Common English Phrasal Verbs and their Meanings with Examples | Learn English Vocabulary
Phrasal Verbs – Phrasal verbs are very common in English, especially in more informal contexts. They are made up of a verb and a particle or, sometimes, two particles. The particle often changes the meaning of the verb. There are over 10,000 phrasal verbs in the English language. In the post below we have given the meanings of the commonly used phrasal verbs with examples. Also, practice exercises and video explanations have been provided for you to know how phrasal verbs are used.
- What are Phrasal Verb
- Phrasal Verb Related to Daily Routine
- Phrasal Verb Related to Education
- Phrasal Verb Related to Shopping
- Phrasal Verb Related to Clothing
- Phrasal Verb Related to Travel
- Phrasal Verb Related to Animals
- Phrasal Verb Related to Family
- Phrasal Verb Related to Food and Drink
- Phrasal Verb Related to Telephone
- Phrasal Verb Related to Work
What are phrasal verbs?
A phrasal verb is a combination of words (a verb + a preposition or verb +adverb). When these words are used together, they take on a different meaning to that of the original verb.
The Phrasal verb formed has a meaning different from the meaning of the verb used.
Phrasal verbs are an important part of English language skills and make communication effective and better.
Here is a list of important Phrasal verbs in English. These have been categorised according to different actions / situations of daily life.
Phrasal Verb Related to Daily Routine
Phrasal Verb Related to Daily Routine Video –
Here are a few important phrasal verbs related to one’s daily routine.
Wake-up
Meaning – Rise from bed after sleeping.
Example – Always wake-up early for sound health.
Get-up
Meaning – 1) Rise from bed after sleeping. 2) When someone who is sitting or lying down comes to standing position.
Example -1) I always get-up at 5 in the morning. 2) Get-up from there, I need to clean the space.
Switch-on/ Turn-on
Meaning – Operate a device.
Example – 1) Kindly switch-on the fan, it’s hot today. 2) Have you turned the AC. on?
Hang-out
Meaning – To spend time outside.
Example – Honey has been hanging-out with his friends.
Work-out
Meaning – 1) To exercise. 2) To solve something or plan something.
Example – 1) I work-out daily for an hour. 2) We have worked-out on the plan.
Get on with
Meaning – 1) To continue doing work. 2) To have friendly relations.
Example -1) You get on with your painting, don’t waste your time. 2) Harry gets on with maximum people.
Try-out
Meaning – To try or experiment something.
Example – Try-out this new recipe of brownie.
Pick-out
Meaning – To choose something from the options.
Example – Jenny picked-out a beautiful dress from the wardrobe.
Grow-up
Meaning – Develop into an adult.
Example – Henry has grown-up to be a handsome man.
Lie-down
Meaning – A short rest on couch, bed etc.
Example – One should always lie-down, if they feel dizzy.
Sleep-in
Meaning – To sleep until late.
Example – We always sleep-in till mid-day during holidays.
Stay-in
Meaning – To stay inside or at home.
Example – They usually stay-in, when it snows outside.
Practice questions
1) Please ……. (Lie-down/ Grow-up), this is not funny.
2) Sherry …… (Wakes-up/ Stays-in) early for soccer practice.
3) We usually …… (Sleep-in/ Work-out) in the evening.
4) Let’s ……. (Hang-out/ Get-up) this weekend.
5) …… (Turn-on/ Lie-down) geyser for the guests at home.
6) Sumit doesn’t …… (Stay-in/ Get-up) from bed easily.
7) I have …… (Stayed-in/ Picked-out) a smart pair of trousers for you.
8) We are …… (Getting on with/ Staying-in) this weekend, due to pollution outside.
9) Children …… (Got on with/ Woke-up) their work, no matter how noisy it was.
10) We have …… (Picked-out/ Tried-out) this new eatery in town.
