Phrasal Verb ( P )


Phrasal VerbDefinitionExample
pan outbe successful, turn out wellThe trip to Vegas didn't pan out.
pass awaydieAfter battling cancer for several years, he finally passed away at the age of 87.
pass * off +try to convince someone that something is realHe tried to pass the fake watch off as a real Rolex.
pass * on +transmitPlease pass this message on to your co-workers.
pass on +not accept (an invitation to eat or do something)Jennifer passed on the invitation to join us for dinner.
pass ondieI am afraid Professor Johnson has passed on.
pass * out +distributeWe need to pass out these flyers for the concert tomorrow.
pass outbecome unconsciousHe passed out because the room was too hot.
pass * up +not take advantage (of an opportunity)I can't believe she passed up the opportunity to study in Rome.
pay * back +repayIf I loan you money, will you pay me back.
pay * off +complete payment on a debtIt took me ten years to pay off my credit card debt.
pay * off +to bribeDon't try to pay the police officer off if you get pulled over for speeding.
pick on +to tease, bullyShe keeps picking on me! Make her stop.
pick * out +chooseDiane picked out a lovely dress for the dance.
pick * up +to lift an object with the handsKeep your back straight when you lift the TV up.
pick * up +come and get someone in a carWhat time are you going to pick me up.
pick * up +learn something without effortIt's possible to pick up enough English in two weeks to get by on your trip to Los Angeles.
pick * up +try to initiate a relationship with someone (often in a bar)Some weird guy tried to pick Patricia up at the bar.
pick upgrow, increase (inf.)Business is really picking up this quarter.
play * down +make less important (inf.)The President played down his affair with the intern.
play * uphighlight something (inf.)She played up her part in the new movie, but it was actually a very small role.
play up to +flatter someone for your personal advantageShe has been playing up to the boss because she wants a promotion.
point * out +indicateI'd like to point out that figures in column two might be outdated.
pull downearnHe pulls down about $300,000 a year.
pull inpark (a vehicle)Mark pulled in too quickly and crashed into the wall.
pull outdepart (a vehicle)Our train pulls out at 8:00, so don't be late.
pull throughbarely surviveI didn't think she was going to make it, but she pulled through in the end.
put * across +communicate (an idea or suggestion) clearly so that it is understoodI thought Ms. Smith put her ideas across rather clearly in the meeting.
put * away +return to the proper place of storageI told you kids to put your toys away.
put * down +insult, say bad things aboutShe always puts down people who don't share her opinions.
put in +officially submit a request (in the armed forces or public services)He put in for a transfer to the division in Los Angeles.
put * off +postponeDon't put off your work - do it now!
put * on +wearMake sure you put on a sweater before you go outside.
put * on +deceiveI didn't believe a thing he said. I think he was putting me on.
put * out +extinguish (a fire)Don't use water to put out a grease fire.
put * out +inconvenience someoneI don't want to put you out, but could you pick me up at the airport.
put out +spend (usually used with unreasonably large sums of money)I can't put out that much money each month.
put * uphave a guest stay in your house for a short timeCan you put me up while I'm in town.
put up with +tolerateSandy will not put up with smoking in her house.

Phrasal Verb ( O )


Phrasal VerbDefinitionExample
occur to +pop into one's mind, come to one's mindIt didn't occur to us that we had left the iron on.
open upshare feelingsI'm glad that John feels comfortable enough around me to open up.
out to + verbtry toShe is out to get revenge now that her husband left her for another woman.

Phrasal Verb ( N )


Phrasal VerbDefinitionExample
name * after +name a child using another family member's nameI was named after my grandfather.
nod offfall asleepThe movie was so boring that I nodded off before it was finished.
nose around +sneak aroundI hate it when my mother noses around my room.