The Sink In lexicon

Phrasal verbs, explained by their pattern.

Look up any phrasal verb, or start from a particle and see the recurring meanings it carries — with examples, contrasts, and short practice.

Recommended starting points

Compare the verbs learners ask about

Start with a direct answer, see both meanings in context, then use the short quiz to check the difference.

Quick comparison

Free practice

Test phrasal verbs in real sentences

Choose the meaning that fits each sentence. You get the answer, a short explanation, and a link to the full guide.

18 questions · mixed practicePhrasal verbs quizPractise common verbs with up, out, in, off, on, and down.Start the quiz Verbs with up12 questions Verbs with out12 questions Verbs with in12 questions Verbs with off12 questions Verbs with on12 questions Verbs with down12 questions

Topical & exam guides

Phrasal verbs for your goal

Curated sets grouped by where you'll use them — at work, on a trip, in everyday conversation, or in your exam — each with usage notes.

Exam prep

Phrasal verbs for IELTS Speaking

The phrasal verbs that lift your IELTS Speaking score, grouped by Part 1, 2, and 3 — with a note on exactly how to use each one naturally.

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Exam prep

Phrasal verbs for Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE)

Higher-register phrasal verbs for the Cambridge C1 Advanced exam — for Use of English, writing, and speaking — grouped by where they earn marks.

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Topical guide

Business English phrasal verbs

The phrasal verbs you actually hear in meetings, emails, and projects — grouped by where you use them, each with a note on how to use it at work.

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Topical guide

Everyday English phrasal verbs

The phrasal verbs native speakers use all day — for routines, socialising, and reacting to things — each with a note on how to drop it into conversation.

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Topical guide

Travel phrasal verbs

The phrasal verbs you need on a trip — getting around, checking in, and handling plans — each with a note on how to use it.

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Browse by particle

Start from a particle

31 particles · 1496 verbs

out

173

departure · social out

upward · increase

inside · inclusion

separation · departure

108

surface · support

down

102

downward · eat or drink

away

leaving · removal

over

arc · flip

back

return · returning action

around

circle · no clear way

through

passage · finishing

about

topic · everywhere

into

entry · contact and encounter

passing · just enough

round

circle · visit

for

usual meaning · requesting

behind

late · at the back

under

pressure · below the surface

forth

open view · onward

ahead

progress · getting ready

point · target

together

joining · gathering

with

together · working together

aside

reserve · ignoring

across

crossing · crossing paths

after

being like · order

against

opposition · resistance

along

with you · progress

forward

showing · progress

apart

separation · breakdown

past

passing · beyond the surface

Browse by base verb

Start from a verb

143 verb families

Commonly confused

Tell apart the pairs learners mix up

59 comparisons

go on vs go in sign in vs sign up turn off vs turn on back up vs back down be in vs be through check in vs check out come about vs come up dress up vs dress down give in vs give on hold on vs hold off hold up vs hold down opt in vs opt out phase in vs phase out push up vs push down turn in vs turn out turn up vs turn down write in vs write out check in vs check on come across vs come by drop in vs drop out put on vs put off round up vs round off sign on vs sign up walk in vs walk on break down vs break out come about vs come along get on vs get in look in vs look on look up vs look down turn on vs turn in write up vs write down call in vs call out call in vs call on come by vs come over drop off vs drop out fall in vs fall out fill in vs fill out get in vs get out move in vs move on sit up vs sit down step in vs step on take on vs take up go up vs go down wind up vs wind down break up vs break down cut back vs cut down go about vs go along put up vs put down run up vs run down set off vs set back stop by vs stop in come by vs come round get about vs get along get about vs get around look back vs look away set out vs set about shut up vs shut down tie in vs tie back write off vs write back

Guides

Meaning, grammar, and mistakes

13 guides

Meaning guideB1

Put up with: meaning, examples, and common mistakes

Learn how to use put up with for tolerating difficult people, situations, noise, delays, and repeated problems.

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Meaning guideB1

Come up with: how to use it for ideas, plans, and solutions

A clear guide to come up with, including grammar, examples, and the difference between finding and inventing an answer.

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Meaning guideB1

Find out vs figure out: the difference with examples

Learn when to use find out and when to use figure out, with clear examples for English learners.

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Meaning guideB1

Get over: meaning for illness, problems, and emotions

Understand get over in sentences about recovery, disappointment, shock, illness, and obstacles.

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Meaning guideB2

Come across: meaning, examples, and tone

Learn come across for finding things by chance and for the impression someone or something gives.

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Particle guideB1

Phrasal verbs with up: completion, increase, and visibility

Learn why up appears in phrasal verbs like finish up, speed up, bring up, clean up, and show up.

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Particle guideB1

Phrasal verbs with out: removal, discovery, and completion

Understand out in phrasal verbs like find out, work out, fill out, run out, cut out, and point out.

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Practice guideB1

Separable phrasal verbs: where does the object go?

Learn separable and inseparable phrasal verbs with clear object placement rules and examples.

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Common mistakesB2

Common phrasal verb mistakes English learners make

Fix frequent phrasal verb mistakes around object placement, register, literal translation, and similar particles.

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Practice guideB2

Business English phrasal verbs for meetings and emails

Useful business phrasal verbs for meetings, planning, follow-up emails, decisions, and project updates.

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Meaning guideB2

Give up vs give in: how to choose the right one

Learn the difference between give up and give in, with examples about quitting, surrendering, pressure, and compromise.

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App guideB1

The best way to learn phrasal verbs (that actually sticks)

Phrasal verbs feel random because most methods teach them as isolated translations. Here is a method that works — learn the particle pattern, then lock it in with spaced repetition.

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App guideB1

Phrasal verbs app: practise 1,300+ with spaced repetition

Looking for an app to learn phrasal verbs? Sink In teaches them by particle pattern and drills them with spaced repetition — built for B1–C2 learners and exam prep.

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Every phrasal verb