There are many phrasal verbs in the English language, do you know these five? Add them to your vocabulary to improve your English communication skills!
Hold on
Definitions:
To have or keep your hand, arms, etc., around something.
Examples:Hold on to the railing, so you don’t fall.
Can you hold on to my bag while I open the door?
To wait.
Examples: Hold on, I have to answer this phone call.
Can you hold on a minute? I’m very busy and I can’t talk right now.
Make up
Definitions:
To invent or improvise a story or excuse
Example: Joe arrived late for work and made up an excuse about a traffic accident to tell his boss.
I made up a fictional story to tell the children before they went to bed.
To compensate for
Example: He made up for the horrible date by buying his girlfriend flowers and chocolate.
To do something in order to correct an omission
Example: I missed my English class last week so we will have to make up the class this week and do an extra hour.
To consist of
Example: Water is made up of hydrogen and oxygen.
Get along with
Definition:
To be friendly with or on good terms with someone
Examples: I get along with my coworkers and it makes for an enjoyable work environment.
They don’t get along with each other, they have a terrible relationship.
Call off
Definition:
To stop doing or planning to do (something).
Example: Maria called off the wedding because she decided she didn’t love him.
Run into
Definitions:
When two or more objects hit or collide with each other.
Example: The car was destroyed when it ran into a tree.
To see someone unexpectedly.
Example: I ran into Sara at the supermarket on Sunday and she told me that she’s getting married next year.
Now that you’ve learned these five phrasal verbs and their definitions, put them to use!
