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๐ Content updated on 21 April 2026
๐ Phrasal Verbs & Verb Phrases – Quick Summary:
A phrasal verb combines a main verb with a preposition or adverb (particle) to create a new meaning (e.g., give up = quit, look after = care for). Verb phrases include helping verbs and main verbs (e.g., has been working). Phrasal verbs are idiomatic—their meaning often cannot be guessed from the individual words.
๐ง๐ซ Instructions for Teachers & Students: Choose the correct phrasal verb or verb phrase to complete the sentence, or identify its meaning. Click “Show Answer” for the correct choice and a clear explanation.
๐ง๐ซ Instructions for Teachers & Students: Choose the correct phrasal verb or verb phrase to complete the sentence, or identify its meaning. Click “Show Answer” for the correct choice and a clear explanation.
In this worksheet:
(Click any topic to jump straight to that section)
Phrasal verbs make your English sound natural and fluent. For more verb mastery, revisit the
Verbs and Tenses hub.
If you're looking for integrated practice, the
Integrated Grammar hub
brings everything together.
✅ Solved Examples (20 Questions with Answers)
Study these common phrasal verbs and verb phrases in action.
Solved Q.1
"She decided to give up smoking." Meaning of 'give up'?
Show Answer
Answer: Quit / Stop
Explanation: 'Give up' is a phrasal verb meaning to stop doing something (a habit or activity). It does not mean to physically hand something over.
Example: He gave up eating junk food.
Explanation: 'Give up' is a phrasal verb meaning to stop doing something (a habit or activity). It does not mean to physically hand something over.
Example: He gave up eating junk food.
Solved Q.2
"I look after my younger brother." Meaning of 'look after'?
Show Answer
Answer: Take care of
Explanation: 'Look after' means to care for or be responsible for someone or something.
Example: She looks after her grandmother.
Explanation: 'Look after' means to care for or be responsible for someone or something.
Example: She looks after her grandmother.
Solved Q.3
"The meeting was called off due to rain." Meaning of 'call off'?
Show Answer
Answer: Cancel
Explanation: 'Call off' means to cancel an event or arrangement.
Example: They called off the match.
Explanation: 'Call off' means to cancel an event or arrangement.
Example: They called off the match.
Solved Q.4
"I came across an old photograph." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Found by chance
Explanation: 'Come across' means to find or meet unexpectedly, without planning.
Example: She came across her old diary.
Explanation: 'Come across' means to find or meet unexpectedly, without planning.
Example: She came across her old diary.
Solved Q.5
"They put off the trip until next week." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Postpone / Delay
Explanation: 'Put off' means to delay doing something to a later time.
Example: Don't put off your homework.
Explanation: 'Put off' means to delay doing something to a later time.
Example: Don't put off your homework.
Solved Q.6
"Please turn down the volume." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Reduce / Lower
Explanation: 'Turn down' means to decrease the level of something (sound, heat, etc.).
Example: Could you turn down the AC?
Explanation: 'Turn down' means to decrease the level of something (sound, heat, etc.).
Example: Could you turn down the AC?
Solved Q.7
"He ran out of petrol on the highway." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Had no more / Exhausted supply
Explanation: 'Run out of' means to finish the supply of something.
Example: We ran out of milk.
Explanation: 'Run out of' means to finish the supply of something.
Example: We ran out of milk.
Solved Q.8
"She takes after her mother." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Resemble (in appearance or character)
Explanation: 'Take after' means to be similar to an older family member.
Example: He takes after his father in looks.
Explanation: 'Take after' means to be similar to an older family member.
Example: He takes after his father in looks.
Solved Q.9
"The car broke down on the way." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Stopped working (machinery/vehicle)
Explanation: 'Break down' means to stop functioning.
Example: The lift broke down yesterday.
Explanation: 'Break down' means to stop functioning.
Example: The lift broke down yesterday.
Solved Q.10
"I can't make out what he is saying." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Understand / See clearly
Explanation: 'Make out' means to manage to see, hear, or understand with difficulty.
Example: Can you make out the address?
Explanation: 'Make out' means to manage to see, hear, or understand with difficulty.
Example: Can you make out the address?
Solved Q.11
"She turned up late for the meeting." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Arrive / Appear
Explanation: 'Turn up' means to arrive or appear, often unexpectedly or later than expected.
Example: He finally turned up after an hour.
Explanation: 'Turn up' means to arrive or appear, often unexpectedly or later than expected.
Example: He finally turned up after an hour.
Solved Q.12
"The firemen put out the fire quickly." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Extinguish / Stop burning
Explanation: 'Put out' means to extinguish something like a fire, cigarette, or light.
Example: Please put out the candle.
Explanation: 'Put out' means to extinguish something like a fire, cigarette, or light.
