Mastering English Phrasal Verbs & Idioms for Everyday Use

Essential English Phrasal Verbs & Idioms

Enhance your English communication skills with this comprehensive collection of common phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions, complete with clear definitions and usage notes.

Common Phrasal Verbs

• Ask (Somebody) Out

  To invite someone to go with you, often on a date, such as to a cinema or restaurant.

• Break Down (In Tears)

  To become so overwhelmed by emotion that one loses control, often resulting in crying.

• Call (Something) Off

  To cancel an event or an agreement.

• Chip In

  To contribute something, such as money or effort, as one's share of a joint activity or expense.

• Come Down With (An Illness)

  To become sick or ill with a particular ailment, such as a cold or flu.

• Count On (Somebody)

  To rely on or depend on someone.

• Do Away With (Something)

  To remove something completely or to put an end to it.

• Drop Off

  A significant decrease in level, amount, or quality.

• Drown Out

  To make a sound inaudible by making a louder sound; or, metaphorically, to overwhelm or suppress something.

• Fall For

  To fall in love with someone; or, to be deceived by a trick or lie.

• Get On Well

  To have a friendly or harmonious relationship with someone.

• Get Over (Something)

  To recover from an illness, a difficult experience, or an emotional upset; to start to feel happy or well again.

• Give (Something) Away

  To reveal a secret; or, to give something to someone for free.

• Hold (Something) Back

  To prevent or restrict the progress or development of someone or something; or, to refrain from expressing an emotion or information.

• Keep (Something) Up

  To continue a course of action, effort, or standard.

• Look After (Somebody/Something)

  To take care of someone or something.

• Make (Something) Up

  To compensate for something lost, missed, or deficient; or, to invent a story or excuse.

• Pay (Somebody) Back

  To repay a loan to someone; or, to get revenge on someone.

• Run Into (Somebody/Something)

  To meet someone unexpectedly; or, to collide with something or someone.

• Take After

  To resemble a parent or ancestor in appearance, character, or habits.

Performance & Entertainment Idioms

• Number (Performance Term)

  In the context of a performance, a song, musical piece, or dance scene.

• On the Stage

  Working as an actor or actress in the theatre; performing live for an audience.

• Road Show

  A promotional event, exhibition, or performance that travels to different locations; often, a radio broadcast live from various venues.

• Showbiz

  A colloquial term for show business, referring to the entertainment industry.

• Show Off

  To boastfully display one's abilities, accomplishments, or possessions to impress others.

• Class Clown

  A pupil who frequently makes jokes or pokes fun, often to entertain others or seek attention.

• Dog and Pony Show

  A show or other event that has been organized primarily to get people's support, persuade them to buy something, or impress them, often implying it's overly elaborate or a pretense.

• Museum Piece

  Something that is very old-fashioned and should no longer be used; an outdated item.

• Show Stopper

  An event, performance, song, or number that provokes such a strong, enthusiastic reaction from the audience that it temporarily halts the show.

• The Show Must Go On

  An idiom meaning that an event or activity must continue, even if there are problems, difficulties, or personal tragedies.

• To Be In The Limelight

  To be at the center of public attention or scrutiny.

• To Be Laughed Out of Court

  To have one's ideas, proposals, or arguments dismissed as ridiculous or unworthy of serious consideration.

• To Bring The House Down

  To make an audience laugh or applaud very loudly and enthusiastically, often after a performance or joke.

• To Make a Clown of Yourself

  To behave in a foolish or stupid way, causing others to laugh at you.

• To Run The Show

  To be in charge of an organization, event, or activity; to manage or direct operations.

• To Sing Your Heart Out

  To sing with great enthusiasm, vigor, and intensity, often putting all one's emotion into the performance.

• To Steal The Show

  To win the greatest applause, praise, or attention in a performance or event, often outshining other participants.

• Star-Studded

  Featuring many famous people, especially actors, musicians, or celebrities.