Phrasal verbs are usually two-word phrases consisting of verb + adverb or verb + preposition. Think of them as you would any other English vocabulary. Study them as you come across them, rather than trying to memorize many at once. Use the list below as a reference guide when you find an expression that you don’t recognize. The examples will help you understand the meanings. If you think of each phrasal verb as a separate verb with a specific meaning, you will be able to remember it more easily.
Beef up
to increase or improve something, or to make it more interesting.
Ex : The organization plans to beef up its marketing effort.
Bristle at
To show anger or indignation;
Ex :She bristled at his insolent remarks.
Clam up
To say nothing. (Closing one’s mouth in the way that a clam closes up.)
Ex: The minute they got him in for questioning, he clammed up.
To size someone or something up
To observe someone or something to get information; to check someone or something out.
Ex : The comedian sized the audience up and decided not to use his new material.
To crow about something
To brag about something.
Ex : Stop crowing about your successes!
She is crowing over her new car.
Fawn over
To flatter someone or attend to
someone excessively
Ex : Please stop fawning all over
the guests. You are embarrassing me.
Wipe out
To destroy completely; To eradicate.
Ex : In today’s modern world, the old values have been wiped out.
Bounce off
To try an idea or concept out on someone or a group.
Ex : Let me bounce off this idea, if
I may.
Mull over
To think about something; to ponder or worry about something.
Ex : I’ll mull over your suggestions and reply to you next week.
Plod along
To move along slowly but deliberately.
Ex : The movie plodded along putting most of the audience to sleep.
Enjoy the lesson!
