Phrasal Verbs List by Verb

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Phrasal Verbs

ACCOUNT FOR: (inseparable) to explain
George's wife was angry at him because he could not account for the lipstick on his collar.
ACQUAINT WITH: (separable) to make someone aware of or familiar with someone or something
You should acquaint yourself with cultures from around the world.
ACT UP: (intransitive) to behave poorly(human);to reoccur(disease);to malfunction(machine)
I think I'll stand rather than sit because my hemorrhoids are acting up again
ADD ON: (separable) to increase or enhance something by joining or uniting something to it
We've decided to add on another bedroom to the house.
ADD UP: (intransitive) to result in a certain total
I've calculated that over and over, but it just doesn't add up.
ADD UP TO: (inseparable) to result in a certain total
The money I lost in the slot machines added up to over three hundred dollars.
ASK FOR: (inseparable) to deserve a negative consequence
George is asking for trouble.
ASK IN: (separable) to request someone to come in
At the end of the date, I asked Mary in.
ASK OUT: (separable) to request someone to go on a date with you
I asked Mary out again. She refused.
BACK AWAY: (intransitive) to retreat backwards
The crowd backed away as the terrorist blew himself up.
BACK DOWN: (intransitive) to concede in a disagreement
The mugger backed down when he saw that Max was carrying a 9mm handgun.
BACK UP: (separable) to make copies of computer files just in case something happens to the original files
Please be sure to back up your files before you go home each day.
BACK UP: (separable) to help or support
I will back my friends up no matter what they do.
BACK UP: (separable) to go in reverse
When Steve passed the beautiful girl hitchhiking on the freeway, he immediately stopped the car, backed up, and offered her a ride.
BAIL OUT: (intransitive) to jump out of an airplane (usually when it?s going to crash)
Luckily the pilot bailed out before his plane hit the side of the mountain.
BAIL OUT: (intransitive) to quit or stop doing something (usually when experiencing difficulties)
The congressional candidate bailed out of the race because there was no hope that he could raise enough money to win.
BAIL OUT: (separable) to rescue someone from a difficult situation
Max?s uncle bailed him out of the financial problems he was having.
BALL UP: (separable) to roll or form something into a round shape
When max does his laundry, instead of folding everything nicely when it?s done, he just balls everything up and throws it in a bag.
BASH IN: (separable) to damage something by hitting it violently
Vandals bashed in the windows of my new Lamborghini.
BEAT UP: (separable) to hurt someone by hitting and/or kicking them repeatedly
The bully beat the other kids up for their lunch money.
BLACK OUT: (intransitive) to lose consciousness momentarily
Max had a very severe headache and blacked out several times, so his doctor admitted him to the hospital.
BLEND IN: (intransitive) to match or look the same as the surroundings
In Max's neighborhood, if you don't blend in, you'll get beat up.
BLOW OFF: (separable) to remove with powerful force
The bomb blew the roof off the house.
BLOW UP: (intransitive) to suddenly become angry
The teacher blew up when she discovered that the students hadn't done their homework.
BLOW UP: (separable) to explode or to destroy something with an explosion
Mary was arrested for blowing up Max's car with a homemade bomb.
BLOW UP: (separable) to inflate
Al's job was to sell the balloons. Jim's job was to blow them up.
BONE UP ON: (inseparable) to review, study, or practice a subject for a short period of time
I need to bone up on my math as I have a university entrance exam at the end of the month.
BOSS AROUND: (separable) to tell someone what to do repeatedly
Mary likes to boss people around.
BREAK DOWN: (intransitive) to stop functioning
John had to learn to become a good mechanic as his car was always breaking down.
BREAK DOWN: (intransitive) to lose control of one's emotions
Max broke down in tears when he heard that Mary had been arrested.
BREAK IN: (separable) to work or repeatedly use something so that it becomes comfortable or easily usable
Max's shoes hurt him as he had not yet broke them in.
BREAK IN: (intransitive) to forcibly enter a building
Max called the police when he thought he heard someone breaking in.
BREAK INTO: (inseparable) to forcibly enter
Mary broke into the car to steal the stereo.
BREAK OUT: (intransitive) to suddenly develop or erupt
A riot broke out in Los Angeles today.
BREAK UP: (separable) to cause to disperse or scatter
What time did the cops break the party up last night?
BREAK UP (WITH): (separable) to end a relationship
Have Tom and Mary broken up yet? I'm thinking about asking Mary out on a date. The Beatles broke up a long time ago. Some people say that Yoko broke the band up. I'm going to break up with Mary. she bores me.
BRING ABOUT: (inseparable) to make happen
Max?s new girlfriend brought about some positive changes in his behavior.
BRING AROUND: (separable) to guide someone or convey something
I will bring the new intern around the office when she gets here.
BRING AROUND: (separable) to persuade, to cause to some on to do something through persuasion
Mary?s passionate speech brought Max around to donating to her organization.
