Phraser Verbs

8/14/2019 Phraser Verbs

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Alphabetical List - B

back awayMove backwards, in fear

or dislike

back downWithdraw; concede

defeat.

1) Give support orencouragement

2) make a copy of (file,

program...)

1) Pay money to secure

someone's release

2) Rescue from financial

difficulties

bank onBase your hopes on

something/someone.

beef upImprove or make more

substantial

black out Faint; lose consciousness

English Phrasa

A phrasal verb is a verb followed by a p

the combination creates a meaning differ

Phrasal Verb Meaning

back up

bail out


2/32

block off Separate using a barrier.

1) Explode.

2) Be destroyed by an

explosion.

boil down to Be summarized as

boot up

Start a computer by

loading an operating

system or program.

break away Escape from captivity.

1) Go out of order, cease

to function.

2) Lose control of one's

emotions.

break into Enter by force.

1) Stop, discontinue

2) Stop speaking

break out Start suddenly.

break out ofEscape from a place by

force.

break upCome to an end

(marriage, relationship...)

bring up Raise (a child).

brush up onImprove, refresh one's

knowledge of something.

bump intoMeet by accident or

unexpectedly.

1) Stop (something)

working

break down

break off

blow up


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2) Become exhausted

from overworking

butt in (on) Interrupt impolitely.

call back Return a phone call

call off Cancel

call on/upon Formally invite or request.

calm downBecome more relaxed or

less angry/upset.

carry on Continue.

1) Do something as

specified (plan, order,

threat...)

2) Perform or conduct

(test, experiment ...)

carry over Postpone until later.

check inRegister at a hotel or

airport.

1) Pay one's bill and leave

(a hotel)

2) Investigate or verify.

clam up Refuse to speak.

clamp down onAct strictly to prevent

something.

close downStop operating (company,

restaurant, cinema ...)

1) Find by chance.

2) Appear, seem, make an

impression.

come forward Present oneself.

carry out

check out

come across

burn out


4/32

come up againstBe faced with or opposed

by.

1) Stop working.

2) Stop or fall asleep

(from exhaustion).

count on Rely or depend on.

cross outRemove by drawing a line

through.

cut down on Reduce in number or size.

1) Remove using scissors.

2) Stop doing something.

deal withHandle, take care of

(problem, situation)

die downCalm down, become less

strong.

1) Try to find deep inside

something.

2) Start to do something.

3) Take from something.

1) Break up the

soil/remove by digging.

2) Discover or reveal

information.

dish out Distribute or give away alot.

drag on Last longer than expected.

conk out

cut out

dig into

dig up

do without Manage without.


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1) Make something longer

than necessary.

2) Make someone reveal

or give information

unwillingly.

draw upWrite (contract,

agreement, document).

1) Wear elegant clothes.

2) Disguise oneself.

drift apartBecome less and less

close.

drift off Gradually fall asleep.

drive atInsinuate; be trying to

say.

drop behindFall into a position behind

others.

drop inVisit, usually on the way

somewhere.

1) Deliver someone or

something.

2) Fall asleep.

drop outLeave school without

finishing.

drown outBe louder in order to

cover another sound.

Reduce, become less

severe or slow down(pain, traffic, work ...)

egg on Encourage

embark on/upon Start or engage in

drag out

dress up

drop off

ease off/up


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end inFinish in a certain way /

result in

end upFinally reach a state, place

or action

1) Eliminate differences of

opinion.

2) Become level or regular

explain awayFind an excuse or

plausible explanation

face up (to)Accept ad deal with

something unpleasant.

fall behindFail to maintain a certain

level

fall through Fail / does not happen

figure outUnderstand / find the

answer

fill outComplete (a

form/application)

find outDiscover or obtain

information

fit in (with)Feel comfortable or be in

harmony with

fizzle out Gradually end

focus onConcentrate on

something

fold inMix one ingredient with

another.

freak out Panic or go crazy

frown on/upon Disapprove

fuss over Pay excessive attention to

even out


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get along (with)Be on good terms / work

well with.

get at Imply

get away Escape

get by (on)

Manage to cope or to

survive.

get down toStart to actually do

something.

get in Enter

get into (+ noun) Enter

1) Leave (bus, train,

plane).

