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Essential Phrasal Verbs List with Meanings and Examples

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What Are Phrasal Verbs? Definition, Usage, and Key Examples

Phrasal verbs are two- or three-word combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb. They are essential for understanding spoken and written English. Mastering a phrasal verbs list helps students in school, competitive exams, and daily English conversations.


Phrasal Verb Meaning Example Sentence
look after to take care of She will look after the kids tonight.
give up to stop trying Don't give up – you can solve this!
run out to have none left We ran out of milk this morning.
pick up to collect someone or something I’ll pick you up at 8 AM.
bring up to mention or raise a topic He brought up the problem in the meeting.
set up to arrange or organize They set up a new company last year.
take off to leave the ground (for airplanes) The plane will take off at noon.
find out to discover She found out the answer quickly.
turn off to deactivate (lights, devices) Please turn off the lights.
break down to stop working The car broke down on the way home.

What Are Phrasal Verbs? Meaning and Usage

Phrasal verbs in English grammar are phrases that combine a verb with one or two particles (like a preposition or adverb). This changes the original meaning of the verb. For example, in “turn off,” “turn” and “off” together mean “to deactivate.”


Why Are Phrasal Verbs Important?

Learning phrasal verbs is crucial for exams, spoken English, and writing tasks. They make messages clear and natural. In competitive exams and school tests, you often need to recognize or use these forms. Daily conversations also use phrasal verbs for everyday actions.


  • Phrasal verbs appear frequently in reading comprehensions and grammar sections of exams.

  • Native speakers use them in daily conversation, stories, and news.

  • They let you express ideas quickly and naturally.

  • Some have idiomatic meanings, adding depth to your language skills.


100 Most Common English Phrasal Verbs List with Meaning and Example

Below is a thematic list of the 100 most common phrasal verbs. Study their meanings and examples to recognize them easily in exams and real-life situations. This list is a great revision tool for school and competitive exam preparation.


Phrasal Verb Meaning Example
call off to cancel They called off the match due to rain.
put off to postpone Can we put off the meeting?
take on to accept responsibility He took on the new project.
look forward to to await with anticipation I look forward to the weekend.
come across to find by chance I came across an old diary.
get along (with) to have a good relationship They get along well at work.
carry on to continue Please carry on with your work.
cut down (on) to reduce in amount She’s cutting down on sugar.
turn up to appear or arrive He turned up late to class.
give away to donate or reveal She gave away old clothes.

For the full 100 phrasal verbs list with meanings and examples, scroll down to the detailed section or use printable resources. At Vedantu, we offer complete learning support for grammar topics.


How to Memorize Phrasal Verbs Easily

Memorizing phrasal verbs is easy if you use patterns and themes. Here are simple steps to improve your recall for exams and daily English.


  • Group phrasal verbs by main verb: (e.g., take up, take on, take off).

  • Study by topics: travel, emotions, classroom, actions, etc.

  • Make flashcards to test yourself regularly.

  • Use new phrasal verbs in daily sentences—writing or speaking.

  • Practice with friends or in class to build confidence.


Thematic Phrasal Verbs List (Grouped by Verb)

Phrasal Verbs with “Take”

  • take off – to remove or leave the ground (“Please take off your shoes.” / “The plane took off.”)

  • take after – to resemble a family member (“He takes after his father.”)

  • take up – to begin a hobby or activity (“I took up painting.”)


Phrasal Verbs with “Get”

  • get up – to rise from bed (“I get up at 6 AM.”)

  • get over – to recover from illness or upset (“He got over the flu.”)

  • get by – to manage with difficulty (“We get by on little money.”)


Uses of Phrasal Verbs in Daily English

Phrasal verbs are everywhere: in stories, news, exams, and daily speech. For example, “run into” (meet by chance) or “put up with” (tolerate) often appear in dialogues and comprehension passages. Recognizing their meaning helps increase your language scores and fluency.


