Phrasal Verbs | Letter P

Here is a list of phrasal verbs beginning with P. Each phrasal verb is followed by its meaning / definition and example sentences.

Pan out

When something (e.g. a plan) pans out, it becomes successful.

  • They were planning to get married in Las Vegas, but that didn’t pan out.
Part with = give up, give away
  • He won’t part with his money, no matter what.
Pass away: die
  • After a prolonged battle with cancer, she finally passed away at the age of 67.
Pass off (separable)

To pass something off is to try to convince somebody that it is real.

  • He was caught while trying to pass the fake painting as a real Picasso.
Pass on

To pass something on is to transmit it.

  • Parents pass on hereditary traits to their children.

Pass on can also mean ‘not accept an invitation etc.’

  • She passed on my invitation to join me for dinner.
  • This is a great opportunity for me and I don’t want to pass it on.
Pass off = come to an end
  • The pain soon passed off.
  • The controversy surrounding his alleged involvement in the scam ran its course and quietly passed off.

Pass off can also mean take place without trouble.

  • The meeting of the protestors passed off quietly.
Pass out = faint
  • She passed out when she heard the news.
Pass over

To pass something or somebody over is to pay no attention to them.

Pass up (separable)

To pass an opportunity up is to fail to take advantage of it.

  • I can’t believe that she passed up an opportunity to work for Google.
Pay back (separable) = repay
  • When are you going to pay me my money back?
Pay off = Make complete payment on a debt
  • It took me fifteen years to pay off my home loan.

Pay off can also mean ‘bribe’.

  • He got away by paying off the police officer. (= He got away by bribing the police officer.)
Pick out = choose
  • Could you help me pick out a nice gift for Gautam?
Pick up (separable) = lift objects with the hands
  • He gently picked the baby up and held her close to his chest.

Pick up can also mean ‘come and get someone in a car’.

  • Could you pick up Jane from school?
Pick up = learn something with effort
  • I picked up some French during my visit to France.

Manjusha Nambiar

Hi, I am Manjusha. This is my blog where I give English grammar lessons and worksheets.

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