Top 100 English Phrasal Verbs Explained for Beginners

Phrasal verbs are very important in English because they are not only used in tests but also in everyday talking and communication. But many English learners do not fully understand phrasal verbs and do not know how to use them correctly in writing. In this article, let’s learn with LearnEnglishFunWay.com about basic information on phrasal verbs, common phrasal verbs, and practice exercises.

A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and one or more particles, which can be prepositions or adverbs. Together, they create a meaning that is often different from the original verb. For example, “look up” means to search for information, which is different from just “look.” Phrasal verbs are very common in everyday English and are used in both speaking and writing. Learning phrasal verbs can help you understand and use English more naturally.

Let’s learn 100 common English Phrasal Verbs

1. Go on

• Meaning: Continue or happen.
• Examples:
  1. The movie will go on for another hour.
  2. She told him to go on with his story.
  3. The meeting went on longer than expected.
  4. Will the party go on despite the rain?

2. Carry out

• Meaning: Perform or complete a task.
• Examples:
  1. The scientists carried out an experiment.
  2. He carried out the instructions perfectly.
  3. They need to carry out a safety check.
  4. Will you carry out this plan tomorrow?

3. Set up

• Meaning: Arrange or establish something.
• Examples:
  1. They set up a new business last year.
  2. She set up the meeting room quickly.
  3. We need to set up the decorations tonight.
  4. Who will set up the equipment for the event?

4. Pick up

• Meaning: Lift or collect something.
• Examples:
  1. Can you pick up the book from the table?
  2. He picked up his keys and left.
  3. She needs to pick up her kids from school.
  4. Will you pick up some groceries later?

5. Go back

• Meaning: Return to a place or time.
• Examples:
  1. I want to go back to my hometown.
  2. He went back to check the door.
  3. They can’t go back to that old house now.
  4. Do you ever go back to your school days in your mind?

6. Come back

• Meaning: Return to a place.
• Examples:
  1. She will come back from vacation next week.
  2. He came back home late last night.
  3. They hope to come back to this city soon.
  4. When will you come back from your trip?

7. Go out

• Meaning: Leave home to socialize.
• Examples:
  1. Let’s go out for dinner tonight.
  2. They went out to see a movie.
  3. She loves to go out with her friends.
  4. Do you want to go out this weekend?

8. Point out

• Meaning: Indicate or mention something.
• Examples:
  1. He pointed out the mistake in the report.
  2. She pointed out the beautiful sunset.
  3. They pointed out a flaw in the plan.
  4. Can you point out where I went wrong?

9. Find out

• Meaning: Discover information.
• Examples:
  1. I need to find out what time the train leaves.
  2. She found out about the surprise party.
  3. They found out the truth yesterday.
  4. How did you find out about this event?

10. Come up

• Meaning: Arise or occur.
• Examples:
  1. A problem came up during the meeting.
  2. His name came up in the conversation.
  3. Issues always come up at the last minute.
  4. What came up when you talked to her?

11. Make up

• Meaning: Invent or reconcile.
• Examples:
  1. She made up a story to explain her absence.
  2. They made up after their argument.
  3. He made up an excuse for being late.
  4. Can you make up a song on the spot?

12. Take over

• Meaning: Assume control.
• Examples:
  1. The new manager will take over next week.
  2. She took over the family business.
  3. They plan to take over the project soon.
  4. Who will take over if he leaves?

13. Come out

• Meaning: Be published or revealed.
• Examples:
  1. The new magazine will come out tomorrow.
  2. Her secret came out last night.
  3. The book comes out next month.
  4. When will the truth come out?

14. Come in

• Meaning: Enter a place.
• Examples:
  1. Please come in and sit down.
  2. He came in through the back door.
  3. They came in just as it started raining.
  4. Can I come in now?

15. Go down

• Meaning: Decrease or be recorded.
• Examples:
  1. The price of gas has gone down.
  2. His name will go down in history.
  3. Temperatures went down last night.
  4. Did the sales go down this month?

16. Work out

• Meaning: Exercise or solve.
• Examples:
  1. I work out at the gym three times a week.
  2. She worked out the math problem quickly.
  3. They hope it all works out in the end.
  4. Do you work out regularly?

17. Set out

• Meaning: Start a journey or task.
• Examples:
  1. They set out early in the morning.
  2. He set out to write a novel.
  3. We set out on the hike at dawn.
  4. When will you set out for the trip?

