20 popular phrasal verbs
Break up
Meaning: to end a relationship
Example: John and Mary broke up after 7 months of dating.
Bring up
Meaning: to mention something
Example: Remember, don’t bring up Mary’s breakup when you talk to her.
Carry on
Meaning: to continue doing what you have been doing
Example: Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. Carry on with your speech.
Carry out
Meaning: to perform a task or assignment
Example: I couldn’t carry out my plan for the month.
Come across
Meaning: to seem or appear to have a specific quality, to make a certain impression on someone
Example: John comes across as a very positive person.
Find out
Meaning: to learn of or discover facts/information about something or someone
Example: I wanted to find out where Helena was from, I couldn’t tell by her accent.
Get along
Meaning: to have a friendly relationship with someone
Example: Alice and Sue get along very well, they never fight.
Get over
Meaning: to recover from a difficult or upsetting experience
Example: John can’t get over his breakup with Mary, it’s all he can think about.
Give up
Meaning: to stop trying to do something due to a lack of success
Example: Joan and Peter didn’t give up, they are still trying to have a baby.
Go on
Meaning: to continue
Example: The teacher waited for the students to quiet down before he went on with the lecture.
Look after
Meaning: to take care of someone, attend to
Example: Tom’s parents look after his kids when he has to work on the weekends.
Look forward to
Meaning: to anticipate something
Example: I’m looking forward to meeting my brother’s new girlfriend.
Look up
Meaning: to search for information
Example: My professor uses such difficult language that I have to look words up in a dictionary.
Put off
Meaning: postpone
Example: He had to put off the meeting because he was very busy.
Put up with
Meaning: to endure or tolerate
Example: I can’t put up with your behavior anymore.
Take over
Meaning: to assume control over something
Example: Mrs. Jones, the math teacher, is taking a maternity leave and Mrs. Green will be taking over.
Take up
Meaning: to develop an interest in something
Example: Greg took up hiking, because he wanted to spend more time outdoors.
Try on
Meaning: to put on an item of clothing in order to see if it fits
Example: These shoes look amazing, I want to try them on.
Turn out
Meaning: to end up, result
Example: The cake turned out to be very good, although Annie had a problem making it.
Work out
Meaning: end happily
Example: I was worried about the play I directed, but it all worked out in the end.
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