Phrasal Verbs That Start With S

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Saddle up	Put a saddle on and prepare an animal to ride.	She SADDLED UP the horse and rode off.
Saddle with	Give someone a task or responsibility that is difficult or hard work.	They SADDLED me WITH preparing the visit.
Sag off	Not go to school or work, or leave early when you shouldn’t.	I was bored so I SAGGED OFF work early and went home.
Sail into	Criticise angrily.	He SAILED INTO me for turning up an hour late.
Sail through	Pass easily, succeed.	He SAILED THROUGH the final test.
Sally forth	Leave somewhere safe or comfortable.	The townspeople SALLIED FORTH to fight the invading army.
Sally out	Leave somewhere safe or comfortable.	Though it was pouring with rain, we SALLIED OUT to meet her.
Salt away	Save money.	She’s making a lot of money, but SALTS it AWAY rather than spending it.
Save on	Reduce or avoid consumption to cut costs.	I use Skype to SAVE ON my phone bills.
Save up	For money for a particular purpose.	He’s SAVING UP to buy a car.
Save up	Collect or store something for future use.	I’m SAVING UP the receipts to claim on them all at once.
Saw off	To remove something by cutting it with a saw.	He SAWED OFF the legs of the chair.
Saw up	Cut into pieces with a saw.	We SAWED the plank UP to make the shelves.
Scale back	Make something smaller than originally planned.	They had to SCALE BACK the project because of the costs.
Scale down	Make something smaller than originally planned.	They have had to SCALE DOWN the project because of the costs.
Scale up	Increase, make bigger.	They are SCALING UP the programme because it has been so successful.
Scare away	Frighten someone so much that they go away.	The cat SCARED the birds AWAY.
Scare off	Make someone so frightened that he or she goes away.	The vicious Doberman guard-dog SCARED the burglars OFF.
Scout about	Look in different places for something.	The company is SCOUTING ABOUT for new staff.
Scout around	Look in different places for something.	We SCOUTED AROUND to find the best price.
Scout out	Search for something.	The researcher spent months SCOUTING OUT the answer.
Scout round	Look in different places for something.	I SCOUTED ROUND for a bargain.
Scout up	Try to find someone for a task or requirement.	We’d better SCOUT UP a replacement for her.
Scrape along	Manage with little money.	I’ve been SCRAPING ALONG on temporary work since I lost my job.
Scrape by	Just manage to pass something.	I thought I was going to fail, but SCRAPED BY with 51%.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Scrape in	Just get enough to succeed, pass, or be accepted.	The government SCRAPED IN with 51% of the votes cast.
Scrape into	Be accepted somewhere, but only just.	She got mediocre grades and just SCRAPED INTO university.
Scrape through	Pass a test but only just.	I did no revision and only just SCRAPED THROUGH the final exams.
Scrape together	Manage to collect enough of something you need, usually money.	I had to search my flat for money to SCRAPE TOGETHER what I needed.
Scrape up	Manage to collect enough of something you need, usually money.	It took me ages to SCRAPE UP the money for the tickets.
Screen off	Separate a part of a room with something like a curtain.	We SCREENED OFF the area where we had the discussion from the rest of the meeting.
Screen out	Exclude.	Applicants without the right qualifications were SCREENED OUT.
Screen out	Block light.	The sun cream SCREENS OUT UV light.
Screen out	Stop noticing something.	There are so many notices and signs that I have started SCREENING them OUT.
Screw around	Waste time.	He spent the afternoon SCREWING AROUND and got nothing done.
Screw around	Be sexually promiscuous.	He SCREWED AROUND a lot at university.
Screw over	Treat harshly or cheat.	The IRS really SCREWED him OVER.
Screw up	Do badly or fail.	David SCREWED UP his oral exam but still managed to scrape a pass.
See about	Arrange or consider.	I’ll SEE ABOUT whether we can manage it.
See into	Accompany someone into an office.	Her secretary SAW me INTO her office.
See off	Chase somebody or something away.	A cat came into the back garden, but the dog soon SAW it OFF.
See off	Go to the airport, station, etc., to say goodbye to someone.	I went to the station to SEE them OFF.
See out	Accompany a guest to your front door when they leave.	Are you sure you’re going? I’ll get your coats and SEE you OUT.
See through	Continue with something to the end.	They had a lot of difficulties in implementing the project, but the team SAW it THROUGH successfully.
See through	Realize someone is lying or being deceitful.	The police quickly SAW THROUGH her disguise and arrested her.
See to	Deal with something.	He SAW TO the arrangements, and everything ran smoothly and efficiently.
Sell off	Sell a business or part of it.	They SOLD OFF their research subsidiary.
Sell off	Sell something cheaply because you need the money or don’t need it.	She SOLD OFF her furniture before she emigrated.
Sell on	Convince someone.	We managed to SELL him ON the expansion plans.

Phrase	Meaning	Example Sentence
Sell on	Buy something and sell it to someone else.	We buy them wholesale and SELL them ON to the public.
Sell out	Have no more of something left because it has been bought.	The tickets for the Primal Scream concert at the Brixton Academy SOLD OUT in a couple of hours.
Sell out	Lose all artistic integrity in return for commercial success.	Most bands SELL OUT when they sign to a major record label, forgetting their principles.
Sell up	Sell a house or business to move or do something different.	We want to SELL UP and move to the country.
Send back	Return something.	I SENT my food BACK because it was overcooked.
Send for	Ask someone to come and help.	I had to SEND FOR a plumber because the radiator was leaking.
Send in	Order people into a place to handle a problem.	The police were SENT IN to quell the riot as protesters were burning cars and wrecking shops.
Send in	Write to get information.	If you want to enter the competition, you have to SEND IN for an entry form.
Send off	Expel a sports player from a match.	The football striker was SENT OFF for arguing with the referee’s decision.
Send off	Post a letter.	I must SEND this letter OFF today, or it won’t get there in time.
Send off for	Order something by post.	I SENT OFF FOR some jeans I liked in the catalogue.
