What Are Phrasal Verbs and How to Use Them

Phrasal verbs are a vital part of English communication. They combine verbs with prepositions or adverbs to create new meanings, often different from the original verb. This article explains what are phrasal verbs and how to use them, provides 100 useful examples with meanings, exam tips, FAQs, and guidance for mastering them in daily and competitive use.

Introduction

When learning English, one of the most confusing topics is what are phrasal verbs and how to use them. A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb with a preposition or adverb that changes the meaning of the original verb. Mastering them is essential for improving speaking, writing, and competitive exam performance.

What Are Phrasal Verbs?

• Definition: A phrasal verb is made up of a main verb and one or more particles (prepositions/adverbs).
• Example: “Turn on” (start something), “Look after” (take care).
• Key Point: The meaning of a phrasal verb is often different from the literal meaning of the words.

100 Examples of Phrasal Verbs With Meanings

1. Break down – stop working (The car broke down.)
2. Break into – enter by force
3. Break out – escape, start suddenly
4. Bring up – raise a topic or child
5. Call off – cancel
6. Carry on – continue
7. Carry out – perform a task
8. Check in – register at hotel/airport
9. Check out – leave hotel/pay bill
10. Come across – find by chance
11. Come back – return
12. Come in – enter
13. Come up – arise, appear
14. Cut down – reduce
15. Cut off – disconnect
16. Deal with – manage, handle
17. Dress up – wear formal clothes
18. Drop off – deliver, fall asleep
19. Drop out – quit school/course
20. End up – result in
21. Fall apart – break into pieces
22. Fall behind – lag, delay
23. Fall off – decrease
24. Figure out – understand, solve
25. Find out – discover
26. Get along – be friendly
27. Get away – escape
28. Get back – return
29. Get in – enter
30. Get off – leave transport
31. Get on – board transport
32. Get over – recover from illness/shock
33. Get through – finish, survive
34. Give away – donate, reveal secret
35. Give back – return something
36. Give in – surrender
37. Give up – quit
38. Go away – leave
39. Go back – return
40. Go on – continue, happen
41. Go out – leave home, date
42. Go through – experience, examine
43. Grow up – become adult
44. Hang on – wait
45. Hang out – spend time socially
46. Hold on – wait, grip tightly
47. Keep on – continue
48. Keep up – maintain pace
49. Knock out – defeat, make unconscious
50. Let down – disappoint
51. Let in – allow to enter
52. Look after – take care
53. Look around – explore
54. Look back – reflect on past
55. Look for – search
56. Look forward to – await eagerly
57. Look out – be careful
58. Look up – search in dictionary
59. Make up – invent, reconcile
60. Mix up – confuse
61. Pass away – die
62. Pass out – faint
63. Pick out – choose
64. Pick up – collect, learn
65. Point out – indicate, explain
66. Put away – store
67. Put back – return something
68. Put off – postpone
69. Put on – wear clothes
70. Put out – extinguish
71. Put up with – tolerate
72. Run away – escape
73. Run into – meet unexpectedly
74. Run out – finish supply
75. Set off – begin journey
76. Set up – establish
77. Show off – boast
78. Shut down – close permanently
79. Shut up – stop talking
80. Sit down – take a seat
81. Stand by – support
82. Stand for – represent
83. Stand out – be noticeable
84. Switch off – turn off
85. Switch on – turn on
86. Take after – resemble
87. Take away – remove
88. Take back – withdraw words
89. Take off – remove clothes, airplane departure
90. Take on – accept challenge
91. Take over – assume control
92. Take up – start a hobby
93. Throw away – discard
94. Throw up – vomit
95. Try on – test clothing
96. Turn down – reject, reduce volume
97. Turn in – submit, go to bed
98. Turn off – switch off
99. Turn on – switch on
100. Turn up – arrive, increase volume

Tips for Students and Competitive Exam Candidates

• Memorize by grouping: Learn phrasal verbs in themes (travel, business, daily life).
• Use in sentences: Write your own examples for better retention.
• Practice mock tests: Many exams test phrasal verbs in fill-in-the-blanks.
• Note common ones: Focus on those widely used in newspapers and spoken English.
• Daily revision: Review 5–10 phrasal verbs each day.

FAQs on What Are Phrasal Verbs and How to Use Them

Q1. What are phrasal verbs and how to use them in daily life?
Phrasal verbs combine verbs with prepositions/adverbs to form new meanings. Example: “Wake up” means stop sleeping. Use them naturally in conversations and writing.

Q2. Are phrasal verbs important for competitive exams?
Yes. Exams like SSC, Banking, UPSC, and IELTS often include phrasal verb questions in vocabulary, comprehension, and grammar sections.

Q3. How can I remember phrasal verbs easily?
Learn with context, practice with flashcards, and use them in speaking and writing. Grouping similar verbs also helps.

Conclusion on What Are Phrasal Verbs and How to Use Them

Understanding what are phrasal verbs and how to use them is essential for mastering English. They enrich communication, improve exam performance, and help in professional as well as daily interactions. With practice, students can learn and apply them effectively.

Disclaimer on What Are Phrasal Verbs and How to Use Them

This article is for educational purposes only. Examples and explanations are simplified to aid students and candidates preparing for competitive exams.

Also Read: Forming Comparative and Superlative Adjectives: Rules, Examples, and Tips

How to Write Reported Speech Correctly: Rules, Examples, and Tips

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