BACK DOWN Definition: to concede a point, or to become less assertive. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning.) E.g.1: He’s so aggressive! When you argue with him he won’t back down until you admit he’s right – even when he’s clearly wrong! E.g.2: I think he’ll back down over suing the company if we apologize and offer to pay his costs. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

BLACK OUT Definition: to lose consciousness for a short time E.g.1. When he hit me, I blacked out for a second and fell against the ropes, but I didn’t fall over. E.g.2. Are you OK? Would you like me to help you stand up? Thanks. I must have blacked out. This phrasal verb can’t be separated.

BLOW UP Definition: to explode (‘blow (something) up’ means ‘to cause something to explode’) (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: I was watering a plant that was on top of the TV when some water went into the back of the television and it blew up. E.g.2: If you turn the power up too high it might blow up. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

BOIL OVER Definition: to heat a liquid so much that it boils, rises, and flows over the edge of its container. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: Watch the milk carefully when you heat it – if it boils over you’ll have a lot of cleaning to do! E.g.2: Many kettles now switch off automatically when the water boils, which prevents the water from boiling over. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

BREAK DOWN Definition1: to loose control and start crying. (This phrasal Verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: When she saw the child’s teddy bear in the bin she broke down and cried. E.g.2: He broke down and admitted that he couldn’t cope with the situation. This phrasal verb cannot be separated. Definition2: (This verb has more than one meaning)for a vehicle to suffer mechanical failure (and for a human to suffer to emotional failure!) E.g.1: I could not believe it, this morning on the way to work my car suddenly broke down. E.g. 2: Breaking down on the motorway can be extremely hazardous as well as very annoying! This verb can not be separated.

BREAK INTO Definition: to enter a place illegally or by using force. (This verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1. Don’t leave anything valuable in your car – it will encourage thieves to break into it. E.g.2. I couldn’t find my keys or a locksmith, so I had to break into my own house! This phrasal verb can’t be separated.

BREAK OUT OF (somewhere) Definition: to escape from a place where you were a prisoner. E.g.1: 3 convicts broke out of Holloway Prison last night. E.g.2: He managed to break out of the police cell before they took him to court. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

BRING BACK (also – take back) Definition: (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) to return something to the shop where you bought it and exchange it for the money you paid or another item. E.g.1. If it doesn’t fit you, don’t worry! I still have the receipt and the shopkeeper said I could take it back. E.g.2. I’d like to buy these shoes, but I’m not sure they match my handbag, which I left at home. Will I be able to bring them back if they’re not the right colour? This phrasal verb can be separated.

BRING (someone) UP Definition: to raise a child. E.g.1: My parents brought me up to be polite. E.g.2: He was brought up by his grandparents because his parents died when he was a child. This phrasal verb can be separated. (E.g. 1)