50 Phrasal Verbs With Meanings And Examples

Phrasal verbs are a key part of everyday English, making conversations more natural and expressive. These verb phrases consist of a main verb combined with a preposition or an adverb, often creating meanings that differ from the original verb. For example, “give up” means to quit, while “look after” means to take care of something or someone.

Because phrasal verbs don’t always follow predictable rules, they can be tricky to learn. But once you get the hang of them, they’ll make your English sound more natural. This guide covers 50 phrasal verbs with meanings and examples to help you use them confidently.

50 Phrasal Verbs With Meanings and Examples

Here are 50 phrasal verbs along with their meanings and example sentences.

Bring Up – Meaning and Examples

To mention or introduce a topic

This meaning is commonly used in conversations when someone raises a subject.

Examples:

She brought up the budget issues in the meeting.
I didn’t want to bring up the problem, but we need to discuss it.
He always brings up his childhood stories whenever we meet.

To raise or take care of a child

“Bring up” can also refer to raising a child, emphasizing a person’s upbringing.

Examples:

She was brought up in a small town.
They are bringing up their children to be kind and respectful.
After his parents moved abroad, he was brought up by his grandparents

Call Off – Meaning and Examples

To cancel something

“Call off” is commonly used when an event, plan, or activity is canceled. It suggests that something was planned but will no longer happen.

Examples:

They called off the meeting due to bad weather.
The football match was called off because of heavy rain.
She had to call off the wedding at the last minute.

To stop or withdraw something

“Call off” can also mean stopping an ongoing activity, such as calling back a search team or stopping an attack.

Examples:

The police called off the search when the missing person was found.
The company called off the product launch after facing production issues.
The army was called off before they entered the city.

Call Off – Meaning and Examples

To cancel something

“Call off” is commonly used when an event, plan, or activity is canceled. It suggests that something was planned but will no longer happen.

Examples:

They called off the meeting due to bad weather.
The football match was called off because of heavy rain.
She had to call off the wedding at the last minute.

To stop or withdraw something

“Call off” can also mean stopping an ongoing activity, such as calling back a search team or stopping an attack.

Examples:

The police called off the search when the missing person was found.
The company called off the product launch after facing production issues.
The army was called off before they entered the city.

Come Across – Meaning and Examples

To find something or someone by chance

“Come across” is used when discovering something unexpectedly, often when not actively searching for it.

Examples:

I came across an old photo album while cleaning the attic.
She came across a rare book in the library.
While walking in the park, I came across a stray dog.

To seem or appear in a certain way

“Come across” can also describe how a person is perceived by others.

Examples:

He came across as very confident during the interview.
Her speech came across as genuine and heartfelt.
Sometimes, sarcasm comes across as rude.

Come Up With – Meaning and Examples

To think of an idea, plan, or solution

“Come up with” refers to generating or creating something, such as ideas or solutions.

Examples:

She came up with a brilliant idea for the project.
We need to come up with a better marketing strategy.
He came up with a clever excuse for being late.

Cut Down On – Meaning and Examples

To reduce the amount of something

“Cut down on” is commonly used when referring to reducing consumption or a habit.

Examples:

I’m trying to cut down on sugar to stay healthy.
He needs to cut down on spending to save money.
The doctor advised her to cut down on caffeine.

Drop By – Meaning and Examples

To visit someone briefly

“Drop by” is used when making an informal or short visit to a place or person.

Examples:

I’ll drop by your office later to discuss the report.
She dropped by her friend’s house on the way home.
Can you drop by the grocery store and pick up some milk?

End Up – Meaning and Examples

To finally be in a particular situation

“End up” describes a final outcome, often unexpected or unplanned. It is commonly used when things do not go as originally intended.

Examples:

We took a wrong turn and ended up in a completely different town.
He studied law but ended up becoming a musician.
After a long day, I ended up ordering takeout instead of cooking.

Figure Out – Meaning and Examples

To understand or solve something

“Figure out” is used when someone tries to find a solution to a problem or understand something confusing.

Examples:

I can’t figure out this math problem—can you help?
She finally figured out how to use the new software.
We need to figure out a way to reduce costs.

Find Out – Meaning and Examples

To discover information

“Find out” refers to learning something new, usually through investigation or experience.

Examples:

I just found out that my flight was delayed.
She found out about the surprise party last night.
Let’s find out who won the competition.

Get Along With – Meaning and Examples

To have a good relationship with someone

“Get along with” means to have a friendly or harmonious relationship with someone.

