Phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs and prepositions or adverbs. They often have meanings that are different from the original verb. For example, “turn up” means “arrive,” and “give up” means “quit.” These phrases are essential for speaking naturally in English.
For ESL students, learning phrasal verbs is a key step in improving advanced conversational English. Native speakers use them every day, and understanding them will help students sound more fluent and confident. When students use phrasal verbs correctly, they can express themselves more clearly and naturally.
As an ESL teacher, you know how important it is to teach students real-life language that they can use in everyday conversations. Phrasal verbs are perfect for this. By practicing them, students will learn how to talk about a wide range of topics—such as emotions, work, travel, and more—using language that feels authentic.
Studies show that phrasal verbs help language learners become better speakers by improving their fluency, understanding, and expression in English, even though they can be hard to learn.
Teachers can make phrasal verbs easier to learn by using smart methods like teaching them in context, focusing on the meaning of small words like “up” or “out,” giving more examples, and using bold or color highlights to help students remember them better.
However, this list of 250 phrasal verbs is a valuable resource for you and your students. It covers a variety of topics, from relationships to nature, helping students connect with language in a way that’s relevant to their lives. Whether you’re teaching in the classroom or guiding students for self-study, these phrasal verbs can take their speaking abilities to the next level.
Encourage your students to learn and practice these phrasal verbs. Over time, they’ll feel more comfortable using them in their conversations, and you’ll notice their confidence grow. This is a simple yet powerful way to help your students speak like native speakers.
Table of Contents
What is a Phrasal Verb?
A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and one or two other words, usually a preposition or an adverb. For example, “turn off” is a phrasal verb where “turn” is the verb and “off” is the preposition. When you put them together, it means to stop something, like turning off a light.
The interesting thing about phrasal verbs is that their meaning isn’t always obvious from the individual words. For instance, “give up” means to quit, but if you look at “give” and “up” separately, it doesn’t make sense!
Native speakers use phrasal verbs all the time, especially in casual conversations. If you want to sound more like a native speaker, using phrasal verbs is a great way to do that.
Don’t worry if they seem tricky at first. With practice, you’ll get the hang of them, and soon enough, they’ll become a natural part of your speech. It’s like adding new tools to your language toolbox!
What is Advanced Conversation?
Advanced conversation is when you can speak fluently and confidently about a wide range of topics in English. It’s more than just basic phrases or basic vocabulary. At this level, you can express your ideas clearly and handle complex discussions.
In advanced conversations, you’re able to understand and use idiomatic expressions, phrasal verbs, and more nuanced language. This allows you to talk about abstract ideas, share opinions, and even debate or discuss in-depth subjects.
You’ll also notice that in advanced conversations, speakers don’t just use simple sentences. They use a variety of sentence structures and vocabulary to keep the conversation flowing naturally.
Being good at advanced conversation means you can comfortably talk about almost anything—whether it’s politics, culture, or personal experiences—with ease and confidence. It’s all about mastering the details of language and using them in real-life situations.
Phrasal Verbs Can Advance Your Conversation Skills
Learning phrasal verbs is one of the best ways to improve your advanced conversation skills. When you know phrasal verbs, you can speak more naturally, like a native speaker. Native speakers use them all the time, and understanding them helps you sound more fluent.
Phrasal verbs allow you to express complex ideas in a simple way. For example, instead of saying “I cannot manage this task anymore,” you could say “I’m giving up on this task,” which is shorter and more natural. This helps conversations flow more smoothly.
They also make you sound more confident. Using phrasal verbs shows that you understand the language at a deeper level. Instead of speaking in basic, formal language, you can use casual, everyday phrases that native speakers use, making the conversation feel more relaxed and real.
Lastly, knowing phrasal verbs helps you understand others better. Many people use them in casual speech, and if you don’t know them, you might miss part of the conversation. By learning phrasal verbs, you’ll be able to follow along in fast-paced or informal discussions without getting lost.
In short, phrasal verbs are key to sounding more fluent, expressing ideas clearly, and keeping up with advanced conversations.
So, let’s dive into the list of 250 most essential phrasal verbs that make you sound like a native speaker.
ESL Phrasal Verbs about Daily Routines
In this section, we’ll focus on phrasal verbs you can use when talking about daily routines. These phrases will help you describe what you do every day, from waking up to going to bed.
