Phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs with prepositions or adverbs that create new meanings different from the original verb. The table below lists common phrasal verbs along with their meanings and example sentences to help you understand their usage.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| pull ahead | Move into the lead; gain an advantage | Our team pulled ahead in the final quarter. |
| pull apart | Separate into pieces; analyze minutely | She pulled the gadget apart to see how it worked. |
| pull at | Tug/hold and draw repeatedly | The child kept pulling at his mother’s sleeve. |
| pull away | (Vehicle) start moving; increase one’s lead | The bus pulled away from the stop. |
| pull back | Retreat; withdraw from an activity/position | Investors pulled back after the warning. |
| pull down | Demolish; reduce/lower | They’re pulling down the old cinema next month. |
| pull in | (Train/vehicle) arrive; attract/earn | The 7:10 pulled in right on time. |
| pull off | Succeed in doing something difficult; remove by pulling | They pulled off a surprise victory. |
| pull out | Withdraw; (vehicle/train) depart | The company pulled out of the deal at the last minute. |
| pull over | (Driver) move to the side and stop | The officer asked me to pull over. |
| pull through | Recover from serious illness/difficulty | The doctors say she’ll pull through. |
| pull up | (Vehicle) stop; move closer to a place | A taxi pulled up outside the hotel. |
| put across | Communicate clearly; make understood | She put her idea across very effectively. |
| put aside | Save/reserve for later; disregard (differences) | Try to put aside some money each month. |
| put away | Store; eat a large amount; imprison (informal) | Please put away your tools after use. |
| put back | Return to its original place; postpone | Put the files back when you’re done. |
| put by | Save (money) for the future (BrE) | We try to put by a little each week. |
| put down | Place on a surface; belittle/criticize | He put the box down and sighed. |
| put forward | Propose; suggest for consideration | She put forward a sensible compromise. |
| put in | Install; spend (time/effort); submit (a request) | They’re putting in a new router tomorrow. |
| put in for | Apply formally for | He put in for a transfer to London. |
| put off | Postpone; discourage/repel | Let’s put off the meeting until Tuesday. |
| put on | Dress in; stage/produce; pretend/affect | She put on a coat and left. |
| put out | Extinguish; inconvenience; publish/issue | Could you put out the candles, please? |
| put through | Connect (a caller); cause to undergo | I’ll put you through to accounts. |
| put to | Present/pose (a question/idea); apply to a use | The chair put the motion to the vote. |
| put up | Erect/raise; provide lodging; offer (money) | We put up a tent by the lake. |
| put up to | Persuade/instigate (often to mischief) | Who put you up to playing that prank? |
| put up with | Tolerate; endure | I can’t put up with the noise any longer. |