Answer
| Q. | Ans. | Q. | Ans. |
| 1) | Grow-up | 6) | Get-up |
| 2) | Wakes-up | 7) | Picked-out |
| 3) | Work-out | 8) | Staying-in |
| 4) | Hang-out | 9) | Got on with |
| 5) | Turn-on | 10) | Tried-out |
Phrasal Verb Related to Education
Here are a few important phrasal verbs related to education / studies.
Be-into
Meaning – To be interested in.
Example – Are you into reading?
Take-up
Meaning – Start doing new activity.
Example – When did you take-up painting?
Fall-behind
Meaning – To make slow progress than others.
Example – You are falling-behind other students with you result.
Catch up with
Meaning – To improve and reach at other people’s level.
Example – You need to catch up with your classmates.
Go-over
Meaning – To check something/ Practice or repeat something for better learning.
Example – 1) Kindly go-over this report again. 2) You need to go-over this dance step again.
Read up on
Meaning – Learn something by reading.
Example – She needs to read-up on French.
Hand-in
Meaning – To submit your finished work.
Example – Teacher asked her students to hand-in their assignments.
Hand-out
Meaning – Give something to each person in the group.
Example – My colleague handed-out the appraisal letter to everyone.
Copy-out
Meaning – Write exactly the same.
Example – He tried to copy-out his answer sheet in exam.
Drop-out
Meaning – To quit from the school.
Example – Sam is a high school drop-out.
Practice questions
1) Bob has ……. (Copied-out/ Taken-up) a new assignment.
2) I am …… (Be-into/ Drop-out) cursive writing these days.
3) The reason for you to …….. (Hand-out/ Fall-behind) is your lack of concentration.
4) Ram needs to …….. (Copy-out/ catch up with) the speed of other students.
5) One needs to ……. (Read up on/ Hand-out) books in order to learn a language.
6) The principal personally ……. (Drop-out/ Hands-out) report cards every year.
7) My father is a …… (Copy-out/ Drop-out) from high school.
8) We don’t have time for research, let’s …….. (Hand-in/ Copy-out) topper’s assignment.
9) Students should ……. (Hand-in/ Hand-out) their assignments on time.
10) One should …… (Take-in/ Take-up) the challenge with zeal.
Answer
| Q. | Ans. | Q. | Ans. |
| 1) | Taken-up | 6) | Hands-out |
| 2) | Be-into | 7) | Drop-out |
| 3) | Fall-behind | 8) | Copy-out |
| 4) | Catch up with | 9) | Hand-in |
| 5) | Read up on | 10) | Take-up |
Phrasal Verb Related to Shopping
Here are a few important phrasal verbs related to shopping / buying.
Sell out
Meaning – To sell the entire supply.
Example – The first lot of jackets sold out within a week.
Pay for
Meaning – To give money after buying something.
Example – I have paid for our tickets.
Ring up
Meaning – To record an amount of money on the cash register.
Example – He rang up our purchase, and after that we left immediately.
Run out
Meaning – To sell out everything, so that there is nothing left in stock.
Example – We apologize as we have run out of sanitizers.
Shop around
Meaning – To compare prices before buying.
Example – We are just shopping around for a new car.
Pick up
Meaning – To buy something.
Example – I have picked up a beautiful dress for you.
Pick out
Meaning – To choose something.
Example – You need to pick out from the given options.
Take back
Meaning – To return something.
Example – You need to take back this shirt, it’s defective.
Sell out
Meaning – To dispose of everything by selling them at cheap prices.
Example – That shop sold out their entire stuff, since they are closing down in the next two days.
Shell out/ Fork out
Meaning – To spend a lot of money buying something.
Example – Martha shells out a lot on luxury stay.
David forked out a lot on this carpet.
Bring down/ Mark Down
Meaning – To reduce prices of something.
Example – That super market has brought down the prices of shampoos.
Hotels marked down their tariffs post pandemic.
Queue up
Meaning – To wait in a line.
Example – Lot of people have queued up at Starbucks for free coffee.
Look around
Meaning – To shop without a plan.
Example – My mother and I are just looking around, we don’t plan to buy anything.
