Phrasal Verbs

50 COMMON ENGLISH PHRASAL VERBS

B ELIEVE IN
1. When you believe in something or somebody you are sure that something or somebody exists.
Examples of use:
a) Do you believe in God?
b) I didn't believe in ghosts until I stayed in an old castle in Romania: now I'm certain they exist.
c) My children still believe in fairies.

2. To believe in something is to have a strong belief thatsomething is good or right.
Examples of use:
a) My grandparents believed in working hard and helping others.
b) They do not believe in the death penalty.
c) We believe in discipline for our children, but we don't believe in hitting them.
d) We don't believe in living together before marriage.

3. When you believe in somebody, you have confidence that they are a good trustworthy person, or thatthey can do something well.
Examples of use:
a) We still believe in you.
b) I want to believe in you, but you lied to me about everything.
c) Don't worry about your exams. We believe in you and we know you will do well.
d) You can get through these problems. I believe in you.


B LOW UP
1. To blow up something (or blow something up) means to fill it with air; for example, a balloon, or acar or bicycle tyre.
Example of use:
Can you blow these balloons up for the party, please?

2. Blow up also means to suddenly lose your temper (get very angry). Informal English.
Example of use:
a) I broke her iPad and she blew up at me.
b) We were having a discussion about the accounts and he suddenly blew up and stormed out.

3. When something blows up (or when somebody blows somethingup) it explodes.
Examples of use:
a) The family were injured when their house blew up because of a gas leak.
b) Fortunately the plane was empty when the hijackers blew it up.


B REAK DOWN
1. If a vehicle or machine breaks down it stops working.
Examples of use:
a) Our car broke down on the way to the airport and we missed our flight.
b) My washing machine has broken down.
c) Sorry I’mlate. The train broke down.

2. If you break down you are unable to control your feelings and you start to cry.
Examples of use:
a) She broke down when she heard the sad news.
b) He misses his mother very much, and he often breaks down when he talks about her.

3. To break down is also to become mentally or physically ill because of difficult or traumatic experiences. breakdown (noun) – aphysical or mental collapse.
Examples of use:
a) Not long after her husband died she broke down and had to take some time off work.
b) She had a nervous breakdown after her son was kidnapped.
c) He had a breakdown last year but he's much better now.


4. If a meeting, discussion or an agreement (including a relationship or marriage) breaks down it fails or stops working properly.
Examplesof use:
a) The talks between the political parties have broken down.
b) Our marriage has broken down and we are getting a divorce.


C ALL BACK
1. If you call back somebody (or call somebody back) you telephone someone who rang you earlier, or you telephone someone for a second time.
Examples of use:
a) Mr Evans telephoned while you were out: he wants you to call him back.
b) He forgot tobook a double room, so he had to call the hotel back.

2. To call back is to return to a place to see somebody again.
Examples of use:
a) Mrs Bottone is in a meeting. Can you call back this afternoon, please?


C ALL OFF
1. To call off something (or call something off) is to cancel a planned event, or an event that has already started.
Examples of use:
a) They are calling off thetennis match because of the rain.
b) They called off their wedding.
c) Mike is ill so we will have to call the party off.
d) News headline: Spain airport strike called off.
e) The police called off their search for the burglar after they found him hiding in a shed.
f) The Bahrain Grand Prix has been called off.

2. To call off somebody or something (or call somebody or something off) is to...