Phrasal verbs

We often use with the following verbs: in up on away round over by out off back through along about down over

So you can say put up get on take off. These are phrasal verbs.

We often use out/off/up etc. with verbs of movement. Get on Drive off Come back Turn around

But often the second word (out/off/up) gives a special meaning to the verb. Break down Look out Take off Get up Get on Get by

Sometimes a phrasal verb is followed by a preposition. For example: Run away from Keep up with Look forward to Cut down on

everyday expressions
Everyday spoken language is full of fixed expressions that are not necessarily difficult to understand (their meaning may be quite 'transparent') but which have a fixed form which does not change. These have to be learnt as whole expressions. These expressions are often hard to find in dictionaries, so listen out for them.

Conversation-building expressions

These are some common expressions that help to modify or organise what we are saying. There are many more expressions like these.

expression As I was saying. I havent seen her for ages. As I/you say, we'll have to get there early to get a seat. Talking of skiing, whatever happened to Bill Jakes? If you ask me, she's heading for trouble.

meaning/functions takes the conversation back to an earlier point. repeats and confirms something someone has already said. starting a new topic but linking it to the present one. if you want my opinion (even if no-one has asked for it)

That reminds me, I something in the haven't rung George yet. conversation reminds you of something Come to think of it, did important. something in the he give me his number conversation makes you after all? I think he may realise there may be a have forgotten. problem/query about something.

Key words
Some everyday expressions can be grouped around key words. This and that, for example, occur in several expressions:

This is it. [this is an important point]

That's it. [that's the last thing, we've finished]

We talked about this and that, or this, that and the other. [various unimportant THIS / THAT matters] So, that's that, then. [that is agreed, settled, finalised]

Common expressions for modifying statements

If the worst comes to the worst, we'll have to cancel the holiday. [if the situation gets very bad indeed] If all else fails, we could fax them. [if nothing else succeeds] What with one thing and another, I haven't had time to reply to her letter. [because of a lot of different circumstances] When it comes to restaurants, this town's not that good. [in the matter of restaurants]

 As far as I'm concerned, we can eat at any time. [as far as it affects me / from my point of view] As luck would have it, she was out when we called. [as a result of bad luck]

Similes - as...as... I like ..

As ... as... similes are easy to understand. If you see the phrase as dead as a doornail, you don't need to know what a doornail is, simply that the whole phrase means 'totally dead'. But, remember, fixed similes are not 'neutral'; they are usually informal/colloquial and often humorous. So, use them with care, and keep them generally as part of your receptive vocabulary

Creating a picture in your mind can often help you remember the simile: as blind as a bat as thin as a rake as strong as an ox as quiet as a mouse

Some can be remembered as pairs of opposites. as heavy as lead z as light as a feather as drunk as a lord z as sober as a judge as black as night z as white as snow

Some can be remembered by sound patterns. as brown as a berry as good as gold as cool as a cucumber

Some other useful as...as... phrases.

The bed was as hard as iron and I couldn't sleep. I'll give this plant some water. The soil's as dry as a bone. He's as mad as a hatter. He crossed the Atlantic in a bathtub. She told the teacher, as bold as brass, that his lessons were boring.

 You'll have to speak up; he's as deaf as a post. Don't worry. Using the computer's as easy as falling off a log. She knew the answer as quick as a flash. When I told him, his face went as red as a beetroot.

Sometimes the second part can change the meaning of the first.
The Princess's skin was as white as snow. [beautifully white] When he saw it, his face went as white as a sheet. [pale with fear/horror] The fish was bad and I was as sick as a dog. [vomiting] She ran off with my money; I felt as sick as a parrot. [bad feeling of disillusionment/frustration]

Like ...
My plan worked like a dream, and the problem was soon solved. Be careful the boss doesn't see you; she has eyes like a hawk. No wonder he's fat. He eats like a horse and drinks like a fish. Did you sleep well? Yes, thanks, like a log.

