The most common phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language. They consist of a verb followed by a preposition or an adverb, creating a unique meaning that is different from the original verb. Mastering these phrasal verbs is crucial for effective communication in English. In this article, we will explore the 100 most common phrasal verbs, providing definitions and examples to help you understand their usage in context.

Phrasal Verbs for Everyday Activities
1. Wake up
2. Get up
3. Go out
4. Come in
5. Take off
6. Put on
7. Turn on
8. Turn off
9. Look for
10. Give up
Phrasal Verbs for Communication
1. Speak up
2. Call back
3. Hang on
4. Look up
5. Talk over
6. Bring up
7. Write down
8. Figure out
9. Run into
10. Set up
Phrasal Verbs for Relationships
1. Break up
2. Make up
3. Get along
4. Look after
5. Fall for
6. Stand up
7. Give in
8. Look out for
9. Take care of
10. Catch up with
Phrasal Verbs for Work
1. Carry out
2. Take on
3. Hand in
4. Fill out
5. Work out
6. Clock in
7. Clock out
8. Take off
9. Put off
10. Bring in
Phrasal Verbs for Travel
1. Set off
2. Check in
3. Get on
4. Get off
5. Go away
6. Come back
7. Look forward to
8. Drop off
9. Pick up
10. Stand by
Phrasal Verbs for Health
1. Get over
2. Pass out
3. Throw up
4. Break out
5. Put up with
6. Cut down on
7. Give up
8. Work out
9. Check up on
10. Look after

Examples for them:

Phrasal Verbs for Everyday Activities

1. Wake up

To stop sleeping and become conscious.
Example: I usually wake up at 7 am every morning.

2. Get up

To leave your bed and start your day.
Example: It’s time to get up and get ready for work.

3. Go out

To leave a place, especially to go for entertainment or leisure.
Example: Let’s go out for dinner tonight.

4. Come in

To enter a place.
Example: Please come in and have a seat.

5. Take off

To remove something, especially clothes or accessories.
Example: It’s hot, so I’m going to take off my jacket.

6. Put on

To wear or dress oneself in something.
Example: I need to put on my shoes before we leave.

7. Turn on

To activate or start a device or switch.
Example: Can you please turn on the lights?

8. Turn off

To deactivate or stop a device or switch.
Example: Don’t forget to turn off the TV before you go to bed.

9. Look for

To search or seek something or someone.
Example: I’m looking for my keys. Have you seen them?

10. Give up

To stop trying or doing something.
Example: He didn’t give up until he achieved his goal.

Of course! Let’s continue with the next set of phrasal verbs.

Phrasal Verbs for Communication

1. Speak up

To speak louder or more clearly.
Example: Can you speak up? I can’t hear you.

2. Call back

To return a phone call or contact someone again.
Example: I missed his call, so I need to call him back.

3. Hang on

To wait for a short period of time.
Example: Hang on a moment, I’ll be right back.

4. Look up

To search for information in a reference source.
Example: I don’t know the meaning of this word, let me look it up.

5. Talk over

To discuss something thoroughly.
Example: We need to talk over this issue before making a decision.

6. Bring up

To mention or introduce a topic in a conversation.
Example: I wanted to bring up the idea of a vacation during the meeting.

7. Write down

To make a note or record something in writing.
Example: Don’t forget to write down the important details.

8. Figure out

To understand or solve a problem or situation.
Example: I need some time to figure out this math equation.

9. Run into

To unexpectedly meet or encounter someone.
Example: I ran into my old friend at the supermarket.

10. Set up

To arrange or establish something.
Example: We need to set up a meeting to discuss the project.

Phrasal Verbs for Relationships

1. Break up

To end a romantic relationship.
Example: They decided to break up after years of dating.

2. Make up

To reconcile or resolve a disagreement.
Example: They had a fight but made up the next day.

3. Get along

To have a good relationship or compatibility with someone.
Example: They get along well and enjoy each other’s company.

4. Look after

To take care of or be responsible for someone or something.
Example: Can you look after my dog while I’m away?

5. Fall for

To develop romantic feelings for someone.
Example: She fell for him the moment they met.

6. Stand up

To fail to meet someone as planned or arranged.
Example: He stood me up on our dinner date.

7. Give in

To yield or surrender in an argument or disagreement.
Example: After hours of negotiation, they finally gave in.

