English Grammar Guide

Separable Phrasal Verbs

A Separable phrasal verb is a transitive phrasal verb which allows an object to be placed between the verb and its particle, or after the whole verb.


Some transitive phrasal verbs (phrasal verbs which require an object) allow an object to be placed either between the verb and particle, or after the entire phrasal verb. These verbs are called Separable phrasal Verbs. With this type of verb, if the object is a pronoun, the pronoun must go in the middle of the phrasal verb (between the verb and particle).


For example:

  • The terrorists blew up the car.

  • The terrorists blew the car up.

  • The terrorists blew it up.

Here is a selection of some of the more common separable phrasal verbs and simplified definitions.


  • add up  -  add (mathematics)

  • back up  -  cause to move backwards; support; make a digital copy

  • blow up  -  cause to explode; destroy by explosives; enlarge a photograph

  • break down  -  analyze; list the parts of something separately

  • bring about  -  cause something to happen

  • bring off  -  accomplish something

  • bring on  -  cause something to happen

  • bring out  -  publish; emphasize

  • bring over  -  bring (something/somebody here)

  • bring to  -  revive somebody

  • bring up  -  raise; care for a child during childhood

  • brush out  -  brush the inside of

  • burn down  -  destroy by burning

  • burn up  -  consume by fire

  • buy out  -  by the other person's share of a business

  • buy up  -  buy the whole supply of something

  • call off  -  cancel (an event or meeting)

  • call up  -  telephone; summon for military service

  • calm down  -  become calm

  • carry on  -  continue doing something

  • carry out  -  fulfill; complete; accomplish; perform (usually orders or instructions)

  • carry over  -  carry; financial/numerical – move a value from one period to another

  • cheer up  -  cause somebody to become cheerful

  • chew up  -  chew thoroughly; to destroy or tear something with the teeth of machinery

  • chop up  -  chop into small pieces

  • clean off  -  clear the surface of

  • clean out  -  clean the inside of

  • clean up  -  tidy

  • clear out  -  clear the inside of; remove people from a place

  • clear up  -  clarify; clear the inside of

  • close down  -  shut or close permanently

  • close up  -  close temporarily

  • count in  -  include somebody in something (usually a list of participants)

  • count out  -  exclude something or somebody

  • count up  -  calculate; count; add to a total

  • cross out  -  eliminate; delete text manually

  • cut off  -  interrupt; sever; amputate

  • cut out  -  eliminate; delete; stop doing something (as an imperative)

  • cut down  -  reduce in quantity

  • draw up  -  write; compose (a formal document)

  • dress up  -  put clothes on; adorn; dress for a special occasion

  • dress down   -  dress casually

  • eat up  -  eat completely

  • figure out  -  interpret; understand

  • fill in  -  complete; compile (a printed form)

  • fill out  -  complete; compile (a printed form)

  • fill up  -  fill completely (a container)

  • find out  -  discover

  • fix up  -  repair; arrange in a suitable manner

  • get across  -  cause to be understood

  • give back  -  return something

  • give out  -  distribute; announce

  • give up  -  surrender something

  • hand down  -  deliver; pronounce formally; leave as an inheritance

  • hand over  -  surrender control of something

  • hang up  -  end a phone call; put clothes on a hanger for storage

  • have on  -  be dressed in (clothes)

  • have over  -  entertain someone informally at your home

  • hold off  -  delay; restrain

  • hold up  -  delay; rob; threaten with a weapon

  • keep up  -  continue; maintain the same pace

  • leave out  -  omit somebody or something

  • let down  -  disappoint somebody

  • let out  -  release from confinement; make larger (in sewing)

  • light up  -  light; illuminate thoroughly

  • live down  -  live in such a way as to cause something to be forgotten

  • pass out  -  distribute

  • pass up  -  not take advantage of (as an opportunity)

  • pass on  -  transmit

  • pay back  -  repay

  • pay off  -  discharge a debt completely; give someone his final pay

  • pick up  -  collect somebody from a place; lift with hands or fingers

  • play down  -  minimize the importance of something

  • play up  -  emphasize the importance of something

  • point out  -  indicate something

  • pull down  -  pull in a downward direction; demolish something

  • put off  -  postpone an event or meeting

  • put on  -  dress in

  • put up  -  provide overnight accommodation for somebody

  • ring up  -  call somebody on the telephone

  • rule out  -  eliminate something from consideration

  • run down  -  trace; disparage somebody; hit with a vehicle

  • run off  -  reproduce something mechanically (often in printed media or manufacturing)

  • save up  -  accumulate money

  • see through  -  continue with a task until completion (often in spite of difficulties)

  • see off  -  accompany someone to the beginning of a trip

  • send back  -  send to a place where formerly located

  • send over  -  send something or somebody to the place where someone else is

  • set up  -  arrange something; cause the police to incorrectly believe somebody is guilty of a crime

  • show off  -  exhibit ostentatiously

  • shut off  -  cause to cease functioning

  • slow up  -  cause to move more slowly

  • spell out  -  state something in detail or simple terms

  • stand up  -  fail to keep an appointment with somebody (usually romantic appointments)

  • sweep out  -  sweep the inside of

  • take back  -  return; retract a statement

  • take down  -  remove from a high position; write from dictation

  • take in  -  understood; fool; deceive; make smaller (in sewing)

  • take over  -  take; assume command of something

  • tear down  -  destroy something

  • tear up  -  tear into small pieces

  • tell off  -  scold; reprimand

  • think over  -  consider something

  • think through  -  consider something from beginning to end

  • think up  -  create; invent

  • throw away  -  discard

  • tie up  -  tie securely or tight

  • tire out  -  cause somebody to be exhausted

  • touch up  -  repair something (usually a minor repair)

  • try on  -  put on a garment to see if it is the correct size and appearance

  • try out  -  test something

  • turn down  -  refuse an offer; lower the volume of something (TV, radio, music)

  • turn out  -  produce; extinguish (a light)

  • wear out  -  use until no longer usable; become tired through an activity

  • wind up  -  finish, tighten a spring (of a watch), make a person angry (sometimes as a joke)

  • wipe out  -  decimate (usually a form of life – people, animals)

  • work out  -  solve a puzzle

  • write down  -  record something in writing

  • write up  -  compose; prepare (a formal document)

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