Instructions for mastering Phrasal Verbs:

• Read/Listen all example sentences and note the underlined phrasal verbs.
• Practice saying each sentence 4-5 times aloud.
• Look up the same underlined phrasal verb in a Dictionary and note the sample sentences (do not look up a different one).
• Cambridge Dictionary

Phrasal verbs starting with G:

1. He can’t get about His leg has been in plaster for about a month, you know. (move, walk or go from place to place).
2. News got about that The Chairman was thinking of resigning. (spread, circulated).
3. Women find it difficult to get ahead in politics. (advance; progress).
4. She got the clothes off. (= took them off).
5. It’s/Time’s getting on. Let’s start. (It’s getting late).
6. I’m getting on (in years). I’m turning 65 this September, you know. (growing old).
7. The bus/train stopped, and she got on. (got into/onto it).
8. He got on his bike and rode off down the road.
9. Get your shirt/dress/coat/gloves on. (put it on).
10. I got on to him in the evening and gave him the information he wanted.
11. If you keep coming to work late like this, the boss is sure to get on to you. (find it out).
12. Let’s now get on to another topic. (= begin discussing it).
13. We got talking, and somehow got on to children. (began talking about the topic of…)
14. Get on with it – we haven’t got all day. (hurry up).
15. He’s getting along well at school, I believe. (making progress).
16. How did she get on at the interview? (perform).
17. Stop talking, and get on with the work. (continue doing).
18. He’s thinking of leaving the job, because he can’t get on with the new boss. (is not able to have a good relationship with).
19. I can’t get on/along without a washing machine. There’s so much washing to do every day. (cope/manage).
20. I wonder how he gets through so much work in a day. (manages to do).
21. I got through the novel last night. (managed to read)
22. She couldn’t get through the exam/test. (pass it).
23. I think our message hasn’t got through (reached the destination).
24. Can you get this packet through to him by tomorrow morning? (see that it reaches him).
25. (infml) By the look on his face, I knew I hadn’t got through to him. (made him understand/believe what I meant).
26. I can’t seem to get (it) through to him that this plan is impracticable and is not going to work. (make him understand/believe…).
27. I can’t get through. His line is engaged. (make contact by telephone).
28. Mom, I want to get up early tomorrow. Will you wake me? (leave my bed).
29. When the boss came in, all the staff got up. (stood up).
30. She’s got herself up (made herself beautiful, especially by dressing well).
31. He got himself up as a beggar/a king for the fancy dress competition. (dressed himself as...)
32. I have to get up two more lessons. (study…)
33. (infml) They’re getting up a protest against the bus-fare hike. (organizing).
34. I don’t know what she’s going to get up to now. (do...; be busy with).
35. You see that counter? That’s where you must give your building plan in. (hand it over to somebody having the authority to receive it).
36. I gave in to him. After all, he is my elder brother. (yielded).
37. What’s that black thing? It’s giving off a foul smell (producing).
38. These rotten oranges are giving off a bad smell.
39. My patience gave out and I asked him to stop lecturing me. (became used up).
40. They’re giving out a notice or something. (distributing).
41. They didn’t give out the news until this afternoon. (announce).
42. I can’t solve this puzzle/problem – I give up. (stop trying to solve it).
43. Don’t expect them to give up without a fight. (stop trying to win/achieve their aim).
44. So far, I’ve been trying to please him, but now I’ve given it up. (stopped doing it).
45. They gave up their car, and it has changed their life-style.
46. He’s decided to give up his job. (stop having it; resign).
47. (infml) I don’t think his work will ever improve – I given up on him. (stopped believing that he’ll be successful).
48. I’ve given up smoking/drinking altogether, you know. (stopped).
49. The hijacker gave himself up (to the police). (stopped resisting and surrendered himself to).
50. She’s given up that boyfriend of hers. (stopped being friendly with).
51. The terrorist gave up his accomplices when the police used force. (stopped protecting their secrets and told the police where they were hiding).
52. I waited for you for about an hour and then gave you up/ gave up on you. (took it that you wouldn’t come).
53. The doctors had given up on me/given me up, but I survived. (took it that I wouldn’t get well).
54. When did you give up politics/communism? (stop believing in).
55. I don’t think he’s completely given up hope yet. (stopped having it).
56. (infml) He is given up the Communist Party. (left).
57. Don’t give up that right/claim. (abandoned...).
58. They’ve decided to go ahead with the plan.
59. We’ve decided to go ahead with the project. (continue carrying out...).
60. The exhibition went ahead as planned. (took place).
61. The gun accidentally went off when he cleaned it, and killed his dog.
62. The meeting went off without a hitch. (proceeded).
63. The alarm-clock went off, and he woke up with a start. (made a ringing noise).
64. Slowly, the pain started going off. (becoming less strong).
65. When did the electricity go off? (become unavailable).
66. This milk has gone off – it smells funny. (gone bad, become unfit to drink).
67. When did you buy this meat? It has gone off. (gone bad, become unfit to eat).
68. The milk has gone off – don’t use it.
69. He has gone off his girl friend. (lost his liking for).
70. We’re going right off the subject.
71. As time goes on, things are bound to improve.
72. The fire went on for about an hour before it was brought under control. (continued to happen/take place).
73. Do you want the system/practice/these customs/rules to go on? (continue to exist).
74. Go on ask him about it.
75. The police would have arrested him by now if they had anything to go on. (any grounds, information, etc. to base their action on).
76. As the day went on, it became clear that they had no intention of calling off the strike immediately. (passed).
77. “When he saw that, he started shouting at us. And then, do you know what happened?” ~ What happened? Go on”. (continue talking).
78. You go on to Maria’s place. I’ll go back to my hotel and check out of there and come and join you.
79. (infml) Don’t go on at me like this. This is too much. [criticize me repeatedly or complain about me (to others) repeatedly].
80. All his salary goes on that girl. (is spent on).
81. Half of his pension goes on
82. Let’s now go on to the next topic. (go from here to).
83. He showed us the pictures and went on to explain the techniques used in painting them.
84. Don’t mind me. Go on with what you’re doing. (continue).
85. He grew up in Lucknow. (became an adult).
86. Our city/town grew up originally as a business centre. (started to exist and develop).
87. (infml) Oh, grow up and stop quarrelling/fighting, you two. (stop behaving in a silly/childish way).

