Phrasal verbs are verbs combined with prepositions or adverbs that create new meanings, often different from the original verb. For English learners, they can be tricky because their meanings aren’t always obvious from the individual words. However, mastering phrasal verbs is essential to sound natural, understand native speakers, and improve fluency.
In this guide, we’ve gathered 50 of the most commonly used phrasal verbs, organized into categories, with meanings and examples to help you learn them effectively.
1. Everyday Conversations
These are phrasal verbs you’ll hear in daily interactions:
- Bring up – to mention a topic
She brought up an interesting idea during the meeting. - Come across – to find something by chance
I came across an old photo album yesterday. - Figure out – to understand or solve something
Can you figure out how this machine works? - Find out – to discover information
I found out that my neighbor speaks five languages. - Run into – to meet someone unexpectedly
I ran into my teacher at the supermarket.
2. Talking About Time and Plans
Use these when discussing schedules and arrangements:
- Put off – to postpone
We had to put off the trip because of bad weather. - Set up – to arrange something
They set up a meeting for next Monday. - Turn up – to arrive or appear
Only five people turned up to the workshop. - Come up – to happen unexpectedly
Something urgent came up, so I couldn’t join the call. - Call off – to cancel
The event was called off due to rain.
3. Travel and Movement
These phrasal verbs are useful when going places:
- Get on – to enter a bus, train, or plane
We got on the train just before it left. - Get off – to leave a bus, train, or plane
You need to get off at the next station. - Check in – to register at a hotel or airport
We checked in two hours before the flight. - Check out – to leave a hotel after paying
Don’t forget to check out by noon. - Pick up – to collect someone or something
I’ll pick you up from the airport at 6 PM.
4. Learning and Work
Useful for study, job, and professional settings:
- Look up – to search for information
I looked up the word in the dictionary. - Go over – to review something
Let’s go over the answers before we submit the exam. - Hand in – to submit something
You need to hand in your assignment by Friday. - Take over – to assume control
She took over the project after the manager left. - Carry out – to complete or execute a task
The scientists carried out an important experiment.
5. Communication
These help you express yourself naturally:
- Point out – to highlight something
He pointed out a mistake in my report. - Turn down – to reject or refuse
She turned down the job offer because of low pay. - Get back to – to respond later
I’ll get back to you with the details tomorrow. - Bring out – to publish or introduce
The company brought out a new app last week. - Speak up – to talk louder or express an opinion
You need to speak up; I can’t hear you.
6. Relationships and Emotions
Phrasal verbs that describe feelings and connections:
- Get along – to have a good relationship
I get along well with my classmates. - Break up – to end a romantic relationship
They broke up after three years together. - Cheer up – to become or make someone happier
Cheer up! Things will get better soon. - Look after – to take care of
I look after my younger brother when my parents are busy. - Fall out – to argue and stop being friends
They fell out over money issues.
7. Problem-Solving and Challenges
Use these when dealing with difficulties:
- Work out – to solve or understand something
I can’t work out why my phone isn’t charging. - Sort out – to organize or fix a problem
We need to sort out the schedule before the event. - Break down – to stop functioning
My car broke down on the way to work. - Come up with – to invent or produce an idea
She came up with a brilliant marketing strategy. - Carry on – to continue
Despite the rain, they carried on with the game.
8. Everyday Life and Home
Phrasal verbs you’ll often hear in daily routines:
- Clean up – to tidy a place
Please clean up your room before dinner. - Throw away – to get rid of something
Don’t throw away those documents; we still need them. - Turn on – to start a machine or device
Can you turn on the lights? It’s getting dark. - Turn off – to stop a machine or device
Turn off the TV and go to bed. - Put away – to store something in its place
Put away your clothes after washing them.
9. Growth and Change
Phrasal verbs that describe progress or transformation:
- Grow up – to become an adult
I grew up in a small coastal town. - Take up – to start a hobby or activity
I recently took up painting as a hobby. - Catch up – to reach the same level
I missed a week of school and need to catch up on lessons. - Keep up – to maintain the same pace
She walks so fast I can’t keep up with her. - Turn into – to transform into something else
The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.
10. Success and Results
Finally, these phrasal verbs relate to achievement and outcomes:
- End up – to eventually arrive at a result
We ended up staying home because of the rain. - Pay off – to bring success after effort
All your hard work will pay off someday. - Take off – to become successful quickly
The company’s new product really took off last year. - Pull off – to succeed despite difficulty
She pulled off an incredible performance. - Show up – to arrive or appear unexpectedly
He showed up late to the interview but still got the job.
Tips to Master Phrasal Verbs
- Learn in context: Always study phrasal verbs with example sentences, not in isolation.
- Group by theme: Organize them by topic (travel, work, relationships) to make learning easier.
- Practice daily: Use them in your writing and conversations to reinforce memory.
- Listen actively: Watch movies, shows, or podcasts to hear how natives use them naturally.
- Make flashcards: Tools like Anki or LanGeek Daily Words help you review efficiently.
