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