Phrasal Verbs List break into something

enter forcibly
ask somebody out The firemen had to break into the room to rescue
invite on a date the children.
Brian asked Judy out to dinner and a movie.
break something in
ask around wear something a few times so that it doesn't
ask many people the same question look/feel new
I asked around but nobody has seen my wallet. I need to break these shoes in before we run next
week.
add up to something
equal break in
Your purchases add up to $205.32. interrupt
The TV station broke in to report the news of the
back something up president's death.
reverse
You'll have to back up your car so that I can get out. break up
end a relationship
back somebody up My boyfriend and I broke up before I moved to
support America.
My wife backed me up over my decision to quit my
job. break up
start laughing (informal)
blow up The kids just broke up as soon as the clown started
explode talking.
The racing car blew up after it crashed into the
fence. break out
escape
blow something up The prisoners broke out of jail when the guards
add air weren't looking.
We have to blow 50 balloons up for the party.
break out in something
break down develop a skin condition
stop functioning (vehicle, machine) I broke out in a rash after our camping trip.
Our car broke down at the side of the highway in
the snowstorm. bring somebody down
make unhappy
break down This sad music is bringing me down.
get upset
The woman broke down when the police told her bring somebody up
that her son had died. raise a child
My grandparents brought me up after my parents
break something down died.
divide into smaller parts
Our teacher broke the final project down into three bring something up
separate parts. start talking about a subject
My mother walks out of the room when my
break in father brings up sports.
force entry to a building
Somebody broke in last night and stole our stereo.

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bring something up check out
vomit leave a hotel
He drank so much that he brought his dinner up in You have to check out of the hotel before 11:00
the toilet. AM.

call around check somebody/ something out

phone many different places/people look at carefully, investigate
We called around but we weren't able to find the The company checks out all new employees.
car part we needed.
check out somebody/ something
call somebody back look at (informal)
return a phone call Check out the crazy hair on that guy!
I called the company back but the offices were
closed for the weekend. cheer up
become happier
call something off She cheered up when she heard the good news.
cancel
Jason called the wedding off because he wasn't in cheer somebody up
love with his fiancé. make happier
I brought you some flowers to cheer you up.
call on somebody
ask for an answer or opinion chip in
The professor called on me for question 1. help
If everyone chips in we can get the kitchen painted
call on somebody by noon.
visit somebody
We called on you last night but you weren't home. clean something up
tidy, clean
call somebody up Please clean up your bedroom before you go
phone outside.
Give me your phone number and I
will call you up when we are in town. come across something
find unexpectedly
calm down I came across these old photos when I was tidying
relax after being angry the closet.
You are still mad. You need to calm down before
you drive the car. come apart
separate
not care for somebody/ something The top and bottom come apart if you pull hard
not like (formal) enough.
I don't care for his behaviour.
come down with something
catch up become sick
get to the same point as somebody else My nephew came down with chicken pox this
You'll have to run faster than that if you want weekend.
to catch up with Marty.
come forward
check in volunteer for a task or to give evidence
arrive and register at a hotel or airport The woman came forward with her husband's
We will get the hotel keys when we check in. finger prints.

