If you are not familiar with "phrasal verbs", we suggest you to first look at the lesson Phrasal and Prepositional Verbs . .
In addition to the definition in English, translation in Spanish and an example, here you will find information on syntax (see below for an explanation), if there are any existing derivatives, synonyms, antonyms, use notes and whether the verb is used more often in American or British English (US/UK).
Note on syntax : Phrasal verbs can be intransitive, inseparable or separable.
intransitive : these verbs do not take an object (ex. The car broke down yesterday.)
inseparable : the object must come after the phrasal verb (ex. I'm too busy to deal with the client right now.)
separable : the object must come after the phrasal verb (ex. The waiter added the bill up. or The waiter added up the bill.)
intransitive : estos verbos no tienen un objeto (p.ej. The car broke down yesterday.)
separable : el objeto puede interponerse entre el verbo y una preposición o adverbio (p.ej. The waiter added the bill up. o The waiter added up the bill.)
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Can I ask you for a favor?
to seek or provoke something negative
If you date him, you're asking for trouble.
to stop working; functioning
Our car broke down while we were driving to the supermarket.
to end negotiations unsuccessfully
After days of negotiations, the talks broke down.
The firemen had to break down the door to get into the house.
It was the most stressful week. By Friday I broke down and cried.
I was brought up by my grandmother.
Syntax: separable
Sinonyms: to raise
I hate him. Don't ever bring his name up again!
Syntax: separable
Sinonyms: to raise
to bring or get up to date
Call me, we need to catch up!
Syntax: separable
Sinonyms: to bring up to date
to reach someone or something ahead of you
You are walking so fast, I will never catch up with you.
We are coming back from vacation next week.
Syntax: inseparable
Sinonyms: to return
Did you find out what happened to Joe?
Syntax: separable
Sinonyms: to discover
to have a good relationship with someone
I'm so lucky, my father and my husband get along/on really well.
to make progress; to deal or to handle
How are you getting along at university?
What time did you get in last night?
Get in the car and I will take you to school.
Syntax: inseparable
Antonyms: to get out
You can't get into the club without a ticket.
Beatrice applied to many schools, but she only got into one.
We must get off the train at the next stop.
Syntax: inseparable
Antonyms: to get on
We usually get off early on Fridays in the summer.
He got on the bus for the airport.
Syntax: inseparable
Sinonyms: to board
Antonyms: to get off
It's too smoky, I have to get out of here.
Syntax: intransitive
Antonyms: to get in (into)
He got out of the car quickly.
Syntax: inseparable
Antonyms: to get in (into)
How can I get out of going to work today?
I tried, but I can't get the stain out of my new dress.
I'm so embarassed. I can never go back to that bar again.
to date to an early time, to have a long history
This story goes back to when I was young.
Let's go out and play in the snow!
Syntax: intransitive
Antonyms: to go in
Has the mail gone out yet?
The news went out last night.
to be extinguished; to stop working
The lights went out during the storm.
Mini skirts went out of style last year.
to mature, to become an adult
Alex grew up in France, but now he lives in Italy.
Hurry up or we will be late.
My parents are looking after the children while we go to dinner.
Syntax: inseparable
Sinonyms: to take care of
to try to find, to search
Paul is looking for the document you requested.
to wait for or anticipate something pleasant
We are really looking forward to your visit!
That never happened! You're making it up!
Our parents had an argument last night, but they made up this morning.
to consist of; to constitute
The committee is made up of several people from the community.
Business is picking up at the shop this month.
That's the girl John picked up at the bar last night.
We will pick you up at your house at 6.
He picks up languages easily.
to dress; to start wearing something
Why don't you put on your green dress, it really suits you.
Syntax: separable
Antonyms: to take off
to mount; to hang; to raise; to place
The kids want to put up a tent in the backyard this summer.
Syntax: separable
Antonyms: to take down
Did I tell you? I ran into your brother the other day at the cinema.
Syntax: inseparable
Sinonyms: to bump into
Did you hear? Last night a car ran into the shop down the street.
to have nothing left; to sell everything in stock
The tickets were sold out by the time we arrived.
to lose integrity in exchange for financial gain
I never expected that they would sell themselves out like that.
to behave in a way as to attract attention; to brag
Stop showing off already! It's been over a month since you won the championship.
What time did he finally show up?
Syntax: intransitive
Sinonyms: to turn up
Stop trying to show up your sister. You both did very well this year in school.
to stop talking or making noise
Shut up already! You're giving me a headache.
to open and start a computer program; to register
When you sign in you must give your password.
Syntax: intransitive
Sinonyms: to log in
Antonyms: to sign out; to log out
to close a computer program
I forgot to sign out of my email.
Syntax: intransitive
Sinonyms: to log out
Antonyms: to sign in; to log in
to divide or separate into groups
The teacher split us up into groups for the project.
Syntax: separable
Sinonyms: to divide up
Did you hear? Sally and Dave split up last week.
Syntax: intransitive
Sinonyms: to break up
to be so extraordinary or different as to draw attention
With her blue hair, Mary really stands out in a crowd.
to disconnect or terminate power to
Please switch off the lights when you leave.
Syntax: separable
Sinonyms: to shut off; to turn off
Antonyms: to switch on; to turn on
Switch on the lights please, I can't see anything.
Syntax: separable
Sinonyms: to turn on
Antonyms: to switch off; to shut off; to turn off
to depart or when the plane leaves the ground
The plane will take off in 5 minutes.
Take off your jacket and stay awhile.
Syntax: separable
Antonyms: to put on; to keep on
to make quick and good progress
The new campaign has really taken off.
Can you please take out the trash when you leave?
to put on clothing to see how it looks and how it fits
Would you like to try those on?
He was lost. His mistake was turning off the path.
to cause dislike or displeasure
He was always drunk. It really turned me off.
Syntax: separable
Sinonyms: to turn on
Remind me to turn on the washing machine before we leave.
Syntax: separable
Sinonyms: to turn off; to switch off; to shut off
to excite; to cause someone to feel pleasure; to become interested
Just his voz turns me on.
Syntax: separable
Antonyms: to turn off
