Skip to main content
Lesson guide & glossary

Patient Care — C1 Phrasal Verbs

This lesson covers 12 C2 phrasal verbs on Patient Care. 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.

Back to Phrasal Verbs hub →

Lesson glossary (12 phrasal verbs)

  • wipe out

    to make someone extremely tired

    The 18-hour shift completely _____ the entire medical team.

  • run around

    to run and play

    The children were happily _____ in the hospital garden during visiting hours.

  • burn out

    to have to stop working because you have become ill or very tired from working too hard

    Many doctors are at risk of _____ completely if they continue working at this pace.

  • fit in

    to be able to be done between other activities

    I can just about _____ one more patient consultation before the end of the clinic.

  • keep off

    to not eat, drink or use something that can harm you

    The doctor advised the patient to _____ alcohol completely during the treatment.

  • wear out

    to make someone very tired

    The 18-hour shift completely _____ the entire medical team.

  • serve up

    to put food on plates and in dishes for people to eat

    The hospital canteen continued to _____ the same uninspiring meals day after day.

  • hinge on

    to depend on something or be very influenced by it

    The entire clinical trial now _____ the results of this single blood test.

  • throw off

    to succeed in getting rid of a slight illness

    The patient finally managed to _____ the lingering effects of the experimental treatment.

  • get over

    to feel better after having an illness

    Most patients _____ the surgery within a few weeks with proper care.

  • knock over

    to hit someone with a vehicle and injure or kill them

    The delivery van accidentally _____ a pedestrian outside the hospital entrance.

  • tense up

    if you tense up or your muscles tense up, your muscles stiffen because you are not relaxed

    The patient began to _____ as the needle approached during the procedure.