Phrasal Verbs for Health: A Comprehensive Guide for English Learners
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English, especially when discussing health and well-being. They combine a verb with a preposition or adverb, creating a new meaning. This article will explore common phrasal verbs related to health, their meanings, examples, and exercises to test your understanding.
1. Come down with
Meaning: To start to suffer from an illness, usually a mild one like a cold or flu.
- She came down with a fever after getting caught in the rain.
- Half the office came down with the flu last winter.
- He came down with a bad cold and had to miss the party.
2. Get over
Meaning: To recover from an illness or emotional distress.
- It took her two weeks to get over her bronchitis.
- He still hasn’t gotten over the shock of the accident.
- You’ll get over the flu faster if you rest and drink fluids.
3. Pass out
Meaning: To faint or lose consciousness temporarily.
- She passed out from dehydration during the marathon.
- The patient passed out after seeing the needle.
- He nearly passed out from the pain after the injury.
4. Throw up
Meaning: To vomit; to eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth.
- The child threw up after eating too much candy.
- She felt nauseous and had to throw up in the bathroom.
- If you throw up repeatedly, you should see a doctor.
5. Break out in
Meaning: To suddenly develop a rash, sweat, or other skin condition.
- He broke out in hives after eating shellfish.
- She broke out in a cold sweat before her surgery.
- The baby broke out in a rash after using the new soap.
6. Run down
Meaning: To feel very tired or exhausted, often due to stress or illness.
- After working 12-hour shifts, she felt completely run down.
- He’s been run down lately because of his hectic schedule.
- If you’re feeling run down, try getting more sleep.
7. Fight off
Meaning: To resist or recover from an illness or infection.
- She took vitamins to help fight off the cold.
- His immune system is strong enough to fight off most infections.
- Drinking herbal tea can help fight off a sore throat.
8. Black out
Meaning: To lose consciousness or memory temporarily.
- He blacked out after hitting his head on the pavement.
- She blacked out from the pain during the procedure.
- Some people black out when they drink too much alcohol.
9. Cut down on
Meaning: To reduce the amount of something, often for health reasons.
- He decided to cut down on sugar to improve his diet.
- She cut down on caffeine to help with her anxiety.
- Doctors advise patients to cut down on processed foods.
10. Work out
Meaning: To exercise to improve physical health.
- She works out at the gym three times a week.
- He works out in the morning to stay energized.
- Regularly working out can help prevent heart disease.
Exercises: Test Your Knowledge
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verb from the list above.
- After eating spoiled food, she had to __________.
- He was so exhausted that he almost __________ during the meeting.
- She __________ a cold last week but is feeling better now.
- To stay healthy, you should __________ junk food.
- He __________ in hives after touching poison ivy.
Exercise 2: Match the Phrasal Verb to Its Meaning
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. Come down with | A. To faint |
| 2. Get over | B. To develop an illness |
| 3. Pass out | C. To recover from sickness |
| 4. Throw up | D. To vomit |
| 5. Break out in | E. To suddenly develop a rash |
Answer Key
Exercise 1 Answers:
- throw up
- passed out / blacked out
- came down with
- cut down on
- broke out in
Exercise 2 Answers:
| Phrasal Verb | Correct Letter |
|---|---|
| 1. Come down with | B |
| 2. Get over | C |
| 3. Pass out | A |
| 4. Throw up | D |
| 5. Break out in | E |