====== Phrasal verbs ======


This is a list of some common English phrasal verbs. Note that it ISN’T a complete list -- there are always more to learn! And some of these have additional meanings not listed here.

For more information on structure, see the grammar rule.
 
=== Intransitive verbs -- verbs that don’t take an object ===

| Verb | Meaning | Examples |
| add up | to seem reasonable or likely | James said he was at a meeting when the money was stolen, but the police said his story didn’t <color blue>add up</color>.   |
| blow up | to suddenly become very angry | The boss <color blue>blew up</color> when we told him we’d lost the contract. |
| break down   | to fail because of a problem or disagreement (a relationship or discussion, etc.)   | Unfortunately, the negotiations <color blue>broke down</color> on the second day. |
| break down | to stop working (a machine or vehicle)   | Sorry I’m late -- my car <color blue>broke down</color>. |
| break off | to suddenly stop talking | She was complaining to a colleague but <color blue>broke off</color> when her boss walked in.   |
| butt in | to interrupt someone who is talking | I was trying to explain something to Carla but Simon kept <color blue>butting in</color>.   |
| call in | to briefly and informally visit someone   | Why don’t you <color blue>call in</color> on your way home from work? |
| carry on   | to continue an activity | I need to leave. Can you <color blue>carry on</color> without me? |
| catch on   | to become fashionable or popular   | It’s an unusual product but we hope it will <color blue>catch on</color>! |
| catch up | to reach someone or something by moving faster than them   | She’s running too fast -- I can’t <color blue>catch up</color> with her. |
| catch up     | to do something you should have done earlier | I’m going to try to <color blue>catch up</color> with my emails today -- I’ve got 150 in my inbox! |
| catch up | to reach the same standard as someone or something else   | I don’t think our company will ever <color blue>catch up</color> with the innovations of Japanese manufacturers. |
| close down | to permanently stop operating [a business] | The shop <color blue>closed down</color> because it wasn’t getting enough customers.   |
| come to | to regain consciousness | When I <color blue>came to</color> after the operation, I didn’t know where I was! |
| come across   | to behave in a way that makes people believe you have a particular characteristic   | I hope I didn’t <color blue>come across</color> as too serious. |
| come out | to be published, or become available for people to buy or see [a book, magazine, film, etc.]   | When does their new catalogue <color blue>come out</color>? |
| come up | to be mentioned or talked about in conversation, perhaps unexpectedly   | Which points <color blue>came up</color> at the meeting   |
| cut back   | to spend, do or use less of something   | If exercise is causing you pain, you should <color blue>cut back</color>. |
| cut down   | to do or use less of something   | He eats too much sugar -- he needs to <color blue>cut down</color>. |
| dress up   | to wear formal or special clothes for a particular occasion   | There’s no need to <color blue>dress up</color> for the party -- jeans will be fine. |
| dress up | to wear a special costume for fun   | My children <color blue>dressed up</color> as vampires for Halloween. |
| drop by/in   | to briefly and informally visit someone   | My daughter’s <color blue>dropping by</color> later so I’m making her favourite cake. |
| eat out   | to eat in a restaurant | I’m too tired to cook; let’s <color blue>eat out</color> tonight. |
| end up   | to finally be in a place or situation   | We couldn’t get a table anywhere so we <color blue>ended up</color> ordering a pizza! |
| fall off | to become smaller or lower [amount, rate or quality of something]   | Sales have been <color blue>falling off</color> recently.   |
| find out   | to get information because you want to know more about something   | Can you <color blue>find out</color> when the next train leaves, please? |
| find out | to learn a fact for the first time   | I just <color blue>found out</color> that Bill’s leaving the company. |
| get about/around | to be able to go to different places without difficulty, perhaps if you are old or ill   | It’s easier to <color blue>get around</color> in this town now there are more buses.\\ My grandmother’s finding it harder to get about these days.   |
| get away | to leave or escape from a person or place, sometimes when it is difficult to do this   | We walked to the next beach to <color blue>get away</color> from the crowds.\\ I worked through my lunch break so I can get away early tonight.   |
| get away | to go somewhere to have a holiday, often because you need to rest   | I just needed to <color blue>get away</color> for a few days, so we had a long weekend in Prague. |
| get back   | to return | We <color blue>got back</color> from our holiday late last night. |
| get by   | to be able to deal with a situation, but with difficulty because you only just have enough of what you need   | We don’t earn much money but we <color blue>get by</color>; we can’t afford holidays but we always pay our bills! |
| get off | to leave a bus, train or plane, etc. | You need to <color blue>get off</color> at the next stop and change to Line B.   |
| get off | to leave a place, usually in order to start a journey   | Let’s try to <color blue>get off</color> by 7.00, the roads will be clearer.   |
| get off | to leave work, usually at the end of the day   | What time can you <color blue>get off</color> this afternoon? It would be nice to go for a drink.   |
| get off | to escape (severe) punishment for something that you have been accused of in court   | He was accused of dangerous driving but <color blue>got off</color> with a £100 fine.   |
| get on | to enter a bus, train or plane etc. | They <color blue>got on</color> the wrong bus and ended up in the town centre!   |
| get on | to have a (good) relationship   | She doesn’t <color blue>get on</color> with her sister at all. |
