English phrasal verbs
Our phrasal verbs list includes the English phrasal verb, a definition that explains the meaning and an example that uses the phrasal verb in context.
A phrasal verb (also known as a multi-word verb) is made up of a verb and one or two particles (adverb and/or preposition) and operate as a single vocabulary item. Some phrasal verbs are easier to understand from the individual words and others are idiomatic.
Phrasal verbs can be transitive (i.e. they take an object) or intransitive (i.e. they do not). They can also be separable (i.e. verb and particle can be separated) or inseparable (i.e. they cannot). You can read more information about the meaning and form of phrasal verbs.
Phrasal verbs topics
We give lists of English phrasal verbs by topic so that you can learn groups of phrasal verbs for the same subject area and practise using them in context.
Politics & elections • Phrasal verbs
Politics and elections is a common topic of discussion in every country and we’ve put together a variety of English phrasal verbs and idioms that are commonly used to describe political events and activities.
bring in
[TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to introduce a new law
The government brought in strict new laws to reduce plastic waste.
cover up
[TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to hide the truth so that others do not learn about your mistakes or illegal actions.
The employees tried to cover up their mistakes and didn't report them to the directors.
crack down on
[INTRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to deal with problems in a stricter way
The government needs to crack down on knife crime in the UK.
get away with
[TRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to escape punishment or criticism after doing something wrong or in a bad way
My local council tried to get away with a much smaller budget for social housing.
go back on
[TRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to not do something that you have agreed or promised to do
Many politicians go back on the promises they make during their election campaign.
put forward
[TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to give an idea, opinion or plan for consideration or discussion about someone or something
Scientists have just put forward their latest findings about climate change.
stand down
[INTRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to resign from an official job or position
A government minister has stood down after several allegations of misconduct.
win over
[TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to succeed in persuading someone to agree with you
Our proposal has won over the support of government and local businesses.
Business • Phrasal verbs
We need a wide variety of vocabulary for the workplace and this list includes English phrasal verbs and idioms that are commonly used in speaking and writing for business situations.
branch out
[INTRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to do something different from normal work or activities
We used to sell household electronics and then branched out to offer mobile phones.
call off
[TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to cancel or decide to stop something
Our clients have called off today's meeting.
close down
[INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to permanently stop doing business
A huge number of high street shops have closed down over last decade.
draw up
[TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to prepare a written document, such as a contract, list or plan
The company have offered me a job, but they still need to draw up the contract.
fall through
[INTRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
describes when something fails to happen
Unfortunately, everything has fallen through with the sale of our company.
lay off
[TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to stop employing someone
Thousands of people have been laid off in the retail industry as shops close.
look into
[TRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to investigate the facts about something
We need to look into the matter to discover the reasons for massive overspending.
put back
[TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to delay the time or date of a planned event
Our clients have put back this morning's meeting until after lunch.
step in
[INTRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to become involved in a situation to solve a problem
The boss had to step in when there was a serious disagreement among employees.
take on
[TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to employ someone
Our company is growing quickly and we have taken on a lot of new staff.
Money • Phrasal verbs
Money makes the world go round! This list includes English phrasal verbs and idioms that are commonly used to describe money and payments.
come into
[TRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to inherit something after someone has died (e.g. money or land)
She came into a lot of money last year and is buying a second home abroad.
cough up
[INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to reluctantly give money for something
I took my car for a service and had to cough up an extra €300 for problems they found.
cut back
[INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to reduce money or time that is spent on something
He's saving money for a new car and has cut back on going to restaurants every weekend.
draw down
[TRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to take an amount of money from savings or reserves
This will be an expensive year, and so we've drawn down some of our life savings.
fork out
[INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to spend money on something because you have to.
Our company needs to fork out more money for advertising.
pay back
[TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to return money that was borrowed from somebody
Now I've got a good job, I can finally pay back the money my brother lent me.
pay off
[TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to give money to someone that you owe for a bill or debt.
I'm going to use my Christmas bonus to pay off my credit cards.
put aside
[TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to save money or time for something in the future
We should put some money aside every month for our next holiday.
rip off
[TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to charge too much money for something
I was ripped off when I bought my first car. They knew I hadn't done this before.
run up
[TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to create a large bill or debt that must be paid.
They ran up a huge bill at the hotel during their business trip.
splash out
[INTRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to spend a lot of money on something
My friends splashed out for their honeymoon and went on a luxury cruise.
squirrel away
[TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to hide or save money for something in the future
Your parents have been squirrelling away money since they got married.
Telephone • Phrasal verbs
We use our phones every single day and there's a good variety of English phrasal verbs and idioms that are commonly used to describe phone calls.
break up
[INTRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to describe a bad connection when you have problems hearing someone on the phone
You're breaking up. Can you say that again please?
call back
[INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to telephone someone who called you earlier, or to speak to someone again
I called my boss back, but she didn’t pick up.
call up
[INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to phone someone
You should call her up and invite her to dinner.
cut off
[TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE] [USUALLY PASSIVE]
to get disconnected on the telephone (e.g. no service)
I called a few minutes ago but we got cut off.
get back to
[TRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to phone someone later
I'll speak to my boss now and then I'll get back to you this afternoon.
get off
[TRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to finish a phone call
Please come to my office when you get off the phone.
get through
[INTRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to successfully reach someone on the phone
Finally, I got through and was able to speak to my bank manager.
hang on
[INTRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to wait for a short time
Please hang on and I'll check if he's available.
hang up
[INTRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to end a phone call (often suddenly)
His girlfriend hung up when he started arguing and shouting on the phone.
hold on
[INTRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to wait for a short time on the phone
I don't want to wait any longer. I've been holding on for 15 minutes already.
pick up
[INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to answer the phone
I've called the doctor a few times, but they didn't pick up.
put down
[TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to finish a phone call
He put the phone down when she started shouting at him.
put through
[TRANSITIVE] [SEPARABLE]
to connect a person on the phone to someone else
Thanks for waiting and I can now put you through.
speak up
[INTRANSITIVE] [INSEPARABLE]
to speak louder
Can you speak up please? I can't hear you very well.
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Tips to remember phrasal verbs
❶ Read the phrasal verb and then read the example sentence.
❷ Try to guess the meaning of the phrasal verb from the example.
❸ Read the definition to check your understanding of the phrasal verb.
❹ Create your own example using the same phrasal verb.
❺ Try to use the phrasal verb when you are practising your English!