Send out	Send something to a lot of people.	They SENT OUT a mailshot to all their existing customers.
Send out for	Order takeaway food by phone.	We couldn’t be bothered to cook, so we SENT OUT FOR a pizza.
Send up	Imitate/impersonate for comic effect.	The mischievous schoolboy was SENDING the teacher UP when the teacher walked in.
Set about	Start doing something.	We SET ABOUT the cleaning and finished before lunchtime.
Set about	Attack.	The gang SET ABOUT her as she left the bank.
Set apart	Distinguish, be better than or different from others.	The quality of their work SETS them APART from their rivals.
Set aside	Overturn a court verdict or decision.	The Appeal Court SET ASIDE the guilty verdict due to unsatisfactory evidence.
Set back	Cost.	The car repairs SET me BACK eight hundred pounds.
Set back	Delay.	The accident SET the project BACK several months.
Set forth	State or outline an opinion.	He SET FORTH his ideas in his autobiography.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrase	Meaning	Example Sentence
Set forth	Start a journey	We SET FORTH at daybreak for the summit of the mountain.
Set in	Change season noticeably	Winter has SET IN; it’s started snowing.
Set off	Explode a bomb	Terrorists SET OFF a car bomb in the city centre last night. Fortunately, no-one was hurt or killed.
Set off	Ring an alarm	The smoke SET the fire alarm OFF.
Set off	Start a journey	We SET OFF for work at seven-thirty.
Set off	Counterbalance a debt	The company SET OFF its overseas debts against its profits at home.
Set off	Provide a visual contrast that looks good	The dark frame SETS the pale drawing OFF well.
Set off	Cause, trigger events	The pay freeze SET OFF a wave of strikes.
Set on	Attack	He was SET ON when he left the bar.
Set out	Display, show	The figures are SET OUT in the council’s annual report.
Set out	Start a journey	The explorers SET OUT for the South Pole yesterday morning.
Set out	Arrange, organize	The contract SETS OUT all the details of the agreement.
Set to	Work hard or enthusiastically	If we all SET TO, we should be able to finish this in a few hours.
Set up	Prepare equipment, software, etc., for use	The technician SET UP the computer network perfectly.
Set up	Start a company	They SET UP a dot-com company, floated it, and made an absolute fortune.
Set up	Provide someone with the money needed to live	Winning the lottery SET them UP for life.
Set up	Trick, deceive	The police SET them UP.
Set upon	Attack	They SET UPON her when she was in the car park.
Settle down	Start living a fixed and routine life	After years of partying and drinking, she finally got married and SETTLED DOWN.
Settle for	Accept whatever is available	We were upset not to win and had to SETTLE FOR the second prize.
Settle in	Get used to	It took him a while to SETTLE IN when he moved to Japan.
Settle on	Agree	They finally SETTLED ON Alice as a name for their daughter.
Settle up	Pay a debt	Let’s SETTLE UP for the dinner the other night.
Sex up	Change information to make it more attractive to readers	The government denied that they had SEXED UP the report to make the front page.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Shack up	Live with someone when you are in a relationship.	They SHACKED UP a few months after they started going out.
Shack up	Live somewhere temporarily.	We had to SHACK UP with friends while our house was being decorated.
Shade in	Make a part of a picture darker.	She SHADED IN the area under the tree.
Shake down	Search.	The police SHOOK the house DOWN looking for drugs.
Shake down	Extort or cheat money from someone.	He SHOOK the guy DOWN with some story about needing the money for an operation.
Shake off	Get rid of an illness.	It took me ages to SHAKE OFF the cough.
Shake out	Shake clothes or cloths to remove dirt or creases.	He took the tablecloth outside and SHOOK it OUT after dinner.
Shake up	Upset or shock.	The news of her death really SHOOK me UP.
Shake up	Make major changes to improve or save a company.	The management are SHAKING things UP and getting rid of a lot of workers.
Shake up	Mix things in a container by shaking hard.	Pour the ingredients into a container and SHAKE them UP.
Shape up	Develop in a positive way.	Things are SHAPING UP at work—everything’s going well again.
Shape up	Improve to reach an acceptable standard.	If they don’t start SHAPING UP, they’re going to lose their jobs.
Shave off	Shave completely.	He has SHAVED OFF his moustache and looks much younger.
Shave off	Reduce by a small amount.	He SHAVED a few thousand OFF the budget for the year.
Shell out	Spend money on something, often reluctantly.	I had to SHELL OUT a hundred pounds on the dinner.
Ship off	Send someone away, often due to a problem.	He was causing a lot of trouble, so they SHIPPED him OFF to another branch.
Ship out	Send goods to a place.	We SHIPPED the order OUT two days ago.
Ship out	Leave a place.	If you’ve finished your work, I’m ready to SHIP OUT.
Shoot away	Leave somewhere quickly.	He SHOT AWAY as soon as the bell rang for the end of the lesson.
Shoot back	Return quickly.	I’m SHOOTING BACK home to pick up some things I forgot to bring with me.
Shoot for	Have as a goal.	I’m SHOOTING FOR nothing less than the presidency.
Shoot off	Leave promptly and quickly.	I’ll have to SHOOT OFF as soon as the lesson finishes; otherwise, I’ll miss my train.
Shoot out	Go out for a short time.	I’m SHOOTING OUT to the shops for a paper.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Shoot up	Increase quickly.	The share prices of internet companies have been SHOOTING UP lately.
Shoot up	Take illicit drugs intravenously.	The heroin-user would SHOOT UP in shop doorways.
Shoot up	Damage with gunshots.	The gangsters SHOT UP the pub.
Shoot up	Increase quickly, grow.	Johnny has SHOT UP since I last saw him.
Shop around	Look around for the best price or quality.	If you SHOP AROUND, you can find some real bargains for air tickets.
Short out	Cause a short circuit.	The battery SHORTED OUT when it got wet.
