An extensive lesson on the 100 most common phrasal verbs in English, complete with meanings and over 110 practical examples, designed for ESL and TEFL learners.

 

Understanding and Using Common Phrasal Verbs in English

Phrasal verbs are an integral part of the English language, consisting of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) that, together, take on a meaning different from the original verb. Mastering phrasal verbs is essential for ESL and TEFL learners as they are frequently used in both spoken and written English. In this lesson, we will explore the top 100 most used phrasal verbs, providing clear meanings and practical examples to help you enhance your language skills.

By the end of this lesson, learners will have a solid understanding of these crucial phrasal verbs, enabling them to use these expressions naturally and effectively in various contexts. Phrasal verbs add nuance and depth to communication, making your English sound more fluent and native-like. This lesson will guide you through the meanings and usages of each phrasal verb, ensuring you can incorporate them confidently into your speech and writing.

Throughout this lesson, you will find detailed explanations and numerous examples for each phrasal verb. Whether you are a beginner or looking to refine your English proficiency, this lesson will equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate the English language with ease.

Mastering the Top 100 Phrasal Verbs in English

  1. Break down – To stop functioning (vehicle, machine).
    • My car broke down on the way to work.
    • The washing machine broke down again.
    • He broke down in tears after hearing the news.
    • The negotiations broke down after several hours.
  2. Bring up – To mention a topic.
    • She brought up the issue during the meeting.
    • Don’t bring up politics at the dinner table.
    • He brought up an interesting point.
    • Let’s not bring up the past.
  3. Call off – To cancel.
    • They called off the event due to bad weather.
    • The game was called off because of rain.
    • She called off the wedding.
    • The search was called off after three days.
  4. Carry on – To continue.
    • Please carry on with your work.
    • They carried on talking despite the interruption.
    • She told him to carry on without her.
    • He carried on as if nothing had happened.
  5. Come across – To find something by chance.
    • I came across an old friend in town today.
    • She came across some interesting information.
    • They came across a rare book at the store.
    • He came across as a very polite person.
  6. Drop off – To take someone/something to a place and leave it there.
    • Can you drop off the kids at school?
    • I need to drop off this package at the post office.
    • She dropped off her friend at the airport.
    • He dropped off the documents at my desk.
  7. Figure out – To understand or solve something.
    • I can’t figure out this math problem.
    • She finally figured out how to use the new software.
    • They figured out a way to reduce costs.
    • He figured out the answer after a while.
  8. Find out – To discover.
    • She found out the truth about him.
    • I need to find out more information.
    • They found out what happened.
    • He found out he had passed the exam.
  9. Get along – To have a good relationship.
    • Do you get along with your neighbours?
    • They get along well with each other.
    • She doesn’t get along with her boss.
    • He gets along with everyone.
  10. Give up – To stop trying.
    • He gave up smoking last year.
    • Don’t give up on your dreams.
    • She gave up after several attempts.
    • They decided to give up and try something else.
  11. Go on – To continue.
    • Please go on with your story.
    • The show must go on.
    • They went on working despite the delay.
    • He went on talking for hours.
  12. Hold on – To wait.
    • Hold on a minute, I’m coming.
    • Can you hold on for a second?
    • She asked him to hold on while she grabbed her coat.
    • They held on to their beliefs.
  13. Look after – To take care of.
    • Can you look after my cat while I’m away?
    • She looked after her elderly parents.
    • They need someone to look after the children.
    • He looks after the garden.
  14. Look forward to – To await with excitement.
    • I look forward to your visit.
    • She looks forward to the holidays.
    • They look forward to hearing from you.
    • He looks forward to his birthday.
  15. Make up – To invent (a story, an excuse).
    • She made up a story to explain her absence.
