Phrasal
Verb
|
Definition
|
Example
|
act
up
|
behave
or function improperly
|
I think I need to take my car to the mechanic
because it's acting up again.
|
add
* up +
|
calculate
a sum
|
I added up
the receipts and it totaled $135.46.
|
add
up to +
|
equal
an amount
|
The total expenses added up to $325.00.
|
add
up
|
make
sense
|
Her story doesn't add up. I think she is lying.
|
ask
* out +
|
invite
on a date
|
I can't believe that Joe finally asked me out on a
date!
|
ask
* over +
|
invite
to one's home
|
Why don't we ask the Johnsons over for dinner?
|
back
down
|
stop defending your opinion in a debate
|
Jane never backs down. She always wins arguments.
|
back
out
|
not keep (a promise, agreement,deal)
|
Sam backed out at the last second.
|
back
out of +
|
not keep (a promise, agreement, deal)
|
Sam backed out of the agreement at the last second.
|
back
* up +
|
give
support
|
You need examples to back up your opinion.
|
back
up
|
move
backwards, reverse
|
Could you back up a little so I can open this
drawer.
|
bawl
* out
|
criticize,
reprimand (inf.)
|
She bawled him out for arriving late.
|
bear
down on +
|
bite
|
The soldier had to bear down on the leather strap
while the doctor removed a bullet from the soldier's arm.
|
bear
down on +
|
take
strong measures against
|
The U.S.A. is bearing down on drug traffickers.
|
bear
on +
|
have
to do with
|
This information may bear on this case.
|
bear
up
|
withstand
|
I didn't think he would bear up so well in that
situation.
|
bear
up under +
|
withstand
|
How did he bear up under such extreme pressure.
|
bear
with +
|
be
patient
|
Please bear with me while I fill out the paperwork.
|
blow
in
|
visit
unexpectedly (inf.)
|
My cousin blew in unexpectedly with his entire
family.
|
blow
over
|
pass without creating a problem
|
All this negative publicity will blow over in a
couple of weeks.
|
blow
* up +
|
make explode;destroy using explosives
|
The terrorists blew the bridge up.
|
blow
up
|
explode
|
The bomb blew up before they could defuse it.
|
blow
up
|
suddenly
become very angry
|
When Joan heard the news, she blew up and rushed out
of the room.
|
break
* down +
|
analyze
in detail
|
We need to break this problem down in order to
solve.
|
break
down
|
stop
working properly
|
The truck broke down in the desert.
|
break
down
|
become
mentally ill
|
She broke down after her husband died.
|
break
* in +
|
wear or use something new until it is comfortable
|
I need to break these shoes in before I go hiking.
|
break
in
|
interrupt
|
While we were discussing the situation, Terri broke
in to give her opinion.
|
break
in
|
enter
a place unlawfully
|
The burglar broke in between midnight and 3 AM.
|
break
in on +
|
interrupt
(a conversation)
|
Jane broke in on the conversation and told us to get
back to work.
|
break
into +
|
enter
a house unlawfully
|
The burglar broke into the house between midnight
and 3 AM.
|
break
into +
|
interrupt
(a conversation)
|
Jane broke into the conversation and told us what
she knew.
|
break
* off +
|
end
something
|
Sally broke her engagement to John off.
|
break
out
|
appear
violently
|
Violent protests broke out in response to the
military coup.
|
break
out +
|
use something extravagant for celebration
|
He broke out the champagne to celebrate his
promotion.
|
break
out of +
|
escape
|
The murderer broke out of the prison.
|
break
* up +
|
break
into pieces
|
I broke the cracker up into pieces and put it in the
soup.
|
break
* up +
|
disperse (a crowd), stop (a fight)
|
The police broke the demonstration up before it got
out of control.
|
break
up
|
end
a relationship
|
Sam and Diane broke up again. What a rocky
relationship.
|
bring
* about +
|
cause
to happen
|
Democracy brought about great change in the lives of
the people.
|
bring
* along +
|
bring
with
|
When we go to the forest, bring your wildlife guide
along.
|
bring
* around
|
change someone's mind, convince someone
|
She doesn't want to go, but we'll eventually bring
her around.
|
bring
* away
|
learn or gain (from an experience)
|
My trip across the Sahara was difficult, but I
brought a new appreciation for life away from the experience.
|
bring
* off +
|
succeed at something difficult or unexpected
|
You robbed the bank! I can't believe you brought
that off.
|
bring
* on +
|
cause
something
|
I can't believe she got so angry. What brought that
on?
|
bring
* out +
|
highlight,
stress
|
Your new shirt brings out the color of your eyes.
|
bring
* over +
|
bring
to someone's house
|
When you visit me, why don't you bring over your
son.
|
bring
* to
|
revive
consciousness
|
We used smelling salts to bring her to after she
fainted.
|
bring
* up +
|
mention
|
I didn't want to bring up the fact that she was
unemployed.
|
bring
* up +
|
raise
( a child)
|
Sam was brought up in South Carolina.
|
brush
* off +
|
ignore something or someone (inf.)
|
Mary brushed her ex-boyfriend off at the party.
|
burn
* down +
|
destroy by setting fire to
|
The children burned the house down while playing
with matches.
|
burn
down
|
burn until completely gone (building)
|
Two buildings burnt down in the fire.
|
burn
up
|
be
hot
|
I am burning up in here - open the window.
|
burn
up
|
consume
by fire
|
The papers were burned up in the fire.
|
burn
* up +
|
destroy
by fire
|
He burnt up the files.
|
buy
* out +
|
buy the shares of a company or the shares the other
person owns of a business
|
Pacific Inc. was bought out by a company from
Oregon.
|
buy
* up +
|
purchase the entire supply of something
|
We bought up all the beer in the store.
|
Phrasal
Verb
|
Definition
|
Example
|
call
for +
|
require (as in a recipe)
|
This recipe calls for milk, not water.
|
call
* off +
|
cancel something
|
They called the picnic off because of the rain.
|
call
* off +
|
order to stop (an invasion, guard dogs)
|
He called off the dogs when he saw it was his
neighbor.
|
call
on +
|
visit
|
Mark called on Naomi while he was in town.
|
call
on +
|
invite someone to speak in a meeting or a classroom
|
Professor Tanzer called on Tim to answer the
question.
|
call
* up +
|
telephone
|
I called Sam up to see if he wanted to go to the
movies.
|
calm
* down +
|
make someone relax
|
You can calm the baby down by rocking her gently.
|
care
for +
|
nurse someone or something
|
He cared for the bird until its wing healed.
|
care
for +
|
like someone or something
|
I don't care for sour cream on my potato.
