50 Common English Phrasal Verbs for Daily Conversation
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| 50 Common English Phrasal Verbs for Daily Conversation |
50 Common English Phrasal Verbs for Daily Conversation With Meanings and Examples
Phrasal verbs appear everywhere in spoken English. You hear them while chatting with friends, travelling, working, studying, shopping, watching television, and dealing with everyday problems.
Native and fluent English speakers commonly say wake up, find out, carry on, look after, and put off instead of choosing longer or more formal expressions. Learning these combinations can therefore make your English sound more natural, relaxed, and conversational.
However, phrasal verbs can be confusing because their meanings are not always obvious from the individual words. For example, look up does not simply mean looking towards the sky. It can also mean searching for information in a dictionary or online.
This guide explains 50 common English phrasal verbs for daily conversation, organised by topic. Each phrasal verb includes a clear meaning, a natural example, and a short usage note where necessary.
Before working through the complete list, you may also want to read these common phrasal verb mistakes so that you can recognise some of the errors English learners frequently make.
What Is a Phrasal Verb?
A phrasal verb is normally formed by combining a verb with one or more short words, such as an adverb or preposition.
For example:
wake + up = wake up
look + after = look after
put + off = put off
run + out + of = run out of
The extra word is often called a particle. When the verb and particle are combined, they may create a meaning that is different from the original verb.
Consider these examples:
Look: Direct your eyes towards something.
Look after: Take care of someone or something.
Look into: Investigate something.
Look up: Search for information.
The same main verb can therefore create several different phrasal verbs depending on the particle placed after it.
Why Are Phrasal Verbs Important?
Phrasal verbs are important because they are regularly used in natural English conversations.
A speaker may say:
“I need to find out what happened.”
“Can you pick me up after work?”
“We have run out of coffee.”
“Do not give up.”
“Something unexpected has come up.”
Without phrasal verbs, you may still communicate correctly, but your English can sound more formal than the situation requires.
For example:
Formal: We need to investigate the problem.
Conversational: We need to look into the problem.
Formal: Please continue with your work.
Conversational: Please carry on with your work.
Formal: They postponed the meeting.
Conversational: They put off the meeting.
Building a wider vocabulary also helps you understand how phrasal verbs, idioms, synonyms, and everyday expressions work together. Our complete vocabulary-building guide explains practical ways to learn new English words and remember them for longer.
Important Phrasal Verb Grammar
Before learning the list, it helps to understand a few basic grammar rules.
Separable Phrasal Verbs
Some phrasal verbs allow an object to be placed between the verb and the particle.
For example:
Turn on the television.
Turn the television on.
Both sentences are correct.
However, when the object is a pronoun such as it, him, her, or them, the pronoun normally goes between the verb and particle.
Correct: Turn it on.
Incorrect: Turn on it.
Other commonly separable phrasal verbs include:
put on
take off
pick up
drop off
bring back
put away
call back
Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
Some phrasal verbs cannot be separated.
For example:
Correct: She looks after her younger brother.
Incorrect: She looks her younger brother after.
Other commonly inseparable phrasal verbs include:
look for
look into
run out of
get over
come across
deal with
put up with
Phrasal Verbs Without an Object
Some phrasal verbs do not need an object.
For example:
The car broke down.
They eventually broke up.
Please come in.
We set off early.
Something urgent came up.
Phrasal Verbs With More Than One Meaning
Many phrasal verbs have several meanings.
For example, pick up can mean:
collect someone
lift something
learn something informally
answer a telephone
improve or become stronger
The sentence around the phrasal verb usually makes the intended meaning clear.
Daily Routine Phrasal Verbs
The following phrasal verbs are useful when talking about mornings, clothes, household routines, and everyday activities.
1. Wake Up
Meaning: To stop sleeping and become conscious.
Example: I normally wake up a few minutes before my alarm rings.
Usage note: Waking up happens before getting out of bed.
2. Get Up
Meaning: To leave your bed after waking up.
Example: I got up early to prepare for my presentation.
