Group Verbs in English Grammar
What is a group verb?
A group verb is a verb joined with one or two small words. The small words are called adverbs (like up, down, off, out) or prepositions (like in, on, for, at). Together, they make a new meaning.
Example: give means to hand something to someone. But give up means to stop trying. There are 3 main types of group verbs.
Type 1: Verb + Adverb (Phrasal Verbs)
Here, a verb joins with an adverb like up, off, out, on, down. Many of these can have the object in the middle.
1. Turn off = to stop a machine or light. Please turn off the fan.
2. Pick up = to lift something or collect someone. Pick up your bag from the floor.
3. Give up = to stop trying. Never give up on your dreams.
4. Put on = to wear something. Put on your jacket. It is cold.
5. Wake up = to stop sleeping. I wake up at 6 o'clock every day.
Type 2: Verb + Preposition (Prepositional Verbs)
Here, a verb joins with a preposition like for, at, in, on, after. The verb and preposition stay together.
1. Look after = to take care of someone. I look after my little sister.
2. Wait for = to stay until someone or something comes. We wait for the bus every morning.
3. Listen to = to pay attention to a sound. I listen to music after school.
4. Look at = to turn your eyes toward something. Look at the beautiful rainbow!
5. Depend on = to need or trust someone. Small children depend on their parents.
Type 3: Verb + Adverb + Preposition (Phrasal-Prepositional Verbs)
Here, three words work together: a verb, an adverb, and a preposition.
1. Look forward to = to wait for something happy with excitement. I look forward to the summer holidays.
2. Get along with = to be friendly with someone. I get along with all my classmates.
3. Run out of = to have no more of something. We ran out of milk, so I went to the shop.
4. Come up with = to think of a new idea. Riya came up with a great idea for the project.
5. Put up with = to accept something bad without getting angry. I cannot put up with this loud noise.
Comprehensive Alphabetical List of Group Verbs
1. Abide by
Meaning: To conform to a rule, decision, or contractual agreement
Examples:
- Both disputing nations agreed to abide by the arbitration verdict.
- Every member club must strictly abide by federation safety protocols.
- You must abide by the non-disclosure clause once signed.
2. Account for
Meaning: To explain the cause or constitute a proportion of
Examples:
- Electronic exports account for nearly forty percent of national revenue.
- The treasurer failed to account for the budgetary discrepancy.
- Heavy traffic does not completely account for your frequent tardiness.
3. Act on / Act upon
Meaning: To take decisive measures based on advice, information, or impulse
Examples:
- Detectives decided to act on an anonymous witness tip.
- He made a commitment to act upon his cardiologist's dietary warnings.
- Refrain from acting on sudden emotional impulses.
4. Act up
Meaning: To misbehave or operate erratically
Examples:
- The generator began to act up during the violent electrical storm.
- Unsupervised children often act up when routines are disrupted.
- My chronic sciatica always acts up during long international flights.
5. Act up to
Meaning: To fulfill expectations, standards, or ideals
Examples:
- The young athletes strived to act up to the lofty traditions of the academy.
- He found it demanding to act up to his family's towering expectations.
- Every officer is expected to act up to the code of military honor.
6. Ask out
Meaning: To invite someone to go out on a date
Examples:
- He worked up the courage to ask her out for dinner.
- She surprised him by asking him out to the symphony hall.
- Ravi asked Mina out for ice cream.
7. Back down
Meaning: To concede a position in an argument or contest
Examples:
- Confronted with concrete proof, the opposing counsel backed down.
- Neither politician showed any willingness to back down from their stances.
- The company backed down following vocal protests from shareholders.
8. Back out
Meaning: To withdraw from an agreed commitment or deal
Examples:
- The private consortium decided to back out of the rail project.
- It is unethical to back out once contracts have been executed.
- Financial anxieties prompted the buyer to back out of the acquisition.
9. Back up
Meaning: To support someone, move backward, or duplicate digital data
Examples:
- Statistical empirical data helps back up his research hypotheses.
- Always remember to back up database records on a secondary drive.
- Please back up the car a little.
10. Bear away
Meaning: To win or carry off victory or prizes
Examples:
- The champion runner bore away three gold medals at the meet.
- Our debate delegation bore away the intercollegiate championship trophy.
- She bore away the top academic honor in forensic pathology.
11. Bear down
Meaning: To press down heavily, exert supreme effort, or advance threateningly
Examples:
- The naval frigate began to bear down upon the retreating pirate vessels.
- The examination is tomorrow, so you must bear down on your review.
- The surgeon had to bear down with firm pressure to arrest the hemorrhaging.
12. Bear out
Meaning: To corroborate, confirm, or verify the validity of something
Examples:
- Field trials bore out the theoretical projections of the engineers.
- Surveillance camera footage fully bears out the witness's testimony.
- Long-term climate data will bear out whether rainfall patterns have shifted.
13. Bear with
Meaning: To be patient with someone or endure difficulty
Examples:
- Please bear with our customer service agents during server downtime.
- We ask you to bear with the inconvenience during terminal upgrades.
- If you bear with him, his speech clarity improves gradually.
14. Blow out
Meaning: To extinguish by a puff of air, or rupture violently
Examples:
- The child leaned forward to blow out all nine birthday candles.
- A heavy freight tire blew out on the interstate during transit.
- A sudden gust of wind blew out the lanterns hung on the veranda.
15. Blow up
Meaning: To explode, enlarge an image, or fill with air
Examples:
- The decommissioned munitions bridge was blown up by demolition squads.
- We had the graphic design team blow up the logo for exhibition displays.
- We blew up the balloons for the party.
