This document defines and provides examples for a number of phrasal verbs containing "turn", "take", "put", "come", and "go". Some key definitions and examples include: 1) "Turn around" means to change direction or become successful after failing. For example, "The new director was able to turn the school around." 2) "Take after" means to resemble someone else in appearance or personality, such as resembling a parent. 3) "Put away" means to place an object in its proper storage location, while "put back" means to return something to where it was originally taken from. 4) "Come across" means to find something accidentally, such

1. TURN AROUND
Change direction and go/look the other way:
(while driving) “We’re going the wrong way. We need toturn around.”
Can also describe when a failing company/project/process starts to become successful:
“The new director was able to turn the school around – it went from being the worst school
in the area to one of the top-ranked schools in the entire country.”
TURN AWAY
Not allow someone to enter a place:
“You have to be 21 to enter the club, so my 19-year-old cousin was turned away at the
door.”
TURN DOWN
1. Decrease volume or heating/air conditioning:
“Could you turn the music down, please? It’s too loud.”
2. Not accept an invitation or offer (can be used for romantic dates, job offers, etc.):
“He asked her out to dinner, but she turned him down.”
“I can’t believe he turned down a great job at a bank in order to try to be a writer!”
TURN IN
1. Give an assignment to a teacher or supervisor:
“My son needs to turn his research paper in on Thursday.”
2. Go to bed:
“I’m exhausted. I’m going to turn in early tonight.”
3. Deliver someone who committed a crime to the police:
“The drug dealer was turned in by his own mother.”
TURN INTO
Become:
“Caterpillars turn into butterflies.”
TURN ON
1. Start a machine, light, or electronic device:
“When I get to work, the first thing I do is turn on my computer.”
2. Turn (someone) on = make the person sexually aroused:
“He says that girls with long legs really turn him on.”
TURN OFF
1. Stop a machine, electronic device, or light (for lights, we can use TURN OFF, SHUT OFF,
or TURN OUT; for machines, only TURN OFF or SHUT OFF):
“Time to turn off the TV – you’ve been watching for the past three hours!”
2. Turn (someone) off = make someone lose interest, make someone dislike something (may be
sexual, but not necessarily):
“It turns me off when my boyfriend tries to hug me when he’s all sweaty.”

2. “I don’t like that design at all. The bright colors just turn me off.”
TURN OVER
1. To invert:
“Cook the pancakes for 3 minutes on one side, then turn them over.”
2. To transfer something to someone in authority:
“During the investigation, the police asked the company to turn over all their financial
information.”
TURN OUT
1. Same as TURN OFF or SHUT OFF for lights:
“When she finished her book, she turned out the light and went to sleep.”
2. Have an end result (especially a surprising one):
“I thought I was unqualified for the job, but it turns out that the company provides training – so
previous experience isn’t necessary.”
“We thought the project was going to be a miserable failure, but everything turned out all right in
the end.”
TURN UP
1. Increase volume/temperature:
“Turn up the volume on the TV – I can’t hear anything.”
2. Appear:
“The manager finally turned up for the meeting – 45 minutes late.”

3. TAKE AFTER SOMEBODY
Have a similar appearance or personality (especially a relative)
 She takes after her mother – they have the same green eyes and curly brown hair.
 John is such a funny person. He takes after his grandfather, who was a comedian.
TAKE SOMETHING APART
Separate something into parts
 The technician is taking apart the TV so that he can fix it.
TAKE SOMETHING BACK
1) Return something to a store:
 The jeans I bought were too small, so I took them back and exchanged them for a larger size.
2) Admit that something you said was wrong:
 I’m sorry I said you were stupid. I take it back.
TAKE SOMETHING DOWN
1) Separate a structure into parts
 After the circus was over, the workers took down the big tents.
2) Write information on paper
She took down my address and phone number and said she’d call me later.
TAKE SOMEBODY IN
To let somebody stay in your house
 My friend lost his job and his apartment, so I took him in for a month.
TAKE SOMETHING IN
1) Receive and understand information
 The instructor spoke so fast that I couldn’t take in all the information.
2) Make clothing smaller so that it fits you
 I love this dress, but it’s a little too loose. Could you take it in an inch?
TAKE OFF
1) An airplane leaving the ground and going up into the air
 What time does the plane take off?
2) Become successful or popular very fast
 In the last few years, social media sites have taken off all over the world.
3) Leave a place suddenly (informal)
 He was at the party for about 15 minutes, and then he took off.
TAKE SOMETHING OFF
1) Remove a piece of clothing from your body
 I always take off my shoes as soon as I get home.
2) Not go to work for a period of time
 Jamie took three days off to go skiing in the mountains
TAKE SOMETHING ON
Accept some work or responsibility
 Do you have time to take on a new project?