Usage note: You can wake up at 7 a.m. but remain in bed and get up at 7:30 a.m.
3. Turn On
Meaning: To start a machine, light, device, or source of power.
Example: Could you turn on the heating? It is getting cold in here.
You can turn on:
a television
a computer
a light
a tap
the heating
an appliance
4. Turn Off
Meaning: To stop a machine, light, device, or source of power.
Example: Remember to turn off your laptop before putting it in your bag.
Usage note: The opposite of turn on is turn off.
5. Put On
Meaning: To dress yourself in a piece of clothing or an accessory.
Example: She put on her coat before leaving the house.
You can put on:
clothes
shoes
glasses
jewellery
make-up
a hat
6. Take Off
Meaning: To remove clothing, shoes, or an accessory.
Example: Please take off your wet jacket and hang it by the door.
Additional meaning: When an aeroplane takes off, it leaves the ground and begins flying.
Example: Our flight took off twenty minutes late.
Phrasal Verbs for Finding and Collecting Things
These phrasal verbs are useful when searching for information, locating objects, or collecting people and belongings.
7. Look For
Meaning: To try to find someone or something.
Example: I have been looking for my headphones all morning.
Usage note: Use look for when the search is still happening.
Compare:
I am looking for my wallet.
The wallet has not been found yet.
I found my wallet.
The search is complete.
8. Find Out
Meaning: To discover a fact or obtain information.
Example: We need to find out when the application deadline is.
Usage note: Find out is commonly followed by question words such as who, what, where, when, why, and how.
9. Pick Up
Meaning: To collect a person or object from a place.
Example: I will pick you up outside the railway station at six.
Additional meaning: To lift something from a surface.
Example: She picked up the book and placed it on the shelf.
10. Drop Off
Meaning: To take someone or something to a place and leave them there.
Example: My brother dropped me off near the office.
Additional meaning: To fall asleep, particularly without intending to.
Example: I dropped off while watching the film.
Phrasal Verbs for Continuing or Stopping
These expressions help you talk about persistence, progress, events, and decisions.
11. Give Up
Meaning: To stop trying to do something.
Example: The puzzle was difficult, but I refused to give up.
Usage note: Give up can also mean stopping a regular habit.
Example: He gave up drinking fizzy drinks.
12. Carry On
Meaning: To continue doing something.
Example: Please carry on with the discussion while I answer the door.
Usage note: Carry on is especially common in British English.
13. Go On
Meaning: To continue happening or continue doing something.
Example: The celebrations went on until late in the evening.
It can also be used to encourage someone to continue speaking.
Example: Go on—what happened next?
14. Come Back
Meaning: To return to the speaker’s present location or a previously mentioned place.
Example: I left my notebook at home, so I had to come back for it.
Usage note: The speaker usually views the destination as “here”.
15. Go Back
Meaning: To return to a place that is viewed as being away from the speaker.
Example: I need to go back to the shop because I forgot my receipt.
Compare:
Come back here tomorrow.
Go back home and get some rest.
Communication and Telephone Phrasal Verbs
These phrasal verbs frequently appear in workplace conversations, telephone calls, messages, and group discussions.
16. Bring Up
Meaning: To introduce or mention a subject during a conversation.
Example: Mia brought up the budget problem during the meeting.
Usage note: Bring up is separable.
Example: She brought the issue up during lunch.
17. Call Back
Meaning: To telephone someone who previously called you.
Example: I am in a meeting at the moment, but I will call you back this afternoon.
Usage note: With a pronoun, place it in the middle.
Correct: I will call her back.
18. Hang Up
Meaning: To end a telephone call.
Example: I had barely finished my sentence when he hung up.
Usage note: It can sound negative when someone ends a call suddenly.
Example: Do not hang up—I need to confirm your address.
Phrasal Verbs for Everyday Problems and Responsibilities
The following expressions are useful when discussing shortages, responsibilities, research, and information.
19. Run Out Of
Meaning: To use all of something so that none remains.
Example: We have run out of bread, so I am going to the supermarket.