Related Grammar Topics for Better Understanding


In summary, learning and practicing a phrasal verbs list with meaning and example sentences improves your reading, writing, and speaking skills. Phrasal verbs are vital for classroom success, exam preparation, and confident communication. Refer to Vedantu for clear explanations and more grammar lessons.

FAQs on Essential Phrasal Verbs List with Meanings and Examples

1. What is a phrasal verb in English grammar?

A phrasal verb combines a verb with a preposition or adverb, creating a meaning different from the individual words. For example, "look after" means to take care of, not simply to look and then after.

2. Can you give 10 common phrasal verbs with meanings and examples?

Here are 10 common phrasal verbs with their meanings and examples:
Look after (take care of): I look after my neighbor's cat while she's away.
Give up (stop trying): Don't give up on your dreams!
Turn off (switch off): Please turn off the lights before leaving.
Bring up (raise a topic/child): She brought up a good point in the meeting.
Run out (have none left): We've run out of milk.
Pick up (collect): I'll pick up the dry cleaning later.
Set up (organize): They set up a new business.
Take off (remove/begin flying): The plane is about to take off.
Find out (discover): I need to find out more information.
Break down (stop working): My car broke down on the highway.

3. How can I memorize phrasal verbs easily?

Memorizing phrasal verbs effectively involves strategic techniques. Try these:
• Group phrasal verbs thematically (e.g., by main verb like "look," "get," or "take").
• Create flashcards with the phrasal verb, its meaning, and an example sentence.
• Practice using them daily in sentences—the more you use them, the better you'll remember them.
• Incorporate them into conversations and writing tasks.
• Use spaced repetition techniques (reviewing material at increasing intervals) to improve retention.

4. What is the difference between a phrasal verb and an idiom?

Phrasal verbs combine a verb with a particle (preposition or adverb) to create a new, often idiomatic meaning. Idioms, however, are fixed expressions where the meaning cannot be understood from the individual words. For example, "look up to" is a phrasal verb (to admire), while "it's raining cats and dogs" is an idiom (meaning it's raining heavily). Both use combined words, but idioms are less flexible in usage than phrasal verbs.

5. What are the 50 phrasal verbs with meaning and examples of?

Providing 50 phrasal verbs here would be too extensive. However, this resource aims to provide a comprehensive list of common phrasal verbs with clear meanings and examples to aid in memorization. Explore thematic groupings and utilize the provided memorization techniques for best results. Focus on high-frequency phrasal verbs for both speaking and writing fluency.

6. What are the 200 phrasal verbs with meaning and sentences?

A complete list of 200 phrasal verbs with meanings and example sentences would be too lengthy for this format. This page provides a strong foundation of common phrasal verbs; explore online resources and textbooks for more extensive lists. Remember, focusing on understanding and using a smaller number of frequently used phrasal verbs is more effective than trying to memorize hundreds at once.

7. What are the 5000 phrasal verbs?

While there might be thousands of possible combinations of verbs and particles that could be considered phrasal verbs, focusing on a smaller set of the most frequently used ones is far more practical for learners. Mastering a core set of 100-200 high-frequency phrasal verbs will significantly improve your English communication skills. Aim for quality over quantity in your learning process.

8. Are all combinations of verbs and prepositions phrasal verbs?

No, not all combinations of verbs and prepositions are phrasal verbs. A phrasal verb requires that the combination creates a new meaning that differs significantly from the literal meaning of the individual words. If the meaning remains largely the same, it's not considered a phrasal verb.

9. Can phrasal verbs be used in formal writing?

The appropriateness of using phrasal verbs in formal writing depends on the specific phrasal verb and the overall context. Some phrasal verbs are perfectly acceptable in formal settings, while others are considered too informal. Choose your wording carefully and consider using more formal alternatives when appropriate.

10. Where can I get a PDF list of phrasal verbs with meanings?

While downloadable PDFs of phrasal verbs are available online, this webpage provides a comprehensive and easily accessible list suitable for both desktop and mobile users. This online format offers the advantage of easy searching and referencing.