Phrasal verbs |
| board up |
cover a window or door with wooden boards |
We boarded the house up because we knew a bad storm
was coming. |
| close up |
lock the doors of a building or business |
The newsagent was closing up for the evening. |
| come out |
be removed from something such as clothing or cloth by washing or rubbing |
The stain finally came out, but I had to wash the T-shirt three times. |
| come out |
have a particular result or end in a particular way |
Everything came out all right in the end. |
| cut out |
remove something from a larger piece by cutting |
Cut out the material you need and make sure it's the right size. |
| cut out |
stop eating something or doing something, especially because it is bad for your health |
I'm going to have to cut coffee out because it gives me indigestion. |
| fix up |
clean, repair or decorate something |
Why don't we try to fix up that old bike of yours? |
| knock/ pull/ tear down |
destroy a building or wall |
I see they've finally knocked the old factory down. |
| pile up |
if something piles up or someone piles it up, the amount of it increases a lot |
The washing-up is beginning to pile up, so let's do it together. |
| prop up |
stop something from falling by putting something under it or against it |
I had to use some books to prop my desk up. |
| prop up |
help a government, system, organisation, etc continue to exist, especially by providing financial or military support |
The US has been propping the government up in that country for years. |
| put in |
fix something such as equipment in the place where it will be used and make it ready to use |
We're having air conditioning put in tomorrow. |
| put in |
make an official request, claim, offer, etc |
Don't forget to sign the form when you put in your application. |
| put together |
make something by joining all its parts |
How long did it take you to put that jigsaw together? |
| put together |
produce or organize something using many different things |
I really enjoyed putting the exhibition together. |
| put together |
choose people or things to form a team or group |
I'm putting together an expedition to the Andes. |
| put up |
build something such as a wall, fence or house |
Dad's putting a fence up around the garden. |
| put up |
let someone stay in your house |
Yes, I can put you up for a few days. |
| set up |
build a structure or put it in a particular place |
Let's set the tent up over there. |
| set up |
make a piece of equipment ready for use |
How do you set the pieces up at the start of a game of chess? |
| spread out |
if people in a group spread out, they move away from one another so that they cover a large area |
We've got more chance of finding him if we spread out. |
| take down |
separate a large structure into pieces |
After the play, we had to take down all the scenery. |
| take down |
write down information or a statement |
The police
took down my details. |
| water down |
add water to a drink or liquid in order to make it less strong, dilute |
If it's too strong, water it down. |
| water down |
make something such as a statement or newspaper article less offensive, powerful or detailed |
The editor watered my article down. |
| wear down |
make something gradually disappear or become thinner by using or rubbing it |
These shoes are uncomfortable because the heel has worn down. |
| wear down |
make someone gradually lose their energy or confidence |
This constant criticism at work is really wearing me down. |
