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