30 Phrasal Verbs for Technology – Speak English Like a Tech Pro

In this post, we’ll dive into 30 essential phrasal verbs for technology.

We live in a digital age, where new technologies and tools are constantly reshaping how we communicate, work, and live.

From texting to coding to online networking, understanding the language of technology is crucial for both students and professionals.

However, there’s one aspect of the digital world that often trips up learners of English—phrasal verbs.

These are those quirky little phrases, like “log in” or “boot up,” that combine verbs with particles (prepositions or adverbs) to convey meanings that go beyond the literal.

Now, you might be thinking, “Why do I need to learn phrasal verbs for technology?”

Well, whether you’re communicating with colleagues, troubleshooting an issue, or reading technical blogs, understanding phrasal verbs will help you sound more natural and fluent.

They also make your English sound more like how native speakers use it in everyday conversations.

These are practical, widely used phrases that will make you feel more confident and equipped to navigate the digital world.

Let’s break them down, explore their meanings, and see how you can use them in real-world situations.

1. Log in / Log out

Meaning: To enter or exit a system or website using a username and password.
Example: “I need to log in to my email account to check the messages.”
Real-World Use: Think of the last time you checked your social media accounts or accessed your bank online—you probably logged in and logged out without a second thought. This simple yet important phrasal verb is a staple in technology conversations.

2. Boot up

Meaning: To start a computer or device by turning it on.
Example: “My laptop takes a few minutes to boot up in the morning.”
Real-World Use: When you turn on your computer or smartphone, it’s booting up. It’s like waking up the device from a deep sleep. It’s also used when a system takes longer than usual to start.

3. Shut down

Meaning: To turn off a computer or device.
Example: “Please shut down your computer before leaving for the day.”
Real-World Use: In tech-speak, shutting down is the process of powering off your device properly to ensure nothing gets corrupted. It’s an essential part of tech etiquette.

4. Log out

Meaning: To sign out of an online service or device.
Example: “Don’t forget to log out of your email when you’re done.”
Real-World Use: Logging out is a security measure. It ensures no one else can access your accounts, especially on shared devices. It’s like locking the door when you leave the house.

5. Set up

Meaning: To arrange or configure a device or software for use.
Example: “I’ll need an hour to set up the new printer.”
Real-World Use: Whether you’re setting up a new phone, installing software, or preparing a new system, this phrasal verb is a go-to for any situation that involves getting something ready to use.

6. Turn on / Turn off

Meaning: To activate or deactivate a device or feature.
Example: “Don’t forget to turn off your Wi-Fi when you’re not using it to save battery.”
Real-World Use: Simple yet essential, these two phrasal verbs come up all the time. You turn on your computer, your smartphone, your router, your Bluetooth, and so on. And, of course, you turn them off when you’re done.

7. Break down

Meaning: To stop functioning, often referring to a system or device.
Example: “My laptop broke down in the middle of an important presentation.”
Real-World Use: If your phone or computer stops working unexpectedly, it’s “broken down.” It can refer to physical problems, like hardware failure, or software crashes.

8. Back up

Meaning: To make a copy of data to prevent loss.
Example: “I always back up my files to the cloud to avoid losing them.”
Real-World Use: Backing up data is crucial in today’s world. Whether you use a cloud service, external hard drive, or another backup method, it’s important to protect your data from accidental loss.

9. Update

Meaning: To install the latest version of software or an application.
Example: “I need to update my phone before I can install the new app.”
Real-World Use: Software and apps are regularly updated to fix bugs, improve security, and introduce new features. Knowing when and how to update your systems is a must.

10. Plug in / Unplug

Meaning: To connect or disconnect a device from a power source or other devices.
Example: “I forgot to plug in my laptop, and now it’s dead!”
Real-World Use: These phrasal verbs are often used when talking about charging devices or connecting peripherals like printers or monitors.

11. Scroll down / Scroll up

Meaning: To move up or down on a screen using a mouse, trackpad, or touchscreen.
Example: “Scroll down to see the rest of the article.”
Real-World Use: Whether you’re browsing the web or reading an e-book, scrolling is a frequent action in the digital world. It’s a small action with big impact!

12. Zoom in / Zoom out

Meaning: To adjust the view on a screen to focus on a particular area or to view a larger area.
Example: “You can zoom in on the map to get a closer look.”
Real-World Use: These phrasal verbs are especially useful when working with images or maps on a device. They help you get a closer look at details or see a broader view.