 Sorry, I forgot to ring him again. I've got a head like a sieve! The boss is like a bear with a sore head today. [in a very bad temper] She goes around like a bull in a china shop. [behaving in a very clumsy, insensitive way] Criticising the government in his presence is like a red rag to a bull. [certain to make him very angry]

Binomials
Binomials are expressions (often idiomatic) where two words are joined by a conjunction (usually 'and'). The order of the words is usually fixed. It is best to use them only in informal situations, with one or two exceptions.

 odds and ends: small, unimportant things, e.g. Let's get the main things packed; we can do the odds and ends later. give and take: a spirit of compromise, e.g. Every relationship needs a bit of give and take to be successful.

You can often tell something is a binomial because of the sound pattern.
Tears are part and parcel of growing up. [part of / belong to] The boss was ranting and raving at us. [shouting / very angry] The old cottage has gone to rack and ruin. [ruined / decayed]

 He's so prim and proper at work. [rather formal and fussy] The hotel was a bit rough and ready. [poor standard] She has to wine and dine important clients. [entertain]

Other times, the clue is that the words are near-synonyms.

You can pick and choose; it's up to you. [have a wide choice] My English is progressing in leaps and bounds. [big jumps]

 It's nice to have some peace and quiet. [peace/calm] The doctor recommended some rest and recreation. [relaxation] First and foremost, you must work hard. [first / most importantly]

Many grammar words combine to form binomials.

There are cafes here and there. [scattered round] We've had meetings on and off. [occasionally] I've been running back and forth all day. [to and from somewhere]

To and fro can be used just like back and forth. He is unemployed and down and out. [without a home or money] She's better now, and out and about again. [going out] She ran up and down the street. [in both directions]

Your language probably has many binomials. Make sure those which look similar in English have the same word order as your language. These four are very neutral binomials and can be used in formal or informal situations. Try translating them. A black and white film, please. Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please! She ran back and forth. There was hot and cold water in every room.

Binomials linked by words other than and.

You've got your sweater on back to front. [the wrong way] He won't help her; she'll have to sink or swim. [survive or fail] Slowly but surely, I realised the boat was sinking. [gradually] Sooner or later, you'll learn your lesson. [some time / day]

 She didn't want to be just friends; it had to be all or nothing. Well I'm sorry, that's all I can offer you; take it or leave it. It's about the same distance as from here to Dublin, give or take a few miles. [perhaps a mile or two more, or a mile or two less]

Idioms connected with problematic situations

idiom literal phrase to be in a fix = be in difficulty to be in a tight corner = be in a situation that is hard to get out of to be in a muddle = be confused/mixed up (these three go together as all having be + in + a)

Reacting in situations
Two pairs of more or less opposite idioms. to take a back seat [not do anything; let others act instead] z to take the bull by the horns [act positively to face and attack the problem]

 to keep one's cards close to one's chest [hold back information] z to lay one's cards on the table [be very open, state exactly what your position is]

Idioms related to situations based on get

This has to be done by next week; we must get our act together before it's too late. [organise ourselves to respond; informal] We need a proper investigation to get to the bottom of things. [find the true explanation for the state of affairs] It's quite difficult to get people to sit up and take notice. [make them pay attention] I'm trying to get a grasp of what's happening; it's not easy. [find out / understand]

Changes and stages in situations

The tide has turned for us; better days are ahead
We can see light at the end of the tunnel at last.

 I'm afraid we've just come to a dead end with our plans. I think I've reached a turning-point in my career.

Some idioms connected with easing the situation

The government and the unions have buried the hatchet for the time being. [made peace / stopped fighting each other] All that trouble last year was just swept under the carpet in the end. [ignored /deliberately forgotten, without solving it] You should say sorry. It would go a long way. [would help a lot]

Expressions with do and make

The next seven units deal with phrasal verbs and other expressions based on common verbs. Phrasal verbs are basic verbs which can combine with different prepositions (or particles) to make verbs with completely new - and often unguessable - meanings. Phrasal verbs are used more in speaking than in writing. There is almost always a more formal way of conveying the same idea. In this unit we look at phrasal verbs formed from do and make.

phrasal verb meaning do with need, want

do without

manage without

do away with abolish

do out of

prevent from having (by deceit)

phrasal verb Meaning make for move in the direction of

make of

think (opinion)

make off
make up for make up to

leave hurriedly
compensate for be nice to in order to get s.t.

