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Phrasal verbs list: the 100 most common

A phrasal verb is a verb plus a small word like up, out or off, and together they mean something new: give up is to stop trying. Spoken English is full of them, and without them your English sounds stiff. Here are the 100 you'll hear most, each with its meaning, an example and audio.

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Phrasal verbs list with meanings and examples

Every verb starts chosen: untick the ones you know and add the rest to your dictionary. The filter shows the verbs with one particle.

Play pronunciationPhrasal verbMeaning and example
get up
to get out of bed
I get up at seven every day.
to get out of bed
I get up at seven every day.
wake up
to stop sleeping
I often wake up in the middle of the night.
to make someone stop sleeping
Can you wake me up at six?
to stop sleeping
I often wake up in the middle of the night.
to make someone stop sleeping
Can you wake me up at six?
go out
to leave home to have fun
Let's go out for dinner tonight.
to have a romantic relationship
They've been going out for a year.
to stop burning or shining
The lights go out every time there's a storm.
to leave home to have fun
Let's go out for dinner tonight.
to have a romantic relationship
They've been going out for a year.
to stop burning or shining
The lights go out every time there's a storm.
come back
to return
I'll come back in an hour.
to return
I'll come back in an hour.
find out
to learn a fact you didn't know
I want to find out the truth.
to learn a fact you didn't know
I want to find out the truth.
look for
to try to find
I'm looking for my keys.
to try to find
I'm looking for my keys.
turn on
to start a machine or light
Can you turn on the light?
to start a machine or light
Can you turn on the light?
turn off
to stop a machine or light
Turn off your phone, please.
to stop a machine or light
Turn off your phone, please.
give up
to stop trying
Don't give up, you're almost there.
to stop a habit
He wants to give up smoking.
to stop trying
Don't give up, you're almost there.
to stop a habit
He wants to give up smoking.
pick up
to collect someone by car
Can you pick me up at the station?
to lift something
Please pick up the pen from the floor.
to learn without trying
Kids pick up languages quickly.
to collect someone by car
Can you pick me up at the station?
to lift something
Please pick up the pen from the floor.
to learn without trying
Kids pick up languages quickly.
put on
to dress in something
Put on your coat, it's cold.
to gain weight
I always put on weight in winter.
to dress in something
Put on your coat, it's cold.
to gain weight
I always put on weight in winter.
take off
to leave the ground (a plane)
The plane takes off at noon.
to remove clothes
Take off your shoes, please.
to leave the ground (a plane)
The plane takes off at noon.
to remove clothes
Take off your shoes, please.
sit down
to take a seat
Please sit down.
to take a seat
Please sit down.
stand up
to get on your feet
Everyone stands up when the teacher comes in.
to get on your feet
Everyone stands up when the teacher comes in.
come in
to enter
Come in and sit down.
to enter
Come in and sit down.
go back
to return to a place
I want to go back home.
to return to a place
I want to go back home.
look after
to take care of
Can you look after my cat this weekend?
to take care of
Can you look after my cat this weekend?
look forward to
to wait for something with pleasure
I'm looking forward to the weekend.
to wait for something with pleasure
I'm looking forward to the weekend.
get on
to enter a bus, train or plane
We get on the bus near my house.
to have a friendly relationship
I get on well with my boss.
to enter a bus, train or plane
We get on the bus near my house.
to have a friendly relationship
I get on well with my boss.
set up
to start a company or group
They want to set up their own company.
to make something ready to use
Can you help me set up the printer?
to start a company or group
They want to set up their own company.
to make something ready to use
Can you help me set up the printer?
work out
to do exercise
I work out at the gym three times a week.
to end well
Don't worry, things will work out.
to understand
I can't work out what he means.
to do exercise
I work out at the gym three times a week.
to end well
Don't worry, things will work out.
to understand
I can't work out what he means.
figure out
to understand or solve
I can't figure out how this works.
to understand or solve
I can't figure out how this works.
run out of
to have none left
We've run out of milk.
to have none left
We've run out of milk.
carry on
to continue
Carry on, I'm listening.
to continue
Carry on, I'm listening.
go on
to happen
What's going on here?
to continue
Meetings here go on for hours.
to happen
What's going on here?
to continue
Meetings here go on for hours.
come on
used to hurry or encourage someone
Come on, we'll be late!
used to hurry or encourage someone
Come on, we'll be late!
hold on
to wait a moment
Hold on, I'll get a pen.
to hold something tightly
Hold on tight!
to wait a moment
Hold on, I'll get a pen.
to hold something tightly
Hold on tight!
hang out
to spend free time with friends
We usually hang out at the café after work.
