01 · phrasal verb
put off
Definition: to postpone something
Example: “Do not put off the application until Friday.”
Forms: put off, puts off, put off, putting off
Synonyms: postpone, delay
phrasal vocabulary
Learn the meaning, grammar, and object pattern of each phrasal verb instead of memorizing the particles separately.
Featured word or expression
Definition: to postpone something
Example: “Do not put off the application until Friday.”
put off, puts off, put off, putting off
postpone, delay
Learn these words as a connected set, then write one original sentence with each item.
Complete learning list
Definitions, examples, and audio pronunciation
01 · phrasal verb
Definition: to postpone something
Example: “Do not put off the application until Friday.”
Forms: put off, puts off, put off, putting off
Synonyms: postpone, delay
02 · phrasal verb · Communication
Definition: Propose an idea for consideration.
Example: “She put forward a new idea for the marketing campaign.”
03 · phrasal verb · Money & Business
Definition: Save money for later use.
Example: “Try to put aside some money each month for emergencies.”
04 · phrasal verb · Relationships
Definition: Tolerate something unpleasant.
Example: “I don't know how she puts up with his behavior.”
05 · phrasal verb · Everyday Life & Home
Definition: Return something to its proper place.
Example: “Please put away your toys before going to bed.”
06 · phrasal verb · Communication
Definition: Start talking about a particular subject.
Example: “She was afraid to bring up the subject of money.”
07 · phrasal verb · Communication
Definition: Return a phone call.
Example: “I'll call you back as soon as I'm free.”
08 · phrasal verb · Communication
Definition: Exchange news with someone.
Example: “Let's catch up over coffee next week.”
09 · phrasal verb · Communication
Definition: Join a conversation; interrupt with a comment.
Example: “He chimed in with his own opinion.”
10 · phrasal verb · Communication
Definition: Successfully communicate an idea.
Example: “He found it difficult to get his point across to the committee.”
11 · phrasal verb · Communication
Definition: Make someone understand something.
Example: “I just can't get through to him that he needs to study.”
12 · phrasal verb · Communication
Definition: End a phone call.
Example: “Don't hang up on me, we need to talk.”
13 · phrasal verb · Communication
Definition: Explain something very clearly.
Example: “The teacher had to spell out the instructions for the new student.”
14 · phrasal verb · Communication
Definition: Discuss a problem or situation.
Example: “We need to talk over our plans for the weekend.”
15 · phrasal verb · Communication
Definition: Talk louder so others can hear.
Example: “Could you speak up please? I can't hear you.”
16 · phrasal verb · Communication
Definition: Be quiet or stop talking.
Example: “The teacher told the students to pipe down.”
17 · phrasal verb · Communication
Definition: Tell someone about an idea to get their opinion.
Example: “Let me run this idea by my manager first.”
18 · phrasal verb · Communication
Definition: Mention briefly without going into detail.
Example: “The speaker touched on several important issues.”
19 · phrasal verb · Communication
Definition: Interrupt a conversation rudely.
Example: “Stop butting in when I'm speaking!”
20 · phrasal verb · Success & Failure
Definition: Complete a plan or task.
Example: “The team successfully carried out the experiment.”
21 · phrasal verb · Success & Failure
Definition: Fail to happen.
Example: “Our travel plans fell through at the last minute.”
22 · phrasal verb · Success & Failure
Definition: Continue an action or task to its conclusion.
Example: “He made a promise but didn't follow through.”
23 · phrasal verb · Success & Failure
Definition: Stop trying to do something.
Example: “He gave up trying to fix the old computer.”
24 · phrasal verb · Success & Failure
Definition: Make a mistake or do something badly.
Example: “I really messed up the exam.”
25 · phrasal verb · Success & Failure
Definition: (of a plan or situation) develop in a particular way.
Example: “We'll have to see how his new business venture pans out.”
26 · phrasal verb · Success & Failure
Definition: Succeed in doing something difficult.
Example: “I can't believe they pulled off the deal.”
27 · phrasal verb · Success & Failure
Definition: Succeed in something but with a lot of difficulty.
Example: “He only just scraped through his final exams.”
28 · phrasal verb · Success & Failure
Definition: Result in success after effort.
Example: “All the hard work finally paid off when she got promoted.”
29 · phrasal verb · Success & Failure
Definition: To fail suddenly and dramatically.
Example: “The deal blew up at the last minute.”
30 · phrasal verb · Success & Failure
Definition: Withdraw from a commitment or promise.
Example: “He backed out of the agreement at the last moment.”
31 · phrasal verb · Success & Failure
Definition: Succeed or have a particular result.
Example: “The party came off really well.”
32 · phrasal verb · Success & Failure
Definition: Meet expectations or standards.
Example: “The movie didn't live up to the hype.”
33 · phrasal verb · Feelings & Emotions
Definition: Lose control of your emotions and start crying.
Example: “She broke down in tears when she heard the news.”
34 · phrasal verb · Feelings & Emotions
Definition: Become less angry, upset, or excited.
Example: “You need to calm down and tell me what happened.”
35 · phrasal verb · Feelings & Emotions
Definition: Become happier or make someone happier.
Example: “I bought her some flowers to cheer her up.”
36 · phrasal verb · Feelings & Emotions
Definition: To become very anxious, upset, or afraid.
Example: “He freaked out when he saw the spider.”
37 · phrasal verb · Feelings & Emotions
Definition: Become less serious.
Example: “Oh, lighten up! It was just a joke.”
38 · phrasal verb · Feelings & Emotions
Definition: Feel excited about something that is going to happen.
Example: “I'm really looking forward to my vacation.”