Help out
Meaning – To assist someone.
Example – Can you help me out in choosing a cardigan?
Practice questions
1) Not a single piece of this headband is left, it’s a complete ……. (Pay for/ Sell out).
2) You can’t run like this, you need to …… (Pay for/ Ring up) for this entire meal.
3) Sorry sir, we have …… (Ring up/ Run out) of breads.
4) Samantha first …… (Shops around/ Runs out) before buying anything.
5) You need to …… (Pick up/ Pick out) something for him, since it’s his birthday today.
6) According to the weather, one needs to …… (Pick out/ Take back) clothes accordingly.
7) Greg is …….. (Selling out/ Shelling out) everything, since a new stock is in the pipeline.
8) We should not …… (Fork out/ Help out) on unnecessary things.
9) Don’t just …… (Queue up/ Look around), buy something.
10) Our staff is here to …… (Look around/ Help out) customers.
Answer
| Q. | Ans. | Q. | Ans. |
| 1) | Sell out | 6) | Pick out |
| 2) | Pay for | 7) | Selling out |
| 3) | Run out | 8) | Fork out |
| 4) | Shops around | 9) | Look around |
| 5) | Pick up | 10) | Help out |
Phrasal Verb Related to Clothing
Here are a few important phrasal verbs related to clothes / dressing up.
Put-on
Meaning – To wear something/ Clothe oneself with.
Example – Put on your jacket it’s nippy outside.
Take–off
Meaning – To remove clothing.
Example – They took-off their raincoats while entering the house.
Try-on
Meaning – To try some new clothing.
Example – Try-on this dress, it will look beautiful on you.
Zip-up
Meaning – To close the zipper.
Example – She tried to zip-up her jacket, but was unable to.
Slip-on
Meaning – To wear clothing easily.
Example – Rachel slipped-on to this dress.
Wrap-up
Meaning – To wear warm clothes.
Example – My grand mom wrapped-up herself after snowfall.
Hang-out
Meaning – To dry clothes after washing.
Example – Have you hung the clothes out?
Hang-up
Meaning – Put something on a hook or hanger.
Example – Please hang-up your coat in the wardrobe?
Take-in
Meaning – To make clothing narrower.
Example – Give it to the tailor to take this dress in from the waist.
Take-up
Meaning – To reduce the length of clothing.
Example – Take this pair of trousers up, it’s too long.
Wear-out
Meaning – When clothing is no longer in sound condition.
Example – This scarf has worn-out, throw it away.
Practice questions
1) Don’t buy this shirt as it looks…(Torn-in/worn-out)
2) The dress you bought looks broad, you need to ……. (Take-in/ Take-up)
3) Danny quietly ……… (Hung-up/ Hung-out) his jacket in the wardrobe.
4) Sarah needs to ……. (Take-in/ Take-up) this dress, as it’s long.
5) You should …… (Slip-in/ Wrap-up) the baby, as he will catch cold.
6) This dress has stretchable fabric, anyone can ……. (Zip-up/ Slip-in) to it.
7) …….. (Try-on/ Take-on) this hairband, it will surely suit you.
8) Always …… (Wear-out/ Put-on) formal clothes in the office.
9) You are allergic to woolens, please …… (Take-off/ Take-in) your sweater.
10) I have washed clothes, ……. (Hang them out/ hang them in).
Answer
| Q. | Ans. | Q. | Ans. |
| 1) | worn-out | 6) | Slip-in |
| 2) | Take-in | 7) | Try-on |
| 3) | Hung-up | 8) | Put-on |
| 4) | Take-up | 9) | Take-off |
| 5) | Wrap-up | 10) | Hang them out |
Phrasal Verb Related to Travel
Here are a few important phrasal verbs related to travel.
Hurry up
Meaning – To rush or not to waste time.
Example – You need to hurry up, otherwise we will miss our flight.
Set off
Meaning – To start a journey.
Example – We will set off to Shimla tomorrow.
Get in
Meaning – To arrive.