Shout down	Make noise to stop someone being heard.	His efforts to raise the issue were SHOUTED DOWN.
Shout out	Say something loudly to attract attention.	She SHOUTED OUT my name.
Show around	Take someone to a place to show parts of it.	The estate agent SHOWED us AROUND the house but we didn’t like it much.
Show in	Take someone into an office or room.	The secretary SHOWED me IN to speak to the manager.
Show off	Behave to attract attention.	The children were SHOWING OFF and irritated me.
Show off	Display something you are proud of.	He wanted to SHOW OFF his new sound system.
Show off	Make the qualities of another thing apparent.	The shirt really SHOWED OFF his new tie.
Show out	Take someone out of a room or building.	Her secretary SHOWED me OUT after the interview.
Show over	Take someone around a site.	He SHOWED us OVER the scene of the accident.
Show round	Take someone to a place to show parts of it.	The guide SHOWED them ROUND the historic part of the city.
Show through	When a feeling is visible despite attempts to hide it.	His anger SHOWED THROUGH despite his smile.
Show up	Attend something or arrive somewhere.	Very few SHOWED UP at the meeting.
Show up	Become clear or apparent.	The downturn in sales SHOWED UP in the company’s accounts.
Show up	Make someone feel embarrassed or ashamed.	He SHOWED us UP when he arrived drunk and started arguing.
Shrug off	Disregard something as unimportant.	He SHRUGGED OFF the criticism and carried on the same way.
Shut away	Imprison or remove someone’s freedom.	Many people have been SHUT AWAY in psychiatric hospitals for disagreeing with the government.
Shut down	Close a business, shop, etc.	The shop SHUT DOWN when the out-of-town supermarket opened.
Shut down	Turn a computer off.	You should close all programs before you SHUT a computer DOWN.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Shut in	Prevent someone from leaving.	I SHUT the cat IN until it was time to go to the vet.
Shut off	Close, prevent access.	They SHUT the water OFF while they did the repairs.
Shut out	Exclude.	You have to SHUT your feelings OUT to deal with it.
Shut out	Not allow a player or team to score.	The Dodgers SHUT OUT the Giants 3-0.
Shut out of	Exclude someone from an activity, etc.	He’s been SHUT OUT OF the discussions.
Shut up	Stop talking or making noise.	He told us to SHUT UP and start working.
Shut up	Close for a period of time.	They SHUT the shop UP for a fortnight while they were on holiday.
Shut yourself away	Withdraw from company.	She’s SHUT herself AWAY to revise for her exams.
Shy away from	Avoid doing something because of lack of confidence.	Many learners SHY AWAY FROM using phrasal verbs.
Side with	Support someone.	The lecturer SIDED WITH her students and got sacked for her pains.
Sidle up to	Approach someone discreetly.	He SIDLED UP TO me and whispered his name.
Sift through	Examine a lot of things carefully.	We had to SIFT THROUGH thousands of files before we found what we needed.
Sign away	Give away legal or property rights.	He SIGNED AWAY his rights to compensation when he signed the contract.
Sign for	Write a signature on behalf of someone.	My boss was out for the day, so I SIGNED her letters FOR her.
Sign in	Register in a hotel.	We SIGNED IN and went straight to bed.
Sign in	Open a computer program with a name/password.	I SIGNED IN and started chatting online.
Sign in	Write your name when entering a place.	You have to SIGN IN before entering the club.
Sign into	Open a specific program with a name/password.	I SIGN INTO MSN Messenger automatically when I boot up.
Sign off	End a message.	I’ll SIGN OFF now, but will write again next week.
Sign off	Close a claim for unemployment benefits.	I SIGNED OFF when I got my new job.
Sign off	Stop doing something to leave.	I’m SIGNING OFF now and going home—I’m shattered.
Sign off	Give someone a letter to be away from work.	My doctor SIGNED me OFF for a month with back problems.
Sign off on	Give official approval.	The director SIGNED OFF ON the plans to increase sales.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Sign on	Open a claim for unemployment benefit.	I had to SIGN ON when I lost my job.
Sign on	Agree to participate.	I’ve SIGNED ON to help at the village fete.
Sign on	Start broadcasting.	He SIGNS ON the same way every show.
Sign on	Employ.	We’ve SIGNED ON two new teachers.
Sign on with	Sign a document joining or agreeing to something.	He’s SIGNED ON WITH Manchester United for the next three years.
Sign out	Close a computer program that requires a name and password.	I SIGNED OUT and then shut the computer down.
Sign out	Sign something to show you have borrowed something.	Could you SIGN those books OUT, please?
Sign out of	Close a particular computer program that requires a name and password.	I SIGNED OUT OF MSN Messenger and shut the computer down.
Sign up	Give your name to do something.	I’ve SIGNED UP as a volunteer.
Sign up	Subscribe.	I SIGNED UP for their newsletter.
Sign with	Make a contract with.	She’s SIGNED WITH EMI for the next few years.
Simmer down	Become calmer, make less noise.	He told them to SIMMER DOWN because they were disturbing the class next door.
Sing along	Sing when a piece of music is being played or performed.	I SANG ALONG when they played it on the radio.
Sing out	Reply loudly.	When you hear your name, SING OUT!
Sing out	Sing loudly.	Everyone SANG OUT during the chorus.
Sing up	Sing louder.	We can’t hear you- SING UP.
Single out	Select or choose one from a group.	Many people applied for the job, but we will SINGLE OUT the best one.
Sink in	Slowly come to be understood.	The truth finally SANK IN about her death when it was broadcast on TV.
Sit about	Sit and do nothing, especially when you should be working.	We spent the afternoon SITTING ABOUT chatting instead of doing any work.
Sit around	Sit idly, doing nothing.	They just SAT AROUND while the others did all the work.
Sit back	Wait for something to happen without making any effort.	We SAT BACK and waited for them to make the first mistake.
Sit back	Relax in a chair.	I SAT BACK and enjoyed the show.
Sit by	Not try to stop something.	I can’t SIT BY while they are punished wrongly.