You can run out of:
food
money
time
fuel
patience
ideas
Usage note: Run out of is inseparable.
20. Look After
Meaning: To take care of a person, animal, place, or possession.
Example: Could you look after my dog while I am away?
Usage note: Look after is especially common in British English.
21. Look Forward To
Meaning: To feel pleased or excited about something that will happen in the future.
Example: We are looking forward to seeing you at the weekend.
Important grammar: The word to is a preposition in this expression. When a verb follows it, use the -ing form.
Correct: I look forward to meeting you.
Incorrect: I look forward to meet you.
22. Look Into
Meaning: To investigate a situation, problem, or complaint.
Example: The technical team is looking into the cause of the error.
Usage note: This is useful in professional and customer-service situations.
23. Look Up
Meaning: To search for information in a book, database, dictionary, or online.
Example: I looked up the unfamiliar word in an online dictionary.
Usage note: Look up is separable.
Example: I did not know the spelling, so I looked it up.
24. Make Up
Meaning 1: To invent a story, explanation, or excuse.
Example: Leo made up an excuse for missing the class.
Meaning 2: To become friendly again after an argument.
Example: The sisters argued in the morning but made up before dinner.
Meaning 3: To form or constitute something.
Example: International students make up nearly half of the class.
Phrasal Verbs for Difficult Situations
These phrasal verbs can help you describe mechanical problems, relationships, emergencies, memories, and major changes.
25. Break Down
Meaning: To stop working because of a mechanical or technical problem.
Example: Our car broke down halfway to Manchester.
It may also describe losing control of your emotions.
Example: He broke down when he heard the upsetting news.
26. Break Up
Meaning: To end a romantic relationship.
Example: They broke up after realising that they wanted different things.
It can also mean separating a group or ending an activity.
Example: The teacher broke up the argument before it became serious.
27. Break Out
Meaning: To begin suddenly, usually referring to something dangerous or unpleasant.
Example: A small fire broke out in the restaurant kitchen.
Things that can break out include:
a fire
a war
violence
a fight
an illness
28. Bring Back
Meaning 1: To return someone or something.
Example: Please bring back the library book by Friday.
Meaning 2: To cause someone to remember something from the past.
Example: That song brings back memories of my school days.
29. Bring In
Meaning 1: To introduce a new rule, law, system, or product.
Example: The company brought in a new attendance policy.
Meaning 2: To earn or produce money.
Example: The new service brings in additional income each month.
Work, Study and Project Phrasal Verbs
These phrasal verbs are helpful when discussing businesses, journeys, hobbies, control, exercise, and problem-solving.
30. Set Up
Meaning: To establish, organise, or prepare something.
Example: They set up a small online business from their spare room.
You can set up:
a company
a meeting
an account
a system
a device
an event
Usage note: Set up is the phrasal verb. Setup is normally a noun or adjective.
Verb: We need to set up the equipment.
Noun: The setup took nearly an hour.
31. Set Off
Meaning: To begin a journey.
Example: We set off before sunrise to avoid the traffic.
Additional meaning: To cause an alarm, device, or reaction to begin.
Example: The smoke set off the fire alarm.
32. Take Up
Meaning: To begin a new activity, subject, sport, or hobby.
Example: Priya took up photography during the summer holidays.
Additional meaning: To use space or time.
Example: The cupboard takes up too much space in this room.
33. Take Over
Meaning: To gain control of a company, task, position, or situation.
Example: Daniel will take over the project when the current manager leaves.
Usage note: It can be transitive or intransitive.
Example: A larger company took over the business.
Example: I am tired. Could you take over?
34. Work Out
Meaning 1: To exercise.
Example: I work out at home three evenings a week.
Meaning 2: To develop successfully.
Example: We had several problems, but everything worked out in the end.
Meaning 3: To calculate or solve something.
Example: Can you work out how much each person needs to pay?
35. Figure Out
Meaning: To understand something or find the answer to a problem.
Example: I finally figured out how to connect the printer.
