Here’s a list of commonly used phrasal verbs that often appear in TOEFL tests, along with their meanings:
Academic Context Phrasal Verbs
Break down – To analyze or divide into parts for better understanding.
Example: The professor broke down the problem into smaller steps.Bring up – To introduce a topic or subject for discussion.
Example: She brought up an important point during the lecture.Carry out – To perform or conduct an activity or task.
Example: They carried out an experiment in the chemistry lab.Come up with – To think of or produce an idea or solution.
Example: He came up with a unique proposal for the project.Point out – To indicate or draw attention to something.
Example: The teacher pointed out a mistake in the essay.Figure out – To understand or solve something.
Example: It took him a while to figure out the answer to the question.Look into – To investigate or examine something.
Example: The committee will look into the issue next week.Turn in – To submit work or assignments.
Example: Please turn in your essays by Friday.
General Usage Phrasal Verbs
Give up – To stop trying or to quit.
Example: He didn’t give up, even though the test was difficult.Keep up with – To stay at the same level or pace as someone or something.
Example: It’s hard to keep up with the fast-paced lectures.Run out of – To use up all of something.
Example: They ran out of time before finishing the test.Take off – To rise quickly in success or popularity; also means to depart.
Example: His academic career took off after publishing his research.Put off – To postpone or delay.
Example: Don’t put off studying until the last minute.Go over – To review or examine carefully.
Example: Let’s go over the answers before submitting the test.Cut down on – To reduce the amount of something.
Example: She cut down on unnecessary details in her essay.Fall behind – To fail to keep up with others.
Example: He fell behind in his studies after missing several classes.Pick up – To learn or improve quickly.
Example: She picked up the new vocabulary after a few lessons.
Conversational/Context-Specific Phrasal Verbs
Hold on – To wait or pause.
Example: Hold on while I check the answer.Set up – To establish or arrange something.
Example: They set up a study group to prepare for the exam.Take up – To begin or start something new.
Example: He took up studying economics last semester.Work out – To solve a problem or plan something successfully.
Example: They worked out a strategy for the group project.Back up – To provide support or justification.
Example: Can you back up your argument with evidence?Break out – To start suddenly.
Example: A debate broke out during the discussion.Put up with – To tolerate or endure something unpleasant.
Example: It’s hard to put up with distractions while studying.Catch up – To reach the same level as someone after falling behind.
Example: He worked hard to catch up with his classmates.
Academic and Study-Related Phrasal Verbs
Build up – To develop or accumulate something gradually.
Example: Over time, she built up her knowledge of the subject.Go through – To review or examine something in detail.
Example: They went through the article to check for errors.Look over – To quickly review or inspect.
Example: Can you look over my essay before I submit it?Carry on – To continue doing something.
Example: Despite the challenges, they carried on with the project.Sort out – To organize or resolve an issue.
Example: She sorted out the problem with her study schedule.Check out – To examine or investigate something.
Example: Check out the resources in the library for more information.Take in – To understand and absorb information.
Example: It’s hard to take in so much information at once.Step up – To increase effort or take responsibility.
Example: He stepped up his efforts to improve his test scores.Bring about – To cause or produce something.
Example: The study brought about significant changes in the field.Turn out – To result in a particular way or to have an unexpected outcome.
Example: The experiment turned out to be successful.
Test-Taking and Time Management Phrasal Verbs
Make up for – To compensate for something.
Example: She studied extra hours to make up for the time she lost.Get through – To complete or finish something difficult.
Example: He managed to get through the exam despite feeling unprepared.Hold back – To hesitate or prevent progress.
Example: Don’t hold back during the speaking section—express your ideas clearly.Set out – To start a journey or a task with a specific purpose.
Example: She set out to complete her research within a month.Cut out – To stop or eliminate something.
Example: You should cut out distractions while preparing for the test.Take on – To accept responsibility or a challenge.
Example: He took on the task of organizing the group study session.Call off – To cancel something.
Example: They had to call off the lecture due to technical issues.Come across – To find or encounter something by chance.
Example: I came across an interesting article while researching.Fall apart – To break down or fail completely.
Example: His time management plan fell apart during the busy week.Turn up – To appear or be found unexpectedly.
Example: A solution to the problem might turn up during the brainstorming session.
Communication and Discussion Phrasal Verbs
Speak up – To express your opinion or talk louder.
Example: Don’t be afraid to speak up during the group discussion.Bring out – To highlight or emphasize something.
Example: The professor’s lecture brought out key aspects of the topic.Lay out – To present or explain something in detail.
Example: She laid out her argument clearly in the essay.Run through – To quickly explain or practice something.
Example: Let’s run through the main points one more time before the exam.Sum up – To summarize or conclude.
Example: He summed up the presentation with a clear conclusion.
Problem-Solving and Effort-Related Phrasal Verbs
Work on – To focus on improving something.
Example: She is working on her writing skills for the TOEFL essay.Iron out – To resolve minor issues or differences.
Example: They need to iron out a few details before finalizing their plan.Pull through – To overcome a difficult situation successfully.
Example: He pulled through the tough exam with hard work.Step back – To pause and consider something from a different perspective.
Example: It’s important to step back and rethink your strategy if it’s not working.Chip in – To contribute or help.
Example: Everyone chipped in ideas for the group project.
Time and Planning Phrasal Verbs
Put together – To assemble or organize something.
Example: They put together a strong argument for their debate.Plan out – To carefully plan every detail.
Example: It’s better to plan out your essay before you start writing.Run out – To exhaust the supply of something.
Example: He ran out of time while answering the last question.Follow through – To complete something as planned or promised.
Example: Make sure you follow through with your study schedule.Set aside – To reserve time or resources for a specific purpose.
Example: She set aside two hours every day for TOEFL preparation.
General and Contextual Phrasal Verbs
Keep on – To continue doing something.
Example: Keep on practicing, and your scores will improve.Pass out – To distribute something.
Example: The teacher passed out the study guides before the lecture.Look forward to – To anticipate something with excitement.
Example: She is looking forward to seeing her TOEFL results.Turn down – To reject or decline something.
Example: He turned down the offer to join the study group because of his schedule.Do away with – To eliminate or remove something.
Example: They did away with unnecessary sections in the presentation.
