Phrasal Verbs

go by

(inseparable) to act in accordance

If you go by the rules, you shouldn't have any trouble.

go down

(intransitive) to go under; to drop below the horizon; to sink

I hope to get to the beach before the sun goes down.

go down

(intransitive) to ingest

Water goes down especially well after a long hard soccer match.

go off

(intransitive) to explode; detonate

Bombs went off all around the city.

go off

(intransitive) to happen in a particular manner

Mary's dinner party last night went off very well.

go over

(intransitive) to gain approval

How did your request for a pay raise go over with your boss?

go over

(inseparable) to check; examine

The mechanic went over the engine to see if there were any problems.

go through

(inseparable) to experience; endure

Mary and Max went through a lot to make their business a success.

go under

(intransitive) to fail; to be defeated

Jack and Jill's drinking water business went under almost right away.

grow up

(intransitive) to change from child to adult

Mary thinks that Max will never grow up.

hand in

(separable) to turn in or give work you have done

Max was embarrassed about handing in his homework late.

hand out

(separable) to distribute

Lee Harvey often handed out leaflets on the street corner.

hang around

(intransitive) to spend time

Max likes to hang around with his friends at the local bar.

hang up

(separable) to place something on something (usually a hook or hanger) so that it doesn't touch the ground; to terminate a phone call

Max gets irritated with Mary for not hanging up her clothes after she does the laundry.

hike up

(separable) to pull up or raise (usually clothing)

When he crossed the flooded street, Max hiked up his pants, so they wouldn't get wet.

hike up

(separable) to suddenly raise in amount

Every summer oil companies hike up gas prices. Once Boxmart has destroyed all of its competition in a certain area, they hike up their prices.

hold back

(separable) to restrain

When I saw Max's new haircut, I had a hard time holding back my laughter.

hold down

(separable) to keep a job

Mary has never been able to hold down a job.

hold on

(intransitive) to wait

Hold on a moment. I need to tie my shoe.

hold up

(separable) to rob using a gun or weapon

Max held up a bank to get some money to buy Mary a ring.

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