A Phrasal Verb a Day - Learn English Phrasal Verbs with Luke Thompson

= to finish/consume something completely- especially food e.g. I made a pizza for my friends and they polished it off in just a few minutes because they were so hungry.

to indicate something 1. literally, by indicating something with your finger or a pointer) or 2. saying something that people don't know, or saying something specific that needs to be indicated e.g. "I'd just like to point out that these figures are not adjusted for inflation" or "Can I point out that you're getting these episodes for free. If you'd like to say thanks, you could consider making a donation. That's optional of course. I just wanted to point it out." Visit www.teacherluke.co.uk/pv for more

to connect a piece of equipment to an electrical supply or another piece of equipment "Can you plug in my phone please?" "Can I plug my phone into your computer?" "Do you mind if I just charge my phone? Where can I plug it in?" "I'll need to just unplug my memory card" Transcript coming soon at www.teacherluke.co.uk/pv

to plough = when a farmer breaks up the earth in a field to prepare it for growing crops, using a plough. See pic. 1. to plough on/ahead = to keep going even though it's difficult "I've got to get this report done by tomorrow, so I just have to plough ahead" "We decided to plough ahead with the decision to move to new premises, even though it was unpopular" "She completely ignored my question and just ploughed on" (she didn't listen to me and just kept talking) 2. to plough through something = to read something, or deal with something that takes a lot of time and effort "I have this huge financial report to plough through before the meeting tomorrow morning" "I have tons of exam marking to plough through" "What are you doing later?" "Just ploughing through all my expenses" 3. to plough into something = when a vehicle crashes with a heavy impact "The bus ploughed into the side of my car and I was badly hurt" More at www.teacherluke.co.uk/pv

1. to walk with slow heavy steps "As we all walked back from the pub, Jeff was plodding along behind us" - we imagine here that Jeff was feeling sad for some reason and he was walking slowly and sadly behind us, with heavy steps. 2. to make slow but steady progress I'm not making much progress with A Phrasal Verb a Day at the moment. I'm just plodding along really. Transcript coming soon...

1. when a child misbehaves, e.g. "The kids were playing up all morning, it was a nightmare!" 2. when something fails to function properly. e.g. "The battery in my phone is playing up" 3. when a part of your body causes you pain or doesn't function properly "my back's been playing up again" 4. to exaggerate a problem - make it seem more serious than it really is "Papers are playing up the fighting between Bernie Sanders and Hilary Clinton" More information and a transcript (soon) here: http://wp.me/P4IuUx-65h

= to make a problem seem less serious than it really is e.g. The government played down the threat to public health after the radiation leak from the nuclear accident. Click here for a transcript (soon) and to see me explain this on video http://teacherluke.co.uk/133-to-play-down-video/

to think about what's going to happen in the future and prepare for it. "If you've got an exam coming up I suggest you plan ahead in order to get the best mark." Transcript here http://wp.me/P4IuUx-5X7

Lots of phrasal verbs with the word 'piss'. Watch out, this one contains some rude language and swearing. You'll learn at least 4 phrasal verbs with the word piss.

= to start talking suddenly, to interrupt, to speak after a period of being silent "I asked the class a question and everyone was silent for a moment before Anna piped up and gave me the answer." This quote from theage.au.com "My kids spent the sober, rainy days that followed the horrific Paris attacks with their grandparents, playing Monopoly. So it was somewhat gingerly that I introduced the subject later, asking what they had heard, and knew. "Not much", they responded, both walking into the kitchen and shrugging nonchalantly. A couple of minutes later my nine-year-old piped up: "Well I did read the newspaper and find out some stuff." "Like what?" With an alarming level of detail, she quickly outlined the number of people who had died and how, the carnage inside Bataclan concert hall, the reaction of the rock band on stage, and the bombs outside the stadium. She then asked if she could see footage of the shooting: I refused." http://www.theage.com.au/comment/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-terror-20151119-gl38qw.html More info at teacherluke.co.uk

This phrase is used to tell someone to make less noise, or to stop talking. "Could you pipe down a bit please, I'm trying to work in here!"

