A phrasal verb is a verb with one or two prepositions or adverbs or one preposition and one adverb. When put together they often have a meaning completely different from the verb.
Phrasal Verb answer back Definition to reply in a rude way Examples Don’t answer back! Just do as I say! I’m tired of him answering me back. Verb and preposition separated? Must be separated if we use an object Normal or Informal Normal American / British /International International Regular / Irregular Answer is a regular verb.
Read morePhrasal Verb ask for Definition to deserve something bad Examples You’re asking for trouble if you refuse to pay. The referee sent him off for a terrible foul. He asked for it really. Verb and preposition separated? Can’t be separated Normal or Informal Normal American / British /International International Regular / Irregular Ask is a regular verb.
Read morePhrasal Verb ask in Definition to invite someone into your house Examples She came to our house so I had no choice but to ask her in. She made the mistake of asking him in and he stayed all afternoon! Verb and preposition separated? Must be separated Normal or Informal Normal American / British /International International Regular / Irregular Ask […]
Read morePhrasal Verb glide down Definition to move freely without a care Examples “Believe we’re gliding down the highway when in fact we’re slip slidin’ away” Paul Simon, Slip slidin’ away. The bride glided down the aisle on her father’s arm. Verb and preposition separated? Can’t be separated Normal or Informal Normal American / British /International International Regular / Irregular Glide […]
Read morePhrasal Verb ask out Definition to invite someone to go out with you Examples I finally had the courage to ask her out and she said yes! I asked her out after I saw her in the theatre. Verb and preposition separated? Must be separated Normal or Informal Normal American / British /International International Regular / Irregular Ask is a […]
Read morePhrasal Verb ask over Definition to invite someone to your house Examples I asked her over so we could talk about what was on her mind. I’ve asked my mother over for lunch. I hope you don’t mind. Verb and preposition separated? Must be separated Normal or Informal Normal American / British /International International Regular / Irregular Ask is a […]
Read morePhrasal Verb shoot down Definition to shoot something or someone and cause it/him/her to fall Examples “Shot down in a blaze of glory“, Jon Bon Jovi, Blaze of Glory The helicopter was shot down over enemy territory. Verb and preposition separated? Can be separated Normal or Informal Normal American / British /International International Regular / Irregular Shoot is an irregular […]
Read morePhrasal Verb add up Definition to make sense Examples His explanation doesn’t add up. He can’t have been there alone. It all adds up now. He was having an affair. This new law doesn’t add up. It won’t help anyone. Verb and preposition separated? Can’t be separated Normal or Informal Normal American / British/ International International Regular / Irregular Add is a regular verb.
Read morePhrasal Verb act up Definition to behave badly Examples The teacher was really frustrated as the children had been acting up all morning. The computer’s acting up. I can’t get it to work properly. If you don’t stop acting up I’ll send you to bed. Verb and preposition separated? Can’t be separated Normal or Informal Normal American / British/ International International Regular / Irregular Act is […]
Read morePhrasal Verb account for Definition to explain Examples He couldn’t account for the diamonds in his suitcase. Can you account for your absence yesterday? He couldn’t account for his whereabouts yesterday afternoon. Verb and preposition separated? Can’t be separated Normal or Informal Normal American / British/ International International Regular / Irregular Account is a regular verb.
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