Sit down	Help someone to sit.	The nurse SAT me DOWN in a chair.
Sit for	Pose for an artist or photographer.	The Queen SAT FOR another official portrait.
Sit for	Look after children while their parents are out.	She SITS FOR her neighbors when they go out.
Sit in	Occupy a building to protest about something.	The students SAT IN the Library as a protest against the increase in tuition fees.
Sit in for	Take on someone’s responsibilities while they are absent.	Her deputy’s SITTING IN FOR her while she’s away.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Sit in on	Attend as an observer.	She SAT IN ON the meeting and took notes but said nothing.
Sit on	Be on a committee.	She’s SAT ON the finance committee from the beginning.
Sit on	Handle someone firmly who behaves improperly.	If his girlfriend finds out, she’ll get mad and SIT ON him.
Sit on	Hold information back or keep it secret.	The government have been SITTING ON the report because it was so critical.
Sit out	Not take part.	I had to SIT the game OUT because I was ill.
Sit over	Eat or drink slowly.	We SAT OVER dinner discussing the plans.
Sit through	Stay till the end of something dull.	I was bored and wanted to leave halfway through, but we SAT THROUGH the film.
Sit with	Reconcile different positions.	It’s hard to see how their new plan SITS WITH the promises they made.
Size up	Assess a situation or person carefully.	The doorstaff SIZED UP everyone entering the club.
Size up	Make something bigger or produce bigger products.	Soft drinks manufacturers have SIZED UP their products in recent years.
Skin up	Make a cannabis joint.	She SKINNED UP a fat spliff.
Skin up	Make a cannabis joint.	Who’s going to SKIN UP?
Skive off	Avoid doing work or other duty.	I pretended I was ill and SKIVED OFF on Monday.
Slack off	Reduce effort or enthusiasm.	Students usually begin the term well, then SLACK OFF near the end of the semester.
Slacken off	Become less busy or intense.	Work SLACKENS OFF during the holiday period.
Slag off	Criticize heavily.	The concert was terrible and all the papers SLAGGED the band OFF.
Slant toward	Favor one viewpoint, bias.	That travel magazine is totally SLANTED TOWARD the ultra-rich.
Sleep in	Sleep longer than usual.	Let’s SLEEP IN tomorrow morning—we won’t have another chance for weeks.
Sleep off	Sleep to recover from excess alcohol, drugs, etc.	She went to bed TO SLEEP OFF the effects of the tequila.
Sleep on	Think about something.	My boss said she’d have to SLEEP ON it when I asked her for a raise.
Sleep over	Spend the night at someone else’s house.	The au pair made tea for the friends who were SLEEPING OVER.
Sleep through	Not wake up.	I SLEPT THROUGH the storm even though the wind blew some slates off the roof.
Slice off	Cut or remove an amount or part of something.	They CUT 10% OFF the original price.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Slice up	Cut completely into pieces or slices.	I SLICED the cake UP and handed it round to the people there.
Slip away	Lose an opportunity or the chance of winning, succeeding, etc.	Their hopes of getting back into the game SLIPPED AWAY after the second goal.
Slip away	Pass quickly (time).	The year has SLIPPED AWAY and it is hard to believe it’s over.
Slip by	Pass quickly (time).	The years SLIP BY as you get older.
Slip by	Lose an opportunity or the chance of winning, succeeding, etc.	He didn’t follow the offer up and let it SLIP BY.
Slip down	Be enjoyable to drink or eat.	The cold beer SLIPPED DOWN a treat after the walk.
Slip in	Try to include something discreetly when speaking.	He SLIPPED IN a mention of his exam results to remind us how well he did.
Slip into	Put clothes on quickly.	I got out of my suit and SLIPPED INTO my pyjamas.
Slip into	Acquire bad habits or fall into a bad or negative state or condition.	The economy SLIPPED INTO recession and shows no signs of recovery.
Slip off	Leave a place discreetly.	It was very boring, so we SLIPPED OFF before it finished.
Slip off	Remove clothes.	I SLIPPED my shoes OFF when I entered.
Slip off to	Go somewhere discreetly.	We SLIPPED OFF TO the pub.
Slip on	Put clothes on quickly.	I SLIPPED my coat ON and rushed outside.
Slip out	Leave discreetly.	The party was really dull, so we SLIPPED OUT and went to the pub instead.
Slip up	Make an error.	The waitress SLIPPED UP and didn’t bring us what we had ordered.
Slob about	Be lazy, do nothing.	I SLOBBED ABOUT all day as I couldn’t be bothered to do any work.
Slob around	Be lazy, do nothing.	I spent the day SLOBBING AROUND at home.
Slope off	Leave somewhere without letting others know.	The lecture sounded really boring, so I SLOPED OFF and went to the pub.
Slough off	Get rid of, dispose.	The government is increasing its powers but is SLOUGHING OFF responsibility for its failures.
Slough off	Lose or shed outer layers of skin.	Snakes SLOUGH OFF their old skin.
Slough off	Ignore or trivialize an injury or insult.	He SLOUGHED OFF the pain and continued running.
Slow down	Reduce speed.	The car SLOWED DOWN when they saw the police.
Slow down	Become less active.	It is important to slow down, rest, and eat sensibly.
Slow up	Slow the progress of something.	The negotiations were SLOWED UP by the arguments.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Slug it out	Fight or argue.	They SLUGGED IT OUT for hours but never came to an agreement.
Smack of	Appear to have a negative quality.	The government’s decision SMACKS OF hypocrisy.
Smash down	Demolish or break something down.	The police SMASHED the door DOWN to get into the house.
Smash in	Break something by hitting it repeatedly.	He SMASHED the windscreen IN.
Smash up	Destroy, break into many pieces.	The burglars SMASHED UP the office as there was no money to steal.
Smoke out	Force someone out of a place they’re hiding in.	The police SMOKED the gang OUT and arrested them.
Snaffle up	Consume, take, buy something other people may want.	They SNAFFLED UP all the food before we got there.