18. Take up

• Meaning: Begin a hobby or activity.
• Examples:
  1. She took up painting last year.
  2. He took up running to stay fit.
  3. They decided to take up dancing lessons.
  4. Have you ever taken up a new sport?

19. Get back

• Meaning: Return or retrieve.
• Examples:
  1. I need to get back my book from John.
  2. She got back home late last night.
  3. He got back his lost wallet.
  4. When will you get back from the store?

20. Sit down

• Meaning: Take a seat.
• Examples:
  1. Please sit down and relax.
  2. He sat down after a long day.
  3. They sat down to discuss the plan.
  4. Can we sit down and talk now?

21. Turn out

• Meaning: Result or end up.
• Examples:
  1. The party turned out to be a success.
  2. It turned out that he was right.
  3. The weather turned out better than expected.
  4. How will this situation turn out?

22. Take on

• Meaning: Accept responsibility.
• Examples:
  1. He took on a new project at work.
  2. She took on the role of team leader.
  3. They decided to take on extra hours.
  4. Will you take on this challenge?

23. Give up

• Meaning: Stop trying or quit.
• Examples:
  1. Don’t give up on your dreams.
  2. He gave up smoking last year.
  3. They gave up after hours of effort.
  4. Are you ready to give up already?

24. Get up

• Meaning: Rise from bed.
• Examples:
  1. I get up at 7 AM every day.
  2. She gets up early to exercise.
  3. They got up late on Sunday.
  4. What time do you usually get up?

25. Look up

• Meaning: Search for information.
• Examples:
  1. I need to look up the meaning of this word.
  2. He looked up the address online.
  3. She looked up some recipes for dinner.
  4. Can you look up the train schedule?

26. Carry on

• Meaning: Continue.
• Examples:
  1. Carry on with your work while I’m gone.
  2. He carried on talking despite the noise.
  3. They carried on with the game after the break.
  4. Will you carry on without me?

27. Go up

• Meaning: Increase or rise.
• Examples:
  1. The temperature is going up.
  2. Prices went up after the holidays.
  3. Her grades have gone up this semester.
  4. Is the cost of living going up again?

28. Get out

• Meaning: Leave or escape.
• Examples:
  1. We need to get out of here quickly.
  2. He got out of the car and ran.
  3. They got out before the storm hit.
  4. How do we get out of this mess?

29. Take out

• Meaning: Remove or extract.
• Examples:
  1. Can you take out the trash?
  2. She took out a pen from her bag.
  3. He took out a loan to buy a car.
  4. Who will take out the old furniture?

30. Come down

• Meaning: Descend or decrease.
• Examples:
  1. The plane will come down soon.
  2. Prices came down after the sale.
  3. She came down the stairs quickly.
  4. Will the fever come down by morning?

31. Put down

• Meaning: Place something on a surface.
• Examples:
  1. Put down the box on the table.
  2. He put down his coffee mug.
  3. She put down her phone to listen.
  4. Can you put down that heavy bag?

32. Put up

• Meaning: Erect or tolerate.
• Examples:
  1. They put up a new sign.
  2. She put up with his complaints all day.
  3. We put up a tent for camping.
  4. How do you put up with this noise?

33. Turn up

• Meaning: Arrive or increase volume.
• Examples:
  1. He turned up at the party unexpectedly.
  2. Turn up the music a little.
  3. She turned up just in time.
  4. Will he turn up for the meeting?

34. Get on

• Meaning: Board or continue.
• Examples:
  1. Get on the bus quickly.
  2. They got on well with each other.
  3. He got on the train just in time.
  4. Can we get on with the project now?

35. Bring up

• Meaning: Mention or raise a child.
• Examples:
  1. She brought up an interesting point.
  2. They brought up their kids in the city.
  3. He brought up the topic of travel.
  4. Who brought up this idea first?

36. Bring in

• Meaning: Introduce or earn.
• Examples:
  1. The company brought in a new policy.
  2. He brings in a good salary.
  3. They brought in an expert to help.
  4. What changes will they bring in next?

37. Look back

• Meaning: Reflect on the past.
• Examples:
  1. I look back on my childhood with fond memories.
  2. She looked back at her old photos.
  3. They look back and laugh at their mistakes.
  4. Do you ever look back on those days?

38. Look down

• Meaning: Disparage or view from above.
• Examples:
  1. Don’t look down on others.
  2. He looked down from the balcony.
  3. She looks down on people who don’t agree.
  4. Why do they look down on us?

