Smart Phrasal Verbs for Smart USE

 

Let's start:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning(s)	Example 1	Example 2
Bring up	1. Mention or introduce a subject 2. Raise a child	She didn't bring up the incident.	He was brought up by his grandparents.
Break down	1. Stop functioning 2. Lose control emotionally	My car broke down on the way.	She broke down hearing the news.
Check out	1. Examine or investigate 2. Leave a hotel	Check out these photos!	We checked out at 11 a.m.
Come across	1. Find by chance 2. Appear or seem	I came across an old photo.	He comes across as arrogant.
Cut back	Reduce in amount	They cut back on spending.	We're cutting back on sugar.
Get over	1. Recover from 2. Overcome a challenge	She took weeks to get over the flu.	He got over his fear of heights.
Hold on	1. Wait 2. Keep a grip on something	Hold on a moment; I'll check.	Hold on tight on the roller coaster.
Look into	Investigate	The police will look into it.	We're looking into buying a house.
Run into	1. Meet by chance 2. Encounter a problem	I ran into Sarah at the supermarket.	We ran into traffic on the way.
Turn up	1. Arrive 2. Increase volume	He didn't turn up for the meeting.	Turn up the music a bit.
Take off	1. Depart quickly 2. Remove something	The plane took off on time.	He took off his shoes.
Put off	Postpone	We had to put off our meeting.	They put it off until next week.
Look up	1. Search for (information) 2. Improve	Can you look up the number?	Things are looking up at work.
Give away	1. Reveal a secret 2. Distribute for free	Don't give away the movie ending.	They gave away old clothes.
Set up	Establish or arrange	They set up a new company.	I'll set up a meeting for Thursday.
Take on	1. Employ or hire 2. Accept a task	They took on ten new staff.	She took on too many responsibilities.
Go on	1. Continue 2. Happen	The show must go on.	What's going on here?
Break up	1. End a relationship 2. Disperse	They broke up after five years.	The crowd broke up after the event.
Pull over	Drive to the side of the road	He pulled over to check the map.	The police officer told her to pull over.
Look after	Take care of	She looks after her younger brother.	Can you look after my cat this weekend?
Pick up	1. Collect from a place 2. Improve	I'll pick up the groceries.	The business has picked up this quarter.
Throw away	Discard	Throw away the old magazines.	Don't throw that receipt away.
Log in/on	Start using a computer system	I can't log in to my email.	She logged on to check her schedule.
Log out/off	Stop using a computer system	Remember to log off before leaving.	He logged out after sending the email.
Turn out	1. Attend 2. End up being a particular way	Thousands turned out for the parade.	The cake turned out delicious.
Run out	Exhaust a supply	We've run out of milk.	I ran out of time during the exam.
Put on	1. Wear 2. Gain weight	She put on her favourite dress.	He has put on a little weight.
Take back	1. Return something 2. Admit you were wrong	Can I take back this shirt?	I take back what I said earlier.
Bring about	Cause to happen	This change was brought about by new regulations.	Efforts to bring about peace continue.
Call off	Cancel	They called off the event due to rain.	The meeting was called off.
Come up with	Think of (an idea or plan)	She came up with a solution.	I can't come up with his name right now.
Fall apart	1. Break into pieces 2. Fail or end	The old book just fell apart.	Their plans fell apart at the last minute.
Get along	Have a good relationship	They get along really well.	I don't get along with my neighbour.
Hang out	Spend time socially	Let's hang out this weekend.	Where do you usually hang out?
Kick-off	1. Begin 2. A start to an event	The meeting will kick off at 10 a.m.	The mayor will kick off the festival.
Lay off	Dismiss from employment	Many workers were laid off.	The company had to lay off ten employees.
Look forward to	Be excited about the future	I look forward to seeing you.	We look forward to your response.
Point out	Draw attention to	She pointed out the mistake.	He pointed out the landmarks to me.
Put up with	Tolerate	I can't put up with this noise.	She puts up with a lot of him.
Show up	Arrive	He didn't show up to the party.	What time did they show up?
Stand out	Be noticeable or distinctive	Her red dress really stands out.	He stood out as the most experienced.
Turn down	1. Reject or refuse 2. Reduce volume	She turned down the job offer.	Can you turn down the TV?
Deal with	Handle, and manage a situation	I'll deal with this issue tomorrow.	She knows how to deal with difficult clients.
Drop off	1. Deliver 2. Decrease	I'll drop off the packages at the post office.	Sales have dropped off this month.
Fill out	Complete (a form)	Please fill out this application.	He filled out the survey.
Go through	1. Experience 2. Examine carefully	She's going through a tough time.	I went through all the reports.
Hold up	1. Delay 2. Rob using threats	The project was held up by unforeseen issues.	A masked man held up the bank.
Jump in	1. Enter quickly 2. Start doing something	He jumped in the pool.	She jumped in to help with the work.
Keep up	1. Maintain pace 2. Continue	I need help keeping up with all these changes.	Keep up the good work!
Look over	Examine or review	Can you look over my report?	I need to look it over before submitting it.
Pass out	Faint or lose consciousness	He passed out from the heat.	She passed out during the marathon.
Roll up	Arrive, often unexpectedly	She just rolled up without calling first.	The kids rolled up at the park.
Speak up	Speak louder	I can't hear you. Please speak up.	If you disagree, speak up.
Try out	Test or experiment with	I want to try out the new gym.	She tried out for the basketball team.
Wind up	1. End up 2. Close something	We wound up at the wrong location.	They wound up the meeting early.
Break in	1. Interrupt 2. Use something new until it's normal	Sorry to break in, but there's an urgent call.	I need to break into these new shoes.
Catch up	Get to the same point as someone else	Let's catch up over coffee.	I need to catch up on sleep.
Draw up	Prepare a document	The lawyer drew up a contract.	They drew up a list of attendees.
Hand over	Give control or responsibility	He handed over the keys.	She handed the documents over.
Knock out	1. Make unconscious 2. Produce quickly	He was knocked out in the first round.	She knocked out a novel in a month.

Consistent practice is absolutely crucial to fully improve and master any skill. It is highly recommended that YOU practice frequently and with an unwavering dedication to achieve the desired level of proficiency.

Practice! Practice! Practice!