A phrasal verb is a multi-word verb that is made up of a verb component plus one or more particles (adverbs and/or prepositions). Each one functions as a single unit with its own meaning.
In fact, we have already used a phrasal verb made up of, which is a three-part phrasal verb meaning formed from or consists of.
Unlike single-word verbs, phrasal verbs can create meanings that are quite different from those of their individual parts. For instance, when we combine look + after, we get the phrasal verb look after, meaning to take care of rather than anything related to sight or being behind something.
Phrasal verbs also tend to be more informal and conversational than their single-word equivalents:
- Please consider my proposal. (formal)
- Please think over my proposal. (more informal-sounding with phrasal verb think over)
Because of the informal nature of phrasal verbs, they are naturally found in everyday speech and casual writing. They work less well in formal writing such as academic essays, business reports, and official correspondence.
English contains thousands of phrasal verbs, each with its own meaning, so picking them up naturally as you encounter them often works better than trying to memorise too many at once.
Phrasal Verbs in Use
- I woke up this morning feeling completely exhausted.
- She broke up with her boyfriend last week.
- Can you turn the music down? I am trying to study.
- I need to fill this application form out. The deadline is today!
- He gets along with everyone.
- We need to cut down on our outgoings this month.
* Phrasal Verbs
- I woke up this morning feeling completely exhausted.
A Closer Look at Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs have some particular characteristics that distinguish them from other verb constructs.
Unpredictable Meanings
While some phrasal verbs are more logical and obvious in meaning (e.g., stand up, get up, turn around, sit down), others are harder to make sense of at first glance.
In other words, you can’t always tell what phrasal verbs mean just by looking at their individual parts.
For example, you might expect all phrasal verbs with the particle up to suggest upward movement, but they often mean something completely different:
- give up: quit trying
- break up: end a relationship
- make up: invent a story
- show up: arrive
Conversely, phrasal verbs with the same verb component can have completely different meanings depending on which particle follows. Take phrasal verbs with look:
- look at: direct your gaze toward something
- look after: take care of someone
- look for: search for someone or something
- look up: search for information
- look into: investigate something
If you are new to phrasal verbs, don’t let this unpredictability discourage you! It’s often easier to learn each phrasal verb as a complete unit. As you encounter each one in context, treat it like learning any new vocabulary word – focus on the whole meaning rather than trying to figure out the parts.
One Phrasal Verb – Multiple Meanings
Even when a phrasal verb has the same verb and particle, it can have completely different meanings depending on the context.
For example, take off has four distinct meanings:
- To begin flying:
Our plane took off on time, thankfully.
- To leave quickly:
The pickpocket took off when he saw the police coming.- To become successful:
Her business really took off after the first year.- To remove clothing:
You have to take off your shoes before entering – mum’s rules.
Similarly, pick up has four different meanings:
- To collect someone or something:
I’ll pick you up at 8 pm.- To improve:
Sales pick up during the holiday season.- To lift something:
Can someone pick up this broken glass before someone gets hurt?- To learn quickly:
He picked up Spanish quickly after living in a town where no one spoke English.
These examples show how one phrasal verb can have completely different meanings in different situations, so paying attention to context becomes especially important. The context clues in the sentence usually make the intended meaning clear.
More examples of phrasal verbs that have multiple meanings:
- turn up: arrive unexpectedly / increase volume
- break down: stop working / become upset / analyse
- run out: leave quickly / finish completely
- work out: exercise / solve a problem / succeed
- make up: invent a story / reconcile
- put up: accommodate someone / display something
- get over: recover from illness / cross something / communicate an idea
- come up: arise as a topic / grow from the ground
Three-Word Phrasal Verbs
Some phrasal verbs use two particles instead of just one: a verb followed by an adverb and then a preposition (verb + adverb + preposition). These longer combinations work the same way as regular phrasal verbs.
For example:
- come up with (think of an idea): We need to come up with a solution quickly.
In three-word phrasal verbs like the example sentence above, the object (a solution) comes after the whole phrase and is linked to the preposition at the end of it (with). In technical grammatical terms, we would call this a prepositional object rather than a direct object.
For our purposes though, we treat it here like any other phrasal verb. Whether it’s a direct object or a prepositional object, it still plays the same role of completing the meaning of the phrasal verb. The important point is that the preposition and its object stay together, so three-word phrasal verbs are not split.
