Home Phrasal Verbs

• Back up:
  • Meaning: To make a copy of data or files for storage or security.
    • Sample sentence: It’s essential to regularly back up your important documents on an external hard drive.
• Break in:
  • Meaning: To enter a building unlawfully, especially with the intent to commit theft.
    • Sample sentence: The neighbours reported a suspicious person attempting to break in last night.
• Bring up:
  • Meaning: To mention or introduce a topic during a conversation.
    • Sample sentence: Let’s bring up the idea of remodelling the kitchen in the next family meeting.
• Clean up:
  • Meaning: To tidy and organize a space by removing clutter or dirt.
    • Sample sentence: After the party, everyone helped clean up the living room.
• Deck out:
  • Meaning: To decorate or adorn something elaborately.
    • Sample sentence: We decided to deck out the entire house with festive lights for the holiday season.
• Fix up:
  • Meaning: To repair or renovate a property or space.
    • Sample sentence: They bought an old house and spent months fixing it up before moving in.
• Gear up:
  • Meaning: To prepare or organize oneself for a particular activity.
    • Sample sentence: We need to gear up for the upcoming home improvement project.
• Knock down:
  • Meaning: To demolish or destroy a structure.
    • Sample sentence: The old building was knocked down to make way for a new apartment complex.
• Lay out:
  • Meaning: To arrange or organize things in a particular way.
    • Sample sentence: Let’s lay out the furniture in the living room to create more space.
• Move in:
  • Meaning: To start living in a new home or place.
    • Sample sentence: They were excited to move in and make the new house their own.
• Open up:
  • Meaning: To make a space more spacious or accessible.
    • Sample sentence: Removing the dividing wall will open up the kitchen and dining area.
• Paint over:
  • Meaning: To cover a surface with a new layer of paint.
    • Sample sentence: We decided to paint over the old wallpaper to give the room a fresh look.
• Set up:
  • Meaning: To assemble or arrange something.
    • Sample sentence: We’ll set up the guest room for your stay over the weekend.
• Tear down:
  • Meaning: To dismantle or disassemble a structure.
    • Sample sentence: The old shed was torn down to make room for a new garden.
• Update:
  • Meaning: To modernize or improve by incorporating new features or information.
    • Sample sentence: We plan to update the kitchen with new appliances and countertops.
• Vacuum up:
  • Meaning: To clean by using a vacuum cleaner.
    • Sample sentence: After the party, we had to vacuum up the confetti from the carpet.
• Wash up:
  • Meaning: To clean oneself, especially the hands and face.
    • Sample sentence: Before dinner, everyone was asked to wash up to maintain good hygiene.
• Xerox off:
  • Meaning: To make a copy of a document using a photocopier.
  • Sample sentence: Please xerox off the important paperwork and distribute it to the team.
• Yearn for:
  • Meaning: To desire or long for something strongly.
    • Sample sentence: They yearned for a cozy fireplace in their home during the cold winter months.
• Zip up:
  • Meaning: To fasten or close a zipper on clothing or a bag.
    • Sample sentence: Make sure to zip up your jacket before going outside; it’s chilly.