Most Common Phrasal Verbs

to have been born in a specific place

"She comes from a small town."

"She was born in a small village in the mountains, and she still loves to visit."

to take the necessary action regarding someone or something specific

"I will deal with it."

"The manager needs to deal with the customer complaint promptly and professionally to maintain satisfaction."

used for encouraging someone to hurry

"Come on! We are late!"

"Come on, we are going to be late for the train if you don't hurry up!"

to change from being a child into an adult little by little

"Children grow up in a small town."

"When I grow up I want to become a doctor so I can help sick people get better and live healthier lives."

to eventually reach or find oneself in a particular place, situation, or condition, often unexpectedly or as a result of circumstances

"They end up lost."

"If you keep taking wrong turns, you will inevitably end up in the wrong part of town."

to continue without stopping

"The meeting goes on for hours."

"Please go on with your presentation because we are all very interested in what you have to say."

to expect or hope for something

"We look for a good outcome."

"The detective spent hours looking for clues that could help solve the mysterious disappearance case."

to find the answer to a question or problem

"Help me figure out this puzzle."

"It took the detective several weeks to figure out who had committed the crime because there were many false clues."

to get information about something after actively trying to do so

"She finds out the truth now."

"I called the receptionist to find out what time the meeting was scheduled to start because no one had told me."

to leave a hotel after returning your room key and paying the bill

"Check out of the hotel before noon."

"Guests must check out of the hotel by eleven in the morning to avoid being charged for an additional night's stay."

to begin participating in, learning about, and developing a strong interest or passion for a particular activity, hobby, or topic

"She wants to get into art."

"He decided to get into photography after seeing some amazing landscape pictures online and bought a new camera."

to initiate an action or task, particularly when someone has granted permission or in spite of doubts or opposition

"You can go ahead now."

"Despite the initial hesitation from the team, the manager gave them the permission to go ahead with the new project."

to emerge as a particular outcome

"The cake turned out perfectly."

"The party turned out to be much more fun than I had expected it would be."

to arrive at home or at the place where one works

"You get in late."

"After a long day of commuting, he was relieved to finally get in and relax at home."

to move toward someone, usually in order to talk to them

"He will come up."

"A stranger suddenly came up to me on the street and asked for directions."

to take and lift something or someone up

"Please pick up the pen."

"She asked her son to pick up his toys from the floor before dinner."

to establish a fresh entity, such as a company, system, or organization

"Set up the tent carefully."

"They plan to set up a small charity to help homeless people find shelter and food."

to arrive at an event or appointment where one is expected

"He shows up late for work."

"The famous actor did not show up for the interview and the reporters were very disappointed and angry."

to move away from a person, thing, or situation

"The dog backed off slowly."

"The dog growled at the stranger who quickly decided to back off and leave the property."

to be determined or affected by something else

"Children depend on their parents."

"The success of the event will depend on the weather because it is planned to be outdoors."

to be connected to or about a particular subject

"I relate to your experience."

"Many young people can relate to the main character's struggles with fitting in at school."

to have a connection with a particular person or thing

"Refer to the dictionary for definitions."

"When you write your essay please refer to the sources you used in your research at the end."

to exercise in order to get healthier or stronger

"She works out every single morning."

"I try to work out at least four times a week to stay fit and healthy."

to tell someone to wait or pause what they are doing momentarily

"Hold on, please wait."

"Could you hold on for a moment while I find the correct document?"

to create a false or fictional story or information

"She will make up."

"He was accused of fabricating evidence, but he claimed he only made up a story."

to be contacted by a person or an entity, usually by letter, email, or phone call

"I hear from her weekly."

"I have not heard from my old college friend in nearly ten years since graduation."

to spend much time in a specific place or with someone particular

"I like to hang out with friends."

"Teenagers often hang out at the shopping mall on weekends because there are many entertainment options available."

to move from a person or place

"The pain will go away soon."

"The dark clouds finally went away after three days of continuous heavy rain."

to speak to someone in a way that suggests they are inferior or less intelligent than the speaker

"Do not talk down to me."

"He tends to talk down to anyone he perceives as less knowledgeable than himself."

to believe that something is morally right or acceptable

"I agree with it."

"I completely agree with your opinion about the need for stricter environmental protection laws."

to know about somebody or something because one has received information or news about them

"I have never heard of him."

