Phrasal verbs | Sunday Observer

Phrasal verbs

6 March, 2022

Phrasal verbs are an important feature of the English language. The meaning of a phrasal verb often bears no relation either to the verb or the particle which is used with it. Many phrasal verbs have several different meanings.
Lord over (to behave as if you are better than someone else and have the right to tell them what to do)
The new director likes to lord it over those junior to him.
Lose out (to not have an advantage that other people have)
The proposed new tax bill means that workers will lose out.
Lounge around (to spend your time in a relaxed way, doing very little)
Most school dropouts lounge around the playground.
Lull into (to gradually give someone confidence or make them feel safe, usually by deceiving them)
The economic success of the previous years has lulled the government into a false sense of security.
Lump together (to consider that two or more different things or people belonging to the same group, or people to make one group)
Indian and Sri Lankan authors cannot be lumped together.
Luxuriate in (to spend time getting as much pleasure as you can from an enjoyable experience)
For a moment the winning contestant said nothing, but luxuriated in their praise.
Magic away (to make something disappear so quickly that it seems as if you have used magic)
Any make-up will magic away some of your imperfections.
Make after (to chase someone or something)
Police made after the suspect in a jeep.
Make away with (to steal something)
The robber raided the bank and made away with Rs 15 million in cash.
Make for (to go in the direction of a place)
Thelma got up and made for the exit.
Make of (if you ask someone what they make of someone or something, you want to know their opinion about that person or thing)
I didn’t know what to make of the new comer.
Make off (to leave somewhere quickly, especially in order to escape)
The thief made off as soon as he saw the police jeep.
Make off with (to steal something and take it away)
Do you know who broke into the office room and made off with the computer?
Make out (to be able to see or hear something or someone, usually with difficulty)
I couldn’t make out what he said.
Make over (to give money or possessions to someone in an official way, so that they own them legally)
Please make the cheque over to Samuwel Perera.
Make up (to say or write something that is not true)
Before entering the principal’s office, the errant student made up an excuse.
Make up for (to replace something that has been lost)
I did not read many books when I was younger, but I am now making up for the lost time.
Map out (to plan something in detail)
By the age of 18, Lionel had his future mapped out.
March on (to walk to a particular place in a large group to express your opposition to something)
Thousands of demonstrators marched on the palace shouting slogans.

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