Phrasal Verbs
Master 404 essential phrasal verbs for natural English conversation. Each entry includes definitions, examples, separability notes, and usage tips for CELPIP success and everyday communication.
A
B
C
- call back
- call for
- call in
- call off
- call out
- call up
- calm down
- carry on
- carry out
- carry over
- carry through
- cash in on
- catch on
- catch up
- catch up with
- chat up
- check in
- check on
- check out
- check up
- cheer up
- chip in
- clean out
- clean up
- clear off
- clear out
- clear up
- close down
- close in
- close off
- close up
- come across
- come along
- come around
- come back
- come down
- come down with
- come in
- come off
- come out
- come over
- come through
- come up
- come up against
- come up with
- cool down
- cool off
- count on
- crack down
- cut back
- cut down
- cut down on
- cut in
- cut off
- cut out
- cut up
D
E
F
G
- gear up
- get across
- get ahead
- get along
- get along with
- get around
- get away
- get away with
- get back
- get by
- get down to
- get in
- get off
- get on
- get on with
- get out
- get over
- get rid of
- get through
- get together
- get up
- give away
- give back
- give in
- give off
- give out
- give up
- gloss over
- go ahead
- go along
- go along with
- go around
- go away
- go back
- go back on
- go down
- go off
- go on
- go out
- go over
- go through
- go up
- grow up
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
- pan out
- pass away
- pass by
- pass on
- pass out
- pass through
- pass up
- pay back
- pay off
- pay up
- pencil in
- phase out
- pick apart
- pick on
- pick out
- pick up
- pin down
- pitch in
- play down
- plug in
- point out
- pop up
- pore over
- pull apart
- pull off
- pull out
- pull over
- pull through
- pull together
- pull up
- push through
- put away
- put back
- put down
- put off
- put on
- put out
- put through
- put together
- put up
- put up with
R
S
- scale back
- set aside
- set back
- set down
- set in
- set off
- set out
- settle down
- settle for
- settle in
- settle up
- set up
- show around
- show off
- show up
- shut down
- shut off
- shut out
- shut up
- sign in
- sign off
- sign off on
- sign out
- sign up
- sit in
- sleep in
- sleep over
- slow down
- snap up
- sort out
- speed up
- stand by
- stand for
- stand in
- stand out
- stand up
- stand up for
- stave off
- stem from
- step down
- step up
- stick out
- stick to
T
- take after
- take apart
- take away
- take back
- take down
- take in
- take off
- take on
- take out
- take over
- take up
- talk into
- talk out of
- talk over
- taper off
- tap into
- think over
- think through
- think up
- throw away
- throw in
- throw out
- throw up
- touch on
- try on
- try out
- turn around
- turn back
- turn down
- turn in
- turn into
- turn off
- turn on
- turn out
- turn over
- turn up
U
W
Z
All Phrasal Verbs (404)
Base: act·Particle: up
Definitions
- To misbehave
- To malfunction or not work properly
Examples
- The kids are acting up again.
- My computer has been acting up lately.
- His knee acts up in cold weather.
- Don't act up in front of the guests.
- The car engine started acting up on the highway.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage Note
Can describe both behavior (children) and things malfunctioning (machines, health conditions).
Base: add·Particle: up
Definitions
- To calculate a total
- To make sense or seem logical
Examples
- Add up all the expenses for the month.
- Something doesn't add up about his story.
- The numbers just don't add up.
- Small savings add up over time.
- Let me add up the bill.
Synonyms
Usage Note
'It doesn't add up' means something seems wrong or illogical. Very common in both literal and figurative use.
Base: ask·Particle: around
Definition
To ask multiple people the same question in order to gather information.
Examples
- I asked around, but nobody knew where the nearest pharmacy was.
- She's been asking around to see if anyone has a spare ticket.
- Why don't you ask around at work?
- He asked around the neighbourhood about the missing cat.
Synonyms
Usage Note
Used when seeking information by questioning several people.
Base: ask·Particle: out
Definition
To invite someone on a date
Examples
- He finally asked her out.
- She's too shy to ask him out.
- I'm going to ask out my coworker.
- Have you ever been asked out at work?
- He asked me out to dinner.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage Note
Romantic context specifically. 'Ask someone out on a date' is the full expression.
Base: back·Particle: down
Definitions
- To withdraw from a position or demand
- To admit that you were wrong
Examples
- The company backed down after public pressure.
- He never backs down from a fight.
- She refused to back down despite the criticism.
- The government backed down on the controversial policy.
- Eventually, they backed down and agreed to our terms.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage Note
Often used in contexts of conflict, negotiation, or debate. 'Backing down' can be seen as both wise or weak depending on context.
Base: back·Particle: off
Definitions
- To move away from someone or something
- To stop interfering or pressuring someone
Examples
- Back off! You're in my personal space.
- The government backed off from its strict policies.
- Tell him to back off and leave me alone.
- The dog backed off when I raised my voice.
- You need to back off and let her make her own decisions.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage Note
'Back off!' as a command is direct and somewhat aggressive. Often used when feeling threatened or pressured.
Base: back·Particle: out
Definitions
- To withdraw from an agreement or commitment
- To reverse a vehicle out of a space
Examples
- He backed out of the deal at the last minute.
- She's backing out of the driveway.
- You can't back out now - we're counting on you!
- The investor backed out after reviewing the financials.
- I had to back out of the parking spot carefully.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage Note
'Back out of' is the common pattern for agreements. Implies breaking a commitment you've already made.
Base: back·Particle: up
Definitions
- To move backwards
- To support or confirm
- To make a copy of computer data
Examples
- Back up the car so I can get out.
- Can anyone back up his story?
