Phrasal Verbs A - B

This is the phrasal verb reference section. Here there are definitions and examples for hundreds of phrasal verbs found in English.

Don't forget we have a phrasal verb exercise page.

brush

Brush Aside

Treat something as unimportant.
The boss brushed aside my reservations and continued with the plan.

Brush Off

Treat someone rudely, ignore.
I wanted to make peace with him, but he just brushed me off.

Brush Up On

Study, revise.
You need to brush up on your French if you plan to live there for six months.

buckle

Buckle Down

Begin working, studying more seriously than before.
If you don't buckle down, you'll fail the exam. You have been warned!

build

Build In

Include in a whole plan.
When we made the contract, we built in a clause about maximum liability.

Build On

Take advantage of a good start.
The team failed to build on their great start and lost the championship.

Build Up

1. Increase in quantity.
The traffic built up until no-one was moving at all.
2. Increase in strength.
Drinking a lot of milk will build you up.
3. Develop and strengthen.
She is building up a good reputation among other estate agents.

bump

Bump Into

Meet by chance.
I bumped into Hawkins yesterday. I haven't seen him for years.

Bump Off

Kill (informal)
To get her inheritance, he decide to bump her off.

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Bump Up

Increase prices, usually suddenly, often unfairly.
During the strike, dishonest manufacturers bumped up all their prices.

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