"I have never heard of that band before but their music sounds really interesting and unique."

to place or wear something on the body, including clothes, accessories, etc.

"Put on your coat outside."

"She needs to put on her coat and boots before going outside into the cold snow."

to state that one wants to see or speak to someone specific

"I ask for John."

"Could you please ask for the manager as I have a serious complaint to discuss?"

to unlock or unfold something that was previously closed or shut

"Please open up."

"The ancient chest creaked as he managed to open up the rusted lock."

to wake up and get out of bed

"I get up early."

"He finds it incredibly difficult to get up before the sun rises each morning."

to place an object into another object

"Put in the toy."

"Could you please put in the clean clothes into the washing machine for me?"

to no longer be asleep

"I wake up at seven AM."

"I usually wake up at seven in the morning and then make coffee."

to accept a change or a new situation and be ready to continue with one's life and deal with new experiences, especially after a bad experience such as a breakup

"Let's move on to the next topic."

"After the divorce she decided to move on with her life and start a new career."

to cause a machine, device, or system to start working or flowing, usually by pressing a button or turning a switch

"Turn on the television please."

"Please turn on the lights because the room is very dark and I cannot see anything."

to show something to someone by pointing one's finger toward it

"Point out the bird."

"The teacher pointed out several common errors that students often make when writing academic essays."

to leave somewhere such as a room, building, etc.

"They get out of the building safely."

"The firefighters helped the terrified family get out of the burning building through a window on the second floor."

to stop trying when faced with failures or difficulties

"Never give up on your dreams."

"Do not give up on your dreams just because you face a few obstacles along the way."

to thoroughly review, examine, or check something

"She goes over her notes again."

"Let us go over the presentation one more time to make sure there are no mistakes or typos."

to enter a bus, ship, airplane, etc.

"We will get on soon."

"Please get on the bus quickly because the driver is waiting and we need to leave on schedule for the field trip."

to change and become something else

"A caterpillar turns into a butterfly."

"The tiny caterpillar will eventually turn into a beautiful butterfly after several weeks inside the chrysalis."

to move someone or something indoors

"Bring in the laundry please."

"Please bring in the chairs from the patio before it starts raining heavily."

to remove a piece of clothing or accessory from your or another's body

"Take off your dirty shoes."

"Please take off your hat when you enter the classroom because it is polite to do so."

to seek guidance, help, or advice from someone

"She turns to her friend for advice."

"When she felt lonely she would always turn to her diary and write about her feelings."

(of a machine or vehicle) to stop working as a result of a malfunction

"The car will break down."

"My old car is likely to break down again due to its age and poor maintenance."

to not let someone leave a particular place

"Keep in the room."

"The security guards were instructed to keep in all visitors until the building was cleared for safety reasons."

(of people) to form a united group

"We all come together now."

"The community decided to come together and organize a charity event to help families in need."

to cause something to occur

"The accident resulted in injuries."

"The heavy rainfall could result in serious flooding in low lying areas near the river."

to return to a place, state, or condition

"He gets back home before dark."

"I need to get back to work now because my lunch break is almost over and my boss is expecting me."

to participate in or become involved in a particular activity, conversation, etc.

"Do not engage in gossip."

"The students were encouraged to engage in meaningful discussions about the complex ethical issues raised in class."

to begin taking the early steps regarding an action, project, or goal

"She started out as a teacher."

"The company started out as a small family business but grew into an international corporation over the years."

to return to a previous state or condition, often after a period of decline or loss

"She will come back soon."

"The migratory birds will come back to this lake when the weather gets warmer in spring."

to play against someone in a game or contest

"They will take on."

"Our team is ready to take on any opponent in the upcoming championship tournament."

to begin to be in charge of something, often previously managed by someone else

"She will take over."

"The new CEO is expected to take over the company's operations next month."

to have faith in someone or something

"You can rely on me."

"You can always rely on your best friend to give you honest advice when you need it."

to look after a child until they reach maturity

"They bring up kids."

"Her grandparents decided to bring up their grandchildren after their parents passed away unexpectedly."

to contact someone to get assistance or help

"Reach out for help when needed."

"If you ever need any help with your homework please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email or phone."

to sign a contract agreeing to do a job

"Sign up for the job."

"You can sign up for the free newsletter on our website to receive weekly updates."

to rise to a standing position from a seated or lying position

"He will stand up soon."

