A Phrasal Verb A Day

shop around (for)

2008-02-23T06:03:00.000-08:00

shop around (for something)

Definition: to search (for something) until one finds the best value for money

Example: You'd better shop around (for the best deal).

Usage note: informal phrasal verb

come down with

2008-02-22T05:22:00.000-08:00

come down with something

Definition: to become ill with something

Example: My brother has come down with flu.

detract from

2008-02-21T05:17:00.000-08:00

detract from something

Definition: to reduce or diminish something

Example: Bad reviews of the movie detracted from my eagerness to see it.

Usage note: formal phrasal verb

head for

2008-02-20T05:11:00.000-08:00

head for something

Definition: to be on the way to something

Example: You're heading for disaster now.

measure up (to)

2008-02-19T05:04:00.000-08:00

measure up (to somebody/something)

Definition: to reach the required standard (when compared with somebody/something)

Example: To be honest, your essay doesn't measure up (to what I expected).

habituate to

2008-02-18T05:10:00.000-08:00

habituate somebody/oneself to something

Definition: to make somebody/oneself used to something

Example: You are expected to habituate yourself to the cold climate.

Usage note: formal phrasal verb

insist on/upon

2008-02-17T04:53:00.000-08:00

insist on/upon (doing) something

Definition: to demand something, not accepting alternatives

Example: The customer insisted on seeing the manager.

look down on

2008-02-16T04:47:00.000-08:00

look down on somebody/something

Definition: to regard somebody/something as being inferior

Example: Her father looks down on the working class.

Usage note: opposite of look up to

peter out

2008-02-15T04:43:00.000-08:00

peter out

Definition: to decrease gradually

Example: The movement petered out in the 1970s.

trade off (against)

2008-02-14T04:34:00.000-08:00

trade something off (against something)

Definition: to exchange something (for something)

Example: Is it really necessary to trade your reputation off against the money?

Usage note: trade-off (noun)

whittle away

2008-02-13T04:24:00.000-08:00

whittle something away

Definition: to reduce something gradually

Example: My earnings have been whittled away by increased expenses.

dwell on/upon

2008-02-12T04:19:00.000-08:00

dwell on/upon something

Definition: to think, speak or write a lot about something

Example: It's better not to dwell on your disadvantages.

eat out

2008-02-11T04:17:00.000-08:00

eat out

Definition: to eat at a restaurant rather than at home

Example: Let's eat out tonight.

fetch up

2008-02-10T04:11:00.000-08:00

fetch up

Definition: to arrive in a place, often by chance

Example: It was strange that they all fetched up in the same place.

Usage note: British English, informal phrasal verb

edit out (of)

2008-02-09T04:01:00.000-08:00

edit something out (of something)

Definition: to remove something (from something) during editing

Examples: Whole paragraphs were edited out of the script. ○ They edited several scenes out.

bring through

2008-02-08T00:55:00.000-08:00

bring somebody/something through (something)

Definition: to help somebody/something to survive (something)

Examples: The doctors were able to bring the injured driver through. ○ We must make a concerted effort to bring the firm through this crisis.

piece together

2008-02-07T08:49:00.000-08:00

piece something together

Definitions: 1. to join parts to form a whole/to form a whole by joining parts 2. to join pieces of information to compose a story/to compose a story by joining pieces of information

Examples: 1. These bits of paper have to be pieced together to make a picture/A picture has to be pieced together from these bits of paper. 2. The police are still trying to piece together the clues/piece together a full account of what really happened.

rake in

2008-02-06T03:44:00.000-08:00

rake something/it in

Definition: to earn something/a lot of money

Examples: If things go on like this, we'll rake in more than we did last month. ○ As a successful businessman, he's really raking it in.

Usage note: informal phrasal verb

whistle for

2008-02-05T10:12:00.000-08:00

whistle for something

Definition: to hope for something with no chance of getting it

Example: You can whistle for your money now - the firm's gone bankrupt.

Usage note: informal phrasal verb

lose out (to)

2008-02-04T08:07:00.000-08:00

lose out (to somebody/something)

Definition: to be defeated (by somebody/something)

Example: In this era of fierce competition, many small businesses are losing out (to multinationals).

