Phrasal Verbs A to Z

Soaring with "S": A Deep Dive into Phrasal Verbs

Introduction

Phrasal verbs are an indispensable part of English, imbuing the language with depth and versatility. For learners of English as a Second Language (ESL), mastering phrasal verbs that start with "S" is crucial for achieving fluency and confidence in both spoken and written communication. This lesson is designed to explore such phrasal verbs, providing clear definitions and practical examples of their usage. By the end of this guide, you will have a richer understanding of these expressions, enabling you to articulate your thoughts and emotions more effectively in English.

1. Settle down: To become calm or stable; to establish a more stable lifestyle.

   • Example: After years of traveling, he decided to settle down in his hometown.

2. Show off: To display proudly; to brag or seek attention through actions or possessions.

   • Example: He loves to show off his new car to his friends.

3. Speak up: To talk louder; also, to express one's opinions freely.

   • Example: Please speak up if you disagree with the plan.

4. Stand out: To be noticeably different or superior.

   • Example: Her talent for singing really stands out in the choir.

5. Stick to: To continue doing something; to adhere to a plan or decision.

   • Example: It's important to stick to your goals, even when it gets tough.

6. Switch off: To turn off a device; also, to stop paying attention.

   • Example: Don't forget to switch off the lights before you leave.

7. Sort out: To organize; to resolve a problem or misunderstanding.

   • Example: We need to sort out the details before we proceed.

8. Step up: To increase one's efforts; to take responsibility.

   • Example: Everyone needs to step up their game to meet the deadline.

9. Set up: To establish or start something; to arrange.

   • Example: They set up a charity to help the homeless.

10. Shut down: To close, especially for businesses or machines; to stop operations.

    • Example: The factory was shut down due to environmental concerns.

11. Sign up: To register or enlist for something.

    • Example: I signed up for the cooking class next weekend.

12. Stay over: To spend the night at someone's place.

    • Example: You're welcome to stay over if it's too late to drive home.

13. Stand by: To support; to be ready for action.

    • Example: I'll stand by you no matter what happens.

14. Sit through: To endure until the end, often something boring or unpleasant.

    • Example: We had to sit through a three-hour lecture yesterday.

15. Split up: To end a relationship or partnership; to divide into groups.

    • Example: After five years together, they decided to split up.

16. Shake up: To cause a large change, often in order to improve something.

    • Example: The new manager is going to shake up the entire department.

17. Sell out: To sell all of something; to betray one's principles for personal gain.

    • Example: The concert tickets sold out in minutes.

18. Settle for: To accept something less than what was wanted.

    • Example: Don't settle for less than you deserve.

19. Sweep up: To clean or clear a space by sweeping.

    • Example: Can you help me sweep up the kitchen?

20. Shoot up: To increase rapidly; also refers to the action of injecting drugs.

    • Example: Housing prices in the city have shot up this year.

21. Stand up for: To defend or support a cause or person.

    • Example: It's important to stand up for your beliefs.

22. Start over: To begin again from the beginning.

    • Example: Sometimes, it's necessary to start over and try a different approach.

23. Set aside: To save or reserve something for a specific purpose.

    • Example: Set aside some time each day for relaxation.

24. Scale back: To reduce in size, amount, or extent.

    • Example: The company is scaling back its operations to cut costs.

25. Size up: To assess or evaluate someone or something.

    • Example: He sized up the competition before the race.

26. Slip away: To leave quietly or unnoticed; also, to pass by quickly (time).

    • Example: The hours slip away when I'm painting.

27. Stand for: To represent; to tolerate.

    • Example: "USA" stands for "United States of America." / I won't stand for such rude behavior.

28. Seek out: To actively look for someone or something.

    • Example: He sought out advice from his mentor.

29. Send off: To dispatch someone or something; also, to expel a player from a game.

    • Example: We sent off the documents via courier.

30. Single out: To choose one person or thing from a group for special attention.

    • Example: She was singled out for her outstanding performance.

By mastering these "S" starting phrasal verbs, you'll not only expand your English vocabulary but also gain the ability to express yourself more precisely and effectively. Regular practice in various contexts will help cement your understanding and ensure these expressions become a natural part of your English repertoire.