BRING DOWN: (separable) to cause to fall
Michael Moore is hoping to bring the Bush administration down.
BRING FORTH: (separable) to produce or give rise to
The eager new intern brought forth many new ideas on how to run the company.
BRING IN: (separable) to arrest someone; to bring someone to the police station (usually for questioning)
The police brought Max in for robbing the bank.
BRING IN: (separable) to reach a verdict
The judge declared a mistrial because the jury could not bring in a verdict.
BRING IN: (separable) to earn money
Jill hates her new job, but she?s bringing in a lot of money.
BRING ON: (separable) to cause to appear
Bring on the birthday cake!
BRING UP: (separable) to raise or rear
Mowgli was a boy brought up by wolves.
BRING UP: (separable) to mention
When talking to Mary, Max never brings up her criminal record.
BRUSH UP ON: (intransitive) to practice; to improve your skill or knowledge
Max went back to school to brush up on mathematics.
BURN DOWN: (separable) to destroy by fire
Please don't smoke in bed for you may burn the house down.
BUTT IN: (intransitive) to enter a conversation uninvited
"Excuse me for butting in, but I couldn't help overhearing..."
CALL OFF: (separable) to cancel
Mary decided to call off her wedding with max.
CALL UP: (separable) to telephone
Mary called the priest up to tell him the wedding was off.
CALM DOWN: (separable) to stop being emotionally distressed
Max was so upset that nothing could calm him down.
CARRY ON: (intransitive) to continue
Max was not sure if he could carry on any longer.
CATCH ON: (intransitive) to become popular
Max is hoping that being short, fat, and bald will catch on.
CHECK IN: (separable) to register(usually at a hotel, airport, or hospital)
The terrorist sweated nervously as he checked his baggage in.
CHEER ON: (separable) to support or encourage with shouts of praise
The crowd at the marathon cheered the runners on.
CHEER UP: (intransitive) to become happier or less miserable
Max cheered up at the end of the night.
CHEER UP: (separable) to make someone become happier or less miserable
We tried very hard to cheer Mary up, but nothing we did worked.
CHICKEN OUT: (intransitive) not to do something because of fear
Max wanted to ask Mary out on a date, but he chickened out.
CLEAN UP: (separable) to clean completely
When living with others it is important to clean up after yourself.
COLOR IN: (separable) to fill with color (usually an outline)
Max happily colored in the pictures in his textbook.
COME ABOUT: (intransitive) to happen
How did that come about?
COME ACROSS: (inseparable) to find by chance
As Max was cleaning up his room he came across Mary's phone number.
COME ALONG: (intransitive) to appear
Max was quite happy until Mary came along.
COME ALONG: (intransitive) to accompany someone who takes the lead
Ralph asked me to come along on the trip, but I decided not to.
COME ALONG: (intransitive) to progress
Things are coming along well at work these days.
COME AROUND: (intransitive) to change one?s opinion or position
After our long debate, Max finally came around to my point of view.
COME BACK: (intransitive) to reply, retort
When Max criticized Mary, Mary came back with some very sharp criticism of Max.
COME BACK: (intransitive) to even the score (sports)
France came back to beat England after being down 1-0 all game.
COME BACK: (intransitive) to recall
I think I remember that story. It?s all coming back to me now.
COME BACK: (intransitive) to be restored
I was sick and weak, but now I feel better and my strength is coming back.
COME BACK: (intransitive) to return to a place one has been before; to return to a previous activity
Max left our office, but quickly came back after discovering he had left his keys here.
COME BY: (inseparable) to obtain (accidentally)
I?m not sure how I came by this hat, but I?ve had it for years.
COME BY: (intransitive) to visit informally
I was in the neighborhood so I thought I would come by to see how you were doing.
COME DOWN: (intransitive) to become sick
Max came down with the flu.
COME DOWN: (intransitive) to reduce to the essential element
In politics everything really just comes down to the economy.
COME DOWN: (intransitive) to precipitate, fall from clouds
Snow has been coming down for about 2 hours now.
COME DOWN: (intransitive) to descend, fall, go down
It?s been hot all day. Finally the temperature is starting to come down a bit.
COME DOWN: (intransitive) to criticize
Max came down on Mary for not washing the dishes after dinner.
COME IN: (intransitive) to arrive, get in
News came in that next year?s car models have just come in.
COME IN: (intransitive) to place in a race or contest
Frank came in second in the Boston Marathon.
COME IN: (intransitive) to be received (signal)
No matter how much Max adjusted the antenna, the radio station just didn?t come in very well.
COME INTO: (inseparable) to acquire
Mary came into a lot of money when her grandfather passed away.
COME OFF: (intransitive) to appear
George doesn?t come off as being very intelligent.
COME OFF: (intransitive) to fare, happen in a particular manner
The meeting came off as well as could be expected.