|
carry
on +
|
continue (a conversation, a game)
|
Please, carry on. I didn't mean to interrupt you.
|
carry
on about +
|
continue in an annoying way
|
He kept carrying on about how much money he makes.
|
carry
on with +
|
continue
|
I want you to carry on with the project while I am
out of town.
|
carry
* out +
|
complete and/or accomplish something
|
The secret agent carried out his orders exactly as
planned.
|
carry
* over +
|
continue on a subsequent day, page, etc.
|
The meeting carried over into lunch time.
|
catch
on
|
slowly start to understand (inf.)
|
He caught on after a few minutes.
|
catch
up
|
make up for lost time
|
I will never catch up. I am too behind in my work.
|
catch
up with +
|
speed up to be at the same place as a person or
thing in front of you
|
I had to run to catch up with the others.
|
catch
up on +
|
become up-to-date
|
I need to catch up on world events. I haven't seen
the news in ages.
|
check
back
|
return to see if everything is OK
|
We will check back tomorrow to make sure the project
is finished.
|
check
by +
|
go to a place to see if everything is OK
|
We need to check by the office to see if the
documents are ready.
|
check
for +
|
try to find
|
They checked for termites before they bought the
house.
|
check
in
|
enter a hospital, hotel etc.
|
They need to check in before noon.
|
check
into +
|
enter a hospital, hotel etc.
|
They checked into the hotel at 11:00 AM.
|
check
into +
|
investigate, look for (often through a service)
|
We are checking into discount flights to London.
|
check
* off +
|
make a mark next to (an item on a list)
|
Check each name off the list.
|
check
on +
|
make sure something is OK
|
Let's check on the baby again before we go to sleep.
|
check
* out +
|
investigate, take a look at
|
He checked out the new restaurant down the street.
|
check
out
|
leave a hotel, hospital
|
It's already eleven. We need to check out.
|
check
out of +
|
leave a hotel, hospital
|
We checked out of the hotel before ten.
|
check
* over +
|
closely examine the condition of something
|
He checked over the old car to see if it was worth
buying.
|
check
up on +
|
investigate someone or something
|
The police are checking up on the bomb threats.
|
check
* through
|
send luggage through (to a destination)
|
Your luggage will be checked through to Paris.
|
check
with +
|
ask a person for confirmation
|
He needs to check with his parents before he goes.
|
cheer
* up
|
make someone feel cheerful
|
The party really cheered me up.
|
cheer
up
|
become cheerful
|
Cheer up. Everything will be all right.
|
chew
* up +
|
chew into small pieces
|
The dog chewed up my shoe.
|
chop
* down +
|
fell/cut ( a tree)
|
The lumberjack chopped the tree down.
|
chop
* up +
|
chop/cut into small bits
|
He chopped the meat up into little pieces.
|
clean
* up +
|
tidy
|
Susan cleaned the mess up before she left.
|
clear
out
|
leave ( inf.)
|
Everybody clear out! We're closed.
|
clear
* up +
|
tidy
|
Susan cleared up the mess before she left.
|
close
* down +
|
close a place permanently
|
The corner market closed down because they didn't
have many customers.
|
close
down
|
close permanently
|
The bar was closed down because they served alcohol
to minors.
|
close
in on +
|
approach and threaten
|
The rebels were closing in on the capital, so the
government called in the army.
|
close
* up +
|
close temporarily
|
They are closing the ski resort up for the summer.
|
close
up
|
close temporarily
|
The ski resort is closing up for the summer.
|
come
about
|
occur / happen
|
How did you idea for the book come about.
|
come
across +
|
discover by accident
|
They came across some lost Mayan ruins in the
jungle.
|
come
across +
|
initially seem or have the appearance
|
He comes across as rather rude, but he isn't.
|
come
along
|
accompany someone
|
If you want, you can come along.
|
come
along with +
|
accompany
|
Sam came along with us to the beach.
|
come
along
|
progress
|
How's the research paper coming along.
|
come
along with +
|
progress
|
How are you coming along with the research paper.
|
come
away
|
leave a place with a particular feeling or
impression
|
I came away from the meeting feeling like the
presentation was a success.
|
come
back
|
return
|
What time are you coming back?
|
come
by +
|
get, receive
|
How did you come by that new Mercedes?
|
come
by
|
visit a person at their house
|
I'll come by later this afternoon.
|
come
down with +
|
become sick with
|
He came down with the flu.
|
come
into +
|
inherit
|
He came into a large sum of money when his aunt
died.
|
come
off +
|
fall off, break off
|
The handle came off the suitcase when I picked it
up.
|
come
out
|
appear
|
I didn't see the car at first. It came out of
nowhere.
|
come
out
|
reveal you are homosexual
|
Sam finally came out last month.
|
come
out
|
turn out, end up
|
The pictures came out great.
|
come
out with +
|
produce and distribute a product
|
Microsoft is coming out with a new video game system
next month.
|
come
over
|
visit someone at their house
|
Why don't you come over after work for dinner.
|
come
to
|
regain consciousness
|
Don't worry! She faints all the time. She always
comes to after a few minutes.
|
come
through
|
do what is needed or expected
|
Terry really came through for us in the end.
|
come
up to +
|
approach; to equal
|
The job offer didn't come up to her expectations.
|
come
up with +
|
produce or create (an idea, a plan)
|
She came up with a great proposal for the new
advertising campaign.
|
come
with +
|
include (an accessory)
|
The computer system doesn't come with a printer.
|
count
* in +
|
include
|
Did you count expenses in?
|
count
on +
|
depend/rely on
|
You can really count on Sarah.
|
count
* out +
|
exclude
|
You can count James out. He hates playing poker.
|
count
* up +
|
add
|
Count the change up and see how much we have.
|
crack
down on +
|
become tougher on, better enforce laws on
|
The police have been cracking down on drunk driving.
|
crack
up
|
laugh uncontrollably, laugh a lot
|
When I told the joke, they all cracked up.
|
crack
up at +
|
laugh uncontrollably about, laugh a lot about
|
I cracked up at his joke.
|
cross
* out +
|
draw a line through something, eliminate
|
Why did you cross my name out on the list?
|
cut
down
|
decrease the amount of
|
You eat too much fat. You need to cut down.
|
cut
down on +
|
decrease the amount of
|
You need to cut down on your fat intake.
|
cut
in
|
interrupt
|
She suddenly cut in and delivered the news
|
cut
in on +
|
interrupt
|
She cut in on the conversation and delivered the
news.
|
cut
* off
|
interrupt someone while they were speaking
|
She cut him off before he said something he would
regret later.
|
cut
* off +
|
sever ( with a knife)
|
His finger was accidentally cut off in an industrial
accident.
