Common Phrasal Verbs and Their Meanings

Common phrasal verbs and their meanings, graffiti style title on a brick wall

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Phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs with prepositions or adverbs that create new meanings, and they are widely used in everyday English.

Look after

To take care of someone or something.

Example: Can you look after my dog while I’m on vacation?

Give up

To stop trying or to quit.

Example: I decided to give up junk food for a healthier lifestyle.

Turn down

To refuse or reject something.

Example: She turned down the job offer because it didn’t meet her salary expectations.

Make up

To invent or create a story or excuse, or to reconcile after a disagreement.

Example: They had a fight, but they made up the next day.

Run out of

To have no more of something.

Example: We’ve run out of milk. Can you buy some on your way home?

Come across

To find or discover something by chance.

Example: I came across an old photo while cleaning my room.

Put off

To postpone or delay something.

Example: We had to put off the meeting until next week.

Take off

To remove something, often clothing, or for a plane to depart.

Example: Please take off your shoes before entering the house.

Look forward to

To anticipate something with pleasure.

Example: I look forward to meeting you at the conference.

Get along with

To have a good relationship with someone.

Example: I get along well with my coworkers.

Set up

To establish or arrange something.

Example: They set up a meeting to discuss the project.

Break down

To stop working, often referring to machines, or to become very emotional.

Example: My car broke down on the way to work.

Fill out

To complete a form or document.

Example: Please fill out this application form before submitting it.

Take up

To start doing a new hobby or activity.

Example: I want to take up painting in my free time.

Run into

To meet someone unexpectedly.

Example: I ran into my old friend at the supermarket.

Go on

To continue or proceed.

Example: Please go on with your story. I’m listening.

Work out

To exercise, or to find a solution to a problem.

Example: I work out at the gym three times a week.

Bring up

To mention or introduce a topic in conversation.

Example: She brought up an interesting point during the discussion.

Check out

To look at or investigate something.

Example: You should check out that new restaurant downtown.

Call off

To cancel something.

Example: They had to call off the picnic due to bad weather.

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