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Essential Phrasal Verbs in English

Sep 8, 2025

Overview

This lecture covered 30 essential phrasal verbs commonly used in everyday English, with meanings, usage examples, and tips for correct grammar.

Phrasal Verbs for Daily Routines

  • Wake up: stop sleeping.
  • Get up: get out of bed.
  • Turn on/off: start or stop an electronic device.

Phrasal Verbs for Stress and Problem Solving

  • Stress out (s): make someone feel stressed.
  • Come up with (s): think of a new idea or answer.
  • Bring up (s): start to speak about a topic.
  • Stand out: be noticeable due to being different or impressive.
  • Look up (s): search for specific information.
  • Figure out (s): think and find a solution.

Phrasal Verbs for Running Errands and Daily Tasks

  • Run out of: use all of something and have none left.
  • Pop into: enter a place briefly.
  • Pick up (s): collect something.
  • Drop off (s): leave something somewhere.
  • Throw away (s): put in the trash.
  • Cut back on: reduce something, usually food, drink, or spending.

Phrasal Verbs for Social and Emotional Contexts

  • Put up with: tolerate something negative.
  • Bear with: be patient with someone.
  • Calm down (s): stop feeling upset or help someone do so.
  • Get back to (s): respond to someone, usually by message or email.
  • Look forward to: be excited about something in the future.

Phrasal Verbs for Work and Productivity

  • Catch up on: do something quickly because you are behind.
  • Fill out (s) / fill in (s): complete a form with information.
  • Get along with: have a good relationship with someone.
  • Turn up/down (s): increase or decrease volume (music, TV).
  • Get rid of (s): remove something.
  • Go over (s): review something.
  • Hand in (s): give something to an authority.
  • Sleep in: sleep longer than usual.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Phrasal verb — a verb phrase with one or more particles (prepositions/adverbs) that has a unique meaning.
  • Separable phrasal verb (s) — object or pronoun can go between the verb and particle.
  • Gerund — the -ing form of a verb used as a noun.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Write an example conversation using at least three phrasal verbs from the lesson.
  • Review the definitions and example sentences for each phrasal verb.