Phrasal Verb Dictionary
To look up a word, click a letter in the menu on the left.
1. A phrasal verb is a verb plus a preposition which creates a meaning different from the original verb.
EXAMPLE: I ran into my teacher at the movies last night.
NOTE: You didn't physically run into your teacher, but you met your teacher unexpectedly.
2. A phrasal verb can be transitive or intransitive.
A transitive verb is followed by an object.
EXAMPLE: I made up the story. An intransitive verb is not followed by an object.
EXAMPLE: He suddenly showed up.
3. Transitive phrasal verbs can be separable or non-separable.
Separable verbs take the object between the verb and the preposition:
EXAMPLE: I talked into my mother letting me borrow the car. Not Correct I talked my mother into letting me borrow the car. Correct
Note: "talk into" is separable
Non-separable verbs take the object after the preposition:
EXAMPLE: I ran my sister into. Not Correct I ran into my sister. Correct
Note: "run into" is non-separable
Some phrasal verbs can take a preposition in both places.
EXAMPLE: I made an excuse up. Correct I made up an excuse. Correct
Note: make up is both separable and non-seperable
4. In this phrasal verb dictionary, the following symbols will be used with transitive phrasal verbs to indicate whether they are separable, non-separable or take prepositions in both places:
+ non-separable EXAMPLE: run into +
* separable EXAMPLE: talk * into
* + Indicates that an object can be placed in both positions EXAMPLE: made * up +
Phrasal Verb
Definition
Example
act up
behave or function improperly
I think I need to take my car to the mechanic because it's acting up again.
add * up +
calculat a sum
I added up the receipts and it totaled $135.46.
add up to +
equal an amount
The total expenses added up to $325.00.
add up
make sense
Her story doesn't add up. I think she is lying.
ask * out +
invite on a date
I can't believe that Joe finally asked me out on a date!
ask * over +
invite to one's home
Why don't we ask the Johnsons over for dinner?
back down
stop defending your opinion in a debate
Jane never backs down. She always wins arguments.
back out
not keep (a promise, agreement,deal)
Sam backed out at the last second.
back out of +
not keep (a promise, agreement, deal)
Sam backed out of the agreement at the last second.
back * up +
give support
You need examples to back up your opinion.
back up
move backwards, reverse
Could you back up a little so I can open this drawer.
bawl * out
criticize, reprimand (inf.)
She bawled him out for arriving late.
bear down on +
bite
The soldier had to bear down on the leather strap while the doctor removed a bullet from the soldier's arm.
take strong measures against
The U.S.A. is bearing down on drug traffickers.
bear on +
have to do with
This information may bear on this case.
bear up
withstand
I didn't think he would bear up so well in that situation.
bear up under +
How did he bear up under such extreme pressure.
bear with +
be patient
Please bear with me while I fill out the paperwork.
blow in
visit unexpectedly (inf.)
My cousin blew in unexpectedly with his entire family.
blow over
pass without creating a problem
All this negative publicity will blow over in a couple of weeks.
blow * up +
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