Example – Ramesh got in after ten o’clock yesterday.
Hold up
Meaning – To delay travelling.
Example – I had to hold up, since I was in a meeting.
Take off
Meaning – When a plane departs or leaves the ground.
Example – Our flight will take off after an hour.
Get off
Meaning – To leave or get down from the vehicle.
Example – Everyone had to get off from the car, since the engine created issues.
Check out
Meaning – To leave the hotel after paying.
Example – We will check out after two days.
Get on
Meaning – To enter a vehicle.
Example – We got on the bus, after the announcement.
Stop over
Meaning – To stay somewhere for a night while travelling.
Example – We will have a stop over at Jaipur, since we can’t cover Udaipur in one go.
Drop off
Meaning – To drop someone or take someone to a place.
Example – Where do you want me to drop you off?
Touch down
Meaning – Landing of a plane.
Example – Our plane will touch down before midnight.
Get away
Meaning – To take a vacation for some rest.
Example – Kindly suggest some weekend get away places.
See off
Meaning – To say goodbye to someone.
Example – They have gone to the airport, to see off their daughter.
Practice questions
1) I feel anxious when the plane ……. (Takes off/ Sees off).
2) Ronny had to ……. (Touch down/ Hold up) his travelling due to sickness.
3) You need to …… (Get away/ Hurry up) if you don’t want to miss the movie.
4) They ……. (Got in/ Touch down) late at the party.
5) Their flight will ……. (Take off/ Check out) early in the morning.
6) They will have a …….. (Get on/ Stop over), since the journey is too long.
7) Policemen asked everyone to …… (Get off/ Get on) from the bus.
8) My cousin has gone to …… (Touch down/ See off) his friend.
9) The flight is delayed, it will …….. (Touch down/ Set off) late.
10) The driver ……. (Dropped us off/ Stopped us over) in the middle of the road.
Answer
| Q. | Ans. | Q. | Ans. |
| 1) | Takes off | 6) | Stop over |
| 2) | Hold up | 7) | Get off |
| 3) | Hurry up | 8) | See off |
| 4) | Got in | 9) | Touch down |
| 5) | Take-off | 10) | Dropped us off |
Phrasal Verb Related to Animals
Here are a few important phrasal verbs related to animals.
Chicken-out
Meaning – To not to do something because of fear.
Example – Jerry went to do snorkeling, but chickened-out.
Pig-out
Meaning – To eat plenty of food at once.
Example – She pigged-out pizza after working all day long.
Wolf-down
Meaning – To eat very quickly.
Example – Kids have to wolf-down food, since the lunch break is only for 5 minutes.
Leach-off
Meaning – To use someone for personal gain.
Example – Many people leach-off other’s creativity, and call their own.
Fish-for
Meaning – To ask for something indirectly.
Example – Samantha always fishes-for compliments to make herself mentally secure.
Fish-out
Meaning – To pull-out something from a liquid/ container.
Example – Her bag contains many things ; she always fishes-out something new out of it.
Monkey-around
Meaning – To waste time.
Example – Stop monkeying-around, and do your task seriously.
Duck-out
Meaning – To leave quickly unannounced.
Example – So many people ducked-out, as the concert was boring.
Ferret-out
Meaning – To carefully find out something.
Example – Harry had to ferret-out the entire data by himself.
Beaver-away
Meaning – To work hard for something.
Example – I beavered-away for this presentation.
Practice questions
1) My kids …… (Ducked-out/ Beavered-away) from the party.
2) Selectors did not select him, as he …… (Horses-around/ Ferret-out).
3) I always ….. (Pig-out/ Chicken-out), when I get to know that I have to travel through flight.
4) Henry …… (Pigged-out/ Beavered-away) entire ice-cream tub at once.
5) They ……. (Wolf-down/ Leach-off) people for their personal gain.
6) The guests ……. (Wolfed down/ Ducked-out) the dinner, as they had to leave early.
7) Never ……. (Beaver-away/ Fish-for) compliments, as it makes you look weak.