1. Wake up
Meaning: stop sleeping
Example sentence: I usually wake up at 6 a.m.
2. Get up
Meaning: get out of bed
Example sentence: She gets up and goes straight to the kitchen.
3. Turn off
Meaning: stop a machine/light/etc.
Example sentence: Please turn off the light before leaving.
4. Turn on
Meaning: start a machine/light/etc.
Example sentence: I turn on the coffee machine every morning.
5. Get ready
Meaning: prepare for something (e.g., work)
Example sentence: I get ready for work at 7 a.m.
6. Put on
Meaning: wear clothing
Example sentence: He put on his jacket and left.
7. Take off
Meaning: remove clothing
Example sentence: I took off my shoes at the door.
8. Brush up (on)
Meaning: review or refresh skills
Example sentence: I need to brush up on my English grammar.
9. Go out
Meaning: leave home for social activity
Example sentence: We go out for dinner every Friday.
10. Come back
Meaning: return
Example sentence: She came back late from the party.
11. Lie down
Meaning: recline to rest or sleep
Example sentence: I lie down for a nap after lunch.
12. Get in
Meaning: enter a place, often a vehicle
Example sentence: He got in the car and started the engine.
13. Get out
Meaning: exit a place or vehicle
Example sentence: I got out of the taxi quickly.
14. Freshen up
Meaning: wash and make yourself tidy
Example sentence: Let me freshen up before dinner.
15. Drop off
Meaning: take someone/something to a place
Example sentence: I drop off my kids at school every day.
16. Pick up
Meaning: collect someone/something
Example sentence: Can you pick me up at the station?
17. Head out
Meaning: leave to go somewhere
Example sentence: I usually head out by 8 a.m.
18. Come in
Meaning: enter
Example sentence: She came in and hung her coat.
19. Sleep in
Meaning: sleep longer than usual
Example sentence: I love sleeping in on weekends.
20. Doze off
Meaning: fall asleep, often unintentionally
Example sentence: I dozed off during the movie.
ESL Phrasal Verbs about Emotions and Feelings
Phrasal verbs related to emotions and feelings will help you express how you feel in different situations. Use them to talk about your mood or how you react to certain events.
21. Cheer up
Meaning: become or make someone happier
Example sentence: She gave him chocolate to cheer him up.
22. Calm down
Meaning: become or help someone become less angry
Example sentence: Please calm down and talk to me.
23. Freak out
Meaning: become very anxious or scared
Example sentence: He freaked out when he lost his passport.
24. Break down
Meaning: suddenly start crying
Example sentence: She broke down after hearing the bad news.
25. Open up
Meaning: share your feelings or thoughts
Example sentence: He finally opened up about his problems.
26. Bottle up
Meaning: keep emotions inside and not express them
Example sentence: Don’t bottle up your feelings—talk to me.
27. Lash out
Meaning: suddenly express anger
Example sentence: He lashed out at his coworker in frustration.
28. Get over
Meaning: recover from something emotionally painful
Example sentence: It took her months to get over the breakup.
29. Break up
Meaning: end a romantic relationship
Example sentence: They broke up after five years.
30. Brighten up
Meaning: become happier or more cheerful
Example sentence: His face brightened up when he saw the gift.
31. Feel down
Meaning: feel sad or depressed
Example sentence: I’m feeling down today.
32. Let down
Meaning: disappoint someone
Example sentence: He let me down when he didn’t show up.
33. Go through
Meaning: experience a difficult or emotional time
Example sentence: She’s going through a lot right now.
34. Shut down
Meaning: stop communicating emotionally
Example sentence: After the argument, he just shut down.
35. Lighten up
Meaning: become less serious or worried
Example sentence: Lighten up! It’s just a joke.
36. Zone out
Meaning: stop paying attention mentally
Example sentence: I zoned out during the long meeting.
37. Open up to
Meaning: be honest and talk freely with someone
Example sentence: He opened up to his therapist.
38. Work through
Meaning: deal with and process emotions
Example sentence: I’m working through my grief slowly.
39. Snap out of
Meaning: quickly stop feeling a negative emotion
Example sentence: You need to snap out of this bad mood.
40. Tear up
Meaning: start to cry (slightly)
Example sentence: She teared up during the movie.
