A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and one or more particles (such as adverbs or prepositions) that together convey a distinct meaning different from the individual meanings of its components. These particles can change the original verb’s meaning or add nuances to it. Phrasal verbs are commonly used in English both in formal and informal contexts, and they often contribute to the richness and flexibility of the language.
Here’s a list that includes the most common phrasal verbs in English organized alphabetically:
- Break down: Stop functioning or fail.
- Break in: Enter forcibly or interrupt.
- Break up: End a relationship or separate something into smaller parts.
- Bring back: Return something to its original place or state.
- Bring down: Reduce or lower something.
- Bring out: Produce or reveal something.
- Bring up: Raise a topic or subject in conversation.
- Call off: Cancel an event or activity.
- Come in: Enter a place or a building.
- Come up with: Invent or think of an idea or plan.
- Cut off: Remove or disconnect something abruptly.
- Drop off: Deliver or leave someone or something at a destination.
- Get along: Have a good relationship with someone.
- Get in: Enter a vehicle or a place.
- Get off: Exit a vehicle or a place.
- Get on: Enter a vehicle or a mode of transportation.
- Get out: Exit a vehicle or a mode of transportation.
- Get up: Rise from bed or a sitting position.
- Give away: Donate or provide something for free.
- Give in: Surrender or yield to someone or something.
- Give up: Stop doing something, especially something challenging.
- Go off: Explode or detonate.
- Go on: Continue or proceed.
- Go out: Leave a place or a building.
- Go through: Experience or endure something difficult.
- Look after: Take care of someone or something.
- Look for: Search for something.
- Look forward to: Anticipate or eagerly await something.
- Look out: Be vigilant or cautious.
- Make up: Reconcile or invent a story.
- Pick up: Lift something from the ground or collect someone or something.
- Put away: Store something in its proper place.
- Put off: Postpone or delay something.
- Put on: Wear clothing or accessories.
- Put up with: Tolerate or endure something unpleasant.
- Run away: Escape from a situation or place.
- Run into: Encounter someone unexpectedly.
- Run out: Exhaust or deplete the supply of something.
- Set up: Arrange or establish something.
- Take after: Resemble or have similar traits to someone, usually a family member.
- Take in: Absorb or comprehend information.
- Take off: Remove clothing or lift off from the ground (like an airplane).
- Take over: Assume control or responsibility.
- Turn down: Decrease the volume or intensity of something.
- Turn on: Activate or start something, such as a device or a light.
- Turn over: Flip or rotate something.
- Turn up: Increase the volume or intensity of something.
- Wake up: Become conscious after sleeping.