39 · phrasal verb · Feelings & Emotions
Definition: To start to talk more about yourself and your feelings.
Example: “He finds it hard to open up about his problems.”
40 · phrasal verb · Feelings & Emotions
Definition: Keep emotions inside without expressing them.
Example: “It's not healthy to bottle up your feelings.”
41 · phrasal verb · Feelings & Emotions
Definition: Disappoint someone by not doing what was expected.
Example: “I'm sorry I let you down by missing your birthday.”
42 · phrasal verb · Feelings & Emotions
Definition: Make someone angry or upset (informal).
Example: “Stop winding me up! I know you're joking.”
43 · phrasal verb · Feelings & Emotions
Definition: React angrily to someone or something.
Example: “He lashed out at his colleagues when he was stressed.”
44 · phrasal verb · Feelings & Emotions
Definition: Begin to like someone or something.
Example: “It took time, but she warmed up to her new coworkers.”
45 · phrasal verb · Work: Jobs & Career
Definition: Become exhausted from overworking.
Example: “If you keep working 12-hour days, you'll burn out.”
46 · phrasal verb · Work: Jobs & Career
Definition: Do someone's job for them while they are away.
Example: “Can you fill in for me while I'm on lunch break?”
47 · phrasal verb · Work: Jobs & Career
Definition: To be successful in the work that you do.
Example: “She works hard to get ahead in her career.”
48 · phrasal verb · Work: Jobs & Career
Definition: Start working hard, especially when you should have done it earlier.
Example: “It's time to knuckle down and study for the exams.”
49 · phrasal verb · Work: Jobs & Career
Definition: End someone's employment due to business reasons.
Example: “The company had to lay off 50 workers.”
50 · phrasal verb · Work: Jobs & Career
Definition: To work less hard or with less energy than you should.
Example: “He was fired for slacking off at work.”
51 · phrasal verb · Work: Jobs & Career
Definition: Resign from a position.
Example: “The CEO decided to step down after 10 years.”
52 · phrasal verb · Work: Jobs & Career
Definition: Accept new work or responsibility.
Example: “She decided to take on the role of project manager.”
53 · phrasal verb · Work: Jobs & Career
Definition: Take control of a company or role.
Example: “He will take over as manager when Sarah leaves.”
54 · phrasal verb · Work: Jobs & Career
Definition: Record time of arrival/departure at work.
Example: “Employees must clock in before starting their shift.”
55 · phrasal verb · Work: Jobs & Career
Definition: Transfer responsibility or control to someone.
Example: “I'll hand over the project to you next week.”
56 · phrasal verb · Work: Jobs & Career
Definition: Gradually stop using or producing something.
Example: “The company is phasing out its older products.”
57 · phrasal verb · Work: Jobs & Career
Definition: Expand into new areas of business or activity.
Example: “The bakery is branching out into catering services.”
58 · phrasal verb · Work: Jobs & Career
Definition: Gather people together for a meeting or event.
Example: “Can you round up the team for a quick meeting?”
59 · phrasal verb · Money & Business
Definition: Rescue a company from financial difficulties.
Example: “The government had to bail out the failing bank.”
60 · phrasal verb · Money & Business
Definition: Buy large quantities of something.
Example: “Investors are buying up property in the city center.”
61 · phrasal verb · Money & Business
Definition: To contribute some money to a group effort.
Example: “We all chipped in to buy her a leaving present.”
62 · phrasal verb · Money & Business
Definition: Reduce spending.
Example: “We need to cut back on our expenses this month.”
63 · phrasal verb · Money & Business
Definition: To pay an amount of money, especially unwillingly.
Example: “I had to fork over $100 for the speeding ticket.”
64 · phrasal verb · Money & Business
Definition: Return money that was borrowed.
Example: “I'll pay you back next week.”
65 · phrasal verb · Money & Business
Definition: Charge someone too much money for something.
Example: “The tourist felt he had been ripped off by the taxi driver.”
66 · phrasal verb · Money & Business
Definition: Save money for a specific purpose.
Example: “I'm saving up for a new car.”
67 · phrasal verb · Money & Business
Definition: Sell all of the items.
Example: “The tickets for the concert sold out in minutes.”
68 · phrasal verb · Money & Business
Definition: To spend a lot of money on something.
Example: “She splashed out on a new designer handbag.”
69 · phrasal verb · Money & Business
Definition: Survive on a particular amount of money.
Example: “She has to live off her small pension.”
70 · phrasal verb · Money & Business
Definition: To accumulate a large amount (often debt).
Example: “He racked up huge credit card debts.”
71 · phrasal verb · Money & Business
Definition: Pay money unwillingly.
Example: “I had to cough up $500 for the car repair.”
72 · phrasal verb · Money & Business
Definition: Use money from savings.
Example: “We had to dip into our savings to pay for the repairs.”
73 · phrasal verb · Relationships
Definition: To invite someone for a date.
Example: “He finally asked her out.”
74 · phrasal verb · Relationships
Definition: End a romantic relationship.
Example: “She broke up with her boyfriend last week.”
75 · phrasal verb · Relationships
Definition: Become less close to someone over time.
Example: “After college, we slowly drifted apart.”
Which option is closest in meaning to put off?
Say the featured word aloud, read its definition, and notice its role in the example sentence. Next, connect it to one synonym and one related word. Finally, write a sentence about your own experience. This sequence creates several retrieval paths and makes the vocabulary easier to use spontaneously.
Check the word form before placing vocabulary in a sentence. Nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs occupy different grammatical positions. For phrasal verbs and idioms, learn the entire expression and its typical object pattern. Accurate, natural use is more valuable than forcing advanced vocabulary into every sentence.