Examples:

I really get along with my coworkers.
They don’t always agree, but they get along with each other.
She doesn’t get along with her neighbors.

Get Away With – Meaning and Examples

To escape punishment for something

“Get away with” is used when someone avoids consequences for an action.

Examples:

He got away with cheating on the test because no one noticed.
She always gets away with arriving late to work.
The thief got away with stealing the expensive jewelry.

Get Over – Meaning and Examples

To recover from an illness or difficulty

“Get over” is often used when someone heals from an illness, emotional pain, or a challenging situation.

Examples:

It took him weeks to get over the flu.
She finally got over her fear of public speaking.
He hasn’t gotten over the breakup yet.

Give In – Meaning and Examples

To surrender or stop resisting

“Give in” is used when someone finally agrees to something after resisting or holding back. It can refer to both physical and emotional situations.

Examples:

After hours of negotiation, they finally gave in to the demands.
I eventually gave in and let him borrow my car.
The child kept begging for candy until the mother gave in.

Give Up – Meaning and Examples

To quit or stop doing something

“Give up” refers to abandoning an effort, habit, or activity due to difficulty or lack of motivation.

Examples:

He gave up smoking after ten years.
No matter how hard it gets, I won’t give up on my dreams.
She gave up trying to learn the piano.

Go Ahead – Meaning and Examples

To proceed or continue

“Go ahead” is used when giving permission or encouraging someone to continue an action.

Examples:

You can go ahead and start without me.
He asked if he could leave early, and his boss said, “Go ahead.”
The team decided to go ahead with the project despite the risks.

Go Over – Meaning and Examples

To review or examine something

“Go over” means to look at something carefully, often to check for mistakes or understand it better.

Examples:

Let’s go over the presentation one more time before the meeting.
The teacher went over the test results with the students.
I need to go over my notes before the exam.

Grow Up – Meaning and Examples

To become an adult

“Grow up” refers to the process of maturing from childhood to adulthood, both physically and mentally.

Examples:

I grew up in a small town by the sea.
Kids these days grow up so fast!
She wants to be a scientist when she grows up.

Hang Out – Meaning and Examples

To spend time with friends or relax

“Hang out” is commonly used for informal gatherings or spending time doing nothing in particular.

Examples:

We usually hang out at the café after school.
I love hanging out with my friends on weekends.
He’s been hanging out at the mall all day.

Hold On – Meaning and Examples

To wait for a short time

“Hold on” is used to ask someone to pause or wait before continuing.

Examples:

Hold on a second, I need to grab my phone.
He told me to hold on while he checked the information.
Can you hold on? I’ll be ready in a minute.

Keep Up With – Meaning and Examples

To stay at the same level or pace

“Keep up with” means to maintain the same speed, progress, or level as someone or something. It can refer to learning, physical movement, or staying updated.

Examples:

It’s hard to keep up with the latest technology trends.
He walked so fast that I couldn’t keep up with him.
She studies every day to keep up with the rest of the class.

Look After – Meaning and Examples

To take care of someone or something

“Look after” is used when someone provides care or supervision for a person, animal, or object.

Examples:

She looks after her younger brother while their parents are at work.
Can you look after my cat while I’m on vacation?
It is important to look after your health.

Look Forward To – Meaning and Examples

To anticipate something with excitement

“Look forward to” expresses eagerness or excitement about a future event. It is often used in both formal and informal conversations.

Examples:

I look forward to meeting you next week.
She’s looking forward to her summer vacation.
We look forward to your feedback on the new project.

Look Up To – Meaning and Examples

To admire or respect someone

“Look up to” is used when someone has deep respect or admiration for another person, usually due to their qualities or achievements.

Examples:

Many young athletes look up to professional sports players.
She always looked up to her older sister.
He looks up to his father as a role model.

Make Up – Meaning and Examples

To invent a story or excuse

“Make up” is often used when someone creates a false story, excuse, or explanation.

Examples:

He made up an excuse for being late.
She made up a funny story to entertain the kids.
I don’t believe him—he’s probably just making it up.

To reconcile after an argument

“Make up” can also mean resolving a conflict and restoring a good relationship.

Examples:

After their argument, they finally made up and became friends again.
He apologized, and they made up the next day.
They always argue, but they make up quickly.

Make Up For – Meaning and Examples

To compensate for something

“Make up for” is used when someone tries to fix or balance out a mistake, loss, or disadvantage.