Example: Please put out the candle.
Solved Q.13
"I look forward to hearing from you." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Await eagerly / Anticipate with pleasure
Explanation: 'Look forward to' expresses happy anticipation. Note: 'to' is a preposition, so it's followed by a noun or gerund.
Example: We look forward to the trip.
Explanation: 'Look forward to' expresses happy anticipation. Note: 'to' is a preposition, so it's followed by a noun or gerund.
Example: We look forward to the trip.
Solved Q.14
"I need to go over my notes before the test." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Review / Examine carefully
Explanation: 'Go over' means to check or review something in detail.
Example: Let's go over the plan once more.
Explanation: 'Go over' means to check or review something in detail.
Example: Let's go over the plan once more.
Solved Q.15
"The bomb went off at midnight." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Explode / Make a sudden noise
Explanation: 'Go off' means to explode (bomb) or ring loudly (alarm).
Example: My alarm went off at 6 am.
Explanation: 'Go off' means to explode (bomb) or ring loudly (alarm).
Example: My alarm went off at 6 am.
Solved Q.16
"She pointed out the mistake in my essay." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Indicate / Draw attention to
Explanation: 'Point out' means to highlight or mention something so others notice it.
Example: He pointed out the landmarks.
Explanation: 'Point out' means to highlight or mention something so others notice it.
Example: He pointed out the landmarks.
Solved Q.17
"They set off early in the morning." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Begin a journey
Explanation: 'Set off' (or 'set out') means to start a trip or journey.
Example: We set off for the hills at dawn.
Explanation: 'Set off' (or 'set out') means to start a trip or journey.
Example: We set off for the hills at dawn.
Solved Q.18
"I'll pick you up at 7 pm." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Collect / Fetch (in a vehicle)
Explanation: 'Pick up' means to go and get someone (or something) in a vehicle, or to lift something.
Example: She picked up the kids from school.
Explanation: 'Pick up' means to go and get someone (or something) in a vehicle, or to lift something.
Example: She picked up the kids from school.
Solved Q.19
"The company took over its rival." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Gain control of / Acquire
Explanation: 'Take over' means to assume control or ownership of something.
Example: She took over the family business.
Explanation: 'Take over' means to assume control or ownership of something.
Example: She took over the family business.
Solved Q.20
"Don't bring up that topic again." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Mention / Introduce (a subject)
Explanation: 'Bring up' means to start talking about a particular subject, often something sensitive.
Example: He brought up the issue of salary.
Explanation: 'Bring up' means to start talking about a particular subject, often something sensitive.
Example: He brought up the issue of salary.
Phrasal verbs are everywhere in spoken English. Explore more idiomatic expressions at the
Vocabulary Building hub.
To test your overall grammar, try the
Error Correction exercises.
✏️ Practice Questions (20 Questions with Answers)
Choose the correct phrasal verb or identify its meaning.
Practice Q.1
"Can you _____ (look up / look for) this word in the dictionary?"
Show Answer
Answer: look up
Explanation: 'Look up' means to search for information in a reference source.
Example: I'll look up the address online.
Explanation: 'Look up' means to search for information in a reference source.
Example: I'll look up the address online.
Practice Q.2
"The plane _____ (took off / took over) on time."
Show Answer
Answer: took off
Explanation: 'Take off' means (for an aircraft) to leave the ground and begin flight.
Example: The helicopter took off smoothly.
Explanation: 'Take off' means (for an aircraft) to leave the ground and begin flight.
Example: The helicopter took off smoothly.
Practice Q.3
"I _____ (get along / get over) well with my colleagues."
Show Answer
Answer: get along
Explanation: 'Get along (with)' means to have a friendly relationship.
Example: Do you get along with your neighbours?
Explanation: 'Get along (with)' means to have a friendly relationship.
Example: Do you get along with your neighbours?
Practice Q.4
"She _____ (broke up / broke into) with her boyfriend."
Show Answer
Answer: broke up
Explanation: 'Break up' means to end a romantic relationship.
Example: They broke up after five years.
Explanation: 'Break up' means to end a romantic relationship.
Example: They broke up after five years.
Practice Q.5
"Please _____ (fill out / fill in) this application form."
Show Answer
Answer: fill out (or fill in)
Explanation: Both mean to complete a form by writing information. 'Fill out' is common in American English; 'fill in' in British.
Example: He filled out the registration form.
Explanation: Both mean to complete a form by writing information. 'Fill out' is common in American English; 'fill in' in British.
Example: He filled out the registration form.
Practice Q.6
"The police asked him to _____ (hand over / hand out) his weapon."
Show Answer
Answer: hand over
Explanation: 'Hand over' means to give something to someone, especially when forced or officially.
