240 Most Common Phrasal Verbs: The Spice of English Communication

What are Phrasal Verbs?

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) that together create a meaning different from the original verb. These expressions are a hallmark of English and are widely used in both spoken and written communication. For example, “give up” doesn’t just mean to give something; it means to stop trying or surrender. Similarly, in Hindi, we might compare phrasal verbs to compound expressions like “हाथ उठाना” (literally, “to raise a hand”), which can mean to give up or stop trying in certain contexts.

Understanding Phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb typically consists of:

• A verb (e.g., take, look, break).
• A particle (e.g., up, out, in, off), which is either a preposition or an adverb.

The combination creates a new meaning. For instance:

• English: “Turn down” – to reject or refuse something.
• Hindi Equivalent: “ठुकराना” (Thukrana) – to reject, though not a direct phrasal verb, conveys a similar idea.

#	Phrasal Verb	English Meaning	Hindi Meaning	Details
1	Abide by	Respect or obey; remain faithful to someone	नियमों का पालन करना; किसी के प्रति वफादार रहना	Example
2	Account for	Explain by relating circumstances; be the primary cause	कारण बताना; मुख्य कारण होना	Example
3	Add up	Add the amount or degree	जोड़ना	Example
4	Add up to	Build up in combination with existing events	संयोजन में बढ़ना	Example
5	Advise against	Recommend not doing something	खिलाफ सलाह देना	Example
6	Agree with	Have the same opinion as someone else	सहमत होना	Example
7	Aim at	Plan, intend, or hope	लक्ष्य रखना	Example
8	Allow for	Take into consideration	ध्यान में रखना	Example
9	Appeal to	Request or appeal	अपील करना	Example
10	Apply for	Make a formal request for something (job, permit, loan, etc.)	आवेदन करना	Example
11	Ask around	Enquire about something to different people	इधर-उधर पूछताछ करना	Example
12	Ask for	Request something	मांगना	Example
13	Avail of	Take advantage of an opportunity	लाभ उठाना	Example
14	Back away	Move backwards in fear or dislike	पीछे हटना	Example
15	Back down	Withdraw or concede defeat	पीछे हटना; हार मानना	Example
16	Back up	Support; make a copy of	समर्थन करना; प्रतिलिपि बनाना	Example
17	Bail out	Pay money to secure someone’s release	जमानत देना	Example
18	Bank on	Base hopes on someone/something	भरोसा करना	Example
19	Believe in	Feel confident about something/someone	विश्वास करना	Example
20	Block off	Separate using a barrier	अवरोध लगाना	Example
21	Blow up	Get angry; explode; enlarge; fail disastrously	गुस्सा होना; विस्फोट करना; बड़ा करना	Example
22	Boil down to	Be summarized as	संक्षेप में होना	Example
23	Boot up	Make changes in a computer system or program	सिस्टम शुरू करना	Example
24	Break away	Escape from captivity	भाग निकलना	Example
25	Break down	Go out of order; cease to function; make into smaller parts	खराब होना; छोटे हिस्सों में तोड़ना	Example
26	Break in	Enter a building forcefully; start something new; interrupt; take to a new level	जबरन घुसना; नया शुरू करना; बाधा डालना	Example
27	Break into	Enter by force	जबरदस्ती प्रवेश करना	Example
28	Break off	Cancel or put an end to something	रद्द करना	Example
29	Break out	Start suddenly	अचानक शुरू होना	Example
30	Break out of	Escape from a place by force; flee from prison	जबरन भागना; जेल से भागना	Example
