This lesson covers 30 C2 phrasal verbs on Relationships, Friends & Family. 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.
bring together sb or bring sb 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 celebration brought together relatives from across the country.
hang out
informal to spend a lot of time in a particular place, or to spend a lot of time with someone
The teenagers often hang out at the park after school.
go on to swh
to go to a particular place after going somewhere else
After university, she went on to live with her partner.
come between sb
if an argument or other problem comes between two or more people, it spoils their relationship
A long-running argument came between the two brothers.
take up with sb
to begin spending time with or having a relationship with someone
He took up with a group of friends who loved hiking.
know of sb/sth
to have heard of someone or something and to be able to give some information about them, but not very much
Do you know of anyone who could babysit on Friday?
feel for sb
to sympathize with someone
I really feel for her after what happened.
squash up
if people who are sitting or standing together squash up, they move closer together in order to make space for someone else
Everyone squashed up on the sofa to watch the film.
come out
to go somewhere with someone for a social event
The truth came out during the family conversation.
warm to sb
to start to like someone
At first she was shy, but she soon warmed to her new family.
call in (on)
British & Australian to visit a place or person for a short time, usually while you are going somewhere else
We called in on Grandma after lunch.
pass by (swh)
British to visit somewhere for a short time, usually while you are going somewhere else
We passed by my old school on the way to the family party.
go out together
to have a romantic relationship
They went out together for three years before marrying.
get together
if two or more people get together, or if someone gets two or more people together, they meet in order to do something or spend time together
The family gets together every Sunday.
hear from sb
to receive news or information from someone, usually by letter or telephone
We have not heard from our uncle since he moved abroad.
deal with sth
to take action in order to achieve something, or in order to solve a problem
They learned to deal with the problem together.
take to sb
to begin to like someone
The baby immediately took to her new babysitter.
fuss over sb/sth
to pay too much attention to someone or something, especially because you want to show that you like them
Her grandparents fussed over her whenever she visited.
take after sb
to resemble an older family member in appearance or character
She takes after her mother in both looks and character.
treat sb to sth
to buy or pay for something for someone else
We treated the children to ice cream after the outing.
lead sb on
to make someone believe something, especially falsely, about your intentions or feelings
Do not lead her on if you do not share her feelings.
get up to sth
to do something, especially something that other people think is wrong
The children got up to mischief while the adults were talking.
flirt with sb
to talk and behave towards someone in a way that is sexually attractive and which shows that person that you are sexually attracted to them
They flirted with each other at the party.
ask out sb or ask sb out
to invite someone to come with you to a place such as the cinema or a restaurant, especially as a way of starting a romantic relationship
He asked his classmate out after weeks of talking.
go out with sb
to have a romantic relationship
She has been going out with him since last summer.
drop by
British & Australian informal to make a short visit to someone in their home, usually without arranging it before
My cousin dropped by for a cup of tea.
move on
to move forward in one’s life and not look back to the past
After the break-up, it took him time to move on.
get into sth
to become interested in an activity or subject, or to start being involved in an activity
He got into an argument with his brother.
roll up
to arrive at a particular place or event, usually late
The relatives rolled up just as lunch was ready.
move away
to leave the place or area where you live and go and live in another place
Her best friend moved away, so they now speak online every week.