Phrasal verbs are an important feature of the English language. The meaning of a phrasal verb often bears no relation to the meaning of either the verb or the particle which is used with it. Many phrasal verbs have several different meanings.
Hush up (to stop the public from finding out about something bad that has happened)
A financial scandal involving a minister has been hushed up.
Hype up (to make something seem more important than it really is)
The opening of a bridge has been hyped up out of all proportions.
Ice up (if a machine ices up, ice covers it and prevents it from working properly)
There will be no electricity because the generator has iced up.
Identify with (to feel that you are similar to someone else)
Readers usually identify themselves with the heroes of the novels they read.
Idle away (to spend a period of time relaxing and doing very little)
Jobless youth are idling away their time waiting for opportunities.
Imbue with (to fill someone or something with a particular feeling, quality or idea)
His writing is imbued with religious ideas.
Immerse in (to involve someone completely in an activity or subject)
At university I was immersed in the ideas of Greek thinkers.
Impact on / upon (to have a noticeable effect on something or someone)
Falling export earnings have impacted on the economy.
Impinge on / upon (to have an effect on something or someone in a way that limits their freedom)
Riots have impinged on the lives of ordinary people.
Impose on / upon (to force a group of people to accept something)
The court imposed Rs 50,000 fine on a trader who had sold expired goods.
Impress on / upon (to make someone understand the importance of something)
One of the principles impressed on me by my teachers is to stand up for myself.
Improve on / upon (to do something in a better way)
Architects are trying to improve on the building plan.
Impute to (to believe that someone or something has a particular characteristic)
I made the mistake of imputing stupidity to my critics.
Indulge in (to allow yourself to do or have something that you enjoy)
Some young people indulge in fantasies.
Inform on (to give information about someone who has done something wrong to the authorities)
Robbers have warned that anyone who informs on them will be killed.
Infringe on / upon (if something infringes on someone’s rights, it takes away their rights)
The new law will infringe upon the rights of minorities.
Ink in (to write something in ink)
I inked in the date of his wedding in my diary.