4. TAKE SOMEBODY ON
1) Hire or employ somebody
 The company has taken on three new staff members.
2) Fight or compete against somebody
 In tonight’s boxing match, Antonio will take on an undefeated boxer from Argentina.
TAKE SOMEBODY OUT
Go with somebody to a restaurant or movie and pay for their food or ticket
 I’m taking my girlfriend out to dinner on our anniversary.
TAKE SOMETHING OUT
Remove something from a place
 I took the letter out of the envelope.
TAKE SOMETHING OUT ON SOMEBODY
Treat an innocent person badly because you are tired or angry about something else
 Hey, I know you had a terrible day at work – but don’t take it out on me!
TAKE OVER SOMETHING
Take control
 Germany took over several other countries during World War II.
TAKE SOMEBODY THROUGH SOMETHING
Explain something to somebody in detail
 Let me take you through the procedure for operating this machine. First, you need to…
TAKE UP SOMETHING
1) Fill space or time
 These books are taking up all the space in my room.
 Last month an urgent project took up all my spare time.
2) Start doing something regularly
 I’ve recently taken up yoga.
TAKE SOMEBODY UP ON SOMETHING
Accept an offer or invitation
 “When you travel to China, you’re welcome to stay at my house.”
“Really? I might take you up on that!”
TAKE SOMETHING UP WITH SOMEBODY
Complain to someone about a problem
 If you don’t like the way I do my job, take it up with my manager.

5. GET UP = LEAVE YOUR BED
I usually get up at 7:00, but yesterday I got up at 9:00 because it was a holiday.
My mother likes to get up early because she has lots of energy in the morning.
My brother is grumpy when he first gets up in the morning.
GET OUT = GO AWAY, LEAVE
There are two possible ways to use “get out.”
1) If you tell somebody to “get out,” it is usually because you are angry at them:Get
out! You’re a terrible person and I never want to see you again!
If you don’t get out of my store right now, I’m going to call the police.
2) “Get out” can be used as an informal way to say “leave”:
What time do you get out of class? = What time do you leave class?
I usually get out around 6:30. = I usually leave around 6:30.
HAVE YOU EVER TOLD SOMEONE TO “GET OUT”?
GET INTO = BEGIN TO DO OR BE INTERESTED IN
I’m really getting into hip-hop. I love the music and the dance!
My brother has really gotten into tennis. He plays 5 times a week nowadays.
I don’t think I could get into surfing. I don’t really like water sports.
WHAT ACTIVITIES HAVE YOU GOTTEN INTO RECENTLY?
GET ALONG WITH = HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH
My parents don’t get along with each other. They’re always fighting.
I get along really well with my sister. We talk on the phone all the time and help each other with all our
problems.
John doesn’t get along with Clara. He thinks she’s annoying, and she thinks he’s selfish.
WHO DO YOU GET ALONG WITH THE BEST IN YOUR FAMILY AND AT WORK OR
SCHOOL?
GET OVER = RECOVER, CONTINUE WITH LIFE AFTER A DIFFICULT
EVENT
It took me 6 months to get over my last breakup. I really thought we were going to get married.
My mother died when I was a child, and I don’t think I’ve ever gotten over it. I still miss her.
You’re still sad about your boss’ criticism of your work? Get over it already!
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO GET OVER THE LAST DIFFICULT EVENT IN
YOUR LIFE?
GET BY = SURVIVE
He doesn’t make a lot of money, but he gets by. He has enough to pay for his basic expenses.
I can’t get by without my morning coffee… I need caffeine to stay awake in English class!
Because of the financial crisis, many families are just barely getting by.
CAN YOU GET BY WITHOUT YOUR COMPUTER? WHY OR WHY NOT?