|
cut
* out +
|
remove
|
He cut the bone out of the steak.
|
cut
* out
|
stop an action
|
Cut it out! You're bothering me.
|
cut
* up +
|
cut into small pieces
|
He cut the beef up and put the pieces in the soup.
|
Phrasal
Verb
|
Definition
|
Example
|
eat
away
|
gradually destroy, erode
|
The heavy rains ate away at the sandstone cliffs.
|
eat
* up +
|
devour
|
Ken ate the cookies up.
|
eat
in
|
eat inside the home
|
We usually eat in instead of going out for dinner.
|
eat
out
|
eat outside the home
|
They eat out once a week.
|
Phrasal
Verb
|
Definition
|
Example
|
face
up to +
|
acknowledge something difficult or embarrassing
|
I'll never be able to face up to my colleagues after
getting so drunk last night at the work party.
|
fall
back on +
|
be able to use in case of emergency
|
Yuki can fall back on her degree in biology if she
doesn't succeed in her acting career.
|
fall
behind
|
go slower than scheduled, lag
|
Hurry up or you will fall behind!
|
fall
behind in +
|
go slower than scheduled, lag
|
Cheryl has missed several days of school and now she
is falling behind in her homework.
|
fall
off
|
decrease
|
Interest in the project fell off when they realized
it wouldn't be profitable.
|
fall
out with +
|
have an argument with
|
I had a falling out with my sister last month and we
haven't talked to each other since.
|
fall
through
|
fail to happen
|
Unfortunately, my trip to Indonesia fell through
because I couldn't save enough money.
|
feel
* up +
|
grope
|
She sued her boss for sexual harassment after he
felt her up.
|
feel
up to +
|
have the energy to do something
|
I don't feel up to going out tonight because I had a
long day at work.
|
figure
on +
|
expect
|
Where do you figure on living when you move to the
the U.S.A.?
|
figure
* out +
|
solve something, understand
|
I finally figured the joke out. Now I understand why
everybody was laughing.
|
figure
* up +
|
calculate
|
I need to figure my expenses up before I give you an
estimate.
|
fill
* in +
|
complete
|
Don't forget to fill in all the blanks on the
application.
|
fill
in
|
substitute
|
Who is going to fill in while you're gone?
|
fill
in for +
|
substitute for
|
Miguel filled in for me at the meeting yesterday
because I was sick.
|
fill
* out +
|
complete (an application)
|
I filled out an application to rent the apartment
last week.
|
fill
out
|
mature, get breasts
|
Now that you're filling out honey, we need to get
you a bra.
|
fill
* up +
|
fill to the top
|
Fill the car up with unleaded gas, please.
|
find
out +
|
discover
|
You will never find out all my secrets!
|
find
out
|
discover
|
Vicky's parents are going to be so mad when they
find out she got a tattoo.
|
fix
* up +
|
repair, renovate, remodel
|
My neighbors are fixing their house up.
|
Phrasal
Verb
|
Definition
|
Example
|
get
* across +
|
cause to be understood
|
It's difficult to get humor across in another
language.
|
get
ahead
|
make progress
|
I can't get ahead even though I work two jobs.
|
get
ahead of +
|
surpass
|
You need to work overtime in order to get ahead of
schedule.
|
get
along
|
have a good relationship
|
Do you and your sister get along?
|
get
along with +
|
have a good relationship
|
Giovanna doesn't get along with her two brothers.
|
get
around +
|
avoid someone or something
|
Some people get around paying taxes by hiring a good
accountant.
|
get
around
|
go many places
|
It's easy to get around town with public
transportation.
|
get
away
|
escape
|
The bank robbers got away.
|
get
away with +
|
do something against the rules or illegal and not
get caught or punished
|
My sister gets away with everything!
|
get
by
|
survive without having the things you need or want
|
I lost my job, so I am having a hard time getting by
this year.
|
get
by on +
|
survive with minimal resources
|
It's nearly impossible to get by on making minimum
wage.
|
get
by with +
|
manage with
|
You don't need a computer. You can get by with the
typewriter.
|
get
down to +
|
get serious about a topic
|
Enough small talk. Let's get down to business.
|
get
in +
|
enter ( a car, a small boat)
|
Get in the front seat. You will have more leg room.
|
get
in
|
enter
|
Get in. I will give you a ride to school
|
get
* off +
|
send (a package)
|
I finally got my sister's birthday present off
yesterday.
|
get
* off
|
remove ( a spider from your shirt)
|
Can you get this spider off my shirt?
|
get
off +
|
leave (a bus, plane, train, boat)
|
We need to get off the bus at the next stop.
|
get
off
|
leave
|
It's dangerous to sit on the roof. Get off!
|
get
off
|
idiomatic phrase - How does he justify saying that?!
|
Where does he get off saying that?!
|
get
* on
|
put on (clothes)
|
You should get your jacket on because it's going to
be cold.
|
get
on
|
enter (a bus, train), mount (a horse, a bike)
|
The train is leaving. Quick, get on!
|
get
on +
|
enter (a bus, train), mount ( a horse, a bike)
|
Get on my bike and I will give you a ride home.
|
get
on
|
have a good relationship
|
Natasha doesn't get on with her co-workers.
|
get
on with +
|
have a good relationship
|
Do you get on with your neighbors?
|
get
on with +
|
continue an activity
|
Now that the police have left, let's get on with the
party!
|
get
out of +
|
exit (a small boat, car, an enclosed area)
|
I fell into the water when I tried to get out of the
canoe.
|
get
over +
|
recover (a cold, a disease, an
ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriend)
|
Jennifer still hasn't gotten over her breakup with
Peter.
|
get
through +
|
complete
|
We will never get through all of these boxes by 9:00
PM.
|
get
through +
|
penetrate
|
We need a stronger drill to get through this wall.
|
get
through
|
penetrate
|
The door was jammed, so we couldn't get through.
|
get
through (with) +
|
finish
|
Have you gotten through with your homework yet?
|
get
through to +
|
make contact
|
It's hard to get through to Janet because her
telephone line is always busy.
|
get
* up
|
cause someone to rise (from a sitting position or a
lying position)
|
Ahmed got Abdul up at 5:30 in the morning by turning
the music up really loud.
|
get
up
|
rise (from sitting position or a bed)
|
What time did you get up this morning?
|
give
* away +
|
give something without asking for anything in
exchange
|
Why did Nancy give all of her furniture away?
|
give
* away +
|
betray (a secret)
|
We are having a surprise party for Susan next
Saturday, so don't give our surprise away by acting suspicious.
|
give
* back +
|
return something you borrowed
|
When are you going to give that book back to your
teacher?
