Here’s a list of 15 separable phrasal verbs with example sentences:
| Phrasal Verb |
Meaning |
Example Sentence |
| call (something) off |
cancel |
It started to rain 10 minutes before the soccer game, so they called it off. |
| cheer (someone) up |
make a sad person feel happy |
My daughter was sad about missing the concert, but I bought her a CD to help cheer her up. |
| chop (something) up |
cut something (usually food) into small pieces |
The recipe says to take three onions and chop them up. |
| do (something) over |
repeat a task |
You didn’t do this assignment correctly. You’ll need to do it over. |
| figure (something) out |
understand, find a solution |
Could you help me with this math problem? I can’t figure it out. |
| give (something) out |
distribute |
Please print 100 copies of this report and give them out to all the employees. |
| let (someone) down |
disappoint another person |
He really let me down when he forgot my birthday. |
| pick (someone) up |
get a person in your car and take him/her to another place |
The tour company will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel. |
| put (something) away |
put something in the correct place |
After you’re done reading those magazines, please put them away. |
| put (something) off |
delay, postpone, procrastinate |
I know I should work on this project, but it’s difficult so I keep putting it off. |
| spell (something) out |
describe carefully and clearly in detail |
It’s my first day at this new job, so you’ll need to spell everything out for me. |
| throw (something) away |
put something in the garbage |
I threw the headphones away because they were broken. |
| try (something) on |
wear a piece of clothing temporarily to see if it’s the correct size |
I really like this dress. Can I try it on? |
| turn (someone/something) down |
reject or refuse |
She got a job offer from a big company, but she turned it down to pursue a career in music. |
| write (something) down |
write something on paper |
Could you tell me your e-mail address again? I didn’t write it down. |
