Home Phrasal Verbs

Here are some common phrasal verbs used around the house with their meanings and examples:

Clean up/ tidy up

Meaning:

• Put things in order and make them clean.

• To tidy and remove dirt

Example:

• We need to clean up the living room before guests arrive.

• Let’s clean up the kitchen before we start cooking.

Fill up

Meaning:

• Add enough of something to make it full.

• ​To become completely full; to make something completely full.

Example:

• Please fill up the water bottle before we go out.

• The ditches had filled up with mud.

Fix up

Meaning:

• Repair or improve something.

• ​To repair, decorate or make changes to something in order to improve it.

Example:

• We need to fix up the roof before the rainy season starts.

• We need to fix up the house we just bought before we can move in.

Put away

Meaning:

• Return something to its proper place.

• ​Return something to its original or usual position.

Example:

• Put away the dishes after you wash them.

• Please put away your toys after playing.

Throw away

Meaning:

• Discard something in the trash.

• to get rid of something that you no longer want.

Example:

• Don't forget to throw away the old newspapers.

• Many people throw away their computers after just a few years of use.

Turn off

Meaning:

• Stop the operation of an appliance or a device.

• ​To stop the flow of electricity, gas, water, etc. by moving a switch, button, etc.

Example:

• Don’t forget to turn off the lights before you go to bed.

• Don’t forget to turn off the stove after cooking.

Turn on

Meaning:

• Start the operation of an appliance or a device.

• ​To activate or switch something on, typically referring to electrical devices or systems.

Example:

• Can you turn on the TV, please?

• Can you turn on the lights? It’s getting dark.

Set up

Meaning:

• To arrange or assemble furniture or equipment.

• To build something or put something somewhere.

Example:

• We need to set up the table for dinner.

• They set up their own company when they were still in high school.

Explanation

What Are Phrasal Verbs?

Phrasal verbs are multi-word expressions consisting of a verb and one or more particles (either a preposition or an adverb). Together, they form a meaning that is often different from the verb’s original meaning.

Structure of Phrasal Verbs:

Verb + Preposition
Example: Look after some text

• Meaning: To take care of someone or something.

• Sentence: "I need to look after my younger brother today."

Verb + Adverb
Example: Give up some text

• Meaning: To stop doing something.

• Sentence: "She decided to give up smoking."

Verb + Adverb + Preposition
Example: Get away with some text.

• Meaning: To escape punishment for something.

• Sentence: "He got away with cheating on the test."

Phrasal Verbs

Word order in Pharal Verbs