to spend free time with friends
We usually hang out at the café after work.
check in
to arrive and register at a hotel or airport
We can check in at the hotel after two.
to arrive and register at a hotel or airport
We can check in at the hotel after two.
check out
to pay and leave a hotel
We have to check out by eleven.
to look at something interesting
Check out this video!
to pay and leave a hotel
We have to check out by eleven.
to look at something interesting
Check out this video!
fill in
to write information in a form
Please fill in this form.
to write information in a form
Please fill in this form.
turn up
to make louder
Can you turn up the music?
to arrive or appear
He always turns up late.
to make louder
Can you turn up the music?
to arrive or appear
He always turns up late.
turn down
to make quieter
Turn down the TV, please.
to refuse an offer
Why did you turn down the job?
to make quieter
Turn down the TV, please.
to refuse an offer
Why did you turn down the job?
put off
to do something later than planned
Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
to do something later than planned
Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
call back
to phone someone who called you
I'll call you back in five minutes.
to phone someone who called you
I'll call you back in five minutes.
call off
to cancel
They might call off the match because of the rain.
to cancel
They might call off the match because of the rain.
break down
to stop working (a machine)
Old cars often break down in winter.
to start crying, lose control
Sometimes people break down and cry under stress.
to stop working (a machine)
Old cars often break down in winter.
to start crying, lose control
Sometimes people break down and cry under stress.
break up
to end a relationship
They decided to break up after five years.
to end a relationship
They decided to break up after five years.
bring up
to raise a child
Her grandmother had to bring her up.
to start talking about a subject
Don't bring up politics at dinner.
to raise a child
Her grandmother had to bring her up.
to start talking about a subject
Don't bring up politics at dinner.
grow up
to become an adult
Where did you grow up?
to become an adult
Where did you grow up?
make up
to invent a story or excuse
Don't make up excuses.
to become friends again after a fight
Let's make up and forget about it.
to invent a story or excuse
Don't make up excuses.
to become friends again after a fight
Let's make up and forget about it.
show up
to arrive
She didn't show up to the meeting.
to arrive
She didn't show up to the meeting.
slow down
to go less fast
Slow down, you're driving too fast.
to go less fast
Slow down, you're driving too fast.
calm down
to become less angry or upset
Calm down, it's not a big problem.
to become less angry or upset
Calm down, it's not a big problem.
cut down on
to use or eat less of
I'm trying to cut down on sugar.
to use or eat less of
I'm trying to cut down on sugar.
write down
to write something so you remember it
Write down the address before you forget it.
to write something so you remember it
Write down the address before you forget it.
throw away
to get rid of something you don't need
Don't throw away the receipt.
to get rid of something you don't need
Don't throw away the receipt.
put away
to put something where it belongs
Put away your toys, please.
to put something where it belongs
Put away your toys, please.
take out
to remove or carry outside
Can you take out the rubbish?
to invite someone out
He wants to take her out for dinner.
to remove or carry outside
Can you take out the rubbish?
to invite someone out
He wants to take her out for dinner.
go away
to leave a place
Go away, I'm busy!
to stop (pain, a problem)
The pain will go away in a day or two.
to leave a place
Go away, I'm busy!
to stop (pain, a problem)
The pain will go away in a day or two.
get back
to return
When did you get back from holiday?
to receive again
I want to get my money back.
to return
When did you get back from holiday?
to receive again
I want to get my money back.
get out
to leave a car or a place
Get out of the car, please.
to leave a car or a place
Get out of the car, please.
get in
to enter a car or a place
Get in, I'll drive you home.
to enter a car or a place
Get in, I'll drive you home.
get off
to leave a bus, train or plane
We get off at the next stop.
to leave a bus, train or plane
We get off at the next stop.
get over
to recover from
It takes time to get over a cold.
to recover from
It takes time to get over a cold.
get along
to have a friendly relationship
My sister and I get along well.
to have a friendly relationship
My sister and I get along well.
come up with
to think of an idea or plan
We need to come up with a plan.
to think of an idea or plan
We need to come up with a plan.
come across
to find or meet by chance
I come across new words every day.
to find or meet by chance
I come across new words every day.
come up
to happen unexpectedly
Something has come up, I can't make it.
to happen unexpectedly
Something has come up, I can't make it.
look up
to find information in a book or online
Look up the word in a dictionary.
to find information in a book or online
Look up the word in a dictionary.
look out