"The entire audience was asked to stand up to honor the distinguished guest speaker."

to turn one's head to see what is behind or happening behind

"Look back at me."

"When I look back on my childhood I remember all the happy times with my family."

to succeed in passing or enduring a difficult experience or period

"We will get through this together."

"I need to get through this pile of paperwork before the end of the business day."

to raise one's eyes from something one is looking at downwards

"Look up at the sky."

"She had to look up from her book to greet the unexpected visitor at the door."

to remove a thing from somewhere or something

"Take out the trash please."

"Please take out the trash before you go to bed because the garbage truck comes early tomorrow morning."

to make something stop burning or shining

"Firefighters put out the blazing fire."

"The firefighters worked for several hours to put out the large fire that had engulfed the old warehouse."

to rotate or spin around an axis or center point

"The wheel will go around."

"There is not enough cake to go around because more people showed up than we expected."

to contact someone again later to provide a response or reply, often after taking time to consider or research the matter

"I will get back to you soon."

"I will get back to you with an answer as soon as I have more information about the problem."

to remain alive

"They will live on."

"Despite the hardships, the resilient community managed to live on through sheer determination."

to stay alive or recover after an unpleasant event such as a serious illness

"He came through surgery."

"Despite all the difficulties he managed to come through and complete the project successfully on time."

to move with a lower speed or rate of movement

"Slow down before the intersection."

"Drivers must slow down when approaching a school zone because children may be crossing the street."

to become more powerful, intense, or larger in quantity

"He wants to build up muscle."

"It takes time to build up enough savings for a down payment on a house."

to begin to act, happen, etc. in a particular manner

"Let's start off with introductions."

"Let us start off the meeting with a brief introduction from each team member."

to help someone come back to consciousness

"Bring the patient to."

"The paramedics worked quickly to bring the unconscious patient to a stable condition."

to discover, meet, or find someone or something by accident

"I came across a book."

"While cleaning out the attic, I unexpectedly came across some old family photographs."

to continue doing something even though there are some hardships

"Stick to your original plan."

"You need to stick to your budget if you want to save enough money for your vacation."

to record something on a piece of paper by writing

"Write down your phone number."

"Please write down your contact information so I can call you if there are any changes."

to persist in doing a plan, idea, or course of action over time

"Stick with your current plan."

"I think you should stick with your original idea because it was actually very creative."

to occupy a particular amount of space or time

"The book will take up space."

"This large sofa will take up too much space in our small living room, so we need a smaller one."

(of a gun, bomb, etc.) to be fired or to explode

"The alarm will go off."

"The soldiers were warned that the mines could go off if they stepped on them carelessly during the patrol."

to collapse under pressure, often due to structural weakness

"The wall will fall in."

"The old bridge was unable to withstand the heavy storm and began to fall in."

to take and bring something out of a particular place or position

"Pull out the drawer carefully."

"The dentist had to pull out the patient's painful wisdom tooth because it was badly infected."

to come to someone's house in order to visit them for a short time

"Come over to my house tonight."

"Why do not you come over to my house for dinner on Friday night?"

to delay the progress of something

"Traffic can hold up cars."

"The heavy snowstorm is expected to hold up deliveries across the entire region for several days."

to change your position so as to face another direction

"She turns around and faces me."

"The driver realized he was going the wrong way so he decided to turn around at the next intersection before getting lost completely."

to begin to live in a new house or work in a new office

"They plan to move in together next month."

"The young couple decided to move in together after dating for two years to save money on rent."

to investigate or explore something in order to gather information or understand it better

"We will look into the matter."

"The committee promised to look into the matter and report their findings next week."

to turn your head to see the surroundings

"Let's look around here."

"Before buying the house we took some time to look around the neighborhood and talk to the friendly residents living nearby."

to make something required, necessary, or appropriate

"This calls for action."

"The escalating crisis clearly calls for immediate and decisive intervention from authorities."

to meet someone by chance and unexpectedly

"I run into my friend."

"You will never guess who I ran into at the grocery store yesterday after so many years."

to accidentally enter something

"He did fall into water."

"The small child accidentally fell into the shallow pond while playing near the garden fence."

to become involved in something unpleasant because of carelessness or ignorance

"He walked into trouble."

"She walked into the wrong classroom by accident because the doors looked very similar."

to make something stop working

"He shuts down the computer before leaving."

