Phrasal Verbs for Apologizing and Expressing Regret

Phrasal Verbs for Apologizing and Expressing Regret

Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English communication, especially when expressing apologies or regret. Mastering these phrases can help learners sound more natural and polite in conversations. Below is a comprehensive list of phrasal verbs related to apologizing, along with their meanings, examples, and exercises.

1. Own Up To

Meaning: To admit responsibility for something wrong or embarrassing.

• He finally owned up to breaking the vase.
• She owned up to forgetting the meeting.
• They should own up to their mistakes.

2. Make Up For

Meaning: To compensate for a mistake or wrongdoing.

• He tried to make up for being late by bringing coffee.
• She made up for her harsh words with a sincere apology.
• They promised to make up for the inconvenience.

3. Say Sorry For

Meaning: To apologize for something.

• She said sorry for interrupting the conversation.
• He said sorry for forgetting her birthday.
• They said sorry for the misunderstanding.

4. Apologize For

Meaning: To express regret for an action or mistake.

• He apologized for arriving late.
• She apologized for her rude behavior.
• They apologized for the inconvenience caused.

5. Take Back

Meaning: To retract or regret something said.

• He wished he could take back his angry words.
• She took back her harsh comment and apologized.
• They took back their accusations after realizing the truth.

6. Smooth Over

Meaning: To try to make a situation better after a conflict.

• He tried to smooth over the argument with a joke.
• She smoothed over the misunderstanding with an explanation.
• They smoothed over the disagreement by compromising.

7. Admit To

Meaning: To confess or acknowledge a mistake.

• He admitted to forgetting the appointment.
• She admitted to making a mistake in the report.
• They admitted to causing the problem.

8. Beg For

Meaning: To plead or ask earnestly for forgiveness.

• He begged for her forgiveness after the argument.
• She begged for another chance to prove herself.
• They begged for mercy after realizing their error.

9. Clear Up

Meaning: To resolve a misunderstanding or confusion.

• He cleared up the confusion by explaining the situation.
• She cleared up the misunderstanding with an apology.
• They cleared up the issue by discussing it openly.

10. Patch Up

Meaning: To repair a relationship after a disagreement.

• He patched up their friendship with a heartfelt apology.
• She patched up the argument by admitting her fault.
• They patched up their differences and moved forward.

Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verb from the list above.

1. She __________ forgetting to call him back.
2. He tried to __________ his mistake by buying her flowers.
3. They __________ the argument by talking honestly.
4. He __________ his rude comment and apologized.
5. She __________ the misunderstanding with a clear explanation.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite the following sentences using a phrasal verb from the list.

1. He confessed to lying about the incident. → He __________ lying about the incident.
2. She compensated for her lateness by working extra hours. → She __________ her lateness by working extra hours.
3. They resolved their disagreement peacefully. → They __________ their disagreement peacefully.

Exercise 3: Create Your Own Sentences

Write three sentences using any of the phrasal verbs listed above.

1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________

Phrasal Verb	Meaning
Own Up To	To admit responsibility
Make Up For	To compensate for a mistake
Say Sorry For	To apologize for something
Apologize For	To express regret
Take Back	To retract something said
Smooth Over	To resolve a conflict
Admit To	To confess a mistake
Beg For	To plead for forgiveness
Clear Up	To resolve confusion
Patch Up	To repair a relationship