36 Essential Phrasal Verbs to Enhance Your Conversations

English phrasal verbs can be a daunting topic for students because each one can carry multiple meanings. A simple shift in a preposition can completely alter its interpretation. While this may make memorization feel overwhelming, focusing on the most frequently used phrasal verbs is a great way to kickstart your English conversation skills.

Are you an ESL learner or looking to enhance your English skills? We’ve got you covered! Check out our comprehensive alphabetical list of essential phrasal verbs designed to boost your conversational abilities.

For more help, check out our article on How to memorize English vocabulary.

Add

1. Add on — To include an extra thing or amount in something.

The referee added on 5 minutes for the stoppage time.

2. Add up— This phrase can signify something that appears to be true or logical, suggesting it makes sense. Additionally, it can refer to the act of summing numbers or quantities together.

His story didn’t add up, and I think he was lying.

Please add up the pears. There have to be ten in the basket.

Bring

3. Bring sth up — To start talking about something. This phrase can also mean to vomit something.

He’s always bringing up the past.

She looked white around the gills. I thought she’d bring up her breakfast.

4. Bring something to light— This expression is used to indicate that a discovery has been made or information has been revealed to the public.

These issue has been brought to light in the nick of time.

5. Bring sth to the party — to provide or offer something, such as a helpful skill, in a situation.

John brings years of professional experience to the party.

6. Bring on— This phrase means to cause something to occur, typically in a negative context. Notably, you can separate “bring” and “on” with a noun. Additionally, it can be used in requests to summon something or someone.

I think the painty smell brought her headache on.

We’re celebrating his birthday tonight, so bring on the cake!

7. Bring it on!— This spirited phrase is often used to invite a challenge, signaling that you’re ready to take on a competitor or tackle a difficult task with confidence.

Do you think that you’re a better football player? Bring it on!

Call

8. Call on — To visit someone.

I’m sorry I’m late. I called on Margaret because she came down with the flu.

9. Call off— This versatile phrase can mean to cancel an event or to command an animal or person to cease aggressive behavior.

Laura didn’t love him, so she called off the wedding.

Call off your dog!

Carry

10. Carry on— This versatile verb boasts multiple meanings, but it’s most commonly associated with expressions of excitement, anxiety, impulsive actions, or even silliness. At its core, it also signifies the act of continuing or moving forward.

Her children have been carrying on all day long.

Sorry for the interruptions, please carry on with your story.

Cheer

11. Cheer on — To encourage or support someone, usually with shouts.

We arrived to cheer on the baseball team from our town in the championship game.

12. Cheer up — This phrase is used to improve one’s mood, especially when someone is sad.

Cheer up! Tomorrow’s another day!

Come

13. Come across — To behave in a way that makes others believe you have a particular personality.

She came across as confident when she made her speech.

14. Come up with sth — To think of an idea or plan.

We’ll think about ideas for a new marketing campaign and see what we can come up with.

15. Come in — To enter a place such as a room, home, office, etc.

Do you want to come in for a cup of tea?

Cut

16. Cut off— This versatile phrasal verb has several meanings, but it commonly refers to someone or something being blocked from leaving a location or being interrupted in their actions.

Our home is cut off from the rest of the city.

You have no right to cut me off when I’m talking.

17. Cut it/that off! — Use it when you want to say, “Stop doing that!”.

Hey, you two, cut it out! We’ll get in trouble if you keep doing that!

18. Cut in — To interrupt someone who is speaking.

He always cuts in on my conversations!

Fall

19. Fall apart — To break into parts. This phrase can also be used to show severe emotional problems.

Their marriage is falling apart.

After he lost his work, he began to fall apart.

20. Fall back on sth — To use something to help when other things have failed.

Jacob always has his professional experience to fall back on.

Fill

21. Fill in— This term refers to the act of supplying necessary information in blank spaces. Additionally, to “fill someone in” means to share important details about a particular topic or event.

Please fill in the form to make an order.

Did Thomas fill you in on the launched project?

Find out

22. Find out — To discover new facts or information.

We may never find out the truth about what happened.

Get

23. Get along (with) — To be friendly with someone.

I get along with my colleagues.

24. Get away — To escape or to leave a place.

We went home to get away from the crowd.

Let’s have lunch. I’ll get away from work in thirty minutes.

25. Get over sth — To accept and feel better about something terrible that has happened in the past.

Kathy looks so upset, but I know she can get over it.

Give

26. Give away — If a company gives something away to customers, they let them have it free of charge.

The company gave away a lot of coupons that could be used at any store.

27. Give up — To stop trying.

The book was so long and tedious that I gave up and didn’t finish it.

Go

28. Go out with — To have a romantic date.

Monica was so excited when John asked her to go out with him.

29. Go ahead — To permit to do something.

Go ahead! I won’t interrupt you anymore.

Grow

30. Grow up — The phrase is used for telling someone to stop behaving like a kid.

Jennifer always tells me that I need to grow up. But what can I do, if I prefer acting like this?

Hold

“Hold on” is a versatile phrase with multiple meanings. It can signal someone to pause or wait briefly. Additionally, it conveys perseverance, encouraging someone to keep going even when faced with difficulties.

Hold on! That’s not what I’m trying to say.

You just need to hold on until the doctor arrived.

**Hold Back** – This phrase refers to the choice to refrain from taking action or expressing emotions, typically driven by fear or apprehension.

She held back, remembering her last failure.

Brian held back his anger.

Put

33. Put sth away — To put something in the place where it’s usually kept.

Please put your clothes away; it’s all over the floor.

34. Put on — To wear clothes, shoes, or jewelry.

It was freezing, so I put on my coat.

Turn

35. Turn on/Turn off— This phrase refers to the action of activating or deactivating a device by pressing a button or flipping a switch.

The show is on; please turn on the TV.

It’s time for bed, turn off the TV.

Throw

36. Throw away— This phrase means to dispose of something you no longer find useful. Additionally, it can refer to squandering a skill or opportunity that could be valuable.

Let’s throw away all broken toys to clear a space for new ones.

You’ve spent several years improving your music skills, don’t throw it all away.

We’re excited to share this list of phrasal verbs with you! Begin by mastering a few phrases at a time, and before you know it, you’ll become an expert in no time!

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