Phrasal verbs are a very important part of everyday English.
Native speakers use phrasal verbs in daily conversations, movies, offices, and informal writing.
However, many English learners find phrasal verbs difficult because their meanings are often different from the individual words.
Learning common English phrasal verbs with clear meanings helps learners understand real English and speak more naturally.
This blog post, “40 English Phrasal Verbs with Meanings,” is specially created for students, beginners, and ESL learners.
In this post, you will learn commonly used phrasal verbs along with their simple meanings, making them easy to understand and remember for daily use.
This topic is part of our English Phrasal Verbs for English learners.
40 English Phrasal Verbs with Meanings and Example Sentences
1. Bring up
Meaning: To mention or introduce a topic.
- Example: She brought up the idea of going to the beach.
2. Call off
Meaning: To cancel something.
- Example: The match was called off due to rain.
3. Carry on
Meaning: To continue doing something.
- Example: Even after the interruption, they carried on with the meeting.
4. Cheer up
Meaning: To make someone feel happier.
- Example: A funny movie can cheer you up when you’re sad.
5. Come across
Meaning: To find something by chance.
- Example: I came across an old photo album in the attic.
6. Cut down on
Meaning: To reduce the amount of something.
- Example: He’s trying to cut down on sugar.
7. Do away with
Meaning: To get rid of something.
- Example: The company plans to do away with old computers.
8. Drop off
Meaning: To leave someone or something at a place.
- Example: I’ll drop you off at the station.
9. Figure out
Meaning: To understand or solve something.
- Example: She’s trying to figure out how to use the new software.
10. Fill out
Meaning: To complete a form or document.
- Example: Please fill out this application form.
11. Find out
Meaning: To learn or discover something.
- Example: I just found out about the new policy.
12. Get along
Meaning: To have a good relationship with someone.
- Example: They get along well with their neighbors.
13. Get away
Meaning: To escape or take a short break.
- Example: We’re planning to get away for the weekend.
14. Give up
Meaning: To stop trying or quit something.
- Example: Don’t give up on your dreams.
15. Go over
Meaning: To review or examine something.
- Example: Let’s go over the report before the meeting.
16. Grow up
Meaning: To become older or mature.
- Example: She grew up in a small town.
17. Hang out
Meaning: To spend time with someone.
- Example: They love hanging out at the café after school.
18. Hold on
Meaning: To wait for a short time.
- Example: Please hold on while I transfer your call.
19. Keep up with
Meaning: To stay updated or maintain the same pace.
- Example: It’s hard to keep up with all the new trends.
20. Look after
Meaning: To take care of someone or something.
- Example: She looks after her younger brother while their parents are at work.
21. Look for
Meaning: To search for something.
- Example: He’s looking for his lost keys.
22. Look forward to
Meaning: To be excited about something in the future.
- Example: I’m looking forward to the holiday season.
23. Make up
Meaning: To create or invent something, or to reconcile after a fight.
- Example 1: She made up an excuse for being late.
- Example 2: They made up after the argument.
24. Pass out
Meaning: To faint or lose consciousness.
- Example: He passed out from the heat during the marathon.
25. Pick up
Meaning: To collect someone or something.
- Example: I’ll pick you up from the airport at 6 PM.
26. Put off
Meaning: To delay or postpone something.
- Example: The meeting has been put off until next week.
27. Put on
Meaning: To wear something.
- Example: He put on his jacket before going outside.
28. Run into
Meaning: To meet someone unexpectedly.
- Example: I ran into an old friend at the supermarket.
29. Run out of
Meaning: To have no more of something.
- Example: We’ve run out of milk. Can you buy some?
30. Set up
Meaning: To arrange or establish something.
- Example: They set up a new office downtown.
31. Show up
Meaning: To appear or arrive somewhere.
- Example: She showed up late to the party.
32. Sort out
Meaning: To organize or solve a problem.
- Example: He needs to sort out his financial issues.
33. Take off
Meaning: To remove something (like clothing) or when a plane leaves the ground.
- Example 1: He took off his shoes before entering the house.
- Example 2: The plane took off at 10 AM.
34. Take up
Meaning: To start doing a new activity.
- Example: She has taken up yoga to stay fit.
35. Turn down
Meaning: To reject or refuse something.
- Example: He turned down the job offer.
36. Turn off
Meaning: To stop a machine or device.
- Example: Please turn off the lights when you leave.
37. Turn on
Meaning: To start a machine or device.
- Example: Can you turn on the TV?
38. Work out
Meaning: To exercise or to find a solution.
- Example 1: He works out at the gym every day.
- Example 2: They worked out a plan to solve the problem.
39. Write down
Meaning: To record something on paper.
- Example: Please write down the instructions so you don’t forget.
40. Zoom in
Meaning: To focus closely on something, often with a camera.
- Example: Zoom in on the image to see the details.
Final Thoughts
Phrasal verbs are an important part of English communication.
They might seem overwhelming at first, but with practice, they become easier to understand and use.
Start by learning a few at a time, and soon you’ll be able to use them naturally in conversations.
Bookmark this list and come back to it whenever you need to refresh your knowledge.
Do you have a favorite phrasal verb from the list? Share it in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are phrasal verbs in English?
Phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs and particles (prepositions or adverbs) that create meanings different from the original words.
Why are phrasal verbs important for English learners?
Phrasal verbs are commonly used in daily conversations, movies, offices, and informal writing, making them essential for natural English communication.
Why do many learners find phrasal verbs difficult?
Many phrasal verbs have meanings that are different from the individual words, which can confuse learners.
What does “bring up” mean?
“Bring up” means to mention or introduce a topic in conversation.
What is the meaning of “call off”?
“Call off” means to cancel something such as an event, meeting, or match.
What does “carry on” mean?
“Carry on” means to continue doing something without stopping.
What is the meaning of “figure out”?
“Figure out” means to understand, solve, or find the answer to something.
What does “find out” mean?
“Find out” means to discover or learn new information.
What is the difference between “turn on” and “turn off”?
“Turn on” means to start a machine or device, while “turn off” means to stop or switch it off.
What does “look after” mean?
“Look after” means to take care of someone or something.
What is the meaning of “look forward to”?
“Look forward to” means to feel excited about something happening in the future.
What does “run out of” mean?
“Run out of” means to have no more of something left.
What does “pick up” mean?
“Pick up” means to collect or gather someone or something from a place.
What is the meaning of “give up”?
“Give up” means to stop trying or quit doing something.
What does “work out” mean?
“Work out” can mean to exercise physically or to find a solution to a problem.
Why should ESL learners practice phrasal verbs regularly?
Regular practice helps learners understand real English better and use phrasal verbs naturally in conversations.
How can learners remember phrasal verbs more easily?
Learners can remember phrasal verbs by learning a few at a time, practicing them in sentences, and using them in daily conversations.
What does “hang out” mean?
“Hang out” means to spend relaxed time with friends or other people.
What is the meaning of “put off”?
“Put off” means to delay or postpone something to a later time.
How do phrasal verbs improve spoken English?
Phrasal verbs make spoken English sound more natural, fluent, and similar to native speaker communication.
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- 50 English Sentences About Books and Movies
- 50 English Sentences to Discuss Shopping Experience
- 50 English Sentences to Describe a Person’s Appearance
- 50 English Sentences to Express Emotions / Feelings
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