Phrasal Verbs | List, Meanings & Examples
A phrasal verb is a type of English verb that has multiple words. The words combined have a different meaning than the verb by itself. For example, the verb “hang” means “to dangle” or “to attach,” but the phrasal verb “hang out” means “to spend time together.” Each phrasal verb has one or more particles (e.g., “on” or “in”).
Phrasal verbs can be very challenging for a few reasons:
- They usually have figurative rather than literal meanings.
- Many phrasal verbs have multiple meanings (e.g., “take off” can mean “depart” or “remove”).
- There are different types of phrasal verbs—intransitive, transitive, inseparable, and separable—and special rules about how to use each type.
- They have different tenses (just like other verbs), but some of them are irregular and follow special rules for conjugation.
Phrasal verbs do get easier with practice. The list, meanings, and examples below will help you use phrasal verbs more confidently. And with QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker, you can instantly find and fix phrasal verb errors in your writing.
Few families today can get by with one income. [“Get by” means “survive.”]
After a long night out, my cat finally showed up this morning. [“Showed up” means “arrived.”]
Our plane to Jamaica will take off at noon. [“Take off” means “depart.”]
What are phrasal verbs?
A phrasal verb consists of a verb (e.g., “take” or “get”) and 1–2 particles (e.g., “at,” “away,” “down,” “in,” “off,” “on,” “out,” “over,” and “up”). The combined words have a specific meaning (an action) that is different from either of the words alone. For example “look” means “to see,” but “look after” means “to take care of.”
Some of the particles that phrasal verbs include can also function as prepositions. For example, “after” is a preposition in “We always have dessert after dinner,” but it’s a particle in “Please look after my plants while I’m gone” (the phrasal verb is “look after”).
Most phrasal verbs are idioms because they have figurative rather than literal meanings. For example, in “throw away” (to discard), “throw” doesn’t literally mean “to send through the air.” When you throw away old magazines, you’re not actually throwing them. You’re just putting them in the trash can (or better yet, the recycling bin).
Phrasal verb tenses
Like other verbs, you can conjugate phrasal verbs into different tenses. If the phrasal verb includes a regular verb (e.g., “call”), you only need to add “-ed” for the simple past or past participle forms (e.g., “called off”).
| Past | Present | Future | |
| Simple | The students turned in five types of essays last semester. | Hattie always turns in her homework on time. | Becca will turn in the wallet to the lost and found tomorrow. |
| Progressive | I was turning in an assignment when you called. | I am turning in an application for a fabulous internship today. | We will be turning in an application for a new apartment next week. |
| Perfect | I thought I had turned in the report yesterday. | Amy has turned in several job applications. | By the end of next week, I will have turned in five scholarship applications. |
| Perfect progressive | She had been turning in her work on time, but she fell behind. | They have been turning in their assignments late all semester. | We will have been turning in feedback forms every day for the past year. |
If the phrasal verb has an irregular verb (e.g., “catch” or “run”), it doesn’t take “-ed” for the simple past or past particle. Instead, it has a special spelling (e.g., “caught” or “ran”) or no change at all (e.g., “put” in “put off” or “put away” is spelled the same no matter what tense you’re using).
| Past | Present | Future | |
| Simple | Oprah gave away all the tote bags full of cosmetics. | The bank gives away lollipops to their customers’ children. | I will give away these old dresses to a good charity. |
| Progressive | The gas station was giving away free car washes yesterday. | The radio station is giving away two front-row tickets to Taylor Swift. | The library will be giving away books next Saturday. |
| Perfect | I thought I had given those shoes away already. | The kids have given most of their old toys away. | By the end of next year, the anonymous donor will have given away a million dollars. |
| Perfect progressive | She had been giving food away at the shelter when I called. | One of the students has been giving away the answers all semester. | By December, they will have been giving free meals away all year. |
Types of phrasal verbs
Phrasal verbs can be intransitive verbs, which do not have a direct object, or transitive verbs, which always have a direct object (and sometimes an indirect object as well).
Transitive phrasal verbs can be categorized further into inseparable phrasal verbs and separable phrasal verbs. Intransitive phrasal verbs are never separable.
Intransitive phrasal verbs
Intransitive phrasal verbs don’t have an object. The subject performs an action, but the verb doesn’t act on another noun.
When we started singing, the people sitting next to us joined in.
Transitive phrasal verbs
Transitive phrasal verbs always have a direct object, which can be a noun or an object pronoun (e.g., “them”). The verb acts on someone or something else. The rules about where you can put the object depend on if the transitive phrasal verb is separable or inseparable.
Inseparable transitive phrasal verbs
Some transitive phrasal verbs are inseparable, which means that you can’t put the object between the verb and the particle. The direct object always has to go after the particle.