COME OFF: (inseparable) to have recently completed or recovered from
After coming off a nasty hip injury, Andre went on to win the US Open.
COME ON: (inseparable) to advance progressively
Our soccer game ended as darkness came on.
COME ON: (intransitive) to project a particular personal image
Mary comes on as a very serious person, but is actually quite fun.
COME ON: (intransitive) to start running, become available
I wish the electricity would come on again. It?s dark in here
COME OUT: (intransitive) to become known, to come into public view, to debut
The news of the candidates past sexual misconduct came out just before the election.
COME OUT: (intransitive) to turn out, result
Everything came out fine in the end
COME OUT: (intransitive) to declare one?s position publicly
The senator came out against gay marriage.
COME OUT: (intransitive) to reveal that oneself as homosexual
After years of trying to act straight, Max finally came out.
COME OVER: (intransitive) to change sides
Mary has finally come over to our way of seeing things.
COME OVER: (intransitive) to visit casually
Max and Mary are coming over to watch football tonight.
COME THROUGH: (intransitive) to do what is expected or required
I really needed to get tickets to the show and Max, my buddy, came through for me and got me a pair.
COME THROUGH: (intransitive) to be communicated
Mary?s displeasure with Max really came through when she hit him upside the head.
COME UP: (intransitive) to be mentioned
In Max's conversation with Mary, the topic of their wedding never came up.
COME UP: (intransitive) to approach, draw near
Mary came up and introduced herself.
COME UP WITH: (inseparable) think of
Max came up with a brilliant idea.
COME UPON: (inseparable) to meet or discover by accident
Max came upon a twenty dollar bill while walking down the street.
COPY DOWN: (separable) to record in writing
Max told Mary about the idea. She copied it down and sold it to the highest bidder.
CRANK UP: (separable) to increase the power or volume
Every time that song comes on the radio, I crank it up.
CROSS OUT: (separable) to draw a line through something
I didn?t have an eraser, so I had to cross out my mistakes instead.
CUT DOWN: (inseparable) to reduce
Max decided to cut down his alcohol consumption.
DIE DOWN: (intransitive) to decrease
The noise from the party finally died down around four in the morning.
DIG UP: (separable) to look for and find hidden things or information
Mary was paid thousands of dollars to dig up some dirt on that promising politician.
DISH OUT: (separable) to allocate, dispense, or distribute food from a container
After dinner, Max dished out some delicious fruit salad for desert.
DOZE OFF: (intransitive) to fall asleep
You know you're a boring speaker when your entire audience dozes off.
DRAG ON: (intransitive) to continue for what seems to be an extrememly long time
The politicians speech dragged on and on.
DRAW UP: (separable) to prepare
Lee Harvey was happy to have the Soviets draw up the assassination plans.
DREAM UP: (separable) to think of (something new)
The CIA and the KGB were always dreaming up new ways of keeping tabs on each other.
DRESS UP: (separable) to put on formal or very nice clothing
Mary likes to dress her son up to go to church.
DRINK UP: (separable) to finish a drink
Bobby drank his juice up and went to bed.
DROP OFF: (separable) to unload or deliver (on the way to somewhere else)
If you?re going to the store, could you drop me off at Mary?s house on the way?
DROP OFF: (intransitive) to decline (in number)
Towards the end of the school year university enrollment numbers drop off a little.
DROWN OUT: (separable) to make a sound inaudible with a louder sound
Max uses his iPod to drown out all of the people?s voices around him.
EAT OUT: (intransitive) to go out to a restaurant to eat
Max was tired of eating out, so he stayed home and had a TV dinner.
EAT UP: (separable) to finish a meal
You must eat up all of your vegetables before you can have cake.
EMPTY OUT: (separable) to remove everything from a container making it empty
Max emptied the refrigerator out.
EMPTY OUT: (intransitive) to be vacated by people
The concert hall emptied out as soon as the concert was over.
END UP: (intransitive) to arrive at a destination or result which may be unplanned or unexpected
Max drank so much last night that he ended up in a strange bed in a strange apartment.
EVEN OUT: (separable) to make something measure the same as something else
Max has trouble evening out his sideburns since one ear is lower than the other.
FALL APART: (intransitive) to come apart, disintegrate
My new Ford fell apart soon after I got it.
FALL APART: (intransitive) to suffer an emotional breakdown
Mary fell apart soon after the divorce.
FALL DOWN: (intransitive) to fall to the ground or floor
Mary fell down and hurt her left knee.
FALL FOR: (inseparable) to be deceived or to suddenly become attracted to someone or something
Mary fell for the trick that Max played on her.
FIGHT OFF: (separable) to keep something or someone away
Bill had trouble fighting all of the young ladies off.
FILL IN: (separable) to complete where needed
Please fill in the blanks.
FILL UP: (separable) to fill completely
You can borrow my car, but please fill up the tank before you return it.
FIND OUT: (separable) to learn or discover
Mary was mad when she found out that she was adopted.
