This lesson covers 30 C2 phrasal verbs on Arts, Media, Literature & Culture. At Proficiency you must distinguish particles that change meaning subtly and match register across formal and informal contexts. Complete the runner, then use the glossary below to consolidate each verb. Detailed explanations appear in Review mode once you finish the set.
come out with sth
to say something suddenly
The critic came out with a surprisingly harsh remark about the play.
chirp away
if a bird chirps away, it sings continuously
Birds chirped away in the soundscape of the nature film.
peal out
when bells ring loudly, they peal out
The church bells pealed out before the outdoor concert.
make sth into sth
to adapt or transform something into another form, such as a book into a film
The director made the novel into a compelling film.
trail off
to gradually become quieter and then stop
Her voice trailed off as she described the final scene.
die down
if something, especially noise or excitement, dies down, it gradually becomes less loud or strong until it stops
The applause died down as the award winner began to speak.
fade out
if the sound or picture of a film or recording fades out, or if you fade it out, it gradually becomes quieter or less clear until you cannot hear or see it any more
The music faded out as the credits appeared.
get out
if news or information gets out, people hear about it even though someone is trying to keep it secret
Word got out that the band was recording a new album.
spring sth on sb
to tell someone some news that surprises them
The editor sprang the review deadline on the writer at the last minute.
grate on sb/sth
if something, especially someone’s voice or way of behaving, grates on you, it annoys you
The presenter’s repetitive catchphrase grated on the viewers.
fade in
if the sound or picture of a film or recording fades in, or if you fade it in, it becomes gradually louder or brighter so that you can hear it or see it clearly
The opening image faded in from black.
leak out
if secret information leaks out, people who should not know this information find out about it
Details of the ending leaked out before the premiere.
show up
if something shows up, it can be seen clearly or easily
The hidden image showed up when the photograph was enlarged.
chatter away
to talk continuously
The hosts chattered away between songs on the radio show.
get around
if news or information gets around, a lot of people hear about it
News of the surprise guest soon got around the festival.
bang about/around
to move around a place, making a lot of noise
The stagehands banged about backstage while setting up the exhibition.
tune into sth
to turn on the radio or television in order to listen to or watch a particular programme
Tune into the arts channel for the live concert tonight.
play with sth
if you play with the idea of doing something, you consider it, but usually do not do it
The writer played with the idea of turning the play into a musical.
pass off
British & Australian if an event passes off in a good way, it happens in that way
The opening night passed off without any technical problems.
run off sth
to produce printed copies of something quickly
The theatre ran off extra copies of the programme before the matinee.
come over sth
if an announcement comes over a public address system, people can hear the announcement
An announcement came over the theatre’s public-address system.
come across
if an idea or an emotion comes across in writing, film, music, or when someone is speaking, it is expressed clearly and people understand it or notice it
The film’s message about grief came across clearly.
come back
if something comes back to you, you remember it
As she reread the poem, its final line came back to her.
hype up sth
to promote something in an exaggerated way
The studio hyped up the sequel with dramatic posters.
join up
to join the army, navy, or airforce
Before becoming a well-known actor, he joined up during wartime.
come down
if a story or tradition comes down, it is passed from older people to younger people so that it continues
The folk song has come down through several generations.
bring out sth
to publish or release a book, record, film, or product
The publisher will bring out the novelist’s new book next spring.
read on
to continue reading and read the next part of something
Read on to discover how the mystery is solved.
run through sth
to explain or read something to someone quickly
The director ran through the scene with the cast before filming.
be glued to sth
to be watching something [esp. television] with all your attention
The audience was glued to the screen during the documentary.