This lesson covers 20 C2 phrasal verbs on Teaching & Learning. 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.
keep on
to talk in an annoying way about something for a long time
The professor tends to _____ about the same topic for far too long.
go in
if a fact or piece of information goes in, you understand it and remember it
The complex statistical explanation just didn't _____ during the presentation.
flood into
to arrive or enter somewhere in very large numbers or amounts
Applications for the new research grant began to _____ as soon as it was announced.
mark down
to give someone a lower result in an exam or competition because they have made a mistake or done something wrong
The examiner decided to _____ several points for the obvious methodological flaws.
skim through
to read quickly without studying the details
The busy professor only had time to quickly _____ the latest research paper.
paper over
to hide a disagreement or difficulty and try to make people believe that there is no problem
The report tried to _____ the serious methodological flaws in the study.
round on
to suddenly turn and attack someone, or shout at them angrily
The normally calm professor suddenly _____ the student who questioned his data.
join in
to become involved in an activity with other people
Everyone was encouraged to _____ the discussion during the ethics seminar.
suck up
to sb informal to try to make someone who is in a position of authority like you by doing and saying things that will please them
The ambitious junior colleague was accused of trying to _____ the senior professor.
stand up
to rise from a sitting or lying position to a standing position
The entire audience decided to _____ when the Nobel laureate entered the auditorium.
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 entire research group will _____ next month to review progress.
take up
to start doing a particular job or activity
The young researcher decided to _____ a completely new line of investigation.
happen on
to find something or meet someone without planning to
While cleaning the old storeroom she _____ a box of forgotten research notes.
lean towards
to support, or begin to support, a particular set of ideas or a particular political party
The committee seems to be _____ the more conservative interpretation of the data.
rent out
if you rent out something that you own [e.g. house], you allow someone to pay you money so that they can use it
The university decided to _____ the unused wing of the building to a private research firm.
take away
if you take away something [e.g. memory, impression, message] from an event or performance, you remember or think about that thing after the event or performance has finished
What did you personally _____ from the keynote lecture this morning?
hang out
to spend a lot of time in a particular place, or to spend a lot of time with someone
The research team likes to _____ together after long days in the lab.
vouch for
to say that you know someone and that you can promise that they have a good character or good skills
I can personally _____ the integrity and competence of the new research assistant.
tighten up
to make rules more limiting and more difficult to avoid
The university decided to _____ its admission criteria for the new doctoral programme.
stick up for
to defend or fight for something important [e.g. rights]
The senior professor was always willing to _____ the rights of junior researchers.