used to warn someone of danger
Look out! There's a car coming.
used to warn someone of danger
Look out! There's a car coming.
look into
to investigate
The police are looking into the case.
to investigate
The police are looking into the case.
take up
to start a new hobby
I want to take up yoga.
to use space or time
This table takes up too much space.
to start a new hobby
I want to take up yoga.
to use space or time
This table takes up too much space.
take over
to take control of
His son will take over the business.
to take control of
His son will take over the business.
take after
to look or act like an older relative
She takes after her mother.
to look or act like an older relative
She takes after her mother.
put up with
to accept something unpleasant
I can't put up with this noise any more.
to accept something unpleasant
I can't put up with this noise any more.
put out
to stop a fire burning
It took hours to put out the fire.
to stop a fire burning
It took hours to put out the fire.
go through
to experience something difficult
Every family can go through hard times.
to experience something difficult
Every family can go through hard times.
go over
to check or repeat carefully
Let's go over the main points again.
to check or repeat carefully
Let's go over the main points again.
go off
to ring (an alarm)
My alarm goes off at six.
to become bad (food)
Milk can go off quickly in summer.
to ring (an alarm)
My alarm goes off at six.
to become bad (food)
Milk can go off quickly in summer.
go ahead
used to let someone start
Go ahead, ask your question.
used to let someone start
Go ahead, ask your question.
keep up
to move or learn as fast as others
Slow down, I can't keep up!
to continue doing well
Keep up the good work!
to move or learn as fast as others
Slow down, I can't keep up!
to continue doing well
Keep up the good work!
keep on
to continue doing
Keep on trying, you'll get it.
to continue doing
Keep on trying, you'll get it.
catch up
to reach someone ahead of you
Go ahead, I'll catch up with you.
to talk about recent news
Let's meet for coffee and catch up.
to reach someone ahead of you
Go ahead, I'll catch up with you.
to talk about recent news
Let's meet for coffee and catch up.
end up
to be in a situation at the end
We always end up eating pizza.
to be in a situation at the end
We always end up eating pizza.
sort out
to solve or organise
Let me sort out this problem.
to solve or organise
Let me sort out this problem.
point out
to tell someone about something
She pointed out a mistake in my report.
to tell someone about something
She pointed out a mistake in my report.
try on
to put on clothes to see if they fit
Can I try on these jeans?
to put on clothes to see if they fit
Can I try on these jeans?
try out
to test something
I want to try out the new app.
to test something
I want to try out the new app.
drop off
to take someone somewhere by car and leave them
I'll drop you off at the station.
to take someone somewhere by car and leave them
I'll drop you off at the station.
drop by
to visit for a short time
Drop by any time you like.
to visit for a short time
Drop by any time you like.
log in
to enter an account
Log in with your email.
to enter an account
Log in with your email.
sign up
to register or join
Sign up for our free course.
to register or join
Sign up for our free course.
plug in
to connect to electricity
Plug in the charger, please.
to connect to electricity
Plug in the charger, please.
clean up
to make a place clean and tidy
Let's clean up the kitchen.
to make a place clean and tidy
Let's clean up the kitchen.
cheer up
to become happier
Cheer up, it's not the end of the world.
to become happier
Cheer up, it's not the end of the world.
hurry up
to do something faster
Hurry up, we're late!
to do something faster
Hurry up, we're late!
speed up
to make faster
This will speed up the process.
to make faster
This will speed up the process.
give back
to return something
Give back my phone!
to return something
Give back my phone!
pay back
to return money you owe
I'll pay you back next week.
to return money you owe
I'll pay you back next week.
move in
to start living in a new home
We move in next month.
to start living in a new home
We move in next month.
move out
to leave the home you live in
My son wants to move out.
to leave the home you live in
My son wants to move out.
eat out
to eat at a restaurant
We eat out on Fridays.
to eat at a restaurant
We eat out on Fridays.
dress up
to wear smart clothes
You don't need to dress up, it's a casual party.
to wear smart clothes
You don't need to dress up, it's a casual party.
lie down
to rest on a bed or sofa
I need to lie down for a bit.
to rest on a bed or sofa
I need to lie down for a bit.
hand in
to give work to a teacher
Hand in your homework by Friday.
to give work to a teacher
Hand in your homework by Friday.
let down
to disappoint
Don't let me down.
to disappoint
Don't let me down.
count on
to trust someone to help
You can count on me.
to trust someone to help
You can count on me.
deal with
to handle a problem or task
I'll deal with it tomorrow.
to handle a problem or task
I'll deal with it tomorrow.
set off
to start a journey
We set off early in the morning.
to start a journey
We set off early in the morning.
100/100 chosen

