Today, I’m excited to share with you 15 essential English phrasal verbs that are perfect for shopping! We all enjoy treating ourselves to something new, but not everyone is confident in expressing their desires in English. Let’s bridge that gap and enhance your shopping vocabulary!
So let’s get into it.
Try on
One of the most frequently used phrasal verbs while shopping is “try on.” It refers to the action of putting on clothing to check if it fits well and matches your personal style.
- May I try this coat on, please?
Put on
This widely used phrasal verb refers to the act of putting on a piece of clothing. Additionally, it can denote the action of setting an object down on a surface.
- Put your items on the counter, please.
- Why don’t you put on that fancy new jacket you bought yesterday?
Do up
This great phrasal verb in English means to fasten something.
- I couldn’t do up the buttons on this dress by myself, so I asked the shop assistant to help me.
Take back
This essential phrasal verb refers to the action of returning an item to a store, whether it’s because you’re unhappy with it, it doesn’t fit properly, or it has some damage or defects.
- I’m going to take this back to the store and see if I can get a bigger size.
Stand out
A term cherished by fashion enthusiasts, it signifies standing out and being more prominent than the rest—essentially, to be strikingly unique.
- This blouse stands out from the rest. I love this vibrant color!
Pick out
The phrasal verb “to choose” goes beyond just selecting clothes; it can apply to any situation where you pick an item from a variety of options available for purchase.
- I need to pick out the flowers for my friend’s birthday.
- Can you help me pick out a wedding dress?
Sell out
We’ve all experienced the frustration of discovering that the item we wanted is out of stock, having been snatched up by other eager shoppers.
Sound familiar?
- The shop sold out all the goods in just two weeks.
- I wanted to buy the yellow dress, but they are sold out.
Dress up
This phrasal verb simply means to wear nice, fancy clothes, usually for a special occasion.
- I have a date, so I should dress up.
- Dress up, we are going to the party!
Wear in
When you purchase a new piece of clothing, particularly shoes, that doesn’t fit just right, you often “break them in” by wearing them until they mold to your body and provide a comfortable fit.
In order to “wear in” new shoes, we wear them as much as possible.
- My feet hurt. I need to wear my shoes in.
- I bought new high-heeled shoes last week and I still have to wear them in.
Set (someone) back
Cost a lot of money. Another idiom is “cost a pretty penny.”
- I’m sure her car set her back a bit.
- This computer cost me a pretty penny, you know.
Look out for
This phrasal verb means to watch or check regularly for something or to search for something.
- We were looking out for a swimsuit for Jessie.
- I am looking out for a nice leather jacket.
Take off
This term is the direct opposite of “put on.” It refers to taking off clothing that you are currently wearing. Additionally, it can be used more broadly to describe the action of removing any object from a surface.
- Please take your shoes off and stand on the scale.
- Take your glass off the table! It will leave a mark!
Go with
To create a cohesive look, it’s essential for clothing to complement our personal style and other pieces in our wardrobe. When selecting an item, we aim for it to blend seamlessly with our overall appearance.
It can also mean to choose a certain item.
- This hat goes really well with the red coat.
- I think I’ll go with the green sweater. I like it better than the red one.
Beatdown
By effectively negotiating with the seller, you have the opportunity to significantly lower the price. This skillful approach allows buyers to secure a better deal and maximize their savings.
A relevant phrasal verb is “knock off,” which refers to a seller lowering the price by a specific amount. This action is taken by the seller to make the product more appealing to buyers.
- Negotiated for 15 minutes with the shopkeeper to secure the vase for just $10.
- The owner of the shop knocked $50 off the price of the suit I wanted to buy.
Pick up
The final phrasal verb on our list refers to the act of purchasing something. It often implies making an unplanned or impulsive buy, grabbing something on a whim rather than sticking to a pre-determined shopping list.
- I picked up a really stylish bag on the market yesterday.
- I’m going to the grocery store to pick up a few things.
And that’s it!
I hope that these phrasal verbs will help you when you’re shopping in another country.
I would be very grateful if you Like and Share!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does ‘try on’ mean?
‘Try on’ refers to the action of putting on clothing to check if it fits well.
How can I use ‘take back’ in a sentence?
‘Take back’ means to return an item to a store, as in ‘I’m going to take this back to the store.’
What does it mean to ‘dress up’?
‘Dress up’ means to wear nice, fancy clothes for a special occasion.
What is the meaning of ‘sell out’?
‘Sell out’ refers to an item being out of stock because it has been purchased by other customers.
How can I use ‘pick up’ in a shopping context?
‘Pick up’ means to purchase something, often implying an impulsive buy, like ‘I picked up a stylish bag yesterday.’