"Please shut down your computer properly before leaving the office to avoid losing any unsaved work."

to provide a place for someone to stay temporarily

"We will take in."

"During the storm, the kind neighbors offered to take in the stranded travelers."

to cause a machine, device, or system to stop working or flowing, usually by pressing a button or turning a switch

"Turn off the lights before leaving."

"Do not forget to turn off the stove after you finish cooking your dinner tonight."

to pass a certain point in time

"Time goes by very fast."

"Time seems to go by very quickly when you are enjoying yourself with friends and family."

to continue moving ahead physically

"The train will go forward."

"The committee decided to go forward with the plan despite some members having serious reservations about it."

to represent something in the form of an abbreviation or symbol

"This symbol stands for peace."

"The five rings on the Olympic flag stand for the five major continents of the world."

to pursue or try to catch someone or something

"The dog went after the cat."

"The police decided to go after the criminals who had escaped into the nearby forest."

to provide treatment for or help a person or an animal that is sick or injured

"She will care for her parents."

"Nurses care for patients with compassion and dedication often working long hours under difficult conditions."

to leave a situation, place, or person

"He walked away from the argument."

"He decided to walk away from the argument instead of saying something he would later regret."

to appear or happen unexpectedly

"New problems keep popping up."

"New problems seem to pop up every time we think we have finally solved the old ones."

to leave a bus, train, airplane, etc.

"They will get off here."

"You should get off the train at the next station and then walk two blocks east to reach the museum entrance."

to escape from or suddenly leave a specific place, situation, or person, often in a hurried manner

"The boy ran away from home."

"The frightened child wanted to run away from home but did not know where to go."

to find a solution to overcome a problem or obstacle

"We will work around."

"The engineers had to work around the unexpected design flaw to ensure the bridge was completed on schedule."

to make something or someone return or be returned to a particular place or condition

"Bring back some souvenirs please."

"The souvenir shop sells items that will bring back fond memories of your vacation in Paris."

to suddenly move toward someone to threaten them or physically attack them

"The dog did come at me."

"The angry man suddenly came at the security guard without any warning, causing everyone to panic."

to continue an activity

"Go on with your presentation."

"Please go on with your presentation because we are all very interested in what you have to say."

to no longer be alive

"Her grandfather passes away peacefully yesterday."

"The elderly neighbor passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of ninety two last night."

to preserve something at a consistently high standard, price, or level

"Keep up the good work."

"It is difficult to keep up with the latest technology because new products are released every month."

(of a portion or piece) to become detached or separated from a larger whole

"The button will come off."

"Be careful not to let the decorative sticker come off the car's paintwork when you wash it."

to take something from someone so that they no longer have it

"Take away these empty plates."

"The waiter came to take away our empty plates after we had finished eating our dinner."

to use a sharp object like scissors or a knife on something to remove a piece from its edge or ends

"Cut off the crusts."

"She asked the baker to cut off the ends of the bread before slicing it."

to end a relationship, typically a romantic or sexual one

"The couple decided to break up."

"After dating for five years, they decided to break up because their life goals were no longer aligned."

to recover from an unpleasant or unhappy experience, particularly an illness

"She got over her fear of flying."

"It took her a long time to get over the death of her beloved pet cat."

to be prominent and easily noticeable

"Her red hair stands out."

"Her bright red hair made her stand out in the crowd of people at the concert."

to stand in a line or row extending in a single direction

"Line up outside the classroom."

"The students were asked to line up outside the classroom before the teacher opened the door."

to place something somewhere noticeable

"Put up the picture."

"The building owners decided to put up a new fence around the property for additional security."

to go someplace with another person

"You should come along with us."

"You should come along with us to the beach because it will be a fun day trip."

to give something as a gift or donation to someone

"He gives away his old clothes."

"The radio station decided to give away free concert tickets to the first ten callers who phoned in this morning."

to have a decrease in price, temperature, etc.

"Prices will come down."

"We are hoping the high temperatures will finally come down next week."

(of a plan or action) to succeed and have good results

"The plan will pay off."

"We are confident that all the sacrifices made will eventually pay off handsomely."

to cause something to explode

"Terrorists blow up the train station bridge."

"The terrorist tried to blow up the bridge with a bomb but the police discovered it before it could explode."

to be formed from particular parts or things

"The team consists of five members."

"The committee will consist of ten members who will be elected by the board next week."

to examine or inspect something quickly

"Look over the document carefully."

