🔗 Common phrasal verbs · IELTS Speaking Vocabulary · 60 words

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cut down on phr v	to eat, drink or use less of something, usually for health or money reasons I'm trying to cut down on sugar, so I've stopped buying fizzy drinks.
look forward to phr v	to feel excited about something that is going to happen; followed by a noun or -ing form I'm really looking forward to travelling abroad after my exams.
come up with phr v	to think of an idea, plan or answer Our team had to come up with a new name for the café in just one day.
put off phr v	to delay doing something until a later time, often because you don't want to do it I tend to put off my homework until the very last minute.
take up phr v	to start doing a new hobby or activity Last year I decided to take up yoga to help me relax.
give up phr v	to stop doing or trying something, or stop a habit My dad managed to give up smoking when I was born.
hang out phr v	informal; to spend relaxed time somewhere or with someone At weekends I usually hang out with my friends at a coffee shop.
catch up with phr v	to meet someone you haven't seen for a while and talk about recent news; also to reach the same level as others I love going home at Tet because I can catch up with old classmates.
get along with phr v	to have a friendly relationship with someone I get along with my younger brother much better now than when we were kids.
look up to phr v	to admire and respect someone, often an older or more experienced person I've always looked up to my grandmother because she's so resilient.
run out of phr v	to use all of something so that none is left It's so easy to run out of money when you travel abroad.
figure out phr v	to finally understand something or find the answer after thinking It took me ages to figure out how to use the new banking app.
end up phr v	to finally be in a situation or place you didn't plan We planned a quiet night in, but we ended up dancing until midnight.
set up phr v	to start a business or organisation; to prepare equipment for use My cousin set up her own online clothing shop when she was only twenty.
carry on phr v	to continue doing something Even after a long day at work, she carries on studying English every evening.
turn down phr v	to refuse an offer or request I turned down a well-paid job because it was too far from home.
bring up phr v	to care for a child until it is an adult; also to start talking about a subject It's quite challenging to bring up children in a busy city like Hanoi.
pick up phr v	to learn something informally without studying; also to collect someone I picked up a bit of Korean just by watching dramas.
grow up phr v	to change from a child into an adult Growing up in the countryside taught me to appreciate nature.
settle down phr v	to start living a quieter life in one place, often after marrying Most of my friends want to travel a bit before they settle down.
put up with phr v	to accept an annoying situation or person without complaining I can't put up with the noise from the construction site next door.
go through phr v	to experience a difficult or unpleasant situation Every student has to go through a stressful exam period at some point.
look after phr v	to take care of someone or something My grandparents used to look after me while my parents were at work.
keep up with phr v	to stay at the same level or speed as someone or something It's hard to keep up with the latest technology because it changes so fast.
work out phr v	to exercise to make your body stronger; also to find the answer to a problem I try to work out at the gym at least three times a week.
come across phr v	to find or meet something or someone by chance I happened to come across this little bookshop while I was wandering around.
fall out with phr v	to argue with someone and stop being friendly with them I don't want to fall out with my best friend over something so silly.
drop out phr v	to leave school, college or a course before finishing it He dropped out of university to focus on his start-up.
take after phr v	to look or behave like an older family member People say I take after my mother because we're both quite talkative.
show off phr v	to try to make people admire you or your possessions; usually negative Some people only post on social media to show off their expensive holidays.
chill out phr v	very informal; to relax completely; good for Speaking, avoid in Writing After exams, I just want to chill out at home and watch films.
calm down phr v	to become less angry, upset or excited When I'm stressed, listening to music helps me calm down.
cheer up phr v	to become happier, or make someone feel happier My dog always cheers me up when I've had a bad day.
eat out phr v	to have a meal in a restaurant rather than at home We tend to eat out on Friday nights because nobody wants to cook.
dress up phr v	to put on smarter or more formal clothes than usual, or a costume Everyone dresses up in traditional clothes for the festival.
head off phr v	informal; to leave to go somewhere We usually head off to the beach early in the morning to avoid the traffic.
get over phr v	to recover from an illness, a shock or a disappointment It took me a few weeks to get over the flu last winter.
stand out phr v	to be very easy to notice because of being different or better What makes this restaurant stand out is its friendly service.
come down with phr v	to start to suffer from a minor illness I think I might come down with a cold, so I'll stay in tonight.
sign up for phr v	to arrange to join a course, club or service I've just signed up for an online photography course.
give back phr v	to do something useful for the community that helped you; also to return an item I volunteer at a local school because I want to give back to my community.
count on phr v	to depend on someone to help you or do what they promised I can always count on my older sister when I need advice.
run into phr v	to meet someone by chance; also to start having problems I sometimes run into my old teachers at the market.
opt for phr v	to choose one thing instead of others More young people now opt for online courses because they are cheaper.
get by phr v	to manage to live or do something with difficulty, using what you have My English was basic, but I could get by when I travelled to Singapore.
make up for phr v	to do something good to correct a bad situation or a loss I try to make up for my busy weekdays by spending Sundays with family.
brush up on phr v	to practise and improve a skill you used to be good at I need to brush up on my grammar before the test.
look into phr v	to examine or investigate something I'm looking into the possibility of studying for a master's in Australia.
go back to phr v	to return to a place or activity I'd love to go back to Da Lat one day because the weather was so pleasant.
slow down phr v	to become slower or less busy; also to relax more in life Since I retired, I've learnt to slow down and enjoy little things.
turn up phr v	to arrive, often unexpectedly or late Hardly anyone turned up to the meeting because of the heavy rain.
fit in phr v	to feel comfortable and accepted as part of a group At first it was hard to fit in at my new school, but I soon made friends.
take off phr v	to suddenly become popular or successful; also when a plane leaves the ground Her baking business really started to take off during the pandemic.
save up phr v	to keep money over time so you can buy something I'm trying to save up for a new laptop for university.
splash out on phr v	informal, British; to spend a lot of money on something enjoyable For my birthday, I splashed out on a really nice pair of headphones.
wind down phr v	to relax gradually after a period of work or stress Reading a novel before bed helps me wind down after a long day.
stay in phr v	to remain at home, especially in the evening On rainy evenings I prefer to stay in and cook something simple.
put on phr v	to gain weight; also to dress yourself in clothes I put on a few kilos over the holidays because of all the festive food.
get round to phr v	informal, British; to finally find time to do something you have been meaning to do I keep meaning to clean my room, but I never get round to it.
tidy up phr v	to make a place neat by putting things where they belong Every Sunday morning, we all tidy up the house together.