500-most-powerful-phrasal-verbs-with-meanings
1. Put on – wear clothes
2. Take off – remove clothes; plane departs
3. Get up – rise from bed
4. Wake up – stop sleeping
5. Sit down – take a seat
6. Stand up – rise to feet
7. Calm down – relax; become less angry
8. Carry on – continue doing
9. Hold on – wait a moment; grip tightly
10. Hang on – wait a moment; hold tightly
11. Hang out – spend time socially
12. Hang up – end a phone call
13. Call up – phone someone
14. Call off – cancel
15. Call in – request someone to come; report for duty
16. Call out – shout; publicly criticize
17. Catch up – reach same level
18. Catch on – understand; become popular
19. Catch up with – reach someone/something
20. Check in – register at hotel; arrive and report
21. Check out – leave hotel; investigate; look at
22. Check up on – verify someone's well-being
23. Check over – inspect carefully
24. Clean up – tidy; clean thoroughly
25. Clean out – remove contents completely
26. Clear up – resolve; clear clutter; improve (weather)
27. Close down – stop operating (business)
28. Close up – shut; close temporarily
29. Come back – return
30. Come in – enter
31. Come out – be published; emerge; be revealed
32. Come up – arise; be mentioned
33. Come up with – think of a solution/idea
34. Come across – find by chance; give impression
35. Come along – accompany; make progress
36. Count on – rely on
37. Cross out – delete by drawing a line
38. Cut down – reduce
39. Cut off – stop supply; interrupt; amputate
40. Cut out – stop doing; remove by cutting
41. Cut up – cut into pieces; distress emotionally
42. Do over – redo
43. Do up – fasten; renovate; wrap up
44. Do without – manage without something
45. Dress up – wear nice or fancy clothes
46. Drop off – deliver; fall asleep; descend
47. Drop out – leave school/competition
48. Drop in – visit informally
49. Eat out – dine at a restaurant
50. End up – finally reach a state
51. Fall apart – break into pieces; lose control emotionally
52. Fall behind – not keep up with schedule
53. Fall down – collapse to the ground
54. Fall for – be deceived; fall in love
55. Fall out – argue and stop being friendly
56. Figure out – understand; solve
57. Fill in – complete a form; substitute for someone
58. Fill out – complete a form; become fuller
59. Fill up – make full
60. Find out – discover information
61. Finish off – complete; finish eating
62. Finish up – complete final part
63. Follow up – pursue further action
64. Follow through – complete what was started
65. Follow up on – check progress or results
66. Freak out – panic; become very upset
67. Get across – communicate a message clearly
68. Get along – be friendly/cope
69. Get around – travel; avoid; be known
70. Get away – escape; go on vacation
71. Get away with – avoid punishment
72. Get back – return; retaliate
73. Get by – manage to survive or cope
74. Get down – depress; write down; lower
75. Get in – enter; be accepted
76. Get into – become involved or interested in
77. Get off – leave a bus/train; avoid punishment; start work
78. Get on – board; progress; get along with
79. Get out – leave; be disclosed
80. Get over – recover from; overcome
81. Get through – endure; succeed in contacting; finish
82. Give away – reveal; give for free
83. Give back – return something to owner
84. Give in – yield; submit
85. Give out – distribute; stop functioning
86. Give up – stop trying; quit
87. Go ahead – start; proceed
88. Go along with – agree or support
89. Go away – leave; disappear
90. Go back – return to previous place
91. Go down – decrease; be swallowed; happen
92. Go for – attempt; opt for; attack
93. Go in – enter
94. Go in for – enter or like (a hobby)
95. Go off – explode; ring; spoil (food)
96. Go on – continue; happen
97. Go out – leave home; be extinguished; socialize
98. Go over – review; visit briefly
99. Go through – experience; examine; spend; complete process
100. Go up – increase; be built
101. Grow up – mature; become adult
102. Grow out of – stop liking or grow too big for
103. Grow into – gradually suit or fit in
104. Hand in – submit (homework); give to authority