2) Remove from

something.

get on Board (bus, train, plane)

get on withContinue to do something

/ make progress

get on (well) withHave a good relationship

with

get out Leave

get out of (+noun) Leave

get overRecover from (illness,

disappointment)

get rid of Eliminate

get round (to)Find the necessary time to

do something.

get together Meet each other

get up Rise / leave bed

1) Give something free of

charge.

2) Reveal something.

give backReturn something to its

owner.

give up Stop ing something.

get off

get out of (+verb) Avoid doing something

give away


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gloss over

Treat something briefly so

as to avoid embarrassing

details.

go along (with) Agree with; accept.

go in forHave something as an

interest or hobby.

go through Experience.

grow upSpend one's childhood /

become an adult

hand back Return

hand downPass on (by tradition,

inheritance...)

hand inSubmit (report,

homework)

hand overGive to someone in

authority.

hang backBe reluctant to do

something

hang on Wait

hang on (to) Keep a hold on something

hang up End a telephoneconversation

head off Start to go somewhere.

head forGo/move in a certain

direction.

hit at Aim a blow at something.

hand out Distribute

hang out

Spend time in a particular

place or with a group of

friends


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hit backRetaliate / reply to an

attack

hit on/uponFind unexpectedly or by

inspiration

1) Wait

2) Grip tightly

hold up Show as a example

hook up Fasten (a garment)

hook up (with) Link broadcasting facilities

hurry up Be quick / act speedily

idle awayWaste time doing nothing

much.

Resolve by discussion/

eliminate

differences

improve on/upon Make better

indulge inAllow yourself to enjoy

something

insure againstGuarantee compensation

for damage etc.

invite outAsk someone to join you

for lunch, dinner, etc.

join in Participate

1) Engage in, become a

member of

2) Meet and unite with

hold on

join up

iron out

impose on/upon

Ask too much of

someone.


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jot down Take quick notes

keep back Retain / force to stay back

keep on Continue doing something

keep up withStay at the same level as

someone or something

kneel down Go down on your knees

kick off Begin, start

knock backDrink quickly (usually

alcohol)

knock outCause someone to fall

unconscious.

know ofhave heard of / have

knowledge about

laugh offMake light of something /

minimize

lay off Fire, dismiss, let go

leaf through Turn over pages quickly

leak outBecome known

(information)

leave out Omit / not mention

let down Disappoint

line up Stand in a row.

knock downStrike someone or

something to the ground.

light up Illuminate


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live throughExperience something and

survive

liven upMake something livelier

or more attractive.

log in/on

Access a program or

database using a

password.

log off End access to a database.

look after Take care of

look ahead Think of the future

look down on Consider as inferior

look into Examine or investigate.

look on Be a spectator at an event

look for Try to find something

look forward toAwait or anticipate with

pleasure

look up to Admire

lose out on/toBe unsuccessful / suffer a

loss

make fun ofLaugh at / make jokes

about

make off with Steal and hurry away

make up Invent (excuse, story)

make up (with) End a quarrel

miss out (on)Lose an opportunity to do

something.

make up for Compensate for


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move inArrive in a new home or

office

move outLeave your home/office

for another one.

nail downMake someone say

something precisely

name afterGive the same name as

another person

narrow downReduce a list or a number

of options.

nod off Fall asleep

nose about/aroundTry to discover by

searching.

note down Write something down

opt outLeave a system or decide

not to participate

own up Admit or confesssomething

pass away Die

pass on Transmit

pass out Faint / lose consciousness

pay back Reimburse

play up Cause pain or discomfort.

play up

Emphasize or make

something seem more

important.

play down

Minimize or make

something appear less

important

mix upMistake one thing or

person for another


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pop across/over/

down/out

pop in Make a brief visit

pop up Arise, occur

pull throughOvercome difficulties or

illness

put away

Return something to its

normal place after using

it.

