Common Phrasal Verbs, Definition and Example Sentences
Phrasal Verbs – CUT
Cut back
to reduce
The Government will cut back on defence spending.
Cut in
to interrupt
When you cut in on our conversation, we were talking.
Cut into
to shortening into parts or to make sth smaller
Knives easily cut into the cake.
Cut across
to make a shorter route
If I cut across the field, it’ll save time.
Cut through
to go through by cutting
We cut through the solid rock to build the tunnel .
Cut up
to cut into pieces
My mother cut up the onions and put them in the pot.
Cut out
to stop working
There are two engines. One of them cut out yesterday.
Cut down
to use less of sth
I’m trying to cut down on sugar.
Cut off
to remove by cutting
He cut off all the overhanging branches in the garden.
Phrasal Verbs – GET
Get along
to have a friendly relationship
It’s impossible to get along with her.
Get out
to become known
I don’t want it to get out that I’m leaving.
Get across
to make sb understand
Your meaning didn’t really get across.
Get away
to escape from sb/sth
She‘ll get away from work as soon as she can.
Get (sb) down
to make sb feel sad
When my work gets me down, I want to resign.
Get through
to be connected by phone
I tried to call her but couldn’t get through.
Get around
to visit lots of places
It’s quite easy to get around London.
Get over
to overcome
How would you get over that problem?
Get ahead
to be success
He wants to get ahead in his career.
Get down (to)
to give serious atttention
Let’s get down to work.
Phrasal Verbs – LET
Let yourselft go
Meaning; to relax and enjoy yourself
Example Sentence; It’s a party. Let yourself go!
Let in
Meaning; to allow sth/sb to enter
Example Sentence; She opened the window to let in some fresh air.
Let into
Meaning; to put into the surface of sth
Example Sentence; A skylight had been let into the roof.
Let in on
Meaning; to allow sb to know sth
Example Sentence; I‘m going to let him in on a little secret.
Let off
Meaning; to allow sb to leave
Example Sentence; They‘ll let you off if you apologize.
Let through
Meaning; to allow to pass
Example Sentence; He was let through to the front of the queue.
Let up
Meaning; to stop or to diminish
Example Sentence; When the rain lets up, you can go to outside.
Let out
Meaning; to release
Example Sentence; We don’t let heat out in winter.
Let down
Meaning; to disappoint
Example Sentence; I’m relying on you, please don’t let me down.
Let on
Meaning; to reveal
Example Sentence; She knows more than she’s letting on.
Phrasal Verbs – PUT
Put up with
Meaning:
to tolerate
Example Sentence:
I can’t put up with it any longer.
Put away
Meaning:
to clean up, to tidy
Example Sentence:
Put away any valuable or breakable objects.
Put across
Meaning:
to explain sth clearly
Example Sentence:
He was trying to put across a serious point.
Put by
Meaning:
to save monet
Example Sentence:
Try to put by a little bit each week
Put off
Meaning:
to delay
Example Sentence:
Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
Put through
Meaning:
to connect sb by phone
Example Sentence:
He asked to be put through to Charley Lunn.
Put in
Meaning:
to apply for sth
Example Sentence:
I decided to put in for a job as deputy secretary.
Put out
Meaning:
to stop burning
Example Sentence:
It took two hours to put out the fire
Put down
Meaning:
to write
Example Sentence:
Put down your name in capitals.
Put on
Meaning:
to wear
Example Sentence:
She put on a new pair of nylon socks.
Phrasal Verbs – RUN
Run along
Meaning:
to tell sb to go away
Example Sentence:
Run along now, children! I’m busy.
Run after
Meaning:
to chase
Example Sentence:
Why do dogs run after cats?
Run across
Meaning:
to meet or to find unexpectedly
Example Sentence:
I ran across some old friends at the party.
Run away
Meaning:
to leave a place or sb
Example Sentence:
The prisoners ran away from the prison.
Run into
Meaning:
to experience sth unexpectedly
Example Sentence:
I’ve run into a difficulty with the project.
Run against
Meaning:
to oppose towards sb or sth
Example Sentence:
Luck was really running against you yesterday!
Run around
Meaning:
to be very busy doing lots of things
Example Sentence:
The child ran around all day in the garden
Run over
Meaning:
to look at quickly
Example Sentence:
We‘ll just run over the main points again.
Run on
Meaning:
to continue without interruption
Example Sentence:
The discussion ran on for hours.
Run down
Meaning:
to decline in number or size
Example Sentence:
The battery has run down; it needs recharging.
Phrasal Verbs – SET
Set about
Meaning:
to begin doing something
Example Sentence:
She set about studying.
Set forth
Meaning:
to start a journey
Example Sentence:
They set forth on their travels in early June.
Set off
Meaning:
to initiate sth working
Example Sentence:
Someone set off a fire extinguisher.
Set up
Meaning:
to place or to build sth
Example Sentence:
The travelers set up a camp on the river bank.
Set to
Meaning:
to make sb feel sad
Example Sentence:
When my work gets me down, I want to resign.
Set aside
Meaning:
to keep sth available for a purpose
Example Sentence:
We set aside some money for repairs.
Set in
Meaning:
to take root, start and continue
Example Sentence:
The rainy season has set in.
Set on/upon sb
Meaning:
to attack sb
Example Sentence:
He was set on by a vicious dog.
Set down
Meaning:
to write
Example Sentence:
The rules for service have been set down.
Set back
Meaning:
to delay sth or sb
Example Sentence:
The government will set back the reforms.
Phrasal Verbs – TAKE
Take after sb
to resemble somebody
Your son doesn’t take after you in any way.
Take apart
to seperate sth into parts
This crib takes apart for easy storage.
Take over
to get control of sth
He can take over the business when I’m away.
Take away
to remove sth/sb from
Take away the glasses and the tray.
Take in
to allow sb to stay in your home
My house is full; I can’t take in any more guests.
Take against
to start to dislike
Why have you suddenly taken against her?
Take down
to remove sth from a high position
Take down this book and read slowly.
Take on
to accept
Don’t take on more than you can handle.
Take off
to start flying
The plane will take off in a minute.
Take sth back
to return sth to its first place
I went to the library and took the books back.