FIT IN: (intransitive) to get along with others in a group
Bill decided to go into politics when he discovered he didn't fit in anywhere else.
FREE UP: (separable) to make something available (it was previously unavailable)
Getting fired from my job freed up my schedule quite a bit. Now I can go to the beach anytime I want.
GET ABOUT: (intransitive) to go from place to place
Mary gets about quite well without a car.
GET ACROSS: (separable) to communicate clearly or convincingly
No matter how hard I tried I couldn't get the message across to her that I cared.
GET ACROSS: (intransitive) to be convincing or clear
Max has trouble getting across to members of the opposite sex.
GET AHEAD: (intransitive) to make progress in becoming successful
Max compliments his boss constantly in order to het ahead.
GET ALONG: (intransitive) to advance (especially in years)
George is really getting along in years. Is he going to retire soon?
GET ALONG: (intransitive) have a congenial relationship with someone
Jane and John get along quite well, but Mary and Max can?t even stand to be in the same room.
GET ALONG: (intransitive) to manage or fare reasonably
Max is able to get along each day on just 2 slices of bread and a glass of water.
GET AROUND: (inseparable) to evade, circumvent
George hired many lawyers to help him find ways to get around various laws.
GET AROUND: (intransitive) to go from place to place
Since my car broke down, I?ve been getting around by bicycle.
GET AROUND: (intransitive) to become known, circulate
Word got around that Mary was pregnant.
GET AT: (inseparable) to access or reach
Could you please scratch my back? I have this itch that I just can?t quite get at.
GET AT: (intransitive) to hint, suggest, convey, or try to make understandable
I think I know what you are getting at, but I?m not certain.
GET AWAY: (intransitive) to escape
Max had a dream that a very fat woman was attacking him and he couldn't get away.
GET BACK: (separable) to have something returned
When Mary called her engagement with Max off, Max tried to get the ring back.
GET BACK: (intransitive) to return
Max got back late from the soccer match.
GET BY: (intransitive) to succeed with minimum effort and minimum achievement
Since George was a student, he has made a habit of just getting by.
GET BY: (intransitive) to survive or manage
We were able to get by on just a few dollars per week.
GET BY: (inseparable) to proceed unnoticed, ignored, or without being criticized, or punished
The tainted meat got by the inspectors.
GET DOWN: (intransitive) to descend or lower
Max got down on his knees and prayed.
GET DOWN: (intransitive) give one?s consideration or attention (used with to)
Now that we?ve finished lunch, I am ready to get down to business.
GET DOWN: (separable) to depress, exhaust or discourage
Talking about politics really gets me down.
GET DOWN: (separable) to put in writing
Did you get everything I said down?
GET IN: (intransitive) to arrive
When did you get in from Paris?
GET INTO: (inseparable) to be involved with
If you get into the wrong crowd, you are likely to get into a lot of trouble.
GET OFF: (intransitive) to receive extreme pleasure
Max gets off on burning ants with his magnifying glass.
GET OFF: (intransitive) to receive a lesser punishment than what might be expected
Mary got off with only two years in prison for the attempted murder of Max.
GET OFF: (inseparable) to dismount
Max got off his bicycle to tie his shoe
GET OFF: (separable) to give great pleasure
Burning ants gets Max off.
GET OUT: (intransitive) to become known
The news about Mary got out very quickly.
GET OUT: (intransitive) to escape or leave
Sam wouldn't stop talking so we asked him to get out.
GET OUT: (separable) cause to escape or leave
Please get that cat out of here.
GET OVER: (inseparable) to overcome, recover from
Max finally got over the flu.
GET THROUGH: (inseparable) to finish something completely; to arrive at the end of something
It took me almost two weeks to get through that book.
GET TO: (inseparable) to annoy
That buzzing sound really gets to me.
GET TO: (inseparable) to arrive at, to progress to
I can?t wait to get to school.
GET TOGETHER: (intransitive) to meet
Let's get together tomorrow night.
GET UP: (intransitive) to rise to one's feet or arise from bed; to climb
Mary gets up at sunrise to go jogging every morning.
GET UP: (separable) to cause to rise
Mary got Max up early this morning so that he could make her breakfast.
GIVE BACK: (separable) to return something
Mary did not want to give Max the wedding ring back.
GIVE OUT: (inseparable) to distribute
Mary is very happy that they give needles out at the local clinic.
GIVE UP: (separable) to stop, quit, or abandon
Max gave up smoking ten years ago.
GO ALONG: (intransitive) to cooperate
To go along with the crowd is the easiest thing, but not always the wisest thing.
GO AROUND: (intransitive) to satisfy a demand or need
While there are certainly more jobs now, there are still not enough to go around.
GO AROUND: (intransitive) to circulate
There are some rumors about Mary going around.
GO AWAY: (intransitive) to leave
Max and Mary went away for the summer.
GO BY: (intransitive) to pass; elapse
As the years go by, I grow older but not wiser.
