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Common English phrasal verbs (205) with meanings and examples

The phrasal verbs learners need most, with a simple meaning, an example sentence, audio and the type (separable, inseparable or intransitive).

Separable verbs can take the object in the middle: turn the TV off / turn off the TV. Inseparable verbs cannot: look after the baby. Intransitive verbs have no object: The plane took off.

Phrasal verb	Meaning	Example
act upintransitive	to behave badly or work badlyto behave badly or work badly	My old laptop is acting up again today.My old laptop is acting up again today.
add upintransitive	to make sense or give a totalto make sense or give a total	His story just doesn’t add up.His story just doesn’t add up.
ask outseparable	to invite someone on a dateto invite someone on a date	He finally asked her out for dinner.He finally asked her out for dinner.
back upseparable	to support or make a copy ofto support or make a copy of	Remember to back up your files every week.Remember to back up your files every week.
blow upseparable	to explode or fill with airto explode or fill with air	The kids blew up balloons for the party.The kids blew up balloons for the party.
break downintransitive	to stop workingto stop working	Our car broke down on the motorway.Our car broke down on the motorway.
break inintransitive	to enter a place by forceto enter a place by force	Thieves broke in while we were on holiday.Thieves broke in while we were on holiday.
break outintransitive	to start suddenly, like a fire or warto start suddenly, like a fire or war	A fire broke out in the old warehouse.A fire broke out in the old warehouse.
break upintransitive	to end a relationshipto end a relationship	They broke up after three years together.They broke up after three years together.
bring aboutinseparable	to cause something to happento cause something to happen	The new law brought about big changes.The new law brought about big changes.
bring backseparable	to return something or recall a memoryto return something or recall a memory	This song brings back lovely memories of school.This song brings back lovely memories of school.
bring upseparable	to raise a child or mention a topicto raise a child or mention a topic	She brought up three children on her own.She brought up three children on her own.
build upintransitive	to increase graduallyto increase gradually	Dust built up behind the old cupboard.Dust built up behind the old cupboard.
burn outintransitive	to become exhausted from too much workto become exhausted from too much work	Many nurses burn out after years of night shifts.Many nurses burn out after years of night shifts.
call backseparable	to return a phone callto return a phone call	I’ll call you back in ten minutes.I’ll call you back in ten minutes.
call offseparable	to cancel somethingto cancel something	They called off the match because of the storm.They called off the match because of the storm.
call oninseparable	to visit someone briefly or ask to speakto visit someone briefly or ask to speak	The teacher called on me to answer.The teacher called on me to answer.
calm downintransitive	to become less angry or upsetto become less angry or upset	Take a deep breath and calm down.Take a deep breath and calm down.
carry onintransitive	to continue doing somethingto continue doing something	Please carry on with your work.Please carry on with your work.
carry outseparable	to do or complete a taskto do or complete a task	The scientists carried out several tests.The scientists carried out several tests.
catch onintransitive	to become popular or understandto become popular or understand	The new game caught on quickly among teenagers.The new game caught on quickly among teenagers.
catch upintransitive	to reach the same level or positionto reach the same level or position	I need to catch up on my emails.I need to catch up on my emails.
check inintransitive	to register at a hotel or airportto register at a hotel or airport	We checked in two hours before the flight.We checked in two hours before the flight.
check outseparable	to leave a hotel or look at somethingto leave a hotel or look at something	You should check out this new cafe.You should check out this new cafe.
cheer upseparable	to become happier or make someone happierto become happier or make someone happier	A short walk always cheers me up.A short walk always cheers me up.
clean upseparable	to make a place tidyto make a place tidy	Let’s clean up the kitchen before bed.Let’s clean up the kitchen before bed.
clear upintransitive	to tidy or become brighterto tidy or become brighter	The weather should clear up by noon.The weather should clear up by noon.
come acrossinseparable	to find or meet by chanceto find or meet by chance	I came across some old photos in the attic.I came across some old photos in the attic.
come backintransitive	to return to a placeto return to a place	When are you coming back from Spain?When are you coming back from Spain?
come down withinseparable	to become ill withto become ill with	She came down with the flu last week.She came down with the flu last week.
