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.
Watch out! (always an order)
Watch out - there is a motorcycle coming!
Watch over (to protect a person or animal)
Marlon’s bodyguards were everywhere watching over him.
Water down (to make an idea less strong in order to make more people agree with it)
The Opposition has been accused of watering down its radical policies.
Wave aside (to refuse to consider something that someone has said because you do not think it is important)
My objections to recruiting foreign experts were waved aside by the board of directors.
Wave down (to make a vehicle stop by making a signal to the driver with your arms)
Paula waved down a taxi that came along.
Wave on (to make a signal with your hands to show that others can move ahead)
After the accident a police officer waved other vehicles on.
Wean off (to make someone gradually stop using something bad for them)
Bob tried to wean himself off sweets.
Wear down (to make something gradually thinner)
When tyres wear down they need replacing.
Wear off (if a feeling wears off, it gradually disappears)
The initial excitement has worn off.
Wear out (if you use something regularly, it becomes weak and damaged)
I cannot wear this worn out pair of shoes.
Be wedded to (to believe strongly that an idea is right)
The government is wedded to the idea of high taxation.
Weed out (to get rid of people or things you do not need)
The first interview will weed out weaker applicants.
Weigh against (to think carefully before doing something to judge whether the advantages are greater than disadvantages)
Economic benefits of farming have to be weighed against possible damage to the environment.
Weigh down (if you are weighed down with something, you are carrying too much of it)
Why do you want to be weighed down with extra luggage?
Weigh in (to become involved in an argument in a forceful way)
Several environmentalists weighed in with criticism on forest clearance for making a highway.
Weigh on (if a problem weighs on you, it makes you worried)
My failure in the final examination in laws weighed on my mind.
Weigh out (to take a small amount of something from a larger amount so that you have the amount you need)
Monica weighed out all the ingredients for the birthday cake.
Weigh up (to think carefully about the advantages and disadvantages involved in a situation before making a decision)
Eva always weighs up the pleasures of living in the country against the convenience of living in a city.
Welch on (to fail to do what you have promised to do)
The contractor agreed to pay back the money but he welched on the deal in the last minute.
Well up (if tears well up, they appear in your eyes)
When I saw my mother after a long time I felt tears welling up in my eyes.
Wheel around (to quickly turn around)
Ann wheeled around to face the thief.
While away (to spend time in a relaxed way)
I whiled away the weekend watching television.
Whip out (to get something out quickly)
The robber whipped out a knife when he was confronted by the landlord.
Whip through (to do something very quickly)
Mother whipped through her cooking in a matter of a few hours.
Whip up (to try to make people feel strong about something)
The government has accused the Opposition for whipping up communal clashes.
Whittle away at (to gradually reduce the size or importance of something until it does not exist anymore)
A series of new laws has gradually whittled away at the powers of the trade unions.