Phrasal Verbs for Daily Routine: A Comprehensive Guide for English Learners
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of everyday English, especially when describing daily routines. They consist of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs), and their meanings often differ from the original verb. Mastering these will make your English sound more natural and fluent. Below is a detailed list of common phrasal verbs related to daily routines, along with meanings, examples, and exercises.
1. Wake up
Meaning: To stop sleeping and become conscious.
- I wake up at 7 AM every morning.
- She woke up late and missed her bus.
- They usually wake up to the sound of an alarm.
2. Get up
Meaning: To rise from bed after waking.
- He gets up early to go jogging.
- We got up at dawn for our trip.
- She gets up as soon as her alarm rings.
3. Brush up
Meaning: To clean teeth with a toothbrush.
- I brush up my teeth twice a day.
- Don’t forget to brush up before bed.
- He brushed up quickly before leaving.
4. Wash up
Meaning: To clean hands or face (or dishes in some contexts).
- She washes up before every meal.
- They washed up after playing in the garden.
- Can you wash up the dishes after dinner?
5. Get dressed
Meaning: To put on clothes.
- He gets dressed in his uniform for school.
- She got dressed quickly for the meeting.
- They get dressed after taking a shower.
6. Put on
Meaning: To wear clothes or accessories.
- I put on my jacket before going out.
- She put on her glasses to read the book.
- Don’t forget to put on sunscreen.
7. Take off
Meaning: To remove clothes or leave a place (e.g., for a flight).
- He takes off his shoes at the door.
- She took off her hat when she entered the room.
- The plane takes off at 3 PM.
8. Set off
Meaning: To start a journey.
- We set off for work at 8 AM.
- They set off early to avoid traffic.
- She set off on her trip yesterday.
9. Drop off
Meaning: To take someone or something to a place and leave them there.
- I drop off my kids at school every morning.
- He dropped off the package at the post office.
- Can you drop me off at the station?
10. Pick up
Meaning: To collect someone or something.
- She picks up her son from daycare at 5 PM.
- I’ll pick up some groceries on the way home.
- He picked up his friend from the airport.
11. Hang out
Meaning: To spend time relaxing or socializing.
- We hang out at the café after work.
- They hung out at the park all afternoon.
- Do you want to hang out this weekend?
12. Work out
Meaning: To exercise or solve a problem.
- I work out at the gym three times a week.
- She worked out the math problem quickly.
- Let’s work out a plan for the project.
13. Wind down
Meaning: To relax after a busy day.
- He winds down by reading a book before bed.
- They wind down with some soft music.
- I like to wind down with a cup of tea.
14. Go to bed
Meaning: To lie down to sleep.
- She goes to bed at 10 PM every night.
- They went to bed late after the party.
- I go to bed early on weekdays.
15. Fall asleep
Meaning: To begin sleeping.
- He fell asleep while watching TV.
- I usually fall asleep within minutes.
- She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct phrasal verb.
- I usually ____ at 6:30 AM on weekdays. (wake up / get up)
- She ____ her coat before going outside. (put on / take off)
- We ____ at the mall every Saturday. (hang out / work out)
- He ____ his daughter at school every morning. (drops off / picks up)
- They ____ early to catch the first train. (set off / wind down)
Exercise 2: Match the phrasal verb with its meaning.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. Brush up | A. To clean teeth |
| 2. Wash up | B. To remove clothes |
| 3. Take off | C. To clean hands or dishes |
Answer Key
Exercise 1:
- wake up
- put on
- hang out
- drops off
- set off
Exercise 2:
| Phrasal Verb | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Brush up | A |
| 2. Wash up | C |
| 3. Take off | B |