31	Break up	End (marriage, relationship); break into pieces; dissolve or part	संबंध तोड़ना; टुकड़े करना	Example
32	Bring on	Cause something to happen	कारण बनना	Example
33	Bring up	Nourish a baby; mention; uncover a mystery	पालना; उल्लेख करना; रहस्य उजागर करना	Example
34	Brush up	Review or improve a skill or knowledge	कौशल सुधारना	Example
35	Brush up on	Improve or refresh knowledge of something	ज्ञान को ताज़ा करना	Example
36	Build into	Add an element to something	शामिल करना	Example
37	Bump into	Meet by chance	संयोग से मिलना	Example
38	Burn out	Stop working; become exhausted	काम करना बंद करना; थक जाना	Example
39	Burst out	Display sudden powerful emotion or speak emotionally	भावनात्मक रूप से बोलना	Example
40	Call back	Return a phone call	वापस कॉल करना	Example
41	Call off	Cancel	रद्द करना	Example
42	Call on/upon	Formally invite or request	औपचारिक रूप से आमंत्रित करना	Example
43	Calm down	Become relaxed and reduce anger	शांत होना	Example
44	Care for	Nourish or look after someone	देखभाल करना	Example
45	Carry on	Keep continuing	जारी रखना	Example
46	Carry out	Do something as specified (plan, order, threat)	योजना को लागू करना	Example
47	Carry over	Postpone until later	स्थगित करना	Example
48	Catch up	Approach some position; update oneself; entangle	नज़दीक आना; अपडेट करना	Example
49	Check in	Register at a hotel or airport	पंजीकरण करना	Example
50	Check out	Get the idea, pay the bill; examine or inspect	समझना; बिल चुकाना	Example
51	Cheer up	Become happy; make someone happy	खुश होना; खुश करना	Example
52	Chip in	Help or contribute	मदद करना	Example
53	Clam up	Refuse to speak	चुप रहना	Example
54	Clamp down on	Act strictly to prevent something	सख्ती से रोकना	Example
55	Clean up	Tidy; become smart or handsome	साफ करना; आकर्षक बनना	Example
56	Come across	Find by chance	संयोग से मिलना	Example
57	Come forward	Present oneself	सामने आना	Example
58	Come up against	Be faced with or opposed by	सामना करना	Example
59	Count on	Rely or depend on; expect	भरोसा करना	Example
60	Cross out	Remove by drawing a line through	काट देना	Example
61	Cut down on	Reduce in number or size	कम करना	Example
62	Cut in	Interrupt	बीच में बोलना	Example
63	Cut out	Remove with instruments	काटकर हटाना	Example
64	Deal with	Handle or take care of (problem, situation)	निपटना	Example
65	Die down	Become weak	कमज़ोर होना	Example
66	Do away with	Put an end to or eliminate something	समाप्त करना	Example
67	Do without	Manage alone without someone or something	बिना काम चलाना	Example
68	Drag on	Last longer than expected; continue for an unknown time	लंबा खिंचना	Example
69	Draw up	Write (contract, agreement, document)	तैयार करना (दस्तावेज़)	Example
70	Dress up	Wear new clothes	अच्छे कपड़े पहनना	Example
71	Drop in	Visit, usually on the way somewhere; informal visits to a person or place	अचानक मिलने आना	Example
72	Drop off	Fall asleep; leave something/someone at a place	सो जाना; छोड़ना	Example
73	Drop out	Leave school without finishing; be interrupted momentarily	छोड़ देना (पढ़ाई); रुकावट	Example
74	Ease off	Slow down	धीमा करना	Example
75	End in	Finish in a certain way	समाप्त होना	Example
76	End up	Finally reach a state/place; conclude; do something eventually	अंत में होना	Example
77	Even out	Eliminate differences of opinion	समान करना	Example
78	Fall apart	Break into pieces; be in an emotional crisis	टूट जाना; भावनात्मक संकट	Example