GO BY: (inseparable) to act in accordance
If you go by the rules, you shouldn?t have any trouble.
GO DOWN: (intransitive) to go under; to drop below the horizon; to sink
I hope to get to the beach before the sun goes down.
GO DOWN: (intransitive) to ingest
Water goes down especially well after a long hard soccer match.
GO OFF: (intransitive) to explode; detonate
Bombs went off all around the city.
GO OFF: (intransitive) to happen in a particular manner
Mary's dinner party last night went off very well.
GO OVER: (intransitive) to gain approval
How did your request for a pay raise go over with your boss?
GO OVER: (inseparable) to check; examine
The mechanic went over the engine to see if there were any problems.
GO THROUGH: (inseparable) to experience; endure
Mary and Max went through a lot to make their business a success.
GO UNDER: (intransitive) to fail; to be defeated
Jack and Jill's drinking water business went under almost right away.
GROW UP: (intransitive) to change from child to adult
Mary thinks that Max will never grow up.
HAND IN: (separable) to turn in or give work you have done
Max was embarrassed about handing in his homework late.
HAND OUT: (separable) to distribute
Lee Harvey often handed out leaflets on the street corner.
HANG AROUND: (intransitive) to spend time
Max likes to hang around with his friends at the local bar.
HANG UP: (separable) to place something on something (usually a hook or hanger) so that it doesn't touch the ground; to terminate a phone call
Max gets irritated with Mary for not hanging up her clothes after she does the laundry.
HIKE UP: (separable) to pull up or raise (usually clothing)
When he crossed the flooded street, Max hiked up his pants, so they wouldn't get wet.
HIKE UP: (separable) to suddenly raise in amount
Every summer oil companies hike up gas prices. Once Boxmart has destroyed all of its competition in a certain area, they hike up their prices.
HOLD BACK: (separable) to restrain
When I saw Max's new haircut, I had a hard time holding back my laughter.
HOLD DOWN: (separable) to keep a job
Mary has never been able to hold down a job.
HOLD ON: (intransitive) to wait
Hold on a moment. I need to tie my shoe.
HUNT DOWN: (separable) to pursue to find or capture someone or something
Max hunted the waitress down, so that he could order dinner.
HURRY UP: (intransitive) to do faster
Hurry up. We are running late.
HUSH UP: (intransitive) to become quiet
After the teacher screamed at the top of her lungs, the children hushed up.
HUSH UP: (separable) to make someone become quiet
The teacher hushed up the kids.
JOT DOWN: (separable) to copy down or make a note of
Max jotted down a few notes as the professor spoke.
JUMP IN: (intransitive) to join an activity while it?s in progress; to interrupt
I was telling the story to Mary, but Max kept jumping in.
KEEP AWAY: (separable) to not allow to come near
Max was so popular with the girls that he couldn't keep them away.
KEEP DOWN: (separable) to control; subdue; repress
You can have a party, but please keep the noise down as much as possible.
KEEP OFF: (inseparable) to not consume
Scott is having a difficult time keeping off drugs.
KEEP OFF: (inseparable) to not walk on
Please keep off the grass.
KEEP ON: (intransitive) to continue
No matter how many times you fail, you must keep on trying.
KEEP UP: (separable) to maintain in good condition; to persist; persevere in
Excellent work! Keep it up.
KEEP UP: (separable) to prevent from going to sleep
The neighbor's barking dog kept me up all night.
KEEP UP: (intransitive) to stay informed
Max reads the newspaper in order to keep up with current events.
KEEP UP: (intransitive) maintain a required pace or level in competition (often in lifestyle)
Max spent all of his money and time trying to keep up with his neighbors.
KICK OUT: (separable) to force to leave
The bouncers kicked Max out of the bar for starting a fight.
KNEEL DOWN: (intransitive) to go down on your knees
Before he goes to bed, Max kneels down to pray.
KNOCK OUT: (intransitive) to make someone unconscious
That last drink I had really knocked me out.
LAY OFF: (separable) to dismiss from a job
General Motors usually lays workers off just before Christmas so that the CEO can get a large bonus.
LEAVE OUT: (separable) to not include
A margarita is not a margarita if you leave the tequila out.
LET DOWN: (separable) to disappoint
The team let the coach down.
LIE DOWN: (intransitive) to recline
I like to lie down in my hammock and read.
LIFT UP: (separable) to elevate something
Max could not lift Mary up because she was too heavy.
LINE UP: (separable) to put in a row
Max likes to line up his dominos and then knock them down.
LINE UP: (intransitive) to stand in a line
The prisoners had to line up before they could enter the dining hall.
LOCK IN: (separable) to lock the door so that someone can't leave
Mary was afraid that Max might flee, so she locked him in.
LOCK OUT: (separable) to lock the door so that someone can't enter
Jane locked Jack out of the bathroom because she wanted some privacy.
