25 English phrasal verbs for conversation
Enhance your proficiency in English by mastering crucial phrasal verbs, bringing you closer to achieving fluency.
English phrasal verbs may not be the most popular subject among students, given that each phrase often carries multiple meanings. Altering a preposition can result in an entirely new interpretation of the words. Consequently, memorizing them all might seem daunting, but you can initiate the learning process by focusing on the most commonly used phrasal verbs for engaging in English conversations.
Whether you’re an ESL learner or simply aiming to refine your English language skills, we have compiled an alphabetical list of phrasal verbs tailored for conversations to assist you in getting started. For additional guidance, you can refer to our article on techniques for memorizing English vocabulary.
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Add
1. Add on —To add an additional item or quantity into something.
The referee added on 5 minutes for the stoppage time.
Bring
2. Bring sth up — To initiate a conversation about something. This expression can also refer to the act of expressing something verbally or, in an alternative context, to vomit.
She looked white around the gills. I thought she’d bring up her breakfast.
3. Bring sth to light — This expression is employed when indicating that something has been uncovered or revealed to the public.
These issue has been brought to light in the nick of time.
4. Bring sth to the party —To furnish or present something, such as a valuable skill, in a given situation.
John brings years of professional experience to the party.
Call
5. Call on —To pay a visit to someone.
I’m sorry I’m late. I called on Margaret because she came down with the flu.
6. Call off — This expression can be utilized to call off something, and it also serves to halt an aggressive behavior in an animal or even a person.
Laura didn’t love him, so she called off the wedding.
Call off your dog!
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Carry
7. Carry on — The verb encompasses various meanings, with its most common usage associated with behaviors characterized by excitement, anxiety, lack of control, or even foolishness. Additionally, it signifies “to continue or proceed.”
Sorry for the interruptions, please carry on with your story.
Cheer
8. Cheer on —To boost or back someone, typically through vocal encouragement.
We arrived to cheer on the baseball team from our town in the championship game.
9. Cheer up —This expression is employed to uplift one’s spirits, particularly in moments of sadness.
Cheer up! Tomorrow’s another day!
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Come
10. Come across —To conduct oneself in a manner that leads others to perceive a specific personality trait.
She came across as confident when she made her speech.
11. Come up with sth — To conceive an idea or formulate a plan.
We’ll think about ideas for a new marketing campaign and see what we can come up with.
Cut
12. Cut off —The phrasal verb encompasses various meanings, but it is commonly employed to convey that someone or something is detained or disrupted, preventing them from leaving a particular place.
Our home is cut off from the rest of the city.
You have no right to cut me off when I’m talking.
13. Cut it/that off! — Employ it when you wish to communicate, “Cease that behavior!”
Hey, you two, cut it out! We’ll get in trouble if you keep doing that!
Fall
14. Fall apart —To divide into components. This expression can also be applied to indicate profound emotional distress.
After he lost his work, he began to fall apart.
15. Fall back on sth —To resort to using something as assistance when other methods have proven unsuccessful.
Jacob always has his professional experience to fall back on.
Find out
16. Find out — To unearth fresh facts or information.
We may never find out the truth about what happened.
Get
17. Get along (with) —To maintain a friendly relationship with someone.
I get along with my colleagues.
18. Get away —To flee or depart from a location.
Let’s have lunch. I’ll get away from work in thirty minutes.
Give
19. Give away —If a company provides customers with something for free, they offer it to them without any cost.
The company gave away a lot of coupons that could be used at any store.
20. Give up — To cease efforts or give up.
The book was so long and tedious that I gave up and didn’t finish it.
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Go
21. Go out with — To go on a romantic outing.
Monica was so excited when John asked her to go out with him.
Grow
22. Grow up — The expression is employed to instruct someone to stop acting in an immature manner.
Jennifer always tells me that I need to grow up. But what can I do, if I prefer acting like this?
Hold
23. Hold on —This phrase holds multiple meanings. It can be employed to instruct someone to pause or wait briefly. Additionally, it signifies persevering or persisting in doing something in a challenging situation.
You just need to hold on until the doctor arrived.
Put
24. Put sth away — To place something in its usual storage location.
Please put your clothes away; it’s all over the floor.
25. Put on —To don apparel, footwear, or accessories.
It was freezing, so I put on my coat.
Begin with a small number of phrases, and soon you’ll become proficient!
What is your English level?
Find out your A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 level of English with our online test and receive your English certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
International English Test Editorial Team
ALTE Associate Member · UK English assessment provider · Est. 2023
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