Hobbies and interests are common topics in everyday conversations.
We often talk about what we like to do in our free time, such as reading, sports, music, or traveling.
In English, native speakers frequently use phrasal verbs like take up, join in, and work on when talking about hobbies and interests.
Learning phrasal verbs related to hobbies helps you express yourself naturally and sound more confident while speaking.
In this blog post, you will learn useful phrasal verbs for discussing hobbies and interests, explained in a simple and practical way.
English Phrasal Verbs for Discussing Hobbies and Interests
1. Pick Up
Meaning: To start learning or doing something new.
This is a great phrasal verb when you want to talk about trying a new hobby or skill.
Example:
- “I decided to pick up painting last year, and now I really enjoy it.”
- “She picked up photography because she loves capturing beautiful moments.”
2. Take Up
Meaning: To begin a new activity, especially a hobby or interest.
“Take up” is another way to express starting something new. It is very similar to “pick up.”
Example:
- “I took up yoga to stay healthy and relax.”
- “He took up cooking during the pandemic.”
3. Get Into
Meaning: To become interested in or involved in something.
If you “get into” something, it means you start to enjoy or become involved in an activity or subject.
Example:
- “I’ve always been interested in music, but I really got into jazz recently.”
- “She got into hiking after a trip to the mountains.”
4. Hang Out
Meaning: To spend time relaxing or having fun with friends.
“Hanging out” is a common phrase used to talk about spending free time with others.
Example:
- “We love hanging out at the park on weekends.”
- “I usually hang out with my friends after school.”
5. Work Out
Meaning: To exercise, especially in a gym or as part of a fitness routine.
If you enjoy staying active, this phrasal verb is for you. “Work out” refers to physical exercise.
Example:
- “I try to work out three times a week to stay fit.”
- “She works out every morning before work.”
6. Chill Out
Meaning: To relax or take it easy.
When you want to talk about relaxing or unwinding, “chill out” is a great choice.
Example:
- “After a long day, I like to chill out by watching movies.”
- “Let’s chill out this weekend and do nothing for a change.”
7. Look Into
Meaning: To research or explore a topic or activity.
If you’re curious about something, you might want to “look into” it to learn more.
Example:
- “I’m looking into learning how to play the guitar.”
- “He’s looking into joining a local dance group.”
8. Give Up
Meaning: To stop doing something because it is too difficult or no longer enjoyable.
Sometimes, we try new hobbies and realize they’re not for us. In that case, we might decide to “give up” on them.
Example:
- “I gave up on knitting because I just couldn’t get the hang of it.”
- “She gave up playing tennis after a few months.”
9. Catch Up
Meaning: To update or reconnect with someone after a period of time.
“Catch up” is often used when talking about socializing or meeting friends after some time apart.
Example:
- “Let’s catch up over coffee sometime and talk about our hobbies.”
- “I love catching up with old friends when we have time.”
10. Get Together
Meaning: To meet with others in a social setting.
If you enjoy spending time with others, you can use “get together” to talk about social activities.
Example:
- “We’re getting together at my house for a game night.”
- “Let’s get together this weekend and have a picnic.”
11. Show Off
Meaning: To display your skills or talents in a way that seeks attention.
Sometimes, when we’re really proud of a hobby or skill, we might “show it off” to others.
Example:
- “He loves to show off his magic tricks at parties.”
- “She showed off her cooking skills by making a huge meal for everyone.”
12. Turn Into
Meaning: To change into something else or to develop into something over time.
If a hobby grows into something bigger or changes in nature, we can say it “turned into” something else.
Example:
- “What started as a casual hobby turned into a full-time job.”
- “His interest in photography turned into a passion for traveling.”
13. Join In
Meaning: To participate in an activity or event.
When you want to take part in something that others are doing, you can “join in.”
Example:
- “I decided to join in the painting class with my friends.”
- “She joined in the local book club to meet new people.”
14. Take Part In
Meaning: To participate or be involved in something.
“Take part in” is similar to “join in” but often refers to more structured activities like events or competitions.
Example:
- “I’m going to take part in the charity run next month.”
- “He took part in the cooking competition at the fair.”
15. Blow Off
Meaning: To cancel or skip an activity or event, usually in a casual way.
Sometimes we decide not to do something we planned. “Blow off” is a casual way to talk about skipping or canceling.
Example:
- “I’m sorry I blew off our meeting. I wasn’t feeling well.”
- “We decided to blow off the hiking trip because of the rain.”
16. Set Up
Meaning: To organize or arrange an event or activity.
If you’re planning an activity or event, you might “set it up” to get everything ready.
Example:
- “We’re setting up a movie night at my place this weekend.”
- “She set up a painting workshop for beginners.”
17. Log On
Meaning: To connect to the internet or a specific website, especially for online activities.
In today’s digital world, many hobbies can be done online. “Log on” refers to accessing websites or apps.
Example:
- “I log on to my online gaming platform every evening.”
- “She loves to log on and watch cooking tutorials.”
Conclusion
Using phrasal verbs can make your conversations about hobbies and interests sound more natural and engaging. Whether you’re discussing something new you’ve started, talking about a favorite activity, or explaining how you relax, these phrasal verbs will help you communicate more effectively.
So next time you talk about your hobbies or interests, try to use some of these phrasal verbs. With a little practice, you’ll find it easier to share your passions in English and sound like a native speaker!