come onintransitive	to hurry or encourage someoneto hurry or encourage someone	Come on, we’ll be late for the train.Come on, we’ll be late for the train.
come outintransitive	to be published or become knownto be published or become known	Her new book comes out in March.Her new book comes out in March.
come up withinseparable	to think of an idea or planto think of an idea or plan	He came up with a clever solution.He came up with a clever solution.
count oninseparable	to depend on someoneto depend on someone	You can always count on your friends.You can always count on your friends.
cut backintransitive	to reduce an amountto reduce an amount	The company cut back on travel costs.The company cut back on travel costs.
cut downseparable	to reduce or make something fallto reduce or make something fall	I’m trying to cut down on sugar.I’m trying to cut down on sugar.
cut offseparable	to stop the supply or separateto stop the supply or separate	They cut off our electricity for two hours.They cut off our electricity for two hours.
cut outseparable	to remove by cutting or stop doingto remove by cutting or stop doing	She cut out the article from the newspaper.She cut out the article from the newspaper.
deal withinseparable	to handle a problem or taskto handle a problem or task	The manager dealt with the complaint politely.The manager dealt with the complaint politely.
dig upseparable	to remove from the ground or discoverto remove from the ground or discover	The dog dug up an old bone.The dog dug up an old bone.
do overseparable	to do again from the beginningto do again from the beginning	I have to do this report over.I have to do this report over.
do withoutinseparable	to manage without somethingto manage without something	We can do without a car in the city.We can do without a car in the city.
dress upintransitive	to wear formal or special clothesto wear formal or special clothes	The children dressed up as pirates for Halloween.The children dressed up as pirates for Halloween.
drop byintransitive	to visit informallyto visit informally	Drop by anytime this weekend.Drop by anytime this weekend.
drop offseparable	to deliver or fall asleepto deliver or fall asleep	I’ll drop you off at the station.I’ll drop you off at the station.
drop outintransitive	to leave school or a course earlyto leave school or a course early	He dropped out of university in his second year.He dropped out of university in his second year.
eat outintransitive	to have a meal in a restaurantto have a meal in a restaurant	We often eat out on Friday evenings.We often eat out on Friday evenings.
end upintransitive	to finally be in a situation or placeto finally be in a situation or place	We ended up staying at a small hotel.We ended up staying at a small hotel.
fall apartintransitive	to break into pieces or failto break into pieces or fail	My old bag is falling apart.My old bag is falling apart.
fall behindintransitive	to fail to keep upto fail to keep up	He fell behind with his rent payments.He fell behind with his rent payments.
fall forinseparable	to fall in love with or be tricked byto fall in love with or be tricked by	She fell for him at first sight.She fell for him at first sight.
fall outintransitive	to have an argumentto have an argument	The two friends fell out over money.The two friends fell out over money.
figure outseparable	to understand or find a solutionto understand or find a solution	I can’t figure out how this machine works.I can’t figure out how this machine works.
fill inseparable	to complete a form or replace someoneto complete a form or replace someone	Please fill in this form in capital letters.Please fill in this form in capital letters.
fill outseparable	to complete a documentto complete a document	You need to fill out the application online.You need to fill out the application online.
fill upseparable	to make completely fullto make completely full	We stopped to fill up the car with petrol.We stopped to fill up the car with petrol.
find outseparable	to discover informationto discover information	I found out the truth yesterday.I found out the truth yesterday.
follow upseparable	to take further action on somethingto take further action on something	I’ll follow up with the client next week.I’ll follow up with the client next week.
get alongintransitive	to have a good relationshipto have a good relationship	My sister and I get along very well.My sister and I get along very well.
get awayintransitive	to escape or go on holidayto escape or go on holiday	We need to get away for a few days.We need to get away for a few days.
get backintransitive	to returnto return	We got back from Rome late on Sunday.We got back from Rome late on Sunday.
get byintransitive	to manage with little money or helpto manage with little money or help	She gets by on a small salary.She gets by on a small salary.
get inintransitive	to enter a car or arriveto enter a car or arrive	What time does your train get in?What time does your train get in?
get offinseparable	to leave a bus, train or planeto leave a bus, train or plane	Get off the bus at the next stop.Get off the bus at the next stop.