16. Break down
Meaning: To stop functioning, collapse emotionally, or simplify into parts
Examples:
- The factory boiler broke down, halting the production line for hours.
- She broke down in tears upon hearing the tragic news.
- The tutor helped the student break down the complex algebra problem into steps.
17. Break into
Meaning: To enter forcibly, unlawfully, or interrupt
Examples:
- Armed robbers attempted to break into the treasury repository.
- She felt compelled to break into the executive discussion to clarify facts.
- The enterprise struggled for years to break into East Asian retail sectors.
18. Break off
Meaning: To suddenly detach, discontinue abruptly, or sever relations
Examples:
- The ambassador decided to break off bilateral diplomatic talks immediately.
- A large chunk of polar shelf broke off into the arctic ocean.
- She broke off in the middle of her speech when an alarm sounded.
19. Break out
Meaning: To erupt suddenly (fires, wars, diseases) or escape
Examples:
- A virulent strain of avian flu broke out across the valley poultry farms.
- Hostilities broke out along the militarized frontier before dawn.
- Three convicts managed to break out of the maximum-security penitentiary.
20. Break through
Meaning: To penetrate an obstacle or make an innovative discovery
Examples:
- Research scientists finally broke through the barrier of cell senescence.
- Infantry forces managed to break through the enemy fortification perimeter.
- Sunlight began to break through the dense morning coastal fog.
21. Break up
Meaning: To end a relationship, disperse a gathering, or split into pieces
Examples:
- Police squads deployed tear gas to break up the violent crowd.
- After a decade of turbulent partnership, the rock quartet decided to break up.
- Break up the chocolate for everyone.
22. Bring about
Meaning: To cause to happen, induce, or facilitate change
Examples:
- The industrial revolution brought about sweeping demographic shifts.
- Unchecked monetary inflation will bring about widespread fiscal unrest.
- Her diplomatic arbitration helped bring about a durable peace accord.
23. Bring in
Meaning: To generate income, yield returns, or introduce legislation
Examples:
- The commercial patents bring in millions of dollars in annual royalties.
- The parliament voted to bring in more rigorous environmental protections.
- They chose to bring in specialist forensic consultants to inspect books.
24. Bring out
Meaning: To publish, launch a product, or highlight an innate quality
Examples:
- The publishing consortium will bring out his memoirs next autumn.
- Adversity often acts to bring out an individual's dormant bravery.
- The designer introduced bright accents to bring out the texture of the fabric.
25. Bring up
Meaning: To raise a child, mention a topic, or vomit
Examples:
- Single parents work tirelessly to bring up resilient children.
- Please do not bring up that controversial grievance during the banquet.
- The infant was unwell and began to bring up its meal.
26. Build up
Meaning: To increase incrementally, fortify, or praise excessively
Examples:
- Regular cardiovascular exercise helps build up muscular endurance.
- He worked for three decades to build up an international trading empire.
- Marketing campaigns often build up consumer hype prior to product launches.
27. Burn down
Meaning: To be destroyed completely by fire
Examples:
- The historic nineteenth-century theater was tragically burned down.
- Faulty electrical wiring caused the barn to burn down in an hour.
- Several abandoned dock warehouses burned down during the riots.
28. Call at
Meaning: To stop briefly at a place (trains, ships, or people)
Examples:
- The transatlantic cruise liner will call at Gibraltar and Naples.
- The express locomotive does not call at smaller provincial junctions.
- I had to call at the dry cleaner's to retrieve my overcoat.
29. Call for
Meaning: To demand, necessitate, or publicly request
Examples:
- Such acute medical emergencies call for immediate surgical intervention.
- Civil rights organizers called for a thorough judicial inquiry.
- Your outstanding accomplishment definitely calls for a champagne toast.
30. Call off
Meaning: To cancel an event, meeting, or operation
Examples:
- The match was called off because of rain.
- The union leadership resolved to call off the impending railway strike.
- The handler commanded the guard dog to immediately call off the chase.
31. Call on / Call upon
Meaning: To visit someone, or formally ask someone to speak or act
Examples:
- We made plans to call on our retired mathematics mentor this Sunday.
- The prime minister called upon citizens to maintain peace and solidarity.
- The moderator called on the defense delegate to submit their rebuttal.
32. Call up
Meaning: To telephone, summon for military duty, or evoke memories
Examples:
- I will call you up as soon as our flight clears terminal customs.
- Thousands of young reservists were called up during the conflict.
- The smell of aged spruce always serves to call up memories of my cabin.
33. Calm down
Meaning: To become quiet, peaceful, and relaxed
Examples:
- Calm down. Everything is fine.
- The baby calmed down after a song.
- Mother told me to calm down.
34. Carry away
Meaning: To overwhelm with emotion, or remove physically
Examples:
- The audience was completely carried away by the orator's stirring passion.
- Do not let initial triumphs carry you away into reckless optimism.
- Torrential floodwaters managed to carry away the wooden footbridge.
35. Carry on
Meaning: To continue doing something, or manage a business
Examples:
- Despite mounting obstacles, she decided to carry on with her field study.
- He took over responsibility to carry on his father's pharmaceutical practice.
- Kindly carry on your writing while the proctor distributes materials.
36. Carry out
Meaning: To execute, perform, or implement a plan or instruction
Examples:
- Cadets are trained to carry out difficult tactical directives with poise.
- The clinical team is scheduled to carry out randomized drug trials next week.
- Management hired independent inspectors to carry out an environmental audit.
37. Catch on
Meaning: To become popular, or comprehend something gradually
Examples:
- The minimalist apparel trend quickly began to catch on with teenagers.
- It took him a while to catch on to the sarcasm behind her compliments.
- Wireless charging stations will undoubtedly catch on across all urban hubs.