1. to put all the blame onto someone - to accuse someone of doing something, especially if they didn't actually do it also, the fixed phrase: to pin your hopes on something/someone = to put all your hope on one thing, when all other things have failed. For explanations and examples, listen to the episode. Notes and transcript here soon:

1. to understand, explain or describe something specifically 2. to keep people contained in a particular place (especially used when talking about military action) 3. to force someone to make a decision 4. to hold someone on the ground so they can't move For examples and explanations, listen to the episode. Transcript coming soon here: http://wp.me/P4IuUx-5Dl

= put lots of things on top of each other to make a pile (often passive) http://wp.me/P4IuUx-5gD

= to enter a place or a thing (e.g. a car) in very large numbers "The doors of the store opened and everyone piled in, hoping to get a bargain in the sales." http://wp.me/P4IuUx-5gA

= to eat an enormous amount of food - much more than you need. "We just pigged out on pizza. I felt so disgusting afterwards." http://teacherluke.co.uk/phrasal-verb-a-day/124-to-pig-out-on/

1. To collect lots of bits of information and put it together in order to understand the full situation Transcript here soon http://wp.me/P4IuUx-5gp

1. to talk about something specific that someone else already mentioned 2. to notice or register something that's changed Transcript soon at http://wp.me/P4IuUx-5gk

To treat someone badly, like criticising them, when it's unfair. "Why are you always picking on me?" "Pick on someone your own size for a change!" "The other kids at school used to pick on me for being a swot" Transcript here http://teacherluke.co.uk/phrasal-verb-a-day/121-to-pick-on-someone/

phase in = to gradually start using something phase out = to gradually stop using something Listen to the episode for examples. Donate to Luke at www.teacherluke.co.uk

To slowly get weaker or softer and then to disappear/end completely. E.g. "The music just petered out as the band stopped playing" "We followed the path through the forest but eventually it just petered out." "I can't talk to Jeff about anything. Our conversation always just peters out, unless we're talking about biscuits." Transcript here http://teacherluke.co.uk/phrasal-verb-a-day/119-to-peter-out/

1. to become more lively, happy and energetic 2. something perks something/someone up = it makes it more lively or exciting. More details and transcripts at www.teacherluke.co.uk

1. To arrange an appointment, meeting or date in a diary, but it's not a fixed plan - it might change later. Transcript here http://teacherluke.co.uk/phrasal-verb-a-day/117-to-pencil-in/

1. to get the benefit of something later 2. to repay a loan or debt 3. to bribe someone to do something bad 4. to bribe someone to keep a secret Transcript here http://teacherluke.co.uk/phrasal-verb-a-day/116-to-pay-off/

1. To hand something out to everybody. To give something to everybody in a place. E.g. "all the students were silent as the exam papers were passed out" 2. To become unconscious, to faint. "She passed out due to heat exhaustion" More info at teacherluke.co.uk/Phrasal-verb-a-day

= to die (but it is a slightly less upsetting word than 'die') E.g. "Actor Christopher Lee passed away yesterday after suffering from heart failure".

= when a situation develops in a certain way "We're not sure how this is going to pan out" Or "It didn't pan out as we expected" For more details visit teacherluke.co.uk

1. When two people get together and start a romantic or sexual relationship. (We usually use this to talk about other people's behaviour, not our own). E.g. "I'm in my 30s now and all my friends seem to be pairing off and getting married, but I'm still single" -to pair off 2. -to pair someone off with someone = to try and make two people start having a romantic or sexual relationship together. "I think your wife is trying to pair me off with her friend". More info at http://teacherluke.co.uk/phrasal-verb-a-day/112-to-pair-off/

This means to get rid of something that you don't want any more by giving it to someone else, while being dishonest about it. E.g. "I can't believe they palmed off that broken Nintendo on me!" (They sold me the Nintendo, giving me the impression that it was a bargain and a good thing to buy, but they were just trying to get rid of it because it was broken). For a transcript (soon) check this page on my website http://teacherluke.co.uk/phrasal-verb-a-day/111-to-palm-off/

This has several meanings, one of them literal and the other one quite idiomatic. 1. To fill some clothing with soft material (padding) to make it thicker, warmer or protective. "This coat is really warm after I padded it out with an extra layer of wool." or "If the shoulders aren't the right shape we can pad them out a bit." 2. To fill some work (e.g. a piece of writing, radio, TV, a film) with unnecessary information in order to make it longer. "The student clearly had nothing to say in her essay so she just padded it out with irrelevant statistics" Leave comments and read transcriptions at http://teacherluke.co.uk/phrasal-verb-a-day/110-to-pad-out/

This one is a bit similar to 'pack in' but not exactly the same. 1. to put things into a bag or box in order to then take or send them somewhere. E.g. "The workmen packed up their equipment and went home". 2. When equipment stops working. E.g. "Our dishwasher has packed up again. We're going to need to ask someone to come and fix it." 3. To stop doing something, to quit. E.g. "I think I'm going to pack up my job and go travelling." (this is quite similar to 'pack in') Transcript coming soon at http://teacherluke.co.uk/phrasal-verb-a-day/109-to-pack-up/

= to squeeze lots of things into something else E.g. To get lots of audience members into your theatre because your show is popular, or to pack lots of kids into a classroom. = to stop doing something, give up E.g. "I'm going to pack in my job and travel around the world" Also- "oh pack it in!" = stop doing that because it's really annoying! Transcript coming soon at teacherluke.co.uk here http://wp.me/P4IuUx-3Yb

