English Phrasal Verbs
A phrasal verb is a verb followed by a preposition or an adverb.
The combination creates a meaning different from the original verb.
The combination creates a meaning different from the original verb.
Commonly-used phrasal verbs.
Phrasal Verbs related to DRIVING
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Back up | Reverse; move a vehicle backwards | He backed up close to the gate. |
| Break down | Stop working. | The car broke down on the way home. |
| Change up | Start using a higher gear. | When he got on the motorway he was able to change up to fifth (gear). |
| Change down | Start using a lower gear. | I changed down from fourth to third as we approached the town. |
| Cut in Cut off |
Suddenly move very closely in front of another vehicle in a dangerous manner. | That car just cut in/cut me off and I almost hit it! |
| Drive off | Leave a place in a vehicle. | The bank robber drove off in a black car. |
| Drive on | Continue driving. | That’s my boss. Don’t stop –drive on! I don't want him to see me. |
| Drop off | Take someone somewhere (by car). | Jack dropped me off at the station. |
| Fill up | Put fuel in the tank. | I’ll stop at a petrol station and fill up. |
| Knock down | Hit someone with a vehicle. | A cyclist was knocked down by a truck. |
| Pick up | Go somewhere in your car and collect someone | John offered to pick up his colleague at the bus stop. |
| Pull in | Move to a designated place at the side of the road. | A police car signalled to me to pull in. |
| Pull off | Leave the road momentarily. | I was tired from driving so I pulled off for a rest and a cup of coffee. |
| Pull out | Move out from the roadside onto the road. | A motorbike suddenly pulled out in front of me. |
| Pull over | Move over to the side of the road. | She pulled over to make way for the ambulance. |
| Pull up | Stop. | All vehicles must pull up at the traffic lights. |
| Slow down | Reduce the speed | The driver slowed down in front of the school. |
| Speed up | Accelerate | I’ll have to speed up if we want to arrive on time. |
| Turn off | Leave a road to take another. | Is this where we turn off? |
More Phrasal Verbs: