Phrasal Verbs for IELTS

Definition: to explain or form a particular proportion

Example: “Online sales account for 40 percent of revenue.”

Forms: account for, accounts for, accounted for, accounting for

Synonyms: explain, constitute

Definition: Continue to support someone during difficult times.

Example: “She stood by him throughout the trial.”

Definition: Take care of someone.

Example: “She looks after her elderly parents.”

Definition: Start to love someone; also to be deceived.

Example: “He fell for her the moment they met.”

Definition: Tolerate something unpleasant.

Example: “I don't know how she puts up with his behavior.”

Definition: Start to get an illness.

Example: “I think I'm coming down with a cold.”

Definition: Reduce the consumption of something.

Example: “I need to cut down on sugar.”

Definition: To fall asleep, especially for a short time.

Example: “He dozed off during the boring lecture.”

Definition: To wash and make yourself look clean and neat.

Example: “I need to freshen up before the guests arrive.”

Definition: Recover from an illness.

Example: “It took him a long time to get over the flu.”

Definition: Rest on your back.

Example: “I'm going to lie down for a few minutes.”

Definition: Faint or lose consciousness.

Example: “He passed out from the heat.”

Definition: To sleep later than usual.

Example: “I love to sleep in on Saturdays.”

Definition: Stop sleeping.

Example: “I wake up at 7 AM every day.”

Definition: Exercise.

Example: “She works out at the gym three times a week.”

Definition: Register at a hotel or airport.

Example: “We need to check in at least two hours before the flight.”

Definition: Leave and pay for your stay at a hotel.

Example: “We need to check out of the hotel by 11 AM.”

Definition: Take someone or something to a place and leave them there.

Example: “Can you drop me off at the station?”

Definition: Go on vacation.

Example: “I need to get away for a few days to relax.”

Definition: To leave a bus, train, or plane.

Example: “We need to get off at the next stop.”

Definition: To board a bus, train, or plane.

Example: “He got on the bus at the wrong stop.”

Definition: Go to the airport or station to say goodbye to someone.

Example: “Her family came to see her off at the station.”

Definition: Start a journey.

Example: “We set off early in the morning to avoid traffic.”

Definition: To stay somewhere for a short time during a long journey.

Example: “We stopped over in Dubai for a night on the way to Australia.”

Definition: When an airplane leaves the ground.

Example: “The plane took off on time.”

Definition: To get out of bed.

Example: “What time do you usually get up?”

Definition: To return to a place.

Example: “I have to go back to the office to get my phone.”

Definition: Explore a place.

Example: “We had some time to look around the city.”

Definition: Be very busy doing many different things.

Example: “I've been running around all day trying to get everything done.”

Definition: Arrive or appear somewhere.

Example: “He finally showed up an hour late.”

Definition: Move into a sitting position.

Example: “Sit down and make yourself comfortable.”

Definition: Rise to a standing position.

Example: “Please stand up when the judge enters.”

Definition: To change direction and face the opposite way.

Example: “I forgot my wallet, so I had to turn around and go back home.”

Definition: To continue doing something.

Example: “Please carry on with your work while I'm away.”

Definition: Finally be in a particular place or situation.

Example: “We got lost and ended up on the wrong side of town.”

Definition: To start doing something seriously.

Example: “It's time to get down to business.”

Definition: To stop resisting; to surrender.

Example: “The children kept asking for candy, and finally their mother gave in.”

Definition: Delay doing something.

Example: “Let's hold off making a decision until we have more information.”

Definition: Begin an event or meeting.

Example: “The festival will kick off with a parade.”

Definition: Have no more of something left.

Example: “We've run out of milk.”

Definition: To begin something again.

Example: “This isn't working, let's start over.”

Definition: Finish or complete something.

Example: “Let's wrap up this meeting by 5 PM.”

Definition: Think of a plan or idea.

Example: “He came up with a brilliant plan to save money.”

Definition: Take action to solve a problem.

Example: “You need to deal with this issue immediately.”

Definition: Understand or find the solution to a problem.

Example: “I can't figure out how to use this software.”

Definition: To find a way of dealing with or avoiding a problem.

Example: “There's no getting around the fact that you have to take the exam.”

Definition: To think carefully about something over a period of time.

Example: “I need a few days to mull it over before I make a decision.”

Definition: Delay making a decision until the next day.

Example: “I'm not sure what to do; I'll have to sleep on it.”

Definition: Consider something carefully before making a decision.

Example: “I need some time to think over your offer.”

Definition: To consider the good and bad aspects of something before making a decision.

Example: “You should weigh up the pros and cons before accepting the job.”

Definition: Cut something into small pieces.

Example: “Could you cut up the vegetables for the salad?”

Definition: To start eating eagerly.

Example: “The food is ready. Dig in!”

Definition: Finish your drink.

Example: “Drink up, we have to leave in five minutes.”

Definition: Eat at a restaurant instead of at home.

Example: “We're too tired to cook, let's eat out tonight.”

Definition: To finish all of a particular dish or meal.

Example: “He polished off the entire pizza by himself.”

Definition: Quickly make a meal or something to eat.

Example: “I can whip up a simple pasta dish for dinner.”

Definition: Make a copy of computer data.

Example: “You should always back up your important files.”

Definition: Start a computer.

Example: “My computer takes a long time to boot up.”

Definition: To disconnect from the internet.

Example: “I'm going offline for a few hours to focus on my work.”

Definition: Enter your username and password to start using a system.

Example: “I can't log in because I forgot my password.”

Definition: Sign out of a system.

Example: “Don't forget to log out when you finish.”

Definition: To produce a paper copy of a document from a computer.

Example: “Could you print out this report for me?”

Definition: To move information on a screen to see a different part of it.

Example: “Just scroll down to the bottom of the page.”

Definition: Turn off a computer.

Example: “Please shut down your computer before you leave.”

Definition: Create an account for a service.

Example: “You need to sign up to use the new features.”

Definition: Connect an electronic device to power or another device.

Example: “Don't forget to plug in your laptop before the meeting.”

Definition: Make an image appear larger or smaller on screen.

Example: “Can you zoom in on that part of the map?”

Definition: Appear suddenly on a computer screen.

Example: “An error message keeps popping up.”

Definition: Illegally access a computer system.

Example: “Hackers tried to hack into the company's database.”

Definition: Choose to join or leave a service.

Example: “You can opt out of marketing emails at any time.”

Definition: Enter a building illegally.

Example: “Someone tried to break into our house last night.”

Definition: Avoid punishment for a crime.

Example: “He thought he could get away with cheating on the test.”

Definition: Rob someone using violence or threats.

Example: “The gang held up a bank and stole thousands of dollars.”

Definition: Give someone a lighter punishment than they deserve.

Example: “The judge let him off with a warning.”

Definition: To admit that you have done something wrong.

Example: “No one owned up to breaking the window.”