300+ Phrasal Verbs List with Meanings
Phrasal verbs are ordinary verbs plus one or more short particles: get up, look after, put off. The particle can change the meaning completely, so translating the two words separately is rarely enough. This 300+ phrasal verbs list with meanings gives you a practical way to organize a large topic without trying to memorize a random alphabetical list.
You do not need to learn 300 phrases in one week. Start with the high-frequency groups below, notice them in real English, and return to the same base verb several times. That is how a long phrasal verbs list becomes usable vocabulary.
- Level: A2–C1
- Focus: everyday conversation, work, travel, and study
- Best method: learn related verbs by base verb and write your own examples
How to read a phrasal verbs list
A phrasal verb may be separable, inseparable, or intransitive. This matters because it changes where you put the object.
| Type | Example | Useful rule |
|---|---|---|
| Separable | turn off the light / turn the light off | A pronoun goes in the middle: turn it off. |
| Inseparable | look after the children | Keep the verb and particle together. |
| Intransitive | The car broke down. | Do not add an object. |
| Three-word | put up with noise | Keep all parts together. |
Learn a phrasal verb as a whole pattern, not as a bare translation. For example, learn look forward to + noun / -ing, not only “look forward to.” The preposition to is part of the pattern: I look forward to meeting you.
High-frequency phrasal verbs by base verb
The full 300+ set is easiest to revise by base verb. Use these core groups as your first working list; then expand the same families in Linglify’s phrasal verb library.
GET — movement, change, and managing
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| get up | leave your bed; stand | I get up before seven on weekdays. |
| get on | board; make progress | We got on the train at Oxford. |
| get off | leave a bus, train, or plane | Get off at the next stop. |
| get back | return | I will get back to you tomorrow. |
| get over | recover from; overcome | She got over the flu quickly. |
| get through | finish; survive a difficult period | We finally got through the report. |
| get along with | have a good relationship | Do you get along with your new team? |
| get rid of | remove or throw away | It is time to get rid of old files. |
GO and COME — travel, starting, and appearing
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| go on | continue | Please go on with your story. |
| go out | leave home for leisure; stop shining | We went out after dinner. |
| go over | review carefully | Let’s go over the main points again. |
| go through | experience; examine | The team went through the data twice. |
| come back | return | The feeling came back when I heard the song. |
| come across | find by chance; seem | I came across an old notebook. |
| come up with | think of an idea | Can you come up with a solution? |
| come round | visit; regain consciousness | Why don’t you come round on Saturday? |
TAKE and MAKE — starting, accepting, and creating
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| take off | remove clothes; a plane leaves; become successful | Her small business really took off. |
| take on | accept work; employ | I cannot take on another project this week. |
| take up | begin a hobby; occupy time | He took up swimming last year. |
| take over | gain control | A larger firm took over the company. |
| take after | resemble a relative | Maya takes after her father. |
| make up | invent; reconcile; form a whole | They argued, then made up. |
| make out | understand with difficulty | I could not make out the address. |
| make up for | compensate for | The extra day made up for the delay. |
For deeper practice with one productive family, use the existing Phrasal Verbs with TAKE guide and Phrasal Verbs with MAKE guide.
PUT and TURN — changing plans and changing states
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| put off | postpone | They put off the meeting until Monday. |
| put on | wear; organize | Put on a jacket; it is cold outside. |
| put away | return to its place; save | Please put away the dishes. |
| put up with | tolerate | I cannot put up with that noise. |
| put down | write; criticize | Put down the address before you forget. |
| turn on | start a device | Could you turn on the projector? |
| turn off | stop a device; make someone dislike something | Turn it off before you leave. |
| turn out | result; attend in numbers | The plan turned out well. |
LOOK, BRING, and GIVE — attention, movement, and exchange
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| look for | try to find | I am looking for my keys. |
| look after | take care of | Can you look after the cat? |
| look into | investigate | We will look into the problem. |
| look forward to | wait happily for | I look forward to hearing from you. |
| bring up | mention; raise a child | She brought up an important question. |
| bring back | return; cause a memory | This photo brings back memories. |
| give up | stop trying or doing something | Do not give up after one mistake. |
| give away | donate; reveal a secret | He gave away his old books. |
BREAK, CALL, and RUN — problems, contact, and activity
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| break down | stop working; lose emotional control | The car broke down on the motorway. |
| break up | end a relationship; separate | The meeting broke up at five. |
| break into | enter by force; begin suddenly | Someone broke into the office. |
| call back | return a phone call | I will call you back after lunch. |
| call off | cancel | They called off the match because of rain. |
| call for | require; visit to collect | This job calls for patience. |
| run out of | have no more of something | We have run out of milk. |
| run into | meet by chance | I ran into my teacher in town. |
For a broader explanation of form, meaning, and common patterns, read the existing complete phrasal verbs guide. You can also begin with the 50 most common phrasal verbs before expanding your list.
The particle is a clue, not a translation
Particles often create broad meaning patterns, but they are not fixed definitions. Up can suggest completion (eat up), increase (go up), or creation (set up). Out can suggest leaving (go out), completion (find out), or exhaustion (run out of).
Use the pattern as a memory clue, then confirm the full phrase in context. Do not assume that every verb with up has the same meaning.
A realistic plan for 300+ phrasal verbs
Study eight to ten phrases per week. Keep each set connected: six phrases with one base verb and two review phrases from an older set.
- Read one clear example aloud.
- Note whether the verb is separable, inseparable, or intransitive.
- Write a personal sentence with a real person, place, or task.