|
give
in
|
stop trying
|
Never give in! You can do it!
|
give
off +
|
release (a smell, light)
|
That white flower gives off a beautiful smell.
|
give
* out +
|
distribute
|
I earn extra money by giving out brochures on the
street.
|
give
out
|
become very tired (inf.)
|
I hope this car doesn't give out in the middle of
the desert.
|
give
* up +
|
surrender something
|
The police told the thief to give his gun up.
|
give
up
|
surrender
|
Never give up learning English!
|
go
away
|
leave
|
I yelled at the dogs to make them go away.
|
go
back
|
return
|
When are you going back to your house?
|
go
by +
|
go past, go close to, visit quickly
|
We go by the coffee shop everyday.
|
go
back on +
|
not keep (one's word, a promise)
|
Don't trust him. He always goes back on his promises.
|
go
down
|
decrease
|
The cost of flight tickets is going down.
|
go
for +
|
try to achieve
|
Our team is going for the gold medal in the
Olympics.
|
go
for
|
idiomatic phrase - I am craving pepperoni pizza.
|
I could go for pepperoni pizza.
|
go
in for +
|
participate ( inf.)
|
Are you going to go in for soccer this year at
school?
|
go
into +
|
discuss in detail
|
I really don't want to go into that now.
|
go
off
|
explode
|
The bomb could go off at any moment.
|
go
off
|
begin, start (used with signals, alarms, warning
sounds)
|
The alarm clock went off at 6:00 AM.
|
go
off
|
stop (said of a machine)
|
The DVD player goes off automatically if you are not
using it.
|
go
off
|
become angry
|
Maria went off last night after I told her about
losing her bike.
|
go
on
|
continue
|
Please, go on. Don't let me interrupt you.
|
go
on
|
happen
|
This place is a mess! What went on here last night?
|
go
on with +
|
continue ( a plan, a conversation)
|
I think we should go on with the meeting and stop
wasting time.
|
go
out
|
stop burning ( a fire)
|
The fire went out after three days.
|
go
out
|
take part in social activities (usually at night)
|
They love to go out every Saturday night.
|
go
over +
|
review
|
Do you usually go over your notes before class?
|
go
over
|
be well received, succeed
|
That didn't go over well.
|
go
through +
|
examine in detail, study carefully
|
I need to have my lawyer go through this contract
before I sign it.
|
go
through +
|
endure; experience challenges, difficulties or
traumas
|
She has gone through so much in her life.
|
go
through with +
|
continue or proceed despite difficulties or fears
|
I have decided to go through with the operation.
|
go
with +
|
match (clothing)
|
That shirt doesn't go with those pants.
|
go
with +
|
accompany a person
|
I am going with Alejandro to the party.
|
go
with +
|
have a boyfriend/girlfriend
|
I am going with Yuri.
|
go
without +
|
abstain from something you want or need
|
A person can go without water for three days.
|
grow
under
|
go out of business
|
The restaurant went under after it lost its liquor
license.
|
grow
up
|
mature
|
Your brother needs to grow up and start thinking
about his future
|
Phrasal
Verb
|
Definition
|
Example
|
hand
* back +
|
return
|
Is the teacher going to hand back our tests today?
|
hand
* down +
|
pronounce formally
|
The president is going to hand his decision down on
health care tonight.
|
hand
* down +
|
give as an inheritance
|
When my clothes got too small for me as a child, I
handed them down to my sister.
|
hand
* in +
|
submit
|
I have to hand in an offer by March 12.
|
hand
* out +
|
distribute
|
We should hand the concert fliers out at school.
|
hand
* over +
|
relinquish control of
|
Hand your car keys over. You're too drunk to drive.
|
hang
around +
|
stay in a place for fun ( inf.)
|
Maria and Salvador usually hang around the beach
after school.
|
hang
around
|
stay in a place for fun
|
Those guys just hang around all day.
|
hang
* up +
|
suspend (clothes on a hanger)
|
You can hang your jacket up in the front closet.
|
hang
up
|
put down the telephone receiver
|
Don't hang up. I'm going to change phones.
|
hang
out +
|
stay in a place for fun (inf.)
|
Let's go hang out at the mall tonight.
|
hang
out
|
stay in a place for fun
|
What are you doing? - - I'm just hanging out.
|
have
* on +
|
wear
|
Do you have your hiking boots on?
|
have
* over
|
invite guests to your home
|
Why don't we have Mr. and Mrs. Jones over for dinner
tonight.
|
hear
from +
|
receive news from (a letter, an e-mail)
|
Have you heard from Steve lately?
|
hear
of +
|
know about something or somebody
|
Have you heard of chocolate covered ants?
|
hit
on +
|
find on accident
|
I hit on the idea while watching the Simpsons show.
|
hit
on +
|
flirt with
|
Jay's friend Marc was trying to hit on my sister
last night.
|
hold
* back +
|
restrain
|
The police held the demonstrators back while the
politicians entered the building.
|
hold
back
|
not allow to advance in school
|
The teacher held Frank back a year, so he couldn't
enter fifth grade.
|
hold
* off +
|
restrain
|
Mr. Johnson held the dog off while we crossed the
yard.
|
hold
off on +
|
delay
|
We should hold off on making dinner until your
parents arrive.
|
hold
on
|
grasp tightly
|
Hold on tight! The roller coaster is about to take
off.
|
hold
on
|
tell someone to wait on the telephone
|
Hold on a minute. I'll get Carol.
|
hold
on to +
|
grasp tightly
|
Make sure you hold on to the hand rail as you walk
down the stairs.
|
hold
out
|
not give in, continue to resist
|
Stop holding out and tell us where you found all of
these old records.
|
hold
out against +
|
not give in, resist
|
They held out against enemy attack.
|
hold
* up +
|
delay (a flight, traffic);
|
The accident held traffic up for an hour.
|
hold
* up +
|
rob (a bank, a person) with a weapon
|
Five men held the bank up yesterday.
|
hook
* up +
|
make the electrical connections required for a
machine or information service
|
Can you hook up the fax machine for me?
|
iron
* out
|
eliminate
|
We need to have a meeting this week in order to iron
out the distribution problems.
|
jack
up +
|
to raise
|
We need to jack up the car before we change the
tire.
|
joke
around
|
to be humorous
|
Mike is always joking around at work.
|
jump
in
|
enter a conversation
|
Feel free to jump in at any moment while we are
talking.
|
jump
to +
|
make a quick, poorly thought out decision
|
You shouldn't jump to conclusions.
|
keep
* around
|
have handy, have accessible
|
I always keep a dictionary around to translate new
words.
|
keep
at +
|
not give up (an activity), to persevere
|
You should keep at your studies.