get oninseparable	to board or have a good relationshipto board or have a good relationship	Quickly, get on the train before it leaves.Quickly, get on the train before it leaves.
get overinseparable	to recover from somethingto recover from something	It took me a week to get over the cold.It took me a week to get over the cold.
get throughinseparable	to finish or survive something difficultto finish or survive something difficult	We got through the exams with a lot of coffee.We got through the exams with a lot of coffee.
get togetherintransitive	to meet sociallyto meet socially	Let’s get together for lunch on Sunday.Let’s get together for lunch on Sunday.
get upintransitive	to rise from bedto rise from bed	I get up at six every morning.I get up at six every morning.
give awayseparable	to give something for freeto give something for free	She gave away all her old clothes.She gave away all her old clothes.
give backseparable	to return somethingto return something	Please give my book back tomorrow.Please give my book back tomorrow.
give inintransitive	to stop resisting and acceptto stop resisting and accept	After a long argument, he finally gave in.After a long argument, he finally gave in.
give outseparable	to distribute or stop workingto distribute or stop working	The teacher gave out the exam papers.The teacher gave out the exam papers.
give upseparable	to stop trying or stop doing somethingto stop trying or stop doing something	Don’t give up — you are almost there!Don’t give up — you are almost there!
go aheadintransitive	to proceed with somethingto proceed with something	Go ahead and start without me.Go ahead and start without me.
go awayintransitive	to leave a placeto leave a place	The headache didn’t go away until evening.The headache didn’t go away until evening.
go backintransitive	to return to a placeto return to a place	I want to go back to Prague one day.I want to go back to Prague one day.
go downintransitive	to decrease or sinkto decrease or sink	Prices went down after the summer sale.Prices went down after the summer sale.
go offintransitive	to explode, ring or become badto explode, ring or become bad	The alarm went off at five o’clock.The alarm went off at five o’clock.
go onintransitive	to continue or happento continue or happen	What’s going on in the street?What’s going on in the street?
go outintransitive	to leave home to socialiseto leave home to socialise	They go out for dinner every Saturday.They go out for dinner every Saturday.
go overinseparable	to review something carefullyto review something carefully	Let’s go over the plan once more.Let’s go over the plan once more.
go throughinseparable	to experience or examineto experience or examine	She went through a very difficult time.She went through a very difficult time.
go upintransitive	to rise or increaseto rise or increase	Rents have gone up again this year.Rents have gone up again this year.
grow upintransitive	to become an adultto become an adult	He grew up in a small fishing village.He grew up in a small fishing village.
hand inseparable	to submit somethingto submit something	Please hand in your essays by Friday.Please hand in your essays by Friday.
hand outseparable	to distributeto distribute	Volunteers handed out free water to runners.Volunteers handed out free water to runners.
hang onintransitive	to wait for a short timeto wait for a short time	Hang on, I’ll be right back.Hang on, I’ll be right back.
hang outintransitive	to spend time relaxing with friendsto spend time relaxing with friends	We usually hang out at the park.We usually hang out at the park.
hang upintransitive	to end a phone callto end a phone call	She hung up before I could explain.She hung up before I could explain.
hold onintransitive	to wait or grip tightlyto wait or grip tightly	Hold on a second while I check.Hold on a second while I check.
hold upseparable	to delay or robto delay or rob	A traffic jam held us up for an hour.A traffic jam held us up for an hour.
hurry upintransitive	to act or move fasterto act or move faster	Hurry up or we’ll miss the bus.Hurry up or we’ll miss the bus.
join inintransitive	to take part in an activityto take part in an activity	Everyone joined in the singing.Everyone joined in the singing.
keep oninseparable	to continue doing somethingto continue doing something	He kept on talking despite the noise.He kept on talking despite the noise.
keep upintransitive	to continue at the same paceto continue at the same pace	It’s hard to keep up with the news.It’s hard to keep up with the news.
kick offintransitive	to begin an eventto begin an event	The festival kicks off on Friday evening.The festival kicks off on Friday evening.
knock downseparable	to destroy a building or hit someone downto destroy a building or hit someone down	They knocked down the old factory last year.They knocked down the old factory last year.
