Phrasal Verbs for Navigating Complex Situations

When life throws us into complex or difficult situations, it can feel overwhelming.

Whether you’re dealing with problems at work, conflicts with friends, or challenges in everyday life, language can be a powerful tool.

Phrasal verbs—those tricky combinations of verbs and prepositions or adverbs—are especially useful.

They add depth to your communication and help you sound more natural when speaking English.

In this post, I’ll cover phrasal verbs for navigating complex situations, their meanings, and how to use them in simple sentences.

Let’s dive in!

1. Break Down

Meaning:

To stop functioning (e.g., a machine or a system).
To lose emotional control.

Example Sentences:

The car broke down on the way to the meeting.
She broke down in tears after hearing the bad news.

Usage in Complex Situations:

Use “break down” when talking about mechanical failures or emotional struggles. It’s helpful for describing moments when things don’t go as planned.

2. Sort Out

Meaning:

To organize or solve a problem.

Example Sentences:

I need to sort out the issues with my internet connection.
Can you sort out the misunderstanding between them?

Usage in Complex Situations:

This is a go-to phrasal verb when tackling problems. It’s all about finding solutions and getting things in order.

3. Run Into

Meaning:

To encounter someone or something unexpectedly.
To face a problem or difficulty.

Example Sentences:

I ran into an old friend at the supermarket.
We ran into some difficulties during the project.

Usage in Complex Situations:

“Run into” is perfect for describing unexpected challenges or encounters.

4. Get Through

Meaning:

To successfully deal with a difficult situation.
To contact someone (usually on the phone).

Example Sentences:

She managed to get through the tough times with support from her friends.
I couldn’t get through to him because his phone was off.

Usage in Complex Situations:

Use “get through” when overcoming challenges or reaching out to others for help.

5. Hold On

Meaning:

To wait for a short time.
To persevere during tough times.

Example Sentences:

Hold on; I’ll check the details for you.
He told her to hold on and not give up hope.

Usage in Complex Situations:

“Hold on” is about patience and resilience, making it an excellent choice for tough situations.

6. Work Out

Meaning:

To find a solution to a problem.
To exercise.

Example Sentences:

We need to work out a plan to handle the budget cuts.
She worked out every morning to stay healthy.

Usage in Complex Situations:

This phrasal verb is versatile and can describe solving problems or improving oneself.

7. Bring Up

Meaning:

To mention or introduce a topic.
To raise a child.

Example Sentences:

He brought up the issue during the meeting.
She was brought up in a small town.

Usage in Complex Situations:

Use “bring up” when addressing sensitive topics or starting important discussions.

8. Back Out

Meaning:

To decide not to do something you agreed to do.

Example Sentences:

They backed out of the deal at the last minute.
I can’t back out now; I’ve already committed.

Usage in Complex Situations:

“Back out” is useful when discussing broken commitments or last-minute changes.

9. Turn Down

Meaning:

To refuse an offer or request.
To reduce the volume or intensity of something.

Example Sentences:

She turned down the job offer because it was too far from home.
Please turn down the music; it’s too loud.

Usage in Complex Situations:

This phrasal verb is helpful for polite refusals or managing external factors.

10. Step Up

Meaning:

To take responsibility or take action, especially in a difficult situation.

Example Sentences:

The team leader stepped up when the project was in danger of failing.
We all need to step up and support each other during this crisis.

Usage in Complex Situations:

“Step up” is great for showing courage and leadership.

11. Fall Apart

Meaning:

To break into pieces.
To become emotionally or mentally unstable.

Example Sentences:

The plan fell apart when we lost funding.
She started to fall apart after the stressful events of last week.

Usage in Complex Situations:

This phrasal verb helps express moments when things feel like they’re crumbling.

12. Carry On

Meaning:

To continue despite difficulties.

Example Sentences:

The workers carried on even after the storm disrupted their plans.
She decided to carry on with her studies despite the challenges.

Usage in Complex Situations:

Use “carry on” to encourage persistence and determination.

13. Pull Through

Meaning:

To recover from a serious illness or difficult situation.

Example Sentences:

The doctors believe he will pull through after the surgery.
She pulled through despite all the obstacles in her way.

Usage in Complex Situations:

“Pull through” is about overcoming hardships, especially serious ones.

14. Let Down

Meaning:

To disappoint someone.

Example Sentences:

He let down his team by not finishing the project on time.
I’m sorry to let you down, but I can’t attend the event.

Usage in Complex Situations:

This phrasal verb is perfect for expressing disappointment or unmet expectations.

15. Figure Out

Meaning:

To understand something or solve a problem.

Example Sentences:

I need to figure out how to fix this computer issue.
They figured out the best way to approach the negotiation.

Usage in Complex Situations:

Use “figure out” when dealing with puzzles, challenges, or confusion.

16. Call Off

Meaning:

To cancel something.

Example Sentences:

They called off the meeting due to a scheduling conflict.
The event was called off because of the bad weather.

Usage in Complex Situations:

“Call off” is useful when talking about cancellations or changes in plans.

17. Give In

Meaning:

To surrender or stop resisting.

Example Sentences:

After hours of arguing, she finally gave in.
Don’t give in to pressure; stand your ground.

Usage in Complex Situations:

Use “give in” to describe moments of compromise or surrender.

18. Deal With

Meaning:

To handle or manage a situation or problem.

Example Sentences:

She’s good at dealing with difficult customers.
We need to deal with this issue before it gets worse.

Usage in Complex Situations:

This is one of the most common phrasal verbs for managing challenges.

19. Bring About

Meaning:

To cause something to happen.

Example Sentences:

The new policies brought about positive changes in the company.
Their efforts brought about a resolution to the conflict.

Usage in Complex Situations:

Use “bring about” when discussing causes and effects in complex scenarios.

20. Cut Off

Meaning:

To stop providing something (e.g., communication or supplies).

Example Sentences:

The heavy snow cut off electricity in the area.
She cut off all contact with him after the argument.

Usage in Complex Situations:

This phrasal verb is great for describing interruptions or endings.

Final Thoughts

Phrasal verbs can make your English sound more natural and expressive, especially when navigating complex situations.

By learning these common phrases, you’ll be better prepared to communicate effectively, whether you’re solving problems, managing conflicts, or simply sharing your thoughts.

Start practicing these phrasal verbs in your daily conversations.

Use them in context and write your own sentences to remember them better.

With time and practice, they’ll become a natural part of your vocabulary.

What’s your favorite phrasal verb? Share it in the comments below!