Three Word Phrasal Verbs
Some phrasal verbs have three parts. These are inseparable. Here is a list of the most common three-word phrasal verbs.
Break in on
To break in on is to interrupt (a conversation).
- I was talking to Susie when James broke in on our conversation.
Catch up with = keep abreast
- As I was holidaying I couldn’t catch up with the news.
Check up on = examine, investigate
- He has agreed to check up on the condition of the holiday house from time to time.
- We have employed a person to check up on the condition of our ancestral home from time to time.
Come up with
To come up with is to contribute a suggestion or money.
- Can you come up with a better idea?
Cut down on = curtail, reduce
- She must cut down on the money she is spending on cosmetics.
Drop out of = leave school
- He dropped out of school before the end of the term.
Get along with = have a good relationship with
- I find it hard to get along with my mother-in-law.
Get away with = escape punishment
- He cheated on the exam and then tried to get away with it.
Get rid of = eliminate
- We must get rid of corruption.
Keep up with = maintain pace with
- Slow down! I can’t keep up with you.
Look forward to = anticipate with pleasure
- I look forward to your next visit.
Look down on = despise
- He looks down on his subordinates.
Look in on = visit somebody
- We are going to look in on your father.
Look out for = be careful, anticipate
- If you are on the road on a Saturday night, look out for drunk drivers.
Look up to = respect
- We all look up to him.
Make sure of = verify
- Make sure of the identity of every visitor before you let him in.
Put with up = tolerate
- It is hard to put up with her little ways.
Run out of = exhaust supply
- We are running out of oil.
Take care of = be responsible for, look after
- She takes care of her younger siblings.
Talk back to = answer impolitely
- The teacher was really upset with the boy who talked back to her.
Walk out on = abandon
- Her husband walked out on her and their children.
