What are phrasal verbs and why every English learner hates them?
DEFINITION:
Phrasal verb is a phrase that indicates an action and consists of two or three distinct but related constructions = verb, particle and preposition. Together they form a single semantic unit.
Types of phrasal verbs with examples:
| 1. verb + particle | (pay off – to return a debt; sneak out – silently leave the place) |
| 2. verb + preposition | (stop by – to make a quick stop, run into – meet someone unexpectedly) |
| 3. verb + particle + preposition | (put up with – to endure negative experience, watch out for – be careful about something) |
particles: up, down, in, out, over, on, off
prepositions: after, into, for, by, with, at
prepositions: after, into, for, by, with, at
So far it seems pretty easy. However, here is the problem:
Phrasal verb usually cannot be understood based on the meanings of its individual parts, but must be taken as a whole.
What does it mean in real world?
Firstly, it means that if you hear phrases like “hold off“, “work out” or “give in“, you usually can’t guess what that particular additionally phrase means. You have to understand the meaning and learn it like a new word.
The most annoying thing is, however, that native English speakers use phrasal verbs very often. So except for learning standard English vocabulary, you also have to learn a lot of phrasal verbs.
Confusing theory
The theory around English phrasal verbs is also quite confusing. In some sources, only particle phrasal verbs (e.g. bring up, figure out, break down) are considered as “real”. In contrast, other sources include both prepositional and particle phrasal verbs.
If you want to dig deeper into this topic, more information can be found on Wikipedia.
Anyway, theory is nice, but you can’t have a good conversation, if you just don’t understand what the native speakers are saying to you. So the only thing that matters is to learn them and know how to use them.
It’s good to have a resource, where you can systematically learn all most important phrasal verbs that are commonly used in everyday English.
We are trying hard to be such a resource. 🙂
Our 2-step method:
In order to help you to understand correctly when somebody uses a phrasal verb in a speech or conversation, we have created a concept based on examples from movies.
As you probably know, you can hear lots of these phrases in American movies and TV shows. In fact, they are really frequently used in spoken English.
The method is very simple, yet very effective.
STEP 1. Listen to phrasal verbs in short video samples in real-life situations
to cheer up
to figure out
These are the examples of some of them, which you will certainly hear in many conversations with English speakers on a daily basis.
So the best way to master them is to learn them in context in real sentences. And I am pretty sure that the best context is your favorite movie or TV show 🙂
STEP 2. Practice them in short exercises
Some examples of sentences with phrasal verb, where you might not understand the meaning
1. Don’t hold out on me. I know too much.
2. WILL: And why did you think that, Marcus? MARCUS: Suzie said we hit it off.
3. Jack’s attitude towards his job really puts me off!
4. That’s so nice. See what they do, they fight, then they make up and it’s good.
Collocations | Idioms | Phrasal verbs | Words
LIST OF PHRASAL VERBS WITH MEANINGS
| (224 terms) | |
| run through | to quickly look at several options |
| let down | to disappoint |
| tuck in | to hide something (by tucking) |
| pull off | to achieve or make something happen |
| live up to | to fulfill the expectations or standards |
| weird out | to become nervous, to start panicking |
| load up (something) | to put a lot of stuff in certain place |
| leave behind (something) | to remain as a result of something |
| kick off | to start |
| be up to | planning to do something |
| pay off | to bring a profit or benefit |
| blow out | to extinguish |
| finish up | to complete, to finish |
| drag away | move someone to a different location by force |
| cheat on somebody | to be unfaithful, having another relationship |
| sort out | to solve a problem |
| mess around | to kill time by doing unplanned activities |
| keep it down | to talk quietly |
| listen up | listen carefully |
| throw down | to do something in a big way, to contribute a lot of money |
| come over | to visit somebody |
| flash by | go (fly) very quickly |
| turn out | when something finally shows how it is |
| find out | to discover, to gain some kind of knowledge |
| turn on | to prepare for intimacy |
| fall out | to fall from some place downwards |
| play out | to finish a play |
| lean up against somebody | to rest the body against someone else |
| numbers check out | numbers are exactly as expected |