put offPostpone / arrange a later

date

put on Turn on / switch on

put onWear a garment or piece

of clothing.

put out Extinguish

put (yourself) outGo to a lot of trouble / be

inconvenienced.

put (something) outLeave/place someting

outside the house.

put throughConnect two people (on

the telephone)

put upAccommodate / give

someone a bed

put up with Tolerate

pick up Collect somebody

point outIndicate / direct attention

to something

reel off Recite without effort orpause

rub out Erase

Come or go quickly in the

direction specified

rely onCount on / depend on /

trust


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rule out Eliminate

run awayEscape from a place or

suddenly leave

Meet by accident or

unexpectedly

(also : bumpinto)

run out ofHave no more of

something

set off Start a journey

set up Start a business

shop around Compare prices

show offBrag or want to be

admired

show up Appear / arrive

shut up (impolite) Be silent, stop talking

sign awayGive up one's rights or

ownership

sign in Register (e.g. at a hotel)

sign outPay your bill and leave

(e.g. a hotel)

sign over (to)Transfer ownership of

something

sign up (for) Enroll in an activity

sign up (with)Sign an agreement to

work for somebody

single outSelect for special

attention

sink in To be fully understood

sit down Take a seatsleep in Sleep later than usual

sober upGet rid of the effects of

too much alcohol

stand upRise from a sitting

position

run into


15/32

stick up for Defend

take afterResemble in appearance

or character

take apartDismantle or separate the

components

take away

Buy food at a restaurant

and carry it elsewhere to

eat it.

take awayCause something to

disappear

take backAgree to receive back/ be

returned.

take backRetract or withdraw

something said

take care of Look after

take off Leave the ground

take inAllow to stay in one's

home

take in Note with your eyes andregister.

take in

Understand what one

sees, hears or reads /

realize what is happening.

take on Hire or engage staff

take out Remove / extract

take outInvite someone to dinner,

the theatre, cinema, etc.

tell offReprimand / criticize

severely

test out Carry out an experiment

think over Consider


16/32

throw awayDiscard as useless or

unwanted.

throw up Vomit / be sick

tire out Exhaust completely

touch down Land on the runway

toy withThink about, without

serious intent

track down Find by searching

trade inGive as part payment for a

new article.

Put on or wear something

to see if it suits

or fits

turn awayRefuse entrance to

someone

1)Lower the volume.

2)Refuse

turn offStop by turning a switch,

tap or knob.

1) Arrive, appear

2) Raise the volume

irecto

turn up

try on

turn down


17/32

When he saw the dog, he backedaway.

Local authorities backed downon their plans

to demolish the cinema.

1) If I tell the bosswe've got too much work,will youbackme up?

2) It is recommended to back upall files.

1) When he was arrested, his family refused

to bailhim out.

2) The government bailed outthe bank.

Don't forget the date. I'm banking onyour

help.

He beefed uphis presentation with diagrams

and statistics.

When he fell off the horse, he blacked out.

Verbs

eposition or an adverb;

nt from the original verb.

Example


18/32

The area was blocked off during the

demonstration.

1) The terrorists said the bomb would blow

up at 9 o'clock.

2) The car blew up but luckily there was

nobody in it.

The problem boils downto a lack of money.

Just give me a few minutes to boot up the

computer.

A few horses broke awayfrom the paddock.

1) John's carbroke downon the way to the

airport.

2) The parents broke downwhen they heard

the bad news.

The burglars broke intothe house around

midnight.

1) It was decided to break off diplomatic

relations with that country.

2) She broke off in the middle of a sentence.

Rioting broke out as a result of the strike.

Three prisoners broke out ofjail.

After her marriage broke up, Emma went to

live in London.

She stopped working in order to bring upher

children.Mary decided to brush up on her Spanish

before going to South-America.

Pedro bumped intohis English teacher at

the supermarket.