ESL Phrasal Verbs about Travel and Transportation
When traveling or discussing transportation, phrasal verbs are very useful. In this section, you’ll learn phrases to describe moving from one place to another and your experiences on the road.
41. Set off
Meaning: begin a journey
Example sentence: We set off early to avoid traffic.
42. Check in
Meaning: register at a hotel or airport
Example sentence: We checked in at the hotel around noon.
43. Check out
Meaning: leave and pay for your stay at a hotel
Example sentence: Don’t forget to check out before 11 a.m.
44. Take off
Meaning: for a plane to leave the ground
Example sentence: Our flight took off an hour late.
45. Touch down
Meaning: for a plane to land
Example sentence: The plane touched down smoothly in Dhaka.
46. Get in
Meaning: arrive at a destination (especially transport)
Example sentence: The train got in at 8:30 p.m.
47. Get on
Meaning: board a bus, train, plane, etc.
Example sentence: She got on the bus just in time.
48. Get off
Meaning: leave a bus, train, plane, etc.
Example sentence: We got off at the wrong stop.
49. Speed up
Meaning: increase speed
Example sentence: The driver sped up to overtake the truck.
50. Slow down
Meaning: reduce speed
Example sentence: Slow down! There’s a speed bump ahead.
51. Take off (again, different use)
Meaning: leave quickly, often unexpectedly
Example sentence: He took off as soon as he saw the police.
52. Drop off
Meaning: take someone/something to a place and leave them there
Example sentence: I’ll drop you off at the airport.
53. Pick up
Meaning: collect someone or something
Example sentence: Can you pick me up from the station?
54. Stop over
Meaning: stay somewhere temporarily during a journey
Example sentence: We stopped over in Dubai on our way to London.
55. Look around
Meaning: explore or examine a place
Example sentence: We looked around the city before dinner.
56. Get around
Meaning: travel from place to place
Example sentence: It’s easy to get around Paris by metro.
57. Head for
Meaning: go in the direction of something
Example sentence: We headed for the mountains after breakfast.
58. Check into
Meaning: register to stay in a hotel or hospital
Example sentence: He checked into a hotel near the beach.
59. Run out (of gas, time, etc.)
Meaning: have no more left
Example sentence: We ran out of fuel halfway there.
60. Pull over
Meaning: move your car to the side of the road and stop
Example sentence: The police asked us to pull over.
ESL Phrasal Verbs about Shopping and Money
Shopping and handling money involve many phrasal verbs. Here, you’ll learn phrases that will help you talk about buying, selling, and spending money in everyday situations.
61. Pick out
Meaning: choose something
Example sentence: She picked out a beautiful dress for the party.
62. Try on
Meaning: put on clothing to see if it fits
Example sentence: I want to try on these shoes before I buy them.
63. Try out
Meaning: test something to see if it works
Example sentence: You should try out that new restaurant down the street.
64. Shop around
Meaning: compare prices before buying something
Example sentence: It’s a good idea to shop around before making a big purchase.
65. Run out of
Meaning: use all of something
Example sentence: I ran out of money before the end of the month.
66. Pay for
Meaning: give money for something
Example sentence: I paid for the groceries with my credit card.
67. Save up
Meaning: keep money for something in the future
Example sentence: I’m saving up for a new car.
68. Take back
Meaning: return an item to a store
Example sentence: I had to take the shoes back because they were too big.
69. Put down
Meaning: pay part of the cost upfront
Example sentence: I had to put down a deposit for the apartment.
70. Bargain for
Meaning: expect or prepare for something
Example sentence: I didn’t bargain for the long wait at the checkout.
71. Bring back
Meaning: return something to a store or place
Example sentence: Can you bring back the book to the library?
72. Cut back (on)
Meaning: reduce something
Example sentence: We need to cut back on unnecessary spending.
73. Run up (a bill)
Meaning: increase the amount of money owed
Example sentence: He ran up a huge bill on his credit card.
74. Take out
Meaning: borrow money from a bank
Example sentence: She took out a loan to buy the house.
75. Put aside
Meaning: save money for a specific purpose
Example sentence: I’m putting aside some money for my vacation.
76. Cash in on
Meaning: take advantage of a situation to make money
Example sentence: He cashed in on the growing demand for electric cars.
77. Pay off
Meaning: pay back money that is owed
Example sentence: I finally paid off my student loans.
78. Fork out
Meaning: pay a large amount of money for something
Example sentence: I had to fork out a lot of money for the repairs.