Usage note: informal phrasal verb

put about

2008-02-03T10:29:00.000-08:00

put (something) about

Definition: (of a ship) to (cause a ship to) change direction

Example: The captain put the ship about as soon as he saw the approaching ferry.

Usage note: nautical phrasal verb

put something about

Definition: (of news) to circulate something

Example: I've got no idea who put it/the story about that the union was going to be dissolved.

get down to

2008-02-02T08:53:00.000-08:00

get down to (doing) something

Definition: to begin (to do) something seriously

Examples: It's time to get down to business. ○ I must get down to writing this report.

Usage note: informal phrasal verb

figure out

2008-02-01T07:26:00.000-08:00

figure somebody/something out

Definition: to understand somebody/something

Examples: He's a difficult man to figure out. ○ I can't figure out why he behaved in that way.

figure something out

Definition: to calculate something

Example: Let's figure out how much we'll have to pay.

gamble on

2008-01-31T10:39:00.000-08:00

gamble (something) on something

Definition: to bet (something) on something

Examples: Many people gamble on the horses. ○ He gambled all his money on the London side.

gamble on (doing) something

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.

look up to

2008-01-30T06:26:00.000-08:00

look up to somebody

Definition: to respect somebody

Example: He is one of the politicians most looked up to in this country.

put up

2008-01-29T04:13:00.000-08:00

put up something

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.

put something up

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.

put (somebody) up

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.

hang back (from)

2008-01-28T08:18:00.000-08:00

hang back (from something)

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).

sell off

2008-01-27T07:57:00.000-08:00

sell something off

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)

pass as/for

2008-01-26T09:20:00.000-08:00

pass as/for somebody/something

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.

turn against

2008-01-25T08:10:00.000-08:00

turn (somebody) against somebody

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.

carry off

2008-01-24T06:39:00.000-08:00

carry off something

Definition: to win something

Example: The Kenyan athletes carried off most of the medals.

carry off somebody

Definition: to cause somebody to die; to kill somebody

Example: The plague carried off tens of thousands of people.

Usage note: formal phrasal verb

carry it/something off

Definition: to handle something difficult successfully

Example: She was a little nervous but finally carried her presentation off.

do with

2008-01-23T07:55:00.000-08:00

could do with something

Definition: need or want something

Example: I could do with a good night's sleep.

Usage note: informal phrasal verb, only used with could

take up on

2008-01-22T03:06:00.001-08:00

take somebody up on something

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

set out

2008-01-21T02:23:00.000-08:00

set out to do something

Definition: to begin to do something, with the intention of achieving it

Example: He set out to climb the mountain.

set something out

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.

make off

2008-01-20T04:41:00.000-08:00

make off

Definition: to leave hurriedly, especially to escape

Example: Tom had made off, just when we needed him most.

Usage note: informal phrasal verb

look over

2008-01-19T08:16:00.000-08:00

look over something

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.

look something/somebody 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.

yank off

2008-01-18T03:45:00.000-08:00

yank something off (something)

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

verge on/upon

2008-01-17T02:03:00.000-08:00

verge on/upon something

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.

unite (in)

2008-01-16T03:00:00.000-08:00

unite (in something/doing something)

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).

quarrel with

2008-01-15T06:41:00.000-08:00

quarrel with something

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

jog along/on

2008-01-14T04:42:00.000-08:00

jog along/on

Definition: to continue in a steady manner, without any excitement

Example: Our relationship just kept jogging along/on.

Usage note: informal phrasal verb

eat up

2008-01-13T07:31:00.000-08:00

eat (something) up

Definition: to eat all (of something)

Examples: We've prepared enough food for everyone, so eat up! ○ Let's eat up these apples.

eat something up

Definition: to use a large part of something

Example: The project is eating up our limited budget.

eat somebody up

Definition: to preoccupy somebody

Example: My manager is eaten up by/with envy/jealousy.

