(Video Transcript)
30 Must-Know Phrasal Verbs in English
Okay, are you cracking up at that video?
Or maybe you’re amped up? Zoning out? Or did you feel like that video dragged on?
Hey everyone. So…what did I mean by amped up? Zoning out? Dragging on? Cracking up? These are all phrasal verbs in American English. Phrasal verbs are super common in English - there are thousands of them that native speakers can use - and if you want to become fluent in English, you must know them, too!
In this video, you’re going to learn thirty phrasal verbs that will spice up your vocabulary, improve your English fluency, and enhance your real-world English conversation skills.
I’m going to go through them quickly and use a rapid fire teaching technique - so sit down, get focused, and get ready to learn thirty “must know” phrasal verbs in English!
Here’s how today’s lesson will go. I’ll show you a phrasal verb on the screen. I’ll give you its pronunciation and a quick definition. Then, to help you to actually learn the phrasal verb and integrate it into your vocabulary, we’re going to look at sentences that can be rewritten to include that phrasal verb. This will help you learn how each phrasal verb that we discuss today can be used in everyday conversations.
Don’t forget to pause this video at any time so you can practice the sentences containing the phrasal verbs. Become more familiar with the pronunciation, the rhythm and reductions, and the intonation that you hear. And as you watch this video, I want you to select three or four phrasal verbs that you want to incorporate into your vocabulary. Write them down and commit to using them every day this week - that’s how you’re going to actually learn them.
Let’s get started.
Phrasal Verbs in English: 30 Must-Know Phrasal Verbs
Amp up
Amp up means to increase intensity or energy.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb amp up.
This music makes me feel more energized.
So this sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb amp up to make it more conversational:
The music really amps up my energy!
So, try out this sentence: The music really amps up my energy!
Bank on
Bank on means to rely on or to expect something and be confident that it will happen.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb bank on.
Don’t expect the trains will operate after midnight.
So this sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb bank on to make it more conversational:
Don’t bank on trains operating after midnight.
So, try out this sentence: Don’t bank on trains operating after midnight.
Bog down
Bog down means to become stuck or slowed.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb bog down.
Paperwork can slow the completion of any renovation.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb bog down to make it more conversational:
Paperwork can bog down any renovation.
So, try out this sentence: Paperwork can bog down any renovation.
Branch out
Branch out means to expand into new areas
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb branch out.
The firm will expand into biotech.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb branch out to make it more conversational:
The firm will branch out into biotech.
So, try out this sentence: The firm will branch out into biotech.
Break down
Break down has a few meanings: it can mean to analyze, to stop functioning, or to lose emotional control.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb break down, when it means to analyze.
Let me analyze the budget quickly.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb break down to make it more conversational:
Let me break down the budget quickly.
So, try out this sentence: Let me break down the budget quickly.
Brush up on
Brush up on means to refresh a skill or knowledge.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to brush up on.
She’s refreshing her Mandarin tonight.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb brush up on to make it more conversational:
She’s brushing up on her Mandarin tonight.
So, try out this sentence: She’s brushing up on her Mandarin tonight.
Burst out
Burst out means to explode suddenly with emotion, often used when someone begins to cry or laugh suddenly.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to burst out.
He suddenly started laughing very loudly at the misprint.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb burst out to make it more conversational:
He burst out laughing at the misprint.
So, try out this sentence: He burst out laughing at the misprint.
Chip in
Chip in means to contribute money or ideas.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to chip in.
We all contributed money for pizza.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb chip in to make it more conversational:
We all chipped in for pizza.
So, try out this sentence: We all chipped in for pizza.
Chime in
Chime in means to add to a conversation with your remarks or examples.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to chime in.
Please add your remarks to the conversation if you disagree.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb chime in to make it more conversational:
Please chime in if you disagree.
So, try out this sentence: Please chime in if you disagree.
Clamp down
To clamp down means to strictly enforce the rules.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to clamp down.
Police plan to strictly enforce the laws on speeding.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb clamp down to make it more conversational:
Police plan to clamp down on speeding.
So, try out this sentence: Police plan to clamp down on speeding.
Crack up
Crack up means to laugh uncontrollably or to cause someone to laugh.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to crack up.
That comedian makes me laugh every time.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb crack up to make it more conversational:
That comedian cracks me up every time.
So, try out this sentence: That comedian cracks me up every time.
Drag on
Drag on means to continue tediously long.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to drag on.
The trial continued for months, much longer than it should have.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb drag on to make it more conversational:
The trial dragged on for months.
So, try out this sentence: The trial dragged on for months.
Edge out
Edge out means to narrowly defeat or replace.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to edge out.
