Lesson Content
Grammar Focus
Phrasal Verbs with Multiple Meanings
Phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs + particles (like off, up, into) that often have special meanings. Some phrasal verbs have more than one meaning, depending on the situation. That’s what makes them tricky but also very useful!
Let’s look at five common phrasal verbs with multiple meanings:
🔹 Take off
• The plane took off at 3:00 p.m. (leave the ground)
• His business really took off last year. (become successful)
🔹 Break down
• My car broke down on the highway. (stop working)
• She broke down in tears after the news. (lose control emotionally)
🔹 Run into
• I ran into my teacher at the store. (meet by chance)
• We ran into some problems with the project. (encounter unexpectedly)
🔹 Pass out
• He passed out from the heat. (fainted)
• They passed out free samples at the event. (distributed)
🔹 Bring up
• She brought up an interesting point. (mention a topic)
• They brought up five children. (raise children)
🔹 Tips for use:
• Think about the context. The meaning often changes based on the situation.
• Always check whether the phrasal verb is separable (e.g., “pass the papers out”) or inseparable (“run into someone”).
🗣️ Why This Grammar Matters for Listening and Speaking
Understanding phrasal verbs with multiple meanings helps you sound more natural and understand real English in daily life, especially in casual speech and movies. Native speakers use these phrases all the time—so recognizing and using them confidently improves both your comprehension and fluency.
You’ll hear them in many situations:
🔹 Everyday conversations:
• “I passed out on the couch.” (fell asleep or fainted)
• “Let’s not bring that up again.” (mention a topic)
🔹 Workplace communication:
• “Our system broke down yesterday.”
• “We ran into a delay with the shipment.”
🔹 Emergency or emotional situations:
• “She broke down when she heard the news.”
• “He passed out and needed help.”
🔹 Listening tip:
• Focus on intonation and the words around the phrasal verb to guess the meaning.
• Ask for clarification if unsure:
➤ “Sorry, when you say ‘take off,’ do you mean the plane or the business?”
🔹 Speaking tip:
• Practice using both meanings in your own sentences:
➤ “The meeting took off quickly. Then, I took off my jacket.”
Let’s Practice
Language Game
Now, practice your language skills with this interactive game.
🎧🗣️ Listening & Speaking Practice Questions
Talk About Phrasal Verbs in Real Life
These questions help you practice using common phrasal verbs with different meanings. Try to speak in complete sentences and explain the situation when possible.
Take Off
Have you ever seen a plane take off or missed a flight?
➤ “Yes, I saw the plane take off right before I arrived.”
Has anything in your life “taken off” recently (like a skill or hobby)?
➤ “My English really took off after I started watching shows in English.”
Break Down
Has your car or computer ever broken down? What happened?
➤ “Yes, my car broke down in the rain. It was scary.”
Has anyone you know ever broken down emotionally?
➤ “Yes, my friend broke down after losing her job.”
Run Into
Have you ever run into someone unexpectedly?
➤ “I ran into my old friend at the park.”
What kind of problems have you run into at work or school?
➤ “I ran into trouble finishing my essay on time.”
Pass Out
Have you ever passed out or seen someone pass out?
➤ “I passed out once during a race.”
Have you ever passed something out at an event? What was it?
➤ “We passed out flyers for a school fundraiser.”
Bring Up
What’s something you don’t like people to bring up in conversation?
➤ “I don’t like it when people bring up politics.”
Have you ever brought up a difficult topic with a friend or family member?
➤ “Yes, I brought up moving away, and it was hard.”