Essential English Phrasal Verbs and Vocabulary

Phrases Related to Communication and Decisions

• Hang up: End a phone conversation.
• Hang on (a minute): Wait.
• Hang on tight: Hold onto something firmly.
• Hanging about: Standing around doing nothing productive.
• Hung back: Hesitate due to nervousness.
• Make up my mind: Decide.
• Make a habit of: Get used to doing something regularly.
• Make the most of our time: Gain as much advantage as possible from the time available.
• Make out: Manage to see or discern something.
• Make do with: Manage using something that is not entirely satisfactory.
• Manage to: Succeed in doing something.
• Suggest: Followed by a gerund (-ing) or 'should'.

Verbs Describing Movement and Observation

• Fling off/flang: Take away or remove something.
• Creep/crept: Move very slowly and secretly.
• Fumble: To look for something in an awkward way.
• To tiptoe: Walk on the tips of your toes (Walk on tiptoe).
• Bound: To move fast with jumping movements.
• Freeze: Suddenly stop moving, often due to fear.
• Lie-lay-lain: To rest in a horizontal position.
• Crouch: Rest near the ground with bent knees.
• Crouched: To bend down or squat.
• Stare: Look for a long time with eyes wide open.

Phrasal Verbs with 'Set' and Descriptors

• Set out: Leave on a journey; to begin.
• Set back: Delayed.
• Set down: Write something down.
• Set up: Established or created.
• Set in: Started (often referring to weather or a period).
• Set off: Start a journey or leave.

Dim: Dark. Dim light means low, dark illumination.

Vocabulary Related to Feelings and Relationships

• Reluctant: Not wanting to do something.
• Fall out with: Argue with someone.
• Lack (verb): Not have something.
• Lack (noun): A shortage of something (e.g., a lack of resources).
• Run out of: Finish or exhaust a supply.
• Coming down with: Becoming ill with something.
• Catch up with: To get in contact with someone after a period.
• Face up to the fact: Accept and deal with an unpleasant reality.
• Broken up with: Ended a romantic relationship.

Phrasal Verbs with 'Fall' and 'Put'

Fall Verbs

• Fell out: Had a disagreement.
• Fall back on: Rely on for support when other options fail.
• Fell through: Did not succeed; failed to materialize.
• Fall in with: Agree to a suggestion or plan.
• Fell for each other: Became mutually attracted.
• Falling apart: Breaking into pieces or becoming emotionally distressed.

Put Verbs

• Put up with: Tolerate or manage to deal with something annoying.
• Put me off: Distract or disturb someone.
• Put out: Upset or disappointed.
• Put in for: Apply formally for something (e.g., a job).
• Put people down: Make someone appear silly or stupid.

Phrasal Verbs with 'Turn' and Miscellaneous Terms

• Turn back: Return to the place where one started.
• Turn it down: Refuse an offer or request.
• Turn into: Become something different.
• Turn the television down: Reduce the volume of the television.
• Turned out: Was discovered or revealed.
• Turn the book over: Look at the reverse side of the book.

Additional Vocabulary

Breeding ground: The ideal place from which the best examples emerge.

Shielded: Protected from harm or danger.