More examples of three-part phrasal verbs:
| Three-Word Phrasal Verbs & Meanings | Example Sentences |
|---|---|
| come up with: think of an idea | – We need to come up with a solution quickly. |
| put up with: tolerate | – I can’t put up with this noise any longer. |
| get along with: have a good relationship | – She gets along with everyone at work. |
| look forward to: feel excited about something | – I’m looking forward to my holiday next month. I can’t wait to get away! |
| run out of: finish completely | – We’ve run out of milk! |
| catch up with: suffer the consequences | – Poor diet eventually catches up with you. |
| keep up with: maintain pace | – It’s hard to keep up with technology at times. |
| get away with: escape punishment | – He won’t get away with being late again. |
| cut down on: reduce the amount | – I’m trying to cut down on sugar in my diet. |
| go along with: agree to something (usually reluctantly) | – She goes along with whatever her family wants to keep the peace. |
| stand up for: defend or support | – You should stand up for what you believe in. |
| look down on: consider inferior | – No one should be looked down on for the job they do, the car they drive, or the clothes they wear. |
Phrasal Verbs and Tense
When we change phrasal verbs to indicate different tenses, only the main verb changes. The particle(s) that make up the other part never change.
For example:
- I work out at the gym three times a week. (present simple)
- I worked out for two hours yesterday. (past simple)
- I have worked out every day this week. (present perfect)
- I was working out when you called. (past continuous)
- I’m tired. I’ll just work out tomorrow morning before work. (future)
Notice how the verb component work changes its form (work, worked, worked), but the particle out never changes. This pattern applies across all phrasal verbs and tenses.
Types of Phrasal Verbs
We can organise phrasal verbs into groups based on how they behave in sentences. The key distinction is whether they need objects to complete their meaning, and where those objects can be placed.
For more about how verbs work with objects, see our Verb Transitivity & Objects page.
Phrasal Verbs That Work Alone vs. Those That Need Objects
Some phrasal verbs need an object to complete their meaning, while others make complete sense on their own. In grammatical terms, we call phrasal verbs that need an object transitive and those that don’t need an object intransitive.
– Stand-Alone Phrasal Verbs (Intransitive)
Some phrasal verbs make complete sense on their own without an object. They don’t leave us wondering what? Or who? Or where?
For instance:
- I wake up at 6:30 am every day. (no wake up what? needed)
- Please come in and have a seat. (no come in where? needed)
- My car broke down the first time I took it on the motorway – typical! (no broke down what? / broke down who? / broke down where? needed)
– Object-Dependent Phrasal Verbs (Transitive)
Other phrasal verbs need an object to be complete. They typically tell us what, who, or where receives the action:
For instance:
❌ – I turned off __________ to concentrate on revising. (incomplete – turned off what?)
✅ – I turned off the television to concentrate on revising. (complete with object: the television)
❌ – Can you pick up __________ from work later today? (incomplete – pick up who?)
✅ – Can you pick me up from work later today? (complete with object: me)
❌ – We put off __________ because of the rain. (incomplete – put off what?)
✅ – We have put off having a barbecue because of the rain. (complete with object: having a barbecue)
Learning whether each phrasal verb needs an object is part of mastering that specific phrasal verb. Like their meanings, whether they require an object isn’t always clear from the individual parts, so learning them one by one is likely the best approach.
Separable vs. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
When phrasal verbs do need an object (transitive), we have to know where that object can go in the sentence. Some phrasal verbs are flexible about object placement, while others have fixed rules. Grammarians call flexible phrasal verbs separable and fixed ones inseparable.
– Inseparable (Fixed Placement)
With inseparable phrasal verbs, the verb component and particle are always next to each other in a sentence. The object cannot be placed between them. When these phrasal verbs require an object, that object comes after the phrasal verb.
Consider the phrasal verb bump into, which means to meet someone unexpectedly:
❌ – I bumped my boss into at the supermarket earlier after I’d called in sick. Awkward!
✅ – I bumped into my boss at the supermarket earlier after I’d called in sick. Awkward!
When we use the phrasal verb bump into, it must stay together. In other words, we cannot separate the verb component (bumped) from the particle (into).