38. Catch up with
Meaning: To reach someone ahead, or suffer delayed consequences
Examples:
- She sprinted vigorously to catch up with her group at the station.
- Decades of heavy smoking will eventually catch up with an individual.
- The tax enforcement agency will eventually catch up with corporate evaders.
39. Check in / Check into
Meaning: To register arrival at an airport, hotel, or clinic
Examples:
- Guests can check in at the front desk beginning at three o'clock.
- Passengers traveling overseas should check in three hours prior to departure.
- He decided to check into a wellness facility to treat persistent fatigue.
40. Check out
Meaning: To pay and depart a hotel, or investigate/verify
Examples:
- All guests must settle their accounts and check out before eleven in the morning.
- Detectives dispatched scouts to check out the abandoned warehouse district.
- His alibi was rigorously examined and fully checked out under scrutiny.
41. Cheer up
Meaning: To become happier, or to make someone happier
Examples:
- Cheer up! Tomorrow is a holiday.
- I gave her a gift to cheer her up.
- The funny movie cheered him up.
42. Clear away
Meaning: To remove items, debris, or obstacles completely
Examples:
- Waiters quickly arrived to clear away the empty banquet dinner plates.
- Snowplows worked throughout the night to clear away mountain drifts.
- The morning sun helped clear away the thick coastal vapor.
43. Clear up
Meaning: To resolve a problem, cure a symptom, or brighten (weather)
Examples:
- Let us hold a consultation to clear up these contractual ambiguities.
- The antibiotic ointment helped clear up the skin eruption within days.
- The meteorologist forecast that the rain would clear up by midday.
44. Come across
Meaning: To discover or encounter by chance, or project an impression
Examples:
- While sorting old archive crates, I came across eighteenth-century maps.
- Did you happen to come across my notebook in the lecture hall?
- He tends to come across as aloof, but he is genuinely compassionate.
45. Come back
Meaning: To return to a place
Examples:
- Come back before it gets dark.
- My uncle comes back from Delhi tomorrow.
- She came back with some sweets.
46. Come by
Meaning: To obtain, acquire with difficulty, or pay an informal visit
Examples:
- Genuine museum-grade antiquities are exceptionally hard to come by.
- How exactly did the reporter come by that restricted diplomatic memo?
- You should come by the house for afternoon tea whenever you are free.
47. Come of
Meaning: To result or originate from something
Examples:
- We waited expectantly for months, but nothing tangible came of the peace talks.
- Whatever has come of the new initiative announced last semester?
- Remarkable scientific breakthroughs usually come of persistent trial and error.
48. Come off
Meaning: To succeed, detach, or take place
Examples:
- The high-stakes investment gamble did not come off as favorably as hoped.
- A brass screw came off the antique clockwork during transit.
- The wedding celebration came off smoothly despite morning downpours.
49. Come over
Meaning: To visit someone's home
Examples:
- Come over to my house after school.
- My cousins came over on Sunday.
- Can you come over and play?
50. Come round / Come around
Meaning: To regain consciousness, or change one's mind
Examples:
- Sprinkle cool water on his temples, and he will shortly come round.
- She resisted our business proposal initially, but eventually came around.
- The patient took nearly an hour to come round from general anesthesia.
51. Come up with
Meaning: To conceive, produce, or suggest a plan or idea
Examples:
- Engineers worked round the clock to come up with a structural solution.
- She managed to come up with an ingenious marketing concept on short notice.
- Riya came up with a great idea for the project.
52. Count on / Count upon
Meaning: To rely on, depend upon, or anticipate
Examples:
- You can unequivocally count on our legal team for steadfast advocacy.
- Do not count upon unbudgeted bonuses when managing personal debt.
- She is an exemplary colleague whom everyone can count on.
53. Cut down
Meaning: To reduce the amount of something, or fell a tree
Examples:
- The physician instructed him to cut down on refined sugars and salts.
- Lumberjacks were contracted to cut down diseased timber in the park.
- The manufacturing plant must cut down carbon emissions by twenty percent.
54. Cut off
Meaning: To disconnect, sever, or isolate
Examples:
- Landslides completely cut off access to the remote Himalayan outpost.
- The municipal utility provider threatened to cut off municipal water lines.
- The angry tycoon resolved to cut off his disobedient heir without a cent.
55. Deal in
Meaning: To buy, sell, or trade in a specific merchandise
Examples:
- That boutique firm deals in antique jewelry and handcrafted watches.
- Our commercial brokerage does not deal in speculative penny stocks.
- He traveled across Europe to deal in collectible nineteenth-century coins.
56. Deal with
Meaning: To handle a problem, interact with, or treat a topic
Examples:
- The ombudsman is trained to deal with complex consumer grievances.
- This monograph deals with structural linguistics in Germanic languages.
- He showed great composure in dealing with hostile media queries.
57. Depend on
Meaning: To need, rely on, or trust someone
Examples:
- Small children depend on their parents.
- We depend on the harvest for our living.
- You can depend on him to complete the task.
58. Die away
Meaning: To fade gradually into silence (sounds, light, wind)
Examples:
- The echoes of the church bell slowly died away across the quiet valley.
- As dusk approached, the coastal breeze began to die away.
- The thunderous applause eventually died away, allowing the speaker to begin.
59. Die out
Meaning: To become totally extinct or obsolete
Examples:
- Dinosaurs died out approximately sixty-six million years ago.
- Traditional hand-weaving techniques are in danger of dying out.
- Many ancient regional dialects have died out over the past century.
60. Do away with
Meaning: To abolish, eliminate, or eradicate
Examples:
- The administrative council decided to do away with outdated dress codes.