| get on | to manage or deal with a situation, especially successfully   | How are you <color blue>getting on</color> in your new job?   |
| get on   | to give your time to something and make progress with it, perhaps after stopping   | I'll leave you to get on then, shall I?\\ We don’t have all day to finish this job, so can we just <color blue>get on</color> with it, please?   |
| get up   | to leave your bed after sleeping   | I always <color blue>get up</color> later at the weekend. |
| get through   | to succeed in talking to someone on the phone   | I tried to call her but couldn't <color blue>get through</color>.   |
| give in   | to finally agree to what someone wants, after refusing for a period of time   | OK, I <color blue>give in</color>! I don’t agree with you but I don’t have the energy to argue. |
| give up   | to stop trying to do something before you have finished, usually because it is too difficult   | I tried everything to fix it myself but no luck. So I <color blue>gave up</color> and called technical support. |
| go ahead   | to start to do something | The management told us we can <color blue>go ahead</color> with the new system.   |
| go on   | to continue | Let’s <color blue>go on</color> to the next item. |
| go without   | to experience a lack or be deprived of something   | I’m sorry but we’ve run out of sugar, so you’ll have to <color blue>go without</color> for now. |
| hand over | to give someone else control of or responsibility for something   | He decided to <color blue>hand over</color> to a new director. |
| hang on | to wait for a short time | We <color blue>hung on</color> for a while but Jack didn’t turn up so we started without him.   |
| hang up   | to end a phone call | He started shouting so I <color blue>hung up</color>! |
| hold on | to tell someone to wait for a short time   | <color blue>Hold on</color>, I’ll just find out for you. |
| keep on   | to do something repeatedly, or to persist   | The phone just <color blue>keeps on</color> ringing today!   If you keep on trying, I’m sure you’ll succeed.   |
| keep up   | to stay level or equal with someone or something   | You run too fast -- I can’t <color blue>keep up</color>!     |
| keep up | to understand or deal with something that is happening or changing quickly   | I can’t <color blue>keep up</color> with new technology -- as soon as I learn something new, something else changes.   |
| kick off | to start [informal] | Our marketing campaign <color blue>kicked off</color> last week.   |
| log in/on   | to start using a computer system or program by giving a password   | I can’t <color blue>log on</color> -- I’ve forgotten my password! |
| log out/off | to stop a computer being connected to a system or program, usually when you want to stop working   | For security purposes, make sure you <color blue>log off</color> when you’ve finished. |
| look on   | to watch something happen but not become involved in it   | She <color blue>looked on</color> in surprise when her shy colleague stood up and spoke at a meeting for the first time. |
| look out   | to be careful and take notice   | <color blue>Look out</color> when you go in -- there are some loose cables on the floor. |
| pick up | to increase or improve | Sales aren’t good at the moment, but we expect things to <color blue>pick up</color> in the summer.   |
| pop in | to briefly and informally visit someone   | If you have time later, <color blue>pop in</color> for a coffee. |
| pull out | to stop being involved in an activity   | A lack of funding leaves us with no choice but to <color blue>pull out</color>.   |
| press on | to continue doing something in a determined way | Gerald could tell that the manager didn’t like his suggestions but he <color blue>pressed on</color> anyway. |
| run out   | to finish, use or sell all of something, so that there is none left   | I need to get more coffee -- we’ve <color blue>run out</color>.     |
| show off   | to do something in order to attract attention or admiration, possibly something that others will find annoying   | She bought that sports car just to <color blue>show off</color>. |
| show up | to arrive somewhere in order to join a group of people, especially late or unexpectedly   | We told everyone it started at 7.00 but most of them didn’t <color blue>show up</color> until after 9.00. |
| slow down | to reduce speed | You need to <color blue>slow down</color> as you approach the traffic lights.   |
| slow down | to be less active and relax more   | The doctor told him to <color blue>slow down</color> or he'd have a heart attack.   |
| switch off | to stop giving your attention to someone or something     | The presentation was so long that eventually I just <color blue>switched off</color>.\\ A lot of people in stressful jobs find it difficult to <color blue>switch off</color> when they get home.   |
| take off | to suddenly start to be successful or popular   | We were worried at the beginning of the year, but in March, sales really <color blue>took off</color>. |
| turn out   | to happen in a particular way or to have a particular result, perhaps an unexpected one   | The seminar <color blue>turned out</color> to be more enjoyable than we expected. |
| turn up   | to arrive, either somewhere where people have been invited, or unexpectedly   | How many people <color blue>turned up</color> at the meeting?\\ You’ll never believe who <color blue>turned up</color> in my office yesterday -- Tim! I haven’t seen him for years. |
| turn in   | to go to bed at the end of the day   | I’m really tired; I think I’ll <color blue>turn in</color>. |
| wake up | to become awake after sleeping | It’s difficult to <color blue>wake up</color> on Mondays. |
| wear off   | to gradually disappear [a feeling or effect]   | The anaesthetic <color blue>wears off</color> after about an hour. |
| work out   | to happen or develop in a particular way   | I hope your new job <color blue>works out</color> well for you. |
| work out | to exercise in order to improve the strength or appearance of your body   | You look great. <color blue>Have</color> you been <color blue>working out</color>? |

