Phrasal Verbs With Meanings & Examples In Sentences

A Phrasal Verb is a fixed expression with two parts. It consists of a verb followed by an adverb, or a preposition, or both an adverb and a preposition. That is, Phrasal verb is a specific phrase whose first part will have a verb and the second part will have an adverb, or a preposition, or an adverb and a preposition. For example, Verb + adverb = look out. Verb + preposition look for. Verb + adverb + preposition = look down on. However, if an expression has an adverb or a preposition after the verb, it cannot be called a Phrasal Verb.

phrasal verbs
phrasal-verbs-that-start-with-t

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “T”

Phrasal Verb Meaning Example
Tack on Add something that wasn’t planned. They TACKED ON a new ending to the film when they found that test audiences didn’t like the original.
Tack onto Add or attach something that wasn’t planned. I TACKED a quick message ONTO the end of the letter after I’d printed it.
Tag along Accompany someone, especially if not specifically invited. You’re off to the cinema; can we TAG ALONG?
Tag on Add an additional point to something written or spoken. He TAGGED ON a few comments after reading my report.
Tag onto Add an additional point to something written or spoken. He TAGGED his ideas ONTO the end of my report.
Tag with Add a keyword link or bookmark to a blog entry or webpage. The post was TAGGED WITH keywords.
Tail away Become silent or inaudible. His voice TAILED AWAY when he was speaking about what he’d done wrong.
Tail back Form a traffic jam. The traffic TAILED BACK for several miles after the accident.
Tail off (1) Become silent or inaudible. The voices TAILED OFF when she entered.
Tail off (2) Decrease. Profits TAILED OFF sharply in the last quarter of the year as a result of the increase in the price of oil.
Take after Look like or resemble. He TAKES AFTER his mother.
Take apart Take something to pieces. She TOOK the photocopier APART to see what had got stuck in it.
Take aside Get someone alone to talk to them. The teacher TOOK her ASIDE and said that she’d failed the exam.
Take away Remove. The police TOOK the protestors AWAY.
Take back (1) Make someone nostalgic. That song always TAKES me BACK to when I was at university.
Take back (2) Retract a statement, admit something was wrong. I had to TAKE BACK everything bad I’d said about them when I learned how they’d helped out.
Take down (1) Make notes or write down in full. The police TOOK DOWN his answers to their questions.
Take down (2) Remove. People TAKE DOWN their Christmas decorations twelve days after Christmas.
Take in (1) Absorb information. The lecture was rather boring and I didn’t TAKE IN much of what the lecturer said.
Take in (2) Deceive. She TOOK me IN with her story until someone told me the truth.
Take in (3) Make clothes smaller. The jacket was far too big around the shoulders, so I had it TAKEN IN so that I could wear it.
Take in (4) Assume care or support. The family TOOK IN the three homeless kittens.
Take it Accept criticism. He’s good at criticising others, but can’t TAKE IT himself.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “T”

Phrase Meaning Example
Take it out on Abuse someone because you’re angry. Whenever things go wrong, he always shouts and TAKES IT OUT ON me, even if I had no role.
Take it upon yourself Take responsibility, often without consulting others. I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF to ensure he woke up on time.
Take off Make great progress. The software house really TOOK OFF after releasing the latest version of their DTP package.
Take off Reduce the price of an item. They’ve TAKEN ten percent OFF designer frames for glasses.
Take off When a plane departs or leaves the ground. The flight for Dublin TOOK OFF on time.
Take off Remove. It was hot, so I TOOK my jacket OFF.
Take on Allow passengers on a ship or plane. The plane stopped at Zurich to TAKE ON some passengers.
Take on Assume a responsibility. She TOOK ON the task of indexing the book.
Take on Employ. The council has had to TAKE ON twenty extra employees to handle their increased workload.
Take out Borrow a library book. I TOOK OUT all the books I needed for my essay from the library.
Take out Borrow money from a bank or lender. Jackie and Anil TOOK OUT a mortgage to buy a bigger flat.
Take out Extract or remove. The dentist TOOK OUT all of my wisdom teeth before they caused any problems.
Take out Go out socially with someone, especially a date. He TOOK her OUT to a restaurant last Friday night.
Take out Obtain insurance. I TOOK OUT some health insurance before backpacking in Latin America.
Take out Kill, murder. The gang TOOK him OUT after he spoke to the police.
Take over Assume control of a company or organization. The bank was TAKEN OVER by a Hong Kong firm wanting entry into the British market.
Take over Start a job or position someone else had occupied. She TOOK OVER responsibility for the project last month.
Take through Explain something to someone. He TOOK me THROUGH the procedures before we started.
Take to Make a habit of something. He’s TAKEN TO wearing a baseball cap since his hair started thinning noticeably.
Take up Fill or occupy time or space. A lot of my time at work is TAKEN UP with pointless bureaucracy nowadays.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “T”