13. Scroll through

Meaning: To look through content on a screen by moving up or down.
Example: “I scrolled through my newsfeed for an hour this morning.”
Real-World Use: This is commonly used when referring to browsing through social media or reading a long article or document on a screen.

14. Plug in

Meaning: To connect a device to a power source or another device.
Example: “You need to plug in your charger to keep your phone powered.”
Real-World Use: Whether you’re plugging in a USB drive, connecting a monitor, or charging your phone, this is a verb you’ll use every day in tech-related situations.

15. Check out

Meaning: To explore or examine something, often online.
Example: “Check out this new app I just downloaded!”
Real-World Use: This phrasal verb is used when recommending a new tool, app, website, or feature you want someone to explore. It’s informal but widely used.

16. Turn up / Turn down

Meaning: To increase or decrease the volume or intensity of something.
Example: “Can you turn up the volume? I can’t hear anything.”
Real-World Use: You’ll hear this phrase frequently when adjusting settings on devices like phones, speakers, or even video calls.

17. Set up

Meaning: To establish or configure a system or device.
Example: “I need to set up my new email account.”
Real-World Use: This is a common term when getting something ready for use—whether it’s a new device, a system, or a software tool.

18. Run into

Meaning: To experience an unexpected problem or error.
Example: “I ran into some issues while updating my app.”
Real-World Use: This phrasal verb is perfect for those frustrating moments when things don’t go as planned in tech.

19. Fix up

Meaning: To repair or correct something.
Example: “I had to fix up my computer after it crashed last week.”
Real-World Use: In tech, this could refer to troubleshooting software problems or fixing minor hardware issues.

20. Hack into

Meaning: To illegally access a system or network.
Example: “They accused him of trying to hack into the company’s database.”
Real-World Use: In tech, hacking is often associated with cybercrime. While not something we want to do, it’s important to understand the term when discussing security.

21. Shut down

Meaning: To close or stop an application or system.
Example: “The system was shut down for maintenance.”
Real-World Use: You’ll use this phrase to refer to ending a process, application, or even a system on a computer.

22. Get back to

Meaning: To return to or revisit something.
Example: “I’ll get back to you once I’ve finished troubleshooting the issue.”
Real-World Use: This is a useful phrase for tech support or communication, implying you’ll return to a task or conversation once it’s possible.

23. Open up

Meaning: To start or launch something, like an application or a document.
Example: “Open up the app to begin the tutorial.”
Real-World Use: A standard term for launching or accessing a file, program, or feature on a device.

24. Set out

Meaning: To start a project or task with a particular goal in mind.
Example: “We set out to improve the website’s speed with the new software update.”
Real-World Use: This can refer to any kind of digital project, from creating software to designing a website.

25. Go down

Meaning: When a system or service stops functioning, often temporarily.
Example: “The server went down during our online meeting.”
Real-World Use: “Going down” is commonly used when talking about website outages, server failures, or temporary disruptions in service.

26. Look up

Meaning: To search for information, often online.
Example: “I’ll look up the answer and get back to you.”
Real-World Use: With the internet at our fingertips, this phrase is frequently used when we want to search for something—whether it’s a quick fact or a detailed guide.

27. Cut off

Meaning: To interrupt or disconnect a service or communication.
Example: “My internet was cut off because I missed the payment.”
Real-World Use: This phrasal verb is used when services like internet or phone connections are abruptly stopped.

28. Zoom in

Meaning: To increase the level of detail on a screen.
Example: “You can zoom in on the map to see more details.”
Real-World Use: It’s often used when viewing photos, maps, or other images online.

29. Save up

Meaning: To store or keep something, often data, for future use.
Example: “Make sure to save up your work before closing the program.”
Real-World Use: In the digital world, saving up refers to securing data so it’s not lost when the device is turned off or a program crashes.

30. Work out

Meaning: To find a solution or resolve a problem.
Example: “We worked out the issue with the website’s loading speed.”
Real-World Use: This is common in troubleshooting or problem-solving situations, often used in team settings.

Conclusion

As you can see, phrasal verbs are a powerful part of the language, especially when it comes to technology.

Understanding these phrases not only makes your English more fluent and natural but also ensures you can keep up with conversations and work tasks in the tech world.

By learning and practicing these 30 phrasal verbs, you’ll have a better grasp of how things work in the digital landscape.

Whether you’re logging in, troubleshooting, or collaborating online, these phrases will help you communicate more effectively.

So, go ahead and start using them in your daily conversations, emails, or tech-related tasks.

With time, you’ll find yourself navigating the world of technology with much more ease—and sounding like a native speaker while you’re at it!

Happy learning!