Particle guide

Phrasal verbs with over

The particle over starts from one core idea — across, above, beyond. Sink In groups its verbs by the recurring ways that idea plays out, so verbs that look unrelated line up into patterns.

76 phrasal verbs · 10 meaning groups

Arc

Someone or something crosses a space or obstacle from one side to the other.

Usual verb + particle uses

The verb keeps its normal meaning. The particle adds its usual direction or relation.

climb over

Cross by climbing the obstacle

He climbed over the fence.
He went across the fence by climbing it.
The cat climbed over the wall.
The cat crossed the wall by climbing it.

cross over

Move from one side to the other

She crossed over to the other side of the street.
She moved from one side of the street to the other.
The runner crossed over to the inside lane.
The runner moved from one lane to the inside lane.

hop over

Cross with a small jump

She hopped over the wall easily.
She crossed over the wall easily with a small jump.
The child hopped over the rope.
The child crossed the rope with a small jump.

jump over

Cross with a leap

The horse jumped over the gate.
The horse leapt across the gate to the other side.
The child jumped over a puddle.
The child crossed a puddle with a jump.

lean over

Tip the upper body over something

He leaned over to whisper.
He tipped his upper body forward to whisper.
Maya leaned over the balcony to look down.
Maya tipped her upper body over the balcony to look down.

leap over

Cross with a powerful jump

She leapt over the puddle.
She crossed the puddle in one powerful jump.
The horse leapt over the fence.
The horse crossed the fence in one powerful jump.

step over

Cross with a single stride

Step over the threshold carefully.
Carefully cross the threshold with one stride.
Step over the cable by the desk.
Cross the cable by the desk with one stride.

vault over

Cross by springing from your hands or a pole

He vaulted over the counter.
He sprang over the counter using his hands for support.
The athlete vaulted over the high bar.
The athlete sprang over the high bar using a pole.

Flip

The top moves to the bottom. The object turns over.

Usual verb + particle uses

The verb keeps its normal meaning. The particle adds its usual direction or relation.

boil over

(of liquid) Overflow while boiling

The milk boiled over.
The boiling milk overflowed the pan.
The soup boiled over onto the stove.
The boiling soup overflowed onto the stove.

slop over

(of liquid) Spill untidily from a container

The soup slopped over the bowl.
The soup splashed untidily out of the bowl.
Water slopped over the bucket.
Water splashed untidily out of the bucket.

Stay

Someone visits, stays for a night, or stops during a longer journey.

Beyond

A situation passes, continues beyond a limit, or is delayed until later.

Skipping

A person, question, or topic is not chosen or discussed.

Covering

Something goes over another thing. It can hide it, protect it, or cover its surface.

Again

You examine or discuss something carefully, repeat an action, or keep thinking about it.

Business Activity

A business produces a total amount of sales or income during a period.

Machine Start

An engine completes its first cycle and starts running.

Transfer

Something moves from one person or side to another.

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1,300+ phrasal verbs26 particle patternsBuilt for B1–C2
Sink In particle over shown through its meaning patterns