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Unit 143 · Phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs 7 up (1)

Study

A

go up, come up, walk up (to …) = approach

A man came up to me in the street and asked me for money.

catch up (with somebody), catch somebody up = move faster than people in front of you so that you reach them

I'm not ready to go yet. You go on and I'll catch up with you.

I'm not ready to go yet. You go on and I'll catch you up.

keep up (with somebody) = continue at the same speed or level

You're walking too fast. I can't keep up (with you).

You're doing well. Keep it up!

B

set up an organisation, a company, a business, a system, a website etc. = start it

The government has set up a committee to investigate the problem.

take up a hobby, a sport, an activity etc. = start doing it

Laura took up photography a few years ago. She takes really good pictures.

fix up a meeting etc. = arrange it

We've fixed up a meeting for next Monday.

C

grow up = become an adult

Amy was born in Hong Kong but grew up in Australia.

bring up a child = raise, look after a child

Her parents died when she was a child and she was brought up by her grandparents.

D

clean up, clear up, tidy up = make something clean, tidy etc.

Look at this mess! Who's going to tidy up?

Look at this mess! Who's going to tidy it up?

wash up = wash the plates, dishes etc. after a meal

I hate washing up.

I hate doing the washing-up.

E

end up somewhere, end up doing something etc.

There was a fight in the street and three men ended up in hospital. (= that's what happened to these men in the end)

I couldn't find a hotel and ended up sleeping on a bench at the station. (= that's what happened to me in the end)

give up = stop trying, give something up = stop doing it

Don't give up. Keep trying!

Sue got bored with her job and decided to give it up. (= stop doing it)

make up something, be made up of something

Children under 16 make up half the population of the city. (= half the population are children under 16)

Air is made up mainly of nitrogen and oxygen. (= Air consists of …)

take up space or time = use space or time

Most of the space in the room was taken up by a large table.

turn up, show up = arrive, appear

We arranged to meet David last night, but he didn't turn up.

use something up = use all of it so that nothing is left

I'm going to make soup. We have a lot of vegetables and I want to use them up.

Exercises (3)

0/3 exercises checked
143.1

Look at the pictures and complete the sentences. Use three words each time, including a verb from Section A.

  1. 1A man approaching someone on the street to ask directions.
    A man me in the street and asked me the way to the station.example
  2. 2A woman ringing the doorbell at a front door.
    Kate the front door of the house and rang the doorbell.
  3. 3A runner catching up with the runners ahead.
    Tom was a long way behind the other runners, but he managed to them.
  4. 4A man unable to keep up with a faster runner ahead.
    Tanya was running too fast for Paul. He couldn't her.
143.2

Complete the sentences. Use a verb (in the correct form) + up. Choose from:

endendgivegivegrowmaketaketaketurnusewash
  1. 1
    I couldn't find a hotel and sleeping on a bench at the station.example
  2. 2
    I'm feeling very tired now. I've all my energy.
  3. 3
    After dinner I and put the dishes away.
  4. 4
    People often ask children what they want to be when they .
  5. 5
    We arranged to meet Tom, but he didn't .
  6. 6
    Two years ago James his studies to be a professional footballer.
  7. 7
    I don't do any sports right now, but I'm thinking of tennis.
  8. 8
    You don't have enough determination. You too easily.
  9. 9
    Karen travelled a lot for a few years and in Canada, where she still lives.
  10. 10
    I do a lot of gardening. It most of my free time.
  11. 11
    There are two universities in the city. Students 20 per cent of the population.
143.3

Complete the sentences. Use a verb + up (with any other necessary words). Choose from:

bringcatchfixgivegivegokeepkeepmakesettidy
  1. 1
    Sue got bored with her job and decided to .example
  2. 2
    I'm not ready yet. You go on and I'll you.
  3. 3
    The room is in a mess. I'd better .
  4. 4
    We expect to go away on holiday in July, but we haven't yet.
  5. 5
    Steven is having problems at school. He can't the rest of the class.
  6. 6
    I in the country, but I have always preferred cities.
  7. 7
    Our team lost the game. We started well, but we couldn't .
  8. 8
    I saw Mike at the party, so I him and said hello.
  9. 9
    Helen has her own website. A friend of hers helped her to .
  10. 10
    Ben was learning to play the guitar, but he found it hard and in the end he .
  11. 11
    When I was on holiday, I joined a tour group. The group two Americans, three Japanese, five Germans and myself.