|
keep
* away
|
prevent access to, hold back
|
Keep the kids away from the cookies.
|
keep
* back
|
maintain a safe distance, cause to maintain a safe
distance
|
Keep back! The burning building is about to
collapse.
|
keep
* down
|
not vomit, not throw up, keep in one's stomach
|
If I ate that, I down know if I could keep it down.
|
keep
* in
|
keep in a particular place, have something in a
specific location
|
When I am not using it, I keep my passport in this
drawer.
|
keep
* off
|
prevent from stepping or climbing on to something
|
Keep the cat off the couch.
|
keep
on
|
continue
|
He kept on talking after everybody asked him to
stop.
|
keep
* out
|
prevent from entering
|
Keep the dog out of the garden; he keeps digging up
the flowers.
|
keep
* over
|
cover something with, put something above
|
I keep a tarp over my bicycle at night to prevent it
from getting wet.
|
keep
to +
|
continue, persist in (an activity)
|
Everybody said she would never finish the puzzle,
but she kept to it until it was done.
|
keep
up
|
stay on the required schedule
|
You have to keep up if you want to work here.
|
keep
* up +
|
continue
|
You are doing a great job! Keep it up.
|
keep
up with +
|
stay on schedule with (a person, the workload,
homework)
|
I have so much reading that I can't keep up with the
writing exercises.
|
kick
back
|
sit or lie back (to relax)
|
After work, I like to kick back in front of the TV
and relax.
|
kick
in
|
begin taking effect
|
The medicine takes one hour to kick in.
|
lay
away +
|
save for the future
|
Why don't you lay away your wedding outfit?
|
lay
down +
|
establish (laws, rules)
|
Lori lays down the law in her class. English only!
|
lay
in on +
|
scold or criticize severely
|
My mom really laid in on me when I got home at 4:00
in the morning last night.
|
lay
into +
|
scold or criticize severely
|
I saw Reto's mom lay into him when he came home late
last night.
|
lay
* off +
|
suspend someone from a job (during a slow period)
|
The company was losing money, so they had to lay off
100 workers.
|
lay
* out +
|
arrange
|
Why don't we lay the pieces of the table out before
we put it together.
|
leave
* out +
|
not include, omit
|
Why did your parents leave you out of their vacation
plans?
|
let
* down
|
disappoint
|
I felt let down when I didn't receive a birthday
card from my sister.
|
let
* down
|
lengthen (pants in sewing)
|
My uncle is a tailor, so he can let your pants down.
|
let
* out
|
release
|
I am happy my brother was let out of prison early.
|
let
* out
|
make bigger (in sewing)
|
I need to let out this skirt because I have gained
weight.
|
let
up
|
weaken in intensity
|
I told her NO a thousand times, but she won't let
up.
|
lie
down
|
rest, recline
|
I need to lie down before we go out tonight.
|
lie
down on +
|
rest, recline ( on a couch, bed)
|
I'm going to lie down on the sofa for a while.
|
lie
with +
|
be decided by
|
Whether or not you can go to the party lies with
your father.
|
light
* up +
|
illuminate
|
Let's get some candles to light this room up.
|
light
up +
|
to smoke
|
Do you have to light up another cigarette? I thought
you were trying to cut down.
|
live
* down +
|
live in a way that a shameful or embarrassing event
is forgotten
|
Jose will never live down singing that song at the
karaoke bar.
|
live
on +
|
survive from
|
I could live on bread and cheese.
|
live
up to +
|
keep a standard
|
It would be hard to live up to her parent's
expectations. They are so demanding.
|
look
after +
|
take care of (a child, a house, a pet)
|
When my sister goes on vacation, I look after her
dog.
|
look
back on +
|
to remember nostalgically
|
When I look back on my childhood, I often feel
angry.
|
look
down on +
|
see as inferior
|
She's so conceited. She looks down on everybody
else.
|
look
for +
|
to seek or search for
|
I'm looking for my keys. Have you seen them?
|
look
forward to +
|
anticipate with pleasure
|
I am looking forward to traveling to New York next
year.
|
look
into +
|
investigate
|
The police are looking into the murder.
|
look
on
|
observe as a spectator
|
Everybody just looked on as the two men fought.
|
look
out
|
be careful, pay attention, heed a certain danger
|
Look out, there's a black widow spider on the wall.
|
look
* over +
|
examine, review
|
When I'm camping, I look my shoes over before I put
them on.
|
look
* up +
|
search for (in a dictionary)
|
I takes time to look up new vocabulary words.
|
look
* up +
|
locate and visit
|
If you ever travel to California, you should look me
up.
|
look
up to +
|
respect, admire someone
|
He looks up to his father.
|
make
* out
|
decipher
|
I can't make out your handwriting. What does this
say?
|
make
* out +
|
write a check or other document
|
Who should I make this check out to?
|
make
out
|
succeed
|
He really made out in the stock market last year.
|
make
out
|
progress
|
How is your son making out in his new job?
|
make
out
|
kiss passionately
|
I saw Benno and Isabelle making out in the movie
theater last night!
|
make
out with +
|
kiss someone passionately
|
Did you make out with Sally?
|
make
* over
|
do again
|
The teacher made me do my homework over.
|
make
* up +
|
invent ( a story)
|
Don't believe anything she says. She always makes
things up.
|
make
* up +
|
complete what was missed
|
Fortunately, my professor let me make up the exam I
missed yesterday.
|
make
* up +
|
put on cosmetics
|
I takes me 10 minutes to make my face up.
|
make
up
|
reconcile
|
You two have been friends for so long that I think
you should make up.
|
make
up for +
|
compensate for
|
Allen made up for being late by getting me flowers.
|
mix
* up +
|
confuse
|
I sometimes mix the verb tenses up.
|
mix
* up +
|
blend
|
We need to mix up these different kinds of nuts
before we put them in a bowl.
|
mix
* up +
|
make lively (a party)
|
Let's mix up this party with a little disco music.
|
name
* after +
|
name a child using another family member's name
|
I was named after my grandfather.
|
nod
off
|
fall asleep
|
The movie was so boring that I nodded off before it
was finished.
|
nose
around +
|
sneak around
|
I hate it when my mother noses around my room.
|
occur
to +
|
pop into one's mind, come to one's mind
|
It didn't occur to us that we had left the iron on.
|
open
up
|
share feelings
|
I'm glad that John feels comfortable enough
around me to open up.
|
out
to + verb
|
try to
|
She is out to get revenge now that her husband left
her for another woman.
|
pan
out
|
be successful, turn out well
|
The trip to Vegas didn't pan out.
|
pass
away
|
die
|
After battling cancer for several years, he finally
passed away at the age of 87.