Our startup narrowly defeated bigger rivals.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb edge out to make it more conversational:
Our startup edged out bigger rivals.
So, try out this sentence: Our startup edged out bigger rivals.
Fizzle out
Fizzle out means to gradually fail or lose momentum.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to fizzle out.
The protest gradually lost momentum by evening.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb fizzle out to make it more conversational:
The protest fizzled out by evening.
So, try out this sentence: The protest fizzled out by evening.
Freak out
Freak out means to react with strong fear or excitement.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to freak out.
She was very excited and screamed when the lights went off.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb freak out to make it more conversational:
She freaked out when the lights went off.
So, try out this sentence: She freaked out when the lights went off.
Iron out
Iron out means to resolve small problems or details.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to iron out.
We’ll resolve the issues with the details tomorrow.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb iron out to make it more conversational:
We’ll iron out the details tomorrow.
So, try out this sentence: We’ll iron out the details tomorrow.
Jot down
Jot down means to write quickly or to make a brief note.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to jot down.
Quickly write down the address before you leave.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb jot down to make it more conversational:
Jot down the address before you leave.
So, try out this sentence: Jot down the address before you leave.
Knuckle down
Knuckle down means to start working hard or to focus intently on something.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to knuckle down.
It’s time to work hard and revise our paper.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb knuckle down to make it more conversational:
It’s time to knuckle down and revise our paper.
So, try out this sentence: It’s time to knuckle down and revise our paper.
Lash out
Lash out means to attack verbally or physically.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to lash out.
He yelled for a long time at the referee for giving his favorite player a foul.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb lash out to make it more conversational:
He lashed out at the referee for giving his favorite player a foul.
So, try out this sentence: He lashed out at the referee for giving his favorite player a foul.
Lean on
Lean on means to depend on for support or to pressure someone.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to lean on.
You can depend on me for advice.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb lean on to make it more conversational:
You can lean on me for advice.
So, try out this sentence: You can lean on me for advice.
Nail down
Nail down means to finalize or to secure a decision.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to nail down.
Let’s finalize a meeting time.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb nail down to make it more conversational:
Let’s nail down a meeting time.
So, try out this sentence: Let’s nail down a meeting time.
Opt out of
Opt out of means to choose not to participate in something.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to opt out of.
She chose to no longer receive the newsletter.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb opt out of to make it more conversational:
She opted out of the newsletter.
So, try out this sentence: She opted out of the newsletter.
Pan out
Pan out means to turn out well or to turn out badly, depending on the context.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to pan out.
The investment ended up concluding surprisingly well.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb pan out to make it more conversational:
The investment panned out surprisingly well.
So, try out this sentence: The investment panned out surprisingly well.
Pick on
Pick on means to bully or to single out for criticism.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to pick on.
Stop bullying your brother.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb pick on to make it more conversational:
Stop picking on your brother.
So, try out this sentence: Stop picking on your brother.
Root for
Root for means to support enthusiastically.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to root for.
We enthusiastically support the home team.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb root for to make it more conversational:
We root for the home team.
So, try out this sentence: We root for the home team.
Rub off on
Rub off on means to transfer qualities or feelings to someone.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to rub off on.
Her enthusiasm transfers onto everyone.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb rub off on to make it more conversational:
Her enthusiasm rubs off on everyone.
So, try out this sentence: Her enthusiasm rubs off on everyone.
Single out
Single out means to choose one person or one thing for attention.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to single out.
The teacher chose Luke as the student she wanted to praise.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb single out to make it more conversational:
The teacher singled out Luke for praise.
So, try out this sentence: The teacher singled out Luke for praise.
Slack off
Slack off means to work less hard, or it can mean to be lazy.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to slack off.
Don’t be lazy and work with less intensity after lunch.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb slack off to make it more conversational:
Don’t slack off after lunch.
So, try out this sentence: Don’t slack off after lunch.
Tick off
Tick off means to annoy. It can also mean to list items quickly.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to tick off.
Late deliveries really annoy customers.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb tick off, when it means to annoy, to make it more conversational:
Late deliveries really tick customers off.
So, try out this sentence: Late deliveries really tick customers off.
Zone out
Zone out means to lose focus or to mentally drift.
Here’s a sentence that could be rewritten to include the phrasal verb to zone out.
I lost mental focus during the lecture’s slides.
This sentence is perfectly fine to use - it’s grammatically correct and makes sense. But here’s how you can use the phrasal verb zone out to make it more conversational:
I zoned out during the lecture’s slides.
So, try out this sentence: I zoned out during the lecture’s slides.
All right, so you just learned thirty phrasal verbs in English. How did it go? Which three phrasal verbs are you going to commit to using this week? Let me know in the comments!
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