Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs). The meaning of a phrasal verb is often different from the individual meanings of its components. 

Here are some examples of phrasal verbs:

• Take off: To remove clothing or to depart (e.g., "I need to take off my jacket" or "The plane will take off soon").
• Look after: To take care of (e.g., "Can you look after my cat while I'm away?").
• Break up: To end a relationship (e.g., "They decided to break up").
• Bring up: To mention or raise a topic (e.g., "She brought up an interesting point in the meeting").
• Come across: To find or encounter by chance (e.g., "I came across an old friend at the mall").

Here are some phrasal verbs with meanings and examples:

Break up

Meaning: To end a relationship.

Example: Sarah and Tom decided to break up after five years of dating.

Call off

Meaning: To cancel.

Example: The outdoor event was called off due to bad weather.

Come across

Meaning: To find or encounter something by chance.

Example: I came across an old friend at the grocery store yesterday.

Cut down

Meaning: To reduce in size or quantity.

Example: Doctors advise patients to cut down on their sugar intake.

Deal with

Meaning: To handle or manage a situation.

Example: The manager will deal with the customer complaints.

Bring up

Meaning: To mention or introduce a topic into conversation.

Example: Don't bring up sensitive issues during the meeting.

Take after

Meaning: To resemble a family member.

Example: She takes after her mother in terms of looks and personality.

Look forward to

Meaning: To anticipate or be excited about something in the future.

Example: I look forward to meeting you next week.

Show up

Meaning: To arrive or appear.

Example: He didn't show up for the appointment, and we were worried.

Put off

Meaning: To postpone or delay.

Example: The meeting was put off until next Monday.

Break down

Meaning: To stop functioning; also used to analyze or explain something in detail.

Example: My car broke down on the way to work this morning.

Catch up

Meaning: To reach the same level as others.

Example: I need to catch up on my assignments after being sick.

Turn up

Meaning: To arrive or appear, often unexpectedly.

Example: He turned up at the party without an invitation.

Come up with

Meaning: To think of or produce an idea or solution.

Example: Can you come up with a plan for the project?

Give in

Meaning: To surrender or yield; to stop resisting.

Example: After hours of negotiation, they finally gave in to the demands.

Look up to

Meaning: To respect or admire someone.

Example: Many people look up to their parents as role models.

Bring back

Meaning: To return something to its original place; also used to revive memories or experiences.

Example: The smell of cookies baking brings back childhood memories.

Turn down

Meaning: To reject an offer or request; also used to decrease volume or intensity.

Example: She turned down the job offer because of the low salary.

Set up

Meaning: To establish or arrange something, like a business or a plan.

Example: We need to set up a meeting to discuss the project.

Take off

Meaning: To remove clothing; also used to describe a plane leaving the ground.

Example: The plane is scheduled to take off at 3 PM.

Go on

Meaning: To continue; also used to happen or take place.

Example: What's going on in the city this weekend?

Give up

Meaning: To stop doing something, usually because it's difficult or not successful.

Example: Don't give up on your dreams; keep working towards them.

Look down on

Meaning: To view someone with a sense of superiority.

Example: She always looks down on people who don't have a college degree.

Run out

Meaning: To deplete the supply of something; to exhaust.

Example: We ran out of milk, so I need to go to the store.

Break into

Meaning: To enter a building or vehicle illegally.

Example: Someone broke into my car last night and stole my backpack.

Hold on

Meaning: To wait or pause.

Example: Hold on a second; I'll be right back with your order.

Bring in

Meaning: To introduce or implement something new.

Example: The company decided to bring in a new policy to improve efficiency.

Bring out

Meaning: To reveal or make something visible.

Example: The artist's goal is to bring out the beauty in everyday scenes.

Back up

Meaning: To support or assist someone.

Example: I'll back you up in the meeting if you need it.

Settle down

Meaning: To establish a stable life; also used to calm down.

Example: After years of traveling, she decided to settle down and start a family.

Look out for

Meaning: To be vigilant or watchful for something.

Example: Look out for traffic while crossing the street.

Take up

Meaning: To start a new hobby or activity.

Example: I decided to take up painting during my free time.

Bring up

Meaning: To mention or raise a topic.

Example: Please don't bring up the issue during the family dinner.

Hold up

Meaning: To delay or hinder progress.

Example: The traffic accident held up our journey for an hour.

Check in

Meaning: To register or confirm one's arrival.

Example: Guests are required to check in at the hotel reception.

Carry on

Meaning: To continue with an activity.

Example: Despite the challenges, they decided to carry on with the project.

Break out

Meaning: To start suddenly, often referring to something negative.

Example: A fire broke out in the building, and everyone had to evacuate.

Look into

Meaning: To investigate or examine.