Snap off	Break a piece off something.	He SNAPPED OFF a bit of chocolate from the bar and gave it to me.
Snap out of	Control negative emotions.	I was feeling depressed and knew I had to SNAP OUT OF it.
Snap to it!	Do something quickly.	He had taken ages so I told him to SNAP TO IT and get it finished.
Snap up	Get, acquire, or buy something quickly.	Collectors SNAPPED UP every copy the day it was released.
Snarl up	Entangle.	My line was all SNARLED UP after I caught that last fish.
Sneak out	Depart furtively.	Although the thieves tried to SNEAK OUT after dark, we were ready for them.
Sneak up on	Approach someone furtively.	Dave tried to SNEAK UP ON the guard, but was seen anyway.
Sniff around	Look around to see how good something is or to try to find something better.	I SNIFFED AROUND to see if I could find a better deal.
Sniff at	Disapprove or be scornful.	A job opportunity like that is not to be SNIFFED AT.
Sniff out	Find something by smell (usually for dogs).	Customs use dogs to SNIFF OUT illegal drugs being smuggled in.
Sniff out	Find out information, especially when people don’t want anyone to know.	Our rivals are trying to SNIFF OUT our plans for expansion.
Snitch on	Divulge secrets, inform authorities about someone.	Reggie was caught after someone SNITCHED ON him to the teacher.
Snuff out	Extinguish a small flame by covering it.	I SNUFFED OUT the candles before I went to bed.
Snuff out	Kill.	He got SNUFFED OUT in a gang war.
Snuff out	End something suddenly.	I messed up the first question, which SNUFFED OUT my chances of getting a good grade.
Sober up	Stop showing the effects of alcohol or drugs.	Keith SOBERED UP a bit when we left the pub and walked home.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrase	Meaning	Example Sentence
Soften up	Weaken.	The bombardment SOFTENED UP their defenses; I think we can move in tomorrow.
Soften up	Do things to please someone in the hope they’ll comply.	I paid for everything to SOFTEN them UP before they made the decision.
Soldier on	Continue despite difficulties.	Life got hard for my dog when he went blind, but he just SOLDIERED ON and never complained.
Sort out	Resolve a problem.	Has the firm SORTED OUT its tax problems yet?
Sound off	Express opinions forcefully.	He SOUNDED OFF about the quality of the food.
Sound out	Check someone’s opinion on an issue or idea.	You should SOUND her OUT to get her opinion before you go ahead with the plan.
Spaff away	Waste (money, time, resources, etc.).	The council is SPAFFING AWAY our taxes on bonuses and consultants.
Spark off	Cause something unpleasant to happen.	The riot was SPARKED OFF by the police raid on the club.
Spark up	Light a cigarette or joint.	They SPARKED UP in a no smoking area.
Speak out	Talk openly and freely.	People are afraid to SPEAK OUT in oppressive political regimes.
Speak up	Talk more loudly.	They couldn’t hear the speaker and asked him to SPEAK UP a bit.
Spell out	Explain in great detail.	He won’t understand you unless you SPELL everything OUT for him.
Spell out	Write or say the individual letters of a word.	I had to SPELL my surname OUT to him as he didn’t know how to spell it.
Spew out	Expel or throw out.	The volcano is SPEWING OUT lava and hot gases.
Spew up	Vomit.	He SPEWED UP when he was drunk.
Spill out	When large numbers of people leave a place simultaneously.	The crowd SPILLED OUT onto the streets after the match had ended.
Spill out	Come or flow out of a container.	The container was cracked and the chemicals SPILLED OUT.
Spill out	Express emotions openly.	I let my frustration SPILL OUT.
Spill over	When something bad affects others or situations.	The protests and demonstrations have SPILLED OVER into neighboring states.
Spill over	Flow over the edge of a container.	I forgot to turn the tap off and the water SPILLED OVER.
Spin off	Produce an unexpected additional benefit.	The research SPUN OFF a number of new products as well as solving the problem.
Spin off	Form a separate company from an existing one.	They SPUN OFF the retail division last year.
Spin off	Create a TV show using characters from another show.	They SPUN it OFF from the main show, but it didn’t really attract many viewers.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example Sentence
Spin out	Lose control (vehicle).	The car hit the water and SPUN OUT.
Spin out	Make something last as long as possible.	I SPUN the work OUT to make as much money from the job as I could.
Spirit away	Remove someone secretly from a place.	They SPIRITED her AWAY before the police arrived.
Spirit off	Remove someone secretly from a place.	They SPIRITED him OFF before any trouble started.
Spit it out	Informally tell someone to say something they’re unwilling to say.	Hurry up, SPIT IT OUT! I can’t wait all day for the truth.
Spit out	Say something angrily.	He SPAT her name OUT when he saw her arrive.
Splash down	Land in the sea (space capsules).	Apollo 13 SPLASHED DOWN after a harrowing flight.
Splash out	Spend a lot of money on something non-essential.	We went to an expensive restaurant and SPLASHED OUT to celebrate.
Splash out on	Spend a lot of money on something.	I SPLASHED OUT ON a new camera.
Split up	Divide into groups.	The teacher SPLIT the class UP into groups of four.
Split up	Finish a relationship.	They are always SPLITTING UP and then getting back together again.
Spoil for	Really want something.	He’s been SPOILING FOR an argument all day.
Sponge down	Clean something with a sponge.	I’ll SPONGE it DOWN before putting it away.
Sponge off	Accept free food and support without shame.	Let’s go to New York; we can always SPONGE OFF my brother there.
Sponge on	Accept or get money without working.	A lot of people are SPONGING ON the state by claiming benefits they’re not entitled to.
Spring back	Return to original position after pressure is removed.	The lock SPRINGS BACK when the key is turned.
Spring for	Pay for something, often generously.	She is going to SPRING FOR all their medical bills.
Spring from	Appear suddenly and unexpectedly.	He SPRANG FROM the bushes when I walked past.
