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Unit 141 · Phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs 5 on/off (2)

Study

A

verb + on = continue doing something

go on = continue

›

The party went on until 4 o'clock in the morning.

go on / carry on doing something = continue doing it

›

We can't go on spending money like this. We'll have nothing left soon.

›

I don't want to carry on working here. I'm going to look for another job.

go on with / carry on with something = continue it

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Don't let me disturb you. Please carry on with what you're doing.

keep on doing (or keep doing) something = do it continuously or repeatedly

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He keeps on criticising me. It's not fair! (or He keeps criticising me.)

drive on / walk on / play on = continue driving/walking/playing etc.

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Shall we stop at this petrol station or shall we drive on to the next one?

B

get on

get on = progress

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How are you getting on in your new job? (= How is it going?)

get on (with somebody) = have a good relationship

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Joanne and Karen don't get on. They're always arguing.

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Richard gets on well with his neighbours. They're all very friendly.

get on with something = continue something you have to do, usually after an interruption

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I must get on with my work. I have a lot to do.

C

verb + off

doze off / drop off / nod off = fall asleep

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I dozed off during the lecture. It was very boring.

finish something off = do the last part of it

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A: Have you finished painting the kitchen? B: Nearly. I'll finish it off tomorrow.

go off = make an alarm sound

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Did you hear the alarm go off?

put somebody off (doing) something so that they don't want it or want to do it any more

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We wanted to go to the exhibition, but we were put off by the long queue. (= we didn't go because of the long queue)

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What put you off applying for the job? Was the salary too low?

rip somebody off / be ripped off = cheat somebody / be cheated

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Did you really pay £2,000 for that painting? I think you were ripped off. (= you paid too much)

show off = try to impress people with your ability, your knowledge etc.

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Look at that boy on the bike riding with no hands. He's just showing off.

tell somebody off = speak angrily to somebody because they did something wrong

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Clare's mother told her off for wearing dirty shoes in the house.

→ go on / carry on / keep on ➜ Unit 53B Phrasal verbs 1 (Introduction) ➜ Unit 137 More verbs + on/off ➜ Unit 140 American English → Appendix 7

Exercises (3)

0/3 exercises checked
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141.1

What do these sentences mean?

  1. 1
    I carried on studying. The meaning is: example
  2. 2
    I nodded off. The meaning is:
  3. 3
    We were ripped off. The meaning is:
  4. 4
    I told them off. The meaning is:
  5. 5
    They don't get on. The meaning is:
  6. 6
    He was showing off. The meaning is:
141.2

Complete each sentence using a verb + on or off.

  1. 1
    We can't spending money like this. We'll have nothing left soon.example
  2. 2
    I'm not ready to go home yet. I have a few things to .
  3. 3
    'Shall I stop the car here?' 'No, a bit further.'
  4. 4
    Dan paid too much for the car he bought. I think he was .
  5. 5
    Emma is enjoying her course at university. She's very well.
  6. 6
    The fire alarm and everybody had to leave the building.
  7. 7
    Ben was by his boss for being late for work repeatedly.
  8. 8
    The meeting has only just finished. It longer than expected.
  9. 9
    I really like working with my colleagues. We all really well together.
  10. 10
    I making the same mistake. It's very frustrating.
  11. 11
    I've just had a coffee break, and now I must with my work.
  12. 12
    Peter likes people to know how clever he is. He's always .
  13. 13
    We decided not to go to the concert. We were by the cost of tickets.
  14. 14
    Jack paused for a moment and then with his story.
  15. 15
    I was so tired at work today. I nearly at my desk a couple of times.
141.3

Complete the sentences. Use a verb (in the correct form) + on or off. Sometimes you will need other words as well. Choose from: carry finish get get go keep rip tell

carryfinishgetgetgokeepriptell
  1. 1
    a: How {} in your new job?
    b: Fine, thanks. It's going very well. example
  2. 2
    a: What's Tanya like?
    b: She's very nice and easy-going. She everybody.
  3. 3
    a: Is Gary going to retire soon?
    b: No, he likes his job and wants to working.
  4. 4
    a: Have you written the letter you had to write?
    b: I've started it. I'll tomorrow.
  5. 5
    a: We took a taxi to the airport. It cost £40.
    b: £40! Normally it costs about £20. You .
  6. 6
    a: Why were you late for work this morning?
    b: I overslept. My alarm clock didn't .
  7. 7
    a: Some children at the next table in the restaurant were behaving very badly.
    b: Why didn't their parents ?
  8. 8
    a: Is Kate good at making decisions?
    b: No, she isn't. changing her mind.