Phrasal verbs II – B2 English Vocabulary

B2 Phrasal verbs II

In this Pre-advanced Vocabulary Lesson on Phrasal Verbs, you will learn useful phrasal verbs that are common in everyday conversations and in B2 exams. Each phrasal verb includes a short explanation and an example sentence. The vocabulary charts, definitions, and examples below will help you understand and remember the terms.

B2 Phrasal verbs 31-40

31 If you give something away, you let someone have it for free, or you reveal a secret.

• They’re giving away free samples outside the shop.
• Don’t give away the ending of the film!

32 If you go over something, you examine or review it carefully.

• Let’s go over the details one more time before the presentation.

33 If people grow apart, they slowly become less close or friendly.

• We were best friends at school, but we grew apart after university.

34 If you hang on, you wait or hold something tightly.

• Hang on a minute — I’ll be right back.
• Hang on to the rail, it’s slippery!

35 If you hold something back, you stop yourself from showing or saying something, or you keep something secret.

• She tried to hold back her tears during the speech.
• He’s clearly holding back important information.

36 If you join in, you take part in an activity with other people.

• Everyone was dancing, so I decided to join in.

37 If you keep something from someone, you deliberately do not tell them about it.

• She tried to keep it from her parents, but they found out.

38 If you keep up with someone or something, you stay at the same level, speed, or standard.

• It’s hard to keep up with all the latest technology.

39 If you let someone down, you disappoint them by not doing what they expected.

• I promised to help, and I can’t let you down.

40 If you let off someone, you do not punish them or you allow them not to do something.

• The teacher let him off with a warning.

B2 Phrasal verbs 41-50

41 If you look down on somebody, you think they are less important or not as good.

• Some people look down on those without a degree.

42 If you look into something, you investigate it.

• The company will look into the complaint.

43 If you look up to someone, you admire and respect them.

• Many students look up to her.

44 If you make something up, you invent a story, excuse, or explanation.

• He made up a story to avoid trouble.

45 If you mix things up, you confuse them with each other.

• I always mix up their names.

46 If someone passes away, they die (polite).

• Her grandfather passed away last winter.

47 If someone passes out, they faint or become unconscious.

• He passed out in the heat.

48 If you pick up something (a skill or language), you learn it gradually.

• She picked up some French in Paris.

49 If you put something off, you delay or postpone it.

• We had to put off the meeting.

50 If you put up with something or someone, you accept something unpleasant without complaining.

• I can’t put up with the noise.

B2 Phrasal verbs 51-60

51 If you run into someone, you meet them by chance.

• We ran into Emma at the station.

52 If you show off, you try to impress people by displaying something.

• He’s always showing off his new phone.

53 If you stay up, you do not go to bed later than usual.

• We stayed up till midnight.

54 If you take away something, you remove it.

• They took away the old furniture.

55 If you take back something, you return it, or you admit what you said was wrong.

• I need to take back these shoes.
• I take back what I said.

56 If you take someone out, you take them somewhere for a meal or entertainment.

• He’s taking her out for dinner.

57 If you tear something up, you rip it into pieces.

• She tore up the letter.

58 If you think something over, you consider it carefully.

• Let me think it over before I decide.

59 If you try something out, you test it to see how it works.

• We tried out the new software in class.

60 If you use something up, you finish all of it.

• We’ve used up all the printer paper.

After completing the exercises in this lesson on Phrasal verbs, you can use the unit’s Vocabulary Flashcards to revise and help you memorize the terms.