Examples:

He worked extra hours to make up for being late.
The hotel gave us a free breakfast to make up for the bad service.
I missed the meeting, but I’ll make up for it by reading the notes.

Pass Out – Meaning and Examples

To faint or lose consciousness

“Pass out” is used when someone suddenly loses consciousness, often due to exhaustion, heat, or shock.

Examples:

He passed out from dehydration during the marathon.
She almost passed out when she saw the blood.
The doctor advised him to rest after he passed out at work.

To distribute something

“Pass out” can also mean handing out items to people.

Examples:

The teacher passed out the exam papers to the students.
Volunteers were passing out food to those in need.
Can you pass out these flyers to the audience?

Pick Up – Meaning and Examples

To lift or collect someone or something

“Pick up” is used when lifting an object or collecting someone from a location.

Examples:

She picked up her phone and started texting.
Can you pick up the kids from school at 3 p.m.?
He picked up his luggage from the airport.

To learn something quickly

“Pick up” can also mean acquiring a new skill or knowledge, often informally.

Examples:

She picked up French while living in Paris.
He picked up some coding skills from online tutorials.
I picked up a few cooking tips from my grandmother.

Put Off – Meaning and Examples

To postpone or delay something

“Put off” is commonly used when rescheduling or avoiding something for later.

Examples:

They put off the meeting until next week.
Stop putting off your assignments and finish them now!
The bad weather put off their travel plans.

To discourage someone

“Put off” can also mean causing someone to lose interest or motivation.

Examples:

His rude attitude put me off from joining the club.
The long wait times put off many customers.
The smell of the food put me off eating it.

Put On – Meaning and Examples

To wear clothing or accessories

“Put on” is used when dressing or applying something to the body.

Examples:

She put on her jacket before stepping outside.
He put on his glasses to read the document.
You should put on some sunscreen before going to the beach.

To pretend or fake something

“Put on” can also mean acting in a way that is not genuine.

Examples:

He put on a fake smile during the interview.
Don’t put on an act—I know you’re upset.
She put on a strong front despite feeling nervous.

Put Up With – Meaning and Examples

To tolerate or endure something

“Put up with” is used when someone accepts a difficult situation or person without complaining.

Examples:

I don’t know how she puts up with his bad habits.
We had to put up with noisy neighbors all night.

Run Into – Meaning and Examples

To meet someone unexpectedly

“Run into” is used when encountering someone by chance.

Examples:

I ran into an old friend at the grocery store.
She ran into her professor while traveling abroad.
He ran into his boss at the coffee shop.

To crash into something

“Run into” can also mean colliding with something physically.

Examples:

The car ran into a tree during the storm.
He ran into the door while rushing out.
The cyclist ran into a pedestrian by accident.

Run Out Of – Meaning and Examples

To have no more of something

“Run out of” is used when supplies, resources, or time are completely used up.

Examples:

We ran out of milk, so I need to buy more.
She ran out of patience and left the meeting.
He ran out of money before the trip ended.

Set Up – Meaning and Examples

To arrange or establish something

“Set up” is commonly used when organizing an event, system, or business.

Examples:

They set up a new office in the city center.
He set up a meeting with the investors.
She set up a website for her online business.

To trick or frame someone

“Set up” can also mean making someone appear guilty of something they didn’t do.

Examples:

The police discovered that the suspect was set up.
She felt like her friends had set her up for embarrassment.

Show Up – Meaning and Examples

To arrive at a place

“Show up” is used when someone appears or arrives at an event or location.

Examples:

He showed up late to the party.
She showed up at the interview well-prepared.
We waited for an hour, but he never showed up.

Sit Down – Meaning and Examples

To take a seat

“Sit down” is used when asking or instructing someone to move from a standing position to a seated one.

Examples:

Please sit down and make yourself comfortable.
He sat down next to me during the meeting.
The teacher asked the students to sit down before starting the lesson.

Stand Up – Meaning and Examples

To rise to a standing position

“Stand up” is used when moving from a seated or lying position to standing.

Examples:

Everyone stood up when the principal entered the room.
She stood up to give her speech.
Please stand up and introduce yourself.

To defend oneself or someone else

“Stand up” can also mean speaking out or taking action in support of oneself or others.

Examples:

You should stand up for yourself when treated unfairly
He always stands up for his friends.
She stood up against discrimination in her workplace.

