PHRASAL VERBS
Phrasal verbs are verbs that also contain a preposition or an adverb.
They are spoken colloquially by native speakers, and it will be highly beneficial to know and understand phrasal verbs in the IELTS writing and speaking test.
Phrasal verbs function as a verb whose meaning differs from the combined meanings of the individual words. Since most phrasal verbs are idiomatic expressions,
too, you must acquaint yourself with their meanings and not take their literal meaning.
PHRASAL
VERBS MEANING SAMPLE SENTENCE
account for to explain, give a reason Many factors account for the popular demand for wireless keyboards.
add up to make sense, seem reasonable There were events in my life that did not quite add up.
back away to move backward, in fear or dislike I am not the type who backs away, especially when I know I'm right.
bank on to base your hopes on something/someone I am banking on my investments to grow faster so I can retire early.
boil down to to be summarized as It all boils down to who is more powerful.
bring up to raise a topic for discussion I want to bring up something that has been haunting me for years.
buckle down to start working hard I started buckling down during my first year with a goal in mind.
burn out become exhausted from over-working You must also take some time off to avoid burning out.
call off to cancel The game was called off because of a medical emergency.
come about to take place; to happen A new type of art had just come about recently.
chip in to provide a part of a whole amount I'd appreciate it if everybody could chip in for Mike's birthday present.
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clam up to refuse to speak I get clammed up whenever I'm called to speak in public.
come across to meet someone and find something by chance I came across an antique shop where I bought this necklace.
dawn on to begin to be understood or realized for the first time It suddenly dawned on me why I disliked eating vegetables all this time.
die down to calm down, become less strong She knows well enough that it takes time for my anger to die down.
do without to manage without The majority of the kids can't do without their gadgets.
drag on to last longer than expected Even with the best lawyers, legal proceedings can drag on for years.
ease off to reduce, become less severe, or slow down We ought to wait for our wounds to ease off first.
end up to reach or come to a place or condition She didn't realize she would end up doing what she liked the most.
face off to argue, fight or compete with somebody The debate team's face-off will be held at the gymnasium.
fall through to fail; doesn't happen A backup plan will come in handy if the initial plan doesn't fall through.
figure out to solve a problem /discover the answer to a question Even at my age, I find most life lessons hard to figure out.
follow through to finish something one has started Leaders are criticized if they do not follow through with their plans.
frown upon to think that something is bad Divorce has been legal for many years, yet it's still frowned upon.
get over to recover from (illness, disappointment) Many Covid-19 patients took months before they got over the symptoms.
get rid of to eliminate I had to get rid of my stuffed animals because my roommate was allergic.
get away with to escape with something A person who gets away with a crime is still a dead man walking.
hand in to submit (report, homework) Professor Snape expects all his students to hand in their reports at 4 pm.
hold back to hesitate to talk or speak It was evident that she was holding back because of fear.
iron out to resolve by discussion, eliminate differences We met yesterday to iron out our differences.
keep up to move or progress at the same rate It's hard to keep up when you are training with athletes.
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kick off to begin, start I'd like to kick off the year by tidying up my room.
leave out to omit, not mention I will leave out the part where I made several mistakes.
look after to take care of Many grandparents enjoy looking after their grandchildren.
map out to plan or arrange something in a detailed way The core group has already mapped out a plan for next year's event.
mull over to think carefully about something for some time I mulled over the opportunity before deciding to accept it.
nod off to fall asleep Children easily nod off after a tiring day.
own up to admit or confess something Owning up to one's mistake is the responsible thing to do.
pan out to end up or conclude They are pretty happy with the way things panned out.
rule out to eliminate The possibility of a homicide case has been ruled out.
set off to start a journey I'd always set off early to avoid the afternoon rush hour.
show off to brag or want to be admired He is always showing off his new car.
stick up for to defend I'm not scared to stick up for myself.
stamp out to put an end to something; to eliminate Stamping out poverty should be the priority of every developing country.
stumble upon to find or learn about something unexpectedly I stumbled upon an article about the latest diagnostic tests for cancer.
tag along to go somewhere with a person or group My sister insists on tagging along every time I go out.
take after to resemble, in appearance or character Many would agree when I say that he takes after his father.
think over to consider something carefully It's something she'd have to think over before trying again.
verge on to come near to being something A group of students was on the verge of getting caught.
wear out to become unusable or to become very tired Instead of buying new ones, I buy new soles for my worn-out shoes.
zone out To fall asleep, lose concentration/consciousness The driver zoned out seconds before the crash.
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