Usage note: Figure out is particularly common in American English, while work out is often used in similar situations in British English.
Many work-related phrasal verbs also appear alongside figurative business expressions. To expand your professional vocabulary further, explore these common Business English idioms and phrases.
Relationships and Social-Life Phrasal Verbs
Use these expressions when talking about people, difficulties, journeys, recovery, and social relationships.
36. Deal With
Meaning: To handle a person, task, situation, or problem.
Example: Customer-service staff deal with a wide range of questions every day.
Usage note: Deal with is inseparable.
37. Get Along
Meaning: To have a friendly or positive relationship with someone.
Example: I get along well with most of my colleagues.
British English alternative: Get on is frequently used with the same meaning.
Example: Do you get on with your new neighbours?
38. Get Back
Meaning: To return to a place.
Example: What time did you get back from the wedding?
Additional meaning: To contact someone later.
Example: I need to check the figures, but I will get back to you tomorrow.
39. Get Away
Meaning 1: To leave a place or escape from something.
Example: The thief tried to get away before the police arrived.
Meaning 2: To take a short holiday or break.
Example: We would love to get away for a few days this autumn.
This phrasal verb is particularly useful when discussing holidays. You can learn more related expressions in our guide to travel vocabulary words and phrases.
40. Get Through
Meaning 1: To complete a difficult or demanding task.
Example: We managed to get through all the applications before lunch.
Meaning 2: To successfully contact someone by telephone.
Example: I called several times but could not get through.
Meaning 3: To survive or manage a difficult period.
Example: Her friends helped her get through a challenging year.
41. Get Over
Meaning: To recover from an illness, disappointment, shock, or difficult experience.
Example: It took me several days to get over the cold.
Example: He was disappointed about the result, but he soon got over it.
Discovery and Interaction Phrasal Verbs
These expressions are useful for accidental discoveries, entering places, unexpected situations, and reducing consumption.
42. Come Across
Meaning: To find or meet someone or something by chance.
Example: I came across an interesting article while researching the topic.
Usage note: You do not normally use come across when you were deliberately searching for something.
43. Come In
Meaning: To enter a room, building, or other enclosed place.
Example: Please come in and make yourself comfortable.
It can also describe something becoming fashionable or available.
Example: Bright patterns are coming in again this season.
44. Come Up
Meaning: To arise, appear, or happen unexpectedly.
Example: I cannot attend the meeting because something urgent has come up.
It can also mean being mentioned for discussion.
Example: The subject of remote working came up during lunch.
45. Cut Down On
Meaning: To reduce the amount of something you use, eat, drink, or do.
Example: I am trying to cut down on the amount of coffee I drink.
Usage note: This expression means reducing something, not necessarily stopping it completely.
Compare:
I am cutting down on sugar.
I am consuming less sugar.
I have given up sugar.
I have stopped consuming it.
Essential Phrasal Verbs for Plans and Responsibilities
The final five expressions are useful when discussing delays, organisation, tolerance, responsibilities, and unexpected results.
46. Put Off
Meaning: To postpone or delay an activity until a later time.
Example: We had to put off the picnic because of the weather.
Usage note: When another verb follows put off, use the -ing form.
Correct: Stop putting off revising for the exam.
47. Put Away
Meaning: To return something to its proper storage place.
Example: Please put away the dishes after they have dried.
Usage note: With a pronoun, place it in the middle.
Correct: Put them away.
Incorrect: Put away them.
48. Put Up With
Meaning: To tolerate an annoying person, behaviour, or unpleasant situation.
Example: I do not know how you put up with that noise every evening.
Usage note: Put up with is inseparable.
49. Take Care Of
Meaning: To look after someone or manage a responsibility.
Example: Rosa is taking care of her grandmother this week.
Example: Do not worry about the reservation; I will take care of it.
Usage note: Take care of is common in both British and American English. In British English, look after is often used when caring for a person, animal, or possession.
50. End Up
Meaning: To finally reach a place, state, or result, particularly when it was not originally planned.
Example: We followed the wrong path and ended up near the river.