The mayor came up with a great solution to the traffic problem.
Patrick gets along with everyone because he’s so friendly.
Separable phrasal verbs
A transitive phrasal verb is separable if you can put the object in either of these two places:
- Between the verb and the particle
- After the particle
When the object of a separable phrasal verb is an object pronoun (e.g., “me,” “us,” “him,” “her,” “it,” or “them”), it should usually go between the verb and particle.
I can’t give chocolate up for a whole week! [You can also say “give up chocolate.”]
If you don’t know the definition of a word, look it up. [You can’t say “look up it” because the object is a pronoun.]
- Tate set a tray of bacon-wrapped water chestnuts out for the guests.
- Tate set out a tray of bacon-wrapped water chestnuts for the guests.
For example, “break down” is transitive and separable when it means “divide into parts” or “take apart.”
- My amazing teacher broke the math problem down into three easy steps.
“Break down” is intransitive when it means “to become broken” (i.e., a car) or “to become emotionally distressed”).
- Thank you for picking me up when my car broke down yesterday!
List of 75 common phrasal verbs and their meanings
The list below includes many (but not all) English phrasal verbs and their most common meanings. Many of these phrasal verbs have additional meanings.
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Type | |
| Phrasal verbs with “break” | Break in | Enter a place illegally (e.g., in a robbery) | Intransitive |
| Break in [something new] | Use something brand new (e.g., new hiking boots) | Transitive, Separable | |
| Break down | Stop functioning (e.g., a car) | Intransitive | |
| Lose control of emotions | Intransitive | ||
| Break down [something] | Take apart (e.g., a complex idea or a pile of boxes) | Transitive, Separable | |
| Break up | End a romance | Intransitive | |
| Phrasal verbs with “bring” | Bring about [something] | Cause something to happen | Transitive, Separable |
| Bring up [someone] | Take care of a child until adulthood | Transitive, Separable | |
| Bring up [something] | Start talking about a topic | Transitive, Separable | |
| Phrasal verbs with “call” | Call off [something] | Cancel (e.g., a big event) | Transitive, Separable |
| Call out [somebody] | Criticize publicly | Transitive, Separable | |
| Phrasal verbs with “come” | Come across [something or someone] | Find unexpectedly | Transitive, Inseparable |
| Come apart | Become separated | Intransitive | |
| Come around | Change one’s opinion | Intransitive | |
| Come between [two people] | Cause a disagreement | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Come down with [an illness] | Become infected with (e.g., a virus) | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Come out of [a situation] | Result from | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Come up | Become part of a discussion | Intransitive | |
| Phrasal verbs with “cut” | Cut back on [something] | Consume less of (e.g., Diet Coke) | Transitive, Inseparable |
| Cut off [a utility or service] | Stop providing | Transitive, Separable | |
| Cut up | Make jokes or act silly | Intransitive | |
| Phrasal verbs with “fall” | Fall apart | Break into pieces | Intransitive |
| Fall back on [something] | Use an alternative when something has failed | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Fall for [someone] | Develop strong romantic feelings | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Fall for [a mistruth] | Be tricked into believing | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Phrasal verbs with “fill” | Fill in [something] | Put a substance or information into an empty space | Transitive, Separable |
| Fill out [something] | Write information in the blank spaces of (e.g., an application or form) | Transitive, Separable | |
| Phrasal verbs with “get” | Get along [with someone] | Have a good relationship | Intransitive |
| Get away with [something] | Avoid the consequence or punishment | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Get back at [someone] | Achieve revenge | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Get by | Survive or continue to subsist | Intransitive | |
| Get down | Dance vigorously | Intransitive | |
| Get over [something] | Overcome | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Phrasal verbs with “give” | Give away [something] | Give without accepting payment | Transitive, Separable |
| Give back [something] | Return [an item] to the person who gave it to you | Transitive, Separable | |
| Give in | Agree to what someone else wants after initially refusing | Intransitive | |
| Give up | Stop trying | Intransitive | |
| Give up [something] | Stop doing [a task or habit] | Transitive, Separable | |
| Phrasal verbs with “go” | Go after [someone] | Follow | Transitive, Inseparable |
| Go after [something] | Try to achieve [a goal] | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Go against [something or someone] | Oppose or disagree with | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Go over [some information or a document] | Review or reread | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Phrasal verbs with “hold” | Hold back [someone or something] | Prevent from reaching full potential | Transitive, Separable |
| Hold on | Wait (e.g., during a phone call) | Intransitive | |
| Phrasal verbs with “keep” | Keep on [doing something] | Continue doing | Transitive, Inseparable |