 
=== Transitive verbs -- verbs that take an object ===


NOTE THAT two-word transitive phrasal verbs vary according to where the object can or cannot be placed. There are three groups:  


== Group 1 ==

The object can be placed between the verb and the particle, OR after the verb and particle.


  * I <color blue>picked</color> __my friend__ <color blue>up</color> from the station. {{:en:grammar:reported_speech:y.png?nolink&20|}}
  * I <color blue>picked up</color> __my friend__ from the station.{{:en:grammar:reported_speech:y.png?nolink&20|}}

 Pronouns can only be used between the verb and the particle. 

   * I <color blue>picked</color> __him__ <color blue>up</color>.{{:en:grammar:reported_speech:y.png?nolink&20|}}
   * I picked up __him__.{{:en:grammar:reported_speech:n.png?nolink&20|}}

| Verb | Meaning | Examples |
| block something out | to arrange to have time for something by planning in advance   | She <color blue>blocked out</color> an hour every day in her diary to talk to her team. |
| block something out | to prevent the ability to receive or remember something   | Some people are able to <color blue>block out</color> every sound and distraction when they’re working.   |
| break something down | to separate something into several parts | To make it easier to understand the statistics, I’m going to <color blue>break</color> them <color blue>down</color> into clear and specific units.   |
| bring something about | to cause something to happen | We’re working hard to <color blue>bring about</color> some changes in the company.   |
| bring something or someone in | to attract someone or something to a place or business   | We're hoping that the price reductions <color blue>will bring</color> more customers <color blue>in</color>.   The new sales team <color blue>has</color> <color blue>brought in</color> a lot of new business.   |
| bring something or someone in | to introduce something or someone new, often a law or a product | The government <color blue>has brought in</color> new tax rules.\\ The company’s getting bigger so we’<color blue>re bringing in</color> an additional senior manager.   |
| bring something off | to succeed in doing something difficult   | Terry was nervous about giving the presentation but he <color blue>brought</color> it <color blue>off</color> without any problems.   |
| bring something up   | to introduce a topic in order to discuss it | We need some better equipment -- let’s <color blue>bring</color> that <color blue>up</color> at the next meeting.   |
| buy someone or something out | to buy a part of a company or building from someone else so that you own all of it   | The bank announced that it wanted to <color blue>buy out</color> the publicly owned shares of its stock. The group owns most of the five-storey building, and now they want to <color blue>buy out</color> the owner of the second floor.   |
| call something off   | to cancel an event or activity | They decided to <color blue>call off</color> the match because of the weather.   |
| carry something out | to do or complete something, especially that you have said you would do or that you have been told to do   | We’<color blue>re carrying out</color> tests to find out what's causing the problem.\\ We need to <color blue>carry out</color> a customer satisfaction survey. |
| chase someone up | to ask someone to do something that they promised to do but that have not yet done   | If you don't hear from the builders this week, make sure you <color blue>chase</color> them <color blue>up</color>.   |
| cross something off | to remove something from a list by drawing a line through it   | Wendy can’t go to the seminar after all so you can <color blue>cross</color> her name <color blue>off</color>. |
| cross something out   | to draw a line through something you have written, usually because it is wrong   | If you make a mistake on the form, just <color blue>cross</color> it <color blue>out</color> and write it again. |
| cut something out | to stop eating, drinking or doing something, usually to improve your health   | Her doctor advised her to <color blue>cut out</color> caffeine. |
| draw something up | to prepare something, usually official, in writing   | I'<color blue>ve drawn up</color> a list of candidates that I'd like to interview.   |
| drop someone or something off   | to take someone or something to a particular place, usually by car, as you travel to a different place | I’ll <color blue>drop</color> you <color blue>off</color> at the station on my way to work. |
| even something out | to become equal, or to make something equal   | It's not fair that Carl has more clients than you, so let's give you two more and <color blue>even</color> things <color blue>out</color> a bit.   |
| fill something in/out   | to write the necessary information on an official document   | We asked our customers to <color blue>fill in</color> a questionnaire so we could get some feedback. |
| follow something up | to find out more about something, or take more action connected with it   | The idea sounded interesting so I decided to <color blue>follow</color> it <color blue>up</color>.   |