8) Few boys were …… (Monkeying-around/ Fishing-out) outside our house.
9) If you ……. (Duck-out/ Ferret-out) things, you will be able to find them quickly.
10) They ……. (Fished-for/ Fished-out) a big blockage from the water tank.
Answer
| Q. | Ans. | Q. | Ans. |
| 1) | Ducked-out | 6) | Wolfed down |
| 2) | Horses-around | 7) | Fish-for |
| 3) | Chicken-out | 8) | Monkeying-around |
| 4) | Pigged-out | 9) | Ferret-out |
| 5) | Leach-off | 10) | Fished-out |
Phrasal Verb Related to Family
Here are a few important phrasal verbs related to Family.
Be named after
Meaning – To be given a name of another person.
Example – I was named after my grand mother.
Bring up
Meaning – To look after a child until he/she becomes an adult.
Example – My sisters were brought up by my aunt.
Go by
Meaning – To be called by a particular name.
Example – His brother goes by the name Harry.
Grow up
Meaning – To turn into an adult.
Example – Henry has grown up to be a handsome boy.
Take after
Meaning – To look or behave like an older relative.
Example – Martha takes after her mother in looks.
Tell off
Meaning – To criticize someone angrily for doing something wrong.
Example – I am telling you off not to drive fast.
Practice questions
1) This building is ……. (Bring up/ Named after) the first prime minister of our country.
2) All respect to your parents, the way they have ……..(Brought you up/ Gone by).
3) I would prefer ……. (Going by/ Growing up) by this name.
4) Don’t talk to her like this, she is a ……… (Grown up/ Taken after).
5) My brother always ….. (Tells off/ Takes after) my elder cousin.
6) They still tried to climb the tree even after …… (Telling them off/ Taking them after).
7) Despite of …… (Telling her off/ Taken him after), Jane still committed an error in this sum.
8) My kid has …… (Brought up/ Grown up) to be a sensitized human being.
9) It’s our duty to ….. (Take after/ Bring up) responsible kids.
10) I would ….. (Take after/ Tell off) my father’s footsteps and carry forward his legacy.
Answer
| Q. | Ans. | Q. | Ans. |
| 1) | Named after | 6) | Telling them off |
| 2) | Brought you up | 7) | Telling her off |
| 3) | Going by | 8) | Grown up |
| 4) | Grown up | 9) | Bring up |
| 5) | Takes after | 10) | Take after |
Phrasal Verb Related to Food and Drink
Here are a few important phrasal verbs related to Food and Drink.
Pick at
Meaning – To eat little bit of food because one is not hungry.
Example – Yes, I went to the party but I had to pick at the food.
Gobble down/ Bolt down
Meaning – To eat something very quickly.
Example – 1). They had to gobble down since they had to attend the classes. 2). She bolted down the food because of her sudden meeting.
Fill someone up
Meaning – To get the feeling that you are full and have eaten a lot.
Example – She cooked so well that the guests filled themselves up.
Dig in
Meaning – To start eating.
Example – The moment they served us food, we started digging in.
Water down
Meaning – To dilute
Example – I had to water down the batter of pancakes.
Chop up
Meaning – To cut food into pieces.
Example – You need to chop up onions for this recipe.
Whip up
Meaning – To prepare something to eat very quickly.
Example – Mom whipped up a sandwich for us.
Warm up
Meaning – To prepare something warm.
Example – Let me warm up some soup for you.
Cut out
Meaning – To stop eating something.
Example – Betty needs to cut out on carbs if she is planning to reduce weight.
Cut back
Meaning – To eat less of something.
Example – I had to cut back on desserts, since I was diagnosed with early diabetes.
Knock back
Meaning – To drink alcohol quickly.
Example – He knocked back the entire pint of beer.
Eat out
Meaning – To have a meal in a restaurant.
Example – We often eat out on Sundays.
Fry up
Meaning – To cook food in a hot oil.
Example – I have fried up some wedges for you.