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come from some place My grandparents cut my father off when he
originate in remarried.
The art of origami comes from Asia.
cut something out
count on somebody/ something remove part of something (usually with scissors and
rely on paper)
I am counting on you to make dinner while I am I cut this ad out of the newspaper.
out.
do somebody/ something over
cross something out beat up, ransack (BrE, informal)
draw a line through He's lucky to be alive. His shop was done over by a
Please cross out your old address and write your street gang.
new one.
do something over
cut back on something do again (AmE)
consume less My teacher wants me to do my essay over because
My doctor wants me to cut back on sweets and fatty she doesn't like my topic.
foods.
do away with something
cut something down discard
make something fall to the ground It's time to do away with all of these old tax records.
We had to cut the old tree in our yard down after the
storm. do something up
fasten, close
cut in Do your coat up before you go outside. It's snowing!
interrupt
Your father cut in while I was dancing with your dress up
uncle. wear nice clothing
It's a fancy restaurant so we have to dress up.
cut in
pull in too closely in front of another vehicle drop back
The bus driver got angry when that car cut in. move back in a position/group
Andrea dropped back to third place when she fell
cut in off her bike.
start operating (of an engine or electrical device)
The air conditioner cuts in when the temperature drop in/ by/ over
gets to 22°C. come without an appointment
I might drop in/by/over for tea sometime this week.
cut something off
remove with something sharp drop somebody/ something off
The doctors cut off his leg because it was severely take somebody/ something somewhere and leave
injured. them/it there
I have to drop my sister off at work before I come
cut something off over.
stop providing
The phone company cut off our phone because we drop out
didn't pay the bill. quit a class, school etc
I dropped out of Science because it was too
cut somebody off difficult.
take out of a will

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eat out find something out
eat at a restaurant discover
I don't feel like cooking tonight. Let's eat out. We tried to keep the time of the party a secret, but
Samantha found it out.
end up
eventually reach/do/decide get something across/ over
We ended up renting a movie instead of going to the communicate, make understandable
theatre. I tried to get my point across/over to the judge but
she wouldn't listen.
fall apart
break into pieces get along/on
My new dress fell apart in the washing machine. like each other
I was surprised how well my new girlfriend and my
fall down sister got along/on.
fall to the ground
The picture that you hung up last night fell get around
down this morning. have mobility
My grandfather can get around fine in his new
fall out wheelchair.
separate from an interior
The money must have fallen out of my pocket. get away
go on a vacation
fall out We worked so hard this year that we had to get
(of hair, teeth) become loose and unattached away for a week.
His hair started to fall out when he was only 35.
get away with something
figure something out do without being noticed or punished
understand, find the answer Jason always gets away with cheating in his maths
I need to figure out how to fit the piano and the tests.
bookshelf in this room.
get back
fill something in return
to write information in blanks, as on a form (BrE) We got back from our vacation last week.
Please fill in the form with your name, address, and
phone number. get something back
receive something you had before
fill something out Liz finally got her Science notes back from my
to write information in blanks, as on a form (AmE) room-mate.
The form must be filled out in capital letters.
get back at somebody
fill something up retaliate, take revenge
fill to the top My sister got back at me for stealing her shoes. She
I always fill the water jug up when it is empty. stole my favourite hat.

find out get back into something

discover become interested in something again
We don't know where he lives. How can we find I finally got back into my novel and finished it.
out?
get on something
step onto a vehicle

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We're going to freeze out here if you don't let us get I have to give these skates back to Franz before his
on the bus. hockey game.

get over something give in

recover from an illness, loss, difficulty reluctantly stop fighting or arguing
I just got over the flu and now my sister has it. My boyfriend didn't want to go to the ballet, but he
finally gave in.
get over something
overcome a problem give something out
The company will have to close if it can't get give to many people (usually at no cost)
over the new regulations. They were giving out free perfume samples at the
department store.
get round to something
finally find time to do (AmE: get around give something up
to something) quit a habit
I don't know when I am going to get round I am giving up smoking as of January 1st.
to writing the thank you cards.
give up
get together stop trying
meet (usually for social reasons) My maths homework was too difficult so I gave up.
Let's get together for a BBQ this weekend.
go after somebody
get up follow somebody
get out of bed My brother tried to go after the thief in his car.
I got up early today to study for my exam.
go after something
get up try to achieve something
stand I went after my dream and now I am a published
You should get up and give the elderly man your writer.
seat.
go against somebody
give somebody away compete, oppose
reveal hidden information about somebody We are going against the best soccer team in the
His wife gave him away to the police. city tonight.

give somebody away go ahead

take the bride to the altar start, proceed
My father gave me away at my wedding. Please go ahead and eat before the food gets cold.

