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Phrasal Verbs Practice | Lesson 03

call around | catch up | give in | show off | work out
Example Dialogue

Maya : Hey, Adam! It’s been a while. We need to catch up. How was the job

hunting?

Adam : I know. Well, it’s been busy for me. I’ve been calling around various

companies to check if they have vacancies. I’ve had three interviews so far.

I’d say I’m getting there.

Maya : Keep on it. Things will work out. One thing at a time, alright? Find a job you

really like. Some people have jobs with great pay, but they are really

unhappy.

Adam : Tell me about it. My dad has been forcing me to get a job already. I was

about to give in to the first job offer when the other two companies called for

an interview.

Maya : Don’t. Find a job that makes you happy, or else you are not going to do well

at work.

Adam : I’m just so tired of all our friends showing off and talking about their work.

I feel left out sometimes.

Try to figure out the meaning of these phrasal verbs.

call around | catch up | give in | show off | work out

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Phrasal Verbs Practice | Lesson 03

call around | catch up | give in | show off | work out
Example Passage

Adam is tired of watching his brother showing off his new car, so his best friend Maya

has been helping him look for a job. First, Adam has to catch up on some current

events in some of the new companies. Then, Adam and Maya have to call around

friends who work in stable companies to see if there are any vacancies. At the same

time, Adam has to prepare his resume and requirements. Although Adam really needs

a job, he doesn’t want to give in to the first job that is available, because there might

be something better. Adam isn’t too worried though, he knows all his efforts will work

out eventually.

Again, try to figure out the meaning of these phrasal verbs.

call around | catch up | give in | show off | work out

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Phrasal Verbs Practice | Lesson 03

call around | catch up | give in | show off | work out
Definitions

call around | to call different people/places

The police are going to call around in order to find more information

about the missing girl.

catch up | to get work, school or job, etc. up to date; to talk to someone

you have not seen for a long time

We haven’t seen each other in a while, which is why we spent all day

catching up at the coffee shop.

give in (to ...) | to finally agree to what someone wants, after refusing for a

period of time; to admit defeat

My kids kept on forcing me to get them video games. I finally gave in.

He held the other wrestler in a headlock until he gave in.

show off ...

show ... off | to display proudly

The artist happily showed off his paintings.

My grandparents showed their well-tended garden off.

work out | to become successful

I was not sure about your plan, but I must admit it worked out great.

Make sure you can understand the meaning of these phrasal verbs.

call around | catch up | give in | show off | work out

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Phrasal Verbs Practice | Lesson 03

call around | catch up | give in | show off | work out
Practice

Use the correct phrasal verbs (in a correct form) to complete the sentences.

1 | Rachel has missed too many classes. She won’t be able to __________.

2 | Seth is __________ all the brand new tools he will use for the construction.

3 | He __________ to find the perfect ring to give to his fiancée yesterday.

4 | Denny, have you __________ with all the things you need to do?

5 | I don’t think Fergie and Blake’s scheme will __________.

6 | My father finally __________ and bought me a new car.

7 | No matter how hard life is just do your best and everything will __________.

8 | The boy is __________ his dancing moves to his friends.

9 | The researchers have been __________ to gather people to participate in the

experiment.

10 | __________ to your cravings and have some luscious dark chocolates.

APPLICATION:

Create your own sentences using these phrasal verbs.

call around | catch up | give in | show off | work out

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Phrasal Verbs Practice | Lesson 03

call around | catch up | give in | show off | work out
Exercise

Use the correct phrasal verbs (in a correct form) to complete the dialogue.

(Allen and Barden are talking about their friend Roy’s stolen motorcycle.)

Barden : Did Roy ever get his motorcycle back?

Allen : Not yet. They’re still __________ to see if anyone has seen it. Where did

you hear about it?

Barden : Josh told me when we saw each other. We were __________ there.

Allen : Oh. Well, serves Roy right. He kept __________ and riding it everywhere.

Barden : Don’t be like that. He really worked hard to save for it.

Allen : Really? I was told that Roy was able to buy it because his dad finally

__________ to lending him some money.

Barden : No, he really did save up for it. Do you think Roy’s plan to catch the thief

might __________?

Allen : I hope so. He is getting very desperate. I don’t blame him, that motorcycle

was really expensive.

APPLICATION:

Create your own dialogue using these phrasal verbs with your teacher.

call around | catch up | give in | show off | work out

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