Ingles

Common phrasal verbs 1

Phrasal Verb Meaning Example
Account for To explain They had to account for all the money that had gone missing. *ins.
Ache for Want something or someone a lot My partner's been away for a fortnight- I amaching fo her. *ins.
Act up Behave badly or strangely My computer's ACTING UP; I think I might have a virus. *ins.
Add up To make a mathematical total We ADDED UP the bill to check it was correct.*sep
Aim at To target The magazine is AIMED AT teenagers. *ins.
Answer back To reply rudely to someone in authority Her mother was shocked when she started answering her back and refusing to help.*sepAsk in To invite somebody into your house 'Jon's at the door.' 'ASK him IN.' *sep
Ask out To invite someone for a date He wanted to ASK her OUT but was too shy. *sep
Back awayRetreat or go backwards The crowd BACKED AWAY when the man pulled a knife. *ins.
Back off Retreat The police told the protesters to BACK OFF. *ins.
Back out Fail tokeep an arrangement or promise He BACKED OUT two days before the holiday so we gave the ticket to his sister *ins.
Back up Support/Make copy of computer data The rest of the staff backed her up when she complained about working conditions. *sep
Bail out Save, rescue The government had toBAIL OUT the airline because it was losing so much money.*sep
Ball up Confuse or make things complicated The new project has BALLED me UP- I have no idea what to do. *sep
Balls up Spoil, ruin He BALLSED the presentation UP.*sep
Bang about Move in a place making a lot of noise He's BANGING ABOUT in the kitchen. *ins.
Bang out Play a musical instrument loudly She BANGED the tune OUT on the piano.*sep
Bang up Put someone in prison/damage badly The judge BANGED him UP for eight years. *sep
Barge in Enter a place and interrupt He keeps BARGING IN and asking stupid questions when I'm trying to work. *ins.
Bash in Break, damageor injure by hitting The burglars BASHED the door IN to enter the house. *sep
Be after Try to find or get The police IS AFTER him because of the theft. *ins.
Be away Be elsewhere; on holiday, etc....