Page 161 - New Grammar with a Smile 6

6 Phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb is a combination of words (a verb + a preposition or verb +
adverb) that when used together, usually take on a different meaning to that of
the original verb.

For example,

Esha tore up the letter after she read it.
Their car broke down two miles out of town.
Did the manager deal with that customer’s complaint?

Read the following phrasal verb, their meanings and some example sentences.

Phrasal verb Meanings Example

ask around ask many people Ask around for a pen, please!
the same question I need a pen urgently.

back something up reverse Back your car up! Its tail is sitting
out on the road.

back somebody up support I will never forget how you backed
me up when I was in trouble.

break down get upset I refuse to break down in the face
of hardship.

break down stop functioning The old car has broken down.
(machine like a car,
an engine, etc.)

break out escape The prisoner has broken out.

bring somebody down make unhappy Her cruel joke brought him down.

bring somebody up raise a child Meena has brought me up with
great care.

call somebody back return a phone call I will have to call Reema back. She’s
called me thrice since evening.

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