Grammar pattern: End up is often followed by:
a place
an adjective
a prepositional phrase
an -ing verb
Examples:
We ended up at a small village café.
The room ended up completely empty.
She ended up working from home.
Common Phrasal Verbs for Travelling
Several phrasal verbs in this guide are especially useful while travelling:
set off – begin a journey
pick up – collect a passenger
drop off – leave a passenger at a destination
get away – go on a short holiday
get back – return from a journey
take off – leave the ground in an aeroplane
come back – return to the speaker’s location
go back – return to another place
end up – arrive somewhere unexpectedly
run out of – have none of something left
If you are planning to visit the UK, our guide to British transport vocabulary and UK travel words will help you understand terms such as single ticket, return ticket, coach, railway station, petrol station, and zebra crossing.
Common Phrasal Verbs for Work
These phrasal verbs frequently appear in workplace conversations:
bring up a problem
call back a customer
look into a complaint
deal with a difficult situation
set up a meeting
take over a project
work out a solution
figure out a problem
put off a meeting
get through a list of tasks
bring in a new policy
get back to a colleague
Example conversation:
“Could you look into the delivery problem?”
“Yes. I will contact the supplier and get back to you this afternoon.”
“Please also bring it up in tomorrow’s meeting.”
Common Phrasal Verbs for Studying
Students can use many of these phrasal verbs in everyday academic situations:
look up a word
find out an answer
work out a calculation
figure out a problem
carry on studying
give up on a difficult subject
get through an assignment
put off revision
take up a new course
come across useful information
Example:
“I could not figure out the final question, so I looked up the formula and eventually worked out the answer.”
Difference Between Phrasal Verbs and Idioms
Phrasal verbs and idioms can both have meanings that are difficult to understand from their individual words, but they are not exactly the same.
A phrasal verb contains a verb and one or more particles.
Examples:
give up
look after
put off
come across
An idiom is a fixed expression whose overall meaning is different from the literal meaning of its words.
Examples:
break the ice
cost an arm and a leg
under the weather
hit the nail on the head
Some expressions may be described differently depending on how they are used, but the basic distinction is that a phrasal verb functions as a verb in the sentence.
How to Learn Phrasal Verbs Effectively
Trying to memorise a long alphabetical list is rarely the most enjoyable way to learn phrasal verbs. A topic-based approach is usually easier to manage.
Learn Phrasal Verbs in Groups
Group them according to situations such as:
morning routines
work
travel
relationships
telephone conversations
studying
household activities
This creates a meaningful connection between the expression and the situation in which you might use it.
Learn Complete Sentences
Do not memorise only:
put off = postpone
Instead, learn a complete sentence:
We put off the meeting until Friday.
A full sentence shows you the grammar, word order, and natural context.
Notice Whether the Verb Is Separable
When learning a new phrasal verb, note whether it can be separated.
For example:
Pick up the parcel.
Pick the parcel up.
Pick it up.
This is particularly important when you use pronouns.
Learn One Meaning at a Time
Some phrasal verbs have many meanings. You do not need to learn every possible meaning immediately.
Start with the meaning you are most likely to use. Add other meanings after the first one becomes familiar.
Keep a Personal Example Notebook
Write one original sentence about your own life for each new phrasal verb.
For example:
I wake up at 6:30 on weekdays.
My friend picks me up after work.
I am looking forward to my next holiday.
I need to cut down on screen time.
I have taken up gardening.
Personal examples are often easier to remember than unrelated textbook sentences.
Review Through Short Conversations
Create two-line dialogues using the expressions.
A: Did you find out when the shop closes?
B: Yes, I looked it up online.
Or:
A: Are you still working on the report?
B: Yes, but I should get through it by lunchtime.
Use Five Phrasal Verbs Per Week
Choose five expressions and use each one several times during the week.
For example:
look for
find out
pick up
put off
get back
At the end of the week, write a short paragraph containing all five.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do Not Translate Every Word Literally
The meaning of a phrasal verb may be different from the meanings of its individual words.