Other common inseparable phrasal verbs include:
- go through: experience / examine
- stand by: support / remain loyal to
- take after: resemble a family member
- deal with: handle / manage
- rely on: depend on
- belong to: be the property of
- stick to: continue with / adhere to
- approve of: think favourably of
- consist of: be made up of
- account for: explain / be responsible for
– Separable (Flexible Placement)
With separable phrasal verbs, as the name suggests, we can separate the verb component and the particle. We can place the object after the phrasal verb, or we can place the object between the separated verb and particle components.
For instance:
| Object AFTER Verb & Particle | Object BETWEEN Verb & Particle | |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | Verb + Particle | Object I | picked up | some milk. | ➝ | Subject | Verb | Object | Particle I | picked | some milk | up. |
Other common separable phrasal verbs include:
- turn on: start a device
- turn off: stop a device
- pick up: collect / lift
- put on: wear clothing
- put off: postpone
- throw away: dispose of
- look up: search for information
- fill out: complete a form
- bring up: mention / raise a child
- call back: return a phone call
- hand in: submit
The Pronoun Rule
We’ve seen that some phrasal verbs need objects while others don’t. When phrasal verbs DO need objects, we saw that separable phrasal verbs give us flexibility in object placement, while inseparable ones have fixed placement.
– Pronoun Objects with Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
When the object of a phrasal verb is a pronoun (e.g., it, them, him, her, us), inseparable phrasal verbs work exactly the same way – the pronoun still goes after the complete phrasal verb.
For example:
| Pronoun Objects with Inseparable Phrasal Verbs |
|---|
| Subject | Verb + Particle | Pronoun Object | Rest of Sentence. We | came across | it | while cleaning out the garage. |
– Pronoun Objects with Separable Phrasal Verbs
However, with separable phrasal verbs, object pronouns can only be placed between the verb and particle components.
For example:
| Pronoun Objects with Separable Phrasal Verbs |
|---|
| Subject | Verb | Pronoun Object | Particle | Rest of Sentence I | picked | it | up | on the way home from work. |
With object pronouns, separable phrasal verbs must be separated. We cannot put the pronoun after the complete phrasal verb:
❌ – I picked up it on the way home from work.
Over 100 Common Phrasal Verbs
ask for (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To request something
Example: I’m going to ask for a raise at work.
back down (no object needed)
Meaning: To withdraw from a position or argument
Example: He backed down when he realised he was wrong.
back up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To make a copy of data
Example: You should back up your computer files regularly.
back up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To support someone
Example: My friends always back me up.
blow up (no object needed)
Meaning: To explode by itself
Example: The balloon blew up with a loud pop.
blow up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To cause to explode or to inflate
Example: Can you blow up these balloons for the party?
break down (no object needed)
Meaning: To stop working
Example: My car broke down again today.
break down (no object needed)
Meaning: To become very upset
Example: She broke down when she heard the news.
break in (no object needed)
Meaning: To forcefully (and usually illegally) gain access to a property
Example: Someone broke in while we were on holiday.
break in (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To make new shoes comfortable
Example: I need to break in these new boots.
break out (no object needed)
Meaning: To escape
Example: The infamous Mexican drug lord El Chapo broke out of prison not once, but twice.
break up (no object needed)
Meaning: To end a relationship
Example: They suddenly broke up after dating for three years.
break up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To separate something
Example: The police swiftly intervened and broke up the protest.
bring back (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To return something
Example: My sister never brings back the clothes she borrows.
bring up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To mention a topic
Example: It’s best not to bring up politics at the dinner table.
bring up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To raise a child
Example: She brought three children up on her own.
call back (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To return a phone call
Example: I’ll call you back in an hour.
call off (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To cancel something
Example: They called off the event due to bad weather.
call out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To shout someone’s name
Example: The teacher called out the winners’ names at the awards ceremony.
call out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To publicly criticise someone or something for bad conduct
Example: The whistleblower called the company out for covering up the scandal.
calm down (no object needed)
Meaning: To become less angry or excited
Example: Please calm down and tell me what happened.
carry on (no object needed)
Meaning: To continue or persevere with something
Example: Keep calm and carry on.
carry out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To complete a task
Example: Police carried out a series of overnight raids across the city.
catch up on (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To make up for something you’ve fallen behind on or missed
Example: I need to catch up on sleep.
check in (no object needed)
Meaning: To register at a hotel or similar establishment
Example: We can check in at 2 pm at the earliest.
check out (no object needed)
Meaning: To leave a hotel or similar establishment
Example: We need to check out by 11 AM.
check out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To examine something
Example: Check out my new haircut. What do you think?