79. Run through
Meaning: spend or use money quickly
Example sentence: I ran through my paycheck way too fast.
80. Take in
Meaning: understand or absorb information
Example sentence: I couldn’t take in all the prices at the sale.
ESL Phrasal Verbs about Food and Eating
Phrasal verbs about food and eating are essential for talking about meals, cooking, and dining out. This section will help you express yourself clearly in food-related conversations.
81. Eat out
Meaning: dine at a restaurant
Example sentence: We decided to eat out at a new Italian place last night.
82. Pick at
Meaning: eat a small amount of food slowly
Example sentence: She wasn’t hungry, so she just picked at her salad.
83. Warm up
Meaning: heat food before eating
Example sentence: I’ll warm up the leftovers for lunch.
84. Dig in
Meaning: begin eating eagerly
Example sentence: The food looks great! Let’s dig in.
85. Help out
Meaning: assist with food preparation or serving
Example sentence: Can you help out in the kitchen with the dishes?
86. Cut down (on)
Meaning: reduce the amount of something (often food or drink)
Example sentence: I’m trying to cut down on sugar for my health.
87. Snack on
Meaning: eat small amounts of food between meals
Example sentence: She likes to snack on fruit during the day.
88. Settle down
Meaning: eat something in a relaxed manner
Example sentence: After a long day, we finally settled down to a home-cooked meal.
89. Throw together
Meaning: prepare something quickly without much effort
Example sentence: I just threw together a quick sandwich for lunch.
90. Throw away
Meaning: discard food
Example sentence: Don’t throw away that fruit; it’s still good!
91. Go off
Meaning: (of food) spoil or become inedible
Example sentence: The milk went off, so we had to throw it out.
92. Cut up
Meaning: chop food into pieces
Example sentence: She cut up the vegetables for the salad.
93. Boil down to
Meaning: the main point or essence of something (often food or situation)
Example sentence: The recipe boils down to just a few simple ingredients.
94. Fry up
Meaning: cook food by frying
Example sentence: I’m going to fry up some eggs and bacon for breakfast.
95. Order in
Meaning: order food for delivery
Example sentence: We decided to order in pizza for dinner.
96. Spice up
Meaning: make food more flavorful or interesting
Example sentence: I added some chili powder to spice up the dish.
97. Help yourself
Meaning: serve yourself food
Example sentence: There’s plenty of food, so help yourself.
98. Chow down
Meaning: eat something enthusiastically
Example sentence: After the hike, we all sat down and chowed down on sandwiches.
99. Go for
Meaning: choose or select food
Example sentence: I think I’ll go for the chicken instead of the beef.
100. Lay off
Meaning: stop eating something for health or diet reasons
Example sentence: I’m trying to lay off junk food and eat more vegetables.
ESL Phrasal Verbs about Work and Office Life
In the workplace, phrasal verbs are commonly used to talk about tasks, meetings, and relationships with colleagues. Learn the key phrases that will help you communicate effectively in an office setting.
101. Show up
Meaning: arrive at a place
Example sentence: She didn’t show up for the meeting this morning.
102. Call in
Meaning: contact someone by phone, especially for work-related matters
Example sentence: He had to call in sick today.
103. Clock in
Meaning: register the time you arrive at work
Example sentence: I always clock in at 9 a.m. sharp.
104. Clock out
Meaning: register the time you leave work
Example sentence: Don’t forget to clock out before you leave.
105. Fill in
Meaning: substitute someone temporarily or complete a form
Example sentence: Can you fill in for me while I’m on vacation?
106. Follow up
Meaning: check in on something or continue after a previous action
Example sentence: I need to follow up with my client after the proposal.
107. Take over
Meaning: assume control or responsibility for something
Example sentence: She will take over the project while I’m away.
108. Take on
Meaning: accept responsibility for something
Example sentence: He decided to take on more tasks at work.
109. Turn in
Meaning: submit something (e.g., reports, assignments)
Example sentence: Please turn in your reports by Friday.
110. Hand in
Meaning: submit something, usually in a physical form
Example sentence: I need to hand in my assignment before the deadline.
111. Break into
Meaning: start a new line of work or business
Example sentence: She’s trying to break into the marketing field.
112. Set up
Meaning: arrange or organize something
Example sentence: He set up the meeting room for the conference.
