Phrasal verbs with back and bear | Exercise

 Complete the following sentences using an appropriate phrasal verb.

1. The thief saw the dog and …………………….

a) backed away
b) backed off
c) backed down
d) backed out

2. Public outrage forced the municipal authority to ……………………… on its decision to demolish the old fort in the city.

a) backed away
b) backed off
c) backed down
d) backed out

3. She said that she would do it on her own. So I ……………………

a) backed away
b) backed off
c) backed down
d) backed out

4. The buyer ……………………. at the last moment, so we sued him.

a) backed away
b) backed off
c) backed down
d) backed out

5. If you were a good friend, you would ……………………. when he was in trouble.

a) back him out
b) back him up
c) back him down
d) back him away

6. It is a good idea to …………………….. your files.

a) back up
b) back off
c) back away
d) back out

7. The other witnesses did not ………………………. his testimony.

a) bear out
b) bear with
c) bear away
d) bear up

8. Please ……………………….. us until we finish the job.

a) bear out
b) bear with
c) bear away
d) bear up

9. If you want to pass the test, you have to …………………… on your studies.

a) bear out
b) bear down
c) bear with

10. She ………………….. well during her illness.

a) bore out
b) bore up
c) bore away

Answers

1. The thief saw the dog and backed away/off. (To back away is to move backwards in fear etc. Back off is also possible in this sentence.)

2. Public outrage forced the municipal authority to back down on its decision to demolish the old fort in the city. (To back down is to concede defeat or withdraw)

3. She said that she would do it on her own. So I backed off. (To back off is to stop being involved in a situation)

4. The buyer backed out at the last moment, so we sued him. (To back out is to withdraw from an agreement.)

5. If you were a good friend, you would back him up when he was in trouble. (To back somebody up is to support /encourage them.)

6. It is a good idea to back up your files. (To back up your files is to have a copy of them elsewhere.)

7. The other witnesses did not bear out his testimony. (To bear out is to confirm.)

8. Please bear with us until we finish the job. (To bear with somebody is to be patient with them.)

9. If you want to pass the test, you have to bear down on your studies. (To bear down is to apply maximum effort and concentration.)

10. She bore up well during her illness. (To bear up is to withstand stress and difficulty.)