 Some phrasal verbs have a number of different meanings; do up can mean not only 'fasten but also 'renovate' and 'put into a bundle'. Similarly, make out can mean 'claim', 'manage to see' and 'understand' as well as 'write' or 'complete'; make up can mean 'compose' or 'invent'; it can also mean 'constitute' or 'form', 'put cosmetics on', 'prepare by mixing together various ingredients' and 'make something more numerous or complete'.

There are a lot of other common expressions based on do and make. You do: the housework / some gardening / the washing-up / homework / your best / the shopping /the cooking / business with ..., and so on.

You make: arrangements / an agreement / a suggestion / a decision / a cup of tea / war / an attempt / a phone call / the best of.. . / an effort / an excuse / a mistake / a bed / a profit / a loss / love / the most of / a noise / a good or bad impression / a success of ... / a point of ... / allowances for ... / a gesture / a face / fun of ... / a fuss of ... / a go (a success) of ..., and so on.

The more collocations with do and make you learn, the more you will get a 'feel' for the difference between the two verbs.

Expressions with bring and take

Here are some common phrasal verbs with bring. Each is exemplified in a typical spoken sentence and a more formal equivalent is provided in brackets.

 I was brought up in the country. [raise] Don't give up. I'm sure you'll bring it off. [succeed] Cold winds always bring on her cough. [cause to start] The strike brought about a change of government. [cause to happen] I hope they don't bring back capital punishment. [re-introduce]

Here are some common phrasal verbs with take.

Doesn't he take after his father! [resemble] I wish I could take back what I said to her. [withdraw] I find it very hard to take in his lectures. [absorb, understand] She was completely taken in by him. [deceive] Sales have really taken off now. [start to improve]

 The plane took off two hours late. [left the ground] She's very good at taking off her teacher. [imitate] We'll have to take on more staff if we're to take on more work. [employ; undertake] She took to him at once. [form an immediate liking for] When did you take up golf? [start (a hobby)]

Here are some other common idioms with bring and take.
The new regulations will be brought into force in May ... [become law] His research brought some very interesting facts to light. [revealed] Matters were brought to a head when Pat was sacked. [reached a point where changes had to be made] It's better that everything should be brought into the open. [made public]

 His new girlfriend has really brought out the best in him. [been good for him] Don't let him take advantage of you. [unfairly use superiority] After 20 years of marriage they take each other for granted. [don't appreciate each other's qualities] I took it for granted you'd come. [assumed] She immediately took control of the situation. [started organising] His words took my breath away. [surprised]

 She loves taking care of small children. [looking after, caring for] We took part in a demonstration last Saturday. [participated] The story takes place in Mexico. [happens] He doesn't seem to take pride in his work. [draw satisfaction from] Mother always takes everything in her stride. [copes calmly]

Expressions with get

Get seems to be used all the time in spoken English. It has the following basic meanings: receive, obtain or buy something, e.g. Please get me a newspaper when you're in town;I got a letter from John today; She got top marks in her exam. show a change in position -move or be moved, e.g. How are you getting home tonight? show a change in state - become or make, e.g. We are all getting older if not wiser.

Get also has a number of other more specific meanings. It's my turn to get dinner tonight. [prepare a meal] I don't get it. Why did he speak like that? [understand] His behaviour really gets me at times. [annoy]

phrasal verb get at get away with

get behind get by get down get down to get on

meaning reach, find do something wrong without being caught fail to produce something at the right time manage (financially) depress begin to give serious attention to manage

get on get out of get over get round get through get through get up to

advance, develop avoid a responsibility recover from spread come to a successful end use up all of to do (especially something bad)

Here are some other expressions based on get.

You seem to have got out of bed on the wrong side today. [be in a bad mood] The meeting got off to a good had start with JR'S speech. [started well/badly] I'm organising a little get-together. I hope you can come. [informal meeting/party] When their relationship ended he got rid of everything that reminded him of her. [threw away, destroyed] I'm going to get my own back on her somehow. [take my revenge]