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Phrasal Verb Definition Example occur to + pop into one’s mind, come to one’s mind It didn’t occur to us that we had left the iron on. open up share feelings I’m glad that John feels comfortable enough around me to open up. out to + verb try to She is out to get revenge [...]
Phrasal Verb Definition Example name * after + name a child using another family member’s name I was named after my grandfather. nod off fall asleep The movie was so boring that I nodded off before it was finished. nose around + sneak around I hate it when my mother noses around my room.
Phrasal Verb Definition Example make * out decipher I can’t make out your handwriting. What does this say? make * out + write a check or other document Who should I make this check out to? make out succeed He really made out in the stock market last year. make out progress How is your [...]
Phrasal Verb Definition Example lay away + save for the future Why don’t you lay away your wedding outfit? lay down + establish (laws, rules) Lori lays down the law in her class. English only! lay in on + scold or criticize severely My mom really laid in on me when I got home at [...]
Phrasal Verb Definition Example keep * around have handy, have accessible I always keep a dictionary around to translate new words. keep at + not give up (an activity), to persevere You should keep at your studies. keep * away prevent access to, hold back Keep the kids away from the cookies. keep * back [...]
Phrasal Verb Definition Example jack up + to raise We need to jack up the car before we change the tire. joke around to be humorous Mike is always joking around at work. jump in enter a conversation Feel free to jump in at any moment while we are talking. jump to + make a [...]
Phrasal Verb Definition Example iron * out eliminate We need to have a meeting this week in order to iron out the distribution problems.
Phrasal Verb Definition Example hand * back + return Is the teacher going to hand back our tests today? hand * down + pronounce formally The president is going to hand his decision down on health care tonight. hand * down + give as an inheritance When my clothes got too small for me as [...]
Phrasal Verb Definition Example get * across + cause to be understood It’s difficult to get humor across in another language. get ahead make progress I can’t get ahead even though I work two jobs. get ahead of + surpass You need to work overtime in order to get ahead of schedule. get along have [...]
Phrasal Verb Definition Example face up to + acknowledge something difficult or embarrassing I’ll never be able to face up to my colleagues after getting so drunk last night at the work party. fall back on + be able to use in case of emergency Yuki can fall back on her degree in biology if [...]