113. Look over
Meaning: review or check something
Example sentence: Can you look over my report before I submit it?
114. Look into
Meaning: investigate or examine something
Example sentence: I’ll look into the issue and get back to you.
115. Work out
Meaning: solve or find a solution to something
Example sentence: We need to work out the details of the plan.
116. Bring up
Meaning: introduce a topic or issue for discussion
Example sentence: She brought up the issue of overtime during the meeting.
117. Follow through
Meaning: complete a task or project
Example sentence: He always follows through on his commitments.
118. Pitch in
Meaning: contribute or help with a task
Example sentence: Everyone pitched in to help organize the event.
119. Cut back (on)
Meaning: reduce the amount of something, often for budget reasons
Example sentence: We need to cut back on office supplies to stay within budget.
120. Step down
Meaning: resign from a position or job
Example sentence: After ten years as CEO, he decided to step down.
ESL Phrasal Verbs about Household and Daily Activities
Everyday life at home is full of activities, and phrasal verbs help you describe them. This section will help you talk about chores, cleaning, and taking care of your home.
121. Clean up
Meaning: tidy or organize a place
Example sentence: I need to clean up the kitchen after dinner.
122. Tidy up
Meaning: make something neat and organized
Example sentence: Can you tidy up your room before the guests arrive?
123. Take out
Meaning: remove something, especially trash
Example sentence: Don’t forget to take out the garbage.
124. Put away
Meaning: store or place something in its proper location
Example sentence: Can you put away the dishes after washing them?
125. Pick up
Meaning: gather things or clean up a mess
Example sentence: She picked up the toys in the living room.
126. Set up
Meaning: arrange or prepare something for use
Example sentence: I’ll set up the table for dinner.
127. Put off
Meaning: delay or postpone something
Example sentence: I had to put off my dentist appointment until next week.
128. Get out
Meaning: leave a place
Example sentence: We need to get out of here before it gets dark.
129. Go out
Meaning: leave the house, typically for socializing
Example sentence: They like to go out on weekends.
130. Turn on
Meaning: start or activate something (e.g., lights, appliances)
Example sentence: Can you turn on the air conditioning?
131. Turn off
Meaning: stop or deactivate something
Example sentence: Don’t forget to turn off the lights when you leave.
132. Pick out
Meaning: choose something carefully
Example sentence: She picked out a beautiful vase for the living room.
133. Wake up
Meaning: stop sleeping
Example sentence: I usually wake up at 7 a.m. on weekdays.
134. Get up
Meaning: rise from bed
Example sentence: He got up early to go jogging.
135. Lie down
Meaning: recline or rest in a horizontal position
Example sentence: After a long day, I just want to lie down and relax.
136. Sit down
Meaning: take a seat
Example sentence: Please sit down and make yourself comfortable.
137. Put on
Meaning: wear clothing or accessories
Example sentence: She put on her coat before leaving the house.
138. Take off
Meaning: remove clothing or accessories
Example sentence: He took off his shoes before entering the house.
139. Run out of
Meaning: use up all of something
Example sentence: We ran out of milk, so I need to buy more.
140. Hang up
Meaning: end a phone call
Example sentence: I accidentally hung up before she could answer.
ESL Phrasal Verbs about Relationships
Phrasal verbs are often used in conversations about relationships. Here, you’ll learn how to talk about your interactions with friends, family, and others using common, useful expressions.
141. Get along
Meaning: have a good relationship with someone
Example sentence: I get along really well with my coworkers.
142. Break up
Meaning: end a romantic relationship
Example sentence: They decided to break up after two years of dating.
143. Make up
Meaning: reconcile or resolve a disagreement
Example sentence: They had a fight, but later they made up and became friends again.
144. Settle down
Meaning: begin a stable and committed life, often in a relationship
Example sentence: After years of traveling, she’s ready to settle down and start a family.
145. Hit it off
Meaning: develop an immediate good relationship with someone
Example sentence: We met at the party and really hit it off.
146. Get back together
Meaning: resume a relationship after breaking up
Example sentence: After a few months apart, they decided to get back together.
147. Go out with
Meaning: date or be in a romantic relationship with someone
Example sentence: He’s been going out with Sarah for a few months now.
148. Break down
Meaning: have a serious emotional issue or breakdown
Example sentence: She broke down in tears after hearing the bad news.