| give something away   | to tell people something secret, often without intending to   | His retirement party was supposed to be a surprise, but Simon <color blue>gave</color> it <color blue>away</color>. |
| give something up   | to stop doing or using something, often a habit | He <color blue>gave up</color> smoking on his doctor’s advice. |
| hand something in/out   | to give something to someone in a position of authority for their attention   | We <color blue>handed in</color> the report before the deadline. |
| hand something over | to pass responsibility for something to someone   | The founder <color blue>handed</color> the company <color blue>over</color> to his sons. |
| keep something down | to control the amount or number of something and prevent it from increasing   | We need to work hard to <color blue>keep</color> our prices <color blue>down</color>.\\ I'm going to make a call, so can you <color blue>keep</color> the noise <color blue>down</color>, please?   |
| keep something up   | to make something continue at its present level and not allow it to fall   | You’re all doing a great job -- <color blue>keep</color> it <color blue>up</color>! |
| kick something off | to start something   | Let’s <color blue>kick</color> the meeting <color blue>off</color> earlier today.   |
| lay someone off | to stop employing someone, especially for reasons not connected to the worker’s performance | The company reluctantly <color blue>laid off</color> 100 people when they had to move to smaller premises. |
| leave someone or something out | to not include something or someone; to omit   | Leila feels that she’<color blue>s left out</color> of all the major decision making.\\ You can <color blue>leave</color> last year’s figures <color blue>out</color> of the report -- they’re not relevant.   |
| let someone down   | to disappoint someone, often because you have failed to do what you promised   | He said he’d come with me, but he <color blue>let</color> me <color blue>down</color> at the last minute! |
| look over something   | to quickly examine something   | I asked Marie to <color blue>look over</color> these figures for me and see if there are any obvious mistakes.   |
| look something up   | to check a fact or get information about something from the appropriate place -- a book or database etc.   | If you're not sure what a word means, <color blue>look</color> it <color blue>up</color> in a dictionary.   |
| make something out | Manage with some difficulty to see or hear something clearly | My doctor’s handwriting is terrible; I can’t <color blue>make out</color> what he’s written.\\ We were sitting at the back, so it was hard to <color blue>make out</color> what they were saying.   |
| make something up   | to invent something, such as an excuse or a story, sometimes in order to deceive | You don’t have to tell the truth in a speaking exam -- you can just <color blue>make</color> something <color blue>up</color>.   |
| pass something on | to give something to someone, after someone else gave it to you, or tell someone something you have heard   | Can you <color blue>pass</color> this report <color blue>on</color> to Amanda when you’ve read it, please?   The senior managers told the team leaders but they didn’t <color blue>pass</color> the news <color blue>on</color> to the workers.   |
| pick someone or something up   | to lift someone or something using your hands   | I found a €20 note in the street and <color blue>picked</color> it <color blue>up</color>. |
| pick someone or something up   | to collect, or to go and get, someone or something   | I always <color blue>pick</color> the children <color blue>up</color> from school. I need to <color blue>pick up</color> a parcel from the post office.   |
| point something out   | to give someone information, sometimes because you think they don’t know or have forgotten it   | He was planning a meeting for next week until I <color blue>pointed out</color> that half the team will be on holiday. |
| put something back | to change the time or date of an event so that it happens later than originally planned   | We’ve <color blue>put</color> the trip <color blue>back</color> until June now because two people will be on holiday in May.   |
| put something back | to make something happen later than it should happen   | The fire <color blue>put back</color> the opening of the factory by several months.   |
| put someone down     | to make someone feel silly or not important by criticising them   | I know that Terry made a mistake, but his boss shouldn’t have <color blue>put</color> him <color blue>down</color> in front of his colleagues.   |
| put something off   | to delay an event or activity until a later time or date | Can we <color blue>put</color> our meeting <color blue>off</color> until next week? I’m really busy at the moment.   |
| put something in   | to submit something, to offer it for consideration, often a request   | She <color blue>put in</color> an application to attend the seminar. |
