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What are phrasal verbs? 
1. A phrasal verb is a verb plus a preposition or adverb which creates a meaning different from the original verb.
Example:
I ran into my teacher at the movies last night. run + into = meet
He ran away when he was 15. run + away = leave home
2. Some phrasal verbs are intransitive. An intransitive verb cannot be followed by an object.
Example:
He suddenly showed up. "show up" cannot take an object
3. Some phrasal verbs are transitive. A transitive verb can be followed by an object.
Example:
I made up the story. "story" is the object of "make up"
4. Some transitive phrasal verbs are separable. The object is placed between the verb and the preposition. In this Phrasal Verb Dictionary, separable phrasal verbs are marked by placing a * between the verb and the preposition / adverb.
Example:
I talked my mother into letting me borrow the car.
She looked the phone number up.
5. Some transitive phrasal verbs are inseparable. The object is placed after the preposition. In this Phrasal Verb Dictionary, inseparable phrasal verbs are marked by placing a + after the preposition / adverb.
Example:
I ran into an old friend yesterday.
They are looking into the problem.
6. Some transitive phrasal verbs can take an object in both places. In this Phrasal Verb Dictionary, such phrasal verbs are marked with both * and + .
Example:
I looked the number up in the phone book.
I looked up the number in the phone book.
7. WARNING! Although many phrasal verbs can take an object in both places, you must put the object between the verb and the preposition if the object is a pronoun.
Example:
I looked the number up in the phone book.
I looked up the number in the phone book.
I looked it up in the phone book. correct
I looked up it in the phone book. incorrect
Phrasal Verb ( A ) 
Phrasal Verb
Definition
Example
act up
behave or function improperly
I think I need to take my car to the mechanic because it's acting up again.
add * up +
calculate a sum
I added up the receipts and it totaled $135.46.
add up to +
equal an amount
The total expenses added up to $325.00. 
add up
make sense
Her story doesn't add up. I think she is lying.
ask * out +
invite on a date
I can't believe that Joe finally asked me out on a date!
ask * over +
invite to one's home
Why don't we ask the Johnsons over for dinner?
Phrasal Verb ( B ) 
Phrasal Verb
Definition
Example
back down
stop defending your opinion in a debate
Jane never backs down. She always wins arguments.
back out
not keep (a promise, agreement,deal)
Sam backed out at the last second.
back out of +
not keep (a promise, agreement, deal)
Sam backed out of the agreement at the last second.
back * up +
give support
You need examples to back up your opinion. 
back up
move backwards, reverse
Could you back up a little so I can open this drawer.
bawl * out 
criticize, reprimand (inf.)
She bawled him out for arriving late.
bear down on +
bite
The soldier had to bear down on the leather strap while the doctor removed a bullet from the soldier's arm.
bear down on +
take strong measures against
The U.S.A. is bearing down on drug traffickers.
bear on +
have to do with
This information may bear on this case.
bear up
withstand
I didn't think he would bear up so well in that situation.
bear up under +
withstand
How did he bear up under such extreme pressure.
bear with +
be patient
Please bear with me while I fill out the paperwork.
blow in
visit unexpectedly (inf.)
My cousin blew in unexpectedly with his entire family.
blow over
pass without creating a problem
All this negative publicity will blow over in a couple of weeks.
blow * up +
make explode;destroy using explosives
The terrorists blew the bridge up.
blow up
explode
The bomb blew up before they could defuse it.
blow up
suddenly become very angry
When Joan heard the news, she blew up and rushed out of the room.
break * down +
analyze in detail
We need to break this problem down in order to solve.
break down
stop working properly
The truck broke down in the desert.
break down
become mentally ill
She broke down after her husband died.
break * in +
wear or use something new until it is comfortable
I need to break these shoes in before I go hiking.
break in
interrupt
While we were discussing the situation, Terri broke in to give her opinion.
break in
enter a place unlawfully
The burglar broke in between midnight and 3 AM.
break in on +
interrupt (a conversation)
Jane broke in on the conversation and told us to get back to work.
break into +
enter a house unlawfully
The burglar broke into the house between midnight and 3 AM.
break into +
interrupt (a conversation)
Jane broke into the conversation and told us what she knew.
break * off +
end something
Sally broke her engagement to John off.