LOOK DOWN ON: (inseparable) to consider inferior
The rich lady looked down on the poor homeless people in the park.
LOOK INTO: (inseparable) to investigate
The grand jury is looking into the allegations that bribes influenced the mayor's actions.
LOOK OUT: (intransitive) to be careful; watchful; to protect someone's interests
Most politicians just look out for themselves and their wealthy constituents. They have little regard for the average person.
LOOK OVER: (separable) to inspect or examine (swiftly)
I looked over the contract this morning and everything seems fine.
LOOK UP: (separable) to find information in a book, or booklike source
Mary decided to look up her ex-boyfriend's phone number
LOP OFF: (separable) to cut something off (a limb or branch of a tree)
The carpenter accidentally lopped off two of his fingers when he was cutting some wood.
MAKE UP: (separable) to invent (a story)
Bill is good at making up stories to get himself out of trouble.
MARK DOWN: (separable) to reduce prices
K-mart often marks its prices down.
MARK DOWN: (separable) to write or make a note on something
Max marked the phone number down so that he wouldn?t forget it.
MEASURE UP: (intransitive) to reach a standard or expectation
Mary would not marry Max because she felt that he just didn't measure up.
MESS UP: (separable) to make disorganized or messy
Please do not mess up the house. We are having guests over tonight.
MOVE ON: (intransitive) to progress onwards
Let's move on. I'm tired of talking about that.
NOD OFF: (intransitive) to fall asleep (usually not intending to)
Mary nodded off in English class.
OPEN UP: (intransitive) to talk openly
Max was the only one that Mary would ever open up to.
PASS OUT: (intransitive) to lose consciousness
Mary was so tired that she passed out as soon as she got home.
PASS OUT: (separable) to distribute
The teacher passed the assignment out.
PAY BACK: (separable) to reciprocate a bad deed
Al paid George back by punching him in the nose.
PAY BACK: (separable) to give money back that you borrowed
Max is avoiding Mary because he doesn't have the money to pay her back.
PAY OFF: (separable) to pay all of the money you owe
Some day I hope to pay off my student loans.
PENCIL IN: (separable) to schedule someone or something tentatively
I will pencil our meeting in for tomorrow at two o'clock.
PERK UP: (intransitive) to become more cheerful or lively
The movie perked up a little at the end, but overall it was quite dull.
PERK UP: (separable) to cause to be more cheerful or lively
Tom brought some flowers to Mary in the hospital. He was hoping to perk her up with them. Unfortunately, she is allergic to flowers.
PICK OUT: (separable) to choose
When shopping for watermelon, I like to pick out the biggest.
PLAY DOWN: (separable) to make something seem less important
Max played down his car accident so that his mother wouldn't get worried.
PRINT OUT: (separable) to print something from a computer
I need to buy some more paper for my printer so that I can print out my report for history class.
PULL DOWN: (separable) to pull something so that it comes down
When Max drinks too much, he sometimes pulls his pants down in public.
PUT ACROSS: (separable) to communicate; convey effectively
During the meeting, management put across the message that our concerns were insignificant.
PUT AWAY: (separable) to discard; renounce
Let's put away our worries, and live for the moment.
PUT AWAY: (separable) to consume
I watched Max put away several hamburgers in just a few minutes.
PUT AWAY: (separable) to confine; incarcerate; imprison
The government put Sherman away for a year for having the wrong information on his website.
PUT BACK: (separable) to place something where it was previously
When you finish the milk, please don't put the empty container back in the fridge.
PUT DOWN: (separable) to insult or make disparaging remarks about someone
I feel sorry for Max. Everytime he and Mary get together with their friends Mary puts him down in front of everybody.
PUT DOWN: (separable) to kill a sick or injured animal (usually out of mercy)
The vet said it was necessary to put down the race horse because of its broken leg.
PUT OFF: (separable) to postpone
Many students put off doing their homework until it is almost too late.
PUT ON: (separable) to dress oneself with; to wear; to don
Mary put her best dress on.
PUT ON: (separable) to produce; perform
The theater group put on a great show.
PUT ON: (separable) to fool; mislead for amusement
You're putting me on!
PUT OUT: (separable) to extinguish
The firefighters put the fire out.
PUT OUT: (separable) to publish; issue
The government put out a news brief to misinform the public.
PUT OUT: (separable) to exert, extend
The workers put out considerable effort to get the job done on time.
PUT OUT: (separable) to expel
Please put the cat out.
PUT THROUGH: (separable) to implement; bring to a successful conclusion
The committee was unable to put through any reforms on campaign financing.
PUT THROUGH: (separable) to make a telephone connection for
Operator, put me through to the president!
PUT UP: (separable) to raise; erect; build
The construction workers put the buildings up in just a few days.
PUT UP: (separable) to accommodate; provide food a shelter to
The government put the refugees up in temporary housing.
