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.
Sit down (to move your body so that the lower part of it is resting on a seat or on the ground)
Would you like to sit down?
Sit for (to be a model for an artist or a photographer until they paint you or take photographs)
Barbara sat for a painter for many hours.
Sit in (to be present in a meeting or class without taking part in it)
You can sit in on a class to see if it is the type of thing that would interest you.
Sit on (to be an official member of a group of people that controls an organisation)
Bob sits on a number of committees.
Sit out (to be unable to take part in a physical activity, usually because you are injured)
Monica had to sit out the competition because of her broken leg.
Sit over (to spend a lot of time over a meal in a relaxed manner)
The guests sat over dinner talking politics for a long time.
Sit through (to listen to a speech which is very long and boring)
The invitees had to sit through more than an hour before dinner was served.
Sit up (to stay awake even though it is late)
My friends sat up throughout the night just talking.
Size up (to carefully examine a situation in order to make a judgment)
Maya is still trying to size up the situation.
Skate round (to avoid discussing a subject usually because it is too difficult or embarrassing)
The speaker skated round the issue of abortion.
Sketch in (to draw something quickly and roughly)
The artist sketched in a few trees in the background of the house.
Sketch out (to give a short general description of an idea or plan)
The student sketched out his ideas in an essay.
Skim off (t o remove an amount of money from a larger amount in order to keep it for yourself)
Harry has been accused of skimming off money from a government grant.
Skim through (to read a piece of writing quickly in order to understand the main points)
Bill did not have much time so he skimmed through the article.
Skimp on (to not spend enough time or money on something)
Some poor people skimp on food in order to pay their electricity bills.
Skate round (to go round the edge or outside of something)
Travellers skated round the big building.
Slack off (to work less hard than usual)
Let’s slack off a bit towards the end of the week.
Slacken off (to become slower or less active)
We are waiting for the rains to slacken off.
Slam down (to put something down with a lot of force)
When I called she slammed the phone down.
Slap round (to hit someone very often)
The woman complained that her husband used to slap her round.
Slap down (to criticize someone)
When I tried to give my version of the incident, I was immediately slapped down.