DATE BACK (to a time) Definition: to exist since a particular time. E.g.1: This fossil dates back to the Pleistocene era. E.g.2: This tradition dates back hundreds of years. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

DERIVE FROM Definition: to develop or come from a particular thing. E.g.1: The English word ‘loo’ derives from the French word for water. E.g.2: Their beliefs were derived from those of the ancient Greeks. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

DIG IN Definition: to start eating – usually used as an informal imperative. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: I know you’re hungry so I’ve given you extra potatoes – dig in! E.g.2: Dig in or it’ll get cold! This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

DIG OVER Definition: to break the ground into smaller pieces with a spade or fork so that plants can grow. E.g.1: He spent the morning digging over the vegetable patch. E.g.2: We can’t grow anything here until we dig it over; the ground is too hard. This phrasal verb can be separated.

DISH (something) UP Definition: (informal) to put the food you have cooked into serving dishes or onto plates so that it is ready to eat. E.g.1:I’ll be dishing up in a couple of minutes, so go and wash your hands. E.g.2: Could you dish the dinner up while I open the wine? This phrasal verb can be separated. (E.g. 2)

DIVIDE UP Definition: to separate something into separate groups or parts. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1. We have to divide up the rubbish into glass, plastic or paper and put it in these containers. E.g.2. I think this will work better if we divide the group up into 3 groups of 4 people. This phrasal verb can be separated.

DOZE OFFDefinition: to fall into a light sleep E.g.1: Judy dozed off while she was watching television. E.g.2: “What’s the time? I must have dozed off. Sorry, I haven’t been sleeping well. I’ll be ready to go in a minute” This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

DO (someone) DOWN Definition: to make someone appear stupid, unpleasant or unsuccessful by criticizing them. E.g.1: She was fed up with the way that everyone at the company did each other down. E.g.2: Don’t do yourself down! It was just a little mistake. This phrasal verb is usually separated. (e.g. 1 and 2)

DO (something) UP Definition1: to repair, decorate and improve something such as a building or flat. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: I spent a month doing up the flat and I think it’s quite nice now. E.g.2: If you do the building up you’ll get more money for it when you sell it. This phrasal verb can be separated. (E.g. 2)Definition2: to fasten something (This verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1. Could you help me do up the top button on my shirt? E.g.2. She did her coat up and put her hat on. This phrasal verb can be separated.

DRESS UP  Definition: This phrasal verb has more than one meaning. To put on clothes you don’t normally wear as a disguise, or to look smarter than usual because you are going somewhere special E.g.1: For Christmas dinner, everyone dressed up in their finest clothes. E.g.2: Little Anna had a fancy dress party for her birthday and she dressed up as a princess. This phrasal verb can be separated

DROP IN Definition: to visit someone, often without having arranged it previously (an informal expression). E.g.1: Hello! I thought I’d drop in and see you because I was in the area. E.g.2: Drop in any time – you’re always welcome! This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

DROP OFF Definition: to fall asleep. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: The film was so boring that he dropped off to sleep in the cinema. E.g.2: Last night I couldn’t sleep – I eventually dropped off at about 4 a.m. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

DROP OUT Definition: to stop belonging to a group, or attending an educational course, because you are unable or unwilling to continue. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: Did he complete the course? No, he dropped out – he said it was too difficult for him. E.g.2: The pressure of modern life was too much for him so he dropped out of society and became a tramp. This phrasal verb can’t be separated.

DRINK (something) UP Definition: to finish the drink that you currently have. E.g.1: Drink up! The bar is going to close in 10 minutes! E.g.2: You can have some chocolate cake if you drink your milk up. This phrasal verb can be separated. (E.g. 2)

DRY UP Definition: to dry dishes, saucepans and glasses etc by wiping them with a cloth. This is done after you wash up. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: I’ll wash up if you dry up E.g.2: I hate drying up – I usually just wait for the dishes to dry naturally. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.