| messed up | confused |
| work out | to find a solution |
| work off | to repay a debt by working |
| cut off | to separate by cutting |
| make up to | to compensate something to someone |
| show up | to arrive, to visit |
| turn into | change to (something else) |
| mark down | to reduce an amount on a price tag (in store) |
| take away | to steal |
| count on | to rely on, to trust |
| bring up | to mention some topic |
| make out | to suggest something, to make a false impression |
| boot out | to expel from a position, to force to leave |
| mull over | to think carefully about something over certain period of time |
| storm out | to angrily leave a place |
| lay out | to say something straight and clearly |
| put out | to place |
| run out | when supplies get exhausted |
| stumble over | to come closer walking like a drunk |
| go through (something) | to browse or search through something |
| get off mind | to stop thinking about something |
| look forward to (something) | to anticipate/await something eagerly |
| stop by | to make a quick stop |
| take over | to assume responsibility |
| Cut it out! | Stop doing it! |
| cramp up | to suffer cramps |
| root for (someone) | to support, to applaud, to cheer for somebody |
| mop up | to clear with the mop |
| move in | to start living in a new place |
| boil off (something) | evaporate by boiling |
| be fed up | to have enough of something |
| track down | to find somebody after longer search |
| blown away | to be amazed, impressed |
| stop by | to make a quick stop |
| cash in | in casino, to change chips for cash |
| ask out | to ask someone for a date |
| screw around with | to play with emotions in a negative way |
| tied up (at work) | busy at work and unable to leave from office |
| to be stood up | when girlfriend or boyfriend does not come to a date |
| dry up | to become dry, to get old |
| pay off | to bring a profit or benefit |
| freak out | to be excited, to lose control of emotions |
| stay away from | to avoid somebody |
| figure out | think about something thoroughly |
| come by | to visit, to show up |
| color out | in casino, to change lower denominated chips for higher denominated chips, color up |
| blow off | to ignore (slang) |
| stay away | to keep away at a distance |
| rip off | to rob, to steal |
| hang up | to end a call |
| turn out | when something finally shows how it is |
| go at something | to start doing something |
| look over | to quickly explore, to examine |
| chilled up | calm, relaxed |
| cap off | to conclude or finish something |
| take off | to remove dress and get naked |
| racked up | under the influence of alcohol or drugs |
| slap around | hit someone's face with a palm |
| squeeze out | to push somebody out from a position in order to get someone's benefits |
| shut up | be quiet |
| doll up | to dress nicely for a special occasion |
| freak out | to lose control of emotion due to a fear |
| knock off | to reduce a price |
| pissed off | angry |
| scare away | to make someone to run away with fear |
| figure out | to think about a problem to solve it |
| boil up | to cook by boiling in water |
| come along | slowly making progress, moving towards the goal |
| kick out | to throw out by kicking |
| tuck away | to eat a lot of food |
| screw up | to make a terrible mistake causing the things go wrong |
| wig out | to become very excited after using drugs or alcohol (slang) |
| psyche into | convince oneself into certain thoughts |
| chase off | to drive somebody or something away |
| turn off (something) | switch off, disconnect the power |
| change out | change something for something else |
| look around | to look in all directions in order to search for something |
| wiped out | totally destroyed |
| go along (with someone or something) | to follow, to cooperate |
| get down | to unleash emotions and do things without control |
| tone down | to make something more moderate |
| frown upon | disapprove something with a frown |
| let out | to let somebody go/leave |
| get down | to make depressed |
| freshen up | to regain vitality |
| carry out | to accomplish, to perform |
| get off | to remove |
| plan on (something) | to have something planned |
| get around | to bypass |
| give in | to stop fighting and accepting that he/she cannot win |
| put on (something) | dress something |
| mess up | to make a big mistake |
| let out | to rent |
| keep something up | to continue doing something (usually well) |
| be into something | to like something |
| sack up | to gather courage or energy for a difficult task |
| hold off | to wait some time, to delay |
| man up | to develop characteristics typical for man, such as courage, decisiveness |
| come up | getting closer, approaching |
| give up | to stop trying |