"Please look over the report carefully before you submit it to your manager for final approval."

to make a mistake or error, causing a situation or task to become disorganized, confused, or unsuccessful

"Do not mess up your room."

"Do not mess up the living room because we are expecting important guests to arrive soon."

to lose the opportunity to do or participate in something useful or fun

"Do not miss out on this opportunity."

"Do not miss out on this opportunity because it may never come again in the future."

to use a sharp object like scissors or a knife on something to remove a section from it

"Cut out the unhealthy snacks."

"You should cut out sugary drinks from your diet if you want to lose weight."

to connect something to an electrical port

"Plug in the charger before using it."

"Before you can use the new printer you need to plug it into a power outlet and connect it to your computer."

to receive someone as a guest at one's home

"We will have friends over tonight."

"We plan to have some friends over for dinner on Saturday night to celebrate my birthday."

to be socially fit for or belong within a particular group or environment

"She fits in with the group perfectly."

"The new employee is trying hard to fit in with the existing team and make friends."

to stop talking and be quiet

"Please shut up for a minute."

"The teacher told the noisy students to shut up and listen to the important announcement."

to take care and be watchful of someone or something and make sure no harm comes to them

"Look out for your younger siblings."

"Good friends always look out for each other and warn them about potential dangers or bad decisions."

to support someone or something

"I will back up my friend."

"The community decided to back up the local charity's fundraising efforts."

to design and arrange something according to a specific plan

"Let's lay out."

"The architect meticulously began to lay out the blueprints for the new skyscraper."

to ask someone to wait briefly or pause for a moment

"Hang on, I am coming."

"Could you please hang on for a moment while I find the document you requested?"

to provide explanations or reasons for a particular situation or set of circumstances

"Account for the cost."

"The manager asked the team to account for the significant budget overrun."

to complete or conduct a task, job, etc.

"They carry out the plan carefully."

"The scientist needed special permission to carry out his dangerous experiment safely."

to express agreement or to show cooperation

"I will go along with your plan."

"She decided to go along with her friends' plan even though she had some doubts about it."

to start a journey

"They set out on their journey early."

"They set out on their journey early in the morning to avoid the midday heat."

to inform someone with facts or news

"Fill me in."

"Could you please fill me in on the details of the meeting I missed?"

to leave without taking someone or something with one

"Leave behind your worries now."

"The tourists accidentally left behind their camera at the hotel when they checked out."

to fall or break into pieces as a result of being in an extremely bad condition

"The old building falls apart slowly."

"The old book fell apart in my hands because the glue holding the pages together had dried out completely."

to fall from a particular position to the ground

"The boy will fall off."

"Be careful not to fall off the ladder when you are cleaning the gutters."

to lift or position something or someone upward

"Pull up the box."

"The construction workers had to carefully pull up the heavy beams to the rooftop."

to send something to a number of people or places

"Send out the invitations today."

"The company will send out the monthly invoices to all customers on the first day of each month."

to persuade someone or something to agree to what one wants, often by doing things they like

"He got around the rules."

"It is easy to get around the city using the efficient public transportation system."

(of a supply) to be completely used up

"We will run out of milk."

"The expedition realized they would soon run out of essential supplies in the harsh environment."

to remain in a place longer than originally intended, often with the expectation of waiting for something to happen or for someone to arrive

"Stick around after the show ends."

"If you stick around after the concert you might get a chance to meet the band."

to suppress the expression of one's feelings

"He tried to hold in tears."

"He tried to hold in his laughter during the serious ceremony but it was very difficult."

to officially introduce or launch a new product, service, or system

"The company rolled out new software."

"The company plans to roll out its new software update to all users next month."

to confirm your presence or reservation in a hotel or airport after arriving

"Check in at the airport two hours early."

"Passengers need to check in at least two hours before their international flight to allow enough time for security screening and baggage drop."

to continue or start an activity

"How do you go about solving this?"

"How should we go about solving this complicated problem that seems to have no easy solution?"

to quickly read or examine something

"Look through the old photo album."

"I spent the afternoon looking through old family photo albums and remembering happy times from my childhood."

to occur, often referring to something unwelcome

"The cold set in."

"As the winter months approached, a persistent fog began to set in, making driving conditions quite hazardous."

to help someone, especially to make it easier for them to do something

"Can you help out with dinner?"