= to confess, to admit to doing something bad or embarrassing To own up TO something E.g. "Jeff owned up to stealing the biscuits" "You have to own up to the mistakes you've made. Don't hide them. Own up to them, and move on" Transcript coming soon here: http://teacherluke.co.uk/phrasal-verb-a-day/107-to-own-up/

Listen to the episode for the definitions and examples. Transcript coming soon here http://teacherluke.co.uk/phrasal-verb-a-day/106-to-owe-to/

This is usually passive (with the verb 'be' and a past participle - 'overcome') and basically it means to to be full of emotion, or to feel very strong emotions, like grief, curiosity, fear, sadness, regret, remorse or joy. For more information click here

= to choose not to be involved, or to choose to stop being involved in something. opt + out (+ of) "The UK might opt out of the new EU agreement" "More and more schools are choosing to opt out of the national curriculum"

= to choose to be involved in something "We're setting up a new space project which involves a trip to Mars. If you have #2,000,000,000 you can opt in, if you want". Also: Opt into "By opting into this program, you agree never to return to earth again" http://wp.me/P4IuUx-2TM

= to choose opt + for + noun "North Korea may opt for long range missiles in response to what it believes to be increasing provocation from South Korean military exercises" http://wp.me/P4IuUx-2TI

This is an extra-long episode of APVAD because this phrasal verb has quite a lot of different meanings. Here are 10 definitions, with examples, of this commonly occurring phrasal verb. Use "A Phrasal Verb A Day" to really enrich your vocabulary. Tell you friends and share the knowledge. Click here for a transcript (soon) and loads more information: http://teacherluke.co.uk/phrasal-verb-a-day/101-to-open-up/

If something occurs to you, it comes into your head suddenly. You realise it, and suddenly start thinking of it. "It never occurred to me that she might be having an affair with her boss" "Didn't it occur to you that you should book the restaurant in advance?" "Has it ever occurred to you that visiting www.teacherluke.co.uk could be a great step in improving your English?"

To disagree with something. "I object to the way British people are portrayed in Hollywood films"

To fall asleep, usually when you don't want to. E.g. you're so tired that your head starts rocking forwards and your eyes close involuntarily. "I was on the bus and I started nodding off. I just closed my eyes and fell asleep for 10 minutes until the passengers started complaining and I had to keep driving" HA hahahahahah! Fantastic joke. Thanks :)

To reduce the number of possibilities or choices that you have. "The police are narrowing down the number of suspects in their enquiry" "What's the name of that English restaurant? -which one? You know the one that does the bad food. -Oh that narrows it down a bit!" (sarcasm)

To give someone the same name as someone else. "I was named after my great great Grandfather, who was also called Luke" "I wasn't named after Luke Skywalker, even though I was born when Star Wars was in the cinemas"

When a doubt, fear or concern is on your mind and you can't stop thinking about it. "I've got this doubt that has been nagging at me for ages" "I have a nagging feeling that she took offence at my last email"

To force your way into a situation, using your power and influence. "We didn't like the fact they were muscling in on our business" http://teacherluke.co.uk/phrasal-verb-a-day/94-to-muscle-in/

= to think carefully about something for a period of time "I needed a few days to just sit and mull it over before making a decision" http://teacherluke.co.uk/phrasal-verb-a-day/93-to-mull-over/

For a transcript, click here

For more details, and a transcript, click here

"These aren't the droids we're looking for. You can go about your business. Move along, move along." For details, click here:

= to grow, get larger, especially for 'problems'. For more information and a transcript (soon) click here

For details, click here: http://teacherluke.co.uk/88-to-move-in-to-move-out

And 'to make up with someone'. "to make something up" = to invent something (like a story, or an excuse) "Did you just make that up?" "Stop making up excuses" "My Dad used to tell me bedtime stories. He'd make them up off the top of his head." 'to make up with someone' = to become friends again after an argument "We fell out with each other, but life's too short, so we went for a drink and made up with each other" "Let's kiss and make up" (for a romantic relationship) http://teacherluke.co.uk/phrasal-verb-a-day/80-to-make-something-up/

To make fun of someone = to laugh at someone / to make jokes about someone. This is quite a well known phrase but there are other phrases that mean the same thing. Do you know them all?

