Topic 03 · 30 lessons · every one with a quiz
Phrasal Verbs
Get on, get over, get by: the everyday verbs Brits use without thinking. Plain meanings, real examples and a quick quiz on every page.
Lucky dip Take a random phrasal verb
Start here
New to phrasal verbs? Begin with these three.All phrasal verbs
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The guide
About phrasal verbs
Welcome to FunkyEnglish’s collection of phrasal verbs — a verb plus a preposition or particle that together mean something you’d never guess from the two words alone. Every entry comes with a plain-English meaning, example sentences and a short quiz.
What Is a Phrasal Verb?
A phrasal verb combines a verb with a preposition or adverb (or both) to create a new meaning — “give up” isn’t really about “giving” or “up” at all. English has hundreds of these, and native speakers reach for them constantly, often instead of the more formal single-word alternative.
Why Bother Learning Them?
You could get by using formal single-word verbs instead — “surrender” rather than “give up” — but you’ll sound stiff and bookish. Phrasal verbs are how English actually sounds in everyday conversation, so skipping them is a quick way to sound like you learned the language from a textbook rather than from people.
A Few to Get You Started
- Break Down — to stop working, or to lose emotional control
- Break Up — to end a relationship
- Brush Up — to improve a skill you already have
- Chat Up — to flirt with someone
- Check In — to register on arrival, e.g. at a hotel or airport
New phrasal verbs are added regularly.
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01IdiomsRaining cats and dogs — and why02SlangChuffed, knackered, gutted03Phrasal VerbsGet on, get over, get by04GrammarTenses without the tears05Common PhrasesWhat people really say06British CultureQueues, tea and ‘you alright?’07Photo VocabWords you can actually see08ProverbsOld wisdom, still handy09LessonsThemed deep dives10In the NewsEnglish from the headlines