"Can you help out with the dinner preparations because we have a lot of guests coming tonight?"

(of a person's skin) to become covered in spots or a similar condition because of a sickness or allergy

"My skin came out in spots."

"After eating strawberries, my daughter came out in red spots all over her arms and face."

to fall to the ground

"Babies often fall down daily."

"The old wooden fence finally fell down after the strong wind blew through the neighborhood."

to seek something, such as an opportunity or benefit

"They come for the prize."

"Many talented athletes from around the world come for the chance to compete in the Olympic Games."

to make something warm or hot

"Heat up the leftovers in the microwave."

"You can heat up the leftover pizza in the microwave for about a minute before eating it."

to act in a way that is intended to impress others

"He is showing off his new car."

"He always likes to show off his expensive new car whenever he gets the chance."

to go over, read, or explain something quickly

"Run through the checklist quickly."

"Let us run through the presentation one more time before the client arrives for the meeting."

to meet up with someone in order to cooperate or socialize

"Let's get together this weekend."

"The whole family plans to get together for a reunion next summer after being apart for many years."

to make something become full

"Fill up the gas tank please."

"Please fill up the gas tank before returning the rental car to avoid paying extra fees."

to continue or add to something one has already done by taking additional actions

"We will follow up."

"The detective promised to follow up on the new leads provided by the anonymous informant."

to take something out of an enclosed space

"Bring out the food."

"Could you please bring out the documents from the filing cabinet so we can review them together?"

to formally request or direct someone to perform a duty or task

"Call out the name."

"The manager had to call out the entire team to help finish the urgent report before the deadline."

to bring something to a lower position

"Take down the holiday decorations."

"The workers need to take down the old shelves before installing the new ones in the garage."

to cover something by putting paper or a similar material around it

"Wrap up the gift."

"She took the time to carefully wrap up the birthday present in colorful paper and ribbon."

to be assigned to a new responsibility

"The task will fall on her."

"The responsibility of organizing the annual company event will fall on the new manager, who has no prior experience with such large-scale projects."

to test something new or different to see how good or effective it is

"Let's try out."

"Before buying the expensive equipment, the company decided to try out a sample unit to assess its performance."

to completely change one's decision or opinion

"He will come around eventually."

"My parents were initially opposed to my career choice but they eventually came around and supported me fully."

to be able to have access to or reach something

"Can you get at?"

"The cat tried to get at the treats on the high shelf, but it couldn't quite reach them."

to have sympathy for someone and hope that they will get through the difficult situation they are in

"We go out to them."

"The entire community will go out to the family after their tragic loss."

to leave suddenly, especially to show discontent

"The workers walked out on strike."

"The angry customer walked out of the store without buying anything after receiving poor service from the staff."

to follow or chase someone, often with the intent of catching or reaching them

"The police came after the thief."

"The police officer warned the thief that he would come after him if he ever returned to the city."

to escape punishment for one's wrong actions

"He got away with it."

"The thief tried to get away with the stolen goods but was caught by security."

to go to live in another area

"They moved away from the city."

"The family decided to move away from the noisy city to find a quieter life in the countryside."

to make something bright by means of color or light

"The candles light up the room."

"The colorful decorations and bright lights light up the entire street during the festive season, creating a magical atmosphere for everyone."

to suddenly say something, especially in a rude or surprising way

"He came out with a rude remark."

"During the heated argument, he suddenly came out with a shocking and hurtful accusation."

to take advantage of someone's feelings or weaknesses

"Do not play on my insecurities."

"The clever advertisement tried to play on people's fears to convince them to buy the security product."

to carefully examine a problem or situation in order to reach a solution

"Work through your problems carefully."

"We need to work through our differences calmly and find a solution that makes everyone happy."

‌to change one's allegiance or beliefs and switch to a different side, opinion, habit, or position

"He will go over to them."

"Many voters decided to go over to the opposition party after the scandal broke."

to drink quickly or consume a beverage in a rapid or forceful manner

"He knocked back his drink quickly."

"He knocked back his glass of water in one go because he was very thirsty after the long run."

to request someone's services or assistance

"Call in the plumber now."

"We need to call in an expert to help us solve this complex technical problem."

to adjust the lens of a camera in a way that makes the person or thing being filmed or photographed appear closer or larger

"Zoom in on the map here."

"You can zoom in on the map to see the smaller streets and hidden details more clearly."

to refrain from taking action when it is necessary

"Do not stand by and watch."