- Modern digital systems have done away with heaps of paper documentation.
- A civilized democracy must work tirelessly to do away with systemic poverty.
61. Do without
Meaning: To manage or survive in the absence of something
Examples:
- During mountain expeditions, hikers must learn to do without warm baths.
- Human survival cannot do without potable water for more than a few days.
- She proved that an athlete can do without expensive branded gear.
62. Draw back
Meaning: To retreat, pull away, or recoil in fear
Examples:
- The child drew back in fear when the guard dog barked loudly.
- Military battalions had to draw back to secure higher defensive ground.
- He drew back his hand the moment he touched the scorching engine metal.
63. Draw up
Meaning: To draft a legal document, or bring a vehicle to a halt
Examples:
- Corporate attorneys met yesterday to draw up the terms of the merger.
- A sleek black limousine drew up in front of the embassy entrance.
- The committee was tasked to draw up a comprehensive safety charter.
64. Dress up
Meaning: To wear nice, formal, or special costumes
Examples:
- We dressed up for the school function.
- She dressed up as a queen.
- Do I need to dress up for the party?
65. Drop by / Drop in
Meaning: To pay an informal, unscheduled visit
Examples:
- Please feel welcome to drop by whenever you are in the neighborhood.
- My aunt chose to drop in on us while traveling through town.
- He promised to drop by the workshop to inspect the prototype engine.
66. Drop off
Meaning: To leave a person or thing at a place
Examples:
- Dad drops me off at school.
- I dropped off the letter at the post office.
- Can you drop her off at the station?
67. Drop out
Meaning: To quit an educational course, contest, or mainstream activity
Examples:
- He chose to drop out of university to launch a robotics enterprise.
- A muscle injury forced the marathoner to drop out at the twentieth mile.
- Community counseling aims to prevent high school students from dropping out.
68. Eat out
Meaning: To eat at a restaurant instead of at home
Examples:
- We eat out every Sunday.
- Let us eat out tonight.
- They ate out for her birthday.
69. Fall back on / Fall back upon
Meaning: To resort to an alternative resource or emergency plan
Examples:
- When business revenue dried up, he had his family savings to fall back on.
- If diplomacy falters, commanders must fall back upon defensive protocols.
- She had years of programming training to fall back on during layoffs.
70. Fall down
Meaning: To drop unexpectedly to the ground
Examples:
- The little boy fell down and cried.
- Apples fall down from the tree.
- Be careful or you will fall down.
71. Fall out
Meaning: To quarrel, disagree vehemently, or become detached
Examples:
- The co-founders fell out over the distribution of corporate equity.
- It is tragic to fall out with family over transient monetary disputes.
- Malnutrition caused the patient's hair to fall out in clumps.
72. Fall through
Meaning: To fail to materialize or collapse (plans, deals)
Examples:
- The real estate transaction fell through when bank financing was declined.
- Our European travel itinerary fell through due to visa documentation snags.
- Negotiations between the two warring factions fell through at the last hour.
73. Figure out
Meaning: To solve, decipher, or comprehend through mental effort
Examples:
- Engineers spent weeks trying to figure out the cause of the software glitch.
- I cannot seem to figure out how to calibrate this optical microscope.
- She finally figured out the underlying motive behind his calculated gestures.
74. Fill in / Fill out
Meaning: To complete a document or form by writing details
Examples:
- Kindly fill out the registration form and return it to reception.
- Applicants must accurately fill in their work history details.
- You will be required to fill out custom declarations before entering.
75. Find out
Meaning: To learn a fact or discover information
Examples:
- I want to find out the answer.
- She found out the truth.
- Let us find out what time the train comes.
76. Get across
Meaning: To successfully convey an idea or cross over
Examples:
- The professor used simple metaphors to get across abstract concepts.
- Her public presentation failed to get across the urgency of the problem.
- The hikers searched for a shallow ford to get across the rushing river.
77. Get along / Get along with / Get on with
Meaning: To maintain a harmonious, friendly relationship
Examples:
- He finds it remarkably easy to get along with colleagues of all backgrounds.
- Do you manage to get on with your immediate departmental manager?
- The new roommates quickly learned to get along with one another.
78. Get away with
Meaning: To escape consequences or punishment for a wrong action
Examples:
- He mistakenly believed he could get away with corporate tax evasion.
- Corrupt officials should never be allowed to get away with such malfeasance.
- You cannot expect to get away with arriving late to every seminar.
79. Get by
Meaning: To manage or survive with minimal resources
Examples:
- During his student years, he managed to get by on a modest stipend.
- She speaks just enough Spanish to get by while traveling in Madrid.
- Many retired pensioners struggle to get by in an era of rapid inflation.
80. Get over
Meaning: To overcome an obstacle, recover from illness, or heal from sorrow
Examples:
- It took her months of therapy to get over the traumatic traffic accident.
- With appropriate medication, you will quickly get over this viral infection.
- He eventually got over his intense fear of speaking to large audiences.
81. Get rid of
Meaning: To dispose of, eradicate, or free oneself from something
Examples:
- We spent the weekend clearing out the attic to get rid of useless junk.
- The pharmaceutical firm took swift steps to get rid of hazardous waste.
- Drinking hot ginger tea helped him get rid of his lingering morning cough.
82. Get through
Meaning: To complete a task, survive an ordeal, or connect by phone
Examples:
- She worked diligently past midnight to get through her licensing exams.
- I tried dialing his office all morning but simply could not get through.
- Their resilience helped them get through the coldest winter on record.
83. Get up
Meaning: To rise from bed or stand to one's feet
Examples:
- I get up at six o'clock every morning.
- Get up, it is time for school.
- He got up and walked to the board.
