SAVE UP (for something) Definition: to save money in order to buy something. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: No I won’t buy you a new car; you’ll have to save up for it yourself! E.g.2: So far, I’ve saved £200 up for my next holiday. This phrasal verb can be separated. 

SCAN IN Definition: to use a scanner to enter pictures into a computer. E.g.1:Could you show me how to scan this photo in, please? E.g.2: I scanned in the photos of the party because I wanted to e-mail them to my friends. This phrasal verb can be separated. (E.g. 1)

SCATTER ABOUT Definition: to throw or sprinkle things over a large area in a quick and careless way. E.g.1. The children scattered bits of bread about for the ducks to eat. E.g.2. My little boy always scatter his toys about in the living room. This phrasal verb can be separated

SCREW (something) UP Definition: to tighten and twist the muscles around your eyes, nose, or face. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: She screwed up her nose because there was a terrible smell in the room. E.g.2: He screwed his face up and grunted as he tried to lift the heavy box. This phrasal verb can be separated. (E.g. 2)

SEE AROUND Definition: to visit a building, town or exhibition etc and see its different parts. (‘look round’ can have the same meaning) E.g.1: I saw round a flat this morning, but I didn’t like it. E.g.2: We put our bags in the room at the hotel before seeing round the facilities on offer. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

SEE TO (someone) Definition: to deal with someone that needs your help or attention. E.g.1: If you’d like to take a seat in the waiting room, the doctor will see to you soon. E.g.2: That’s a nasty cut – I think you should go to the hospital and have it seen to by a doctor. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

SEE OUT Definition: to stay until the end of an event, project or task even though you may not want to (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: This is the worst match I’ve ever seen. Let’s see the first half out and then go home. E.g.2: I have to see the fun fair day out – after all I organised it. This phrasal verb can be separated.

SEE THROUGH Definition: to realise what someone’s intentions are, even though they are trying to hide them. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: Most people can see through the commercialisation of Easter and appreciate its real meaning. E.g.2: He was being unusually nice to her, but she could see through him and realised it was because he wanted her to help him. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

SEE (something ) THROUGH Definition: to complete a difficult course, or to get to the end of some arduous task E.g.1: That six-month Japanese course was tough, but I am so glad I saw it through to the end. E.g. 2: When he first arrived in America, getting used to all the changes was a nightmare, but he saw it through and now feels pretty settled.

SEND BACK Definition: to return something or someone to the place it (he / she) came from, usually because there is a problem, you are dissatisfied, or you don’t want it (him / her). E.g.1. The food was cold so she sent it back. E.g.2. The doctor decided to send him back to hospital for more tests. This phrasal verb can be separated.

SEND OFF FOR (something) Definition: to write to someone and ask them to send you something by post. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: I sent off for a brochure. E.g.2: I like buying things by mail-order. It’s so easy; you just look in the catalogue, choose something and then send off for it. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

SEND (someone) OFF Definition: to oblige a player to leave the pitch as punishment for breaking the rules of the game. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: The referee showed Beckham the red card and sent him off because he kicked another player. E.g.2: Two of their players were sent off, but they still won the match. This phrasal verb can be separated.

SELL OUT (of something) Definition: If a shop sells out of something, it is no longer available because the shop has sold them all. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: I went to the computer shop to buy PlayStation 2, but they had sold out. They said that they would get some more in January. E.g.2: They were so cheap that the shop quickly sold out of them. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

SELL UP Definition: to sell all your possessions, including your house and business. E.g.1: After 20 years of living and working in the city, he surprised everyone by selling up and moving to a quiet cottage in the countryside. E.g.2: I hate the rat race as much as you, but selling up is a big decision to make. This phrasal verb can’t be separated.

