Do you want to sound like a native English speaker? If so, learning phrasal verbs is a must! In this blog post, I will go over 100 of the most common phrasal verbs and their meanings.
We’ll provide example sentences for each one so that you can see how they are used in real-life English conversations.
Phrasal verbs can be tricky to learn, but once you learn them, you’ll be able to speak English with more style and fluency. So let’s get started!
Contents
Here is a list of 100 most common phrasal verbs with example sentences:
1. Get on
Example Sentence: I’m going to get on the bus.
Meaning: To board or enter (a vehicle)
2. Get off
Example Sentence: Please get off the table.
Meaning: To move from a higher to a lower position
3. Get up
Example Sentence: I need to get up early tomorrow.
Meaning: To rise to one’s feet from a lying, sitting, or kneeling position
4. Get in
Example Sentence: Can you get in the car?
Meaning: To enter (a vehicle)
5. Get out
Example Sentence: He got out of the car.
Meaning: To leave (a vehicle, place, or container)
6. Give in
Example Sentence: I don’t know how much longer I can give in.
Meaning: To yield; to submit (to someone or something)
7. Give up
Example Sentence: He gave up after trying for an hour.
Meaning: To stop making an effort; to abandon
8. Give out
Example Sentence: We’re almost out of food, so we need to give some out.
Meaning: To distribute (something)
9. Grow up
Example Sentence: I’m tired of your childish behaviour. Grow up!
Meaning: To become an adult; to mature
10. Hang out
Example Sentence: I’m going to hang out with my friends tonight.
Meaning: To spend time in a relaxed way, without any specific plans or goals
11. Hang on
Example Sentence: Hang on, I’ll be right there.
Meaning: To wait (for someone)
12. Hold out
Example Sentence: She held out her hand for a handshake.
Meaning: To offer; to extend (something)
13. Hold up
Example Sentence: The robbers held up the bank.
Meaning: To delay or prevent (someone or something) from moving or progressing
14. Keep on
Example Sentence: Keep on working hard and you’ll succeed.
Meaning: To continue (doing something)
15. Keep up
Example Sentence: It’s hard to keep up with her.
Meaning: To maintain the same speed or level; to not fall behind
16. Let down
Example Sentence: He was really let down by his friends.
Meaning: To disappoint; to cause someone to have a lower opinion
17. Look after
Example Sentence: Who is going to look after the baby?
Meaning: To take care of (someone or something)
18. Look for
Example Sentence: I’m looking for my keys.
Meaning: To search for (something)
19. Look in
Example Sentence: Could you look in the closet and see if my coat is there?
Meaning: To search (a place) carefully for something
20. Look into
Example Sentence: I’m going to look into buying a new car.
Meaning: To investigate or research (something)
-Phrasal Verb: Look out
Example Sentence: Look out! There’s a car coming.
Meaning: To be careful; to beware
21. Look up
Example Sentence: I looked up the word in a dictionary.
Meaning: To search for and find (information)
22. Make out
Example Sentence: They made out in the backseat of the car.
Meaning: To kiss and caress passionately
23. Make up
Example Sentence: We made up after we had a huge argument.
Meaning: To become friends again; to forgive and forget
24. Mean for
Example Sentence: What do you mean for me?
Meaning: What is your intention?; what are you trying to do?
25. Pass out
Example Sentence: He passed out after drinking too much.
Meaning: To faint; to lose consciousness
26. Put off
Example Sentence: I don’t want to put off my vacation any longer.
Meaning: To postpone; to delay
27. Put on
Example Sentence: He put on a brave face for his little sister.
Meaning: To wear (clothing)
28. Read up on
Example Sentence: She read up on the company before her interview.
Meaning: To research (something) thoroughly
29. Run into
Example Sentence: I ran into an old friend at the grocery store.
Meaning: To meet (someone) unexpectedly
30. Run out of
Example Sentence: We’ve run out of cheese blocks. Can you go to the nearest shop and purchase some cheese blocks?
Meaning: To use up all of (something)
31. Set off
Example Sentence: A fire alarm set off and everyone had to evacuate.
Meaning: To cause (something) to happen; to activate
32. Show up
Example Sentence: She showed up to the party an hour late.
Meaning: To arrive; to appear
33. Sit down
Example Sentence: Let’s sit down and discuss this calmly.