For example, give up does not mean physically handing something upwards. It means stopping an effort or habit.
Do Not Separate Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
Correct: I am looking for my phone.
Incorrect: I am looking my phone for.
Put Pronouns in the Correct Position
With a separable phrasal verb, the pronoun normally appears between the verb and particle.
Correct: Turn it off.
Incorrect: Turn off it.
Use the Correct Verb Form After a Preposition
Some phrasal verbs end in a preposition. When another verb follows, it normally takes the -ing form.
Correct: I look forward to hearing from you.
Incorrect: I look forward to hear from you.
Pay Attention to Context
A phrasal verb may have several meanings.
For example:
The plane took off.
It left the ground.
He took off his coat.
He removed it.
The surrounding words show which meaning is intended.
Practice Exercise
Complete each sentence using a phrasal verb from this article.
We have __________ milk, so I need to visit the shop.
Could you __________ the children while I answer the telephone?
I cannot __________ how to open this file.
Our bus __________ on the way to the airport.
Please __________ your shoes before entering.
I am really __________ seeing everyone again.
The manager promised to __________ the complaint.
Something unexpected has __________, so the meeting has been cancelled.
We should __________ early if we want to avoid the traffic.
Do not __________ simply because the exercise is difficult.
Answers
run out of
look after
figure out/work out
broke down
take off
looking forward to
look into
come up
set off
give up
Frequently Asked Questions About Phrasal Verbs
What Are the Most Common Phrasal Verbs in English?
Some of the most common English phrasal verbs include get up, wake up, find out, look for, pick up, give up, carry on, turn on, turn off, look after, put off, and work out.
The most useful phrasal verbs are usually those connected to your daily routine, work, studies, relationships, and travel.
How Many Phrasal Verbs Should I Learn Each Day?
There is no perfect number for every learner. Learning three to five phrasal verbs at a time is a manageable starting point.
The goal should not simply be memorising meanings. You should also practise their grammar and use them in original sentences.
Are Phrasal Verbs Formal or Informal?
Many phrasal verbs are neutral or conversational, while some are informal. They are extremely common in speech, emails, films, television programmes, and everyday writing.
More formal writing may sometimes use a single-word alternative.
For example:
find out → discover
look into → investigate
put off → postpone
bring in → introduce
set up → establish
However, phrasal verbs are not automatically incorrect in formal English. Their suitability depends on the expression and the context.
Can a Phrasal Verb Have More Than One Meaning?
Yes. Many phrasal verbs have multiple meanings.
For example, take off can mean removing clothing, leaving the ground in an aeroplane, or becoming successful very quickly.
The complete sentence normally reveals the correct meaning.
What Is the Difference Between “Wake Up” and “Get Up”?
Wake up means to stop sleeping.
Get up means to leave your bed.
Example:
“I woke up at seven, but I did not get up until half past seven.”
What Is the Difference Between “Look For” and “Find Out”?
Look for means trying to locate a person or object.
Example: I am looking for my glasses.
Find out means discovering information.
Example: I need to find out what time the train leaves.
What Is the Difference Between “Come Back” and “Go Back”?
Both expressions describe returning, but the direction is viewed differently.
Use come back when the movement is towards the speaker or the place being treated as “here”.
Use go back when the movement is towards another place.
Example: Come back to my office after lunch.
Example: I need to go back to the hotel.
How Can I Remember Phrasal Verbs for Longer?
Learn them by topic, study them in complete sentences, create personal examples, review them regularly, and use them in conversations.
Repeated use is more effective than reading a definition only once.
Final Thoughts
Phrasal verbs are a major part of natural English, but you do not need to learn hundreds of them at once.
Begin with expressions connected to your own life. Practise a small group, write original sentences, and notice them while reading or listening to English.
For your first week, you might choose:
wake up
find out
look after
carry on
put off
Use each expression in at least three sentences. During the following week, choose five more.
With regular practice, phrasal verbs will stop feeling like isolated combinations to memorise. They will become a natural and useful part of your everyday English.
