Phrasal Verbs: Small Words, Big Problems 🪆

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If you’ve ever wondered why English speakers use two (or sometimes three) little words to say something that could be one simple verb, then congratulations, you’ve met phrasal verbs.

In phrasal verbs, we have a countless amount of prespositions that come after the verb. Sometimes they make logical sense, but in other ways, its meaning is completely transformed.

For example, you might have heard the phrase “to give up”. It has nothing to do with physically giving something upward. It’s like the prepositions just give up and forget what they’re supposed to mean. Welcome to this corner of English grammar chaos.

The Key to Unlocking Casual English

There’s a reason to this madness that we have in the English language. 

You might have noticed that we can use “ordinary” words instead of these confusing phrasal verbs. For example, the known phrasal verb “look for” can just be replaced with “searched“. You’ll notice that sometimes, “search” is written more often, while “look for” is said out loud.

In casual conversations, English natives love using phrasal verbs instead of an accurate, singular word. Sometimes, these singular words can sound a bit too professional, while the phrasal verbs have a unique way to tone down the conversation and keep a friendly atmosphere.

Here’s an example of a conversation with a phrasal verb and a singular word, where you can determine which one sounds more casual: 

● “I just discovered that champagne comes from the French region Champagne!”
● “I just found out that champagne comes from the French region Champagne!”

Both of these sentences sound good, however using found out gives a more natural and native tone to the conversation, while discovered has a hint of formality. Not all phrasal verbs necessarily have to be used in an informal setting, however it’s true that you can hear many native conversations involving phrasal verbs.

Top 15 Phrasal Verbs Everyone Should Know 🔝

Here’s a list you’ll hear everywhere, whether it be in movies, business English, casual conversations, and even in pop songs:

1. Give up – stop trying, to give up
(“I gave up learning French after three days. Too many silent letters.”)

2. Pick up – collect / learn
(“I picked up some milk.” Also, “I picked up some Spanish in Mexico.”)

3. Run into – meet by chance.
(“I ran into my my old boss at the supermarket…”)

4. Look after – take care of.
(“Can you look after my cat? She only eats caviar.”)

5. Look for – search.
(“I’m looking for my keys, have you seen them anywhere?)

6. Look forward to – wait with excitement.
(“I’m looking forward to the party on Friday.”)

7. Break down – stop working (machines) / lose emotional control.
(“My car broke down.” Also, “She was crying, and I broke down, too.”)

8. Get along (with) – have a good relationship.
(“Do you get along with your neighbours?”)

9. Get over – recover from something.
(“It took me a year to get over my breakup. Still not fully back to normal.”)

10. Bring up – mention.
(“Don’t bring up politics at dinner.”)

11. Catch up (with) – reach the same level.
(“I missed two weeks of class. Now I’m catching up.”)

12. Hang out – spend time together.
(“Let’s hang out this weekend.”)

13. Find out – discover.
( “Wow, I found out my teacher is on TikTok.”)

14. Work out – exercise / solve.
(“I work out three times a week.” Also, “We’ll work out this problem.”)

15. Give in – surrender.
(“I gave in and ate the rest of the cake.”)

Common Traps to Look Out For

Here are a few pairs that look similar but behave completely differently:

• Look for vs. watch for Look for = search Watch for = watch carefully for something that will appear(Not the same!)
• Pick up vs. Pick out Pick up = pick something up, collect itPick out = choose

Give up vs. Give in Both involve “yielding,” but in different contexts.

The Multitasking Problem: One Phrasal Verb, Many Meanings

If that wasn’t enough, English phrasal verbs are polyglots themselves. The same phrase can mean five different things depending on context.Take “take off.”

• Plane? → take off = lift into the air
• Clothes? → take off = remove
• Business? → take off = grow rapidly
• Person? → take off = run away

So one innocent-looking verb + preposition can turn into an entire family tree of meanings. Some of them just can’t keep one job; they keep changing roles.

How to Remember Phrasal Verbs: 5 Practical Tips 🧠

● Group by meaning. Don’t learn them alphabetically. Learn “travel verbs” (get on, check in, take off) or “relationship verbs” (get along, break up, make up).
●Visualize the image. English phrasal verbs are often physical: “take off” = literally something leaving the ground. If you picture it, you’ll remember.
●Make your own funny examples. “I gave up my diet when my grandmother her delicious cookies.”
●Collect real-life encounters. Write down phrasal verbs you hear in your favorite TV show, then repeat them in your own sentence.

Anecdote

Once, one of my friends proudly told me:

“Yesterday I picked out my girlfriend at the airport.”

What he meant was “picked up.” Instead, it sounded like he went shopping and chose her from a shelf. Don’t worry — she forgave him.

Another classic:

“My car broke up yesterday.”

I had to explain: cars don’t “break up,” only relationships do. But yes, it was a tragic breakup between him and his Mercedes.

Cultural Reference: The Metro Test

Imagine you’re on the metro. It’s crowded, and suddenly someone says in English:

● «Get off!» – Step off the train!
● «Watch out!» – Be careful!
● «Hold on!» – Hold the handrail!

If you can understand these without translating in your head, then congratulations, you’re starting to think in phrasal verbs.

What’s the Point?

Phrasal verbs are like matryoshka dolls: small, but full of layers and surprises inside. Learn them in groups, laugh at your mistakes, and you’ll notice they’re not just “extra words,” but the soul of real English.

Remember: you can always hang out with phrasal verbs until they finally make sense.