Phrasal Verbs

We often use verbs with the following particles: in, out, on, off, up, down, away, back, round, through, about, along, over, forward and by. So you can say look out / get on / take off / run away etc. These are phrasal verbs. So, a phrasal verb is a verb plus a particle. It is usually difficult to guess the meaning of the phrasal verb from the words themselves. For example:

Can you hold on? = Can you wait a moment? I ran into Sam at the cinema = I met Sam unexpectedly at the cinema.
Here is a list of the most common phrasal verbs. Phrasal Verb Be against Be over Break down Break up Bring up Carry on Come into Come up with Fall for Get away Get by Get on with Get over Give in Give up Go back Meaning Oppose Come to an end Stop working Separate, split up Raise a child Continue (after interruption) Inherit Think of a solution Fall in love with sb Avoid capture, escape Survive despite difficulties Be on good terms with Recover from Surrender Abandon a habit Have long history Example There is no doubt about it; I am totally against abortion. After two years together, we decided our relationship was over. We were driving in the middle of nowhere when suddenly our car broke down. I couldnt stand fighting with her every day. Thats why we broke up. I used to be a boring kid. My parents brought me up strictly. The meeting was so long that we took a break. After 10 minutes, we carried on. After his old grandma died, Tom came into a lot of money. I dont know the answer! But Ill come up with something straightaway! Look at her! Shes so beautiful... I think Im falling for her... Unfortunately, the thieves got away with all the money they sole from the bank. I know we arent rich, but well get by somehow. I get on really well with my brother. In fact, hes like my best friend. Poor Sue! Shes been ill for more than a week. Luckily, shes getting over it. Im so tired, I cant keep on running! Ill have to give in... I really want to give up smoking... its just so difficult! He and I go back a long way; we were at school together.

Go over Hold on Let down Look after Put off Put up with Run into Take after Turn down Turn on / off

Repeat Wait Disappoint Take care of Postpone Tolerate Meet sb unexpectedly Resemble Refuse an offer Switch on / off

Im sorry, can you go over it? Im afraid I didnt hear you. Mr. Johnson will be with you in a minute, would you mind holding on? Please, dont tell anyone my secret. I dont want you to let me down. Whos going to take after the cat while were on holiday? We had to put off the meeting. We didnt know where to meet. Stop making that noise! I cant put up with it anymore! I ran into Luke yesterday, it was such a nice surprise. You take after your father a lot, you look just like him! Im grateful for your offer, but Ill have to turn it down. Ok everybody, lets go to bed. Before going upstairs remember to turn the TV off!

Exercise: fill in the correct particle. 1. Many people are .......................... the new law. 2. After three long weeks, the exams are finally .......................... 3. The couple broke .......................... for a while, but then they got back together. 4. Its very difficult to bring .......................... children alone. 5. He came .......................... a fortune when his father died. 6. The boys came .......................... a brilliant idea for raising money. 7. Mike was so handsome and charming that Sarah fell .......................... him immediately. 8. I earn enough money to get .........................., but i havent managed to save much lately. 9. Bill got .......................... his illness quickly and returned to work. 10. The thieves managed to get .......................... even though the police were looking for them. 11. Please, could you go .......................... what you said again? 12. Im trying to give .......................... crisps but I cant. 13. My mum says I take .......................... my grandma because I talk too much! 14. Turn .......................... that TV and go to bed! 15. Rachel was offered the job, but she decided to turn it .......................... 16. We live on a busy road, so we have to put .......................... a lot of noise from the traffic. 17. You can always rely on Peter. He will never let you .......................... 18. Why did they put .......................... the flight? 19. When you finish playing a videogame is because the game is .......................... 20. They ran for several blocks, but in the end they gave .......................... and turned themselves in to the police.