break out
appear violently
Violent protests broke out in response to the military coup.
break out +
use something extravagant for celebration
He broke out the champagne to celebrate his promotion.
break out of +
escape
The murderer broke out of the prison.
break * up +
break into pieces
I broke the cracker up into pieces and put it in the soup.
break * up +
disperse (a crowd), stop (a fight)
The police broke the demonstration up before it got out of control.
break up
end a relationship
Sam and Diane broke up again. What a rocky relationship.
bring * about +
cause to happen
Democracy brought about great change in the lives of the people.
bring * along +
bring with
When we go to the forest, bring your wildlife guide along.
bring * around
change someone's mind, convince someone
She doesn't want to go, but we'll eventually bring her around.
bring * away
learn or gain (from an experience)
My trip across the Sahara was difficult, but I brought a new appreciation for life away from the experience.
bring * off +
succeed at something difficult or unexpected
You robbed the bank! I can't believe you brought that off.
bring * on +
cause something
I can't believe she got so angry. What brought that on?
bring * out +
highlight, stress
Your new shirt brings out the color of your eyes.
bring * over +
bring to someone's house
When you visit me, why don't you bring over your son.
bring * to
revive consciousness
We used smelling salts to bring her to after she fainted.
bring * up +
mention
I didn't want to bring up the fact that she was unemployed.
bring * up +
raise ( a child)
Sam was brought up in South Carolina.
brush * off +
ignore something or someone (inf.)
Mary brushed her ex-boyfriend off at the party.
burn * down +
destroy by setting fire to
The children burned the house down while playing with matches.
burn down
burn until completely gone (building)
Two buildings burnt down in the fire.
burn up
be hot
I am burning up in here - open the window.
burn up 
consume by fire
The papers were burned up in the fire.
burn * up +
destroy by fire
He burnt up the files.
buy * out +
buy the shares of a company or the shares the other person owns of a business
Pacific Inc. was bought out by a company from Oregon. 
buy * up +
purchase the entire supply of something
We bought up all the beer in the store.
Phrasal Verb ( C ) 
Phrasal Verb
Definition
Example
call for +
require (as in a recipe)
This recipe calls for milk, not water.
call * off +
cancel something
They called the picnic off because of the rain.
call * off +
order to stop (an invasion, guard dogs)
He called off the dogs when he saw it was his neighbor.
call on +
visit
Mark called on Naomi while he was in town.
call on +
invite someone to speak in a meeting or a classroom
Professor Tanzer called on Tim to answer the question. 
call * up +
telephone
I called Sam up to see if he wanted to go to the movies.
calm * down +
make someone relax
You can calm the baby down by rocking her gently.
care for +
nurse someone or something
He cared for the bird until its wing healed.
care for +
like someone or something
I don't care for sour cream on my potato.
carry on +
continue (a conversation, a game)
Please, carry on. I didn't mean to interrupt you.
carry on about +
continue in an annoying way 
He kept carrying on about how much money he makes.
carry on with +
continue
I want you to carry on with the project while I am out of town.
carry * out +
complete and/or accomplish something
The secret agent carried out his orders exactly as planned. 
carry * over +
continue on a subsequent day, page, etc.
The meeting carried over into lunch time.
catch on
slowly start to understand (inf.)
He caught on after a few minutes.
catch up
make up for lost time
I will never catch up. I am too behind in my work.
catch up with +
speed up to be at the same place as a person or thing in front of you
I had to run to catch up with the others.
catch up on +
become up-to-date
I need to catch up on world events. I haven't seen the news in ages.
check back
return to see if everything is OK
We will check back tomorrow to make sure the project is finished.
check by +
go to a place to see if everything is OK
We need to check by the office to see if the documents are ready.
check for +
try to find
They checked for termites before they bought the house.
check in
enter a hospital, hotel etc.
They need to check in before noon.
check into +
enter a hospital, hotel etc.