Usage note: used of a feeling, usually in the passive

opt out (of)

2008-01-12T08:29:00.000-08:00

opt out (of something)

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).

go without

2008-01-11T05:03:00.000-08:00

go without (something)

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.

build on

2008-01-10T08:27:00.000-08:00

build on something

Definition: to use something as a basis for further progress

Example: The team is determined to build on their previous success/achievements.

narrow down (to)

2008-01-09T06:02:00.000-08:00

narrow something down (to something)

Definition: to reduce the scope of something (to something)

Example: You need to narrow the topic down (to a more manageable one).

keep off

2008-01-08T00:03:00.000-08:00

keep off

Definition: not to begin

Example: Fortunately, the rain kept off until we reached home.

Usage note: used of rain, snow, etc.

keep off something

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.

keep somebody off something

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.

keep off somebody/something

Definition: not to approach somebody/something

Example: Keep off the grass.

keep somebody/something off (somebody/something)

Definition: to prevent somebody/something from approaching (somebody/something)

Example: Is there a way to keep the wild animals off (the camp)?

allow for

2008-01-07T05:41:00.000-08:00

allow for somebody/something

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.

run out

2008-01-06T07:52:00.000-08:00

run out

Definition: to become no longer valid; to expire

Example: The contract runs out next month and needs to be renewed.

zero in (on)

2008-01-05T08:54:00.000-08:00

zero in (on somebody/something)

Definition: to aim at somebody/something

Example: The artillery zeroed in on several enemy positions.

Usage note: military phrasal verb

zero in (on somebody/something)

Definition: to concentrate on somebody/something

Example: It's high time we zeroed in (on the really important issues).

Usage note: informal phrasal verb

issue from

2008-01-04T01:13:00.000-08:00

issue from something

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

linger on

2008-01-03T02:42:00.000-08:00

linger on

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.

weigh down

2008-01-02T06:04:00.000-08:00

weigh somebody/something down

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.

weigh somebody down

Definition: to make somebody depressed

Example: She looks weighed down by the responsibilities of her new position.

marry in/into

2008-01-01T07:46:00.000-08:00

marry in/into something

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.

come across

2007-12-31T08:18:00.001-08:00

come across somebody/something

Definition: to meet somebody or find something by chance

Examples: I came across one of my old friends this morning. ○ She came across a torn letter while sorting out the drawer.

come across

Definition: to be understood

Example: What the teacher said, I'm afraid, didn't come across.

help off/on with

2007-12-30T01:39:00.000-08:00

help somebody off/on with something

Definition: to help somebody to take off/put on a garment

Example: Can I help you on with your coat?

scrape along/by (on)

2007-12-29T06:52:00.000-08:00

scrape along/by (on something)

Definition: to manage to live with difficulty (on a small income)

Example: I was amazed he could scrape along on the pittance they paid.

Usage note: informal phrasal verb

thumb through

2007-12-28T01:15:00.000-08:00

thumb through something

Definition: to turn the pages of something, e.g. a book, quickly

Example: She spent half an hour in the bookshop thumbing through fashion magazines.

Derivative: thumb-through (noun)

fill in (for)

2007-12-27T04:08:00.000-08:00

fill in (for somebody)

Definition: to do somebody's work temporarily

Example: Jack's gone on holiday, so I'm filling in for him at the next meeting.

parcel out

2007-12-26T08:12:00.000-08:00

parcel something out

Definition: to divide something into parts

Example: The small plot of land was parcelled out among the four brothers.

do away with

2007-12-25T06:57:00.000-08:00

do away with somebody/something

Definition: to get rid of somebody/something

Examples: The incompetent clerk was done away with. ○ Many countries have done away with the death penalty.

Usage note: informal phrasal verb

do away with oneself/somebody/something

Definition: to kill oneself/somebody/something

Examples: She told me about a song that could make people want to do away with themselves. ○ The hunter did away with the bear.

Usage note: informal phrasal verb

plan out

2007-12-24T03:00:00.000-08:00

plan something out

Definition: to consider something in detail in advance

Example: The book shows students how to plan out an essay.

