Phrasal Verb
A
| Abide by: To obey, accept, or follow a rule/decision Example: All citizens must abide by the lawAccount for: To explain the reason for something Example: He had to account for his sudden absenceAnswer for: To be responsible or answerable for a mistake Example: You will have to answer for this failureAsk after: To inquire about someone’s health or well-being Example: She asked after my grandmother’s health |
B
| Back out: To withdraw from a promise or agreement before completion Example: He backed out of the deal at the last minuteBack up: To give support, encouragement, or copy data Example: Always back up your important filesBreak down: To stop working (machinery/vehicle) or suffer an emotional collapse Example: The car broke down on the highwayBreak up: To end a relationship or disperse Example: The crowd broke up after the announcementBring about: To cause something to happen Example: New economic policies brought about the company’s growthBring up: To raise a child or introduce a topic Example: She was brought up in Delhi |
C
| Call for: To demand or requireExample: The situation calls for immediate actionCall off: To cancel an event or matchExample: The cricket match was called off due to rainCarry out: To execute or fulfill a task/orderExample: The police carried out a thorough investigationCave in: To collapse or yield under pressureExample: The roof caved in during the stormCome across: To find or meet unexpectedly by chanceExample: I came across my childhood friend yesterdayCut in: To interrupt someone while speakingExample: It is rude to cut in while others are talking |
D
| Do away with: To abolish, repeal, or get rid of Example: The government decided to do away with outdated lawsDrop in: To pay an unexpected or casual visit Example: Feel free to drop in whenever you are near my place |
F
Fall back on: To seek financial or moral support in times of difficulty Example: When the business failed, he had to fall back on his savingsFall out: To quarrel or have an argument in a relationship Example: They fell out over a small disagreement |
G
| Get over: To recover from an illness, shock, or emotional lossExample: It took her months to get over the tragedyGive up: To quit, surrender, or stop trying Example: He gave up smoking last year |
H
| Hold on: To wait for a short time Example: Please hold on while I connect your call |
I & J
| Iron out: To ease or resolve a problem/conflictExample: They met to iron out the issues in the contractJot down: To write down something quickly and briefly Example: Please jot down these key rules |
L
| Look after: To take care of someone or something Example: She looks after her younger siblingsLook into: To investigate or examine a matter Example: The committee will look into the allegations |
M & P
Make up: To invent a story or reconcile after a fight Example: He made up an excuse for being latePass away: To die Example: His grandfather passed away peacefullyPut down: To suppress, criticise, or write down Example: Never put down your friends in publicPut off: To postpone or delay Example: The meeting was put off until next weekPut up with: To tolerate an unpleasant situation or person Example: I cannot put up with such rude behaviour |
R & S
| Rail against: To complain angrily against policies or injusticeExample: Workers railed against the unfair wage cutsRun out of: To exhaust the supply of something Example: We ran out of fuel on the waySail through: To pass an examination or test easily Example: He sailed through the SSC Tier-I examSet up: To establish a business, organization, or system Example: They set up a new venture in DelhiShut down: To close a business or factory permanently or temporarily Example: Many small businesses shut down during the lockdownStand by: To remain loyal, support, or be ready Example: I will stand by you through thick and thin |
T, W & Z
| Take after: To resemble a close, older relative in appearance or behavior Example: She takes after her motherTake off: To depart (aircraft) or remove clothingExample: The plane took off on timeTake over: To assume control, authority, or management Example: He took over as the new department chiefTurn down: To reject an offer, application, or invitation Example: She turned down the job offerWear off: To gradually decrease in effect or intensity Example: The effect of the painkiller began to wear offZero in on: To focus or concentrate attention on a specific target Example: Let us zero in on the main issue |