What is Phrasal Verb?
Phrasal Verbs are a particular kind of expression, wherein the verb is made of two or more components. Mostly the combining components are verbs and prepositions.
When divided these components will have a meaning of their own but would not suggest anything about the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Consider the following sentences:
This sword has been handed down from father to son in the family for many generations.
I have been looking forward to meeting you since long now.
The patient came out of the delirium only when given tranquilizers.
We had almost decided to give up on the search when we made the discovery.
Phrasal verbs are idiomatic expressions and have a particular meaning different from that of combining verbs and prepositions.
Common Phrasal Verbs List with their Meanings and Examples
sit in to attend or take part as a visitor
Do you mind if I sit in?
sit out to stay till the end of
I’m tired, so I think I’ll sit out the next dance.
call off to cancel
They have called off their engagement.
come round to accept circumstance and adjust yourself to them.
I’d just come round from a drunken stupor.
get on to manage one’s life
Parents are always anxious for their children to get on.
get back to have something returned
We got back the money after we threatened to sue the company.
get along to be friendly with one another
They seem to get along pretty well.
turn out to have a particular result
I have been fretting about how my own daughter will turn out.
turn up to arrive unexpectedly
Half the guests failed to turn up.
dress up to wear nice clothes
Nitu dressed up for the presentation.
end up to eventually become a certain way
He ended up taking the job.
go over to review
He went over the writing assignment.
leave out to omit
Soni left out the graph from the presentation.
show off to brag or boast
Her jeans were tight-fitting, showing off her compact figure.
check out to verify a person or thing
I’ll check out the contract.
sort out to successfully deal with a problem
The teacher helps the children to sort out their problems.
hand in to give something to someone in authority
We handed in a letter of protest.
sit down to take a seat
You’d better sit down.
sit up to rise from a supine position
Amy sat up and rubbed her eyes.
pull up to bring something nearer
She pulled up the document on his computer.
put on to add something to your person or an object
I always put on my backpack before leaving the house.
give in to yield to some pressure
I intend to give in my essay by Monday.
give away to give something free as a gift or donation
He gave away most of his money to charity.
give up to accept defeat
If you give up, you decide that you cannot do something.
switch on to start something
she switched on the light.
turn down to refuse or reject an offer
His novel was turned down by publisher after publisher.
turn in to expose
He turned in his paperwork to the main office.
see to make sure something is done
They hired an event planner to see to all of the details of the party.
look into to probe, or investigate a matter
The police looked into his business dealings.
look after take care of
It’s hard work looking after three children all day.
take after to resemble a parent or ancestor
The rest of us take after our mother.
take out to move something outside
Please take out the garbage before you leave.
take off to remove something
She took off her cardigan.
clean up to clean a general area
Who’s going to clean up this mess?
fill up to fill something completely
He quickly filled up the bowl with water.
find out to discover
Let me know when you find out the answer.
put out to extinguish
Fire crews from Grangetown put out the blaze.
dive into to occupy oneself with something
I’ll dive into that new TV show later tonight.
try on to wear some clothes for the first time
I tried on a couple of dresses but they were too expensive.
turn down lower the volume
She turned the sound down.
turn on to start a machine
She turned on the TV.
put in to invest something
The government is unwilling to put more money into training.
think over to consider something
He told the player to go home and think over his offer.
throw away to dispose of something
Could you throw away that burrito?
look out be careful of some danger
Look out! warned Billie, seeing a movement from the room beyond.
Following are some sentences using Phrasal Verbs
Don’t throw away your opportunity to enter this University.
Many people believe in astrology and tarot cards nowadays.
Quickly get in the car, we’re getting late.
You can put forward your point in today’s meeting.
To sit through his speech was very difficult.
I don’t understand why you put up with his insolent behaviour.
I could see through his intentions the first time I met, but kept quiet to give him a chance to reform.
Please, fill in all the necessary information in this form.
I am sure you will not let me down, I’ve full faith in your capacities.
Why are you taking it out on me? I’m not the one responsible for the mishap.
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