Top 10 Commonly Used English Phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb is an exciting blend of a verb combined with a preposition, an adverb, or both. These unique word pairs can change the meaning of the original verb, adding depth and nuance to your language skills!

Most of the time, the verb used by itself has a completely different meaning.

But if you add a small preposition, you get a phrase with a totally new meaning. So be careful!

In this article, we’ll look at ten frequently used phrasal verbs in English.

This is just a glimpse of the vast array of phrasal verbs in English. To master them effectively, it’s ideal to study a few at a time—perhaps ten each day. How does that sound to you?

Let’s get on with it.

     Break off

This phrasal verb means to stop or end something such as a relationship, conversation, or sentence.

Look at some examples:

•         We never got along well, and after one of our bitter quarrels we finally broke off the relationship.
•         Her speech wouldn’t have been bad, but she suddenly broke off in the middle of a sentence and left the room.

     Turn around

The first definition of this phrasal verb is to change the direction of someone or something.

Examples:

•         I turned the car around and went back to the filling station for the gas tank cap.
•         Turn around and let me brush off your back.

The second definition is to go from a state of being unsuccessful to one of success.

•         She hopes the new director will turn our failing business around.
•         The team was losing in the first half, but they managed to turn things around by the end of the game.

     Cut out

This phrasal verb signifies the action of cutting or detaching something from its surroundings, often with scissors or a knife. Additionally, it can refer to the act of excluding something from a larger group or context.

Look at some examples:

•         She cut the material for her scarf out of an old coat.
•         Fred is too fat; he’d better cut bread and sugar out of his diet and do more exercise.

     Fall apart

The fourth phrasal verb has a dual meaning. Firstly, it refers to something disintegrating or breaking apart. Secondly, it denotes the failure of a planned arrangement or agreement.

For example:

•         My cherry pie fell apart when I tried to cut it.
•         Be careful with the new shelving. The glue isn’t dry yet, and it may fall apart.
•         Their marriage fell apart after two years.
•         We wanted to go to New York next week, but our plans fell apart.

The second interpretation of this phrasal verb relates to a person’s emotional state, signifying a deep sense of sadness or distress. It describes the act of crying or experiencing a significant emotional downturn.

Example:

•         She fell apart when she heard that her mother had died.

     Give away

This is a nice phrasal verb meaning to give something as a gift.

•         If you won the lottery, how much would you give away to charity?
•         Today we’re giving away these products to everyone who has MAX-club card.

The second definition carries a more negative implication, referring to the act of betraying someone or disclosing a secret against their will.

Examples:

•         He thought nobody would recognize him in the Santa Claus costume, but his voice gave him away.
•         Never trust him! He can easily give you away.

     Watch out

One of the most frequently used phrasal verbs in English, “watch out” conveys a sense of caution. It’s commonly employed as a warning or interjection to alert someone to potential danger.

For example:

•         Watch out when you are in the mountains. There are bears there!
•         There’s a snake! Watch out!

     Bring up

The phrasal verb bring up also has two meanings. The first is to teach, educate, or train from childhood:

•         Their grandparents brought them up because their parents were always travelling.
•         I was bringing my two children up all by myself.

The second definition is to mention a subject in a conversation so it can be discussed.

For example:

•         Don’t bring up the fight again, please!
•         Yesterday Linda brought the matter up in the committee meeting.

     Pass out

Another fairly common phrasal verb in English conversational speech, it means to fall asleep quickly or to lose consciousness.

For example:

•         Lisa was so tired, she passed out on the sofa when she got home.
•         The girl just passed out when she saw a giant spider.

The second meaning is to give the same item or similar items to a number of people.

For example:

•         Last week, I passed out leaflets with information to people on the street.

     Call off

This phrasal verb means to stop or cancel something:

•         Quite a lot of flights were called off due to the storm last night.
•         My friends called off their engagement because they couldn’t agree on what rings to buy.

The second meaning is to recall a person or an animal from attacking or being aggressive:

•         The dog bit the postman three times before it was called off.
•         We’ll give up, please call off your men.

 Give up

The final phrasal verb on our list signifies the act of ceasing an effort or abandoning a task. This usually happens when previous attempts have failed, though it’s not always the case.

For example:

•         We all gave up smoking on January 1st.
•         She had to give up studying because of her poor health.

Understanding phrasal verbs in English is essential because they frequently appear in everyday conversations. Without a grasp of these expressions, you might struggle to follow what others are saying.

Instead of simply memorizing these words, focus on how they are used in conversation. Reflect on their meanings and consider the various contexts in which they can be applied. This approach will enhance your understanding and retention.

Good luck!

Never give up learning English!

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