Common English Phrasal Verbs Explained

Posted on Jan 3, 2026 in English

A

  • Ask someone out: Invite on a date.
  • Ask around: Ask many people the same question.
  • Add up to something: Equal.
  • Back something up: Reverse.
  • Back someone up: Support.
  • Blow up: Explode.
  • Blow something up: Add air.
  • Break down: Stop functioning (vehicle, machine).
  • Break down: Get upset.
  • Break something down: Divide into smaller parts.
  • Break in: Force entry to a building.
  • Break into something: Enter forcibly.
  • Break something in: Wear something a few times so that it doesn’t look/feel new.
  • Break in: Interrupt.
  • Break up: End a relationship.
  • Break up: Start laughing (informal).
  • Break out: Escape.
  • Break out in something: Develop a skin condition.
  • Bring someone down: Make unhappy.
  • Bring someone up: Raise a child.
  • Bring something up: Start talking about a subject.
  • Bring something up: Vomit.
  • Call around: Phone many different places/people.
  • Call someone back: Return a phone call.
  • Call something off: Cancel.
  • Call on someone: Ask for an answer or opinion.
  • Call on someone: Visit someone.
  • Call someone up: Phone.
  • Calm down: Relax after being angry.
  • Not care for someone/something: Not like.

C

  • Catch up: Get to the same point as someone else.
  • Check in: Arrive and register at a hotel or airport.
  • Check out: Leave a hotel.
  • Check someone/something out: Look at carefully, investigate.
  • Check out someone/something: Look at (informal).
  • Cheer up: Become happier.
  • Cheer someone up: Make happier.
  • Chip in: Help.
  • Clean something up: Tidy, clean.
  • Come across something: Find unexpectedly.
  • Come apart: Separate.
  • Come down with something: Become sick.
  • Come forward: Volunteer for a task or to give evidence.
  • Come from somewhere: Originate in.
  • Count on someone/something: Rely on.
  • Cross something out: Draw a line through.
  • Cut back on something: Consume less.
  • Cut something down: Make something fall to the ground.
  • Cut in: Interrupt.
  • Cut in: Pull in too closely in front of another vehicle.
  • Cut in: Start operating (of an engine or electrical device).
  • Cut something off: Remove with something sharp.
  • Cut something off: Stop providing.
  • Cut someone off: Take out of a will.
  • Cut something out: Remove part of something (usually with scissors and paper).

D

  • Do someone/something over: Beat up, ransack (Br.E., informal).
  • Do something over: Do again (N.Amer.).
  • Do away with something: Discard.
  • Do something up: Fasten, close.
  • Dress up: Wear nice clothing.
  • Drop back: Move back in a position/group.
  • Drop in/by/over: Come without an appointment.
  • Drop someone/something off: Take someone/something somewhere and leave them/it there.
  • Drop out: Quit a class, school, etc.

E

  • Eat out: Eat at a restaurant.
  • End up: Eventually reach/do/decide.

F

  • Fall apart: Break into pieces.
  • Fall down: Fall to the ground.
  • Fall out: Separate from an interior.
  • Fall out: (Of hair, teeth) Become loose and unattached.
  • Figure something out: Understand, find the answer.
  • Fill something in: Write information in blanks (Br.E.).
  • Fill something out: Write information in blanks (N.Amer.).
  • Fill something up: Fill to the top.
  • Find out / Find something out: Discover.

G

  • Get something across/over: Communicate, make understandable.
  • Get along/on: Like each other.
  • Get around: Have mobility.
  • Get away: Go on a vacation.
  • Get away with something: Do without being noticed or punished.
  • Get back: Return.
  • Get something back: Receive something you had before.
  • Get back at someone: Retaliate, take revenge.
  • Get back into something: Become interested in something again.
  • Get on something: Step onto a vehicle.
  • Get over something: Recover from an illness, loss, difficulty.
  • Get over something: Overcome a problem.
  • Get round to something: Finally find time to do (N.Amer.: get around to something).
  • Get together: Meet (usually for social reasons).
  • Get up: Get out of bed.
  • Get up: Stand.
  • Give someone away: Reveal hidden information about someone.
  • Give someone away: Take the bride to the altar.
  • Give something away: Ruin a secret.
  • Give something away: Give something to someone for free.
  • Give something back: Return a borrowed item.
  • Give in: Reluctantly stop fighting or arguing.
  • Give something out: Give to many people (usually at no cost).
  • Give something up: Quit a habit.
  • Give up: Stop trying.
  • Go after someone: Follow someone.
  • Go after something: Try to achieve something.
  • Go against someone: Compete, oppose.
  • Go ahead: Start, proceed.
  • Go back: Return to a place.
  • Go out: Leave home to go on a social event.
  • Go out with someone: Date.
  • Go over something: Review.
  • Go over: Visit someone nearby.
  • Go without something: Suffer lack or deprivation.
  • Grow apart: Stop being friends over time.
  • Grow back: Regrow.
  • Grow up: Become an adult.
  • Grow out of something: Get too big for.
  • Grow into something: Grow big enough to fit.