105. Hand out – distribute; give to many people
106. Hand over – transfer control or give something
107. Hang around – wait or stay nearby
108. Hang back – hesitate to act
109. Hang on to – keep possession
110. Hang up on – end call rudely
111. Head for – move toward
112. Head back – return to previous place
113. Hear from – receive communication
114. Hear of/about – be informed about
115. Hear out – listen until finish
116. Heat up – make warm; intensify
117. Help out – assist someone
118. Hold back – restrain; keep secret
119. Hold together – stay united; keep from falling apart
120. Hold on to – maintain possession
121. Hold out – last; extend
122. Hold up – delay; rob at gunpoint; use as example
123. Hurry up – do quickly
124. Keep on – continue doing
125. Keep up – maintain pace; continue
126. Keep away – stay at a distance
127. Keep off – avoid stepping on; refrain from topic
128. Keep out – prevent entry
129. Keep up with – stay equal to progress
130. Kick off – start an event; remove footwear
131. Kick out – expel; force to leave
132. Knock down – cause to fall; reduce price
133. Knock out – make unconscious; eliminate
134. Knock off – stop working; steal design copy; finish quickly
135. Knock over – cause to fall; rob
136. Lay aside – put to one side; save
137. Lay down – establish rules; put down
138. Lay off – stop employing; stop doing temporarily
139. Lay out – arrange; spend money; design
140. Leave out – omit
141. Leave behind – forget; abandon
142. Let down – disappoint
143. Let in – allow to enter
144. Let off – excuse from punishment; set off (fireworks)
145. Let out – allow to leave; make clothes larger
146. Live on – be sustained by; continue to exist
147. Live up to – meet expectations or standards
148. Look after – take care of
149. Look ahead – think about the future
150. Look around – explore; examine
151. Look at – consider; view
152. Look back – reflect on past
153. Look down on – regard as inferior
154. Look for – search for
155. Look forward to – await with pleasure
156. Look in – make a brief visit
157. Look into – investigate
158. Look out – be careful; watch out
159. Look over – examine quickly
160. Look through – read quickly; ignore
161. Look up – search for information; improve
162. Look up to – respect; admire
163. Make out – understand; discern; write a check
164. Make up – invent; reconcile; apply cosmetics
165. Make up for – compensate for
166. Make up one's mind – decide
167. Make over – renovate; makeover; transfer property
168. Make off – leave quickly, especially to escape
169. Map out – plan in detail
170. Mix up – confuse; combine
171. Move along – proceed; make progress
172. Move in – start living in; advance
173. Move out – leave home; remove from position
174. Move up – get promoted; advance
175. Narrow down – reduce choices
176. Nod off – fall asleep unintentionally
177. Opt out – choose to not participate
178. Open up – reveal; make accessible; start talking freely
179. Open out – unfold; open into larger space
180. Open up to – become more communicative with someone
181. Own up – admit; confess
182. Pay back – return money; get revenge
183. Pay off – repay debt; result in success
184. Pay up – pay what you owe
185. Peel off – remove layer; leave a group by turning away
186. Phase out – discontinue in stages
187. Pick at – pick small pieces; eat slowly; criticize
188. Pick on – bully; single out for criticism
189. Pick out – select; choose
190. Pick up – collect; learn; improve; give a ride
191. Pick up on – notice; respond to
192. Pick up the tab – pay the bill (idiom)
193. Pig out – eat a lot (informal)
194. Pipe down – be quiet
195. Plan ahead – prepare for future events
196. Play along – cooperate with plan or act as if agreeing
197. Play down – make something seem less important
198. Play up – emphasize; cause trouble; exaggerate
199. Point out – indicate; mention
200. Pull apart – separate into pieces; criticize harshly
201. Pull away – move away; increase distance
202. Pull back – retreat; withdraw
203. Pull down – demolish; lower; decrease
204. Pull in – attract; arrive; earn
