Are you preparing for the IELTS exam and feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the phrasal verbs? Don’t worry; we’ve got your back! In this article, we’ll introduce you to 20 essential phrasal verbs that will not only boost your IELTS score but also make you sound like a native speaker. Let’s dive in!
20 Phrasal Verbs for IELTS With Meanings and Examples
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Let’s explore the 20 useful phrasal verbs for IELTS.
1. Turn up
Increase the volume or arrive unexpectedly
- The students asked the teacher to turn up the music for the party.
- He turned up at the meeting 30 minutes late.
2. Put off
Postpone or delay
- They decided to put off the meeting until next week.
- Don’t put off studying; start now!
3. Stand up for
Support or defend someone or something
- She always stands up for her friends when they are facing challenges.
- It’s essential to stand up for what you believe in, even if it’s difficult.
4. Run out of
Exhaust the supply of something
- We ran out of milk, so I need to buy some more.
- Be careful not to run out of time during the exam.
5. Get along with
Have a good relationship with someone
- He gets along with his neighbors very well.
- I find it easy to get along with my classmates.
6. Find out
Discover or obtain information
- I need to find out the time of the movie screening.
- The detective is trying to find out who committed the crime.
7. Take up
Start a hobby or activity
- I decided to take up painting as a way to relax.
- She took up a new job in a different city.
8. Get over
Recover from an illness or emotional distress
- It took him some time to get over the flu.
- She needs time to get over her recent breakup.
9. Break down
Stop functioning or lose emotional control
- The car broke down on the way to the airport.
- She broke down in tears after hearing the sad news.
10. Turn on
Activate or start a device
- Can you please turn on the air conditioner? It’s hot in here.
- He turned on the TV to watch the news.
11. Get on
Enter or board a vehicle or form of transportation
- We got on the bus just in time.
- It’s time to get on the plane; our flight is boarding.
12. Hold on
Wait or keep something firmly
- Hold on a second; I need to grab my bag.
- You need to hold on to the railing while climbing the stairs.
13. Come across
Find or encounter by chance
- I came across an interesting article while browsing the internet.
- He came across an old friend at the party.
14. Look up
Search for information in a reference source
- If you don’t know the meaning of a word, look it up in the dictionary.
- Let’s look up the train schedule before we go to the station.
15. Put up with
Tolerate or endure something unpleasant
- She can’t put up with his constant complaining anymore.
- I don’t know how he puts up with that noisy neighbor.
16. Get across
Successfully communicate or convey an idea
- The teacher used examples to get the difficult concept across to the students.
- It’s important to use clear language to get your message across in an interview.
17. Back up
Support or provide assistance
- I’ll back you up during the presentation if you need help.
- Always back up your important files to avoid losing data.
18. Show off
Display one’s abilities or possessions to impress others
- He loves to show off his guitar skills in front of his friends.
- She showed off her new designer handbag at the party.
19. Call off
Cancel an event or plan
- Due to bad weather, they had to call off the outdoor concert.
- The meeting was called off because of a scheduling conflict.
20. Settle down
Establish a stable and comfortable life
- After traveling the world, she decided to settle down in a quiet town.
- It’s time for him to settle down and focus on his career.
These 20 phrasal verbs will boost your English skills and impress the examiners during your IELTS test. Practice is key, so try using these phrasal verbs in your conversations, writing, and daily life. Good luck with your IELTS preparation, and keep shining brightly on your language-learning journey!
Azizul Hakim is the founder & CEO of englishfinders.com. He is a passionate writer, English instructor, and content creator. He has completed his graduation and post-graduation in English language and literature.
