to your
clients.

close down Something closes down when it stops Closing down sale! Everything
doing business. reduced!

operate on Surgeons operate on their patients. We operated on the man for eight
hours.

pass away (morir) This is a polite euphemism for the Her grandfather sadly passed away
word die. at the age of 92.
pass out (desmaiar)
pass by