English B1: Phrasal Verbs

• Phrasal verbs consist of a verb and a particle (an adverb or a preposition)
• The particle changes the meaning of the verb
• Phrasal verbs are common in spoken and informal English

Common Phrasal Verbs (B1 Level)

• Act up: To behave badly or not work properly
  • The car is acting up again; I think I need to get it serviced.
  • The children were acting up because they were bored.
• Ask after: To inquire about someone's health or well-being
  • John was asking after you the other day.
  • Remember to ask after her family when you see her.
• Back up: To support someone or something
  • My parents always backed me up when I had problems.
  • Can you back up my claim with some evidence?
  • To move a vehicle in reverse
  • I need to back up the car to let you out.
• Break down: To stop working (usually a machine or vehicle)
  • Our car broke down on the highway.
  • To lose control of emotions
  • She broke down in tears when she heard the news.
• Bring up: To raise a child
  • She brought up her children single-handedly.
  • To introduce a topic in conversation
  • Don't bring up politics at the dinner table.
• Call off: To cancel an event
  • They had to call off the meeting due to the snowstorm.
  • The game was called off because of the rain.
• Carry on: To continue doing something
  • Carry on with your work while I'm away.
  • Despite the difficulties, they carried on.
• Catch up: To reach the same point as someone else
  • I need to catch up on my reading.
  • We need to catch up on the latest news.
• Check in: To register at a hotel or airport
  • We need to check in at least two hours before the flight.
  • I'll check in as soon as I arrive at the hotel.
• Check out: To leave a hotel
  • We need to check out by noon.
  • To investigate something
  • I'll check out the new restaurant downtown.
• Come across: To find something unexpectedly
  • I came across some old photos in the attic.
  • To give an impression
  • He comes across as a very friendly person.
• Come on: To encourage someone to hurry
  • Come on, we're going to be late!
  • To start, develop, or make progress.
  • The new movie is coming on well.
• Cut down: To reduce the amount of something
  • I'm trying to cut down on sugar.
  • To fell a tree
  • They are cutting down the old oak tree.
• Fall apart: To disintegrate or break into pieces
  • The book is so old, it's falling apart.
  • To experience emotional or psychological distress
  • She fell apart after losing her job.
• Fill in: To complete a form
  • Please fill in this application form.
  • To substitute for someone
  • I'll fill in for you while you're on vacation.
• Find out: To discover information
  • I need to find out the train schedule.
  • How did you find out about the party?
• Get along (with): To have a good relationship with someone
  • I get along well with my neighbors.
  • They don't get along very well.
• Get back: To return to a place
  • When did you get back from your trip?
  • To receive something back.
  • I need to get back my book from him.
• Get up: To get out of bed
  • I get up early every morning.
  • What time do you usually get up?
• Give up: To stop trying
  • Don't give up, you can do it!
  • I give up, what's the answer?
• Go on: To continue
  • Please, go on with your story.
  • What's going on here?
• Grow up: To become an adult
  • I grew up in a small town.
  • He wants to be a pilot when he grows up.
• Look after: To take care of someone or something
  • Can you look after my plants while I'm away?
  • She looked after her elderly mother.
• Look for: To try to find something
  • I'm looking for my keys.
  • What are you looking for?
• Look forward to: To anticipate with pleasure
  • I'm looking forward to the weekend.
  • We're looking forward to seeing you.
• Look up: To find information in a reference book or online
  • I need to look up the meaning of this word.
  • Look it up on the internet.
• Make up: To invent a story or excuse
  • He made up a story about why he was late.
  • To reconcile after a fight
  • They always make up after arguing.
• Pick up: To collect someone or something
  • Can you pick me up from the airport?
  • To learn something new, often by watching or listening.
  • I picked up some Spanish while living in Mexico.
• Put off: To postpone or delay
  • We had to put off the meeting until next week.
  • Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
• Put on: To dress oneself
  • Put on your coat, it's cold outside.
  • To gain weight
  • I've put on some weight over the holidays.
• Run out (of): To have no more of something
  • We've run out of milk.
  • Time is running out.
• Set off: To begin a journey
  • We set off early in the morning.
  • To cause something to explode or start
  • The fire alarm was set off by smoke.
• Show up: To arrive or appear
  • He didn't show up for the meeting.
  • Everyone will show up eventually.
• Sign up: To register for something
  • I want to sign up for a yoga class.
  • Where can I sign up?
• Take after: To resemble a family member
  • He takes after his father.
  • She takes after her mother in personality.
• Take off: To remove clothing
  • Take off your shoes at the door.
  • For an airplane to leave the ground
  • The plane takes off in ten minutes.
• Turn on/off: To start/stop a machine or light
  • Turn on the light, it's dark in here.
  • Please turn off the TV when you leave.
• Turn up: To increase the volume or heat
  • Can you turn up the music?
  • To find something that was lost
  • My keys turned up in my coat pocket.
• Work out: To exercise
  • I work out at the gym three times a week.
  • To find a solution to a problem
  • We need to work out a budget.