149. Look after
Meaning: care for someone, usually emotionally or physically
Example sentence: He looks after his elderly parents.
150. Look up to
Meaning: admire someone
Example sentence: I really look up to my older sister for her strength and kindness.
151. Look out for
Meaning: protect or take care of someone
Example sentence: She always looks out for her younger brother.
152. Ask out
Meaning: invite someone on a date
Example sentence: He asked her out to dinner on Saturday night.
153. Stand by
Meaning: support or remain loyal to someone
Example sentence: He promised to stand by her no matter what.
154. Cheer up
Meaning: make someone feel happier
Example sentence: I brought you some ice cream to cheer you up.
155. Call off
Meaning: cancel something, often a planned event
Example sentence: They called off their wedding because of personal reasons.
156. Keep in touch
Meaning: maintain communication with someone
Example sentence: Let’s keep in touch after you move to another city.
157. Open up
Meaning: share personal feelings or thoughts
Example sentence: He finally opened up about his childhood struggles.
158. Hang out
Meaning: spend time with someone casually
Example sentence: We love to hang out at the park on weekends.
159. Talk over
Meaning: discuss or debate something
Example sentence: Let’s talk over our plans for the trip this weekend.
160. Take after
Meaning: resemble or be similar to a family member
Example sentence: She really takes after her mother in terms of personality.
ESL Phrasal Verbs about Technology and Communication
In the modern world, technology and communication are key parts of daily life. This section focuses on the phrasal verbs that help you talk about gadgets, online activities, and staying in touch with others.
161. Sign up
Meaning: register for something, often online
Example sentence: I signed up for a new email account yesterday.
162. Log in
Meaning: enter your credentials to access an account or system
Example sentence: Don’t forget to log in to the website before starting the course.
163. Log out
Meaning: exit your account or session
Example sentence: Remember to log out of your bank account when you’re done.
164. Shut down
Meaning: turn off a machine, usually a computer
Example sentence: I need to shut down my laptop before going to bed.
165. Power up
Meaning: turn on a device, usually electronic
Example sentence: I had to power up the laptop before starting my work.
166. Break down
Meaning: stop functioning or fail
Example sentence: My phone broke down, so I need to get it repaired.
167. Set up
Meaning: arrange or establish something, especially technology or systems
Example sentence: I helped set up the new computer in the office.
168. Run out of
Meaning: exhaust a resource, like battery or data
Example sentence: I ran out of data on my phone, so I couldn’t access the internet.
169. Turn off
Meaning: deactivate or stop a device
Example sentence: Make sure you turn off the Wi-Fi when you leave.
170. Turn on
Meaning: activate a device
Example sentence: He turned on the TV to watch the news.
171. Type in
Meaning: enter information by typing
Example sentence: Please type in your password to access your account.
172. Cut off
Meaning: disconnect, often used for communication
Example sentence: The call got cut off due to a bad signal.
173. Send out
Meaning: distribute or mail something
Example sentence: We’ll send out the invitations next week.
174. Back up
Meaning: create a copy of data for safety
Example sentence: Don’t forget to back up your files to the cloud.
175. Download
Meaning: transfer data or files from the internet to your device
Example sentence: I need to download the latest software update for my phone.
176. Upload
Meaning: transfer data or files from your device to the internet
Example sentence: I’ll upload the pictures to social media later.
177. Break up
Meaning: divide or separate into smaller parts (often used for digital content)
Example sentence: I had to break up the video into smaller clips for easier uploading.
178. Scroll down
Meaning: move the screen down to see more content
Example sentence: Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the comments.
179. Click on
Meaning: press a button on a mouse or screen to select something
Example sentence: Click on the link to read the article.
180. Zoom in
Meaning: magnify something on a screen to see more detail
Example sentence: You can zoom in on the photo to get a closer look.
ESL Phrasal Verbs about Health and Fitness
Talking about health and fitness requires knowing the right phrasal verbs. In this section, you’ll learn phrases related to exercise, well-being, and staying healthy.
181. Work out
Meaning: engage in physical exercise
Example sentence: I work out at the gym every morning before breakfast.
182. Warm up
Meaning: prepare your body for exercise by doing gentle movements
Example sentence: It’s important to warm up before any intense workout.
183. Cool down
Meaning: slow down after exercise to relax your muscles
Example sentence: Make sure to cool down after running to avoid injury.
