Phrasal Verbs-II

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Alphabetical List - H

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Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
hand back	Return	She read the article and then handed it back.
hand down	Pass on (by tradition, inheritance...)	My clothes were handed down to me by my older sister.
hand in	Submit (report, homework)	All application forms must be handed in before the end of the month.
hand out	Distribute	Samples will be handed out at the end of the demonstration.
hand over	Give to someone in authority.	The boy was forced to hand over the mobile phone he had stolen.
hang back	Be reluctant to do something	All the children rushed towards the clown except one boy who hung back.
hang on	Wait	Hang on a minute. I'm early ready.
hang on (to)	Keep a hold on something	Hang on to that rope and you'll be ok.
hang out	Spend time in a particular place or with a group of friends	Where does he hang out these days? Who does he hang out with?
hang up	End a telephone conversation	Don't hang up. I haven't finished yet.
head off	Start to go somewhere.	He headed off to the train station.
head for	Go/move in a certain direction.	The boat was heading for the rocks.
hit at	Aim a blow at something.	He hit at the wasp with a newspaper.
hit back	Retaliate / reply to an attack	When he was attacked, the boy hit back.
hit on/upon	Find unexpectedly or by inspiration	She hit upon an idea for her new collection.
hold on	1) Wait 2) Grip tightly	1) Hold on please. I'll put you through to Mr. Brown. 2) She held on to the railing as she crossed the bridge.
hold up	Show as a example	She held up the diagram for all to see.
hook up	Fasten (a garment)	I need help to hook up my dress.
hook up (with)	Link broadcasting facilities	Many networks are hooked up by satellite.
hurry up	Be quick / act speedily	Hurry up! We'll miss the bus!

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Alphabetical List   I-J-K

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Phrasal Verb

Meaning

Example

idle away

Waste time doing nothing much.

He idles away hours every day watching television.

iron out

Resolve by discussion/ eliminate differences

The meeting tomorrow will be an opportunity to iron out difficulties.

impose on/upon

Ask too much of someone.

Is it alright if I stay? I don't want to impose upon your hospitabity.

improve on/upon

Make better

The runner improved on his previous performance.

indulge in

Allow yourself to enjoy something

Ive been dieting all week but today I'm going to indulge in a dessert.

insure against

Guarantee compensation for damage etc.

The house is insured against fire.

invite out

Ask someone to join you for lunch, dinner, etc.

Harry invited her out for dinner.

join in

Participate

She was too shy to join in the game.

join up

1) Engage in, become a member of 2) Meet and unite with

1) John was in the army and Tom joined up as soon as he left school. 2) The two groups of tourists joined up at the hotel.

jot down

Take quick notes

I jotted down the address while watching the programme on TV.

keep back

Retain / force to stay back

A barrier was installed to keep back the fans.

keep on

Continue doing something

I told him to be quiet but he kept on making noise.

keep up with

Stay at the same level as someone or something

Bill walks so fast it's difficult to keep up with him.

kneel down

Go down on your knees

Most people kneel down to pray.

kick off

Begin, start

The football match kicked off at 3 p.m.

knock back

Drink quickly (usually alcohol)

He knocked back a pint of beer and left.

knock down

Strike someone or something to the ground.

The child was knocked down by a car. The tree was knocked down during the storm

knock out

Cause someone to fall unconscious.

The boxer was knocked out in the first round.

know of

have heard of / have knowledge about

Do you know of anyone else attending the conference?