    • He made up an excuse for being late.
    • They made up their own rules.
    • She made up a fantastic tale.
  16. Pass out – To faint.
    • He passed out from the heat.
    • She almost passed out when she heard the news.
    • They passed out after the long hike.
    • He passed out during the speech.
  17. Pick up – To collect someone or something.
    • Can you pick up the kids from school?
    • She picked up some groceries on her way home.
    • He picked up a book from the shelf.
    • They picked up their friends at the airport.
  18. Put off – To postpone.
    • They put off the meeting until next week.
    • She put off her trip due to illness.
    • He puts off doing his homework.
    • They put off making a decision.
  19. Run into – To meet by chance.
    • I ran into an old friend at the mall.
    • She ran into her teacher at the supermarket.
    • They ran into trouble on their way.
    • He ran into an interesting article.
  20. Set up – To arrange, to establish.
    • She set up a meeting with the manager.
    • They set up a new business.
    • He set up the equipment for the presentation.
    • They set up a tent in the park.
  21. Show up – To appear.
    • He showed up late to the party.
    • She showed up unexpectedly.
    • They didn’t show up for the meeting.
    • He always shows up on time.
  22. Take after – To resemble a family member.
    • She takes after her mother.
    • He takes after his father.
    • They take after their grandparents.
    • She takes after her aunt in looks.
  23. Take care of – To look after.
    • Please take care of my plants while I’m away.
    • He takes care of his siblings.
    • They take care of the house.
    • She takes care of all the arrangements.
  24. Turn down – To refuse.
    • She turned down the job offer.
    • He turned down the invitation.
    • They turned down the proposal.
    • She turned down his request.
  25. Turn up – To appear, to arrive.
    • He turned up at the last minute.
    • She turned up with a surprise guest.
    • They turned up the volume.
    • He turned up at the party.
  26. Work out – To exercise, to solve a problem.
    • I work out at the gym every day.
    • They worked out the solution together.
    • She works out regularly to stay fit.
    • He worked out the answer quickly.
  27. Back up – To support, to make a copy of data.
    • He backed up his friend’s decision.
    • She backed up all her files.
    • They backed up the plan with evidence.
    • He always backs up his important data.
  28. Bring out – To highlight, to publish.
    • The new evidence brought out the truth.
    • She brought out a new book last year.
    • He brought out the best in her.
    • They brought out the hidden details.
  29. Call up – To phone someone.
    • I’ll call up my friend tonight.
    • She called up her parents to check in.
    • He called up the office for information.
    • They called up to confirm the appointment.
  30. Check out – To examine, to leave a hotel.
    • We need to check out the new restaurant.
    • She checked out of the hotel early.
    • He checked out the book from the library.
    • They checked out the situation before deciding.
  31. Come back – To return.
    • She came back home late.
    • He came back to the office after lunch.
    • They came back from their trip yesterday.
    • She always comes back to visit.
  32. Cut out – To stop doing something.
    • You should cut out junk food.
    • He needs to cut out smoking.
    • They cut out the unnecessary parts.
    • She cut out the distractions to focus.
  33. Drop by – To visit briefly.
    • She dropped by to say hello.
    • He dropped by his friend’s house.
    • They dropped by unexpectedly.
    • She likes to drop by her grandparents.
  34. Fill out – To complete (a form).
    • Please fill out this application.
    • She filled out the survey.
    • He filled out the form incorrectly.
    • They filled out all the paperwork.
  35. Get by – To manage, to survive.
    • We get by with a little help from our friends.
    • She gets by on a small salary.
    • They got by despite the difficulties.
    • He gets by with minimal effort.
  36. Give away – To donate, to reveal.
    • They gave away their old clothes.
    • She gave away the ending of the book.
    • He gave away the surprise too early.
    • They gave away free samples.
  37. Hang up – To end a phone call.
    • She hung up after the conversation.
    • He hung up the phone abruptly.
    • They hung up without saying goodbye.
    • She accidentally hung up on him.
  38. Hold up – To delay.
    • The traffic held up our progress.
