Phrasal Verbs and other multi-word verbs

Phrasal verbs are part of a large group of verbs called "multi-word verbs". Phrasal verbs
and other multi-word verbs are an important part of the English language. Multi-word
verbs, including phrasal verbs, are very common, especially in spoken English. A multi-
word verb is a verb like "pick up", "turn on" or "get on with". For convenience, many
people refer to all multi-word verbs as phrasal verbs. These verbs consist of a basic verb
+ another word or words. The other word(s) can be prepositions and/or adverbs. The
two or three words that make up multi-word verbs form a short "phrase" - which is why
these verbs are often all called "phrasal verbs".
The important thing to remember is that a multi-word verb is still a verb. "Get" is a verb.
"Get up", is also a verb, a different verb. "Get" and "get up" are two different verbs. They
do not have the same meaning. So you should treat each multi-word verb as a separate
verb, and learn it like any other verb. Look at these examples. You can see that there are
three types of multi-word verb:
single-
direct your eyes in a certain You must look before you
word look
direction leap.
verb
multi-
prepositional look Who is looking after the
word take care of
verbs after baby?
verbs
search for and find
look You can look up my number
phrasal verbs information in a reference
up in the telephone directory.
book
phrasal- look
I look forward to meeting
prepositional forwar anticipate with pleasure
you.
verbs d to
In this lesson we look at the three types of multi-word verbs, including phrasal verbs,
followed by a quiz to check your understanding:

• Phrasal Verbs

• Πρ ε π ο σ ι τ ι ο ν α λ ςερβσ

• Πη ρ α σ α λ − π ρ ε π ο σ ι τ ι ο ν α λ ςερβ σ

Πη ρ α σ α λ ςερβ σ Θυ ι ζ
Phrasal verbs are a group of multi-word verbs made from a verb plus another word or
words. Many people refer to all multi-word verbs as phrasal verbs. On these pages we
make a distinction between three types of multi-word verbs: prepositional verbs, phrasal
verbs and phrasal-prepositional verbs. On this page we look at phrasal verbs proper.
Phrasal verbs are made of:
verb + adverb
Phrasal verbs can be:

• intransitive (no direct object)

• transitive (direct object)

Here are some examples of phrasal verbs:
phrasal
meaning examples
verbs
direct
object
intransitive phrasal
get up rise from bed I don't like to get up.
verbs
break cease to He was late because his car
down function broke down.
transitive phrasal the
put off postpone We will have to put off
verbs meeting.
turn my
refuse They turned down
down offer.

Separable Phrasal Verbs

When phrasal verbs are transitive (that is, they have a direct object), we can usually
separate the two parts. For example, "turn down" is a separable phrasal verb. We can
say: "turn down my offer" or "turn my offer down". Look at this table:
transitive phrasal verbs are
They turned down my offer.
separable
They turned my offer down.
However, if the direct object is a pronoun, we have no choice. We must separate the
phrasal verb and insert the pronoun between the two parts. Look at this example with the
separable phrasal verb "switch on":
John switched on the radio. These are all possible.
John switched the radio on.
John switched it on.
 John switched on it. This is not possible.
Separable or inseparable phrasal verbs? Some dictionaries tell you when phrasal verbs are
separable. If a dictionary writes "look (something) up", you know that the phrasal verb
"look up" is separable, and you can say "look something up" and "look up something".
It's a good idea to write "something/somebody" as appropriate in your vocabulary book
when you learn a new phrasal verb, like this:

• get up

• break down

• put something/somebody off

• turn sthg/sby down

This tells you whether the verb needs a direct object (and where to put it).

Prepositional Verbs
Prepositional verbs are a group of multi-word verbs made from a verb plus another word
or words. Many people refer to all multi-word verbs as phrasal verbs. On these pages we
make a distinction between three types of multi-word verbs: prepositional verbs, phrasal
verbs and phrasal-prepositional verbs. On this page we look at prepositional verbs.
Prepositional verbs are made of:
verb + preposition
Because a preposition always has an object, all prepositional verbs have direct objects.
Here are some examples of prepositional verbs:
prepositional verbs meaning examples
direct
object
believe in have faith in the existence of I believe in God.
look after take care of He is looking after the dog.
talk about discuss Did you talk about me?
wait for await John is waiting for Mary.
Prepositional verbs cannot be separated. That means that we cannot put the direct object
between the two parts. For example, we must say "look after the baby". We cannot say
"look the baby after":
 prepositional verbs are inseparable Who is looking after the baby? This is possible.
Who is looking the baby after? This is not possible.
It is a good idea to write "something/somebody" in your vocabulary book when you learn
a new prepositional verb, like this:

• believe in something/somebody

• look after sthg/sby

This reminds you that this verb needs a direct object (and where to put it).