PUT UP WITH: (inseparable) to tolerate
Max has great difficulty putting up with noisy children.
QUIET DOWN: (separable) to be less noisy
Class, please quiet down. I'm trying to think.
RACK UP: (separable) to accumulate in number (score)
You?d better watch where you park. You?re really racking up the parking tickets.
READ OFF: (separable) to read aloud items from a list or display
The coach read off the names of the players cut from the team.
READ OVER: (separable) to read something thoroughly
Before you sign the contract, please read it over.
RENT OUT: (separable) to grant temporary use or occupancy in exchange for payment
Max rents one of the rooms in house out to make a little extra money.
RIP OFF: (separable) to steal something
Max ripped twenty dollars off from that old lady.
RIP UP: (separable) to tear something into pieces
The teacher ripped Max's test up because he caught Max cheating.
RUN AWAY: (intransitive) to escape from one's guardians
Mary ran away at the age of thirteen.
RUN INTO: (inseparable) to meet unexpectedly
I was surprised when I ran into Bill on the way to the store yesterday.
RUN OVER: (separable) to hit with a vehicle
Bill ran over a cat on his way to work.
RUSH IN: (intransitive) to enter quickly
The students rushed in because they were eager to learn.
RUSH OUT: (intransitive) to exit quickly
The workers all rushed out because it was time to go home.
SAVE UP: (separable) to collect money for future use
Max is saving up for a brand new car.
SCREW UP: (separable) to make a mistake or do something wrong
Max screwed up his relationship with Mary.
SELL OUT: (separable) to compromise one's values for personal gain
Catherine sold out. I guess power and money mean more to her than what she said were her personal values.
SELL OUT: (separable) to sell everything in the store
We can't go to the concert. The tickets have been sold out
SEND BACK: (separable) to return something
I sent the soup back to the kitchen because there was a fly in it.
SET UP: (separable) to start, organize, or configure
Max asked Mary to set up his computer.
SETTLE DOWN: (intransitive) to become calm; to start living a quiet family life
Max started to look for a wife because he thought it was time to settle down.
SETTLE DOWN: (separable) to get someone to become calm
Settle John down. The neighbors are trying to sleep.
SHAVE OFF: (separable) to remove hair by shaving
Michael Jordan first shaved off all of his hair when he was in his twenties.
SHOOT DOWN: (separable) to make something hit the ground by shooting it
yugoslavia shot down one US warplane.
SHOUT OUT: (separable) to speak very loudly; to announce
Max shouted the directions to his house out.
SHOW OFF: (separable) to try to impress by doing or showing
When Bill did that trick with the cigar, he was just showing off.
SHRUG OFF: (separable) to dismiss something as unimportant
The president shrugged off his extremely low poll numbers.
SIMMER DOWN: (intransitive) to become less angry
Bill allowed his wife to simmer down before he asked for forgiveness.
SIT AROUND: (intransitive) to just sit not doing much
I don't do much work besides sitting around because to do anything more would be a violation of union rules.
SORT OUT: (separable) to arrange or separate by type, class, category, etc.
Max sorted his socks out.
SORT OUT: (separable) to resolve problems or difficulties
Max tried to sort out the misunderstanding he had with Mary.
SPEAK UP: (intransitive) to speak more loudly
Speak up. I can't hear you.
SPLIT UP: (separable) to divide
The bank robbers split the money up equally.
STAND IN FOR: (inseparable) to take someone's place
Mary stood in for her boss while he was away.
STAND OUT: (intransitive) to be prominent or conspicuous
Max's car stands out among all of the cars in the parking lot because of its florescent green paintjob.
STAND UP: (intransitive) to rise to an erect position
All of the people in the courtroom stood up when the judge entered.
STAY IN: (intransitive) to not go out
Bill decided to stay in this weekend because he was tired of going out.
STAY OUT: (intransitive) to not return home past the regular time
Bill got angry when his wife stayed out all night.
STOP BY: (inseparable) to stop for a brief visit (usually on the way to somewhere else)
Max stopped by Mary?s house on his way home from school.
TAKE APART: (separable) to dismantle or disassemble
Max took the engine of his car apart, but couldn't put it back together.
TAKE BACK: (separable) to return
Max took the defective radio back to the sore where he bought it.
TAKE BACK: (separable) to retrieve something you gave or said
I take it back. Mark isn't nearly as dumb as I said.
TAKE DOWN: (separable) to lower
Max took his pants down so that the nurse could give him an injection.
TAKE DOWN: (separable) to dismantle; disassemble; take apart
Max took down his tent and went home.
TAKE DOWN: (separable) to lower one's self-esteem
Mary's constant criticism has taken Max down considerably.
TAKE IN: (separable) to reduce in size; make smaller
Max lost a lot of weight and had to have all of his pants taken in.
TAKE IN: (separable) to give shelter to; to receive as a guest, or lodger
The Smiths took Barney in while he was in town.