|
pass
* off +
|
try to convince someone that something is real
|
He tried to pass the fake watch off as a real Rolex.
|
pass
* on +
|
transmit
|
Please pass this message on to your co-workers.
|
pass
on +
|
not accept (an invitation to eat or do something)
|
Jennifer passed on the invitation to join us for
dinner.
|
pass
on
|
die
|
I am afraid Professor Johnson has passed on.
|
pass
* out +
|
distribute
|
We need to pass out these flyers for the concert
tomorrow.
|
pass
out
|
become unconscious
|
He passed out because the room was too hot.
|
pass
* up +
|
not take advantage (of an opportunity)
|
I can't believe she passed up the opportunity to
study in Rome.
|
pay
* back +
|
repay
|
If I loan you money, will you pay me back.
|
pay
* off +
|
complete payment on a debt
|
It took me ten years to pay off my credit card debt.
|
pay
* off +
|
to bribe
|
Don't try to pay the police officer off if you get
pulled over for speeding.
|
pick
on +
|
to tease, bully
|
She keeps picking on me! Make her stop.
|
pick
* out +
|
choose
|
Diane picked out a lovely dress for the dance.
|
pick
* up +
|
to lift an object with the hands
|
Keep your back straight when you lift the TV up.
|
pick
* up +
|
come and get someone in a car
|
What time are you going to pick me up.
|
pick
* up +
|
learn something without effort
|
It's possible to pick up enough English in two weeks
to get by on your trip to Los Angeles.
|
pick
* up +
|
try to initiate a relationship with someone (often
in a bar)
|
Some weird guy tried to pick Patricia up at the bar.
|
pick
up
|
grow, increase (inf.)
|
Business is really picking up this quarter.
|
play
* down +
|
make less important (inf.)
|
The President played down his affair with the
intern.
|
play
* up
|
highlight something (inf.)
|
She played up her part in the new movie, but it was
actually a very small role.
|
play
up to +
|
flatter someone for your personal advantage
|
She has been playing up to the boss because she
wants a promotion.
|
point
* out +
|
indicate
|
I'd like to point out that figures in column two
might be outdated.
|
pull
down
|
earn
|
He pulls down about $300,000 a year.
|
pull
in
|
park (a vehicle)
|
Mark pulled in too quickly and crashed into the
wall.
|
pull
out
|
depart (a vehicle)
|
Our train pulls out at 8:00, so don't be late.
|
pull
through
|
barely survive
|
I didn't think she was going to make it, but she
pulled through in the end.
|
put
* across +
|
communicate (an idea or suggestion) clearly so that
it is understood
|
I thought Ms. Smith put her ideas across rather
clearly in the meeting.
|
put
* away +
|
return to the proper place of storage
|
I told you kids to put your toys away.
|
put
* down +
|
insult, say bad things about
|
She always puts down people who don't share her
opinions.
|
put
in +
|
officially submit a request (in the armed forces or
public services)
|
He put in for a transfer to the division in Los
Angeles.
|
put
* off +
|
postpone
|
Don't put off your work - do it now!
|
put
* on +
|
wear
|
Make sure you put on a sweater before you go
outside.
|
put
* on +
|
deceive
|
I didn't believe a thing he said. I think he was
putting me on.
|
put
* out +
|
extinguish (a fire)
|
Don't use water to put out a grease fire.
|
put
* out +
|
inconvenience someone
|
I don't want to put you out, but could you pick me
up at the airport.
|
put
out +
|
spend (usually used with unreasonably large sums of
money)
|
I can't put out that much money each month.
|
put
* up
|
have a guest stay in your house for a short time
|
Can you put me up while I'm in town.
|
put
up with +
|
tolerate
|
Sandy will not put up with smoking in her house.
|
quiet
* down +
|
be quiet, or cause to be quiet
|
The neighbors told us to quiet down last night or
they would call the police.
|
read
up on +
|
research a topic for a reason
|
I need to read up on the company before I go on the
job interview.
|
ring
* up
|
telephone
|
Jack rung me up last night at 3:00 in the morning.
|
rule
* out +
|
eliminate
|
I wouldn't rule out the possibility of moving to
another country if I get a good job offer.
|
run
across +
|
find or meet unexpectedly
|
I ran across some old photos while I was cleaning my
house.
|
run
against +
|
compete in an election
|
Gore ran against Bush in the 2000 elections in the
U.S.A.
|
run
away
|
leave home permanently before you are a legal adult
|
The child ran away because her parents beat her.
|
run
away from +
|
escape from
|
The child ran away from its parents.
|
run
* down
|
trace
|
Have you run down those phone numbers I asked for
last week?
|
run
* down
|
criticize
|
My boss runs everyone down.
|
run
* down
|
hit with a car
|
My dog was run down by a bus.
|
run
down
|
loose power, be very tired
|
You need to wind your watch so it doesn't run down.
|
run
for +
|
campaign for a government position
|
Gore is running for president of the U.S.A.
|
run
into +
|
meet unexpectedly
|
I ran into my English teacher at the movies last
night. She's so nice!
|
run
* off +
|
make leave
|
The new government is trying to run the drug
traffickers off.
|
run
* off
|
reproduce (photocopies)
|
Would you mind running off 10 copies of this
document for me?
|
run
off
|
leave quickly
|
Why did you run off after the party?
|
run
off
|
waste water
|
You shouldn't swim where the sewage runs off into
the ocean.
|
run
out of +
|
not have any more of something
|
We ran out of milk this morning, so we need to go to
the store.
|
save
* up +
|
accumulate (money)
|
I hope I will be able to save up enough money to go
to school.
|
see
about +
|
arrange or consider something
|
My dad said he was going to see about buying me a
car.
|
see
* off
|
say good-bye to someone at the beginning of their
trip (at the airport, train station)
|
Did you see your sister off at the train station?
|
see
to +
|
make sure something happens, arrange
|
I'll see to it that Mr. Ramirez gets your message.
|
see
* through
|
finish something despite difficulties
|
Are you going to be able to see your studies through
now that you have a baby?
|
sell
* out
|
tell on someone
|
My partner in crime sold me out for a reduced jail
sentence.
|
set
* up
|
arrange a relationship
|
My mom set me up with her friend's son.
|
set
* up
|
falsely incriminate a person
|
I don't think he killed those men. Somebody set him
up.
|
set
up +
|
arrange (an appointment, a meeting,etc.)
|
I set up an appointment with my doctor at 3:30 this
afternoon.
|
settle
on +
|
make a decision after a period of time
|
I settled on the job at the oil company.
|
settle
up
|
pay one's debts
|
We need to settle up before you move.