79	Fall behind	Be late; be below average in performance	पीछे रह जाना	Example
80	Fall down	Fall to the ground	गिरना	Example
81	Fall through	Fail; doesn’t happen	असफल होना	Example
82	Figure out	Understand or find the answer	समझना; हल करना	Example
83	Fill in	Provide missing information; substitute for someone; add information	जानकारी भरना; स्थान लेना	Example
84	Fill out	Complete a form	फॉर्म भरना	Example
85	Find out	Discover information	पता लगाना	Example
86	Focus on	Concentrate on something	ध्यान केंद्रित करना	Example
87	Follow up	Continue or take further actions; verify	आगे बढ़ना; सत्यापित करना	Example
88	Get along	Be on good terms; work well with	अच्छे संबंध रखना	Example
89	Get at	Imply; gain access to something	संकेत करना; पहुँच प्राप्त करना	Example
90	Get away	Escape	भाग जाना	Example
91	Get back	Retrieve; harm someone who harmed you	वापस लेना; बदला लेना	Example
92	Get back at	Gain revenge	बदला लेना	Example
93	Get back into	Become interested again	फिर से रुचि लेना	Example
94	Get by	Manage to cope or survive	काम चलाना	Example
95	Get in	Enter	प्रवेश करना	Example
96	Get into	Enter; become involved in	प्रवेश करना; शामिल होना	Example
97	Get off	Come out of a vehicle	उतरना	Example
98	Get on	Board (bus, train, plane); be on good terms	चढ़ना; अच्छे संबंध रखना	Example
99	Get on with	Continue to do; make progress	आगे बढ़ना	Example
100	Get out	Leave or stay away	निकलना; दूर रहना	Example
101	Get out of	Avoid doing something; leave	बचना; छोड़ना	Example
102	Get over	Recover from (illness, disappointment)	उबरना	Example
103	Get rid of	Eliminate	हटाना	Example
104	Get through	Overcome or endure; complete	पार करना; पूरा करना	Example
105	Get together	Meet each other	एक साथ मिलना	Example
106	Get up	Leave the bed; stand up	उठना	Example
107	Give in	Collapse or fall; surrender or admit defeat; hand in or submit	ढह जाना; हार मानना; जमा करना	Example
108	Give up	Stop working on something	छोड़ देना	Example
109	Go about	Keep oneself busy with something	व्यस्त रहना	Example
110	Go for	Try to gain	प्राप्त करने की कोशिश करना	Example
111	Go in for	Enter willingly	उत्साह से भाग लेना	Example
112	Go into	Enter through the door	प्रवेश करना	Example
113	Go through	Experience	अनुभव करना	Example
114	Go through with	Proceed or continue with	आगे बढ़ना	Example
115	Goof around	Play or fool around	मस्ती करना	Example
116	Grow apart	Become estranged gradually	धीरे-धीरे अलग होना	Example
117	Grow into	Become large enough to fit	फिट होने लायक बड़ा होना	Example
118	Grow up	Mature; be raised; develop or flourish	बड़ा होना; विकसित होना	Example
119	Hand in	Submit	जमा करना	Example
120	Hand out	Distribute	बाँटना	Example
121	Hand over	Transfer control or possession; deliver something	हस्तांतरण करना	Example
122	Hand something down	Give something to others (e.g., heirlooms)	अगली पीढ़ी को देना	Example
123	Hang in	Bear the situations; persevere	धैर्य रखना	Example
124	Hang on	Wait; grasp or hold; have faith; persevere	इंतज़ार करना; पकड़ना; विश्वास रखना	Example
125	Hang out	Spend time with someone casually	समय बिताना	Example
126	Hang up	End a phone call	फोन काटना	Example
127	Head back	Go back to a place from where you started	वापस जाना	Example
128	Help out	Provide assistance	मदद करना	Example
129	Hit at	Aim a blow at	निशाना लगाना	Example
130	Hit back	Retaliate; reply to an attack	जवाबी हमला करना	Example
131	Hit on/upon	Find unexpectedly or by inspiration	अचानक खोज करना	Example
