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