This lesson covers 26 C2 phrasal verbs on Psychology. 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.
put behind
if you put an unpleasant experience behind you, you forget it so that it does not affect your life
The team is determined to _____ the recent failure and focus on the next phase.
fling off
to remove very quickly
In frustration she _____ her lab coat and stormed out of the meeting.
mist over
if your eyes mist over, they become filled with tears which stop you from seeing clearly
Her eyes began to _____ as she read the emotional final paragraph of the report.
work off
to do something energetic to stop yourself becoming fat after eating a lot of food
The researcher decided to _____ the stress of the long day with a quick run in the park.
associate with
to connect someone or something in your mind with someone or something else
Most people _____ rapid technological change with increased stress levels.
flash back
if your mind or thoughts flash back to something that happened to you in the past, you suddenly remember that thing
A painful memory of the failed experiment suddenly _____ to her during the presentation.
eat away at
if a memory or bad emotion [e.g. bitterness, shame] eats away at someone, they think about it a lot and it makes them very unhappy
Guilt from the ethical breach continued to _____ the researcher's confidence.
work yourself into
to make yourself become very angry or upset
The normally calm researcher began to _____ a state of panic as the deadline approached.
snap out of
to force yourself to stop feeling sad and upset
The researcher finally managed to _____ the deep depression caused by the failed experiment.
trail off
to gradually become quieter and then stop
Her voice slowly began to _____ as she realised the implications of what she had just said.
grate on
if something, especially someone’s voice or way of behaving, grates on you, it annoys you
The constant background noise from the construction site began to _____ everyone's nerves.
perk up
to suddenly become happier or more energetic, or to make someone feel this way
The research team's spirits finally began to _____ when the first positive results arrived.
shake up
if an unpleasant experience shakes someone up, it makes them feel shocked and upset
The sudden announcement completely _____ the entire research department.
remind of
to cause someone to think of someone or something
The old laboratory notebook immediately _____ her of the early days of the project.
stick with
if something sticks with you, you remember it
The shocking results of the experiment will definitely _____ with everyone who witnessed them.
pick yourself up
to stand up again after you have fallen
After the setback the team quickly managed to _____ and continue with the project.
grow out of
if a child grows out of an interest, way of behaving, or illness, they stop having or doing it because they have become older
Most children eventually _____ the fear of the dark as they get older.
bring out
to make a particular quality more noticeable
The crisis really _____ the best qualities in the emergency response team.
block out
to stop yourself from thinking about something unpleasant because it upsets you
She tried to _____ the traumatic memories _____ by focusing entirely on her work.
switch off
to stop giving your attention to something or someone
The exhausted researcher simply decided to _____ during the long and repetitive presentation.
spill out
if you spill out an emotion or if emotion spills out, you express it, usually by talking in an uncontrolled way
All her pent-up frustration suddenly _____ during the heated team meeting.
summon up
to try hard to find a particular quality [e.g. courage, energy] in yourself because you need it in order to do something
The exhausted researcher had to _____ all her remaining energy to finish the final report.
come back
if something comes back to you, you remember it
The painful memory of the failed experiment suddenly _____ to her during the interview.
bury yourself in
to give all your attention to something
After the scandal he decided to _____ his work to avoid the media attention.
run away with
if something [e.g. emotions, imagination, enthusiasm] runs away with someone, it makes them do or think stupid things
His enthusiasm for the new technology began to _____ him during the presentation.
set in
if something unpleasant sets in, it begins and seems likely to continue
A sense of panic began to _____ among the research team as the deadline approached.