84. Give away
Meaning: To donate free, distribute, or betray a secret
Examples:
- The philanthropist decided to give away his entire fortune to hospitals.
- His unsteady hands gave away his intense nervous apprehension.
- The organization will give away commemorative medals to all finishers.
85. Give back
Meaning: To return something to its owner
Examples:
- Please give back my pencil.
- He gave back the book to the library.
- I will give you back the money soon.
86. Give in
Meaning: To surrender, capitulate, or submit documents
Examples:
- Under relentless cross-examination, the defendant finally gave in.
- The board refused to give in to the unreasonable union ultimatums.
- Students must give in their term assignments before five in the evening.
87. Give out
Meaning: To distribute, emit sound/heat, or fail from exhaustion
Examples:
- Volunteers gathered at the relief shelter to give out rations and blankets.
- After twenty miles of rigorous trekking, his knees began to give out.
- The ancient furnace continued to give out a low, steady mechanical hum.
88. Give up
Meaning: To abandon, quit a habit, or stop trying
Examples:
- The physician urged him to give up tobacco for his pulmonary health.
- Never give up on your aspirations despite facing continuous setbacks.
- The criminal had nowhere left to run and decided to give himself up.
89. Go ahead
Meaning: To proceed or initiate an action
Examples:
- The zoning council granted permission for developers to go ahead.
- Please go ahead with your presentation while we adjust the screen.
- Despite financial uncertainties, the university chose to go ahead with the library.
90. Go off
Meaning: To explode, sound an alarm, or spoil (food/milk)
Examples:
- The demolition charge was timed to go off at precisely six in the morning.
- My bedroom alarm failed to go off, making me late for the interview.
- Dairy products will quickly go off if left exposed to ambient heat.
91. Go on
Meaning: To continue, or to happen
Examples:
- Go on, I am listening.
- The rain went on all day.
- What is going on here?
92. Go out
Meaning: To leave home, or to cease burning/shining
Examples:
- We go out to play every evening.
- The candle went out.
- Do not go out in the rain.
93. Go over
Meaning: To review, examine critically, or be received by an audience
Examples:
- Let us carefully go over the contract clauses before affixing signatures.
- The drama instructor took time to go over line readings with the actors.
- His controversial keynote speech did not go over well with the shareholders.
94. Go through
Meaning: To endure adversity, examine thoroughly, or consume completely
Examples:
- The refugees had to go through immense tribulation during the war.
- Customs border agents will go through your baggage prior to clearance.
- He manages to go through three broadsheet newspapers every morning.
95. Grow up
Meaning: To become an adult
Examples:
- I want to be a doctor when I grow up.
- She grew up in a small village.
- Children grow up very fast.
96. Hand down
Meaning: To pass across generations, or deliver a judicial verdict
Examples:
- This diamond heirloom was handed down from great-grandmother to mother.
- The jury took forty-eight hours to hand down a unanimous guilty verdict.
- Oral epic traditions were carefully handed down across centuries.
97. Hand in
Meaning: To submit work or report to an authority
Examples:
- Students must hand in their chemistry lab notebooks by Friday afternoon.
- The senior diplomat decided to hand in his letter of formal resignation.
- He found a leather wallet on the sidewalk and handed it in to the police.
98. Hang out
Meaning: To spend time socially with friends
Examples:
- I hang out with my friends on Sundays.
- They hang out at the park.
- Do you want to hang out today?
99. Hang up
Meaning: To end a telephone call, or hang garments on a hook
Examples:
- She felt so insulted by the telemarketer that she decided to hang up.
- Remember to hang up your wool trench coat inside the hall closet.
- Do not abruptly hang up on customer support before obtaining a case ID.
100. Hold on
Meaning: To wait briefly, or grip tightly
Examples:
- Please hold on for a moment while I transfer you to technical support.
- The passengers had to hold on firmly as the train rounded the sharp bend.
- If you can just hold on until reinforcements arrive, victory is assured.
101. Hold out
Meaning: To resist stubbornly, offer a prospect, or last (supplies)
Examples:
- The besieged garrison managed to hold out against superior forces for weeks.
- The ambassador decided to hold out the prospect of diplomatic reconciliation.
- Water supplies can only hold out for another forty-eight hours in this heat.
102. Hold up
Meaning: To delay, rob with violence, or remain valid/strong
Examples:
- Severe roadworks continue to hold up rush-hour freight convoys.
- Armed robbers attempted to hold up the downtown branch bank.
- Her theoretical model continues to hold up against intensive empirical tests.
103. Hurry up
Meaning: To move or act quickly
Examples:
- Hurry up or we will miss the bus.
- Mother told me to hurry up.
- Hurry up, the movie is starting.
104. Keep back
Meaning: To withhold information, or remain at a safe distance
Examples:
- The witness chose to keep back vital evidence during the primary inquiry.
- Firefighters cautioned spectators to keep back from the collapsing wall.
- She could not keep back her tears when reading the farewell letter.
105. Keep off
Meaning: To stay away from, or prevent touching
Examples:
- Signs were posted requesting park visitors to keep off the manicured lawn.
- Wear a wide-brimmed sun hat to keep off the scorching desert glare.
- The night watchman built a bonfire to keep off predatory wildlife.
106. Keep on
Meaning: To continue doing something without ceasing
Examples:
- Despite immense exhaustion, the marathoner chose to keep on running.
- If you keep on interrupting, you will be expelled from the hearing.
- The factory decided to keep on temporary workers during peak season.
107. Keep up / Keep up with
Meaning: To maintain pace, continue good work, or stay informed
Examples:
- He walked so swiftly that I could hardly keep up with him.
- The coach told the athletes to keep up the outstanding work.