Spring from	Be the cause of something.	His anger SPRINGS FROM his feelings of insecurity.
Spring on	Surprise someone.	They SPRUNG a birthday party ON me at work.
Spring up	Appear suddenly.	Charity shops are SPRINGING UP in the recession.
Spruce up	To smarten, make neat and tidy.	We SPRUCED the flat UP before we put it on the market.
Spur on	Encourage someone to continue.	The thought of the bonus SPURRED her ON to complete the work on time.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrase	Meaning	Example Sentence
Square away	Finish or sort something out.	There are a few things I have to SQUARE AWAY before I can leave.
Square off	Confront someone or prepare to fight them.	The two drunks SQUARED OFF and the barman had to intervene before a fight broke out.
Square off against	Confront someone or prepare to fight them.	They SQUARED OFF AGAINST the police when they arrived.
Square up	Pay back a debt.	Can I SQUARE UP with you for last night?
Square up	Confront someone or prepare to fight them.	The companies are SQUARING UP for a fight.
Square up to	Accept responsibility or guilt.	They need to SQUARE UP TO what they did wrong if we are to make any progress.
Square with	Match, conform to.	What he said doesn’t SQUARE WITH what the others said.
Square with	Check with someone that something is OK.	I’ll have to CHECK that WITH my boss before I can confirm it.
Squeeze up	Get more people into a space than normal or comfortable.	Four of us had to SQUEEZE UP in the back of the car.
Stack up	Put things in a pile.	I STACKED UP the boxes.
Stack up	Accumulate.	Work STACKED UP while I was away on holiday.
Stack up	Increase, accumulate something.	I’ve been STACKING UP a lot of air miles.
Stack up	Be logical, make sense.	The budget figures don’t STACK UP.
Stack up	Build up the number of planes waiting to land at an airport.	Planes were STACKING UP while the airport was closed after the bomb threat.
Stack up against	Be as good as something.	The new model doesn’t STACK UP AGAINST the old one.
Staff up	Employ someone for something specific.	They haven’t STAFFED the project UP yet.
Stamp out	Get rid of something.	The government has started a campaign to STAMP OUT drugs in schools.
Stand about	Spend time in a place waiting or doing nothing or very little.	We STOOD ABOUT drinking coffee before the lecture.
Stand around	Spend time in a place waiting or doing nothing or very little.	We STOOD AROUND for an hour waiting for them to turn up.
Stand aside	Leave a position so that someone else can take it.	The prime minister should STAND ASIDE and let a new leader head the party.
Stand back	Keep a distance from something.	We STOOD BACK while he lit the firework.
Stand back	Try to understand something by taking a different perspective.	We need to STAND BACK and look at the problem differently.
Stand by	Support someone.	He STOOD BY her throughout the trial as he believed her to be innocent.
Stand by	Be ready and waiting for something to happen.	The emergency services were STANDING BY waiting for the plane to land.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Stand down	Leave a job or position so someone else can take it.	The minister announced her intention to STAND DOWN at the next election.
Stand down	Finish being asked questions in a court.	The judge told the witness to STAND DOWN after the questioning.
Stand for	Accept or tolerate behavior.	I’m not going to STAND FOR their rudeness any longer.
Stand for	The words represented by certain initials.	‘WHAT do the letters BBC STAND FOR?’ ‘British Broadcasting Corporation.’
Stand in for	Substitute someone temporarily.	She had to STAND IN FOR the editor while he was on holiday.
Stand out	Be extraordinary and different.	She STOOD OUT from the crowd in selection and was offered the job.
Stand up	Move from a sitting or lying down to a vertical position.	Everybody STOOD UP when the judge entered the court.
Stand up	Fail to keep an appointment.	He agreed to meet me last night, but he STOOD me UP.
Stand up for	Defend, support.	He’s the kind of manager who will always STAND UP FOR his staff.
Stand up to	Keep principles when challenged by authority.	She STOOD UP TO the police when they tried to corrupt her.
Stand up to	Resist damage.	This coat will STAND UP TO the roughest weather conditions.
Stare down	Look at someone until they cannot look at you.	He was angry but I STARED him DOWN and he left without saying much.
Start off	Make something start.	They STARTED OFF the meeting with an attack on our performance.
Start off	Begin life, a career, or existence.	She STARTED OFF as a receptionist and ended up as the CEO.
Start off	Begin a journey.	We STARTED OFF early because we knew the journey would take all day.
Start off	Make someone laugh.	I was trying to be serious, but their comment STARTED me OFF.
Start off on	Help someone start a piece of work or activity.	I STARTED her OFF ON the project then left her to finish it.
Start on	Begin to use or consume.	It’s time to START ON that bottle of wine.
Start on	Criticize angrily.	The manager was furious and STARTED ON her staff for not trying hard enough.
Start on at	Criticize or nag.	He STARTED ON AT me for being late.
Start out	Begin a journey.	We STARTED OUT early in the morning.
Start out as	Begin life, existence, or a career.	What had STARTED OUT AS a protest quickly turned into a rebellion.
Start out to	Intend, plan.	I didn’t START OUT TO become the boss—it just happened.
Start over	Begin something again.	It’s a mess—I think we should just START OVER.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example Sentence
Start up	Open a business.	The firm STARTED UP on a shoestring budget.
Start up	Begin, especially sounds.	There was a pause, then the noise STARTED UP again.
Start up	When an engine starts working.	The car STARTED UP first time.
Start up	Make an engine work.	I STARTED the car UP.
Start up	Sit or stand upright because someone surprised you.	He STARTED UP when I entered the room and tried to hide what he was doing.
Stash away	Store or hide something in a safe place.	I STASHED some money AWAY behind some books.
Stave in	Push or break something inwards.	The police STOVE the front door IN and arrested them.
Stave off	Delay, prevent something from happening.	The medicine STAVED OFF the worst of the disease.
Stay away	Not come.	He said he didn’t like them coming and wanted them to STAY AWAY.
