20 Essential Phrasal Verbs Every English Learner Must Know

Phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs with prepositions or adverbs that create completely new meanings. They're everywhere in English and essential for sounding natural. Here are 20 you absolutely need to know.

What Are Phrasal Verbs?

A phrasal verb consists of a verb + particle (preposition or adverb). The meaning is often completely different from the individual words.

Example: "give up" doesn't mean "give" + "up" - it means "quit" or "surrender."

The Essential 20

**Meaning:** Stop trying, quit

**Example:** I gave up smoking last year.

**Meaning:** Remove clothing, or become successful quickly

**Example:** Take off your shoes. / His career took off after the promotion.

**Meaning:** Start/stop a device

**Example:** Turn on the lights. / Turn off the TV.

**Meaning:** Take care of

**Example:** Can you look after my cat while I'm away?

**Meaning:** Have no more left

**Example:** We ran out of milk.

**Meaning:** Have a good relationship

**Example:** I get along well with my coworkers.

**Meaning:** Find by chance, seem

**Example:** I came across an old photo. / She comes across as confident.

**Meaning:** Postpone

**Example:** We put off the meeting until next week.

**Meaning:** Stop working, cry

**Example:** My car broke down. / She broke down when she heard the news.

**Meaning:** Raise a child, mention a topic

**Example:** She brought up three children. / Don't bring up politics at dinner.

**Meaning:** Cancel

**Example:** They called off the game due to rain.

**Meaning:** Leave a hotel, investigate

**Example:** We check out at 11 AM. / Check out this new restaurant.

**Meaning:** Complete a form

**Example:** Please fill in this application form.

**Meaning:** Recover from illness/sadness

**Example:** It took months to get over the breakup.

**Meaning:** Spend time casually

**Example:** We like to hang out at the café.

**Meaning:** Maintain the same speed/level

**Example:** I can't keep up with the fast pace.

**Meaning:** Anticipate with pleasure

**Example:** I look forward to seeing you.

**Meaning:** Collect, learn, improve

**Example:** I'll pick you up at 8. / She picked up Spanish quickly.

**Meaning:** Establish, arrange

**Example:** We need to set up a meeting.

**Meaning:** Exercise, solve, succeed

**Example:** I work out every morning. / Things worked out perfectly.

Learning Tips

Phrasal verbs might seem challenging, but with regular practice, they'll become second nature!