Phrasal Verbs

Task 1:

Try to look up the meanings of these phrasal verbs, and then fill in the blanks below.

Practice Exercise 1

Phrasal Verb	Meaning
look after
hold on
do without
take up
run out of
break down
meet up with
check in
turn up
look into

EMAIL 1

TO: Robert Booth

FROM: Amy Cookson

RE: 1 Service Lift

The service lift in the warehouse has (1)broken down (stopped working) again.

Could you please get the Shindler engineer to (2)look into (investigate) what has gone wrong and fix it as soon as possible?

This is urgent, because we really cannot (3)do without (manage) it. We are having to move everything upstairs by hand. This is (4)takeing up (occupying) a lot of time and soon everyone is going to (5)run out of (have no more) patience.

EMAIL 2

TO: Robert Booth

FROM: Amy Cookson

RE: Mr Senai

We are expecting Mr Senai from Japan sometime this afternoon.

I have rung the hotel, but he has not (6) checked in (registered) there yet, so he may just (7)turn up (arrive unexpectedly) at the office. If he does, could you (8)look after (take care of) him and ask him to (9)hold on (wait) until I get back?

I have to (10)meet up with(visit) a client at about 3.30, but I should be back by

4.15.

Practice Exercise 2

Phrasal Verb	Meaning
back up
build up
close down
fill in
give up
take up
try out
break down
pick up
put off
meet up with
buy out
turn off
go through
look up
turn up
look after
help out
run out of

1) Did you go through your files last week?

2) Keith Sole quickly build up his shareholding to 10% of the company.

3) If we don't stop the losses, the company will have to be closed down.

4) After you've looked up the form, can you leave it with Fiona, my secretary?

5) We've token up trying to get business from small companies.

6) Marvin Steel is in the process of buying out many of the smaller shareholders.

7) Could you ask Paul to help out with arranging the company BBQ at the weekend?

8) If you don't know the meaning of a word, you should try out in a dictionary.

9) My plane gets in at 10.30. Could you pick up at around 11?

10) The meeting has been put off until 17 April.

11) Have you had an opportunity to back up our evaluation software yet?

12) Don't forget to turn off the air-conditioners when you leave the office this evening.

13) I'm afraid to say that the photocopier's broken down yet again!

14) I think I'll meet up with Roger before I go home this evening.

15) During the recession, the company ___________ some difficult times.

16) Mary has decided to give up an offer from another company.

17) Whatever you do, don't turn up to the meeting late.

18) Who will look after my children if I have to work full-time?

19) I filled in John last night.

20) Please call Jane if you run out of any stationery items

Task 2:

Create a short story of your own and use five to six phrasal verbs from the two lists above in it. Ask your peers to proofread it before you publish.

1. go through
2. build up
3. closed down
4. looked up
5. token up
6. buying out
7. help out
8. try out
9. pick up
10. put off
11. back up
12. turn off
13. broken down
14. meet up with
15.
16. give up
17. turn up
18. look after
19. filled in
20. run out of