1) The fuse has burnt out.


19/32

2) Tom will burn himself outif he doesn't

slow down.

It's rude to butt in ona conversation.

I'll call you backas soon as possible.

The meeting wascalled off because of the

strike.

I now call upon the President to address the

assembly.

He was angry at first, but he eventually

calmed down.

He carried on gardening in spite of the rain.

1) The plan wascarried outto perfection.

2) Tests are carried outto determine the

efficiency of a new drug.

As regards holiays, can wecarry overdays

from one year to the next?

For security reasons, you have to check in

two hours before your flight.

1) Is Mr. Bush still at the hotel? No, he

checked out this morning.2) I don't know if the address is still valid.

I'll checkit out.

When the teacher arrived, she clammed up.

The government decided to clamp down on

smoking in public areas.

When the factory closed down, the

employees lost their jobs.

1) Juliecame acrosssome photographs of

her grandparents in the attic.2) The candidate came across as a dynamic

person during the interview.

The police have asked any witnesses to come

forward.


20/32

The project came up against a lot of

criticism.

1) The carconked outon the motorway.

2) He was so exhausted, he conked outin

front of the TV.

I'm counting onthe taxi driver to find the

theatre.

In some exercises you are asked to cross out

the incorrect word.

The doctor told him tocut down on

cigarettes.

1) Shecut outa picture in a magazine.

2) I'm going to cut outeating sweet food.

The manager is good at dealing withdifficult

customers.

When the applause died down, she started

to sing.

1) He dug intohis pocket and found a coin.

2) It was time to dig into the work that hadaccumulated on her desk.

3) Dad had to dig intohis savings to repair

the roof.

1) He tried to dig up the tree by its roots.

2) Some newspapers often try to dig up

scandalous information.

He spent the day dishing outinvitations totourists.

The shops are closed so we'll have to

do without sugar.

We expected a short speech but it dragged

onand on!


21/32

1) Let's decide now and not drag outthis

discussion.

2) The police finally dragged outa confession

from the suspect.

An agreement as drawn upand signed by

the two parties.

1) Do people dress upto go to the opera in

your country?

2) Children love to dress up at Halloween.

We were childhood friends but we drifted

apartover the years.

He sat back, closed his eyes and drifted off.

What exactly are youdriving at?

Our sales have dropped behind those of our

competitors.

I sometimes drop into see my grandparents

on my way home from school.

1) I'll dropyouoffat the bus stop if you like.

2) Granddad often drops off in front of the

TV.

She decided to go to art school, then

dropped outafter the first term.

She turned up the music to drown outthe

noise of the children outside.

Egged on by his friends, the boy climbed

over the wall.

She embarked ona career that lead her to

fame.

After Christmas, the workload generally

eases off.


22/32

Their marriage ended in divorce.

If he continues his misconduct, he'll end up

in prison.

1) After a long discussion they managed to

even out their differences.

2) The road wasevened out to make it safer.

How are you going to explain awaythe

missing money?

Sam will have to face upto the fact that

Jenny is not in love with him.

Shefell behind at school and had to study

harder.

Our planned boat trip fell throughbecause

of the storm.

I'm trying tofigure outhow to assemble the

wardrobe.

Pleasefill outthe enclosed form and send it

back as soon as possible.

I'm going to call the cinema to find outwhat

time the film starts.

He just doesn't fit in with the others.

Over the years their friendship fizzled out.

The advertising campaign will focus on the

quality of the product.

Fold in the eggs with the sugar.

She nearly freaked out when she saw the

colour of her hair. It was a disaster!

My parents always frowned on smoking.

She's always fussing over her grandson.


23/32

I get along(well) withmy mother-in-law.

What exactly are you trying to get at?

The robbers got awayin a black car.

It's difficult to get by on a low salary.

It's time to get down to some serious work!

How did the burglar get in?

How did the burglar get intothe house?

1) Get off the bus at Trafalgar Square.

2) She's trying to get off the stain.

You can pay when you get onthe bus.

