Campus Recruitment – Verbal Ability – Phrasal Verbs
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Phrasal Verbs
As mentioned earlier phrases play an important role in all languages. Since the meaning of phrases cannot be literal or straight forward, it is essential to know what a phrase means and how it is used. Many verbs when followed by various prepositions, or adverbs, acquire an idiomatic sense. Here is a list of common phrasal verbs followed by some idiomatic expressions.
Blow over = disappear slowly.
The present crisis will soon blow over.
Back out = withdraw from.
She backed out of the agreement.
Back up = support.
We will back up this man’s claim for the property.
Break out = to begin or happen.
The war broke out between Palestine and Israel.
Break down = stop working.
On the way my car broke down.
Bring about = to become a reason for something.
Nepotism and arrogance brought about his ruin.
Bring Round = to change one’s mind.
It is very difficult to bring him round to our proposal.
Hit upon = find out or discover.
Rajesh has hit upon a good plan to watch the match.
Bear with = have patience.
She could not bear with her frequent migraines.
Break into = rob, steal.
Two raiders broke into their home.
Bring about = cause success, to accomplish, cause.
This habit brought about a great change in his life.
Bring out = emphasize, highlight, publish.
They are bringing out a edition of this book next year.
Call for = demand
The protesting students called for a meeting with the C.M.
Call on = pay a visit to someone, go and see.
The foreign minister of Afghanistan called on the P.M.
Carry away = lose control
He was carried away when he saw her talking rubbish.
Carry out = to perform a duty/ to execute.
They agreed to carry out the orders issued by the Director.
Clear off = to go away, to leave.
He got angry and asked the servant to clean off.
Clear up = become brighter, explain, resolve.
The sky will clear up soon.
Cut in = interrupt.
Don’t cut in when some one speaks.
Cut down = reduce.
She Cut down her domestic expenditure.
Do away = abolish.
They have decided to do away with the old lighting system.
Doing up = to renovate, to fasten.
This house requires doing up.
Fall through = fail
The scheme fell through due to lack of support.
Fall off = decline, lessen.
The sale of books has fallen off this summer.
Fall out = argue, quarrel.
He had fallen out with his family.
Get off = escape a punishment.
The industrialist got off with a light punishment.
Get though = to pass.
He got through the examination.
Give up = to stop.
Mr. Prasad gave up smoking.
Hold up = remain strong or vigorous.
The Labour vote held up well.
Lay down = to give up, to surrender.
The rebels laid down their arms in front of the IG of Police.
Look after = take care of.
The child was looked after by his grandparents.
Look into = investigate.
I will look into it and let you know.
Look down = despise / condemn.
We should not look down upon poor people.
Pick up = select.
He was picked out of nearly 5000 students.
Pull through = recover.
The doctor is hopeful that the patient will pull through.
Put up with = endure, tolerate.
He could not put up with the harassment of his boss.
Pull up = stop, halt.shi
The car pulled up in front of the hotel.
See through = detect.
You can ‘tfool me anymore. I can see through all your tricks.
Strike off = remove, erase.
His name was struck off from the rolls.
Take after = resemble.
He takes after his father.
Throw out = reject, discard.
His suggestion was thrown out by the members of the board.
Turn up = come, arrive, appear.
We waited for him for two hours but he didn’t turn up.
Turn out = prove.
She turned out to be more efficient than we expected.
Turn down = refuse, reject.
She turned down my request.
Work out = to solve, to accomplish.
You must work out this problem.
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