Introduction:

When you’re learning English, it’s not just about words and sentences. There’s something called “phrasal verbs” that can make your conversations sound more natural. These are common phrases that are used a lot in spoken English. Let’s explore these special phrases and see how they can help you speak English better.

What are Phrasal Verbs?

Phrasal verbs are small groups of words that include a verb and one or more extra words. These extra words can be things like “up,” “down,” “on,” or “off.” Phrasal verbs have meanings that might not be clear from just the main verb. They’re used a lot in conversations to talk about everyday actions and situations.

Using Phrasal Verbs Every Day:

Phrasal verbs are like your secret tool for sounding like a native English speaker. You use them without even realizing it! From waking up in the morning to going to bed at night, these special phrases help you describe things in a more interesting way.

Talking Better in English:

When you learn and use phrasal verbs, you’re making your English sound more real. Native speakers use these phrases all the time, so when you include them in your conversations, you’ll be able to connect better with others and understand what they’re saying.

1. Act up

Meaning: To misbehave or not work properly.

Example: The computer was acting up, so I had to restart it.

2. Add up

Meaning: To make sense; to calculate the total.

Example: I need to add up the expenses for the month.

3. Back up

Meaning: To create a copy of data or support someone.

Example: Don’t forget to back up your important files.

4. Beat up

Meaning: To physically harm or injure.

Example: He was badly beaten up in a fight.

5. Blow out

Meaning: To extinguish a flame.

Example: Can you blow out the candles on the cake?

6. Break down

Meaning: To stop functioning; to have an emotional collapse.

Example: The car broke down on the way to work.

7. Bring over

Meaning: To invite someone to one’s home.

Example: We’re bringing over some friends for dinner.

8. Brush up (on)

Meaning: To refresh one’s knowledge or skills.

Example: I need to brush up on my Spanish before the trip.

9. Burn down

Meaning: To completely destroy by fire.

Example: The old building burned down last night.

10. Call off

Meaning: To cancel an event or plans.

Example: They had to call off the picnic due to rain.

11. Clean up

Meaning: To tidy and organize an area.

Example: Let’s clean up the living room before guests arrive.

12. Cook up

Meaning: To invent or fabricate something.

Example: She cooked up an excuse for being late.

13. Curl up

Meaning: To sit or lie in a comfortable, cozy position.

Example: I love to curl up with a book on rainy days.

14. Cut out

Meaning: To remove by cutting; to stop doing something.

Example: She cut out sugar from her diet.

15. Doze off

Meaning: To fall asleep unintentionally.

Example: I dozed off on the couch while watching TV.

16. Drop off

Meaning: To deliver or leave someone or something.

Example: Can you drop off the package at the post office?

17. Eat out

Meaning: To dine at a restaurant instead of at home.

Example: Let’s eat out tonight, I don’t feel like cooking.

18. Face up to

Meaning: To confront and deal with a difficult situation.

Example: It’s time to face up to your fears.

19. Fill up

Meaning: To make something full, often with a liquid.

Example: Please fill up the water pitcher.

20. Find out

Meaning: To discover or learn something.

Example: I finally found out the truth about that rumor.

21. Fix up

Meaning: To repair or improve something.

Example: We’re planning to fix up the old shed in the backyard.

22. Get along (with)

Meaning: To have a good relationship with someone.

Example: I get along well with my new neighbors.

23. Give in

Meaning: To yield or surrender; to agree reluctantly.

Example: After much debate, they finally gave in to his demands.

24. Hang out

Meaning: To spend time together informally.

Example: Let’s hang out at my place this weekend.

25. Hold on

Meaning: To wait for a short time.

Example: Hold on a moment, I’ll be right back.

26. Keep up (with)

Meaning: To maintain the same pace or level.

Example: It’s hard to keep up with all the new technology.

27. Knock over

Meaning: To accidentally cause something to fall.

Example: I accidentally knocked over a glass of water.

28. Lay out

Meaning: To arrange or organize something.

Example: She laid out all the ingredients for baking.

29. Let in

Meaning: To allow someone or something to enter.