clean up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To make something tidy
Example: Can you help me clean up this mess?
come across (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To find someone or something by chance
Example: I came across this old photo of my grandparents while cleaning.
come back (no object needed)
Meaning: To return later
Example: I’ll come back later when you’re not so busy.
come back to (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To revisit a place
Example: He has come back to the UK for Christmas.
come down (no object needed)
Meaning: To decrease
Example: House prices came down last year.
come in (no object needed)
Meaning: To enter
Example: Come in and make yourself comfortable.
come out (no object needed)
Meaning: To be published or revealed
Example: The new Batman movie comes out next Friday.
come over (no object needed)
Meaning: To come to or visit a place or person
Example: Why don’t you come over for dinner tonight?
come up (no object needed)
Meaning: To arise as a topic
Example: This issue came up in yesterday’s meeting.
come up with (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To think of an idea or solution
Example: We need to come up with a plan for the weekend.
cut down (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To reduce something
Example: I need to cut down my expenses this month.
cut off (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To disconnect or stop supply
Example: Bad weather cut the mountain village off from the outside world.
cut up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To chop into pieces
Example: The kids love it when I cut their sandwiches up into triangles.
dress up (no object needed)
Meaning: To wear smart or formal clothing
Example: I love dressing up for special occasions.
drop off (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To take someone or something to a place
Example: No need to get a train. I’ll drop you off at the airport.
drop out (no object needed)
Meaning: To quit something (typically studies)
Example: He dropped out of college in his second year.
eat out (no object needed)
Meaning: To dine at a restaurant
Example: Let’s eat out tonight instead of cooking.
fall apart (no object needed)
Meaning: To deteriorate or disintegrate
Example: My favourite coat that I have had for 10 years is falling apart.
fall apart (no object needed)
Meaning: To fail or collapse
Example: The band fell apart after their lead singer quit.
fall behind (no object needed)
Meaning: To fail to keep up
Example: He is falling behind in his studies.
fall down (no object needed)
Meaning: To collapse
Example: The fence fell down during the storm last night.
fall over (no object needed)
Meaning: To lose balance and topple to the ground
Example: He fell over while trying to impress everyone with his dance moves.
fall out (no object needed)
Meaning: To have an argument
Example: They always fall out over money.
figure out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To solve or understand
Example: It took me ages to figure out how to use this new app.
fill in (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To substitute for someone temporarily
Example: Can you fill in for me at the meeting tomorrow?
fill out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To complete a form
Example: Please fill this application out and we will be in touch.
fill up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To make something full
Example: I need to fill the car up before we set off. I’m running on fumes.
find out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To discover information
Example: Did you find out who ate your sandwich at work?
get along with (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To have a good relationship
Example: Do you get along with your new roommate?
get away (no object needed)
Meaning: To escape
Example: The thief got away before the police arrived.
get away with (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To do something wrong without being caught or punished
Example: The thief got away with £500,000 in jewellery.
get back (no object needed)
Meaning: To return
Example: When did you get back from your trip?
get back (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To retrieve something
Example: I need to get my scarf back from Vicky.
get by (no object needed)
Meaning: To manage, usually with some difficulty
Example: We’re getting by on a tight budget.
get off (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To leave a bus or train
Example: I get off the bus at the next stop.
get off with (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To receive a light punishment or no punishment at all
Example: He got off with just a verbal warning.
get on (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To climb onto or board something
Example: I get on the bus at Oxford Street.
get over (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To recover from something
Example: It took me weeks to get over the flu.
get through (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To complete or endure something
Example: I don’t know how I’ll get through this exam.
get up (no object needed)
Meaning: To wake up and get out of bed
Example: I get up at 7 am every weekday.
give away (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To donate something (without charge)
Example: I’m giving away my old clothes to charity.
give back (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To return something
Example: Please give me back my pen when you’re finished with it.
give in (no object needed)
Meaning: To stop resisting
Example: With his relief army defeated and his troops starving, Vercingetorix gave in and surrendered to Caesar after a two-month siege.
give out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To distribute something
Example: Our volunteers give out food and water to the homeless seven days a week.
give up (no object needed)
Meaning: To quit trying
Example: Don’t give up! You can do this.
give up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To stop doing something
Example: He gave up smoking last year.
go ahead (no object needed)
Meaning: To proceed
Example: I’m going to be late. Go ahead and start without me.
