Introduction

Georgie teaches you some phrasal verbs related to housework.

Phrasal verbs mentioned

turn (something) on
give power to something electrical or mechanical, like a light, a TV, or a tap

  • The first thing I do in the morning is turn on the coffee machine.

pick (something) up
grab something and lift it

  • He reached down to pick up his keys that he dropped on the floor.

clean up
make something clean

  • The house was a mess after the party, but everyone helped to clean up.

throw (something) away
dispose of or discard something that you don’t want

  • He decided to throw away his old magazine collection after they got wet.

wash up
clean anything you’ve used while preparing food (British English)

  • If I cook, will you wash up the dishes? 

put (something) away
place something in its original place after using it

  • The students were told to put their textbooks away before the next activity. 

take (something) out
remove something from somewhere 

  • After moving house, they took out their fragile items from the boxes.

hang (something) up
suspend something above ground

  • Instead of putting wet towels on the floor, it’s better to hang them up to dry.

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.