Be quiet andget on with your homework.

I get onvery well with my colleagues.

How did he get out?

How did he get out of the house?

Some husbands manage toget out of

doing any housework.

Charlie had the 'flu but he got overit.

It's difficult to get rid of old habits.

I finally got round tomaking the list that I

promised.

Let's get togetherfor lunch one day.

I usuallyget up at 7 o'clock.

1) He gave away most of his paintings.

2) The names of the witnesses will not be

given away.

He promised to give backthe money he

borrowed..

Sarah gave upsmoking five years ago.


24/32

The director glossed over the recent drop in

sales.

Alex tends to go along with anything his wife

says.

She doesn't really go in for sports.

Petewent througha lot of pain after the

accident.

He grew upin a small village in the

mountains.

She read the article and then handed it back.

My clothes were handed down to me by my

older sister.

All application forms must be handed in

before the end of the month.

Samples will be handed outat the end

of the demonstration.

The boy was forced to hand over the mobile

phone he had stolen.All the children rushed towards the clown

except one boy who hung back.

Hang ona minute. I'm early ready.

Hang onto that rope and you'll be ok.

Where does hehang out these days?

Who does he hang out with?

Don't hang up. I haven't finished yet.

He headed offto the train station.

The boat was heading for the rocks.

He hit atthe wasp with a newspaper.


25/32

When he was attacked, the boy hit back.

Shehit uponan idea for her new collection.

1) Hold on please. I'll put you through to Mr.

Brown.

2) She held onto the railing as she crossed

the bridge.

She held upthe diagram for all to see.

I need help to hook upmy dress.

Many networks are hooked upby satellite.

Hurry up! We'll miss the bus!

Heidles awayhours every day watching

television.

Is it alright if I stay?

I don't want to impose uponyourhospitabity.

The runner improved onhis previous

performance.

Ive been dieting all week but today I'm going

toindulge in a dessert.

The house is insured againstfire.

Harry invited her out for dinner.

She was too shy tojoin inthe game.

1) John was in the army and Tomjoined up

as soon as he left school.

2) The two groups of touristsjoined upat

the hotel.

The meeting tomorrow will be an

opportunity to iron out difficulties.


26/32

Ijotted downthe address while watching

the programme on TV.

A barrier was installed tokeep backthe fans.

I told him to be quiet but hekept onmaking

noise.

Bill walks so fast it's difficult to keep upwith

him.

Most people kneel down to pray.

The football match kicked offat 3 p.m.

He knocked backa pint of beer and left.

The child was knocked downby a car.

The tree was knocked downduring the

storm

The boxer was knocked out in the first

round.

Do you know of anyone else attending the

conference?

He laughed off the unflattering review of his

latest book.

Many factories have had to lay off workers.

She leafed througha magazine in the

waiting room.

News of the planned merger leaked out.

Tom's name wasleft out of the report.

You promised to come to the party, so don't

letme down!

1) 1 watched the floodlights light up the

castle.

2) Her face alwayslights up when she seesher grandson.

3) The screen lights upwhen you turn on a

computer.

The books were lined upneatly on the

shelves.


27/32

My grandparents lived throughtwo wars.

We need to liven upthe presentation

somehow.

You need to log into your account beforeyou use the services.

Log off the system and then turn off the

computer.

A baby sitterlooks afterthe children when

their parents go out.

It's time to forget the past and look ahead.

He tends tolook down onanyone who is not

successful.

I'll look into the matter and call you back.

Billy didn't take part in the fight. He just

looked on.

Jane went shopping tolook fora pair of

shoes.

Ilook forward to seeing you soon.

He was a wonderful teacher and many

studentslooked up tohim.

I'm the one who'll lose out if our plan goes

wrong.

The old lady dresses so strangely that the

children make fun of her.

He made off with my briefcase while I was

checking the timetable.

Some employees make up excuses when

they arrive late for work.It's time to shake hands and make up.

With hard work I can make up forthe days

I was absent.

If you leave before Saturday you'll miss out

on the party.


