Phrasal Verbs C - F
This is the phrasal verb reference section. Here there are definitions and examples for hundreds of phrasal verbs found in English.
Don't forget we have a phrasal verb exercise page.
cover
Cover Against
To buy insurance for something.
We bought a special insurance policy to cover the house against storm damage.
Cover For
Substitute for a person, take the place of someone.
If you want to go for a quick coffee, I will cover for you if the boss returns.
Cover Up
Keep information secret.
The Republicans were accused of covering up during the Watergate scandal.
crack
Crack Down On
To use authority or force to prevent something.
After the drug related shootings, the local police used emergency powers to crack down on local gangs.
Crack Up
To lose self-control or mental stability.
If you don't stop working so hard, you are going to crack up.
cross
Cross Off
Remove items from a list by putting a line through them.
As we interview each person, please cross them off that list I gave you.
Cross Out
Put a line through something on a list.
Your name has been crossed out because you are ineligible.
Cross Something With Something
To mix one animal breed with another.
The zoo tried to cross a panda with a grizzly bear.
cry
Cry Off
When a person withdraws from a previous promise, arrangement.
He promised to come to the party, but he cried off with flu at the last moment.
cut
Cut Back/Down On
Reduce something, especially something considered a bad habit.
My doctor says I have to cut down on smoking.
Cut In
Interrupt.
Stop cutting in just when I start speaking to you all the time.
Cut Off
1. Stop a telephone connection.
When I asked to speak to his daughter, he cut me off!
2. Stop someone speaking.
She cut me off as I was starting to explain my side of the story.
3. Be prevented from travelling, usually by the weather.
The heavy snow cut her off and she couldn't reach her home for two days.
Cut Out
Electrical appliance stops working suddenly.
The TV cut out just as the film ended.
Cut To
Switch scenes quickly in a film.
Just as the shark attacks, the camera cuts to the deserted beach.
die
Die Down
To become less strong, weaker, quieter.
The noise from that party didn't die down until after 3a.m.
Die For Something
Want something very much.
By the time I arrived at the bar, I was dying for a cold drink.
Die Out
Become extinct; not be used anymore.
The dinosaurs died out millions of years before humans appeared.
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dig
Dig Up
Discover information by investigating.
After the divorce, he dug up a lot of terrible things about her.
do
Do Away With
Get rid of, abolish something.
We should do away with all written exams in schools.
Do Down
Make someone feel unimportant or inferior.
The grumpy old professor was always doing down the new students in the class.
Do In
Kill someone (very informal).
He did in his wife with a cake made with rat poison.
Do Out
Decorate.
When your brother comes to stay, we will have to do out the old guest room.
Do Up
Fasten, attach.
It's cold out, so do up your coat before you go out.
Do Without
Survive without, to not need.
You can use my car today as I can do without it. I'll work at home.