give something away go back

ruin a secret return to a place
My little sister gave the surprise party away by I have to go back home and get my lunch.
accident.
go out
give something away leave home to go on a social event
give something to somebody for free We're going out for dinner tonight.
The library was giving away old books on Friday.
go out with somebody
give something back date
return a borrowed item

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Jesse has been going out with Luke since they met hand something out
last winter. to distribute to a group of people
We will hand out the invitations at the door.
go over something
review hand something over
Please go over your answers before you submit your give (usually unwillingly)
test. The police asked the man to hand over his wallet
and his weapons.
go over
visit somebody nearby hang in
I haven't seen Tina for a long time. I think I'll go stay positive (informal)
over for an hour or two. Hang in there. I'm sure you'll find a job very soon.

go without something hang on

suffer lack or deprivation wait a short time (informal)
When I was young, we went without winter boots. Hang on while I grab my coat and shoes!

grow apart hang out

stop being friends over time spend time relaxing (informal)
My best friend and I grew apart after she changed Instead of going to the party we are just going
schools. to hang out at my place.

grow back hang up

regrow end a phone call
My roses grew back this summer. He didn't say goodbye before he hung up.

grow into something hold somebody/ something back

grow big enough to fit prevent from doing/going
This bike is too big for him now, but he should grow I had to hold my dog back because there was a cat
into it by next year. in the park.

grow out of something hold something back

get too big for hide an emotion
Elizabeth needs a new pair of shoes because she Jamie held back his tears at his grandfather's
has grown out of her old ones. funeral.

grow up hold on
become an adult wait a short time
When Jack grows up he wants to be a fireman. Please hold on while I transfer you to the Sales
Department.
hand something down
give something used to somebody else hold onto somebody/ something
I handed my old comic books down to my little hold firmly using your hands or arms
cousin. Hold onto your hat because it's very windy outside.

hand something in hold somebody/ something up

submit rob
I have to hand in my essay by Friday. A man in a black mask held the bank up this
morning.

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keep on doing something look forward to something
continue doing be excited about the future
Keep on stirring until the liquid comes to a boil. I'm looking forward to the Christmas break.

keep something from somebody look into something

not tell investigate
We kept our relationship from our parents for two We are going to look into the price of snowboards
years. today.

keep somebody/ something out look out

stop from entering be careful, vigilant, and take notice
Try to keep the wet dog out of the living room. Look out! That car's going to hit you!

keep something up look out for somebody/ something

continue at the same rate be especially vigilant for
If you keep those results up you will get into a great Don't forget to look out for snakes on the hiking
college. trail.

let somebody down look something over

fail to support or help, disappoint check, examine
I need you to be on time. Don't let me down this Can you look over my essay for spelling mistakes?
time.
look something up
let somebody in search and find information in a reference book or
allow to enter database
Can you let the cat in before you go to school? We can look her phone number up on the Internet.

log in (or on) look up to somebody

sign in (to a website, database etc) have a lot of respect for
I can't log in to Facebook because I've forgotten my My little sister has always looked up to me.
password.
make something up
log out (or off) invent, lie about something
sign out (of a website, database etc) Josie made up a story about why we were late.
If you don't log off somebody could get into your
account. make up
forgive each other
look after somebody/ something We were angry last night, but we made up at
take care of breakfast.
I have to look after my sick grandmother.
make somebody up
look down on somebody apply cosmetics to
think less of, consider inferior My sisters made me up for my graduation party.
Ever since we stole that chocolate bar your dad
has looked down on me. mix something up
confuse two or more things
look for somebody/ something I mixed up the twins' names again!
try to find
I'm looking for a red dress for the wedding.

