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) | |
| take off | to remove dress and get naked |
| load up (something) | to put a lot of stuff in certain place |
| track down | to find somebody after longer search |
| find out | to discover, to gain some kind of knowledge |
| get out | to reach the public attention (information) |
| throw up | to vomit |
| Get off me! | Leave me alone! |
| put up with | to endure negative experience |
| run down | to trace, to find, to chase |
| be fed up | to have enough of something |
| live off | to receive money from some source |
| gobble down | quickly eat large quantities of food |
| live up to | to fulfill the expectations or standards |
| mull over | to think carefully about something over certain period of time |
| be up to | planning to do something |
| slack off | to slow down or decrease an effort |
| pay off | to bring a profit or benefit |
| fire up | to start the engine |
| color out | in casino, to change lower denominated chips for higher denominated chips, color up |
| go out | to meet somebody as a girlfriend or a boyfriend |
| stumble over | to come closer walking like a drunk |
| go away | to leave |
| hang up | to end a call |
| root for (someone) | to support, to applaud, to cheer for somebody |
| scope out | to examine thoroughly, to inspect |
| step over (something or someone) | to take a step in order to avoid something on the ground |
| go at something | to start doing something |
| work out | when things go OK at the end |
| scare away | to make someone to run away with fear |
| sneak out | silently leave the place so that nobody knows about it |
| pull (oneself) together | regain control of emotions |
| go through with | to survive a difficult situation |
| leave behind (something) | to remain as a result of something |
| wait out (something) | wait until something (usually negative) is over |
| hit on (somebody) | to start a conversation with someone in order to establish a sexual relationship |
| clean up | to make oneself neat and presentable |
| give up | to stop trying |
| help out | to help out of some problem |
| map out | to make a detailed plan, to plan something thoroughly |
| put on (something) | dress something |
| firm up | to confirm agreed information |
| hold out | to wait |
| work out | to find a solution |
| tone down | to make something more moderate |
| drive apart | to divide |
| tied up (at work) | busy at work and unable to leave from office |
| screw around | to cheat a partner, to have sex outside relationship |
| get off mind | to stop thinking about something |
| go through | to experience a long difficult times |
| mess up | to make a big mistake |
| rip off | to rob, to steal |
| get over | to recover from a difficult situation |
| blown away | to be amazed, impressed |
| blow off | to ignore (slang) |
| get off | to remove |
| cash in | in casino, to change chips for cash |
| get over (something) | overcome hard obstacles |
| let out | to rent |
| dry up | to become dry, to get old |
| stop by | to make a quick stop |
| screw around with | to play with emotions in a negative way |
| bring up | to mention some topic |
| look around | to look in all directions in order to search for something |
| come up | getting closer, approaching |
| gross out | to have a feeling of disgust |
| messed up | confused |
| Piss off! | Angrily saying someone to leave, Get away, Get lost |
| stay away | to keep away at a distance |
| show around | when somebody introduces new places to other person |
| throw around | to talk about something without meaning it |
| ring up | to record the amount of sold items on a cash register |
| screw up | to make a big mistake |
| carry out | to accomplish, to perform |
| to be stood up | when girlfriend or boyfriend does not come to a date |
| shut up | be quiet |
| turn off (something) | switch off, disconnect the power |
| watch over | to protect someone making sure they are safe |
| put out | to place |
| move out | to move to a different place |
| turn down | to reject, to refuse |
| pull out | to get something or someone from previous place |
| pick up | to take someone to a vehicle |
| lay out | to say something straight and clearly |
| stand by | to be alert and awaiting further instructions |
| close in | to enclose, to come to an end |
| hold off | to wait some time, to delay |
| freak out | to be excited, to lose control of emotions |
| tear up | to destroy by tearing |
| break up | to end a relationship |
| grope away | to touch another person with hands |
| throw out | to force to leave |
| listen up | listen carefully |
| kick out | to throw out by kicking |
| pissed off | angry |
| turn out | when something finally shows how it is |
| tuck away | to eat a lot of food |
| psyche into | convince oneself into certain thoughts |
| suck out | to remove by sucking |
| change out | change something for something else |
| wiped out | totally destroyed |
| tuck in | to hide something (by tucking) |
| turn out | when something finally shows how it is |
| bring out of | to overcome some negative emotions |
| man up | to develop characteristics typical for man, such as courage, decisiveness |
| set up | to prepare a trap |
| go by | to pass (time) |
| mark down | to reduce an amount on a price tag (in store) |
| tone down | to make something more moderate |
| take up with | to discuss |
| freshen up | to regain vitality |
| hang out | doing nothing, killing time |
| be into something | to like something |
