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Phrasal Verb

Date: Sep 11 2007

Topic: Vocabulary

Author: Yossef

Lesson

 A phrasal verb is a verb plus a preposition or adverb which creates a meaning different from the original verb

act upbehave or function improperlyI think I need to take my car to the mechanic because it's acting up again.
add * up +calculate a sumI added up the receipts and it totaled $135.46.
add up to +equal an amountThe total expenses added up to $325.00. 
add upmake senseHer story doesn't add up. I think she is lying.
ask * out +invite on a dateI can't believe that Joe finally asked me out on a date!
ask * over +invite to one's homeWhy don't we ask the Johnsons over for dinner?

back downstop defending your opinion in a debateJane never backs down. She always wins arguments.
back outnot 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 supportYou need examples to back up your opinion. 
back upmove backwards, reverseCould 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 +biteThe soldier had to bear down on the leather strap while the doctor removed a bullet from the soldier's arm.
bear down on +take strong measures againstThe U.S.A. is bearing down on drug traffickers.
bear on +have to do withThis information may bear on this case.
bear upwithstandI didn't think he would bear up so well in that situation.
bear up under +withstandHow did he bear up under such extreme pressure.
bear with +be patientPlease bear with me while I fill out the paperwork.
blow invisit unexpectedly (inf.)My cousin blew in unexpectedly with his entire family.
blow overpass without creating a problemAll this negative publicity will blow over in a couple of weeks.
blow * up +make explode;destroy using explosivesThe terrorists blew the bridge up.
blow upexplodeThe bomb blew up before they could defuse it.
blow upsuddenly become very angryWhen Joan heard the news, she blew up and rushed out of the room.
break * down +analyze in detailWe need to break this problem down in order to solve.
break downstop working properlyThe truck broke down in the desert.
break downbecome mentally illShe broke down after her husband died.
break * in +wear or use something new until it is comfortableI need to break these shoes in before I go hiking.
break ininterruptWhile we were discussing the situation, Terri broke in to give her opinion.
break inenter a place unlawfullyThe burglar broke in between midnight and 3 AM.
break in on +interrupt (a conversation)Jane broke in on the conversation and told us to get back to work.
break into +enter a house unlawfullyThe burglar broke into the house between midnight and 3 AM.
break into +interrupt (a conversation)Jane broke into the conversation and told us what she knew.
break * off +end somethingSally broke her engagement to John off.
break outappear violentlyViolent protests broke out in response to the military coup.

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