205. Pull off – accomplish something difficult
206. Pull on – put on clothing; pull with strength
207. Pull out – withdraw; depart
208. Pull over – stop at side of road
209. Pull through – recover from illness; survive
210. Pull together – cooperate for a common purpose
211. Pull up – stop vehicle; criticize; bring to attention
212. Put across – communicate clearly
213. Put aside – save; ignore temporarily
214. Put away – store; imprison; eat
215. Put back – return to previous place
216. Put down – insult; make note of; euthanize animal
217. Put forward – propose an idea
218. Put in – install; exert effort; contribute
219. Put off – postpone; discourage
220. Patch up – repair; mend; reconcile quickly
221. Put out – extinguish; publish; inconvenience someone
222. Put through – connect by phone; make someone experience
223. Put together – assemble; compile
224. Put up – provide lodging; raise (a price)
225. Put up with – tolerate; endure
226. Read out – read aloud
227. Read over – review by reading
228. Read up on – study by reading
229. Reckon on – expect; rely on
230. Ring up – call by phone; total sales
231. Rip off – cheat; remove by ripping
232. Roll back – reverse to previous state; reduce
233. Roll out – introduce new product; unroll
234. Roll over – turn over; transfer to next period
235. Round up – gather; approximate upwards
236. Rub out – erase; kill (slang)
237. Rule out – eliminate; exclude
238. Run across – find by chance
239. Run after – chase
240. Run against – encounter opposition; be opposed by
241. Run along – leave; go away
242. Run into – meet unexpectedly; crash into
243. Run off – leave suddenly; make a copy (prints)
244. Run out of – have none left
245. Run over – hit with vehicle; repeat quickly
246. Run through – rehearse; use up; explain quickly
247. Run up – accumulate (bills); raise
248. Run with – proceed with an idea; take with someone
249. Sail through – pass easily; succeed effortlessly
250. Scale back – reduce
251. Scale up – increase in size/scale
252. See about – investigate or make arrangements
253. See off – accompany someone leaving
254. See out – accompany to the exit; complete
255. See through – recognize true nature; help finish
256. See to – take care of
257. Sell off – sell at reduced price
258. Sell out – sell all inventory; betray
259. Send away – send to another place
260. Send back – return an item to sender
261. Send for – ask someone to come
262. Send out – distribute; publish
263. Set aside – save for special purpose
264. Set back – delay; cost
265. Set off – begin a journey; cause; start an alarm
266. Set out – begin journey or task; display
267. Set up – establish; arrange; trick someone
268. Settle down – calm down; start family; become stable
269. Settle in – become comfortable in new place
270. Settle up – pay what one owes
271. Sew up – secure (victory); stitch closed
272. Shake off – get rid of; recover from
273. Shake up – disturb; reorganize
274. Share out – distribute among people
275. Share with – give part of something to someone
276. Shift away – change focus; move away
277. Shoot down – reject; shoot to the ground
278. Shop around – compare prices before buying
279. Show around – give a tour
280. Show off – display boastfully
281. Show up – appear; arrive
282. Shrug off – dismiss; ignore
283. Shut down – close or stop operations
284. Shut off – stop supply of something; turn off machine
285. Shut out – prevent from entering; exclude
286. Sign in – register arrival
287. Sign off – approve; end message/broadcast
288. Sign on – agree to join; start work
289. Sign out – register departure
290. Sign up – enroll; register
291. Sit back – relax and not take action
292. Sit in – attend an event as substitute or observer
293. Sit up – sit with back straight; stay awake
294. Size up – evaluate; assess
295. Sleep in – stay in bed longer
296. Sleep over – stay overnight at someone’s house
297. Slow down – reduce speed; relax
298. Sort out – organize; resolve a problem
299. Speak out – speak openly and boldly
300. Speak up – speak louder or express opinion