|
show
* off +
|
show to everybody with a lot of pride
|
He always shows off his new things.
|
show
off
|
boast, draw attention to oneself
|
Young boys show off in order to impress girls.
|
show
* up
|
make someone seem inferior
|
He's always trying to show up his co-workers in
order to get ahead.
|
show
up
|
arrive without previous notice
|
I hadn't seen my cousin for years, and all of a
sudden, he showed up at my workplace yesterday!
|
shut
* off
|
stop from functioning
|
If you don't pay your electric bill, your power is
going to get shut off.
|
shut
* up
|
make quiet
|
Would someone shut him up! He's talking so loudly
that we're going to get in trouble.
|
slow
* down +
|
make move more slowly
|
Because Mary's level in English is lower than the
rest of the students, she slows the class down.
|
slow
* up +
|
make move more slowly
|
Because Mary's level in English is lower than the
rest of the students, she slows the class up.
|
spell
* out +
|
to explain something in a detailed way so that the
meaning is clearly understood
|
He's so stupid that you have to spell everything our
for him.
|
stand
by
|
wait
|
I need you to stand by and answer the phone when my
broker calls.
|
stand
for +
|
represent
|
SCUBA stands for "self contained underwater
breathing apparatus."
|
stand
for +
|
tolerate
|
I won't stand for people criticizing me.
|
stand
out
|
be very noticeable
|
Soledad is so beautiful! She really stands out in a
crowd.
|
stand
* up
|
not arrive to a date or an appointment (inf.)
|
I arranged to meet Joe at the library at 8:00, but
he stood me up. I hope he has a good excuse.
|
stand
up for +
|
defend (something one believes in)
|
Every individual must stand up for what they believe
in.
|
stand
up to +
|
defend oneself against someone or something
|
I think you should stand up to your older brother
and tell him to stop pushing you around.
|
stay
over
|
spend the night at a person's house
|
It takes you so long to take the bus home, so why
don't you just stay over?
|
stick
it to +
|
severely criticize a person (inf.)
|
My boss really stuck it to me when I arrived late to
work for the third time this week.
|
stick
to +
|
persevere, keep trying
|
Even though English is a hard language to master,
you must stick to it!
|
stick
up for +
|
defend oneself or opinions
|
Joseph joined the army because he believes he must
stick up for his country.
|
take
after +
|
resemble a parent or relative
|
I take after my father. Who do you take after?
|
take
* away +
|
remove, seize or capture
|
The soldiers took the captives away.
|
take
* back +
|
retract something you said
|
I demand that you take back what you said.
|
take
* back +
|
return an item to a store
|
The dress my grandmother bought for me didn't fit,
so I took it back and exchanged it for a pair of pants.
|
take
* down +
|
write down what is said
|
Would you mind taking down my messages while I am on
vacation?
|
take
* down +
|
remove (from a high place)
|
The city government made the shop take down their
bright, neon sign.
|
take
* for
|
consider, view as
|
Do you take me for an idiot?
|
take
* in +
|
learning
|
Are you taking in all of these phrasal verbs?
|
take
* in +
|
deceive a person
|
He was taken in by the con artist.
|
take
* in +
|
make smaller when sewing
|
I lost weight, so I need to take some of my skirts
to the tailor to have them taken in.
|
take
* off
|
when a plane or rocket leaves the ground
|
My stomach felt funny when the plane took off.
|
take
* off +
|
remove
|
In many cultures, it is appropriate to take off your
shoes when entering a house.
|
take
* off +
|
leave work or school for a period of time
|
I was sick last week, so I took a few days off of
work.
|
take
off
|
leave
|
We took off after dinner.
|
take
on +
|
accept (responsibilities, work)
|
She has taken on too much responsibility in this
project.
|
take
* over +
|
take control of
|
Who is going to take over the family business when
Aretha's father dies?
|
take
over
|
take control of
|
If the President is assassinated, the Vice-president
will take over.
|
take
* out +
|
accompany a person on a date (for dinner, the
movies)
|
I can't meet you tonight because I am taking
Fernanda out to dinner.
|
take
* up +
|
begin a new hobby
|
Have you taken up any new hobbies since you moved
here?
|
take
* up +
|
discuss (at a later date)
|
We should take this issue up in the meeting
tomorrow.
|
take
* up +
|
shorten a garment when sewing
|
This dress is too long, I am going to take it up.
|
take
up +
|
occupy space
|
This couch takes up too much space in the living
room.
|
talk
back
|
respond in an impolite way to an adult
|
Don't talk back!
|
talk
back to +
|
respond in an impolite way to an adult
|
Children should not talk back to their parents.
|
talk
* over +
|
discuss
|
I hope my parents talk their relationship problems
over before they get divorced.
|
tear
* down +
|
destroy
|
The county decided to tear down the dilapidated
school and build a new one.
|
tear
* up +
|
tear or rip into small pieces
|
I always tear up my personal papers before I throw
them out.
|
tell
* off +
|
criticize a person severely, reprimand (inf.)
|
Carolina told me off when she found out I was
gossiping about her date with Martin.
|
tell
on +
|
report a crime to the police or bad behavior to a
parent
|
Every time I did something wrong when I was a child,
my sister would tell on me.
|
think
* over +
|
consider
|
Think over the offer before you sign the contract.
|
think
* through +
|
consider carefully
|
You need to think this through carefully before you
make a decision.
|
think
* up +
|
create or invent a false story
|
I need to think up an excuse for not going to her
party.
|
throw
* away +
|
discard
|
Don't throw away those bottles; we can recycle them.
|
throw
* out +
|
discard
|
I asked him not to throw out the Sunday newspaper
because I wanted to save an article.
|
throw
* out +
|
remove by force from (a room, school, a house, etc.)
|
Mary threw out her roommate because she stopped
paying rent.
|
throw
up
|
vomit
|
If you drink too much alcohol, you might throw up.
|
tie
* up +
|
tie securely
|
When we dock, make sure you tie the boat up.
|
tire
* out
|
cause someone to be very tired
|
Speaking English all day tires me out.
|
touch
on +
|
talk about for a short time
|
The presidential candidates touched on the subject
of health care during the debates.
|
touch
* up
|
make the final improvements
|
We didn't paint the whole kitchen, we just touched
up the cabinets.
|
try
* on +
|
put on to make sure a piece of clothing fits
|
Try on the pants before you buy them.
|
try
* out
|
test
|
Try out this massage chair - it feels great!
|
turn
* away
|
refuse to deal with or give service
|
They turned us away at the border because we didn't
have visas.
|
turn
* around
|
change or reverse direction
|
Turn the car around and go back home.
