English Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal Verbs relating to HEALTH with their meaning
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Break out | Start suddenly. | “Her skin broke out in a rash after eating strawberries.” |
| Clear up | Disappear; go away (illness, infection) | «The doctor prescribed an ointment to clear up the rash.” |
| Come to Come round |
Regain consciousness. | “When Emily came round, she was in hospital.” |
| Come down Go down |
Contract or catch an illness (cold, flu, etc.) | “You’re sneezing. Are you coming down with a cold? |
| Fight off | Struggle to resist an illness. | “I've been fighting off a cold all week.” |
| Flare up | Suddenly start again or become worse | “My arthritis has flared up again. It’s very painful.” |
| Get over | Start feeling well again after an illness | “My son caught a stomach virus but he got over it.” |
| Hold down Keep down |
Retain (food); not vomit | “The worst is over. He’s starting to hold down his food.” |
| Pass away Pass on |
Die (a less harsh way of talking about death) | “The Queen passed away peacefully at her home in Balmoral.” |
| Pass on (something) | Transmit an illness or virus | “I hope Jack doesn’t pass on his cold to the group.” |
| Pass out | Faint; lose consciousness for a short time | “The intern passed out when he saw all the blood!” |
| Pick up | Get or contract an illness from someone or something | “Laura picked up a virus during a business trip.” |
| Pull through | Recover from an illness or injuries | “Paul is badly injured but he’ll pull through.” |
| Shake off | Get rid of an infection or illness | “I’ve had a headache all day that I just can’t shake off.” |
| Stuffed up | Blocked with mucus; congested | I can't breathe; my nose is all stuffed up! |
| Swell up | Increase in volume or size | “His wrist started to swell up. It was either broken or sprained.” |
| Throw up | Vomit; retch; be sick | “I don’t feel well; I think I’m going to throw up!” |
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