301. Spread out – extend over a large area
302. Stand by – be ready; support
303. Stand for – represent; tolerate
304. Stand in – act as substitute
305. Stand out – be noticeable
306. Stand up for – defend someone or cause
307. Start off – begin; start
308. Start up – start a business or engine
309. Stay away – not go near; avoid
310. Stay in – remain inside
311. Stay out – not go home; stay outside
312. Step aside – move to the side; relinquish position
313. Step back – withdraw; gain perspective
314. Step down – resign from position
315. Step in – intervene; enter to help
316. Step up – increase effort; take responsibility
317. Stick around – stay nearby
318. Stick out – be noticeable; protrude
319. Stick to – continue with; adhere to
320. Stick up for – defend someone
321. Stock up – buy large amount for future use
322. Stop by – make a short visit
323. Stop over – stay somewhere briefly during travel
324. Straighten out – correct; resolve
325. Strike up – start (a conversation, friendship)
326. Strip down – remove clothing; reduce to essentials
327. Sum up – summarize
328. Swap out – replace one thing with another
329. Switch off – turn off device
330. Switch on – turn on device
331. Switch over – change to different system/channel
332. Talk about – discuss
333. Talk back – respond rudely
334. Talk down to – speak condescendingly
335. Talk into – persuade someone
336. Talk out of – dissuade
337. Talk over – discuss thoroughly
338. Take apart – disassemble; criticize
339. Take away – remove; subtract; provide food
340. Take back – retract; return an item
341. Take down – write notes; remove from high place
342. Take in – absorb; deceive; make clothing smaller
343. Take to – begin doing habit; like someone
344. Take up – begin new hobby; occupy space
345. Talk through – discuss step by step
346. Think ahead – plan for the future
347. Think back – recall past
348. Think over – consider carefully
349. Think through – analyze thoroughly
350. Throw away – discard
351. Throw out – eject; discard
352. Throw up – vomit
353. Tie down – restrict movement
354. Tie in – connect; be consistent with
355. Tie up – occupy; secure; delay
356. Tip over – cause to fall
357. Tone down – make less forceful; soften
358. Track down – find after searching
359. Trade in – exchange as part payment
360. Trade up – exchange for more valuable item
361. Trade off – balance two opposite features
362. Turn a blind eye – ignore something intentionally
363. Turn around – change direction; improve situation
364. Turn away – refuse entry; look away
365. Turn back – go back; reverse
366. Turn down – reject; reduce volume
367. Turn in – submit; go to bed; hand over
368. Turn into – transform into
369. Turn off – switch off; repel someone
370. Turn on – switch on; excite; arouse
371. Turn out – result; produce; be present
372. Turn over – flip; give control; transfer
373. Turn up – appear; increase volume
374. Use up – consume completely
375. Warm up – prepare by heating or practicing
376. Wash up – clean dishes; wash hands
377. Watch out – be careful; watch for danger
378. Watch over – guard; supervise
379.Wear away – gradually erode
380. Wear off – gradually disappear (effect)
381.Wear out – make very tired; use until unusable
382. Weed out – remove unwanted things
383. Weigh up – consider pros and cons
384. Weigh in – give opinion
385. Well up – fill (emotion) to the surface
386.Whip up – prepare quickly; stir up (emotion)
387. Wind down – relax after stress; reduce gradually
388. Wind up – finish; conclude; end up
389.Wipe out – eliminate; destroy; tire greatly
390. Wipe off – remove dirt
391. Wire up – connect electronically
392.Work out – exercise; find solution
393. Work on – focus effort on; repair
394. Work up – build up an emotion; prepare gradually
395. Wrap up – finish; conclude; enclose
396. Write down – record in writing
397. Write up – write a report; prepare final version
398. Zero in on – focus closely on
399. Zip up – fasten zipper
400. Zone out – lose concentration; daydream
401. Act on – take action based on information
402. Act up – behave badly; malfunction
