Ten phrasal verbs that natives use hourly and textbooks bury on page 300. Each one replaces a stiffer word you already know.
figure out[ˈfɪɡ.ər aʊt]
to understand something after thinking about it
ExamplesI finally figured out what he meant.
Synonymswork out, understand
phrasal verbsverbs
put off[pʊt ɒf]
to move something to a later time, often because you do not want to do it
ExamplesStop putting off the dentist.
Synonymspostpone, delay
phrasal verbsverbs
give up[ɡɪv ʌp]
to stop trying, or to stop doing something you used to do
ExamplesShe gave up after the third attempt.
Synonymsquit
phrasal verbsverbs
run out of[rʌn aʊt ɒv]
to have no more of something left
ExamplesWe have run out of milk.
phrasal verbsverbs
come across[kʌm əˈkrɒs]
to meet or find something by chance
ExamplesI came across an old photo.
Synonymsstumble on
phrasal verbsverbs
look after[lʊk ˈɑːf.tə]
to take care of a person, an animal or a thing
ExamplesWho is looking after the cat?
Synonymstake care of, mind
phrasal verbsverbs
turn down[tɜːn daʊn]
to refuse an offer, or to lower a sound
ExamplesHe turned down the job.
Synonymsrefuse, reject
phrasal verbsverbs
get on with[ɡet ɒn wɪð]
to have a good relationship with someone
ExamplesThey get on with their neighbours.
phrasal verbsverbs
sort out[sɔːt aʊt]
to deal with a problem or put things in order
ExamplesI will sort out the tickets.
Synonymsfix, resolve
phrasal verbsverbs
bring up[brɪŋ ʌp]
to start talking about a subject
ExamplesDo not bring that up at dinner.
Synonymsmention, raise
phrasal verbsverbs
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