This lesson covers 43 C2 phrasal verbs on Technology. 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 on
to use a computer system or the Internet
Most employees now _____ the company intranet from home.
come on
if a light or machine comes on, it starts working
The backup generators automatically _____ when the main power failed.
go out
if something which is burning [e.g. fire] goes out, it stops burning
The pilot light suddenly _____ during the storm.
look for
to try to find something or someone, either because you have lost them or because you need them
The team is still actively _____ a permanent solution to the recurring equipment failure.
free up
to make time or money available for a particular use by not using it in another way
The new software will _____ valuable server space for more important projects.
stack up
to arrange things in a tall pile
The technicians carefully began to _____ the new equipment crates in the storeroom.
rev up
to make a vehicle’s engine work faster while the vehicle is not moving
The engineers began to _____ the prototype engine during the final test phase.
build in
to include something as part of a system
The architects decided to _____ accessibility features _____ from the very first design phase.
improve on
to do something in a better way or with better results than when it was done before
The new prototype managed to _____ the performance of the previous model by 40 percent.
warm up
if an engine or machine warms up, or if you warm it up, it starts working so that it becomes warm enough to work well
The new engine needs several minutes to fully _____ before it can be tested at full power.
set up
to get all the necessary equipment ready for a particular activity
The technicians quickly managed to _____ all the equipment for the live demonstration.
shoot down
to destroy an aircraft or make it fall to the ground by firing bullets or weapons at it
The military successfully managed to _____ the unauthorised drone over the restricted area.
wipe off
to remove information stored on part of a computer [esp. memory, hard drive]
The technician accidentally managed to _____ the entire hard drive during the routine maintenance.
wire up
to connect something or someone to a piece of electrical equipment by using electrical wires
The technicians carefully began to _____ the new monitoring equipment to the main system.
dive into
to start doing something suddenly without thinking about it
Without hesitation the engineer decided to _____ the complex coding problem head first.
bang about
to move around a place, making a lot of noise
The technicians were _____ in the server room all night trying to fix the outage.
blast out
to produce a lot of noise, especially loud music
The emergency alert system suddenly _____ a loud warning across the entire city.
blunder about
to move in an awkward way, usually because you cannot see where you are going
The new intern was _____ in the dark server room looking for the correct cable.
get into
to become interested in an activity or subject, or to start being involved in an activity
Many students are beginning to _____ quantum computing as a career path.
roll out
to make a new product, service or system available for the first time
The company plans to _____ the new software version globally next month.
seize up
if part of your body or a machine seizes up, it stops moving or working in the normal way
The entire computer system suddenly _____ during the critical data upload.
test out
to test a theory or new idea by seeing how it works in a practical situation or by finding out what other people think of it
The engineers decided to carefully _____ the new prototype in a controlled environment.
switch around
to move two or more things, so that each of them is now in the place that one of the others was in before
The technicians had to quickly _____ the cables to fix the connectivity issue.
ask around
to ask several people in order to try to get information or help
I don't know who can fix the server; I'll _____ to see if anyone in the department knows a good technician.
run through
to explain or read something to someone quickly
The senior engineer offered to quickly _____ the new safety protocol with the team.
clutter up
to fill something in an untidy or badly organised way
Too many unnecessary files are starting to _____ the shared drive _____ .
turn down
to reduce the amount of sound or heat that is produced by a device [e.g. television, radio, oven]
The technician carefully began to _____ the volume of the emergency alarm.
safeguard against
to do things that you hope will stop something unpleasant happening
The new protocol was designed to _____ any possible data breaches.
separate out
to divide a group of people or things into smaller groups
The new algorithm can automatically _____ genuine signals from background noise.
carry off
to succeed in doing or achieving something difficult
The young engineer surprisingly managed to _____ the entire complex project without any major issues.
come up against
to have to deal with a difficult situation or someone who disagrees with you or tries to stop you doing what you want to do
The research team has _____ several unexpected technical challenges during testing.
fish out
to pull or take something out of a bag or pocket, especially after searching
The technician had to carefully _____ the damaged cable from the narrow conduit.
hold back
to prevent something from working effectively, or to prevent someone or something from making progress
The new safety regulations are designed to _____ the rapid but risky expansion of the technology.
log in
to connect a computer to a system of computers by typing your name or password, usually so that you can start working
All staff must _____ the secure system before accessing patient records.
freeze up
if something [e.g. pipe, lock] freezes up, it becomes blocked with ice and stops working
The computer system suddenly _____ during the critical data upload.
talk through
to discuss all the details of something so that you can understand it or make a decision about it
The senior engineer offered to carefully _____ the new safety protocol with the entire team.
stick up
if part of something sticks up, it comes up above the surface of something, or it points upwards
A small antenna began to _____ from the top of the new satellite receiver.
detract from
to make something seem less good than it really is or than it was thought to be
The minor technical glitch did nothing to _____ the overall success of the launch.
hack into
to get into someone else’s computer system without permission in order to look at information or do something illegal
Someone managed to _____ the hospital's patient records database.
back up
to make a copy of computer information so that you do not lose it
Remember to _____ all your research data before the hard drive fails.
take away from
to make something seem less good or successful
The minor technical glitch did nothing to _____ the overall success of the launch.
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 new security system is designed to automatically _____ authorised personnel only.
take on
to accept a particular job or responsibility and begin to do what is needed
The young engineer bravely decided to _____ the entire complex project single-handedly.