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