This lesson covers 48 C2 phrasal verbs on Politics. 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.
lead up
to sth if a period of time or a series of events leads up to an event or activity, it happens until that event or activity begins
The series of meetings finally _____ the crucial vote on the new policy.
vote on
to make a decision about something [e.g. proposal, motion] by counting the number of people for and against it
The committee will meet next week to finally _____ the controversial new proposal.
drive off
to leave in a vehicle
The official motorcade quickly _____ after the signing ceremony concluded.
pass off
if an event passes off in a good way, it happens in that way
The high-level diplomatic meeting is expected to _____ without any major incidents.
brush off
to refuse to listen to what someone says, or to refuse to think about something seriously
The minister tried to _____ the accusations of corruption _____ during the press conference.
be gunning for
to try to harm someone or cause trouble for them
The opposition party is clearly _____ the minister over the latest scandal.
break off
to separate a part from a larger piece
The diplomat had to _____ the negotiations _____ when new evidence emerged.
stand by
to do nothing to prevent something unpleasant from happening
The international community could not simply _____ while the humanitarian crisis worsened.
bombard with
to direct a lot of something [e.g. questions, letters] at one person
The minister was _____ questions _____ from journalists about the new ethics scandal.
head off
to prevent a difficult or unpleasant situation from happening
The quick intervention managed to _____ a potential diplomatic crisis.
chase off
to run after a person or an animal in a threatening way in order to make them leave
Security had to _____ the protesters _____ from the entrance to the parliament building.
fall apart
if an organisation, system, or agreement falls apart, it fails or stops working effectively
The entire international agreement began to _____ after the key nation withdrew.
put down
to use force to stop people opposing the government
The authorities were forced to _____ the violent protests outside the parliament building.
whip up
to try to make people feel strongly about something
The opposition party tried to _____ public anger against the new legislation.
spy on
to watch secretly in order to discover information about them
The security team was accused of trying to _____ the visiting foreign delegation.
shout down
to shout in order to prevent someone who is saying something that you disagree with from being heard
The protesters tried to _____ the minister during the public debate.
get through
if a law or proposal gets through, or if someone gets a law or proposal through, it is officially accepted by a government or organisation
The new data-protection bill is unlikely to _____ parliament in its current form.
push through
to make a plan or suggestion be officially accepted
The government managed to _____ the controversial new legislation despite strong opposition.
lash out
to criticise someone or something in an angry way
The opposition leader immediately _____ the government's handling of the crisis.
impose on
to force a group of people to accept something, or to give someone a punishment [e.g. fine, ban]
The government decided not to _____ additional taxes on the research sector.
blurt out
to say something suddenly and without thinking, especially because you are excited or nervous
In the middle of the press conference she accidentally _____ the classified information _____ .
turn against
to decide not to like or agree with someone or something, or to make someone do this
Public opinion began to rapidly _____ the controversial new legislation.
get in
if a political party or a politician gets in, they are elected
The new party is expected to _____ at the next general election.
consist of
to be formed from two or more things
The new international panel will _____ leading experts from 12 different countries.
build up
to increase in amount, size, or strength, or to make something increase in amount, size, or strength
Tension began to _____ between the two nations after the disputed election results.
drown out
if a loud noise drowns out another noise, it prevents it from being heard
The loud protest chants completely _____ the minister's attempt to speak.
be rooted in
to be based on, or caused by
The conflict is deeply _____ centuries of historical grievances.
beat down
if the rain beats down, it comes down in large amounts with force
Torrential rain _____ throughout the entire political rally.
call on
to use something, especially a quality that you have, in order to achieve something
The prime minister had to _____ all his diplomatic experience to resolve the crisis.
stir up
if something stirs up memories, it makes you remember events in the past, usually ones that make you feel sad
The new report threatened to _____ old controversies that had been forgotten for years.
bring forward
to change the date or time of an event so that it happens earlier than planned
Due to public pressure the government decided to _____ the vote on the new climate bill.
dash off
to leave a place quickly
The minister had to _____ to another urgent meeting after the press conference.
arrive at
to achieve an agreement or decision, especially after thinking about it or discussing it for a long time
After weeks of negotiations, the two governments finally _____ a trade agreement.
drum up
to increase interest in something or support for something
The campaign team worked hard to _____ support for the new environmental legislation.
hit out
to strongly criticise something or someone
The opposition party immediately _____ the government's handling of the crisis.
smooth over
to settle a disagreement so that it’s no longer a problem
The diplomats worked hard to _____ the minor disagreement before it escalated.
hang back
to not move forwards, usually because you are shy or afraid
Several delegates decided to _____ during the heated part of the debate.
send in
to send a group of people with special skills [e.g. police, troops] to deal with a difficult situation
The government decided to _____ additional specialist troops to the disaster zone.
bring together
to cause people to be friendly with each other, especially people who have argued with each other or who would not usually be friendly with each other
The peace summit successfully managed to _____ former enemies after decades of conflict.
back off
to stop being involved in a situation, especially in order to allow other people to deal with it themselves
The government was forced to _____ after public protests against the new tax proposal.
skirt around
to avoid discussing a difficult subject or problem
The minister tried to _____ the most difficult questions during the press conference.
be sandwiched between
to be in a small space in the middle of two people or things
The small island nation is _____ two superpowers competing for influence.
engage in conversation
if you engage someone in conversation, you try to start a conversation with them
The diplomat tried to _____ the foreign minister in a private conversation about the treaty.
thin out
if a large number of people or things thin out, they become fewer in number
The crowd of protesters slowly began to _____ as the evening wore on.
shoot off
to leave somewhere very quickly
The minister had to _____ to another urgent meeting after the press conference.
come into being
to begin
The new international climate treaty finally _____ after years of negotiations.
hold over
to delay something and to arrange to do it at a later time
The final vote on the bill was _____ until the next parliamentary session.
explain away
to give a reason for something bad happening which makes other people think that it is not so bad or that it is not your fault
The minister attempted to _____ the budget overrun by blaming external factors.