Phrasal verbs
Most phrasal verbs consist of two words, but a few consist of three words, which always
stay together.
Verb Meaning Example
ask
some Brian asked Judy out to dinner and a
invite on a date
one movie.
out
ask
ask many people the same I asked around but nobody has seen my
arou
question wallet.
nd
add
up to
equal Your purchases add up to $205.32.
somet
hing
back
somet You'll have to back up your car so that I
reverse
hing can get out.
up
back
some My wife backed me up over my decision
support
one to quit my job.
up
blow The racing car blew up after it crashed
explode
up into the fence.
blow add air We have to blow 50 balloons up for the
somet
hing party.
up
brea
stop functioning (vehicle, Our car broke down at the side of the
k
machine) highway in the snowstorm.
down
brea
The woman broke down when the police
k get upset
told her that her son had died.
down
brea
k
Our teacher broke the final project down
somet divide into smaller parts
into three separate parts.
hing
down
brea Somebody broke in last night and stole
force entry to a building
k in our stereo.
brea
k
The firemen had to break into the room
into enter forcibly
to rescue the children.
somet
hing
brea
k
wear something a few times so I need to break these shoes in before we
somet
that it doesn't look/feel new run next week.
hing
in
brea The TV station broke in to report the
interrupt
k in news of the president's death.
brea My boyfriend and I broke up before I
end a relationship
k up moved to America.
brea The kids just broke up as soon as the
start laughing (informal)
k up clown started talking.
brea The prisoners broke out of jail when the
escape
k out guards weren't looking.
brea develop a skin condition I broke out in a rash after our camping
k out trip.
in
somet
hing
bring
some
make unhappy This sad music is bringing me down.
one
down
bring
some My grandparents brought me up after
raise a child
one my parents died.
up
bring
somet My mother walks out of the room when
start talking about a subject
hing my father brings up sports.
up
bring
somet He drank so much that he brought his
vomit
hing dinner up in the toilet.
up
call
phone many different We called around but we weren't able to
arou
places/people find the car part we needed.
nd
call
some I called the company back but the offices
return a phone call
one were closed for the weekend.
back
call
somet Jason called the wedding off because he
cancel
hing wasn't in love with his fiancé.
off
call
on The professor called on me for question
ask for an answer or opinion
some 1.
one
call
on We called on you last night but you
visit someone
some weren't home.
one
call phone Give me your phone number and I will
some call you up when we are in town.
one
up
calm You are still mad. You need to calm
relax after being angry
down down before you drive the car.
not
care
for
some not like (formal) I don't care for his behaviour.
one/s
omet
hing
catch get to the same point as someone You'll have to run faster than that if you
up else want to catch up with Marty.
check arrive and register at a hotel or We will get the hotel keys when we
in airport check in.
check You have to check out of the hotel before
leave a hotel
out 11:00 AM.
check
some
one/s The company checks out all new
look at carefully, investigate
omet employees.
hing
out
check
out
some
look at (informal) Check out the crazy hair on that guy!
one/s
omet
hing
cheer She cheered up when she heard the good
become happier
up news.
cheer
some I brought you some flowers to cheer you
make happier
one up.
up
chip If everyone chips in we can get the
help
in kitchen painted by noon.
clean tidy, clean Please clean up your bedroom before you
somet go outside.
hing
up
come
acros
I came across these old photos when I
s find unexpectedly
was tidying the closet.
somet
hing
come The top and bottom come apart if you
separate
apart pull hard enough.
come
down
My nephew came down with chicken
with become sick
pox this weekend.
somet
hing
come
volunteer for a task or to give The woman came forward with her
forw
evidence husband's finger prints.
ard
come
from
originate in The art of origami comes from Asia.
some
where
count
on
some I am counting on you to make dinner
rely on
one/s while I am out.
omet
hing
cross
somet Please cross out your old address and
draw a line through
hing write your new one.
out
cut
back
My doctor wants me to cut back on
on consume less
sweets and fatty foods.
somet
hing
cut make something fall to the We had to cut the old tree in our yard
somet ground down after the storm.
hing
down
Your father cut in while I was dancing
cut in interrupt
with your uncle.
pull in too closely in front of The bus driver got angry when that car
cut in
another vehicle cut in.
start operating (of an engine or The air conditioner cuts in when the
cut in
electrical device) temperature gets to 22°C.
cut
somet The doctors cut off his leg because it was
remove with something sharp
hing severely injured.
off
cut
somet The phone company cut off our phone
stop providing
