Phrasal Verbs
Common phrasal verbs with meanings and usage • 174 phrasal verbs available
Filter by Letter
Act as
To perform the role or function of someone or something
Example:
"He acted as a judge in the debate competition."
Act on or upon
To take action based on advice, information, or feelings
Example:
"We should always act on the advice of our elders."
Act upto
To behave in accordance with standards, expectations, or promises
Example:
"You should act upto your ideals."
Back away
To move backwards due to fear, surprise, or disapproval
Example:
"The dog backed away as I raised my stick."
Back down
To withdraw a claim, demand, or position after opposition
Example:
"If you are right, he will have to back down."
Back off
To retreat or stop being involved; to stop pressuring or attacking
Example:
"He has backed off from the position he took last week."
Back out of
To withdraw from an agreement, promise, or undertaking
Example:
"He promised to help me but later backed out."
Back up
To support, confirm, or make a copy of; to provide evidence or assistance
Example:
"A good friend will always back you up in difficulty."
Bear away
To win or carry off (a prize or honour)
Example:
"Usain Bolt bore away the gold medals in all track events."
Bear down upon
To move toward or attack with focused force or pressure
Example:
"He bore down tactfully upon his enemies."
Bear out
To confirm or support (a story, claim, or fact)
Example:
"My shift supervisor can bear out that I worked till late at night."
Bear through
To help someone endure or survive a hardship
Example:
"Religion can bear us through all miseries of life."
Bear up
To remain strong or composed under pressure or difficulty
Example:
"The love of his friend bore him up in the midst of his domestic problems."
Bear upon
To relate to or have relevance for an issue
Example:
"Your arguments do not bear upon the topic under debate."
Bear with
To be patient or tolerant with someone or something
Example:
"She can no longer bear with her husband."
Break away
To separate oneself from a group, custom, or influence
Example:
"It is not easy to break away from old customs."
Break down
To stop functioning, to fail, or to become emotionally upset
Example:
"The car broke down on the way."
Break forth
To burst into an expression or action suddenly
Example:
"She broke forth into bursts of laughter when the comedian came on stage."
Break in
To train or tame, or to enter by force or interrupt
Example:
"It is not easy to break in a young horse."
Break into
To force entry into a place or to start doing something suddenly
Example:
"A thief broke into our house last night."
Break off
To stop abruptly; to end a relationship or negotiation
Example:
"The two countries broke off diplomatic relations."
Break out
To start suddenly (usually of something undesirable) or to escape
Example:
"A cholera epidemic broke out after the floods."
Break through
To make a way through an obstacle or achieve a significant advance
Example:
"The sun broke through the clouds."
Break up
To come to an end; to separate into parts
Example:
"Their friendship has broken up."
Break with
To end a relationship or association
Example:
"Mr Arjun Singh has broken with Mr. Narasimha Rao for political reasons."
Bring about
To cause something to happen
Example:
"Science has brought about many changes in our lives."
Bring around or round
To persuade someone to one's viewpoint or to revive consciousness
Example:
"The President brought us round to his viewpoint."
Bring back
To restore something to a former state or to cause recollection
Example:
"Your letter brought back many memories."
Bring down
To reduce or cause to fall
Example:
"The new economic policy has brought down the prices of electronic goods."
Bring forth
To produce or give rise to
Example:
"Trees bring forth fruit in spring."