Basic Phrasal Verbs for Talking About Daily Activities

Phrasal verbs are an important part of English.

They combine a verb with a preposition or an adverb (or both) to create a new meaning.

For English learners, phrasal verbs can feel tricky because their meanings are not always obvious.

However, they are commonly used in everyday conversations, so it’s essential to learn them.

In this post, I’ll teach some basic phrasal verbs that you can use when talking about your daily activities.

I’ll also explain their meanings in simple terms.

Let’s get started!

1. Wake Up

Meaning: To stop sleeping and become awake.
Example: I wake up at 7 a.m. every day.

This is the first step in most people’s daily routine. You might hear someone say:

What time do you wake up?

2. Get Up

Meaning: To leave your bed after waking up.
Example: I don’t like to get up early on weekends.

This phrasal verb is different from “wake up.” You wake up when you stop sleeping, but you get up when you actually leave your bed.

3. Turn Off

Meaning: To stop something from working, like lights, alarms, or electronics.
Example: Don’t forget to turn off the alarm before you leave.

Many people use this phrasal verb to talk about turning off their alarms or lights in the morning.

4. Put On

Meaning: To wear clothes or accessories.
Example: I put on my favorite jacket before going outside.

This phrasal verb is very useful when you talk about getting dressed.

5. Take Off

Meaning: To remove clothes or accessories.
Example: I take off my shoes when I enter the house.

You’ll often hear this phrasal verb when talking about changing clothes or being polite in someone’s home.

6. Freshen Up

Meaning: To quickly wash your face, hands, or body to feel cleaner.
Example: After work, I like to freshen up before dinner.

This is a polite way of saying that you clean yourself to feel refreshed.

7. Brush Up On

Meaning: To improve your knowledge or skill in something.
Example: I need to brush up on my English before the exam.

While this phrasal verb can be used for studying, it’s also common for personal improvement.

8. Eat Out

Meaning: To eat at a restaurant instead of at home.
Example: We usually eat out on Friday nights.

Eating out is a popular activity for socializing or celebrating special occasions.

9. Work Out

Meaning: To exercise or do physical activity.
Example: I work out at the gym three times a week.

This phrasal verb is often used when talking about fitness or staying healthy.

10. Go Out

Meaning: To leave your home to do something fun, like meet friends or see a movie.
Example: We’re going out tonight to celebrate my birthday.

“Go out” is a general phrase used for social activities.

11. Hang Out

Meaning: To spend time with friends or family in a relaxed way.
Example: I love hanging out with my friends on the weekend.

This phrasal verb is informal and perfect for talking about casual activities.

12. Run Errands

Meaning: To do small tasks outside, like shopping or going to the bank.
Example: I need to run some errands before dinner.

This phrasal verb is used for routine tasks that keep your life organized.

13. Pick Up

Meaning: To collect something or someone.
Example: Can you pick up some milk from the store?

“Pick up” is also used for collecting people, like children from school.

14. Drop Off

Meaning: To take someone or something to a place and leave them there.
Example: I drop off my kids at school every morning.

This phrasal verb is the opposite of “pick up.”

15. Clean Up

Meaning: To make a place clean and tidy.
Example: We need to clean up the kitchen after cooking.

This is a common phrasal verb for household chores.

16. Take Out

Meaning: To remove something, especially trash.
Example: Please take out the trash before you leave.

“Take out” is often used when talking about household responsibilities.

17. Sit Down

Meaning: To take a seat or lower your body onto a chair.
Example: Let’s sit down and talk for a while.

This is one of the simplest phrasal verbs, but it’s used all the time.

18. Lie Down

Meaning: To recline your body on a bed or sofa to rest.
Example: I need to lie down for a few minutes after work.

This phrasal verb is useful when you’re feeling tired.

19. Turn On

Meaning: To start something, like lights, electronics, or machines.
Example: Can you turn on the TV? I want to watch the news.

“Turn on” is the opposite of “turn off.”

20. Set Up

Meaning: To prepare something, like a meeting, event, or device.
Example: I need to set up my laptop for the presentation.

This phrasal verb is often used for both work and personal tasks.

21. Look After

Meaning: To take care of someone or something.
Example: Can you look after my dog while I’m away?

This phrasal verb is helpful when discussing care or responsibility.

22. Get Back

Meaning: To return to a place or situation.
Example: I’ll get back home by 6 p.m.

“Get back” is often used when talking about returning to your house or workplace.

23. Call Up

Meaning: To phone someone.
Example: I’ll call up my mom to check on her.

This phrasal verb is commonly used when talking about making phone calls.

24. Put Away

Meaning: To store something in its proper place.
Example: Don’t forget to put away your toys after playing.

This is a helpful phrasal verb for organizing things at home.

25. Wind Down

Meaning: To relax after a busy day.
Example: I like to read a book to wind down before bed.

This phrasal verb is perfect for ending your day on a calm note.

How to Practice Phrasal Verbs

Here are some tips to help you remember and use these phrasal verbs in your daily life:

Make Sentences: Write simple sentences using each phrasal verb.
Talk About Your Day: Practice talking about your routine with these verbs.
Listen and Read: Watch TV shows, movies, or read books to see how these verbs are used.
Use Flashcards: Write the phrasal verb on one side and its meaning on the other.

Final Thoughts

Phrasal verbs are a big part of everyday English.

By learning and practicing these basic phrasal verbs, you’ll be able to talk about your daily activities more naturally and confidently.

Start using them in your conversations, and you’ll notice the difference!

Which phrasal verbs do you use most often in your daily life? Let me know in the comments!