PHRASAL VERBS USED IN LEGAL

ENGLISH -
NAMEETA CHAVAN DESHMUKH
• Phrasal verbs are a combination of words (a verb
+ a preposition or adverb) that when used
together, usually take on a different meaning
to that of the original verb.

• They are a vital part of English language,

especially in everyday conversation.

• They're used very commonly in

conversations, so knowing phrasal verbs will
help you understand other people. Second, as
there are so many phrasal verbs, knowing them
is a great way to build up your vocabulary.
• Look into :
To investigate or examine a matter closely.
Example: The regulatory agency will look into the company’s compliance practices.

• Make up :
To invent or fabricate a story or excuse.
Example: The witness appeared to make up a false alibi during cross-examination.

• Lay out :
To explain or present information in a clear manner.
Example: The lawyer will lay out the key points of the defense in the opening statement.

• Call off :
To cancel or terminate.
Example: The court decided to call off the trial due to a lack of evidence.

• Carry out (v):

To conduct or execute a task.
Example: The police were instructed to carry out a thorough investigation into the matter.

• Come across (v):

To discover or find unexpectedly.
Example: During the review of the documents, we came across some crucial evidence.
• Draw up (v):
To create or prepare a document or contract.
Example: The lawyer will draw up a comprehensive agreement to protect both parties’
interests.

• Face up to (v):
To confront or accept a challenging situation or reality.
Example: The accused must face up to the consequences of their actions in court.

• Fill out (v):

To complete a form or document by providing required information.
Example: Before proceeding, the witness needs to fill out this deposition form.

• Take up :
To begin dealing with or addressing a matter.
Example: The court will take up the issue of child custody in the next hearing.

• Throw out (v):

To reject or dismiss a case or evidence.
Example: The judge decided to throw out the lawsuit due to lack of merit.

• Turn in (v):
To submit documents or evidence to the court.
Example: The plaintiff needs to turn in all relevant documents by the deadline.
• Break up :
To terminate or discontinue a legal relationship.
Example: The business partners decided to break up
their partnership.

• Carry over :
To transfer or extend something to another time or
situation.
Example: The remaining vacation days can be carried
over to the next year.

• Come up with :
To propose or present an idea or solution.
Example: The legal team needs to come up with a strong
defense strategy.
• 1.When a court decides to terminate a trial due to a
lack of evidence, it is known as:
A) Take on B) Call off C) Face up to D) Look into

• 2.Which phrasal verb means to present information

in a clear manner?
A) Put off B) Look up to C) Lay out D) Give in

• 3.The lawyer asked the witness to ______ all

relevant documents for review.
A) Hand over B) Break up C) Give up D) Draw up

• 4.What does “stand up for” mean in legal English?

A) To continue a task B) To cancel or terminate C) To
support or defend someone’s rights D) To confront or
compete against an opponent
• 5.The judge will _____ the verdict after considering
all the evidence.
A) Pass away B) Carry on C) Hand down D) Turn away

• 6.The plaintiff decided to ______ the lawsuit due to

lack of merit.
A) Throw out B) Point out C) Look into D) Carry out

• 7.The lawyer will _____ the key points of the

defense in the opening statement.
A) Fill out B) Lay down C) Lay out D) Put forward

• 8.What does “draw up” mean in legal English?

A) To invent or fabricate B) To create or prepare a
document C) To reject or dismiss D) To confront or
accept
• 9.The attorney will ______ the complex legal
concepts for the jury’s understanding.
A) Keep back B) Set forth C) Stand by D) Break down

• 10.Which phrasal verb means to yield or submit to

a demand or request?
A) Hand down B) Give in C) Look up to D) Put off

• 11.The defendant was ordered to ______ all

relevant documents.
A) Hand over B) Turn up C) Carry on D) Look into

• 12.What does “carry out” mean in legal English?

A) To respect or admire B) To conduct or execute C) To
postpone or reschedule D) To review or examine
• 13.The lawyer decided to ______ the case details with the
client before the trial.
A) Lay out B) Turn away C) Go through D) Bring forward

• 14.The witness was accused of trying to ______ vital

evidence.
A) Stand by B) Hand over C) Make out D) Keep back

• 15.When someone is required to confront or accept a

challenging situation or reality, they must ______ it.
A) Face up to B) Carry on C) Put off D) Draw up

• 16.The court will ______ the conditions for bail.

A) Put forward B) Lay down C) Bring about D) Turn in
• 17.What does “go over” mean in legal English?
A) To review or examine carefully B) To finish or end
C) To create or prepare D) To discover or find
unexpectedly

• 18.The parties decided to ______ their differences

and reach a compromise in mediation.
A) Carry out B) Iron out C) Face off D) Take up

• 19.The witness decided to ______ with crucial

information.
A) Call off B) Draw up C) Hand over D) Come forward

• 20.When a court overturns or cancels a previous

judgment, it is said to ______ it.
A) Set aside B) Look up to C) Point out D) Turn away
• Replace the underlined verbs in the sentences with a
phrasal verb from the box. You will need to use the correct
tense of each phrasal verb.
(a) run up (c) cut back on (e) get out of (g) sum up (i) take
over
(b) hand over (d) face up to (f) step down (h) walk out of (j)
write off
• 1. The company’s CEO resigned after the press
reported on illegal employment practices.
• 2. She abandoned her job when her employer accused
her of lying about her qualifications.
• 3. Several companies have expressed interest in
acquiring my client’s business.
• 4. The expelled partner had accumulated a debt of
£8,000 on the company credit card.
• 5. If you accept the fact that you have breached
employment law, we can avoid court and reach a
reasonable settlement with the claimant.
(a) run up (c) cut back on (e) get out of (g) sum up (i) take over
(b) hand over (d) face up to (f) step down (h) walk out of (j) write
off

• 6. After two months of trying to obtain payment, the creditor

learned that the client who owed the money had left the
country and so decided to accept never receiving the debt.
• 7. She avoided jury duty by writing to the judge explaining
that she was going to a family wedding in Canada.
• 8. The company failed to reduce its outgoings and
eventually the directors declared that it was insolvent.
• 9. In summarising the case, the defendant’s barrister stated
that it was not reasonably foreseeable that the claimant’s
business would suffer such a huge loss due to his client’s
breach.
• 10. My client maintains that he was dismissed without
notice and therefore did not have time to surrender his work
on the project to his colleagues as required under his
contract.
• 1. resigned - (f) stepped down
• 2. abandoned - (h) walked out of
• 3. acquiring - (i) taking over
• 4. accumulated - (a) run up
• 5. accept - (d) face up to
• 6. accept never receiving - (j) write off
• 7. avoided - (e) got out of
• 8. reduce - (c) cut back on
• 9. summarising - (g) summing up
• 10. surrender - (b) hand over