Phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and a preposition or an adverb, and these are very common in English as conversational phrases. Some of them are intuitive, whereas many others might appear to make less sense on the surface.

Examples of Phrasal Verbs

Below is a list of 10 phrasal verbs, their explanations, and an accompanying example:

1 — To Go Ahead

To indicate to someone that they are free to start or proceed with the task at hand.

She decided to go ahead with the party despite the warnings.

2 — To Hang Out

Although this phrase can be used in its literal sense, as is the case with hanging out the laundry, the colloquial use is far less strict. To hang out is to spend a relaxing time with someone or a group.

The group started to hang out every Thursday after class.

3 — To Give Up

In its most commonly used form, to give up is simply to quit or to admit defeat. However, when used with a direct object or a reflexive pronoun, it means to part reluctantly with something or to deliver someone to authority.

Martin though he'd give up after seeing the race course.

With no way out, their only option was to give themselves up to the police.

4 — To Cut Down

A reduction in quantity.

After the holidays, Anne began trying to cut down on sugar.

5 — To Hold On

To request that someone waits.

"Hold on a moment — I’m almost done," George snapped.

6 — To Get Away

To go on a vacation.

I wondered why she wanted to get away for so long.

7 — To Look Through

To revise or examine something.

The girl always made notes to look through every day until the test.

8 — To Put Across

To effectively communicate an idea or feeling.

By shaking his head, the soldier put across far more than he imagined.

9 — To Take Off

Another example of a phrasal verb with several meanings, take off can be used in the literal sense as well as in a business sense, informal means of expressing that you are leaving or in the context of flying.

"It’s getting warm today; I’m going to take off my jacket," he said.

It wasn't long before their internet project took off, with thousands of new signups every day.

"Ladies and gentlemen," announced the captain, "we're getting ready to take off."

10 — To Carry Out

To complete a task.

The new cook wasn't able to carry out the orders from the head chef in time.