Example: She handed over the keys to the new owner.
Explanation: 'Hand over' means to give something to someone, especially when forced or officially.
Example: She handed over the keys to the new owner.
Practice Q.7
"I need to _____ (work out / work up) more often." (exercise)
Show Answer
Answer: work out
Explanation: 'Work out' means to exercise or train the body. It can also mean to solve a problem.
Example: She works out at the gym daily.
Explanation: 'Work out' means to exercise or train the body. It can also mean to solve a problem.
Example: She works out at the gym daily.
Practice Q.8
"The teacher _____ (handed in / handed out) the test papers."
Show Answer
Answer: handed out
Explanation: 'Hand out' means to distribute to a group of people.
Example: Volunteers handed out food packets.
Explanation: 'Hand out' means to distribute to a group of people.
Example: Volunteers handed out food packets.
Practice Q.9
"He _____ (passed away / passed out) after hearing the news." (fainted)
Show Answer
Answer: passed out
Explanation: 'Pass out' means to lose consciousness / faint. 'Pass away' means to die.
Example: She passed out from the heat.
Explanation: 'Pass out' means to lose consciousness / faint. 'Pass away' means to die.
Example: She passed out from the heat.
Practice Q.10
"Can you _____ (hold on / hold up) for a moment?"
Show Answer
Answer: hold on
Explanation: 'Hold on' means to wait, especially on the telephone.
Example: Hold on, I'll check for you.
Explanation: 'Hold on' means to wait, especially on the telephone.
Example: Hold on, I'll check for you.
Practice Q.11
"The meaning _____ (came across / came out) clearly."
Show Answer
Answer: came across
Explanation: 'Come across' can mean to be understood or communicated effectively.
Example: His speech came across as sincere.
Explanation: 'Come across' can mean to be understood or communicated effectively.
Example: His speech came across as sincere.
Practice Q.12
"We need to _____ (cut down / cut off) on expenses."
Show Answer
Answer: cut down
Explanation: 'Cut down' means to reduce the amount of something.
Example: I'm trying to cut down on sugar.
Explanation: 'Cut down' means to reduce the amount of something.
Example: I'm trying to cut down on sugar.
Practice Q.13
"Don't _____ (let down / let out) your team."
Show Answer
Answer: let down
Explanation: 'Let down' means to disappoint or fail to support someone.
Example: I promise I won't let you down.
Explanation: 'Let down' means to disappoint or fail to support someone.
Example: I promise I won't let you down.
Practice Q.14
"The children _____ (grew up / grew out) in a small town."
Show Answer
Answer: grew up
Explanation: 'Grow up' means to become an adult or to spend childhood.
Example: She grew up in Mumbai.
Explanation: 'Grow up' means to become an adult or to spend childhood.
Example: She grew up in Mumbai.
Practice Q.15
"I'll _____ (drop by / drop out) your house later."
Show Answer
Answer: drop by
Explanation: 'Drop by' (or 'drop in') means to visit informally without planning far ahead.
Example: Feel free to drop by anytime.
Explanation: 'Drop by' (or 'drop in') means to visit informally without planning far ahead.
Example: Feel free to drop by anytime.
Practice Q.16
"She _____ (showed off / showed up) her new dress."
Show Answer
Answer: showed off
Explanation: 'Show off' means to display proudly, often to impress others (sometimes negatively).
Example: He loves to show off his knowledge.
Explanation: 'Show off' means to display proudly, often to impress others (sometimes negatively).
Example: He loves to show off his knowledge.
Practice Q.17
"The manager _____ (turned down / turned out) my request."
Show Answer
Answer: turned down
Explanation: 'Turn down' can mean to reject or refuse an offer or request.
Example: She turned down the job offer.
Explanation: 'Turn down' can mean to reject or refuse an offer or request.
Example: She turned down the job offer.
Practice Q.18
"Can you _____ (keep up / keep on) with the class?"
Show Answer
Answer: keep up
Explanation: 'Keep up' means to stay at the same level or pace as others.
Example: He struggles to keep up with the workload.
Explanation: 'Keep up' means to stay at the same level or pace as others.
Example: He struggles to keep up with the workload.
Practice Q.19
"She _____ (came up with / came down with) a brilliant idea."
Show Answer
Answer: came up with
Explanation: 'Come up with' means to think of or produce an idea, plan, or solution.
Example: We need to come up with a new strategy.
Explanation: 'Come up with' means to think of or produce an idea, plan, or solution.
Example: We need to come up with a new strategy.
Practice Q.20
"I _____ (woke up / woke over) late this morning."
Show Answer
Answer: woke up
Explanation: 'Wake up' means to stop sleeping.
Example: She woke up at dawn.