Why phrasal verbs matter

They come up all the time. In a corpus study of British English, Dee Gardner and Mark Davies found about one phrasal verb in every 150 words, so a few in every minute of conversation.

People choose them when they talk. You'll hear find out more often than discover, and put off more often than postpone. The one-word verb isn't wrong, but in a chat it sounds like a letter from the bank.

Learners tend to avoid them and reach for the single verb they know. That works when you speak, but in films, at work and in messages other people use phrasal verbs, and you have to follow them.

A small set covers most of it. The same study found that 20 verbs, among them take, get, go, come, put and look, account for more than half of all phrasal verbs in use.

What is a phrasal verb?

A phrasal verb is two or three words that work as one: a verb, then a particle (up, out, off, on, down), and sometimes a preposition after it. Look up, run out of and put up with are all phrasal verbs.

The meaning often doesn't follow from the parts. Give means give and up means up, but give up means to stop trying. So it pays to learn each phrasal verb as a new word.

Some can be split by their object. Turn off the light and turn the light off both work, and a pronoun always goes in the middle: turn it off. Others stay together: you look after your sister, never look your sister after.

What up, out, on and off add

A particle doesn't always keep its meaning, but it often does. Knowing the usual one makes a new phrasal verb easier to guess.

  • upto the end, completely, or moreclean up, speed up, turn up
  • outout of something, or to the endgo out, find out, run out of
  • oncontinuing, or on your bodycarry on, keep on, put on
  • offleaving, or stoppingtake off, set off, turn off
  • downlower, less, or onto papersit down, slow down, write down
  • backreturningcome back, call back, pay back

How to learn phrasal verbs

  1. Learn each one with its example. A sentence like "We've run out of milk" sticks better than a bare "run out of: to have none left".
  2. Group them by particle. Once you know that off often means leaving, take off, set off and get off stop looking random.
  3. Start at the top of the list. Get up, find out, turn on and pick up come up every day; the ones lower down can wait.
  4. Say them out loud. Phrasal verbs belong to spoken English, and the ones you've used in a conversation are the ones you keep.

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FAQ

How many phrasal verbs are there in English?
Thousands, but most are rare. Around 100 to 150 cover everyday conversation, and this list holds the 100 most common.
Are phrasal verbs informal?
Most are neutral or informal. Formal writing often has a one-word verb for the same idea: find out is discover, put off is postpone, come up with is devise. In speech the phrasal verb sounds more natural.
Can you split a phrasal verb?
Some, yes: turn off the light or turn the light off. With it or them, the pronoun goes in the middle: turn it off. Verbs like look after and get over don't split.
Which phrasal verbs should I learn first?
The ones at the top of this list: get up, wake up, go out, find out, look for, turn on. They come up in any talk about your day.