They checked into the hotel at 11:00 AM.
check into +
investigate, look for (often through a service)
We are checking into discount flights to London.
check * off +
make a mark next to (an item on a list)
Check each name off the list.
check on +
make sure something is OK
Let's check on the baby again before we go to sleep.
check * out +
investigate, take a look at
He checked out the new restaurant down the street.
check out
leave a hotel, hospital
It's already eleven. We need to check out.
check out of +
leave a hotel, hospital
We checked out of the hotel before ten.
check * over +
closely examine the condition of something
He checked over the old car to see if it was worth buying.
check up on +
investigate someone or something
The police are checking up on the bomb threats.
check * through
send luggage through (to a destination)
Your luggage will be checked through to Paris.
check with +
ask a person for confirmation
He needs to check with his parents before he goes.
cheer * up
make someone feel cheerful
The party really cheered me up.
cheer up
become cheerful
Cheer up. Everything will be all right.
chew * up +
chew into small pieces
The dog chewed up my shoe.
chop * down +
fell/cut ( a tree)
The lumberjack chopped the tree down.
chop * up +
chop/cut into small bits
He chopped the meat up into little pieces.
clean * up +
tidy
Susan cleaned the mess up before she left.
clear out
leave ( inf.)
Everybody clear out! We're closed.
clear * up +
tidy
Susan cleared up the mess before she left.
close * down +
close a place permanently
The corner market closed down because they didn't have many customers.
close down
close permanently
The bar was closed down because they served alcohol to minors.
close in on +
approach and threaten
The rebels were closing in on the capital, so the government called in the army.
close * up +
close temporarily
They are closing the ski resort up for the summer.
close up
close temporarily
The ski resort is closing up for the summer.
come about
occur / happen
How did you idea for the book come about.
come across +
discover by accident
They came across some lost Mayan ruins in the jungle.
come across +
initially seem or have the appearance
He comes across as rather rude, but he isn't.
come along
accompany someone
If you want, you can come along.
come along with +
accompany
Sam came along with us to the beach.
come along
progress
How's the research paper coming along.
come along with +
progress
How are you coming along with the research paper.
come away
leave a place with a particular feeling or impression
I came away from the meeting feeling like the presentation was a success.
come back
return
What time are you coming back?
come by + 
get, receive
How did you come by that new Mercedes?
come by
visit a person at their house
I'll come by later this afternoon.
come down with +
become sick with
He came down with the flu.
come into +
inherit
He came into a large sum of money when his aunt died.
come off +
fall off, break off
The handle came off the suitcase when I picked it up.
come out
appear
I didn't see the car at first. It came out of nowhere.
come out
reveal you are homosexual
Sam finally came out last month.
come out
turn out, end up
The pictures came out great.
come out with +
produce and distribute a product
Microsoft is coming out with a new video game system next month.
come over
visit someone at their house
Why don't you come over after work for dinner.
come to
regain consciousness
Don't worry! She faints all the time. She always comes to after a few minutes.
come through
do what is needed or expected
Terry really came through for us in the end.
come up to +
approach; to equal
The job offer didn't come up to her expectations.
come up with +
produce or create (an idea, a plan)
She came up with a great proposal for the new advertising campaign.
come with +
include (an accessory)
The computer system doesn't come with a printer.
count * in +
include
Did you count expenses in?
count on +
depend/rely on
You can really count on Sarah.
count * out +
exclude
You can count James out. He hates playing poker.
count * up +
add
Count the change up and see how much we have.
crack down on +
become tougher on, better enforce laws on
The police have been cracking down on drunk driving.
crack up 
laugh uncontrollably, laugh a lot
When I told the joke, they all cracked up.
crack up at +
laugh uncontrollably about, laugh a lot about
I cracked up at his joke.
cross * out +
draw a line through something, eliminate
Why did you cross my name out on the list?
cut down
decrease the amount of
You eat too much fat. You need to cut down. 
cut down on +
decrease the amount of
You need to cut down on your fat intake.
cut in
interrupt
She suddenly cut in and delivered the news
cut in on +
interrupt
She cut in on the conversation and delivered the news.
cut * off
interrupt someone while they were speaking
She cut him off before he said something he would regret later. 
cut * off +
sever ( with a knife)
His finger was accidentally cut off in an industrial accident.
cut * out +
remove
He cut the bone out of the steak.
cut * out
stop an action
Cut it out! You're bothering me.
cut * up +
cut into small pieces
He cut the beef up and put the pieces in the soup.