Explanation: 'Wake up' means to stop sleeping.
Example: She woke up at dawn.
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๐ Challenge Questions (10 Questions with Answers)
These test your grasp of idiomatic phrasal verbs and multi‑word verbs.
Challenge Q.1
"I can't put up with this noise anymore." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Tolerate / Endure
Explanation: 'Put up with' is a three‑part phrasal verb meaning to accept something unpleasant without complaining.
Example: I won't put up with such behaviour.
Explanation: 'Put up with' is a three‑part phrasal verb meaning to accept something unpleasant without complaining.
Example: I won't put up with such behaviour.
Challenge Q.2
"The meeting _____ (ran over / ran into) by an hour."
Show Answer
Answer: ran over
Explanation: 'Run over' means to exceed the expected time limit.
Example: The show ran over by ten minutes.
Explanation: 'Run over' means to exceed the expected time limit.
Example: The show ran over by ten minutes.
Challenge Q.3
"She _____ (stands for / stands by) equality and justice."
Show Answer
Answer: stands for
Explanation: 'Stand for' means to represent or support a particular principle or idea.
Example: What does the logo stand for?
Explanation: 'Stand for' means to represent or support a particular principle or idea.
Example: What does the logo stand for?
Challenge Q.4
"He _____ (came into / came by) a large fortune after his uncle's death."
Show Answer
Answer: came into
Explanation: 'Come into' (money/property) means to inherit or suddenly receive.
Example: She came into a lot of money.
Explanation: 'Come into' (money/property) means to inherit or suddenly receive.
Example: She came into a lot of money.
Challenge Q.5
"The deal _____ (fell through / fell out) at the last minute."
Show Answer
Answer: fell through
Explanation: 'Fall through' means to fail to happen or be completed as planned.
Example: Our holiday plans fell through.
Explanation: 'Fall through' means to fail to happen or be completed as planned.
Example: Our holiday plans fell through.
Challenge Q.6
"I _____ (called on / called for) my neighbour yesterday." (visited)
Show Answer
Answer: called on
Explanation: 'Call on' means to visit someone for a short time, often formally.
Example: The minister called on the Prime Minister.
Explanation: 'Call on' means to visit someone for a short time, often formally.
Example: The minister called on the Prime Minister.
Challenge Q.7
"I _____ (saw through / saw off) his lies immediately."
Show Answer
Answer: saw through
Explanation: 'See through' means to detect the true nature of something, especially deception.
Example: She quickly saw through his excuse.
Explanation: 'See through' means to detect the true nature of something, especially deception.
Example: She quickly saw through his excuse.
Challenge Q.8
"The project is _____ (held up / held out) due to bad weather."
Show Answer
Answer: held up
Explanation: 'Hold up' means to delay or cause to be late.
Example: Traffic held us up for an hour.
Explanation: 'Hold up' means to delay or cause to be late.
Example: Traffic held us up for an hour.
Challenge Q.9
"She _____ (took to / took up) painting as a hobby."
Show Answer
Answer: took up
Explanation: 'Take up' means to begin a new hobby or activity.
Example: He took up yoga last year.
Explanation: 'Take up' means to begin a new hobby or activity.
Example: He took up yoga last year.
Challenge Q.10
"I'm _____ (looking for / looking into) the possibility of studying abroad."
Show Answer
Answer: looking into
Explanation: 'Look into' means to investigate or examine something carefully.
Example: The police are looking into the matter.
Explanation: 'Look into' means to investigate or examine something carefully.
Example: The police are looking into the matter.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
FAQ 1
What is a phrasal verb?
Show Answer
Answer: A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a preposition or adverb (particle) that creates a new meaning, often different from the original verb. E.g., 'give up' (quit), 'look after' (care for).
FAQ 2
What is the difference between separable and inseparable phrasal verbs?
Show Answer
Answer: Separable phrasal verbs allow the object between the verb and particle: "Turn the TV off" or "Turn off the TV". With inseparable phrasal verbs, the object must come after the particle: "Look after the children" (not "Look the children after").
FAQ 3
What is a verb phrase?
Show Answer
Answer: A verb phrase includes a main verb plus any helping (auxiliary) verbs. E.g., "She has been working hard." "They will have finished by then."
FAQ 4
How can I learn phrasal verbs effectively?
Show Answer
Answer: Learn them in context (in sentences), group them by particle (e.g., 'up' phrasal verbs: give up, take up, break up), and practice using them in speaking and writing.
FAQ 5
Are phrasal verbs formal or informal?
Show Answer
Answer: Many phrasal verbs are informal and common in everyday speech. In formal writing, single‑word equivalents are often preferred (e.g., 'postpone' instead of 'put off', 'investigate' instead of 'look into').