| go through (something) | to browse or search through something |
| drag away | move someone to a different location by force |
| pass on | to transfer something to someone else |
| run through | to quickly look at several options |
| throw down | to do something in a big way, to contribute a lot of money |
| kick off | to start |
| squeeze out | to push somebody out from a position in order to get someone's benefits |
| freak out | to lose control of emotion due to a fear |
| turn down | to fold or prepare the bedsheets |
| get down | to make depressed |
| figure out | to think about a problem to solve it |
| slap around | hit someone's face with a palm |
| go along (with someone or something) | to follow, to cooperate |
| pay back | to return a debt |
| doll up | to dress nicely for a special occasion |
| come by | to visit, to show up |
| color up (slang) | in casino, to change lower denominated chips for higher denominated chips |
| keep it down | to talk quietly |
| chilled up | calm, relaxed |
| boil up | to cook by boiling in water |
| throw around | to talk about something without meaning it |
| look over | to quickly explore, to examine |
| racked up | under the influence of alcohol or drugs |
| move in | to start living in a new place |
| pull off | to achieve or make something happen |
| act out | to act and repeat behavior according to some pattern |
| turn on | to prepare for intimacy |
| come over | to visit somebody |
| look forward to (something) | to anticipate/await something eagerly |
| make it up to | to compensate or repay a favor to somebody |
| track down | to find somebody after longer search |
| stop by | to make a quick stop |
| lock (oneself) in | discontinue contacts with people around you |
| pay off | to bring a profit or benefit |
| pay off | to return a debt |
| weird out | to become nervous, to start panicking |
| squeeze in | to do something, even when there is not much time |
| stay away from | to avoid somebody |
| keep something up | to continue doing something (usually well) |
| let out | to let somebody go/leave |
| storm out | to angrily leave a place |
| play out | to finish a play |
| turn into | change to (something else) |
| write down | to write something on a piece of paper |
| get down | to unleash emotions and do things without control |
| pile up | accumulate |
| ask out | to ask someone for a date |
| mess around | to kill time by doing unplanned activities |
| bring together | to put together, to unite |
| go ahead | phrase used to encourage someone to do something or to move forward |
| beat down | to attack physically |
| pull up | to bring closer |
| hone in on (something) | to focus and move towards a target |
| finish up | to complete, to finish |
| book in | to make a reservation |
| pass along | to deliver information to other person |
| plan on (something) | to have something planned |
| show up | to arrive, to visit |
| blow out | to extinguish |
| take out | to remove from a packaging |
| hold out | survive in difficult circumstances |
| cap off | to conclude or finish something |
| drop by | stop by, to visit |
| boil off (something) | evaporate by boiling |
| come along | slowly making progress, moving towards the goal |
| sort out | to solve a problem |
| crack up | to amuse |
| work out | to solve an issue, to find a solution |
| hook up | to start dating somebody |
| numbers check out | numbers are exactly as expected |
| count on | to rely on, to trust |
| leave out | to exclude |
| fall out | to fall from some place downwards |
| take away | to steal |
| figure out | think about something thoroughly |
| get around | to bypass |
| knock off | to reduce a price |
| cut out | to leave in a hurry |
| carry around | to have a memory inside of an unpleasant experience |
| screw up | to make a terrible mistake causing the things go wrong |
| pass by | to move around or past something or someone |
| spout off | to talk about something in a very boring and annoying way |
| frown upon | disapprove something with a frown |
| spy on (somebody) | to secretly watch somebody |
| chase off | to drive somebody or something away |
| take over | to assume responsibility |
| hang out | to spend time |
| cramp up | to suffer cramps |
| wig out | to become very excited after using drugs or alcohol (slang) |
| shut down | to cancel, to force to stop |
| work off | to repay a debt by working |
| break up | to end a relationship |
| boot out | to expel from a position, to force to leave |
| back down | to withdraw from the position or opinion |
| run out | when supplies get exhausted |
| sack up | to gather courage or energy for a difficult task |
| Cut it out! | Stop doing it! |
| mop up | to clear with the mop |
| lean up against somebody | to rest the body against someone else |
| make up to | to compensate something to someone |
| zone out | to lose control under the influence of alcohol or drugs |
| move out | to move to a different place |
| heat up | to reheat |
| make something up | to lie about something using false explanation |
| cheat on somebody | to be unfaithful, having another relationship |
| come over | to visit somebody |
| let down | to disappoint |
| cut off | to separate by cutting |
| flash by | go (fly) very quickly |
| give in | to stop fighting and accepting that he/she cannot win |
| dig up (something) | to get something from under the ground by digging, to excavate |
| make out | to suggest something, to make a false impression |