28/32

I don't know the members' names yet.

I tend tomix them up

You've bought a new house? When are you

moving in?

My neighbour is leaving. He's moving out

next Saturday.

He promised to come but we'll have to nail

him downto a date.

William was named after his grandfather.

The list of suspects has been narrowed

downto three people.

My grandfather often nods offin front of the

television.

I don't like people nosing around my desk.

I'll call the station and note downthe

departure times.

I enjoy tennis but I'm so busy I had to opt

outof the tournament.

The boy owned up.He said he kicked theball through the window.

The old lady passed awaypeacefully.

Don't forget to pass on the information.

Shepassed out when she heard the bad

news.

I will lend you 20 provided you payme back

before the end of the week.

My stomach is starting to play up again after

all that heavy food.

He always plays uphis achievements.

The government played downthe gravity of

the situation.


29/32

He sometimes pops infor a cup of coffee.

The question popped up during the meeting.

My grandmother caught pneumonia but she

pulled through.

Please put awaythe dictionary when you've

finished using it.

The meeting was put off because of the

strike.

Could you put on the light please?

Put onyour coat - it's getting cold.

It took a long time to put out the fire.

Please don't put yourself outfor us.

Don't forget toput outthe dustbin.

I'll putyouthroughto Mr. Brown.

We can put you upif you'd like to come for

the week-end.I don't know how you can put up withall the

noise.

I'll pick you upat the station.

The teacher pointed outthe mistake.

She amazed everyone by reeling off all thephrasal verbs she had learned.

Don't worry. You canrely onme. I can keep

a secret.

Write it in pencil so that you can rub it out.

She popped overto visit her mother after

lunch.


30/32

The policeruled outpolitical motives.

He ran awayfrom home at the age of

fourteen.

What a nuisance! I'verun out ofcoffee.

Early Saturday morning we set offfor the ski

slopes.

Sheset up her own company 10 years ago.

It's always wise toshop around before

buying anything.

There's David showing off in his new sports

car!

We expected William to come but he didn't

show up.

Ohshut upyou idiot!

Hesigned away his property and joined a

religious community.

Let's go and eat as soon as we've signed in.

He signed out and left for the airport.

Hesigned over the house to his two

children.

Emma signed upfor a computer course.

Paul has signed up with a news agency.

Two boys were singled out for extra

coaching.

It took a while for the scale of the disaster to

sink in.

Please come in and sit down.Tomorrow's Saturday, so I cansleep in!

Jack went for a long walk to sober up.

The pupils stood upwhen the headmaster

arrived.

Sophieran into Maria at the shopping

centre.


31/32

It's important to stick up forone's principles.

Jamie really takes afterhis dad.

The technician has to take the machine

apart in order to repair it.

Two beef curries to take away please.

The doctor gave me tablets to take awaythe

pain.

We will take back goods only if you can

produce the receipt.

I take backwhat I said about cheating.

I'lltake care of your plants while you're

away.

The planetook offat 7 o'clock.

She's always taking instray cats and dogs!

She took in every detail of her rival's outfit.

The man immediately took inthe scene and

called the police.

Business is good so the company is taking on

extra staff.

Shetook out a pen to note the address.

He tookher out for a meal on her birthday.

The teacher told her offfor not doing her

homework.

The theory hasn't been tested out yet.

I'll have tothink over the proposal before I

decide.


32/32

You can throw awaythat book - it's a load of

rubbish!

I nearly threw up when I saw the injured

passengers.

The children tired out their grandmother.

The planetouched down exactly on time.

I've beentoying with the idea of starting to

walk to work.

The police finally tracked down the main

suspect.

I traded in my car for a new model.

Hundreds of fans wereturned away from

the football stadium.

1)Please turn downthe music; it's too

loud.

2) I couldn't turn downan offer like that!

Turn off the lights please before you leave.

1) Sheturned upan hour late.

2) Could youturn upthe radio please?

I'm not sure about the size. Can I tryit on?

Phraser Verbs

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