go away (no object needed)
Meaning: To stop bothering someone
Example: Please go away and leave me alone.
go away (no object needed)
Meaning: To go somewhere else
Example: She went away to university and came back with an entirely different personality.
go back to (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To return
Example: They always go back to the same hotel every year.
go off (no object needed)
Meaning: To make a sound or become active
Example: My alarm goes off at 6 am every morning.
go off (no object needed)
Meaning: To explode
Example: Fireworks went off for hours after we won the European final.
go off (no object needed)
Meaning: To become spoiled (typically food)
Example: This milk has gone off. Don’t drink it.
go on (no object needed)
Meaning: To continue
Example: Please go on with your story.
go out (no object needed)
Meaning: To go somewhere outside the home
Example: Let’s go out for dinner tonight.
go over (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To review something
Example: Let’s go over the details one more time.
go through (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To experience something (usually difficult)
Example: She’s going through a difficult divorce at the moment.
grow up (no object needed)
Meaning: To become an adult
Example: I grew up in a small town.
hand in (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To submit something
Example: Please hand in your assignments by Friday.
hand out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To distribute something
Example: We handed out flyers everywhere looking for our missing cat.
hang around (no object needed)
Meaning: To wait or linger somewhere
Example: I don’t like hanging around waiting for appointments.
hang on (no object needed)
Meaning: To wait
Example: Hang on a minute while I get my keys.
hang out (no object needed)
Meaning: To spend time casually
Example: We like to hang out at the pool hall.
hang up (no object needed)
Meaning: To end a phone call
Example: I accidentally hung up when I was trying to put you on speaker.
hang up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To put something on a hook
Example: You can hang your coat up in the closet.
head for (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: Go to a destination
Example: We’re heading for the beach this weekend.
hold on (no object needed)
Meaning: To wait
Example: Hold on while I check my calendar.
hold up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To delay someone or something
Example: The roadworks held us up for two hours.
keep on (no object needed)
Meaning: To continue doing something
Example: Keep on practising and you’ll no doubt get better.
keep up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To continue something
Example: Keep up the good work.
keep up with (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To maintain pace with someone or something
Example: Slow down! I can’t keep up (implied: with you).
Example: It’s hard to keep up with technology at times.
let down (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To disappoint someone
Example: Undefeated in the ring, he didn’t want to let his hometown crowd down.
let in (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To allow someone to enter
Example: Can you let me in? I forgot my keys.
let out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To allow someone or something out
Example: They let the audience out row by row after the show ended.
lie down (no object needed)
Meaning: To recline
Example: I need to lie down for a few minutes.
log in (no object needed)
Meaning: To access a computer system
Example: I can’t log in to my email account.
log out (no object needed)
Meaning: To exit a computer system
Example: Don’t forget to log out when you’re finished.
look after (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To take care of someone or something
Example: Can you look after my cat while I’m away?
look around (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To explore a place
Example: Let’s look around the museum a bit more before we leave.
look back on (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To reflect on a specific experience or time in the past
Example: When I look back on that haircut, I don’t know what I was thinking.
look for (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To search for someone or something
Example: I’m looking for my keys. Have you seen them?
look forward to (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To feel excited about something in the future
Example: I’m looking forward to starting my new job.
look into (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To investigate something
Example: The police are looking into the incident.
look out (no object needed)
Meaning: To be careful
Example: Look out! There’s a car coming.
look up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To search for information
Example: Let me look the restaurant’s phone number up.
look up to (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To admire someone
Example: She looks up to her older sister.
make out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To decipher something
Example: I can’t make out what this sign means.
make up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To create or fabricate something
Example: The whole story was made up.
make up (no object needed)
Meaning: To reconcile after an argument
Example: We made up over coffee and realised it was just a misunderstanding.
move in (no object needed)
Meaning: To start living somewhere
Example: We’re moving in next weekend.
move out (no object needed)
Meaning: To leave a place where you live
Example: I’m finally moving out of my parents’ house next month.
pick out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To choose something (usually from a selection)
Example: We spent ages picking out furniture for the new flat.
pick up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To lift something
Example: Can you pick that box up for me?
pick up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To collect someone
Example: I’ll pick you up at 8 pm for the party.
pick up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To get something while out
Example: Can you pick up my prescription from the pharmacy?
pick up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To learn something new
Example: I picked up guitar playing by watching YouTube videos.