184. Take up
Meaning: start a new hobby or activity
Example sentence: She decided to take up yoga to improve her flexibility.
185. Cut down (on)
Meaning: reduce the amount of something, especially unhealthy habits
Example sentence: I’m trying to cut down on sugar for my health.
186. Get over
Meaning: recover from an illness, injury, or emotional setback
Example sentence: It took her weeks to get over the flu.
187. Bring up
Meaning: raise a topic or issue
Example sentence: He brought up the idea of exercising together.
188. Look after
Meaning: take care of someone or something
Example sentence: She looks after her elderly parents full time.
189. Break out
Meaning: develop a condition, such as acne or a rash
Example sentence: I broke out in hives after eating shellfish.
190. Pass out
Meaning: lose consciousness or faint
Example sentence: She passed out after running in the heat without water.
191. Throw up
Meaning: vomit
Example sentence: He felt so sick that he threw up during the car ride.
192. Get in shape
Meaning: improve physical fitness
Example sentence: I’ve been exercising regularly to get in shape for summer.
193. Feel up to
Meaning: be in the mood or condition to do something
Example sentence: I don’t feel up to going for a run today; I’m too tired.
194. Put on
Meaning: gain weight or become heavier
Example sentence: He put on a few pounds during the holidays.
195. Slim down
Meaning: lose weight or become thinner
Example sentence: She’s trying to slim down for her wedding.
196. Go on a diet
Meaning: follow a specific eating plan to lose weight
Example sentence: I’m going on a diet to eat healthier this year.
197. Shake off
Meaning: recover from an illness or emotional state
Example sentence: He managed to shake off his cold after a few days of rest.
198. Look good
Meaning: appear attractive or healthy
Example sentence: You look good; have you been exercising?
199. Check up on
Meaning: verify the health or condition of someone or something
Example sentence: I need to check up on my grandmother to see how she’s doing.
200. Run out of
Meaning: use up all of something, such as food or medication
Example sentence: We ran out of vitamins, so I need to buy more.
ESL Phrasal Verbs about Nature and the Environment
When discussing nature and the environment, phrasal verbs are helpful for describing the world around you. This section will help you talk about nature, environmental issues, and natural events.
221. Grow up
Meaning: develop or increase in size, often used for plants or animals
Example sentence: The trees in our garden grew up quickly during the summer.
222. Cut down
Meaning: remove something, typically trees or plants
Example sentence: They cut down the old oak tree to make room for a new building.
223. Clean up
Meaning: remove dirt or pollution from an area
Example sentence: Volunteers gathered to clean up the beach after the storm.
224. Bring up
Meaning: introduce a topic, often related to environmental issues
Example sentence: She brought up the topic of climate change during the meeting.
225. Plant out
Meaning: move a plant from a pot into the ground
Example sentence: We’ll plant out the flowers in the garden this weekend.
226. Look after
Meaning: take care of the environment or animals
Example sentence: Farmers need to look after their crops throughout the growing season.
227. Run out of
Meaning: use up a natural resource
Example sentence: We’re running out of clean water in this area due to drought.
228. Waste away
Meaning: become weak or unhealthy, often due to lack of resources
Example sentence: Many animals are wasting away because of habitat destruction.
229. Heat up
Meaning: increase temperature, often in relation to the planet
Example sentence: The Earth’s temperature is heating up due to global warming.
230. Throw away
Meaning: dispose of waste or unwanted items
Example sentence: Don’t throw away that plastic bottle; we can recycle it.
231. Go green
Meaning: adopt eco-friendly practices
Example sentence: They’ve decided to go green by using solar panels and reducing waste.
232. Die out
Meaning: become extinct, often used for species or plants
Example sentence: Many species of animals are in danger of dying out due to deforestation.
233. Clean out
Meaning: remove dirt, clutter, or pollutants from an area
Example sentence: We need to clean out the river to reduce pollution.
234. Take over
Meaning: assume control of an area, often in the context of land or nature
Example sentence: Invasive species can take over and destroy native plants.
235. Put out
Meaning: extinguish a fire or flame
Example sentence: Firefighters worked quickly to put out the wildfire.
236. Pass away
Meaning: die, often used for plants or animals
Example sentence: Many species have passed away due to habitat loss.