hing because we didn't pay the bill.
off
cut
some My grandparents cut my father off when
take out of a will
one he remarried.
off
cut
somet remove part of something
I cut this ad out of the newspaper.
hing (usually with scissors and paper)
out
do
some
one/s He's lucky to be alive. His shop was done
beat up, ransack (Br.E., informal)
omet over by a street gang.
hing
over
do
somet My teacher wants me to do my essay
do again (N.Amer.)
hing over because she doesn't like my topic.
over
do
away
It's time to do away with all of these old
with discard
tax records.
somet
hing
do
somet Do your coat up before you go outside.
fasten, close
hing It's snowing!
up
dress It's a fancy restaurant so we have to dress
wear nice clothing
up up.
drop Andrea dropped back to third place
move back in a position/group
back when she fell off her bike.
drop
I might drop in/by/over for tea some
in/by/ come without an appointment
time this week.
over
drop
some
take someone/something
one/s I have to drop my sister off at work
somewhere and leave them/it
omet before I come over.
there
hing
off
drop I dropped out of Science because it was
quit a class, school etc
out too difficult.
eat I don't feel like cooking tonight. Let's eat
eat at a restaurant
out out.
end We ended up renting a movie instead of
eventually reach/do/decide
up going to the theatre.
fall My new dress fell apart in the washing
break into pieces
apart machine.
fall The picture that you hung up last night
fall to the ground
down fell down this morning.
fall The money must have fallen out of my
separate from an interior
out pocket.
fall (of hair, teeth) become loose and His hair started to fall out when he was
out unattached only 35.
figur
e
I need to figure out how to fit the piano
somet understand, find the answer
and the bookshelf in this room.
hing
out
fill
somet to write information in blanks Please fill in the form with your name,
hing (Br.E.) address, and phone number.
in
fill
somet to write information in blanks The form must be filled out in capital
hing (N.Amer.) letters.
out
fill
somet I always fill the water jug up when it is
fill to the top
hing empty.
up
find We don't know where he lives. How can
discover
out we find out?
find
somet We tried to keep the time of the party a
discover
hing secret, but Samantha found it out.
out
get
somet
hing communicate, make I tried to get my point across/over to the
acros understandable judge but she wouldn't listen.
s/ove
r
get
I was surprised how well my new
along like each other
girlfriend and my sister got along/on.
/on
get
My grandfather can get around fine in
arou have mobility
his new wheelchair.
nd
get We worked so hard this year that we had
go on a vacation
away to get away for a week.
get
away
do without being noticed or Jason always gets away with cheating in
with
punished his maths tests.
somet
hing
get We got back from our vacation last
return
back week.
get
somet Liz finally got her Science notes back
receive something you had before
hing from my room-mate.
back
get
back
My sister got back at me for stealing her
at retaliate, take revenge
shoes. She stole my favourite hat.
some
one
get
back
become interested in something I finally got back into my novel and
into
again finished it.
somet
hing
get
on We're going to freeze out here if you
step onto a vehicle
somet don't let us get on the bus.
hing
get
over recover from an illness, loss, I just got over the flu and now my sister
somet difficulty has it.
hing
get
over The company will have to close if it can't
overcome a problem
somet get over the new regulations.
hing
get
roun
finally find time to do (N.Amer.: I don't know when I am going to get
d to
get around to something) round to writing the thank you cards.
somet
hing
get
Let's get together for a BBQ this
toget meet (usually for social reasons)
weekend.
her
get I got up early today to study for my
get out of bed
up exam.
get You should get up and give the elderly
stand
up man your seat.
give
some reveal hidden information about
His wife gave him away to the police.
one someone
away
give
some
take the bride to the altar My father gave me away at my wedding.
one
away
give
somet My little sister gave the surprise party
ruin a secret
hing away by accident.
away
give
somet give something to someone for The library was giving away old books
hing free on Friday.
away
give
somet I have to give these skates back to Franz
return a borrowed item
hing before his hockey game.
back
give reluctantly stop fighting or My boyfriend didn't want to go to the
in arguing ballet, but he finally gave in.
give
somet give to many people (usually at They were giving out free perfume
hing no cost) samples at the department store.
out
give
somet I am giving up smoking as of January
quit a habit
hing 1st.
up
give My maths homework was too difficult so
stop trying
up I gave up.
go
after My brother tried to go after the thief in
follow someone
some his car.
one
go
after I went after my dream and now I am a
try to achieve something
