This lesson covers 30 C2 phrasal verbs on Society, Politics & Power. 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.
go into sth
to describe, discuss, or examine something in a detailed way
The committee went into the evidence in great detail.
depend on sth/sb
to need the help or support of something or someone in order to survive or continue as before
The programme depends on funding from the central government.
die away
if something, especially a sound, dies away, it gradually becomes less strong or clear and then stops
The applause died away as the public meeting began.
bring about sth
to cause a change or event to happen
The reform brought about major changes in public services.
drum up sth
to increase interest in something or support for something
The group tried to drum up support for the charity event.
prey on sb
to harm or exploit people who are vulnerable
Fraudsters often prey on people who are vulnerable.
get in
if a political party or a politician gets in, they are elected
The new candidate got in with a small majority.
crowd around/round (sth/sb)
to surround something or someone, standing very close to them
Reporters crowded around the minister outside parliament.
hang on sth
to depend on something
The future of the reform hangs on the next vote.
frown on sth
to believe that something is wrong and that you should not do it
Most residents frown on politicians who misuse public funds.
ask around
to ask several people in order to try to get information or help
The campaigner asked around for local views on the policy.
put forward sth or put sth forward
to state an idea or opinion, or to suggest a plan, so that it can be considered or discussed
The opposition put forward an alternative plan.
open up (sth) or open (sth) up
if a country or area opens up, or is opened up, it becomes easier to travel around it or sell things to it
The agreement could open up the region to new trade.
come out against
to state publicly that you are opposed to an issue
Several MPs came out against the proposed cuts.
break with sth
to deliberately stop following a tradition, policy, or usual way of behaving
The party broke with its old policy on housing.
put down sth or put sth down
to use force to stop people opposing the government
The government used force to put down the uprising.
count on sth
to expect something to happen, and make plans which depend on this thing happening
The community counts on public transport to reach the city.
bow to sb/sth
to give in to demands or pressure
The minister bowed to public pressure and changed the rule.
come in for sth
if someone comes in for criticism or praise, they are criticised or praised for something they have done
The mayor came in for praise after the emergency response.
join in (sth)
to become involved in an activity with other people
Thousands of residents joined in the protest.
go forward
if someone’s name goes forward, it is suggested that that person should compete for an elected position or a job
Her name went forward for the position of party leader.
point out sb/sth or point sb/sth out
to draw attention to something
The report pointed out several weaknesses in the law.
do away with sth
to abolish a law, practice, or system
The campaign called for the government to do away with the unfair tax.
rise up
to rebel against authority or oppression
The people rose up against the dictatorship.
stand down
to resign from an official or political position
The minister agreed to stand down after the scandal.
put out sth or put sth out
to produce information [e.g. statement, warning, press release] and make it available for everyone to read or hear
The department put out a statement about the changes.
climb down
to admit that you are wrong
After the criticism, the spokesperson had to climb down.
join up
to join the army, navy, or airforce
Before becoming a well-known actor, he joined up during wartime.
split off
to stop belonging to a particular group or political party and form a separate one
A small group split off from the main political party.
agree to
to accept something that has been proposed or requested
Both sides agreed to the new constitutional proposal.