phrasal verbs232

Phrasal verbs

These pages list the phrasal verbs in Spotlight on FCE. Each verb has a short definition and a page reference so that you can see it in context. Different meanings have different page numbers. The position of sbdy (somebody), or sthng (something) show whether a verb is separable or inseparable e.g. show sbdy around; look after sbdy. For fuller grammatical information go to Section 12.3 of the Grammar guide. apply for sthng – officially request (often in writing) (17)

back sthng up – make a copy of a computer file (70)break down – break/stop functioning (94)break sthng off – end abruptly (126)break into sthng – enter a building by force (76) break up with sbdy – separate/end a romantic relationship

(10) brighten sthng up – make somewhere brighter and more

attractive (143) bring sthng back – return something to sbdy somewhere

(110) burn sthng down – destroy a building by fire (66)

carry on – continue something already started (124) carry sthng out – perform/execute (37)catch sbdy/sthng up – move quickly to arrive at sbdy who is

ahead of you (129) check in – register at a hotel (57) clean sthng out – make somewhere clean and tidy (43)click on sthng – open a computer programme using a mouse

(70)come across sthng – discover by chance (37)come back – return (48) come round – regain consciousness (52) come to – the total of a bill or account (106) come up with sthng – have an idea/suggestion (28) cope with sthng – manage a difficult or challenging situation

(119) cover sthng up – stop the truth from becoming known (126)

deal with sbdy/sthng – handle/take responsibility for (17) die out – become extinct (37) do sthng up – re–paint/renovate a room/building (157) do sthng up – fasten (136)dress up – wear your best clothes (39) drop sbdy off – quickly let someone out of a car somewhere

(57)

end up – finish as/end journey (37)

fall out with sbdy – argue/end friendship (10)fill sbdy/sthng in – supply information/complete a form

(134)

fill up – completely fill a car with petrol (44)find sthng out – discover information (11)

get along/on with sbdy – have a good relationship (10)get back (together) with sbdy – re–establish a relationship

(10)get into sthng – become involved in an activity (List 5.2)get into sthng – succeed in entering/joining (60) get on – enter a bus or train (91)get out of – leave a vehicle e.g car (143) get up – stand (34)get/run away – escape (48)give sthng away – tell a secret (List 9.1)give sthng up – stop doing something/renounce (24) go along with sbdy/sthng – agree/accept (10)go down – decrease, opposite of go up (120)go for sthng – make a choice (85)go on – happen (List 10.1)go out – leave (143) go through sthng – endure a difficult period (148)go/walk away – leave (48)grow up – go from being a child to an adult (U1 tapescript)

hack into sthng – illegally access computer files (70)hand sthng down – pass an object from generation to

generation (152)hand sthng back – return something to someone (48)have sthng on – wear (136)help sbdy out – give help or assistance (List 3.1)hang sthng up – arrange/put in a wardrobe (136)

join in – participate (30) jot sthng down – write a note or a list (118)

keep on – continue doing something, often against sbdy’s wishes (26)

keep sthng up – encourage sbdy to continue (157)keep up with sbdy/sthng – maintain the same speed as

sthng/sbdy else (61)knock sthng over – overturn (List 3.1)

lay sbdy off – send workers away when there is not enough work (17)

leak out – let the truth or a secret be known (126)let sbdy down – disappoint (10)let sthng go – stop caring about something’s appearance (157)let sthng out – make clothing bigger/looser around body

(136)lie down – position your body flat on the floor or bed (35)live off sthng – use to survive (37)log into sthng – enter/register on a computer (70) look after sbdy – take care of (10)

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look down on sbdy – consider someone inferior (37)look for sbdy/sthng – try to find (17)look forward to sthng – wait with pleasurable anticipation

(13)look into sthng – investigate (41)look up to sbdy – respect/admire (10)

make smthg up – invent/create (158)make up with sbdy – make peace/resolve an argument (10)meet up with sbdy – meet informally (57)

pass away – die (37) pass out – faint/lose consciousness (52) pass sthng off – to pretend that sbdy/sthng is true or

genuine (148)pay sbdy back – repay the money you owe (106)pay sthng off – repay a loan in its entirety (106)pay sthng off – repay a loan (67)phone sbdy back – return a telephone call (57) pick sbdy up – meet/collect someone from somewhere (57) pick sthng out – choose/select (157)pick sthng up – take in your hand (149)pick sthng up – find/retrieve something (66)plug sthng in – connect an appliance with a cable (70)put sthng on – cover oneself/one’s body (136)pull ahead – move in front of something (126) pull out – withdraw/retreat (126)pull sthng up – take a plant and its roots from the earth

(143)put sbdy off – break sbdy else’s concentration (List 3.1)put sbdy off – disgust (91)put sthng off – postpone/delay to a later date (91)put sbdy up – give someone a bed for the night (57)put smthg away – arrange something in its proper place (152)put sthng up – erect (e.g. a tent) (List 15.2)put sthng on – present a show (60)put up with sthng/sbdy – endure/suffer (10)

run into sbdy – meet by chance (10)

save up – gradually save money until you have enough to buy sthng (106)

set sthng aside – keep money for an emergency (106) sell out – sell everything so there is nothing left (102)send sthng off – dispatch (17)set off – leave on a journey (57)set out – begin/begin with the intention of doing sthng

(148)set sthng up – programme/organize (29) establish (61)shop around – search for the best price for something (106)show sbdy around – act as a guide for a visitor (57)single sthng out – choose/select (48)spark sthng off – ignite/start (98)

spell sthng out – give each letter separately (30)splash out on sthng – spend a lot of money/more than you

can afford on something (105)spring up – appear unexpectedly (144)stand by sbdy – loyally support (10)stand out – be visible (157)sum sthg up – make a conclusion (92)

take off suddenly – become successful (34)take sbdy in – deceive (37)take sbdy on – challenge (88)take sbdy on – employ (17)take sbdy out – invite someone for a meal (57)take sbdy in – give sbdy in need a home/hospitality (150)take sbdy in – trick or deceive (149)take sthng in – absorb/understand news or information (150)take sthng in – make clothing smaller/tighter around body

(136)take off – leave the ground (57)take sthng off – remove clothing (136)take sbdy off – imitate the way sbdy sounds or behaves (149)take sthng over – take control (List 12.1)take sthng back – return something to from where it came

(82)talk about sthng – discuss (10)tear sthng apart – destroy while searching for something (84) think back – try to remember what happened (List 8.1)think sthng through – consider a problem logically (142)think up – imagine/create (142)throw sthng away – dispose of something no longer needed

(80)travel around – tour/visit different places (57)try sthng on – wear an item of clothes to see if it fits/suits

you (136)try sthng out – test/experiment with something (67)turn sthng out – produce (148)turn out – become apparent (147)turn sbdy out – make somebody leave somewhere (150)turn sthng down – reduce the volume, opposite turn up (133)turn sthng down – refuse (17)turn sthng off – stop the supply or water/electricity (160)turn up – arrive, often unexpectedly (52)turn sthng up – reduce the length of clothing (136)turn sthng into – transform (119)

watch out – take care/pay attention (37)wipe sbdy/sthng out – annihilate/totally destroy (e.g. by war

or disease) (124)

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