30 Phrasal Verbs for Education and Learning

Have you ever struggled to understand a phrase like “pick up on” or “go over” in an English lesson?

If you’re a student or a teacher, you’ve probably encountered this challenge.

Phrasal verbs often seem to have magical meanings that aren’t always easy to guess from the individual words.

But don’t worry—understanding and using them correctly in an educational context can give you a major advantage in both communication and comprehension.

In this post, we’ll learn 30 essential phrasal verbs for education and learning.

These are phrases you’ll hear in classrooms, read in textbooks, and use in conversations.

With each verb, I’ll provide practical examples, explanations, and tips to help you confidently master their usage.

By the end of this post, you’ll feel like a pro when it comes to using phrasal verbs in academic settings!

1. Brush Up On

Meaning: To refresh or review knowledge, usually after a period of not using it.
Example: “I need to brush up on my grammar before the test next week.”
Tip: This is a great verb to use when you’re preparing for exams or revisiting a topic you haven’t studied in a while.

2. Break Down

Meaning: To explain something in simpler terms, often by separating it into smaller parts.
Example: “The teacher broke down the complex topic of algebra into manageable steps.”
Tip: If you’re ever having trouble understanding something, try asking your teacher to break it down for you!

3. Carry On

Meaning: To continue doing something.
Example: “The lesson was so engaging that we decided to carry on even after the bell rang.”
Tip: This is useful when you’re discussing staying focused or continuing with tasks in the classroom.

4. Catch Up (On)

Meaning: To improve your knowledge or understanding, often after falling behind.
Example: “I missed a week of school, so I need to catch up on the lessons I missed.”
Tip: Whether it’s homework or a missed class, catching up is a common experience for all students.

5. Check In

Meaning: To meet or communicate with someone to get an update or clarify something.
Example: “I’ll check in with you later to see if you need help with the assignment.”
Tip: It’s a good phrase to use in student-teacher interactions, especially when you need guidance or feedback.

6. Come Up With

Meaning: To think of or create an idea, plan, or solution.
Example: “She came up with an innovative solution to the group project.”
Tip: This phrasal verb is useful when discussing creativity or problem-solving in academic work.

7. Drop Out

Meaning: To leave or withdraw from a course or school.
Example: “He decided to drop out of the course because it was too challenging.”
Tip: Though not often a positive choice, it’s a necessary verb when talking about leaving an academic program.

8. Figure Out

Meaning: To find a solution or understand something after some thought.
Example: “It took me a while to figure out the math problem, but I finally did!”
Tip: This is a versatile phrasal verb, perfect for when you’re solving difficult problems or learning new concepts.

9. Give Up

Meaning: To stop trying or quit doing something, especially when it gets difficult.
Example: “I almost gave up on learning English, but my teacher encouraged me to keep going.”
Tip: This is a common phrase used in motivational contexts, especially when a student faces challenges.

10. Go Over

Meaning: To review or examine something carefully.
Example: “Let’s go over the instructions one more time before we start the activity.”
Tip: Teachers often use this phrase before tests or assignments to ensure everyone understands the material.

11. Hand In

Meaning: To submit work or an assignment.
Example: “Don’t forget to hand in your homework by the end of the day!”
Tip: This is an essential phrasal verb to know in a school environment, as it’s frequently used for homework submissions.

12. Look Forward To

Meaning: To eagerly await or be excited about something in the future.
Example: “I’m really looking forward to the field trip next week!”
Tip: This is a great phrase to use when talking about something you’re excited to learn or experience.

13. Look Into

Meaning: To investigate or research something.
Example: “I’ll look into the availability of the textbooks for our class.”
Tip: Use this phrasal verb when discussing research or gathering information on a particular subject.

14. Make Up

Meaning: To create or invent something, often to compensate for something missed.
Example: “You can make up the missed classwork during the extra tutorial session.”
Tip: This is helpful when you’re discussing making up for missed assignments or lessons.

15. Pick Up On

Meaning: To notice or become aware of something.
Example: “I picked up on his struggle with the topic during the lesson.”
Tip: This phrasal verb is particularly useful for noticing small details, like a change in tone or student behavior.

16. Point Out

Meaning: To indicate or mention something specific.
Example: “The teacher pointed out the key concepts that would be on the exam.”
Tip: This is often used in educational contexts to highlight important points or details.

17. Put Off

Meaning: To delay or postpone something.
Example: “I had to put off studying for the test until tomorrow.”
Tip: This is commonly used when discussing delayed tasks or procrastination.

18. Run Through

Meaning: To practice or review something quickly.
Example: “Let’s run through the lesson one more time before the test.”
Tip: This is useful when you need a quick review or recap of important material.

19. Set Up

Meaning: To arrange or organize something.
Example: “We need to set up the classroom before the students arrive.”
Tip: Teachers often use this when discussing preparing materials or organizing events.

20. Show Up

Meaning: To arrive or appear, especially for a meeting or event.
Example: “She showed up late to class but caught up with the lesson quickly.”
Tip: This is useful for any situation when students or teachers attend a session or event.

21. Sit In On

Meaning: To attend a class or meeting without actively participating.
Example: “The principal sat in on our lesson to observe our teaching methods.”
Tip: This is often used for observations or when someone is observing but not actively involved.

22. Take After

Meaning: To resemble someone, especially in terms of behavior or abilities.
Example: “She really takes after her mother in terms of teaching style.”
Tip: This is useful in discussions of inherited traits or comparing behaviors.

23. Take In

Meaning: To fully understand or absorb information.
Example: “It was a lot of information to take in during the lecture, but I understood the key points.”
Tip: This is great for situations where students are processing new and complex information.

24. Take Over

Meaning: To assume control or responsibility for something.
Example: “The new principal will take over the school next semester.”
Tip: This is commonly used in leadership transitions or when responsibilities are being handed over.

25. Talk Over

Meaning: To discuss or deliberate on a topic.
Example: “Let’s talk over the details of the group project before we start working on it.”
Tip: This is often used in meetings or brainstorming sessions.

26. Throw Out

Meaning: To discard or reject something.
Example: “The teacher threw out the old textbooks because they were outdated.”
Tip: This is used when eliminating old materials or ideas in favor of something new.

27. Turn In

Meaning: To submit work or assignments, similar to “hand in.”
Example: “Make sure to turn in your assignment by the deadline.”
Tip: This is another common phrase in educational settings, especially for assignment submission.

28. Turn Up

Meaning: To appear or arrive at a place.
Example: “I didn’t expect her to turn up at the meeting on such short notice.”
Tip: Use this when someone unexpectedly shows up, whether in class or a meeting.

29. Work Out

Meaning: To solve or resolve a problem.
Example: “We worked out the answer to the math question together.”
Tip: This is a versatile phrasal verb that can be applied to problem-solving in any context.

30. Wrap Up

Meaning: To finish or conclude something.
Example: “Let’s wrap up today’s lesson and review what we’ve learned.”
Tip: This is a useful way to signal the end of a lesson or task.