Vocabulary

List of Phrasal Verbs

100 Phrasal Verbs List – Examples and Usage

Learning phrasal verbs in English can be challenging because their meanings aren’t always straightforward. Without understanding their usage, learners often struggle with fluency. This blog post helps learn common phrasal verbs list to improve your vocabulary and speaking skills. Master these essential expressions for more natural English conversations.

What is a Phrasal Verb?

A phrasal verb is a phrase that combines a verb with one or more particles (either a preposition or an adverb) to create a meaning that is different from the original verb. These combinations often have idiomatic meanings that may not be immediately clear from the individual words. Phrasal verbs are commonly used in English conversations and are an essential part of the language.

List of Phrasal Verbs With Examples

  • Bring up
    I don’t want to bring up that topic right now.
  • Call off
    They decided to call off the meeting due to the weather.
  • Check in
    Please check in at the front desk when you arrive.
  • Come across
    I came across an interesting article on history.
  • Give up
    Don’t give up on your dreams, Ahmed!
  • Go on
    The show must go on despite the difficulties.
  • Hang out
    I like to hang out with my friends after school.
  • Look after
    Can you look after my dog while I’m on vacation?
  • Pick up
    Please pick up the phone when it rings.
  • Run into
    I ran into my old friend at the mall yesterday.

A to Z Phrasal Verbs List In English

  • Ask out
  • Add up
  • Act up
  • Bring up
  • Break down
  • Back up
  • Call off
  • Carry on
  • Come across
  • Do over
  • Drop off
  • Drive off
  • Eat out
  • End up
  • Ease off
  • Figure out
  • Fill out
  • Fall for
  • Give up
  • Go on
  • Get along
  • Hang out
  • Help out
  • Hold up
  • Iron out
  • Invite over
  • Iron out
  • Jump in
  • Jot down
  • Join in
  • Keep up
  • Kick off
  • Knock out
  • Look after
  • Look forward to
  • Let down
  • Make up
  • Move on
  • Mess up
  • Nod off
  • Nurture up
  • Narrow down
  • Opt out
  • Open up
  • Overlook
  • Pick up
  • Pass out
  • Put off
  • Quit in
  • Quick off
  • Quote back
  • Run into
  • Run out of
  • Reach out
  • Set up
  • Show up
  • Set off
  • Take off
  • Take up
  • Turn around
  • Use up
  • Unwind
  • Unfold
  • Vie for
  • Venture out
  • Vote on
  • Work out
  • Wake up
  • Wind down
  • X-ray (used metaphorically)
  • X out
  • Xchange
  • Yell out
  • Yield up
  • Yoke up
  • Zero in
  • Zip up
  • Zero out
A to Z List of phrasal verbs with meanings and examples in English
A comprehensive list of phrasal verbs with meanings and example sentences

35 Most Common Phrasal Verbs List with Meaning

Phrasal VerbMeaning
Bring upTo start a conversation about something.
Call offTo cancel something.
Check inTo register or arrive at a place (like a hotel).
Give upTo stop trying, surrender.
Pick upTo lift something; to answer a phone call.
Look afterTo take care of something or someone.
Come acrossTo find something by chance.
Turn downTo reject or refuse something.
Look forward toTo eagerly anticipate something.
Go onTo continue.
Hang outTo spend time relaxing or socializing.
Set upTo arrange or establish something.
Run intoTo meet someone unexpectedly.
Work outTo exercise or to solve a problem.
Make upTo invent something, especially a story or excuse.
Take offTo ascend (aircraft); to become successful.
Break downTo stop working (for machines or vehicles).
Call upTo phone someone.
Come up withTo think of something (an idea, plan, etc.).
Show upTo appear, arrive.
Take upTo begin learning or doing something new.
Put offTo delay or postpone something.
Check outTo look at something or to borrow a book.
Cut outTo stop doing something.
Give inTo surrender or yield.
Run out ofTo have no more of something.
Set offTo begin a journey or to activate something.
Pick outTo select from a group of items.
Look up toTo admire or respect someone.
Take overTo assume control or responsibility.
Break upTo end a relationship.
Turn upTo appear, to arrive.
Drop offTo leave something or someone at a location.
Get alongTo have a good relationship.
Keep up withTo stay informed or updated.
35 most common phrasal verbs list with meanings and examples
A list of 35 most common phrasal verbs with their meanings and example sentences

Other Phrasal Verbs List

  • Bail out
  • Act up
  • Back out
  • Blow up
  • Carry on
  • Cheer up
  • Come up with
  • Cut off
  • Dress up
  • Fall apart

100 Phrasal Verbs List with Their Meaning

Phrasal VerbMeaning
Ask outTo invite someone on a date.
Back upTo support or to make a copy.
Blow upTo explode or to get very angry.
Carry onTo continue doing something.
Catch onTo understand something.
Check outTo examine or investigate something.
Come acrossTo meet or find unexpectedly.
Come overTo visit someone.
Cut backTo reduce something.
Drop byTo visit briefly.
Drop offTo leave something or someone somewhere.
Fill outTo complete a form.
Get acrossTo successfully communicate something.
Give awayTo donate something or reveal a secret.
Go offTo explode or sound (e.g., alarm).
Hold upTo delay or to rob.
Iron outTo resolve differences or difficulties.
Join inTo participate in an activity.
Let downTo disappoint someone.
Look afterTo take care of something.
Look intoTo investigate something.
Make outTo understand or see clearly.
Make upTo reconcile after an argument.
Move onTo move forward, start a new phase.
Pick upTo collect something or to improve.
Put offTo delay or postpone something.
Set upTo establish or arrange something.
Show upTo arrive at a place.
Shut downTo close or stop operating.
Turn aroundTo change direction or improve.
Turn downTo reject something.
Work outTo exercise or solve a problem.
100 Phrasal Verbs List with Their Meaning
100 Phrasal Verbs List with Their Meaning

FAQs

What is a phrasal verb?

A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and one or more particles (preposition or adverb) that takes on a meaning different from the original verb.

How do I learn phrasal verbs?

Practice using them in sentences, watch movies, or listen to native speakers. Flashcards are a great tool for memorization.

Are phrasal verbs used in formal writing?

Phrasal verbs are more common in informal spoken language. In formal writing, it’s often better to use single verbs or more formal expressions.

What’s the difference between a regular verb and a phrasal verb?

A regular verb has one meaning (e.g., “run”), while a phrasal verb’s meaning is a combination of the verb and the particle (e.g., “run into” means to meet unexpectedly).

Why are phrasal verbs difficult to learn?

Phrasal verbs can be confusing because their meaning isn’t always obvious from the words themselves, and many verbs have multiple phrasal verb meanings.

What are ten most common phrasal verbs?

Here are ten of the most common phrasal verbs: Get up, Look for, Give up, Pick up, Turn on, Turn off, Bring up, Call off, Run into, and Break down.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we explored a list of phrasal verbs essential for improving your understanding of English. With examples, explanations, and practice questions, you can now use phrasal verbs in both your written and spoken communication more confidently. Keep practicing, and these expressions will soon become a natural part of your vocabulary.

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