Phrasal Verbs List

Phrasal verbs are usually two-word phrases consisting of verb + adverb or verb
+ preposition. Think of them as you would any other English vocabulary. Study
them as you come across them, rather than trying to memorize many at once. Use
the list below as a reference guide when you find an expression that you don't
recognize. The example sentences will help you understand the meanings. If you
think of each phrasal verb as a separate verb with a specific meaning, you will be
able to remember it more easily. Like many other verbs, phrasal verbs often have
more than one meaning.

This list shows about 200 common phrasal verbs, with meanings and examples.
Only the most usual meanings are given. Some phrasal verbs may have additional
meanings.

As well as learning their meanings, you can study the grammar of phrasal verbs.

phrasal verb meaning example sentence

Brian asked Judy out to
ask someone out invite on a date
dinner and a movie.
ask many people the same I asked around but nobody
ask around
question has seen my wallet.
Your purchases add up to
add up to something equal
$205.32.
You'll have to back up your
back something up reverse
car so that I can get out.
My wife backed me up
back someone up support over my decision to quit my
job.
The racing car blew up after
blow up explode
it crashed into the fence.
We have to blow 50
blow something up add air
balloons up for the party.
break down stop functioning (vehicle, Our car broke down at the
machine) side of the highway in the
 phrasal verb meaning example sentence
snowstorm.
The woman broke down
break down get upset when the police told her that
her son had died.
Our teacher broke the final
break something down divide into smaller parts project down into three
separate parts.
Somebody broke in last
break in force entry to a building
night and stole our stereo.
The firemen had to break
break into something enter forcibly into the room to rescue the
children.
wear something a few times
I need to break these shoes
break something in so that it doesn't look/feel
in before we run next week.
new
The TV station broke in to
break in interrupt report the news of the
president's death.
My boyfriend and I broke
break up end a relationship up before I moved to
America.
The kids just broke up as
break up start laughing (informal) soon as the clown started
talking.
The prisoners broke out of
break out escape jail when the guards weren't
looking.
I broke out in a rash after
break out in something develop a skin condition
our camping trip.
This sad music is bringing
bring someone down make unhappy
me down.
My grandparents brought
bring someone up raise a child me up after my parents
died.
bring something up start talking about a subject My mother walks out of the
 phrasal verb meaning example sentence
room when my father
brings up sports.
He drank so much that he
bring something up vomit brought his dinner up in
the toilet.
We called around but we
phone many different
call around weren't able to find the car
places/people
part we needed.
I called the company back
call someone back return a phone call but the offices were closed
for the weekend.
Jason called the wedding
call something off cancel off because he wasn't in
love with his fianc.
The professor called on me
call on someone ask for an answer or opinion
for question 1.
We called on you last night
call on someone visit someone
but you weren't home.
Give me your phone number
call someone up phone and I will call you up when
we are in town.
You are still mad. You need
calm down relax after being angry to calm down before you
drive the car.
not care for I don't care for his
not like (formal)
someone/something behaviour.
You'll have to run faster
get to the same point as
catch up than that if you want to
someone else
catch up with Marty.
arrive and register at a hotel We will get the hotel keys
check in
or airport when we check in.
You have to check out of
check out leave a hotel
the hotel before 11:00 AM.
check The company checks out all
look at carefully, investigate
someone/something out new employees.
 phrasal verb meaning example sentence
check out Check out the crazy hair on
look at (informal)
someone/something that guy!
She cheered up when she
cheer up become happier
heard the good news.
I brought you some flowers
cheer someone up make happier
to cheer you up.
If everyone chips in we can
chip in help get the kitchen painted by
noon.
Please clean up your
clean something up tidy, clean bedroom before you go
outside.
I came across these old
come across something find unexpectedly photos when I was tidying
the closet.
The top and bottom come
come apart separate apart if you pull hard
enough.
My nephew came down
come down with
become sick with chicken pox this
something
weekend.
The woman came forward
volunteer for a task or to
come forward with her husband's finger
give evidence
prints.
The art of origami comes
come from somewhere originate in
from Asia.
count on I am counting on you to
rely on
someone/something make dinner while I am out.
Please cross out your old
cross something out draw a line through address and write your new
one.
My doctor wants me to cut
cut back on something consume less back on sweets and fatty
foods.
cut something down make something fall to the We had to cut the old tree in
 phrasal verb meaning example sentence
our yard down after the
