This lesson covers 30 C2 phrasal verbs on Science, Technology & Change. 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.
come on
if something [e.g. lights, heating] or a supply of something [e.g. water, electricity] comes on, it starts working
The new system comes on automatically when it detects movement.
freeze up
if something [e.g. pipe, lock] freezes up, it becomes blocked with ice and stops working
The exposed water pipe froze up during the cold spell.
go down
if a computer system goes down, it stops working
The website went down during the maintenance work.
go in
if the sun or moon goes in, it becomes hidden behind a cloud
The sun went in behind a cloud during the observation.
watch over sb/sth
to protect or take care of a person or animal
The researcher watched over the young plants overnight.
go on sth
to use a computer or the Internet, or to visit a website
She went on the project website to download the data.
mist over
if your eyes mist over, they become filled with tears which stop you from seeing clearly
Her eyes misted over as she watched the old science video.
hold off
to not start, although you expect it to
The engineers held off the launch until the fault was fixed.
come out
if the sun, the moon, or a star comes out, it appears in the sky; also applies to flowers and leaves which appear on plants in spring
The sun came out after the cloud cover cleared.
die out
to become more and more rare and then disappear completely
Several older technologies may die out in the next decade.
go to (swh)
to click on a menu, a menu item, a particular web page or part of a page, or a link when using a computer
Click “Go to” to open the next page of the online manual.
plug into sth
if a piece of electrical equipment plugs into a supply of electricity or another piece of electrical equipment, it works by being connected to that supply of electricity or that piece of equipment
The new sensor plugs into the main computer.
type in
to write something using a computer
Type in the serial number to activate the device.
dry up
if an area of water [esp. river, lake] dries up, the water in it disappears
The riverbed dried up after months without rain.
turn into sth
to change or convert into something else
The caterpillar turned into a butterfly after several weeks.
roll in
if bad weather [e.g. clouds, fog] rolls in, it appears in large amounts
Dark clouds rolled in before the launch.
come up
if information comes up on a computer screen, it appears there
An error message came up on the computer screen.
freeze over
if water freezes over, it becomes covered with ice
The lake froze over during the cold spell.
feed on sth
if an animal feeds on a particular type of food, it usually eats that food
Some insects feed on the leaves of the experimental plants.
come in
if the tide (= the regular change in the level of the sea) comes in, the sea comes higher up the beach
The tide came in and covered the equipment left too close to the beach.
cloud over
if someone’s face clouds over, they suddenly look unhappy or worried
The scientist’s face clouded over when the data failed to match the prediction.
seize up
if part of your body or a machine seizes up, it stops moving or working in the normal way
The motor seized up because it had not been maintained.
fit out sth
to equip a place, vehicle, or system with the necessary equipment
The technicians fitted out the laboratory with new sensors.
go off
if a light or machine goes off, it stops working
The indicator light went off after the device was switched off.
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 laboratory windows fogged up during the heating test.
run in sth
to use a new engine or machine gently at first so that it works properly later
Run in the new engine gently during its first hundred kilometres.
set up (sth) or set (sth) up
to get all the necessary equipment ready for a particular activity
The team set up the equipment before the experiment.
let in
if something lets in water, air, or light, it allows water, air, or light to enter it through a hole or opening
The cracked seal let in water during the pressure test.
go out
if the sea or the tide (= movement of the sea in and out) goes out, it moves away from the beach
The tide went out, leaving the sensors exposed on the beach.
give off sth
to produce and release heat, light, smell, gas, or another substance
The chemical gives off a strong smell when heated.