- Rising wages helped households keep up with the rising cost of groceries.
108. Knock down
Meaning: To strike to the ground or demolish
Examples:
- The wind knocked down the tree.
- He knocked down the glass by mistake.
- They knocked down the old house.
109. Lay down
Meaning: To establish rules, surrender weapons, or sacrifice one's life
Examples:
- The university statutes lay down clear sanctions for academic dishonesty.
- Rebel battalions agreed to lay down their arms under treaty terms.
- Soldiers swore an oath to lay down their lives in defense of the realm.
110. Lay off
Meaning: To discharge workers due to lack of work, or cease bothering
Examples:
- The automotive manufacturer had to lay off two hundred assembly technicians.
- The physician warned him to lay off caffeinated drinks late in the evening.
- Tell your brother to lay off teasing his younger sister.
111. Let down
Meaning: To disappoint someone by failing to keep a promise
Examples:
- Please do not let me down.
- He let his team down.
- I felt let down when she did not come.
112. Listen to
Meaning: To pay attention to a sound or advice
Examples:
- I listen to music after school.
- You must listen to the teacher's instructions carefully.
- Listen to what he has to say before deciding.
113. Live up to
Meaning: To fulfill high expectations, principles, or standards
Examples:
- The newly released cinematic sequel struggled to live up to the original.
- He strove his entire life to live up to his family's philanthropic principles.
- The young midfielder proved he could live up to the national team's standard.
114. Log in
Meaning: To enter identity credentials into a system or website
Examples:
- I log in to my class app every day.
- Log in with your password.
- She could not log in to her account.
115. Look after
Meaning: To take care of someone or something
Examples:
- She stayed behind to look after her ailing grandmother during the winter.
- Neighbors promised to look after our pets while we traveled abroad.
- Older siblings often learn to look after their younger brothers and sisters.
116. Look at
Meaning: To turn one's eyes toward something
Examples:
- Look at the beautiful rainbow!
- The doctor looked at the x-ray carefully.
- Why are you looking at me like that?
117. Look down upon / Look down on
Meaning: To regard with contempt, condescension, or disdain
Examples:
- It is contemptible to look down upon manual laborers and domestic staff.
- He was disliked because he tended to look down on inexperienced peers.
- True leaders do not look down upon inexperienced beginners.
118. Look for
Meaning: To search or try to find something
Examples:
- I am looking for my keys.
- She looked for her pen everywhere.
- What are you looking for?
119. Look forward to
Meaning: To anticipate with pleasure or excitement
Examples:
- We eagerly look forward to meeting the international delegation next Monday.
- Children naturally look forward to summer vacation by the seaside.
- She is looking forward to starting her postdoctoral residency.
120. Look into
Meaning: To investigate or inspect closely
Examples:
- The state auditor agreed to look into allegations of municipal corruption.
- A special committee was established to look into aviation safety records.
- Network technicians are currently looking into the unexpected datacenter outage.
121. Look out
Meaning: To be vigilant, beware of danger, or face toward a view
Examples:
- Look out! There is an oncoming truck speeding around the bend!
- Pedestrians should look out for slippery ice patches on the pavement.
- The living room windows look out over the tranquil bay.
122. Look up
Meaning: To search for information, or improve in prospect
Examples:
- If you do not know the definition, look up the word in a dictionary.
- After a dismal quarter, retail sales figures are finally starting to look up.
- I had to look up his telephone number in the company directory.
123. Look up to
Meaning: To admire, respect, or emulate someone
Examples:
- Young apprentices instinctively look up to seasoned master craftsmen.
- She has always looked up to her elder sister as a role model.
- Outstanding leaders conduct themselves so that subordinates can look up to them.
124. Make out
Meaning: To comprehend, discern with the senses, or write a check
Examples:
- Through the dense maritime fog, the helmsman could barely make out the harbor beacon.
- I cannot make out the scribbled handwriting on this archaic manuscript.
- Please make out the cashier's check to the order of the hospital.
125. Make up
Meaning: To reconcile, invent a story, or compensate for time
Examples:
- After a bitter feud, the siblings finally embraced and decided to make up.
- The dishonest witness tried to make up an improbable alibi for that night.
- Employees were asked to work through Saturday to make up for assembly delays.
126. Make up for
Meaning: To compensate, counterbalance, or indemnify
Examples:
- Her tremendous enthusiasm easily made up for her initial lack of experience.
- No monetary settlement can ever truly make up for the loss of human life.
- He bought her flowers to make up for missing their anniversary dinner.
127. Move on
Meaning: To go forward, start something new, or leave the past
Examples:
- Let us move on to the next lesson.
- She moved on after the loss.
- It is time to move on.
128. Pass away
Meaning: To die (euphemistic)
Examples:
- The venerable statesman passed away peacefully at his country residence.
- His beloved grandfather passed away peacefully in his sleep.
- Many iconic figures of modern jazz have sadly passed away.
129. Pass off
Meaning: To represent fraudulently, or proceed and conclude
Examples:
- The counterfeiter attempted to pass off fake paintings as genuine masterpieces.
- The tense demonstration fortunately passed off without major violence.
- He tried to pass himself off as a qualified electrical engineer.
130. Pass out
Meaning: To faint/lose consciousness, or graduate/distribute
Examples:
- The heat in the auditorium was so oppressive that several guests passed out.
- The military academy will pass out its newest officer cohort this weekend.
- Staff members stood by the entrance to pass out informational pamphlets.
131. Pay back
Meaning: To repay borrowed money, or take revenge
Examples:
- He promised to pay back the personal loan by the end of next month.
- I will definitely pay him back for that deliberate humiliation.