39. Bring back

• Meaning: Return or recall.
• Examples:
  1. This song brings back memories.
  2. Can you bring back my book tomorrow?
  3. They brought back an old tradition.
  4. What does this place bring back for you?

40. Break down

• Meaning: Stop functioning or analyze.
• Examples:
  1. The car broke down on the highway.
  2. She broke down the problem into steps.
  3. He broke down in tears after the news.
  4. Will the machine break down again?

41. Take off

• Meaning: Remove or depart.
• Examples:
  1. The plane will take off soon.
  2. She took off her jacket when she got home.
  3. They took off for the beach early.
  4. When does the next flight take off?

42. Go off

• Meaning: Explode or leave.
• Examples:
  1. The alarm went off at midnight.
  2. The fireworks went off with a bang.
  3. He went off to work without breakfast.
  4. Did the bomb go off as planned?

43. Bring about

• Meaning: Cause to happen.
• Examples:
  1. The new law brought about many changes.
  2. Her speech brought about a shift in opinions.
  3. They brought about peace in the region.
  4. What will bring about this improvement?

44. Go in

• Meaning: Enter.
• Examples:
  1. Go in and see if anyone is home.
  2. He went in through the front door.
  3. They went in to check the noise.
  4. Should we go in now?

45. Set off

• Meaning: Start a journey or cause.
• Examples:
  1. They set off on their trip early.
  2. The alarm set off a panic in the crowd.
  3. We set off for the mountains at dawn.
  4. What set off this argument?

46. Put out

• Meaning: Extinguish or publish.
• Examples:
  1. Please put out the fire.
  2. The band put out a new album.
  3. He put out his cigarette in the ashtray.
  4. When will they put out the next issue?

47. Look out

• Meaning: Be careful.
• Examples:
  1. Look out for the car!
  2. She looked out for any danger ahead.
  3. They told us to look out for pickpockets.
  4. Will you look out for me?

48. Take back

• Meaning: Retract or return.
• Examples:
  1. I take back what I said earlier.
  2. She took back the gift she gave him.
  3. He took back his harsh words.
  4. Can you take back this item to the store?

49. Hold up

• Meaning: Delay or support.
• Examples:
  1. The traffic held up our journey.
  2. She held up the sign for everyone to see.
  3. They were held up by bad weather.
  4. How long will this hold up the project?

50. Get down

• Meaning: Descend or depress.
• Examples:
  1. Get down from the ladder carefully.
  2. The news got her down today.
  3. He got down from the stage after the show.
  4. Why does this always get you down?

51. Hold out

• Meaning: Endure or offer.
• Examples:
  1. He held out his hand to help her.
  2. They held out against the enemy for days.
  3. She held out hope for good news.
  4. Will the supplies hold out until tomorrow?

52. Put on

• Meaning: Wear or perform.
• Examples:
  1. Put on your coat before going out.
  2. They put on a great show last night.
  3. She put on her favorite dress for the party.
  4. Can you put on some music?

53. Bring out

• Meaning: Reveal or publish.
• Examples:
  1. The company will bring out a new product.
  2. This color brings out her eyes.
  3. They brought out a special edition book.
  4. What will they bring out next?

54. Move on

• Meaning: Proceed or leave.
• Examples:
  1. It’s time to move on from this topic.
  2. She moved on to a new job.
  3. They moved on after saying goodbye.
  4. Can we move on to the next step?

55. Turn back

• Meaning: Return or reverse.
• Examples:
  1. We had to turn back because of the storm.
  2. He turned back to wave at us.
  3. They turned back halfway up the mountain.
  4. Should we turn back now?

56. Put back

• Meaning: Return to original place.
• Examples:
  1. Put back the book on the shelf.
  2. She put back the keys after using them.
  3. They put back the furniture after cleaning.
  4. Can you put back the tools where they belong?

57. Go round

• Meaning: Visit or circulate.
• Examples:
  1. Let’s go round to their house.
  2. The rumor went round the school quickly.
  3. He went round to check on his neighbors.
  4. Will you go round to the store later?

58. Break up

• Meaning: End a relationship or disperse.
• Examples:
  1. They decided to break up last week.
  2. The crowd broke up after the event.
  3. She broke up with him over the phone.
  4. Will they break up over this fight?

59. Come along

• Meaning: Accompany or progress.
• Examples:
  1. Come along with us to the park.
  2. The project is coming along nicely.
  3. He came along to help with the move.
  4. How is your work coming along?