ground
storm.
Your father cut in while I
cut in interrupt was dancing with your
uncle.
pull in too closely in front of The bus driver got angry
cut in
another vehicle when that car cut in.
The air conditioner cuts in
start operating (of an engine
cut in when the temperature gets
or electrical device)
to 22C.
The doctors cut off his leg
remove with something
cut something off because it was severely
sharp
injured.
The phone company cut off
cut something off stop providing our phone because we didn't
pay the bill.
My grandparents cut my
cut someone off take out of a will father off when he
remarried.
remove part of something
I cut this ad out of the
cut something out (usually with scissors and
newspaper.
paper)
He's lucky to be alive. His
do someone/something beat up, ransack (BrE,
shop was done over by a
over informal)
street gang.
My teacher wants me to do
do something over do again (AmE) my essay over because she
doesn't like my topic.
do away with It's time to do away with all
discard
something of these old tax records.
Do your coat up before you
do something up fasten, close
go outside. It's snowing!
It's a fancy restaurant so we
dress up wear nice clothing
have to dress up.
drop back move back in a Andrea dropped back to
 phrasal verb meaning example sentence
third place when she fell off
position/group
her bike.
come without an I might drop in/by/over for
drop in/by/over
appointment tea sometime this week.
take someone/something
drop I have to drop my sister off
somewhere and leave
someone/something off at work before I come over.
them/it there
I dropped out of Science
drop out quit a class, school etc
because it was too difficult.
I don't feel like cooking
eat out eat at a restaurant
tonight. Let's eat out.
We ended up renting a
end up eventually reach/do/decide movie instead of going to
the theatre.
My new dress fell apart in
fall apart break into pieces
the washing machine.
The picture that you hung
fall down fall to the ground up last night fell down this
morning.
The money must have fallen
fall out separate from an interior
out of my pocket.
(of hair, teeth) become loose His hair started to fall out
fall out
and unattached when he was only 35.
I need to figure out how to
figure something out understand, find the answer fit the piano and the
bookshelf in this room.
Please fill in the form with
to write information in
fill something in your name, address, and
blanks, as on a form (BrE)
phone number.
to write information in The form must be filled out
fill something out
blanks, as on a form (AmE) in capital letters.
I always fill the water jug
fill something up fill to the top
up when it is empty.
We don't know where he
find out discover
lives. How can we find out?
 phrasal verb meaning example sentence
We tried to keep the time of
find something out discover the party a secret, but
Samantha found it out.
I tried to get my point
get something communicate, make
across/over to the judge but
across/over understandable
she wouldn't listen.
I was surprised how well
get along/on like each other my new girlfriend and my
sister got along/on.
My grandfather can get
get around have mobility around fine in his new
wheelchair.
We worked so hard this year
get away go on a vacation that we had to get away for
a week.
Jason always gets away
get away with do without being noticed or
with cheating in his maths
something punished
tests.
We got back from our
get back return
vacation last week.
Liz finally got her Science
receive something you had
get something back notes back from my room-
before
mate.
My sister got back at me
get back at someone retaliate, take revenge for stealing her shoes. She
stole my favourite hat.
become interested in I finally got back into my
get back into something
something again novel and finished it.
We're going to freeze out
get on something step onto a vehicle here if you don't let us get
on the bus.
recover from an illness, loss, I just got over the flu and
get over something
difficulty now my sister has it.
get over something overcome a problem The company will have to
close if it can't get over the
 phrasal verb meaning
finally find time to do
get round to something (AmE: get around to
something)
meet (usually for social
get together
reasons)
get up get out of bed
get up stand
reveal hidden information
give someone away
about someone
give someone away take the bride to the altar
give something away ruin a secret
accident.
give something to someone The library was giving
give something away
for free
give something back return a borrowed item
reluctantly stop fighting or
give in
arguing
give to many people
give something out
(usually at no cost)
give something up quit a habit
give up stop trying
go after someone follow someone
go after something try to achieve something
example sentence
new regulations.
I don't know when I am
going to get round to
writing the thank you cards.
Let's get together for a
BBQ this weekend.
I got up early today to study
for my exam.
You should get up and give
the elderly man your seat.
His wife gave him away to
the police.
My father gave me away at
my wedding.
My little sister gave the
surprise party away by
away old books on Friday.
I have to give these skates
back to Franz before his
hockey game.
My boyfriend didn't want to
go to the ballet, but he
finally gave in.
They were giving out free
perfume samples at the
