HOW TO USE THE PHRASAL VERBS PART 5

HOW TO USE THE PHRASAL VERBS PART 5

Definition: A phrasal verb is a kind of verb  which combines with an adverbial particle or a preposition and it is translated in two different ways – literally and idiomatically.This list is the first fifteen of the list of 150 most common phrasal verbs.

61. CUT OFF

1. Remove a part of STH by cutting it (27%)

Take the carrots and cut the ends off.

2. Interrupt SB as they are speaking (24.5%)

The teacher cut off the student in the middle of her sentence.

3. End the provision of STH, or be deprived of a provision (supply, money) (23.5%)

The government decided to cut off food supplies.

62. TURN BACK

1. Turn around so as to face the opposite direction (51.5%)

Before leaving through the door, he turned back to kiss her goodbye.

2. Go back (or make SB/STH go back) in the direction SB/STH has come from (25.5%)

When the storm hit, we had to turn back.

63. PULL UP

1. Stop or cause a vehicle to stop (47%)

A van pulled up in front of them.

2. Move STH/SB from a lower position to a higher one; lift from the ground (35.5%)

She pulled up her scarf to cover her cold face.

64. SET OUT

1. Start doing or working on STH, esp. with a particular goal in mind (42.5%)

I set out to discover the truth behind the story.

2. Start a journey (26.5%)

We set out for San Francisco on the following day.

3. Explain or present STH clearly, esp. officially and in writing (16%)

The official recommendations were set out in the document.

65. CLEAN UP

1. Get rid of dirt, mess, pollution, or chemical substances in a place or area (74%)

Make sure you clean up your mess because I won’t do it for you.

2. Make STH free from dangerous, unacceptable or controversial activities or contents (22%)

He was asked to clean up his bad language during his interview.

66. SHUT DOWN

1. Stop (or make STH stop) working or operating (machine, computer, business, premise, strategy) (94%)

You should shut down your computer at night to save electricity.

67. TURN OVER

1. Surrender possession or control to SB/STH (esp. in authority) (59.5%)

The policeman turned over the criminal to the jail guard.

2. Change position so that the other side is facing towards the outside or the top, or another direction (34%)

Put the chicken on the grill and turn it over a few times.

68. SLOW DOWN

1. Move, proceed or progress at a slower pace (vehicle, economy) (88.5%)

Economic growth has dramatically slowed down.

69.WIND UP

1. End up in a particular situation, condition or place, esp. an unpleasant one (87%)

They wound up having to pay off his debts.

70. TURN UP

1. Yield; be (or make STH be) found, discovered, or noticed (48%)

The search turned up solid evidence against him.

2. Increase the volume or level of STH (21.5%)

I really like this song; could you turn up the radio?

3. Arrive or make an appearance somewhere (14%)

He turned up to the meeting half an hour late.

71. LINE UP

1. Form or make SB/STH form into a line (also figurative) (75%)

Dozens of taxis were lined up at the entrance.

72. TAKE BACK

1. Take STH/SB to a place, or time period (fig.), they were in before (50%)

After dinner, he took her back to her house.

2. Regain possession or control over STH (33.5%)

The politician’s ultimate goal is to take back the Senate.

73. LAY OUT

1. Describe or explain STH clearly or in detail, esp. officially and in writing (46%)

The whole strategy was laid out in detail in a twenty-page document.

2. Spread STH out on a flat surface, so it can be seen or used (35%)

He laid out the plates on the table.

74. GO OVER

1. Move towards a place or person, esp. by crossing an area (room, city, country) (63%)

She went over to the window so she could watch the scene.

2. Examine or discuss each part of STH in detail in order to understand or remember it better, or make sure it is correct (20%)

We need to go over the list once again.

75. HANG UP

1. Finish a conversation on the telephone by putting the receiver down or switching the phone off (76.5%)

He hung up the phone without letting her answer his question. 

Click here to get full lesson explanation from Saren Website