- The investment took nearly five fiscal years to completely pay back its capital cost.
132. Pick up
Meaning: To lift from a surface, collect someone, or learn casually
Examples:
- Pick up the pencil from the floor.
- Mom picks me up after school.
- I will pick up the parcel today.
133. Point out
Meaning: To indicate, highlight, or draw attention to a fact
Examples:
- The editor took care to point out typographical oversights in the draft.
- Our tour guide pointed out architectural monuments along the river.
- Allow me to point out that the statutory deadline expired yesterday.
134. Pull down
Meaning: To demolish a structure, or weaken someone physically
Examples:
- City urban developers plan to pull down the abandoned textile factory.
- A severe bout of typhoid fever had completely pulled him down physically.
- The company decided to pull down hazardous brick tenements.
135. Pull through
Meaning: To survive a critical illness, hazard, or severe crisis
Examples:
- Despite grim medical prognoses, the wounded child managed to pull through.
- With community solidarity, our town will undoubtedly pull through this disaster.
- The startup managed to pull through the sudden liquidity crisis.
136. Put away
Meaning: To place something in its designated storage location
Examples:
- Put away your toys.
- She put away the clean dishes.
- Please put your books away.
137. Put off
Meaning: To postpone, defer, or repel someone
Examples:
- Never put off until tomorrow what you can achieve today.
- The council decided to put off the debate until next Monday.
- His rude condescending demeanor completely put off prospective clients.
138. Put on
Meaning: To wear clothing, or switch on an appliance
Examples:
- Put on your shoes.
- She put on her new dress.
- Put on a sweater. It is cold.
139. Put out
Meaning: To extinguish a fire/light, or cause inconvenience
Examples:
- Brave volunteer firefighters labored tirelessly to put out the bushfire.
- Please remember to put out the candles before going to bed.
- I hope hosting my extended family did not put you out excessively.
140. Put up with
Meaning: To tolerate, endure, or bear unpleasant behavior
Examples:
- I refuse to put up with deliberate insubordination in this laboratory.
- Tenants have had to put up with incessant noise from adjacent construction.
- She graciously puts up with her roommate's untidy habits.
141. Run away
Meaning: To leave a place or person quickly, or avoid difficulties
Examples:
- The cat ran away from the dog.
- The boys ran away when it started to rain.
- Do not run away from your problems.
142. Run into / Run across
Meaning: To encounter by chance, or collide with
Examples:
- I was surprised to run into an old classmate while visiting London.
- The delivery van skidded on black ice and ran into a guard rail.
- If you implement this policy, you may run into strong bureaucratic resistance.
143. Run out of
Meaning: To completely exhaust one's supply of something
Examples:
- The vehicle stalled when it completely ran out of fuel.
- We have run out of copy paper in the main printer room.
- The medical center is rapidly running out of emergency blood supplies.
144. Run over
Meaning: To strike with a vehicle, or overflow a container/time
Examples:
- The motorist braked suddenly to avoid running over a stray terrier.
- The keynote presentation was so extensive that it ran over the allotted schedule.
- The river rose during the deluge and ran over its earthen banks.
145. See off
Meaning: To accompany a departing person to say goodbye
Examples:
- The whole family went to the airport terminal to see him off.
- She arrived at the train platform early to see off her departing friends.
- A huge crowd gathered at the dock to see off the departing ocean liner.
146. See through
Meaning: To detect deception, or provide support until completion
Examples:
- It did not take long for auditors to see through his fraudulent scheme.
- She immediately saw through his superficial flatteries and false promises.
- Her financial backing helped see the students through their four-year degrees.
147. Set about
Meaning: To initiate or start doing an undertaking with determination
Examples:
- She set about organizing the chaotic department archives methodically.
- The restoration team immediately set about repairing the flood damage.
- We must immediately set about preparing for the impending certification audit.
148. Set in
Meaning: To begin and become firmly established (seasons, conditions)
Examples:
- Winter has set in early across the northern territories.
- Unless sanitation improves, infectious diseases will inevitably set in.
- A period of severe economic depression set in following the crash.
149. Set off / Set out
Meaning: To start a journey, ignite an explosion, or trigger an event
Examples:
- The explorers will set out on their polar expedition tomorrow morning.
- Stray sparks from the furnace were sufficient to set off the gas leak.
- The unprovoked police raid set off a sequence of citywide riots.
150. Set up
Meaning: To establish an organization, assemble, or build
Examples:
- The philanthropists chose to set up an orphanage in the district.
- Audio engineers arrived at five o'clock to set up the amphitheater acoustics.
- The young engineers decided to set up their own software firm.
151. Show off
Meaning: To display boastfully to gain attention
Examples:
- He likes to show off his new bike.
- Do not show off in front of everyone.
- She showed off her dance.
152. Sit down
Meaning: To take a seat
Examples:
- Please sit down.
- The children sat down on the floor.
- Sit down and eat your food.
153. Slow down
Meaning: To decrease speed or intensity
Examples:
- Slow down! The road is wet.
- The driver slowed down near the school.
- Please slow down, I cannot follow you.
154. Speak up
Meaning: To speak more loudly or express opinion openly
Examples:
- Please speak up. I cannot hear you.
- He spoke up in the class.
- Do not be shy. Speak up!
155. Stand by
Meaning: To support someone in adversity, or remain ready on alert
Examples:
- True friends will always stand by you during moments of adversity.
- Emergency medical teams were ordered to stand by along the raceway.
- She resolutely declared she would stand by her original decision.
156. Stand for
Meaning: To symbolize, represent, or tolerate
Examples:
- In physics, the Roman letter 'V' often stands for electrical voltage.