department store.
I am giving up smoking as
of January 1st.
My maths homework was
too difficult so I gave up.
My brother tried to go after
the thief in his car.
I went after my dream and
 phrasal verb meaning example sentence
now I am a published writer.
We are going against the
go against someone compete, oppose best soccer team in the city
tonight.
Please go ahead and eat
go ahead start, proceed
before the food gets cold.
I have to go back home and
go back return to a place
get my lunch.
leave home to go on a social We're going out for dinner
go out
event tonight.
Jesse has been going out
go out with someone date with Luke since they met
last winter.
Please go over your answers
go over something review
before you submit your test.
I haven't seen Tina for a
go over visit someone nearby long time. I think I'll go
over for an hour or two.
When I was young, we went
go without something suffer lack or deprivation
without winter boots.
My best friend and I grew
grow apart stop being friends over time apart after she changed
schools.
My roses grew back this
grow back regrow
summer.
When Jack grows up he
grow up become an adult
wants to be a fireman.
Elizabeth needs a new pair
grow out of something get too big for of shoes because she has
grown out of her old ones.
This bike is too big for him
grow into something grow big enough to fit now, but he should grow
into it by next year.
hand something down give something used to I handed my old comic
someone else books down to my little
 phrasal verb meaning example sentence
cousin.
I have to hand in my essay
hand something in submit
by Friday.
to distribute to a group of We will hand out the
hand something out
people invitations at the door.
The police asked the man to
hand something over give (usually unwillingly) hand over his wallet and
his weapons.
Hang in there. I'm sure
hang in stay positive (informal)
you'll find a job very soon.
Hang on while I grab my
hang on wait a short time (informal)
coat and shoes!
Instead of going to the party
spend time relaxing
hang out we are just going to hang
(informal)
out at my place.
He didn't say goodbye
hang up end a phone call
before he hung up.
hold I had to hold my dog back
someone/something prevent from doing/going because there was a cat in
back the park.
Jamie held back his tears at
hold something back hide an emotion
his grandfather's funeral.
Please hold on while I
hold on wait a short time transfer you to the Sales
Department.
hold onto hold firmly using your Hold onto your hat because
someone/something hands or arms it's very windy outside.
hold A man in a black mask held
rob
someone/somethingup the bank up this morning.
keep on doing Keep on stirring until the
continue doing
something liquid comes to a boil.
We kept our relationship
keep something from
not tell from our parents for two
someone
years.
keep stop from entering Try to keep the wet dog out
 phrasal verb meaning example sentence
someone/something out of the living room.
If you keep those results up
keep something up continue at the same rate you will get into a great
college.
I need you to be on time.
fail to support or help,
let someone down Don't let me down this
disappoint
time.
Can you let the cat in before
let someone in allow to enter
you go to school?
I can't log in to Facebook
sign in (to a website,
log in (or on) because I've forgotten my
database etc)
password.
If you don't log off
sign out (of a website,
log out (or off) somebody could get into
database etc)
your account.
look after I have to look after my sick
take care of
someone/something grandmother.
Ever since we stole that
think less of, consider
look down on someone chocolate bar your dad has
inferior
looked down on me.
look for I'm looking for a red dress
try to find
someone/something for the wedding.
look forward to I'm looking forward to the
be excited about the future
something Christmas break.
We are going to look into
look into something investigate the price of snowboards
today.
be careful, vigilant, and take Look out! That car's going
look out
notice to hit you!
look out for Don't forget to look out for
be especially vigilant for
someone/something snakes on the hiking trail.
Can you look over my
look something over check, examine
essay for spelling mistakes?
look something up search and find information We can look her phone
in a reference book or number up on the Internet.
 phrasal verb meaning
database
look up to someone have a lot of respect for
make something up invent, lie about something
make up forgive each other
make someone up apply cosmetics to
mix something up confuse two or more things
pass away die
pass out faint
out.
give the same thing to many The professor passed the
pass something out
people textbooks out before class.
decline (usually something I passed up the job because
pass something up
good)
pay someone back return owed money
be punished for doing
pay for something
something bad
pick something out choose
point
indicate with your finger
someone/something out
put what you are holding on
put something down
a surface or floor
put someone down insult, make someone feel
example sentence
My little sister has always
looked up to me.
Josie made up a story about
why we were late.
We were angry last night,
but we made up at
breakfast.
My sisters made me up for
my graduation party.
I mixed up the twins' names
again!