60. Sit up

• Meaning: Rise from lying down.
• Examples:
  1. Sit up straight in your chair.
  2. She sat up when she heard the noise.
  3. They sat up to watch the sunrise.
  4. Can you sit up for a moment?

61. Turn round

• Meaning: Rotate or change direction.
• Examples:
  1. Turn round and face me.
  2. He turned round to check behind him.
  3. The car turned round in the driveway.
  4. Can you turn round so I can see your back?

62. Get in

• Meaning: Enter or arrive.
• Examples:
  1. Get in the car quickly.
  2. She got in just before the rain started.
  3. They got in late last night.
  4. When will you get in to the office?

63. Come round

• Meaning: Visit or regain consciousness.
• Examples:
  1. She came round to our house yesterday.
  2. He came round after fainting.
  3. They come round every weekend.
  4. Will you come round later today?

64. Make out

• Meaning: Understand or see.
• Examples:
  1. I can’t make out what he’s saying.
  2. She made out a figure in the fog.
  3. They made out the details of the contract.
  4. Can you make out the sign from here?

65. Get off

• Meaning: Leave or disembark.
• Examples:
  1. Get off the bus at the next stop.
  2. He got off work early today.
  3. They got off the train in Paris.
  4. When do we get off this ride?

66. Turn down

• Meaning: Reject or decrease volume.
• Examples:
  1. He turned down the job offer.
  2. She turned down the music to talk.
  3. They turned down our proposal.
  4. Why did you turn down the invitation?

67. Bring down

• Meaning: Reduce or cause to fall.
• Examples:
  1. The government wants to bring down taxes.
  2. His words brought down her mood.
  3. They brought down the old building.
  4. How can we bring down these costs?

68. Come over

• Meaning: Visit or affect.
• Examples:
  1. Come over to my place this evening.
  2. A strange feeling came over her.
  3. They came over for dinner last night.
  4. Will you come over tomorrow?

69. Break out

• Meaning: Escape or start suddenly.
• Examples:
  1. A fire broke out in the building.
  2. He broke out of jail last night.
  3. They broke out in laughter.
  4. When did the fight break out?

70. Go over

• Meaning: Review or examine.
• Examples:
  1. Let’s go over the plan again.
  2. She went over her notes before the test.
  3. They went over every detail carefully.
  4. Can we go over this one more time?

71. Turn over

• Meaning: Flip or transfer.
• Examples:
  1. Turn over the page to continue reading.
  2. He turned over the keys to his boss.
  3. She turned over in her sleep.
  4. Will you turn over the project to me?

72. Go through

• Meaning: Experience or examine.
• Examples:
  1. She went through a lot of difficulties.
  2. They went through the papers together.
  3. He’s going through a tough time now.
  4. Can we go through the list again?

73. Hold on

• Meaning: Wait or grasp.
• Examples:
  1. Hold on for a moment, please.
  2. She held on to the railing tightly.
  3. They told us to hold on during the storm.
  4. Can you hold on until I get back?

74. Pick out

• Meaning: Choose or select.
• Examples:
  1. Pick out a dress for the party.
  2. He picked out the best apples.
  3. They picked out a new car yesterday.
  4. Can you pick out something for me?

75. Sit back

• Meaning: Relax or recline.
• Examples:
  1. Sit back and enjoy the movie.
  2. She sat back in her chair with a smile.
  3. They sat back after a long day.
  4. Why don’t you sit back and rest?

76. Hold back

• Meaning: Restrain or hesitate.
• Examples:
  1. Don’t hold back your feelings.
  2. He held back from joining the fight.
  3. She held back tears during the speech.
  4. Why do you always hold back?

77. Put in

• Meaning: Install or submit.
• Examples:
  1. Put in a new application.
  2. They put in a new kitchen last month.
  3. He put in a request for a raise.
  4. Can you put in some extra effort?

78. Move in

• Meaning: Start living in a new place.
• Examples:
  1. They moved in last week.
  2. She moved in with her friends.
  3. We’re moving in next month.
  4. When will you move in to the new house?

79. Look around

• Meaning: Explore or search.
• Examples:
  1. Look around the store for a gift.
  2. He looked around the room nervously.
  3. They looked around for a good spot.
  4. Can we look around before deciding?

80. Take down

• Meaning: Remove or write.
• Examples:
  1. Take down the old posters.
  2. She took down notes during the lecture.
  3. They took down the tent after camping.
  4. Will you take down what I say?