Practice questions
1) Kids had to ……. (Gobble down/ Pick at) the lunch, since they already had a heavy breakfast.
2) Don’t …… (Gobble down/ Fill up), it might choke you.
3) The moment they saw cupcakes they started …… (Filling up/ Digging in).
4) She ……. (Watered down/ Chopped up) tomatoes for bruschetta.
5) I …… (Warmed up/ Cut back) some brownies for kids.
6) Jenny had to ….. (Cut down/ Knock back) on milk products since she came out to be lactose intolerant.
7) We had to ….. (Cut back/ Fry up) on rice since they were less in quantity.
8) Kevin …… (Ate out/ Knocked back) an entire liquor bottle.
9) My parents ….. (Eat out/ Fry out) once in a month.
10) The chef is …… (Frying up/ watering down the donuts.
Answer
| Q. | Ans. | Q. | Ans. |
| 1) | Pick at | 6) | Cut down |
| 2) | Gobble down | 7) | Cut back |
| 3) | Digging in | 8) | Knocked back |
| 4) | Chopped up | 9) | Eat out |
| 5) | Warmed up | 10) | Frying up |
Phrasal Verb Related to Relationships
Here are a few important phrasal verbs related to Relationships.
Check out
Meaning – To look at something to determine their attractiveness.
Example – He was checking out other girls at the party.
Fall out
Meaning – To argue with someone and stop being friendly to them.
Example – I had fallen out with my best friend.
Put up with
Meaning – To accept an unpleasant situation without complaining.
Example – Why do you always put up with his behavior?
Settle down
Meaning – To make a decision of committed relationship.
Example – They both have decided to settle down with each other.
Split up/ Break up
Meaning – To end a relationship.
Example – 1) I hope Amy and John don’t split up. 2) Sam had broken up with his girlfriend 5 years back.
Make up
Meaning – To forgive each other after an argument.
Example – They always make up after a terrible argument.
Look up to
Meaning – To respect and admire someone.
Example – I have always looked up to my mother.
Get on with
Meaning – To have a friendly relationship.
Example – I get on with my cousin really well.
Look after
Meaning – To take care of someone.
Example – My mother looks after my children.
Hit it off
Meaning – To have an instant connection at first meet.
Example – James and I really hit it off.
Drift apart
Meaning – To gradually become less close with tim
Example – Harry and John have drifted apart.
Look down upon
Meaning – To feel superior to someone or lack respect.
Example – I was looked down upon by them in the party.
Practice questions
1) May was ….. (Checking out/ Falling out) someone in the party.
2) Boss and manager had a …… (Check out/ Fall out) during the meeting.
3) No one should ……. (Put up with/ Settle down with) coarse attitude.
4) My brother is planning to …… (Put up with/ Settle down) after this year.
5) Katherine had a ……. (Split up/ Make up) with her best friend last week.
6) We expect you to ……. (Break up/ Make up) soon.
7) She has always ……. (Looked up to/ Get on with) her professor as a father figure.
8) He is very friendly, he easily …… (Looks up to/ Gets on with) people.
9) Can you please …… (Look after/ Drift apart) my baby for a minute?
10) People ……. (Looked down upon/ Drift apart), but time heals everything.
Answer
| Q. | Ans. | Q. | Ans. |
| 1) | Checking out | 6) | Make up |
| 2) | Fall out | 7) | Looked up to |
| 3) | Put up with | 8) | Gets on with |
| 4) | Settle down | 9) | Look after |
| 5) | Split up | 10) | Drift apart |
Phrasal Verb Related to Telephone
Here are a few important phrasal verbs related to Telephone.
Speak up
Meaning – To speak louder.
Example – You need to speak up, as I am unable to hear you.
Get through
Meaning – To contact by telephone.
Example – We will get through by Wednesday.
Hang on/ Hold on
Meaning – To wait for a short time.
Example – 1) Please hang on for a second, I shall connect you to sales department.
2) You need to hold on, since mother is on another call.
Call back
Meaning – To return a phone call.