Phrasal Verb Meaning Example
Take up Make clothes shorter The trousers were too long, so I TOOK them UP to make them fit.
Take up Start a new hobby or pastime He TOOK UP squash as he felt he had to lose some weight.
Talk around Persuade He TALKED them AROUND to accepting his point of view.
Talk around Discuss an issue without addressing it fully They TALKED AROUND the issue without reaching a conclusion.
Talk at Talk without listening or allowing replies There’s no point trying to convince them—they’ll just TALK AT you.
Talk back Respond rudely to authority The teacher was cross because the pupil TALKED BACK to her.
Talk down Make something sound less important The company CEO TALKED DOWN the recent fall in shares.
Talk down Persuade someone not to jump The police TALKED him DOWN from the building.
Talk down to Speak in a superior manner She’s a dreadful teacher and TALKS DOWN TO her students.
Talk into Persuade someone to do something I finally managed to TALK her INTO letting me go.
Talk out Discuss a problem to find a solution They had a meeting to TALK OUT their issues.
Talk out of Persuade someone not to do something His friends TALKED him OUT OF driving after drinking.
Talk over Discuss We TALKED OVER the problems but couldn’t resolve them.
Talk round Persuade She TALKED them AROUND to her point of view.
Talk round Discuss an issue without resolving it We TALKED ROUND the issue but didn’t reach a conclusion.
Talk through Guide someone through an issue The teacher TALKED me THROUGH the test.
Talk up Make something seem more important The government is trying to TALK UP the effect of their policies.
Talk yourself out Talk until nothing is left to say He TALKED himself OUT and then calmed down.
Tap for Get money from someone I TAPPED him FOR a loan.
Tap into Exploit a resource The company is hoping to TAP INTO the Chinese market.
Tap off with Have sex with someone He TAPPED OFF WITH someone at the party.
Tap out Play a rhythm quietly He TAPPED OUT the tune with his pencil while thinking.
Tap out Use all available money We can’t buy a house without TAPPING OUT our savings.
Tap up Approach a footballer illegally Chelsea was accused of TAPPING him UP while under contract.
Team up Work with others for a goal They TEAMED UP to publicize the issue.
Tear apart Upset or disturb greatly People were TORN APART by the train crash news.
Tear at Pull or try to pull something apart The fighters TORE AT each other.
Tear away Stop someone from doing something unwillingly I had to TEAR him AWAY from the office for dinner.
Tear away Remove something violently The roof was TORN AWAY in the hurricane.
Tear down Demolish The estate was TORN DOWN for new developments.
Tear into Criticize strongly or angrily She TORE INTO me for losing it.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “T”

Phrasal Verb Meaning Example Sentence
Tear off Remove part of a form or letter using your hands, not scissors. She TORE the slip OFF the bottom of the form and sent it with her cheque.
Tear off Leave at high speed. The police TORE OFF in their car after arresting her.
Tear off Remove with force. The storm TORE the roof OFF.
Tear out Depart rapidly. The sheriff TORE OUT after the escaping criminals.
Tear up Rip into pieces. He TORE the fax UP and threw the bits of paper in the bin.
Tear up Destroy. They are TEARING UP the old part of town to build a new shopping centre.
Tear up Have eyes fill with tears. After hearing the tragic news, he TEARED UP and could hardly speak.
Tee off Start or launch an event. The new project will TEE OFF next month.
Tee off Place a golf ball on a short plastic or wooden stick before hitting it at the start of a hole. He TEED OFF at the first hole.
Tee off Annoy someone. It TEES me OFF when they turn up late.
Tee off on Criticise. She TEED OFF ON me about the work I gave her.
Tee up Place a golf ball on a short plastic or wooden stick before hitting it at the start of a hole. She TEED UP two strokes ahead at the last hole.
Tee up Make preparations before starting or launching something. They are TEEING UP for the conference tomorrow.
Tell apart See a difference between two things. They’re identical twins, so I cannot TELL them APART.
Tell off Chide; talk angrily to someone about something they’ve done wrong. His fiancée TOLD him OFF for arriving nearly an hour late.
Tell on Report someone to an authority. The pupil TOLD ON the others for cheating, and the teacher failed them.
Text out Cancel an appointment by sending a text message. I was feeling too tired to go and TEXTED OUT.
Think over Consider something carefully. I’ve THOUGHT it OVER and have made up my mind; I’m going to take the job in Leeds.
Think through Consider all the possibilities and outcomes of a situation. The plan fell through because they hadn’t THOUGHT it THROUGH properly.
Think up Create or invent something, especially when lying. I’d better THINK UP a good reason for handing the work in late.
Throw away Discard something when no longer needed. I THREW the alarm clock AWAY because it had stopped working.
Throw in Join, accompany. May I THROW IN with you? My companions left me behind.
Throw in Add something to a deal. They THREW IN a printer, so I bought it from them.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “T”