Example: Can you let the dog in before it rains?

30. Look after

Meaning: To take care of someone or something.

Example: I need to look after my younger siblings today.

31. Make up

Meaning: To reconcile after an argument; to create or invent.

Example: They made up after their disagreement.

32. Mop up

Meaning: To clean or dry with a mop.

Example: I’ll mop up the spill in the kitchen.

33. Pack up

Meaning: To put things into containers for moving or storage.

Example: It’s time to pack up our belongings for the move.

34. Pass out

Meaning: To lose consciousness; to distribute.

Example: The heat made me pass out for a moment.

35. Pick up

Meaning: To lift something from the ground; to collect someone or something.

Example: I’ll pick up the groceries on my way home.

36. Point out

Meaning: To indicate or draw attention to something.

Example: She pointed out the flaws in the design.

37. Put away

Meaning: To tidy up and store items in their proper places.

Example: Let’s put away the dishes after dinner.

38. Put off

Meaning: To postpone or delay.

Example: The meeting was put off until next week.

39. Put on

Meaning: To wear clothing; to organize an event.

Example: I need to put on a jacket before going out.

40. Put out

Meaning: To extinguish a fire; to cause inconvenience.

Example: Please put out the candles before leaving.

41. Read up (on)

Meaning: To gather information through reading.

Example: I’ve been reading up on gardening techniques.

42. Run out (of)

Meaning: To deplete the supply of something.

Example: We ran out of milk, so I need to go to the store.

43. Set up

Meaning: To assemble or arrange something.

Example: I’ll set up the table for dinner.

44. Show off

Meaning: To display something proudly to others.

Example: He loves to show off his new car.

45. Shut off

Meaning: To turn off a machine or device.

Example: Don’t forget to shut off the lights before leaving.

46. Sort out

Meaning: To organize or resolve a problem.

Example: Let’s sort out this mess in the garage.

47. Stand by

Meaning: To be ready to help or support.

Example: I’ll stand by in case you need assistance.

48. Stay in

Meaning: To remain at home; not to go out.

Example: Let’s stay in and watch a movie tonight.

49. Take out

Meaning: To remove something from a place; to dine outside the home.

Example: Can you take out the trash, please?

50. Tidy up

Meaning: To clean and organize a space.

Example: We need to tidy up the guest room before the visitors arrive.

51. Turn off

Meaning: To switch off a device or light.

Example: Don’t forget to turn off the TV before you go to bed.

52. Turn on

Meaning: To activate a device or light.

Example: I’ll turn on the air conditioner, it’s getting warm.

53. Wake up

Meaning: To stop sleeping and become conscious.

Example: I usually wake up around 7 AM.

54. Wash up

Meaning: To clean oneself, especially hands and face.

Example: I’ll wash up before we start cooking.

55. Wear out

Meaning: To make something unusable due to overuse; to exhaust.

Example: These shoes are worn out; I need a new pair.

56. Whip up

Meaning: To quickly prepare something, often food.

Example: I can whip up a pasta dish in no time.

57. Wipe down

Meaning: To clean a surface by removing dirt or moisture.

Example: Please wipe down the kitchen counters after cooking.

58. Work out

Meaning: To exercise; to find a solution to a problem.

Example: I need to work out more often for better health.

59. Wrap up

Meaning: To finish or complete something; to bundle up.

Example: Let’s wrap up the meeting and head home.

60. Write down

Meaning: To record information by writing.

Example: Don’t forget to write down the grocery list.

61. Zoom in (on)

Meaning: To focus on a specific detail by enlarging an image.

Example: Can you zoom in on that part of the photo?

62. Act out

Meaning: To express emotions or ideas through behavior.

Example: Children sometimes act out to get attention.

63. Ask around

Meaning: To inquire with different people for information.

Example: I’ll ask around to see if anyone knows a good plumber.

64. Back out (of)

Meaning: To withdraw from a commitment or agreement.

Example: He backed out of the project at the last minute.

65. Bail out

Meaning: To help someone out of a difficult situation.

Example: I had to bail my friend out of financial trouble.