= to respect/admire someone. e.g. "I look up to Neil Young for his dedication to his art" or "Dolph Lungren: I look up to Sly Stallone" http://teacherluke.co.uk/78-to-look-up-to-someone/

= to consider someone as inferior e.g. Studies have shown that women tend to look down on other women who have sexy profile pictures on Facebook http://teacherluke.co.uk/phrasal-verb-a-day/77-to-look-down-on-someone/

1. to disappoint - "You've let everyone down!" - you've disappointed everyone 2. to feel disappointed - "I feel a bit let down" 3. (noun) a disappointment - "it was a bit of a let down to be honest"

1. To omit/not include / not mention 2. To not include someone in an activity 3. "to feel left out" 4. "Oh leave it out!" - stop it, or I don't believe you

http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/phrasal-verb-a-day/72-to-jumble-up/

For a transcript click here http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/phrasal-verb-a-day/71-to-jot-down/

http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/phrasal-verb-a-day/70-to-jazz-up/

http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/phrasal-verb-a-day/69-to-jack-in/

http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/phrasal-verb-a-day/68-to-iron-out/

http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/phrasal-verb-a-day/67-to-invest-in/

http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/phrasal-verb-a-day/66-to-hook-up/

For a transcript and more details click here http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/phrasal-verb-a-day/65-to-hold-down/

http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/phrasal-verb-a-day/64-to-hint-at/

http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/phrasal-verb-a-day/63-to-head-for/

http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/phrasal-verb-a-day/62-to-have-on/

http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/phrasal-verb-a-day/61-to-happen-to/

Click here for more information

1. spend time together 2. organise people into a meeting 3. organise something that has many parts (like a report) 4. collect things that you need (e.g. money) 5. to control your life 6. get yourself under control a get-together = an informal meeting http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/phrasal-verb-a-day/53-to-get-together/

1. Deal with a difficult situation (survive) 2. Help someone deal with a difficult situation 3. To be connected to someone by telephone 4. To finish doing something 5. To go into the next stage of a competition or test 6. To use/finish something faster than expected 7. When a law is passed by parliament 8. To manage to communicate with someone (similar to the telephone example) For more information visit http://teacherluke.com

1. feel happy or well again (recover) 2. recover from a relationship you had with your ex 3. to overcome a problem, obstacle, barrier or hurdle 4. "get something over with" - finish something so you can start doing something else 5. "I can't get over it" - I'm really surprised and amazed about it 6. "get over here" - come here 7. "Get over it" - just accept it (e.g. when someone is upset because they lost) "Just build a bridge, and get over it" http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/phrasal-verb-a-day/51-to-get-over/

1. to get pleasure from doing something 2. to avoid having to do something 3. to help someone avoid having to do something 4. to take off some uncomfortable clothes 5. to persuade someone to give you some information, or money http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/phrasal-verb-a-day/50-to-get-out-of/

= to give your time to something and make progress with it or, to hurry up Click here for more info: http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/phrasal-verb-a-day/49-to-get-on-with-it/

Listen closely for the definitions and examples. There are loads. This is a very common phrase. Do you know all the meanings? Click here for more info: http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/48-to-get-on/

= to French kiss someone, to snog someone, to passionately kiss someone and maybe 'do more', but not full sex "That's the girl he got off with at your party" http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/47-to-get-off-with-someone

There are lots of meanings! Click here http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/46-to-get-off/ ‎

To get involved with a person or group of people 1. (showing disapproval) "I'm a bit worried about Jeff. He's got in with a really strange group of people" - he's hanging around with a strange group of people, and it not good for him 2. (Making friends with people in order to persuade and influence them, because it's good for your career) If you want to get the best contracts you should get in with those guys. They know all the right people."

To get involved in something that other people are doing, because it looks fun or because you could make money "EngVid looks interesting. I quite fancy getting in on that. "

It's similar to 'get in', but here are some other uses. Listen to find out the examples!

1. arrive at home - "I got in really late last night" 2. to go inside a place/something - "I couldn't get in because the door was locked" "Come on, get in the car!" 3. to be accepted for a place at university - "I had to take 2 exams and do an interview for Cambridge - it was really hard to get in" 4. to be elected into a political position - "In 2010 the Conservative party got in" 5. to hand something in / to deliver something (e.g. an assignment) - "I have to get this essay in by 12 o'clock tomorrow" 6. to ask someone to come to do a job - "We're getting a plumber in to fix our bathroom" 7. to manage to fit an activity into a busy schedule - "I can't always get a phrasal verb in every day" - "When my brother and my Dad are speaking, I can't get a word in" 8. to buy loads of stuff that you need - "We'll need to get lots of food in before Christmas" 9. a plane or train arrives - "Our flight didn't get in until 2.30AM! It was a nightmare" 10. to buy things for other people (especially drinks in the pub) - "I'll get the beers in!" 11. to start being in a bad mood - "He always gets in a bad mood whenever his football team loses"

= to start something seriously, with effort "I can't put this off any longer - it's time to get down to it!" http://teacherluke.wordpress.com/phrasal-verb-a-day/40-to-get-down-to/ "Let's get down to business"