point out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To indicate or highlight something
Example: The guide pointed out the place where the famous battle took place.
put away (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To return something to its place
Example: I need to put the laundry away before bed.
put down (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To place something on a surface
Example: I couldn’t wait to put down the books and get some fresh air after a long day of studying.
put off (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To postpone something
Example: I always put off doing my university work until the last minute when the pressure kicks in.
put on (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To wear clothing
Example: You should put a jacket on. It’s cold outside.
put out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To extinguish a fire
Example: It took the firefighters days to put out the wildfire.
put up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To accommodate someone
Example: Can you put me up for the night?
put up with (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To tolerate something
Example: I don’t know how you put up with such a messy roommate.
run away (no object needed)
Meaning: To escape by running
Example: The cat ran away the second the gate was left open.
run into (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To meet someone unexpectedly
Example: I ran into my old science teacher last night.
run out of (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To use all of something
Example: We’ve run out of sugar.
set off (no object needed)
Meaning: To begin a journey
Example: We set off early to avoid the traffic.
set up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To arrange or organize something
Example: Let’s set up a meeting for next week.
show off (no object needed)
Meaning: To display proudly
Example: He always shows off in front of his friends.
show up (no object needed)
Meaning: To arrive or appear
Example: What time did she show up to the party?
shut down (no object needed / needs object – separable)
Meaning: To stop operating
Examples:
- The factory shut down after losing its biggest contract. (no object needed)
- I shut my laptop down at 2am and called it a day. (needs object – separable)
sit down (no object needed)
Meaning: To take a seat
Example: Please sit down and make yourself comfortable.
slow down (no object needed)
Meaning: To reduce speed
Example: Please slow down. You’re driving too fast.
stand out (no object needed)
Meaning: To be noticeable
Example: That hat will make you stand out anywhere you go.
stand up (no object needed)
Meaning: To rise to your feet
Example: Please stand up when the judge enters.
stay up (no object needed)
Meaning: To remain awake
Example: I stayed up all night studying for my exam.
take after (needs object – inseparable)
Meaning: To resemble a family member
Example: She takes after her mother in looks and personality.
take away (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To remove something
Example: The teacher took his phone away during class.
take back (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To return something
Example: I need to take this jumper back. It is ripped!
take off (no object needed)
Meaning: To begin flying
Example: Hundreds of planes take off from Heathrow every day.
take off (no object needed)
Meaning: To leave
Example: I need to take off early to catch my train.
take off (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To remove clothing
Example: I can’t wait to take off these wet socks.
take out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To remove something
Example: Take out your books and turn to page 47.
take out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To go on a date with someone
Example: I want to take her out somewhere special for her birthday.
take over (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To gain control of something
Example: Elon Musk took over Twitter in 2022 and renamed it X.
think over (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To consider something carefully
Example: She asked for a few days to think over the job offer.
throw away (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To dispose of something
Example: She can’t bring herself to throw away her childhood teddies.
throw out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To reject or dismiss
Example: The committee threw out the proposal without discussion.
throw out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To eject
Example: He was thrown out by the bouncer after spilling his drink.
turn around (no object needed)
Meaning: To face the opposite direction
Example: Turn around so we can see your new haircut.
turn down (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To reduce volume
Example: Please turn the music down.
turn down (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To reject something
Example: He turned down the job offer because the salary was too low.
turn in (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To submit something
Example: Don’t forget to turn in your assignments by midday on Friday.
turn off (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To switch something off
Example: Please turn all of the lights off when you leave.
turn on (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To switch something on
Example: Can you please turn the air conditioning on?
turn out (no object needed)
Meaning: To end up in a particular way
Example: The party turned out better than expected.
turn up (no object needed)
Meaning: To arrive or appear
Example: My dog turned up at the back door after being missing all day.
turn up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To increase volume
Example: Turn up the radio. I love this song!
use up (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To use all of something
Example: We used up all the paper for the printer.
wake up (no object needed)
Meaning: To stop sleeping
Example: I wake up at 7 am every day.
warm up (no object needed)
Meaning: To become warmer
Example: The weather is finally warming up.
watch out (no object needed)
Meaning: To pay attention to a possible risk or threat
Example: Watch out for that pothole!
work out (no object needed)
Meaning: To exercise
Example: I work out three times a week.
work out (needs object – separable)
Meaning: To solve something
Example: I’m trying to work out how to fit everything in my suitcase.