| put something down | to record something in writing   | Can you all <color blue>put down</color> your ideas and let me have a list for the next meeting?   |
| put something on | to place an item of clothing, jewellery etc. on your body | She <color blue>put on</color> a scarf before she left because it was colder.   |
| put something together | to prepare a piece of work by collecting ideas and suggestions and organising them   | The management <color blue>are putting together</color> a plan to rescue the company.   |
| see someone off | Go to their point of departure with someone who is leaving   | I <color blue>saw off</color> our visitors at the station. |
| see someone out   | to go with someone to the door when they’re leaving | I’ll <color blue>see</color> you <color blue>out</color> -- it’s not easy to find your way back to reception from here.   |
| set something aside | to save something for a particular purpose   | He <color blue>sets aside</color> some time every day to talk to the new recruits.   |
| set something up   | to establish a new company, organisation, system, etc.   | She plans to <color blue>set up</color> her own business.   |
| set something up | to arrange for an event or activity to happen | We need to <color blue>set up</color> a meeting to discuss the changes.   |
| show someone or something off   | to show something or someone you are proud of to other people, so that they will admire it or them   | He invited us to dinner because he wanted to <color blue>show off</color> his new car! |
| sort something out   | to successfully deal with a problem or situation   | There was a mix-up with the guest list but Molly <color blue>sorted</color> it <color blue>out</color>. |
| take someone on   | to recruit someone | We’ve got too much work at the moment so we’<color blue>re taking on</color> another assistant.   |
| take something off | to remove an item of clothing or jewellery, etc. from your body | I <color blue>took</color> my coat <color blue>off</color> because it was really warm.   |
| take something off | to remove something from something | I’m buying this as a gift so could you <color blue>take off</color> the price tag, please?   |
| take something up | to take an interest in and start to do something [a sport or leisure activity]   | I’m not very good at golf -- I only <color blue>took</color> it <color blue>up</color> recently.   |
| think something over   | to consider an idea or plan carefully before making a decision | They offered him a job but he’<color blue>s going to think>/color> it <color blue>over</color> before accepting.   |
| throw something away   | to get rid of something you don’t want any more   | We <color blue>threw away</color> the old chairs and bought new ones. |
| turn something down   | to refuse an offer | He decided to <color blue>turn</color> the job <color blue>down</color> because there was too much travelling.   |
| switch/turn something off | to stop something working by using by a tap, switch or button etc.   | Don’t forget to <color blue>turn off</color> the lights before you go. |
| switch/turn something on | to cause something to start working by using by a tap, switch or button etc.   | Can you <color blue>turn</color> the radio <color blue>on</color>? I want to listen to the news. |
| try something out   | to use something to discover if it works or if you like it   | Don't forget to <color blue>try out</color> the audio-visual equipment before the presentation.   |
| try something on   | to put on a piece of clothing to see if it fits you or if you like it   | I loved the dress when I saw it but I <color blue>tried</color> it <color blue>on</color> and it wasn’t the right colour for me.   |
| use something up | to finish a supply of something | I can’t take any more days off -- I’<color blue>ve used up</color> all my holiday for this year.   |
| wake someone up | cause someone to become awake after sleeping   | It’s difficult to <color blue>wake</color> my son <color blue>up</color> for school on Mondays. |
| wrap something up | to complete or conclude something such as a discussion [informal] | It’s getting late so let’s <color blue>wrap</color> it <color blue>up</color> now and make a decision.   |
| write something up | to record something completely on paper or on a computer, often using notes that you have made | I have to <color blue>write up</color> the accident report. |
| write something out | to write something on paper with all the necessary details | Can you <color blue>write out</color> a cheque for the full amount, please? |
| write something down | to record information on paper | If I don't <color blue>write</color> it <color blue>down</color> I'll forget it. |
| write something off | to accept that a dept will not be paie or that money has been lost | Last year the blank  <color blue>wrote off</color> $17 million in bad debts. |
| write something into something | to add a particular detail or rule to a document | An agreement to produce five novels a year was  <color blue>written into</color> her contract. |