Example: The team will look into the issue and find a solution.

Take over

Meaning: To assume control or responsibility.

Example: After the CEO resigned, a new leader took over the company.

Put up with

Meaning: To tolerate or endure.

Example: I can't put up with the noise from the construction site any longer.

Give out

Meaning: To distribute or provide something.

Example: The teacher gave out assignments to the students.

Turn in

Meaning: To submit or hand over.

Example: Please turn in your homework by Friday.

Hold off

Meaning: To delay or postpone.

Example: They decided to hold off on the project until they had more information.

Catch on

Meaning: To understand or become popular.

Example: It took a while, but eventually, the new trend caught on.

Take off

Meaning: To become successful or popular.

Example: The new product really took off in the market.

Show off

Meaning: To display one's abilities or possessions in a boastful manner.

Example: She always shows off her new jewelry.

Come up

Meaning: To be mentioned or arise in conversation.

Example: The topic of budget cuts came up during the meeting.

Run into

Meaning: To unexpectedly meet someone.

Example: I ran into my old friend at the mall.

Bring about

Meaning: To cause or make something happen.

Example: The new policy will bring about positive changes in the workplace.

Put on

Meaning: To wear clothing or accessories.

Example: She put on her favorite dress for the special occasion.

Break through

Meaning: To overcome obstacles; to make significant progress.

Example: The scientists finally broke through in their research.

Hold back

Meaning: To restrain or keep something from advancing.

Example: Don't hold back; express your opinions during the discussion.

Get over

Meaning: To recover from an illness or emotional distress.

Example: It took her a while to get over the flu.

Look out

Meaning: To be cautious or watchful.

Example: Look out for potential dangers while hiking.

Cut off

Meaning: To disconnect or separate.

Example: The storm cut off power to the entire neighborhood.

Bring in

Meaning: To introduce or involve someone or something.

Example: The company decided to bring in an expert to improve efficiency.

Pass away

Meaning: To die.

Example: Unfortunately, her grandfather passed away last night.

Go through

Meaning: To experience or endure a difficult situation.

Example: The company is going through a period of restructuring.

Hold up

Meaning: To remain strong or in good condition.

Example: The old bridge held up despite the heavy rain.

Bring down

Meaning: To reduce or cause a decrease.

Example: The government aims to bring down inflation rates.

Check out

Meaning: To investigate or examine; also used to leave a hotel or store.

Example: I need to check out these new books at the library.

Shut down

Meaning: To close permanently or temporarily.

Example: The factory shut down due to financial difficulties.

Look after

Meaning: To take care of or be responsible for someone or something.

Example: She looks after her younger siblings while their parents are at work.

Bring out

Meaning: To reveal or make something visible.

Example: The artist hopes to bring out the beauty in everyday scenes.

Hold on to

Meaning: To keep or retain possession of something.

Example: Hold on to your childhood memories; they're precious.

Come out

Meaning: To be published or revealed.

Example: The new book by the famous author is coming out next month.

Break in

Meaning: To enter a building or vehicle illegally.

Example: The police are investigating a break-in at the jewelry store.

Show up

Meaning: To arrive or appear.

Example: She showed up at the party just in time for the cake.

Go over

Meaning: To review or examine in detail.

Example: Let's go over the important points before the exam.

Bring up

Meaning: To mention or raise a topic.

Example: He brought up the idea of organizing a charity event.

Turn on

Meaning: To activate or start a device.

Example: Please turn on the lights; it's getting dark.

Break down

Meaning: To stop functioning; also used to analyze or explain something in detail.

Example: The car broke down on the highway, and we had to call for assistance.

Cut back

Meaning: To reduce or decrease.

Example: The company had to cut back on expenses during the economic downturn.

Set out

Meaning: To start a journey or activity with a specific goal.

Example: They set out to explore the hidden gems of the city.

Bring back

Meaning: To return something to its original place; also used to revive memories or experiences.

Example: The photograph brought back memories of our family vacation.

Run out of

Meaning: To deplete the supply of something; to exhaust.

Example: We ran out of coffee, so I need to buy some more.

Show off

Meaning: To display one's abilities or possessions in a boastful manner.

Example: He loves to show off his new sports car.

Go off

Meaning: To explode or make a loud noise.

Example: The alarm went off, and everyone evacuated the building.

Come up with

Meaning: To think of or produce an idea or solution.

Example: We need to come up with a creative solution to this problem.

Take after

Meaning: To resemble a family member.

Example: The child takes after her father in terms of artistic talent.

Look into

Meaning: To investigate or examine.

Example: The committee will look into the matter and provide recommendations.

Get away

Meaning: To escape or have a vacation.

Example: They decided to get away for the weekend and relax at the beach.