403. Add up – make sense; total
404. Agree with – be compatible; support
405. Allow for – consider as possible
406. Answer back – reply rudely
407. Answer for – be responsible for
408. Ask around – ask many people
409. Ask for – request
410. Ask out – invite on a date
411. Ask in – invite into a place
412. Back away – retreat
413. Back down – withdraw a claim; concede
414. Back off – retreat; stop bothering
415. Back up – support; make a copy; reverse
416. Bail out – rescue; abandon a project or person
417. Bank on – rely on; depend on
418. Bear down on – apply pressure; move towards forcefully
419. Bear with – be patient with
420. Beat up – assault; criticize harshly; damage
421. Blow away – impress greatly; destroy; kill
422. Blow up – explode; inflate; lose temper
423. Board up – close with boards
424. Boil down to – be essentially
425. Bone up on – study intensively
426. Bottle up – keep emotions hidden
427. Break away – separate from group
428. Break even – neither gain nor lose
429. Break into – enter forcefully; start doing something
430. Break up with – end relationship with
431. Brighten up – make happier; become lighter
432. Bring about – cause to happen
433. Bring along – bring someone with you
434. Bring down – reduce; depress; overthrow
435. Bring forward – present for consideration
436. Bring in – introduce; earn money
437. Bring off – achieve despite difficulty
438. Brush up on – improve knowledge of
439.Build up – increase; strengthen
440. Burn down – destroy by fire
441. Burn out – become exhausted; destroy by fire
442. Burst out – suddenly express (laugh/cry)
443. Bus out – transport by bus
444. Butt in – interrupt impolitely
445. Butter up – flatter someone to gain favor
446. Call back – return a phone call
447. Call in sick – contact employer to say sick
448. Carry out – perform or execute a task
449. Cash in – benefit from; exchange for cash
450. Cash out – sell or redeem for cash
451. Chat up – flirt with someone
452. Check into – investigate or register at (hotel)
453. Cheer up – become happier; encourage
454. Chew over – think about carefully
455. Chip in – contribute (money or remarks)
456. Chop down – cut down (tree)
457. Chop up – cut into small pieces
458. Clam up – stop talking
459. Clear out – empty; leave
460. Clock in – record start time at work
461. Clock out – record time leaving work
462. Close off – block access; make an area inaccessible
463. Come by – obtain; visit briefly
464. Come down with – become ill
465. Come forward – present oneself to authorities; offer help
466. Come to – regain consciousness; amount to
467. Come up against – face difficulty or opposition
468. Cool down – become cooler or calmer
469. Crop up – appear unexpectedly
470. Cut back – reduce spending or consumption
471. Cut loose – set free; behave without restraint
472. Cut to – move to (scene); get to the point
473. Dance around – avoid addressing the main point
474. Dash off – leave quickly; write quickly
475. Deal with – handle or manage
476. Die down – subside; become less intense
477. Dig in – start eating eagerly; defend a position
478. Dig up – uncover; find after digging
479. Dish out – distribute; give out, often harshly
480. Dish up – serve food
481. Do away with – abolish; discard
482. Do in – kill or exhaust
483. Drum up – gather support or interest
484. Dry up – stop talking; water supply ends; dry
485. Duck out – leave quickly or secretly
486. Ease off – reduce in degree or intensity
487. Ease up – relax; decrease in intensity
488. Egg on – encourage someone to do something risky
489. Fall through – fail to happen (plans)
490. Feed on – eat or derive sustenance from
491. Feel up to – have energy or be well enough to do
492. Fence in – surround (animals) with a fence
493. Figure on – expect or plan for
494. Fix up – repair; arrange
495. Flare up – suddenly increase in intensity (anger/fire)
496. Flee from – run away from danger
497. Flesh out – add more details to
498. Flick through – glance through pages quickly
499. Flip through – quickly look through pages
500. Follow in – go in the same direction; follow example