- Remember to back up your files regularly.
- Traffic is backing up on the highway.
- I'll back you up in the meeting.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage Note
'Backup' (noun/adjective) is essential in computing. 'I've got your back' is a related expression of support.
Base: bank·Particle: on
Definition
To rely on or count on something happening
Examples
- The board is banking on the new CEO.
- You shouldn't bank on receiving the inheritance.
- Investors are banking on a rate cut.
- We banked on favorable weather.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage Note
Common in financial and strategic contexts.
Base: bear·Particle: out
Definition
To confirm or support the truth of something
Examples
- Subsequent research has borne out the hypothesis.
- The quarterly results bore out the projections.
- If the data bears out our theory, we'll publish.
- History has borne out his warnings.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage Note
Common in academic and scientific writing.
Base: blow·Particle: off
Definitions
- To ignore or skip an obligation
- To dismiss someone rudely
- To release pent-up energy or emotion
Examples
- He blew off the meeting to go golfing.
- She totally blew me off when I tried to talk to her.
- I need to blow off some steam after this stressful week.
- Don't blow off your responsibilities.
- The boss blew off my suggestions completely.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage Note
'Blow off steam' means to release tension through activity. 'Blow someone off' is quite rude - means to ignore or stand them up.
Base: blow·Particle: out
Definitions
- To extinguish a flame by blowing
- For a tire to burst suddenly
- To win by a large margin
Examples
- Make a wish and blow out the candles.
- We had a blowout on the highway.
- The home team blew out the visitors 10-1.
- The wind blew out the lantern.
- She blew out her knee during the game.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage Note
'Blowout' (noun) is common for tire bursts, big parties, or decisive victories. 'Blow out your knee' means to seriously injure it.
Base: blow·Particle: over
Definitions
- To pass or subside without causing lasting damage.
- To be knocked down by the wind.
Examples
- Don't worry about the scandal — it will blow over in a few weeks.
- The storm blew over by morning.
- The fence blew over during the hurricane.
- Just wait for the controversy to blow over.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage Note
Commonly used for situations, scandals, or storms that fade away.
Base: blow·Particle: up
Definitions
- To explode or cause to explode
- To inflate with air
- To suddenly become very angry
- To enlarge a photo
Examples
- The building blew up due to a gas leak.
- Can you blow up these balloons for the party?
- He blew up at me for no reason.
- I need to blow up this photo for the presentation.
- The scandal blew up into a major controversy.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage Note
Multiple meanings - context is key. 'Blow-up' (noun) can mean explosion, enlarged photo, or an angry outburst.
Base: boil·Particles: down to
Definition
To be reduced to the most essential point
Examples
- The argument boils down to a disagreement about money.
- It all boils down to whether you're willing to take the risk.
- The problem boils down to poor communication.
- What the report boils down to is that we need more funding.
Synonyms
Usage Note
Used to simplify complex issues to their core.
Base: break·Particle: away
Definitions
- To escape from someone who is holding you
- To leave a group or organization to form a new one
- To move away from a group, especially in a race
- To stop following traditional practices or habits
Examples
- She managed to break away from her attacker.
- Several members broke away to form their own political party.
- The cyclist broke away from the pack and won the race.
- It's time to break away from old-fashioned thinking.
- The region is trying to break away and become independent.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage Note
'Breakaway' (adjective/noun) describes a group that has separated from a larger one. Common in sports (breakaway goal in hockey) and politics (breakaway region).
Base: break·Particle: down
Definitions
- To stop working or functioning (machines, vehicles)
- To fail or collapse (plans, negotiations, relationships)
- To lose emotional control and start crying
- To divide something into smaller parts for analysis
Examples
- My car broke down on the highway and I had to call for help.
- Negotiations broke down after three days.
- She broke down in tears when she heard the news.
- Let me break down the costs for you.
- The old bridge finally broke down after years of neglect.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage Note
'Breakdown' (noun) refers to mechanical failure, emotional collapse, or detailed analysis. Very common in technical, emotional, and analytical contexts.
Base: break·Particle: in
Definitions
- To enter a building illegally, usually by force
- To interrupt someone who is speaking
- To make new shoes or equipment comfortable through use
- To train someone new for a job
Examples
- Someone broke in while we were on vacation.
- 'Sorry to break in,' she said, 'but there's an urgent call for you.'
- These new boots are stiff; I need to break them in.
- I spent the first week breaking in the new employee.
- Thieves broke in through the back window.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage Note
'Break-in' (noun) refers to a burglary. 'Breaking in' new shoes means wearing them until they become comfortable. Can also mean training a new employee.
Base: break·Particle: into
Definitions
- To enter a building illegally by force
- To suddenly start doing something (laughing, running, singing)
- To successfully enter a new field or market
- To interrupt something
Examples
- Their house was broken into last week.
- She broke into laughter when she heard the joke.
- It's hard to break into the film industry.
- He broke into a run when he saw the bus coming.
- I hate to break into your conversation, but the meeting is starting.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage Note
'Break into' a market/industry means to successfully enter a competitive field. 'Break into' + activity (laughter, tears, song) describes sudden spontaneous actions.
Base: break·Particle: off
Definitions
- To separate a piece from something by breaking
- To suddenly stop speaking or doing something
- To end a relationship or agreement
Examples
- She broke off a piece of chocolate and gave it to me.
- He broke off mid-sentence when he saw who had entered.
- The two countries broke off diplomatic relations.
- They broke off their engagement just weeks before the wedding.
- A large chunk of ice broke off the glacier.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage Note
Common for physical separation and for ending formal relationships like engagements or diplomatic ties. 'Break off' mid-sentence means to suddenly stop talking.