Meaning: To take a seat; to lower oneself into a sitting position
34. Stand up
Example Sentence: He stood up and hugged her.
Meaning: To rise to a standing position; to get out of bed
35. Take after
Example Sentence: She takes after her mother.
Meaning: To resemble (a parent or ancestor) in appearance, character, or behaviour
36. Take back
Example Sentence: I take back what I said about her.
Meaning: To retract; to withdraw
37. Take off
Example Sentence: My flight from London to Delhi will take off in an hour.
Meaning: To leave; to depart
38. Take on
Example Sentence: He’s taken on a lot of new responsibilities.
Meaning: To accept (something) willingly; to agree to do or be something
39. Talk over
Example Sentence: Let’s talk this over before we make a decision.
Meaning: To discuss (something) together to make a decision
40. Talk through
Example Sentence: We talked the problem through and found a solution.
Meaning: To discuss (something) thoroughly; to find a solution
41. Thank for
Example Sentence: I want to thank you for all your help.
Meaning: To express gratitude for (something)
42. Think about
Example Sentence: I’ve been thinking about quitting my job.
Meaning: To consider; to ponder
43. Think of
Example Sentence: I can’t think of anything else to say.
Meaning: To consider; to ponder
44. Throw out
Example Sentence: He threw out the old newspapers.
Meaning: To discard (something)
45. Turn in
Example Sentence: I turned in my project two days ago.
Meaning: To submit (something) for evaluation or review
46. Wake up
Example Sentence: He woke up at seven o’clock.
Meaning: To become conscious; to awaken from sleep
47. Work out
Example Sentence: I’ve been working out every day for the past month.
Meaning: To exercise; to strain or struggle
48. Write down
Example Sentence: Write down my phone number in case you forget it.
Meaning: To record (something) in writing
48. Look up
Example Sentence: I looked up the definition of “apathy” in the dictionary.
Meaning: To search (for something)
49. Look into
Example Sentence: The police are looking into the cause of the accident.
Meaning: To investigate (something)
50. Cheer up
Example Sentence: Cheer up! It’s not that bad.
Meaning: To become happier or more cheerful
51. Calm down
Example Sentence: I know you’re upset, but try to calm down.
Meaning: To become less excited or agitated; to relax
52. Chill out
Example Sentence: Let’s just chill out for a while and watch TV.
Meaning: To relax; to calm down
53. Dress up
Example Sentence: I’m going to dress up for the party.
Meaning: To put on formal clothes; to wear a costume
54. Fill out
Example Sentence: Please fill out this form and return it to me.
Meaning: To complete (a form or questionnaire) by providing the required information
55. Hang out
Example Sentence: I’m going to hang out with my friends tonight.
Meaning: To spend time in a relaxed way; to socialize
56. Hang up
Example Sentence: Please hang up and try your call again.
Meaning: To end a phone call; to disconnect
57. Pick up
Example Sentence: I’ll pick you up at eight o’clock.
Meaning: To go to get (someone); to collect (something)
58. Put up
Example Sentence: I’m going to put up a poster in my room.
Meaning: To erect; to install
59. Rip off
Example Sentence: He ripped off the price tag.
Meaning: To remove (something) quickly or forcefully; to steal
60. Rule out
Example Sentence: We can rule out the possibility of a mistake.
Meaning: To eliminate (something) as a possibility
61. Sell out
Example Sentence: The tickets for the concert sold out within an hour.
Meaning: To sell all of (something)
62. Shape up
Example Sentence: If you don’t shape up, you’re going to fail the class.
Meaning: To improve; to reform
63. Show up
Example Sentence: I hope he shows up for the meeting.
Meaning: To arrive; to appear
64. Slow down
Example Sentence: You’re driving too fast. Please slow down.
Meaning: To drive or move more slowly; to decrease the speed of (something)
65. Speed up
Example Sentence: Please speed up. We’re already getting late for Neha’s wedding.
Meaning: To drive or move more quickly; to increase the speed of (something)
66. Stand up
Example Sentence: Stand up and hug me.
Meaning: To rise to one’s feet
67. Take off
Example Sentence: I’m going to take off my coat.
Meaning: To remove (something) from one’s body; to leave (a place)
68. Talk over
Example Sentence: Let’s talk over the plan one more time.
