Phrasal Verbs

The PHaVE List is a listing of the most common meaning senses of the most common phrasal verbs in English, intended to be seen as a complement to previous phrasal verb frequency lists. It was designed to be used as a reference source for practitioners and as a learning guide for learners of English. The list is divided into 4 groups in which all of the phrasal verbs are introduced in word frequency order. The list was created by Melodie Garnier from University of Nottingham, UK.

287 words / 4 topics

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Group 4

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Definition

to mention something in order to give somebody information about it or make them notice it

Here we'll point out the obvious.

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Definition

to establish, to arrange

An advisory committee is being set up.

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Definition

to arrive for a gathering or event

She didn’t show up at the meeting.

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Definition

to move from a standing position to a sitting position

Please sit down and have a drink.

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Definition

to put your body into an upright position from a sitting or lying position

He pushed away from the table and stood up.

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Definition

(of an aircraft) to leave the ground and fly

When should we expect to take off?

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Definition

to remove/withdraw something from somewhere

We'll take out pizza, since I am too tired to cook

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Definition

to turn to face in the opposite direction, make either a half-circle or a full circle

My conscience told me to turn around before I made a mistake

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Definition

to develop in a particular way, or to have a particular result

How will the game turn out?

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Definition

Become (or make somebody become) conscious again after being asleep

I wake up at 6AM every day

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Definition

to find a solution

I’m trying to work out what it stands for.

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Definition

to think of something such as an idea or a plan

He will come up with a great idea for the ad campaign.

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Definition

to escape; to exit, to avoid doing something

We need to get out of the house before the storm hits.

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Definition

to use as a replacement for something missing, lost, or lacking

Some solution has to be found to make up for such losses.

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Definition

to state or show publicly that you support/ defend someone or something

Somebody’s got to stand up and say what’s wrong with this country.

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Definition

to discover a fact or piece of information

Helen's friend told her a lie but Helen found out the truth.

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Definition

Remove something (esp. piece of clothing or jewellery from one’s body)

I will take off my shirt and went to bed.

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Definition

to return to a place, to start to happen or exist again

She will come back to the kitchen with a bottle of fancy wine.

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Definition

to enter a room, building, or other place

She opens the door to let me come in

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Definition

(Be coming up) Be happening soon

If any questions come up during the meeting, feel free to ask.

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Definition

to finally understand something or someone

Despite her efforts, she couldn’t figure out what had happened.

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Definition

to arrive at the place where one started, return

What time will we get back?

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Definition

to get out of bed

I always get up at 7 A.M.

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Definition

to stop doing or to stop trying to do something

The problem was difficult, but Tom would not give up.

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Definition

Return to a place, time, situation, activity, conversation topic

He will go back to his room.

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Definition

Decrease in value or amount

I don’t think prices will go down.

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Definition

Happen, take place

The debate will go on soon between the two parties.

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Definition

to increase (prices), become higher

Oil prices are expected to go up next month

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Definition

to change from being a baby or young child to being an older child or adult

Taking responsibility for yourself is part of the process to grow up.

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Definition

to think about a time or event in the past

We had a very happy life to look back on those days.

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Definition

to begin to deal with a job or responsibility

I can now take on new responsibilities at work.

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Definition

Leave a room, building, car, or one’s home to go to a social event

"My friends and I decided to go out and buy lunch."

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Definition

Leave a place (room, building, container) or appear from it

She will go into the bank and come out with some money.

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Definition

Get or take SB/STH from a place

Can you pick up some food on the way home from work please?

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Definition

to perform; to do

The soldiers are going to carry out their mission tonight.

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Definition

Gain control, management, or possession of something/ someone (task, job, political party, organisation)

After 11 hours of driving, I was getting tired. Fortunately, my friend offered to take over.

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Definition

to continue; to proceed without hesitation

We have more than enough food for dinner. Go ahead and invite your friend to join us.

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Definition

to reach a decision; to decide

I couldn't make up my mind whether to attend Harvard or Stanford.

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Definition

to finally be in a particular place or situation

If you don't study, you will end up in a poorly paid job

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Definition

(of parts) compose or constitute a whole

Women make up 40 percent of the workforce.

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Definition

to continue doing something or being in a situation

I'm all right here. Go on with your work.

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Definition

If something comes out, it becomes known publicly after it has been kept secret

The news will come out that he will leave the team.

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Definition

to delay someone or something

Such accidents often hold up traffic for hours

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Definition

Become available or released to the public (film, record, book)

Their new album is expected to come out next month.

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Definition

to state a decision or opinion officially or publicly

The commission has come out against the takeover.

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Definition

(Go out and do STH) Used as an intensifier, to highlight the active nature of what is being done

Do you think he’ll go out and buy the whole company?

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Definition

Place something in a particular spot or position

We need to set up a few more chairs so everyone can sit down.

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Definition

Become involved in a situation

We need experts to come in and give us advice.

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Definition

Acquire or assume as one’s own (quality, meaning, colour, shape)

The story will take on a whole new meaning when you read it again.

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Definition

Raise one’s eyes

He was told to look up from his book and answer the question.

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Definition

Invite to a recreational place or social event

You should take her out to this new Chinese restaurant.

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Definition

Obtain an official document or service from an authority

I had to take out a loan to cover all my expenses.

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Definition

Said to encourage someone to try harder, or do or say something

Come on, don’t be shy and tell us your story.

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Definition

Said to show someone disbelief, disagreement, or anger

Oh come on, you're just lying to me!

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Definition

Move down to a lower level or position

After hitting the iceberg, the ship began to go down.

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Definition

Go from one place to another, esp. one that is further south or underneath

We will go down to Australia next year.

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Definition

Leave a place, especially suddenly

I decided to jump into the car and take off.

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Definition

Exercise in order to improve health or strength

I work out at the gym five times a week.

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Definition

(+ well/badly) Happen or develop in a particular way

I hope everything will work out well in the end.

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Definition

Prove to be successful

Despite our efforts, it just didn’t work out.

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Definition

Move from a higher spatial location to a lower one; fall/land onto the ground

Come down from the roof or you will hurt yourself.

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Definition

(+ to) Reduce itself to one particular thing that is the most important or essential matter

Eventually our choice of hotel will come down to how much we can afford.

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Definition

Become lower in amount or value

We are expecting interest rates to come down.

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Definition

Move upward, or from a lower spatial location to a higher one

He could see a few hands go up in the audience.

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Definition

Look at something or someone again after having momentarily looked elsewhere

I will close the dictionary and look back to my notes later.

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Definition

Hold something in a high position (e.g. above one’s waist or head), so it can be seen or reached

The professor decided to hold up the picture so everyone could see it.

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Definition

Remain strong or in a fairly good condition after a bad period or the wear of time (person, business, device)

There were fears that her ankle might not hold up for the competition.

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Definition

Take something or someone out of a container, thing or place

He was asked to pull out his gun

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Definition

Make something become better or more successful than it previously was (economy, business)

People have stopped believing the President could turn around the economy.

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Phrasal Verbs

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Group 4

point out

set up

show up

sit down

stand up

take off

take out

turn around

turn out

wake up

work out

come up with

get out

make up for

stand up

find out

take off

come back

come in

come up

figure out

get back

get up

give up

go back

go down

go on

go up

grow up

look back

take on

go out

come out

pick up

carry out

take over

go ahead

make up one's mind

end up

make up

go on

come out

hold up

come out

come out

go out

set up

come in

take on

look up

take out

take out

come on

come on

go down

go down

take off

work out

work out

work out

come down

come down

come down

go up

look back

hold up

hold up

pull out

turn around