Category: Vocabulary

Phrasal Verb drag down Definition to make someone feel bad Examples I was in a good mood and then I had to listen to her complaining and she dragged me down. Stop dragging everybody down and enjoy yourself! Verb and preposition separated? Must be separated Normal or Informal Normal American / British / International International Regular / Irregular Drag is […]

Phrasal Verb die down Definition to gradually stop Examples Let’s hope the fuss dies down soon and we can get on with our lives!   “And sometimes in the wee hours when the traffic dies down she’ll hear the sound of some bird on the wing.” Bob Seger, The Ring Verb and preposition separated? Must be separated Normal or Informal […]

Phrasal Verb come true Definition to become reality Examples My dream has finally come true: I’m going to live in America! “I remembered something you once told me and I’ll be damned if it did not come true” Gram Parsons, Return of a Grievous Angel Verb and preposition separated? Can’t be separated Normal or Informal Normal American / British / International […]

Phrasal Verb carry on Definition to continue Examples Even though they were shouting at her, she carried on talking. I told him to carry on because I think he’s doing a good job. Verb and preposition separated? Can’t be separated Normal or Informal Normal American / British / International International Regular / Irregular carry is a regular verb

Phrasal Verb call off Definition to cancel Examples The match was called off due to heavy slow. I was looking forward to having the party but I had to call it off because othe flu epidemic. Verb and preposition separated? Can be separated Normal or Informal Normal American / British / International International Regular / Irregular Call is a regular verb

Phrasal Verb burn down Definition destroyed by fire Examples “This old house would have burnt down a long time ago” John Prine, Angel from Montgomery He threw a cigarette on the floor and caused the barn to burn down. Verb and preposition separated? Can be separated Normal or Informal Normal American / British / International International Regular / Irregular Burn is […]

Phrasal Verb break down Definition to stop working (something mechanical) Examples “The years just flow by like a broken down dam” John Prine, Angel from Montgomery My car broken down and I had to push it to the garage. Verb and preposition separated? Can’t be separated Normal or Informal Normal American / British / International International Regular / Irregular Break is […]

Phrasal Verb black out Definition to lose consciousness Examples The baseball hit himhard and he blacked out for a while. I don’t remember much about it, I blacked out after a while. Verb and preposition separated? Can’t be separated Normal or Informal Normal American / British / International International Regular / Irregular Black is a regular verb

Phrasal Verb back down Definition to reply in a rude way Examples He wanted to go first but in the end he backed down and let her go first. “I won’t back down.” Tom Petty, I won’t back down Verb and preposition separated? Can’t be separated Normal or Informal Normal American / British / International American Regular / Irregular Back […]