Phrasal Verbs (T - W)

think over a problem / a proposal / a situation etc.

to consider (something) carefully

Owen is playing chess with a friend. At the moment he is thinking over his next move. He is thinking over his next move. He is thinking his next move over. He is thinking it over.

throw away (separable)

discard; put in the garbage

You shouldn't throw those newspapers away; they're recyclable.

throw out (1. separable)

discard; put in the garbage

This food smells bad. You'd better throw it out.

throw out (2. separable)

forcibly make someone leave (usually because of bad behavior)

Those people are drunk and making everyone uncomfortable. The manager should throw them out.

throw up (usually no object; with an object, separable)

vomit

Paul was so nervous about his job interview that he threw up just before he left for it.

tick off (1. separable)

irritate someone; make someone upset or angry

It really ticks her off when someone is late for an appointment.

tick off (2. separable)

show that something has been completed by putting a tick (check) beside it

Here are the things you need to do. Tick each one off when you finish it.

Tie in with

be in agreement with

I'm afraid your party doesn't quite tie in with aor arrangements.

Track down

trace the whereabouts of

The police tracked down killer and arrested him.

try on (separable)

wear something briefly to check its fit, how it looks, etc.

I'm not sure that jacket is large enough. May I try it on?

try on a hat / a new pair of shoes / a dress etc.

to put on an article of clothing to see if it fits and how it looks

Last week I went into a shop and tried on three hats. The first hat was too big; the second one was too small; but the third one fitted me perfectly and looked good, so I bought it. I tried on three hats. I tried three hats on. I tried them on.

try out (for) (inseparable)

try to win a place on a team or other organization

I know you want to be on the football team. Are you going to try out? "If you like to sing, you should try out for the choir.

try out (separable)

test - a machine; use a machine briefly to determine how well it works

I really like the way this car looks. May I try it out? Let's try out the new washing machine.

try out something or someone

to test something (or someone) by using it

Angela saw an advertisement for a new soap powder called 'Zap'. She decided to try it out because she wanted to see if it was better than her usual soap powder. Angela tried out new 'Zap'. Angela tried new 'Zap' out. Angela tried it out.

turn around (1. usually no object)

move so that you are facing the opposite direction

Everyone turned around and stared when I entered the meeting late.

turn around (2. separable)

move so that someone / something is facing the opposite direction

I don't want this chair facing the window. Will you help me turn it around?

turn around (3. separable)

make changes so that something that was unprofitable is profitable

The company was doing poorly until it hired a new president. He turned it around in about six months and now it's doing quite well.

turn down (1. separable)

decrease the volume

Your music is giving me a headache! Please turn it down or use your headphones!

turn down (2. separable) a request / an offer / an applicant / an application etc.

to refuse or reject (something or someone)

Another company offered me a job but I turned them down. I thought I could borrow some money from Joe, but when I asked, he turned me down. Jeff was interviewed for the job at Bloggs Ltd but they turned him down because he was too young. They turned down

turn in (1. separable)

give / deliver / submit to someone

I've written my report, but I haven't turned it in.

turn in (2. no object)

go to bed

I'm pretty tired. I guess I'll turn in.

turn in (3. separable)

report or deliver wrongdoers to the authorities

Two days after the robbery, the thieves turned themselves in.

turn into something or someone

to change; to become

The beautiful princess kissed the frog and it turned into a handsome prince. The frog turned into a prince. The kiss turned the frog into a prince,

turn off (1. separable)

stop by turning a handle or switch

I'm cold. Do you mind if I turn the air conditioner off?

turn off (2. separable)

bore; repel (very informal)

That music turns me off. Please play something else!

turn on (1. separable)

start by turning a handle or switch

It's cold in here. I'm going to turn the heater on

turn on (2. separable)

interest very much; excite (very informal)

What kind of music turns you on?

turn out

happen to be in the end

He turned out to be an old friend of Helen's.

turn out

come to a meeting or to form a crowd

Thousands of fans turned out to welcome the team.

turn up (1. separable)

increase the volume

I can barely hear the TV. Can you turn it up a little?

turn up (2. no object)

appear, arrive unexpectedly

We were all surprised when Pam turned up at the party. We didn't even know she was in town. Not many people turned up for the lesson.

turn up (3)

be discovered by chance

Don't worry about that missing book, it's bound to turn up sooner or later.

wait for (inseparable)

wait until someone / something arrives or is finished with something else

When will Kenny be finished with work? I've been waiting for him for almost an hour! "I'm tired of waiting for the bus. I guess I'll take a taxi instead."

wait on (1. inseparable)

serve (usually customers in a restaurant, shop, etc.)

I want to make a complaint. The person who just waited on me was very impolite.

wake up (1. no object)

stop sleeping

I usually wake up around 5:00 AM each day.

wake up (2. separable)

rouse someone; cause someone to stop sleeping

I have an important meeting tomorrow and I'm afraid I won't hear my alarm. Will you wake me up at 6:00 AM?

watch out for (inseparable)

be careful of; beware of

There's a school at the end of this block. Watch out for children crossing the street. "If you take that road, watch out for ice during the winter."

wear off (1)

to disappear gradually

The pain in Jim's foot wore off after he took some painkiller. The pain wore off.

wear off (2)

loose effect - especially a drug

These painkillers wear off after about two hours.

wear out (1)

to use (something) until it becomes unfit for further use; to become unusable after excessive use

Paul wore out his favourite jumper after wearing it every day for ten years. Paul wore out his jumper. Paul wore his jumper out. Paul wore it out. The jumper wore out.

wear out (1. separable)

wear something / use something until it can no longer be worn / be used

I need a new pencil sharpener. I wore this one out. "I suppose I should get some new shoes. I've almost worn this pair out."

wear out (2) often used in the passive

to tire greatly; to exhaust

Carrying the heavy box across the street wore Fred out. When he got home he went straight to bed. Carrying the heavy box wore out Fred. Carrying the heavy box wore Fred out. Carrying the heavy box wore him out. Fred was worn out by carrying the heavy box.

wear out (2. separable)

cause to become exhausted; cause to become very tired

I had four different meetings today. They wore me out. "I suppose I should get some new shoes. I've almost worn this pair out."

work out (1. no object)

exercise (usually in a gym, etc.) to build muscles, body tone, etc

Instead of eating lunch on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Sheila goes to the recreation center to work out.

work out (2. separable) a problem /a plan/a method etc.

solve a problem / resolve a difficult situation (usually by working together); to produce a way of dealing with a problem or situation by thinking

I know we disagree on many points, but I believe we can work things out. Jimmy is busy doing his homework. At the moment he is working out the answer to a sum. He is working out the answer. He is working the answer out. He is working it out.

work out (3) a sum

calculate - also work out for a specific ammount; to solve a problem by calculation or study

The hotel bill worked out at over $500.

wrap up (1. no object)

wear enough clothes to keep warm

It's really cold today. Be sure you wrap up when you leave the house.

wrap up (2. separable)

finish something; bring something to a conclusion

We've been talking about the problem for nearly three hours. I hope we'll be able to wrap the discussion up soon.

write down (separable)

record something in writing

Could you tell me your e-mail address again? I want to write it down.

write up (separable)

record; report in writing

You'll need to make a report on your business meetings. Be sure you write them up as soon as possible after you return from your trip.