The Ultimate List of Phrasal Verbs: From A to Z

The Ultimate List of Phrasal Verbs From A to Z

What are phrasal verbs?

The Ultimate List of Phrasal Verbs From A to Z
The Ultimate List of Phrasal Verbs From A to Z

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 VerbMeaningExample
call offto cancelThe concert was called off due to bad weather.
carry onto continueWe carried on with the meeting even though the power went out.
catch upto regain a level or place that was lostI’m trying to catch up on my work after being sick for a week.
check into register at a hotel or airportWe checked in to our hotel and got our room keys.
check outto leave a hotel or pay for goods at a storeWe checked out of the hotel and headed to the airport.
chip into contribute money or effortEveryone chipped in to buy a gift for the birthday girl.
clear upto make something clearer or cleanerI hope the weather clears up for our picnic tomorrow.
cut backto reduce or use less of somethingI’m trying to cut back on my sugar intake.
cut offto interrupt or disconnectHe accidentally cut off the call while trying to switch phones.
do away withto get rid of or eliminateThe company decided to do away with the old computer system and get a new one.
do upto fasten or decorateShe did up her dress with a beautiful sash.
dress upto wear formal or fancy clothingWe dressed up for the fancy dinner party.
drop offto take someone or something somewhere and leave themCan you drop off the kids at soccer practice on your way home?
fall behindto fail to keep upI fell behind on my homework because I was sick last week.
figure outto solve or understandI’m trying to figure out how to fix this broken lamp.
fill into complete or provide missing informationCan you fill in this form for me? I’m not sure what to put for my phone number.
fill outto complete a formI need to fill out this application before I can submit it.
find outto learn or discoverI’m going to try to find out where the nearest post office is.
get alongto have a good relationshipI’m happy to say that my roommates and I get along very well.
get awayto escape or leaveI can’t wait to get away from the city for a few days and relax in the countryside.
get backto returnI’m going to the store, but I’ll be back in a few minutes.
get byto manage or surviveI’m not making much money right now, but I’m getting by with the help of my roommates.
get offto exit a vehicle or leave a placeI need to get off at the next stop to catch my connecting train.
get onto enter a vehicle or begin a journeyI need to get on the bus if I’m going to make it to work on time.
get outto leaveI’m sorry, I have to get out of here. This party is getting too crowded and loud.
get overto recover fromI’m trying to get over my cold as quickly as possible.
get throughto finish or completeI’m trying to get through this stack of paperwork before the end of the day.
give backto returnI need to give back the library book I borrowed last week.
give into yield or surrenderI was trying to stay up late to finish my project, but I ended up giving in to my tiredness and going to bed.
give upto stop tryingI was trying to fix the broken chair, but I gave up and threw it out.
go alongto follow or agreeI’m going to go along with your suggestion and order the pasta dish instead of the burger.
go awayto leaveI’m sorry, but I can’t talk right now. I have to go away for a meeting.
go backto returnI’m going to go back to the store and see if they have any more of that shirt in stock.
go offto make a sound or explosionI was startled when the smoke alarm went off in the middle of the night.
go onto continueI’m sorry, but I don’t have time to stop and chat. I have to go on with my errands.
go outto leave the house for a social eventDo you want to go out for dinner tonight?
grow upto matureI can’t believe how fast my little sister is growing up.
hang outto spend time relaxing or socializingDo you want to hang out and watch a movie tonight?
hand into submitI need to hand in my essay by the end of the week.
hang upto end a phone callI’m sorry, I have to hang up now. I have another call coming in.
have onto be wearingWhat do you have on under your coat?
hear fromto receive news or communicationI haven’t heard from my friend in weeks. I hope she’s okay.
hold onto waitHold on a minute while I finish this email.
keep onto continueI’m going to keep on working until I finish this project.
keep upto maintain the same pace or levelI’m struggling to keep up with my classmates in this math class.
let downto disappointI’m sorry if I let you down by not showing up to your party.
let into allow someone to enterCan you let in the delivery person at the door?
let outto release or make a soundI accidentally let out a sneeze during the silent movie.
light upto become illuminatedThe city lights up at night and it’s so beautiful.
look afterto take care ofI’m going to look after my little brother while my parents are out.
look upto search for informationI’m going to look up the recipe for this dish on my phone.
make upto invent or createI’m going to make up a story to tell my little sister at bedtime.
put onto wearI’m going to put on my warmest coat before we go outside.
put upto erect or displayWe’re going to put up a Christmas tree next weekend.
run intoto meet unexpectedlyI ran into an old friend at the mall yesterday.
run outto use up or exhaustI need to go to the store because we’re running out of milk.
set offto start or causeThe fireworks set off a loud explosion that startled everyone.
set upto prepare or arrangeWe’re setting up the tent in the backyard for a camping trip.
show upto arriveI’m sorry I’m late. Traffic was really bad and I couldn’t show up on time.
sit downto take a seatPlease sit down and make yourself comfortable.
stand upto get to a standing positionI’m going to stand up and stretch my legs after sitting for so long.
stick aroundto remain or waitDo you want to stick around and watch this movie with me?
take afterto resemble or followMy little sister takes after my mom with her brown hair and green eyes.
take offto leave or departI’m sorry, I have to take off now. I have an early flight in the morning.
take onto accept or undertakeI’m going to take on this project even though it’s a lot of work.
think overto consider carefullyI’m going to think over your suggestion before I give you an answer.
throw awayto dispose ofI’m going to throw away this old shirt that I never wear anymore.
try onto wear to test the fitI’m going to try on this dress to see if it fits me.
turn downto decline or lowerI’m sorry, but I’m going to have to turn down your invitation to the party. I already have plans.
turn into go to bedI’m going to turn in early tonight because I have a lot of work to do tomorrow.
turn offto deactivate or stopI’m going to turn off my phone so I can concentrate on my homework.
turn onto activate or startI’m going to turn on the TV and see what’s on.
turn upto increase the volume or intensityCan you turn up the music a little? It’s too quiet.
use upto consume or exhaustI’m going to use up all the leftover pasta for dinner tonight.
wait forto expect or awaitI’m going to wait for the bus at the bus stop.
wake upto become consciousI’m going to wake up early tomorrow to go for a run.
watch outto be cautiousWatch out for that puddle on the floor! You might slip and fall.
work outto exerciseI’m going to work out at the gym after work today.
write downto record or noteI’m going to write down this address so I don’t forget it.
150 Phrasal Verbs You Need to Know for Fluent English

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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