The Ultimate List of Phrasal Verbs: From A to Z
What are phrasal verbs?
Phrasal verbs are verbs that are made up of a verb and a preposition or adverb, and they have a special meaning that is different from the original verb.
For example, “turn off” is a phrasal verb that means to deactivate or stop something, while “turn” by itself means to change direction.
Phrasal verbs are commonly used in spoken and written English, and they can be used in a variety of contexts.
Some common phrasal verbs include “turn on,” “turn off,” “pick up,” “put down,” “get up,” “give up,” and “look up.”
Learning phrasal verbs can help you improve your vocabulary and understanding of spoken and written English.
150 Phrasal Verbs You Need to Know for Fluent English
In this lesson from Simply IELTS, you will find more than 150 phrasal verbs with meaning and examples to be fluent in English.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| call off | to cancel | The concert was called off due to bad weather. |
| carry on | to continue | We carried on with the meeting even though the power went out. |
| catch up | to regain a level or place that was lost | I’m trying to catch up on my work after being sick for a week. |
| check in | to register at a hotel or airport | We checked in to our hotel and got our room keys. |
| check out | to leave a hotel or pay for goods at a store | We checked out of the hotel and headed to the airport. |
| chip in | to contribute money or effort | Everyone chipped in to buy a gift for the birthday girl. |
| clear up | to make something clearer or cleaner | I hope the weather clears up for our picnic tomorrow. |
| cut back | to reduce or use less of something | I’m trying to cut back on my sugar intake. |
| cut off | to interrupt or disconnect | He accidentally cut off the call while trying to switch phones. |
| do away with | to get rid of or eliminate | The company decided to do away with the old computer system and get a new one. |
| do up | to fasten or decorate | She did up her dress with a beautiful sash. |
| dress up | to wear formal or fancy clothing | We dressed up for the fancy dinner party. |
| drop off | to take someone or something somewhere and leave them | Can you drop off the kids at soccer practice on your way home? |
| fall behind | to fail to keep up | I fell behind on my homework because I was sick last week. |
| figure out | to solve or understand | I’m trying to figure out how to fix this broken lamp. |
| fill in | to complete or provide missing information | Can you fill in this form for me? I’m not sure what to put for my phone number. |
| fill out | to complete a form | I need to fill out this application before I can submit it. |
| find out | to learn or discover | I’m going to try to find out where the nearest post office is. |
| get along | to have a good relationship | I’m happy to say that my roommates and I get along very well. |
| get away | to escape or leave | I can’t wait to get away from the city for a few days and relax in the countryside. |
| get back | to return | I’m going to the store, but I’ll be back in a few minutes. |
| get by | to manage or survive | I’m not making much money right now, but I’m getting by with the help of my roommates. |
| get off | to exit a vehicle or leave a place | I need to get off at the next stop to catch my connecting train. |
| get on | to enter a vehicle or begin a journey | I need to get on the bus if I’m going to make it to work on time. |
| get out | to leave | I’m sorry, I have to get out of here. This party is getting too crowded and loud. |
| get over | to recover from | I’m trying to get over my cold as quickly as possible. |
| get through | to finish or complete | I’m trying to get through this stack of paperwork before the end of the day. |
| give back | to return | I need to give back the library book I borrowed last week. |
| give in | to yield or surrender | I was trying to stay up late to finish my project, but I ended up giving in to my tiredness and going to bed. |
| give up | to stop trying | I was trying to fix the broken chair, but I gave up and threw it out. |
| go along | to follow or agree | I’m going to go along with your suggestion and order the pasta dish instead of the burger. |
| go away | to leave | I’m sorry, but I can’t talk right now. I have to go away for a meeting. |
| go back | to return | I’m going to go back to the store and see if they have any more of that shirt in stock. |
| go off | to make a sound or explosion | I was startled when the smoke alarm went off in the middle of the night. |