Phrase Meaning Example
Throw off Remove an item of clothing quickly. I THREW OFF my shoes and flopped on the settee.
Throw off Get rid of. It took me ages to THROW OFF the cold.
Throw off Produce light or heat. The lamp THROWS OFF a lot of heat.
Throw on Put clothes on quickly. I THREW ON a jacket and rushed outside.
Throw out Get rid of. I THREW OUT all my old clothes to make some space in my wardrobe.
Throw out Dislocate. Edward slipped on the ice and THREW OUT his shoulder.
Throw out Reject. The committee THREW the proposal OUT.
Throw out Produce heat, fumes. The car THROWS OUT a lot of smoke.
Throw out Expel. The school THREW him OUT for smoking.
Throw over End a relationship with someone. She THREW me OVER last year.
Throw over Reject, refuse to accept. They THREW OVER the agreement.
Throw together Make or arrange quickly. I THREW a quick dinner TOGETHER before we left.
Throw up Vomit. The prawns she ate at lunch made her THROW UP and she had to go home early.
Throw up Produce problems, results, ideas, etc. The talks THREW UP some interesting possibilities.
Throw up Leave a job or position suddenly. She THREW UP her job to go travelling.
Throw up Create clouds of dust or splash water into the air. The car in front was THROWING UP so much dust we could hardly see.
Throw yourself at Make it clear you are sexually attracted to someone. He THREW HIMSELF AT her but she wasn’t interested.
Throw yourself into Do something enthusiastically or energetically. She THREW herself INTO the project.
Tick along Make reasonable progress without serious problems. Things are TICKING ALONG at work while the director’s away.
Tick away Pass (of time). The last few seconds TICKED AWAY and the team couldn’t come back.
Tick by Pass (of time). The seconds TICKED BY and the team failed to score.
Tick off Annoy. She really TICKS me OFF when she doesn’t reply to my emails.
Tick off Scold. He TICKED me OFF for arriving late.
Tick off Put a mark on an item in a list when dealt with. She TICKED OFF our names when we arrived.
Tick over Continue working, but without improving. The company TICKED OVER while she was away on holiday.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “T”

Phrasal Verb Meaning Example Sentence
Tick over Operate but without moving (engines). The mechanic left the engine TICKING OVER for a while to see if he could see what was causing the problem.
Tide over Use something carefully so as not to finish it. This £50 will have to TIDE me OVER until I get paid.
Tidy up Put things in the correct place in a room. I TIDIED UP my bedroom because it was a complete mess.
Tie back Fasten or secure so that it doesn’t obstruct. She TIED her hair BACK before playing tennis.
Tie down Secure something to prevent it moving. They TIED him DOWN to stop him escaping.
Tie down Remove or restrict freedom. Marriage TIES you DOWN.
Tie down Stop people (often police or military) going where they are needed. The army were TIED DOWN with the rebellion and couldn’t help.
Tie in Agree, be connected, or support. The theory TIES IN with what the police have been saying.
Tie in Associate with. He is TIED IN somehow with the crime syndicate.
Tie in with Occur at the same time. The publication TIES IN WITH the twentieth anniversary of the incident.
Tie up Tie or fasten something securely. They TIED UP the hostages so that they couldn’t escape.
Tie up Stop someone doing something. Work has TIED me UP all week.
Tie up Fasten. I TIED UP my shoelaces.
Tie up Block a road, etc. The convoy TIED UP the road for an hour.
Tighten up Make something more secure or function better. They’re TIGHTENING UP security for the president’s visit.
Time out End or close because of a time limit. The program TIMED OUT before I could reply.
Time out End or close something because of a time limit. The program TIMED me OUT after twenty minutes.
Tip off Secretly inform the police or authorities. The police arrested the drug dealer after someone TIPPED them OFF.
Tip over Spill, make something fall on its side. I TIPPED my coffee OVER and ruined my keyboard.
Tire of Get bored of something. She soon TIRED OF the course and dropped out.
Tire out Make someone exhausted. Working so much TIRES me OUT.
Toddle off Leave, go home. It’s getting late, so I’m going to TODDLE OFF home.
Tone down Make something sound more moderate. The Minister tried to TONE DOWN what she had said when the press started attacking her.
Tool up Provide equipment. The company spent a lot on TOOLING the factory UP.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “T”