TAKE IN: (separable) to see for enjoyment
We took in the sights in the morning and took in a movie later in the evening.
TAKE OFF: (intransitive) to depart (aircraft)
When the plane takes off, you must have your seatbelt on and your seat must be in its upright position.
TAKE OFF: (separable) to remove from something
I'm going to take my jacket off. It's hot in here. Take you hand off my knee. I'm not that kind of girl.
TAKE ON: (separable) undertake; assume; acquire
Max took on a lot of new responsibilities.
TAKE ON: (separable) to contend against an opponent
I think I can take on Mike Tyson.
TAKE OUT: (separable) to take someone on a date
Max took Mary out to a fancy restaurant.
TAKE OUT: (separable) to extract; remove
Max takes out the trash every night.
TAKE OVER: (separable) to gain control of
Someday I will take over the world.
TAKE UP: (separable) to pursue; turn one's interest to
Max decided to take up golfing.
TAKE UP: (separable) to consume or fill time or space
Homework takes up all of my time.
TALK INTO: (separable) to persuade to do something
Max talked Mary into going to Mexico with him.
TALK OUT OF: (separable) to persuade not to do something
Bill talked his wife out of divorcing him.
TANGLE UP: (separable) to twist and mix together into a confused mass
Max accidentally tangled the electrical cords up.
TEAR OFF: (separable) to remove something by tearing
Chastain made headlines when she tore off her jersey after scoring the winning goal.
THAW OUT: (intransitive) to change from a frozen state to a non-frozen state
The ice-covered lakes thaw out in the springtime.
THAW OUT: (separable) to cause something to change from a frozen state to a non-frozen state by warming it
The warm sun thawed out the icy sidewalk.
THINK OVER: (separable) to give something a lot of thought
Before you make a big decision, you should think it over.
THROW AWAY: (separable) to discard as trash
Lee threw away the parking ticket soon after he received it.
THROW OUT: (separable) to discard
Mary threw out all of her old clothes.
THROW UP: (separable) to vomit
Mary ate so many cookies that she threw up.
TIDY UP: (separable) to clean; put in order; make neat
Max had better tidy up his office before the boss comes back from vacation.
TIP OFF: (separable) to inform
Max tipped off the police about the imminent terrorist attack.
TRADE IN: (separable) to exchange something (usually used) for payment or partial payment for something else.
Max traded his old jalopy in as a down payment on a new BMW.
TRY ON: (separable) to put clothes on to see if it fits
Be sure to try athletic shoes on before you buy them.
TRY OUT: (separable) to test to see if something is suitable
I'm going to try out some new recipes for dinner this week.
TURN AWAY: (separable) to reject; refuse; dismiss
The church turned away the people with no money to pay.
TURN AWAY: (separable) to repel; deflect
His sheer arrogance turned away many potential friends.
TURN AWAY: (intransitive) to move so that you are not facing someone
When Max entered the room, Mary turned away. She could not face him after what he had done.
TURN BACK: (intransitive) to return; revert; backtrack
We started on our trip, but the weather was so bad that we decided to turn back.
TURN BACK: (separable) to drive away; to halt the advance of
The soldiers tried with all of their might to turn back the invading forces.
TURN DOWN: (separable) to decrease
Please turn the radio down. It's too loud.
TURN DOWN: (separable) to reject
Bill asked 100 girls to go out on a date with him. All but one turned him down.
TURN IN: (separable) to submit or give work done for someone
Max turns in his homework almost always on time.
TURN OFF: (separable) to disgust
Selfish people really turn me off.
TURN OFF: (separable) to switch a machine or electrical device to the off posiiton
Please turn off the lights when you leave the room.
TURN ON: (separable) to switch on ; to cause to operate or flow
Max was bored so he turned the TV on.
TURN ON: (separable) to excite pleasurably
Mathematics turns me on.
TURN OUT: (separable) to switch off
Please turn out the lights.
TURN OVER: (separable) to invert; rotate
Once the pancake is done on one side, please turn it over to cook the other side.
TURN UP: (separable) to increase
Please turn the radio up. I can hardly hear it.
USE UP: (separable) to use all of
Max used up all of the ink printing his pictures.
WALK OUT: (intransitive) to leave as a sign of protest
The workers walked out to protest the low wages.
WATER DOWN: (separable) to make weaker
Don't go to that bar. The bartender waters down all of the drinks.
WEAR DOWN: (separable) to cause to be worn or weak
Your constant nagging is wearing me down.
WEAR OFF: (separable) to no longer affect someone
Oh no, call the doctor. the drugs are wearing off.
WIPE OFF: (separable) to clean a surface by dragging a towel or sponge across it
After dinner, please wipe off the table and wash the dishes.
WRITE DOWN: (separable) to record in writing
In that class, you should write down everything that the professor says. It's likely to be on the test.
ZIP UP: (separable) to close with a zipper
Everyone was staring because Max forgot to zip up his pants.