Mastering phrasal verbs is an essential step towards fluency in English. These versatile word combinations add depth and nuance to our language, allowing us to express actions, routines, and everyday activities with precision. In this article, we delve into a collection of commonly used phrasal verbs that revolve around daily life.

We have chosen to present example sentences featuring these phrasal verbs in the present simple tense, as we’ve covered writing about your daily routine in detail before on Funky English: Present Simple Tense – Daily Routine. By using the present simple tense, we highlight the regularity and habitual nature of these actions, making them particularly useful in describing routines and daily habits. From clocking in and out at the office, to enjoying a meal in or eating out, we explore the rich tapestry of these expressions. We uncover the meanings, usage, and examples of phrasal verbs such as filling up, tidying up, winding down, and more. Enhance your English skills and gain confidence in everyday conversations with these indispensable phrasal verbs.

What Is A Phrasal Verb?

A phrasal verb is a verb combined with 1 or 2 small words. These small words are particles. A particle can be a preposition or adverb. The phrasal verb has a different meaning from the verb alone because the particle changes the meaning of the verb.

Some phrasal verbs can be separated. When we change the tense of the phrasal verb we only modify the verb part. The particle remains the same.

List Of Phrasal Verbs:

  • Carry on – to continue doing something.
    • “After arriving at the office, I carry on with my work from the previous day.”
  • Carry out – to perform or complete a task, duty, or activity.
    • “I always carry out my daily responsibilities efficiently.”
  • Clock in/out – to record the time one arrives at or leaves work using a time clock.
    • “I clock in at 9 AM every morning and clock out at 5 PM.”
  • Drop off – to leave someone or something at a particular place.
    • “I drop off my children at school before heading to work.”
  • Eat in – to have a meal at home or indoors.
    • “I usually eat in during weekdays to save money.”
eat in phrasal verb
  • Eat out – to have a meal at a restaurant or outside the home.
    • “I eat out with my friends at the weekend to try new restaurants.”
  • Fill up – to completely fill something, especially with a liquid or fuel.
    • “Once a week, I fill up my car with petrol at the local garage.”
  • Get up – to rise or leave one’s bed in the morning.
    • “I get up early at 6 o’clock to start my day.”
  • Hang out – to spend time with someone in a relaxed and informal manner.
    • “Occasionally, I hang out with my friends at the local cafe after work.”
  • Head out – to leave or go out, usually to a specific destination.
    • “My husband heads out to work every morning at 8 AM.”
  • Help out – to assist or support someone.
    • “I help my colleagues out with their tasks when they need assistance.”
  • Log in – to access a computer system or website by entering your username and password.
    • “I log in to my email every morning to check for new messages.”
phrasal verb-log in
  • Look after – to take care of or be responsible for someone or something.
    • “I look after my younger sister while my parents are at work.”
  • Pick up – to collect or gather someone or something from a particular place.
    • “On my way home, I pick up groceries from the supermarket.”
  • Put away – to clean up and store things in their proper place.
    • “My brother puts his clothes away after doing laundry.”
  • Run out – to have no more of something, to deplete the supply of something.
    • “When I run out of milk, I buy more from the shop.”
  • Set off – to start a journey or trip.
    • “I set off for work every morning at the same time.”
  • Set up – to arrange or prepare something for use.
    • “I set up my workspace before starting my tasks.”
  • Tidy up – to clean or organize a space, making it neat and orderly.
    • “I tidy up my room every night before going to bed.”
  • Wake up – to stop sleeping and become conscious.
    • “I wake up early every day to make the most of my mornings.”
  • Wash up – to clean dishes, utensils, and kitchenware after a meal.
    • “Sometimes I wash up after dinner.”
  • Wind down – to relax and become less active or tense.
    • “After dinner, I wind down by reading a book or listening to music.”
  • Work out – to engage in physical exercise or fitness activities.
    • “I work out at the gym three times a week to stay fit.”
  • Write down – to record or make a written note of something.
    • “Before I go to bed, I write down my goals and plans in my diary.”

Wake Up or Get Up?

Get up and wake up refer to different actions related to the act of getting out of bed in the morning. Let’s take a quick look at the difference between these phrasal verbs.

Wake up means to stop sleeping and become conscious. It is the moment when you open your eyes and become aware of your surroundings after being asleep. It is the initial stage of transitioning from sleep to wakefulness. When you wake up, you may still be lying in bed and have not physically gotten out of it yet.

On the other hand, get up means to rise or leave one’s bed in the morning. It implies the physical action of getting out of bed and standing up. It is the step that follows waking up. When you get up, you actually leave the bed and start your day.

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