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 so exhausted after taking the TOEFL test that she zonked out before dinner.
zoom [...]
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 new job.
yammer on
to talk in an [...]
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 to see how her date went.
wake * up +
awaken someone
The car [...]
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 * back +
return an item to a store
The dress my grandmother bought for [...]
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 of their trip (at the airport, train station)
Did you [...]
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 of moving to another country if I get a good [...]
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 off as a real Rolex.
pass * on +
transmit
Please pass this [...]