== Group 2 ==
 

The object has to be placed BETWEEN the verb and particle.

  * I <color blue>backed</color> my boss <color blue>up</color> because I think he’s right.{{:en:grammar:reported_speech:y.png?nolink&20|}}
  * I backed up my boss because I think he’s right.{{:en:grammar:reported_speech:n.png?nolink&20|}}

Both nouns and pronouns can be used.

  * I <color blue>backed</color> __my boss__ <color blue>up</color>.{{:en:grammar:reported_speech:y.png?nolink&20|}}
  * I <color blue>backed</color> __her__ <color blue>up</color>.{{:en:grammar:reported_speech:y.png?nolink&20|}}                  

| Verb | Meaning | Examples |
| back someone up   | to support or help someone     | I know you’re nervous about telling the boss so I’ll come with you and <color blue>back</color> you <color blue>up</color>.   |
| back someone up   | to say that someone is telling the truth   | I know you don’t believe me, but ask Claire -- she’ll <color blue>back</color> me <color blue>up</color> on this.   |
| count someone in   | to include someone in an activity or arrangement   | If you’re going out to lunch today, <color blue>count</color> me <color blue>in</color>. |
| draw someone into something / in | to make someone become involved in a conversation or situation, perhaps difficult or unpleasant [often passive]   | They tried to <color blue>draw</color> me <color blue>into</color> their argument, but I refused.\\ I tried not to watch the film but I <color blue>got drawn in</color>! |
| get something across   | to manage to make someone understand or believe something   | It’s important that we <color blue>get</color> this message <color blue>across</color> to all the staff.   |
| show someone round/around | to lead someone through a place | After lunch, I’ll <color blue>show</color> you <color blue>round</color> the factory, and the town too later if you have time.   |


== Group 3 ==

The object has to be placed AFTER the verb and particle.

  * I can <color blue>count on</color> __Lucy__ to deal with the problem.{{:en:grammar:reported_speech:y.png?nolink&20|}}
  * I can count Lucy on to deal with the problem.{{:en:grammar:reported_speech:n.png?nolink&20|}}

Both nouns and pronouns can be used.

  * I can <color blue>count on</color> __Lucy__.{{:en:grammar:reported_speech:y.png?nolink&20|}}
  * I can <color blue>count on</color> __her__.{{:en:grammar:reported_speech:y.png?nolink&20|}}  