Phrase Meaning Example
Tool up Arm yourself or somebody. The gangsters got TOOLED UP before they went into the club.
Tootle off Leave, depart. It’s getting late, so we’re going to TOOTLE OFF home.
Top off Finish something in a special way. He complained for an hour and to TOP it OFF started shouting his head off.
Top out Stop increasing, reach the highest point. The temperature TOPPED OUT at forty degrees yesterday.
Top up Refill something that isn’t empty yet. Shall I TOP UP your drink while I’m pouring myself one?
Toss about Discuss something freely and openly, but not very seriously. WE TOSSED ideas ABOUT before the negotiations.
Toss around Discuss something freely and openly, but not very seriously. We TOSSED their plan AROUND a bit and then rejected it.
Toss back Drink quickly. I TOSSED BACK my beer and left.
Toss down Drink quickly. I TOSSED a couple of drinks DOWN before they arrived.
Toss for Make a decision by throwing a coin and seeing which side lands face up. We TOSSED FOR who would start.
Toss off Write something quickly and carelessly. I TOSSED OFF the essay the night before I had to hand it in.
Toss up Decide something by throwing a coin and seeing which side lands face up. We TOSSED UP to see who would kick off.
Touch down Land (planes). The plane TOUCHED DOWN at Narita airport an hour late.
Touch for Borrow money. I TOUCHED him FOR some cash as I’d forgotten my cards.
Touch off Cause a problem to occur. The government’s decision TOUCHED OFF riots in the capital.
Touch on Mention. The talk TOUCHED ON the issue, but didn’t give any new information.
Touch up Improve the appearance of something. I couldn’t be bothered to redecorate, so I just TOUCHED UP the bits that needed painting the most.
Touch up Touch someone in a sexual way. She got angry when he tried to TOUCH her UP in the elevator.
Touch upon Mention. They didn’t TOUCH UPON the subject because of the controversy.
Tow away Remove a vehicle, especially if parked illegally. I parked in a no-parking zone and they TOWED my car AWAY.
Toy at Pretend to think about or think about in a casual way. She TOYED AT getting them to help her but then did it alone.
Toy over Think about something. I TOYED OVER the idea for a while, but decided not to go ahead with it.
Toy with Not eat much of a meal. It was horrible, so I just TOYED WITH the food.
Toy with Consider something, but not very seriously. We TOYED WITH the idea of moving to the country, but it isn’t really practical.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “T”

Phrase Meaning Example Sentence
Toy with Move or play with something to occupy your hands. He TOYED WITH his cup.
Toy with Treat insincerely. He thought she loved him, but she was just TOYING WITH him.
Track down Find after a long search. It took me ages to TRACK them DOWN in the crowd at the football game.
Trade down Sell something and replace it with something cheaper. Their house is too large now that their children have left home, so they’re going to TRADE DOWN.
Trade in Exchange something old as part of the price of something new. She TRADED IN her old car for the new model.
Trade in Leave your wife or husband to marry someone younger. He TRADED IN his wife when he became the chairman.
Trade off Bargain, make a deal, or compromise. A longer working week was TRADED OFF for a pay rise.
Trade off Accept something you don’t really want to get something you do want. We had to TRADE OFF space for the location when buying the apartment.
Trade on Exploit or use something to your advantage. He TRADES ON their insecurity to get his way.
Trade up Buy larger or more expensive items. British wine drinkers have TRADED UP over the last few years from cheap plonk to expensive wines.
Trade up Leave your wife or husband and marry someone better looking, richer, etc. She supported him for years, but when he hit the big time, he left her and TRADED UP.
Trade upon Exploit or use to your advantage. They TRADE UPON their reputation to scare rivals.
Train up Teach someone the specific skills they need for a job or task. I have been TRAINING my new assistant UP.
Trickle down Pass benefits from economic expansion through the economy to the less fortunate. Despite the economic boom, few benefits have TRICKLED DOWN to the poor.
Trip out Be under the influence of psychoactive drugs. After taking the LSD, he TRIPPED OUT for hours.
Trip over Fall. I TRIPPED OVER and hurt my knee.
Trip over Fall because you hit an obstacle. I TRIPPED OVER the kerb and broke my nose.
Trip up Make a mistake. I TRIPPED UP in the interview when they asked me about what I could offer the company.
Trot off Leave. The meeting was over, so I TROTTED OFF.
Trot off to Go somewhere. I TROTTED OFF TO see the dentist.
Trot out Make a statement (meant negatively). The spokeswoman TROTTED OUT the same old unconvincing excuses.
Trump up Charge or accuse someone falsely. The police TRUMPED UP the charges against him, and he ended up in prison, though he hadn’t done it.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “T”

