Phrasal verbs with up are incredibly common in everyday English. This list of phrasal verbs with up includes expressions that often suggest completion, improvement, increase, or upward movement.
Meaning of "up" in phrasal verbs
The particle "up" can change the meaning of a verb dramatically. It often indicates:
- Completion or finishing: drink up, use up
- Improvement or intensification: cheer up, brighten up
- Increase: speed up, build up
- Appearance or emergence: show up, come up
Fun example
He burned up all the old letters. (burn + up = completely destroy by fire)
Full list of phrasal verbs with up
break up
end a romantic relationship
bring up
to mention a topic in conversation
catch up
to reach the same level or position as someone or something after falling behind
come up
to appear or be mentioned unexpectedly
come up with
to think of or produce (an idea, etc.)
get up
to rise from bed
give up
to stop trying or quit doing something
make up
to reconcile after a disagreement
make up for
to compensate for something (a loss, mistake..)
put up with
to tolerate or endure something unpleasant
set up
to establish or arrange something
show up
to arrive or appear
shut up
to stop talking
stand up
to rise to a standing position
take up
to begin a new activity or hobby
throw up
to vomit