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Phrasal Verb Definition Example 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 [...]
Phrasal Verb Definition Example 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 [...]
Phrasal Verb Definition Example 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 [...]
Phrasal Verb Definition Example veer away from + stay away from, avoid I veer away from the same old summer blockbuster films.
Phrasal Verb Definition Example use * up use all of something I used up all of the soap, so we need to buy some more.
Phrasal Verb Definition Example 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 * [...]
Phrasal Verb Definition Example 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 [...]
Phrasal Verb Definition Example 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 [...]
Phrasal Verb Definition Example quiet * down + be quiet, or cause to be quiet The neighbors told us to quiet down last night or they would call the police.
Phrasal Verb Definition Example 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 [...]