| Verb | Meaning | Examples |
| belong to someone or something | to be the property of someone or something   | This pen <color blue>belongs to</color> Ben; he lent it to me.\\ My laptop actually <color blue>belongs to</color> the company, so I’ll have to give it back when I leave.   |
| belong to something | to be a member of something   | Tony <color blue>belongs to</color> the local tennis club.   |
| break into something | to begin being successful in a particular type of work, activity or area   | We’re hoping to <color blue>break into</color> the Asian market next year.\\ After a successful career as an actor, he <color blue>broke into</color> politics and became an MP.   |
| come across something or someone     | to find something or someone by chance | I was looking for my glasses when I <color blue>came across</color> some old photos. |
| come to something | to be a particular total when numbers or amounts are added together: | Altogether, the accommodation and food came to £600.\\ When we added up the number of guests, it <color blue>came to</color> over 200. |
| count on someone   | to be confident that you can depend on someone   | I can always <color blue>count on</color> my team mates in an emergency |
| deal with something | to take action in order to achieve something or to solve a problem   | General enquiries <color blue>are dealt with</color> by our head office.   |
| deal with someone or something | to do business with a person or company   | I prefer to <color blue>deal with</color> the same salesperson each time.   |
| gain on someone or something     | to get nearer to someone or something that is ahead in a pursuit or competitive situation | Our competitors are still selling more than us, but this month’s figures show that we’re starting to <color blue>gain on</color> them.   |
| get at something | to suggest or express something in a way that is not direct or clear   | You mean I shouldn’t come tonight -- is that what you’<color blue>re getting at</color>?   |
| get onto someone | to contact someone in order to ask them for help or to do something for you   | Can you <color blue>get onto</color> the supplier? The delivery is two days late. |
| get onto something | to start talking about a subject   | Let’s <color blue>get onto</color> the next item on our agenda.   How did we <color blue>get onto</color> cheese?!   |
| get over something   | to recover from an unusual or upsetting experience, or an illness   | It took her a long time to <color blue>get over</color> the flu.  |
| get through something | to use (all of a supply) of something   | We're <color blue>getting through</color> a lot of coffee at the moment because we’re working longer hours.   |
| go after something   | to try to get something   | Are you planning to <color blue>go after</color> Paul's job when he leaves?   |
| go over something   | to examine or look at something in a careful or detailed way   | I <color blue>went over</color> my report to check for spelling mistakes before I handed it in. |
| hang on something   | to listen very carefully to someone’s speech   | She <color blue>hung on</color> every word of the presentation.   |
| hang onto something   | to keep something, often when you have to make an effort to do this   | The President tried, but failed, to <color blue>hang onto</color> his reputation after the scandal. |
| look after someone or something   | to take care of someone or something | We <color blue>looked after</color> their cat when they were on holiday. |
| look after something   | to be in charge of something | John’s going to <color blue>look after</color> the accounts while I’m away.   |
| look for someone/something   | to try to find something or someone | I’<color blue>m looking for</color> my keys -- they’re not where I usually keep them.   |
| look into something   | to investigate, or try to find out about something   | I don’t know why there was a delay, but I’m going to <color blue>look into</color> it.   |
| look on/upon someone or something   | to consider or think of someone or something in a certain way | Let’s <color blue>look on</color> it as a challenge, rather than a problem!   |
| look through something | to read something quickly, not every word, especially to find information you need  | I <color blue>looked through</color> these files but I couldn’t find the figures for January. |
| pop into somewhere | to visit there briefly, usually for a purpose   | Can you <color blue>pop into</color> the post office on your way home and get some stamps? |
| rely on someone or something | to need a particular thing or the help and support of someone in order to continue, to work correctly, or to succeed | The success of this project <color blue>relies on</color> everyone making an effort.\\ I'm <color blue>relying on</color> the garage to fix the car by tomorrow.   |
| rely on someone or something | to trust someone or something or to expect him, her, or it to behave in a particular way   | I can always <color blue>rely on</color> Jamie to cover for me when I’m on holiday -- I never come back to any problems.\\ Don't <color blue>rely on</color> finding me here when you get back -- I might have to go out.   |
| run into someone   | to meet someone you know]] when you are not expecting to   | I <color blue>ran into</color> an old school friend the other day. |
| see to something | to do something that has to be done   | The printer’s not working; Jeremy’s going to <color blue>see to</color> it later. |
| stand by someone | to support or remain loyal to someone, especially in a time of difficulty   | We all <color blue>stood by</color> our team leader when he had family problems and had to take some time off. |
| stand by something | to show that you still believe or support something   | We stand by our view that rates may need to rise to 5% next year.   The Government failed to <color blue>stand by</color> its election promises.   |
| stand for something | to represent something | FYI <color blue>stands for</color> ‘for your information’. |
| stand for something | to support or represent certain principles or values   | This presidential candidate <color blue>stands for</color> diversity and opportunities for everyone.\\ Our company <color blue>stands for</color> quality and affordability.   |
| stick to something   | to continue with a subject, activity, or plan without changing   | He never <color blue>sticks to</color> the agenda at meetings -- he always brings up new topics. |
| take after someone   | to be similar to an older member of your family in appearance or character | He <color blue>takes after</color> his mum -- they’re both tall with brown hair. |
| turn over something   | to make a certain amount of money during a stated period [a business]   | We <color blue>turned over</color> £2m in our first year but there was very little profit because of the expenses. |