Stay away from	Avoid, not come.	He told them to STAY AWAY FROM him.
Stay in	Not go out.	I’m going to STAY IN and chill tonight; I can’t be bothered to go out.
Stay on	Remain longer than anticipated.	She STAYED ON after she graduated to do a Master’s degree.
Stay out	Not go home.	We STAYED OUT all night.
Stay over	Stay overnight.	I STAYED OVER at a friend’s house last night because of the train strike.
Stay up	Not go to bed.	The children STAYED UP until way past their bedtime.
Steal away	Leave a place quietly or secretly.	We didn’t want to wake them, so we STOLE AWAY in the middle of the night.
Steal out	Leave in a stealthy or quiet manner.	Not wanting to attract attention, she STOLE OUT early.
Steal over	Be gradually overcome by an emotion or feeling.	A feeling of pride STOLE OVER me as I watched.
Steal up	Approach quietly or secretly.	The lights were off and everything was quiet, so we STOLE UP as quietly as we could.
Steal up on	Approach a place or someone quietly or secretly.	We STOLE UP ON them so that they couldn’t sound the alarm.
Steer clear of	Avoid.	He’s trying to STEER CLEAR OF his lecturer because he hasn’t finished his assignment yet.
Stem from	Originate, be caused by.	The trouble STEMS FROM their refusal to discuss the matter.
Step aside	Leave a job or position so someone else can take over.	Everyone thinks the prime minister should STEP ASIDE so that someone new can lead the party into the election.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example Sentence
Step back	Look at something from a different perspective.	We should STEP BACK and try to see how our customers will view the scheme.
Step down	Leave a job or position so that someone can take over.	The CEO STEPPED DOWN after the share price dropped.
Step down	Reduce.	Production is being STEPPED DOWN because demand has dropped.
Step forward	Offer help.	When I had the accident, a lot of people STEPPED FORWARD to help me.
Step in	Get involved by interrupting something.	I had to STEP IN when they started fighting.
Step on it	An imperative used to tell someone to go faster.	I told the taxi driver to STEP ON IT as I was late for the meeting.
Step out	Leave a place for a very short time.	They’ve STEPPED OUT for a cigarette.
Step to	Confront.	Don’t STEP TO those guys; they’ll kill you.
Step to	Chat, talk to.	He tried to STEP TO her in the bar.
Step up	Increase.	The police have STEPPED UP the pressure on beggars working the Underground.
Stick around	Stay in a place for some time.	He’s late, but I’ll STICK AROUND for another few minutes before I leave.
Stick at	Continue doing something despite difficulties.	She found the course very tough but she STUCK AT it and did well in the end.
Stick by	Support someone when they are having difficulties.	No one STUCK BY him when the scandal became public.
Stick by	Support a plan, opinion, or decision.	They are STICKING BY their claims.
Stick down	Write something quickly or without much thought.	I couldn’t answer the test, so I just STUCK anything DOWN that I could remember.
Stick down	Join surfaces with glue.	I STUCK the label DOWN.
Stick it to	Criticize someone.	She STUCK IT TO me for turning up half an hour late.
Stick it to	Treat someone badly or unfairly.	My boss always STICKS IT TO me when she’s in a bad mood.
Stick out	Be easily noticed.	He’s so much better than the others that he STICKS OUT.
Stick out	Extend part of your body.	He STUCK his tongue OUT at me.
Stick out	Continue doing something difficult or unpleasant.	I STUCK it OUT even though I hated every minute of it.
Stick out for	Demand a salary raise.	We’re STICKING OUT FOR a 5% increase.
Stick to	Not change.	The Prime Minister decided to STICK TO the original plan despite the criticism.
Stick to	Restrict or limit and not change.	I STUCK TO the path and didn’t take the shortcut.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Stick together	Support each other.	If we don’t STICK TOGETHER, things will be much worse for all of us—we need some unity.
Stick up	Stand on end.	The static electricity made my hair STICK UP.
Stick up	Rob using weapons.	They STUCK the bank UP and stole tens of thousands.
Stick up for	Support or defend.	You have to STICK UP FOR yourself here, because no one will back you.
Stick with	Not change something.	We’d better STICK WITH our original idea.
Stick with	Stay near someone.	He told the children to STICK WITH him in the station.
Stick with	Not be forgotten.	The details have STUCK WITH me ever since.
Stick with	Continue with something difficult or unpleasant.	I STUCK WITH the job though I found it very stressful.
Stiffen up	Become rigid.	My back STIFFENS UP in cold weather.
Stiffen up	Make something rigid.	They used starch to STIFFEN the collars UP.
Stir up	Make trouble for someone else.	He STIRRED things UP by complaining to senior management about his line manager.
Stitch up	Sew something so that it is closed.	I STITCHED UP the hole in my sleeve.
Stitch up	Finalize a deal.	We got the contract STITCHED UP this week.
Stitch up	Cheat someone or make them look guilty when they aren’t.	The police STITCHED them UP because they couldn’t find any evidence against them.
Stomp off	Leave somewhere angrily.	He lost his temper and STOMPED OFF home.
Stomp on	Treat badly or defeat.	They STOMP ON their competitors.
Stop around	Visit someone for a short time.	Why don’t you STOP AROUND my place on your way back?
Stop back	Return somewhere.	I’ll STOP BACK this afternoon when you’re free.
Stop behind	Stay somewhere when other people leave.	I STOPPED BEHIND at the end of the lecture to ask a couple of questions.
Stop by	Visit somewhere briefly or quickly.	I must STOP BY the supermarket and pick up some things for dinner.
Stop in	Stay at home.	I was feeling tired so I STOPPED IN last night.
Stop in	Visit briefly.	I STOPPED IN at my aunt’s after work.
Stop off	Break a journey.	We STOPPED OFF for lunch about halfway there, then carried on driving.
Stop out	Be out late, especially when you are expected home.	Her parents were annoyed because she STOPPED OUT all night.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With S

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example Sentence
Stop over	Stay somewhere during a journey.	I STOPPED OVER in Bangkok for a couple of days on my way back from Tokyo.
