HOW TO USE THE PHRASAL VERBS PART 9

HOW TO USE THE PHRASAL VERBS PART 9

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.

121. FILL OUT

1. Complete a form or official document (81.5 %)

We had to fill out a dozen forms in total.

122. SIT BACK

1. Rest in a comfortable position against the back of a seat (66%)

She sat back in her chair and turned on the TV.

2. (Sit back and do STH) Deliberately take no action/remain passive about STH (34%)

We won’t just sit back and watch the situation getting worse and worse.

123. RULE OUT

1. Exclude STH as a possibility, plausible cause or explanation (93.5%)

They ruled out the possibility of a mass murder.

124. MOVE UP

1. Move to a better position; advance to a higher level/rank (47%)

She moved up from secretary to senior manager in just a few years.

2. Move upward, from a lower spatial location to a higher one (22.5%)

She put her hand on his shoulder and moved it up along the back of his neck.

125. PICK OUT

1. Choose SB/STH among a number of alternatives (71.5%)

She picked out the best-looking dress she could find.

2. Detect/be noticed among a group of things or people (19%)

My mum could easily be picked out in the picture.

126. TAKE DOWN

1. Remove STH that was previously put up or put in place (38.5%)

After the exhibition, they took the paintings down.

2. Destroy, kill, or disable (27.5%)

The terrorists tried to take down the President's plane.

3. Take SB to a place, esp. further south or at a lower level (18%)

My dad decided to take us down to Florida.

127. GET ON

1. (+ with) Continue doing STH after stopping (51%)

We might as well get on with it if we want to finish on time.

2. Get on board some form of public transportation (train, bus, plane, elevator) (14.5%)

He got on the bus to go to school.

128. GIVE BACK

1. Return STH to its original owner/provider (100%)

It’s nice to be able to give back to the community.

129. HAND OVER

1. Give STH to SB by holding it in one’s hand and offering it to them (58.5%)

She turned around to hand over her keys to her husband.

2. Surrender control or responsibility for STH/SB to SB else, esp. officially (41.5%)

The government isn’t willing to hand over power to local authorities.

130. SUM UP

1. Express or represent the most important/representative facts, ideas, or characteristics of SB/STH, especially in a brief manner (97%)

He summed up the whole discussion in just a few minutes.

131. MOVE OUT

1. Leave one’s place of residence permanently (94.5%)

Our neighbour is going to move out next month.

132. COME OFF

1. Become detached or removed from a larger whole (34%)

The button is coming off my shirt.

2. Appear or seem to be a particular way (24.5%)

He was tired and not prepared, and so came off poorly in the interview.

3. Be finished with STH; have completed STH (17.5%)

The team just came off an incredibly successful season.

133. PASS ON

1. Circulate or communicate; give STH to SB after receiving it from SB else (information, ideas, object) (37.5%)

I got this message this morning and was asked to pass it on to you.

2. Transmit from one generation to the next (traditions, beliefs, skills, possessions) (37%)

These ancient traditions have been passed on from generation to generation.

3. Die (euphemism) (12.5%)

She has been very depressed since her mother passed on.

134. TAKE IN

1. Provide a place for SB to live or stay (24.5%)

The family took her in when she was abandoned by her parents.

2. Fully understand or grasp the meaning of STH (17.5%)

You have to explain more thoroughly; it’s too difficult to take in.

3. Deceive by behaving in a dishonest way (10%)

He was very convincing, so I was easily taken in.

135. SET DOWN

1. Put something on a surface or on the ground (75%)

He carried the bags to his room and set them down. 
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