His uncle passed away last
night after a long illness.
It was so hot in the church
that an elderly lady passed
I am afraid of change.
Thanks for buying my
ticket. I'll pay you back on
Friday.
That bully will pay for
being mean to my little
brother.
I picked out three sweaters
for you to try on.
I'll point my boyfriend out
when he runs by.
You can put the groceries
down on the kitchen
counter.
The students put the
 phrasal verb meaning example sentence
substitute teacher down
stupid because his pants were too
short.
We are putting off our trip
put something off postpone until January because of the
hurricane.
The neighbours put the fire
put something out extinguish out before the firemen
arrived.
I have to put the crib
put something together assemble together before the baby
arrives.
I don't think I can put up
put up with
tolerate with three small children in
someone/something
the car.
put clothing/accessories on Don't forget to put on your
put something on
your body new earrings for the party.
run into I ran into an old school-
meet unexpectedly
someone/something friend at the mall.
run over drive a vehicle over a person I accidentally ran over your
someone/something or thing bicycle in the driveway.
Let's run over/through
run over/through
rehearse, review these lines one more time
something
before the show.
The child ran away from
run away leave unexpectedly, escape home and has been missing
for three days.
We ran out of shampoo so I
run out have none left had to wash my hair with
soap.
My letter got sent back to
send something back return (usually by mail) me because I used the
wrong stamp.
set something up arrange, organize Our boss set a meeting up
with the president of the
 phrasal verb meaning
set someone up trick, trap
shop around compare prices
act extra special for people
show off watching (usually
boastfully)
stay somewhere for the
sleep over
night (informal)
sort something out organize, resolve a problem
continue doing something,
stick to something limit yourself to one
particular thing
stop the energy flow, turn
switch something off
off
switch something on start the energy flow, turn on as we switched on the car
take after someone resemble a family member
take something apart purposely break into pieces apart and found the
take something back return an item
take off start to fly
minutes.
remove something (usually Take off your socks and
take something off
clothing)
example sentence
company.
The police set up the car
thief by using a hidden
camera.
I want to shop around a
little before I decide on
these boots.
He always shows off on his
skateboard
You should sleep over
tonight if the weather is too
bad to drive home.
We need to sort the bills out
before the first of the month.
You will lose weight if you
stick to the diet.
The light's too bright. Could
you switch it off.
We heard the news as soon
radio.
I take after my mother. We
are both impatient.
He took the car brakes
problem.
I have to take our new TV
back because it doesn't
work.
My plane takes off in five
shoes and come in the lake!
 phrasal verb meaning
remove from a place or
take something out
thing
pay for someone to go
take someone out
somewhere with you
tear something up rip into pieces
remember (often + to,
think back
sometimes + on)
think something over consider
throw something away dispose of
decrease the volume or
turn something down
strength (heat, light etc)
turn something down refuse
stop the energy flow, switch
turn something off
off
turn something on start the energy, switch on
increase the volume or
turn something up
strength (heat, light etc)
turn up appear suddenly
try something on sample clothing
try something out test
example sentence
Can you take the garbage
out to the street for me?
My grandparents took us
out for dinner and a movie.
I tore up my ex-boyfriend's
letters and gave them back
to him.
When I think back on my
youth, I wish I had studied
harder.
I'll have to think this job
offer over before I make my
final decision.
We threw our old furniture
away when we won the
lottery.
Please turn the TV down
while the guests are here.
I turned the job down
because I don't want to
move.
Your mother wants you to
turn the TV off and come
for dinner.
It's too dark in here. Let's
turn some lights on.
Can you turn the music up?
This is my favourite song.
Our cat turned up after we
put posters up all over the
neighbourhood.
I'm going to try these jeans
on, but I don't think they
will fit.
I am going to try this new
 phrasal verb meaning example sentence
brand of detergent out.
The kids used all of the
use something up finish the supply toothpaste up so we need to
buy some more.
We have to wake up early
wake up stop sleeping
for work on Monday.
warm You can warm your feet up
increase the temperature
someone/something up in front of the fireplace.
I always warm up by doing
warm up prepare body for exercise
sit-ups before I go for a run.
Most of my make-up wore
wear off fade away
off before I got to the party.
I work out at the gym three
work out exercise
times a week.
work out be successful Our plan worked out fine.
We have to work out the
work something out make a calculation total cost before we buy the
house.
Separable Phrasal Verbs
The object may come after the following phrasal verbs or it may separate the two
parts:
You have to do this paint job over.
You have to do over this paint job.