Take After – Meaning and Examples

To resemble a family member

“Take after” means inheriting physical traits, behaviors, or characteristics from a parent or relative.

Examples:

She takes after her mother in both looks and personality.
He takes after his grandfather’s artistic talent.
My son takes after me when it comes to sports.

Take Off – Meaning and Examples

To remove clothing or accessories

“Take off” is commonly used when removing something worn on the body.

Examples:

She took off her jacket because it was too warm.
He took off his shoes before entering the house.
Don’t forget to take off your sunglasses before the interview.

For an airplane to leave the ground

“Take off” also refers to when an aircraft departs and starts flying.

Examples:

Our flight took off on time.
The plane took off smoothly despite the bad weather.
Passengers must fasten their seatbelts before the plane takes off.

To become successful quickly

“Take off” can also mean achieving sudden success or popularity.

Examples:

His business took off after a viral marketing campaign.
The new product took off and sold out in days.
Her career as a singer really took off last year.

Take Over – Meaning and Examples

To assume control of something

“Take over” is used when someone gains responsibility or authority over something.

Examples:

She will take over as manager when her boss retires.
The new company took over the smaller business.
He took over the project when the previous lead resigned.

Throw Away – Meaning and Examples

To discard or dispose of something

“Throw away” is used when getting rid of unwanted or useless items.

Examples:

Please don’t throw away those papers; we might need them later.
He threw away his old shoes and bought new ones.
She accidentally threw away an important document.

Turn Down – Meaning and Examples

To refuse an offer or request

“Turn down” is used when rejecting an invitation, job, or proposal.

Examples:

She turned down the job offer because it wasn’t the right fit.
He turned down my invitation to the party.
The company turned down his request for a raise.

To lower the volume or intensity of something

“Turn down” can also mean reducing the sound, brightness, or strength of something.

Examples:

Please turn down the music; it’s too loud.
He turned down the heater because it was too hot.
Can you turn down the lights a bit?

Turn Off – Meaning and Examples

To stop a device from working

“Turn off” refers to switching off electrical appliances or machinery.

Examples:

Don’t forget to turn off the lights before leaving.
He turned off his phone during the meeting.
She turned off the TV when the show ended.

To make someone lose interest

“Turn off” can also mean causing someone to feel uninterested or repelled by something.

Examples:

His rude behavior turned me off immediately.
The movie’s slow pace turned off the audience.

Turn On – Meaning and Examples

To start a device or machine

“Turn on” is used when activating electronic devices, lights, or appliances.

Examples:

Can you turn on the air conditioner? It’s hot in here.
She turned on the radio to listen to music.
He turned on the computer to check his emails.

To excite or attract someone

“Turn on” can also mean causing someone to feel excited or interested.

Examples:

A good mystery novel always turns me on.
His confidence and intelligence turned her on.
The idea of traveling the world turns him on.

Turn Up – Meaning and Examples

To appear or arrive unexpectedly

“Turn up” is used when someone or something appears, often without prior notice.

Examples:

He turned up at the party uninvited.
My lost keys finally turned up in my backpack.
She turned up late for the meeting.

To increase the volume or intensity

“Turn up” can also mean making something louder or stronger.

Examples:

Can you turn up the volume? I can’t hear the music.
He turned up the heat because it was too cold.
She turned up the brightness on her phone screen.

Wake Up – Meaning and Examples

To stop sleeping

“Wake up” means becoming conscious after sleep.

Examples:

I usually wake up at 7 a.m.
She woke up in the middle of the night.
He wakes up early to go jogging.

To become more aware or alert

“Wake up” can also mean realizing or becoming attentive to something.

Examples:

It’s time to wake up and take responsibility for your actions.
The shocking news finally woke him up.
The speech woke up the audience to the issue of climate change.

Watch Out – Meaning and Examples

To be careful or cautious

“Watch out” is used as a warning to alert someone to danger or an unexpected event.

Examples:

Watch out! There’s a car coming!
You should watch out for scammers when shopping online.
He told me to watch out because the road was slippery.

Work Out – Meaning and Examples

To exercise

“Work out” is commonly used when referring to physical fitness activities.

Examples:

She works out at the gym every morning.
I need to work out more to stay healthy.
He worked out for an hour before heading to work.

To solve a problem

“Work out” can also mean finding a solution to an issue.

Examples:

They finally worked out their differences.
We need to work out a plan before the deadline.
I can’t work out this puzzle—it’s too complicated.