Stop up	Stay up late.	I STOPPED UP last night watching the film.
Stop up	Fill or block something.	I STOPPED UP the bottle with a cork.
Storm off	Leave a place angrily.	They had a row, and he STORMED OFF.
Storm out	Leave a place angrily.	He lost his temper and STORMED OUT of the bar.
Stow away	Hide in a vehicle to travel secretly.	She STOWED AWAY on the plane but was caught when it landed.
Stow away	Store something in a safe place.	We STOWED it AWAY in the garage to keep it dry.
Straighten out	Make something straight.	I’m always having to STRAIGHTEN OUT the wires connected to my computer.
Straighten out	Deal with a problem.	I had to STRAIGHTEN OUT things after the mess they had made.
Straighten out	Make clear and resolve.	There are a few issues I’d like to STRAIGHTEN OUT first.
Straighten out	Improve someone’s behavior.	Starting work has STRAIGHTENED him OUT and calmed him down.
Straighten up	Stand straight.	She STRAIGHTENED UP when her boss walked in.
Straighten up	Tidy.	I STRAIGHTENED UP the room before they arrived.
Strike back	Attack or retaliate.	At first, he ignored them, but when things got very serious, he STRUCK BACK.
Strike down	Kill.	A hitman STRUCK him DOWN as he entered the building.
Strike down	Make someone ill.	I was STRUCK DOWN with food poisoning.
Strike down	Disallow a law, decision, etc.	The Appeal Court STRUCK DOWN the lower court’s ruling.
Strike off	Remove someone’s professional license.	The Medical Council STRUCK him OFF for malpractice.
Strike on	Have a good idea.	I STRUCK ON the solution when I was out with my dog.
Strike out	Start something new or different.	After doing the same job for five years, I decided to STRIKE OUT and change careers.
Strike out	Try to hit someone.	When he pushed me, I STRUCK OUT.
Strike out	Start going towards a place.	We got up early and STRUCK OUT for our final destination.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With S

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example Sentence
Strike out	Write out; fail.	1. As they arrived, I STRUCK their names OUT on the list I had. 2. I tried to get the government to support us but I STRUCK OUT.
Strike up	Start (conversation, relationship); start performing music.	1. He STRUCK UP a conversation with me in the bar. 2. The band STRUCK UP and everyone turned to listen.
Strike upon	Have a good idea.	It took us a long time to STRIKE UPON a solution.
String along	Deceive someone for a long time; accompany because you have nothing better to do.	1. They kept saying they were interested, but they were just STRINGING me ALONG. 2. Is it alright if I STRING ALONG with you tonight?
String out	Make something last as long as possible.	There was half an hour to go, so I STRUNG the questions OUT as long as I could.
String together	Put words together into a coherent text.	I was so nervous in the interview that I could hardly STRING a sentence TOGETHER.
String up	Hang somebody.	The rebels STRUNG the soldiers UP after they captured them.
Stub out	Extinguish a cigarette.	He STUBBED his cigarette OUT in a saucer because he couldn’t find an ashtray.
Stuff up	Make a mistake, do badly, spoil.	I STUFFED the exam UP.
Stumble across	Find something accidentally.	You’ll never guess what I STUMBLED ACROSS when I was packing my stuff.
Stumble upon	Find something accidentally.	I STUMBLED UPON these photos when I was clearing my room up.
Stump up	Pay for something.	He didn’t want to pay me back, but I got him to STUMP UP in the end.
Suck in	Become involved in something unpleasant.	Everyone around her was taking drugs and she got SUCKED IN.
Suck into	Become involved in something unpleasant.	The country got SUCKED INTO the war.
Suck up	Try to ingratiate yourself.	He is always SUCKING UP to try to get the boss’s approval.
Suck up to	Ingratiate yourself with someone.	He’s always SUCKING UP TO our boss.
Suit up	Get dressed or put on a uniform for an activity or task.	They SUITED UP and went to the interview.
Sum up	Summarise.	At the end of the lecture, she SUMMED UP the main points again.
Summon up	Get the energy or courage to do something.	Andrea couldn’t SUMMON UP the enthusiasm to apply for the position.
Suss out	Come to understand.	It took her ages to SUSS OUT what was going on.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With S

Phrase	Meaning	Example Sentence
Swan about	Move in a dramatic or affected manner.	He SWANNED ABOUT at the party.
Swan around	Move in a dramatic or affected manner.	She SWANNED AROUND trying to impress people.
Swan in	Enter in a dramatic or attention-seeking manner.	He SWANNED IN surrounded by photographers.
Swan off	Leave somewhere in a defiant or pompous manner.	He didn’t like the way they spoke to him so he SWANNED OFF angrily.
Swear by	Have great confidence in.	I SWEAR BY their products – they’re the best on the market.
Swear down	Promise that something is true.	He SWORE DOWN that he hadn’t done it.
Sweep through	Pass easily, succeed.	She SWEPT THROUGH the exams.
Sweep through	Move quickly through.	The disease SWEPT THROUGH the population.
Swing around	Change your opinion quickly.	They SWUNG AROUND to our idea after reading the press reports.
Swing around	Turn around quickly.	He SWUNG ROUND to see what had made the noise.
Swing at	Try to hit.	He SWUNG AT me but missed.
Swing by	Visit a person or place on your way somewhere.	I will SWING BY this afternoon and pick you up.
Swing round	Change your opinion quickly.	They were against it at first, then SWUNG ROUND and supported it.
Swing round	Turn around quickly.	She SWUNG ROUND and greeted them.
Syphon off	Take business, support, or votes from someone.	The candidate SYPHONED OFF a lot of votes because of his anti-war stance.
Syphon off	Divert money illegally.	The minister had been SYPHONING OFF funds from his department for years.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “R”

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Phrasal Verbs With Meanings & Examples In Sentences

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “S”

Dictionary Of Phrasal Verbs