B2 · Upper-IntermediateVocabulary

Phrasal Verbs & Idioms

Verb + particle with a new meaning, plus common idioms.

Common phrasal verbs

The meaning often can't be guessed from the separate words — learn them in examples.

take up a hobbystart a new activity
turn down an offerrefuse
run out of milkhave none left
look forward to the holidays
put off a meetingpostpone

Idioms

Expressions with a figurative meaning.

It's a piece of cake.it's very easy
break the icestart a conversation in an awkward situation
once in a blue moonvery rarely
Tip: Many phrasal verbs can be split: turn the offer down / turn it down (but not “turn down it”).

Sample quiz questions

  1. We've ___ coffee. Can you buy some?
  2. She ___ the job offer because the salary was too low.
  3. I've ___ yoga to relax after work.
  4. “It's a piece of cake” means something is very difficult.

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