Phrasal verbs |
| answer back |
reply rudely to someone who has more authority than you |
I got into trouble for answering the teacher back. |
| ask out |
invite someone to go with you to a cinema, restaurant, etc because you want to start a romantic or sexual relationship with them |
Fred asked Vanessa to go out with him
but she said no. |
| break up |
if two people break up, they end their relationship |
When did Diana and James break up? |
| break up |
break something to make smaller pieces |
Break that old wardrobe up; then I can put it on the fire. |
| break up |
if a meeting or other event breaks up, or if you break it up, it ends and people leave |
The meeting finally broke up after three hours. |
| bring out |
make someone or something show a quality that they have |
That dress really brings out the green in your eyes |
| bring out |
produce a new product and start to sell it |
They've brought out a new 30 video camera. |
| bring together |
create a situation in which people meet and do something together, especially when they would not usually do so |
The attack on the city really brought people together |
| bump into |
meet someone unexpectedly |
Guess who I bumped into in town? |
| bump into |
accidentally hit against something |
It was dark and I bumped into the table. |
| cancel out |
stop something from having any effect |
These headphones cancel out any other noise so all you can hear is the music |
| come between |
cause a disagreement or argument between people |
I would never let anything come between us. |
| crowd around |
move to a particular place at the same time as a lot of other people |
Everyone crowded around the actor as he
signed autographs. |
| go together |
if two or more things go together, they frequently exist together |
Why do poverty and crime seem to go together so often? |
| go together |
if two things go together, they seem good, natural or attractive in combination with each other |
Do this skirt and this top go together? |
| meet up |
come together with someone, either unexpectedly or as planned |
Why don't we meet up when I'm in Berlin, since it's not far from you? |
| open up |
talk more about your personal feelings and experiences |
Henry doesn't find it easy to open up. |
| open up |
open a locked door, container or building |
When we opened the box up, we found a puppy inside. |
| open up |
make it easier to travel or do business in a country |
You'd be amazed at how much China has opened up since you
were there. |
| pick on |
keep treating someone badly or unfairly, especially by criticising them |
Why don't you pick on someone your own size? |
| sound out |
try to find out someone's opinions, ideas, feelings, etc by talking to them |
The council decided to sound out local opinion. |
| take after |
look or behave like an older relative |
Doesn't she take after her mother? |
| take to |
begin to like someone or something |
I didn't take to living here straight away. |
| take to |
start doing something as a habit |
I've taken to getting up much earlier. |
