Phrasal verbs I – B2 English Vocabulary

B2 Phrasal verbs I

In this Pre-advanced Vocabulary Lesson on Phrasal Verbs, you will learn useful phrasal verbs that are common in everyday conversations and in B2 exams. Each phrasal verb includes a short explanation and an example sentence. Review the explanation to get comfortable with the vocabulary before moving on to the exercises.

Exercise 1

Choose the correct option for each gap.

Please wait...

1 After a few days of tension, things finally _____ between them.

A. dropped by

B. brought down

C. come up against

D. cooled off

2 Joe said he might _____ his mum's house on his way home from the cinema.

A. bring up

B. come across

C. drop by

D. get by

3 Thanks for all your help today; I knew I could _____ you.

A. count on

B. bring up

C. come up against

D. come across

4 The company tried to _____ the scandal by deleting all the emails.

A. bring about

B. come across

C. bring down

D. cover up

5 I'm not sure I can _____ any more work; I've already got my hands full.

A. cope with

B. cool off

C. bring up

D. cut back on

6 We won't be able to afford a holiday this summer if we don't _____ our spending.

A. bringing up

B. check out

C. cope with

D. cut back on

7 The electricity company _____ our power because we hadn't been paying our bills.

A. got by

B. cut off

C. got away

D. fell apart

8 They've ___ the training programme ___ from six months to three.

A. checked … out

B. cut … down

C. fell … apart

D. figured … out

9 We'd expected to _____ harsh weather conditions during our climb, so we came prepared.

A. do up

B. bring up

C. come up against

D. cover up

10 The shirt was so tight that I was unable to _____ the buttons.

A. do up

B. cut down

C. figure out

D. come across

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B2 Phrasal verbs I

In this Pre-advanced Vocabulary Lesson on Phrasal Verbs, you will learn useful phrasal verbs that are common in everyday conversations and in B2 exams. Each phrasal verb includes a short explanation and an example sentence. The vocabulary charts, definitions, and examples below will help you understand and remember the terms.

B2 Phrasal verbs 1-10

1 If you back someone up, you support them in what they are saying or doing.

• Don’t worry, I’ll back you up if anyone disagrees.

2 If something breaks out, it suddenly starts, usually something bad like a fire, war, or fight.

• A fire broke out in the factory last night.

3 To bring about something means to cause it to happen.

• The storm brought about serious flooding in the area.

4 If you bring someone down, you make them feel sad or depressed.

• Failing the exam really brought her down.

5 If you bring something up, you start talking about it in a conversation.

• She brought up the issue of pay during the meeting.

6 If you call off something, you decide to cancel it.

• The match was called off because of the heavy rain.

7 If you catch up with someone, you talk to them about what’s new after not seeing each other for a while.

• It was great to catch up with old friends at the reunion.

8 If you check someone out, you look at them because you find them attractive.

• He was checking her out when she walked into the room.

9 If you come across something or someone, you find them by chance.

• I came across an old photo album in the attic.

10 If something comes down, it decreases or is reduced.

• The price of petrol has come down recently.

B2 Phrasal verbs 11-20

11 If you come up against something, you face a problem or opposition.

• We came up against serious delays during testing.

12 If you cool off, you become calmer or less angry.

• Take a walk to cool off before you reply.

13 If you cope with something, you manage a difficult situation.

• She can’t cope with the stress alone.

14 If you count on someone, you rely on them.

• You can count on me to help.

15 If you cover something up, you hide the truth about it.

• They tried to cover it up after the error.

16 If you cut back on something, you reduce the amount you use or spend.

• We must cut back on costs this quarter.

17 If you cut something down, you reduce its length or amount.

• Please cut the report down to 500 words.

18 If you cut something off, you stop its supply or connection.

• The company cut our internet off for non-payment.

19 If you do something up, you fasten it (buttons, zip).

• It’s cold — do your coat up.

20 If you drop by, you visit someone briefly and without planning.

• Feel free to drop by any time.

B2 Phrasal verbs 21-30

21 If you drop in (on someone), you visit briefly without arranging it first.

• We might drop in on Emma later.

22 If you face up to something, you accept it and deal with it.

• It’s time to face up to our mistakes.

23 If something falls apart, it fails completely or stops working.

• Their plan fell apart at the last minute.

24 When something falls out of fashion/use/favour, it stops being popular, used, or approved of.

• That style has fallen out of fashion.

25 If you figure something out, you understand it or solve it after thinking.

• I can’t figure it out.

26 If you get away, you escape from a place or person.

• The thieves got away before the police arrived.

27 If you get back at someone, you take revenge on them.

• She plans to get back at him for that comment.

28 If you get by, you manage with the money or skills you have.

• We can get by on one salary.

29 If you get down to something, you start doing it seriously.

• Let’s get down to work.

30 If people get together, they meet to spend time with each other.

• We usually get together on Sundays.

After completing the exercises in this lesson on Phrasal verbs, you can use the unit’s Vocabulary Flashcards to revise and help you memorize the terms.