When the object of the following phrasal verbs is a pronoun, the two parts of the
phrasal verb must be separated:

You have to do it over.

Verb Meaning Example

blow up explode The terrorists tried to blow up the railroad station.

My mother brought up that little matter of my prison

bring up mention a topic
record again.

bring up raise children It isn't easy to bring up children nowadays.

call off cancel They called off this afternoon's meeting

do over repeat a job Do this homework over.

fill out complete a form Fill out this application form and mail it in.

fill up fill to capacity She filled up the grocery cart with free food.

My sister found out that her husband had been

find out discover
planning a surprise party for her.

give give something to

The filling station was giving away free gas.
away someone else for free

My brother borrowed my car. I have a feeling he's not

give back return an object
about to give it back.

submit something
hand in The students handed in their papers and left the room.
(assignment)
 put something on hook She hung up the phone before she hung up her
hang up
or receiver clothes.

I hate to hold up the meeting, but I have to go to the

hold up delay
bathroom.

hold up Three masked gunmen held up the Security Bank this

rob
(2) afternoon.

You left out the part about the police chase down
leave out omit
Asylum Avenue.

The lawyers looked over the papers carefully before

look over examine, check questioning the witness. (They looked them over
carefully.)

You've misspelled this word again. You'd better look it

look up search in a list
up.

She knew she was in trouble, so she made up a story

make up invent a story or lie
about going to the movies with her friends.

He was so far away, we really couldn't make out what

make out hear, understand
he was saying.

There were three men in the line-up. She picked out

pick out choose
the guy she thought had stolen her purse.

lift something off The crane picked up the entire house. (Watch them
pick up
something else pick it up.)

As we drove through Paris, Francoise pointed out the

point out call attention to
major historical sites.

We put away money for our retirement. She put

put away save or store
away the cereal boxes.

We asked the boss to put off the meeting until

put off postpone
tomorrow. (Please put it off for another day.)

put on put clothing on the I put on a sweater and a jacket. (I put them on
 body quickly.)

The firefighters put out the house fire before it could

put out extinguish
spread. (They put it out quickly.)

I read over the homework, but couldn't make any

read over peruse
sense of it.

My wife set up the living room exactly the way she

set up to arrange, begin
wanted it. She set it up.

take These are your instructions. Write them down before

make a written note
down you forget.

take off remove clothing It was so hot that I had to take off my shirt.

We have serious problems here. Let's talk them over

talk over discuss
like adults.

throw
discard That's a lot of money! Don't just throw it away.
away

put clothing on to see if She tried on fifteen dresses before she found one she
try on
it fits liked.

I tried out four cars before I could find one that

try out test
pleased me.

turn
lower volume Your radio is driving me crazy! Please turn it down.
down

turn He applied for a promotion twice this year, but he was

reject
down (2) turned down both times.

Grandpa couldn't hear, so he turned up his hearing

turn up raise the volume
aid.

turn off switch off electricity We turned off the lights before anyone could see us.

turn off
repulse It was a disgusting movie. It really turned me off.
(2)

turn on switch on the electricity Turn on the CD player so we can dance.

 The gang members used up all the money and went
use up exhaust, use completely
out to rob some more banks.

Inseparable Phrasal Verbs (Transitive)

With the following phrasal verbs, the lexical part of the verb (the part of the phrasal
verb that carries the "verb-meaning") cannot be separated from the prepositions (or
other parts) that accompany it: "Who will look after my estate when I'm gone?"

Verb Meaning Example

call on ask to recite in class The teacher called on students in the back row.

The old minister continued to call on his sick

call on (2) visit
parishioners.

recover from sickness or I got over the flu, but I don't know if I'll ever get
get over
disappointment over my broken heart.