|
turn
* down +
|
refuse an offer; reject an application
|
She turned down the new job in New York, because she
didn't want to move.
|
turn
* down +
|
lower the volume or intensity of a TV, radio, or
other machine
|
I'm studying! Please turn down the TV.
|
turn
* in
|
submit
|
You need to turn your essays in next week.
|
turn
in
|
go to bed (inf.)
|
It's getting late. I think it is about time to turn
in.
|
turn
into +
|
become something different, transform
|
When she kissed the frog, it turned into a handsome
prince.
|
turn
* off +
|
stop the function of (a stove, a water faucet, a
car, etc.)
|
Don't forget to turn off the iron before you leave
the house.
|
turn
on +
|
attack unexpectedly
|
The pit bull suddenly turned on the small child.
|
turn
* on
|
cause to be excited sexually
|
Scientists have discovered that the smell of
cinnamon turns many people on.
|
turn
* on +
|
start the function of a TV, a radio, a machine
|
Turn on the TV. The baseball game starts in a few
minutes.
|
turn
* out
|
produce
|
The weavers can turn out two or three rugs a month.
|
turn
* out
|
switch off a light
|
Turn out the light before you go to bed.
|
turn
out
|
audience members to a function
|
Over 100,000 people turned out for the concert.
|
turn
out
|
end up being
|
She turned out to be the murderer after all.
|
turn
* over
|
give to authorities (said of evidence or stolen /
lost property)
|
They turned the wallet over to the police.
|
turn
* up +
|
increase the volume or intensity of a TV, radio, or
other machine
|
Turn up the TV. I can't hear what they're saying.
|
turn
up
|
find unexpectedly
|
My keys turned up in the bedroom.
|
use
* up
|
use all of something
|
I used up all of the soap, so we need to buy some
more.
|
wait
on +
|
serve, service (a table)
|
Each waitress waits on three different tables in the
restaurant.
|
wait
up
|
not sleep because you are waiting for something or
someone
|
Don't wait up.
|
wait
up for +
|
not sleep because you are waiting for someone or
something
|
Let's wait up for Mary to see how her date went.
|
wake
* up +
|
awaken someone
|
The car alarm woke me up at 6:00 in the morning.
|
wake
up
|
awaken
|
Wake up. It's time to get ready for work.
|
wash
up
|
clean oneself
|
Make sure you wash up before dinner.
|
wash
* up +
|
clean
|
If we work together, we can wash the kitchen up in a
few minutes.
|
watch
out
|
be careful
|
Watch out - there's a rattlesnake!
|
watch
out for +
|
be careful of
|
Watch out for snakes while you are hiking in the
desert.
|
wear
off
|
disappear after a period of time
|
The affects of the medicine will wear off after a
few hours.
|
wear
* out
|
use until something is not useable anymore
|
If you wear the same shoes everyday, you'll wear
them out.
|
wear
* out
|
cause to be very tired
|
Her three kids wore me out.
|
wind
up +
|
finish (inf.)
|
If he doesn't get his act together, he is going to
wind up in jail.
|
wind
* up +
|
tighten the spring of a watch or similar machine
|
He wound up the toy dog and set it on the floor.
|
wind
* up +
|
cause an animal or a child to behave wildly
|
The kids always get wound up when Uncle Henry comes
over.
|
wipe
* out +
|
massacre or destroy
|
The tidal wave wiped out the small fishing village.
|
wipe
* out
|
cause to be very tired
|
After surfing all day, I was completely wiped out.
|
work
* out +
|
solve
|
I hope you two can work out your problems.
|
work
out
|
exercise
|
I work out three times a week at the fitness center.
|
work
out
|
be successful
|
I am glad your new catering business is working out.
|
write
* down +
|
record
|
Write down the directions so you don't forget them.
|
write
* out +
|
write down every word or letter
|
He wrote out the lyrics so I could understand what
the singer was saying.
|
write
* up +
|
prepare a report
|
He wrote up a business proposal in order to get a
loan.
|
yak
on
|
to continue talking in an annoying way
("on" can be repeated for emphasis)
|
He just yakked on and on and on.
|
yak
on about +
|
to continue talking in an annoying way about
something ("on" can be repeated for emphasis)
|
She just yakked on and on about her husband's new
job.
|
yammer
on
|
to talk in an annoying way or complain
("on" can be repeated for emphasis)
|
They yammered on and on and on.
|
yammer
on about +
|
to talk in an annoying way about something or
complain about ("on" can be repeated for emphasis)
|
He just yammered on and on about how horrible the
waiter was.
|
zero
in on +
|
discover, pinpoint
|
I think I have zeroed in on what has been causing
the problem.
|
zip
around +
|
move quickly from place to place
|
I zipped around town after work today.
|
zone
out
|
stop paying attention
|
He zoned out during class.
|
zonk
out
|
fall asleep
|
Jill was so exhausted after taking the TOEFL test
that she zonked out before dinner.
|
zoom
in
|
focus
|
You need a telephoto lens to zoom in.
|
zoom
in on +
|
focus on something, pinpoint
|
She zoomed in on his face while taking the picture
|
What
are phrasal verbs?
|
1. A phrasal verb is a verb plus a preposition or adverb which
creates a meaning different from the original verb.
Example:
I ran into my teacher at the movies last night. run + into = meet
He ran away when he was 15. run
+ away = leave home
2. Some phrasal verbs are intransitive. An intransitive verb cannot be
followed by an object.
Example:
He suddenly showed up. "show
up" cannot take an object
3. Some phrasal verbs are transitive. A transitive verb can be
followed by an object.
Example:
I made up the story. "story"
is the object of "make up"
4. Some transitive phrasal verbs are separable. The object is placed
between the verb and the preposition. In this Phrasal Verb Dictionary,
separable phrasal verbs are marked by placing a * between the verb and the
preposition / adverb.
Example:
I talked my mother into letting me borrow the car.
She looked the phone number up.
5. Some transitive phrasal verbs are inseparable. The object is placed
after the preposition. In this Phrasal Verb Dictionary, inseparable phrasal
verbs are marked by placing a + after the preposition / adverb.
Example:
I ran into an old friend yesterday.
They are looking into the problem.
6. Some transitive phrasal verbs can take an object in both places. In
this Phrasal Verb Dictionary, such phrasal verbs are marked with both * and +
.
Example:
I looked the number up in the phone book.
I looked up the number in the phone book.
7. WARNING! Although many phrasal verbs can take an object in both
places, you must put the object between the verb and the preposition if the
object is a pronoun.
Example:
I looked the number up in the phone book.
I looked up the number in the phone book.
I looked it up in the phone book. correct
I looked up it in the phone book. incorrect
|
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