Example – I shall call you back in fifteen minutes.
Break up
Meaning – To be inaudible over the call.
Example – Your voice is breaking up due to network issue.
Put through
Meaning – To connect by telephone with someone
Example – Let me put you through our manager.
Hang up
Meaning – To end the telephone call.
Example – He hung up the phone after 10 minutes.
Cut off
Meaning – To interrupt a telephone conversation.
Example – His voice is cutting off due to technical reasons.
Pick up
Meaning – To answer the phone.
Example – Ken needs to pick up this call from his office.
Practice questions
1) Martha should …… (Speak up/ Get through), so that she should be audible.
2) The HR Manager should …… (Hang on/ Get through) with the result of the interview.
3) She …… (Hung up/ Get through) the phone in a hurry.
4) I am expecting a …….. (Get through/ Call back) from my cousin in the US.
5) Sarah needs to buy a new mobile, as her voice …… (Puts through/ Breaks up) every time.
6) Hey ! Let me …… (Put through/ Break up) this call to Abhay as well.
7) I …… (Held on/ Cut off) the call for good 30 minutes.
8) We are experiencing a bad weather here, your call might …… (Pick up/ Cut off)
9) I expect her to …… (Pick up/ Get through) my call this time.
10) Kindly ……. (Cut off/ Hold on) for a minute, let me get back to you on this.
Answer
| Q. | Ans. | Q. | Ans. |
| 1) | Speak up | 6) | Put through |
| 2) | Get through | 7) | Held on |
| 3) | Hung up | 8) | Cut off |
| 4) | Call back | 9) | Pick up |
| 5) | Breaks up | 10) | Hold on |
Phrasal Verb Related to Work
Here are a few important phrasal verbs related to Work.
Work up
Meaning – 1) To develop something. 2) To raise
Example – 1) I need to work up an interesting story. 2) Sam needs to work up the public’s expectations.
Work on
Meaning – To shape or improve something.
Example – Martha needs to work on her spellings.
Work out
Meaning – To calculate.
Example – Can you work out, how much the total amount we have to pay?
Work over
Meaning – To improve a first draft.
Example – James need to work over his story.
Work sth. out/ Work through
Meaning – To solve a problem or an issue.
Example – 1) I know about the entire situation, we will together work it out. 2) One needs to work through tense situation than to run away from it.
Carry out
Meaning – To do a particular work.
Example – Nidhi carried out the cooking with ease.
Take on
Meaning – To employ someone.
Example – They are taking on new staff for their cafe.
Lay off
Meaning – To dismiss due to economic reasons.
Example – Many people were laid off during pandemic.
Knuckle down
Meaning – To start working hard.
Example – One needs to knuckle down in order to have luxurious lifestyle.
Burn out
Meaning – To be extremely tired.
Example – They have burnt out after rigorous work hours.
Knock off
Meaning – To stop working.
Example – Employees knock off early on Fridays.
Practice questions
1) Shiva needs to …… (Work up/ Work on) his listening skills.
2) James ……. (Works up/ Works on) an insightful strategy.
3) Let’s ….. (Work out/ Work over) the overall budget of the house.
4) Students are ……. (Working over/ Working through) the play.
5) Psychologists should ….. (Carry out/ Take on) their work with patience.
6) The organization has decided to ….. (Take on/ Lay off) candidates from marginalized background.
7) People who were ….. (Knuckled down/ Laid off) during recession have still not been able to find jobs.
8) Players should …….. (Knuckle down/ Burn out) in order to reach the finals.
9) I was …… (Burnt out/ Knocked off) after choreography.
10) Steve ……. (Burnt out/ Knocked off) after 5’o clock.
Answer
| Q. | Ans. | Q. | Ans. |
| 1) | Work on | 6) | Take on |
| 2) | Works up | 7) | Laid off |
| 3) | Work out | 8) | Knuckle down |
| 4) | Working over | 9) | Burnt out |
| 5) | Carry out | 10) | Knocked off |