| Keep up [someone] | Prevent from sleeping | Transitive, Separable | |
| Keep up [something] | Maintain the same standard (e.g., grades) | Transitive, Separable | |
| Phrasal verbs with “look” | Look after [someone or something] | Take care of or be in charge of | Transitive, Inseparable |
| Look down on [somebody] | Consider inferior | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Look up | Become better | Intransitive | |
| Look up [something] | Search for [a word or piece of information] in a book or computer | Transitive, Separable | |
| Phrasal verbs with “make” | Make up | End a disagreement | Intransitive |
| Make up [something] | Invent [a story or excuse] in order to deceive or entertain | Transitive, Separable | |
| Make over [someone or something] | Improve by making changes | Transitive, Separable | |
| Phrasal verbs with “put” | Put down [someone] | Criticize or ridicule | Transitive, Separable |
| Put off [a task] | Postpone or delay | Transitive, Separable | |
| Put up with [someone or something] | Tolerate [a person or situation] even though it’s unpleasant | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Phrasal verbs with “run” | Run across [someone or something] | See or experience unexpectedly (e.g., an old friend or a problem) | Transitive, Inseparable |
| Run into [someone or something] | See or experience unexpectedly (e.g., an old friend or a problem) | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Hit with a vehicle | Transitive, Inseparable | ||
| Run out of [something] | Use until it’s gone (e.g., milk) | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Run over [someone or something] | Drive over with a vehicle | Transitive, Separable | |
| Phrasal verbs with “set” | Set about [a task] | Start to do | Transitive, Inseparable |
| Set aside [something] | Save for a special purpose (e.g., money for college) | Transitive, Separable | |
| Set forth | Start a voyage or trip | Intransitive | |
| Phrasal verbs with “stand” | Stand for [something] | Represent or support (e.g., equal rights) | Transitive, Inseparable |
| Stand out | Be obvious or very noticeable | Intransitive | |
| Phrasal verbs with “take” | Take after [a person] | Have the same appearance, talents, or behaviors (e.g., of a parent) | Transitive, Inseparable |
| Take off | Depart (e.g., a plane or a person going somewhere) | Intransitive | |
| Take off [something] | Remove | Transitive, Separable | |
| Take up [an activity or hobby] | Start learning or doing | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Phrasal verbs with “turn” | Turn down [someone or something] | Reject or decline | Transitive, Separable |
| Turn down [something adjustable] | Lower the intensity (e.g., the TV volume or the air conditioning) | Transitive, Separable | |
| Turn in [something] | To give or return (e.g., an essay to a professor) | Transitive, Separable | |
| Turn up | Appear after being missing (e.g., a lost jacket) | Intransitive | |
| Turn up [something adjustable] | Increase the intensity (e.g., a fan or the stereo) | Transitive, Separable | |
| Other phrasal verbs | Ask out [a person] | Invite on a romantic date | Transitive, Separable |
| Catch up | Get to the same point or level as someone else | Intransitive | |
| Chip in | Contribute money towards a group expense | Intransitive or Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Crack down on [a problem or crime] | Prevent or address in a severe way | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Do away with [something] | Remove or stop using | Transitive, Inseparable | |
| Drop out | Stop participating | Intransitive | |
| End up | Finally arrive at a desired location or situation, especially by accident | Intransitive | |
| Find out [about something] | Discover or learn | Transitive or Intransitive | |
| Hand out [something] | Distribute to each person in a group | Transitive, Separable | |
| Hang out | Spend time together | Intransitive | |
| Show up | Arrive or be present | Intransitive | |
| Sort out [something] | Untangle or resolve (e.g., a problem) | Transitive, Separable |
Frequently asked questions about phrasal verbs
- Is a phrasal verb the same as a verb phrase?
-
No, a phrasal verb is not the same as a verb phrase. A phrasal verb is a type of English verb made up of a verb and one or more particles (e.g., “hang out”).
The combined words have a different meaning than the verb alone. For example, “hang out” means “to spend time together,” but “hang” means “to fasten” or “to dangle.”
A verb phrase includes the main verb of a sentence and any auxiliary verbs (e.g., “have” or “are”) or modal verbs (e.g., “might” or “would”). A phrasal verb can be part of a verb phrase (e.g., “We could have hung out last night if I didn’t have homework”).
Whether you’re writing with phrasal verbs or verb phrases, QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you avoid errors.
- What are the most common phrasal verbs in English?
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The most common phrasal verbs in English include:
- Bring up (to raise)
- Call off (to cancel)
- Find out (to learn about)
- Give up (to stop trying)
- Get by (to survive)
- Put off (to postpone)
- Show up (to arrive)
- Take off (to leave or to remove)
Phrasal verbs are challenging because they are idioms, which means that they have figurative rather than literal meanings. Luckily, the QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you use them correctly in any piece of writing.