SETTLE DOWN Definition: to start living a quiet life in one place, often demonstrated by buying a house and / or getting married. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: At the age of 32, he decided to stop travelling and settle down in a quiet town in England. E.g.2: You shouldn’t still be going to discos and nightclubs at your age! Don’t you think it’s time to settle down? This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

SETTLE IN Definition: to become used to living in a new house / flat / place, to begin to feel comfortable in a new home. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g. 1) Sue moved to her new flat last week and is beginning to settle in. E.g. 2) My sister never really settled into her flat, so she started looking for a new one. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

SET OFF Definition1: to begin a journey (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1. At one o’clock, they set off for the beach. E.g.2. I think we should set off early – we don’t want to get stuck in a traffic jam. This phrasal verb can’t be separated. Definition2: to go to the airport, station or car with someone who is leaving and say good bye to them E.g.1: When Kim’s friend left, she took her to the airport to see her off safely. E.g.2: The car was packed, the visit was over. With sadness we all went outside to see off our cousins. We waved until the car had disappeared round the corner. This phrasal verb can be separated (e.g.1)

SHOOT OFF Definition: to leave very quickly This phrasal verb has more than one meaning E.g.1: “Oh, my goodness! Is that the time? I have to shoot off.” E.g.2: When they released the animal back into the wild, it shot off to the safety of the high grass. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

SHOP AROUND Definition: to visit a number of shops in order to find the cheapest price. E.g.1: You can save a lot of money if you shop around. E.g.2: I didn’t have time to shop around, but I managed to do all my Christmas shopping in one afternoon. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

SHRUG (something) OFF Definition: to ignore something or show that it is not important to you. The verb ‘shrug’ means to raise and lower your shoulders. It is used to indicate that you are not concerned about or interested in something, or that you don’t know about it. E.g.1: I told him that it was impolite, but he just shrugged it off. E.g.2: The company spokesperson shrugged off criticism about the environmental damage they had caused and talked about the amount of profit they had made. This phrasal verb can be separated.

SIFT THROUGH (something) Definition: to examine a large collection of things because you want to organise them or find something. E.g.1: She sifted through the rubbish bin looking for the letter from the bank that she’d lost. E.g.2: He went to the British Library so that he could sift though their large collection of historical records. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

SIGN FOR (something) Definition: to sign your name on a form to show that you have received a letter or parcel. E.g.1: It was sent by recorded delivery, so the postman asked me to sign for the parcel. E.g.2: When you buy something by mail order, you usually have to sign for it when it arrives. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

SIGN (someone) OFF Definition: (only done by doctors) to write a note to your employer, saying that you are unable to work for a particular period of time because you are sick. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: The doctor signed me off for two weeks. E.g.2: I’m afraid I can’t sign you off work Mr. Smith. A hangover is not a recognised illness. This phrasal verb can be separated.

SIT BACK Definition: to do nothing when something is happening or someone is doing something. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: You can’t just sit back and let him take advantage of you. E.g.2: It’s your birthday – sit back and let me do the housework today. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

SIZE (someone/something) UP Definition: to look at a person or situation in order to judge him/ her/ it in some way. E.g.1: Before the fight he sized up his opponent and decided that he would probably win. E.g.2: She sized the situation up and decided it would be better if she asked for help. This phrasal verb can be separated. (E.g.2)

SKIVE OFF Definition: to avoid work or study by not going to the place where you should do it. (informal) E.g.1: I don’t feel like working today. I’m going to skive off and spend the day at the beach. E.g.2: I skived off college yesterday, but my tutor saw me drinking in the bar! This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

SLEEP OFF Definition: to recover from eating or drinking too much by sleeping E.g.1: David had a terrible hangover. He knew he would feel better in the morning after sleeping it off. E.g.2: We always eat and drink too much for Christmas dinner. Uncle Vernon already sleeps it off during the Christmas film in the afternoon. This phrasal verb can be separated.

