This lesson covers 30 C2 phrasal verbs on Feelings, Attitudes & Reactions. 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.
take the sting out of something
to make something that is unpleasant less so
The apology took the sting out of the criticism.
spill out (sth) or spill (sth) out
if you spill out an emotion or if emotion spills out, you express it, usually by talking in an uncontrolled way
After hours of silence, her feelings spilled out.
oak up sth or soak sth up
to enjoy the effects of an experience
She sat quietly and soaked up the peaceful atmosphere.
work yourself into sth
to make yourself become very angry or upset
She worked herself into a state of panic.
calm down (sb) or calm (sb) down
to stop feeling upset, angry, or excited, or to make someone stop feeling this way
She took a few breaths to calm herself down.
harp on
to talk continually about something in a way that other people find boring or annoying
Please stop harping on about the same small mistake.
potter about/around (swh)
British & Australian to spend time in a pleasant, relaxed way, often doing small jobs in or around the house
She spent the afternoon pottering around the garden.
summon up sth or summon sth up
to try hard to find a particular quality [e.g. courage, energy] in yourself because you need it in order to do something
She summoned up the courage to apologise.
shrug off sth or shrug sth off
to not worry about something and treat it as unimportant
She shrugged off the criticism and continued her work.
fight back sth or fight sth back
to try hard not to show an emotion, or to try hard not to let your emotions control what you do
She fought back her anger and spoke calmly.
settle in (sth/swh) or settle (sb) in
to begin to feel relaxed and happy in new surroundings
It took her a few weeks to settle into her new home.
tick off sb or tick sb off
British & Australian to tell someone that they have done something wrong and that you are angry about it
Her supervisor ticked her off for speaking rudely to a customer.
stir up sth or stir sth up
if something stirs up memories, it makes you remember events in the past, usually ones that make you feel sad
The old photograph stirred up painful memories.
cut off your nose to spite your face
to do something because you are angry, though it may cause you more problems
Refusing the offer just to be angry would be cutting off your nose to spite your face.
pep up sth/sb or pep sth/sb up
informal to make something more interesting or attractive, or to make someone feel more active or energetic
A short walk helped pep her up after the bad news.
downcast adj
sad and depressed
She looked downcast after the disappointing result.
be done for
to be exhausted, defeated, or in a hopeless situation
After the tense argument and a sleepless night, he felt done for.
not care for sth/sb
formal to not like something or someone
I do not care for people who are rude to staff.
safeguard against sth
to do things that you hope will stop something unpleasant happening
Regular contact can safeguard against feelings of isolation.
off-putting adj
slightly unpleasant or worrying so that you are discouraged from getting involved in any way
The hostile tone of the letter was off-putting.
lead on sb or lead sb on
to make someone do something bad by encouraging them or annoying them until they do it
Do not lead him on if you do not intend to help.
freeze out sb or freeze sb out
to make someone feel that they are not part of a group by being unfriendly towards them, or to stop someone from being included in an arrangement or activity
The group froze the new member out of the discussion.
peter out
if an energetic activity or a strong emotion peters out, it gradually becomes less energetic or strong until it stops completely
The excitement gradually petered out after the event.
fly about/around (swh)
if rumours fly around, they are made in a way which makes people excited
Rumours flew around the office after the announcement.
perk up (sb) or perk (sb) up
to suddenly become happier or more energetic, or to make someone feel this way
His face perked up when he heard the good news.
bowl over sb or bowl sb over
to surprise or please someone a lot
The kindness of the strangers bowled her over.
shake up sb or shake sb up
if an unpleasant experience shakes someone up, it makes them feel shocked and upset
The accident shook him up for days.
lash out
to criticise someone or something in an angry way
The critic lashed out at the director in the interview.
hanker after/for sth
to want something very much, especially something you know you should not want
He hankers after approval even when he knows he should not.
choke back/down sth or choke sth back/down
to force yourself not to show your feelings
He choked back tears when he heard the news.