A Daily Updated Dictionary of English Phrasal Verbs
Definition: to bet (something) on something
Examples: Many people gamble on the horses. ○ He gambled all his money on the London side.
Definition: to act in the hope of something happening
Examples: The president gambled on (winning) public support. ○ Don't gamble on the weather being fine.
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Definition: to respect somebody
Example: He is one of the politicians most looked up to in this country.
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Definitions: 1. to show something in a fight or contest 2. to present something 3. to provide something
Examples: 1. Faced with our attack, the enemy put up very little resistance and quickly surrendered. 2. He's putting up his proposal at tomorrow's meeting. 3. It was the chairman who put up all the money required to hold this event.
Definitions: 1. to put something in a high position 2. to display something 3. to build something 4. to increase something
Examples: 1. A flag was put up at the top of the building. 2. World Cup posters have been put up everywhere in the city. 3. These houses were put up hundreds of years ago. 4. Prices are usually put up during this time of the year.
Definition: to obtain food and accommodation/to provide somebody with food and accommodation
Examples: We put up at a small hotel. ○ We're glad to put you up for the night.
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Definition: to hesitate (to do something) because of nervousness or timidity
Example: We asked him to join us but, as usual, he hung back (from group work).
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Definition: to sell something at a reduced price to get rid of it
Example: We have a stock of DVD players to sell off.
Usage note: sell-off (noun)
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Definition: to be accepted as somebody/something
Example: At 35 and with many years' working experience, John could still pass as/for a new graduate.
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Definition: to (cause somebody to) oppose somebody
Examples: I was shocked when my closest friend turned against me. ○ He tried to turn his colleagues against the new manager.
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Definition: to win something
Example: The Kenyan athletes carried off most of the medals.
Definition: to cause somebody to die; to kill somebody
Example: The plague carried off tens of thousands of people.
Usage note: formal phrasal verb
Definition: to handle something difficult successfully
Example: She was a little nervous but finally carried her presentation off.
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Definition: need or want something
Example: I could do with a good night's sleep.
Usage note: informal phrasal verb, only used with could
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Definition: to get somebody to prove something they have claimed
Examples: 'I'm sure I can do this much better than you.' 'I'd like to take you up on that.' ○ 'I'll be glad to look after your kids when you're away.' 'Thanks. I might take you up on it some time.'
Usage note: informal phrasal verb
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Definition: to begin to do something, with the intention of achieving it
Example: He set out to climb the mountain.
Definitions: 1. to arrange or display something 2. to present or state something
Examples: 1. She caught sight of several necklaces, which were attractively set out in the window of a boutique. 2. He set out his ideas very clearly in the essay.
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Definition: to leave hurriedly, especially to escape
Example: Tom had made off, just when we needed him most.
Usage note: informal phrasal verb
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Definition: to inspect something to assess its quality
Example: We need to look over the house before deciding whether to buy it or not.
Usage note: look-over (noun): We gave the house a quick look-over.
Definition: to examine something/somebody carefully
Examples: Remember to look the agreement over before signing it. ○ The guard looked the woman over and waved her in.
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Definition: to pull something off (something) suddenly
Example: She yanked the letter off (my hand) and tore it in half.
Usage note: informal phrasal verb
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Definition: to be or come very close to something
Examples: He bought a company verging on bankruptcy. ○ The atmosphere of the festival verged upon hysteria.
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Definition: to join together (in something/doing something)
Example: The president called on the people to unite in the fight against poverty (unite in fighting poverty).
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Definition: to disagree with or complain about something
Examples: There's not much to quarrel with in your report. ○ I won't quarrel with your conclusions.
Usage note: often used in negative sentences
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Definition: to continue in a steady manner, without any excitement
Example: Our relationship just kept jogging along/on.
Usage note: informal phrasal verb
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Definition: to eat all (of something)
Examples: We've prepared enough food for everyone, so eat up! ○ Let's eat up these apples.
Definition: to use a large part of something
Example: The project is eating up our limited budget.
Definition: to preoccupy somebody
Example: My manager is eaten up by/with envy/jealousy.
Usage note: used of a feeling, usually in the passive
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Definitions: 1. to choose not to be involved (in something) 2. (especially in the UK) to choose not to be controlled (by something)
Examples: 1. It's difficult to opt out (of this situation). 2. Hospitals have the right to opt out (of local authority control).
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Definition: to manage without (something)
Examples: I wanted to have breakfast but with so little money left, I had to go without. ○ The manager went without sleep for three days outlining a new marketing plan.
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Definition: to use something as a basis for further progress
Example: The team is determined to build on their previous success/achievements.
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Definition: to reduce the scope of something (to something)
Example: You need to narrow the topic down (to a more manageable one).
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Definition: not to begin
Example: Fortunately, the rain kept off until we reached home.
Usage note: used of rain, snow, etc.
Definitions: 1. not to eat, drink or smoke something 2. not to mention something
Examples: 1. To lose weight, you must keep off fattening foods. 2. Please keep off politics when you talk to him.
Definitions: 1. to prevent somebody from eating, drinking or smoking something 2. to prevent somebody from mentioning something
Examples: 1. All patients are kept off cigarettes and alcohol. 2. During the conversation, I was kept off the subject of football because her father preferred to talk about basketball.
Definition: not to approach somebody/something
Example: Keep off the grass.
Definition: to prevent somebody/something from approaching (somebody/something)
Example: Is there a way to keep the wild animals off (the camp)?
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Definition: to include somebody/something in one's calculations
Examples: The club lost the game because many factors were not allowed for. ○ We should arrive in two hours, allowing for delays.
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Definition: to become no longer valid; to expire
Example: The contract runs out next month and needs to be renewed.
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Definition: to aim at somebody/something
Example: The artillery zeroed in on several enemy positions.
Usage note: military phrasal verb
Definition: to concentrate on somebody/something
Example: It's high time we zeroed in (on the really important issues).
Usage note: informal phrasal verb
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Definition: to come from something in a stream
Examples: Blood was issuing from his wound. ○ From the chimney issued a column of smoke.
Usage note: formal phrasal verb
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Definitions: 1. to continue to live, although very weak or ill 2. to remain
Examples: 1. The injured driver lingered on for a week. 2. Sarah had gone but the smell of her perfume lingered on.
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Definition: to make somebody/something bend
Examples: 'Look at that poor husband. All the luggage is weighing him down.' ○ The branches were weighed down with ripe fruit.
Definition: to make somebody depressed
Example: She looks weighed down by the responsibilities of her new position.
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Definition: to become part of a family or group by marrying one of its members
Examples: He wasn't born into the aristocracy but married in. ○ She married into the royal family.
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