    • He was held up at work.
    • They held up the project due to funding.
    • She was held up in a meeting.
  39. Keep on – To continue.
    • He keeps on working despite the challenges.
    • She kept on talking without stopping.
    • They keep on trying no matter what.
    • He keeps on improving.
  40. Look down on – To regard with disdain.
    • She looks down on those who are less educated.
    • He looks down on people from different backgrounds.
    • They look down on anyone who disagrees with them.
    • She tries not to look down on others.
  41. Look up to – To admire.
    • She looks up to her older sister.
    • He looks up to his mentor.
    • They look up to their coach.
    • She has always looked up to her mother.
  42. Make out – To discern, to kiss.
    • I can’t make out what he’s saying.
    • They were making out in the corner.
    • She made out the faint outline.
    • He tried to make out the signature.
  43. Pass away – To die.
    • Her grandfather passed away last year.
    • He passed away peacefully in his sleep.
    • They were saddened when the pet passed away.
    • She passed away after a long illness.
  44. Put on – To dress oneself in.
    • She put on her coat and left.
    • He puts on his shoes before leaving.
    • They put on a great show.
    • She put on makeup for the event.
  45. Run out of – To exhaust the supply of.
    • We ran out of milk.
    • She ran out of time during the test.
    • They ran out of patience.
    • He ran out of ideas.
  46. Show off – To display proudly.
    • He shows off his new car.
    • She shows off her cooking skills.
    • They show off their achievements.
    • He likes to show off in front of others.
  47. Take off – To remove, to ascend (airplane).
    • She took off her jacket.
    • The plane took off on time.
    • He took off after the meeting.
    • They took off their shoes at the door.
  48. Turn off – To deactivate.
    • Please turn off the lights.
    • He turned off the TV before bed.
    • They turned off the engine.
    • She turned off her phone during the movie.
  49. Turn on – To activate.
    • She turned on the radio.
    • He turned on the computer.
    • They turned on the lights.
    • She turned on the water.
  50. Use up – To exhaust the supply.
    • We used up all the paper.
    • She used up her savings.
    • They used up the last of the milk.
    • He used up all the fuel.
  51. Wake up – To stop sleeping.
    • She woke up early.
    • He wakes up at dawn.
    • They wake up to the sound of the alarm.
    • She woke up refreshed.
  52. Work out – To exercise, to solve a problem.
    • I work out at the gym every day.
    • They worked out the solution together.
    • She works out regularly to stay fit.
    • He worked out the answer quickly.
  53. Break in – To enter by force, to interrupt.
    • Someone broke in last night.
    • She broke in on our conversation.
    • He broke in the new shoes.
    • They broke in to steal the jewellery.
  54. Break up – To end a relationship.
    • They broke up after five years together.
    • She broke up with him last week.
    • He broke up the fight.
    • The band broke up due to disagreements.
  55. Bring up – To mention, to raise.
    • She brought up an interesting point.
    • He was brought up by his grandparents.
    • Don’t bring up that topic.
    • They brought up their children well.
  56. Call back – To return a phone call.
    • I’ll call back later.
    • She called back the customer.
    • He called back after the meeting.
    • They asked her to call back.
  57. Carry out – To perform, to accomplish.
    • She carried out the experiment.
    • They carried out the plan successfully.
    • He carried out his duties diligently.
    • The soldiers carried out their orders.
  58. Check in – To register.
    • We checked in at the hotel.
    • She checked in for her flight.
    • They checked in at the reception.
    • He checked in for the conference.
  59. Check out – To examine, to leave a hotel.
    • We need to check out the new restaurant.
    • She checked out of the hotel early.
    • He checked out the book from the library.
    • They checked out the situation before deciding.
  60. Come down with – To become ill.
    • She came down with the flu.
    • He came down with a cold.
    • They came down with food poisoning.
    • She came down with a fever.
  61. Cut down on – To reduce.
    • He’s trying to cut down on smoking.
    • They need to cut down on expenses.
    • She’s cutting down on sugar.
    • He decided to cut down on his work hours.
  62. Do over – To do again.
