This lesson covers 30 C2 phrasal verbs on Character & Behaviour. 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.
go down
to become worse in quality
His manners have gone down since he started copying that rude behaviour.
go on
to continue to exist or happen
The argument went on for hours after everyone else wanted to leave.
come across
to behave in a way which makes people believe that you have a particular characteristic
She comes across as confident without seeming arrogant.
come across sth/sb
to discover something by chance, or to meet someone by chance
I came across an old friend who had changed completely.
act up
to behave badly or in an awkward way
The child tends to act up when he wants attention.
look for sth/sb
to try to find something or someone, either because you have lost them or because you need them
She is always looking for ways to improve herself.
play about/around
to behave in a stupid way
The children played around instead of finishing their chores.
stand up
if an idea or claim stands up, it is proved to be correct when it is examined carefully
His excuse did not stand up when the teacher checked the facts.
vouch for sb
to say that you know someone and that you can promise that they have a good character or good skills
I can vouch for her honesty because I have known her for years.
stand up
to rise from a sitting or lying position to a standing position
She stood up when the teacher entered the room.
switch off
to stop giving your attention to something or someone
He switches off whenever someone tries to give him advice.
come up to sth
to reach an acceptable or expected standard
Her behaviour did not come up to the standards expected at school.
stand by
to do nothing to prevent something unpleasant from happening
Nobody should stand by while someone is being bullied.
take against sb
to begin to dislike someone
She took against the new neighbour for no clear reason.
answer sb back
to reply rudely or defiantly to someone in authority
She answered her teacher back and was asked to apologise.
be down on sb
to dislike or criticize someone frequently
He has always been down on people who make different choices.
look down on sb/sth
to think that someone is less important than you, or to think that something is not good enough quality for you to use
He should not look down on people who have less experience.
put up with sb/sth
to tolerate unpleasant behaviour or an unpleasant situation
Nobody should have to put up with insulting behaviour.
get on (with sb)
to like someone, and enjoy spending time with them
Despite their differences, the two cousins get on well.
go down
to be remembered as part of something
That embarrassing outburst will go down as his worst public mistake.
get in with sb
to become friendly with someone, often to gain an advantage
She got in with a group that encouraged her worst habits.
go down
well-received
The news went down badly with his parents.
grow out of sth
if a child grows out of an interest, way of behaving, or illness, they stop having or doing it because they have become older
She gradually grew out of her habit of interrupting everyone.
toughen up
to become stronger and more able to deal with problems, or to make someone become this way
The coach told the players to toughen up after the setback.
come along
to start to exist, happen, or be available
When a better role model came along, his behaviour improved.
look after sb/sth
to take care of someone or something by doing what is needed to keep them well or in good condition
She looks after her younger brother with great patience.
let off steam
to talk or act in a way that helps get rid of strong feelings
After the criticism, he went for a run to let off steam.
go on
to talk in an annoying way about something for a long time
The child went on about the same complaint for hours.
run over
to continue past the expected finishing time
The school meeting ran over, so the children waited outside.
hang back
to not move forwards, usually because you are shy or afraid
He hung back because he did not want to join the argument.