Phrasal verbs are an essential part of everyday English. Native speakers use them naturally in daily conversations, whether at home, at work, or with friends. However, many English learners find phrasal verbs confusing because their meanings are not always clear from the individual words. Learning common phrasal verbs will help you understand real conversations better and speak more naturally.
In this blog post, you will discover the top 20 English phrasal verbs for everyday conversations explained in simple language. Each phrasal verb comes with clear meanings and practical examples to help you use them correctly. Whether you are preparing for exams, improving your speaking skills, or expanding your vocabulary, these useful expressions will help you communicate more confidently and fluently.
This topic is part of our English Phrasal Verbs for English learners.
1. Wake up
Meaning: To stop sleeping. Example:
- I wake up at 7 a.m. every day.
- She woke up late because her alarm didn’t ring.
2. Get up
Meaning: To leave your bed after waking up. Example:
- I don’t like to get up early on weekends.
- He got up quickly when he heard the doorbell.
3. Turn on
Meaning: To start a machine, light, or electronic device. Example:
- Can you turn on the TV?
- She turned on the lights as it was getting dark.
4. Turn off
Meaning: To stop a machine, light, or electronic device. Example:
- Please turn off your phone during the meeting.
- He forgot to turn off the fan before leaving.
5. Go out
Meaning: To leave your home to go somewhere, especially for social activities. Example:
- Let’s go out for dinner tonight.
- They went out to watch a movie.
6. Come back
Meaning: To return to a place. Example:
- When will you come back from your trip?
- She came back home after work.
7. Look for
Meaning: To try to find something. Example:
- I’m looking for my keys. Have you seen them?
- He is looking for a new job.
8. Find out
Meaning: To discover or learn something. Example:
- I found out that the meeting was canceled.
- She found out about the surprise party.
9. Pick up
Meaning: To lift something or someone, or to collect someone in a vehicle. Example:
- Can you pick up the kids from school?
- He picked up the book and started reading.
10. Drop off
Meaning: To take someone or something to a place and leave them there. Example:
- I’ll drop you off at the station.
- She dropped off the package at the post office.
11. Put on
Meaning: To wear clothes or accessories. Example:
- She put on her jacket before going outside.
- Don’t forget to put on sunscreen at the beach.
12. Take off
Meaning: To remove clothes or accessories, or when a plane leaves the ground. Example:
- He took off his shoes before entering the house.
- The plane will take off in 30 minutes.
13. Sit down
Meaning: To take a seat. Example:
- Please sit down and make yourself comfortable.
- He sat down on the bench to rest.
14. Stand up
Meaning: To rise to your feet. Example:
- Everyone stood up when the teacher entered the room.
- She stood up to give her seat to an elderly person.
15. Run into
Meaning: To meet someone by chance. Example:
- I ran into an old friend at the mall.
- He ran into his boss at the restaurant.
16. Get along
Meaning: To have a good relationship with someone. Example:
- They get along well with their neighbors.
- I don’t get along with my cousin.
17. Hang out
Meaning: To spend time relaxing with someone. Example:
- Do you want to hang out this weekend?
- They usually hang out at the coffee shop after school.
18. Call off
Meaning: To cancel something. Example:
- The manager called off the meeting.
- They had to call off the wedding due to bad weather.
19. Give up
Meaning: To stop trying or to quit. Example:
- Don’t give up on your dreams.
- She gave up smoking last year.
20. Work out
Meaning: To exercise or to solve a problem. Example:
- I work out at the gym every morning.
- We need to work out a solution to this problem.
Why Learn Phrasal Verbs?
Phrasal verbs are used in casual conversations, so learning them can make your English sound more fluent and natural.
Understanding them also helps you communicate better, as many native speakers use phrasal verbs instead of more formal words.
Tips for Learning Phrasal Verbs
- Practice Daily: Use these phrasal verbs in sentences to remember them better.
- Focus on Context: Learn how they are used in different situations.
- Use Flashcards: Write the phrasal verb on one side and the meaning on the other.
- Watch and Listen: Watch English movies or listen to podcasts to hear phrasal verbs in real conversations.
- Make a List: Keep a list of phrasal verbs and review it regularly.
Conclusion
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of everyday English and are commonly used by native speakers in daily conversations.
Learning and practicing the top 20 phrasal verbs for everyday conversations helps you understand spoken English better and express yourself more naturally.
At first, phrasal verbs may seem confusing, but with regular use and real-life examples, they become easy to remember.
Keep practicing them in sentences, listen carefully when others use them, and try to include them in your own conversations.
Over time, these phrasal verbs will greatly improve your fluency and confidence in English.
You may also like these English learning articles:
- 30 Phrasal Verbs using “OFF” with Meanings and Sentences
- 30 Phrasal Verbs using “COME” with Meanings and Sentences
- 30 Phrasal Verbs using “DOWN” with Meanings and Sentences
- 30 Phrasal Verbs using “PLAY” with Meanings and Sentences
