Phrasal Verbs​

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16. GIVE UP = stop having or doing

• She has finally given up smoking.

• I had to give up coffee when I was ill.

• He gave up chocolate for a month.

 

17. MAKE UP = be the parts that form something (often used in the passive with 'of')

• Women make up 46% of the employees here.

• This class is made up entirely of boys.

• People who can speak English make up a quarter of the world's population.

 

18. END UP = finally do or be something, especially when you don't expect it

• We ended up going back home because it was raining so hard.

• They ended up passing the last exam, even though they failed all the other exams.

• Be careful! You'll end up without a job if you are rude to your boss.

 

19. GET BACK = arrive somewhere again, especially your home (+ to + place)

• She got back to Paris last night.

• What time did you get back yesterday?

• We got back very late because the train was delayed.

 

20. LOOK UP = raise your eyes

• She looked up from her computer and asked a question.

• I called his name, but he didn't look up.

• John looked up from his book when Julie came in.

 

21. FIGURE OUT = think about until you understand / plan (more common in USA)

• Let's figure out how we can get to London very early in the morning.

• She couldn't figure out why he had left.

• He finally figured out that the cat must have broken the plate.

 

22. SIT DOWN = change from standing to sitting

• Do please sit down.

• She sat down and took out her book.

• The children sat down in rows and crossed their legs.

 

23. GET UP = change from lying or sitting to standing (more casual than 'stand up')

• She got up when we arrived (= she was sitting and she stood up).

• I don't want to get up. It's so comfortable sitting here.

• What are you doing on the floor? Get up!

 

24. TAKE OUT = remove from a container (+ of before a noun)

• She took the letter out of the envelope.

• I'll take the sweets out of the box and put them under the Christmas tree now.

• He took his clothes out of the suitcase and put them away in the wardrobe.

 

25. COME ON = we say this to encourage someone to go faster or try harder

• Come on! You're going to be left behind.

• Come on, don't worry. It's all going to be fine.

• She kept telling me to come on, but I was already going as fast as I could.

 

26. GO DOWN = move to a lower place (+ to + place)

• She started to go down the stairs.

• We went down to the café and bought some coffee.

• Let's go down to the cellar and see if we can find those books.

 

27. SHOW UP = arrive at or come to an event / meeting (especially if there's something surprising)

• We all went to the party, but Lucy didn't show up.

• He showed up at the meeting two hours late. Julie was very angry.

• I wonder if John's going to show up today. He didn't come last time.

 

28. TAKE OFF = remove clothes or jewellery

• I took off my coat because it was very hot.

• She always takes off all her rings before she goes to bed.

• Is it okay to take off my shoes?

 

29. WORK OUT = think about until you understand / plan (more common in UK)

• We need to work out how to get to the wedding.

• She couldn't work out how the bird had got into the living room.

• I don't know why the car won't start but I'll work it out.

 

30. STAND UP = change from lying or sitting to standing (less casual than 'get up')

• Please stand up when the queen comes in.

• She finished her coffee, stood up, and left the restaurant.

• He stood up to let an old man have his seat.