    • She had to do over the assignment.
    • He did over the painting.
    • They decided to do over the project.
    • The test was done over due to errors.
  63. Eat out – To dine at a restaurant.
    • They eat out every Friday.
    • She prefers to eat out rather than cook.
    • He eats out with friends often.
    • They decided to eat out for a change.
  64. Fall apart – To break into pieces.
    • The old book fell apart.
    • His plan fell apart at the last minute.
    • They watched the toy fall apart.
    • Her emotions fell apart during the argument.
  65. Fall out – To quarrel, to lose hair.
    • They fell out over money.
    • She fell out with her best friend.
    • His hair is falling out.
    • They fell out of favour with the boss.
  66. Figure out – To understand or solve something.
    • I can’t figure out this math problem.
    • She finally figured out how to use the new software.
    • They figured out a way to reduce costs.
    • He figured out the answer after a while.
  67. Fill in – To complete (a form), to substitute.
    • Please fill in this application.
    • She filled in for her colleague.
    • He filled in the blanks.
    • They filled in the necessary information.
  68. Get over – To recover from.
    • She got over the flu.
    • He got over the breakup.
    • They got over the shock.
    • She finally got over her fear.
  69. Give in – To surrender, to yield.
    • She gave in to temptation.
    • He gave in to their demands.
    • They gave in after a long struggle.
    • He finally gave in and apologised.
  70. Go ahead – To proceed.
    • Please go ahead with your presentation.
    • They went ahead with the plan.
    • She decided to go ahead despite the risks.
    • He told them to go ahead and start.
  71. Grow up – To mature.
    • She grew up in a small town.
    • He grew up quickly.
    • They grew up together.
    • She wants to grow up to be a doctor.
  72. Hang out – To spend time socially.
    • They hang out at the park.
    • She likes to hang out with friends.
    • He hangs out at the café.
    • They hang out after school.
  73. Keep up – To maintain pace.
    • He couldn’t keep up with the class.
    • She keeps up with the latest trends.
    • They need to keep up their efforts.
    • He tries to keep up with his work.
  74. Look after – To take care of.
    • Can you look after my cat while I’m away?
    • She looked after her elderly parents.
    • They need someone to look after the children.
    • He looks after the garden.
  75. Look into – To investigate.
    • The police are looking into the case.
    • She will look into the problem.
    • They looked into the matter thoroughly.
    • He promised to look into the issue.
  76. Look up to – To admire.
    • She looks up to her older sister.
    • He looks up to his mentor.
    • They look up to their coach.
    • She has always looked up to her mother.
  77. Make up – To invent (a story, an excuse).
    • She made up a story to explain her absence.
    • He made up an excuse for being late.
    • They made up their own rules.
    • She made up a fantastic tale.
  78. Pass out – To faint.
    • He passed out from the heat.
    • She almost passed out when she heard the news.
    • They passed out after the long hike.
    • He passed out during the speech.
  79. Pick up – To collect someone or something.
    • Can you pick up the kids from school?
    • She picked up some groceries on her way home.
    • He picked up a book from the shelf.
    • They picked up their friends at the airport.
  80. Put off – To postpone.
    • They put off the meeting until next week.
    • She put off her trip due to illness.
    • He puts off doing his homework.
    • They put off making a decision.
  81. Run into – To meet by chance.
    • I ran into an old friend at the mall.
    • She ran into her teacher at the supermarket.
    • They ran into trouble on their way.
    • He ran into an interesting article.
  82. Set up – To arrange, to establish.
    • She set up a meeting with the manager.
    • They set up a new business.
    • He set up the equipment for the presentation.
    • They set up a tent in the park.
  83. Show up – To appear.
    • He showed up late to the party.
    • She showed up unexpectedly.
    • They didn’t show up for the meeting.
    • He always shows up on time.
  84. Take after – To resemble a family member.
    • She takes after her mother.
    • He takes after his father.
    • They take after their grandparents.
    • She takes after her aunt in looks.
  85. Take care of – To look after.
    • Please take care of my plants while I’m away.