132	Hold against	Think less of someone due to their actions	खिलाफ सोचना	Example
133	Hold on	Wait; store something for someone	इंतज़ार करना; रखना	Example
134	Hold up	Withstand; fulfill an agreement; rob at gunpoint	सहन करना; पूरा करना; लूटना	Example
135	Hurry up	Be quick	जल्दी करना	Example
136	Iron out	Eliminate differences	मतभेद दूर करना	Example
137	Join in	Participate	भाग लेना	Example
138	Join up	Become a member	सदस्य बनना	Example
139	Jot down	Take quick notes	जल्दी से लिखना	Example
140	Keep at	Continue performing	जारी रखना	Example
141	Keep on	Continue doing something	करते रहना	Example
142	Keep up with	Stay at the same level as someone or something	बराबरी करना	Example
143	Kick off	Begin	शुरू करना	Example
144	Knock off	Kill; remove as a discount; rob	मारना; छूट देना; लूटना	Example
145	Knock out	Render unconscious; complete; exhaust	बेहोश करना; पूरा करना; थकाना	Example
146	Knock over	Stage a heist; strike something	लूटना; गिराना	Example
147	Leave out	Omit	छोड़ देना	Example
148	Let down	Disappoint	निराश करना	Example
149	Lift up	Exalt someone’s mood	मनोबल बढ़ाना	Example
150	Light up	Illuminate; make happy	रोशनी करना; खुश करना	Example
151	Lock in	Put into a safe place	सुरक्षित रखना	Example
152	Log in	Sign in (to a website, database, etc.)	लॉग इन करना	Example
153	Look after	Take care of	देखभाल करना	Example
154	Look ahead	Think of the future	भविष्य के बारे में सोचना	Example
155	Look at	Examine something	जांचना	Example
156	Look down on	Consider inferior; disdain	तुच्छ समझना	Example
157	Look for	Search or seek; expect	ढूंढना	Example
158	Look forward to	Anticipate with pleasure	उत्सुकता से प्रतीक्षा करना	Example
159	Look into	Investigate or explore; consider	जांच करना	Example
160	Look on	Watch without getting involved	देखते रहना	Example
161	Look out	Be careful and vigilant	सावधान रहना	Example
162	Look out for	Be vigilant, watch for	नज़र रखना	Example
163	Look up	Refer or search for information; have better prospects	जानकारी ढूंढना; बेहतर होना	Example
164	Look up to	Admire	प्रशंसा करना	Example
165	Make for	Produce a result	परिणाम देना	Example
166	Make fun of	Mock or tease	मज़ाक उड़ाना	Example
167	Make up	Create stories or excuses; settle or resolve	कहानी बनाना; सुलझाना	Example
168	Mix up	Mistake one thing or person for another	भ्रम करना	Example
169	Move in	Arrive in a new home or office	नए स्थान पर जाना	Example
170	Move out	Leave your home/office for another one	छोड़कर जाना	Example
171	Narrow down	Make things more specific	विशिष्ट करना	Example
172	Nod off	Fall asleep after being tired	थककर सो जाना	Example
173	Note down	Write something	लिख लेना	Example
174	Opt out	Leave a system or decide not to participate	बाहर निकलना	Example
175	Own up	Confess something	कबूल करना	Example
176	Pass away	Die	मर जाना	Example
177	Pass out	Faint	बेहोश हो जाना	Example
178	Pay back	Reimburse; take revenge	वापस करना; बदला लेना	Example
179	Pay for	Be punished or held accountable	सजा भुगतना	Example
180	Pick up	Collect somebody	लेने जाना	Example
181	Plug into	Connect a wire	जोड़ना (तार)	Example
182	Point out	Indicate or direct attention to something	इंगित करना	Example
183	Pull off	Achieve, succeed, or make it happen	सफल होना	Example
184	Pull over	Come to a stop	रुकना	Example
185	Put in	Enter a pot; invest effort	डालना; प्रयास करना	Example
186	Put off	Postpone or delay	टालना	Example