Phrasal verbs starting with H:

1. The judge handed down a stiff sentence on the main accused (passed a sentence on a person found guilty of a crime).
2. These jewels are valuable family heirlooms, and my grandfather handed them down to my father. [= gave it to my father before he (grandfather) died].
3. These are traditions handed down to us over several generations. (passed or transmitted from one generation to a later generation).
4. Has he handed in his report yet? (submitted).
5. Ask him to hand in the tools before he leaves. (surrender, after use).
6. He was the chairman of the company, and he handed over to his daughter when he was past 70. (gave control of the company or responsibility for running it.)
7. Then handed over the thief to the police. (deliver him).
8. I handed over the office keys to my assistant. (gave).
9. Hand these sandwiches/biscuits/cops round, will you?
10. I saw him hanging about at the gate. (waiting there doing nothing in particular).
11. He helped me into/out of my coat. (helped me put it on/take it off).
12. (infml) Oh, what a party it was! Now let’s help (mom) out with the washing up. (help her do it, because it would be difficult for her to do it herself).
13. I wanted some money urgently, and he was the only person who was willing to help (me) out. (help me by giving me money).
14. They gave us some money and helped us out of a difficult situation.
15. She held back and didn’t tell him about it then. (she hesitated to tell this to him because of fear, unwillingness or caution).
16. Why did you hold back this information from the police? (not give; refuse to give; delay giving).
17. She could no longer hold back her tears.
18. The meeting has been held over until the next weekend. (postponed).
19. The tent is held up by/with poles and ropes.
20. She held up her hand to attract the speaker’s attention. (raised it).
21. I was held up by the traffic. (delayed).
22. The traffic was held up by the accident.
23. Their workers have been on strike for a week now, and this has held up our production (halted, delayed).
24. I’m sorry I held you up. You see, my car broke down on the way. (made you wait).
25. His car was held up on his way to the airport, and he was attacked.
26. Some masked man held them up on their way and took all their money. (stopped and robbed them).
27. I think this was the gang that held up a bank last month. (robbed it by the threat of violence).
28. When I saw the bus, I held up my hand, but it didn’t stop.
29. I know they’ve suffered a heavy loss this time, but they’re trying to hush it up (prevent it from becoming public knowledge).

Phrasal verbs starting with I:

1. These are not serious difficulties. We can sit together and iron them out, (remove them by discussion and compromise).

Phrasal verbs starting with K:

1. Don’t keep the news back from them. (decide not to tell).
2. Keep on until you reach the traffic lights; then turn left. (continue going).
3. (infml) Don’t keep on at them about the job – they’ll finish it on time. (don’t tell them/ask them about it again and again and annoy them).
4. (infml) He kept (on) at me to help him get the job. (continued pestering me).
5. He kept (on) asking me questions.
6. The rain kept up for the whole day. (continued without changing).
7. Their courage kept up throughout the crisis. (remained at a high level; did not become smaller, lower or weaker).
8. We couldn’t afford to keep up such a big house, and so we decided to sell it and move to a smaller one. [keep it (neat, clean and in good repair) by spending money and energy; maintain it].
9. (infml) The pain kept me up past midnight. (prevented me from going to bed).
10. I wanted to keep his spirits (maintain; prevent the spirits from becoming weaker).
11. You’re doing well. Keep up your efforts. (maintain).
12. If you don’t keep up the rent, they’ll throw you out. (continue paying it in time).
13. Dad was walking so fast that I really had to run to keep up with him. I was only a kid then, you know. (to move at the same speed as).
14. It’s five years since I retired. But I still keep up with some of my friends in the office. (keep in touch with them through visits, phone calls, letters, etc.).
15. If you want to be successful in this field, you must keep up with the latest developments. (keep yourself informed about).
16. The cost of living is going up day by day, but our salaries aren’t keeping up with it. (rising at the same rate).
17. The chicken curry they served him at the restaurant was too spicy, and he kicked up a fuss/row about it. (he complained strongly to show that he was annoyed or dissatisfied).

