Phrasal Verbs A to Z

Diving into Phrasal Verbs: Decoding "D" Words in English

Introduction

Phrasal verbs are a fascinating aspect of the English language, offering a glimpse into the dynamic and evolving nature of vocabulary. These verb-preposition or verb-adverb combinations often present challenges for learners, especially those studying English as a second language (ESL). This lesson delves into phrasal verbs that start with the letter 'D', aiming to demystify their meanings and demonstrate their usage in everyday contexts. By the conclusion of this lesson, you will have gained a solid understanding of these expressions, enhancing both your spoken and written English.

1. Deal with: To handle or manage a situation or problem.

   • Example: She knows how to deal with difficult customers.

2. Die down: To decrease in intensity or volume.

   • Example: The noise from the party finally died down after midnight.

3. Dish out: To distribute something, often liberally or carelessly.

   • Example: He's good at dishing out advice, whether you want it or not.

4. Dress up: To wear formal or fancy clothing.

   • Example: They dressed up for the gala dinner.

5. Drop by: To visit someone casually and without a formal arrangement.

   • Example: Feel free to drop by anytime you're in the neighbourhood.

6. Drop off: To decrease; to deliver something or someone to a place.

   • Example: Attendance at the meetings has dropped off. / Can you drop me off at the station?

7. Drum up: To generate or increase interest in something.

   • Example: We need to drum up more support for the campaign.

8. Dry out: To become completely dry; a process for removing all alcohol or drugs from someone's body.

   • Example: The paint will need several hours to dry out. / He went to a clinic to dry out.

9. Duck out: To leave secretly or abruptly.

   • Example: He ducked out of the party without saying goodbye.

10. Dwell on: To think or talk about something a lot of the time.

    • Example: Don't dwell on your mistakes.

11. Die out: To become extinct or disappear completely.

    • Example: Many species are at risk of dying out.

12. Dig in: To start eating; to establish a defensive position.

    • Example: The food's ready, so dig in! / They dug in and prepared for the enemy's attack.

13. Dive into: To start doing something with enthusiasm.

    • Example: She dived into her new book eagerly.

14. Double back: To turn and go back in the direction one came from.

    • Example: We realized we were lost and decided to double back.

15. Double up: To share something, especially accommodation.

    • Example: We had to double up in the hotel rooms to save money.

16. Drag on: To continue for too long.

    • Example: The meeting dragged on for hours.

17. Draw up: To prepare and write something, such as a document or plan.

    • Example: The lawyer drew up a contract.

18. Dress down: To wear casual clothes, or to scold someone.

    • Example: It's a casual office, so you can dress down. / The boss dressed him down for being late.

19. Drift apart: To become less close over time.

    • Example: We just drifted apart after college.

20. Drive away: To force someone or something to leave.

    • Example: The noise drove the birds away from the garden.

21. Drop out: To leave a course or school before you have finished it.

    • Example: He dropped out of college after one semester.

22. Dry up: To stop being available; to lose all moisture.

    • Example: The river dried up during the drought.

23. Dumb down: To make something simpler and easier to understand, often to the detriment of the content.

    • Example: The textbook was dumbed down for younger readers.

24. Dwell upon: Similar to dwell on; to keep thinking or talking about.

    • Example: It's not healthy to dwell upon the past.

25. Do over: To redo or repeat something.

    • Example: The teacher made him do the project over because it was incorrect.

26. Draw out: To make something last longer than necessary.

    • Example: He drew out the story to build suspense.

27. Dream up: To invent or imagine something, especially something fanciful or hard to believe.

    • Example: She dreamed up an elaborate excuse for being late.

28. Dress up: To wear special clothes for fun, or to make something appear better or more appealing than it really is.

    • Example: The children love dressing up as pirates. / He dressed up the facts to make his argument stronger.

29. Drop in: Similar to drop by; to visit informally or unexpectedly.

    • Example: My aunt likes to drop in unannounced.

30. Dust off: To prepare something (often something old) for use again.

    • Example: They dusted off the old board game for family night.

By incorporating these 'D' phrasal verbs into your vocabulary, you'll not only enrich your English expression but also gain a greater appreciation for the nuances of the language. Practice using them in your daily conversations and writings to become more proficient and confident in your English language skills.