Phrase Meaning Example
Try back Call again later. I called, but they weren’t in, so I’ll TRY BACK later.
Try for Make an attempt to get something. I’m going to TRY FOR the job.
Try it on Provoke someone by being annoying or behaving badly. The children were TRYING IT ON all night until I lost my temper.
Try it on Attempt to get something, usually by deceit, without great hope. He knew I wasn’t going to let him do it—he was just TRYING IT ON.
Try on Put clothes on to see if they fit. I TRIED the jacket ON before I bought it.
Try out Test. Scientists are TRYING OUT a new drug in the fight against the disease.
Try out Test something to see if you like it or want to buy it. I TRIED OUT the program before I bought it.
Try out for Be tested for a sports team. He TRIED OUT FOR the baseball team.
Tuck away Put something in a safe place. I TUCKED the money AWAY in my drawer.
Tuck away Eat a lot. We TUCKED AWAY a huge dinner before we went out.
Tuck in Tidy the ends of clothing by placing them inside something. I forgot to TUCK my shirt IN.
Tuck in Start eating enthusiastically. The dinner smelled so good I couldn’t wait to TUCK IN.
Tuck in Arrange beddings to make someone comfortable. He TUCKED her IN and read her a story.
Tuck into Start eating something. I was starving and TUCKED INTO the food.
Tuck up Arrange beddings to make someone comfortable. She TUCKED her children UP in bed and switched the lights off.
Tune in Watch or listen to a TV or radio show. Be sure to TUNE IN next week for the next episode.
Tune in to Watch or listen to a specific TV or radio program. Make sure you TUNE IN TO next week’s show.
Tune out Ignore, not pay attention. I TUNED him OUT because he was talking such rubbish.
Tune up Improve the performance of a machine or engine. He’s TUNED his car UP for the race.
Tune up Tune a musical instrument before playing. The orchestra TUNED UP their instruments before the concert.
Turn against Stop liking and start disliking. The public TURNED AGAINST the government when they became arrogant.
Turn away Not allow someone to enter a place. The doorman TURNED him AWAY from the nightclub because of his trainers.
Turn down Reduce volume, temperature, etc. The room was too hot, so she TURNED the heating DOWN.

Phrasal Verbs That Start With “T”

Phrasal Verb Meaning Example Sentence
Turn down Reject an offer, invitation, etc. They offered her the job, but she TURNED it DOWN.
Turn down Fold the top covers of a bed down to make it ready for someone to go to sleep. The hotel staff TURNED DOWN the bed and scattered flower petals on it while we were having dinner.
Turn in Go to bed. I TURNED IN at half past eleven because I had an early start the next morning.
Turn in Hand in, submit. She TURNED IN her paper.
Turn into Become. Tadpoles TURN INTO frogs.
Turn off Stop a machine. I TURNED the TV OFF and went to bed.
Turn on Cause someone to feel attraction or pleasure. He really TURNS me ON.
Turn on Start a machine. I TURNED the radio ON to get the weather forecast.
Turn on Attack. The neighbour’s dog TURNED ON me when I tried to stroke it.
Turn out Produce. The factory TURNS OUT three thousand units a day.
Turn out Produce an unexpected result. It looked as if we were going to fail, but it TURNED OUT well in the end.
Turn out Stop a light. She TURNED OUT the lights and went to bed.
Turn out Attend. Thousands TURNED OUT for the demonstration.
Turn over Give to the authorities. The court ordered the company to TURN OVER their financial records.
Turn to Try to get help. She had nobody to TURN TO when her husband died.
Turn to Take up a habit. He TURNED TO drink after he lost his job.
Turn up Appear. She didn’t TURN UP for class today.
Turn up Increase volume, temperature, etc. I TURNED the music UP full blast.
Type in Enter computer data or text. He TYPED the text IN and printed it off.
Type out Write a full or finished version of a text on a computer. She TYPED her essay OUT and handed it in at the last minute.
Type up Type a finished version. She TYPED UP her lecture notes and printed them out.

See More- Phrasal Verbs That Start With “B”

Dictionary Of Phrasal Verbs

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