Phrasal verbs starting with L:

1. We can’t last out without food/water for very long. (go on living; remain active).
2. He laid his book/pen down and got up to answer the door.
3. The government has laid down new guidelines on health and safety in the workplace. (officially announce them as a principle, rule, etc.).
4. They laid on a bodyguard for him (supplied).
5. Tomorrow’s our wedding anniversary, and we’re planning to lay on a dinner party. (organize).
6. (infml) He laid out all his savings on the holiday (spent).
7. (infml) He laid out the street-plan/the map on the table. (spread).
8. I feel rather let down by their indifference.
9. (infml) She hoped that he would support her, but he let her (disappointed her, failed her).
10. This dress looks too short for you Why don’t you let it down a bit. (lengthen it...).
11. We let off a lot of fireworks for the Diwali. (explode).
12. Was that policeman crazy or something? Otherwise, why did he let off the gun at the crowd? (fire...).
13. He has a bad cold, and so she let him off cleaning the windows. (allow him not to do it).
14. (infml) The magistrate took a lenient view, and let him off. (released him and did not punish him).
15. (infml) Don’t let on about our plans. (reveal/disclose).
16. Come on, let me out. Why have you locked me in? (allow me to go from this place).
17. (infml) My sister said she would go to the railway station and pick up my mother-in-law; that let me out. (released me from an unpleasant obligation).
18. This dress has become too tight – it’ll have to be let out round the waist. (make it wider/looser).
19. We’ve let out the first floor of our house as a flat. (made it available for people to rent).
20. We’ve let out the top floor of our house to them.
21. (infml) he kept on working, and didn’t let up for an instant. (relax making an effort).
22. The rain hasn’t let up (slackened).
23. Don’t be so strict/severe with your children – you should let up on them. (be less strict/severe with them).
24. Don’t forget to lock up after you. (look very securely when you leave).
25. Look ahead 10 or 15 years. How do you think will this place look like then?
26. (infml) The doctor looked him over. (examined him carefully).
27. They sent a surveyor to look over the house. (survey, inspect)
28. Before hiring and advertising agency, you should look them up
29. (infml) When I come to Dallas, I’ll look you up. (find your house and visit you).
30. Did you look him up thoroughly before you hired him?
31. Go to the library and look up the June issue of the magazine.
32. Can you look her phone number up in the telephone book?
33. (infml) The weather is looking up (getting better, improving).
34. I didn’t know the word – so I looked it up in a dictionary (searched for it, tried to find its meaning, pronunciation, etc.).
35. He’s a man of absolute integrity, and we all look up to him. (admire or respect him).

Phrasal verbs starting with M:

1. I could see a figure in the distance, but I couldn’t make out who it was.
2. (infml) How’s he making out in his new profession? (progressing/prospering).
3. I could just make out his face in the street light.
4. He makes out that they were with him on that day. (claim, maintain)
5. There was somebody sitting on the floor, a little away from me. But I couldn’t make them out. It was quite dark in there, you know. (manage to see).
6. I couldn’t make out what you were saying. (manage to hear).
7. I can just make out those big letters on the top. (manage to read).
8. He makes himself out to be an expert. (claims, maintains).
9. She made out a cheque for Rs.50/- (wrote and completed it).
10. We can make a frock out of this cloth.
11. They shook hands and made up. (ended their quarrel).
12. She’s not a good typist. But there’s something that makes up for that. She’s quite good-looking. (compensates for; outweighs; she uses it as a suitable alternative for…).
13. Is there any way I can make up for the damage I’ve caused? (compensate for /repay for).
14. (infml) He’s trying to make up to the boss. (make himself, pleasant to the boss in order to get something done or win favours).
15. They’re bringing him here from the hospital. You’ll have to make up a bed for him at once. (prepare a bed).
16. She had made up a few sandwiches for us before we started. (prepared them for our journey/outing).
17. They make up medicines from the buds, leaves and other parts of herbs and plants. (prepare medicines by mixing these ingredients together).
18. How are you going to make up such a huge loss? (replace, make good).
19. They’re asking Rs. 5000/- for it. I need Rs. 1500/- to make up the money. (to make the money complete).
20. I’m sorry you’ll have to be on night duty today, but I’ll make it up to you. (do something or give something to you to compensate you for what you suffer or miss).
21. (infml) I missed out on the seminar. I was away on tour you know. (I couldn’t attend it, and so lost a chance to benefit from it).
22. You missed out on all the fun. You should have come a bit early.
23. Did you go through the list? I think we’ve missed out a few of the items from it (failed or forgotten to include).
24. Don’t mix up my papers/books. I’ve just put them in order.
25. Don’t mix up the candidates (put them in the wrong order or mix them together, so that it’s difficult to know who’s who).
26. She’s always mixing me up with my sister (confuses; is unable to tell me from my brother).