| go on | to continue | I’m sorry, but I don’t have time to stop and chat. I have to go on with my errands. |
| go out | to leave the house for a social event | Do you want to go out for dinner tonight? |
| grow up | to mature | I can’t believe how fast my little sister is growing up. |
| hang out | to spend time relaxing or socializing | Do you want to hang out and watch a movie tonight? |
| hand in | to submit | I need to hand in my essay by the end of the week. |
| hang up | to end a phone call | I’m sorry, I have to hang up now. I have another call coming in. |
| have on | to be wearing | What do you have on under your coat? |
| hear from | to receive news or communication | I haven’t heard from my friend in weeks. I hope she’s okay. |
| hold on | to wait | Hold on a minute while I finish this email. |
| keep on | to continue | I’m going to keep on working until I finish this project. |
| keep up | to maintain the same pace or level | I’m struggling to keep up with my classmates in this math class. |
| let down | to disappoint | I’m sorry if I let you down by not showing up to your party. |
| let in | to allow someone to enter | Can you let in the delivery person at the door? |
| let out | to release or make a sound | I accidentally let out a sneeze during the silent movie. |
| light up | to become illuminated | The city lights up at night and it’s so beautiful. |
| look after | to take care of | I’m going to look after my little brother while my parents are out. |
| look up | to search for information | I’m going to look up the recipe for this dish on my phone. |
| make up | to invent or create | I’m going to make up a story to tell my little sister at bedtime. |
| put on | to wear | I’m going to put on my warmest coat before we go outside. |
| put up | to erect or display | We’re going to put up a Christmas tree next weekend. |
| run into | to meet unexpectedly | I ran into an old friend at the mall yesterday. |
| run out | to use up or exhaust | I need to go to the store because we’re running out of milk. |
| set off | to start or cause | The fireworks set off a loud explosion that startled everyone. |
| set up | to prepare or arrange | We’re setting up the tent in the backyard for a camping trip. |
| show up | to arrive | I’m sorry I’m late. Traffic was really bad and I couldn’t show up on time. |
| sit down | to take a seat | Please sit down and make yourself comfortable. |
| stand up | to get to a standing position | I’m going to stand up and stretch my legs after sitting for so long. |
| stick around | to remain or wait | Do you want to stick around and watch this movie with me? |
| take after | to resemble or follow | My little sister takes after my mom with her brown hair and green eyes. |
| take off | to leave or depart | I’m sorry, I have to take off now. I have an early flight in the morning. |
| take on | to accept or undertake | I’m going to take on this project even though it’s a lot of work. |
| think over | to consider carefully | I’m going to think over your suggestion before I give you an answer. |
| throw away | to dispose of | I’m going to throw away this old shirt that I never wear anymore. |
| try on | to wear to test the fit | I’m going to try on this dress to see if it fits me. |
| turn down | to decline or lower | I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to turn down your invitation to the party. I already have plans. |
| turn in | to go to bed | I’m going to turn in early tonight because I have a lot of work to do tomorrow. |
| turn off | to deactivate or stop | I’m going to turn off my phone so I can concentrate on my homework. |
| turn on | to activate or start | I’m going to turn on the TV and see what’s on. |
| turn up | to increase the volume or intensity | Can you turn up the music a little? It’s too quiet. |
| use up | to consume or exhaust | I’m going to use up all the leftover pasta for dinner tonight. |
| wait for | to expect or await | I’m going to wait for the bus at the bus stop. |
| wake up | to become conscious | I’m going to wake up early tomorrow to go for a run. |
| watch out | to be cautious | Watch out for that puddle on the floor! You might slip and fall. |
| work out | to exercise | I’m going to work out at the gym after work today. |
| write down | to record or note | I’m going to write down this address so I don’t forget it. |
At the end of this lesson, Simply IELTS hope you understand more about phrasal verbs in English language.
Now, start to know more about English grammar by joining our free English Grammar course.
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