somet published writer.
hing
go
again
We are going against the best soccer
st compete, oppose
team in the city tonight.
some
one
go
Please go ahead and eat before the food
ahea start, proceed
gets cold.
d
go I have to go back home and get my
return to a place
back lunch.
go leave home to go on a social
We're going out for dinner tonight.
out event
go
out
Jesse has been going out with Luke since
with date
they met last winter.
some
one
go
over Please go over your answers before you
review
somet submit your test.
hing
go I haven't seen Tina for a long time. I think
visit someone nearby
over I'll go over for an hour or two.
go
witho
When I was young, we went without
ut suffer lack or deprivation
winter boots.
somet
hing
grow My best friend and I grew apart after she
stop being friends over time
apart changed schools.
grow
regrow My roses grew back this summer.
back
grow When Jack grows up he wants to be a
become an adult
up fireman.
grow
out Elizabeth needs a new pair of shoes
of get too big for because she has grown out of her old
somet ones.
hing
grow
into This bike is too big for him now, but he
grow big enough to fit
somet should grow into it by next year.
hing
hand
somet give something used to someone I handed my old comic books down to
hing else my little cousin.
down
hand
somet
submit I have to hand in my essay by Friday.
hing
in
hand
somet We will hand out the invitations at the
to distribute to a group of people
hing door.
out
hand
somet The police asked the man to hand over
give (usually unwillingly)
hing his wallet and his weapons.
over
hang Hang in there. I'm sure you'll find a job
stay positive (N.Amer., informal)
in very soon.
hang
wait a short time (informal) Hang on while I grab my coat and shoes!
on
hang Instead of going to the party we are just
spend time relaxing (informal)
out going to hang out at my place.
hang He didn't say goodbye before he hung
end a phone call
up up.
hold prevent from doing/going I had to hold my dog back because there
some was a cat in the park.
one/s
omet
hing
back
hold
somet Jamie held back his tears at his
hide an emotion
hing grandfather's funeral.
back
hold Please hold on while I transfer you to the
wait a short time
on Sales Department.
hold
onto
some hold firmly using your hands or Hold onto your hat because it's very
one/s arms windy outside.
omet
hing
hold
some
one/s A man in a black mask held the bank up
rob
omet this morning.
hingu
p
keep
on
Keep on stirring until the liquid comes to
doing continue doing
a boil.
somet
hing
keep
somet
hing We kept our relationship from our
not tell
from parents for two years.
some
one
keep
some
one/s Try to keep the wet dog out of the living
stop from entering
omet room.
hing
out
keep
somet If you keep those results up you will get
continue at the same rate
hing into a great college.
up
let
some I need you to be on time. Don't let me
fail to support or help, disappoint
one down this time.
down
let
some Can you let the cat in before you go to
allow to enter
one school?
in
look
after
some I have to look after my sick
take care of
one/s grandmother.
omet
hing
look
down
Ever since we stole that chocolate bar
on think less of, consider inferior
your dad has looked down on me.
some
one
look
for
some I'm looking for a red dress for the
try to find
one/s wedding.
omet
hing
look
forw
ard I'm looking forward to the Christmas
be excited about the future
to break.
somet
hing
look
into We are going to look into the price of
investigate
somet snowboards today.
hing
look be careful, vigilant, and take
Look out! That car's going to hit you!
out notice
look be especially vigilant for Don't forget to look out for snakes on the
out hiking trail.
for
some
one/s
omet
hing
look
somet Can you look over my essay for spelling
check, examine
hing mistakes?
over
look
somet search and find information in a We can look her phone number up on the
hing reference book or database Internet.
up
look
up to My little sister has always looked up to
have a lot of respect for
some me.
one
make
somet Josie made up a story about about why
invent, lie about something
hing we were late.
up
make We were angry last night, but we made
forgive each other
up up at breakfast.
make
some My sisters made me up for my
apply cosmetics to
one graduation party.
up
mix
somet
confuse two or more things I mixed up the twins' names again!
hing
up
pass His uncle passed away last night after a
die
away long illness.
pass It was so hot in the church that an elderly
faint
out lady passed out.
pass
somet give the same thing to many The professor passed the textbooks out
hing people before class.
out
pass
somet I passed up the job because I am afraid
decline (usually something good)
hing of change.
up
pay
some Thanks for buying my ticket. I'll pay you
return owed money
one back on Friday.
back
pay
for be punished for doing something That bully will pay for being mean to my
somet bad little brother.
hing
pick
somet I picked out three sweaters for you to try
choose
hing on.
out
point
