This lesson covers 30 C2 phrasal verbs on Feelings, Attitudes & Reactions. 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.
object to sb/sth/doing sth
to feel or say that you oppose or dislike something or someone
Several parents objected to changing the school timetable.
give in to sth
if you give in to an emotion or desire, you stop trying not to feel it and you allow your actions to be controlled by that emotion or desire
He finally gave in to his desire to call her.
get sb down
to make someone feel unhappy
Constant criticism really gets him down.
Shove off!
something that you say when you are angry to tell someone to go away
“Shove off!” she snapped when the stranger would not leave her alone.
bore into sb
if someone’s eyes bore into you, they look at you very hard and make you feel nervous
The interviewer’s eyes bored into him as he hesitated.
come over sb
if a feeling comes over you, you suddenly experience it
A sudden feeling of sadness came over her.
drum up sth
to increase interest in something or support for something
The group tried to drum up support for the charity event.
freeze up
become so afraid you cannot move or do anything
He froze up when everyone looked at him.
turn (sb) against sth/sb
to decide not to like or agree with someone or something, or to make someone do this
The unfair treatment turned him against the organisation.
come into it
if you say that a particular emotion or quality [e.g. pride, love, luck] comes into it when you are describing a situation, you mean that it influences the situation
Pride comes into it when people defend their work.
tired out adj
completely exhausted
After the emotional meeting, she was tired out.
look forward to sth/doing sth
to feel pleased and excited about something that is going to happen
I am really looking forward to seeing my friends this weekend.
feel up to sth/doing sth
to feel physically and mentally strong enough to do something
I do not feel up to discussing the problem tonight.
go off sb/sth
to stop liking someone or something
She has gone off that television programme.
run away with sb
if something [e.g. emotions, imagination, enthusiasm] runs away with someone, it makes them do or think stupid things
His imagination ran away with him, and he expected the worst.
brim with sth
to have or show a lot of a good emotion or good quality
The children were brimming with excitement before the trip.
take sth out of sb
informal to make someone feel very tired
The long, stressful day took a lot out of her.
snap out of sth
informal to force yourself to stop feeling sad and upset
He told himself to snap out of his low mood.
hold in sth
to prevent an emotion, reaction, or bodily feeling from being expressed
She tried to hold in her frustration during the meeting.
interest sb in sth
to try to persuade someone that they want something
The club tried to interest young people in volunteering.
blink at sth
to show surprise or disapproval at something
She blinked at the unexpected message in disbelief.
go out to sb
if your thoughts or sympathies go out to someone, you feel very sorry for them when they are in a difficult situation
Our thoughts go out to the family at this difficult time.
keep on
slightly informal to talk in an annoying way about something for a long time
He kept on about the problem until everyone felt tired.
bring up sb or bring sb up
to look after a child and educate them until they are old enough to look after themselves
Her grandparents brought her up to be considerate of others.
take sb aback
if something takes you aback, you are very surprised by it
The sudden question took him aback.
loosen up
to relax mentally
After a few minutes, everyone began to loosen up.
worked up adj
if you are worked-up, you feel very upset, nervous or excited about something
He became so worked up that he could not listen properly.
get carried away
to become so excited that you lose control of what you say or do
She got carried away and said more than she intended.
draw back
to move away from someone or something, usually because you are surprised or afraid
He drew back when the angry dog moved towards him.
have sth against sb/sth
to dislike or disagree with someone or something for a particular reason
I do not have anything against her personally.