2024-02-23 What is a phrasal verb – Phrasal verbs with Georgie

Introduction

What are phrasal verbs and how do they work? Georgie gives you the answers.

Phrasal verbs mentioned

chicken out
decide not to do something because you are scared 

• Mark said he’d go sky diving but chickened out at the last minute.

freak out
lose emotional control (from shock, excitement, fear etc.)

• Ellie’s freaking out because she’s doing a presentation for 100 people tomorrow.

get into (something)
start

• Everyone’s here at the meeting now so let’s get into it.

wake up
open your eyes and stop sleeping

• I don’t want to wake up early tomorrow. I want to feel fully rested.

put (something) on
get dressed into an item of clothing

• Fernanda needs to put on the silver dress before she walks on the runway.

pick (something) up
grab and lift something

• Please, pick up your clothes from the floor. It’s a mess in here!

turn (something) on/off
start or give power to something electrical or mechanical

• The bath is ready now, so you can turn off the tap.

stand up
rise to your feet

• Here, take my seat. I’ll stand up.

look after (someone or something)
to take care of someone or something

• I’ll look after you when you come home from hospital. I’ll make you meals and help you shower.

come back
return

• Daniel’s been travelling for a year, but he’s coming back next week.

TOP TIPS!

• If you see the word ‘something’, it usually means the verb requires an object.
• If ‘something’ is in the middle of the phrasal verb, it means that it can be separated by the object (but doesn’t have to be).
• If ‘something’ is at the end of the phrasal verb, it means it cannot be separated.