9 Essential English Phrasal Verbs for Everyday Conversations

Today, we’ll dive deeper into the fascinating world of English phrasal verbs. These unique expressions are abundant in the language and play a crucial role in everyday communication.

If you’re looking to enhance your understanding of English phrasal verbs, consider consulting specialized books dedicated to them. These resources can help you easily discover the meanings of various phrasal verbs, making your learning experience more effective and enjoyable.

To truly enhance your English skills, aim to learn and incorporate as many phrasal verbs as possible into your conversations. The more you use them, the more natural your speech will become!

And now I’ll tell you nine phrasal verbs in English that you’ll definitely want to use when you speak.

Some of these will be brand new for you!

     Size up

Our first phrasal verb in this list means “to evaluate; to measure with a look.”

Usually, this refers to a person’s physical characteristics. We visually evaluate the “enemy.”

For example:

•         Before the match, I sized up my opponent.
•         He sized me up when I came in.

     Beef up

This phrasal verb signifies “to reinforce or amplify the quantity of something.” It likely draws its origins from the power of bulls, symbolizing strength and enhancement.

For example:

•         The stadium beefed up their security for the final match.
•         James goes to the gym to beef up.

     Fawn over

This phrasal verb refers to the act of excessively flattering or pampering someone, often to gain their favor or affection.

For example:

•         She’s always fawned over by her grandparents.
•         The youngest daughter is fawned over by her parents.

     Bristle at

Our fourth phrasal verb means “to show sudden displeasure or anger at some provocation.”

The origin of the expression comes from the fact that cats bristle when they are upset about something.

So bristle at is a phrase used for expressing sudden irritation or displeasure.

For example:

•         He bristled at our criticism of his novel and stormed out of the room.
•         I bristled at the suggestion that I move to a smaller office.

     Clam up

Clams are very difficult to open, so the phrasal verb clam up means “to be silent; to refuse to speak.”

For example:

•         The superstar clammed up when he was interrogated about his personal life.
•         I don’t know what to think. She simply clammed up when I asked her about Mark’s problem.

     Mull over

A synonym of this phrasal verb is think over – in other words, to think about something carefully.

The word “mull” means “to think about something deeply and at length.”

For example:

•         Your parents have suggested coming to France with you, but I need to mull it over.
•         I love making spontaneous decisions. Mulling things over is not for me.

     Plod along

It can be frustrating when you’re in a rush and encounter slow walkers who seem to be moving at a snail’s pace. Their leisurely pace can feel like a deliberate obstacle in your path, testing your patience as you try to navigate through the crowd.

And that’s what our seventh phrasal verb means – “to walk along slowly.”

For example:

•         I went for a walk with my grandfather. He doesn’t walk fast these days, he just plods along.
•         Why are you plodding along? Hurry up!

     Crow about

Similarly, arrogant people who boast without end are annoying. To crow about means “to brag or boast about something.”

The origin of the expression is connected with the crow, and how it endlessly and annoyingly squawks.

For example:

•         Jake keeps crowing about his new supermodel girlfriend.
•         I hate when she starts crowing about her famous brother.

     Wipe out

The last phrasal verb on our list of phrasal verbs you’ll want to use means “to destroy; to eliminate.”

The verb “wipe” refers to the action of cleaning or drying a surface by rubbing it with a cloth, paper, or even your hand. This simple yet effective motion helps remove dirt or moisture from various materials.

For example:

•         Too much global warming will wipe out the Eskimo population.
•         We saw the building recently wiped out by the bomb.

Well, how do you like the selection? Very useful phrasal verbs, aren’t they?

I suggest that you make some sentences with these phrasal verbs. They’ll be easier to remember.

See you!