This lesson covers 50 C2 phrasal verbs on Science. 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.
store up
to remember things, usually so that you can tell people about them later
The laboratory decided to carefully _____ a large supply of the rare reagent.
rough out
if you rough out a drawing or an idea, you draw or write the main parts of it without showing the details
The architect began to _____ a preliminary design for the new laboratory wing.
put up
to fasten a piece of furniture [e.g. shelves, cupboard] to a wall or assemble something
The technicians quickly managed to _____ the new shelving units in the laboratory.
win through
to finally succeed after trying hard to achieve something
After years of setbacks the small research team finally managed to _____ .
come at
to think about something in a particular way
We need to _____ the data from an entirely new angle if we want real innovation.
play around
to behave in a stupid way
The interns were warned not to _____ with the expensive laboratory equipment.
take aback
if something takes you aback, you are very surprised by it
The unexpected results of the experiment completely _____ the entire research team.
tick off
to mark something with a tick
Please make sure to _____ each completed item on the safety checklist.
succeed in
to achieve something that you have been trying to get or do
The small research team finally managed to _____ developing the new diagnostic tool after years of work.
let down
to make a piece of clothing longer by removing the sewing from the bottom folded edge and then sewing closer to the edge of the material
The tailor had to _____ the lab coat to fit the taller researcher.
run out
if a supply of something runs out, there is none left because it has all been used
The laboratory's supply of the rare reagent finally _____ just before the critical experiment.
line up
to move something in order to make it straight or level with something else
Please make sure to _____ the samples perfectly before the automated analysis begins.
muck up
to do something very badly
The new intern completely _____ the delicate calibration of the equipment.
fend for yourself
to take care of yourself without needing help from other people
In the remote research station scientists must learn to _____ during the long winter.
be set back
if a building is set back, it is a little distance from the road
The new research facility is _____ from the main road to minimise noise and traffic.
zip up
to fasten a piece of clothing by using its zip (= a long metal or plastic fastener), or to help someone close the zip on a piece of clothing they are wearing
Remember to carefully _____ your lab coat before entering the sterile zone.
botch up
to spoil a piece of work by doing it badly
The contractor completely _____ the installation of the new laboratory equipment.
end up
to finally be in a situation
After years of research the project unexpectedly _____ with a major scientific breakthrough.
pull on
to put on clothes quickly
He quickly _____ his lab coat before entering the sterile zone.
push over
to push someone or something so that they fall to the ground
The strong gust of wind suddenly _____ the temporary sign outside the laboratory.
fog up
if something made of glass [e.g. windscreen, glasses] fogs up, or if something fogs it up, it becomes covered with small drops of water and you cannot see through it any more
The safety goggles began to _____ during the high-humidity experiment.
go down
to be remembered as part of something
This discovery will definitely _____ in the history of modern medicine.
settle for
to agree to something which isn’t your first choice
The team refused to _____ anything less than the highest possible safety standards.
open off
if an area opens off another area, you can enter one from the other directly
The main laboratory corridor _____ several smaller specialised rooms.
watch over
to protect or take care of a person or animal
The security team was asked to carefully _____ the sensitive experimental materials overnight.
drop by
to make a short visit to someone in their home, usually without arranging it before
I thought I would _____ the laboratory on my way home to check the latest results.
mop up
to use a cloth or a mop to remove a liquid that has been dropped or that has spread
The cleaning crew quickly arrived to _____ the chemical spill in the corridor.
thaw out
if someone thaws out, they become warmer after they have been outside and have got very cold
The frozen specimens were allowed to slowly _____ before microscopic analysis.
rank among
to have a particular position in a list that has been arranged in order of quality
The new discovery is expected to _____ the most important breakthroughs of the decade.
stand back
to move a short distance away from something or someone
The safety officer told everyone to _____ while the hazardous material was being handled.
fall back on
to use something when other things have failed, or when there are no other choices
The research team had to _____ their original methodology when the new equipment failed.
feed on
if an animal feeds on a particular type of food, it usually eats that food
The bacteria used in the experiment _____ a specialised nutrient solution.
know from
to know the difference between something and something else, so that you can recognise either of them
It is important to be able to _____ genuine scientific claims from pseudoscience.
flood back
if memories flood back, you suddenly remember very clearly a lot of things about an experience or period in the past
All the memories of the original discovery suddenly _____ when he returned to the old laboratory.
beaver away
to work hard at something for a long time, especially something you are writing
The research team continued to _____ at the problem for months until they found the solution.
shut out
to prevent a sound or light from being heard or seen
Thick curtains were used to completely _____ any external light from the sensitive experiment.
dip in
to quickly put something into something else and then take it out again, especially biscuits in tea or coffee
The researchers would occasionally _____ their sensors _____ the experimental solution to check readings.
lock up
to lock all the doors and windows of a building when you leave it
Remember to _____ the laboratory before leaving for the weekend.
keep at
to continue to do something (until it is finished)
The team decided to _____ the difficult problem until they found a solution.
check off
to look at each item on a list, or to write something next to each item on a list, in order to make sure that everything or everyone on it is correct, present, or has been dealt with
Please _____ each item on the safety checklist before the rocket launch.
put up with
to tolerate unpleasant behaviour or an unpleasant situation
The research team has had to _____ several months of unreliable equipment.
lay out
to design the way in which a house, city, or garden is built or created
The architects carefully _____ the entire new research campus.
fall in
if a structure [e.g. roof, ceiling] falls in, it drops to the ground because it is weak or damaged
Part of the old laboratory roof suddenly _____ during the heavy storm.
dry out
to make something dry, or to become dry
The specimens must be allowed to slowly _____ before they can be analysed under the microscope.
conjure up
to make something [e.g. picture, image, memory] appear in someone’s mind
The old laboratory notebook immediately _____ images of groundbreaking discoveries from the 1960s.
steam up
if a glass surface steams up, or if something steams it up, it becomes covered with very small drops of water
The safety goggles began to _____ during the high-humidity experiment.
result in
to cause something to happen, or to make a situation exist
The new safety protocol is expected to _____ a significant reduction in laboratory accidents.
be glued
to sth to be watching something [esp. television] with all your attention
The entire team was _____ the live feed of the rocket launch for hours.
pore over
to study or look carefully at something, especially a book or a document
The team spent hours _____ the complex genetic sequencing results.
trip over
to fall or almost fall because you have accidentally hit your foot against something while walking or running
The exhausted researcher almost _____ the cable running across the laboratory floor.