55 IMPORTANT PHRASAL VERBS

55 IMPORTANT PHRASAL VERBS

1) To ask out = to invite someone to do something (go to a show, a meal)

He asked her out to a movie.

2) To be fed up with = to be completely bored

I'm fed up with working. I want to have some fun.

3) To break into = to enter illegally, especially by force (a bank, a building, a house, etc.)

Last month a burglar broke into my apartment and took the TV.

4) To bring up = to mention or introduce a subject

You can bring up the question of child care at the next meeting.

5) To call off = to cancel (an event, an arrangement, an activity)

We had to call off the picnic because of the rain.

6) To catch up with = to reach (someone who is ahead)

He was walking fast. I had to run to catch up with him.

7) To cheer up = to become happier

My sister was feeling depressed, but we cheered her up at the party.

8) To come up with = to think of, produce (an idea, a plan, a suggestion)

We must come up with a plan to improve the economy.

9) To count on = to depend on, rely on (someone)

If you ever need help, you can always count on me.

10) To do without = to manage in the absence of a person or thing

I like coffee, but I can do without it.

11) To feel up to = to feel strong enough (to do something)

I'm very tired. I don't feel up to playing tennis.

12) To figure out = to understand (someone or something) with difficulty

I can't figure out why she married Bill. He has nothing to offer.

13) To fill in = complete (a form, a questionnaire)

I took me fifteen minutes to fill in the application form.

14) To find out = to discover after making an effort

How did you find out that she was living in Paris?

15) To get away = to escape; be free to leave

The police chased the bandit, but he got away.

16) To get away with = to do something wrong without being punished

She always cheats on her exams. I don't know how she gets away with it.

17) To get over = to recover from (an illness, a shock, a disappointment)

I had the flu last week, but I got over it quickly.

18) To get through = to finish, complete (some work, a job, a book)

She had a lot of work to do yesterday, but she got through all of it.

19) To give in = to stop resisting; surrender

Her boyfriend didn't want to go dancing, but he finally gave in.

20) To give up = to stop trying to do something

He tried to pick some oranges, but he couldn't reach them so he gave up.

21) To go away = to leave this place

Go away! I don't want to see you!

22) To go out = to go to a social event (as to go to a theater, concert)

She has a lot of friends and goes out a lot.

23) To go on = to continue any action

Go on with your story. It's very interesting.

24) To hold on = to wait (especially on the telephone)

"Hold on. I'll be with you in a minute."

25) To hold up = to rob

Two gunmen held up the National Bank last week.

26) To let someone down = to disappoint someone (often by breaking a promise or agreement)

You let me down. You promised to help me, but you didn't.

27) To leave out = to omit

When he filled out the application form, he left out his phone number.

28) To look after = to take care of (someone or something)

My neighbor looks after my dog while I'm away.

29) To look forward to = to expect with pleasure.

We're looking forward to working with you.

30) To look someone up = to visit someone

She looked up her uncle when she was in San Francisco.

31) To look up to = to respect; admire

People look up to Dr. Smith because of his great knowledge.

32) To make up for = to compensate for (a mistake, doing or not doing something)

I'm sorry I forgot your birthday, but I'll make up for that taking you out for lunch..

33) To move out = to leave a house or apartment with one's possessions

Our neighbors moved out of their apartment yesterday.

34) To pick up = to get, collect