What Are Phrasal Verbs?
A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) that together create a new meaning — often very different from the original verb. For example, give up doesn't mean to physically give something upward; it means to quit or stop trying.
Native English speakers use phrasal verbs constantly in conversation, TV shows, emails, and informal writing. Learning them is one of the fastest ways to sound more natural.
Phrasal Verbs for Daily Life
1. Wake up / Get up
Wake up = to stop sleeping. Get up = to physically rise from bed.
"I woke up at 6 a.m. but didn't get up until 7."
2. Turn on / Turn off
Used for devices and appliances.
"Can you turn on the TV?" / "Please turn off the lights."
3. Pick up
Can mean to collect someone/something, or to learn informally.
"I picked up some Spanish while traveling." / "Can you pick me up at the airport?"
4. Run out of
To use all of something so none is left.
"We ran out of milk — can you buy more?"
5. Look after
To take care of someone or something.
"She looks after her younger brother every evening."
Phrasal Verbs for Work and Study
6. Figure out
To find the answer or solution to something.
"I finally figured out how to use this software."
7. Catch up (on)
To reach the same level as others, or to do things you missed.
"I need to catch up on my emails."
8. Go over
To review or check something carefully.
"Let's go over the main points before the meeting."
9. Hand in
To submit work or documents.
"Please hand in your assignment by Friday."
10. Look up
To search for information in a reference source.
"I didn't know the word, so I looked it up in a dictionary."
Phrasal Verbs for Social Situations
11. Hang out
To spend time with someone casually.
"We hung out at the café all afternoon."
12. Catch up (with someone)
To talk with someone you haven't seen in a while.
"Let's meet for coffee and catch up."
13. Get along (with)
To have a friendly relationship.
"She gets along well with everyone on the team."
14. Drop by / Drop in
To visit casually without a formal invitation.
"Feel free to drop by anytime."
15. Fall out (with)
To have an argument and stop being friendly.
"They fell out over a misunderstanding."
Quick Reference Table
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Give up | Stop trying | Don't give up on your goals. |
| Set up | Arrange or establish | She set up her own business. |
| Bring up | Mention a topic | He brought up an interesting point. |
| Put off | Delay/postpone | Stop putting off your homework. |
| Come across | Find unexpectedly | I came across this word in a book. |
How to Learn Phrasal Verbs Effectively
- Learn them in context, not just as definitions.
- Group them by topic (work, home, relationships).
- Write your own example sentences.
- Practice using them in real conversations.
Start with 5 phrasal verbs per week and use them actively — that's enough to build a strong, natural vocabulary over time.