Phrasal Verb ( D ) 
Phrasal Verb
Definition
Example
die away
diminish in intensity
The applause died away after 5 minutes.
die down
diminish in intensity
The controversy about the president's affair finally died down.
die off/out
become extinct
Whales are in danger of dying off.
disagree with +
cause to feel sick due to food or drink
Spicy food disagrees with me.
do away with +
abolish
Some Americans want to do away with the death penalty.
do * over +
repeat
You made many mistakes, so I want you to do the report over.
do without +
manage without something one wants or needs
I couldn't do without a car in California.
draw * up +
create ( a contract)
Let's draw an agreement up before we go any further with this project.
dress * down
reprimand severely
The mother dressed her son down for skipping school.
dress down
dress casually
I am dressing down because we're going to a barbecue by the beach.
dress * up +
decorate
You could dress this house up with some bright colors
dress up
wear elegant clothes
She always dresses up at work.
drive * back +
repulse
The invaders were driven back by the army.
drop in
visit someone unexpectedly
Meg dropped in yesterday after dinner.
drop in on +
visit someone unexpectedly
Let's drop in on Julie since we're driving by her house.
drop out
quit an organized activity
Yuri isn't on the team any more. He dropped out.
drop out of +
quit an organized activity (school)
It's difficult to get a good job if you drop out of high school.
drop over
visit someone casually
Drop over any time you feel like talking.
Phrasal Verb ( E ) 
Phrasal Verb
Definition
Example
eat away
gradually destroy, erode
The heavy rains ate away at the sandstone cliffs.
eat * up +
devour
Ken ate the cookies up.
eat in
eat inside the home
We usually eat in instead of going out for dinner.
eat out
eat outside the home
They eat out once a week.
Phrasal Verb ( F ) 
Phrasal Verb
Definition
Example
face up to +
acknowledge something difficult or embarrassing
I'll never be able to face up to my colleagues after getting so drunk last night at the work party.
fall back on +
be able to use in case of emergency
Yuki can fall back on her degree in biology if she doesn't succeed in her acting career.
fall behind
go slower than scheduled, lag
Hurry up or you will fall behind!
fall behind in +
go slower than scheduled, lag
Cheryl has missed several days of school and now she is falling behind in her homework.
fall off
decrease
Interest in the project fell off when they realized it wouldn't be profitable.
fall out with +
have an argument with
I had a falling out with my sister last month and we haven't talked to each other since.
fall through
fail to happen
Unfortunately, my trip to Indonesia fell through because I couldn't save enough money.
feel * up +
grope
She sued her boss for sexual harassment after he felt her up.
feel up to +
have the energy to do something
I don't feel up to going out tonight because I had a long day at work.
figure on +
expect
Where do you figure on living when you move to the the U.S.A.?
figure * out +
solve something, understand
I finally figured the joke out. Now I understand why everybody was laughing.
figure * up +
calculate
I need to figure my expenses up before I give you an estimate.
fill * in +
complete 
Don't forget to fill in all the blanks on the application.
fill in
substitute
Who is going to fill in while you're gone?
fill in for +
substitute for
Miguel filled in for me at the meeting yesterday because I was sick.
fill * out +
complete (an application)
I filled out an application to rent the apartment last week.
fill out
mature, get breasts
Now that you're filling out honey, we need to get you a bra.
fill * up +
fill to the top
Fill the car up with unleaded gas, please.
find out +
discover
You will never find out all my secrets!
find out
discover
Vicky's parents are going to be so mad when they find out she got a tattoo.
fix * up +
repair, renovate, remodel
My neighbors are fixing their house up.
Phrasal Verb ( G ) 
Phrasal Verb
Definition
Example
get * across +
cause to be understood
It's difficult to get humor across in another language.
get ahead
make progress
I can't get ahead even though I work two jobs.
get ahead of +
surpass
You need to work overtime in order to get ahead of schedule.
get along
have a good relationship
Do you and your sister get along?
get along with +
have a good relationship
Giovanna doesn't get along with her two brothers.
get around +
avoid someone or something
Some people get around paying taxes by hiring a good accountant.
get around
go many places
It's easy to get around town with public transportation.
get away
escape
The bank robbers got away.
get away with +
do something against the rules or illegal and not get caught or punished
My sister gets away with everything!
get by
survive without having the things you need or want
I lost my job, so I am having a hard time getting by this yea