Meaning: To discuss (something) fully; to consider (something) carefully
69. Tear apart
Example Sentence: He tore the paper apart.
Meaning: To damage or destroy (something) by tearing it into pieces
70. Try out
Example Sentence: I’m going to try out for the soccer team.
Meaning: To test (something) to see if it works or is suitable
71. Turn off
Example Sentence: Please turn off the light before you leave the room.
Meaning: To stop the flow of (something); to cause (something) to no longer function
72. Turn on
Example Sentence: Can you turn on the light, please?
Meaning: To start (something) so that it begins to function; to cause (something) to become active
73. Wake up
Example Sentence: I always wake up early on the weekends.
Meaning: To stop sleeping and become conscious
74. Warm up
Example Sentence: Let’s warm up before we start running.
Meaning: To (cause something to) become less cold; to (cause someone to) feel less cold
75. Wear out
Example Sentence: I’ve worn out my shoes. I need to buy a new pair.
Meaning: To use (something) so much that it becomes damaged or no longer functions
76. Break down
Example Sentence: My car broke down on the way to home.
Meaning: To stop working; to malfunction
77. Bring about
Example Sentence: His death brought about a change in the company.
Meaning: To cause (something) to happen; to produce (a result)
78. Come about
Example Sentence: How did your meeting come about?
Meaning: To happen; to occur
79. Do away with
Example Sentence: We need to do away with this old system.
Meaning: To get rid of (something); to eliminate (something)
80. Fill in
Example Sentence: Can you fill in for me while I’m on vacation?
Meaning: To substitute for someone; to take the place of someone
81. Get along
Example Sentence: I get along well with my co-workers.
Meaning: To have a good relationship with someone
82. Get at
Example Sentence: What are you trying to get at?
Meaning: To suggest or hint (something); to try to communicate (something) indirectly
83. Get away
Example Sentence: We’re going to get away for the weekend.
Meaning: To leave (a place) in order to have a vacation or a break
84. Get back
Example Sentence: I’ll get back to you about that.
Meaning: To reply to someone; to call someone back
85. Get by
Example Sentence: I’m just getting by on my salary.
Meaning: To manage to live or survive on a limited income
86. Get in
Example Sentence: I’m going to get in the shower.
Meaning: To enter (a place); to arrive
87. Get off
Example Sentence: I’m getting off at the next stop.
Meaning: To leave (a place)
88. Get on
Example Sentence: I’m getting on the bus now.
Meaning: To board or get onto (something)
89. Get out
Example Sentence: Can you get out of the way, please?
Meaning: To leave (a place)
90. Get over
Example Sentence: I need to get over my fear of flying.
Meaning: To recover from (an illness, an emotion, etc.); to move past
91. Get through
Example Sentence: I can’t get through to her.
Meaning: To succeed in contacting (someone) by telephone; to reach (someone)
92. Give away
Example Sentence: She’s going to give away her dog.
Meaning: To donate (something) to a charity or someone in need; to hand out (something) free of charge
93. Go about
Example Sentence: What are you going about?
Meaning: To do or deal with (something); to approach (something)
94. Grow up
Example Sentence: He’s never going to grow up.
Meaning: To mature; to become an adult
95. Hang on
Example Sentence: Hang on a minute.
Meaning: To wait; to be patient
96. Hand in
Example Sentence: I’m going to hand in my paper tomorrow.
Meaning: To turn in (something) for a grade or evaluation
97. Hang out
Example Sentence: Let’s hang out this weekend.
Meaning: To spend time (usually casually) with someone
98. Have against
Example Sentence: I have nothing against her.
Meaning: To dislike or be prejudiced against someone
99. Hold off
Example Sentence: Could you hold off your decision until next week?
Meaning: To dealy
100. Head off
Example Sentence: I’m going to head off for lunch.
Meaning: To leave in order to prevent something from happening; to go ahead of someone in order to prepare the way
101. Hold on
Example Sentence: Hold on, I’ll check in my logbook.
Meaning: Wait a short time
Conclusion
I hope you found this 100 most common phrasal verbs list helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. 🙂
If you want to speak advanced English, you must try using phrasal verbs in your day-to-day English conversations.
Phrasal verbs make your English sound natural and stylish! So start using them today!
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