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pass away put something out
die extinguish
His uncle passed away last night after a long illness. The neighbours put the fire out before the firemen
arrived.
pass out
faint put something together
It was so hot in the church that an elderly assemble
lady passed out. I have to put the crib together before the baby
arrives.
pass something out
give the same thing to many people put up with somebody/ something
The professor passed the textbooks out before class. tolerate
I don't think I can put up with three small children
pass something up in the car.
decline (usually something good)
I passed up the job because I am afraid of change. put something on
put clothing/ accessories on your body
pay somebody back Don't forget to put on your new earrings for the
return owed money party.
Thanks for buying my ticket. I'll pay you back on
Friday. run into somebody/ something
meet unexpectedly
pay for something I ran into an old school-friend at the mall.
be punished for doing something bad
That bully will pay for being mean to my little run over somebody/ something
brother. drive a vehicle over a person or thing
I accidentally ran over your bicycle in the driveway.
pick something out
choose run over/ through something
I picked out three sweaters for you to try on. rehearse, review
Let's run over/through these lines one more time
point somebody/ something out before the show.
indicate with your finger
I'll point my boyfriend out when he runs by. run away
leave unexpectedly, escape
put something down The child ran away from home and has been
put what you are holding on a surface or floor missing for three days.
You can put the groceries down on the kitchen
counter. run out
have none left
put somebody down We ran out of shampoo so I had to wash my hair
insult, make somebody feel stupid with soap.
The students put the substitute
teacher down because his pants were too short. send something back
return (usually by mail)
put something off My letter got sent back to me because I used the
postpone wrong stamp.
We are putting off our trip until January because of
the hurricane. set something up
arrange, organize

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Our boss set a meeting up with the president of the take something back
company. return an item
I have to take our new TV back because it doesn't
set somebody up work.
trick, trap
The police set up the car thief by using a hidden take off
camera. start to fly
My plane takes off in five minutes.
shop around
compare prices take something off
I want to shop around a little before I decide on remove something (usually clothing)
these boots. Take off your socks and shoes and come in the lake!

show off take something out

act extra special for people watching (usually remove from a place or thing
boastfully) Can you take the garbage out to the street for me?
He always shows off on his skateboard
take somebody out
sleep over pay for somebody to go somewhere with you
stay somewhere for the night (informal) My grandparents took us out for dinner and a
You should sleep over tonight if the weather is too movie.
bad to drive home.
tear something up
sort something out rip into pieces
organize, resolve a problem I tore up my ex-boyfriend's letters and gave them
We need to sort the bills out before the first of the back to him.
month.
think back
stick to something remember (often + to, sometimes + on)
continue doing something, limit yourself to one When I think back on my youth, I wish I had
particular thing studied harder.
You will lose weight if you stick to the diet.
think something over
switch something off consider
stop the energy flow, turn off I'll have to think this job offer over before I make
The light's too bright. Could you switch it off. my final decision.

switch something on throw something away

start the energy flow, turn on dispose of
We heard the news as soon as we switched on the We threw our old furniture away when we won the
car radio. lottery.

take after somebody turn something down

resemble a family member decrease the volume or strength (heat, light etc)
I take after my mother. We are both impatient. Please turn the TV down while the guests are here.

take something apart turn something down

purposely break into pieces refuse
He took the car brakes apart and found the problem. I turned the job down because I don't want to move.

9
turn something off work out
stop the energy flow, switch off exercise
Your mother wants you to turn the TV off and come I work out at the gym three times a week.
for dinner.
work out
turn something on be successful
start the energy, switch on Our plan worked out fine.
It's too dark in here. Let's turn some lights on.
work something out
turn something up make a calculation
increase the volume or strength (heat, light etc) We have to work out the total cost before we buy
Can you turn the music up? This is my favourite the house.
song.

turn up
appear suddenly
Our cat turned up after we put posters up all over
the neighbourhood.

try something on
sample clothing
I'm going to try these jeans on, but I don't think they
will fit.

try something out

test
I am going to try this new brand of detergent out.

use something up
finish the supply
The kids used all of the toothpaste up so we need to
buy some more.

wake up
stop sleeping
We have to wake up early for work on Monday.

warm somebody/ something up

increase the temperature
You can warm your feet up in front of the fireplace.

warm up
prepare body for exercise
I always warm up by doing sit-ups before I go for a
run.

wear off
fade away
Most of my make-up wore off before I got to the
party.

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