187	Put on	Turn on, switch on; wear	चालू करना; पहनना	Example
188	Put out	Extinguish; publish	बुझाना; प्रकाशित करना	Example
189	Put something down	Record something in writing; make something fall to the ground	लिखना; गिराना	Example
190	Put up	Accommodate; give a bed; dare someone; endure	ठहराना; सहन करना	Example
191	Put up with	Bear with or endure	बर्दाश्त करना	Example
192	Rely on	Count on, depend on, trust	भरोसा करना	Example
193	Rip off	Copy illegally	अवैध रूप से कॉपी करना	Example
194	Rule out	Eliminate; make something impossible	खारिज करना	Example
195	Run away	Escape from a place or suddenly leave	भाग जाना	Example
196	Run into	Approach; meet unexpectedly	टकराना; संयोग से मिलना	Example
197	Run out of	Have no more of something	खत्म हो जाना	Example
198	Run over	Describe briefly; drive over something	संक्षेप में बताना; कुचलना	Example
199	Screw up	Ruin or make a mistake	गड़बड़ करना	Example
200	See about	Take care	देखभाल करना	Example
201	Settle down	Get comfortable	व्यवस्थित होना	Example
202	Settle for	Accept something less desirable	कम में संतुष्ट होना	Example
203	Set off	Start a journey	यात्रा शुरू करना	Example
204	Shop around	Compare prices	कीमतों की तुलना करना	Example
205	Show off	Boastfully display one’s abilities	दिखावा करना	Example
206	Show up	Appear or arrive	प्रकट होना	Example
207	Shut down	Stop functioning; end; withdraw emotionally	बंद करना; भावनात्मक रूप से बंद होना	Example
208	Shut up	Be silent, stop talking	चुप रहना	Example
209	Sign off	Stop talking	बात समाप्त करना	Example
210	Sign up	Enrol	नामांकन करना	Example
211	Sit down	Take a seat	बैठना	Example
212	Sneak in	Enter without being noticed	चुपके से प्रवेश करना	Example
213	Stand for	Assist, support; represent	समर्थन करना; प्रतिनिधित्व करना	Example
214	Stand up	Rise from a sitting position	खड़ा होना	Example
215	Stand up for	Speak or act in support of something	समर्थन करना	Example
216	Stick around	Stay	रुकना	Example
217	Stick up for	Defend	बचाव करना	Example
218	Straighten out	Make something right	ठीक करना	Example
219	Take after	Resemble in appearance or character	समान होना	Example
220	Take care of	Look after	देखभाल करना	Example
221	Take off	Leave the ground; remove	उड़ान भरना; हटाना	Example
222	Take on	Hire or engage staff; undertake	नियुक्त करना; शुरू करना	Example
223	Take out	Remove; extract; arrange properly	हटाना; निकालना	Example
224	Take out on	Treat someone badly due to frustration	गुस्सा निकालना	Example
225	Talk into	Persuade someone to do something	मनाना	Example
226	Talk out of	Dissuade someone	मना करना	Example
227	Think up	Invent	आविष्कार करना	Example
228	Throw up	Vomit	उल्टी करना	Example
229	Try on	Wear something to see if it fits	आज़माना (कपड़े)	Example
230	Try out	Test something; audition	परखना; ऑडिशन देना	Example
231	Turn down	Refuse or reject	अस्वीकार करना	Example
232	Turn in	Submit; tell on someone; go to bed; give something to authority	जमा करना; सूचना देना; सोने जाना	Example
233	Turn out	Provide a result	परिणाम देना	Example
234	Warm up to	Become earnest to someone	आत्मीयता बढ़ाना	Example
235	Watch out	Be careful, stay alert	सावधान रहना	Example
236	Wear out	Become unusable; be exhausted	घिस जाना; थक जाना	Example
237	Wipe off	Remove; clean	पोंछना	Example
238	Work out	Do physical exercise; solve a problem	व्यायाम करना; हल करना	Example
239	Wrap up	End something	समाप्त करना	Example
240	Zone out	Lose concentration	ध्यान खोना	Example