"He was criticized for his decision to stand by while the injustice unfolded."

to move to a higher place

"She moved up in her career."

"She worked hard and was able to move up quickly within the company to a senior management position."

to be logically consistent

"It will add up."

"When you consider all the small details, the evidence begins to add up convincingly."

to collapse toward the center

"The roof caved in during the storm."

"The old roof finally caved in after years of neglect and heavy rain caused it to collapse."

to find one's weight, especially in an official measurement before or after a contest

"The boxer will weigh in."

"The boxer had to weigh in at exactly 150 pounds before the championship match."

to use force to enter a building, vehicle, or other enclosed space, usually for the purpose of theft

"Someone tried to break into our house."

"Someone tried to break into our house last night but the alarm scared them away."

to cut through something at its base in order to make it fall

"Cut down on sugary drinks."

"The doctor advised him to cut down on his salt intake to lower his high blood pressure."

to successfully achieve or accomplish something

"He pulled off a difficult stunt."

"The magician managed to pull off an incredible trick that left the entire audience amazed and confused."

to separate a group of things and arrange or place them over a large area

"Spread out the map on the table."

"The students spread out across the library to find quiet places to study for their final exams."

to shut someone or oneself in a place by locking the door

"Lock in the prisoner."

"The security guard had to lock in the prisoners after the evening count was completed."

to free oneself from a place that one is being held against their will, such as a prison

"Prisoners plan to break out tonight."

"The prisoners plan to break out of jail by digging a tunnel under the prison wall."

to visit or stop by a place for a brief period

"Can you come by later?"

"Please come by my desk after the meeting to discuss your project proposal."

to get rid of something that is no longer needed

"People throw out the old trash."

"The health inspector ordered the restaurant to throw out all expired food products that were found in the old refrigerator."

to watch an event or incident without getting involved

"The crowd looked on in amazement."

"The crowd looked on in horror as the building collapsed during the powerful earthquake."

to give someone or something a name in honor or in memory of another person or thing

"He was named after his grandfather."

"The young couple decided to name their baby daughter after her beloved grandmother who had recently passed away."

to physically or verbally attack someone

"He decided to go at him."

"The two competitors began to go at each other with harsh words after the referee made a controversial decision during the final match."

to briefly mention a subject in written or spoken discussion

"The lecture touched on many topics."

"The lecture touched on many important topics but did not explore any of them in great detail."

to confidently share one's thoughts or feelings without any hesitation

"Speak out against injustice peacefully."

"The activist decided to speak out against the government's unfair policies despite the risk of arrest."

to avoid someone or something that might have a negative impact on one

"Stay away from dangerous areas."

"The doctor advised him to stay away from fatty foods to improve his heart health."

to complete an official form or document by writing information on it

"Fill out this application form."

"Please fill out this application form with your personal details and previous work experience before the interview."

to think carefully and deeply about something

"Reflect on your past mistakes."

"Take some time to reflect on your past mistakes so you can learn from them and grow as a person."

to be capable of living or doing something using the available resources, knowledge, money, etc.

"She gets by on a small salary."

"It is difficult to get by on a low salary in an expensive city like New York or London."

to take someone or something and move them upward

"Lift up your hands high."

"He lifted up the heavy box and placed it on the top shelf without any help."

to take care of someone or something and attend to their needs, well-being, or safety

"Who looks after your dog?"

"The elderly woman needs someone to look after her because she cannot live alone safely anymore."

to reduce the temperature of something

"Cool down after your workout."

"After the intense workout she drank some water to cool down and lower her body temperature."

to choose among a group of people or things

"She picks out a nice dress."

"Can you help me pick out a birthday gift for my mother because I am not sure what she would like?"

to entirely remove something

"The disease wipes out entire populations."

"The bad investment nearly wiped out all of his life savings and left him with almost nothing."

to stop carrying something by putting it on the ground

"He puts down his heavy bags."

"The teacher asked the student to put down his phone and pay attention to the lesson that was being taught."

to officially ask a person or organization to do something

"We call on them."

"The United Nations will call on all member states to contribute to the relief efforts."

to increase the size, amount, intensity, speed, etc. of something

"We must step up production."

"The team needs to step up their efforts if they hope to meet the ambitious project deadline."

to escape from someone or somewhere

"Let's get away for the weekend."