7. #1 – PUT AWAY= place an object in its proper location
Here are your clean clothes – please put them away.
(put them in the closet, in the dresser, etc.)
#2 – PUT BACK= return an object to the location where it came from.
The opposite of “take something out”
After you’re done using the dictionary, put it back.
(put it in the bookshelf, in the location from which you originally took it)
#3 – PUT DOWN
1. To write on a piece of paper (sometimes we just say “put” without “down”)
 I’m making a shopping list. I already put down bread, cheese, and butter – what else do we need to
get?
2. To criticize and humiliate
 Every time I try to add something to the conversation, my brother puts me down by saying my
opinions are stupid.
3. To kill an animal that is sick, old, suffering, or dangerous
 When our cat got cancer, we decided to put her down.
#4 – PUT FORTH / PUT FORWARD= to offer an idea, plan, or proposal for
consideration
I’d like to put forward a suggestion or two.
#5 – PUT OFF
1. To delay doing something, procrastinate
 I’ve been putting off this assignment for the past week; I just can’t seem to get started!
2. Make a bad impression, make somebody repulsed or disgusted
 She seemed unfriendly. Her attitude really put me off.
#6 – PUT ON
1. Start wearing or using (clothing, accessories, makeup)
 She put on her boots and got ready to go out in the rain.
2. Produce a show or performance
 The local theater company is putting on “Romeo and Juliet.”
3. (slang) Trick or deceive someone

8.  You won the lottery?! No way… you’re putting me on, right?
(another similar expression is “You’re kidding”)
#7 – PUT OUT
1. Extinguish (a fire or cigarette)
 The firefighters quickly put out the fire in the apartment building.
2. Publish (usually a regular or frequent publication)
 The organization puts out a monthly newsletter.
3. Inconvenience someone
 Is it OK if I arrive early? I don’t want to put you out in any way.
#8 – PUT THROUGH= transfer or connect somebody on the telephone
The customer service representative couldn’t help me, so he put me through to a manager.
#9 – PUT SOMEBODY UP
1. Give somebody a place to stay at your home
 Don’t worry about finding a hotel – I can put you up for a few days.
2. If you put somebody up to something, it means you encourage or persuade the person to
do something
 My son is normally very well-behaved, but his friends put him up to playing a prank on the
teacher.
#10 – PUT UP WITH= tolerate; accept an annoying situation or behavior
I can’t put up with all the noise in the dormitory – I need a quieter place to study.
Phrasal Verbs in Conversation Course

9. #1 – COME ACROSS = find something by accident
When I was cleaning my room, I came across my middle-school diaries.
#2 – COME ALONG = accompany someone when going somewhere
We’re going to get ice cream. Want to come along?
#3 – COME BACK= return
He’s still hoping his ex-girlfriend will come back to him, even after all these years.
#4 – COME OFF = when something becomes separated or unstuck from another
thing
The paint is starting to come off the wall in the kitchen.
#5 – COME ON!
The phrasal verb come on has multiple uses, but when used as an exclamation, it can
be encouragement for someone to do something, or it can mean something like “Stop
being ridiculous!”
#6 – COME OUT= appear or leave the inside of a place
It’s cloudy right now, but the sun should come out later.
My little brother is hiding under the covers and doesn’t want to come out.
#7 – COME OVER= come to someone’s house
If you come over tomorrow after school, I’ll help you with your homework.
#8 – COME THROUGH = produce or deliver a result
I thought my favorite basketball team would lose the game, but the offense came
through and scored 15 points in the last five minutes.
#9 – COME UP= appear.
Often used for when a task/responsibility appears unexpectedly, or when a topic
appears in a discussion.
I’m sorry I missed your birthday party. Something came up at the last minute, and I
couldn’t go.
#10 – COME UP WITH= create or invent something
Every time I ask him to do something, he always comes up with a list of excuses for
why he can’t do it.