The students went over the material before the

go over review
exam. They should have gone over it twice.

They country went through most of its coal

go through use up; consume reserves in one year. Did he go through all his
money already?

My mother promised to look after my dog while I

look after take care of
was gone.

The police will look into the possibilities of

look into investigate
embezzlement.

I ran across my old roommate at the college

run across find by chance
reunion.

Carlos ran into his English professor in the

run into meet
hallway.
take after resemble My second son seems to take after his mother.

It seemed strange to see my old boss wait on

wait on serve
tables.

Three-Word Phrasal Verbs (Transitive)

With the following phrasal verbs, you will find three parts: "My brother dropped out
of school before he could graduate."

Verb Meaning Example

interrupt (a I was talking to Mom on the phone when the

break in on
conversation) operator broke in on our call.

catch up After our month-long trip, it was time to catch up

keep abreast
with with the neighbors and the news around town.

The boys promised to check up on the condition of

check up on examine, investigate
the summer house from time to time.

After years of giving nothing, the old parishioner

come up to contribute
was able to come up with a thousand-dollar
with (suggestion, money)
donation.

cut down We tried to cut down on the money we were

curtail (expenses)
on spending on entertainment.

I hope none of my students drop out of school this

drop out of leave school
semester.

get along have a good I found it very hard to get along with my brother
with relationship with when we were young.

get away Janik cheated on the exam and then tried to get away
escape blame
with with it.

get rid of eliminate The citizens tried to get rid of their corrupt mayor in
 the recent election.

get through
finish When will you ever get through with that program?
with

keep up It's hard to keep up with the Joneses when you lose
maintain pace with
with your job!

look anticipate with I always look forward to the beginning of a new

forward to pleasure semester.

look down It's typical of a jingoistic country that the citizens

despise
on look down on their geographical neighbors.

We were going to look in on my brother-in-law, but

look in on visit (somebody)
he wasn't home.

Good instructors will look out for early signs of

look out for be careful, anticipate
failure in their students

look up to respect First-graders really look up to their teachers.

make sure Make sure of the student's identity before you let
verify
of him into the classroom.

The teacher had to put up with a great deal of

put up with tolerate
nonsense from the new students.

The runners ran out of energy before the end of the

run out of exhaust supply
race.

My oldest sister took care of us younger children

take care of be responsible for
after Mom died.

The star player talked back to the coach and was

talk back to answer impolitely
thrown off the team.

think back I often think back on my childhood with great

recall
on pleasure.

Her husband walked out on her and their three

walk out on abandon
children.
Intransitive Phrasal Verbs
The following phrasal verbs are not followed by an object: "Once you leave home, you
can never really go back again."

Verb Meaning Example

That old Jeep had a tendency to break down just

break down stop functioning
when I needed it the most.

Popular songs seem to catch on in California first

catch on become popular
and then spread eastward.

Father promised that we would never come back to

come back return to a place
this horrible place.

They tried to come in through the back door, but it

come in enter
was locked.

regain He was hit on the head very hard, but after several
come to
consciousness minutes, he started to come to again.

The children promised to come over, but they never

come over to visit
do.

visit without We used to just drop by, but they were never home,
drop by
appointment so we stopped doing that.

When we visited Paris, we loved eating out in the

eat out dine in a restaurant
sidewalk cafes.

Uncle Heine didn't have much money, but he always

get by survive seemed to get by without borrowing money from
relatives.

Grandmother tried to get up, but the couch was too

get up arise
low, and she couldn't make it on her own.

It's hard to imagine that we will ever go back to

go back return to a place
Lithuania.
 He would finish one Dickens novel and then just go
go on continue
on to the next.

The cops heard all the noise and stopped to see what
go on (2) happen
was going on.

grow up get older Charles grew up to be a lot like his father.

remain at a The judge warned the stalker to keep away from his
keep away
distance victim's home.

keep on (with continue with the He tried to keep on singing long after his voice was
gerund) same ruined.

lose consciousness, He had drunk too much; he passed out on the

pass out
faint sidewalk outside the bar.

demonstrate Whenever he sat down at the piano, we knew he was

show off
haughtily going to show off.

Day after day, Efrain showed up for class twenty

show up arrive
minutes late.

wake up arouse from sleep I woke up when the rooster crowed.