237. Turn into
Meaning: change or transform, often used for natural processes
Example sentence: The land was turned into a forest after years of reforestation.
238. Tear down
Meaning: destroy a building or structure
Example sentence: They tore down the old factory to make space for a park.
239. Set up
Meaning: create or establish something, like a nature reserve
Example sentence: The government has set up a new national park to protect wildlife.
240. Bring back
Meaning: return something to its original state, often used for species or ecosystems
Example sentence: Conservationists are working to bring back endangered species to the area.
ESL Phrasal Verbs about Learning Something
Learning new things often involves phrasal verbs. In this section, you’ll discover phrases to describe your process of learning, studying, and gaining new skills.
241. Pick up
Meaning: learn something informally or without formal education
Example sentence: She picked up French while living in Paris for a year.
242. Brush up on
Meaning: refresh or improve knowledge of a subject
Example sentence: I need to brush up on my math skills before the exam.
243. Catch on
Meaning: understand or become familiar with something
Example sentence: It took me a while to catch on to the rules of chess.
244. Figure out
Meaning: solve or understand something after thinking about it
Example sentence: I need to figure out how to use this new software.
245. Go over
Meaning: review or examine something in detail
Example sentence: Let’s go over the main points of the lesson before the test.
246. Read up on
Meaning: research or study something
Example sentence: I’ve been reading up on the history of the city for my project.
247. Get across
Meaning: communicate or explain something clearly
Example sentence: The teacher tried to get across the importance of studying every day.
248. Take in
Meaning: understand or absorb information
Example sentence: It was hard to take in all the information in the lecture.
249. Work out
Meaning: figure out or solve something by thinking or practicing
Example sentence: We need to work out the best way to approach this project.
250. Draw on
Meaning: use experience, knowledge, or resources to solve something
Example sentence: He drew on his experience as a teacher to help with the new curriculum.
Conclusion
Adding phrasal verbs into your lessons can make a big difference for your students. These small phrases will help them sound more natural and confident in conversations. By practicing regularly, students will be able to use phrasal verbs easily in real-life situations.
As a teacher, you can guide them by using the 250 phrasal verbs in various activities and conversations. This will give your students the chance to practice and improve their speaking skills step by step.
Remember, learning phrasal verbs takes time, but with patience and practice, your students will master them. Keep encouraging them, and soon they’ll be speaking just like native English speakers!
FAQs on Phrasal Verbs for Teachers
1. Why should I teach phrasal verbs to my students?
Teaching phrasal verbs helps students sound more natural and fluent in English. They are an essential part of everyday conversations and can help students express themselves better.
2. How can I make learning phrasal verbs fun for my students?
You can make learning fun by using games, role plays, and real-life scenarios. Incorporating visuals, videos, and songs also helps make learning more engaging.
3. How can I assess if my students understand phrasal verbs?
You can assess understanding through quizzes, class discussions, and by observing if students use phrasal verbs in their speech and writing.
4. How many phrasal verbs should I teach at once?
Start with a small number—around 5 to 10 phrasal verbs per lesson. Gradually introduce more as students become comfortable with each set.
5. How can I help my students remember phrasal verbs?
Encourage them to use phrasal verbs in sentences and practice regularly. Flashcards and spaced repetition techniques can also be useful.
FAQs on Phrasal Verbs for Students
1. Why are phrasal verbs important for me to learn?
Phrasal verbs are used by native speakers all the time. Learning them will make your speech more natural and help you understand everyday conversations.
2. Are phrasal verbs difficult to learn?
At first, they might seem tricky because their meanings are different from the base verb. But with practice, you’ll get used to them and start using them easily.
3. How can I practice phrasal verbs on my own?
You can practice by reading books, watching movies, or listening to podcasts in English. Try to notice how phrasal verbs are used and repeat them.
4. How do I know which phrasal verbs to learn first?
Start with the most common and useful ones for daily conversations, such as “get up,” “pick up,” or “look after.” These will help you communicate better in everyday situations.
5. How can I use phrasal verbs in conversations?
Try to use phrasal verbs when speaking with your teacher, friends, or classmates. The more you practice, the easier it will become to use them in real conversations.
References
White, B. (2012). A Conceptual Approach to the Instruction of Phrasal Verbs. The Modern Language Journal, 96, 419-438. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1540-4781.2012.01365.X.
Discover more from ESL Info
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