Phrasal Verbs Used in Special Fields

2007-12-20T01:24:00.000-08:00

Phrasal Verbs Used in Special Fields

Military

zero in (on)

Nautical

put about

Phrasal Verbs with Nominalized Forms

2007-12-20T01:23:00.001-08:00

Phrasal Verbs with Nominalized Forms

look over | sell off | thumb through

Formal Phrasal Verbs

2007-12-20T01:22:00.000-08:00

Formal Phrasal Verbs

carry off | issue from

Informal Phrasal Verbs

2007-12-20T01:21:00.000-08:00

Informal Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal Verbs - A

2007-12-20T01:20:00.000-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - A

allow for

Phrasal Verbs - B

2007-12-20T01:19:00.001-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - B

bring through | build on

Phrasal Verbs - C

2007-12-20T01:19:00.000-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - C

carry off | come across | come down with

Phrasal Verbs - D

2007-12-20T01:18:00.001-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - D

detract from | do away with | do with | dwell on/upon

Phrasal Verbs - E

2007-12-20T01:18:00.000-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - E

eat out | eat up | edit out (of)

Phrasal Verbs - F

2007-12-20T01:17:00.000-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - F

fetch up | figure out | fill in (for)

Phrasal Verbs - G

2007-12-20T01:16:00.001-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - G

gamble on | get down to | go without

Phrasal Verbs - H

2007-12-20T01:16:00.000-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - H

habituate to | hang back (from) | head for | help off/on with

Phrasal Verbs - I

2007-12-20T01:15:00.001-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - I

insist on/upon | issue from

Phrasal Verbs - J

2007-12-20T01:15:00.000-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - J

jog along/on

Phrasal Verbs - K

2007-12-20T01:14:00.001-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - K

keep off

Phrasal Verbs - L

2007-12-20T01:14:00.000-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - L

linger on | look over | look down on | look up to | lose out (to)

Phrasal Verbs - M

2007-12-20T01:13:00.001-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - M

make off | marry in/into | measure up (to)

Phrasal Verbs - N

2007-12-20T01:13:00.000-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - N

narrow down (to)

Phrasal Verbs - O

2007-12-20T01:12:00.001-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - O

opt out (of)

Phrasal Verbs - P

2007-12-20T01:12:00.000-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - P

Phrasal Verbs - Q

2007-12-20T01:11:00.001-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - Q

quarrel with

Phrasal Verbs - R

2007-12-20T01:11:00.000-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - R

rake in | run out

Phrasal Verbs - S

2007-12-20T01:10:00.001-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - S

scrape along/by (on) | sell off | set out | shop around (for)

Phrasal Verbs - T

2007-12-20T01:10:00.000-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - T

take up on | thumb through | trade off (against) | turn against

Phrasal Verbs - U

2007-12-20T01:09:00.001-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - U

unite (in)

Phrasal Verbs - V

2007-12-20T01:09:00.000-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - V

verge on/upon

Phrasal Verbs - W

2007-12-20T01:08:00.000-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - W

weigh down | whistle for | whittle away

Phrasal Verbs - X

2007-12-20T01:07:00.001-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - X

No phrasal verbs yet.

Phrasal Verbs - Y

2007-12-20T01:07:00.000-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - Y

yank off

Phrasal Verbs - Z

2007-12-20T01:05:00.000-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - Z

zero in (on)

Phrasal Verbs - All

2007-12-20T01:04:00.000-08:00

Phrasal Verbs - All

A

allow for

B

bring through | build on

C

carry off | come across | come down with

D

detract from | do away with | do with | dwell on/upon

E

eat out | eat up | edit out (of)

F

fetch up | figure out | fill in (for)

G

gamble on | get down to | go without

H

habituate to | hang back (from) | head for | help off/on with

I

insist on/upon | issue from

J

jog along/on

K

keep off

L

linger on | look down on | look over | look up to | lose out (to)

M

make off | marry in/into | measure up (to)

N

narrow down (to)

O

opt out (of)

P

Q

quarrel with

R

rake in | run out

S

scrape along/by (on) | sell off | set out | shop around (for)

T

take up on | thumb through | trade off (against) | turn against

U

unite (in)

V

verge on/upon

W

weigh down | whistle for | whittle away

Y

yank off

Z

zero in (on)