Phrasal verbs with L

Here is a list of phrasal verbs beginning with the letter L. Each phrasal verb is followed by its meaning or definition. Example sentences are also given.

Lag behind

To lag behind is to progress more slowly than others.

• We can’t afford to lag behind our competitors.

Lap up

To lap something up is to accept it or believe it with pleasure.

• They lapped up his ideas.
• The media lapped up his version of the story.

Lash out

To lash out at somebody is to criticise them severely.

• The minister lashed out at the media for publishing defamatory stories about him.
• He was angry and lashed out at his subordinates.

Lay off

To lay somebody off is to sack them.

• Financial problems forced the company to lay off hundreds of workers.

Let down

To let somebody down is to disappoint them.

• He is a true friend. He will never let you down.

To let a rope or bucket down is to lower it. To let a balloon down is to deflate it.

• They let a rope down so that he could climb up.

Let in

To let someone in is to allow them to enter a place.

• I won’t let you in.
• Somebody has let the cat in.

Let off

Let somebody off is to give them a light punishment or no punishment at all.

• He was the son of an influential businessman, so they let him off with a reprimand.
• I will let you off but you have to promise that you will not commit this offense again.

Let on

To let a secret on is to reveal it.

• I’m seeing a German boy, but please don’t let on.

Let out

To let somebody out is to release them.

• Somebody has let the dog out.
• They let him out because his conduct was satisfactory.

To let out a cry is to make a sound.

• She let out a scream when she saw a rat on the bed.

To let out a room or house is to rent it.

• She lets out rooms.

Let up

When a cough or crisis lets up, it becomes less strong or serious.

• Although she took the syrup prescribed by her doctor, her cough didn’t let up.

Live off

To live off somebody is to live on their income. When you live off something, it is your main source of income.

• If you invest a huge sum in a fixed deposit scheme, you will be able to live off the interest.

• He lives off his wife’s salary.

Live on

If something lives on, it continues to exist

• Richard Branson insisted that space dream would live on in spite of the crash of Virgin Galactic.

Liven up

To liven up something is to make it more interesting or exciting.

• She joined dance classes to liven up her evenings.

Live up to

To live up to expectations is to be or do what people expect you to do.

• Reality does not always live up to your expectations.
• His performance in yesterday’s match didn’t live up to his potential.

Look after

To look after somebody is to take care of them.

• They have hired a nanny to look after their baby.

Look for

To look for something is to try to find them.

• I am looking for my keys.

Look up

When things look up they improve.

• Things have finally started looking up for me.

Look up to

To look up to somebody is to admire them.

• I always look up to my grandfather. He is such a wonderful person.