Vocabulary/ A2 Vocabulary lessons and / Common phrasal verbs – A2 English Vocabulary
Common Phrasal Verbs
Learn essential phrasal verbs used in everyday English conversations
About This Lesson
In this pre-intermediate vocabulary lesson about Common Phrasal Verbs, you will learn essential phrasal verbs that we often use in daily life. The pictures, definitions, and example sentences below will help you understand and remember how to use them correctly.
Phrasal Verbs Infographic
A2 pre-intermediate English vocabulary chart showing common phrasal verbs like put on, take off, turn on, turn off,break down, and more—with visual illustrations of each action.
Common Phrasal Verbs
put on
When you put on clothes or make-up, you put it on your body and start wearing it.
Before going outside, I put on my boots.
take off
When you take off something that you are wearing, you remove it from your body and stop wearing it.
I was hot, so I took off my jacket.
turn on
If you turn on a device or piece of equipment, you make it start working, usually by pressing a button.
I turned on the radio so I could listen to the news.
turn off
If you turn off a device or piece of equipment, you make it stop working.
Please turn off the heating when you leave the house.
break down
If a car or machine breaks down, it suddenly stops working.
My car broke down while I was driving to work.
break up
If two people break up or you break up with someone, you finish your romantic relationship with them.
Sally and Tom broke up last week.
bring back
If you bring back something, you return it to the place it was before.
As soon as I’ve finished these books, I’ll bring them back to the library.
get up
When you get up, you get out of bed (usually after waking), or move from sitting to standing.
I usually get up early during the week.
get along
If two people get along (or you get along with someone), you have a friendly relationship.
My cousin and I get along well, and we enjoy spending time together.
give back
If you give back something, you return something you’ve borrowed.
If you lend me your dress, I’ll give it back to you tomorrow.
give up
If you give up something or doing something, you stop doing or having it completely.
I’m trying to give up chocolate because it’s making me fat.
go on
If you go on doing something—or if a situation goes on—it continues to happen.
We went on dancing until midnight.
hang out
When people hang out or you hang out with someone, you spend time together casually.
Tim and I usually hang out at the park after school.
look after
If you look after someone or something, you take care of them.
I’m looking after my little sister tonight because my parents are going out.
look for
If you look for someone or something, you search because you can’t find it.
I’m looking for my glasses. Have you seen them?
pick up
If you pick up something, you lift it from the floor or a surface, usually with your hand.
I picked up the pencil that I had dropped on the floor.
run out (of)
If you run out of something, you use it completely so there is no more left.
I had to go to the shop because we had run out of bread.
take out
If you take out something, you remove it from its place—e.g., take out the trash or take out the dog for a walk.
Before going to bed, I took out the rubbish.
throw away
When you throw away something, you discard it because you no longer need it.
After finishing the last biscuit, I threw away the packet.
work out
If you work out, you do physical exercise to train your body.
I work out at the gym twice a week.