8. Look out for

To watch or be attentive for something or someone.
Example: Look out for any suspicious activity in the neighborhood.

9. Take care of

To look after or take responsibility for someone or something.
Example: Please take care of yourself while I’m away.

10. Catch up with

To meet or have a conversation with someone to update each other.
Example: Let’s meet for coffee and catch up with each other.

Sure, let’s continue with the next set of phrasal verbs.

Phrasal Verbs for Work

1. Carry out

To complete or perform a task or action.
Example: We need to carry out a thorough investigation.

2. Take on

To accept or assume responsibility or a task.
Example: I’m willing to take on the challenge.

3. Hand in

To submit or deliver something, usually a document or assignment.
Example: Don’t forget to hand in your report by the deadline.

4. Fill out

To complete or provide information on a form or document.
Example: Please fill out this application form.

5. Work out

To exercise or engage in physical activity.
Example: I usually work out at the gym after work.

6. Clock in

To record the time of arrival at work by using a time clock.
Example: Make sure you clock in when you arrive in the morning.

7. Clock out

To record the time of departure from work by using a time clock.
Example: Don’t forget to clock out before leaving the office.

8. Take off

To have time off from work or to go on vacation.
Example: I’m planning to take off next week for a family trip.

9. Put off

To delay or postpone something.
Example: We had to put off the meeting until next week.

10. Bring in

To introduce or include something or someone.
Example: We need to bring in an expert to solve this problem.

Phrasal Verbs for Travel

1. Set off

To start a journey or trip.
Example: We set off early in the morning to avoid traffic.

2. Check in

To register or report one’s arrival at a hotel or airport.
Example: Please check in at the front desk before entering your room.

3. Get on

To board or enter a vehicle, usually a bus, train, or airplane.
Example: Hurry up, the bus is here. Let’s get on.

4. Get off

To leave or disembark from a vehicle or transportation.
Example: We got off the train at the next station.

5. Go away

To travel or go on a vacation.
Example: They are going away for the weekend.

6. Come back

To return from a trip or journey.
Example: They came back from their vacation refreshed and relaxed.

7. Look forward to

To anticipate or be excited about something in the future.
Example: I’m looking forward to our upcoming trip.

8. Drop off

To leave someone or something at a specific location.
Example: Can you drop me off at the airport on your way?

9. Pick up

To collect or gather someone or something from a location.
Example: I’ll pick you up from the train station at 7 pm.

10. Stand by

To wait for further instructions or be ready for action.
Example: Please stand by for updates on the situation.

Phrasal Verbs for Health

Get over:
Explanation: To “get over” something means to recover from a difficult or challenging experience or emotion.
Example:

Sarah finally got over her fear of public speaking after attending a communication workshop.

Pass out:
Explanation: “Pass out” means to lose consciousness or faint.
Example:

The heat was unbearable, and John passed out during the outdoor concert.

Throw up:
Explanation: To “throw up” means to vomit or expel the contents of one’s stomach.
Example:

Eating spoiled food made Lisa feel sick, and she had to rush to the bathroom to throw up.

Break out:
Explanation: “Break out” means to escape or suddenly start, often referring to an undesirable event or situation.
Example:

A fire broke out in the building, and everyone had to evacuate immediately.

Put up with:
Explanation: To “put up with” something means to tolerate or endure it, even if it is unpleasant or bothersome.
Example:

Despite the noise from the construction site, Sarah had no choice but to put up with it while studying for her exams.

Cut down on:
Explanation: “Cut down on” means to reduce the amount or frequency of something.
Example:

In an effort to improve his health, Mark decided to cut down on sugary drinks and instead opt for water.

Give up:
Explanation: To “give up” means to stop trying or surrender.
Example:

Despite numerous setbacks, Jane refused to give up on her dream of becoming a professional dancer.

Work out:
Explanation: “Work out” means to engage in physical exercise or to find a solution to a problem.
Example:

After a long day at work, Sarah enjoys working out at the gym to relieve stress.

Check up on:
Explanation: To “check up on” someone means to inquire about their well-being or to monitor their progress.
Example:

Emily called her grandmother to check up on her after she had been sick.

Look after:
Explanation: “Look after” means to take care of someone or something.
Example:

Melissa asked her neighbor to look after her cat while she was on vacation.