- Review it after one day, then after several days.
- Use two phrases in a short message or spoken answer.
Avoid learning only a single-word translation. Put off is more useful when you remember put off a meeting and put it off, not only “postpone.” Practise the complete pattern in the intermediate phrasal verbs library.
Vocabulary snippet: start with useful verbs
Save a small set first, then add your own example sentence before tomorrow’s review.
worthless
adjective
An adjective describing something that has no value or use.
Examples
- Don't let anyone make you feel worthless or unimportant.
- The broken watch became completely worthless and couldn't be repaired.
formally
adverb
In a manner that follows accepted customs or conventions.
Examples
- Students must formally register for classes before the semester begins.
- The new president will be formally inaugurated next month in the capital.
border
noun
An area or line that separates two countries, states, or regions.
Examples
- The garden had a beautiful flower border along the path.
- They crossed the border between France and Germany.
unload
verb
To remove a load or burden from something or someone.
Examples
- Ship crew must unload containers at port.
- Workers unload cargo from delivery truck efficiently.
stress
verb
To feel mental or emotional pressure or worry; to emphasize or give importance to something.
Examples
- Heavy workload may stress employees beyond limits.
- Teacher will stress importance of homework completion.
willingly
adverb
In a way that shows eagerness or enthusiasm to do something.
Examples
- He willingly shared his knowledge with younger students.
- The volunteers worked willingly without expecting any payment.
prospect
noun
A possible future event or situation that may happen, often based on current evidence.
Examples
- Economic prospect looks optimistic for next year.
- Job prospect improves with additional education training.
willingness
noun
The quality of being eager or ready to do something.
Examples
- Her willingness to learn impressed all the teachers.
- The company values employees' willingness to work as a team.
timeliness
noun
The quality or state of being appropriate or suitable at the right time.
Examples
- Project timeliness determines success in competitive business environment.
- Report timeliness affects decision making processes significantly.
calm
adjective
Not feeling worried or upset; peaceful.
Examples
- She remained calm despite the stressful situation at work.
- The calm ocean reflected the beautiful colors of the sunset.
bewilderment
noun
A feeling of being confused or unable to understand.
Examples
- She stared in bewilderment at the unexpected test results.
- The tourist's bewilderment was obvious when he got lost downtown.
brick
noun
A solid block of clay or other material used in construction or for building walls.
Examples
- He's been a real brick during this crisis.
- The house was built with traditional red brick.
revise
verb
To change or improve something, especially a piece of writing or a plan.
Examples
- Author must revise manuscript before publication deadline.
- Student will revise lessons before final examination.
lap
noun
The top part of the body of a person or animal when sitting or lying down.
Examples
- The cat curled up comfortably on her lap while reading.
- The runner completed another lap around the track successfully.
transfer
verb
To move from one place to another, often of goods or people.
Examples
- Bank will transfer money between accounts quickly.
- Student may transfer to different university program.
max
noun
A short form of a name or nickname, often used for a person or thing.
Examples
- Students can borrow max of five books from library.
- The speed limit max on highway is seventy miles per hour.
exhausted
adjective
Very tired or worn out; lacking energy.
Examples
- After running the marathon, she felt completely exhausted and needed to rest.
- The exhausted workers finally finished their twelve-hour shift at the factory.
diligent
adjective
Showing care and effort in work or duties.
Examples
- Diligent students typically achieve better grades through consistent hard work.
- The diligent researcher spent years collecting data for the scientific study.
independent
adjective
Not dependent on others; self-reliant.
Examples
- She's very independent and prefers to solve problems on her own.
- The independent research confirmed the results of the original study.
impolitely
adverb
In a way that is not polite or respectful.
Examples
- He spoke impolitely to the waiter and made everyone uncomfortable.
- She impolitely refused to answer the reporter's questions.
characterize
verb
To describe or portray the character or qualities of someone or something.
Examples
- Honesty and integrity characterize his approach to business dealings.
- The report characterizes the current economic situation as generally stable.
yell
verb
A verb meaning to shout loudly, often in anger or excitement.
Examples
- Don't yell at the children when they make innocent mistakes.
- The coach had to yell instructions over the crowd noise.
aggressive
adjective
Ready to attack or confront; showing strong energy or determination.
Examples
- Some drivers become aggressive when stuck in heavy traffic for hours.
- The aggressive marketing campaign helped increase sales by thirty percent last quarter.
alphabet
noun
A set of letters used to write a language.
Examples
- Children learn the alphabet before they can read complete sentences.
- The English alphabet has twenty-six letters from A to Z.
What to do next
- Practise a small group in the phrasal verbs library.
- Review the grammar rules in the complete phrasal verbs guide.
- Build depth with the existing TAKE phrasal verbs guide.
- Add five phrases to your Linglify dictionary and review them tomorrow.
FAQ
How many phrasal verbs should I learn first?
Start with 30 to 50 high-frequency phrases that match your daily life. Once you can recognize and use them, add another base-verb group. Active use matters more than seeing a long list once.
Can I guess the meaning from the particle?
Sometimes a particle gives a helpful clue, but it is not reliable enough on its own. Learn the whole phrase with an example, especially when it has an idiomatic meaning.
Are phrasal verbs informal?
Many are common in conversation, but they also appear in work emails, news, and neutral writing. Choose the phrase that fits the situation; look into is often more natural than the very formal investigate.
What is the fastest way to remember phrasal verbs?
Group them by base verb, connect them with a personal situation, and review them with spaced repetition. Short, regular practice is much more effective than one long session.