"They decided to get away from the city for the weekend and rented a small cabin in the mountains."

to pass to doing something, particularly once one has finished doing something else

"Then go on."

"After finishing his meal, he decided to go on with his work without delay."

to turn a switch on a device so that it makes more sound, heat, etc.

"She turns up the radio volume."

"The music was too quiet so I asked the DJ to turn up the volume so everyone could hear the song clearly."

to behave in an irresponsible or stupid manner

"Stop playing around and work."

"Stop playing around and focus on your work because the deadline is approaching very quickly."

to kiss and touch someone in a sexual manner

"They make out."

"The teenagers were told to stop making out in the public park immediately."

to quickly lower one's body or take cover, often in response to a threat or to avoid danger

"Get down, a car!"

"The soldiers were ordered to get down immediately when the enemy artillery began to fire."

to adjust one's actions or behavior based on specific information, ideas, or advice

"She acts on her good intentions."

"The committee decided to act on the recommendation immediately because the situation was urgent and required quick action."

to happen, often unexpectedly

"How did this come about?"

"How did this interesting situation come about and what events led to it happening?"

to intentionally exclude someone or something

"Do not leave out important details."

"Please do not leave out any important details when you write your report about the incident."

to expel the contents of the stomach through the mouth

"She started to throw up again."

"After eating spoiled seafood at the restaurant, he began to throw up repeatedly throughout the night and had to visit the hospital."

to tell someone about an idea, especially to know their opinion about it

"Run this by me."

"Could you run this proposal by your supervisor before we present it to the board?"

to put trust in something or someone

"You can count on me for help."

"You can always count on me for help whenever you need it because that is what friends are for."

to be the reason for a specific incident or result

"His speech brings about significant social change."

"The new government's policies were intended to bring about significant economic improvements for the entire nation."

to spend time doing nothing or nothing productive

"Do not sit around all day."

"Do not just sit around all day watching television because you need to be productive and active."

to have a higher priority or importance compared to someone or something else

"This issue comes before the committee."

"The budget proposal will come before the committee for approval at their next scheduled meeting."

to be originated from something

"The word derives from Latin."

"Many English words derive from Latin and Greek origins which are ancient languages."

to defend or support someone or something

"Stand up for your rights always."

"You should always stand up for your rights and not let anyone take advantage of you."

to put things into containers or bags in order to transport or store them

"Pack up your belongings carefully."

"The workers began to pack up their tools after finishing the construction job for the day."

to kill or cause harm to a large number of people, often through violent means

"The car mowed down the crowd."

"The speeding car mowed down several pedestrians who were crossing the street at the crosswalk."

to make something operate, especially by accident

"It will set off."

"Be careful not to touch that wire, as it might accidentally set off the alarm."

to go faster and reach someone or something that is ahead

"He catches up quickly."

"I need to catch up on my reading because I fell behind during my vacation last week."

to wear formal clothes for a special occasion or event

"Dress up for party."

"The children love to dress up in their parents' clothes and pretend to be grown ups."

to cause something to lose its functionality or good condition over time or through extensive use

"These shoes wear out quickly."

"The old carpet has worn out after many years of heavy use and needs to be replaced soon."

(of a concept, trend, or idea) to become popular

"It will catch on."

"This innovative new app is expected to catch on quickly among younger generations."

to go past someone or something

"The bus will pass by."

"We watched the parade pass by our house, enjoying the vibrant costumes and music."

to express thoughts freely and confidently

"Please speak up in class."

"If you have a question please speak up because the other students cannot hear you from the back of the room."

to lose consciousness

"She passes out from the intense heat."

"It was so hot in the room that one of the guests nearly passed out from heat exhaustion and dehydration."

to distribute something among a group of individuals

"They give out free books."

"The volunteers gathered early in the morning to give out warm meals and blankets to the homeless people living near the downtown area."

to have a brief sexual relationship with a person

"They hook up."

"Many young adults today are open to hook up with someone they meet at a party."

to cause something to begin, particularly initiating an event or process

"The game kicks off at noon."

"The festival will kick off with a colorful parade through the main street of the town."

to oppose or resist someone or something

"Do not go against your parents' wishes."

"It is difficult to go against the wishes of your parents when you know they only want the best for you."

to pay money to the court to release someone from custody until their trial

"Bail out the suspect."

"His family managed to bail out the suspect from jail by posting the required bond."