- The civil rights foundation stands for universal equality and liberty.
- The principal affirmed that the institution will not stand for cyberbullying.
157. Stand out
Meaning: To be conspicuous, noticeable, or clearly superior
Examples:
- Her exceptional intellectual brilliance made her stand out from her peers.
- The vivid scarlet canopy makes the cottage stand out against the forest.
- Several candidates were qualified, but one resume clearly stood out.
158. Stand up
Meaning: To rise to one's feet
Examples:
- Stand up when the teacher comes in.
- Everyone stood up to sing.
- He stood up and left the room.
159. Take after
Meaning: To resemble a parent or ancestor in appearance or character
Examples:
- With his sharp analytical mind, he clearly takes after his father.
- In musical talent and grace, the daughter completely takes after her mother.
- Does the younger boy take after anyone on his maternal side?
160. Take care of
Meaning: To look after, protect, or attend to
Examples:
- Take care of your little sister.
- She takes care of the plants.
- Please take care of yourself.
161. Take down
Meaning: To record in writing, dismantle a structure, or lower pride
Examples:
- Court stenographers worked rapidly to take down every word of the testimony.
- Workmen arrived at dawn to take down the circus tents and scaffolding.
- The sharp cross-examination served to take down the arrogant defendant.
162. Take in
Meaning: To understand/absorb, provide shelter to, or deceive
Examples:
- The lecture was so packed with complex data that I could hardly take it in.
- Charitable families offered to take in stray animals during the freezing weather.
- Do not allow yourself to be taken in by smooth-talking fraudsters.
163. Take off
Meaning: To leave the ground in flight, remove clothing, or succeed rapidly
Examples:
- The commercial airliner was cleared to take off from runway four.
- Please take off your shoes and muddy boots at the front door.
- Her career in fashion design began to take off right after the Milan show.
164. Take over
Meaning: To assume control, management, or ownership
Examples:
- The corporate conglomerate launched a hostile bid to take over the supplier.
- The co-pilot was forced to take over navigation when the pilot fell ill.
- A new managing director will take over the regional office next month.
165. Tell upon
Meaning: To have a detrimental or visible effect upon health or endurance
Examples:
- Decades of grueling physical labor in the mines began to tell upon his spine.
- The persistent stress of executive leadership will eventually tell upon anyone.
- The sleepless nights of examination study showed clearly and told upon her face.
166. Throw away
Meaning: To discard something into the trash
Examples:
- Throw away the empty bottle.
- She threw away the old papers.
- Do not throw away good food.
167. Try on
Meaning: To put on clothing to evaluate fit or appearance
Examples:
- May I try on this shirt?
- She tried on three pairs of shoes.
- Try it on in the trial room.
168. Turn down
Meaning: To refuse an offer, or decrease volume or intensity
Examples:
- He decided to turn down the lucrative contract offer abroad.
- Kindly turn down the television volume so others can concentrate.
- The mortgage lender had no choice but to turn down his application.
169. Turn off
Meaning: To stop an appliance, machine, or water supply
Examples:
- Turn off the tap.
- She turned off the computer.
- Do not forget to turn off the lights.
170. Turn on
Meaning: To start a light or machine
Examples:
- Turn on the light.
- Please turn on the fan.
- He turned on the TV.
171. Turn out
Meaning: To produce, extinguish a light, or end up with a result
Examples:
- The advanced manufacturing plant can turn out five hundred engines daily.
- Remember to turn out the laboratory lights when leaving for the night.
- Despite stormy weather, the symposium turned out to be a resounding success.
172. Turn up
Meaning: To arrive unexpectedly, increase volume, or be discovered
Examples:
- We waited forty minutes, but the key speaker failed to turn up.
- Could you please turn up the radio so we can hear the weather bulletin?
- Her missing diamond brooch eventually turned up inside an old jewelry box.
173. Wait for
Meaning: To stay until someone or something arrives
Examples:
- We wait for the bus every morning.
- I am waiting for your phone call.
- Wait for me at the station entrance.
174. Wait on / Wait upon
Meaning: To serve or attend to the needs of someone
Examples:
- Attentive banquet stewards were hired to wait on the royal delegates.
- He expects his domestic staff to wait upon him hand and foot.
- Nurses worked diligently to wait on the critically ill patients in the ward.
175. Wake up
Meaning: To stop sleeping
Examples:
- I wake up at six o'clock every morning.
- The noise woke me up.
- Wake up! It is late.
176. Watch out
Meaning: To be cautious, vigilant, or aware of danger
Examples:
- Watch out for falling rocks when driving along steep alpine ravines.
- Young travelers should watch out for predatory pickpockets in crowded stations.
- You must watch out when signing complex venture financing contracts.
177. Wear out
Meaning: To erode through prolonged usage, or exhaust completely
Examples:
- Trekking along sharp mountain scree will quickly wear out rubber boot soles.
- The continuous double shifts began to wear out even the strongest nurses.
- He wore the heavy overcoat for so many years that the elbows were worn out.
178. Work out
Meaning: To exercise, solve a problem, or result favorably
Examples:
- Diplomats worked throughout the night to work out an acceptable compromise.
- She visits the university fitness gymnasium four mornings a week to work out.
- The accountant sat down with the ledger to work out the fiscal net loss.
179. Write down
Meaning: To record information on paper
Examples:
- Write down your phone number.
- She wrote down the homework.
- Let me write down your address.
180. Write off
Meaning: To cancel bad debt, dismiss as hopeless, or write off a wrecked vehicle
Examples:
- The commercial bank was forced to write off millions in defaulted loans.
- Critics were premature to write off his political career following the defeat.
- The sports car was so severely damaged in the collision that insurers had to write it off.
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