SLEEP OVER Definition: to sleep at another person’s house for the night. E.g.1: Don’t drive home – you’ve drunk too much beer. We have a spare bed so you can sleep over. E.g.2: Where were you last night? The party ended very late so I slept over at John’s house. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

SNOWED IN (passive) Definition: to be prevented from leaving your house because there is too much snow. E.g.1: During the winter we have a lot of snow. In fact, last winter we were snowed in for a week! E.g.2: There’s too much snow to get the car out of the garage – I’ll have to phone work and tell them I’m snowed in. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

SORT (something) OUT  Definition: (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning)to solve a problem. E.g.1: There’s nothing more you can do. You should let the lawyers sort it out. E.g.2: Let’s sit down and talk about it. We’ve got to sort this problem out. This phrasal verb can be separated. Definition2: to arrange things so that they are ready or organised.  E.g.1: He didn’t know what to do because his secretary usually sorted out his travel arrangements for him. E.g.2: Could you sort these documents out alphabetically? This phrasal verb can be separated.

SPEAK UP Definition: to speak more loudly. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: I’m sorry, I can’t hear you very well. Could you speak up? E.g.2: Remember to speak up so that the others can hear what you’re saying. This phrasal verb can’t be separated.

SPOUT (something) OUT Definition: to talk about something in a way that gives the impression that you are not thinking about what you are saying. E.g.1: The teacher spouted his lessons out as if there were no students in the room. E.g.2: You always spout out what your newspaper says – do you have any opinions of your own? This phrasal verb can be separated.

STAND (someone) UP Definition: to fail to keep an arrangement to meet someone, often used in the context of romantic relationships. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: I arranged to meet him outside the cinema, but he stood me up. E.g.2: You don’t look very happy. No, I’ve been stood up. N.B. This phrasal verb must be separated, or passive – you cannot say, “He stood up me.” This phrasal verb can be separated. (E.g. 1)

STAY UP Definition: to go to bed later than usual E.g.1: Many children stay up to see the New Year in. E.g.2: I am really tired. I stayed up until 2 o’clock in the morning. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

STAVE OFF Definition: to prevent an unpleasant event from happening. E.g.1. There was nothing they could have done to stave off the disaster. E.g.2. The company staved off competition from other countries. This phrasal verb can be separated.

STEER AWAY Definition: to avoid talking about something or doing something. E.g.1. She tried to steer the conversation away from the topic of her ex-boyfriend. E.g.2. He usually steers away from serious subjects. This phrasal verb can be separated.

STICK IN Definition: to insert one thing into another thing. (informal) (This verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1. He stuck a needle in my arm and took some blood. E.g.2. What shall I do with your dessert? Could you stick it in the fridge? I’ll eat it later. This phrasal verb can be separated.

STICK (something) OUT Definition: to continue with a difficult or unpleasant activity or situation. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: I’m not sure I can stick this job out much longer. E.g.2: I was exhausted but I stuck it out and eventually won the race. This phrasal verb can be separated. (E.g. 1 and 2)

STICK (your tongue) OUT Definition: to extend your tongue so that it is visible. Used, especially by children, to show disapproval or dislike. E.g.1: Miss? Billy just stuck his tongue out at me! E.g.2: Billy, I’ve told you not to stick your tongue out – it’s very rude! This phrasal verb can be separated. (E.g. 1 & 2)

STORM OUT (of somewhere) Definition: to leave a place suddenly, because you are very angry. E.g.1: He was so angry he stormed out of the room, shouting that they were all idiots. E.g.2: Where’s Bill? I don’t know – we had a row and he stormed out. This phrasal verb cannot be separated.

SWEEP AWAY Definition: to be removed or destroyed by the movement of a river or the sea. E.g.1. There were some beach huts here, but they were swept away by the flood. E.g.2. Be careful on the boat – you don’t want to fall in the sea and be swept away by the current. This phrasal verb can be separated.

SWEEP UP Definition: to clean the floor or ground using a broom. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: She swept the leaves up and put them in the compost heap. E.g.2: The garden path is covered in dirt – I’ll sweep it up. This phrasal verb can be separated.

SWEEP (something) UP Definition: to clean the floor or ground using a broom. (This phrasal verb has more than one meaning) E.g.1: The park keeper had just finished sweeping the leaves up when the wind blew them all back again. E.g.2: Don’t use your fingers – I’ll sweep the broken glass up. This phrasal verb can be separated. (E.g.1 and 2)