 
=== Three-word phrasal verbs ===

| Verb | Meaning | Examples |
| check up on someone   | to make sure that someone is doing what they should be doing, or that everything is alright with them   | I haven’t heard from my son for a few weeks -- I’m going to <color blue>check up on</color> him. |
| come down with something     | to begin to suffer from an illness | I think I’m <color blue>coming down with</color> a cold. |
| come up with something   | to suggest or think of an idea or plan   | He <color blue>came up with</color> a great idea for a new marketing campaign.   |
| get away with something   | to escape blame or punishment when you do something wrong, or to avoid harm or criticism for something you did   | She thought she could <color blue>get away with</color> cheating on her taxes   |
| get back at someone   | to punish someone because that person has done something wrong to you   | I think he’s trying to <color blue>get back at</color> her for what she said in the meeting.   |
| get back to someone   | to communicate with someone again in order to give information, or because you were not able to speak to them before   | I couldn’t answer her question so I’m going to look into it and <color blue>get back to</color> her later.\\ Sorry I can’t take your call; please leave a message and I’ll <color blue>get back to</color> you.   |
| get down to something | to start to direct your efforts and attention towards something   | I've got a lot of work to do, but I can't seem to <color blue>get down to</color> it.   |
| get out of something | to avoid doing something that you do not want to do, or to escape responsibility for something   | If I can <color blue>get out of</color> going to the meeting tonight, I will.   |
| get up to something   | to do something, often something that other people would disapprove of [informal] ·                    | What did you get up to at the weekend?\\ I wonder what the children are <color blue>getting up to</color> in the garden -- let’s go and see.   |
| get round/around to something | to do something that you have intended to do for a long time   | I still haven't <color blue>got round to</color> writing that report.   |
| go along with something or someone | to support an idea, or to agree with someone's opinion   | Katie's already agreed, but it's going to be hard to persuade Mike to <color blue>go along with</color> it.   |
| grow out of something   | to stop having an interest in something or stop doing it as you become older   | My son said he wants to be an astronaut but I expect he’ll <color blue>grow out of</color> it. |
| grow out of something   | to become too tall or too big to wear or use something   | I give my children’s clothes to their younger cousins when they <color blue>grow out of</color> them.   |
| look back on something | to think about past events | We can <color blue>look back on</color> our past mistakes and learn something from them.   |
| look down on someone   | to think that you are better than someone   | His colleagues <color blue>look down on</color> him because he didn’t go to one of the top schools.   |
| look out for someone or something   | to look carefully around you in order to try to find a specific person or thing   | Take the second turning on the left and <color blue>look out for</color> a big red building on the right; my office is opposite that.   |
| look out for someone   | to take care of someone and make sure that they are treated well   | My friend’s son is starting at my company next week. It’s his first job and she's asked me to <color blue>look out</color> for him.   |
| look up to someone   | to admire and respect someone, usually someone older   | My children <color blue>look up to</color> their grandfather because he’s had such an interesting and productive life.   |
| look forward to something   | to feel pleasure because an event or activity is going to happen  | We’re all <color blue>looking forward to</color> our holiday. |
| make up for something   | to compensate for something missing, lost, or lacking   | I’ve been working late most evenings but I’m taking two days off next week to <color blue>make up for</color> it.   |
| put something down to something   | to think that a problem or situation is caused by a particular thing   | I <color blue>put</color> the failure of the project <color blue>down to</color> bad management. |
| put in for something   | to make an official request to have or do something | I'm putting in for a job at the hospital.   Richard's finally <color blue>put in for</color> his driving test.   |
| put up with someone or something   | to accept or tolerate an unpleasant situation or person ·                    | I don’t know how you <color blue>put up with</color> your boss -- he’s so rude! |

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