Learn phrasal verbs for better speaking. Build your vocabulary, enhance your English skills and sound like a native by mastering these 15 critical phrasal verbs for fluent English.
This lesson benefits both those who want to learn new vocabulary in context and advanced English learners looking for a refresher. Learn commonly used phrasal verbs for natural daily conversations.
Listen to the podcast Speak Better English with Harry or watch it on YouTube at Learn English with Harry. englishclass101
list of phrasal verbs
15 Phrasal Verbs for better speaking
Harry
In this advanced English lesson, we’ll focus on 15 advanced phrasal verbs that can help you communicate better in your daily life.
These phrasal verbs are also valuable if you’re preparing for exams like IELTS or CAE. They can make a real difference when talking to examiners and boost your speaking scores.
Let’s get started and learn these useful phrasal verbs for better communication.
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bring up
Meaning: to introduce a topic or subject in a conversation or meeting
Examples:
There’s something I would like to bring up. I’d like to bring up the issue of staff appraisal.
During the meeting, she brought up the issue of budget cuts.
Meaning: to raise or rear a child
Examples:
He brought up his son after his wife passed away.
She brought up the children as a single parent.
bump into sb/sth
Meaning: unexpectedly running into someone or something by chance
Example:
Guess who I bumped into yesterday? Remember that guy from the university? He always had messy hair.
Don’t walk and use your mobile at the same time; you might bump into a lamppost.
call off
Meaning: to cancel or terminate an event, activity, plan, or arrangement
Examples:
I have to call off our meeting today because I’m sick.
I had to call off my search for the car keys once I found them on the kitchen counter.
The football match was called off due to the heavy rain.
15 Phrasal Verbs for better speaking
catch up with
Meaning: to get up to date or reconnect with someone
Examples:
I can’t wait to catch up with my friends on Friday; it’s been a while since we all got together.
It’s been great talking to you. Let’s catch up with each other next week.
I need to catch up with my classmates in math; I missed a few lessons.
Let’s catch up with the news to see what’s been happening in the world.
After returning from his holiday, John has been staying up late to catch up with the backlog.
I can’t get home right now. I really need to catch up with some paperwork.
cut down on
Meaning: to reduce or decrease the quantity or frequency of something
Examples:
To lose weight, I decided to cut down on my calorie intake by adjusting my diet and choosing healthier foods.
Why don’t you cut down on the workload and delegate some tasks to others?
end up
Meaning: to eventually reach a state or condition due to events or choices
Examples:
I bumped into him unexpectedly, and we ended up having lunch together.
We went out for a meal and ended up going to a nightclub.
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fall out
Meaning: to have a disagreement, argument, or quarrel with someone
Examples:
I haven’t seen David for months. We fell out after some stupid argument.
Despite being close friends for years, they fell out when they disagreed on a business decision.
get around to
Meaning: to finally do something you’ve been planning, often after a delay
Examples:
I haven’t completed my tax return yet. I’ll get around to it later.
I finally got around to completing that tax return. I realised there was a refund due to me.
to grow apart
Meaning: close relationships become less close over time due to changing interests or lifestyles
Examples:
We met at university. As the years passed, our interests changed, and we slowly grew apart.
Yeah, we used to be really close, but over time, we grew apart.
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for couples to grow apart over time.
live on
Meaning: refers to the ability to survive or subsist with the means available
Examples:
What types of food do platypuses live on?
I lived on beans on toast for years. I never want to look at another can of baked beans!
What do you think we live on, fresh air?
mull over
Meaning: to think deeply and carefully about something, often before making a decision
Examples:
Let me mull over this for a couple of days, and I’ll give you an answer then.
After receiving the job offer, she took time to mull over the terms before deciding.
15 Phrasal Verbs for better speaking
pan out
Meaning: to result or develop in a particular way, often with a focus on success or effectiveness
Examples:
How did things pan out for you? What are you doing?
How do you think this will pan out? What do you think they’re going to be looking for?
run out of
Meaning: to use something until it’s finished, and there’s none left
Examples:
Hmm, we’ve run out of everything. When was I last in the supermarket? I’d better call in on the way home.
Oh, we’ve run out of time. I need to attend another meeting. Let’s continue tomorrow.
I’ve run out of money. I went a bit crazy at the sales.
think back
Meaning: to recall or remember past events or experiences
Examples:
Take your time. Think back. Where were you? What were you doing? What exactly did the teacher say?
Ah, when I think back to those summer days, cycling and laughing with friends. Those were the days!
I frequently think back to the enjoyable moments we had during our family holiday at the seaside.
while away
Meaning: to pass time in a relaxed and unproductive manner
Examples:
While waiting for the delayed plane at the airport, I decided to while away the time by reading a book.
I whiled away the time by catching up on some much-needed sleep.
There’s nothing better than sitting on the beach and whiling away my time.
Okay, so there we are. We’ve covered 15 advanced phrasal verbs for better speaking. These phrasal verbs will not only help you improve your conversational skills but also assist you in your IELTS preparation.
If you can pick up and use three, four, or five of these, you’ll be amazed at the difference it will make.
If you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to contact me at englishlessonviaskype.com Always happy to hear from you.
This is Harry saying goodbye, join me again soon.
speak better English with Harry podcast- episode 453
more information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
Intermediate English travel vocabulary
English vocabulary related to driving
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC and British Council Learn English.
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