This lesson covers 30 C2 phrasal verbs on Communication & Conversation. 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 up
if a shout [e.g. cheer, cry, groan] goes up, a lot of people make that noise at the same time
A cheer went up when the speaker entered the room.
give in to sth
when someone spends a long time trying to persuade you to do or agree to something, and you finally agree to it
She gave in to the pressure and revealed the plan.
Hang about/on!
something that you say to tell someone to stop doing or saying something
“Hang on!” the moderator said, “we have not finished this point.”
Take it away!
something that you say in musical contexts to tell someone to start playing or singing
The conductor raised his hand and said, “Take it away!”
hold forth
to talk about a particular subject for a long time, often in a way that other people find boring
He held forth for twenty minutes without letting anyone respond.
Shut up!
to tell someone to stop talking
“Shut up!” he snapped, making the disagreement worse.
go on at sb
to criticise someone continuously
My father went on at me about speaking more politely.
shut (sb) up
to stop talking or making a noise, or to make someone do this
The presenter tried to shut the heckler up.
get across sth
to communicate an idea or message successfully
The presenter got her main message across clearly.
blurt out sth or blurt sth out
to say something suddenly and without thinking, especially because you are excited or nervous
He blurted out the answer before anyone else could speak.
go ahead
slightly informal something that you say to someone to give them permission to start to do something
Go ahead and ask your question.
bend to sb/sth
to do something you don’t want to do
After a long debate, she bent to the group’s wishes.
Watch out!
something you say to tell someone to be careful so that they can avoid danger or an accident
“Watch out!” she warned, “that comment could offend someone.”
Roll on sth!
British informal something that you say in order to show that you are looking forward to a time or event
“Roll on Friday!” she said after a week of difficult meetings.
Go for it!
something that you say to encourage someone to try and achieve something
“Go for it!” her friend said before the presentation.
keep to sth
if you keep to the point, you do not write or talk about other topics
Please keep to the main topic during the discussion.
Come off it!
something that you say in order to tell someone that you do not believe them or that you disagree with them or are angry with them
“Come off it!” she said when he denied the obvious.
Go on then!
something that you say to encourage someone to do something
“Go on then,” said the teacher, “tell us your idea.”
put across sth
to communicate an idea or message clearly
She put her concerns across calmly and clearly.
Go on!
something that you say to tell someone that you do not believe what they have just told you
“Go on!” she replied, refusing to believe his story.
Grow up!
informal something that you say to an adult in order to tell them to stop behaving stupidly
“Grow up!” she said when he started making childish jokes.
Wake up!
informal something you say to tell someone to listen to what you are saying when they have not been listening
“Wake up!” the tutor said, “you have not heard a word I said.”
Hurry up!
informal to tell someone to move more quickly or do a task more quickly
“Hurry up!” the organiser called as the meeting was about to start.
Dream on!
something that you say in order to tell someone that what they are hoping for is not possible and will not happen
“Dream on!” she said when he claimed he could finish everything alone.
put sth to sb
to ask someone a question, or to state an opinion to someone which they are likely to disagree with
The chair put the question to the committee.
talk at sb
to talk to someone without listening to them or allowing them to speak
She talked at the group instead of listening to their replies.
Hold on!
to tell someone to stop doing something for a very short while
“Hold on,” said the caller, “I need to write that down.”
Come on!
something that you say in order to tell someone that you do not believe them or that you disagree with them or are angry with them
“Come on!” the chair replied, “that excuse is not convincing.”
let on
to reveal or admit something, especially a secret
He would not let on that he already knew the answer.
Get off (sb/sth)!
something that you say in order to tell someone to stop touching someone or something
“Get off my phone!” he said when his brother grabbed it.