Illustration of phrasal verbs related to relationships, including definitions and examples for learning English fluently.

 

Mastering Phrasal Verbs Related to Relationships

 

Introduction: Understanding Phrasal Verbs in Relationships

Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English vocabulary, especially when talking about relationships. These combinations of verbs and prepositions or adverbs form expressions that have specific meanings, often different from the individual words themselves. Understanding these phrasal verbs will not only help you express yourself more naturally but also make your conversations sound more fluent and native-like.

In this lesson, you will learn various phrasal verbs related to relationships, such as "fall for," "makeup," and "break up." Each of these verbs captures unique aspects of human interactions, from falling in love to ending a relationship. By mastering these phrasal verbs, you'll be able to talk about relationships with greater nuance and confidence.

By the end of this lesson, you will have a comprehensive understanding of key relationship-related phrasal verbs, detailed meanings, and multiple examples for each verb. This knowledge will enable you to express complex emotions and situations in your conversations, improving both your comprehension and speaking skills.

 

Useful Vocabulary for Phrasal Verbs in Relationships

Here is a list of phrasal verbs commonly used when talking about relationships. Each phrasal verb includes a clear definition and multiple examples to demonstrate how they are used in real-life contexts.

 

Phrasal Verbs for Relationships and Examples

  1. Fall for
    Meaning: To begin to be in love with someone.
    1. They fell for each other instantly.
    2. I can't believe I fell for his charm again.
    3. She fell for the guy next door after just one date.
    4. He always falls for girls who play hard to get.
  2. Go out
    Meaning: To date someone.
    1. I used to go out with Tom, but we broke up last year.
    2. They've been going out for two years now.
    3. She went out with him because they shared a lot in common.
    4. I can't believe she's going out with him; they seem so different!
  3. Make up
    Meaning: To forgive each other after an argument.
    1. Has he made it up with her yet?
    2. After days of arguing, they finally made up.
    3. They had a huge fight, but they made up just before the holiday.
    4. It’s always nice when couples make up after a disagreement.
  4. Split up
    Meaning: To end a relationship.
    1. She's split up with her boyfriend after five years together.
    2. They decided to split up because they were always fighting.
    3. It’s sad that they split up, but they weren’t happy.
    4. They split up last summer but remained good friends.
  5. Break up
    Meaning: To end a relationship.
    1. Their marriage has broken up after ten years.
    2. He broke up with her because they wanted different things in life.
    3. Breaking up was the hardest decision they ever made.
    4. After months of trying to make it work, they finally broke up.
  6. Look up to
    Meaning: To respect and admire someone.
    1. I've always looked up to Thomas for his courage and determination.
    2. She looks up to her older sister, who is a successful doctor.
    3. Children often look up to their parents as role models.
    4. I really look up to my coach for all his guidance and support.
  7. Get along with
    Meaning: To have a good, friendly relationship with someone.
    1. I get along with my colleagues really well.
    2. She doesn’t get along with her sister, which makes family gatherings awkward.
    3. They always get along, no matter what differences they have.
    4. He gets along with everyone because he’s so friendly.
  8. Grow apart
    Meaning: To gradually have less of a relationship with someone, often over time.
    1. They were best friends in school, but they grew apart over the years.
    2. As they got older, they grew apart and stopped seeing each other.
    3. It’s natural to grow apart from people as your lives change.
    4. They grew apart after moving to different cities.
  9. Hit it off
    Meaning: To get along well with someone immediately.
    1. We hit it off right away at the party.
    2. They hit it off as soon as they met, laughing and talking for hours.
    3. I didn’t expect to hit it off with her, but we became friends instantly.
    4. They hit it off so well that they decided to start a business together.
  10. Fall out
    Meaning: To have an argument or disagreement that ends a relationship.
    1. They fell out over a minor disagreement about money.
    2. I fell out with my best friend, and we haven’t spoken since.
    3. It’s sad when friends fall out over something small.
    4. They fell out after years of being close friends.
  11. Cheer up
    Meaning: To make someone feel better or happier.
    1. He tried to cheer her up after her breakup.
    2. A surprise visit from friends can really cheer someone up.
    3. She always knows how to cheer me up when I’m feeling down.
    4. He bought her flowers to cheer her up.
  12. Ask out
    Meaning: To invite someone on a date.
    1. He finally asked her out after weeks of getting to know her.
    2. She was nervous when he asked her out, but she said yes.
    3. He’s planning to ask her out this weekend.
    4. Asking someone out can be nerve-wracking, but it’s worth it.
  13. Patch things up
    Meaning: To resolve a disagreement and improve a relationship.
    1. They had a big fight, but they managed to patch things up.
    2. It’s never too late to patch things up with old friends.
    3. She called him to patch things up after their argument.
    4. They patched things up and decided to give their relationship another chance.
  14. Settle down
    Meaning: To start living a quieter life, often after starting a family or getting married.
    1. They got married and settled down in the countryside.
    2. He’s ready to settle down and start a family.
    3. After years of travelling, she’s decided it’s time to settle down.
    4. They settled down in a small town after the birth of their child.
  15. Stand by
    Meaning: To support someone, especially in difficult times.
    1. She stood by him during his illness.
    2. Friends stand by each other no matter what happens.
    3. He stood by her even when things were tough.
    4. Standing by someone shows true friendship and loyalty.
  16. Hang out with
    Meaning: To spend time casually with someone.
    1. I like to hang out with my friends on weekends.
    2. They hang out at the café after work.
    3. We spent the afternoon hanging out at the park.
    4. She loves hanging out with her cousins.
  17. Turn against
    Meaning: To stop supporting or being friendly to someone.
    1. He turned against his friend after the betrayal.
    2. They turned against each other during the heated argument.
    3. She felt hurt when her colleagues turned against her.
    4. Turning against someone often means the end of a relationship.
  18. Open up
    Meaning: To start talking about your feelings or personal thoughts.
    1. She finally opened up about her struggles.
    2. He opened up to his friends after keeping his problems to himself for months.
    3. It’s important to open up in relationships to build trust.
    4. They opened up to each other, sharing their deepest secrets.
  19. Let down
    Meaning: To disappoint someone by not meeting their expectations.
    1. He felt let down when she didn’t show up.
    2. She let her friend down by cancelling last minute.
    3. They didn’t want to let their parents down with their decisions.
    4. Letting someone down can damage trust in a relationship.
  20. Back up
    Meaning: To support or help someone, especially in difficult situations.
    1. He backed her up during the meeting when she was criticised.
    2. You can always rely on your friends to back you up.
    3. They backed each other up during tough times.
    4. Having someone to back you up makes challenges easier to face.

 

Lesson Summary: Phrasal Verbs for Relationships

This lesson provides an in-depth look at phrasal verbs commonly used when talking about relationships. By mastering these phrases, learners can enhance their conversational skills, express emotions more clearly, and engage in more meaningful dialogues about personal connections.

Key Phrases Learnt:

Learners have encountered key phrasal verbs such as "fall for," "make up," and "split up." These phrases empower learners to discuss relationships confidently, covering a wide range of emotional and social interactions.

Practice Exercises:

Encourage practising these phrases in conversations, writing short dialogues, or journal entries. Use these verbs in daily communication to build familiarity and confidence.

Tips for Remembering:

Break down each phrasal verb into smaller parts, use flashcards, and connect each phrase with personal experiences to make them easier to recall. Practice regularly to reinforce your learning.

Further Lessons:

Explore more lessons on learningenglishfree.co.uk to continue expanding your understanding of phrasal verbs and other essential English vocabulary.

 

 

 

 

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