some
one/s I'll point my boyfriend out when he runs
indicate with your finger
omet by.
hing
out
put
somet put what you are holding on a You can put the groceries down on the
hing surface or floor kitchen counter.
down
put
some The students put the substitute teacher
insult, make someone feel stupid
one down because his pants were too short.
down
put
somet We are putting off our trip until January
postpone
hing because of the hurricane.
off
put
somet The neighbours put the fire out before
extinguish
hing the firemen arrived.
out
put assemble I have to put the crib together before the
somet
hing
toget baby arrives.
her
put
up
with
I don't think I can put up with three
some tolerate
small children in the car.
one/s
omet
hing
put
somet put clothing/accessories on your Don't forget to put on your new earrings
hing body for the party.
on
run
into
some I ran into an old school-friend at the
meet unexpectedly
one/s mall.
omet
hing
run
over
some drive a vehicle over a person or I accidentally ran over your bicycle in
one/s thing the driveway.
omet
hing
run
over/
throu Let's run over/through these lines one
rehearse, review
gh more time before the show.
somet
hing
run The child ran away from home and has
leave unexpectedly, escape
away been missing for three days.
run We ran out of shampoo so I had to wash
have none left
out my hair with soap.
send
somet My letter got sent back to me because I
return (usually by mail)
hing used the wrong stamp.
back
set
somet Our boss set a meeting up with the
arrange, organize
hing president of the company.
up
set
some The police set up the car thief by using a
trick, trap
one hidden camera.
up
shop
I want to shop around a little before I
arou compare prices
decide on these boots.
nd
show act extra special for people
He always shows off on his skateboard
off watching (usually boastfully)
sleep stay somewhere for the night You should sleep over tonight if the
over (informal) weather is too bad to drive home.
sort
somet We need to sort the bills out before the
organize, resolve a problem
hing first of the month.
out
stick
to continue doing something, limit You will lose weight if you stick to the
somet yourself to one particular thing diet.
hing
switc
h
The light's too bright. Could you switch it
somet stop the energy flow, turn off
off.
hing
off
switc
h
We heard the news as soon as we
somet start the energy flow, turn on
switched on the car radio.
hing
on
take
after I take after my mother. We are both
resemble a family member
some impatient.
one
take purposely break into pieces He took the car brakes apart and found
somet
hing
the problem.
apart
take
somet I have to take our new TV back because
return an item
hing it doesn't work.
back
take
start to fly My plane takes off in five minutes.
off
take
somet remove something (usually Take off your socks and shoes and come
hing clothing) in the lake!
off
take
somet Can you take the garbage out to the
remove from a place or thing
hing street for me?
out
take
some pay for someone to go My grandparents took us out for dinner
one somewhere with you and a movie.
out
tear
somet I tore up my ex-boyfriend's letters and
rip into pieces
hing gave them back to him.
up
think remember (often + to, sometimes When I think back on my youth, I wish I
back + on) had studied harder.
think
somet I'll have to think this job offer over
consider
hing before I make my final decision.
over
thro
w
We threw our old furniture away when
somet dispose of
we won the lottery.
hing
away
turn decrease the volume or strength Please turn the TV down while the
somet (heat, light etc) guests are here.
hing
down
turn
somet I turned the job down because I don't
refuse
hing want to move.
down
turn
somet Your mother wants you to turn the TV
stop the energy flow, switch off
hing off and come for dinner.
off
turn
somet It's too dark in here. Let's turn some
start the energy, switch on
hing lights on.
on
turn
somet increase the volume or strength Can you turn the music up? This is my
hing (heat, light etc) favourite song.
up
turn Our cat turned up after we put posters up
appear suddenly
up all over the neighbourhood.
try
somet I'm going to try these jeans on, but I
sample clothing
hing don't think they will fit.
on
try
somet I am going to try this new brand of
test
hing detergent out.
out
use
somet The kids used all of the toothpaste up so
finish the supply
hing we need to buy some more.
up
wake We have to wake up early for work on
stop sleeping
up Monday.
war increase the temperature You can warm your feet up in front of
m the fireplace.
some
one/s
omet
hing
 up
war I always warm up by doing sit-ups
prepare body for exercise
m up before I go for a run.
wear Most of my make-up wore off before I
fade away
off got to the party.
work I work out at the gym three times a
exercise
out week.
work
be successful Our plan worked out fine.
out
work
somet We have to work out the total cost before
make a calculation
hing we buy the house.
out
Br.E.: British English; N.Amer.: North American