knock outseparable	to make unconscious or eliminateto make unconscious or eliminate	Our team was knocked out in the first round.Our team was knocked out in the first round.
leave outseparable	to not includeto not include	You left out an important detail.You left out an important detail.
let downseparable	to disappoint someoneto disappoint someone	I promised to help, and I won’t let you down.I promised to help, and I won’t let you down.
let inseparable	to allow someone to enterto allow someone to enter	She let the cat in through the window.She let the cat in through the window.
light upintransitive	to become bright or make brightto become bright or make bright	His face lit up when he saw the gift.His face lit up when he saw the gift.
line upintransitive	to form a queueto form a queue	Passengers lined up at the gate.Passengers lined up at the gate.
log inintransitive	to enter a computer accountto enter a computer account	I can’t log in to my email.I can’t log in to my email.
log outintransitive	to exit a computer accountto exit a computer account	Remember to log out on public computers.Remember to log out on public computers.
look afterinseparable	to take care ofto take care of	Can you look after my dog this weekend?Can you look after my dog this weekend?
look aroundintransitive	to examine a placeto examine a place	We looked around the old castle.We looked around the old castle.
look atinseparable	to direct your eyes towardsto direct your eyes towards	Look at this beautiful sunset!Look at this beautiful sunset!
look backintransitive	to think about the pastto think about the past	When I look back, I miss those days.When I look back, I miss those days.
look forinseparable	to try to findto try to find	I’m looking for my glasses.I’m looking for my glasses.
look forward toinseparable	to wait with pleasureto wait with pleasure	I look forward to meeting you next week.I look forward to meeting you next week.
look intoinseparable	to investigateto investigate	The police are looking into the robbery.The police are looking into the robbery.
look outintransitive	to be carefulto be careful	Look out! There’s a car coming!Look out! There’s a car coming!
look upseparable	to search for informationto search for information	Look up the word in the dictionary.Look up the word in the dictionary.
look up toinseparable	to admireto admire	Children often look up to their older cousins.Children often look up to their older cousins.
make outseparable	to see or understand with difficultyto see or understand with difficulty	I could barely make out the small letters.I could barely make out the small letters.
make upseparable	to invent or become friends againto invent or become friends again	He made up an excuse for being late.He made up an excuse for being late.
mess upseparable	to spoil or do badlyto spoil or do badly	I messed up the interview completely.I messed up the interview completely.
miss outintransitive	to lose a chanceto lose a chance	Don’t miss out on this great offer.Don’t miss out on this great offer.
mix upseparable	to confuse one thing with anotherto confuse one thing with another	I always mix up their names.I always mix up their names.
move inintransitive	to start living in a new hometo start living in a new home	We moved in last Saturday.We moved in last Saturday.
move onintransitive	to leave the past and continueto leave the past and continue	It’s time to move on and start again.It’s time to move on and start again.
move outintransitive	to leave your home permanentlyto leave your home permanently	She moved out when she was eighteen.She moved out when she was eighteen.
open upintransitive	to start a business or talk honestlyto start a business or talk honestly	A new bakery opened up on our street.A new bakery opened up on our street.
pass awayintransitive	to die, politelyto die, politely	His grandfather passed away peacefully last winter.His grandfather passed away peacefully last winter.
pass outintransitive	to faint or distributeto faint or distribute	He passed out from the heat.He passed out from the heat.
pay backseparable	to return borrowed moneyto return borrowed money	I’ll pay you back on Monday.I’ll pay you back on Monday.
pay offintransitive	to be successful after effortto be successful after effort	All her hard work finally paid off.All her hard work finally paid off.
pick outseparable	to chooseto choose	She picked out a lovely scarf for her mother.She picked out a lovely scarf for her mother.
pick upseparable	to lift or collect someoneto lift or collect someone	I’ll pick you up at the airport at six.I’ll pick you up at the airport at six.
point outseparable	to draw attention toto draw attention to	He pointed out a mistake in my report.He pointed out a mistake in my report.
put awayseparable	to return to the proper placeto return to the proper place	Please put away your toys before dinner.Please put away your toys before dinner.
put offseparable	to postponeto postpone	We had to put off the meeting until Monday.We had to put off the meeting until Monday.