81. Put off

• Meaning: Postpone or discourage.
• Examples:
  1. Don’t put off your homework.
  2. The smell put her off eating.
  3. They put off the meeting until next week.
  4. Why do you always put off studying?

82. Come about

• Meaning: Happen or occur.
• Examples:
  1. How did this situation come about?
  2. The change came about after much debate.
  3. It came about quite unexpectedly.
  4. Can you explain how this came about?

83. Go along

• Meaning: Agree or accompany.
• Examples:
  1. I’ll go along with your plan.
  2. She went along to the concert with friends.
  3. They decided to go along with the idea.
  4. Will you go along with me to the store?

84. Look round

• Meaning: Inspect or search.
• Examples:
  1. Look round the house before buying.
  2. He looked round for his lost keys.
  3. They looked round the museum slowly.
  4. Can we look round the garden too?

85. Set about

• Meaning: Begin or start.
• Examples:
  1. She set about cleaning the house.
  2. He set about fixing the car.
  3. They set about preparing dinner early.
  4. How will you set about this task?

86. Turn off

• Meaning: Stop or switch off.
• Examples:
  1. Turn off the lights before leaving.
  2. She turned off the TV to sleep.
  3. They turned off the engine to save fuel.
  4. Can you turn off the music now?

87. Give in

• Meaning: Surrender or yield.
• Examples:
  1. He finally gave in to their demands.
  2. She gave in after hours of arguing.
  3. They gave in to the pressure.
  4. Will you give in so easily?

88. Move out

• Meaning: Leave a place.
• Examples:
  1. They moved out of the apartment.
  2. He moved out to live on his own.
  3. She’s moving out next weekend.
  4. When did you move out of that house?

89. Come through

• Meaning: Succeed or survive.
• Examples:
  1. She came through the surgery well.
  2. The team came through in the final match.
  3. He came through despite the odds.
  4. Will they come through this crisis?

90. Move back

• Meaning: Return to a previous place.
• Examples:
  1. They moved back to their hometown.
  2. She moved back in with her parents.
  3. He’s moving back after years away.
  4. Why did you move back here?

91. Break off

• Meaning: End or separate.
• Examples:
  1. They broke off their engagement.
  2. He broke off a piece of chocolate.
  3. She broke off the conversation abruptly.
  4. Will they break off talks again?

92. Get through

• Meaning: Finish or communicate.
• Examples:
  1. I need to get through this work.
  2. She got through to him on the phone.
  3. They got through the exam with ease.
  4. Can we get through this list today?

93. Give out

• Meaning: Distribute or stop functioning.
• Examples:
  1. The teacher gave out the papers.
  2. The engine gave out after miles.
  3. They gave out flyers at the event.
  4. Will the supplies give out soon?

94. Come off

• Meaning: Succeed or happen.
• Examples:
  1. The event came off as planned.
  2. The stain came off with soap.
  3. Her plan came off perfectly.
  4. Will this party come off well?

95. Take in

• Meaning: Understand or deceive.
• Examples:
  1. I couldn’t take in all the information.
  2. She took in the stray cat.
  3. He was taken in by the scam.
  4. Can you take in what I’m saying?

96. Give back

• Meaning: Return something.
• Examples:
  1. Give back the book you borrowed.
  2. He gave back the money he owed.
  3. They gave back the stolen goods.
  4. When will you give back my phone?

97. Set down

• Meaning: Write or place.
• Examples:
  1. Set down your ideas on paper.
  2. She set down the cup on the table.
  3. They set down rules for the game.
  4. Can you set down what we discussed?

98. Move up

• Meaning: Advance or promote.
• Examples:
  1. He moved up to a higher position.
  2. She moved up in the company quickly.
  3. They moved up to first place.
  4. Will you move up soon?

99. Turn around

• Meaning: Rotate or improve.
• Examples:
  1. Turn around and face the front.
  2. The company turned around its profits.
  3. He turned around to say goodbye.
  4. Can we turn around this situation?

100. Get in

• Meaning: Enter or arrive.
• Examples:
  1. Get in the car quickly.
  2. She got in before the doors closed.
  3. They got in late after the party.
  4. When do you usually get in?

Above is the list of 100 most common phrasal verbs with meaning. Hopefully this article will help you understand Phrasal Verb better and not be confused when encountering the above Phrasal Verb phrases in the exam as well as in daily communication. Remember that knowledge about Phrasal Verb is very important in English, so don’t forget to practice and improve to expand your knowledge about it every day.