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Explanations in: Greek English Spanish French
C1

The meaning of particles: up, out, off, on, down

Understanding phrasal verbs through the meaning of the particle.

ParticleGeneral ideaExamples
upcompletion, increase, upwardseat up (eat everything), fill up, speed up, grow up, give up
outoutwards, to the end, disappearingfind out, run out, sort out, work out, point out
offseparation, departure, stoppingtake off, turn off, call off (cancel), set off (leave), put off (postpone)
oncontinuation, contact, startingcarry on, go on, keep on, turn on, try on
downdecrease, on paper, endingslow down, calm down, write down, break down, turn down (refuse)
backreturn, replycall back, pay back, get back
overexamining, transferring, repeatinglook over, take over, think over

Test yourself

  1. What does «call off the meeting» mean?
    Show answer
    cancel the meeting
  2. What does «turn down an offer» mean?
    Show answer
    refuse an offer
  3. Tell someone to relax (phrasal verb).
    Show answer
    Calm down!
  4. What does «put up with» mean?
    Show answer
    tolerate