put onseparable	to dress in or switch onto dress in or switch on	She put on her coat and left.She put on her coat and left.
put outseparable	to extinguishto extinguish	Firefighters quickly put out the fire.Firefighters quickly put out the fire.
put up withinseparable	to tolerateto tolerate	I can’t put up with this noise any longer.I can’t put up with this noise any longer.
read outseparable	to say written words aloudto say written words aloud	The teacher read out the results.The teacher read out the results.
rely oninseparable	to depend onto depend on	You can rely on me to be there.You can rely on me to be there.
ring upseparable	to telephone someoneto telephone someone	She rang me up late at night.She rang me up late at night.
rule outseparable	to exclude a possibilityto exclude a possibility	Doctors ruled out any serious illness.Doctors ruled out any serious illness.
run awayintransitive	to escape from a placeto escape from a place	The boy ran away from the barking dog.The boy ran away from the barking dog.
run intoinseparable	to meet by chanceto meet by chance	I ran into my old teacher at the market.I ran into my old teacher at the market.
run outintransitive	to have none leftto have none left	We ran out of milk this morning.We ran out of milk this morning.
run overseparable	to hit with a vehicleto hit with a vehicle	The cyclist was nearly run over by a van.The cyclist was nearly run over by a van.
see offseparable	to say goodbye at a departureto say goodbye at a departure	We went to the station to see her off.We went to the station to see her off.
sell outintransitive	to have no more left to sellto have no more left to sell	Tickets sold out within an hour.Tickets sold out within an hour.
send offseparable	to post or dispatchto post or dispatch	She sent off the parcel on Tuesday.She sent off the parcel on Tuesday.
set offintransitive	to start a journeyto start a journey	We set off at dawn to avoid traffic.We set off at dawn to avoid traffic.
set upseparable	to establish or arrangeto establish or arrange	They set up a small online shop last year.They set up a small online shop last year.
show offintransitive	to display proudlyto display proudly	He likes showing off his new car.He likes showing off his new car.
show upintransitive	to arrive or appearto arrive or appear	Only five people showed up at the meeting.Only five people showed up at the meeting.
shut downseparable	to stop operatingto stop operating	The factory shut down in 2018.The factory shut down in 2018.
sign upintransitive	to register for somethingto register for something	I signed up for a cooking class.I signed up for a cooking class.
sit downintransitive	to take a seatto take a seat	Please sit down and make yourself comfortable.Please sit down and make yourself comfortable.
slow downintransitive	to reduce speedto reduce speed	Slow down, the road is icy.Slow down, the road is icy.
sort outseparable	to solve or organiseto solve or organise	We managed to sort out the problem quickly.We managed to sort out the problem quickly.
speak upintransitive	to talk louder or give an opinionto talk louder or give an opinion	Please speak up, I can’t hear you.Please speak up, I can’t hear you.
stand forinseparable	to represent or tolerateto represent or tolerate	What does the letter A stand for here?What does the letter A stand for here?
stand outintransitive	to be easily noticedto be easily noticed	Her red hat made her stand out in the crowd.Her red hat made her stand out in the crowd.
stand upintransitive	to rise to your feetto rise to your feet	Everyone stood up when the judge entered.Everyone stood up when the judge entered.
stand up forinseparable	to defendto defend	You should stand up for your rights.You should stand up for your rights.
start overintransitive	to begin againto begin again	After the mistake, we had to start over.After the mistake, we had to start over.
stay upintransitive	to not go to bedto not go to bed	The kids stayed up late to watch the fireworks.The kids stayed up late to watch the fireworks.
step downintransitive	to leave an important positionto leave an important position	The director stepped down after ten years.The director stepped down after ten years.
stick toinseparable	to continue with a plan or ruleto continue with a plan or rule	Let’s stick to the original plan.Let’s stick to the original plan.
switch offseparable	to turn off a deviceto turn off a device	Please switch off your phone in the cinema.Please switch off your phone in the cinema.
switch onseparable	to turn on a deviceto turn on a device	He switched on the lights and smiled.He switched on the lights and smiled.
take afterinseparable	to resemble a family memberto resemble a family member	She takes after her mother in many ways.She takes after her mother in many ways.