11. Phrasal Verb Meaning Example Sentence
back out of
(something)
fail to keep a
commitment
The client backed out of the
deal at the last minute.
come across
(something)
find accidentally While cleaning the house,
I came across a check I had
forgotten to deposit.
count on
(something /
someone)
depend on, rely on I’m counting on you to send
me the information by the
end of the day – I need it as
soon as possible.
fill in for
(someone)
substitute for The president of the
company is traveling, so the
vice-president is filling in
for him at the meeting.
get rid of
(something)
eliminate, throw
away
We have rats in the house –
we need to call the
exterminator to get rid
of them.
go over
(something)
review Before the test, let’s go
over the topic of phrasal
verbs.
look after
(something /
someone)
take care of I can’t go out tonight because
I’m looking after my sister’s
children.
look forward to
(something)
feel happy/excited
about something in
the future
I’m really looking forward
to our family vacation in
Florida – it’s going to be
awesome!
look into
(something)
investigate I’m looking into the
possibility of taking an
intensive English course in
Australia next year.

12. put up with
(something /
someone)
tolerate
something/someone
unpleasant
One of my colleagues is not
very nice, but we put up
with him because he does
excellent work.
run into
(someone)
meet unexpectedly I ran into my ex-boyfriend
at the supermarket – that was
an unpleasant surprise.
settle on
(something)
decide on, choose I was debating what type of
fitness class to take, and I
finally settled on yoga.
take after
(someone)
resemble in looks or
personality
She’s very friendly and
extroverted – she takes
after her mother.
touch on
(something)
mention briefly
during a speech or
discussion
We touched on the issue of
employee satisfaction during
the meeting, but we didn’t go
into much detail.
turn into
(something)
become The caterpillar turned into a
butterfly.

13. GO ALONG
(intransitive) to cooperate
To go along with the crowd is the easiest thing, but not always the wisest thing.
Ir junto con la multitud es la cosa más fácil, pero no siempre la cosa más sabia
GO AROUND (satisfacer una demanda o necesidad)
(intransitive) to satisfy a demand or need
While there are certainly more jobs now, there are still not enough to go around.
Si bien hay mas puestos de trabajo ahora, que todavía no son suficientes para todos.
GO AROUND (circular)
(intransitive) to circulate
There are some rumors about Mary going around.
Hay algunos rumores acerca de Mary circulando.
GO AWAY (dejar)
(intransitive) to leave
Max and Mary went away for the summer.
Max y Mary abandonaron (nos) por el verano
GO BY (pasar)
(intransitive) to pass; elapse
As the years go by, I grow older but not wiser.
Mientras pasan los años, yo me hago más Viejo, pero no más sabio.
GO BY (actuar en concordancia)
(inseparable) to act in accordance
If you go by the rules, you shouldn’t have any trouble.
Si usted actúa en concordancia con las reglas, no deberías tener ningún problema
GO DOWN (ir para abajo)
(intransitive) to go under; to drop below the horizon; to sink
I hope to get to the beach before the sun goes down.
Espero llegar a la playa antes que el sol se ponga(debajo del horizonte)
GO DOWN
(intransitive) to ingest
Water goes down especially well after a long hard soccer match.
El agua cae especialmente bien después de un largo y arduo partido de soccer
GO OFF (detonar)
(intransitive) to explode; detonate
Bombs went off all around the city.
Las bombas estallaron por toda la ciudad

14. GO OFF (ocurrir de una manera en particular, salir)
(intransitive) to happen in a particular manner
Mary's dinner party last night went off very well.
La cena en la fiesta de Mary anoche salió muy bien
GO OVER (aprobar)
(intransitive) to gain approval
How did your request for a pay raise go over with your boss?
Como pediste para que un aumento en tu pago fuera aprobado por tu jefe?
GO OVER (examinar)
(inseparable) to check; examine
The mechanic went over the engine to see if there were any problems.
El mecánico examine el motor para ver si había algún problema
GO THROUGH(experimentar, soportar)
(inseparable) to experience; endure
Mary and Max went through a lot to make their business a success.
Mary y Max pasaron muchas cosas para hacer sus negocios un éxito.
GO UNDER (fracasar, ser derrotado)
(intransitive) to fail; to be defeated
Jack and Jill's drinking water business went under almost right away.
El negocio de agua para beber de Jack y Jill fracasó casi de inmediato