Phrasal Verbs for Matura: A Comprehensive Guide for English Learners
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language, especially for students preparing for the Matura exam. They consist of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs), and their meanings often differ from the original verb. Mastering phrasal verbs will help you improve your fluency and comprehension in both written and spoken English.
What Are Phrasal Verbs?
Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and a particle (or sometimes two particles) that function as a single semantic unit. The meaning of a phrasal verb is often idiomatic, meaning it cannot be deduced from the individual words.
Common Phrasal Verbs for Matura
1. Break down
Meaning: To stop working (for machines), or to lose control emotionally.
- My car broke down on the way to work.
- She broke down in tears after hearing the bad news.
- The negotiations broke down because neither side would compromise.
2. Bring up
Meaning: To mention a topic or to raise a child.
- He brought up an interesting point during the meeting.
- She was brought up in a small village.
- Don’t bring up politics at dinner—it always causes arguments.
3. Call off
Meaning: To cancel something.
- The concert was called off due to bad weather.
- They had to call off the meeting because the boss was sick.
- The football match was called off after the pitch flooded.
4. Find out
Meaning: To discover or learn something.
- I just found out that she’s moving abroad.
- How did you find out about the party?
- The police are trying to find out who committed the crime.
5. Give up
Meaning: To stop doing something, especially a habit, or to surrender.
- He finally gave up smoking after 10 years.
- Don’t give up on your dreams—keep trying!
- The criminal gave up when the police surrounded him.
6. Look after
Meaning: To take care of someone or something.
- Can you look after my dog while I’m on vacation?
- She looks after her elderly parents.
- He was hired to look after the company’s finances.
7. Put off
Meaning: To postpone or delay something.
- We had to put off the trip because of the storm.
- Don’t put off your homework until the last minute.
- The meeting was put off until next week.
8. Take after
Meaning: To resemble a family member in appearance or behavior.
- She takes after her mother—they both love painting.
- He takes after his father in looks.
- My brother takes after our grandfather—they’re both very stubborn.
9. Turn down
Meaning: To refuse an offer or request, or to reduce volume/heat.
- She turned down the job because the salary was too low.
- He asked her out, but she turned him down.
- Can you turn down the music? It’s too loud.
10. Run out of
Meaning: To have no more of something left.
- We ran out of milk, so I’ll have to buy some more.
- They ran out of time and couldn’t finish the project.
- I ran out of patience waiting for him.
Exercises: Practice Using Phrasal Verbs
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Choose the correct phrasal verb from the list below to complete the sentences.
- break down
- bring up
- call off
- find out
- give up
- She decided to _____ smoking for her health.
- The car _____ in the middle of the highway.
- They had to _____ the picnic because of the rain.
- Did you _____ who won the competition?
- He didn’t want to _____ the subject during the meeting.
Exercise 2: Match the Phrasal Verb to Its Meaning
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| look after | a) to cancel |
| put off | b) to take care of |
| turn down | c) to refuse |
| take after | d) to resemble |
| run out of | e) to have no more left |
Answer Key
Exercise 1:
- give up
- broke down
- call off
- find out
- bring up
Exercise 2:
- look after – b) to take care of
- put off – a) to cancel
- turn down – c) to refuse
- take after – d) to resemble
- run out of – e) to have no more left