| get over | to recover from a difficult situation |
| zone out | to lose control under the influence of alcohol or drugs |
| get over (something) | overcome hard obstacles |
| bring out of | to overcome some negative emotions |
| close in | to enclose, to come to an end |
| put up with | to endure negative experience |
| throw up | to vomit |
| pick up | to take someone to a vehicle |
| help out | to help out of some problem |
| throw out | to force to leave |
| tone down | to make something more moderate |
| take up with | to discuss |
| go away | to leave |
| break up | to end a relationship |
| work out | to solve an issue, to find a solution |
| go through | to experience a long difficult times |
| go by | to pass (time) |
| drop by | stop by, to visit |
| clean up | to make oneself neat and presentable |
| get out | to reach the public attention (information) |
| make something up | to lie about something using false explanation |
| throw around | to talk about something without meaning it |
| drive apart | to divide |
| pass by | to move around or past something or someone |
| leave out | to exclude |
| book in | to make a reservation |
| track down | to find somebody after longer search |
| gross out | to have a feeling of disgust |
| ring up | to record the amount of sold items on a cash register |
| firm up | to confirm agreed information |
| stand by | to be alert and awaiting further instructions |
| run down | to trace, to find, to chase |
| take out | to remove from a packaging |
| pile up | accumulate |
| move out | to move to a different place |
| go ahead | phrase used to encourage someone to do something or to move forward |
| hold out | to wait |
| show around | when somebody introduces new places to other person |
| pull out | to get something or someone from previous place |
| squeeze in | to do something, even when there is not much time |
| hook up | to start dating somebody |
| back down | to withdraw from the position or opinion |
| pay off | to return a debt |
| write down | to write something on a piece of paper |
| map out | to make a detailed plan, to plan something thoroughly |
| act out | to act and repeat behavior according to some pattern |
| shut down | to cancel, to force to stop |
| suck out | to remove by sucking |
| gobble down | quickly eat large quantities of food |
| crack up | to amuse |
| color up (slang) | in casino, to change lower denominated chips for higher denominated chips |
| pull (oneself) together | regain control of emotions |
| wait out (something) | wait until something (usually negative) is over |
| bring together | to put together, to unite |
| hold out | survive in difficult circumstances |
| pull up | to bring closer |
| Piss off! | Angrily saying someone to leave, Get away, Get lost |
| spout off | to talk about something in a very boring and annoying way |
| slack off | to slow down or decrease an effort |
| turn down | to reject, to refuse |
| screw around | to cheat a partner, to have sex outside relationship |
| carry around | to have a memory inside of an unpleasant experience |
| hang out | doing nothing, killing time |
| set up | to prepare a trap |
| go out | to meet somebody as a girlfriend or a boyfriend |
| pass on | to transfer something to someone else |
| Get off me! | Leave me alone! |
| turn down | to fold or prepare the bedsheets |
| watch over | to protect someone making sure they are safe |
| live off | to receive money from some source |
| hit on (somebody) | to start a conversation with someone in order to establish a sexual relationship |
| hone in on (something) | to focus and move towards a target |
| grope away | to touch another person with hands |
| work out | when things go OK at the end |
| break up | to end a relationship |
| throw around | to talk about something without meaning it |
| lock (oneself) in | discontinue contacts with people around you |
| scope out | to examine thoroughly, to inspect |
| cut out | to leave in a hurry |
| beat down | to attack physically |
| go through with | to survive a difficult situation |
| fire up | to start the engine |
| hang out | to spend time |
| come over | to visit somebody |
| sneak out | silently leave the place so that nobody knows about it |
| move out | to move to a different place |
| screw up | to make a big mistake |
| spy on (somebody) | to secretly watch somebody |
| make it up to | to compensate or repay a favor to somebody |
| dig up (something) | to get something from under the ground by digging, to excavate |
| pass along | to deliver information to other person |
| pay back | to return a debt |
| step over (something or someone) | to take a step in order to avoid something on the ground |
| heat up | to reheat |
| tear up | to destroy by tearing |