A phrasal verb is a verb followed by a preposition or an adverb; the combination creates a meaning different from the original verb.
abide by
- Respect or obey (the law, a decision, a rule…).
“If you want to stay at this school, you must abide by the rules.”
ache for
- Want someone or something 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 decided to act on the anonymous call they received.”
act out
- Demonstrate something with gestures and actions.
“The children 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.
“She explained what happened but the details she gave just don’t add up.”
adhere to
- Support; follow; act in accordance with.
“All contestants must adhere to the rules.”
advise against
- Recommend not to do something.
The doctor advised him against carrying heavy loads.
agree with
- Have the same opinion as some 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.
“It will take longer. You have to allow for heavy traffic at rush hour.”
“We must allow for food expenses too. Let’s add 20€ per person.”
allude to
- Mention or make reference to something in an indirect way.
“I don’t understand. What problem is she alluding to?”
angle for
- Try to obtain something by hinting or suggesting.
“From the way he’s speaking I suspect Tom is angling for a free ticket.”
answer back
- Reply rudely to someone in authority when you are expected to remain silent.
“I’m your teacher. Don’t answer back !”
answer for
- Be held responsible for something.
“Normally parents have to answer for their children’s behaviour.” - Speak on behalf of someone.
“I agree to your proposal, 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
- Plead or make an earnest request.
“The organisers appealed to the crowd to stay calm.” - Be attractive or interesting.
“The idea of camping in the woods doesn’t appeal to me at all.”
apply for
- Make a formal request for something (job, permit, loan, etc.)
“When he saw the advertisement he decided to apply for the job.”
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.”
attest to
- Prove to be true; bear witness to
“The number of visitors attest to the popularity of the website.”
avail (oneself) of
- Take advantage of something (an opportunity)
“When the sales begin you should avail yourself of the opportunity and buy that coat.”
average out at
- Result in an average(amount)
“The price of lunch averages out at 10€ per person.”