take apartseparable	to separate into piecesto separate into pieces	He took the old radio apart to see how it worked.He took the old radio apart to see how it worked.
take awayseparable	to remove or buy food to eat elsewhereto remove or buy food to eat elsewhere	The waiter took away our empty plates.The waiter took away our empty plates.
take backseparable	to return or withdraw wordsto return or withdraw words	I take back what I said yesterday.I take back what I said yesterday.
take care ofinseparable	to look afterto look after	Who takes care of your garden?Who takes care of your garden?
take downseparable	to write down or removeto write down or remove	The police officer took down my details.The police officer took down my details.
take inseparable	to absorb information or deceiveto absorb information or deceive	It was too much to take in at once.It was too much to take in at once.
take offintransitive	to leave the ground or remove clothesto leave the ground or remove clothes	The plane took off ten minutes late.The plane took off ten minutes late.
take onseparable	to accept a task or employto accept a task or employ	The company took on twenty new workers.The company took on twenty new workers.
take outseparable	to remove or go out withto remove or go out with	She took out her phone and checked the time.She took out her phone and checked the time.
take overseparable	to gain control ofto gain control of	A larger firm took over the business.A larger firm took over the business.
take upseparable	to start a hobby or use spaceto start a hobby or use space	He took up painting after he retired.He took up painting after he retired.
talk overseparable	to discuss a matterto discuss a matter	Let’s talk it over tonight.Let’s talk it over tonight.
tell offseparable	to criticise angrilyto criticise angrily	The teacher told him off for being late.The teacher told him off for being late.
think overseparable	to consider carefullyto consider carefully	I need time to think it over.I need time to think it over.
throw awayseparable	to put in the binto put in the bin	Don’t throw away those old magazines.Don’t throw away those old magazines.
throw upintransitive	to vomitto vomit	The baby threw up after dinner.The baby threw up after dinner.
tidy upseparable	to make neatto make neat	Tidy up your room before your guests arrive.Tidy up your room before your guests arrive.
try onseparable	to wear to test the fitto wear to test the fit	She tried on three dresses before choosing one.She tried on three dresses before choosing one.
try outseparable	to test somethingto test something	We tried out the new software yesterday.We tried out the new software yesterday.
turn aroundintransitive	to face the other wayto face the other way	He turned around and waved at us.He turned around and waved at us.
turn downseparable	to refuse or lower the volumeto refuse or lower the volume	She turned down the job offer politely.She turned down the job offer politely.
turn intoinseparable	to become something differentto become something different	The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.
turn offseparable	to stop a deviceto stop a device	Turn off the tap, please.Turn off the tap, please.
turn onseparable	to start a deviceto start a device	Can you turn on the heating?Can you turn on the heating?
turn outintransitive	to have a particular resultto have a particular result	The party turned out better than expected.The party turned out better than expected.
turn upintransitive	to arrive or increase volumeto arrive or increase volume	He turned up two hours late.He turned up two hours late.
use upseparable	to finish all of somethingto finish all of something	The kids used up all the paper.The kids used up all the paper.
wake upintransitive	to stop sleepingto stop sleeping	I wake up early on weekdays.I wake up early on weekdays.
warm upintransitive	to prepare the body or become warmerto prepare the body or become warmer	Warm up before you start running.Warm up before you start running.
wash upintransitive	to clean dishesto clean dishes	I’ll wash up while you dry.I’ll wash up while you dry.
watch outintransitive	to be carefulto be careful	Watch out for icy patches on the road.Watch out for icy patches on the road.
wear outintransitive	to become unusable from useto become unusable from use	My running shoes are completely worn out.My running shoes are completely worn out.
work outintransitive	to exercise or find a solutionto exercise or find a solution	I work out at the gym three times a week.I work out at the gym three times a week.
work outseparable	to calculate or solveto calculate or solve	We worked out the total cost together.We worked out the total cost together.
wrap upseparable	to finish or cover in paperto finish or cover in paper	Let’s wrap up the meeting now.Let’s wrap up the meeting now.
write downseparable	to record on paperto record on paper	Write down my phone number before you forget.Write down my phone number before you forget.