Common Phrasal Verbs in English List A

Common phrasal verbs are listed below alphebetically in the table, with meanings and examples. Only the most usual meanings are given. Some phrasal verbs may have additional meanings.

As well as learning their meanings, you need to learn how to use phrasal verbs….

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
abide by	Respect or obey (the law, a decision, a rule)	If you want to stay at this school, you mustabide by the rules.
account             for	Explain; give a reason	I hope you can account for the money you spent!
ache for	Want something or someone very much.	He was so lonely he ached for the sound of a human voice.
act on	Take action as a result of something	The police acted on the call they received.
act out	Demonstrate something with gestures and actions.	They acted out the scene in the classroom.
act up	Cause pain or annoyance by functioning badly	Dad's poor knee is acting up again.
add up	Make sense; seem reasonable	Her story just doesn't add up.
adhere to	Support; follow; act in accordance with	All contestants must adhere to the rules.
advise against	Recommend not doing something	The doctor advised him against carrying heavy loads.
agree with	Have the same opinion as someone else	I agree with you. I think she deserves the award too.
aim at	Direct towards a target	The policeman aimed his gun at the hijacker.
allow for	Take into consideration;  Include in a calculation	You'd better leave early to allow for heavy traffic.
amount to	Reach; be equivalent to	1) The total cost amounts to 1200€. 2) His statement amounted to a confession.
angle at	Show from a particular point of view.	The documentary was angled at young viewers.
angle for	Try to obtain something by hinting.	I suspect Tom's angling for a free ticket.
answer back	Reply rudely	Don't answer back your mother!
answer for	1) Be responsible for something. 2) Speak on behalf of someone.	1) Normally parents have to answer for their children's behaviour. 2) I agree, but I can't answer for my associate.
answer to	Be responsible to/be controlled by (someone)	Who do you answer to in your job?
appeal to	1)Plead or make an earnest request. 2) Be attractive or interesting.	1) The organizers appealed to the crowd to stay calm. 2) Camping doesn't appeal to me.
apply for	Make a formal request for something (job, permit, loan, etc.)	He applied for the job advertised.
arrive at	Reach  (an agreement, a decision, a conclusion)	It is hoped that they will arrive at an agreement at the end of the meeting..
ask after	Enquire about someone's well-being.	My mother is always asking after you.
ask around	Mention it to people you see or meet.	I'll ask around and see if anyone has seen your cat.
ask in	Invite someone to come inside.	I couldn't leave her standing outside in the cold so I asked her in.
ask out	Invite someone to lunch, dinner, the cinema ...	John has asked Mary out several times.
avail (oneself) of	Take advantage of something (an opportunity)	When the company is privatized, you shouldavail yourself of the opportunity and buy some shares.
average     out at	Result in an average (amount)	The price of lunch averages out at 10€ per person.

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