66. Bear with

Meaning: To be patient and tolerate a situation.

Example: Please bear with me while I figure this out.

67. Beat down (on)

Meaning: To shine strongly (about the sun); to negotiate a lower price.

Example: The sun beat down on us during the hike.

68. Break in

Meaning: To wear or use something until it becomes comfortable.

Example: These shoes need some time to break in.

69. Bring up

Meaning: To mention or introduce a topic.

Example: She brought up the idea during the meeting.

70. Brush off

Meaning: To dismiss or ignore someone or something.

Example: He brushed off my suggestions as unimportant.

71. Bunk up

Meaning: To share a sleeping space with someone.

Example: We had to bunk up in the same room during the trip.

72. Call up

Meaning: To contact someone by phone.

Example: I’ll call up the office to check on my appointment.

73. Cheer up

Meaning: To make someone feel happier.

Example: I tried to cheer her up after her bad day.

74. Clean out

Meaning: To thoroughly clean and organize something.

Example: I need to clean out the garage; it’s a mess.

75. Clear up

Meaning: To become less cloudy or more understandable.

Example: The sky cleared up after the rain.

76. Cook up

Meaning: To concoct a plan or story.

Example: She cooked up a plan to surprise her husband.

77. Count on

Meaning: To rely on or trust someone or something.

Example: You can count on me to help you move.

78. Curl up

Meaning: To lie or sit in a comfortable, curved position.

Example: I like to curl up with a blanket and a movie.

79. Cut down (on)

Meaning: To reduce the amount of something.

Example: I’m trying to cut down on caffeine.

80. Deal with

Meaning: To handle or manage a situation.

Example: We need to deal with the leaky faucet.

81. Dig up

Meaning: To uncover or discover something after searching.

Example: They dug up an old chest in the attic.

82. Dine in

Meaning: To eat at home instead of going out.

Example: We’re dining in tonight and making our favorite meal.

83. Drop by

Meaning: To visit someone informally and briefly.

Example: Feel free to drop by anytime you’re in the area.

84. Drop in (on)

Meaning: To visit someone unexpectedly.

Example: She dropped in on her friend to say hello.

85. Eat up

Meaning: To finish eating everything on one’s plate.

Example: Come on, eat up your vegetables.

86. Face up to

Meaning: To confront or deal with a difficult situation.

Example: It’s time to face up to your responsibilities.

87. Fall apart

Meaning: To break into pieces or fail completely.

Example: The old chair finally fell apart.

88. Figure out

Meaning: To solve or understand something.

Example: I need to figure out how this new software works.

89. Fix up

Meaning: To repair or improve something.

Example: Let’s fix up the garden before the party.

90. Get away

Meaning: To escape or go on a vacation.

Example: I need to get away from work for a while.

91. Get by

Meaning: To manage or survive with limited resources.

Example: We can get by with the food we have for now.

92. Give away

Meaning: To give something to someone for free.

Example: She gave away her old clothes to charity.

93. Go over

Meaning: To review or examine something.

Example: Let’s go over the details of the project.

94. Hang up

Meaning: To end a phone call by placing the receiver down.

Example: I’ll hang up now, and you can call me back later.

95. Hold up

Meaning: To delay or hinder something.

Example: Traffic held us up, so we arrived late.

96. Keep up (with)

Meaning: To stay informed or maintain progress.

Example: It’s hard to keep up with all the news.

97. Kick back

Meaning: To relax and take it easy.

Example: I’m just going to kick back and read this weekend.

98. Knock at

Meaning: To hit something gently, typically a door.

Example: I heard a knock at the door and went to answer it.

99. Lay down

Meaning: To establish rules or regulations.

Example: The company laid down some new guidelines.

100. Look for

Meaning: To search for something.

Example: I need to look for my misplaced keys.

Conclusion:

Phrasal verbs are like little magic words that make your English conversations more exciting and natural. By using them, you’re taking a big step toward speaking English more fluently. Don’t be afraid to learn and practice these phrases – they’ll help you connect with others and improve your English skills day by day.

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