Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are usually two-word phrases consisting of:

 verb + adverbor verb + preposition. 

Think of them as you would any other English vocabulary. Study them as you come across them, rather than trying to memorize many at once. Use the list below as a reference guide when you find an expression that you don't recognize. The examples will help you understand the meanings. If you think of each phrasal verb as a separate verb with a specific meaning, you will be able to remember it more easily. Like many other verbs, phrasal verbs often have more than one meaning.

As well as learning their meanings, you need to learn how to use phrasal verbs. Verb Meaning Example ask someone out invite on a date Brian asked Judy out to dinner and a movie. ask around ask many people the same question I asked around but nobody has seen my wallet. add up to something equal Your purchases add up to$205.32. back something up reverse You'll have to back upyour car so that I can get out. back someone up support My wife backed me upover my decision to quit my job. blow up explode The racing car blew upafter it crashed into the fence. blow something up add air We have to blow 50 balloons up for the party. break down stop functioning (vehicle, machine) Our car broke down at the side of the highway in the snowstorm. break down get upset The woman broke downwhen the police told her that her son had died. break somethingdown divide into smaller parts Our teacher broke the final project down into three separate parts. break in force entry to a building Somebody broke in last night and stole our stereo. break into something enter forcibly The firemen had to break into the room to rescue the children. break something in wear something a few times so that it doesn't look/feel new I need to break these shoes in before we run next week. break in interrupt The TV station broke into report the news of the president's death. break up end a relationship My boyfriend and I broke up before I moved to America. break up start laughing (informal) The kids just broke up as soon as the clown started talking. break out escape The prisoners broke outof jail when the guards weren't looking. break out insomething develop a skin condition I broke out in a rash after our camping trip. bring someone down make unhappy This sad music is bringingme down. bring someone up raise a child My grandparents broughtme up after my parents died. bring something up start talking about a subject My mother walks out of the room when my fatherbrings up sports.