Phrasal Verbs List - Charlie, your teacher of English
phrasal verb

meaning

example sentence

back sth up

It is to reverse or move backwards

You'll have to back up your car so
that I can get out of the garage.

back sb up

It means to support or give sb support

My wife backed me up over my
decision to quit my job.

blow up

To explode, that is, to cause to burst
with a violent release of energy

The racing car blew up after it
crashed into the fence.

blow sth up

To add air; to fill with gas or air

We have to blow 50 balloons up for
the party. (or blow up 50 balloons)

break down

This happens when sth stops functioning Our car broke down at the side of
(vehicle, machine)
the highway during the storm.

break down

To lose control of one's emotions or
The woman broke down when the
feelings; to start to cry, or to start crying police told her that her son had died.

break down
sth

To divide into smaller parts; that is, to
separate into parts, sections, groups, or
branches

The sergeant broke down the group
into three teams

break in

To force entry to a building. Enter
someone's property in an unauthorized
manner, usually with the intent to steal
or commit a violent act

Somebody broke in last night and
stole our stereo.

break into sth To enter forcibly, that is, to enter a place The firemen had to break into the
by using force (firemen, robbers)
room to rescue the children.

break sth in

To wear sth a few times so that it
doesn't look/feel new. To wear shoes,

2

I need to break these shoes in before