Concrete and Physical Phrasal Verbs: English Vocabulary List

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 completely disappear or cease to exist

"Many animal species die out each year."

"The tradition of handmade pottery is slowly dying out because younger people are not learning the skill from their elders."

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 create or forcefully find a way through an obstacle or barrier

"The sun broke through the clouds."

"The determined explorer was the first to break through the dense jungle and reach the hidden ancient ruins."

to prepare things in anticipation of a specific purpose or event

"We will set up."

"The volunteers will set up the exhibition hall in preparation for the upcoming art fair."

to begin doing something in order to reach a goal

"We set out to win."

"The explorers will set out on a perilous journey to reach the uncharted island."

(of a computer or electronic device) to start and load the operating system into memory for use

"Boot up your computer now."

"It takes about a minute for my old computer to boot up completely after I press the power button."

to become firmly attached to something or someone

"The idea finally latched on in his mind."

"The idea finally latched on in his mind and he understood what his teacher had been trying to explain."

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 transfer knowledge, traditions, or skills to another person or group, often to ensure they are preserved or continued

"Pass on the old stories."

"The grandfather wanted to pass on his knowledge of woodworking to his grandson before he got too old to teach him properly."

(of an event) to completely sell all available tickets, seats, leaving none remaining for further purchase

"The concert tickets sell out."

"The popular band's concert tickets sold out within minutes, leaving many fans disappointed."

(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 suddenly stop an activity or an action

"They break off the talk."

"The two countries decided to break off negotiations after several weeks of unsuccessful talks regarding the trade agreement."

to retreat or move away from something or someone, typically in response to fear or surprise

"She drew back in fear."

"When he saw the large dog, he quickly drew back because he was very scared of animals."

to cause the death of a significant number of individuals or organisms

"The pesticide kills off harmful insects."

"The pesticide is designed to kill off the harmful insects that damage crops but it may also harm beneficial ones."

to make food very quickly

"She whipped up a quick meal."

"The experienced cook can whip up a delicious meal in under thirty minutes using simple ingredients from the pantry."

to repel or avoid an attack or undesirable situation

"He wore a hat to ward off the sun."

"The old superstition says that carrying a rabbit's foot can help to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck to the person who carries it."

to keep something in position using a structure or an object

"Prop up the ladder against the wall."

"The workers used long wooden beams to prop up the ceiling of the old mine to prevent it from collapsing."

to distribute something to a group of people

"Please pass out flyers."

"The event organizers will pass out complimentary brochures to all attendees upon arrival."

to place individuals or objects in a line or row

"Please line up."

"The students were asked to line up neatly before entering the auditorium for the performance."

to activate a bomb, an explosive, etc.

"Do not set off."

"The bomb squad worked diligently to disarm the device and prevent anyone from accidentally setting it off."

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."