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