Phrasal Verbs: What the Particle Means
up = completely or more, off = away or gradually stopping, out = to the end or gone, down = less, on = continuing.
up = completely: use all of something
/juːz ʌp/We've used up all the milk.
up = more: go or make something go faster
/spiːd ʌp/The train sped up after the tunnel.
off = gradually stopping: become weaker until it disappears
/weər ɒf/The painkiller is starting to wear off.
off = away from being awake: fall asleep lightly
/dəʊz ɒf/I dozed off in front of the TV.
out = removed: decide something is not possible
/ruːl aʊt/The doctor has ruled out a broken bone.
out = gone completely: stop existing
/daɪ aʊt/Many old traditions are dying out.
out = to the end: solve a problem completely
/sɔːt aʊt/Don't worry — I'll sort out the tickets.
down = less: go or make something go more slowly
/sləʊ daʊn/Please slow down — you're driving too fast.
down = less: reduce the amount of something
/kʌt daʊn ɒn/I'm trying to cut down on sugar.
on = continuing: continue doing something
/ˈkæri ɒn/Carry on — I didn't mean to interrupt.
on = continuing too long: last longer than it should
/dræɡ ɒn/The meeting dragged on for three hours.
down = stopping: stop working (machines); lose control of your feelings
/breɪk daʊn/Our car broke down on the motorway.
1
What would you like to cut down on, and why?
2
Name something that has died out in your country.
3
Have you ever dozed off somewhere embarrassing?
4
Make a new phrasal verb guess: what might "drink up" or "fade out" mean?