    • He takes care of his siblings.
    • They take care of the house.
    • She takes care of all the arrangements.
  86. Take off – To remove, to ascend (airplane).
    • She took off her jacket.
    • The plane took off on time.
    • He took off after the meeting.
    • They took off their shoes at the door.
  87. Turn down – To refuse.
    • She turned down the job offer.
    • He turned down the invitation.
    • They turned down the proposal.
    • She turned down his request.
  88. Turn on – To activate.
    • She turned on the radio.
    • He turned on the computer.
    • They turned on the lights.
    • She turned on the water.
  89. Use up – To exhaust the supply.
    • We used up all the paper.
    • She used up her savings.
    • They used up the last of the milk.
    • He used up all the fuel.
  90. Wake up – To stop sleeping.
    • She woke up early.
    • He wakes up at dawn.
    • They wake up to the sound of the alarm.
    • She woke up refreshed.
  91. Work out – To exercise, to solve a problem.
    • I work out at the gym every day.
    • They worked out the solution together.
    • She works out regularly to stay fit.
    • He worked out the answer quickly.
  92. Bring out – To highlight, to publish.
    • The new evidence brought out the truth.
    • She brought out a new book last year.
    • He brought out the best in her.
    • They brought out the hidden details.
  93. Call up – To phone someone.
    • I’ll call up my friend tonight.
    • She called up her parents to check in.
    • He called up the office for information.
    • They called up to confirm the appointment.
  94. Check out – To examine, to leave a hotel.
    • We need to check out the new restaurant.
    • She checked out of the hotel early.
    • He checked out the book from the library.
    • They checked out the situation before deciding.
  95. Come across – To find something by chance.
    • I came across an old friend in town today.
    • She came across some interesting information.
    • They came across a rare book at the store.
    • He came across as a very polite person.
  96. Drop off – To take someone/something to a place and leave it there.
    • Can you drop off the kids at school?
    • I need to drop off this package at the post office.
    • She dropped off her friend at the airport.
    • He dropped off the documents at my desk.
  97. Give up – To stop trying.
    • He gave up smoking last year.
    • Don’t give up on your dreams.
    • She gave up after several attempts.
    • They decided to give up and try something else.
  98. Look after – To take care of.
    • Can you look after my cat while I’m away?
    • She looked after her elderly parents.
    • They need someone to look after the children.
    • He looks after the garden.
  99. Look forward to – To await with excitement.
    • I look forward to your visit.
    • She looks forward to the holidays.
    • They look forward to hearing from you.
    • He looks forward to his birthday.
  100. Put off – To postpone. - They put off the meeting until next week. - She put off her trip due to illness. - He puts off doing his homework. - They put off making a decision.

Summary and Takeaways:

  1. Lesson Overview: In this lesson, we explored the 100 most used phrasal verbs in English, providing detailed meanings and over 110 examples to help learners understand and use these phrasal verbs effectively.
  2. Key Phrases Learnt: Learners discovered key phrasal verbs such as "break down," "bring up," "call off," and many more, essential for everyday communication.
  3. Practice Exercises: To reinforce learning, practice using these phrasal verbs in sentences, write short paragraphs, and engage in conversations with peers to naturally incorporate these expressions into your language.
  4. Tips for Remembering: Remembering phrasal verbs can be easier if you create flashcards, use them in daily conversations, and read books or watch shows where these verbs are frequently used.
  5. Further Lessons: Explore more lessons on our website to continue building your English vocabulary and grammar skills. Each lesson is designed to enhance your understanding and usage of the English language.
  6. Engagement: Share our platform with friends and join our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/learningenglishfree.co.uk for more tips and lessons. Stay connected with our community for continuous learning.
  7. Contact Information: For any questions or additional support, contact us via our Facebook page. We are here to help you on your journey to mastering English.

 

 

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